Condensing Life into 80.5 Seconds
Subtitle: Explore Life's Brevity in this Unique Game
Experience the fleeting nature of life in the intriguing puzzle-adventure game, Time Flies. This captivating title, available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mac, allows players to control a common housefly (or mayfly) as it embarks on an extraordinary journey to complete a bucket list before its limited lifespan expires.
The game's novelty lies in its unique lifespan conversion mechanism. It converts average human life expectancy, based on the chosen country's World Health Organization (WHO) data, into seconds of gameplay. For instance, a Japanese player will have approximately 84.5 seconds, while a player from Lesotho will have 51.5 seconds to complete the game[1][2][5].
In terms of gameplay and design, Time Flies offers a series of small, hand-drawn environments, such as houses, sewers, museums, and more, where players must solve abstract, often pun-filled tasks. Objectives are vaguely described, requiring experimental and trial-and-error exploration. For example, to "Learn an Instrument," players must buzz on guitar strings[3].
Movement is controlled solely by an analog stick or directional keys, with smooth flight physics, ensuring simple and approachable controls[3][4]. Time counts down the player's life in seconds, but pauses during puzzle interactions to allow precise movement and thinking without pressure[1][3]. Scattered clocks enable players to rewind time briefly, providing extra seconds to complete goals, adding a strategic layer to optimise the limited life[1][2][3].
Progression requires completing all bucket list items in one life, demanding players to plan routes efficiently after learning how to complete each task, creating a frantic but thoughtful gameplay loop[2][4]. The game's tone is a mix of dry humour, clever puns, and a subtle reflection on life's brevity, resulting in a distinctive comedic yet poignant atmosphere[1][5].
Solving tasks in Time Flies provides insight into what one should have done in life to lead a fulfilling life. Examples of tasks on the bucket list include making someone laugh, learning an instrument, and going on tour[1][5]. The game's difficulty level is selected based on the chosen country's lifespan, adding an additional layer of challenge[1].
The game's minimalistic style is full of charm, with the initial level being minimalistic, in 2D and black and white. It appears to have been designed to look as if it was drawn in Microsoft Paint, adding to its endearing character[3]. The Steam platform recommends Time Flies for players aged 16 and up[6].
Time Flies offers a unique blend of thematic design around mortality, minimalist but expressive gameplay, and inventive, open-ended puzzles—all wrapped in a short, digestible package that challenges players to make the most out of a fleeting existence. The game costs approximately 15 euros[7].
In the game Time Flies, players can surround themselves with various environments such as homes, gardens, and even museums, reflecting a 'home-and-garden' and 'lifestyle' theme. As they complete tasks on their bucket list, they are exposed to gadgets and technology like musical instruments, mirroring real-life experiences.
With its unique lifespan conversion mechanism, this game encapsulates the essence of 'technology' by converting average human life expectancies into seconds of gameplay, thus encouraging players to make the most out of their game-life, embodying the brevity of life in an exceptional manner.
