Part Time UFO

I wouldn’t even call it a mobile game. That implies it has stuff like microtransactions and ads, this is just a game for your phone. And it’s perfect. The medals are challenging but not frustrating to get, all of the money is properly earned, there’s nothing interrupting gameplay, and it’s perfect for playing in short bursts. It’s just a really fun game. It’s disappointing that games like this aren’t as successful as the cash-grab garbage on the App Store. If this game came out in the early 2010s it would’ve been huge. Please play this game instead of the tired mobile games that are just cheap distractions. If you’re gonna waste time on your phone, do it properly. (Also there’s a remaster on the switch with the more content and multiplayer, check that out)

This game is frustrating, now most will take that as a bad thing, and sure it can be but what separates this game from others is when i’m mad its not at the game it’s at myself. One very overlooked aspect of video games is you should never feel like you failing is the games fault. The controls and physics are tight and realistic and make it so when you mess up it is your fault. That beautifully frustrating moment of watching the tower that took so much concentration to build up tip like being sucker punched in the gut in slow motion. And what adds to the frustration is that its your fault. The game is beautiful as well and the art style adds a layer of polish to this incredible game that many phone games lack. There is a very distinct difference between playing on a game boy and playing on a phone. When you play on a handheld console you feel like your playing a game and when you play a phone game there is this sense of cheapness and lack of heart in the games, but this game crosses the line. it is very clear that a lot of love and dedication was put into making this game.

You can tell that this was made by HAL Labs because it is so adorable, elaborate, and charming. This game has provided me with hours of fun, patience, balance, and focus, and I didn't even think that it would be THAT much fun until I realized that I was absolutely engrossed with it. The side characters are just as charming as the main character, the UFO, and they make the cutest facial expressions depending on your performance in each level. This game also does an excellent job of providing replay value for their levels; you are very unlikely to nail a level on the first try, and trying to achieve all of the bonus medals in a level is no easy task, sometimes taking me several hours and dozens of tries. It feels so rewarding to finally get it right, though, and to watch the UFO dance around with a happy look on its face once you get paid for your part-time work. Another absolutely brilliant thing about this game is that there are no in-app purchases or micro transactions. You pay $4 up front, and that is an absolute steal; this game is worth far more than that. All of the in-game currency is EARNED and worked for. There are no advertisements and no promotions or anything. And I love it!!!! I hope it stays that way. As it is, this is probably one of the most fun games I own, a thoughtful, very challenging and elaborate puzzle game with so much love, charm, and effort put into it.