A Perfect Day Review : Hours to Midnight

A Perfect Day is a narrative puzzle adventure game that takes place in China in the late 1990s. You play as a 6th-grade student who wants to confess his feelings to his crush on the last day of the 20th century. However, you find yourself stuck in a time loop that repeats the same day over and over again. You have to explore the town, interact with various characters, and make choices that affect the outcome of the story. Along the way, you will uncover secrets, solve puzzles, and help everyone have their perfect day. Presenting Gameffine’s A Perfect Day review.

A Perfect Day was earlier released on February 24, 2022, on Steam for PC. Recently, It was also released on October 25, 2023, on the PlayStation Store for PS4 and PS5, and on October 26, 2023, on the Xbox Store for Xbox One and Xbox Series X. The game was also released on Nintendo Switch eShop on the same date.

Stuck In Loops of Imperfection

The game takes place on the day of the New Year’s Eve, 31st Dec 1999. It’s the end of the century, and you have a few hours to make all of your wishes come true. To make this happen, you have a sci-fi magazine and a selection of activity cards, with which you now hold the power to change your for the better. Whether you will have an imperfect day or a perfect day, is all up to you.

The game has four main stories that are interconnected and influenced by your decisions. Each story has multiple endings that depend on how you interact with the characters and the environment. Some endings are happy, some are sad, and some are surprising. You can also discover many side stories that add more depth and flavor to the game world. For example, you can help your friend win a mini 4WD race, play video games on your “Gamicom” console, or find out why your neighbor granny knows so much about you.

The game takes inspiration from the storytelling of Jorge Luis Borges, a famous Argentine writer who explored themes such as time, identity, dreams, and infinity in his works. Its narrative feels authentic due to the nostalgia and charm of the 1990s, especially in China, where the game is set. It depicts the Chinese lifestyle, culture, and history of that era, as well as some “old things” that evoke memories of the past. And lastly, it presents you with the power of choice to explore the beauty of life. The game allows players to make their own choices and experience different outcomes in a time loop narrative. In the end, it celebrates the magic of love and the importance of helping others have their perfect day.

Path to the Perfect Day

The puzzles in A Perfect Day are related to the time loop mechanic and the choices you make. For example, you have to figure out how to break the loop by finding clues and triggering events that change the course of the day. You also have to solve some logic puzzles, such as how to get past a locked door, how to fix a broken toy car, or how to win a trivia contest. Some puzzles are optional, but they can unlock different endings or side stories.

You can also use items from your inventory to interact with the environment or the characters. The game has a hint system that can help you if you get stuck. You can also switch between story mode and free mode to explore the town and try different things. The puzzles in A Perfect Day are not very difficult, but they are fun and rewarding. They add more depth and challenge to the game, and they make you think about the consequences of your actions.

The game has two modes: Story Mode and Free Mode. In Story Mode, you can follow the main plot and experience the different endings. In Free Mode, you can roam around the town and enjoy the mini-games and side stories without any time limit or consequences. You can also switch between the two modes at any time.

Timeless and Endless

The game features a unique crayon hand-painted style that captures the nostalgia and charm of the 1990s. The game also has a rich soundtrack that blends traditional Chinese instruments with modern electronic music. It is undoubtedly one of the best art styles that I have seen in recent years. Simplistic, yet effective at expressing complex emotions. 

In addition to its timeless visuals, the game also makes effective use of ambient sounds that add to the immersion. There are no in-game voiceovers, given the limited scope. But that does not hamper the overall tone of the game. It also makes use of instrumental music to express its somber tone.

Real Talk

A Perfect Day is an underrated gem that deserves more recognition. It will overwhelm you with emotions and nostalgia that will make you laugh, cry, and think. Given its limited scope, it may be a bit off-putting at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will play it over and over again until break free of the endless loop of imperfect days and seize the day.

FINAL RATING: 80/100