Games with calendar or time management can be pretty polarizing as some find the constraints stressful, especially if you’re after a relaxed gaming session.
Conversely, some players enjoy the structure that time limits bring to specific genres. If you’re part of the latter, here is a selection of games to test your time-keeping.
9Bully: Scholarship Edition
The School Of Hard Knocks
Bully(also known as Canis Canem Edit) is a fantastic take on school life and depicts it in a way only the makers ofGrand Theft Autocould.
You play as Jimmy Hopkins in one of the most chaotic schools you’ll ever find in a video game. There are plenty ofcrooked teachers and dangerous students, but you must still make time to go to class.
Classes can be missedif you’re careless, and you don’t want to miss out because you may earn valuable perks for attendance.
Bullyis at the bottom of the list because while there is time-sensitive content, seasons are tied to story progress. There’s no real penalty for missing classes, and you could technically explore the school forever without being pushed by a timer.
Sadly,Bullyis a one-and-done title, and while it’s absolutely worth playing,there was never a sequel.
8Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
A GBA Classic Re-imagined
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
TheStory of Seasonsgames have been around for decades, although the series was previously known asHarvest Moon.
Friends of Mineral Townis acharming farm simulatorwith a heartfelt story. You’ve returned to Mineral Town to take the reigns of your late Grandfather’s farm.
You start with basic equipment, but keep at it, and it will be quite a feat to cram the essentials into each day.The calendar dictates the time of yearand the crops that can grow, so you must pay attention to ensure seeds don’t go to waste.
This game is ideal if you enjoy time mechanics but don’t want to feel overly governed by them. Friends of Mineral Town is notably less hectic than other titles on the list, making it a fantastic,cozy game.
7Planet Zoo
Those Animals Won’t Feed Themselves
Planet Zoo
Tycoon games offer a unique spin on time management, and few titles showcase those mechanics quite likePlanet Zoo.
Planet Zooforces players to effectivelymanage two timelines. You’ve got broad targets to achieve in the future, like profit margins and animal quotas.
On the more immediate front, you must ensure animals are fed, and any sick creatures are dealt with promptly.Time-keeping can get pretty intense, but you’re able to freeze it, which is helpful for tasks like building enclosures.
Most Theme Park/City builders can fit the same mold asPlanet Zoo, but put it this way: Rollercoasters won’t starve if you run out of food.
6Rune Factory 4: Special
Fight Until The Sun Goes Down
Rune Factory 4 Special
I’ve already sungStory of Seasonspraises, but between you and me, I’ve always preferredtheRune Factorygames.
Rune Factory 4is far more combat-centric than similar titles, set in ahigh-fantasy worldcomplete with a talking dragon. While you must still consider your crops and making money, you’ll always want to venture outside the town walls to advance the story and conquer new threats.
The clock is always ticking, and it’s easy to fall behind in one activity as you excel in another. That said, I never find the constraints frustrating, and I’m dreadful at time-keeping!
Rune Factory 4: Specialis similar to the regularRune Factory 4but hasupgraded graphics and voice acting.
5Punch Club
There’s More To Boxing Than A Training Montage
Key Information
Lazy Bear Games
Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, XB1
Release Date
January 2016
Punch Clubis a game I rarely see anyone talk about, but it’s anexcellent boxing titlewith plenty of time management mechanics.
Every day in Punch Club is a delicate balancing act where you try to squeeze in every activity before the sun sets. You always know when your next big fight is, but it’s tough trying to manage all the essentials without neglecting anything.
You mustpick when to train and exercise. It wouldn’t hurt to squeeze some work into the day either, unless you think you can fuel your health on hopes and dreams.
There’s also plenty of micromanagement. For example, you may walk across town to complete objectives, which costs time. Alternatively, you can take the bus, which is much faster but costs precious dollars.
Youplay an overseeing roleduring fights, and it’s rewarding to see the fruits of your labor pay off in the ring. If you fall in love with Punch Club, there’s a decent sequel in Punch Club 2: Fast Forward.
4Persona 5
A Fantastic Story-Rich JRPG
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5is an incredible RPG where you effectivelyjuggle two lives. One in the real world and the other in the Metaverse.
When you’re not participating in story sections, you have ‘free days’ with a morning and afternoon time block. You can socialize and develop relationships during that time or enter a dungeon, andyour choices really matter.
There’s a heavy emphasis on calendar management, and it’s unlikely that you’ll max out everything on your first try. That said, the title is more forgiving than its predecessors, andPersona 5is easily one of thebest entry points in the series.
IfPersona 5has piqued your interest, the good news is it’s not connected to the previous titles besides a few mechanics. You can also tryMetaphor: ReFantazioas it’s by the same studio.We loved it, and there are time mechanics holding everything together.
3The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
A Countdown To Doomsday
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Majora’s Maskis among the most divisiveLegend of Zeldagames, largely thanks to its unique time mechanics.
From the moment you begin the game, you’re slapped with a critical timer.The moon will crash into the earth in three days. It’s not an empty threat either, as the world really will end when the time is up.
Fortunately,Link has some governance over time. you may slow it down and even reset it completely. Feats you accomplish in one cycle can dramatically alter events in the next, and the result is a surprisingly tense but thought-provoking adventure.
While divisive, many fans revereMajora’s Maskas a masterpiece. If you may handle the pressure and are willing to learn the intricacies of the title, why not see if you end up joining those ranks?
Dead Rising
Dead Risingis a fantastic action-adventure game set in asealed mall packed with Zombies.
You play as Frank West, a journalist who’s covered wars, and for now, the mall is a giant playground. There are dozens of creative ways to dispatch the undead, but you can miss out if you’re having too much fun.
Much of the game’s story is told through’cases' with strict time restrictions. You can cause irreparable damage to the overall story if you don’t keep up with the missions and can even alter the ending.
Fortunately, the game doesn’t end if you miss or fail a case, but it might take a few goes to beat everything in a single sitting.
1Stardew Valley
Crops Wait For Noone
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valleyis an immensely popular farm simulator complete with a relationship system, fishing, and even fantasy combat.
There’s something for everyone, buttime management is a massive part of the game. As you progress, cramming everything you need into the waking hours becomes a mission.
you may miss critical shop opening hours if you’re not careful; you can evenpass out if you stay up too late. While these examples sound restrictive, how you spend your time inStardew Valleyis up to you, and anything you miss can be rectified in the future.
you may participate in festivals and get chummy with the villagers, or you can play at your own pace—after all, there’s always next year!
