Times & Galaxy Review (Switch)

In Times & Galaxy, you’re a newly released model of robot whose only purpose is to be a free-thinking, self-reflecting journalist in a universe where art imitates life in cutthroat intensity. This interactive take on genre-bending journalism cross ‘choose-your-own-article’ simulation teases the idea that a potential new generation of AI robots will replace humans (or any other organic, interstellar species the creators introduce during this 10-hour or so story), and it’s a truth bomb fit for the Times & Galaxy magazines front page headliner.

Firstly, you’ll create your avatar. Customisation options include choosing your name (although the font within this written text field does not accurately display the same within the game), selecting the pronouns you identify with, choosing one out of the limited three robot models, and finally, customising three different colour sliders to make your robot’s flashy look unique to you. And with that, you are launched into the thick of some goofy galactic reporting.

So, what’s on the agenda? You’ll make your way out of the newsroom and into the field, where you’ll investigate events, question witnesses, and use what you’ve learned to build the perfect news piece.

Visually, the game is lovely. It has this funky neon, comic-book style and a playful vibe, which is really easy to get lost in. But the text. Oh my, the text is tiny. Even on a large TV screen, it made me squint like my eyeballs were being assaulted by the sun in close proximity. Not my favourite.

The heart of Times & Galaxy is in its choice-driven gameplay. Not only do you report the facts, you decide how you do it. After collecting info through dialogue, scanning evidence, and piecing together quotes, you’re faced with decisions that can boost or bomb your reputation. Will you sensationalise a corporate cover-up for the clickbait? Or hold on to your integrity and keep it factual at the risk of going unnoticed? Each decision influences how you and your publication grow.

And on that note, you better be respectful of your sources. Going public with someone you promised anonymity? Oh. Oh no. I think not. That’s a big-time flop moment. Your credibility will take a nosedive faster than an asteroid, and you can’t hit the reset button on this one—uh-uh, no takebacks.

For those unfamiliar with journo jargon, Times & Galaxy is surprisingly educational. You construct each story using the basics: a headline, lede, nutgraph (the soul of the article), key quotes, and colour (contextual or emotional background). You have the task of balancing your priorities, which can be tricky, especially when your choices can push your publication in one of three directions—informational, sensational, or alien interest.

There is a “thoroughness meter” that tracks whether you’ve asked the right questions, and there are no second chances, so make every question count. Or try to, anyway.

While Times & Galaxy succeeds in its cheeky writing and ethical quandaries, there are a few things that could have taken it to the next level. The static scenes and characters that populate your space adventures are often just… there. They stand around with exclamation points over their heads, making some interactions feel a bit lifeless.

Then there’s the accessibility. The font size is frustratingly small, particularly if you’re playing on a larger screen. For anyone with poor eyesight (like me), this is a real letdown. It’s 2024, and we feel very strongly that basic accessibility should be a priority in games today. There’s really no excuse for this.

You can’t delete saves, and for a game that revolves around decision-making, you’d think they’d give you more control over your progress.

And don’t get me started on the lack of cosmetic customisation—yes, I can unlock new gear, but not being able to see my “hustle boots” and “charisma fedora” is very uncool. Come on, I wanna see my robot looking dashing! It’s free dopamine!

Overall, Times & Galaxy is a clever take on the press machine in a cute, futuristic setting. From stone-cold facts to out-of-this-world gossip with robots and aliens, it has plenty to keep you amused. I wish it were more inclusive on the accessibility side, but the core gameplay is fun. I enjoyed it, and it made me smile a lot. Go play it!

Genre: Adventure, Indie, Journalism Simulator
Played On: Nintendo Switch
Available Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Publisher: Fellow Traveller
Developers: Copychaser Games
Release Date: June 21, 2024