Twelve Minutes is a point-and-click adventure game from Luis Antonio and Annapurna Interactive. It takes players through a time loop that they have to break out of by figuring out what to do in each loop. It features a star-studded cast and is out now for PC, and consoles. In our Twelve Minutes Review, we’ll talk about why this is a must-play title.

Contents

Story and Writing

If you have seen any of the trailers, the setup is pretty simple. You come home one evening and interact with your wife like any normal couple. After a few minutes into the loop, a “cop” shows up and starts accusing your wife of murder. The moment you are beaten, or killed by the cop is when the loop restarts.

This interaction is played out over and over throughout the game, but you as the player grow with it. Sitting through a loop reveals more about the characters, and you retain that information in each loop. Suddenly the interaction isn’t about greeting your wife but convincing her of the time loop. Things get even messier as the story progresses, with some very shocking revelations.

This screenshots show the player character entering his apartment, usually after a loop reset — Twelve Minutes Screenshot

The characters, which are voiced by James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe, are all very believable. Their dialogues feel honest, and the voice acting is as good as you’d expect. Willem Dafoe’s performance is a standout though, and he really does bring a lot to the narrative.

The ending is a bit of a controversial topic at the moment, but I for one really didn’t see it coming. It’s something that can be upsetting for many players, but might be bold for others. Either way, it’s nice to see a game spark discussion among players, and critics alike.

Gameplay and Controls

While the trailer doesn’t exactly give this impression, Twelve Minutes is actually a point-and-click adventure title. This means that you will be combining different items you find in the apartment, and engage in conversations the same way. A lot of it can fall into trial and error, but there are definitely moments where you feel pretty smart.

Now, some interactions can be a bit obtuse, and you might have to go over the same interactions over and over again. This is where the game does falter a bit and doesn’t exactly provide a lot of direction as to what you’re supposed to do next. Yes, you are fed relevant information when you keep on experimenting, but at times, I did feel a bit lost. Thankfully, you can check out some hints online to nudge you in the right direction.

The main character has been hand-cuffed by the "cop", and is lying on the floor unable to break free — Twelve Minutes Screenshot

The controls on PC, which is simply a mouse, work very well, and anyone familiar with point-and-click titles will feel right at home. Playing with a controller can feel a bit tricky, and take some getting used to, however. If you have the option, the mouse is definitely recommended.

Players will be using the phone to dial various numbers, and check messages — Twelve Minutes Review

One quality of life feature that could’ve been helpful was the addition of something like the forward time feature in Life is Strange. Going through the same instances to do a slightly different action can be a bit annoying, especially when you can mess it up very easily. You can increase the dialogue speed, which is appreciated, but there could have been more.

Visuals and Audio

Twelve Minutes is a beautiful-looking game, with a very unique presentation. Given how long it has been in development, it became instantly recognizable because of its camera angle. Every time a new screenshot, the trailer would show up, you’d know exactly what the game was.

The main character dancing with his wife. The visuals are a highlight of our Twelve Minutes review — Twelve Minutes Screenshot

The art direction of this game is excellent, and the rooms are highly detailed. Lighting as well is handled with care, and switching between a dark, and a fully lit room has a realistic effect. Most of the items you see are interactive, which really adds to the presentation.

We’ve already praised the voice acting, but the audio design of the game is quite stellar too. Given how many times you will be repeating these loops, small sounds become very recognizable, and really add to the world itself. These sounds become audio cues for certain events, and the game isn’t afraid to increase tension with a haunting soundtrack.

Verdict

Twelve Minutes is a bold adventure, one with shocking revelations, tense moments, and some very human interactions. It’s a point-and-click title that doesn’t do much to add to the genre, but there are enough encounters to make it worth playing. It’s a visually distinct game, with an excellent cast that truly makes up for an unforgettable experience.