Game Info: My Time at Portia

Developed by: Pathea Games

Published by: Team17

Release date: January 15, 2019

Available on: Windows (macOS coming soon)

Genre: Simulation

Number of players: Single-player

ESRB Rating: E 10+ for alcohol references, fantasy violence, mild suggestive themes

Price: $29.99

(Humble Store Link) Thank you Team17 for sending us this game to review! My Time at Portia can be described as the love child between Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Minecraft. The charming music, colorful 3D world, monster-filled caverns, and the ever-familiar circular stamina gauge will welcome action-seeking gamers. Those who like to mine, craft, farm, and interact with villagers will feel right at home in this small town. My Time at Portia begins with your customized character taking possession of a workshop left behind by their father. Portia is a small village and as you develop your crafting skills, you’ll aid in the town’s growth too. This game is very open-ended with many story-progressing quests that have no expiration date. You’re free to farm, mine, date, and craft to your heart’s content. Money can be earned by selling items you harvest or create, but your biggest source of income will be from completing commissions from the town or the people within. Every commission you finish on time boosts your reputation with the town and with the person who gave you the job. Most of the commissions have expiry dates and you’ll have to pay attention to those if you want to keep your workshop in good standing. At the end of every month/season, the top three workshops are given nice prizes in recognition for their services. The number one builder is a bit of a jerk and knocking his business down to second place is both challenging and rewarding. Having a premier workshop unlocks one of the ninety-one Steam achievements available.

Highlights: Strong Points: Fun gameplay with many open-ended as well as timed quests to complete

Weak Points: Many broken quests; slowdowns and crashes; only partially voice acted

Moral Warnings: Drinking and gambling; fantasy violence; ghosts; same sex relationships are possible; religion is shown in a negative light

The days go by pretty quickly as every second is equivalent to a minute in Portia time. If you’re not in bed by 3:00 AM, the game will put you there forcibly. That’s another possible Steam achievement. The businesses and town hall have hours of operation that you’ll need to pay attention to. It helps to arrive at the town hall first thing in the morning if you want to get first dibs at the available commissions. Each townsperson has their own personality and daily schedule that they follow. Some of the characters are more likable than others and each has their own backstory that you can learn about if you spend time with them. To increase favor with someone you can talk to them; challenge them to rock, paper, scissors; spar; or give them a gift. When it comes to gift-giving, each person has their own preferences on what they like to receive and avoid getting. As relationships develop, side missions/stories become available. Any townsperson who is not married is eligible for dating regardless of their gender. The fact that every single villager is bisexual is my biggest moral complaint in this otherwise family friendly game. There are other moral issues worth mentioning like gambling and some drinking references. The village has a day for remembering deceased loved ones and decorates the town with ghosts. As you mine, you’ll uncover data discs and artifacts from the previous civilization. You can take these data discs to the research center to unlock new equipment or give them to the nature-worshiping church who abhors technology. While the planters and trees from the church are helpful, you’re at a technological disadvantage if you side with them. There are Steam achievements for giving one hundred discs to either group or both of them!