12 Minutes Reviews
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.
Twelve Minutes desperately wants to be seen as an edgy, adult thriller. But it mistakes shock value for substance and ultimately has nothing of value to say.
I really wanted to like 12 Minutes. It's a compelling concept, but the game's rigid structure and lack of options make it feel less like a game about a time loop and more like a narrative adventure where I kept having to sit through "Game Over" screens because I didn't make the specific choice necessary. As a result, it feels like the most irksome elements of Capcom's Ace Attorney series, without the rewarding aspects. At times, I was genuinely surprised by the options made available to me, but far more often, I found myself feeling like the game's concept was basically just window dressing. 12 Minutes feels far too limited for its concept, and that makes the game feel like a chore far more often than not.
Twelve Minutes is an exemplary example of how a beautiful idea gradually tramples itself into the ground. And you can see it all with your own eyes. An initially intriguing concept of a time loop turns into repetitive gameplay that often uses trial-and-error techniques and a story that, while enjoyable, doesn't make sense. Telling a story in the space of a tiny apartment is an ambitious idea, as is the concept of a time loop. But instead of telling a solid and straightforward story, the creator tries to create an ending that will wipe your eyes. And it does. But not in a positive way. Twelve Minutes is thus a mediocre game that can hardly claim to be worth your time.
Review in Czech | Read full review
When Twelve Minutes was first announced along with incredible star power, several gamers took interest. Besides, we often gravitate toward new ideas in a world full of rehashes. It is too bad that creativity doesn’t ooze into the gameplay. This results in a head-banging experience that hardly ever feels satisfying.
Twelve Minutes delivers a captivating experience with excellent voice acting and shocking twists.
Twelve Minutes plays like an escape room on extra hard difficulty and with higher stakes. As an intriguing albeit small-scale thriller with many twists and turns that can sometimes be frustrating, ending the time loop is ultimately somewhat worth the effort.
12 Minutes is a game about escaping a time loop, which is ironic given that it's so good that I wish I could see it all again for the first time myself.
Twelve Minutes had me on a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. I started being let down by the game seeming too simple in premise. Then I got frustrated because I got stuck uncovering its hidden complexities. Finally, I can't and don't want to put it down until I'd turned everything over thrice. It executes the time loop mechanic meticulously, its story is twisting and turning constantly, and the excellent voice cast, environmental art, and music work together to create a new type of adventure game. It is not perfect, and you see some cut corners, but what it sacrifices, it makes up for with a satisfying payoff as you delve deeper into its time loop to unravel the mystery at the core.
In the end, I enjoyed some of my time with Twelve Minutes. Its story is genuinely gripping, and the cast’s performances are excellent, solidifying the game as a believable world. In many ways, developer Luis Antonio has created something truly remarkable here. But so much of Twelve Minutes is an exercise in frustration and repetition.
All in all, Twelve Minutes is definitely worth a download with Xbox Game Pass if you're even the least bit interested in the premise, as both its story and gameplay combine to create a memorable thriller. There are a couple of downsides if you look for them, and the replayability factor will be pretty low after you've discovered everything, but we think you'll really enjoy your main playthrough regardless, even if you're not the biggest fan of point-and-click games.
Twelve Minutes is a videogame that is fantastic in every area, except being a videogame. There's a lot to love, and I think people will overlook its faults. Sadly those faults are there, almost completely tanking an otherwise excellent piece of fiction.
Twelve Minutes is a must-have game for lovers of good stories and also for those nostalgic for point-and-click adventures. Its voice cast is magnificent and helps to elevate the already excellent story of Luis Antonio and Annapurna.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
After few tries you'll not quit, you'll ask for more, we can't imagine someone not enjoying this thrilling experience between being stuck in a time-loop and challenging puzzles. The name is 12 Minutes but you could spend hours to get to the bottom of this.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Twelve Minutes is slow-burning, despite being about such a short time loop, but it will seep into your mind and refuse to leave. I actually dreamed in a time loop last night, which has literally never happened to me before. The concept is solid enough to stand on its own among dozens of other popular time loop media (television, film, games... it is everywhere). The intrigue and deeply flawed characters are enough to keep one invested for hours, and even worth putting up with irritating console controls.
12 Minutes is a very unique experience with one of a kind art design, solid story and innovative gameplay, and while the time loop mechanism makes some parts of the gameplay repetitive, the final package still feels new, fresh and entertaining.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Twelve Minutes should be considered as one of the most creative and special titles whose vacancy is strongly felt in today's game world.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Twelve Minutes begins with a pure idea, and in the first minutes, it depicts everything it takes to shock the audience. Over time and into the player's own hands, game maker Louis Antonio unraveling the knot of the mystery of his game's tortuous storyline and immersing us in an interesting narrative with shocking twists.
Review in Persian | Read full review
An overall fun experience with a distinct atmosphere, If you turn a blind eye to its bad gameplay. You can play it on Xbox Game Pass, or for a more practical option.. watch a full walkthrough on "YouTube"!
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Twelve Minutes show us why video games are a powerful medium to tell stories that cinema cannot. With great voice acting, outstanding creative decisions and original mechanics, Twelve Minutes is everything mystery games enthusiasts could ask for.
Review in Spanish | Read full review