Hard Time

Prison life as a playable system

Hard Time is an adventure simulation from MDickie where you create an inmate and manage daily life inside a dangerous prison. It suits players who enjoy open-ended scenarios, physical confrontations, routine management and consequences that emerge from their choices rather than a fixed story.

Survive the sentence

The prison contains 12 areas with interactive furniture and objects, along with as many as 100 other inmates. Wardens enforce laws, civilians occupy the world beyond the prison, and ordinary decisions can quickly create new problems. Your health and mental state decline over time. Sleeping can restore both, while food, drinks, reading and television provide other ways to cope when rest is unavailable.

Build a reputation

• Strength: Improve your ability to deal with and withstand damage through fighting or weight training.
• Agility: Become faster by jogging or playing basketball.
• Intellect: Develop knowledge and fighting techniques by reading.
• Reputation: Gain respect by completing tasks or intimidating other prisoners.

Money adds another layer to the routine. You can earn it through work, trade items for profit or associate with a gang. Basic needs matter too: ignoring the need for a bathroom can affect both your reputation and mental state.

What the listing shows

With more than 10,000,000 installs and a 4.02 rating from over 372,000 reviews, Hard Time has a large player base. The core game includes its prison-management and survival systems, while a VIP option removes ads and adds an editor for customizing your inmate and other parts of the experience.