There really is no game quite like Hard Time on the iOS App Store. That's because it's not every day that you get to play a simulation game that's based around surviving prison. Still, this free effort from MDickie provides a fair amount of fun and challenge, especially when it comes to staying out of trouble.
With that, you're going to need some help getting through it all, so here are some tips that will get you off to the right start. Don't worry, you won't need to trade your cigarettes for these - they're on the house.
- After you finish customizing your prisoner, you'll want to keep an eye on four general areas of improvement. There's Strength, Agility, Intellect and Reputation. Out of all of these, Strength and Reputation are the most important, mainly because you want to show that you're strong, while at the same time keeping others from thinking you've weakened. Intellect and Agility are secondary, but also important, so make sure you don't skimp on those entirely.
- You can keep these four items in check by performing certain activities around the prison. For instance, you'll need to use the toilet at least once per day so that you can complete your - ahem - business. Failure to do so will leave a dent in your reputation, so don't forget to stop by the smallest room from time to time, eh?
- Sleep is also vital in Hard Time, mainly because if you're not rested, it'll show in your Strength and Agility stats. Try to get as much as you can. You'll have the whole evening to rest up, but try and get a couple of extra hours in during the day as well. It'll improve your overall abilities, while at the same time keeping any Reputation issues at bay - even if this does make you look like a lazy bum.
- Food also plays a vital part when it comes to keeping up your Strength in the prison. You can find food in different areas of the prison, but your best bet is to stick with the mess hall to get your fix. Don't overdo it though. If you eat too much, you'll throw up, taking away a bit of your Strength and leaving a tremendous dent in your Reputation.
- If your Reputation stat does fall short, there's an easy way to get it back. Find a nearby officer - or, if you can, the warden, as he wanders by on occasion - and start pummeling them. You'll gain higher points as a result, even if you do get in a bit of trouble with the law at the same time. Sometimes it's simply a necessary trade-off.
- The fighting system is simple to learn. There are five different buttons in total, and each one serves a different function. A is Attack, G is Grab (or Throw), R is Run, P is pick-up or drop (if you have a weapon) and T is Taunt. Be careful when it comes to taunting though - your opponent may become extremely ticked off with your antics
- When you fight, using your fists will get the job done, but it's much, much better to have a weapon in your hands. You'd be surprised at the ones you can find throughout the game, such a long baseball bat-like rod that will let you take out enemies very quickly indeed.
- If you're not lucky enough to have a weapon, mix up your techniques. You have different moves available, as well as a chargeable super attack that can lay an enemy out flat if you use it at just the right time. Just try not to do it when you're surrounded - you'll need to save as much strength as you can for these battles.
- It pays to make the right kind of enemies in this game - the law will be on your case no matter what - but be wary of whose toes you step on. Some of the higher-up prisoners are gang members, and if you pick a fight with them (or worse, kill them), you could end up on someone's target list. Tread lightly, and when you see a prime opportunity to take out a rival in private, do it. Hey, no one ever said prison was easy.
With that, you're going to need some help getting through it all, so here are some tips that will get you off to the right start. Don't worry, you won't need to trade your cigarettes for these - they're on the house.
- After you finish customizing your prisoner, you'll want to keep an eye on four general areas of improvement. There's Strength, Agility, Intellect and Reputation. Out of all of these, Strength and Reputation are the most important, mainly because you want to show that you're strong, while at the same time keeping others from thinking you've weakened. Intellect and Agility are secondary, but also important, so make sure you don't skimp on those entirely.
- You can keep these four items in check by performing certain activities around the prison. For instance, you'll need to use the toilet at least once per day so that you can complete your - ahem - business. Failure to do so will leave a dent in your reputation, so don't forget to stop by the smallest room from time to time, eh?
- Sleep is also vital in Hard Time, mainly because if you're not rested, it'll show in your Strength and Agility stats. Try to get as much as you can. You'll have the whole evening to rest up, but try and get a couple of extra hours in during the day as well. It'll improve your overall abilities, while at the same time keeping any Reputation issues at bay - even if this does make you look like a lazy bum.
- Food also plays a vital part when it comes to keeping up your Strength in the prison. You can find food in different areas of the prison, but your best bet is to stick with the mess hall to get your fix. Don't overdo it though. If you eat too much, you'll throw up, taking away a bit of your Strength and leaving a tremendous dent in your Reputation.
- If your Reputation stat does fall short, there's an easy way to get it back. Find a nearby officer - or, if you can, the warden, as he wanders by on occasion - and start pummeling them. You'll gain higher points as a result, even if you do get in a bit of trouble with the law at the same time. Sometimes it's simply a necessary trade-off.
- The fighting system is simple to learn. There are five different buttons in total, and each one serves a different function. A is Attack, G is Grab (or Throw), R is Run, P is pick-up or drop (if you have a weapon) and T is Taunt. Be careful when it comes to taunting though - your opponent may become extremely ticked off with your antics
- When you fight, using your fists will get the job done, but it's much, much better to have a weapon in your hands. You'd be surprised at the ones you can find throughout the game, such a long baseball bat-like rod that will let you take out enemies very quickly indeed.
- If you're not lucky enough to have a weapon, mix up your techniques. You have different moves available, as well as a chargeable super attack that can lay an enemy out flat if you use it at just the right time. Just try not to do it when you're surrounded - you'll need to save as much strength as you can for these battles.
- It pays to make the right kind of enemies in this game - the law will be on your case no matter what - but be wary of whose toes you step on. Some of the higher-up prisoners are gang members, and if you pick a fight with them (or worse, kill them), you could end up on someone's target list. Tread lightly, and when you see a prime opportunity to take out a rival in private, do it. Hey, no one ever said prison was easy.
