9 Best Games With Calendar Time Management Systems

Key Takeaways

Games with time management may be divisive, but many all-time greats utilize the mechanic.
Titles like Bully, Planet Zoo, and Stardew Valley offer various levels of time-keeping challenges.
The time management mechanics in games like Persona 5 and Majora’s Mask add depth and intensity to gameplay.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve played my fair share of time-sensitive games. However, none have managed to quite capture the urgency and intrigue like the ones I’m about to discuss. These titles aren’t just about pressing buttons at the right moment; they’re about strategic planning, quick thinking, and sometimes, a dash of humor.

Games with calendar or time management can be pretty polarizing as some find the constraints stressful, especially if you’re after a relaxed gaming session.

For others, they appreciate the organization that time constraints offer in certain game genres. If you belong to this group, here is a collection of games designed to challenge your time management skills.

9 Bully: Scholarship Edition

The School Of Hard Knocks

9 Best Games With Calendar Time Management Systems

Bully, also recognized as Canis Canem Edit, offers an extraordinary portrayal of school life, a representation that can only be attributed to the creators behind Grand Theft Auto. In simpler terms, this game provides a unique perspective on what school life might look like from their creative minds.

In this video game, you step into the role of Jimmy Hopkins, navigating through one of the wildest schools you’ve likely encountered. The faculty isn’t always honest, and the student body can be hazardous, yet you’re called upon to attend classes despite these challenges.

Skipping classes is possible if you’re not careful, but you wouldn’t want to do so because you could miss out on beneficial rewards related to attendance.

In this game, the “Bully” character doesn’t rank high because although there’s time-relevant content, the storyline is connected to the changing seasons. Missing classes doesn’t have any real consequences, and since there isn’t a pressing timer, you could essentially roam the school indefinitely without feeling rushed.

Unfortunately, the game titled “Bully” doesn’t have a follow-up, and even though it’s definitely worth experiencing, no additional installments were ever released.

8 Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town

A GBA Classic Re-imagined

As a devoted admirer, I’ve been captivated by the enchanting world of the “Story of Seasons” series for years. Interestingly enough, it used to go by another name – “Harvest Moon”.

In simpler terms, “Friends of Mineral Town” is an endearing agricultural simulation game that also tells a touching story. After you, the player, have come back to Mineral Town, you are tasked with managing your grandfather’s formerly owned farm.

With fundamental resources at your disposal, persistence is key as it becomes quite a challenge to fit all necessary tasks into each day. The seasons determine what you can cultivate, so vigilance is crucial to prevent the loss of seeds.

This game is perfect for those who appreciate time mechanics but prefer a more relaxed gaming experience. Compared to other games in its category, Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town has a calmer pace, which makes it an excellent choice for a comforting, enjoyable gameplay.

7 Planet Zoo

Those Animals Won’t Feed Themselves

Games that simulate tycoons provide an intriguing twist on resource management, and not many games demonstrate these mechanics as effectively as the title “Planet Zoo“.

In the game “Planet Zoo“, players must skillfully balance and manage not one but two timelines. On a larger scale, there are long-term goals such as meeting financial objectives and maintaining specific animal populations that they need to work towards in the future.

Immediately, it’s crucial that the animals are well-fed and any ailing ones are attended to swiftly. Managing time effectively, including taking advantage of pauses when possible, can make tasks such as constructing enclosures more manageable.

While many Theme Park or City building games share similarities with Planet Zoo, it’s essential to highlight a key difference: In these games, roller coasters don’t require feeding when there’s a shortage of food.

6 Rune Factory 4: Special

Fight Until The Sun Goes Down

I’ve already sung Story of Seasons praises, but between you and me, I’ve always preferred the Rune Factory games.

In contrast to many comparable games, Rune Factory 4 places a greater emphasis on combat, taking place in a magical realm populated by a chatty dragon. Although tending to your crops and earning money are still important aspects, you’ll often find yourself drawn outside the town boundaries to progress the narrative and tackle fresh dangers.

Time seems to move relentlessly forward, making it effortless to lag behind in a particular task while excelling at another. Strangely enough, I don’t find these limitations challenging, and I must confess that my skills when it comes to keeping track of time are quite poor!

In essence, Rune Factory 4: Special shares many traits with its base version, Rune Factory 4, but it boasts improved visuals and added voice-overs.

5 Punch Club

There’s More To Boxing Than A Training Montage

Key Information	Details
Developer	Lazy Bear Games
Platform	Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, XB1
Release Date	January 2016

Punch Club is a game that doesn’t get much attention, yet it’s a truly exceptional boxing game with a good deal of time-management aspects integrated into it.

Each day in Punch Club presents a fine juggling act, as you strive to fit in all activities before nightfall. While you’re aware of your upcoming major bout, it can be challenging to handle everything effectively and ensure nothing is overlooked.

It’s important to decide on the best times for your training and exercises. Skipping a chance to work during the day might not be the best strategy if you aim to maintain good health; relying solely on optimism and imagination might fall short.

Additionally, there’s a high level of detailed control required in this game. For instance, instead of instantly completing tasks, you have to physically traverse the city, using up valuable time. Conversely, taking the bus will save you time but it requires spending money.

In fights, you assume a supervisory position, and it’s gratifying to witness the benefits of your efforts manifest in the ring. If you find yourself enamored with Punch Club, there’s a worthwhile follow-up in Punch Club 2: Fast Forward.

4 Persona 5

A Fantastic Story-Rich JRPG

In “Persona 5,” you play a role that demands managing two distinct existences: one within the real-world scenario, and another immersed in the Metaverse.

During the parts of the story where you’re not involved, there are what we call “leisurely days” divided into morning and afternoon sessions. You’re free to interact with others, foster connections, or even explore dungeons during these times. And let me tell you, your decisions carry significant weight in shaping the outcome of events.

Managing your calendar plays a significant role here, and it’s not probable that you’ll be able to accomplish everything at once on your initial attempt. However, the title is less strict compared to its previous versions, making Persona 5 one of the most inviting starting points in the series.

ReFantazio’ a try since it was developed by the same studio. We found this one captivating as well, with its unique time-based mechanics tying everything together.

3 The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

A Countdown To Doomsday

The game Majora’s Mask is often a subject of debate within the Legend of Zelda series, primarily due to its distinctive time-traveling elements.

As soon as you start playing, you’ll find yourself facing a severe countdown timer. In just three days, the moon is predicted to collide with Earth – a warning that carries real weight, since the game will indeed come to an end when the timer runs out.

Luckily, Link possesses certain control over the passage of time. He can slow it down or even rewind it entirely. The actions he takes in one phase can significantly impact future occurrences, creating an engaging and intellectually stimulating journey that is both suspenseful and thought-provoking.

As a devoted admirer myself, I must say that, despite its divisive nature, Majora’s Mask stands out as an extraordinary masterpiece. If you’re ready to take on the challenge and eager to grasp the game’s intricate nuances, why not give it a shot and see if you too can become part of this esteemed circle?

2 Dead Rising

Don’t Keep The Undead Waiting

Dead Rising is a fantastic action-adventure game set in a sealed mall packed with Zombies.

In this game, you assume the role of Frank West, a seasoned journalist with war reporting experience. For the time being, the mall serves as an expansive playground. There are numerous inventive methods to eliminate the undead at your disposal, but beware, if you’re too engrossed in the fun, you might miss out on some opportunities.

A significant part of the game’s narrative unfolds via ‘time-bound scenarios or cases‘, where failure to complete these tasks within the given timeframe could have grave consequences on the storyline as a whole, potentially affecting the final outcome.

Luckily, you can continue playing the game even if you miss or falter on a case; however, it may require several attempts to conquer all challenges within one session.

1 Stardew Valley

Crops Wait For Noone

In simpler terms, Stardew Valley is widely enjoyed as a farming simulation game that includes elements like romance, fishing, and magical battles.

There’s something for everyone, but time management is a massive part of the game. As you progress, cramming everything you need into the waking hours becomes a mission.

Inattention could lead to you missing crucial store hours; overexertion might even cause exhaustion if you stay awake too long. However, the way you allocate your time within the world of Stardew Valley is entirely at your discretion. Any opportunities you might miss can be compensated for as time goes on.

Option A: You can join the locals and celebrate festivals together, or B: You can take things slow and relax – after all, you can always return for more fun next year!

2024-11-01 19:10