Release time is here for Until 9:15 a.m.

Written by Jack Allin — September 26, 2021 at 10:17

Time flies when you're having fun, but when you're anxiously awaiting something, it can feel like time slows practically to a standstill. Both should prove to be true in indie French developer ObeQaen's newly released Until 9:15 a.m., as players have fun helping a young child find a way to get time moving again. 

A cute girl in a charming bird costume waits in a scenic park, wondering why time is passing so agonizingly slowly. The nearby clock sits stubbornly at 9:14, and an enigmatic man in a fox outfit suggests that the clock itself is broken. Curiously, so is the one in the tower of the grand manor on the hill. If she's to get time moving again, the little protagonist will need to find a way to repair the clocks, helping those in need that she meets along the way.

Presented in a gorgeous hand-drawn art style, Until 9:15 a.m. is a traditional point-and-click adventure in most respects. With its simple single-click interface and optional hotspot highlighter, you'll guide the girl through the park and neighbouring village, conversing with similarly animal-costumed citizens, all of whom have problems of their own. Rather than just collecting items to solve puzzles, however, you'll also need to search for words and ideas that can be combined in inventory to serve as inspiration to others. Only by doing so can you hope to open up new avenues of exploration. 

If a two-hour walk in the park sounds like your idea of a good time, you can get strolling right away as Until 9:15 a.m. is available now on itch.io at a budget price for Windows, Mac and Linux. The game is listed under its French title En attendant 9h15, but both French and (unvoiced) English versions are available through the main menu.