{{short description|2017 video game}} {{Infobox video game | image = File:Part Time UFO.png | caption = Nintendo Switch game icon | developer = HAL Laboratory | publisher = HAL Egg <small>(iOS, Android)</small><br/>Nintendo <small>(Nintendo Switch)</small> | director = Teruhiko Suzuki | programmer = {{ubl|Kaori Ishizaki|Koki Tajima}} | artist = Rieko Kawahara<br>Tomomi Ozaki | designer = Yuta Kawakami | composer = Shogo Sakai | producer = Shigefumi Kawase<br>Yoshiya Taniguchi <small>(Nintendo Switch)</small><br>Toyokazu Nonaka <small>(Nintendo Switch)</small><br>Akira Kinashi <small>(Nintendo Switch)</small> | platform = {{Unbulleted list|iOS|Android|Nintendo Switch}} | released = '''iOS, Android''' {{vgrelease|JP|November 14, 2017|WW|February 26, 2018}} '''Nintendo Switch'''{{vgrelease|WW|October 28, 2020}} | genre = Puzzle | modes = Single-player, multiplayer | engine = {{Unbulleted list|{{Nowrap|Cocos2d-x}}{{cn|date=April 2022}}<!-- Please cite a reliable source which can be verified by readers-->|Unity (Nintendo Switch)<ref>{{cite video game|title=Part Time UFO|developer=HAL Laboratory|scene=Intellectual Property Notices}}</ref>}} }}
'''''Part Time UFO'''''{{efn|{{nihongo||はたらくUFO|''Hataraku Yūfō''|''Working UFO''|lead=yes}}}} is a 2017 physics-based puzzle video game developed and published by HAL Laboratory. It was first released for iOS and Android in Japan on November 14, 2017, and worldwide on February 26, 2018. An expanded port with new features was released for Nintendo Switch, published by Nintendo, on October 28, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=HAL Laboratory's Part Time UFO gets a surprise Switch release |url=https://www.vooks.net/hal-laboratorys-part-time-ufo-gets-a-surprise-switch-release/ |website=Vooks |date=28 October 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101053532/https://www.vooks.net/hal-laboratorys-part-time-ufo-gets-a-surprise-switch-release/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Gameplay== In ''Part Time UFO'', players control a sentient UFO named Jobski, who resembles a small flying saucer and is equipped with a large claw similar to a UFO catcher. The player can choose between several missions, presented as part-time jobs Jobski can take on.<ref name="NLife review"/> Each job involves using the claw to grab and lift objects, then carrying and placing them into designated areas. These include such tasks as placing a farmer's produce in his truck, organizing cheerleaders into a pyramid, or helping a museum curator reconstruct a dinosaur skeleton.<ref name=PG/> Many puzzles require careful weight distribution when placing objects, as uneven structures will collapse under their own weight and will need to be reconstructed.<ref name="Touch"/> The weight of an object can also affect Jobski's flight, making it difficult to carry without dropping it or bumping into other objects.<ref name=HCG/>
Once all required objects have been placed, the game will test the structure to see if it can stand under its own power for five continuous seconds; if it does not collapse, the job is completed.<ref name="Touch"/> Each job also has three bonus objectives the player can complete: one for finishing within a time limit, and two additional tasks that vary with each job, such as placing objects in a specific order or adding an optional object to a structure.<ref name="Touch"/> Upon completing a job, players are scored based on their remaining time and the number of bonus objectives completed, and earn money based on their score.<ref name="NLife review"/> Money can in turn be spent on costumes that alter Jobski's appearance, including one based on Qbby from the ''BoxBoy!'' series.<ref name="NWR NSW"/> Several costumes also give Jobski a special ability that can affect gameplay when worn, such as faster movement speed or the ability to more easily carry heavy objects.<ref name=PG/> Players also earn medals from each bonus objective completed, which are used to unlock new jobs and special costumes that cannot otherwise be purchased.<ref name="NWR iOS"/>
The Nintendo Switch version of the game adds several new features. In "Treasure Island" mode, players are given a limited time to explore an ancient ruin and retrieve all the treasure contained within.<ref name="NWR NSW"/> In "Tower of Infinity" mode, players are constantly given new items to stack and must attempt to create the tallest tower possible without letting it collapse.<ref name=Shack/> The Switch version also includes three additional jobs, a second more difficult variant for each job, support for two-player cooperative play, and an achievement system called "Feats of Glory" that unlock animated illustrations.<ref name="NLife review"/><ref name="NWR NSW"/>
==Development and release== On August 21, 2017, HAL Laboratory announced that the company would start developing games for mobile devices under the brand name HAL Egg.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/hal-laboratory-starting-to-develop-mobile-games-first-title-out-this-fall/|title=HAL Laboratory starting to develop mobile games, first title out this fall|last=NE|first=Brian|date=August 21, 2017|website=Nintendo Everything|access-date=December 6, 2024}}</ref> ''Part Time UFO'' released in Japan on November 14, 2017, and internationally on February 26, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/26/17053420/part-time-ufo-download-android-ios|title=Kirby maker HAL Laboratory's first mobile game comes west|last=S. Good|first=Owen|date=February 26, 2018|website=Polygon|access-date=July 4, 2021|archive-date=August 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826093607/https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/26/17053420/part-time-ufo-download-android-ios|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 28, 2020, a Nintendo Switch version was announced during a Nintendo Direct presentation, and released the same day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/10/nintendo-and-hal-laboratory-release-puzzle-action-game-part-time-ufo-for-switch|title=Nintendo and HAL Laboratory release puzzle action game Part Time UFO for Switch|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=October 26, 2020|website=Gematsu|access-date=July 4, 2021|archive-date=April 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414224911/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/10/nintendo-and-hal-laboratory-release-puzzle-action-game-part-time-ufo-for-switch|url-status=live}}</ref> The iOS and Android versions were discontinued, and subsequently delisted from mobile storefronts, on October 22, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/10/hal-laboratorys-lovely-physics-puzzler-part-time-ufo-has-been-delisted-on-mobile|title=HAL Laboratory's Lovely Physics Puzzler 'Part Time UFO' Has Been Delisted On Mobile|last=Hagues|first=Alana|date=October 22, 2024|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=December 6, 2024}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = (iOS) 85/100<ref>{{cite web|title=Part Time UFO for iPhone/iPad reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/part-time-ufo/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad|access-date=November 4, 2020|website=Metacritic}}</ref><br/>(NS) 78/100<ref>{{cite web|title=Part Time UFO for Switch reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/part-time-ufo/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|access-date=November 4, 2020|website=Metacritic|archive-date=January 17, 2026|archive-url=https://archive.today/20260117235647/https://www.metacritic.com/game/part-time-ufo/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|url-status=live}}</ref> | Destruct = 8/10<ref name="Des">{{Cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-part-time-ufo-492775.phtml|title=Review: Part Time UFO|last=Andriessen|first=CJ|date=March 4, 2018|website=Destructoid|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026194411/https://www.destructoid.com/review-part-time-ufo-492775.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref> | HCG = 4/5<ref name=HCG>{{Cite web|url=https://hardcoregamer.com/2020/11/01/review-part-time-ufo/391177/|title=Review: Part Time UFO|last=Swalley|first=Kirstin|date=November 1, 2020|website=Hardcore Gamer|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106215947/https://hardcoregamer.com/2020/11/01/review-part-time-ufo/391177/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | NLife = {{rating|9|10}}<ref name="NLife review">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/part_time_ufo|title=Part Time UFO Review (Switch eShop)|last=Scullion|first=Chris|date=November 1, 2020|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107162356/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/part_time_ufo|url-status=live}}</ref> | NWR = (iOS) 7.5/10<ref name="NWR iOS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/46549/part-time-ufo|title=Part Time UFO|last=Yeung|first=Karlie|date=March 1, 2018|website=Nintendo World Report|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127230026/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/46549/part-time-ufo|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>(NS) 8.5/10<ref name="NWR NSW">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/55447/part-time-ufo-switch-review|title=Part Time UFO (Switch) Review|last=Rudek|first=Jordan|date=November 7, 2020|website=Nintendo World Report|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108130231/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/55447/part-time-ufo-switch-review|url-status=live}}</ref> | PG = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=PG>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/076820/part-time-ufo-review-an-arcade-delight-from-the-house-of-kirby/|title=Part Time UFO review - An arcade delight from the house of Kirby|last=Mundy|first=Jon|date=March 2, 2018|website=Pocket Gamer|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006043658/https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/076820/part-time-ufo-review-an-arcade-delight-from-the-house-of-kirby/|url-status=live}}</ref> | SN = 7/10<ref name=Shack>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/121256/part-time-ufo-review-the-claaaaaaw|title=Part Time UFO review: The Claaaaaaw|last=Mejia|first=Ozzie|date=November 2, 2020|website=Shacknews|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108172259/https://www.shacknews.com/article/121256/part-time-ufo-review-the-claaaaaaw|url-status=live}}</ref> | TA = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="Touch">{{Cite web|url=https://toucharcade.com/2018/02/28/part-time-ufo-review/|title='Part Time UFO' Review – It Works Hard for Its Money|last=Musgrave|first=Shaun|date=March 1, 2018|website=Touch Arcade|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017081412/https://toucharcade.com/2018/02/28/part-time-ufo-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> }}
{{expand section|date=November 2020}} ''Part Time UFO'' has been positively received by critics. Shaun Musgrave on ''TouchArcade'' stated "from top to bottom, this feels like the same kind of effort HAL would put into one of their games for Nintendo's platforms."<ref name="Touch"/> CJ Andriessen from ''Destructoid'' hoped to see more mobile games similar to ''Part Time UFO'', saying "It's not expensive to make a mobile game, and rather than try to rope players into a long, drawn-out campaign with little innovation or talent required, I'd like to see more inexpensive titles built around a single mechanic that lasts just long enough not to wear out its welcome. You know, games like ''Part Time UFO''."<ref name="Des"/> Chris Scullion of ''Nintendo Life'' called the game a "must-have", praising its "delightful, addictive" gameplay, humorously detailed levels, and "delightfully twee" soundtrack.<ref name="NLife review" />
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|https://www.halegg.jp/eng/ufo/}}
Category:2017 video games Category:Android (operating system) games Category:Cooperative video games Category:HAL Laboratory games Category:iOS games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Nintendo games Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:Puzzle video games Category:Video games scored by Shogo Sakai Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Video games about extraterrestrial life