WTF (Work Time Fun) Review / Preview for the PlayStation Portable (PSP)

System: PSP	Review Rating Legend
Dev: SCE	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Sony	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Sept 2006	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1 - 5	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
Preview by Ryan	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

WTF does WTF stand for? Oh...Work Time Fun. Got it.
By Ryan Schultz

WTF…an abbreviation normally used in times of anger, discouragement, or bewilderment. In this case, WTF stands for Work Time Fun, the name of the rather odd “mini-game” title hitting the PSP this fall. Mini-games have come a far way from just being an “extra” or addition to a larger game. In fact, these fast-paced and quick-witted games have started to carve out a nice little niche in the video game market. Work Time Fun looks like it will fit in quite well.

WTF screenshot

Being developed by D3Publisher, WTF isn’t afraid to mess with your mind by offering up a plethora of twisted and truly bizarre challenges your way. The Job Demon, your resident work spirit, assigns you a number of tasks to complete. With very little direction and a dose of confusion, it’s up to you to figure out how to perform each job. Just don’t expect to know what’s going on when you have to control a drunken mayor who’s trying to cut a ribbon at a ceremony. Yes, it’s that weird.

The game is so weird in fact that some of the mini games you can expect to encounter include a “burping” “Simon says”, a chicken counting contest, a wood chopping marathon, and a timed karate chopping game. You’ll even find yourself holding the PSP in a vertical position like a book as you write down dinner orders. Each game will increase with speed and difficulty as you progress, forcing the player to keep up or.,well, exclaim WTF!

WTF screenshot

By completing the mini games, you’ll be rewarded with money, which you can use on a giant gumball machine. The results can be anything from unlocking more mini games, to small trinkets and prizes that are stored in a gallery. You can even unlock certain “tools” such as, and this is not a joke, a world time clock or a ramen noodle timer.

On the graphical front, WTF offers a style as bizarre as the gameplay itself. Everything from animated 8-bit sprites to full motion video of Japanese models and everything in between will be on display for your viewing pleasure. Musically, the game offers up funky beats and techno tracks, but most of the games only feature sound effects, which actually seems to take away from the frantic pace of the game.

WTF screenshot

With over 40 different mini-games to unlock and a five-person ad hoc multiplayer mode, Work Time Fun should offer enough replay value for your buck once the game releases on September 26th.

Features:

Mini-Games Galore! – Players will test their skills and earn cash with more than 30 whacked-out mini-games.

Spend Money on Games and Prizes – Players will use the money they earn to unlock more games and collect hundreds of unique prizes.

Unlock Useful “Real World” Items – Unlock useful “real world” tools for your PSP system like the Bar Calculator, World Clock, Ramen Timer, Flashlight, and more.

Intuitive Gameplay – Simple and intuitive gameplay make it easy for anyone to pick-up and play.

Arcade-Style Action – Quick, twitch, arcade style action offers gamers a satisfying gameplay experience in 10 minutes or less.

Single Player or Multiplayer Gameplay Modes – Play through the game solo, or with your friends in 5 multiplayer mini-games using wireless ad hoc mode.

By Ryan Schultz
CCC Freelance Writer