A Hat in Time is a collect-a-thon platformer with familiar roots

We already know of the powerful mystique of hats , so indie platformer A Hat in Time's dapper domewear is a difficult hook to pass by. In development by Jonas Kaerlev, AHT features both a hat-sounding acronym and the cel-shaded gentleness of The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker in a whimsical time-traveling setting. Don't forget your hat!

AHT tips its hat to console collection-fests of yore such as Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day with a heavy emphasis on platforming around town to pick up various items—presumably for acquiring an even bigger hat. Or so we hope. Either that, or the included umbrella multi-tool/weapon will sprout an additional, tinier umbrella on top of it as a sort of upgrade system. It's as if Dr. Suess collided with Alice in Wonderland while high-fiving a Bloomingdale's.

Kaerlev hopes for a summer 2013 release with a demo launching in January or this December. A Steam Greenlight entry also asks for your vote of approval and shows off more images and concept sketches.

(Via Rock, Paper, Shotgun )

Omri Petitte is a former PC Gamer associate editor and long-time freelance writer covering news and reviews. If you spot his name, it probably means you're reading about some kind of first-person shooter. Why yes, he would like to talk to you about Battlefield. Do you have a few days?