These existential robots are the best thing about Times & Galaxy

I love the existential robot — and Times and Galaxyindie adventure game, has plenty of them.

At first glance, the term “existential robot” seems like an oxymoron. Existentialism is, after all, the philosophical study of human existence—of the meaning, purpose, and value of humanity. In other words, “Who are we and why do we exist?”

But the connection between robots and existentialism is clearer than it seems at first glance. They are, after all, the product of their creator. Over the years, there have been many articles, podcasts, conversations, booksAND research work about robots and humanity. One neurobiologist even wrote that depressed robots can teach us something about mental health.

I have always enjoyed philosophical discussions and conversations about mental health, so it is no wonder that I was drawn to Times and Galaxyexistential — and often depressed — robots.

In many ways they remind me of Marvin from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy — another favorite robot of mine.

IN Times and Galaxyyou play as the first robot reporter, starting an internship at the eponymous legacy universe newspaper. You live on the newspaper’s spaceship with other employees; although the rest of the editorial staff are both human and alien, many of the ship’s blue-collar workers are robots, like you.

When you’re not covering events on the ground, you can explore the ship and interact with its many inhabitants (and inanimate objects).

I quickly fell in love with Janitorbot for constantly questioning his never-ending task of cleaning the ship. His pointed remarks and bot language make him very endearing — and if you want, you can have a romantic relationship with Janitorbot in-game by flirting with him.

Janitorbot is in many ways the complete opposite of Hirayama from the 2023 film. Perfect dayswho works as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo, but spends his time enjoying the little things. For Janitorbot, the task is never finished, but is instead a source of Sisyphean fear; meanwhile, Hirayama seems unfazed by having to pristine the same toilets every day. Janitorbot will not, and indeed I can’trest while there is at least a speck of dirt on the ship – an impossible task, considering the reporters constantly coming and going.

Meanwhile, the aptly named Watercoolerbot sits in the corner of the bunk room, despondent over the lack of meaningful connections. He says everyone is having conversations around Watercoolerbot — however superficial he may be — no one ever talks to him directly.

Even using the slot machine, browsing the games available on board the ship, and collecting in-game collectibles like seeds can be an existential experience.

Grid View

Sure, running around and telling intergalactic stories was fun, but my favorite part of the game was interacting with those depressed, weird robots. I felt a kinship with them that definitely had nothing to do with existential fear that journalists face in real life.

Image: Copychaser Games via Polygon

Times and Galaxy is available to play on your Windows PC via CoupleGOG and Humble Package. It is also available on Nintendo SwitchXbox One and Series X|S and PS5.