# Hard Time HD — Prison on the big screen!

> Prison life simulation game with character customization and survival mechanics. (iPhone/iPad app by MDickie Limited.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hard-time-hd/id718022009 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [MDickie Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/498978165)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Adventure, Role Playing
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.19/5 from 335 App Store ratings · 292 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 56 MB
- Languages: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Indonesian and 15 more
- Released: 2013-10-11
- Data updated: 2026-08-16
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hard-time-hd/id718022009/reviews.md

## What is Hard Time HD?

Squeeze even more action into your cell with this special high resolution version of the game for tablets! Create your own inmate and attempt to survive in a prison where every sentence is a "death" sentence. Rub shoulders with up to 100 fellow inmates in a sprawling facility of 12 unique areas, each filled with fully interactive furniture and props. Plus a life beyond the gates populated by real civilians, with wardens enforcing dozens of different laws to keep you as far away from it as possible.

Each day, you will find your health and mental state slipping away. Both can be restored by sleeping - which is also a good way to pass time. You won't always be permitted to sleep, though, so consuming food and drink bridges the gap. These, along with many other activities such as reading or watching TV, can also help to improve your mental state. If you "lose your mind" you will temporarily lose control of your character - and will almost certainly get into trouble!

Your character also has a set of attributes that you are challenged to improve:
- STRENGTH indicates how much damage you can inflict or absorb. You can improve it by fighting or lifting weights.
- AGILITY determines how fast you move. You can improve it by jogging in the yard or scoring baskets.
- INTELLECT reflects your knowledge - including fighting skills such as counters. You can improve it by reading books.
- REPUTATION is how much other prisoners respect you. It can be improved by accomplishing tasks or intimidating others.

There are also opportunities to earn money - whether you work for it with a broom, trade items at a profit, or run with a gang. Having money increases your opportunities to grease the wheels and make your life inside easier.

You may find that you need to go to the toilet from time to time, in which case you must race to the bathroom! Alternatively, you could find a toilet to sit on or grab some toilet paper to spare your blushes. Failing to do so will damage your reputation and mental state.

I regret that there is more to this game than I could ever explain here, so I hope you enjoy figuring some things out for yourself!

Upgrade to "VIP" to enjoy the full experience without ads - plus access to the editor that allows you to customize your character and every other.

BASIC CONTROLS:
(*Look out for tutorials within the actual game)
A = Attack (on its own to kick, with a direction to punch)
G = Grapple / Throw weapon
R = Run
P = Pick-Up / Drop
T = Taunt (interact with handheld props)

OTHER CONTROLS
- Press ATTACK and RUN together to launch a powerful attack.
- Press any button with any direction (or none) in a grapple to trigger different moves.
- Press RUN and PICK-UP together to set fire to a small object (which can then be used to set fire to a large object).
- Touch the clock to pause the game and bring up options to exit.
- Touch any speech bubble to speed through conversations.

PERFORMANCE
- If you find your device struggles to display lots of characters, considering keeping the "Population" option low.
- "Speed Up Frame Rate" sleeping will require good performance at the default frame rate.
- Head to the "Display" options to tone down other features.

## Key features

- Create your own inmate
- Survive in a detailed prison environment
- Manage health and mental state
- Improve character attributes (Strength, Agility, Intellect, Reputation)
- Earn money through work or trade
- Interactive furniture and props
- VIP upgrade for ad-free experience and editor access

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VIP Upgrade | $2.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Hard Time HD?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Fun and addictive game
- 🚀 Interesting prison simulation experience
- 💡 Potential for customization and character creation
- 🤩 Great retro/arcade-style graphics

**Cons**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches (crashes, freezes, etc.)
- 🤬 Unfair game mechanics (e.g., automatic arrests, character control issues)
- 💰 Aggressive monetization (forced VIP purchases)
- 🤯 Lack of language support (no translations)

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Game freezes after watching ads
- Losing VIP status after each play session
- Incorrect character spawning and positioning
- Inconsistent and unpredictable police/guard behavior

**Most requested features**

- Multiplayer mode to play with friends
- Ability to arrest people as a warden
- More customization options for characters
- Expanded outside world interactions (jobs, shops, etc.)
- Improved combat system with more moves and counters

## Recent user reviews (10 of 292)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hard-time-hd/id718022009/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Md

*2025-08-16, version 1.4.4*

i Love mat dicky

### 5/5 — Ok

*2025-05-31, version 1.4.4*

Bruh

### 5/5 — In-Game Additions

*2024-06-08, version 1.4.4*

Please consider adding the following: being able to actually interact with a pool table and snooker cue ( 8 ball pool), being able to sit through court with a lawyer, and being able to talk to other inmates and wardens apart from regular responses.

### 5/5 — I’m Loving it

*2024-03-30, version 1.4.4*

I’m loving it

### 4/5 — Really good game one problem

*2024-02-18, version 1.4.4*

It’s really hard to find my cell I need a map or something when I’m traveling somewhere to find the cell The map only appears on the screen for like A half a second and then I can’t find my cell

### 1/5 — This Game Is Too Long!

*2024-01-13, version 1.4.4*

I  HATE  THIS  GAME! IT  IS  TOO  LONG! SERIOUSLY  I  HAD  TO  WAIT  10  SECONDS  TO  GET  UP  WHEN  I  WAS  INJURED!  THIS  GAME  IS  THE  WORST  MDICKIE  GAME  I   EVVER   PLLAAAYYYYYEEEEDDDD!!! LIKE  WHAT    WERE    YOU    THINKING?!?!?!?!?!?!?! LIKE  YOU  THINK  INJURIES  ARE  GOING  TO  GLUE  YOU  ON  THE  GROUND  FOR  LIKE 10-50  SECONDS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!??!??!!!!?!!?!!!!??!!  ALSO  APPLE  REMOVE  PLACING  PERIODS  WHEN  THE  PLAYER  TYPES  IN  TWO  SPACES  AND  REMOVE  THE  UNDO  TAB  WHICH  POPS  OUT  OF  NOWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

### 4/5 — Bien mes 🫤🫤

*2023-12-23*

Il faudrait mettre les sous-titres mettre la lampe qu’on veut, et aussi mon personnage se joue tout seul😡😡😡😡😡😡

### 5/5 — over reactors

*2023-11-28, version 1.4.4*

everyone who wrote a critical review is an idiot “WhY iS deR nO GiRl chArchtrr” it’s a male prison, “wHy Da graPhics sO baD” it’s a ten year old game probably older then the people who write these reviews and there’s an hd version idiots, “WhY aM cONntrols bad” the controls are good you just have to learn them and if you go into a rage it moves on it’s on “wHy sO MaNy ads”, the person who made this is a solo game dev and it costs like 5$ for full version “wHy CamEra bAd”, the camera is horrible i can’t say anything about that

### 5/5 — Love this

*2023-08-13, version 1.4.4*

To the people who say I don't like it because when I get into a fight the character moves on its own that's because ur going insane because ur trash at the game

### 2/5 — Ehh

*2023-07-04, version 1.4.4*

I’m not sure where this went wrong. I could’ve sworn you could customize your character before, but now you have to pay? Could be better.

## Frequently asked questions about Hard Time HD

### What is Hard Time HD?

Hard Time HD is a high-resolution version of a prison simulation game designed for tablets. It allows players to create their own inmate and attempt to survive within a realistic prison environment, managing their character's health, mental state, and attributes.

### What are the key features of Hard Time HD?

Key features include creating a custom inmate, surviving in a prison with over 100 other inmates and interactive environments, managing health and mental well-being, improving character attributes like strength and reputation, and earning money through various means. The VIP upgrade offers an ad-free experience and access to a character editor.

### How much does Hard Time HD cost?

The game is free to download and play, but it offers in-app purchases. An optional 'VIP' upgrade is available to remove ads and unlock the character editor for a more complete experience.

### What are the basic controls in Hard Time HD?

Basic controls include buttons for Attack (A), Grapple/Throw (G), Run (R), Pick-Up/Drop (P), and Taunt (T). Combinations of these buttons allow for more advanced actions, such as powerful attacks or setting objects on fire. The game also features tutorials within its interface.

### What is the goal of Hard Time HD?

The primary goal is to survive in prison, where every sentence is described as a 'death' sentence. Players must manage their character's needs, improve their attributes, build reputation, and navigate the social dynamics of the prison to stay alive and potentially make their time easier.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.4.4 — 2020-11-17

- Enhanced compatibility with iOS 14.
- Playable in either landscape orientation.
- Fewer onscreen ads (only between scenes).

### 1.4.1 — 2019-06-04

- You now throw by holding a direction while dropping (instead of using the 'G' button).
- New "Button Size" option helps you fine-tune the virtual controls for different screens.
- People are more grateful if you save their life (pick them up when dying).
- Various bug fixes and balancing.

### 1.39 — 2017-11-17

- Restored benefits of using props - including the new syringe and medical kit.
- New weapons include a revolver (may not be available until you restart).
- New hairstyles.
- More female faces.
- Smoother leg joints on white trousers.
- Fewer announcements about population changes.
- Various bug fixes and balancing.

### 1.38 — 2017-11-14

- New weapons include a revolver, a syringe and a medical kit.
(May not be available until you restart)
- New hairstyles.
- More female faces.
- Smoother leg joints on white trousers.
- Various bug fixes and balancing.

### 1.37 — 2017-08-10

- New calibration options for any recognised controllers.
- Paid users can change which character they control in the editor.
- Pressing Grapple while running now triggers a spear.
- Mounts can be countered like for like.
- Alternative female sound effects.
- Cafe vending machine now works.
- Various bug fixes and balancing.

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## More apps by MDickie Limited

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- [Hard Time](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hard-time/id718021930)

All apps by MDickie Limited: https://appshunter.io/developer/498978165

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-16.*