I dove into Time Rift with the mindset of CompletionistMaster—determined to uncover every secret, collect every crypto bit, and perfect every time-bending mechanic. Created by Lightshards and published by Abiding Bridge, this fast-paced puzzle-shooter launched on February 17, 2022. You take on the role of a reformed hacker, now testing VaultCo’s digital defenses. Your special ability? You can slow, stop, or rewind time itself. Let’s break it all down.
Overall Impressions
To start, Time Rift makes a strong impression in the action-puzzle genre. Its time-control mechanics feel sharper and more responsive than those in Braid or Superhot. Plus, the constantly advancing lethal wall keeps you on edge—but without punishing mistakes too harshly.
Importantly, the game runs smoothly. I didn’t experience any crashes or serious bugs, and performance was excellent on my mid-range PC. Although the story occasionally feels a bit shallow, the clever level layouts and tight controls always pulled me back in.
Gameplay Mechanics
One of the game’s biggest strengths is the full control you get over time. You can slow, pause, or rewind at any moment. As a result, gameplay becomes a creative sandbox where quick thinking and careful moves combine.
Additionally, the four-directional shooting adds another layer. It forces you to plan each step, especially when solving puzzles. On top of that, rotating the playfield using markers on the ground brings a fresh spatial twist. It lets you adjust your approach on the fly.
Progression and Challenge Design
As you move through each stage, a deadly wall pushes you forward. This creates constant pressure while encouraging smart and fast decisions. At the same time, exploration is rewarded. If you go off the main path, you’ll discover hidden crypto bits and data logs.
Even better, the rewind feature allows unlimited retries. This removes frustration and encourages bold experimentation, making it appealing for both newcomers and seasoned players alike.
Replay Value and Player Engagement
If you’re chasing achievements, there are 14 in total—four are easy, while ten offer a real challenge. This setup makes Time Rift perfect for both casual gamers and hardcore completionists.
While the gameplay is mostly smooth, one small downside is the limited shooting directions. In a few puzzle-heavy moments, this can feel a bit limiting. Still, threading a slow-motion shot through lasers feels incredibly rewarding.
Story and Characters
Narrative unfolds between levels through your employer’s voice. At first, her commands feel routine. However, as you find hidden data logs, a corporate conspiracy begins to surface. The single voice actress gives a strong performance, mixing authority with subtle doubt.
Even though there aren’t many characters, the mystery behind VaultCo’s secret tests kept me interested—and kept me searching for every hidden log.
Visuals and Graphics
Visually, Time Rift looks sharp and stylish. Its neon cyberpunk look stands out, with glowing nodes and dark digital backdrops. Red firewalls and blue laser traps make every level pop.
Moreover, the rotating cameras add cinematic flair while keeping things clear. Particle effects help you see time manipulation in action. On my PC, the game held a steady 60 fps, and the graphics settings offer enough flexibility for different systems.
Sound and Music
Sound design in Time Rift is both energetic and subtle. The electronic soundtrack mixes ambient tones with fast beats, especially when danger is near. Effects like alarms, rewinds, and gunfire are all satisfying and never overwhelming.
Voice acting stays clear, and customizable volume sliders make it easy to get the mix just right. Altogether, the audio supports the gameplay without ever distracting from it.
Difficulty and Replayability
The game’s difficulty builds smoothly. Early levels teach you the basics, while later stages demand precise moves and quick thinking. The advancing wall acts as a soft timer, pushing you forward without forcing a restart.
I collected all hidden items in about six hours. After that, I jumped into timer-only runs and chased leaderboard scores. With daily DLC levels planned, Time Rift offers long-term value for both completionists and speedrunners.
Developer Background
Lightshards began as a modding team back in 2019, drawing inspiration from Braid and Superhot. By early 2020, Abiding Bridge gave the green light for Time Rift. Over eight months, the devs shaped each puzzle using feedback from player surveys to fine-tune the rewind system.
Choosing a single voice actor allowed them to boost the music budget. Since launch, updates have added color palette options, performance tweaks, and improved collision detection. Excitingly, the team plans to release daily challenge levels as free content.
Final Thoughts
All in all, Time Rift does a great job blending sharp shooter controls with clever puzzle design. Although the story feels a bit thin and the directional shooting is limited in places, the overall experience is smooth, exciting, and deeply satisfying.
If you love mastering challenges and squeezing every bit of value out of a game, this one’s for you.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
