Introduction
Timespinner came out on September 25, 2018, and offers a story-rich Metroidvania adventure. It mixes the feel of classic 90s platformers with new time-based gameplay. Made by Lunar Ray Games, the game follows Lunais, a timekeeper on a mission to change the past and get revenge for her family. With an 85% “Very Positive” rating from 2,554 Steam reviews, Timespinner has earned praise—but how does it compare to other games like it?
Storyline and World-Building
While many Metroidvania games keep the story light, Timespinner dives deep into a sci-fi and fantasy tale. The game starts in a ruined present and sends you into a colorful past using the broken Timespinner device. The game’s world features political drama and betrayal, similar to Axiom Verge, but Lunais’s personal journey adds more heart to the story. Players enjoy the steady story reveals, though a few mention that too much dialogue can sometimes slow the game down.
Gameplay Mechanics
- Time Powers
- Pause time to dodge attacks, make new paths, and solve puzzles. This adds a twist like the one seen in Braid.
- Combat and Magic Orbs
- Pick up elemental orbs that get stronger as you use them. These let you mix sword attacks with spells. It’s like Ori and the Blind Forest’s growth system, but with more control over your playstyle.
- Familiars and Co-op
- You can collect creatures like Meyef the dream dragon to help you fight. A second player can control them in local co-op—something rare in this genre, besides games like Guacamelee! 2.
- Exploration and Secrets
- Look for hidden rooms, walls, and platforming puzzles. These reward you with lore and upgrades. Some players say the game could use more fast-travel spots to reduce backtracking.
Boss Fights
Fights rely on patterns and dodging. Longtime players like the challenge, but some new players find the difficulty jumps too fast, similar to early Castlevania games.
Visuals and Audio
Timespinner’s pixel art environment is meticulously hand-crafted, channeling PS1-era gothic aesthetics with modern lighting effects. Critics compare its backgrounds to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night in level depth, but with sharper pixel fidelity. Composer Jeff Ball’s gothic soundtrack enhances atmosphere—reviewers highlight how the violin-driven themes rival the best of Tiny Barbarian DX’s scores.
Community Reception
With an 85% “Very Positive” Steam rating, players celebrate Timespinner for:
- Its engrossing time-twist narrative and character motivations.
- Polished pixel art and evocative soundtrack.
- Innovative time-stop puzzles that feel fresh in a crowded genre.
Conversely, critiques center on:
- Repetitive backtracking without enough fast-travel nodes.
- Steep boss difficulty spikes that can frustrate casual players.
- Limited magic-orb variety compared to more expansive RPG-style skill trees.
Comparisons Similar to Timespinner
- Hollow Knight – Both games have deep worlds and stories. Hollow Knight has smoother combat, while Timespinner shines with its time-stopping puzzles.
- Axiom Verge – Shares a sci-fi feel. Timespinner tells a more personal story with two timelines, while Axiom Verge gives more open-ended exploration.
- Ori and the Blind Forest – Both are emotional and pretty to look at. Ori has tighter platforming, but Timespinner wins with its time-stopping twist and co-op.
- Guacamelee! 2 – Both support co-op and have strong visuals. Timespinner leans toward a serious tone and a darker look, while Guacamelee! is more colorful and funny.
Conclusion
For fans of narrative-rich Metroidvanias and those seeking inventive time-bending gameplay, Timespinner stands out as a memorable indie title. Its polished pixel art, haunting soundtrack, and co-op depth elevate it beyond many contemporaries. While backtracking and difficulty hurdles may deter some players, the strong “Very Positive” community consensus underscores its overall quality. As a seasoned explorer of hidden realms, you’ll find Lunais’s journey both challenging and emotionally resonant—an adventure that merits your time, literally.
