Time Loader

Time Loader is a great game for just about anyone to play. As long as you're not expecting action-filled gameplay, but rather a relaxing journey, there is barely a reason not to give the game a shot.

79%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

replayability, stability

83% User Score Based on 229 reviews

Critic Score 75%Based on 14 reviews

Platforms

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About

Time Loader is a physics-based puzzle-platformer game where you play as a small robot sent back in time to manipulate the past and change the present. Navigate through intricate levels, solve challenging puzzles, and interact with objects to alter the course of events. With its unique time-travel mechanic, Time Loader offers a fresh take on the genre, making it a thrilling experience for players who enjoy problem-solving and exploration.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+12

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 243 reviews

story48 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

Time Loader features a charming story with nostalgic elements and engaging environmental puzzles that encourage exploration.
The game has beautiful graphics and sound design, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
Multiple endings and hidden secrets provide replayability, making it a worthwhile experience for players who enjoy puzzle-platformers.

The controls can be frustrating, especially with the grappling hook mechanic and the need for precise timing, which can lead to a challenging experience.
The game is relatively short, with some players feeling that it lacks depth and complexity in its puzzles.
Certain gameplay mechanics, particularly when using a controller, can be inconsistent and lead to moments of frustration, detracting from the overall enjoyment.

story
102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The game's story is generally praised for its emotional depth and intriguing time-travel theme, with many players appreciating the environmental storytelling and character development. However, some critiques highlight its reliance on multiple endings and a somewhat superficial narrative, suggesting that it could have been more fleshed out. Overall, the combination of engaging gameplay and a heartfelt storyline makes it a compelling experience for players who enjoy narrative-driven games.
- “Time Loader is a very enjoyable platform puzzler with a very intriguing story.”
- “As you navigate around the childhood home, what you interact with can change the course of the story, all coming to a head in the final act.”
- “A highly original puzzle-platformer from Lithuanian developers Flazm, which combines an emotional time-traveling storyline with some intricate and very relaxing exploration filled with highly ingenious level design.”
- “I wish the game could have fleshed out the story more instead of making it reliant on multiple endings.”
- “The story was cliched and they could've done without it (and the alternative endings stuff).”
- “The story didn't accomplish that either.”
gameplay
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
60%
8%
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of frustration and enjoyment, with many players finding the grappling and throwing mechanics particularly challenging and sometimes janky. While some appreciate the innovative ideas and puzzle design, others feel that the mechanics detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of dullness or difficulty in control. Overall, the game presents a creative concept with potential, but its execution leaves room for improvement, especially in the mechanics introduced late in the game.
- “This is a creative platformer game, I really did enjoy it; the original idea, the concept, the mechanics, ideas, characters, all of it is just... it's perfection.”
- “Innovative gameplay, beautifully rendered, good puzzles.”
- “The story is well suited to the gameplay and helps with immersion.”
- “Game is insanely jank; some of the movements are impossible to control, and it's frustrating knowing what you need to do but fighting the throw mechanic to get it done.”
- “I feel like more than half of players will find the gameplay too dull, and another eighth will find the platforming too fiddly.”
- “Ngl, worst chase scene level I ever played, but there is potential if you guys decide to update or revamp the mechanics of this game.”
graphics
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
29%
8%
The graphics of the game are consistently praised as excellent, with many reviewers highlighting the beautiful visuals, unique art style, and impressive level design. While some minor graphical bugs were noted, they did not detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's graphics contribute significantly to its appeal, enhancing the storytelling and gameplay.
- “Excellent small game with fantastic graphics and a neat and, at times sad, story.”
- “A very distinctive and bright puzzle-platformer with excellent graphics, great soundtrack and story.”
- “The graphics are at the highest level, very interesting game mechanics.”
- “Play time loader for its toy graphics and relaxed background, otherwise... ignore.”
- “Due to the time stamp of the action and pastel graphics, even the person watching the gameplay will not be bored.”
- “There are decently pretty visuals.”
music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
32%
14%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the nostalgic elements of the gameplay. While some players enjoy the soundtrack's emotional depth and integration with the game's environment, others criticize it as slow and droning, failing to live up to the promised nostalgic quality. Overall, the soundtrack is noted for its contribution to the game's immersive experience, despite some dissenting opinions.
- “Music and sounds complement this nostalgic atmosphere incomparably.”
- “Environment and music are amazing, gameplay is simple yet providing a nice experience.”
- “It has an interesting plot, cute robot :), nice graphics, and an amazing soundtrack that dives me deeper into the game.”
- “The only negative I have is the music.”
- “They claim 'nostalgic music' but it's nothing but slow droning music.”
- “They claim 'nostalgic music' but it's nothing but slow droning music.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its nostalgic 90s vibe, enhanced by a melancholic piano soundtrack that complements the overall experience. Reviewers find the atmosphere engaging and immersive, contributing significantly to the enjoyment of the sidescroller puzzle adventure, despite its short playtime. Overall, the combination of music, sound, and visual elements creates a memorable and endearing ambiance.
- “A really endearing game with a great atmosphere and fun puzzles. I would recommend this game when on a 50% discount or more due to the very short playtime, but I will always recommend this to friends.”
- “And the most important thing is the vibe and atmosphere of the 90s.”
- “Music and sounds complement this nostalgic atmosphere incomparably.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the game evokes deep emotional responses, often surprising them with its ability to convey complex feelings through its narrative and gameplay. The combination of a heartfelt story and intricate level design creates a profound experience, making players reflect on themes of destruction and personal impact. Overall, the emotional depth of the game enhances its appeal, transforming it from a simple puzzle-platformer into a memorable journey.
- “It made me feel things that I never thought I could feel from a game... I caused so much destruction that is irreparable and traumatizing.”
- “I didn’t expect a game where you play as a tiny four-wheeled robot to make me all emotional, but here we are.”
- “Time Loader is a great physics-based puzzler with a ton of heart that grips you emotionally throughout and refuses to let go.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers significant replayability, particularly for players aiming to achieve 100% completion and discover better endings on subsequent runs. While the initial playthrough may not take many hours, the potential for exploration and improvement encourages players to return.
- “The replayability value comes if you did not manage to 100% the first run and later go back and get better endings.”
- “Not many hours are needed for completion, but the replay value is immense.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
Overall, the game's stability is generally good, with smooth performance on devices like the Steam Deck. However, players have reported occasional physics glitches, and some found using a mouse instead of a controller significantly improved their experience, particularly in challenging sections.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck, too.”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience.”
- “I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which is impressive.”
- “It took me almost 40 minutes to just escape from the cat in the treehouse at the end of the game... until I used the mouse instead of the controller, and figured out it was much easier and with fewer glitches.”
- “[Some physics glitches here and there]”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Time Loader" is generally well-received, with players appreciating its fun and lighthearted tone. Minor graphical bugs add a touch of humor without detracting from the overall gameplay experience, making it an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.
- “Fun and with a good sense of humor, Time Loader is a great way to spend a couple of hours.”
- “I also saw minor funny bugs with graphics, but they were short-term and didn't spoil the gameplay.”