Time Master
- January 18, 2022
- MorpheusZ
Get on Steam"Time Master" is a puzzle-platformer game with a fully voice-acted cinematic story. As wizard Zeno, you must complete trials from the Ancients and defeat evil wizard Lucix to recover time fragments. Use Zeno's time manipulation ability to collaborate with his past self and overcome obstacles in this relaxing and engaging game.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The puzzles are well-constructed and provide a satisfying sense of accomplishment when solved.
- The game features beautiful visuals and charming art design that enhance the overall experience.
- Time manipulation mechanics add depth to the gameplay, making it engaging and thought-provoking.
- The timer can create a rushed experience, which may not appeal to all players.
- Some puzzles can be frustrating due to unclear interactions or mechanics that are not immediately obvious.
- The story and cutscenes are considered lackluster and may not satisfy players looking for a strong narrative.
- gameplay28 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Time Master" is characterized by its innovative time manipulation mechanics that enhance puzzle-solving, requiring players to think creatively and strategically as they progress through increasingly complex levels. The game effectively combines engaging mechanics with a polished design, offering a satisfying challenge for both casual players and completionists aiming for perfection. While the time mechanics are praised for their uniqueness, some players find that later levels can shift the focus towards agility and racing elements, which may detract from the puzzle experience.
“The mechanics in the game work nicely together, and it feels great when it all comes together and you hit the finish platform right at the last second before you would have run out of time to get all three stars.”
“The brain-bending time mechanics lead to some ingenious puzzle designs that gave me a sense of accomplishment when I completed the trickier ones.”
“Time travel mechanics are really nicely executed and puzzles are very logical.”
“In later levels, this becomes extremely aggravating and turns the gameplay into as much of a racing game as a puzzle one.”
“Sometimes, instead of simple mechanics, it can turn into an agility game of jumping and fighting to move a box in the direction you need fast enough.”
“While the whole 'time mechanic thing' has been done to death, let's be honest, it's still refreshing when a game can be more than 'just another derivative'.”
- graphics15 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming aesthetic, high polish, and smooth animations, creating a visually appealing experience that enhances gameplay. Reviewers highlight the beautiful world design and atmospheric art style, which complement the engaging puzzles and overall entertainment value. The combination of nice visuals and effective audio contributes to a delightful gaming experience.
“Apart from the concept itself, the graphics are amazing, both during gameplay and cutscenes.”
“The world is beautifully created with high-level graphics that make it pleasant to spend time in.”
“Graphical style is spectacular and very atmospheric for the vibe the game is going for.”
- music13 mentions
- 92 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and tranquility, enhancing the overall experience without being intrusive or repetitive. Reviewers highlight its ability to complement the gameplay pacing and puzzle design, making it enjoyable for both casual and hardcore players. While the soundtrack is considered exceptional, some mention minor performance issues during animations.
“Voiceover, sound effects, and music are also of great quality, and will delight you without being too noisy or annoyingly repetitive.”
“I recommend getting the full package including the soundtrack because it's beautiful, tranquil, and also makes you curious about how you're going to tackle the next course!”
“Besides the puzzle design, one other thing that caught my attention is the soothing music, which is exceptionally well-made and suits the pacing of the gameplay very well.”
- story11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally considered unremarkable, with some reviewers noting that it doesn't significantly enhance the puzzle-solving experience. However, it is described as charming and fitting, providing a pleasant backdrop to the gameplay, with cutscenes that reward players and add depth. While not the main focus, the story is appreciated for its coherence and ability to tie the puzzles together.
“A delightful puzzle-solving game with a charming story tying the puzzles together.”
“The puzzles are pretty tough and wear you out, but as soon as I started to get too exhausted, I was rewarded with a pretty interesting cutscene that moves the story along.”
“First of all, the story isn't anything special and the cutscenes aren't the best.”
“If you're in it for the story, you'll probably have no problem getting through it all as the game only turns hard after you've gotten significantly far into the puzzle count.”
“Story may not blow you away with its twists and turns, but it is always appreciated when one is there to spice an already pleasant experience.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a charming and delightful vibe, enhanced by a spectacular graphical style that complements its puzzle-solving elements and crystal-chasing theme.
“Delightful puzzle, charming atmosphere, and chasing crystals is what this game is all about.”
“The graphical style is spectacular and very atmospheric for the vibe the game is going for.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively combines a simple yet emotionally engaging narrative with tight gameplay mechanics, as players navigate through challenges to rescue a sister while collecting shards alongside a time-manipulating doppelganger. This emotional journey is enhanced by the game's unique mechanics, which create a compelling experience that resonates with players.
“Time Master pulls you in with a simple but emotionally compelling narrative, then smoothly transitions you into a tight gameplay loop of collecting shards alongside your temporal doppelganger in an attempt to narratively secure resources to rescue your sister.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game receives praise for its music but is criticized for poor optimization, impacting overall performance.
“The game runs smoothly and efficiently, showcasing excellent optimization that enhances the overall experience.”
“I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it allows for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“The developers have done a fantastic job with optimization, ensuring that the game performs well without sacrificing quality.”
“It gets bonus points for having good music, but it loses points for not being optimized.”
“The game is visually appealing, but the lack of optimization leads to frequent frame drops.”
“Despite its interesting gameplay, the poor optimization makes it frustrating to play.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as it involves optimizing moves and perfecting flow to shave off milliseconds, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
“Optimizing moves in a game like this is one thing, but trying to cut milliseconds off your time by finding the perfect flow where you have omni-directional movement becomes tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over again just to level up, which quickly becomes a chore.”
