Time Recoil

Time Recoil isn't going to redefine the cyberpunk genre, win awards for its writing or make players philosophize on the ethics of time travel. It’s a satisfying blitz that wants to chill you out and challenge you, and that's enough.

73%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

replayability, grinding

76% User Score Based on 80 reviews

Critic Score 68%Based on 12 reviews

Platforms

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About

Time Recoil is a top-down shooter game where players can slow down time and execute stylish ultra-kills to bend the rules of time. As a time-traveling agent, defeat the evil organization Tempus to save the world by manipulating time and unleashing powerful attacks. With a unique mechanic that ties slowing time to your kill combos, players must strategize and master the art of bullet time to succeed in their mission.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

+15

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 92 reviews

story11 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game features a fun and engaging time-slowing mechanic that enhances the gameplay experience, allowing for strategic planning and execution.
The soundtrack is highly praised, adding to the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the game.
Levels are designed to be short and challenging, providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment when completed.

The game suffers from repetitive level design and a lack of variety, leading to a feeling of monotony as players progress.
Controls can feel unpolished, and the one-hit kill mechanic can be frustrating, especially with enemies that shoot from off-screen.
The story is considered weak and poorly executed, often interrupting the flow of gameplay with unnecessary dialogue.

story
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
77%
8%
The story in the game is generally viewed as underdeveloped and lacking depth, with many reviewers describing it as bland, confusing, or merely a vehicle to connect missions. While some players found elements of the time-travel narrative interesting, the overall execution is criticized for being poorly written and overly simplistic, often detracting from the gameplay experience. Despite its shortcomings, a few players appreciated the unique gameplay mechanics and the soundtrack, suggesting that the story, while not compelling, adds a layer to the overall experience.
- “The story is interesting, even if hard to follow because of the time travel, paradoxes, multiple timelines, flashbacks, etc. The music is fitting, and the graphics are passable (the orange suit evokes some cheesy spy movie connotations).”
- “Interesting time-travel story delivered via short conversations in between missions - and in some cases, via dream-like 'missions'.”
- “Having a more fleshed out story - as well as quick missions, the time manipulation mechanic and twin stick arcade thrills - sets this game up to be a more layered take on the now familiar genre.”
- “The story feels more like the early draft of a story rather than a full story.”
- “The story is weird and confusing.”
- “The story is forgettable and bogs down the fast flow of the game, and the game could use some more serious polishing as it still feels unfinished in certain parts.”
gameplay
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
51%
8%
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of solid mechanics and innovative time manipulation features, providing a fast-paced and engaging experience. While some players appreciate the challenge and variety in levels, others criticize the repetitiveness and lack of depth in mission design. Overall, the game offers enjoyable mechanics that can be both rewarding and frustrating, depending on player skill and execution.
- “The gameplay, though still in early stages, is solid, and the concept of time manipulation in combat is interwoven very well.”
- “This is a fun game with fast and fluid gameplay.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it's your average twin-stick shooter with some pretty neat elements, racking up kills slows down time and gives you epic abilities like dashing through walls and crushing enemies, blowing things up with a time blast or even stopping time entirely.”
- “Core gameplay is broken garbage with a lot of very questionable design decisions.”
- “There’s not a huge amount of variety when it comes to the missions, and you’ve seen all of the mechanics by the time you’re about an hour in.”
- “The game's one-hit one-kill playstyle is unforgiving for gamepad users, and the mechanic of comboing kills to keep your slo-mo meter filled is frankly unsatisfying.”
music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
27%
14%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, 80s-inspired soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. It is described as fitting, intense, and well-suited to the game's fast-paced action, making it a standout feature that many players recommend. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant highlight, contributing to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “Pretty fun little top down shooter, lasts exactly the right amount of time and the soundtrack is gorgeous.”
- “Recommended for the soundtrack alone!”
- “The story is interesting, even if hard to follow because of the time travel, paradoxes, multiple timelines, flashbacks, etc. Music is fitting, graphics are passable (the orange suit evokes some cheesy spy movie connotations).”
- “Just like Neon Chrome, the graphics are slick and the music captures the tension of the story very well.”
- “Time Recoil's time travel gimmick is handled with much effort, as it is creative and does a lot to keep the action exciting and hectic, which is further enhanced by the catchy 80s-inspired music.”
graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
26%
27%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players noting that while they are decent and have a unique aesthetic reminiscent of comic books and retro styles, they are not particularly impressive compared to other titles in the genre. Many agree that the visuals are serviceable and contribute to the overall experience, but they fall short of being standout features, often described as "passable" or "slick" yet lacking in detail. Overall, while the graphics are not a major drawback, they do not elevate the game significantly.
- “Of the 10tons shooters I've played, this has the coolest aesthetic and graphics style—sorta comic book, sorta 70s prog rock poster.”
- “Graphically, the game looks good and it runs really well.”
- “Just like Neon Chrome, the graphics are slick and the music captures the tension of the story very well.”
- “Unfortunately, the graphics, while okay, are not amazing, and the gameplay itself is a little lacking overall compared to other similar games.”
- “The graphics aren’t anything to write home about, but they get the job done and it’s not like they’re unpleasant.”
- “Still, things like the randomized ammo drops, muddy visuals, and poorly designed puzzles are needlessly frustrating, and your time and money would be better spent elsewhere.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game offers decent replayability through its time trials and challenging levels, making it enjoyable for multiple playthroughs. However, some players feel it could benefit from additional modes to enhance its longevity, especially when compared to similar titles like *Neon Chrome*.
- “Normal brought a bit of a challenge as the levels added on and there is definitely replay value with the time trials.”
- “I do hope they add some extra modes to further extend replayability though.”
- “Not sure how replayable this is, particularly in comparison to Neon Chrome.”
- “It's not long, but it's got some replay value and it's a tight, weird little time-travel slo-mo top-down shooter.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, as each level feels repetitive with only minor variations in objectives. However, despite the monotony, many still find enjoyment in the gameplay, noting that achievements can range from trivial to tedious.
- “Tedious gameplay; every level is the same thing with a slightly different objective, but it's all the same.”
- “The achievements come in two forms: trivial and tedious.”
- “Even at its most grindy, it's still fun.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews suggest that the game's optimization may not meet expectations, as past performance does not guarantee future improvements. Users express concerns about the game's ability to run smoothly, indicating potential issues with optimization.
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Time Recoil has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that its mobile app origins have led to a lack of value in its Steam release.
- “Time Recoil is a mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as a cash grab.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- “In-game purchases are overly aggressive, making it hard to progress without spending real money.”

68%Critics’ scoreBased on 14 critic reviews

Buy Time Recoil

2h Median play time

3h Average play time

2-4h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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