Time Rift

About

Time Rift is a single player shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Lightshards and was released on February 17, 2022. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Time Rift" is a fast-paced action-puzzle game that offers unique gameplay mechanics, including a firewall system that chases you from any direction and the ability to rewind time. Players must master bombs, gates, and nodes to execute perfect runs and uncover the secrets of VaultCo in an engaging story of corporate sabotage. The difficulty is flexible, with slow down mode available to assist with difficult tricks. Thank you for entering the VaultCo Asset Storage Solutions testing portal.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 36 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Time Rift features innovative time manipulation mechanics that enhance gameplay, allowing players to rewind and slow down time, making it accessible and engaging for both casual and experienced players.
The game boasts a vibrant neon aesthetic and well-executed level design that keeps the action clear and visually appealing, ensuring players can quickly identify hazards and interactable objects.
With a well-paced progression of difficulty and a compelling narrative that adds depth to the gameplay, Time Rift offers a satisfying blend of action and puzzle-solving that keeps players motivated to improve their performance.

Some players found certain stages to be slightly repetitive, which could detract from the overall experience despite the game's otherwise engaging mechanics.
The total playtime may feel short for some, as the game can be completed in just a few hours, leading to concerns about its longevity and replay value.
While the story adds context, it is described as straightforward and may not resonate with all players, potentially feeling generic in comparison to the innovative gameplay.

gameplay
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
64%
11%
The gameplay in "Time Rift" is characterized by a unique and engaging mechanic involving a moving firewall that shapes the rhythm of play, complemented by innovative time manipulation abilities. The level design evolves thoughtfully, introducing new challenges and mechanics that keep the experience fresh and rewarding without becoming repetitive. With adjustable difficulty and smooth controls, the game caters to a wide range of players, offering a blend of action and puzzle-solving that feels both intense and satisfying.
- “The defining mechanic of Time Rift is the constant pressure applied by a moving firewall that relentlessly scrolls across each level.”
- “Level design steadily evolves, introducing new obstacles and mechanics that build on earlier concepts without feeling repetitive.”
- “Its relentless pacing, combined with thoughtful time manipulation mechanics, creates a gameplay loop that feels both intense and rewarding.”
- “The gameplay is quite atypical, with controls that work like a shoot 'em up, but there are no enemies!”
- “Instead, it's more about reflection than pure action, with puzzles and labyrinths that use the time rewind mechanic!”
- “The time manipulation mechanics make it not particularly brain-bending, but it still requires you to think, analyze, and deduce on the fly enough that you'll still feel like you accomplished something meaningful with each puzzle you complete.”
story
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
47%
18%
The game's story is characterized by its gradual revelation of themes related to corporate control and technological overreach, enhancing the gameplay experience without overshadowing it. Players appreciate the engaging narrative, which unfolds through dialogue and mission progression, offering depth and a sense of purpose to the action. Overall, the story is described as intriguing and well-integrated, with elements that resonate with current issues in the tech industry, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “Dialogue snippets and story beats gradually reveal cracks within Vaultco’s structure, hinting at internal instability and moral ambiguity.”
- “The narrative framing helps the action feel like more than abstract puzzles, tying each mission to a broader thematic thread about corporate control and technological overreach.”
- “The mechanics are simple yet effective and you dive easily into the story, echoing some current problems in the tech industry, but shush, you have to play to get to know more about it!”
- “There is a story in Time Rift, but it's pretty straightforward.”
- “The mechanics are simple yet effective, and you dive easily into the story, echoing some current problems in the tech industry, but shush, you have to play to get to know more about it!”
- “Really nice small game - at first glance it seems a bit too shallow, but the story aspects of it make it far better than you think.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The music in the game is highlighted as an energetic electronic soundtrack that enhances the sense of urgency while maintaining player immersion. Reviewers appreciate the investment in accessibility and the overall quality of the soundtrack, which contributes to an engaging gameplay experience.
- “Complementing this is an energetic electronic soundtrack that reinforces the sense of urgency without overwhelming concentration, keeping adrenaline high while maintaining immersion.”
- “The game really invested in its accessibility, offers a nice soundtrack, and some puzzles are just really good, so I had a good time playing Time Rift and I hope other people will too.”
- “Throw in a nice soundtrack and an engaging story, and you get a very fun game!”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The game's graphics feature a striking neon-infused cyber aesthetic, complemented by a retro vibe that enhances the scoring and time-attack elements. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals and synthwave aesthetics, which create an engaging and sensory experience.
- “Vibrant neon graphics that pique my senses!”
- “Visually, the game leans into a clean, neon-infused cyber aesthetic.”
- “There is a great deal of retro vibe with the scoring and the time-attack, as well as the glorious synthwave aesthetics.”
- “+ vibrant neon graphics that pique my senses!”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the optimization aspect of the game, as it encourages them to replay stages to enhance their performance and uncover the most efficient routes, adding a layer of challenge and mastery to the experience.
- “For players seeking mastery, replaying stages to improve performance or discover optimal routes becomes a compelling challenge in itself.”
- “The game's optimization mechanics encourage strategic thinking, allowing players to refine their approaches and achieve better results.”
- “I love how the optimization aspect rewards experimentation; finding the best strategies makes every playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”