Timespinner

{{Infobox video game

| title = Timespinner

| collapsible =

| state =

| image = Timespinnercoverart.png

| caption = Cover art for the physical release of Timespinner by Limited Run Games

| developer = Lunar Ray Games

| publisher = Chucklefish

| series =

| engine =

| platforms = Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|September 25, 2018}}

|Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, PS Vita|September 25, 2018

|Nintendo Switch, Xbox One|June 4, 2019}}

| genre = Metroidvania

| modes = Single-player, multiplayer

| producer =

| designer =

| artist =

| composer = Jeff Ball

}}

Timespinner is a video game developed by Lunar Ray Games and published by Chucklefish. It was funded through the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter in June 2014. Initially scheduled for release in November 2015, growth in the project's scope necessitated a later release date of September 2018.

A sequel, Timespinner 2: Unwoven Dream, was announced on September 25, 2023. {{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/LunarRayGames/status/1706352942645907502|title=Bodie Lee on X|accessdate=September 25, 2023|archive-date=September 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925181723/https://twitter.com/LunarRayGames/status/1706352942645907502|url-status=live}} The release date has not been announced.

Gameplay

Timespinner is an action-platformer wherein players control Lunais, a Time Messenger. The game mechanics were heavily inspired by Konami's Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3330416/best-indie-pc-games-2018.html|title=12 of the best indie PC games you might have missed in 2018|accessdate=June 12, 2019|first=Hayden|last=Dingman|date=December 28, 2018|publisher=PC World|archive-date=March 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322062550/https://www.pcworld.com/article/3330416/best-indie-pc-games-2018.html|url-status=live}} Luna is able to explore the castle and the surrounding grounds, while finding upgrades that help her do that effectively.{{Cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-timespinner-523726.phtml|title=Review: Timespinner|accessdate=June 12, 2019|first=Kevin|last=McLusky|date=September 25, 2018|publisher=Destructoid|archive-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428151643/https://www.destructoid.com/review-timespinner-523726.phtml|url-status=live}} That includes a double jump for out of reach platforms, and water mask for being able to breathe underwater.{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/new-switch-game-is-like-symphony-of-the-night-with-jrpg-1835307589|title=New Switch Game Is Like Symphony Of The Night With JRPG Graphics|accessdate=June 12, 2019|first=Mike|last=Fahey|date=June 6, 2019|publisher=Kotaku|archive-date=June 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608045824/https://kotaku.com/new-switch-game-is-like-symphony-of-the-night-with-jrpg-1835307589|url-status=live}} The players can use a familiar, which will follow Lunais around and help during the battles.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/timespinner|title=Timespinner Review (Switch eShop)|accessdate=June 12, 2019|first=Stephanie|last=Woor|date=June 4, 2019|publisher=Nintendo Life|archive-date=June 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607130127/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/timespinner|url-status=live}} Another core feature of the game is the ability to pause time for a few seconds, allowing the player to avoid enemy attacks and use enemies as additional platforms to get to otherwise unreachable locations. The time-pausing ability is powered by sand, which can be gained by defeating enemies.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/timespinner-review/ |title=TIMESPINNER REVIEW |accessdate=June 12, 2019 |first=Shaun |last=Prescott |date=October 9, 2018 |publisher=PC Gamer |archive-date=June 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602223140/https://www.pcgamer.com/timespinner-review/ |url-status=live }}

Reception

The PC version of Timespinner holds an aggregated rating of 73 on Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews",{{Cite web|title=Timespinner|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/timespinner/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|access-date=2020-06-07|website=Metacritic|language=en}} while the PS4 and Switch versions have a score of 81 and 84 respectively, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{Cite web|title=Timespinner|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/timespinner/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|access-date=2020-06-07|website=Metacritic|language=en|archive-date=2025-04-05|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250405143618/https://www.metacritic.com/game/timespinner/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Timespinner|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/timespinner/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|access-date=2020-06-07|website=Metacritic|language=en|archive-date=2025-04-05|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250405143628/https://www.metacritic.com/game/timespinner/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|url-status=live}}

Shaun Prescott, writing for PC Gamer, praised the pixel art graphics and atmosphere of the game, but criticized it for its repetitive environments and for being a "conservative" game that "doesn't offer much that feels new."{{Cite web|last=Prescott|first=Shaun|date=2018-10-09|title=Timespinner review|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/timespinner-review/|access-date=2020-06-07|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730201911/https://www.pcgamer.com/timespinner-review/|url-status=live}} Kevin McClusky's review for Destructoid was more favorable, praising the game's art, music, and story and concluding that while "there's been no shortage of quality indie games inspired by Super Metroid and Castlevania, ... Timespinner stands out as one of the best."{{Cite web|title=Review: Timespinner|url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-timespinner-523726.phtml|access-date=2020-06-07|website=Destructoid|language=english|archive-date=2020-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410183919/https://www.destructoid.com/review-timespinner-523726.phtml|url-status=live}} Annette Magaña's review of the PS4 version for Push Square was likewise positive, praising the game's "satisfying, responsive controls," "lavish" levels and diverse combat, as well as its plot that "weaves crucial political themes into its tale of warring nations."{{Cite web|last=Square|first=Push|date=2018-09-24|title=Timespinner - Don't Let This Metroidvania Pass You By|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/timespinner|access-date=2020-06-07|website=Push Square|language=en-GB}} PC World named Timespinner among "12 of the best indie PC games you might have missed in 2018."{{Cite web|date=2018-12-28|title=12 of the best indie PC games you might have missed in 2018|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3330416/best-indie-pc-games-2018.html|access-date=2020-06-07|website=PCWorld|language=en|archive-date=2020-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923032330/https://www.pcworld.com/article/3330416/best-indie-pc-games-2018.html|url-status=live}}