Timespinner

Timespinner for PS4, 3DS and etc. is a two-dimensional platformer, classified as an example of metroidvania genre, in which we play the part of a young girl, who travels in time in order to avenge death of her family. Title is debut of the independent studio Lunar Ray Games, founded by a former employee of Microsoft and Bungie Software, who created the first demo of Timespinner as an assignment for programming course. Game was completed thanks to very successful Kickstarter campaign.

Plot

Story of Timespinner for PS4, 3DS and etc. takes us to the fantastic universe of Ernah, created by the author of the game in the days of his youth. We follow a history of 20-year old girl named Lunaris, whose village was massacred by invaders from the planet Lachiem. During the slaughter our heroine and her mother found shelter in an ancient temple but the mother died in attempt to open a portal to a safe place, and Lunais was sucked through the broken portal and transported to an alien world. Desperate protagonist swears vengeance on oppressors who killed her family and the entire village.

Mechanics

Mechanics draws on classical two-dimensional platformers like Mega Man or Castlevania – we explore subsequent locations, solve simple puzzles and fight various encountered enemies. As we progress, we gain new weapons and upgrade our abilities thanks to magic orbs scattered around the world. What makes production of the Lunar Ray unique is the ability to manipulate time through titular ancient artifact. Thereby, our heroine not only travels to different eras of history of her planet, but can also freeze time, avoid enemies and use them to eg. reach inaccessible places. Timespinner for PS4, 3DS and etc. evokes the spirit of old-school platformers for SNES console or the first PlayStation, being a kind of homage to a bygone era of video games, returning frequently in works of independent developers.

Technical aspects

Classic mechanics and simple gameplay rules are complemented by retro style audiovisuals.

Last updated on 05 January 2015