Time Manipulation
Ongoing coverage on Time Manipulation.
Latest coverage
Stylised XCOM-like tactics game Ex Sanguis straps Othercide's obsession with timelines to a leaner roguelike campaign
Ex Sanguis, a new tactics RPG with roguelike elements, is now available in early access. The game builds upon the time-manipulation mechanics of Othercide, featuring a leaner campaign structure and a focus on strategic turn-based combat. While the core gameplay loop of managing abilities and disrupting enemy turns is present, the article notes some mixed feelings about the new campaign format and the overall improvement over its predecessor.
Immortality creator Sam Barlow's new video-scouring game is sci-fi horror Precognition, a collab with filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg, in which you see and change the future
Sam Barlow, creator of Immortality, has announced his new game, Precognition, a sci-fi horror title developed by his studio Half Mermaid in collaboration with filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg. The game, set to release in spring 2028 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch, centers on a protagonist who can see and manipulate future memories to alter outcomes, creating a butterfly effect. Barlow described the core mechanic as a diegetic element with direct consequences for the unfolding story.
Retrogods - A blend of strategic stealth and time-manipulation mechanics in this new plus/4 preview
Retrogods, a new game from System Syndrome, has released a playable build for the Commodore Plus/4. Players control Grágel, a wizard who can rewind time, to navigate a collapsing virtual realm and gather runestone pieces. The game blends strategic stealth with time-distortion mechanics, requiring players to use the environment to evade a Golem boss. Future updates are planned to expand the narrative and add more levels.
You can trade in your enemy's teeth to "bend" time in vampire RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker, care of some really horrible Tooth Fairies
The upcoming vampire RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker features a unique time-bending mechanic where players can offer teeth from defeated enemies to Tooth Fairies called Sanzhana. This system allows players to manipulate the game's 30-day time limit in unspecified ways, adding an element of surprise and player agency. Creative director Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz highlighted this as a way to create unexpected gameplay moments.
Ascend to ZERO: A Time-Bending Roguelike Sharpened to the Last Second
The time-bending roguelike Ascend to ZERO is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, also as an Xbox Play Anywhere title with Xbox Game Pass. Developer Flyaway Games has refined character balance, difficulty systems, and added an in-game play guide since its March reveal. The game focuses on fast-paced runs where players manipulate time to overcome enemies and challenges within a strict time limit.
Hack Fate – Beta Sign Up | Alpha Beta Gamer
Hack Fate is a fast-paced cyberpunk hack-and-slash action game featuring pixel-style graphics and time manipulation mechanics. Players control twin characters with one-hit kill abilities and time travel, making strategic choices that impact their journey through a neon-soaked world. Beta sign-ups are now open for players to request access to the playtest.
Erosion – Open Beta | Alpha Beta Gamer
Erosion, a roguelike open-world adventure, is now available in open beta. The game features a time-warping mechanic where each death advances the world by ten years, altering environments and factions based on player actions. Players can explore a wasteland, engage in combat with over 100 weapons and skills in destructible voxel environments, and manipulate the timeline to save their kidnapped daughter.
Qliphah in Providence’s Shadow Is a Tactical Counter-Timeline RPG Coming to PC and Consoles Soon!
Qliphah in Providence's Shadow, a new tactical counter-timeline RPG from Arc System Works and UnitePlus, has been unveiled for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The game features a unique Timeline Innovation system for combat, a vibrant cel-shaded art style, and a story set in a post-Collapse Tokyo where players investigate a demonic narcotic called Tiny True.
Erosion's time-bending twist stands out, but it's also a great roguelike twin-stick shooter
Erosion is a twin-stick shooter roguelike that features a unique time-bending mechanic where player deaths alter the game world. Beyond its gimmick, the game offers fast-paced combat, procedural dungeons, and extensive build variety with over 100 skills and numerous weapons. While the overworld is stylish, the dungeon visuals are currently underwhelming.
Space Grunts: Chrono Shard coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch
HandyGames and Orangepixel have announced that Space Grunts: Chrono Shard will be released on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, with the launch timing to be revealed soon. This time-loop tactical retro shooter features procedurally generated levels, a persistent time-travel mechanic called the Chrono Loop, and fast-paced turn-based strategy.
Clockfall Early Access Review – A time-twisting fascination
Clockfall offers a unique roguelite experience by making time itself the core mechanic, allowing players to rewind up to three minutes to attempt to save their village. Unlike typical roguelites, the game's levels and enemies remain static, emphasizing player progression and mastery of combat through meta-upgrades and in-run buffs. The combat is described as slick and simple, fitting the game's design, which encourages speedrunning and perfecting runs.
Time Strike is a soothing balm in an age of twitch shooters and fast reflexes
Time Strike, developed and published by Mode 7, was revealed at the PC Gaming Show. The game features a voxel aesthetic and allows players to manipulate time, redirect projectiles, and teleport. It is available to wishlist on Steam and is described as a soothing alternative to fast-paced twitch shooters.
Red Frame is a Witnessian puzzle game where every red frame you find has a conundrum for you to solve
Red Frame is a forthcoming puzzle game inspired by The Witness, featuring over 100 enigmas set within a mysterious mansion. Players will manipulate time to solve puzzles involving physics, environmental elements, and uncovering a family's historical legacy. The game is available to wishlist on Steam, though a release date has not yet been announced.
After 11 years in development hell, Chronology of Water and Stranger Things stars are set to lead new Prime Video TV show based on popular comic about bank robbers who stop time by having sex
A TV series adaptation of the Image comic Sex Criminals, about bank robbers who can stop time by having sex, is moving forward after 11 years in development. The eight-episode series, created by Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani, and Tze Chun, will star Imogen Poots and John Reynolds and premiere on Prime Video under Margot Robbie's LuckyChap production banner.
Psychedelic Roguelike Shooter Enter the Chronosphere Releases in Early Access Soon
The publishers of the psychedelic roguelike shooter Enter the Chronosphere have delayed its Early Access release from May 14th to May 25th, 2026, to avoid clashing with Subnautica 2's launch. Developed by Effort Star and published by Joystick Ventures and Gamirror Games, the game features turn-based tactics, bullet hell gameplay, and unique time manipulation mechanics where enemies only move when the player acts. The Early Access version will include five biomes with distinct challenges and procedurally generated runs.
Rumbral Brings Timeline-Shifting Puzzles to Xbox in ID@Xbox Showcase
OSEA Innovations' upcoming puzzle-platformer Rumbral, showcased at the ID@Xbox event, features a unique time-shifting mechanic where players alter the past by stepping through magenta puddles to reshape the present. The game emphasizes environmental storytelling and integrated collectible design, aiming for a 2026 release. The developers are focusing on intuitive mechanics and a discovery-based narrative approach.
Echobreaker Demo Available Now Following New Gameplay Reveal
Developer Upstream Arcade and publisher Weekend Games have released a free Steam demo for their upcoming PC speedrunner, Echobreaker, following a new gameplay reveal trailer. The game, which features time manipulation mechanics and fast-paced combat, is scheduled for a 2026 release and includes a global leaderboard.
Echobreaker Demo Available Now Following New Gameplay Reveal
Developer Upstream Arcade and publisher Weekend Games have released a free Steam demo for their upcoming PC speedrunner, Echobreaker, following a new gameplay reveal trailer. The game, which features time manipulation mechanics and fast-paced combat, is scheduled for a 2026 release and includes a global leaderboard.
Secrets of Grindea – en allvarsam lek med tiden
Secrets of Grindea is described as a serious play with time, where it serves as both a tool for gameplay enjoyment and narrative sorrow. This article delves into this key aspect of the indie RPG, which is part of the Indiespelklubben's first game selection.
NARAKA: BLADEPOINT’s Time-Bending Astrologist Makes Doctor Strange Look Basic
NARAKA: BLADEPOINT is introducing a new hero named Tara Gan, The Astrologist, in Season 20. Tara Gan possesses unique time-manipulation abilities, including the power to rewind allies to a previous state, effectively cheating death. This new character is expected to introduce significant strategic depth and potential meta shifts to the battle royale gameplay.
