Game: Time Loader
Genre: Puzzle, Platformer, Adventure
System: Nintendo Switch (Also on Steam (Windows), PS4 and Xbox)
Developer|Publisher: Flazm | Postmeta Games
Age Rating: EU 3+ | US Everyone
Price: US $14.99 | UK £13.49 | EU € 14,99
Release Date: March 10th, 2022
Review code provided with many thanks to Meta Publishing.
Back In Time
Time Loader is a 2D physics-based puzzle game where you play a little robot sent back in time to prevent a tragic accident. It’s a time-travelling adventure that is reasonably casual and short and may possibly tickle the nineties nostalgia funny bone. But is this trip back to the past worth your time or as bad as a collapsing space-time continuum? Let’s find out.
A scientist, who has been confined to a wheelchair, spends his days’ longing for the life he wishes he could’ve had before his accident. An event that occurred when he was a kid where he fell out of a treehouse. So he makes a robot to travel back to the nineties to try and prevent this misfortune from happening in the first place so he can become a Baseball player. It is a typical time travel story if you’re used to films such as Back to the Future. When the robot successfully changes something in the past this ultimately leads to creating a new future problem which you have to address.
I guess the game would be very short if it was that easy. The plot has a certain charm to it thanks to its curious robot protagonist. The robot narrates his journey through the game and clearly shows a lot of love for its creator subtly trying to change small things like saving little toys from destruction to prevent future sadness. The conclusion for the game is quite predictable but it still carries a nice message that is suitable for all audiences.
Physics-Based Puzzler
The gameplay is fairly straightforward. As the little robot you’re going to move around solving simple physics-based puzzles. You can use your arm to swing off grappling hooks and use it to pull and push objects and sometimes throw things. As you progress you unlock new abilities such as a little screwdriver or soldering iron which will help you access new areas.
The game highlights everything clearly you can interact with making it pretty easy to figure out what to do. The path ahead is very clear; the game still gives a very clear arrow of where you’re supposed to go. The game really holds you by the robotic hand through the experience and it’s a shame you could not turn these features off for those that want an extra challenge or just to explore things themselves. This is a game that everybody can complete and is suitable for absolutely every member of the family.
Controls
Controls are pretty solid. I went in expecting this to be another one of these awkward physics-based games but no. This game controls very well. Jumping and movement feels authentic for a robot RC car and the mechanical arm is easy to use. The exception was a minor bit at the end where things got a little bit finicky when you unlock a grappling hook.
Is almost impossible to fail in this game except for a small segment at the end but even there checkpoints are instant. Occasionally I got the robot stuck in the environment but you can instantly reload a checkpoint and almost no progress is lost.
The 90’s Look
Graphics are very detailed for the game which is simply set in the house. Exploring the shed, greenhouse, living room and attic. The game plays on a 2D plane but has a nice 3D graphical style. I was very surprised by the attention to detail within the house. A simple setting, yet so much to admire and see.
The highlight for me clearly was the 90’s aesthetic, when you look into the background you will probably see some pop culture references to things like Friday the 13th, Dungeons and Dragons and even some popular games consoles that you might remember from your childhood.
If you are someone that grew up in the 90’s you’re most likely gonna see something that you remember in this game. The sound design is also impressive with the RC car noises coming from the robot as it navigates the world to a nice piano score that plays in the background as you solve puzzles.
Time is on Your Side
Time Loader is not a very long game. It only took me around three hours to finish. The game does have multiple endings to discover with three main endings and one secret ending if you do want to put the time into finding them. I don’t really see myself going back to find these since one playthrough seemed just fine. It’s not a game that has a lot of replay values but the experience is enjoyable and calming despite its short length. It’s only single-player but I can see this being a great one to still share with younglings or others in the room just to enjoy the story or solve the puzzles together.
Conclusion – Extend a Robot Arm
Time Loader is an enjoyable physics-based puzzle game that is short and sweet. Doesn’t break a lot of new ground but it’s a nice little robotic adventure that’s probably best suited to a nice Sunday afternoon or to play over a short few gaming sessions. Ideal for someone that hasn’t got a lot of game time on their hands or is looking for a casual and chilled out experience. For me, it was a pleasant trip back to the 90’s that was well worth the time. It reminded me to live for the now rather than in the past and the times I was present in this game I sure was content.
Final Verdict: I Like it
