‘Timespinner’ Is Like ‘Symphony Of The Night’ On Switch

Players on the Nintendo Switch who love the classic PlayStation title “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” will love “Timespinner,” a 2D side-scroller that borrows many elements from the PS game and introduces its own to create an entertaining game worth remembering for years to come.

“Timespinner,” developed by Lunar Ray Games and published by Chucklefish, was originally released for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita and PC last year and recently released for the Switch and Xbox One on June 4.

Time Messenger

The game puts players in the shoes of Lunais, a “Time Messenger” with the ability to control time as she embarks on a journey to avenge her family, particularly her mother who was killed by the Lachiem Empire in front of her. She needs to go back and forth in time in order to get her revenge.

Kotaku noted that the game heavily features the platforming, inventory mechanics, the experience points, familiars and artifacts that are necessary for the player to reach various areas in the game, similar to that of “SotN.” For example, unless players find the “Water Mask,” they won’t be able to enter areas underwater.

While Lunais has the ability to backdash similar to how Alucard did in “SotN,” “Timespinner” gives Lunais a core ability that sets the game apart from the 90’s classic and really helps out in battle: the ability to pause time.

In “Timespinner” players can pause time in order to evade impending attacks, to get past enemies without the risk of getting hit (and dying if the player is low on health and doesn’t have regenerative items), or to get to places they wouldn’t be able to reach without the double jump ability.

Unlike “SotN” which has a vast array of weapons like swords, single-use items like the “Power of Sire” or long-range weapons like the "Rune Sword" or "Magic Missile," “Timespinner” gives players a wide array of “orbs” to use as weapons. These orbs get stronger the more Lunais uses them in battle, and all of them have corresponding special attacks that can be done at the expense of Lunais’ Aura.

The art itself is reminiscent of “SotN,” with the difference being this game isn't bloody unlike the “Castlevania” title, and that it looks and feels like “SotN” meets “Chrono Trigger” -- two games that inspired its design, Destructoid noted. Even its music will remind fans of the earlier beloved titles. For sure, fans of 2D side scrollers and retro-styled RPGs will love this game.

“Timespinner” is available for the Nintendo Switch and Xbox One now.