Review of In Stars and Time Switch: really entertaining
Our Verdict
In Stars and Time is an RPG classic waiting to happen. This game asks new questions of the time loop genre, all while developing a loveable cast of misfit heroes and a mysterious fantasy world that you’ll want to stay in forever.
What would you do if you knew you had an endless number of chances to do it right while charged with saving the world? How much time would it take to shatter you? Developer insertdisc5, or Adrienne Bazir, set out to explore these topics in her monochromatic, low-fidelity role-playing game, In Stars and Time, which is about friendship, family, and time cycles.
Even if you may be compelled to instantly draw comparisons between this game and titles like Undertale, In Stars and Time has more than enough qualities to stand out among the plethora of Earthbound-like indie games that have emerged in the last ten years. The game's diverse cast originally attracted me in since I'm a sucker for LGBTQ+ representation, but all of its other selling features soon won me over.
As Siffrin (he/they), you lead a group of renegade travellers on a mission to prevent a villainous ruler from freezing the whole planet in time. You discover you're trapped in a time loop when you instantly perish in a falling boulder trap on your first expedition inside his lair. You discover more about Siffrin's pals, the environment, and the psychological effects of repeatedly seeing your friends die as you relive this day again and over.
Out of habit, when I play games, I want to examine every single interactable item in my environment. In Stars and Time encourages this style of gaming without leading you astray. Engaging with an inanimate item to start a discussion has taught me a great deal about Siffrin and their companions. This is also how I've discovered a tonne of helpful fighting gear. The game will graciously inform you, "Hey, if that barrel was empty the first time, it'll still be empty," after you have correctly looped, saving you a tonne of effort spent searching for objects that are nonexistent.
This game has some very amazing writing. I've shed a few tears at a couple very touching passages, and the pace is excellent. The humorous portions are also amazing. It seems as if we know the group almost as well as Siffrin does, despite the fact that we are only seeing a little portion of his adventure with his pals.
Each member of the party has a unique connection with Sif, just as they do with one another. For instance, he is an outsider, unfamiliar with Vaugarde's nation and traditions, and he bonds with Isabeau since he is the only other boy on the squad. He also finds Siffrin's pranks amusing. Because of these interpersonal ties, it is much simpler to be sympathetic to the team's cause and considerably more upsetting when one of them suffers a terrible accident. in particular Bonnie. Bonnie cannot be harmed by anybody.
The fighting system in In Stars and Time is the one aspect of the book that I'm not quite in love with. It is a rock, paper, scissors game that is easy to learn yet challenging to master thanks to combinations, bonuses, and cooldowns. While the action is simple and executing a "jackpot" combination is thrilling, the lack of a retreat option might become boring if, like me, you have poor joystick control and regularly find yourself bumping into foes by mistake. However, that's really just a minor quibble. When you're up against a new foe or task, this kind matchup-based system is really very entertaining in contrast to other ones.
This game is much larger than I anticipated, which has been a delightful surprise. RPGs are usually recognised for their massive scope, but In Stars and Time delivers a great value for a first-time independent game from a lone creator. When I played the demo, I knew this game would appeal to me in some way, but I really didn't anticipate falling so deeply in love with Siffrin and his companions.
It's everything here in In Stars and Time: simple fighting mechanisms, rich, complex, and flawed characters, poignant narrative, stunning visuals and animation, and a catchy, retro-style soundtrack to bring it all together. I'm excited to see what Adrienne Bazir creates next and I can see this becoming into an independent classic. If they publish anything further with this motley crew of heroes, I'll read it or listen to it!
Check out our interview with the designer of this game,In Stars and Time, for a more in-depth look at the production process. For those seeking further turn-based gameplay, we have compiled a list of the top Switch role-playing games best).