TimeCube Review

Graphics / Sound Overall Rating: Gameplay Overall Rating: Playtime Overall Rating: Re-use / Replay Value Overall Rating:

Overall Rating:

TimeCube by SteamDragon Games is a fast-paced action/puzzle game. A round of TimeCube lasts seconds – maybe a minute, tops. It's perfect for playing on the go. In other words, there's always time for TimeCube.

[Pauses for laughter and applause, hears only crickets]

Ahem.

TimeCube is all about directing a cube through a rush of hazards, which mostly consists of moving pieces. If the cube touches even the edge of a hazard, the player starts again from the last checkpoint they crossed. Thing is, the cube can't be controlled – but time can.

The player slows down time by tapping on the left side of the screen, and speeds it up by tapping on the right side. The spinning and moving obstacles respond accordingly, and with correct timing it's possible to move the cube through these hazards.

It's far harder than it sounds. There are multiple speeds to play with, and making it to a checkpoint means a good deal of experimentation - and after that, memorization. In other words, succeeding in TimeCube means enduring death after death, and that's not everyone's idea of a good time.

Kicking the bucket is especially frustrating when it happens just before a checkpoint. Though they're technically not too far apart, they definitely feel like they're separated by miles when the cube gets caught on the barest edge of a corner mere seconds from safety.

The graphics aren't fancy, and consist mostly of spinning shapes that resemble origami paper shapes. And hey, let's be honest, a bad paper cut is enough to give anyone a terrible day. There's no question these sharp shapes are capable of cutting up a time-controlling cube. TimeCube's music, though similarly spartan, is a good accompaniment to the busy on-screen action.

TimeCube is repetitive and frustrating by design. Again, it's not for everyone, but anyone in need of a high-paced arcade challenge should definitely spend some time with this little cube.