Review: One Graceful Step at a Time in TIMELIE

Indie games have been growing in quantity and quality over the years, and Timelie is another fantastic title to add to the list of great indie games. The game is simple in concept, get to the end of each level. But the complex execution of perfectly timing things through precise time manipulation is rewarding and entertaining. The visuals are also great and the story is minimalistic, yet profound. Anyone who enjoys thoughtful puzzles, time manipulation, and good, short experiences would enjoy this game a lot.

Timelie puts players in charge of a young woman who doesn’t know where she is or why she’s in this mysterious place. She must use her newfound time manipulation powers to evade capture and safely exit each room. The story is a very simple tale with little to no real dialogue, and is accompanied by extremely well placed and mood setting music with a strong ending. It is fairly short, but every moment of the game is excellent.

The gameplay itself and usage of time as a puzzle device is handled very well. The last time I saw playing with time used so well was in Braid (which is another unbelievably fantastic indie game). Timelie teaches players enough to get through the first puzzle or two, I would’ve liked a little bit more instruction or introductory levels to get a better handle on using time to my advantage, but overall the game sets players up to succeed, encouraging trial and error in order to solve puzzles.

This game has already received much praise and will receive more praise, that being from us right now! With an additional set of challenge levels and a very concise and well paced gameplay progression, this game is really great to pick up and enjoy over a weekend and share with others.