In Stars and Time Reviews
A decent plot mired in game-breaking bugs and a tedious, repetitive time-loop, In Stars And Time is more frustrating than it is fun.
In Stars and Time can be unforgiving, but if you're a sucker for story-driven RPGs with roguelite mechanics and tricky puzzles, you won't find many better options out there. It's a difficult game to beat quickly, with our initial run taking us just over the 45-hour mark. Aside from the small problems like some unclear visual cues and minor lag issues, the game plays brilliantly. The characters are loveable and feel incredibly authentic, and the story is deeply engaging. Just be warned - almost every item becomes important at some stage. There are heaps of rooms, hidden passages, and corridors, and you'll need to remember where everything is if you want to progress. Keep a pen and paper handy.
If you’re a person who maybe saw an antagonistic meme once about “quirky indie rpg about depression” and decided to make hating those your entire personality, move on — there’s nothing for you here. But if you’re willing to engage with content about mental health seriously, and explore the concepts of life, death, what what it would actually feel like to be trapped in a loop, forcing your friends and family to do certain tasks repeatedly — then you’ll find a thought-provoking and well-written story within In Stars and Time.
If In Stars and Time catches your eye, I don't think you will be disappointed. Come for the nostalgia and quirk, stay for the laughs and tears.
In Stars and Time is probably my dark horse for one of the best games of the year. It's a distinct, fun and interesting experience that makes masterful use of the time loop concept to create something that's deeply heartfelt. At times, it borders more on an RPG-themed visual novel than a full-on RPG, but it uses the RPG trappings more than well enough to justify it. Aside from some dullness when it comes to repeating events, In Stars and Time hits all the marks dead-on and should be a must-play for fans of plot-heavy RPGs.
In Stars and Time is an intriguing game with a crazy time loop system. If you are willing to put in the time needed, you will be rewarded with a great story with fun characters.
While it doesn't persist throughout the entire playthrough, there's an unmistakable uniqueness to In Stars and Time. Its parts may be stronger than it ends up as a whole, but there's humor and heart pouring from its cast. While the back half features some interesting twists, with them come more repetition and occasional frustration with how character and area progression occurs. Even though it's a little too verbose, the overall experience of In Stars and Time is a worthwhile one, especially for fans of Undertale and other offbeat RPGs.
Still, as a package, this title is stellar. The music is superb. I love that it’s emulating the look and feel of a Game Boy title, and the writing is delightful. I don’t think the roguelike angle meshes with the JRPG one seamlessly, but that’s on me. When the narrative is important, having to rehash plot beats is tiring. Regardless, I still recommend In Stars and Time, but not if you’re like me.
I mostly adored my time with the game, but I won’t sugarcoat my frustration in having to constantly replay the same battles and dialogue. For those who stick with it, In Stars and Time is an emotionally engaging tale that is worth the effort.
In Stars and Time explores a curious concept of time loop at the end of an RPG journey. The result is a curious mini-RPG where the high quality of the character writing is the high point of the experience. For people who like experimental works in the genre, this is an easy recommendation.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Embodying the indie spirit, determined to do its own thing proudly, this will be a home run for the right crowd
Few games this year deserve a spotlight as much as In Stars and Time does. It is undoubtedly going to end up as many people's favorite thanks to its dedication and commitment to a unique vision.
In Stars and Time is the type of game that is excellent to discuss theories and nitty gritty details with a friend, an element which adds to an already thought provoking experience. With a cast of exceptionally loveable characters to tether you to its remarkable world, it will stick in your mind long after you’ve put it down.
In Stars and Time in an innovative time-looping treat that’ll keep players engrossed with its satisfying sense of progress and fun combat. It’s always rewarding to discover new ways to progress, learn more about the world, and venture forward that bit further on your journey to defeat the King, whilst the deaths you suffer add a fun twist to the formula thanks to their unexpected yet comical occurrences. And sure, the process of looping through some events over and over again can be a little tedious, but at least the game does try to streamline the process for players. It’s just a very creative, clever, and fun experience, with In Stars and Time taking an established time-looping gameplay mechanic and giving it its own unique sense of zing thanks to its quirky RPG approach.
In Stars and Time takes a unique approach to a time loop, with some QOL features to make the repetition more manageable.
At first glance, In Stars and Time seems like a simple turn-based RPG. But through its amazing story, the game becomes so much more.
Come for the time-loop mechanics and Undertale inspirations, stay for the beautiful, heartfelt and guttural story. In Stars and Time is an artful indie RPG that explores a found family's battle with time. With this, it explores complex topics with grace and utmost reverence. Though it's a little long in the teeth and could have been a bit tidier in how you unravel some of its mysteries, within is a magical world much worth exploring, backed by fantastic chip-tune music, a sense of place and some real good vibes. Unlike protagonist Sifrin and his problems with memory in the time labyrinth, your foray into In Stars and Time won't soon be forgotten.
In Stars and Time invites us to live the experience of being trapped in a time loop, repeating the same thing over and over again, while we seek to escape from it without losing our sanity. insertdisc5 has managed with very little to give life to a truly moving experience. To a journey that repeats itself so much that, when I reach its end, I couldn't help but feel a little melancholic.
Review in Spanish | Read full review