“In Stars and Time” Demo: A Breathtaking Debut in the Realm of Time Loop Games

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When it comes to the highly anticipated game “In Stars and Time,” indie developer insertdisc5 demonstrates their remarkable potential with this debut project. While a few quality-of-life improvements would benefit the game, I am sure it has the ability to define itself amidst the crowded Time Loop genre.

The “In Stars and Time” demo shines with its innovative gameplay mechanics. Combining a refined turn-based fighting system with unique time loop elements, it’s truly a standout. However, the heart of the game lies in the unbreakable bonds between the characters. Created by the gifted Adrienne Bazir of insertdisc5, this five-character cast compels you to risk it all, fueled by a deep sense of camaraderie. The game isn’t just about saving the kingdom, it’s about protecting your dearest friends from a chilling fate.

Battles

“In Stars and Time” brings you into an exciting Non-linear, turn-based RPG adventure where you barge into the castle owned by the evil ice king and fight specialized monsters waiting to be challenged. The battle mechanics draw inspiration from games like Pokémon, but with a twist—it’s all about rock, paper, and scissors types. It’s a breeze to remember, especially for those familiar with the game. Rock triumphs over scissors, scissors overpower paper, and paper outsmarts rock. Most of the time, you can tell the monster’s type just by looking at their hand shape. It’s rock, paper, or scissors! And if you ever find yourself unsure, Odile can lend a hand with her helpful “Examine” ability.

During battles, you’ll have three options for each character: Normal Attack, Craft Skills, and Guarding. Normal attacks dish out damage based on the attacker’s type, so expect scissor damage from your character and rock damage from Isabeau. Craft Skills, on the other hand, offer more specialized abilities that deal higher damage, increase the chance of landing direct hits, or provide helpful buffs to your party. Just keep in mind that these powerful skills require a cooldown period, so choose wisely. If you prefer a more defensive approach, you can opt for Guarding, which reduces incoming damage by half.

The game does a great job of explaining the mechanics in an easy-to-understand manner. However, battles against lower-level enemies can become a bit repetitive if you find yourself revisiting areas. In those cases, I often found myself button-mashing A to speed things along. One thing to note is that there’s currently no difficulty system in place, so I’m curious to hear what others think about the combat. Personally, I lean towards enjoying games with a more accessible difficulty, but of course, preferences vary. Nonetheless, the developer keeps things interesting by introducing new baddies and bosses at every turn, ensuring that battles remain fun and engaging.

Characters

Siffrin

This is your character! As the leader, you may not speak much, but your friends rely on your exceptional speed and leadership to guide them through the challenging situation of saving the kingdom from icy doom. Your quick wit, love for pranks, and goofy personality bring a touch of lightheartedness, although Mirabelle’s puppy dog eyes have a way of breaking any of your defenses. In battle, you excel as a scissor-type fighter, though be cautious of rock types, as they exploit your weakness. Additionally, your ability to enhance everyone’s speed during battles proves invaluable.

Mirabelle (She/Her)

Though not the youngest, Mirabelle possesses a heartwarming sweetness that endears her to all party members. While she may be hard on herself for minor mistakes, her friends provide unwavering support and encouragement. Mirabelle’s remarkable prowess on the battlefield earns her the title of a glass cannon, and she stands as the team’s sole healer. We are yet to uncover the meaning and origins of her mysterious blessing from the enigmatic “Change God.”

Isabeau (He/Him)

Isabeau charmed me immediately. His easygoing smile, mischievous nature, and striking appearance make him instantly likable. Siffrin’s camaraderie with Isabeau includes a shared affinity for pranks and a penchant for trouble. A rock-type fighter, Isabeau delivers powerful left hooks to vanquish paper-type enemies. His resilience is unmatched, and his enthusiastic encouragement boosts the team’s defense in critical moments. (Side Note to the Developer: If you are reading this, I am praying to your game’s gods that I can romance this boy. I want to cuddle in his giant arms and paint his nails).

Odile (She/Her)

Odile embodies the classic studious character, often sporting a holier-than-thou smirk. While her firm exterior and quick comebacks may seem unyielding, her friends recognize the presence of a hidden soft side. Teasing banter serves as her unconventional way of showing affection. As a paper type, Odile possesses superior crafting skills across various disciplines and the invaluable ability to “Examine” enemies, deducing their types and corresponding weaknesses.

Bonnie (They/Them)

Among the heroes, Bonnie was by far my favorite character. Despite their youthful age, possibly preteens, their fiery temper is balanced by their infectious personality. As our brave and self-proclaimed Snack Leader, Bonnie takes on the crucial role of healing the party in their own unique way. Although subject to teasing from the rest of the team, it’s known that Bonnie has quiet vulnerabilities, particularly concerning their sister’s unknown predicament. Due to their age, Bonnie is not allowed to engage in combat, but they insert themselves where they can in an attempt to be like the adults. They throw the team snacks to heal, smack the enemy with a pan, and yell at the team to give them different kinds of boosts.

Technical

This is the “In Stars and Time” demo, so we should not expect a perfect game. That being said, the technical aspects of the game presented some challenges for me, particularly in regard to the controls. Precise control was often an issue, leading to frustrating moments where I would unintentionally revisit battles I had already completed or struggle to navigate through small doorways. Despite my best efforts, my character would frequently overshoot the mark, creating a back-and-forth struggle to position myself correctly. One potential solution could be to increase the size of doors and hallways between levels, although this wouldn’t address the difficulty in positioning oneself for item interactions or examinations.

Another source of frustration was the absence of a rewind or back button for dialogue. Several times, I inadvertently clicked past important dialogue segments, leaving me unsure of where to proceed next. Given the text-heavy and relationship-focused nature of the game, ensuring that players receive every crucial piece of dialogue becomes paramount.

Lastly, I believe the developer could easily improve the targeting mechanics when two enemies are positioned vertically. Currently, the ability to scroll horizontally to target enemies limits the options, and it would be more convenient to allow players to push up or down to select vertically aligned foes.

Art and Music

The music played during the “In Stars and Time” demo was a notable highlight for me, evoking a nostalgic Pokemon vibe that had me bobbing my head in rhythm. While I am unsure of the specific musician responsible, their ability to seamlessly blend the musical style with the game’s art deserves commendation.

Speaking of art, It was a really lovely and homey style that reminded me of my childhood. The inverted black-and-white environments, coupled with detailed character profiles, served as a constant reminder that the true essence of the game lay in the companionship of Siffrin’s gang rather than the surroundings themselves. Is it a world I want to live in? Probably not with the Ice King at the helm. But do I want a group of friends like Siffrin’s gang? Hell yeah.

Final Thoughts

The “In Stars and Time” demo by insertdisc5 impresses with its innovative take on time loop games. It offers engaging gameplay mechanics, including a polished turn-based fighting system with time loop elements. The heart of the game, however, lies in the compelling bonds among characters. As players strive to save the kingdom from the Ice King’s curse, they’re drawn into a compelling narrative enriched by witty dialogue and deep character introspection.

I really enjoyed this game, which was surprising as I’m not one for turn-based RPGs. Although the story and the surprising event 75% into the demo were interesting, I am honestly going to miss the characters the most. Their banter, the tone of the writing, and the open love they have for each other really touched me. If the developer could just clean up some small mechanics, I would love to get this game. But who am I kidding? I’ll buy it either way. 

This game has a planned release in 2023. Please go wishlist it on Steam as this always helps Indie developers out. Happy Gaming!

Questions & Answers

Q: Can you play as a female? 

A: Siffrin is genderless so you can interpret that however you like. It should be noted that while Siffrin is a quiet character, he is not silent which makes this more of an RPG than a self-insert.

Q: LGBTQ+ friendly?

A: It seems very much so. It includes non-binary people and gives characters preferred pronouns.

Q: Is there Romance?

A: I expect that there will be romance further in the story but that guess is based on very limited knowledge of the”In Stars and Time” demo and descriptions from the creator.

Q: Varied races in main characters?

A: I believe two of the party members are black and one Asian but, as the game is in black and white, it’s tough to say. I think the developer allows you to interpret this as you please.

Note: I played this demo on my Steam Deck with no problems besides a smaller screen and having to change the settings to full-screen mode. So if you have a Steam Deck and these aren’t issues for you, play it there!