TimeMelters is best suited to players who enjoy figuring out a tactical sequence, rewinding to the start, then carrying it out alongside echoes of their earlier actions. That distinctive loop gives its strategy-and-hero-defense design a clear hook, while its campaign, co-op, challenge puzzles, and speedrun modes offer different ways to use it. The key question is whether you enjoy planning under pressure as much as acting in real time.
What kind of game is TimeMelters?
Autoexec Games, which both developed and published the game, describes TimeMelters as a strategy hero-defense game. Its defining feature is Time Shift: you rewind a run and act alongside earlier versions of yourself. Those earlier actions are deterministic, not AI improvisations, so the game’s central challenge is to plan a sequence that works when your past and present actions happen together.
That makes it more than a conventional tower-defense game. The Steam listing describes puzzle maps, boss fights, escort missions, and survival missions, combining real-time action with strategic decisions about how to use each timeline.
How the time-shift loop works
Plan, act, and observe
A run gives you a chance to see how your actions meet the mission’s demands. You can then rewind and try again with the knowledge of what happened, while an echo repeats what you did before. The result is a kind of self-cooperation: success depends on making a plan that accounts for both your current actions and the predictable behavior of your past self.
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- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
This structure makes experimentation central. A failed attempt can reveal a timing problem or a gap in your plan, and a later run lets you adjust. The appeal is not simply undoing a mistake; it is building a coordinated sequence from multiple attempts.
Who is likely to enjoy it?
- Likely a good fit: players who like tactical puzzles, learning from failed attempts, and executing a plan in real time.
- Less of a fit: players looking for a straightforward defense game with little planning, or who prefer to react without coordinating a sequence of actions.
Is there a solo campaign and co-op?
The Steam store listing advertises both a single-player campaign and an online campaign for two players. It also advertises a free Friend Pass for co-op. The time-manipulation premise offers a different kind of coordination in each mode: solo play layers your own earlier actions, while online co-op adds a second player. The listing establishes that online co-op is available, but does not by itself establish current cross-platform support or every requirement for using the Friend Pass.
Rank #2
- Supported Multi-Platform:Switch/Switch 2 (NO support wake-up function)/iOS/Android/Windows PC (Notice:Not compatible with Xbox, PlayStation or GeForce Now, For game platforms not mentioned, please consult customer service before buying）
- Connection modes:Wired/Bluetooth/Wireless Dongle(Connect to PC via Bluetooth : Select iOS (phone) mode, but it's not recommended; Dongle is more stable)
- 【Innovative Intelligent Interactive Screen】Manba One V2 wireless game controllers create a new era of controller screens; Equipped with a 2-inch display, no App & software needed, you can set the pc controller directly through the screen visualization, More convenient operation
- 【Micro Switch Button】Manba One wireless controller has Micro Switch Button and ALPS Bumper; The 6-axis gyroscope function makes switch games more immersive
- 【Customize Your Own Controller】The intelligent interactive screen allows you to easily set vibrations, buttons, joysticks,lights, etc., without the need for complex key combinations; 4 configurations can be saved to unlock your own gameplay for different games; The 4 back keys support macro definition settings, and you can activate the set character's ultimate move with one click
What else is there to play?
Beyond the campaign, the Steam listing includes challenge and speedrun modes and advertises more than 40 challenge puzzles. A skill tree adds progression, while the varied mission types change what a successful plan needs to accomplish. The game also lists an original soundtrack.
The Kickstarter FAQ discussed distributing the soundtrack through Steam with a key and considered MP3, WAV, or FLAC formats, but left the format undecided. That FAQ does not establish current soundtrack delivery or a physical release.
Rank #3
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
PC requirements and Steam Deck status
The Steam store listing gives these Windows minimum requirements. They are the listed minimums, not a guarantee of a particular frame rate or performance level.
| Requirement | Steam-listed minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-3570K or AMD FX-8310 |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | GTX 1070 or equivalent |
| DirectX | Version 11 |
| Network | Broadband internet |
| Storage | 9 GB available space |
The listing marks Steam Deck compatibility as Playable. Check the live store page for current compatibility details and system requirements before buying, since store information can change.
Rank #4
- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
What do player reviews say?
The Steam review snapshots surfaced for this article are positive, but they differ: one indexed result showed 92% positive from 152 purchaser reviews, while another showed 91% from 153. These are changing user-review snapshots, not a fixed rating, and neither should be treated as a timeless score. Check the live Steam page for the current aggregate.
Those figures provide a limited reception signal, not a detailed account of what players praise or criticize. The available evidence does not establish an independent critics’ consensus on the game’s strengths, weaknesses, or difficulty.
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Best Value
- Platform Compatibility: This PC controller is designed for Windows PC, Steam, Switch, Android, and iOS. Xbox-style asymmetric stick layout for PC gamers. Three modes cover all your devices. Please check your device compatibility before purchase
- Three Connection Modes: 2.4G wireless, Bluetooth, wired USB-C. PC gets native XInput/DirectInput. Switch pairs via Bluetooth, no adapter. This gaming PC controller switches devices seamlessly. Stable wireless minimizes random disconnects during gaming
- Hall Effect Precision: Hall effect joysticks and triggers eliminate stick drift. This gaming controller for PC delivers smooth, responsive input with no dead zones. Built for FPS, racing, and action games. Long-term precision for competitive PC gaming
- Back Buttons & Battery: Two programmable back buttons map combos and shortcuts. Textured grips with dual vibration. 1000mAh battery delivers up to 20H playtime. RGB can be turned off. A solid PC controller for gaming with custom back buttons
- ABXY Layout Switch: Press B + Minus + Plus to swap between PC and Switch modes. Features: 1000Hz polling rate, RGB lighting, turbo. Note: designed without mic jack or gyro sensor
Release details
TimeMelters reached full release on February 28, 2024, after entering Early Access on October 12, 2022. The developer and publisher are both listed as Autoexec Games. The store page describes the game and its advertised modes here: TimeMelters on Steam.
Quick Recap
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