Super Time Force Ultra is an action platformer that places players in control of a time-traveling squad fighting through chaotic levels filled with enemies and obstacles. The core appeal lies in its distinctive time manipulation system, which allows rewinding runs and deploying multiple versions of the player character simultaneously for coordinated assaults.
Gameplay
The experience centers on side-scrolling run-and-gun action across varied stages. Players start with a set number of lives and must navigate bullet-heavy environments while collecting items that influence time flow and survival. The rewind feature lets users pause or reverse their progress to insert additional squad members at key moments, creating overlapping attacks and defensive coverage that would be impossible in a standard single-character run.
Each character brings distinct weapons and abilities, encouraging experimentation with loadouts to handle different enemy patterns and boss encounters. Pixel art visuals deliver vibrant animations for explosions, movements, and environmental details, while the soundtrack supports the fast-paced loops. Difficulty balances around skill in timing rewinds and positioning multiple units effectively rather than overwhelming frustration.
Game Modes
The game operates as a single-player experience built around its time-bending mechanics. There are no separate competitive or cooperative multiplayer options. Progression unfolds through a series of levels set in different historical and futuristic eras, with an additional set of challenge stages available via the Helladeck system that expands the total mission count significantly.
Players revisit stages multiple times to unlock new characters and optimize strategies, using the core rewind loop to refine approaches without traditional branching paths or alternate modes. This structure keeps focus on mastering the squad coordination element across repeated attempts.
Characters and Time Periods
Up to 19 playable characters populate the roster, each equipped with unique firepower ranging from standard firearms to unconventional options like those wielded by a machine-gun dolphin or magic-focused figures. Unlocking them involves gathering specific collectibles scattered through levels or earned via performance.
Combat spans six distinct time periods that mix prehistoric settings with advanced future battlegrounds. These environments introduce themed enemies, traps, and bosses that test the squad's combined capabilities. The variety in backdrops and threats keeps runs fresh as players cycle through the cast.
Is It Worth Playing?
Super Time Force Ultra delivers a focused action platformer for those drawn to inventive mechanics over conventional shooting. Its time-rewind system creates engaging single-player co-op moments through self-teamwork, supported by a solid selection of characters and eras. The title holds a Very Positive rating on its primary distribution platform based on hundreds of user reviews, reflecting consistent appreciation for the concept and execution.
With no ongoing updates or seasonal content since its 2014 release, the game stands as a complete, self-contained package. It suits players who enjoy precise timing challenges, character variety, and replaying levels to perfect squad tactics. Those seeking standard multiplayer features or modern live-service elements may find the scope limited, but the core loop remains distinctive and replayable for fans of the genre.
