Time Travel. For every bet on Roulette that was one number off. For every regrettable alcoholic binge topped with a midnight yiros. For every hour of exam revision lost to a night of raiding in Azeroth. Man has always longed for a flux capacitor at the ready to solve their troubles. Unfortunately De Loreans are a rare species, particularly those of the time travelling variety. So until we're riding hover boards to the late night screening of Jaws 19, we'll have to turn to videogames to cure our ailment of everyday regret. Unfortunately Chronos Twin is likely to only be the source of greater regret.

A new platformer for the Nintendo DS, Chronos Twin suggests a unique spin on time travel. Instead of jumping between time zones or altering time on the fly, Chronos Twin sees the main character coexisting between the Present and the Past, at the same time. This means that if a ledge exists in the past you may use it in the present, but in the same breath if a ledge exists in the present then you may use it in the past. Now I'm no Stephen Hawking, but this concept of time travel seems nonsensical and absurd. None the less, the game's premise makes for some interesting gameplay.


The game requires the player to monitor both screens of the DS to watch for hazards as they traverse the levels - jumping over chasms, crawling through gaps and blasting enemies in typical platformer style. An alert sounds and a warning flashes on the respective screen when a hazard nears to divert your attention. You need to be aware of your surroundings and carefully plan jumps, as often you will need to alternate multiple jumps between architecture in both time zones to clear a single gap. Not all works so well in the execution unfortunately.

As the game progresses, you are able to freeze time on one screen, which makes for some interesting gameplay as you are forced to alter one time zone to proceed in both. Whilst interesting, the puzzle solving falls far short of its potential, dominated too often by typical platforming elements. When the puzzle solving aspect is introduced, it works well but too often the split time periods simply leave you with overcomplicated platforming gameplay rather than puzzle solving. In its shooter elements, Chronos Twin is severely restricted. You are only able to shoot up, left and right, with no aiming diagonally. Upgrades unlock as you progress, but it truly feels like a lacklustre addition and a chore more than anything.

For a game based around time travel, the level design feels uninspired. Between the past and present, level design differs so significantly in architecture, but never truly feels like the same location in two time periods. Rather it simply feels like the level structure has been altered for the sake of gameplay. The classic Sonic CD sported some terrific level transition as you alternated between time periods, so it truly feels to be a missed opportunity on the game's behalf.


Interestingly enough, with the game revolving around a dual interface that seems built to milk the DS, the game was originally designed for the GBA, an aspect of presentation that truly shows. Graphics are dated and on par with your average GBA title. Outside of the newly split display, there's nothing in the game that really feels like a DS game.

Chronos Twin introduces a unique spin on time travelling gameplay that falls flat on its face. As a pure puzzle game, the mechanic could have worked well, but what you are left with here is a run of the mill puzzler and a half arsed shooter. If you enjoy platformers, Chronos Twin offers more of the same old gameplay, but don't expect anything revolutionary from this offering.