The Time I Have Left is an indie RPG from Ground Game Atelier that brings a unique twist to the genre: you’ve got just 6 hours to survive in an underground futuristic colony facing a mysterious alien threat.
Exploration takes center stage in this game. You’ll need to gather as much information as possible to unlock new skills essential for survival, all while keeping an eye on the clock—time keeps ticking, even while navigating the game’s menus. Then there’s the combat system, which relies on precise timing to dodge enemy attacks. Successfully evading attacks builds up a tension bar that fuels your skills, creating a satisfying rhythm to the action.
Health bars? Forget them. Neither Alina, the protagonist, nor her enemies rely on traditional HP. Instead, the Willpower Bar governs the flow of battle. Enemies lose Willpower with every successful dodge or attack you land, and the same applies to Alina. Adding a tactical layer, combat arenas allow you to move between sections to search for objects that can turn the tide in your favor—like pillars you can hurl at enemies.
The game boasts a striking visual style with dark, moody tones and a wealth of lore to uncover through notes, terminals, and documents scattered throughout the colony. It’s a standout title worth keeping an eye on, and I highly recommend supporting its Kickstarter campaign. Plus, the recently updated demo is available now if you want to get a feel for the gameplay. Check out my gameplay footage below for a general overview.
Left as the seemingly sole inhabitant of the enormous underground city of Colony 7, Aline is suddenly marked for death by a mysterious phenomenon known as ‘The Miasma’.
Features
The Time I Have Left is a narrative time-driven exploration game with RPG elements.
- Guide Aline in a race against the clock through Colony 7, an enormous, eerily deserted underground complex.
- Face disturbing visions of death in a dynamic turn-based combat system.
- Preserve your willpower and uncover the hidden truth behind Colony 7, Aline, and the Miasma.
- Stunning visuals: Experience the dense environments of Colony 7, all rendered in a striking style.
- Nostalgic flair, modern spin: Find clues, solve environmental puzzles, unlock hidden areas, and secure your escape!
- Time-driven story and gameplay: The timer is always ticking but time flows in mysterious ways… What will you do with the time you have left?
- Haste makes waste: Your time is meant to be spent. After each level the timer will adjust to keep up with the story, so leave the area in the nick of time to get the most of each level!
- Knowledge is power: New abilities are unlocked as you uncover clues and complete the in-game database. Get the essential skills you need by following the main story or explore in-depth to unlock 2 additional skill trees.
- Deep, dark secrets: Use the information you gather to unlock shortcuts, hidden stories, unique items, and secrets! You may not discover them all in a single playthrough.
- Resist the visions of death: Aline faces grotesque creatures in her Near-Death Experiences. Hold your ground against them in a battle of willpowers.
- Reactive Turn-Based Mechanics: Time your movements well to evade directional attacks. Master your foes’ patterns to escape unharmed!
- Adventure with an RPG twist: Experience unique exploration gameplay combined with a fresh take on the classic JRPG formula.
- Customize your skillset: Unlock skills exploring the level and equip the ones that better suit your playstyle. The more you explore, the more tools you’ll have to face the creatures.
