Last week, I introduced RUNA, one of the most interesting JRPG-inspired titles currently in development, which I had only recently discovered. This week, however, I want to shine a spotlight on another promising JRPG that’s already far more well-known: Threads of Time.
This project has actually appeared on TBL before, but today I’ve gathered all the available details about its story, combat system, gameplay, and characters into one article to help get as many people as possible aware of this RPG, which has the potential to be truly incredible.
Threads of Time leans heavily into its “spiritual” connection with another classic RPG from the past, Chrono Trigger, bringing strong similarities in its combat system, exploration, and the narrative arc centered around traveling through different eras and time periods.
You’ll find a cast of characters pulled from millions of years ago, used to living among dinosaurs, alongside pirates, mages, and futuristic ninjas, all weaving their storylines together as they travel through time to face their respective nemeses for the greater good of the planet.
The Developer and Its vision
Threads of Time is the debut title from Canadian indie studio Riyo Games, a team formed by veterans and enthusiasts who have worked on titles such as Showel Knight, Fortnite, and Tomb Raider, and now seek to create a new IP that respects the DNA of classic JRPGs while embracing modern tools and design practices.
The team is building the game in Unreal Engine 5, allowing them to combine 2D pixel art characters with 3D environments that feature dynamic lighting and atmospheric details.
The project was first revealed during the 2024 Tokyo Game Show and then appeared again during the 2025 Humble Games Showcase, with early trailers showcasing glimpses of the combat system, vivid environments, and narrative elements related to time travel.
The team at Riyo Games already has a publisher, Humble Games, so everything seems to be lined up to bring this promising adventure to life as it aims to capture the essence of Chrono Trigger while adding modern touches. Now, let’s dive into some details.
Rebuild the Time Knights Order
I know it’s hard to imagine dinosaurs, sky pirates, and cyberpunk warriors all existing convincingly within the same game, and that’s probably one of the biggest challenges Threads of Time is facing.
That’s because at the heart of this RPG are time-travel journeys across different eras, as you work to rebuild the Ancient Order of the Time Knights to fight against a threat that has yet to fully reveal itself.
The story begins with the fall of Rye’s medieval village, pushing him to uncover the connections between these timelines. Throughout the journey, visions and guidance from mysterious figures like Aria reveal the stakes of your mission while the choices you make in one era ripple across others. I’m genuinely curious to see how deeply this aspect will be explored, as it has the potential to enhance the narrative arc significantly. Here are the eras we’ll be visiting:
- 12,000,000 BC: A prehistoric world filled with dinosaurs and massive creatures, offering survival challenges and ancient mysteries.
- 10,000 BC: Tribal societies grappling with elemental forces and territorial conflicts.
- 1000 AD: A medieval kingdom under the shadow of a Grand Duke’s oppression, where sky pirates like Barza rebel from their airship, the Bandicoot.
- Post-apocalyptic era: A world of underground vaults and survival amidst collapsed civilizations.
- 2400 AD: A cyberpunk dystopia, where mechanization and authoritarian rule are met with resistance and rebellion.
Each era promises to be rich in lore, unique factions, and its problems. Pirates on airships, robot overlords, underground apocalypse bunkers, yep, it’s all here, and it’s all your problem.
Characters: Heroes Across Time
On the game’s website, there’s a well-crafted section dedicated to the playable characters, giving us a preview of all the playable heroes in Threads of Time. These are characters coming from different eras, each with their own reasons for joining this time-traveling group.
These characters promise to have strong, distinct personalities, making it clear what each of them can bring to the battlefield and during exploration. I’m also genuinely curious to see their dialogue, who knows what could happen when a brute from the dinosaur era has a conversation with a futuristic ninja?
With that said, here are the heroes that have been announced and showcased so far, with Barza being the most recent reveal.
- Rye (1000 AD): A skilled young swordsman with unknown origins, Rye becomes one of the few destined to restore the Order of the Time Knights after witnessing the destruction of his village. Armed with twin swords, he embodies speed-focused melee DPS, using precise slashes and quick counters while leading the party across eras.
- Luna (10,000 BC): A courageous fire mage from the prehistoric age, Luna is driven by a sense of justice and the need to protect her tribe. Her mastery over fire magic positions her as a high-damage AoE caster, using elemental attacks to clear enemies while retaining a narrative role as a protector of nature and her people.
- Aria (1000 AD): A mysterious woman who can communicate across time, Aria guides Rye and others while hiding secrets tied to the timeline’s stability. Her role suggests support and time-based abilities, using buffs, debuffs, and potential timeline interventions during combat.
- Rin (2400 AD): A kitsune fighter living under a dystopian regime in the far future, Rin fights with dual ninja blades, bringing stealth, agility, and precision strikes to combat. Her narrative centers on rebellion and survival in a world of oppression, likely unlocking infiltration and evasion tactics in gameplay.
- Bo (12 Million BC): A veterinarian for massive prehistoric creatures, Bo’s gentle nature and connection to wildlife introduce a healer and beast-affinity support character. Expect nature-based buffs, environmental synergy, and beast-taming elements that expand gameplay in unique ways.
- Barza (1000 AD): Introduced in the 2025 Humble Games Showcase trailer, Barza is a sky pirate with a mischievous edge. His agile combat style aligns with the rogue archetype, utilizing high-speed attacks, loot-based skills, and ambush tactics, while his narrative role may open exploration of aerial travel and underworld dealings.
Gameplay and Combat System
Combat in Threads of Time will feature a classic JRPG structure while introducing combo attacks and time manipulation mechanics that promise to add a range of advantages, making each encounter feel super dynamic. However, only a few actual combat sequences have been shown so far.
Here are some of the elements that will be part of the combat system:
- Combo-Based Attacks: The game features a combo system inspired by Chrono Trigger, enabling players to execute powerful party chain attacks that amplify damage and add status effects.
- Time Manipulation Mechanics: It allows players to slow enemies, unravel their defenses, or even rewind actions under certain conditions, opening windows for powerful strikes or last-second rescues. These mechanics go beyond status effects or simple buffs, functioning as tools to orchestrate the battlefield in your favor.
Setting up a combo often involves disrupting an enemy’s stance using time-based skills, then unleashing a multi-character attack that can turn the tide of challenging boss battles. This system evokes the excitement of Chrono Trigger, while the modern, vibrant pixel art and flashy animations add a visual punch that keeps battles engaging.
I don’t know exactly where the game is in its development right now, but perhaps the team at Riyo Games still has time to draw inspiration and add timing mechanics inspired by the recently released Clair Obscur.
In any case, I’m eagerly waiting for some detailed combat system footage to see what Threads of Time is really made of.
Trailers so far have shown a beautifully designed world map and exploration sequences with 2.5D pixel graphics that clearly bring Octopath Traveler to mind.
Some details suggest that character abilities will play a key role during exploration, involving moving through diverse environments tied to each era. Expect environmental puzzles, branching conversations that influence the story, and side activities tied to specific periods, such as aiding a village in the past and witnessing its transformation in the future.
This might just be one of the strongest and most interesting elements of the game, according to me.
Platforms and Release Status
Threads of Time is currently confirmed for PC (Steam) and Xbox Series X|S, and will likely arrive on PS5 and Switch as well. Honestly, it’s been a while since we’ve had any official updates, and that probably means we won’t be getting our hands on the game before 2026.
Now, all that’s left is for you to add it to your wishlist, the one concrete way you can support Riyo Games and help Threads of Time become the best game it can be, below the latest Threads of Time Showcase Trailer.
