REVIEW: ‘Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior’ Teams Players Up With Themselves (PC)

Embark on a temporal journey in Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior, a tactical single-player hack’n’slash game by Sand Door Studio and Quantic Dream. A dormant evil has disrupted half a millennium of peace presiding over the New Kingdom. Called upon by the Goddess of Time, combat the threat and manipulate time itself as Imë to save the realm as an army of one.

Imë is a formidable warrior, a Lysfanga skilled with a blade. Every new generation, a Lysfanga endowed with powers is born into the kingdom. They are protectors who safeguard the people from any calamity. Now, after thousands of peaceful years, demonic creatures called Raxes have reawakened in the ancient cities. Imë must halt their movements to prevent history from repeating itself.

In Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior, players explore the ancient cities once frozen in time to discover the reason for the Raxes’ reappearance. As the sole protector, Imë utilizes a breadth of skills, spells, and specials that aid her in her encounters. While the urgency to keep pressing forward is felt, Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior encourages its players to think before they act. 

Upon entering an arena in an environment occupied by various Raxes, the game pauses itself. This momentary pause grants players a brief overview of the field to route and coordinate attacks using Imë’s power to rewind time a few seconds into the past. Each Imë clone, or remnant, is a past self visible with each time travel. The clones are a past you actively engaged in the arena from a prior run. Each arena, however, works under a time constraint and players start with a finite number of clones.

In the ever-evolving landscape of Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior, the game seamlessly introduces new skills and concepts that are crucial for players to master. Concise and direct explanations serve as reliable guides, laying the foundation for players to understand and build upon basic strategies. As Imë’s arsenal expands with an array of weapons and abilities, the mastery of core concepts becomes paramount. Moreover, particularly when confronted with intricate battlefields demanding more sophisticated tactics.

At first, two or three Ime clones are straightforward and manageable alongside simpler and fewer enemies. The challenge escalates when players begin to orchestrate several clones at once, each executing unique actions. Coordinating multiple entities turns each battle into an intricate cognitive dance of timed strategy. For instance, a large shield-wielding Raxes cannot be defeated from the front. A clone will need to be a distraction while another is open to attack from behind. Meanwhile, other Raxes work in pairs. Time your clones to defeat the paired Raxes simultaneously because failing to do so will regenerate the two. Of course, it doesn’t stop at unique enemies though. Terrains are environmental obstacles that contribute to the chaos as well. 

Each ancient city houses different scenic challenges. All cities, however, have crystals scattered about. These crystals act as a barrier between you and the enemies but also help recharge your special which has a cool-down time. Gaps in the earth and islands can be traversed by dashing across to get to distant Raxes. Spike traps shoot from walls as nearby enemies attack simultaneously. One of the toughest environmental obstacles for me was Binary Doors. Binary Doors work in colored groups: passing through one closes all other doors of the same color while opening all doors of the opposite color. This means that timing your clones’ routes is vital for them to execute their actions from a previous run. If a previously used door is closed, the clone cannot fulfill its timely role and could result in a defeated level.

Should you fail to clear a level by the allotted time, you are free to try again. Alternatively, you can return to Camp at the Academy of Mayrua for a bit of respite. At Camp are your Golem allies who offer new information about the world and further the story. Other activities at Camp include decorating the Academy with paintings, changing Imë’s color scheme, and even honing your skills.

As players quickly move through the ancient cities, paths are straightforward with minimal routes. The starting area, the Golden City of Mayura, is advanced in its architecture. Subtle details like copper railing adorn bridges. While intricate colored stone tiles paving the roads reflect the richness and society once held centuries ago. Vending stalls lit with an ambient glow and a flowing aqueduct running through the city contrast the Warrior City of Blara. A bit more battered and lined with defense from the Raxes’ invasion, the environments in Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior distinctly places Imë in the past of turmoil and war. A fully-voiced narration guides players along this temporal exploration that curates curiosity for its rich cultural history and mysteriously resurgence of Raxes.

Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior is challenging, rewarding, and fast fun. There are various ways to tackle each arena and it doesn’t hold players to long trials. Because most levels are short and can be completed in roughly under two minutes, it makes for an experience that feels uniform in pacing and gameplay. Switching between weapons is seamless — paired with simple melee controls that make for stylish battles. Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior encourages players to best themselves through each rewind of time.

Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior is available now on Steam and Epic Games Store.