Threads of Time Is a Stunning Love Letter to Classic JRPGs With a Time-Bending Twist
From dinosaurs and Vikings to cyberpunk ninjas and ancient time knights, Threads of Time isn’t just a JRPG — it’s a journey through the past, present, and future.
Revealed during the PC Gaming Show at Tokyo Game Show 2025, indie studio Riyo Games unveiled a brand-new trailer for their upcoming turn-based adventure, Threads of Time. This 2.5D pixel art RPG, powered by Unreal Engine 5, invites players to recruit heroes across centuries and battle an unravelling timeline in stylish, time-warping combat.
Whether you’re a fan of Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, or Live A Live, Threads of Time is shaping up to be a nostalgic and refreshing take on the genre that defined a generation.
A Time-Travelling RPG That’s More Than Just a Tribute
Threads of Time wears its JRPG influences proudly, but it’s far from a simple throwback. This is a game with modern systems, cinematic combat, and a deeply layered narrative that interweaves multiple eras — from prehistoric villages where Vikings and dinosaurs coexist to a rain-soaked, neon-lit cyberpunk future.
You’ll travel between ages, recruit allies from across time, and unravel a plot that stretches across millennia. At the center of it all is a threat that seeks to twist history itself — and only you and your party of Time Knights can stop it.
Turn-Based Combat with a Time-Bending Twist
Combat in Threads of Time is far from your traditional “Attack, Defend, Heal” loop.
The game introduces a “Time-Bend” system that lets players manipulate the flow of battle. Want to delay an enemy’s turn? Warp your party ahead for a devastating combo? Or chain multiple heroes’ abilities into a time-synced onslaught? You can do all that and more.
What makes the combat system stand out?
- Strategic turn-order manipulation
- Dynamic team-based combo attacks
- Era-specific abilities and unique hero skills
- Visually expressive battles that feel fresh every time
One standout in the trailer is Rin, a cyberpunk-era kitsune ninja from 2400 AD. With her illusion-based blade arts, she disrupts enemies with speed, misdirection, and lethal precision — a perfect example of how different time periods offer vastly different playstyles.
A Cast That Crosses Centuries
Threads of Time isn’t just about cool combat — it’s also about bringing together characters from wildly different walks of life. Whether you’re meeting a prehistoric warrior, a rogue AI, or a betrayed knight from a lost kingdom, each party member adds a unique perspective — and gameplay style — to your adventure.
Together, you’ll rebuild the Order of the Time Knights, a legendary force sworn to protect the timeline. But with every new era comes new challenges, new allies, and unexpected betrayals.
The idea of mixing party members from such drastically different eras opens the door to:
- Deep party interactions and chemistry
- Evolving strategies as you encounter new threats
- Branching storylines shaped by your choices across time
Pixel Art Meets Unreal Engine 5: A Visual Showcase
Threads of Time may evoke classic JRPGs, but its visuals are unmistakably modern.
Built in Unreal Engine 5, the game uses a mix of hand-crafted 2D sprites, richly detailed environments, and dynamic lighting effects to bring its timelines to life. Whether you're exploring a foggy Viking village or a chrome-and-neon surveillance city, each world feels distinct, immersive, and alive.
This is a retro-inspired design elevated with modern technology, blending pixel charm with cutting-edge rendering.
Highlights:
- Cinematic camera angles in combat
- Gorgeous sprite animations
- Smooth transitions between overworld and battle scenes
- Vivid environmental storytelling across time periods
Threads of Time could be the next indie RPG hit to stand alongside Sea of Stars, Chained Echoes, and Octopath Traveler. It’s not just another time-travelling gimmick — it’s a fully-realized world with stakes across generations, memorable characters, and deep, stylish combat that evolves with you.
While Threads of Time does not yet have an official release date, development is moving forward quickly, and interest has spiked following its Tokyo Game Show 2025 debut. Expect more news in the coming months and keep your eyes out for a Steam demo or early access reveal.