Time Wasters is a space shooter bullet heaven roguelite. Equip and upgrade weapons, destroy swarms of enemies, and collect Time & Space Cubes to bend the timeline to your advantage.
The gameplay in this space shooter revolves around frenetic, bullet-hell style combat. Players must skillfully maneuver their ships to dodge swarms of enemy projectiles while unleashing a barrage of their own firepower. The auto-firing weapon system provides a solid foundation, while the option to manually aim adds an extra layer of precision control during hectic encounters.
The game features a cast of 12 unique Captains, each with their own specialized primary weapons that can be transformed into powerful "Super Weapons." For example, one Captain wields a set of upgradable katanas, while another utilizes a charge-up beam cannon. These specialized abilities, along with each Captain's unlockable support upgrades, encourage players to experiment with different combinations to find their preferred playstyle.
Progression is centered around collecting Gold (experience) to unlock a variety of upgrades, including weapon enhancements, support abilities, and meta-progression bonuses. The ability to reroll or compress time using Time Cubes and modify the starting conditions with Space Cubes adds an extra layer of strategic depth, allowing players to tailor each run to their advantage.
In addition to the main campaign, the game offers a variety of unique challenges for each Captain, such as solo runs with limited options and special maps with unique conditions. The Endless Mode provides an open-ended experience for players who want to push their skills and see how long they can survive against increasingly challenging enemy hordes.
Reviewers have praised the game's addictive and satisfying gameplay loop, with its fast-paced combat, rewarding progression, and constant sense of challenge and advancement. The diverse Captains, upgrades, and challenges are appreciated for providing a good amount of content and encouraging experimentation. Additionally, the game's smooth controls and visually appealing, anime-inspired art style have been commended, and many reviewers highlight the excellent value proposition, considering the low price point and the high amount of content and enjoyment it provides.