14 DAY TRIAL // 
Puzzle platformers from independent developers are becoming more and common nowadays and quite a few, in an effort to come off as innovative or at least different from the pack, employ bonus mechanics, such as time manipulation, like in the indie darling Braid.
Chronology uses a similar strategy but adds a few more layers, such as two different protagonists, in the form of an old inventor and a snail with a metal shell. They can manipulate time in order to jump between two time periods or just stop it altogether.
The result is an interesting experience which, according to developer Osao Games, should delight fans worldwide, especially thanks to its art style that's reminiscent of Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki.
Can Chronology deliver on these promises or should we turn back time and erase it from existence? Let's find out.
Chronology kicks off with a world-ending event that practically destroys modern civilization and leaves standing an old inventor who helped establish it in the first place by developing a technology that blends science and alchemy in order to harness the vapor beneath the earth.
Fortunately, you soon uncover an old device that lets the inventor travel back in time on the fly. You can then go back and interact with people in that same location and try to traverse the environment using the pristine buildings of the past and the wild vegetation of the present.
While with this mechanic alone Chronology wouldn't have impressed many players, things get more interesting after the inventor helps a snail get a metal shell. The snail apparently is sentient and can also manipulate time by stopping it altogether, besides traversing and sticking to surfaces.
The whole exploration system gets drastically augmented with the addition of the snail, as its shell can serve as a bonus platform and its time stopping ability allows for quick traversal of dangerous sequences.
Plenty of other elements are also thrown in, such as boxes that can be picked up and taken through time periods. Plants in the past, when they're just tiny seedlings, can be moved around, resulting in a different placement in the future. Different creatures can also be manipulated, so that you can enlist their help.
In terms of actual puzzles, the game is quite varied and manages to keep things fresh, although you don't really have enough chances to get bored through its story campaign, which lasts around 3 hours, depending on your skill level.
Some are relatively straightforward, but there are others that require out of the box thinking. This, coupled with the lack of any hints offered by the game, and you might find yourself stuck in some situations. It also takes a while before you begin to switch between the snail and the inventor with ease, instead of hitting the wrong buttons.
The visual style definitely lives up to the work of Miyazaki, with the environment looking sharp and with vibrant colors everywhere, even in the grim post-apocalyptic present. The monsters are pretty well designed but the snail, however, looks a bit too low quality when compared to the rest of the characters.
The soundtrack is quite good and varied, but it has a problem with pacing and going from one tempo to another. While the music ramps up in speed during tense and fast-paced platforming sections, it keeps on going even after you've made it to stable ground, taking you out of the experience.
The Good
- Clever premise
- Imaginative puzzles
- Vibrant visuals
The Bad
- Short length
- Erratic soundtrack pacing
- Slightly confusing control scheme
Conclusion
