Item: Time Surfer
Rating: 89
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

89/100

Time Surfer is what happens when you take the 'hill-diving' mechanics of Tiny Wings and inject them with the high-octane energy of a 90s arcade game and a dash of time-traveling sci-fi. The core gameplay loop—diving into valleys to gain speed and soaring over hills—is inherently satisfying, but the 'Time Rewind' mechanic is the real game-changer. It removes the frustration of instant-death obstacles like spikes or pits, allowing you to spend your 'time energy' to undo a mistake and try again. This turns the game into a fast-paced puzzle where you’re constantly evaluating your resource management.

Visually, the game is a neon-soaked treat, with psych-pop colors and a fantastic chiptune soundtrack that makes the 'end of the universe' feel like a party. The variety of zones, like the 'Hell Zone' or the black-hole-filled 'Kepler Run,' keeps the challenges fresh. Collecting pets—like the Axolotl or the Jellyfish—adds a layer of progression that actually affects gameplay, providing speed boosts or magnets. It’s a polished, joyful, and surprisingly deep runner that stands out in a crowded genre.

Reviewed on: Sun Jul 21 2024

Dinsun Review

Let’s be honest: this is a Tiny Wings clone. But adding the ability to rewind time changes the dynamic just enough to keep it interesting for a 40-year-old with slowing reflexes. It's forgiving, but the speed keeps it frantic. The neon, space-trash aesthetic is a bit much—it looks like a blacklight poster from a head shop—but it has personality.

It suffers from the typical 'mobile bloat'—pets, power-ups, and various currencies. It distracts from the core loop. I miss when you just played a game to see how far you could go without having to level up a robot dog. It’s fun for a few minutes, but it doesn't have the staying power of the games it's imitating.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Time rewind mechanic
Fast-paced
Vibrant art style

Derivative of Tiny Wings
Visual clutter
Unnecessary power-up systems

Technical Report

Performance: Rewind mechanic is smooth without frame drops.

Accessibility:

Audience Fit

Buy if: You liked Tiny Wings but wanted it to be faster and more forgiving.

Skip if: You want original concepts or hate neon aesthetics.

Similar Games:

Tiny Wings
Alto's Adventure
Jetpack Joyride

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun
Hardware: iPhone 13
Playtime: 4 hours
Status: Unlocked several pets

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

549361775

$0.99 9+★4.8 693 reviews

Author : Kumobius

Pubish Date : Thu Dec 13 2012

Last Update Date : Sun Nov 04 2018

Support Languages : English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese

Genres :

Version 1.9Sun Nov 04 2018

Updated to support iOS 12.
Time waits for no one except you: the Time Surfer.
Surf across the galaxy & dive into the waves.
Rewind time to fix your mistakes & outrun the end of the universe.
Dream beyond the stars my intergalactic child.
* App Store Editors’ Choice
* 4.5/5 - Touch Arcade
* IGN App of the Day
Follow us on Twitter: @kumobius
Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Time waits for no one except you: the Time Surfer.
Surf across the galaxy & dive into the waves.
Rewind time to fix your mistakes & outrun the end of the universe.
Dream beyond the stars my intergalactic child.
* App Store Editors’ Choice
* 4.5/5 - Touch Arcade
* IGN App of the Day
Follow us on Twitter: @kumobius

Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5 with 693 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 9+

Time Surfer is a high-speed, physics-based runner where you must outrun the collapse of the universe. Using simple touch controls to dive into hills and gain momentum, you'll soar across beautiful, neon-lit galaxies. The game's unique mechanic is the ability to rewind time at the cost of energy, letting you dodge spikes, pits, and asteroids you've already hit. With multiple zones, dozens of unlockable pets with special perks, and a soundtrack by Derris-Kharlan, it’s a stylish and addictive twist on the endless runner genre.

Features

Unique time-rewind mechanic

Intergalactic physics-based surfing

Stunning psych-pop visuals and chiptune audio

Over 40 unlockable pets and costumes

Special challenge modes like 'The Kepler Run'

Tips

Mastering the Time Rewind

Don't waste your time energy on small mistakes. Save it for when you hit a spike pit or get swallowed by a black hole. Watch the top bar to ensure you always have enough energy for a 'second chance' during high-speed sections.

Promotion Videos

Official Time Surfer Launch Trailer - YouTube

News on this game

Time Surfer: A wave of nostalgia without the cumbersome controls

Kumobius' games have been applauded for their nostalgia-inducing graphics, for evoking the joyous vibe and atmosphere that comes with 16-bit...

Polygon - Fri Mar 01 2013

Duet Game is Apple iTunes Free App of the Week

This week, the Apple iTunes App Store is offering a FREE download of the Duet Game – available on the iOS platform for both iPhone and iPad.

groovyPost - Thu Mar 29 2018

Kumobius' Duet Game gets Epilogue update with new levels, new music and more

Right on schedule, Duet Game has received its “Epilogue” update.

AppAdvice - Mon Sep 29 2014

This Fun And Festive Season, Spend Time Surfing Across Holiday Hills In Time Surfer

Time Surfer, the time-shifting endless surfing game from Bean's Quest developer Kumobius, has just been updated for that most wonderful time...

AppAdvice - Wed Jan 29 2014

‘Growtopia’ is a Free 2D Sandbox MMO that You Should Try

Growtopia is an online only game, meaning you connect to its servers and create or join a world with other players.

TouchArcade - Fri Mar 01 2013

Gameplays

Pet and Costume Combos

Every pet and costume has a passive perk. Combining the 'Axolotl' pet with certain costumes can drastically increase your base speed or magnet strength. Experiment to find the best combo for distance-based missions.