Info about Time Wasters:

Official game description:
In the far reaches of space, there exists mysterious and powerful artifacts known as Time & Space Cubes. It is said that whoever possesses these artifacts has the ability to manipulate time & space itself, bending it to their will and gaining an unparalleled advantage in any conflict.
Time Cubes
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Use Time Cubes to change the Timeline. Reroll possible choices or compress time to instantly achieve multiple upgrades in the Time Cube Shop.
Space Cubes
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Use Space Cubes to change space itself. Start your run with Outposts already developed, and Captains already upgraded.
Captains
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Captains specialize in upgradable primary weapons that can be transformed into Super Weapons, while also unlocking support upgrades to enhance their ships.
Features
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*   Fast paced ship movement with boost upgrades  
*   Upgradable auto-firing weapons  
*   Option to manually aim all weapons  
*   Captains with unique upgrades  
*   Collect Gold to immediately unlock upgrades  
*   Defeat 10 second waves of enemies and destroy Elites as fast as you can  
*   Unlock, Establish & Protect Outposts that provide bonuses  
*   Meta-progression by collecting Space Cubes  
*   Unique Loyalty Challenge for each Captain  
*   Endless Mode

Release date: Sep 25, 2023

Categories: Bullet Heaven, Auto-shooter, Roguelite, Space Theme, Meta-Progression, Multiple Characters and Playstyles, Endless Mode

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 30; verdict: Minor Linux/Deck Display Quirk; summary: The only relevant review describes a fullscreen display issue on Steam Deck under Proton: the game renders in 4:3 with large black bars and uses only half the screen. No launch failures, anti-cheat blockers, or severe instability are reported. This is a minor Linux/Proton graphical quirk rather than a broken compatibility state.
- Steam Deck: score 45; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: Steam Deck feedback is mixed. One user reports the game runs well and is fun, while other reports identify display and UI scaling problems: text and icons do not scale properly, and fullscreen mode can render at 4:3 with large black bars occupying much of the screen. There is no evidence of crashes, anti-cheat failures, or required external launchers. Overall friction is moderate: the game is playable, but not fully seamless without tolerating scaling issues.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $2.50 - $4.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews cluster around a budget pricing expectation. Positive value comments accept the current low price, but several explicitly frame purchase around sales and low dollar or yen anchors. A $2 purchase is called fine, a Japanese review praises 315-350 yen (roughly $2.20-$2.50) as best cost-performance, and other comments say to wait for a sale rather than pay full price. A minority would pay $10, which lifts the upper bound. Balancing these signals, the community fair base-game range is approximately $2.50-$4.99, with the current $4.99 sitting at the top of acceptability.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 40.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 0.5h
  - Endgame: 20.0h
  - Reasoning: The translated Spanish review reports a full 100% achievement completion time of a little over 40 hours, supporting gameCompletion at 40 hours. The English review stating that over 20 hours were spent in spite-play to get 100% supports an endgame/100% grind estimate of about 20 hours. Session length is supported by the reviewer who plays for 20 or 40 minutes at a time and another who expects sessions of a few minutes up to about 30 minutes, giving a typical session length of about 30 minutes, or 0.5 hours. No usable story-completion playtime is reported, so storyCompletion is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Players often find the game immediately addictive and polished, but many report that repetition sets in after a few hours or runs, making it less fun over time.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Slow and frustrating early progress due to grinding for upgrades; Difficulty scaling that forces grindy short runs before the game can be played; Starting runs feel doomed because enemies progress faster than the player; Lack of explanation or tutorial for mechanics; Too much on-screen activity and easy hits from enemies; Only one wrapping stage with little randomness and repeated points of interest
  - Unlock drivers: Meta-progression upgrades that make the player gradually more powerful; Upgrades that feel good and quick-upgrade without popup menus; Unlocking diverse characters and weapon abilities; Unlocking challenge runs and fun levels for each character; Slay-the-Spire-style upgrade choices from a large pool
  - Conditions: Tolerance for meta-progression grinding before the game opens up; Having unlocks left to pursue; running out makes repetition more noticeable; Preference for fast-paced survivors-like gameplay over unique mechanics; Breaking through progression walls to reach later power spikes; Maxing meta-progression does not remove challenge; Meta-progression currency RNG can reduce perceived impact; Need for a tutorial or clearer mechanic explanations; Repetitive soundtrack or art direction can lower enjoyment
- Player Archetypes:
  - Bullet Heaven Genre Connoisseur (buy)
    - Motivation: Wants a fresh, well-executed take on the Vampire Survivors-style bullet heaven loop rather than a lazy clone.
    - Playstyle: Fast auto-shooter runs, testing varied weapon evolutions and comparing the feel against other genre entries.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: VS-like player
    - Reference games: Vampire Survivors
  - Achievement Completionist Grinder (buy)
    - Motivation: Driven to 100% the game by clearing every challenge and maxing the meta-progression for all characters.
    - Playstyle: Long grind sessions farming meta-currency, repeating full, solo, and challenge runs across all twelve characters.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: achievement hunter
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Casual Time-Waster (sale)
    - Motivation: Wants a light, fast, low-commitment game to relax with or play while socializing.
    - Playstyle: Short, snappy runs with simple controls, often played passively in the background or on a handheld.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Vampire Survivors
  - Grind-Weary Value Skeptic (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Seeks a rewarding, well-balanced progression curve and is put off when grinding feels mandatory or design feels broken.
    - Playstyle: Attempts full runs but disengages once difficulty is gated behind repetitive currency farming or meta upgrades flatten the challenge.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Vampire Survivors


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Fun and addictive gameplay (weight 0.67): Reviewers consistently describe the game as fun, enjoyable, and addictive. Many highlight the solid gameplay loop that keeps them coming back for more.
- Great value for price (weight 0.51): Many reviewers find the game affordable and well worth the money, offering substantial entertainment for a low cost.
- Diverse characters and weapons (weight 0.49): The game offers a wide roster of characters and weapons, each with unique playstyles and abilities. This variety keeps gameplay fresh and interesting.
- Satisfying meta progression (weight 0.42): The meta-progression system is frequently praised as satisfying, meaningful, and well-paced. Players appreciate the sense of growth between runs.
- Good graphics and visuals (weight 0.3): The visuals are described as polished, smooth, and visually appealing, with a solid anime-esque art style. The interface is also considered clean.
- Smooth controls and performance (weight 0.3): Controls are responsive and snappy, and the game runs smoothly without reported crashes or bugs. This contributes to a pleasant experience.
- Unique take on genre (weight 0.28): Reviewers appreciate that the game attempts to differentiate itself from other Vampire Survivors clones, particularly with its space setting.
- Highly replayable (weight 0.22): The game offers strong replayability with fast runs that encourage repeated play. Many find it easy to jump into another run.
- Enjoyable time waster (weight 0.2): The game is seen as a great way to pass time, providing entertainment without requiring a long commitment. Its addictive nature makes it perfect for casual sessions.
- Good overall quality (weight 0.2): General sentiment is that the game is really good, nice, and enjoyable. Many reviewers recommend it without major reservations.
- Boss mechanics add variety (weight 0.19): Bosses appear periodically and introduce movement restrictions, adding challenge and variety to runs. Some players use outposts to deal heavy damage when bosses appear.
- Easy achievements (weight 0.11): Achievements are easy to obtain, which some players may find appealing for completionist satisfaction.
- Weapon variety adds depth (weight 0.11): The game offers enough weapon variety to keep combat interesting, with a fast pace that makes each run exciting.

Common complaints:
- Gameplay is repetitive and shallow (weight 0.86): Clusters frequently describe the game as extremely repetitive with shallow mechanics, boring after a few runs, and lacking depth. Many note that all runs feel the same and the game becomes stale quickly.
- Unfair difficulty and death mechanics (weight 0.85): Frequent complaints about cheap deaths, lack of invincibility frames, and enemies dealing massive damage instantly. Telegraphing is poor, and many deaths feel unavoidable, leading to frustration.
- Weapon variety and balance issues (weight 0.81): Weapons lack variety and many are frustrating or ineffective. Some weapons are significantly better than others, leading to forced meta loadouts and limited build diversity. Evolution paths are linear and uninspired.
- Lack of meaningful progression (weight 0.7): Meta-progression feels shallow and RNG-dependent, with upgrades that are mostly flat stat boosts. Progression systems are linear, and many upgrades become negligible once maxed out, leading to a sense of wasted effort.
- AI-generated art criticized heavily (weight 0.66): Multiple clusters complain about AI-generated artwork being used throughout the game, ranging from character portraits to textures. Reviewers find it irksome, inconsistent, and a potential dealbreaker, with some suspecting manual fixes were applied to hide AI origins.
- Characters lack individuality and balance (weight 0.62): Many characters feel similar and have balance issues, with some being weak or hard to use. Solo challenges are often frustrating due to character-specific limitations.
- Map variety severely lacking (weight 0.62): Multiple clusters highlight that the game has only one static map with identical layouts and enemy placements every run. New maps remain hidden until endgame challenges, and the lack of variation kills replayability.
- Poor balancing across game (weight 0.62): Balance issues are rampant, with weapons and upgrades being either useless or overpowered. Enemies scale faster than players, leading to unfair difficulty spikes, one-hit kills, and frustrated gameplay.
- Limited content and unlocks (weight 0.57): The game is criticized for being short on content, with few weapons, characters, and maps. Unlocks are quickly exhausted, and after completing meta-progression there is little left to do, making the game feel bare-bones.
- Grinding for upgrades excessive (weight 0.55): Many reviewers complain about the insane amount of grinding required for meta-progression and upgrades. Costs are high, refunds are harsh, and progress feels slow and unrewarding, often forcing repetitive runs.
- Confusing mechanics and no tutorial (weight 0.43): The game provides little to no explanation of mechanics, requiring trial and error. New players find it hard to understand gameplay elements, and there is no tutorial for items or features.
- Lack of variety in enemies and waves (weight 0.4): Enemy types are few, with many waves feeling identical. Fixed spawn patterns and monotonous wave types reduce replayability and make the game feel repetitive.
- Developers suppress AI art criticism (weight 0.38): Cluster 14 and 111 reveal that developers actively delete forum posts and Discord discussions about the use of AI art. Cluster 255 and 256 mention the Discord server being shut down, and cluster 112 notes the lack of an AI art disclaimer at purchase.
- Poor audio and visual presentation (weight 0.36): Sound design is bad, music is repetitive, and visual effects lack satisfaction. Screen noise and inconsistent art direction detract from the experience.
- RNG-dependent progression and unlocks (weight 0.33): Progress is heavily gated by RNG, from shop rolls to upgrade availability. This leads to inconsistent runs and frustration when necessary upgrades do not appear.
- Localization and UI problems (weight 0.31): Localization is poor, with broken descriptions and incorrect translations. UI elements do not scale properly, and some text is misleading or confusing.
- Steam Deck display and text issues (weight 0.25): Specific technical problems on Steam Deck include text requiring a magnifying glass, fullscreen display issues with black bars, and inability to fix via options. No patches have resolved these issues.
- Unclear or missing story and lore (weight 0.24): The game lacks a coherent storyline or lore, leaving players disconnected. The absence of narrative makes the AI art more glaring and reduces immersion.
- Health concerns from visual effects (weight 0.22): Intense blinking lights and screen effects can cause eye strain or trigger photosensitivity. The epilepsy warning is serious, and some players report worsened eyesight.
- Game crashes and save data loss (weight 0.2): Reports of game crashes during play and save data being reset after updates. Freezes can also cause upgrade items to reset to zero.

Gameplay feedback:
- Vampire Survivors-like Gameplay (weight 0.84): The game is frequently described as a Vampire Survivors-like or Survivors-like game. It follows the same genre with similar mechanics, such as auto-shooting and wave survival.
- Multiple Characters and Playstyles (weight 0.64): The game features multiple characters with different playstyles, each with unique weapons and abilities. Characters can be selected at the start or as crew members to customize loadouts.
- Upgrade and Progression System (weight 0.52): Players highlight the upgrade system that progresses during play, with many unlocks and in-game milestones. The system includes upgrades that are stat boosts and meta-progression that works well.
- Roguelike/Roguelite Elements (weight 0.45): The game is described as a roguelike or roguelite with fast-paced and challenging gameplay. It includes bullet heaven and auto-shooter elements.
- Weapon Variety and Unlocks (weight 0.43): The game includes multiple weapon types and unlockable weapons. Unlock conditions for new weapons and characters are tied to RNG.
- Space Theme and Setting (weight 0.41): The game is set in space, often described as a space-themed survivor-like game or a Vampire Survivors clone with a Galaga-esque space theme. It features spaceships and a sci-fi atmosphere.
- Boss Fights and Enemy Waves (weight 0.3): The game features endless waves of enemies and a variety of boss fights, with bosses appearing every certain number of waves and imposing movement restrictions. There is also a final boss.
- Endless Mode After Final Boss (weight 0.26): After defeating the final boss, players can continue into an endless mode with infinite enemies. This mode adds replayability.
- Smooth Aiming Controls (weight 0.12): Players can smoothly switch between auto-aim and manual aim. This provides flexibility in combat.
- Single Map Limitation (weight 0.11): The game has a single map that remains the same throughout. Some players may find this repetitive.

Performance notes:
- Steam Deck display issues (weight 0.18): The game displays a 4/3 image with large black bars on the sides under Proton on Steam Deck, and there are no options to correct it. No fix has been released for this problem.
- Good performance and efficiency (weight 0.18): The game runs at a stable 60 fps with power consumption up to 10W, and there is no lag or stutter even with much happening on screen.
- Crashes and freezes (weight 0.13): Some players experience crashes and freezes during normal play.
- Intense flashing lights (weight 0.07): The epilepsy warning is serious; blinking lights at higher levels are extremely intense.
- Works well on Steam Deck (weight 0.07): Some players report that the game works well on the Steam Deck.
- Runs well on old hardware (weight 0.07): The game runs surprisingly well on a very old laptop.
- Small text on Steam Deck (weight 0.07): Players report that the text is too small to read on the Steam Deck without a magnifying glass.
- Resource usage concerns (weight 0.07): As a Unity game, it might consume more resources than expected.
- Ultrawide resolution support (weight 0.06): The game supports ultrawide 32:9 resolution.

Recommendations:
- Worth the money (weight 0.88): Many reviewers consider the game definitively worth its price, offering good value and well-paid hours for the cost. Several note it is a bargain at the current price and would buy it even at a higher price.
- Recommended for bullet heaven fans (weight 0.75): The game is heartily recommended to anyone who enjoys bullet heaven or Vampire Survivors-like games. It is a must-have for fans of the genre and a strong addition among similar titles.
- Buy on sale (weight 0.38): Reviewers suggest buying the game on sale without hesitation, as it is a no-brainer at a discount. However, some caution against full price, recommending it only during sales.
- Not recommended for some (weight 0.38): A few reviewers do not recommend the game, citing it as unenjoyable or bad despite a low price. Some advise not wasting money or time and suggest avoiding it even on sale.
- Recommended for casual fun (weight 0.3): The game is recommended for casual players and for passing time, offering simple fun and a great time-waster. It is well-suited for short, quick sessions.
- Mixed recommendation depends on preferences (weight 0.24): Some reviewers give cautious recommendations, stating that whether the game is worth the money and time depends on individual evaluation. Others recommend it only if you like the genre or want something different.
- Try the demo first (weight 0.21): If you are uncertain about liking the game, reviewers suggest giving the demo a try before purchasing. Some also simply encourage interested players to just try it.
- Tips for new players (weight 0.15): An important tip shared is to develop only two weapons during gameplay. New players are also advised to be in for the long run and to consider using mods for achievements.
- Steam Deck owners must buy (weight 0.12): Steam Deck owners are specifically encouraged to buy the game, with some noting it lives up to its name in wasting time. It is considered a must-buy for that platform.
- Good for short sessions (weight 0.12): The game is praised for being great when you want a quick five-minute game, fitting well into short play sessions. It is ideal for fast, casual gameplay without deep commitment.
- Potential but lacks variety (weight 0.11): The game shows potential and implements demanded features well, but may be less addictive than the original and ends quickly. It lacks variety, though flying is possible as a unique mechanic.

Other player notes:
- Compared to Vampire Survivors (weight 0.63): The game is frequently compared to Vampire Survivors and similar survivor-style games, with opinions ranging from favorable to unfavorable. Some call it a clone or ripoff, while others note it attempts to differentiate itself.
- Low price point (weight 0.48): The game is sold at a low price, often described as cheap for the amount of entertainment provided. Many players find it reasonably priced relative to its content and quality.
- AI-generated art controversy (weight 0.34): The game uses AI-generated art assets, including AI portrait art, which is a concern for some players. Developers acknowledge using AI tools for artwork and localization, sparking debate about art quality.
- Early Access status (weight 0.3): The game is currently in Early Access, meaning content and quality may change. Some players have played on and off throughout Early Access and expect future improvements.
- Steam Deck compatibility (weight 0.17): The game is marked as Steam Deck compatible, but some users report severe display issues while others say it works great. Experiences on Steam Deck vary significantly.
- Playtime for completion (weight 0.12): Players report spending over 20 to 40 hours to achieve 100% completion. This indicates a substantial amount of content for the price.
- Frequent updates (weight 0.12): The game receives frequent updates, indicating active development. This is seen as a positive sign for ongoing support and improvement.
- Localization quality issues (weight 0.11): Japanese language support is available, but the localization is considered mediocre by some players. This may affect the experience for Japanese-speaking users.

Emotions:
- Enjoyment (weight 0.17): Players enjoy the fun, responsive gameplay with satisfying progression and diverse builds. The atmospheric soundtrack, flashing lights, and variety of ships and weapons add to the experience. Short sessions with steady progress and unique planet mechanics keep it engaging.
- Disappointment (weight 0.15): Disappointment stems from shallow gameplay, poor balance, and lack of variety in weapons and upgrades. Many feel the game is a cash grab with AI art and limited content, and progression is often just stat boosts without meaningful builds.
- Frustration (weight 0.13): Frustration arises from unfair difficulty, lack of i-frames causing instant deaths, and steep grinding for upgrades. Technical issues like crashes, Steam Deck display problems, and RNG-based progression exacerbate the annoyance.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Satisfaction comes from getting good value for money, smooth performance, and a strong sense of progression. Players feel accomplished when completing the game, unlocking achievements, and experiencing varied gameplay.
- Boredom (weight 0.07): Boredom results from repetitive maps, waves, and upgrades, making runs feel identical. The game becomes too easy after grinding, and lack of variety leads to tedium.
- Fun (weight 0.03): Fun is derived from mindless, simple bullet heaven gameplay that is challenging and includes grind and roguelike elements. The clever bullet hell survival mechanics keep it entertaining.
- Addiction (weight 0.02): Addiction is driven by the core loop of surviving waves, choosing upgrades from hundreds, and unlocking meta-progression. The rapid progression and 'number go up' formula create a compelling machine zone.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is fueled by fun twin-stick shooter gameplay, unique character variety, and fast-paced action. The addictive and polished experience leads to high praise.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation is for the game's interesting spin on the genre, well-designed flow, and clever concepts like facility planets and unique mini-bosses. It attempts to be different and succeeds.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is directed at the developer's use of AI, shady practices, and actions like deleting discussions and shutting down Discord. A specific character, Corosia, is also criticized.
- Satisfied (weight 0.01): Satisfaction comes from a smooth, bug-free experience with well-balanced design and mechanics. The game runs without crashes and feels polished.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise is due to the impressive first boss and the game being positively surprising overall. It exceeds initial expectations.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is sparked by the game feeling fresh and keeping attention despite the player not usually enjoying survivor-type games. It genuinely engages.
- Excitement (weight 0.01): Excitement comes from the stunning space shooter adventure with unique ideas, fast-paced action, and overwhelming enemy encounters. Wildly different characters and chaotic higher levels add to the thrill.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love is for the deep mechanics, stylish gameplay, outstanding soundtrack, graphics, and content. The game is really cool and well-crafted.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Dissatisfaction arises from the visual presentation lacking a satisfying feel, routine grinding without powerful weapon building, and poor solo mode balance. These elements detract from the experience.
- Mild disappointment (weight 0.01): Mild disappointment is due to light content relative to unlock time, lack of content after unlocking everything, and repetitiveness later in the game. More maps and characters are desired.
- Approval (weight 0.01): Approval is based on the game's good quality compared to other bullet heaven games, being considered the next best after Vampire Survivors. It meets expectations for the genre.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Anticipation is for recruiting more characters as crew members and new content like additional planets, weapons, and commanders. Players look forward to future updates.
- Relaxed (weight 0.01): Relaxation comes from being able to jump in and play without researching characters or skills. It's easy to pick up and enjoy casually.}