There’s something special about the moment a game manages to balance nostalgia with bold, forward-thinking design. That’s exactly the vibe I got when watching Riyo Games’ new trailer for Threads of Time at the PC Gaming Show during Tokyo Game Show (TGS).
This isn’t just another retro-inspired indie title trying to cash in on JRPG memories. Instead, Threads of Time feels like it’s attempting something bigger weaving eras of history together into a narrative where time isn’t just part of the story, it’s the weapon you wield.
A Love Letter to JRPGs — But Written in 2025
JRPGs have always thrived on big casts, emotional storytelling, and creative battle systems. Fans of classics like Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy VI will instantly recognize the DNA here. But instead of simply re-skinning old mechanics, Riyo Games describes Threads of Time as a “modern 2.5D love letter” to the genre.
What does that actually mean? In practice, it’s a game that looks back fondly at the structure and spirit of JRPGs, but rebuilds them with modern animation, cinematic flair, and mechanics designed for today’s players. Watching the trailer, it’s clear: this isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about making old ideas feel new again.
Time as a Weapon in Tactical Combat
The most exciting reveal from the trailer? The tactical turn-based combat system where time itself becomes a playable element.
We’re not just talking about speeding up turns or slowing enemies down — though that’s part of it. Instead, battles looked dynamic and fluid. Characters chained together stylish combos, disrupting enemy strategies and shifting the flow of combat.
The standout moment was the introduction of Rin, a kitsune ninja from the year 2400 AD. Picture a cyberpunk assassin wrapped in neon shadows, armed with illusions and lightning-fast blade techniques. Rin’s animations had that anime-fight energy — quick dashes, flickering after-images, attacks that left enemies spinning.
Instead of traditional grinding, the combat encourages creativity. You’re meant to think about how manipulating time can change the outcome, making every encounter less predictable and more tactical.
Exploring Eras That Shouldn’t Exist Together
If combat sets the stage, the worlds you explore are what make Threads of Time stand out.
The trailer whisked viewers through settings that shouldn’t logically coexist, but somehow work in the context of this time-bending adventure.
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Himmenheim – a prehistoric town where Vikings live alongside dinosaurs. It feels like a mix of myth and survival, with wooden halls set against roaring beasts.
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2400 AD – a neon-drenched cyberpunk dystopia where surveillance is constant, the rain never stops, and freedom feels like a forgotten luxury.
Both looked vibrant, and the contrast between them makes the concept so intriguing. One moment you’re dealing with primal instincts and ancient warriors, the next you’re sneaking through futuristic back alleys under the watch of drones.
Building a Party Across History
At its core, Threads of Time is about assembling a party of heroes drawn from across the ages. That idea alone is enough to spark curiosity.
Imagine the dynamics: a Viking who believes in the old gods, a futuristic ninja raised in a surveillance state, maybe a shaman who’s never even seen iron tools before. What conversations happen at campfires? How do their worldviews clash or blend?
JRPGs are often remembered for their casts as much as their combat. If Riyo Games can deliver meaningful dialogue and character arcs, this time-spanning party could become the emotional anchor that keeps players invested for dozens of hours.
A Visual Identity That Feels Both Retro and Fresh
The visual design is worth pausing on. Calling the game “2.5D” might sound like marketing jargon, but the trailer showed why it matters.
Backgrounds pop with life, layered environments create a sense of depth, and battles burst with stylish animations. Himmenheim had earthy, grounded tones — wooden structures lit by torchlight, dinosaurs stomping in the background while 2400 AD pulsed with neon blues and pinks, every shadow hiding danger.
It’s not pixel-art for nostalgia’s sake, but neither is it a sterile modern gloss. Instead, it threads (pun intended) the needle between retro familiarity and contemporary flair.
Community Buzz and Where to Join
After the trailer wrapped, Riyo Games encouraged fans to wishlist the game on Steam and join the conversation on Discord. That might sound routine, but for indie JRPGs, community support is everything.
Players want to feel connected, they want sneak peeks, lore drops, maybe even to influence small details during development. The earlier a fanbase grows, the stronger the launch becomes.
And let’s be honest: JRPG fans are loyal. If Threads of Time wins their trust now, it could become the kind of cult classic people still talk about in ten years.
Why This Trailer Feels Different
I’ve seen plenty of indie trailers that promise nostalgia and end up delivering little more than retro skins. What really stood out here was how Threads of Time tied everything back to its central concept: time as both narrative and gameplay.
It wasn’t just showing pretty environments — it was showing why those environments matter. It wasn’t just showing flashy attacks — it was showing how time manipulation makes battles dynamic. That coherence gives me confidence this isn’t just another nostalgia trip.
The Bigger Picture: Why It Matters
Here’s what this really means: Threads of Time could become a rare bridge between old-school fans and new players.
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For longtime JRPG fans: it scratches that itch for complex parties, sweeping stories, and tactical battles.
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For newcomers: it avoids the grindy repetition that sometimes makes older games intimidating. The mechanics feel approachable but layered.
And beyond that, it’s simply refreshing to see an indie studio take a swing this big. Riyo Games isn’t just remaking what worked — they’re experimenting with how JRPG storytelling can evolve.
When you step back, Threads of Time feels like a project with ambition. The trailer didn’t reveal everything, but it revealed enough: combat with personality, worlds that beg to be explored, and characters who could carry a story worth remembering.
Sure, there are questions. Can the gameplay stay engaging over dozens of hours? Will the narrative actually tie all these disparate eras into a cohesive whole? But those are good questions the kind that make you want to keep watching development unfold.
If you’re a JRPG fan, this is one to keep on your radar. Add it to your wishlist, hop into the Discord, and get ready. Because if Riyo Games delivers on the promise shown at TGS, Threads of Time could be one of those indie games that doesn’t just entertain, but inspires.
