Writing about the new 2D timeloop metroidvania Echo Weaver presents a unique challenge, as nearly all the tools and knowledge required for completion are available from the outset. Players awaken as a robot boy tasked with unraveling the mystery of a shattered lunar civilization, exploring biomes, investigating defunct machinery, and conjuring holographic flashbacks. Developers Moonlight Kids emphasize that progress is primarily driven by acquired knowledge rather than unlocking new abilities, though a few upgrades are present.
This design choice means that explaining specific mechanics risks diminishing the player's sense of discovery, much like detailing celestial events in the influential Outer Wilds. For those intending to play Echo Weaver, a vivid and thoughtful freeform puzzler with minimal combat and some rough edges, it may be best to experience its world before delving into further details.
Echo Weaver's core mechanic revolves around a flexible timeloop. Initially brief, the loop can be extended by collecting blue crystals, which are abundant near the starting area. The maximum loop duration is tied to in-game events like closing doors and falling boulders. While players can actively shorten the loop to restore health, this is rarely necessary given the scarcity of enemies. Collecting crystals is generally not a major concern, provided players adhere to the intended platforming routes, though some distant areas may require a bit of farming.
The player's primary tool is the glaive, which can be thrown horizontally or vertically. It serves as a means to defeat enemies, clear obstacles, collect crystals, and can be lobbed with significant force. When thrown, the glaive travels in a straight line until it strikes an object or reaches the apex of the playable area, after which it will fall. The glaive can be recalled to the player by holding a button, a mechanic that enables teleportation to its position. This ability is often integrated into puzzle design, such as throwing the glaive down a pipe to warp behind a laser barrier.
However, the open-air environments also present opportunities for players to experiment. By throwing the glaive upwards and recalling it, players can potentially reach endgame areas prematurely, bypassing intended platforming and puzzle sections, including tutorials and lore progression. This design fosters a sense of 'breaking' the game, akin to immersive sims, where unintended solutions are not only possible but encouraged. Moonlight Kids has embraced this by placing time-attack leaderboards on hidden plinths, inviting players to find novel ways to traverse the world.
Echo Weaver also features standard metroidvania platforming elements, including sliding, double-jumping, wall-jumping, and a dive for faster descents. While these mechanics may not break new ground compared to titles like Ori and the Blind Forest or Sundered, they are competently implemented and complement the game's visually appealing world. Environments range from sunken cathedrals and pipe-filled reservoirs to moss-covered caves adorned with gemstones.
One point of criticism lies in the game's narrative delivery. The backstory is sometimes presented in an overly explicit manner, contrasting with the suggestive and atmospheric environmental art. A holographic companion offers guidance via a "leads" table, though she remains largely silent during exploration. While not entirely disliked, this direct storytelling can detract from the sense of wonder that the glaive mechanics and world design aim to inspire. Echo Weaver is available on Steam.