The Ambassador: Fractured Timelines (2020)

The Ambassador didn’t really click with me much at all. While it did have some cool time manipulation mechanics and controlled pretty well for a twin-stick shooter, it didn’t offer much of anything substantial that managed to engage me, and ultimately it just wore out rather quickly.

In theory, The Ambassador: Fractured Timelines has everything to be a great game: several types of scenarios and enemies, different weapons and equipment to use and a very interesting time control mechanic. In practice, it wastes these good qualities by being modest, offering fun but relatively simple challenges, failing to risk more on points that would make it even better. In the end, this is a suggestion for fans of the genre or for those who were curious about the game.

The time-stopping mechanic, while refreshing in concept, isn't enough to elevate this twin-stick shooter RPG beyond its middle-of-the-road status.

To call The Ambassador: Fractured Timelines simply serviceable feels slightly unfair: the blend of mechanics from other games, along with a title that does at least offer more than a simple one-and-done run with hidden items, achievements, and no performance issues on Switch is commendable. However, it does little to particularly stand out beyond being a good enough game, lacking a unique selling point akin to Hotline Miami's drug-fuelled sound and visual handling of similar gameplay. The title functions as a worthwhile enough ambassador itself to the development team's skills, but not one that will linger in memory.

If The Ambassador: Fractured Timelines featured more gameplay variety besides its basic gimmick then it would've been much more fun.