Synopsis: Devolver Tumble Time bills itself as the future’s future of physics-based puzzle gameplay, elegant monetization, and strategic brand integration. Choose characters from a packed roster of Devolver Digital games and rack up points by matching and clearing their impossibly adorable heads. Fill the hype meter to unleash character abilities, clear huge chunks, and trigger chaotic chain reactions.

Reviewed on: iOS (iPhone 14 Pro)   |   Also available on: Android

Developer: nopopo   |   Publisher: Devolver Digital

I was excited for Devolver Tumble Time: simple, potentially addictive gameplay plus Devolver’s humor and character roster seemed like a winning combo. After a week, I’m left with a sour taste. The game cracks jokes about microtransactions while asking for money, and it mocks pointless gacha items while making my progress feel pointless. I feel silly for playing—and worse for spending the $5 I did.

The core loop is undeniably snappy—pure endorphin-releasing pops. Inside a tumbler, disembodied, bobble-headed characters (think Pop Vinyls without the bodies) drop in. Press and hold on a cluster to highlight connected matches; release to pop them. Each level’s goal is either a target score or popping a quota of specific characters. It’s easy to pick up, and the first hour flew by. But once the novelty faded, I realized Devolver Tumble Time is exactly what it jokes about: a time-waster.

First sin: there’s an energy cap on how often you can play—unless you pay $4.49 for unlimited play. Second sin: the gacha character unlocks. That would be fine if earning pulls felt exciting for free players (let alone worth spending real money to speed up), but it doesn’t. Characters gain “ranks” when leveled, yet these ranks do virtually nothing. Each character has a unique ability—e.g., the baseball character from Hotline Miami throws a ball across the board—yet leveling doesn’t increase power or reduce cooldowns. Even a small visual flourish for higher levels would help. Instead, the game literally tells you “this does virtually nothing” as you open gachas—and it’s right.

Worse, the game’s constant industry satire sits alongside constant upsells. After a jokey interlude between levels, I was offered an “unlock everything” bundle for over $100. I assumed it was a gag—until tapping tried to process a real purchase. Of course, you can also watch ads to top up credits or lives.

Devolver Tumble Time could have been special with the right systems supporting its excellent core. Instead of making your time feel valued, it makes you the butt of the joke. It’s disappointing to see such satisfying puzzle fundamentals undermined by predatory, pointless monetization. I’m disappointed Devolver put its name on something that feels like the exact thing it used to lampoon.