Raven have stated that Singularity's main gameplay mechanism is a device, known in the game as the TMD (Time Manipulation Device). The TMD has the ability to move a single object through time, both into the future, and into the past. It can also freeze an object in time, and has an 'Impulse' function, which can be used as a weapon once upgraded. The TMD is multifunctional, as it can be used as a powerful weapon, but also as a tool in puzzle solving scenarios. The device's use as a weapon is unconventional when compared to the weapons in other games. For instance, using the TMD's "rewind" function on a human opponent will send them into a "placental" state where they revert to an almost amoebic state, before slowly dying. The device is essential for solving puzzles, such as sending a lock forward in time, causing it to rust it in real time, or sending a broken bridge backwards in time until it returns to a usable state. Sending a tree trunk forwards in time while standing on it will cause it grow very fast, allowing the player to reach higher areas.
The Time Manipulation Device has four announced functions: Revert, Age, Stasis, and Impulse.
Revert: This allows the player to rewind an object or human backwards in time. It can be used to repair broken walkways, by sending them back in time to a point before it was broken, revert an empty oil barrel into a full one. Using it on humans does not, as logic would dictate, revert them to helpless children or infants, nor does it inflict on them an agonizing death as they dwindle to a mere sperm-and-egg. Instead, it reverts them to a 'placental state', which converts the enemy's body to a fleshy texture. This also has the effect of causing them to turn against friend and foe alike. This feature can be upgraded, which allows it to work faster.
Age: This allows the player to fast-forward an object or human through time. It can turn a crate that a group of enemies are using for cover into rotted wood, or turn an iron fence blocking your path into a pile of rust. This can even target shields held by enemies, by sending them forward in time and draining their power. Using this on an enemy will result in them quickly aging until they are nothing more than bones and dust. Upgrading the Age function has the effect of aging targets faster.
Stasis: Stasis allows the player to pull an object towards them and freeze it in time. Unlike Half Life 2's Gravity Gun, which is a similar device, the Stasis function holds the object by freezing it in time, while the Gravity Gun uses gravity to hold an object still. This allows the player to, for example, grab a de-pinned grenade and hold it for as long as they wish, because it will not explode. Upgrading this function enables the ability pick up heavier objects, and pull them to you more quickly. Combined with the Chronolight described below, the player can even pull objects out of other time periods.
Impulse: The Impulse function sends out pulses of energy, which cause targets to fly away violently. Once upgraded, this can be used to kill small enemies.
The TMD can also be used in conjunction with special power stations scattered across the island that greatly amplify its power. In some instances, the player can use this to restore entire ruined buildings or wrecked ships to their pristine state in order to progress. However, these major alterations are highly unstable and will begin to revert almost immediately, forcing the player to dash through the restored structures as they start to decay and collapse around him.
Raven has also confirmed the existence of another device called the "Chronolight": a "time-invariant flashlight" that allows the player to view messages or objects from other time periods in certain areas. The developer also announced in an interview with GameInformer that the player will not have regenerating health such as personal shielding, and will instead have a traditional life bar. Raven believes that this will force the player to slow down, and explore the game, ensuring that the experience is not rushed.
