A Stitch in Time is one of the most unique free updates (known as "Issues") to hit City of Heroes and Villains. Instead of gearing the content mainly toward upper level characters, this one has something for all levels, whether starting from scratch or using a level 50. The unique approach comes in making old content available again, but with different challenge options to keep it fresh.

Leveling too quickly was a persistent problem since the City of Heroes game began, since it meant that certain story arcs and contacts designed for lower level characters would remain inaccessible to higher-level ones. Although players could team up with lower level characters, a great deal of content (especially newly introduced ones) was lost. A Stitch in Time fixes that with Ouroboros, a small enclave that gives heroes and villains a chance to travel through time.

Players will need experience with time travel to reach Ouroboros, such as getting a badge from Recluse's Victory, but gamers can also hitch a ride with teammates who already have access. Players go through a short orientation to understand the nuances of time travel. Then they move on to doing Flashback Missions, which lists all the story arcs in the game, giving players a chance to experience everything they missed out on. However, gamers should be aware that entering into a Flashback Mission puts them into Task Force mode, meaning they can't recruit any new teammates to help complete the story arc. Villains and heroes each have separate versions of Ouroboros, so players won't be able to rewrite history by teaming up with the other side.

Instead of relying on old content, players also have a chance to put in different challenge criteria, like beating a story arc within a time limit or doing it without travel powers. Some of these challenges can be quite rough. For example, giving enemies a power bonus makes them extremely powerful and very difficult to confront. Players don't have to turn on any of the challenges, but doing so earns special badges to brag about. Ouroboros also has a few new Task Forces, two of which come directly from the pages of the City of Heroes comic books, but featuring players instead of the Freedom Phalanx. Unlike most other Task Forces, these are generally short and a team can complete them in about an hour. As a strange quirk, gamers can play these new Task Forces solo, but they are so difficult that they're almost impossible to beat alone. Still, no one should underestimate the thrill of playing through some of the best comic book storylines.