I really enjoy time loop games where the player can explore and there’s a story, and isn’t just a puzzle game. I played Outer Wilds a few years ago and I loved everything about it, it’s my favorite in the genre.
Ones I’ve played and liked / have on my list to play that look good:
- Outer Wilds - (I still need to play the DLC)
- Deathloop
- Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
- Undertale?
- The Sexy Brutale
- Zero Escape series (on my list to play)
Ones I don’t like as much:
- The Forgotten City - I liked the story (for the most part) but I felt it was spoiled far too early. I think by being a shorter non-linear game that was likely to happen. I got 3/4 endings in 6 hours. It was very hand-holdy which I didn’t like. It had quests and quest markers which I felt didn’t help the game at all. I wish it went the Outer Wilds approach and instead listed everything you learned, so the player would have to piece together what they needed to do next.
- Twelve Minutes - I watched a playthrough of this game. The story was very interesting, but I don’t think I would have the patience for the puzzles, it’s a puzzle heavy game. I would like a game with more exploration.
- Minit - Played it for ~3 hours, it was interesting but I would like a longer time loop.
These games have a time travel mechanic which I still enjoy but aren’t really what I’m looking for:
- Braid - The story is very interesting but it’s a puzzle platformer with levels.
- Life is Strange - I love this game but it’s a time travel game rather than a time loop.
- Chrono Trigger - I think this game has time travel instead of a time loop, it’s still on my list to play.
- Steins;gate (now on my list to rewatch rather than play, and it’s more time travel rather than groundhog day time loop).
Are there any hidden gems I’m missing? Preferably looking for games I can play on PC but I also have a Switch, Wii U, and 3DS.
You must log in or register to comment.
Well you’ve already recommended the next best one. The dlc for Outer Wilds.;)
I’ve literally just completed Outer Wilds, before finding the… entrance… to the DLC, and it’s not grabbed me like the rest of the game. Is it worth doing?
The vibe for the DLC is completely different than the rest of the game, so I’m not terribly surprised that you’d be a little put off. However, Mobius Studios did plan to have the DLC even when they were still making the main game. In other words, it integrates very well into the story and explains pieces of the lore that were left unanswered in the main game.
If I were to use an analogy, it would be like
spoilers
going to the Quantum Moon
in that it’s technically optional but the game really won’t feel complete if you decide not to do it
The DLC has a couple of game design choices that I’ve felt detracted from the experience, and put it a notch below the main game. I’m still glad I played it, because the core Outer Wilds vibe is still there, and finishing the main game again after wrapping up the DLC had a worthwhile emotional payoff.
Not quite “time loop”, but related: Return of the Obra Dinn. I need the developer to make another game with exactly the same mechanics.
Thanks for reminding me to play it! it’s been on my list forever, it looks so good.
There’s a tiny game called Loop Hero where your hero goes on a literal loop around the world, facing enemies as they go and while you craft a world of out existence. Pretty fun.
Not a time loop game but has one of the best time loop levels of any game I have played - Titanfall 2.
Play the Outer Wilds DLC, if you loved the base game, you will like the DLC too
Yes. You need to play the dlc. It is so worth it.
The Mooncrash DLC for Prey (2017) isn’t strictly a time loop game but it might have a lot of the elements that you find interesting.
Returnal is brutal but really fun.
This looks interesting! I’ll add it to my list, until it either gets a patch on PC to fix the memory leak, or I come across a PS5.
Slay the Princess is a relatively light game (largely narrative) that has this as part of its conceit.
Enderal. If you have Skyrim I’m your steam library, you can get Enderal for free.
“Time loop” is a stretch, but if time loop is your cup of tea, I guarantee Enderal will scratch that itch.
I’ve posted a full pitch for it before - when I’m on my computer next I’ll dig it up and repost it here (on mobile now).
Until then, search the steam store for it, and avoid spoilers like the plague.
Maybe Radiant Historia fits your bill. It’s a JRPG by Atlus originally on the DS, with a remaster on the 3DS. You can time travel to different nodes in the story and the game will replay identically, which of the “loop” part. It has a branching storyline stemming from a choice early in the game, and you have to hop to the other branch to get abilities and information for the other.
I’d recommend Gnosia, a visual novel themed entirely around time loops. The presence of Steins;Gate and Majora’s Mask on your list make me think you’ll enjoy it.
Also: Life Is Strange can have time loops depending on the decisions you make and how you choose to play the game. And there’s one segment in the Two Whales that I think you will really really enjoy.
Gnosia seems right up my alley, thank you!
I played Life is Strange as the episodes were coming out, the ending hit me worse than any game has. I believe I remember that segment, the cockroach and the jukebox? I love that game.
May I recommend No-one has to die? It’s a bite-sized webgame that I thought was really good, you can finish it in under an hour.
Also if you’re going to play steins;gate I would recommend skipping the sequel (steins;gate 0). It’s not good.
Try Hitman. All the characters walk around the world and go about their business, and it’s up to you to plan out how to go between that and do the assaination after understanding movement routes and actions
Personally I would recommend watching the Steins;Gate anime rather than playing the game. The game has a bit of a confusing mechanic for making choices and reaching the true ending basically requires a guide. I also feel the story flows better in the anime, even if some details are left out.
It’s also one of the few series where I unconditionally recommend the English dub, which may make it more accessible to those that don’t necessarily watch a lot of anime. Part of it is that the script relies so heavy on localized, niche cultures and science jargon, and partly because there are some crazy good performances.
Agreed, the dub is good and actually does a better job at conveying the story than the subtitled version does. The subtitled version can be a little confusing for someone watching it for the first time.
I played the game first and then watched the anime. I always tell people the game is good. I like the idea of not being influenced by a pre-set “true” ending. That is my preference though.
I watched the anime years ago but have forgotten most of it other than the fact I liked it a lot! Thank you, I will rewatch it instead of playing the game.
Bioshock infinite comes to mind, even though the timeloop aspect of the game is entirely related to the storyline, no game mechanics use it.
