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.
Might not be exactly what you’re looking for as it might be iOS only, but theres two games called Evoland and Evoland 2 I played a long time ago. There is sort of a past/present/future and you travel between the times. When in past it’s all 8 bit graphics. In present it’s a step up but still not great. In future it’s full 3D. I really enjoyed those games. But I’m not much of a gamer so you can take it with a grain of salt.
They are both on Steam! Funnily enough I was debating on adding Evoland 2 to my post as it kind of counts but also doesn’t. But the ending of that game hit me hard. Loved the story and how the graphics changed, a very unique game.
Your list already has my favourites and some I haven’t tried yet. I’m struggling to wrap my head around separating life is strange while counting steins gate though, I feel like both are both loop and travel and several other time tropes as well. Good luck in your search anyway
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.
I was pleasantly taken by surprise when I got around to playing Angels With Scaly Wings. The title and the trailer had given me a very incorrect idea of what the game was going to be like. Once past the somewhat contrived set up, it ended up being a very well paced sci fi story that keeps throwing curve balls at you loop after loop.
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Might not be exactly what you’re looking for as it might be iOS only, but theres two games called Evoland and Evoland 2 I played a long time ago. There is sort of a past/present/future and you travel between the times. When in past it’s all 8 bit graphics. In present it’s a step up but still not great. In future it’s full 3D. I really enjoyed those games. But I’m not much of a gamer so you can take it with a grain of salt.
They are both on Steam! Funnily enough I was debating on adding Evoland 2 to my post as it kind of counts but also doesn’t. But the ending of that game hit me hard. Loved the story and how the graphics changed, a very unique game.
Your list already has my favourites and some I haven’t tried yet. I’m struggling to wrap my head around separating life is strange while counting steins gate though, I feel like both are both loop and travel and several other time tropes as well. Good luck in your search anyway
Have a look at Three Minutes to Eight - small indie game released on Steam a while back. Haven’t given it a good run myself yet.
And as someone else mentioned: Oxenfree. Definitely good vibes there.
The premise to Three Minutes to Eight is interesting, I’ll check it out. Thank you!
Cursor*10.
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.
timemelters?
The time loop mechanic for combat looks very interesting, thank you.
Singularity was pretty good.
I forgot about this one! I played it for an hour years ago, I need to find time to continue playing it.
deleted by creator
It’s mentioned in the post
Not a time loop game but has one of the best time loop levels of any game I have played - Titanfall 2.
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.
I was pleasantly taken by surprise when I got around to playing Angels With Scaly Wings. The title and the trailer had given me a very incorrect idea of what the game was going to be like. Once past the somewhat contrived set up, it ended up being a very well paced sci fi story that keeps throwing curve balls at you loop after loop.
That sounds amazing, I’ve added it to my list. Thank you!
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.
Oxenfree
Slay the Princess is a relatively light game (largely narrative) that has this as part of its conceit.
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.