Bullettime, oh, bullettime – you have been a wonderful friend throughout all these years. Since the first introduction in the Matrix series, it has been one of the most impressive ways of showing how fast and agile our characters are, but in a reasonable way. Bullet time mechanic, or slow motion as some call it, is a way of portraying the characters with slowed movements, often with the protagonist being faster than everyone else. 

In many games, you can activate bullet time to hit multiple enemies simultaneously or with only one bullet. It looks fantastic, but the entire game can’t be based on a single mechanic only. You need to add some cool ways to eliminate enemies, as the bullet time effect works only if it’s attached to some significant weaponry, an incredible story, and even better animations.

This article will review the games that not only utilize bullet time mechanics but also take this unique ability to completely new grounds. Many video games use it for the show and as an integral part of storytelling. It’s a great special ability when it comes to the visuals.

So, if you want to bend time, shoot some bad guys, or just see how most games utilize this concept – stay tuned! We are counting down the best bullettime games on the market!

• Release Date: May 2012

• Developer: Rockstar Games 

• Platforms: PC (Windows), Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Playstation 3 

• Meta Score: 87/100

Starting one of the most popular bullet-time-based games – May Payne 3. The whole series could end here, but the first two games may be a bit old to recommend nowadays. Nevertheless, this game is for you if you want to jump in slow-mo and spray the bad guys with your guns.

The story of Max Payne is rather tragic. He used to be a cop for the NYPD, but because of his addiction to painkillers, he moved to São Paulo in Brazil to work as a security guard for a rich guy named Rodrigo Branco. He wants to leave everything behind: all the problematic past, the death of his wife, and addiction. Unfortunately, if not his past, new and potentially deadly problems come out of the shadows. Commando Sombra gang wants a piece of Branco’s family. And you are there to stop them.

When it comes to gameplay, it’s a pretty cinematic story. It tells an exciting story through Max’s delirium, drug use-based vision, the tragedy he encountered in his life, and overall – a lousy history he was a part of. Additionally, we got all the beautiful elements we loved and cherished from the previous games, like jumping with bullet time, shooting multiple enemies simultaneously, and just overall – close to perfect action TPS game. 

Additionally, the game is highly detailed, as you see each bullet and shell being emptied from the gun, and there’s a lot of the world you can just destroy in the fighting frenzy. For a game from 2012, it’s also highly realistic regarding the movement of the characters. It feels fluid and immersive. You don’t have this puppet on strings like with many games, even nowadays. Finally, let’s say hello to the kill-cam once again! Seeing how the bullet pierces through the enemy is a beautiful experience, definitely worth checking out.

• Release Date: 2010

• Developer: Obsidian Entertainment

• Platforms: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360

• Meta Score: 84

Next up, we have the one, the only Fallout: New Vegas. We’ve decided on this particular one, as the first one is a bit old for today’s standards, and Fallout 4 is more about building settlements than anything else. New Vegas is a true master of bullet time and other abilities.

The story starts in 2281 in the Mojave Wastelands near Las Vegas. As with the previous game, this one also follows the post-apocalyptic vibes we all know and cherish. You are Courier who was left for dead. Why? You don’t know. But you do know that you have a particular set of skills to go on a quest for revenge, seeking answers in the famous Las Vegas, Nevada.

This game’s bullet time is based on the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (aka V.A.T.S.). It pauses the game and lets you choose where to hit your enemy with a percentage chance of failure. If you succeed, you can even get a gory animation of heads being blown or limbs falling off enemies. Additionally, you get the whole arsenal of fantastic weapons to use. As the game settled its technology somewhere between the 1950s and the 2200s, you have a full array of wacky technology that is too modern and too old at the same time.

And, besides the whole bullet time aspect – it’s just a great game. The narrative is extraordinary, with many memorable characters (especially a particular computer friend you will meet on your way) and alliances you could join against other associations). A Roman cult also crucifies people, so, you know, the usual stuff.

Additionally, you can utilize many skills and abilities, like improving your V.A.T.S. abilities, getting more stealthy, or improving your laser or pistol shooting. Or – if you want to, you can even go for melee attacks. It’s up to you entirely, so create your build as great as you want. And, with a great crafting system, and various loot you can find all over the place – it’s a safe bet that you will enjoy this one! So, be sure to check out every vault on your way!

• Developer: SUPERHOT

• Release date: July 2017

• Meta Score: 83

• Platforms: PC, Stadia, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

Next on our list, we have the famous Superhot game. It’s the epitome of bullet-time games, as you cannot make a single move without getting in some kind of bullet-time action. So, how does it work? Well, you have these short action sequences with a moving target or a couple of marks to get rid of. The only trick is that time moves only when you move. So, before getting into action, you need to strategize where you will go and what you will do, as you will probably not get a second chance.

Everything is taking place in some weird simulation. Or in a corporation. Or someplace. We don’t know, as the game is somewhat mysterious and shows only what you need to know and see. Also – it is pretty petty when it comes to the fact that you are killing hordes of humanoid-creatures, so if you are sensitive about people judging you – you may skip those messages.

The visuals are exactly what you would expect from an indie title like this. Everything is black and white, with the only exception being the red geometrical figures that are our enemies. It’s economical in portraying the world, but it creates this world that makes you feel uneasy and threatened. It’s a job well done, especially without an AAA budget.

• Developer: Guerilla Games

• Release date: 2017

• Meta Score: 89

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows

Speaking of AAA games, we have Horizon: Zero Dawn. As it turns out, games that utilize the bullet time are surprisingly advanced and quality products. How does it work with this one? Well, here, as you perform lots of archery, you can enter a bullet time mode by charging your bow or sliding and even horseback riding. It looks fantastic, it feels incredible, and what can we say – we are hooked! But that is not the only thing that makes this game great.

In Horizon: Zero Dawn, you get to experience a world full of wonders: dinosaurs roaming the planet, flying monsters, dozens of animals that you can become friends with, and lots and lots of bad guys to take care of. As a young lady with a bow, you need to understand why giant dinosaurs are taking over the world and why some are wearing tactical gear.

Let’s first address the dinosaur in the room – the game looks stunning. Even though it came out in 2017, not many titles nowadays could rival this beauty. If you want to explore the world of dinosaurs and see all the different beasts to tame – this will be a beautiful journey to the heart of darkness.

The whole thing is narrative-driven, so you can expect an authentic cinematic experience. Aloy is a hope for the future, a character with heart and charm that few protagonists have. She is trying to use the best ways of finding out why this situation developed as it did and what exactly changed the world to such a degree. If you like movies, fantasy, and Jurassic Park – this game is definitely for you!

• Release Date: 2018

• Developer: Rockstar Studios

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Stadia

• Meta Score: 97

Next, we probably have one of the best games ever created, Red Dead Redemption 2. It seems like for years now, people have been praising this title for many reasons, but one thing remains the same. It has one hell of a bullet time, called the Dead Eye mechanism. This is what makes you actually feel like you are in a western movie. Everything goes quiet, and it’s only you and this that you can throw into the air (or potential enemies). 

But – as with all games on this list – it’s not the only thing that makes a difference. And when it comes to Red Dead Redemption – there’s a lot to unpack there. First of all, this game is enormous. It’s an open-world epic tale of the Wild Wild West, where everything was just starting to make sense in America. The game takes place before the events from the first one, and to the surprise of no one, it has even more advanced mechanics than the first title.

You have everything you would expect from the American frontier. It's a great world, full of snowy mountains, dense forests, and lots of smaller and bigger towns to stay in or roam through and pillage. As with all Rockstar games, you have complete freedom of what you will do, but everything comes with consequences. 

Your name is Arthur Morgan, at least for the most part in the game. You are a member of the Van der Linde gang, who did some good but mostly pretty bad things in its time. The main concept is that you are trying to leave this cruel world behind you and start a new life in a small town. As you can imagine, your past will try to haunt you, as well as your gang, so you will have to make some pretty tough decisions in this morally ambiguous world. 

Additionally, it’s a living and breathing world full of potential and possibilities. It has lots of gunfights, but also people just going about their ways. You can interact with them, get missions from them, and find treasures worldwide! There are plenty of side quests and dynamic encounters you can find yourself in that can impact the story and the overall reputation of your character. So, when it comes to games with bullet-time mechanics – it’s a pretty good game. When it comes to the gaming itself – it’s top of the top.

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• Release Date: April 2016

• Developer: Remedy Entertainment

• Platforms: Xbox One, Windows 10, Microsoft Windows

• Meta Score: 77

And finally, we have probably the best bullet time game, or at least the most promoted and with the greatest possibilities – Quantum Break. You can slow down time and move things with your mind – there’s much of it in this title that we will get into later. But what you need to know first is that this title is full of time-based attacks that you can utilize to your benefit – and that’s only a start!

The second part is – it’s just a wonderful cinematic experience. The game uses motion capture technology to its fullest, with Shawn Ashmore, known from the Lord of the Rings movies, fully immersed in the role of Jack Joyce. 

The protagonist travels from Thailand to Rivenport in the USA, where his friend, Paul Serene, works on some physics work. He manages to activate the machine, which then gets jammed, making them both blessed” with time-bending powers. And – the story begins.

Regarding the gameplay, it’s a pretty standard action-adventure TPP game with lots of time manipulations on the side. There are plenty of enemies all over the place, with your powers only stopping them from going overboard. Some of the enemies, like Monarch security guards, also have time-bending powers, so be sure to add that to the equation. 

During the game, you gain lots of abilities to manipulate time. You have the “time stop” that can freeze everything around you; “time rush” that allows you to rush near the enemy or perform a dodge; “time blast” that brings the enemies into the air and freezes them; “time shield” that deflects attacks and “time dodge” that helps people to evade attacks. 

As you can see, there is plenty of fun to be had with those powers, especially if you use them together. It’s a great feature in a battle, where you can freeze time, dash next to the enemy, strike them, burst the other guys into the air in your time bubble, get rid of them too, and travel to the following location. It looks so fun to do, and with an advanced narrative and lots of familiar faces from popular culture – you can bet that this game will be on top of your list for years to come.

In conclusion, we've highlighted the top bullet-time games in the world. We’ve decided to skip simpler 2D titles like My Friend Pedro, focusing on those that truly embrace the bullet time concept. These picks excel not only in their bullet time mechanics but also in overall gameplay quality. With a massive global player base, they offer a unique blend of combat, bullet-time precision, and speed. 

While bullets aren't the sole essence of these games, they undeniably enhance the overall experience. These titles shine in various aspects, including open-world design and narrative, making them pioneering milestones in gaming history. 

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