Eight Time Travel Games to Experience Past and Present!
Time traveling is a common theme in films and video games since it gives developers the opportunity to create intricate stories and plot twists that challenge common sense and the continuing time-space. In these creations, events occur in several timelines or periods of history, often giving them a deeper character development.
Regarding Time Travel Games , these titles reinforce this mechanic to propose more interesting gameplay and even repetitive situations that, over time, gain relevance in the plot.
I’ve selected eight of these games. All of them include absorbing time-management features that play an integral part in the evolution of events. Without saying more, let’s be part of these relative stories where time alternatives are not limited!
Eight Time Travel Games to Experience Past and Present!
The Best Time Travel Games
I’ve chosen eight crucial video games that every fan of time traveling should play right now. Get them at RoyalCDKeys at an unbeatable price!
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered
Release Date : September 3, 2019
Developer : Square Enix
Publishers: Square Enix | Square Electronic Arts
Platforms : PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Android, iOS
Metascore : 82
Final Fantasy VIII is one of those video games that divides the fans of the Final Fantasy series. It is because, after the release of Final Fantasy VII two years before, the fans were waiting for a game closer to the seventh installment of the franchise. Still, Final Fantasy VIII is an excellent title with an encouraging plot that involves time traveling.
In honor of the truth, Final Fantasy VIII is one of my favorite titles of the saga, only overpassed by Final Fantasy VI. FFVIII has some incredible characters, such as Squall and Rinoa, and a crazy story that surprises you at any moment. What’s more, FF8 features, according to my judgment and many other players, the best first seven hours regarding storyline and playthrough. The beginning of the game really will blow your mind away! Not to mention the introductory song, Fithos Lusec Wesoc Vinosec, written by Nobuo Uematsu, the genius behind the music of the franchise.
Without the intention of spoiling anything, at some point in the story, FFVIII will make you face time distortions and visions of different ages. The game can become a bit confusing, and sometimes storylines can overlap, but everything takes its course in the end.
FF8 also features the classical turn-based combat of the previous titles of the franchise, an interesting leveling system, and an incredible final boss.
Key Features:
One of the best storylines of the FF franchise occurs in various timelines.
Six playable characters with unique weapons, abilities, and finish strikes.
A vast futuristic world with several cities and hundreds of secrets.
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
Quantum Break
Release Date : April 5, 2016
Developer : Remedy Entertainment
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Platforms : Microsoft Windows, Xbox One
Metascore : 77
From the creators of Alan Wake I and II comes Quantum Break, one of the standout games of 2016. This action-adventure title, much like its predecessor, challenges the laws of physics and reality, promising an exhilarating gaming experience. It is because Jack Joyce, the protagonist, is capable of freezing time and quickly advancing through time-space, allowing him to attack enemies in different ways.
No doubt that Quantum Break is a jewel within its genre, a rare outcome that emanated from the minds of great developers such as Remedy Entertainment. Despite the fact that it looks like most third-person action shooters out there, its gameplay and concept differ from most titles in the market.
The several time skills that Jack Joyce boasts give Quantum Break a special taste since these abilities boost and accelerate gameplay. The capacity to interact with enemies in several ways – such as stopping their movements or elevating them in the air – makes QB very versatile. However, sometimes, when playing Quantum Break, I feel like it is an amalgam of Fortnite and Max Payne. It is not something bad since I love these two titles, but I can’t stop thinking that Quantum Break must have done something to differentiate itself from these two gems.
Anyway, Quantum Break is a good action game with interesting mechanics and characters who develop over gaming in many ways, providing a motley range of situations that enrich the adventure and narrative. The rest is up to you! If you like jumping in time-space and games with a good dose of adrenaline, Quantum Break is a game you should try.
Key Features:
A really quick action that goes forward and forward and never rests.
Several time-powers to face enemies, from freezing time to advancing to super velocity.
An interesting storyline with a popular and passionate antagonist.
Quantum Break Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Release Date : May 12, 2023
Developer : Nintendo EPD
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms : Nintendo Switch
Metascore : 96
For many gamers, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom should have been hailed as the game of the year the past season. The reasons for this abound. In the first place, TotK means a total improvement compared to its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, since Tears of the Kingdom features new game mechanics that work much better than those seen in BofW. For instance, now the hero, Link, can cross floors and ceilings, reverse the movement of certain objects, and even build giant robots just with wood, rocks, and batteries.
Tears of the Kingdom also entails some improvements regarding world-building since now you can access a floating land and an underground world: both have surprises in store for you. The game also returns to the classic temples you need to complete to access the final challenge. In this opportunity, you will have the assistance of five champions who will help you to complete your goals.
Like other titles of the franchise – such as Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, in which, by the way, you experience time travel – you will need to solve puzzles to get improvements, discover secrets, and understand what is happening in Hyrule. Many of them will represent a deep challenge and require you to use a particular gameplay mechanic. Still, in general, TotK is a marvelous mix of smart procedures that will let you know the events that occurred thousands of years ago and a particular final that prompts you to do your best.
Key Features:
A huge story that works as the continuation of Breath of the Wild.
Hundreds of shrines and several temples to try your abilities.
Continuing reminiscences of the past, to discover the truth about Zelda and more.
Outer Wilds
Release Date : May 28, 2019
Developer : Mobius Digital
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Platforms : Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Metascore : 85
Outer Wilds is a strange game. Most of the players believe the title is a bit cryptic and explains just a few of the things that are happening. However, it does not mean that Outer Wilds is a bad game. Conversely, it has been acclaimed due to its unique mechanics and the multiple loops you experience throughout the adventure.
Basically, Outer Wilds is an action-adventure title that takes place in a space open-world very close to collapse. The planetary system is going to explode due to the effect of a supernova, and your mission is to discover the reasons for the explosion and the secret of a mysterious item known as the “Eye of the Universe.”
You have twenty minutes to discover everything in your surroundings and planets before the supernova explodes. You will need to rewind time and experience a loop helping you to collect information to solve the mystery. But do not worry; crucial data remains with you after the collapse. Conditions of the planets and events change during the time loop, and changes affect locations, areas, and even puzzles.
I know at first glance, Outer Wilds can be a bit confusing and even hard to understand, but as you progress and get clues about what is happening, the title expands itself, motivating you to know more about the planetary system and the explosion.
Outer Wilds is more of a time loop game than a time travel game, but this central mechanic is so well-achieved that OW deserves a spot in this list. Besides, it‘s one of the most creative games of recent years, and that is a reason enough!
Key Features:
An original game with a unique mechanic of time loops that will lead to discovering mysteries.
Adorable graphics and beautiful space light effects.
Travel from the present to the past and find out the reason for the time loop and star collapse.
Outer Wilds US Xbox One/Series CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
Release Date : June 19, 2010
Developer : Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms : Nintendo DS, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One
Metascore : 90
One of the aspects that I really love about Capcom is how the studio releases multiple types of games, from side-scrolling platforms to puzzle adventure games, with great interactivity and animations. This is the case with Ghost Trick, an interactive puzzle game featuring information gathering and life savings through different scenarios.
In a general perspective, the game is about discovering your past identity and the reasons for your death while advancing through different scenarios, solving puzzles, and saving people's lives. This way, you must interact with objects to stop the advance of the attackers and discover clues that unravel the secret. The game starts with your death. From there, everything is a party of good animations, interesting synergies between characters, and a deep story that will make you know more about the plot.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a simple game and an escape from massive titles with multiple mechanics, features, and bombastic animations. It’s a great game to enjoy while relaxing and chilling out, and an exception of AAA games that are common in our days.
Key Features:
A simple video game extracted from an anime with great designs and characters.
The capacity to interact with the surroundings to affect the character’s action.
A deep secret that involves your death and the lives of caring people.
The Messenger
Release Date : August 30, 2018
Developer : Sabotage Studio
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Platforms : Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Metascore : 86
The Messenger is a beautiful artistic game created by a small studio that was a complete surprise six years ago. It was universally acclaimed due to its charming pixel art visual style, mechanics, and particular sense of humor. Besides, The Messenger features an interesting storyline that will lead you across several biomes and timelines. The development of the plot is so well-carried out that transitions between time and space are marvelous and clear, giving the game a completely new layer of interaction and depth.
Time manipulation is a key feature during a big part of the journey in The Messenger. This ability will allow you to cross all the maps in different eras, which allows you to get crucial items and find situations that, otherwise, you will not be able to obtain.
The Messenger is strongly inspired by games like Ninja Gaiden, Chrono Trigger, and classic Metroidvania since the huge map is an interconnected world you must traverse thanks to special abilities and killing enemies.
The idea behind The Messenger is very simple. Still, it integrates several plot twists that lead the adventure through intricate scenarios. Keep in mind that time travel has a great effect on events in the future, so you’ll have to manipulate time to change your destiny continuously and that of the world.
Key Features:
One of the greatest games in the indie sphere, with beautiful pixel art graphics.
Different time periods to achieve different goals.
Time-based mechanics that will expand world-building.
The Messenger Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
Deathloop
Release Date : September 14, 2021
Developer : Arkane Lyon
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platforms : Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Metascore : 89
Deathloop, as its name suggests, is about an eternal loop of death that keeps you trapped until you kill eight targets called Visionaries. The plot is very simple but fits perfectly with the general gameplay since you’ve been prompted to take out the targets before midnight. But things are not so easy!
You’ll have to terminate the targets from a first-person perspective, which makes the gameplay very immersive and boosts the sense of urgency and despair while trying to achieve your goal. Besides, since the game takes place on an open-world island, you will continuously be disorientated, increasing your anxiety and frustration. Needless to say, if you fail to defeat your enemies, the journey will start again and again until you complete your mission.
Even though the loop in Deathloop is not strictly related to a particular skill of Colt, the protagonist, it plays a crucial role since it defines the chances you have to accomplish your duty.
Deathloop also has numerous ways to navigate the territory and go unnoticed by enemies, such as using gadgets and special powers, as well as stealth, attack abilities, and parkour. This way, you have a wide range of options, giving you the possibility to adopt the approach you prefer.
Key Features:
Two protagonists, Colt and Julianna, father and daughter, must face each other.
Multiple ways of crossing the four districts of the islands: sprinting, parkouring, and more.
Eight targets and several guards you need to take out to complete your objective.
Deathloop Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
Twelve Minutes
Release Date : August 19, 2021
Developer : Luis Antonio
Publishers: Annapurna Interactive | Netflix
Platforms : Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, iOS, Android
Metascore : 76
Among all the titles mentioned in this list, Twelve Minutes is likely the most special since it takes a lot of influence from movies of Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock, and David Fincher in terms of ambiance, camera, and events development.
Just like in Outer Wilds, in Twelve Minutes, you face a mystery and a time loop that reset all the time if you do not complete certain actions that are unknown to the player. It seems that Annapurna Interactive has a certain obsession with time loop and destiny since gamers should figure out what is happening and how to escape from fatal situations that occur in the apartment where they are confined.
In short, Twelve Minutes is a point-and-click adventure game in which you have twelve minutes to interact with the objects within your apartment, your wife, and other characters. Your final goal is to avoid your wife being murdered by a police officer who enters the apartment by trying to unravel an unsolved crime perpetrated years ago. If you’re not able to save your wife, the loop resets.
A really interesting point of Twelve Minutes is it has the acting voices of actors of the caliber of James Mcavoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Defoe, which, undoubtedly, gives the game a new level of profound and professionalism.
Strictly speaking, Twelve Minutes is not about time travel or something similar, but it implies returns in time and a thrilling story that you really want to uncover.
Key Features:
Scenes like those extracted from a classical movie by Hitchcock or Kubrick.
A mystery you have twelve minutes to solve.
One of the best interactive thrills of recent times with hundreds of objects to interact with and get information.
Twelve Minutes Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.
The Bottom Line
We have all dreamed of traveling through time at some point. We believe that time travel will give us the opportunity to do things differently. It may be true. Still, now you know about eight great adventures to try this and change the course of events. Give yourself this opportunity by getting the titles you find on RoyalCDKeys at the cheapest prices on the market. I’ll be waiting for you in the future!