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.
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.
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.
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.
