7 Terrifying Games That Use Time to Mess With Your Mind

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Summary

  • Horror games can use time manipulation to enhance gameplay and immersion.
  • Baisu, HORROR TALES: The Beggar, and Siren: Blood Curse are examples of games that effectively manipulate time.
  • Titles like P.T., Visage, Blair Witch, and Singularity showcase unique horror experiences through time-related mechanics.

Stories involving time – time travel, intertwining timelines, and the multiverse – are commonly found in science fiction and fantasy genres. For instance, consider the Marvel Universe. However, when these ideas are used in horror, they can create some truly intriguing and downright frightening scenarios.

The intricate physics associated with time and space often serve as a focus for these concepts, triggering fears such as chronophobia (fear of time) and astrophobia (fear of space). However, it’s not just about inducing fear; manipulating time can also elevate the horror gaming experience by introducing innovative ideas and engaging gameplay. Here are some top horror games that skillfully use time manipulation, whether through mechanics or as part of the storyline.

This collection highlights stories that make essential use of time manipulation within their plotlines, environment, or mechanics, distinguishing them from titles where time control is a secondary feature, like the reflex time ability in F.E.A.R.

7. Baisu

A Creepy Bodycam Detective Horror

  • Platforms: Windows
  • Release Date: May 30, 2024
  • Developer: Tripleducks studio

Ever since Bodycam debuted in June 2024, there’s been an increasing interest in the bodycam format within video games, especially in the horror genre. However, it wouldn’t be accurate to ignore those that came before. In Baisu, players delve into the footage of Clay Kriest, a detective who responds to a plea for aid at the Smiths’ residence, only to find himself entangled in a far more sinister enigma.

During gameplay, Baisu captures and saves fragments from players’ microphone conversations, which are later played back in the game in an engaging way that blends sound and time effectively. This, along with its realistic graphics and flashlight movement, creates an immersive environment that makes players feel deeply involved in this intriguing narrative. Baisu offers four distinct endings for players to discover.

6. HORROR TALES: The Beggar

Bend Physics In This Post-Cataclysm World

  • Platforms: Windows, Xbox One/X/S, PS4/5
  • Release Date: June 17, 2024
  • Developer: CarlosGameDev

In a single creator’s endeavor, “HORROR TALES: The Beggar” stands out as an extensive sci-fi horror experience. This game is set in a desolate post-apocalyptic landscape overrun by monstrous cybernetic beings known as “Beggars.” Your goal is to repair what remains of this world, all while evading the relentless pursuit of hostile forces. The game features several genuinely unsettling scenes and occasional jump scares to keep you on edge.

In the game titled “The Beggar“, the fundamental aspect is the manipulation of time. The hero possesses the power to transition between different times of the day, and can even alter the weather conditions to tackle puzzles creatively. Moreover, the player is equipped with telekinetic powers, which they can utilize for moving objects or during combats. To sum up, “The Beggar” skillfully employs time and physics principles to deliver a unique and dynamic gaming experience.

5. Siren: Blood Curse

Investigate The Mysterious Disappearance Of A Mountain Village

Titled “Siren: Blood Curse“, this game is the third installment in the “Siren” or “Forbidden Siren” series, serving as a modernized rendition of the 2003 original. The story unfolds within Hanuda Village in Japan, where players are tasked with uncovering the village’s dark secret and devising an escape strategy to survive the eerie supernatural events that transpire. With its multi-narrative approach, players take control of various characters throughout the game.

In Blood Curse, the narrative can sometimes be complex and hard to keep track of, involving gods from other worlds, cults, and time cycles as key elements. Despite this complexity, it remains an engaging story that delves into themes like faith, family, and persistence in the face of challenges that defy human comprehension.

4. P.T.

An Iconic Experience That’s Still Being Dissected

P.T., initially conceived as a preview for the scrapped Silent Hills, has been a significant cornerstone in the psychological horror genre, eventually vanishing from the PlayStation store. A key factor behind its widespread excitement was its minimal context. The protagonist is nameless and silent, while the narrative remains obscure, leaving many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the game’s handling of time.

As you traverse the corridors, you encounter a blend of technology spanning decades, from an old 70s radio to a cutting-edge digital alarm clock. Given this evolving setting, it’s not far-fetched to suggest that eras are intertwining, or that the characters are strolling through the house’s timeline. In either case, P.T. continues to uphold its reputation as one of the eeriest horror games available.

3. Visage

Walk Through The House’s Dark History

In the wave of games similar to P.T., some distinctive titles manage to shine independently. One such game is Visage, a psychological horror adventure. The story revolves around Dwayne Anderson, a tormented addict who finds himself confined in his haunted home, where he encounters a string of malicious spirits.

As the game progresses, the player discovers the heartbreaking ends met by past inhabitants and Dwayne’s history, all while striving to survive. Spanning multiple decades, the setting subtly changes over time, creating an atmosphere of apprehension and mystery. To ramp up the tension, players are tasked with maintaining their sanity through the strategic use of light sources and medication.

2. Blair Witch

One Man, His Dog, And A Manipulative Witch

The movie “The Blair Witch Project” significantly impacted the way found-footage horror stories are told, and this influence can be seen in the “Blair Witch” video game. This game focuses on a former police officer named Ellis and his dog, Bullet, as they venture into Black Hills Forest to find a lost boy. Although the game doesn’t strictly adhere to the found-footage format, an essential aspect of its gameplay revolves around using a camera.

When a player discovers tapes, they can examine their contents using the camera, thereby altering reality and unveiling hints about the boy who went missing. The movie “Blair Witch” presents an intriguing perspective on how past, present, and future intertwine, delving into themes including PTSD, guilt, and more.

1. Singularity

A Disturbing FPS Horror With Addictive Mechanics

In simpler terms, “Singularity” is a first-person shooter game that combines horror, action, and sci-fi elements. When your helicopter crashes while investigating a strange electromagnetic signal coming from an uninhabited island, you find yourself in the middle of a decades-old conspiracy. Your mission is to travel back in time to prevent a future catastrophe that could drastically change history.

In the game “Singularity“, a significant part of the gameplay centers around the use of the “Time Manipulation Gadget“, which, as its name suggests, allows players to manipulate time in various ways. This includes aging or de-aging enemies and objects, attracting items, and discharging harmful energy pulses during battles. What sets “Singluarity” apart from other games like “Dishonored” and “TimeShift” is its focus on horror elements. The game’s enemies are designed to be terrifying, combining elements of body horror, the supernatural, and technology in a truly unsettling manner.

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2025-03-21 22:29