Open-World Games With The Best Time Manipulation Mechanics

Key Takeaways

Open-world games often feature time manipulation mechanics enhancing gameplay depth and nuance.
Starfield, Outer Wilds,
and
The Legend of Zelda
showcase time manipulation as a crucial element in gameplay.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming experience under my belt, I can confidently say that time manipulation in open-world games has been a game-changer for me. From the moment I first played SuperHot, I was hooked on the concept of bending time to my whim. The ability to control time adds a layer of strategy and creativity that I hadn’t experienced before in gaming.

Open-world games are typically recognized by features like hunting and combat, but they aren’t commonly associated with their less known, yet significant, time-manipulation mechanics. These mechanisms allow players to interact with time within the game’s narrative and gameplay, introducing complexity and richness. Therefore, it’s uncommon for these games to be labeled as such; this feature refers to the ability to control or alter time within the game.

Games like “SuperHot,” “Deathloop,” and “Dishonored” have all masterfully implemented a unique mechanic, but it’s less common to find this mechanic in open-world games. However, there are still several games that effectively utilize time manipulation mechanics within open-world environments, even though the options might be limited.

5 Starfield

Endless Universes, Unique Time Manipulation

In Starfield, although time and space manipulation isn’t a fundamental aspect of its open world gameplay, it becomes accessible in New Game+ mode. This allows players to traverse to new universes following the completion of each storyline. These new universes present fresh stories with modified versions of the original plot and unique character interpretations based on their encounters during the initial campaign. Upon finishing a story, players are reborn anew as Starborn in a different universe.

Starfield offers players an innovative and exclusive gaming experience by letting them control the manipulation of both time and space. This unique ability results in varied outcomes for the characters, all within an infinite time loop that continually shapes the universe with significant repercussions.

4 Outer Wilds

Time Loop Exploration In A Dynamic Solar System

Outer Wilds is a captivating open-world puzzle game, crafted by Mobius Digital and unveiled in 2019. The game takes place in a solar system that’s mysteriously stuck on repeat, where players find themselves with 22 minutes to explore the entire system before the sun implodes, restarting everything anew.

In simple terms, the game offers a variety of physics-driven environments that realistically portray the expansiveness of an explorable solar system. The game, titled Outer Wilds, delivers a remarkable open-world adventure. It uniquely weaves time manipulation into its narrative as a key element. This allows players to exploit the time loop for resolving puzzles and enhancing exploration.

3 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

The Time-Stopping Rune Is Essential For Exploration

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” is renowned as one of the most outstanding open-world video games. It was the initial installment in the series to present a completely engaging, expansive world. This game offered players the opportunity to traverse the stunning landscapes of Hyrule at their leisure.

A key feature of this game lies in its Stasis rune power, which enables Link to momentarily halt time, making it possible to freeze objects and adversaries on the spot. Initially, the frozen items may only be briefly immobilized, but as a tactic, this ability becomes indispensable when confronting some of the game’s toughest open-world obstacles. This essential mechanic fosters an environment for players to showcase their ingenuity in creative and unforeseen ways within Breath of the Wild.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Time-Reversing Recall Is Crucial For Puzzles And Combat

As a gamer, I’ve just dived into the latest addition to my gaming library – “Tears of the Kingdom,” the sequel to the mesmerizing “Breath of Wild.” Although it may not be famed for its time-manipulating aspects, it certainly has a unique gameplay feature that heavily incorporates time travel, and that’s called Recall.

In the game “Breath of the Wild,” Link possesses a unique skill called Recall. This skill allows him to rewind time on specific objects, essentially functioning as the opposite of Stasis. With this ability, Link can roll back time around himself, making it beneficial when engaging with enemies and solving puzzles.

1 The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

Countdown To Doom, Time-Altering Mastery

Introduced in 2000, Majora’s Mask deviated from the standard themes of other Zelda games by omitting characters like antagonist Ganondorf and the typical quest where Link journeys across Hyrule to vanquish evil voluntarily. In this game, Link is on a mission to save the world from a catastrophic entity trapped within Majora’s Mask, and prevent the moon’s collision with Earth, both of which must be accomplished in just three days. The game features a unique time-tracking mechanic, where the clock ticks down towards doomsday. Link can also control and alter time by playing a special song called “Inverted Song of Time,” a memorable tune that allows him to slow time significantly, making it easier to complete the game.

Among the time manipulation mechanisms presented here, Majora’s Mask stands out for its unique and intriguing time-based gameplay. The shifting of time significantly influences the plot and final result of the game.

2024-10-15 12:33