20 time travel games you shouldn’t miss

(Image source: Screenshot and editing GIGA)Whether ancient Rome, the Renaissance, the distant future or alternative timelines: time travel has been one of the most exciting topics in the video game world for decades. Some games make them the center of their story, others integrate them directly into the gameplay. We'll show you 20 games in which time doesn't just pass, but can be actively influenced.A notice: In this list you will find classic time travel stories as well as games that use time manipulation or time loops as a central game element.The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)“Ocarina of Time” in all its versions makes collectors’ hearts beat faster (Image source: GIGA)In Ocarina of Time, Link alternates between his childhood and adulthood. Using the Master Sword, he travels seven years into the future to stop Ganondorf and save Hyrule. Many puzzles and tasks can only be solved by using information and objects between both time levels. This makes time travel directly part of the gameplay.Chrono Trigger (1995)» Watch video: Chrono TriggerChrono Trigger sends you through different eras of world history. Together with your companions, you will travel from prehistoric times to a post-apocalyptic future to stop the threat of Lavos. Changes in one time period affect other time periods. This creates numerous surprises and multiple possible endings.BioShock Infinite (2013)» Watch video: Bioshock Infinite – official trailerBooker DeWitt is tasked with freeing a young woman named Elizabeth from the flying city of Columbia. It quickly becomes clear that there is much more to the mission.As the story progresses, alternative realities, time shifts and paradoxes play a central role. The game only reveals many answers in its final hours.Quantum Break (2016)» Watch video: Quantum Break | TrailerAfter a failed time travel experiment, time itself spirals out of control. As Jack Joyce, you discover abilities that allow you to slow down, stop or manipulate time. During the action you try to find out how the catastrophe can be prevented and what consequences intervention in the time stream will have.Life is Strange (2015)(Image source: Screenshot GIGA)One day, student Max Caulfield realizes that she can turn back time. This gives her the opportunity to undo decisions and relive events. However, with each change comes new consequences that affect their friends and the entire city.Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003)» Watch video: Prince of Persia: Sands of TimeA magical dagger gives the prince the ability to rewind time. Missteps, missed jumps or dangerous fights can be corrected. Time manipulation is not just part of the story, but accompanies you throughout the entire adventure.The Forgotten City (2021)» Watch video: The Forgotten City: Launch trailer for a journey back in time to antiquityIn an ancient city you are caught in a time loop. Every time a certain rule is broken, the day starts over. With each run you collect new clues, get to know the residents better and get closer to the city's secret.Steins;Gate (2009)» Watch video: Steins;Gate Elite: Trailer for the adventure remakeSelf-proclaimed mad scientist Rintarou Okabe and his friends discover a method to send messages back in time. What initially seems like a harmless experiment gradually changes the present and triggers a chain of unpredictable events.Day of the Tentacle (1993)» Watch video: Day of the Tentacle Remastered: Launch TrailerBernard, Hoagie and Laverne are accidentally sent to different time periods. While one stays in the present, the others end up in the past and future. Many puzzles can only be solved if actions in one time level affect the others.Assassin's Creed II (2009)» Watch video: Assassin's Creed 2 – official launch trailerThrough the Animus you experience the memories of the assassin Ezio Auditore in Renaissance Italy. Florence, Venice and other historical locations form the backdrop for a story about the conflict between Assassins and Templars. Although it is not classic time travel, the focus is still on experiencing past eras. If you're heading to Japan, England, Egypt or even Greece, you just have to take a look at the numerous titles in the series.TimeSplitters 2 (2002)» Watch video: Time Splitters 2 trailerTo save the future, you travel through numerous ages and collect time crystals. The missions take you, among other things, to Chicago in the 1930s, to Neo Tokyo and to futuristic space stations.Singularity (2010)» Watch video: Singularity | TrailerOn a secret research island, an experiment gets out of control and connects different time periods. Using a special device, you can age objects, restore destroyed areas, and switch between the past and present.Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (2010)» Watch video: Ghost trickAs a ghost named Sissel, you try to find out who murdered you. You can relive the last minutes before a death and change events to save people and collect new clues.Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (2013)» Watch video: Sly Cooper Thieves in TimeThe pages of the Cooper dynasty family book suddenly disappear from history. To get her back, Sly travels through different time periods. On his journey he meets several ancestors and experiences adventures in different centuries.Professor Layton and the Lost Future (2010)» Watch video: Professor Layton and the Lost FutureProfessor Layton receives a letter from Luke - but from a version of his assistant from the future. Shortly afterwards, the Prime Minister disappears during a time machine experiment. The trail leads to a series of puzzles and an unusual secret.Shadow of Memories (2001)(Image source: Konami Digital Entertainment)Eike Kusch is murdered on the street. Shortly afterwards he is given the opportunity to prevent his death. Using a time machine, you travel through different eras of the city of Lebensbaum and try to find out who is behind the crime.Braid (2008)» Watch video: braid-trailer-93900.mp4At first glance, Braid is reminiscent of classic platformers. The key difference is the ability to rewind time at any time.Each world introduces new rules based on time manipulation that create unusual puzzles.13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (2020)» Watch video: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim| Trailer for Nintendo SwitchThe story follows 13 main characters whose fates are interconnected across different time periods. Time travel, memories, alternative timelines and gigantic mechs form the basis for a science fiction story that gradually comes together.