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.
Probably not what you are looking for but Call of Duty Zombies is a timeloop. Every match you play is canon to the lore. Black Ops 3 on PC is probably the best one to get since it has the most of the maps from earlier games + Steam workshop support for custom maps. Most levels even have ways to beat them and break the timeloop which will provide a cutscene with lore drops.
If you and some friends can get the game on sale the base game alone is great without DLC just for the endless amount of content in the workshop.
I’m bad at zombies but I play with friends that are much better than me and we have fun. I’m still learning how to get a good train of zombies going.
I guess this game is a time loop in the same way Hitman could be considered a time loop.