Top 10 Best Time Manipulation Games of All Time

The ability to manipulate time has long been a facet of science fiction and fantasy, beginning with H.G. Wells' The Time Machine and continued well until today with elements like Hermione's Time-Time Turner in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban or the Chron-o-John in Day of the Tentacle. Time manipulation has also been featured as a game mechanic, especially in the likes of Braid and Max Payne. 

With all of that in mind, we've decided to compile a list of the top ten time manipulation games. We apologize for excluding Chrono Trigger--that was a bit of an oversight! 

Feel free to tell us what other games we missed or you think belong on this list in the comments section below. 

10. Singularity
PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Genre: FPS

While not the greatest of first-person shooters, Singularity offers some very interesting game mechanics relating to time. Couple all of this with Soviet-era aesthetics and you have a recipe for a very good, if underrated game. 

9. Shadow of Destiny
PC, PS2, PSP
Genre: Adventure

This short, but sweet adventure game for the PS2 sees players traveling back in time to solve their own murder. 

8. TimeSplitters 2
PS2, Xbox, GameCube
Genre: FPS

TimeSplitters 2 is regarded as one of the greatest split-screen shooters of all time. Every level takes place across a different time period. 

7. Timeshift
Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Genre: FPS

This first-person shooter by Saber Interactive gives players the ability to slow, stop, and rewind time at will. 

6. Dishonored
PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Genre: Stealth

One of the player's abilities in Dishonored allows them to pause time and do all manner of things to enemies while time stands still. Pick bullets out of the air, hit them with your dagger to make them go flying into your enemies, and more. 

5. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
PC, PS3, Xbox
Genre: Action Adventure

Based off the original classic, players go off on a swashbuckling adventure that's made even better by the inclusion of a dagger that allows you to bend time to your will. Make a mistake? Just turn back time. 

4. The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
3DS, N64, Wii, Gamecube
Genre: Action Adventure

You saw this one coming. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time lets you play as a young Link as well as an older, more badass Link across different time periods. 

3. Max Payne 2
PC, Xbox 360, PS3 & More
Genre: 3rd Person Shooter

Regarded as one of the greatest third person shooters of all time, Max Payne 2 is basically the Matrix with its bullet-time mode. Its sequel is no slouch, either. 

2. Life is Strange
PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Genre: Graphics Adventure

This adventure game sees you taking on the role of a girl who acquires the ability to turn back time. The game is a good mix of puzzle solving, storytelling, and it's one that makes it so you have to deal with the consequences of your actions. 

1. Braid
PC, PS3, Xbox 360, MAC OS X
Genre: Platformer

This game features time-manipulation in ways that no other game has, offering several different levels in which time is manipulated in totally different ways. There's even a level where everything travels backwards in time. You'll have a tough time wrapping your head around this one. 

Bonus games:

Super Time Force Ultra
PS4, Xbox One, PS Vita, PS3, Xbox 360 & PC

Blinx: the Time Sweeper
Xbox

Quantum Conundrum
PS3, Xbox 360 & PC

Chrono Trigger
SNES, DS

Time Commando
PC