There are so many game categories out there to choose from that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help you with some handy guides. Today, we’re discussing QTE games, and we bet this is an acronym that some of you haven’t even heard of before. So, sit back and read on for the ultimate guide to QTE games.
QTE is a simple acronym, and it stands for “Quick Time Events”. Have you ever been playing a game and been asked to make a decision while a timer runs down? That’s a QTE, and they’re pretty common occurrences in all genres of games.
However, there are some titles that are regarded as dedicated QTE games. These offerings are jam-packed with moments that force the player to make a choice quickly. And you had better choose fast. Why? Because your choice in the QTE can have a seismic effect on the rest of the game.
As we said, there are plenty of titles that include QTEs. However, for a game to be classified as a QTE, its gameplay mechanics need to be predominantly made up of QTEs. These events that force the player to make an immediate choice can happen during dialogue, cinematic moments, or action sequences.
For example, if you fail to react to a QTE while your character is climbing up a ravine, you may end up plummeting to your death. And nobody wants that to happen, do they?
QTE games often include timed player inputs, such as pressing buttons in a specific sequence or following on-screen prompts. The most common genres that use them include role-playing games, action-adventure titles, and survival horrors.
It’s hard to pinpoint the first-ever QTE game, but many gamers would agree that it was popularized by Dragon’s Lair in 1983. The title from Rick Dyer and Don Bluth used animated sequences and QTEs in the gameplay. If you’re hoping to play that classic today, there are a few websites online that provide the opportunity.
There are loads of hugely popular titles on the market to choose from. If you don’t know where to start, though, why don’t you check out a few of our recommendations? Heavy Rain from Quantic Dream is one of the greatest QTE games ever, and the 2010 title was followed by Detroit: Become Human in 2018. Some other excellent QTE games to play include The Walking Dead series from Telltale Games and 2013’s Tomb Raider by Crystal Dynamics.