Timelapse is a classic puzzle-adventure game released for PC on September 30, 1996, by developer GTE Entertainment. Often compared to the atmospheric exploration of Myst, Timelapse challenges players to solve complex riddles across diverse ancient environments. The adventure begins when your friend, Professor Nichols, goes missing. Armed with his archeologist's journal, you embark on a journey through time and space to uncover the secrets of the past and locate the professor before it is too late.

Timelapse Story and Diverse Settings

The narrative of Timelapse blends historical facts with fictional mythology, centering on the genetic links between ancient civilizations and the fabled city of Atlantis. Your expedition starts on present-day Easter Island, serving as the gateway to five breathtaking, faithfully-recreated 3D worlds. You will travel to the heights of Ancient Egypt, the intricate temples of the Maya, the desert ruins of the Anasazi, and finally, the mythical sunken city of Atlantis. Each world presents a unique cultural backdrop, and the Professor's journal provides essential background information and clues regarding the connections between these disparate eras.

Gameplay Mechanics and Puzzle Design

Timelapse is a point-and-click adventure played from a first-person perspective. The core loop involves exploring detailed environments and solving over 50 indigenous and challenging puzzles. These challenges vary widely in type, ranging from audio-based and mechanical conundrums to mathematical logic problems. The game features a non-linear structure that allows players to complete the five ages in any order, offering flexibility in how you approach the mystery.

A key mechanical constraint is the inventory system; you can carry only one item at a time. Picking up a new object automatically swaps it with your current one, leaving the previous item waiting at its original location. This encourages careful planning and observation. While the game suggests a natural sequence through the journal, ages can be tackled independently, though once an age is completed, it cannot be revisited. To aid navigation, certain locations include a hyperlink feature that allows fast travel between distant points, reducing repetitive traversal. The game also offers multiple story endings, rewarding thorough investigation and mastery of its puzzles.

Notable Features

  • Immersive Exploration: Traverse five distinct 3D worlds including Ancient Egypt, Maya, Easter Island, Anasazi, and Atlantis.
  • Complex Puzzle Variety: Engage with over 50 puzzles utilizing audio, mechanical, and mathematical logic.
  • Non-Linear Progression: Explore the ages in any order, though each is a one-way trip upon completion.
  • Strategic Inventory: Manage a single-item inventory system that requires foresight and memory.
  • Rewarding Endings: Discover multiple story endings based on your solutions and discoveries.

Platform Availability and Technical Details

Timelapse is available on PC and has been published by Nightdive Studios and Atari. The title supports single-player mode and includes family sharing capabilities. Rated for All Ages, the game is accessible to a wide audience. It features a full English interface and is noted for its atmospheric sound design and visually detailed environments that capture the essence of ancient empires.

Who Should Play Timelapse?

This title is ideal for fans of classic point-and-click adventures and players who enjoyed the immersive, exploration-heavy gameplay of Myst. It appeals to those who appreciate logic-based puzzle-solving over action and reflexes. Enthusiasts of archaeology, ancient history, and mythology will find the rich narrative and cultural settings particularly engaging, as you unravel the genetic and historical ties between civilizations in pursuit of Atlantis.