6 Games That Perfected The Multiverse Over A Decade Ago

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I’ve always loved the idea of the multiverse – different versions of reality all existing at once! It feels like it’s *really* blown up recently, especially with movies like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and shows like Rick & Morty bringing it to so many people. But honestly, gamers have been exploring this concept for ages! I’ve seen some amazing world-building and storytelling in games like Mortal Kombat 1 and Eternal Darkness that really took advantage of the multiverse way back in the 21st century.

The idea of a multiverse has become very popular in gaming, with many notable examples appearing over ten years ago. Some games used it to justify continuing a series with multiple sequels, while others wove it directly into the story and core ideas of the game. A few even built the multiverse into how the game *plays*, using different realities to highlight unique mechanics. Here are some of the best games that explored this concept over a decade ago.

The Legend of Zelda

For years, fans argued about the order of events in *The Legend of Zelda* and how each new Link and Zelda fit into the bigger picture. But the book *Hyrule Historia* revealed that *Ocarina of Time* actually caused the timeline to split into separate branches. While there aren’t many confirmed alternate universes – mainly the Child, Adult, and Fallen Hero timelines – games like *Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment* and *Majora’s Mask* have officially introduced the idea of alternate dimensions and timelines as a key part of the *Zelda* series, showing that the story can branch off in many different directions.

Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger is a highly praised Japanese role-playing game known for its captivating story about time travel. Players can jump between different eras to try and prevent a catastrophic future. The game features multiple branching storylines and alternate scenarios, where choices made in the past directly impact the future and create different timelines. It’s a compelling exploration of the idea of multiple universes, putting the fate of the world in the player’s hands.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse

Okay, so the coolest thing about the *Dragon Ball Xenoverse* games, for me, is the whole idea of alternate timelines and a bigger multiverse. Basically, someone’s messing with history, and I, as my created character, have to jump into these broken timelines to fix things for Goku and the Z Fighters. It’s a race against time to stop villains like Frieza, Cell, and Buu from *actually* winning. Honestly, some of the cutscenes showing what happens if they *do* win are pretty dark – way darker than I expected for a *Dragon Ball* game! It’s super engaging if you’re a fan, even though the way the multiverse works here doesn’t *quite* line up with what happens in *Dragon Ball Super* later on.

BioShock Infinite

BioShock Infinite stands out for making the multiverse central to its story, not just a backdrop. The game explores themes of regret, mistakes, and finding redemption through the journey of Booker DeWitt, who is tasked with rescuing a woman named Elizabeth from the floating city of Columbia. Elizabeth’s power to travel between realities transforms the game’s narrative, connecting it to the broader BioShock universe and enriching its core themes.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

The idea of a multiverse is common in superhero stories, but *Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions* really stands out for how it uses the concept to create fun and unique gameplay. The game features four different versions of Spider-Man – Amazing, Noir, 2099, and Ultimate – each from a distinct reality with its own visual style. What’s really clever is that each universe also offers a different way to play the game, highlighting the exciting possibilities of the multiverse. While other superhero games like *Injustice: Gods Among Us* and *Spider-Man: Edge of Time* explore alternate realities too, *Shattered Dimensions* does an especially good job of making those dimensions feel real and immersive.

Chrono Cross

Following in the footsteps of the beloved *Chrono Trigger* (with some of the same developers!), *Chrono Cross* tells the story of a young hero who learns about parallel worlds—including one where he died as a child, creating a drastically different timeline. Like *BioShock Infinite*, *Chrono Cross* cleverly uses the idea of alternate realities to drive its story and develop its characters. The game was widely praised, demonstrating how successfully the multiverse concept has been used in gaming for years.

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2025-10-12 00:40