This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
MMAN: Metal Gear Solid doesn't seem to fit so much here; rather than just being weirdness/important for gameplay it's a central part of the plot that the time limit is meaningless.
Andrew Leprich: That's right, the whole thing was a ruse, wasn't it?
MMAN: Yes, I can't remember the exact details but it's something like: Liquid wanted Snake to come to Shadow Moses and the apparent time limit was part of giving him a motivation to do so. However, in the end the whole situation was set up so that it was Snake who activated the Warhead(/Metal Gear)
So, would this also include situations where the game timer is within moments of running out, and then just before you make your escape, you get a cutscene of your character calmly walking up to and climbing inside his escape vehicle, starting up the engines, etc. and then doing whatever it is he had to do before the time ran out?
Ununnilium: Yep! Same idea, just inverted.
Seven Seals: As a mostly irrelevant personal aside, I hate it when games do this and also go to great lengths to tell you how time is of the essence. It's a major suspension of disbelief breaker to be told that the world could end any moment now when you're basically forced to do irrelevant stuff on the side to be able to deal with it. I'm looking at you, TES 4: Oblivion. You get used to this quickly, and it may be convenient for lazy players, but the first time you realize that nothing in the game really cares what you do as long as you get around to the main quest eventually is such a turn-off.
[[Viewer]]: Deleted the Fallout 2 entry; the "invasion" is scripted to happen when you find the G.E.C.K., but if you mess around long enough without finding it, the village will die out on its own. Also, the villagers aren't killed.
Furious Fish: I'm pretty sure the God of War example is incorrect, the Oracle does fall to her death if you take too long. Can anyone confirm?
Andrew Leprich: She does, but not until you solve the puzzle on how to reach the high platform that activates the Event Flag. Once you reach that platform, then the Timed Mission starts in which you must rush to save her across the obstacle course. However, you can Take Your Time in solving the puzzle that allows you to reach the platform, despite the fact that the Oracle is still dangling from the rope and calling for help. I will reword the example to make this more clear.
Sotanaht for the Baldur's Gate 2 example, it should be noted that, rather then arriving just in time, you arrive way too late. As a matter of fact, it wouldn't be this trope at all except for the fact that no matter how fast you get there, its always too late. With the condition of things when you arrive, Imoen could have been in her state for any conceivable length of time.
Kasu: Could we possibly compare this article to Sidetracked by the Gold Saucer?
