Quick Time Events are the sudden buttons that pop up during a cutscene or an action sequence demanding split second responses. Very few gaming mechanics have sparked such passion among players over the years.

Let’s take a look at some classic games that make use of this much-discussed system.

God of War

The God of War series really helped shape what QTEs became. They weren’t just random button mashing—they were a way to pull off wild, cinematic finishers that regular controls couldn’t handle. You’d slam a button and watch Kratos do something brutal and stylish. It felt powerful. It felt epic.

Back in the original trilogy, QTEs were mostly used for those big finishing moments. Kratos didn’t just beat enemies — he made examples of them. And if you missed a prompt? That was it. Instant fail. These weren’t just cutscenes — you had to stay sharp or get punished.

Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 took QTEs and ran with them. Who could forget that knife fight? Or those sudden moments where you had to dodge a trap or escape a monster? You never really felt safe, and that was the point.

What made RE4’s QTEs stand out was how they fit right into the action. They didn’t feel tacked on. They made you feel like part of the scene. You might be walking through a hallway, relaxed, and suddenly — bam — “Press X or die.” It kept you alert. And it made the game feel alive.

Heavy Rain

Then there’s Heavy Rain, which basically said, “You know what? Let’s make the whole game a QTE.” Almost everything you do—walking, talking, fighting—relies on reacting to prompts. And somehow, it works.

What made Heavy Rain different was that failing didn’t mean game over. If you messed up a sequence, the story kept going. It just changed. A character might die, or something else would happen. Your choices—and mistakes—mattered. That gave the game real weight.

QTE Meaning in Games

QTEs might seem old-school to some, but they’ve come a long way. Today, when they’re done right, they don’t break the experience — they add to it. They make moments more intense, more personal. And they do it without getting in the way.