Modern day:

Ori games

Retro:

Adventures of Lomax, original Rayman, Earthworm Jim 2 and Metal Slug X, 3.

At least partly works for Far Cry series as well. Wonder if Watch Dogs games being treated in any similar manner.

Even when the only job was to make a clear illustration of a time flow, I still have managed to screw up with time travel.

I mean, “pretentious” or not (and this is helluva subjective epithet), this IS the type of games of true originality and unusual experiences. Even if the visuals may cause some minor eye-bleedings or when the story presented through Silmarillion-sized notes.