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| More TimeSplitters: |
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| Multiplayer! |
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| Opposition! |
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| Zombies! |
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| | TimeSplitters |
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| Number Of Players: | 1-4 |
| I-link/Internet: | No |
| Publisher: | Eidos Interactive |
| Developer: | Free Radical |
| Genre: | First Person Shooter |
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| | Full Review: |
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Free Radical, a part of the team responsible for the highly successful Goldeneye for the Nintendo 64, have come to the Playstation 2 and created a fantastic first person shooter. Unlike the original playstation, the PS2 does not use small RAM bottlenecks and instead uses floating point processors which make it possible to create 3D games of this nature. The most important ingredient in creating a great game, is making the gameplay smooth and exciting. Goldeneye did this brilliantly, and it seems that Free Raical have struck again with TimeSplitters.
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| | Gameplay |
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The gameplay is kept very simple, concentrating on blasting your oponent rather than the more complex features of games such as Half-Life. The game also focuses on speed and high frame rates rather than the luxurious details seen in games such as the Final Fantasy series. It is clear that the game was created for multiplayer action rather than relying on the single player mode. Free Radical have designed a game that allows people to have really simple fun for hours on end. There are no introductory movies, its simply straight to the action. To get the hang of TimeSplitters there are several ,modes available. Firstly, the single player mode which is basically a capture the flag game, where all that is required is for you to reach an item, and bring it to the required place evading the Timesplitters (Time travelling mutants) along the way.
The story mode is set in different time periods, spanning an entire century, which adds a nice sense of variety to the levels. It is also possible to play in story mode cooperatively, with two human players aiding eachother along the way. Secondly there is the arcade mode which is available for 1-4 players, and allows you to have a really good blast around the levels opened up in Story mode. This is the main part of the game really, and has the conventional deathmatch mode, as well as capture the bag, bagtag, escort, last stand and knockout, all of which are great fun with four of you sat round the television There are many rewards in the game, which will keep you playing at the story mode on all levels of difficulty. Each time you complete a new single-player level, new options become availble, including new bots, characters, and much more.
There is also a Challenge mode which becomes available. This mode in itself allows further rewards and a new set of tasks to complete (27 challenges in all, seperated into 9 lots of 3). The real selling point that TimeSplitters possesses, however, is the deathmatches. It is more like playing Goldeneye at a much faster rate (60fps) rather than a game such as Unreal Tournament. Once you`ve gone through the story mode, the character selection in the death-match sections grows to an amazing array of characters. Also, you`ll find some great weapons in the game, including grenade launchers, proximity mines, miniguns, and the superb assault shotgun.
TimeSplitters also has the incredibly useful level editor, which allows constant renewal, where you can customize the layout, the weapons pickup positions and even the lighting. You are given a selection of "pieces" which you put together to form your map. These pieces range from simple corridors to complex areas with stairs and multiple entrances on several levels. It is also possible to change the style of tiling around the levels, including gothic, alien and industrial styles. You can save eight maps at a time, and constantly alter and update them so that you achieve your perfect level layout. The controls may prove to be a problem at first, though fortunately they are fully customizable, so you can change them to suit your method of play. Initially left and right are on one analog stick whilst forward and backward are on the other. I switched them so that full 360 movement is on one stick, whilst side-step and look up/down is on the other. This made the controls more Goldeneye(ish), which suited what I was used to before.
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| | Graphics |
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The graphics in TimeSplitters appears to have no interlacing, anti-aliasing, or flickering problems, like some of the Japanese launch games did. In fact everything looks very crisp and seems to vary everywhere you go. The characters are also well animated, and look extremely funny at times. They include zombies, chefs, robots, gingerbread men, and the slightly more sane looking Lady Jane and Captain Ash. The special effects in the game are quite spectacular at times, but also easy to miss. For example the ability to smash plates in the Chinese level, and obliterate windows on the Site level. This is mixed in with the impressive way that enemies are catapulted around the screen when they are hit by an explosive weapon.
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| | Sound |
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The sound in TimeSplitters is also quite stunning, ranging from the subtle noises that bullet casings make as they hit the ground to the overwhelming rage that the mini-gun creates as it mows down opponents. Character noises also add a nice degree of humour. For example, when "The Mummy" is on the loose, you'll hear him down long corridors moaning in quite a comedic voice.
The music, though fairly simple has a great effect on the game, and is enjoyable to listen to during play. Whilst it may not be to everyone's taste, it is quite enjoyable, and tends to go with the gameplay nicely. When zombies and other creatures of the night are on the loose, its nice to have dramatic vocal music, and on the other hand, when in space, the more modern, beat driven tunes are a nice addition.
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| | Overall |
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Overall, I think this is a fantastic game, especially considering it is such an early title for the PS2, though it is let down by the Single player game. However, I do not view this as a serious problem, because its been made for multiplayer fun.
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| Score |
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| | Gameplay
Fantastic multiplayer, though the single player game is weak.
| 9.4 | |
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Graphics
Very very fast, though lacking in textural detail.
| 8.6 |
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Lastability
Loads of challenges, and plenty of multiplayer fun.
| 9.3 |
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Sound
Nice music, good sound effects, a little added humour.
| 8.8 |
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Overall
Could have been much more, but great for the launch of PS2.
| 9.0 |
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| | Alternatively: |
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You could also check out TimeSplitters 2, for a more up to date version. Though TimeSplitters is platinum, making it the more economical choice, TimeSplitters 2 addresses the one player problems, and at the same time improves every other aspect of the game as well.
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