Out of all the PS2 launch titles, the
original Timesplitters still remains my favorite. Games like SSX,
Summoner, Smugglers run, Armored Core 2, Dynasty Warriors 2, tekken
Tag Tournament, Ridge racer V, Unreal Tournament, and even Gungriffun
Blaze were all quality launch offerings for the PS2, but the original
Timesplitters is not only the launch title I put the most time in on,
but is one of the PS2 games In general I spent the most time with.
original Timesplitters still remains my favorite. Games like SSX,
Summoner, Smugglers run, Armored Core 2, Dynasty Warriors 2, tekken
Tag Tournament, Ridge racer V, Unreal Tournament, and even Gungriffun
Blaze were all quality launch offerings for the PS2, but the original
Timesplitters is not only the launch title I put the most time in on,
but is one of the PS2 games In general I spent the most time with.
When I first heard that members of the
Goldeneye team at Rare had left the company to form Free Radical
design, and were working on a game called Timesplitters, I was
immediately excited to play this game. Timepslitters, aside from Gran
Turismo 3, which was the pack-in game for my PS2 was the first PS2
game I owned, but even before that I borrowed a friend's PS2,
swapping my Dreamcast with him for a week or so, I went right out and
rented Timesplitters, meaning this was actually my introduction to
the PS2.
Goldeneye team at Rare had left the company to form Free Radical
design, and were working on a game called Timesplitters, I was
immediately excited to play this game. Timepslitters, aside from Gran
Turismo 3, which was the pack-in game for my PS2 was the first PS2
game I owned, but even before that I borrowed a friend's PS2,
swapping my Dreamcast with him for a week or so, I went right out and
rented Timesplitters, meaning this was actually my introduction to
the PS2.
Taken from the back of the game's case:
The Timesplitters are an evil race dwelling outside of time and
space. Roused from an ancient sleep, they cross the threshold from
their shadowy dimension, ripping through the fabric of time itself to
make humanity history.
The Timesplitters are an evil race dwelling outside of time and
space. Roused from an ancient sleep, they cross the threshold from
their shadowy dimension, ripping through the fabric of time itself to
make humanity history.
The Single player mode in the game is
pretty basic. You can tell that Free Radical rushed the game to meet
the PS2's launch. There is no story development, and no complex
objectives. The single player sees players traversing through the
various levels, killing enemies, while searching for an artifact,
upon finding the artifact, the Timesplitters, warp into the map
trying to stop you from getting to the exit. Essentially, each single
player level is a game of capture the flag, or the bag if you will,
where players run to the artifact, and then run to the exit of the
map. As I said, it's a pretty basic concept, but what the single
player mode lacks in complexity, it more than makes up for with
intensity as, even playing on the easy setting is challenging,
meaning that sometimes you escape by the skin of your teeth.
pretty basic. You can tell that Free Radical rushed the game to meet
the PS2's launch. There is no story development, and no complex
objectives. The single player sees players traversing through the
various levels, killing enemies, while searching for an artifact,
upon finding the artifact, the Timesplitters, warp into the map
trying to stop you from getting to the exit. Essentially, each single
player level is a game of capture the flag, or the bag if you will,
where players run to the artifact, and then run to the exit of the
map. As I said, it's a pretty basic concept, but what the single
player mode lacks in complexity, it more than makes up for with
intensity as, even playing on the easy setting is challenging,
meaning that sometimes you escape by the skin of your teeth.
Each level has it's own historical
theme, and allows players to choose between a male or female
character from that time period, and the game has a good sens of
humor in it's level themes, and characters. A series trait that would
be carried on to both Timesplitters sequels. The single player mode
also allows for cooperative play with a friend. The game even carries
over the challenge mode ideas from Perfect Dark where the player has
a time limit to complete a certain number of things, like killing 100
ducks, or shooting a certain number of heads off of zombies in a set
time. That's right, Zombie challenge modes.
theme, and allows players to choose between a male or female
character from that time period, and the game has a good sens of
humor in it's level themes, and characters. A series trait that would
be carried on to both Timesplitters sequels. The single player mode
also allows for cooperative play with a friend. The game even carries
over the challenge mode ideas from Perfect Dark where the player has
a time limit to complete a certain number of things, like killing 100
ducks, or shooting a certain number of heads off of zombies in a set
time. That's right, Zombie challenge modes.
Completing the single player missions,
or the challenge modes unlock new characters and levels in the mode
that is the game’s main focus, the multiplayer mode. At it's core,
Timesplitters is a multiplayer focused first person shooter, and in
that regard, it excels.
or the challenge modes unlock new characters and levels in the mode
that is the game’s main focus, the multiplayer mode. At it's core,
Timesplitters is a multiplayer focused first person shooter, and in
that regard, it excels.
You won't find the fast-paced pc
fragfest style of multiplayer found in games like Quake III and
Unreal Tournament in timesplitters. However, you will find fast paced
console-centric style fragfest that we were first introduced to in
games like Goldeneye and perfect dark. In fact, after playing the
entire Timesplitters series, I have found very little reason to
revisit either Goldeneye or Perfect dark outside of their single
player modes. Considering Timesplitters' background though, I
consider the entire series to be the true successor to both Goldeneye
and Perfect dark, and as such, the timesplitters series perfected
that multiplayer style.
fragfest style of multiplayer found in games like Quake III and
Unreal Tournament in timesplitters. However, you will find fast paced
console-centric style fragfest that we were first introduced to in
games like Goldeneye and perfect dark. In fact, after playing the
entire Timesplitters series, I have found very little reason to
revisit either Goldeneye or Perfect dark outside of their single
player modes. Considering Timesplitters' background though, I
consider the entire series to be the true successor to both Goldeneye
and Perfect dark, and as such, the timesplitters series perfected
that multiplayer style.
The multiplayer goes for the pure
fast-paced arcade feel. What Timesplitters lacks in
tactical/strategic feel, it makes up for with severe amounts of
mayhem on screen. To best describe the multiplayer, think Perfect
Dark on the N64 on steroids, and without the incredibly annoying burr
effect when you get hit.
fast-paced arcade feel. What Timesplitters lacks in
tactical/strategic feel, it makes up for with severe amounts of
mayhem on screen. To best describe the multiplayer, think Perfect
Dark on the N64 on steroids, and without the incredibly annoying burr
effect when you get hit.
The modes offered are your standard
Death match, where you can turn up to four teams on, capture the bag,
your typical capture the flag mode, bag tag, were, as in flag tag, or
even hold the skull for those familiar with the Halo version, the
player or team that has possession of the bag for the longest amount
of time before the game timer runs out wins, and escort where, though
not as fleshed out as it could have been, teams must protect a vip
who is walking from the start piont to the exit from being lilled by
the other team.
Death match, where you can turn up to four teams on, capture the bag,
your typical capture the flag mode, bag tag, were, as in flag tag, or
even hold the skull for those familiar with the Halo version, the
player or team that has possession of the bag for the longest amount
of time before the game timer runs out wins, and escort where, though
not as fleshed out as it could have been, teams must protect a vip
who is walking from the start piont to the exit from being lilled by
the other team.
There are even two unique modes in the
game, one of them, knockout, requres players or teams to find items
on the map, and carry them back to their spawn over the course of the
match, and the team with the most points at the end wins, and last
stand, where players must defend their bases from multiple waves of
enemies who are trying to destroy said bases. Last stand does not
allow computer controlled bots to help you, but it does allow for
split screen play with friends.
game, one of them, knockout, requres players or teams to find items
on the map, and carry them back to their spawn over the course of the
match, and the team with the most points at the end wins, and last
stand, where players must defend their bases from multiple waves of
enemies who are trying to destroy said bases. Last stand does not
allow computer controlled bots to help you, but it does allow for
split screen play with friends.
All the standard multiplayer modes
allow up to 10 bots to fight with or against, even with split screen
meaning there can be a maximum of 14 player matches. That much mayhem
can cause some slowdown, but even when Timesplitters slows down, it
still moves faster than your average console shooter.
allow up to 10 bots to fight with or against, even with split screen
meaning there can be a maximum of 14 player matches. That much mayhem
can cause some slowdown, but even when Timesplitters slows down, it
still moves faster than your average console shooter.
If Free Radical had stopped right
there, with the intense single player, the tough challenge modes, and
the hectic mayhem of the multiplayer, Timesplitters would still be my
most played, and favorite launch title. However, they decided to give
Timesplitters nearly endless replay value by adding a map editor on
top of all the other fun modes, meaning that creative gamers would
throw away hours upon hours creating and tweaking their multiplayer
map creations to perfection.
there, with the intense single player, the tough challenge modes, and
the hectic mayhem of the multiplayer, Timesplitters would still be my
most played, and favorite launch title. However, they decided to give
Timesplitters nearly endless replay value by adding a map editor on
top of all the other fun modes, meaning that creative gamers would
throw away hours upon hours creating and tweaking their multiplayer
map creations to perfection.
Though the variety in the map-editor
tiles in the original Timesplitters pales in comparison to
timesplitters 2 and Future perfect, and does not allow players to
create single player levels as it's sequels do, the original still
allows gamers to create the largest multiplayer maps in the series.
What it lacks in refinement, it makes up for in sheer size, allowing
for larger map creations.
tiles in the original Timesplitters pales in comparison to
timesplitters 2 and Future perfect, and does not allow players to
create single player levels as it's sequels do, the original still
allows gamers to create the largest multiplayer maps in the series.
What it lacks in refinement, it makes up for in sheer size, allowing
for larger map creations.
The larger maps, overall faster game
speed, and the ability to set higher kill counts in multiplayer
making for the option of longer games are really the only three
advantages the original has over it's sequels. Timesplitters 2 and
Future perfect improved on the original in almost every other
conceivable manner.
speed, and the ability to set higher kill counts in multiplayer
making for the option of longer games are really the only three
advantages the original has over it's sequels. Timesplitters 2 and
Future perfect improved on the original in almost every other
conceivable manner.
Graphically speaking, I remember, when
I first got the game, a friend asking the question “If this is PS2,
then why doesn't this game look much better than N64 games?” My
answer was simple, do you see how fast the game moves? What
Timesplitters lacks in visual luster, having even better looking
first person shooters on the Dreamcast, it more than makes up for in
it's 60 frames per second framerate. In fact, Free Radical named the
game timesplitters because of it's immaculate framerate and speed.
They even advertised the game with the slogan saying death never came
fatser, having someone dressed in a death costume do things like win
a swimming race. The game was also a launch title, meaning that it's
visual are definitely first gen in detail.
I first got the game, a friend asking the question “If this is PS2,
then why doesn't this game look much better than N64 games?” My
answer was simple, do you see how fast the game moves? What
Timesplitters lacks in visual luster, having even better looking
first person shooters on the Dreamcast, it more than makes up for in
it's 60 frames per second framerate. In fact, Free Radical named the
game timesplitters because of it's immaculate framerate and speed.
They even advertised the game with the slogan saying death never came
fatser, having someone dressed in a death costume do things like win
a swimming race. The game was also a launch title, meaning that it's
visual are definitely first gen in detail.
Control-wise, Timesplitters uses a
modern setup where you move with the left stick, and look with the
right, and mechanic that was still not set in stone in console fps
games as of the year 2000. The game is default inverted look, but you
can turn look inversion off by pausing the game, and going to the
control setup menu, for all of you who play console FPS games the
wrong way as in non-inverted. You can also turn off the auto leveling
option in the same menu so your aiming cursur stops automatically
moving to the center of the screen every-time you move. The game also
auto aims, but you can manually aim as well, the controls for which
mimic games like Goldeneye in difficulty to use. Timesplitters would
not get a proper aiming recital until the third game in the series.
Overall, though, the controls feel great, and most weapons even have
an alternate firing mode, handled on the fly by r1, and r2 buttons.
modern setup where you move with the left stick, and look with the
right, and mechanic that was still not set in stone in console fps
games as of the year 2000. The game is default inverted look, but you
can turn look inversion off by pausing the game, and going to the
control setup menu, for all of you who play console FPS games the
wrong way as in non-inverted. You can also turn off the auto leveling
option in the same menu so your aiming cursur stops automatically
moving to the center of the screen every-time you move. The game also
auto aims, but you can manually aim as well, the controls for which
mimic games like Goldeneye in difficulty to use. Timesplitters would
not get a proper aiming recital until the third game in the series.
Overall, though, the controls feel great, and most weapons even have
an alternate firing mode, handled on the fly by r1, and r2 buttons.
The sound effects from the character
grunts and screams, to the guns all pop, no pun intended, but the
real star of the show is the music. The musical scores in
timesplitters are reminiscent of the scores in both goleneye and
perfect dark, and set the tone for the game nicely. The composer,
who's name I am not sure how exactly to pronounce previously worked
on both games as well as a couple of other rare classics which
explains the similar sound. Overall, the soundtrack is awesome.
grunts and screams, to the guns all pop, no pun intended, but the
real star of the show is the music. The musical scores in
timesplitters are reminiscent of the scores in both goleneye and
perfect dark, and set the tone for the game nicely. The composer,
who's name I am not sure how exactly to pronounce previously worked
on both games as well as a couple of other rare classics which
explains the similar sound. Overall, the soundtrack is awesome.
The only big complaints some may have
with the game are the first generation load times which can be pretty
long, and the fact that Timesplitters is a blue cd-based games,
meaning that some PS2 systems will have trouble reading it. I have to
tip my PS2 on it's side in order for it to read cd-based games
myself.
with the game are the first generation load times which can be pretty
long, and the fact that Timesplitters is a blue cd-based games,
meaning that some PS2 systems will have trouble reading it. I have to
tip my PS2 on it's side in order for it to read cd-based games
myself.
The Bottom line: Even if timesplitters
2 and future perfect surpass the original timesplitters in almost
every area, the original is still worth a look for series fans. If
you became a fan with either of the sequels, you may be put off by
timesplitters more simplistic nature, and lack of a coherent single
player campaign, however, the multiplayer is still as fun as ever,
and those still looking for their timesplitters fix after completing
timesplitters 2 and future perfect will still find that classic
timesplitters feel, and plenty of challenge modes to take up their
time. If you want to know how timesplitters got it's start, then look
into this one.
2 and future perfect surpass the original timesplitters in almost
every area, the original is still worth a look for series fans. If
you became a fan with either of the sequels, you may be put off by
timesplitters more simplistic nature, and lack of a coherent single
player campaign, however, the multiplayer is still as fun as ever,
and those still looking for their timesplitters fix after completing
timesplitters 2 and future perfect will still find that classic
timesplitters feel, and plenty of challenge modes to take up their
time. If you want to know how timesplitters got it's start, then look
into this one.
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