Timesplitters 2 (Gamecube) Review
If you are unfamiliar with this franchise then let’s do a quick history check. Time splitters was a game for the PS2 launch line up that boasted great multiplayer but shocking single player. Warp back to now and the company Free Radical design have created a FPS masterpiece by listening to the fans and fixing the originals shortcomings. The game is truly fun to play, like every FPS (first person shooter) the core is around shooting the enemies with the guns you pick up. There is of course more to it like blowing up satellites and stopping evil mob bosses. Free Radical themselves are mostly ex Rare Ware members and as such you would expect them to deliver. You know what, they do.
Gameplay
The main core of the story is set in the future but in truth, it’s all dotted throughout time. The evil Timesplitters are a race of alien beings that are travelling through time to alter past and present for their benefit. Two agents have managed to breach the Timesplitters base and reach the portal where they are making their time leaps. Unfortunately the splitters have jumped through the portal with the time crystals (which allow them to travel through time) and now you must go after them. Now this means that the opportunity is presented to have levels from all over time. It’s really fun to play like this but you can’t help thinking that it’s a little disjointed.
The modes of play at hand are really fun and engaging. There is the single player mode in which every level is set in a different point in time as attempt to recover the important crystals and reverse the havoc the splitters have created. There’s multiplayer (which goes under the name “arcade mode”) which is closely followed by arcade challenge. This is basically multilayer mode against the computer with set challenges and scores to meet. Getting a high score results in a better trophy and as such better rewards (characters, maps and so on). There’s also challenge mode. This has its similarities to arcade challenge except the challenges are not something you could create yourself in multiplayer. This includes things like surviving for as long as possible with hundreds of zombies coming at you in waves. And avoiding detection in an all out stealth challenge. Last but not least is map maker. This allows you to create maps for multiplayer matches or even create a basic story map using what’s called “game logic.” All in all there’s plenty to keep you amused for months.
The actual game mechanics themselves work splendidly. Yet a FPS game is something that has been easily accomplished before, so what about the controls. Most people would argue a FPS is best played on a PC because of the keyboard and mouse combo. Well Free Radical has managed to basically mimic this on the game cubes controller. The control stick works like your keyboard arrows (it makes you walk forward, backward, and strafe) the C-stick works as your mouse (it makes you look in different direction to which you want to walk, fire and so on). It can be slightly awkward at first but trust me, after a while, you wont be able to imagine in any other way. The rest of the controls are also handled beautifully and nothing feels out of place. But if you think that’s not for you then no worries, the controls are completely customizable. It doesn’t feel awkward shooting at your foes as some games have presented (I wont name names), games in which firing in the general direction does the trick but it never really felt like it connected. Every shot feels real and you’ll often find yourself crouching to make sure that you hit them in the chest nice and hard. The weapons are from all over time so they offer great variety but of course some are noticeably better then others.
The single player mode is a lot better this time around than the original time splitters. The original had you running for the crystal and legging it back again. No more, no less. This time around we have many primary and secondary objectives at hand, but of course you’re still after the time crystals. Some of the other objectives you will encounter are things like destroying satellites or freeing your friend from jail (a rather tricky one at that). Every level is beautifully themed with places like the Wild West, complete with saloons and dusty jails. In which you’ll use vintage rifles and garret revolvers. Every detail has been thoroughly thought through to provide a mimicking experience of what the time period was like (or might be like) experience. Some levels are an absolute joy to play, but some can become frustrating, yet it’s all a worthwhile experience. Of course you start on easy so there can be a bit of repetition problems when you move up to normal and hard. The levels stay basically the same with just more objectives. This can become tiresome as the rewards are little for single player. Sadly the last level is a bit disappointing as well. Story mode does however have the edge on its opponents (say red faction 2) for its multiplayer capabilities. In sum co-op. You and a mate can go at it together to stop those pesky aliens. Though you won’t get twice as many guns or anything. So while you now have two people playing the flipside is that you have to share the guns and ammo (and so on).
Multiplayer is the games undoubtedly best point, sure single player is great but get some mates around and you’ll forget all about it. The maps are nicely done and allow for some real good games. Also with the mapmaker you can create your own maps if you want to anyway. There are heaps of different games to play (but you’ll have to unlock them first) with normal death match (one of which is playable from the start) to capture the bag (flag) then there’s things like flame tag (basically its tiggy from your preschool years) but last but not least, monkey assist (the player in last place gets some helpers). Also unlike some games TS2 has bots for multiplayer (computer controlled players) so you can play with 12 or so characters running about. Single player will get you hooked but multiplayer will bring you back time and time again.
The challenges (arcade league) are really engrossing because you gotta do just that bit better to get the better reward. Unlike single player where you have to go through a expansive level to get rewarded, in challenge and arcade league you can have results fast, but to get the really good stuff you’ll have to practice and try try again.
Graphics
As previously mentioned the levels are all extensively themed to look like what they entail. Every detail has been thought of and it looks heaps better than simply making a lot of tall buildings for Neo Tokyo, neon billboards flicker Japanese people walk the dark and damp streets of the big city. The characters themselves look very nice. There are hundreds of characters available for multiplayer they are stunning to hilarious. Yet all look slightly cartoonish. The game itself has a kind of arcade feel over the competition and that really shines out in the graphics. There are the odd things like rain on the screen as well. All of the textures are really detailed but don’t over do it to keep the comic feel. The weapon models have been carefully detailed though. They really do look realistic and the reload animations are fantastic. Unfortunately with the huge amount of characters they don’t actually show the hands holding the weapon which can be rather odd at times. But all of this stays running at a constant 60 fps, cor!
Sound
One word, WOW! The first factor of sound is of course the music. It is the most brilliant music I have ever heard in a game and even over SSBM (full orchestra). The music is also extremely well themed whilst keeping its style for a shooting game with up-tempo beats. The Wild West track is so good I downloaded it to my computer. I believe (judging by ear) that the music department had access to an orchestra of their own but they have truly mixed in everything. There are elements of modern music in it as well for levels like Neo Tokyo. The sound itself (of things like voice and firing of guns) is also way above par. The guns really sound like real weapons and the voice acting for the FMV’s is very nice and is lip synced perfectly. The odd “who’s there” and such also blend in nicely.
Final thoughts
The game idea itself seems is certainly not a new one. Things from every level seemed to have appeared in other games (although slightly altered) but perhaps that’s what makes it fun. Every FPS you ever loved rolled into one and an arcade feel to it to try and make it unique. This pulls off to make it the best FPS on GC to date. What with the great control scheme and modes like the brilliant cooperative, really engrossing and exiting multiplayer modes, all of the other presentable options at hand, and Map Maker you will be playing this game until the day they release TS3. Which a little birdie tells me, is being made. For any FPS fan it’s an absolute must buy, for anyone else I truly recommend it, I was never a big FPS fan myself. But this is something that is surely not to be missed.
