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By Jeff Ricks on April 2nd, 2002
Introduction TimeSplitters is a PS2 launch game that didn’t get too much attention, but even now stands as the best FPS on PS2. This game isn’t perfect, but it is really fun! One of the most appealing factors of this game to me was the fact that you can create your own levels to play multiplayer deathmatches on. The single-player mission mode didn’t really lure me in, but is still good.Presentation The presentation in TimeSplitters is a spacey-type atmosphere. The menus are backed up by a blue backround with spacey techno music playing. The presentation is perfectly fitting for the actual atmosphere of the gameplay. There are plenty of options and many menus that guide you all around the games many features. It is a quite pleasant experience.The control in this game is what I’ve found to be its biggest problem. Most take at least 15 minutes to fully figure it out, but for some people it has taken up to an hour. It took me about 15 minutes to get the hang of the awkward controls. However, once I got used to them, they worked great for me! I find that they give me enough control without causing too much confusion. So just stick with the controls and you can get the hang of it, and maybe even like them! Graphics & Sound The graphics in this game aren’t what you would call stunning. This was one of the first games to use the 128 bit graphics and it didn’t work too wonderfully for it. Don’t get me wrong, they are good but they aren’t exactly up to what I think 128 bit graphics should be. The characters in this game aren’t meant to look realistic and most certainly don’t. They all have odd shapes that give them a very cartoony look. And I honestly think that is what the designers were aiming for. The graphics don’t look good, but there aren’t any major problems. So don’t be expecting a masterpiece, just a passing grade in a high school art class.The sound in this game is perfectly fitting, but didn’t really stand out as anything special. Often weird sounds will come in place of ones you’re expecting, but it gives the game more of a spacey atmosphere. The music in this game is fitting of the graphical style, a spacey-techno sound. The sound overall is just fitting for TimeSplitters. Gameplay The gameplay in TimeSplitters is mostly a mission style one player mode that exists so you can earn stuff for the multiplayer mode. But there’s more than just that. The game is split into three different main modes: Story, Arcade, and Challenge. Story is the one player or two player co-op mode that takes you through many different missions that are all basically the same just in different time periods and places. The missions are all also not linked in any way. You’re in completely different places, fighting different characters and even using different characters in each one. Which makes calling this a "Story" mode rediculous. There is running story. Each mission is split into three difficulties. The story mode whether you’re doing one-player or co-op gives you rewards for completing missions or for completing them under a certain amount of time. These rewards are generally only usable on the Arcade mode. Things like characters, bots, and weapons etc. But there are other things, like the Challenge mode.The Arcade mode is the multiplayer mode that has whatever levels you’ve beaten available, and my favorite feature of this game; a level editor to make your own levels to duke it out on. You can have up to 3 other people with you, and up to 10 computers playing with you. That’s 14 characters at once wandering around slaughtering each other for kicks and giggles, what more could you ask for? This mode is by far the best mode in the game, and the most fun. The thing about this mode is that there isn’t just one type of game to play. Aside from the Deathmatch game, there are 4 or 5 other games that can be played. But as we all know, it is most fun just to play Deathmatch and blow each other to smithereens. The third mode is the Challenge mode that is earned after beating every level on easy. You can earn extra cheats and characters in this mode. There are many different fun setups and as the mode name suggests they are rather challenging. Lasting Appeal TimeSplitters is a game that has ample amounts of lasting appeal. This game is ranked my second most reply value of all the games I’ve ever played. If you’re looking for a game to last you a while, this is it. The Arcade mode will keep me entertained until an act of God interferes with me playing it. I LOVE this game and will continue to play it for a good long time.Conclusion This game doesn’t promise to have perfect graphics or sound, but it will promise to be very thoroughly entertaining. The level-editor in this game is a great feature and is somewhat revolutionary. This game doesn’t have a story or a real solid variety of missions, but it is very fun. And while at first the controls will be difficult, they get better. If you like FPS games, especially ones with multiplayer modes, GET THIS GAME. | 
