TimeSplitters: Future Perfect
Release Information
US: Out Now
Europe: 25 Mar 2005
Austraila: 28 Mar 2005
Introduction
When the Timesplitters series started out, it was a launch title from a relatively unknown group called ‘Free Radical’ on the new system from Sony, the PlayStation 2. Timesplitters had the ability to get any gamer hooked, thanks to the brilliant work by ex-employees of ‘Rareware’, the people who were known for making the classic shooters ‘Goldeneye’ and ‘Perfect Dark’.
Welcome to 2005, where Free Radical is about to unleash Timesplitters: Future Perfect, the third in the series, to a mass of eagerly awaiting fans. The story throughout the series is that a race of aliens, known as the time splitters have been in possession of the time crystals, which have allowed them to jump forward and backwards through time to alter things as they saw fit. Without spoiling the story of the second game to much, Cortez (the series time-traveling hero) acquired all of these crystals, and is making his way back to base to deliver them to a group of scientists. This is exactly where the story of future perfect begins, except your ship is shot down before you can land safely, and you must travel on foot to reach the base.
Preview
Anyone who has played either of the previous games will know that the story of the series has been the weakest aspect of this game, but this honestly does not subtract from the gaming experience one iota. Needless to say, the story mode has been heavily improved from the earlier games, with thirteen levels, and six different time zones to progress through. As you play through each level, you will also have a NPC character who will assist you through the levels, or who you may have to assist. Aside from your ‘side-kick’ for the mission, you’ll also end up running into future version of yourself who will need your assistance, then as you progress through the level you will have to help your earlier self out. The gameplay might sound confusing upon first glance, but don’t worry, it makes for some really funny scenes and great action. Another first in the series is to be able to drive vehicles, or if u prefer, man the weapon mounted on the vehicle whilst the NPC character drives.
The juiciest part of Timesplitters: Future Perfect is the intense multiplayer options. This has been the strongest point of the series, as anyone who has played the previous game can attest to. This game is arcade action at its best! Simply get three other friends around to play and this game shines like no other. All the modes from previous games are returning, such as Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, virus, monkey assist, shrink, vampire and more! As a first in the series, this game will feature online play for all of the modes available offline, and even an online co-op mode for the single player campaign. Like Timesplitters 2, after you’ve completed the story based missions, there’s still plenty to do. Arcade leagues and challenges will consume countless hours as you strive for those elusive gold and platinum trophies. Beating the arcade and leagues is how extra characters and cheats have been unlocked in the previous games, and Future Perfect looks set to do the same. With a roster of 150 playable characters, a handful of maps, and cheats like the inclusion of ‘Human Gun Noises’, where the developers have replaced the firing of guns, with sounds made from there own mouths, Future Perfect looks set to be a gem in any collection.
With the additions to single player and multi-player alone, this game could have an even longer replay-ability than the second, but Free Radical have not stopped there. In order to increase the games life span even longer, they have expanded the map-maker, to make it much more user friendly, and the ability to share your created maps online is just a bonus.
Anticipation
Being a huge fan of the first two in the series, I’m really looking forward to this game. If you’ve never played any of the past games in the series, but are a fan of first person shooters, you’re guaranteed to love this game. With the new features, improved story mode, online capabilities and up-loadable maps, this game is a sure winner and is bound to remain in your PS2 for a long time. Timesplitters 2 was released four years ago and I’m still playing it, trying to gain that obscure 100%. If that is anything to go by, then Future Perfect is a game that is seriously worth watching out for.
Preview by: Grabda
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