TimeSplitters (series)

TimeSplitters is a series of first-person shooter video games created by Free Radical Design. The games are often compared to Rare's shooters GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark since Free Radical Design was founded by a group of ex-Rare employees who developed these games. As the title suggests, each game features a time travelling element which enables players to battle in a diverse number of locations set over the span of several centuries.

The look of the series is substantially more stylized than most modern first person shooters with character models and expressions emphasizing more cartoon-like qualities and comic book-inspired design. Many of the characters represent instantly recognizable parodies of established pop culture stereotypes (such as the aristocratic English explorer or the suave secret agent). Many aspects of the series also focus on often surreal and self-deprecating humor. The main antagonist in each of the games are the TimeSplitters, a race of aliens who wreak havoc on humanity throughout time as well as their supposed creator Jacob Crow.

Games

• TimeSplitters (2000): The first game in the series released as an exclusive launch title for the PlayStation 2. The game features levels taking place in different time periods between the years 1935 and 2035.

• TimeSplitters 2 (2002): Unlike its predecessor, this game was also released for the Xbox and Nintendo GameCube in addition to the PlayStation 2. It expanded heavily on the first TimeSplitters and featured a story that contains characters that would later be used in this game's sequel.

• TimeSplitters: Future Perfect (2005): The third title in the series was notably published by EA Games as opposed to Eidos Interactive that published the previous two games. This game's story has a bigger role in the game than the previous two installments. It is also considered significantly easier than its predecessors. This game had online capabilities for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 versions of the game, but the feature was omitted from the GameCube versions.

• TimeSplitters 4 (TBA): This game was in development for almost a year but since Free Radical was bought out by Crytek after going into administration, little information has been released since. On August 17 2009, the project had officially been declared as on hold. In an interview, Crytek UK claimed that they would continue the project once there is a high industry demand for such a game.^[1]

On June 14, 2011, VideoGamer.com informed that a high-ranked source inside Crytek confirmed that the company is currently working on a new game of the TimeSplitters franchise to be released on next-generation platforms, including a new console by Microsoft to be announced in 2012. There was no confirmation if the game is actually TimeSplitters 4, or if it will also be ported to the upcoming Wii U or an eventual PlayStation 4. The game is supposed to utilize CryEngine 3 and DirectX 11 technology.^[2]

Common gameplay elements

MapMaker

The series is notable for the inclusion of the MapMaker, a simple grid-based level editor. The first game in the series only allowed multiplayer arcade maps to be created. The second game allowed the player to make single-player story levels with objectives. The third game included the ability to have maps take place outdoors unlike the previous games that only allowed indoor maps to be created.

Story mode

Story mode consists of a series of missions featured in each game that can be played with either one or two players. In the first TimeSplitters, this is based upon the retrieval of a key object and its successful return. TimeSplitters 2 and TimeSplitters: Future Perfect had additional objectives and more complex levels.

Arcade mode

Arcade mode is the multiplayer aspect of the TimeSplitters series. The games are notable for having numerous multiplayer modes including the traditional Deathmatch and Capture the Flag-type games, as well as other more unique modes such as Flame Tag where one player is put on fire and must tag another player to pass the flame onto them.

TimeSplitters 2 introduced Arcade League which are single player challenges, similar to Challenge mode, but arcade league challenges can be recreated in Arcade Mode. There are three leagues of increasing difficulty, and all challenges must be completed to at least a bronze level before access to the next league is granted. Rewards, such as extra characters for Arcade Mode, are given for successful completion.

Challenge mode

Challenge mode, available in all games of the series, consists of sets of single player challenges. The challenges range from collecting bananas as a monkey to shooting cardboard cutouts. In TimeSplitters 2 and Future Perfect challenges are unique and cannot be recreated through Arcade Mode, but in TimeSplitters many of the challenges are based around a pre-set Arcade match. Rewards, such as extra characters for Arcade Mode, are given for successful completion.

Time crystals

The time crystals are the nine green crystals used by the TimeSplitters to travel through time. In TimeSplitters 2, one of the objectives in each level revolved around collecting one of the time crystals. In Future Perfect the time crystals were brought to Earth to power a time machine created by the humans and the central objective of the game is to destroy them.

Monkeys

Monkeys have been featured in TimeSplitters 2 and TimeSplitters 3. In the second game, monkeys could be seen in the story level called Aztec Ruins and there was a multiplayer mode called "Monkey Assistant" where the player in last place was aided by monkeys. The third game featured several variations of the monkey character including a monkey guised as a ninja, a robotic monkey, as well as a zombie monkey all as playable characters. A monkey also made an appearance in the story mode of the game as a humorous addition. The fourth game has a teaser of a monkey in Master Chief's armour as well as a past logo being a spoof of the Gears of War logo with a monkey head replacing the skull omen.

Appearances in other media

TimeSplitters 2 is seen being played in the movie Shaun of the Dead.

Reception

The 3 released games in the series have been generally well-received, ranking as the 1st, 4th and 6th best first-person shooters on PlayStation 2 with average review scores of 84.54%, 91.67% and 86.17% respectively.^[3]

References

1. ^ Karl Hilton on the demand for such a game
2. ^ "Xbox 720 'likely' at E3 2012, Crytek on board". videogamer.com. 2011-06-14. http://www.videogamer.com/news/xbox_720_likely_at_e3_2012_crytek_on_board_2.html. Retrieved 2011-06-14. 
3. ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=ps2&cat=79&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search=

External links

• CrytekUK (Free Radical Design) - Home Site.
• TimeSplitters series at MobyGames