GAME
TimeSplitters
Future Perfect

Format: PS2
EA Games
£39.99
5 030930 040260
Age Restrictions: 15+
Available
25 March 2005

Check out the Windows Media Player or Real Player in-game footage.


Victory is in the hands of Cortez's (the tough-as-nails hero from previous instalments) past, present, and future self in a battle that stretches throughout time where humanity is on the brink of destruction from the malevolent TimeSplitters. Cortez
finds himself in a frantic race against time in a desperate bid to trace the origin of the TimeSplitters and save mankind.

TimeSplitters: Future Perfect throws the gamer between different scenarios across time - ranging from 1914 to 2401. In each time zone you get a different sidekick who will help you slay the waves of attacking monsters. These sidekicks range from a 1940s soldier to a modern day Buffy the Vampire Slayer like teenage girl.

Back to the Future fans will love the fact that you get to interact with different versions of yourself from different time lines. This means that you will play a level where you have to help you alternate self, and then later in the game you get to play that version of the character. You could argue that it is also a neat way of the developers squeezing in more gameplay out of the same levels (as the cut sequences as well as the actual gaming levels are identical for these segments).

The gaming levels are quite large and the fact that you zip between time zones means that this game feels like lots of mini games, and this really helps to keep you coming back for more.

One point worth mentioning - which will be of no interested to buyers of the game (unless they are trying to purchase this on the Internet) but developers might like to think about for the future - is the fact that the title of the game is not very search engine friendly. There is no point in developing a world class game if no one can find it on any of the online stores. It came as something of a surprise to discover that you have to type in either: "Timesplitters" or "Time Splitters" into most online stores to buy this game (only Amazon seems to pick up both). Calling this game TimeSplitters is bound to cause confusion. Is it two words or one? If one, then why bother with the capital "S"?

Another problem I had was that you can't save the game mid-level. So, when you turn on your PS2 again you have to start from the beginning of that level - which is very frustrating if you are having problems with the boss at the end of a level. Not only that, but it is pretty easy to accidentally click on "start level from beginning" instead of "start level from last checkpoint" and if you do this, there is no "Are you sure?" Instead all of your hard work is undone and you are transported back to the start of the level.

Besides the main game, there is a Co-op mode that allows two players to work together; Challenge and Arcade modes; and a Multiplayer mode that allows gamers to battle in 16-player death match online. In addition, gamers can experience an improved Map Maker feature allowing them to easily create and play their own maps and share them online.

This is an extremely addictive game that, thanks to the many extras, will have you playing long after you've completed the story mode version of the game.

Pete Boomer

Check out the Windows Media Player or Real Player in-game footage.

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cover

£29.99 (Amazon.co.uk)

   
£36.99 (MVC.co.uk)
   
£32.99 (Powerplaydirect.com)

All prices correct at time of going to press.