TimeSplitters 2 (Xbox) | |
Publisher: Eidos Interactive | Developer: Free Radical Design |
Genre: First-Person Shooter | Release Date: 10/08/2002 |
ESRB: Teen | More Info on this Game |
By Adam Pavlacka |
Nov. 7, 2002 Travel through time and kick some alien ass. |
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Pros | Cons |
Varied stages; level editor; massive character list to unlock. | Control is soft; no Xbox Live; linear gameplay; some objectives cannot be met. |
The Single-Player Game
Arguably the weakest link in the original game, Free Radical has overhauled the single-player element for the sequel. While it still doesn't compete with the storytelling power of Halo, it is a good step up from what was here before.
Borrowing from Quantum Leap TV series, TimeSplitters 2 puts the time travel element to good use, as each level is a completely self-contained entity. Every time you start a new level you "jump" into the body of a local and complete the mission from his or her perspective. Weapons and environments are period appropriate, however, the basic weapon functions and damage levels remain the same even if they do look slightly different.
A key focus of the game is its mission objectives. Each level features a number of both primary and secondary objectives. As you begin to complete the tasks set forth, other objectives will be given to you in mid-level. Tasks can run the gamut from the simple, such as draining whiskey barrels in a mobster's warehouse during 1932 Chicago, to the complex, such as restoring power to a dam in Siberia.
For the most part the objectives are easy to figure out, as the single-player game is incredibly linear, however, some problems do arise if you are playing through on easy mode. TimeSplitters 2 was obviously designed with advanced players in mind as the easy mode appears to be hacked in. When playing on easy, missions will be simpler, however, the mission objective listing cannot be trusted. For example, during the first mission you will be tasked with restoring power to a base. If you play on easy mode, this simply cannot be done, even though it still shows up in your objective list. This is a simple problem that should have been caught in QA. It does not appear in the normal or hard modes.
While most of the gameplay is focused on finding a number of lost time crystals, there are the occasional orgies of random violence. Thankfully, there is usually some sort of heavy weapon nearby to facilitate the quick disposal of your opponents.
Control Issues
If there is one thing Free Radical could have implemented better it would be the character controls. What is here works, but TimeSplitters 2 has a definite learning curve. You control your character by moving forward, backward, and strafing with the left analog stick. The right analog stick is used for aiming and turning. It sounds good in theory, but it makes for a challenging game -- especially if you are playing on hard difficulty -- as there is no aiming assistance.
To top things off each weapon has a bit of kickback which will add to your shot being off target. More than once I found myself unloading into an opponent only to see my bullets hit the wall to the side of my unsuspecting victim.
Arguably the weakest link in the original game, Free Radical has overhauled the single-player element for the sequel. While it still doesn't compete with the storytelling power of Halo, it is a good step up from what was here before.
A key focus of the game is its mission objectives. Each level features a number of both primary and secondary objectives. As you begin to complete the tasks set forth, other objectives will be given to you in mid-level. Tasks can run the gamut from the simple, such as draining whiskey barrels in a mobster's warehouse during 1932 Chicago, to the complex, such as restoring power to a dam in Siberia.
For the most part the objectives are easy to figure out, as the single-player game is incredibly linear, however, some problems do arise if you are playing through on easy mode. TimeSplitters 2 was obviously designed with advanced players in mind as the easy mode appears to be hacked in. When playing on easy, missions will be simpler, however, the mission objective listing cannot be trusted. For example, during the first mission you will be tasked with restoring power to a base. If you play on easy mode, this simply cannot be done, even though it still shows up in your objective list. This is a simple problem that should have been caught in QA. It does not appear in the normal or hard modes.
While most of the gameplay is focused on finding a number of lost time crystals, there are the occasional orgies of random violence. Thankfully, there is usually some sort of heavy weapon nearby to facilitate the quick disposal of your opponents.
Control Issues
If there is one thing Free Radical could have implemented better it would be the character controls. What is here works, but TimeSplitters 2 has a definite learning curve. You control your character by moving forward, backward, and strafing with the left analog stick. The right analog stick is used for aiming and turning. It sounds good in theory, but it makes for a challenging game -- especially if you are playing on hard difficulty -- as there is no aiming assistance.
To top things off each weapon has a bit of kickback which will add to your shot being off target. More than once I found myself unloading into an opponent only to see my bullets hit the wall to the side of my unsuspecting victim.
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