TimeSplitters Future Perfect Preview

Time Splitters is one of those under appreciated FPS’s.  A great original gave way to a better-than-good sequel, but both titles towered over the average FPS.  The series is back with Time Splitters – Future Perfect, and with Xbox Live support, it should gain a little of the recognition it deserves. 

 Fergus Carrol, Sr. Producer of the game showed me around the multiplayer mode on the E3 floor.  The online version (PS2 and Xbox only) has more of an Unreal Tournament 2003 feel and look to it, meaning that the action is fast, and no one should be embarrassed of respawning.  The cartoonish graphics style has been brought back, making it a very familiar game to veterans of the series, particularly the sequel.  Online support for PS2 and Xbox Live will carry up to sixteen participants in the standard multi-player modes, Capture the Flag, Deathmatch, Team Assault, and King of the Hill.  Amidst the whirl of futuristic weapons whizzing by, the game ran at a comfortable sixty frames per second, which zipped by with all the speed of a caffeine freak.  This game is fast.  Also featured in the online capability is the map making feature, though this time created maps will be able to be traded online.         

The single player, though not on display, will continue the time-traveling adventures of Cortez, the hero from the previous installments.  Taking place and time from 1914 to 2400, an array of time-specific environments and weapons keep the game intriguing.  The single player mode also features “meet yourself” gameplay, as Carrol explains it.  A character will often need to travel back in time to visit himself to get Cortez out of a bind.  For example, if Cortez gets stuck in a room in the 1900’s, Cortez from beyond 2000 may need to time travel back to the 1900’s in order to deliver his other self a key.  I know it’s tempting, but Science Fiction freaks should keep the paradoxes to themselves, this is just a game. 

The game features eleven chapters, more than 15 hours of gameplay for the single-player campaign, and even more hours for all the challenges in the arcade modes (just like TS 2).  Look for Time Splitters – Future Perfect to time travel to March 2005. 

For All E3 2004 Previews