TimeSplitters (2000) was the first game in the TimeSplitters series, developed by Free Radical Design and released as a PlayStation 2 launch title on October 23, 2000. The game laid the foundation for what would become a beloved franchise, characterized by fast-paced, arcade-style first-person shooting, time-traveling narratives, and a heavy focus on multiplayer experiences. Here's a deep dive into the game's development, mechanics, and its impact on the FPS genre:
1. Development Origins
Free Radical Design was founded in 1999 by former Rare employees, including key developers who had worked on the highly influential GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark for the Nintendo 64. These developers, David Doak, Steve Ellis, Karl Hilton, and Graeme Norgate, sought to bring the fast-paced, multiplayer-oriented experience they had helped popularize on the N64 to the PlayStation 2. With TimeSplitters, their aim was to create a game that built upon their experience with FPS titles while introducing an original concept of time travel.
The decision to make TimeSplitters a launch title for the PS2 was bold, as it had to compete against other new franchises and more established games for attention on the new hardware. Despite the limitations of early PS2 development tools, Free Radical managed to deliver a game that ran smoothly at 60 frames per second, which was impressive for a console FPS at the time.
2. Time Travel Concept and Setting
At the core of TimeSplitters is the concept of time travel, which allowed the developers to incorporate various historical and futuristic settings into the game. The central premise revolves around a race of alien creatures known as the TimeSplitters, who are disrupting human history by sending artifacts through different time periods. The player, assuming the role of different characters in each level, is tasked with recovering these artifacts while battling the TimeSplitters and other enemies native to the era.
Key Time Periods and Levels:
1935 Egypt: Set in ancient Egyptian ruins, this level introduced the game’s blend of historical environments with sci-fi elements.
1970s Chinese Restaurant: A gritty, urban setting featuring gangsters and rival factions, showcasing a more modern yet stylized take on crime-infested areas.
1990s Cyberden: Set in a dystopian, cyberpunk-style future, complete with advanced technology and cyber-enhanced enemies.
Space Station in the Far Future: Featuring sci-fi themes, this setting brought the action to space, with laser weapons and futuristic enemies.
The variety of time periods gave the game a distinct feel compared to other shooters of the era. Each level was self-contained with its own unique enemies, weapons, and visual style, allowing players to experience a wide range of environments.
3. Gameplay and Mechanics
Fast-Paced FPS Action
The gameplay in TimeSplitters emphasized speed and fluidity. Unlike other FPS titles of the time, which often had more deliberate pacing (such as Halo: Combat Evolved, which was released a year later), TimeSplitters encouraged players to keep moving, with quick reflexes and fast aiming being essential for survival.
Key gameplay elements include:
Simple and Fluid Controls: The control scheme, while fairly standard for the time, was optimized for quick movement and shooting. It felt intuitive and responsive, ensuring players could easily switch between targets and weapons without slowing down.
Arcade-style Combat: Levels were short, fast-paced, and designed for replayability. Each mission could be completed relatively quickly, often in 10-15 minutes, encouraging players to try different approaches, replay for better scores, or challenge themselves on higher difficulties.
Wide Range of Weapons: TimeSplitters featured a large selection of weapons that varied by the time period, including pistols, shotguns, futuristic laser weapons, and even melee tools. The weapons were designed to be fun rather than realistic, adding to the game's lighthearted tone.
Artificial Intelligence: While the AI in TimeSplitters was relatively basic compared to modern standards, it served the game's fast-paced nature. Enemies would pursue the player aggressively, forcing constant movement and gunplay rather than careful, tactical engagement.
Level Design
The levels in TimeSplitters were designed to be compact but filled with action. The game featured a variety of enemy types tailored to each time period, from zombies and gangsters to robots and aliens. Players had to navigate environments that often included traps, locked doors, and puzzle-like elements to progress through the mission and reach the artifact.
#timesplitters #goldeneye007 #007 #gameplay #ps2gameplay #ps2 #ps2games #playstation2 #videogames #eidosmontreal