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Developer: Saber Interactive
Publisher: Sierra Entertainment
Genre: FPS
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 30 Oct 07
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- With time at the core of its gameplay, this FPS does offer something different to the genre, but lacks a solid gameplay and visuals to set it apart.
Overview
There is no doubt that the Xbox 360 is over run with a lot of ideas this holiday season, a lot of niche markets that developers are trying to sell to consumers to earn their hard earned dollar. The idea of controlling time in a video game is nothing new, it has been done before, some with great success others with not as much. Today we are checking out Timeshift, a game that on paper seems like it could be a holiday sleeper hit among a lineup of huge blockbuster titles. But can Timeshift make it out of the dark and into the hands of consumers? Read our full review to find out!
Gameplay
There is no doubt that this quite possibly could be the strongest holiday season for shooters in a great deal of time. In fact, it quite possibly be one of the strongest holiday seasons for video games in a long time. So for a game like Timeshift, which may not have gotten all the front page publicity like other games this holiday, it comes to the market with a bit of an unknown element. But with any game that has you controlling time, there is one thing you can always remember, you can never count them out, they always have the high potential for greatness.
A big element to Timeshift is the story, although unfortunately as you can see, the emphasis on the story leaves the gameplay a bit lackluster. The basic premise is that you're this physicist who gains access to this really special suit that allows you to real control time. The story itself actually is very mysterious, but it goes a bit too far in the deep end if you catch my drift. It is one of those titles that although you are interested to see what is going on, you sort of loose that interest as the game moves on. In fact because a lot of the questions in the game are not answered, it really doesn't engage you into the game like it was trying to do.
So the big bullet point with Timeshift is the ability to shift time (hint the title). Not only can you go Max Payne and do bullet time, but you can literally rewind or fast forward time to avoid big explosions or oncoming enemies, you name it. The game uses the time element from the moment you start the game to the ending credits. They work the time control into a lot of different small puzzle-like elements and requires you to use it to get through certain stages of the game. The actual implementation of the feature is actually not too bad. It does take some time to get used to everything, and you may not necessarily first hand think to use the time control at the early areas of the game, but it all works out in the end.
I am sure one of the primary concerns for the developers of Timeshift was the controls, which from what I could tell were trying to make things as simple as possible. The controls work, but do take some time to get used to. You have the ability to choose what sort of time control you want to use or to press the back left bumper to have it pick which one it recommends.
Timeshift also includes multiplayer, which you would expect for a first person shooter such as Timeshift. They brought the time shifting element online into very old school arena aspect that actually works quite well. I had no trouble finding a game to get into on Xbox Live, nor did I experience any lag or problems online. The game has all of the standard match types, including some of their own, and has quite a bit of original content online. It is not an overwhelming experience by any stretch, but it is enjoyable nonetheless.
Overall the gameplay is good, but there is no standout points to this game. The time shifting elements are very good, nicely implemented, but also overused. Timeshift also has some issues with variety in the single player, where things really feel like just a consistent rehash playing something over and over again. Overall though Timeshift is a good solid FPS that has some great ideas, some good implementation, and an overall good performance.
Graphics
When I sit down to write a review, I do a lot of it from notes I write on a small notepad while playing. One thing I noticed was I never wrote anything down for the visuals in the game (not like me). I went back and played a bit of Timeshift looking at the visuals and I realized why I didn't write anything, they just kind of worked. They weren't overwhelming, or taking the 360 to its limits, but at the same time I never had any issues with clipping or frame rate. The character models were solid, and the overall feel of the game worked. Visually the developers did some nice things with this game, and I have to say I particularly really enjoyed the effects of changing time, which is very nicely done.
Fun Factor
Timeshift is definitely a mixed bag of very good and some not so good. First and foremost, the game visuals work very nice and give a good vibe for the rest of the game. The single player experience has its moments, but has far too many instances where you either felt like you have already done this, or that things just were loosing there flair. I definitely had them throughout the single player campaign. Multiplayer-wise I enjoyed it, it had a bit different of a feel than other FPS online, but yet still remained competitive.
Overall
I think it is going to be tough for big FPS fans to pass up other big blockbuster games for Timeshift. But I would recommend if you want a bit of a change up from your typical FPS, Timeshift isn't a bad shooter. Overall a good game, but not something that is going to make it out of the shadows of the other big blockbusters on the market, even if it can control time.
- Gameplay
7.0 - Graphics
8.0 - Fun Factor
7.0 - Overall
7.0
