TimeSplitters 2

Fight against the TimeSplitters as they attempt to destroy humanity’s past, present and future.

• NA release: 15th October 2002
• EU release: 1st November 2002
• JP release: N/A
• Developer: Free Radical Design
• Publisher: Eidos
• NGC Magazine Score: 92%
• Mods Used: Widescreen Code

After Perfect Dark, most of the team that worked on it left Rare to start their own studio, Free Radical Design. They developed TimeSplitters on the PS2 which was entirely multiplayer focused, with a few very simple single player/co-op levels where you collect an object then make a beeline for the starting point. With TimeSplitters 2, Free Radical decided to add in a proper single player campaign that brings the objective style of GoldenEye and Perfect Dark back. It even starts with a dam level.

It doesn’t quite go all the way, as it feels even more linear than their previous games, with levels being long corridors and objectives being more like keeping an eye out for objectives around the way. There is, however, a lot of style to the levels and the time travel aspect allows for some wonderfully different themes and a wide array of incredibly fun levels. The main campaign is still immensely enjoyable from start to finish.

But the campaign is just one small part of TimeSplitters 2, the multiplayer mode – which can be played with bots – is amazing, with an immense amount of modes, from basic deathmatches and different variations on that (one where you collect coins from dead players, one where you lose health unless you’re hurting someone, one where monkeys help the player in last place), but other fun stuff like virus, where one person starts on fire and has to infect everyone else. Another big highlight is Assault, where one side had to complete objectives with the other side stopping them.

And it goes beyond that as well, as the challenge mode adds more ways to play. Smashing windows, collecting bananas, defending a small area from zombies and other crazy stuff, each with medals to collect and high scores for you and friends to take turns competing against. There’s also a “Classic” story mode with three challenges, which are three new levels based on the style of levels in the first TimeSplitters.

Finally, there’s the mapmaker. If this was just a tool to make multiplayer maps, it would be brilliant, with lots of ways to create multi-layered levels, adding items, lighting, weapon points and more. However, it goes beyond even that, letting you create single player missions with enemies, objectives and more. It’s a lot of fun not just to come up with your own ideas for, but to also recreate some classic levels from other games.

While the main story is short, the fun weapons, amusing characters and variation makes for a wonderful experience, and all the other modes make for an amazing package. There’s so much to love in TimeSplitters 2, with a lot of unique aspects, even after all this time.

Fave

There’s plenty on offer in TS2 that sets it apart from every other FPs available. First off, apart from every other FPS available. First off, a special mention has to go to the weapons, insofar as they’re really satisfying to use. Whether it’s a basic pistol or a double-barrelled shotgun, you always have the impression that you’re wielding something with real power behind it – which is a lot more than can be said for certain other shooters we can thing of. The range on offer is also very impressive. From antique pistols and rifles to space-age plasma rifles that send energy beams bouncing around corners, there are loads of bang sticks to get to grips with, and many come with secondary functions that offer a genuine tactical alternative.

Geraint Evans, NGC Magazine #73

Remake or remaster?

A remaster that combines the three games would be amazing, especially all the multiplayer modes, features and mapmaker settings. Even more so with online, a bigger limit on the mapmaker and sharing custom levels.

Official Ways to get the game

The original Xbox version is available on the Xbox One/Series while the PS2 version is available on PS4/5.

Europe

Japan

North America

GameCube Games by Date

2001: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

2002: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

2003: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

2004: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

2005: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

2006: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

2007: Mar, Jun, Aug

Eidos first person FPS Free Radical gamecube shooter TimeSplitters