TimeShift Review

[Nick]

Timeshift was originally due out more than a year ago but various different delays have allowed the developers more time to work on the project until finally it has been released into a market awash with FPS titles at the moment.
The storyline has the developer of a working prototype of time travel suit sealing it, going into the past and creating a parallel universe. Luckily for the world, even though you play the part of one of the underlings on the process you grab a second, not quite fully functional suit and follow the mad professor into the past in order to restore normality and sanity to the world. Unlike some games though the powers that the suit possess are not given to you on mass at the beginning of the game and its only having played the incredibly long first level that you learn to rewind time, make it go in slow motion and also pause it altogether. This allows you second chances to avoid certain weapons that are launched at you or even grab weapons out of opponent’s hands altogether.
Gameplay wise, as well as the time control mechanism to be learned there are various different puzzles to be solved which vary in difficulty as the game progresses. The artificial intelligence given to your opponent’s troops is of a high level especially on the later levels where they actually react much faster in their bid to outflank you and take you out. It is perhaps not the longest game out there but at around the 20 hours mark it is not the shortest either. The game has a full multiplayer facility and although I haven’t tried it yet I believe it will be very interesting to try the time control device in a deathmatch scenario.
Visually this game is a real treat. Just look at the first level and the attention to detail draws you into the game. The amount of time and detail that has gone into to making the dystopian city look as realistic as possible is a joy to behold. The detail may dip a little in the later levels but this doesn’t distract from the overall visual appearance of the game.
If anything lets this game down at all, and it has to be said, is the same for most games out there, it is the soundtrack. The music is not the greatest ever heard in a game, although thankfully it is sparse and the sound effects and script could probably have benefitted from some extra work and detail on it. (Perhaps this could be something sorted on any sequel that might happen?)
Overall this is a fine game, and one that perhaps would be a testament to taking your time when developing a title (Something some of the game developers of Film tie in games should really take note of), it is not without its faults but it is of such a standard that it is not a game that is overshadowed by the more illustrious FPS that have been released at the same time.


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Developer:
Sabre Interactive


Publisher:
Sierra


Genre:
FPS

Release Date:

10/2007
Timeshift
Score
Graphics 8.0
Sound 6.0 Gameplay 8.0
Replay/Multiplayer 8.0 Story/Immersion 8.5 Base Score
38.5 Final Score
77%