From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia TimeSplitters 2
TimeSplitters 2
TimeSplitters 2 Rating(s) • ELSPA: 15+
• ESRB: T
• OFLC: M
• PEGI: 16+
Media/distribution
Media distribution 1 × GameCube Optical Disc, DVD-ROM
TimeSplitters 2 is a first-person shooter video game avail-
able for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube
game consoles. The game was published by Eidos and de-
veloped by Free Radical Design. The game was first re-
leased in October 2002 in North America and Europe, and
later in Japan. It is a sequel to TimeSplitters, within the se-
ries.
The game features a single-player mode consisting of
ten levels in which the player assumes the role of one of
two space marines as they attempt to stop the alien race
of TimeSplitters from ruining history by collecting the
time crystals in various time periods, ranging from the
Wild West to the 25th century. It has several multiplayer
modes.
In 2005, the sequel, TimeSplitters: Future Perfect, was re-
leased, developed by Free Radical and published by EA
Games.
PAL region PlayStation 2 box art
In June 2007, another sequel was announced to be in
Developer(s) Free Radical Design development, titled TimeSplitters 4.
Publisher(s) Eidos Interactive
Designer(s) David Doak
Gameplay
TimeSplitters 2 is a first-person shooter that requires play-
Programmer(s) Steve Ellis, Hasit Zala, Joe Moulding
ers to kill enemies and complete objectives using a va-
Artist(s) Karl Hilton, Rob Steptoe, riety of weapons and tactics in different predefined sce-
Composer(s) Graeme Norgate narios. Armour and health bars on the sides of the screen
lower when the player is shot, which can be increased by
Series TimeSplitters walking over body armor and medical kits.
Engine Steve Ellis The weapons of TimeSplitters 2 include handguns, ri-
fles, submachine guns, shotguns, rocket launchers, a
Platform(s) GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
grenade launcher, various explosives, a crossbow, a
Release date(s) PlayStation 2[1] flamethrower, a fire extinguisher and a brick. They are
• NA October 9, 2002 of many different time periods, from the historical to the
• PAL October 18, 2002 futuristic. Some weapons have an alternate fire which ac-
GameCube[2]
tivates a feature such as launching a grenade or deto-
• NA October 16, 2002
• PAL November 1, 2002 nating a remote mine. It is possible to dual wield some
Xbox[3] weapons.
• NA October 17, 2002
• PAL October 18, 2002 Single player
Genre(s) First-person shooter The main single player portion of TimeSplitters 2 is divided
into ten levels.[5] Each level is in a different time period
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer 1-16
humans (via System Link),[4] and contains a series of objectives that must be complet-
ed. Some objectives are present at the start of the level,
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia TimeSplitters 2
leased. They say they like to keep things "as impossible
as possible."[10]
Multiplayer
Arcade mode is the main multiplayer section of TimeS-
plitters 2. It can normally be played with up to four play-
ers with each player using a division of the television’s
screen. However, with a System Link, up to sixteen play-
ers can participate. System link was not included with
the Gamecube version.[4] When a player gets killed, they
are respawned at a random location on the map with
full health. Weapons, armour, and other items that en-
hance players’ abilities are placed in several preset posi-
Screenshot of the Chicago level. tions scattered about the map. The objective of the game
depends on the mode selected. Four are available at the
while others are added during play.[6] A few levels have start: Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Bag (a
secondary objectives, which are not required to complete version of Capture the Flag) and BagTag (where a play-
unless on the normal or hard difficulty setting. Each lev- er must survive while in possession of the bag for the
el includes a single checkpoint in the middle where the longest period of time). There are sixteen game modes
player can restart if they die or fail to complete an objec- in total, but twelve are unavailable until the player beats
tive (with the exception of the last level on any difficulty certain levels of the game.
and the fourth level on easy).[7] For each level, the player Several aspects of multiplayer can be customised,
must choose from three difficulty levels. These difficulty such as the weapons, the number of points needed to
levels not only change the strength of the enemies, but win, the number of minutes until the end of the game, as
also increase the length of the level by adding additional well as the music that plays along with the level. There
objectives; for instance, in both easy and normal levels, is also a variety of different characters the player can
there are optional secondary objectives, whereas in the choose to play as, each with their own individual sta-
hard levels, all secondary objectives are now primary and tistics. Some characters are from the Story mode, while
must be completed. At the end of every level, a time crys- there are other more humorous ones such as a dinosaur
tal must be recovered. After it is picked up, a time portal and an Elvis impersonator. Up to ten computer-con-
will appear which must be entered in order to complete trolled bots can be used. Their appearance, difficulty, and
the level. However, this is sometimes made more difficult team can be customised. The bots can do some acrobatic
by TimeSplitters that teleport to the player’s location. In moves that the player cannot do such as rolls and somer-
secret places of certain levels, there are cartridges of old saults.[11]
school arcade games such as Snake, that can be picked up At the end of each match, the results of the game
and played on the player’s Temporal Uplink, the device are shown. This includes the number of points each play-
that normally shows the map of the current level.[8] er or team scored, the weapon the player used most of-
The game also features a co-operative mode in which ten, as well as awards the player earned. There are nearly
two players can play levels together.[9] When playing co- 60 awards present in TimeSplitters 2.[12] Players are given
op, in order to balance the game, players’ health is low- them based on what they did in the match. Awards are
ered. recorded in each player’s profile which also keeps track
Along with the story mode, there are two other single of a variety of other statistics.
player modes: an Arcade mode and a Challenge mode There is also an Arcade League mode in which one
where a player is given a scenario and must complete it player is placed in an Arcade match with pre-set bots
within certain requirements. The objective ranges from and weapons. There are three difficulty levels of Arcade
collecting bananas to shooting heads off zombies. After League: Amateur, Honorary, and Elite. Players must beat
the objective is completed, the game will end, and a them in consecutive order. After a player beats an Arcade
medal will be awarded depending on the number of League level, a medal is awarded.
points obtained. Certain medals allow the player to play A MapMaker is also available that can create playable
as new characters in multiplayer or use cheats. Cheats levels. Levels for Story mode can be made as well as levels
can be turned on in the options menu to activate features for Arcade mode.[13] Created Story levels, however, can-
such as unlimited ammunition or the ability to shoot not be played co-operatively. Maps are created by select-
paintballs. Free Radical’s website implies that there are ing and placing different pre-made tiles and rooms onto
also controller-activated cheats that have never been re- a grid. Spawn points, weapons, bags, armour, and objec-
tives can then be placed anywhere on the level. There is
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia TimeSplitters 2
a bar in the left side of the screen, representing memory, TimeSplitters outside finally manage to break into the
that lowers each time a tile or item is placed. When the bridge. Corporal Hart is killed in the ensuing battle.
bar depletes completely, nothing else can be placed onto Cortez has little time to mourn, as the Timesplitters be-
the map. However, items can be deleted to increase mem- come relentless to retrieve the Time Crystals from him.
ory. A theme can be chosen for each map such as Victori- Cortez manages to set the station to self-destruct and es-
an, Industrial, Alien, and Virtual, which changes how the cape before its destruction.
rooms appear.
Only LAN networks are supported, but online play is
possible with the use of PCs and third-party networking
Development
software.[14] In February 1999, 15 months before the release of Perfect
Dark, several members of Rare that were part of the Gold-
enEye 007 development team, including Steve Ellis, Karl
Plot Hilton, Graeme Norgate, and David Doak, left to form
their own company called Free Radical Design. After they
developed the first TimeSplitters, TimeSplitters 2 went into
development, trying to create a more fulfilling story
mode alongside the Arcade and MapMaker modes. It was
also one of the first multi-platform games to be re-re-
leased on both the PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits and Xbox
Platinum labels.[16]
The location of the health bar and other gameplay
features are reminiscent of GoldenEye 007 and Perfect
Dark.[17] The game engine present in TimeSplitters 2 is also
very similar to the one present in GoldenEye 007. They
both contain a similar aiming system and both lack the
ability to jump.
Two TimeSplitters as depicted on the opening sequence before Releases
the first level.
There are a few minor differences between the console
TimeSplitters 2 starts off in the year 2401 in the midst versions of TimeSplitters 2. For example, the PlayStation
of a war between humanity and the TimeSplitters, an 2 version has a smaller playing field for minigames such
alien race bent on the destruction of mankind. However, as Anaconda. This consequently makes high scores on the
rather than use brute force to destroy humanity, they PlayStation 2 version lower than the Xbox and GameCube
are using the special objects called time crystals to travel versions which both have bigger playing fields for the
through time changing the course of history, bringing minigames.
Earth to ruin. Two space marines from Earth, Sergeant There are four different versions of cover art for the
Cortez and Corporal Hart, are sent out to a space station North American release of the game. Some of the ver-
overrun by TimeSplitters to retrieve the time crystals. sions had a unique tag line for the GameCube and Xbox
However, when they reach the bridge, they are too late as ports. The GameCube version displayed the quote "Heir
they see the last few TimeSplitters take the time crystals apparent to GoldenEye," by Electronic Gaming Month-
into various time periods using the time portal. While ly.[18] The Xbox version said "First Halo, now this."[19]
Sergeant Cortez and Corporal Hart are preparing the Other versions include the Player’s Choice edition and
time portal to follow the Timesplitters, they are attacked the original release without the quotes.
by another squad of Timesplitters. Corporal Hart decides Other release changes include removal of the map ed-
to stay at the bridge to keep the Timesplitters at bay itor function and the renaming to Time Splitter: Invaders
while Cortez goes into different periods of time to re- of the History on the Japanese release of the PlayStation
trieve the time crystals. 2 version. In addition, Europe, France, Japan, Korea, and
Upon arrival at each time period, Cortez take the USA each have different box art.[20]
form of a person from that particular period of time, sim- In PSM3, Doak expressed interest in remaking TimeS-
ilar to Quantum Leap.[15] For example, when Cortez ar- plitters 2 with HD visuals and online multiplayer.[citation
needed]
rives in the Wild West, he takes the form of a bounty
hunter. When he arrives in a 24th century robot factory,
he takes the form of a robot.
After Cortez retrieves all of the time crystals, he re-
turns to the space station to rendezvous with Hart. The
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia TimeSplitters 2
Reception References
[1] "PlayStation 2 release date". GameFAQs.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/data/
517864.html.
[2] "GameCube release date". GameFAQs.
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data/560853.html.
[3] "Xbox release date". GameFAQs.
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560854.html.
[4] ^ "System Link". IGN. http://xbox.ign.com/
articles/366/366639p1.html.
[5] Douglass, Perry (October 7, 2002). "PlayStation 2
Review". IGN. http://ps2.ign.com/articles/373/
373633p1.html.
The Siberian dam of TimeSplitters 2. [6] Gerstmann, Jeff. "Review 2". GameSpot.
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/
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ranking as the best first-person shooter on PlayStation [7] Meston, Zach. "PS2 Review". GameSpy.
2 with an average review score of 91.67%.[31] GameSpot http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/
said that "TimeSplitters 2 may "very well be the best split- timesplitters-2/594510p1.html.
screen multiplayer-focused first-person shooter ever [8] "TS2 Cheats". IGN. http://cheats.ign.com/ob2/068/
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2]," but commented that it was not story-driven and little 016581.html.
empathy was felt for the characters. Gaming Age said [10] "FRD FAQ". Cheats. http://www.frd.co.uk/
that "this is one impressive game" and "the only draw- faq.php?id=19#faq_19.
back is the lack of online capability." GameSpy criticised [11] "NTSC-UK Review". http://www.ntsc-uk.com/
the absence of online play, but complimented the game’s review.php?platform=ngc&game=Timesplitters2.
"great deathmatching action" and the game’s high frame [12] "List of awards". IGN. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/
rate. They also said the game is "everything you could 702/702855p1.html.
possibly want in a sequel." Official U.S. PlayStation [13] "Review of TS2". Neoseeker.
Magazine praised it as "easily one of the best first-person http://www.neoseeker.com/Games/Products/
shooters out there—on any system", but called its lack of Xbox/timesplitters2.
online play "criminal."[32] [14] "Timesplitters2 Online Project page".
The TimeSplitters series is often compared to GoldenEye http://www.neoavalon.com/TS2O/setup.
007 because of its many throwbacks to that game and sim- [15] Marriot, Scott. "TS2 overview". Allgame.
ilar developers.[33] For example, both TimeSplitters 2 and http://www.allgame.com/cg/
GoldenEye start off on a Siberian dam.[34] However, some agg.dll?p=agg&sql=1:38867.
say that the game plays and feels too much like Gold- [16] Casamassina, Matt. "FRD Corporate". Free Radical
enEye.[35] Design. http://www.frd.co.uk/corporate.php.
Review aggregator site Game Rankings rates TimeS- [17] "Player Reviews of TS2". GameSpot.
plitters 2 at 92% for the PlayStation 2 version,[22] 90% http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/
for the GameCube version,[21] and 88% for the Xbox ver- timesplitters2/player_review.html?id=149620.
sion.[23] [18] "TimeSplitters 2". MobyGames.
http://www.mobygames.com/game/
Compatibility issues timesplitters-2.
[19] "Review of TS2 on Xbox". GamingAge.
At the present moment, the original Xbox version of http://www.gaming-age.com/cgi-bin/reviews/
TimeSplitters 2 is not compatible with Xbox 360 con- review.pl?sys=xbox&game=timesplitters2.
soles.[36] The Gamecube and PlayStation 2 versions, how- [20] "IAQ". Free Radical. http://www.frd.co.uk/
ever, can be played on their seventh generation console, iaq.php.
which are the Wii and certain older versions of the PlayS- [21] ^ "GameCube version reviews TimeSplitters 2".
tation 3. Game Rankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/
htmlpages2/560853.asp. Retrieved June 6, 2008.
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia TimeSplitters 2
[22] ^ "Reviews for TS2". Game Rankings. [31] http://www.gamerankings.com/
http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/ browse.html?site=ps2&cat=79&year=0&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=
517864.asp. [32] Rybicki, Joe (December 1, 2002). "TimeSplitters 2".
[23] ^ "Xbox reviews for TimeSplitters 2". Game Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Archived from the
Rankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/ original on March 26, 2004.
htmlpages2/560854.asp. http://web.archive.org/web/20040326112309/
[24] "Review of TimeSplitters 2". Edge. http://www.edge- www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/
online.co.uk/edgedb/ 0,2053,1487810,00.asp. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
[33]
search.php?gamename=timesplitters2&x=0&y=0%20Edge. "TS2-GoldenEye". Detstar.
[25] "PS2 review of TimeSplitters 2". GameSpot. http://www.detstar.com/files/features/
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/ ts2_goldeneye.cfm.
timesplitters2/review.html. [34] Casamassina, Matt (October 11, 2002).
[26] "Review of TimeSplitters 2". GameSpy. "TimeSplitters 2 (GCN) review". IGN.
http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/october02/ http://cube.ign.com/articles/374/374190p1.html.
timesplitters2ps2. [35] "Xbox 360 review of TimeSplitters 2". Xbox Addict.
[27] "Review of TimeSplitters 2". GameZone. http://www.xboxaddict.com/product_profile/
http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19003.htm. 380.html.
[28] "Review of the game". IGN. http://ps2.ign.com/ [36] "Original Xbox Games Playable on Xbox 360".
articles/373/373633p1.html. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/
[29] "Review of TS2". Gaming-Age. backwardcompatibilitygameslist.htm.
http://www.gaming-age.com/cgi-bin/reviews/
review.pl?sys=xbox&game=timesplitters2.
Retrieved July 23, 2007.
External links
[30] "Page for TimeSplitters 2". Rotten Tomatoes. • Official site
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/g/xbox/ • TimeSplitters 2 at MobyGames
timesplitters_2.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=TimeSplitters_2&oldid=464172721"
Categories:
• 2002 video games
• Cooperative video games
• First-person shooters
• Nintendo GameCube first-person shooters
• Nintendo GameCube games
• PlayStation 2 games
• TimeSplitters
• Video games developed in the United Kingdom
• Xbox games
• Free Radical Design
• Video games set in Chicago, Illinois
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