(andPOP) - Blinx: the Time Sweeper, released October 8, 2002 for the Xbox was by far one of the mo… What? This isn’t the Blinx review? Are you sure? Timeshift? Ok sounds good to me. Timeshift, Published by Vivendi and developed by Saber interactive is yet again, another first person shooter available on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC (this review used the Xbox version). In a world filled with gun grappling bodiless murderers, Saber tries a little something different, not really something new, but at least different in the FPS genre.
The basic gist of this title is that you, the unknown scientist, has a special suit. With this suit you can manipulate time itself to your advantage. You have the ability to slow down, pause, or reverse time; which you can use both in battle to give you the edge over the hordes of enemies or to solve puzzles people living in real time would never have a chance against. The problem with some games that have this type of setup is that users rarely know when to use which ability. This issue has been addressed by having a little ‘hint’ system named SSAM. If you choose to listen, it’s another decision you must make for yourself.
Story wise, we have a simple yet compelling plot in which scientists create a couple of time jumping suits. Aiden Krone, director of this research facility steals the first created suit and goes back in time to become a ruler (hey, we’ve all thought about it at one point or another). You as the unnamed scientist are sent with the second suit to the year 1939 to fix what your boss messed up. While great and somewhat unique, Saber could have put more effort into making the transition between plot devices smoother. With such vague explanations and confusing cut scenes, if you understand what is going on while playing the game, congratulations, your ahead of most others that have tried and failed at deciphering the story.
The game plays much like any other FPS with some special powers to manipulate time, while this gives you the leg up on opponents, adding on certain weapons that work a little too well with these powers makes the game a little too easy at times. The puzzles also lose luster after a while, feeling repetitive and sooner or later, just get in the way. Otherwise, Timeshift is a generic FPS, but then again, chances are if you’re playing this, you’re playing it for the powers and story over anything else, or multiplayer. The first thing I thought when I was told there was a multiplayer feature is how they could have time shifting powers when others are playing online. The answer is the use of time manipulation grenades in which anything caught in the blast - be it people, bullets or other explosions will be affected - Clever to say the least and unique to the FPS genre. Saber doesn’t stop there though, using these future science driven powers they offer some new twists on old multiplayer classics like capture the flag, assault and king of the hill. My personal favourite was the king of the hill mode in which the ‘king’ has as much time power as he/she wants, but is the only target others attempt to kill.
Graphics in Timeshift are your generic pretty FPS explosions and physics, using the Havok engine, bodies go flying as you blast them and with the use of time altering manipulation you can see some really amazing action going on. While the stage design is nothing to sneeze at, it’s nothing revolutionary either. The same can be said about what you hear in this title; aside from bland shooting and exploding, and the required muzzak, the only treat you really enjoy is the crazy sounds of time warping all around you. Again, not really all that special but at the same time, with these types of games not a lot can be done to make it that much better.
Timeshift, which can last you up to about 10 hours in single player mode doesn’t have much to offer in replay or special unlocks, but it still gives players a unique perspective in multiplayer mayhem. In my mind there really is only one game out there where you control a scientist in a first person view and while Timeshift offers a new spin on this, it’s still no Half-life. It is what it is, take it or leave it, aside from time manipulation this game is more or less average in every way.
Graphics: 3.0 / 5.0
Game play 2.5 / 5.0
Sound 2.0 / 5.0
Replay value 2.5 / 5.0
