TimeSplitters 2
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| TimeSplitters 2 {{#if:{{{image|}}}|<tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center;">{{{image|}}} | |
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| Developer(s) | Free Radical Design {{#if:{{{publisher|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Publisher(s)<td>{{{publisher|}}} |
| Release date(s) | October 11, 2002 |
| Genre(s) | First-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer {{#if:{{{ratings|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Rating(s)<td>{{{ratings|}}} |
| Platform(s) | GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox {{#if:{{{media|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Media<td>{{{media|}}} |
TimeSplitters 2 is a 2002 first-person shooter for Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube. It was developed by Free Radical and published by Eidos. It is the sequel to 2000's TimeSplitters, which is also for the PlayStation 2.
Contents |
Improvements over the original
Improvements to the original game include:
- A more in-depth story mode with longer missions and varied primary and secondary objectives.
- Checkpoints are in many missions.
- The option to use a stealth strategy in some scenes.
- Boss characters now appearing in some missions.
- The co-operative mode expanded to better cater to two players.
- The addition of an Arcade League mode (see below for details)
- Distinct set statistics and difficulty ratings for individual characters (can be switched off in arcade custom mode).
- The ability to create story-based maps in the Mapmaker.
Story
The story follows two elite space marines Sergeant Cortez and Corporal Hart as they battle to return nine special artifacts that have the ability to time travel: the Time Crystals. They have been hidden by the evil TimeSplitters throughout Earth's past. The game follows the pair as they 'inhabit' the bodies of various characters (in a move reminiscent of Quantum Leap) in order to find the elusive crystals and disrupt the aliens' nefarious plans. As before there is the option to play a co-operative mode. Also, some characters, weapons and maps return from the first game, albeit updated and/or modified as necessary.
Time zones
Here is a list of the time periods the player explores.
- Oblask Dam, Siberia — (1990) Investigate the mysterious digging site beneath the dam and look out for the living dead.
- Chicago, USA — (1932) Assassinate mob-boss Big Tony at his exclusive club.
- Notre Dame, Paris — (1895) Eliminate the insane cult leader Jacques de la Morte and free his prisoners.
- Return to Planet X — (2280) Locate the UFO base, and escape from the Mox.
- Neo-Tokyo, Japan — (2019) Locate the hacker gang's hideout and clear your name.
- Wild West, USA — (1853) Free the imprisoned Sheriff and execute the deranged 'Colonel'.
- AtomSmasher — (1972) Shut down super-villain Khallos' Atom Smasher.
- Aztec Ruins — (1920) Retrieve the Time Crystal from the Lost City golems.
- Robot Factory — (2315) Eliminate the rebel Machinist and shut down his factory.
- Space Station — (2401) Escape the self-destructing Space Station with the Time Crystals.
Main items
- Temporal Uplink, a useful gadget that serves mainly as a map to locate enemies, cameras and Time Crystal shards. It can also be used to play three mini games that can be found in the Story Mode. These games are Astro Lander, Retro Racer and Anaconda.
- Time Crystal, mysterious alien objects scattered throughout time whose retrieval is the primary objective of every mission. Strange powers and anomalies are often manifest in areas where a Time Crystal has been secreted.
Weapons
TimeSplitters 2 has a large selection of weaponry for players to use in their quests to restore history. As in the first game, the nature of weapons available to the player typically revolves around the time period currently being explored. Arcade matches can have weapons set as custom. Note that many weapons such as the Silenced Pistol and the Tommy Gun can be found in pairs. Some guns also have an alternate fire mode, used to perform a function other than their normal mode of fire, such as rapidly firing multiple shots or launching a grenade.
Pistols and handguns
- Luger pistol, a standard pistol which is the least powerful weapon in the game and holds 7 bullets in the clip.
- Silenced Luger, a silenced version of the Luger pistol. It is an effective weapon in the Hospital Recommended & Story modes.
- Silenced pistol, simiar to the silenced Luger, but has a different appearance and holds 8 shots in the clip.
- Garrett revolver, the most powerful pistol in the game, holding 6 bullets before reloading and capable of taking out standard foes in story mode with just a few shots.
- Sci-Fi handgun, an interesting weapon which holds 30 shots in the clip but it fires 3 shots every time you pull the trigger. Its shots ricochet.
With the exception of the sci-fi handgun, players can hold two of the same handgun, one in each hand, doubling the firepower.
Rifles
- Sniper rifle
- Vintage rifle
Shotguns
- Shotgun, a sawed-off shotgun that needs reloaded often, but is very powerful.
- Tactical 12-Gauge, a shotgun capable of firing double shots. It holds 8 shells before needing to be reloaded. It is very effective against zombies. In alternate fire mode, fires two rapid shots.
Automatics
- Tommy gun, a submachine gun with a 32-shot clip and fast rate of fire. It is effective against groups of enemies.
- Soviet S47, like an AK-47 with a 30-round clip and a grenade launcher attachment. In alternate fire mode, it launches a Grenade.
- SBP90 machinegun, An FN P90, with a scope.
- Minigun, a man-portable minigun which can't be reloaded, but carries substantial ammunition. It can overheat if fired for a long duration, resulting in a lower rate of fire until it is allowed to cool down. The barrels must be rotating before the gun can fire, which can be accomplished either by holding down the fire button (which requires a few seconds to start the barrels) or to activate the secondary fire, which keeps the barrels rotating.
Energy weapons
- Plasma autorifle, a futuristic energy rifle. In alternate fire mode, it fires a grenade which sticks to any surface, including enemies and other players.
- LaserGun, an energy based sniper rifle. In alternate fire mode, it puts up a laser shield.
- ElectroTool, a tool used to destroy energy storage banks and energy barriers.
Placed explosives
- TNT, the largest explosive available.
- Timed mines, useful in strategic situations.
- Proximity mines, a mine that is set off when an enemy comes nearby.
- Remote mines, a mine that is remotely detonated using alternate fire mode.
Projectile explosives
- Grenade launcher. In alternate fire mode, shoots a fireball.
- Rocket launcher. In alternate fire mode, launches 3 rockets.
- Homing launcher, a shoulder mounted rocket launcher that homes in on enemies. In alternate fire mode, launches 3 missles.
Other weapons
- Flamethrower, an effective short range weapon. Works well against zombies.
- Crossbow. The quarrel tips can be lit on fire by torches.
- Fire extinguisher, useful for putting out fires.
- Brick, a thrown weapon. In alternate fire mode, it is thrown farther.
Arcade
A major reason for TimeSplitters 2's critical acclaim was the much envied multiplayer Arcade Mode. Once unlocked there are 14 individual game types, all with multiple options (one shot kills, radars etc) and well over 100 characters to play as. The game types themselves are:
- Deathmatch, typical multiplayer mode. Grab a weapon and kill each other.
- Team Deathmatch, divide into teams and attack the other team.
- Capture the Bag, Capture the other team's bag and take it to your team's base.
- Bag Tag, winner is whoever holds on to the bag.
- Elimination, winner is the last player standing.
- Shrink, as you go down in rank, your character gets smaller and harder to hit.
- Virus, winner is the only person to not catch the virus.
- Flame Tag, avoid the person on fire.
- Vampire, kill other players to extend your life span.
- Leech, shooting other players gives you health.
- Regenerate, health regenerates.
- Thief, kill the other players and collect the coins they leave behind.
- Gladiator, only the Gladiator can get points for kills.
- Zones, capture zones and score points for how many zones you have captured.
- Assault, two teams must complete certain objectives.
- Monkey Assistant, the player in last place has monkeys help him by killing everyone else, you keep the monkeys until your out of last place
Arcade league
The Arcade League allows the player to set their wits against a series of pre-set multiplayer matches. There are 3 leagues with 5 groups of 3 matches in each. Successful completion of a match will result in a trophy, coloured bronze, silver or gold depending on the criteria met. A silver and/or gold trophy is usually rewarded with new characters, arcade maps or cheats. In addition, a platinum trophy can also be earned for an outstanding performance in a match, but results in no additional reward. Each group is typically linked by a common theme. Any group can be selected from the start, but you must complete each match within a group to unlock the next in that group. At the beginning of the game, you will have access to only the Amateur League; completion of Amateur League matches will unlock the next league and so forth.
Characters
Space Station
- Sergeant Cortez
- Corporal Hart
- Reaper Splitter
- Scourge Splitter
- Drone Splitter
- Baby Drone
- Male Trooper
- Female Trooper
Robot Factory
- Gretel MKII
- R-109
- Machinist
- Chasissbot
- Sentrybot
Aztec
- Captain Ash
- Jungle Queen
- Stone Golem
- Wood Golem
- High Priest
- Monkey
- Aztec Warrior
Circus
- Bear
- Mr. Giggles
- Stumpy
- Mischief
- Ringmistress
- Lola Varuska
- Kypriss
- Nikki
- Jinki
- Sergio
- Leo Krupps
Neo-Tokyo
- Ghost
- Chastity
- Sadako
- The Master
- Milkbaby
- Krayola
- Barby Gimp
- Riot Officer
Notre Dame
- Viola
- Mr. Underwood
- Undead Priest
- Jacque de la Morte
- Crypt Zombie
- Sewer Zombie
- The Cropolite
- Maiden
- Changeling
Chicago
- Jake Fenton
- Lady Jane
- Braces
- Big Tony
- Hatchet Sal
- Marco the Snitch
- Louie Bignose
- Slick Tommy
- Jimmy Needles
Planet X
- Hank Nova
- Candi Skyler
- Ozor Mox
- Meezor Mox
Wild West
- Elijah Jones
- Ramona Sosa
- The Colonel
- Jared Slim
- Ample Sally
- Lean Molly
- Venus Starr
- Mikey Two-Guns
- Jebediah Crump
Atomsmasher
- Harry Tipper
- Kitten Celeste
- Khallos
- Henchman
- Dark Henchman
- Dr. Peabody
Siberia
- Ilsa Nadir
- Gregor Lenko
- Hybrid Mutant
- Capt. Night
- Capt. Forest
- Capt. Snow
- Capt. Sand
- Capt. Pain
- Nikolai
- Private Coal
- Private Sand
- Private Grass
- Private Poorly
- Lt. Frost
- Lt. Shade
- Lt. Wild
- Lt. Bush
- Lt. Chill
- Sgt. Shivers
- Sgt. Rock
- Sgt. Shock
- Sgt. Wood
- Sgt. Slate
- Trooper Black
- Trooper Green
- Trooper Brown
- Trooper White
- Trooper Grey
Other
- Accountant
- Lawyer
- Handyman
- Dinosaur
- Jo-Beth Casey
- Cyberfairy
- R-One-Oh-Seven
- Beetleman
- Gargoyle
- Calamari
- Gingerbread Man
"Golden Oldies" (Returning Characters)
- Robofish
- Duckman Drake
- Chinese Chef
- The Impersonator
- Insect Mutant
- Snowman
Challenge mode
The Challenge Mode returns, but this time is accessible from the beginning of the game. As before, the objectives are to complete set challenges in the hope of a trophy (coloured as in the Arcade League) and reward. Again, the challenges are found in groups of three, typically linked by a common theme. Completion of challenges unlocks the next group and so forth. Characters weapons, and maps can be rewarded for good performance as well. Gold trophies are needed to unlock the maximum charcters for that specific mission.
Trivia
- The game is featured in the 2004 "romzomcom" (romantic zombie comedy) Shaun of the Dead as the game of choice for characters Shaun and Ed. The section that can be seen is the multiplayer 'Streets' arena, and Single Player map, Chicago. In the film, other players can join the game simply by pressing Start during a match; while this feature is included in some games, TimeSplitters 2 is not one of them, and the "Player two has entered the game" soundbites had to be voiced by Peter Serafinowicz. Returning the favour, with a nod back to Shaun of the Dead, one of the zombie characters in Timesplitters: Future Perfect says "Have I got red on me?" when selected, this parodies a line repeated throughout the movie "You've got red on you."
- The Russian dam setting of the opening level is reminiscent of the first mission of GoldenEye 007, a game on which many of the TimeSplitters development team previously worked.
- The level "2019 Neo-Tokyo" is an homage to the cyberpunk anime Akira, which takes place in the same exact city and date. Akira pays great debt to Ridley Scott's Blade Runner as they both bear strong similarities in technology, music, and setting.
- The level "Wild West" is inconsistent with American history when it says that the colonel is a confederate, because the level takes place in 1853. It wasn't until 1861 that the Confederacy was created and the American Civil War began. Also, a flag is shown with twenty stars, implying twenty states; there were thirty-one in 1853.
- The gate which the characters go back and forth through time is an obvious referance to "Stargate".
- Though many enjoy it, some criticized the game for being too much like GoldenEye 007.