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During the first year after Playstation 2's release there were a fairly large number of First Person Shooter releases. Starting with TimeSplitters at launch, and moving onto Quake 3 and Unreal Tournament shortly afterwards. Later in the year Red Faction was released, and soon after, Half Life. Between this selection of games everything a First Person Shooter needed was there, but sadly no single game had it all.
Half Life may have had an amazing storyline, but being an older game, it looked a little dated. On top of that the multiplayer game was far from perfect. A similar thing applied to Red Faction which supported only 2 rather than 4 players. TimeSplitters was the opposite, with great multiplayer possibilities, but a slightly short one player game with practically no storyline. Other flaws could be found in Unreal Tournament and Quake 3 where, for example, the speed of the game tended to drop a little if the action got too hectic on screen.
Though Medal of Honour had a great deal of success this summer, there were still gaps in the formula, and so with Playstation 2 nearing the end of its second year, its time that an FPS game arrived which fulfilled all the criteria, combining both decent multiplayer and proper single player gaming together. In this year's lead up to Christmas, two games are aiming to be the PS2's perfect Shooter, Red Faction 2 and TimeSplitters 2, but which one looks set to win the battle?
Simply the name, First Person Shooter, obviously suggests there are going to be guns in the game, and they are an incredibly important ingredient. Both TimeSplitters 2 and Red Faction 2 have an impressive array, each feeling like they actually have weight in the characters hands rather than just being floating objects dancing around the screen. The animations in both are exquisite, smooth pieces of artwork with flawless reloading. While the weapons are excellent in each game, its the weapon change that makes the difference. Where TimeSplitters 2 takes the cycle through as you go option, Red Faction 2 launches a menu in the corner letting you cycle through to your chosen weapon without each one popping out in front of you. Which one you prefer is down to personal preference, though personally I'd go for TimeSplitters style because the action can get so frantic that you always want a weapon of some sort handy, rather than staring at a sub-menu whilst getting shot.
When it comes to playable characters, TimeSplitters 2 is king, with an absolutely massive variety of misfits to try out. Aliens, Robots, Zombies, Mummys and occasionally even humans are all there to carry your guns for you. More importantly than the number of characters though is the way they move. Its no good having a character carrying a gun that can't actually walk properly, it would just ruin the look of the game. Sadly, whilst Red Faction 2 does look very nice, it does suffer from "float-walking". Basically, the characters just feel as if they are slightly off the ground, (perhaps the developers could put this down to low gravity on other planets). Movement seems more like ice skating than running, which just doesn's seem to work as well as TimeSplitters 2 with its solid running and walking. If you decide to run in TimeSplitters, you'll feel like you're running, and that's an important point in this kind of game.
Both games are strong in the single player mode now, each having an improved plot, (especially TimeSplitters 2 which obviously had more room for improvement), and there is little to choose between them. Both are based around a sci-fi theme, either with time travel, or inter-planetary travel. The weapons are often futuristic, though TimeSplitters also has many from the past. The ideas of both games are much more strongly enforced than in the prequels. Instead of "pick up object and return" in TimeSplitters, you are now given reasons why objectives must be carried out, and on top of that, its not just about mad running, but about careful stealth areas and puzzle solving. Red Faction 2 has similarly tried to boost its one player efforts with greater use of the geo-mod technology. Rather than an occasional gimmick, its become a greater part of the game, often making all the difference to level completion.
Speedwise, Red Faction 2 makes its predecessor look completely stationary, but its no match for TimeSplitters 2. The ridiculous frame rate that Free Radical have produced never blinks, allowing you to hurtle through levels so smoothly that you feel like a Ferrari compared to the Minardi of Red Faction. Even in multiplayer, TimeSplitters 2 doesn't let up for a minute, allowing four people on screen at once, racing past at 60 frames per second.
Whilst TimeSplitters 2 is certainly faster, the games are fairly equivalent in single player. They each have their own strengths, with their own style of play - fast action, stealthy sneaking around, puzzle solving, camera disabling, tunnel digging and more leading to a great sense of variety in either game. The difference between the two games though is the multiplayer. TimeSplitters managed to create near perfect multiplayer gaming first time round, and so with nearly two years extra development time, its no surprise that TimeSplitters 2 has produced its own little part of heaven, leaving Red Faction 2 just below the clouds.
Volition have certainly taken note of the problems that Red Faction's multiplayer had, and have introduced a four player mode, and certainly tried to boost its attraction, but nothing compares to the amount of choice and fun you can have in TimeSplitters. After choosing from hundreds of playable characters, a huge array of weapons, a colassal set of levels (as well as level editor creations which have been taken to an all new level) and a handy selection of other little features to tweak you are launched into one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences of all time. Pick up the controller and start playing TimeSplitters 2... and it might just capture you forever.
Red Faction 2 is a superb game that would definitely make a worthwhile purchase this Christmas. It is far better than the original, demonstrating that the developers know what to improve when making a sequel, but if you can only afford one First Person Shooter this Christmas, then I have to recommend TimeSplitters 2, it really is a masterpiece.
Half Life may have had an amazing storyline, but being an older game, it looked a little dated. On top of that the multiplayer game was far from perfect. A similar thing applied to Red Faction which supported only 2 rather than 4 players. TimeSplitters was the opposite, with great multiplayer possibilities, but a slightly short one player game with practically no storyline. Other flaws could be found in Unreal Tournament and Quake 3 where, for example, the speed of the game tended to drop a little if the action got too hectic on screen.
Though Medal of Honour had a great deal of success this summer, there were still gaps in the formula, and so with Playstation 2 nearing the end of its second year, its time that an FPS game arrived which fulfilled all the criteria, combining both decent multiplayer and proper single player gaming together. In this year's lead up to Christmas, two games are aiming to be the PS2's perfect Shooter, Red Faction 2 and TimeSplitters 2, but which one looks set to win the battle?
Simply the name, First Person Shooter, obviously suggests there are going to be guns in the game, and they are an incredibly important ingredient. Both TimeSplitters 2 and Red Faction 2 have an impressive array, each feeling like they actually have weight in the characters hands rather than just being floating objects dancing around the screen. The animations in both are exquisite, smooth pieces of artwork with flawless reloading. While the weapons are excellent in each game, its the weapon change that makes the difference. Where TimeSplitters 2 takes the cycle through as you go option, Red Faction 2 launches a menu in the corner letting you cycle through to your chosen weapon without each one popping out in front of you. Which one you prefer is down to personal preference, though personally I'd go for TimeSplitters style because the action can get so frantic that you always want a weapon of some sort handy, rather than staring at a sub-menu whilst getting shot.
When it comes to playable characters, TimeSplitters 2 is king, with an absolutely massive variety of misfits to try out. Aliens, Robots, Zombies, Mummys and occasionally even humans are all there to carry your guns for you. More importantly than the number of characters though is the way they move. Its no good having a character carrying a gun that can't actually walk properly, it would just ruin the look of the game. Sadly, whilst Red Faction 2 does look very nice, it does suffer from "float-walking". Basically, the characters just feel as if they are slightly off the ground, (perhaps the developers could put this down to low gravity on other planets). Movement seems more like ice skating than running, which just doesn's seem to work as well as TimeSplitters 2 with its solid running and walking. If you decide to run in TimeSplitters, you'll feel like you're running, and that's an important point in this kind of game.
Both games are strong in the single player mode now, each having an improved plot, (especially TimeSplitters 2 which obviously had more room for improvement), and there is little to choose between them. Both are based around a sci-fi theme, either with time travel, or inter-planetary travel. The weapons are often futuristic, though TimeSplitters also has many from the past. The ideas of both games are much more strongly enforced than in the prequels. Instead of "pick up object and return" in TimeSplitters, you are now given reasons why objectives must be carried out, and on top of that, its not just about mad running, but about careful stealth areas and puzzle solving. Red Faction 2 has similarly tried to boost its one player efforts with greater use of the geo-mod technology. Rather than an occasional gimmick, its become a greater part of the game, often making all the difference to level completion.
Speedwise, Red Faction 2 makes its predecessor look completely stationary, but its no match for TimeSplitters 2. The ridiculous frame rate that Free Radical have produced never blinks, allowing you to hurtle through levels so smoothly that you feel like a Ferrari compared to the Minardi of Red Faction. Even in multiplayer, TimeSplitters 2 doesn't let up for a minute, allowing four people on screen at once, racing past at 60 frames per second.
Whilst TimeSplitters 2 is certainly faster, the games are fairly equivalent in single player. They each have their own strengths, with their own style of play - fast action, stealthy sneaking around, puzzle solving, camera disabling, tunnel digging and more leading to a great sense of variety in either game. The difference between the two games though is the multiplayer. TimeSplitters managed to create near perfect multiplayer gaming first time round, and so with nearly two years extra development time, its no surprise that TimeSplitters 2 has produced its own little part of heaven, leaving Red Faction 2 just below the clouds.
Volition have certainly taken note of the problems that Red Faction's multiplayer had, and have introduced a four player mode, and certainly tried to boost its attraction, but nothing compares to the amount of choice and fun you can have in TimeSplitters. After choosing from hundreds of playable characters, a huge array of weapons, a colassal set of levels (as well as level editor creations which have been taken to an all new level) and a handy selection of other little features to tweak you are launched into one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences of all time. Pick up the controller and start playing TimeSplitters 2... and it might just capture you forever.
Red Faction 2 is a superb game that would definitely make a worthwhile purchase this Christmas. It is far better than the original, demonstrating that the developers know what to improve when making a sequel, but if you can only afford one First Person Shooter this Christmas, then I have to recommend TimeSplitters 2, it really is a masterpiece.
In your opinion :D
ssxpro wrote:
Where TimeSplitters 2
> takes the cycle through as you go option, Red Faction 2 launches a
> menu in the corner letting you cycle through to your chosen weapon
> without each one popping out in front of you. Which one you prefer is
> down to personal preference, though personally I'd go for
> TimeSplitters style because the action can get so frantic that you
> always want a weapon of some sort handy, rather than staring at a
> sub-menu whilst getting shot.
This is one of the many reasons why I will always prefer PC FPS - a simple press of the number keys will equip the corresponding weapon, instead of having to open a stupid menu. Red Faction's a great game, but what's the point of having a stupid weapon sub-menu when you can just press a button (Select?) to cycle through them. But then in my opinion, PC FPS will ALWAYS be superior to console versions, ALWAYS.
Flux.
Where TimeSplitters 2
> takes the cycle through as you go option, Red Faction 2 launches a
> menu in the corner letting you cycle through to your chosen weapon
> without each one popping out in front of you. Which one you prefer is
> down to personal preference, though personally I'd go for
> TimeSplitters style because the action can get so frantic that you
> always want a weapon of some sort handy, rather than staring at a
> sub-menu whilst getting shot.
This is one of the many reasons why I will always prefer PC FPS - a simple press of the number keys will equip the corresponding weapon, instead of having to open a stupid menu. Red Faction's a great game, but what's the point of having a stupid weapon sub-menu when you can just press a button (Select?) to cycle through them. But then in my opinion, PC FPS will ALWAYS be superior to console versions, ALWAYS.
Flux.
It seems we are agreed then, its down to personal preference as to which control setup you use. Those of you who are frequent PC users will find keyboard control better, and those of us who use joypads most of the time will find those more comfortable. Still, I don`t think its easy to compare something designed for gaming to something that isn`t.
I personally prefer FPS on the PC, Unreal Tournament and Quake III were much better on PC and joypad control is a nightmare.
Return to Castle Wolfenstein and Alien Vs Predator 2 are both great games, and are under £20 each, plus on the PC you can always download lots of extra maps etc etc. I probably won't buy a FPS on the PS2 but will keep buying them for the PC.
Unreal Tournament 2003 is fantastic, when is it's PS2 release ?, I say no more.
I don't think they want to comprimise an excellent product with poor detail levels.
Return to Castle Wolfenstein and Alien Vs Predator 2 are both great games, and are under £20 each, plus on the PC you can always download lots of extra maps etc etc. I probably won't buy a FPS on the PS2 but will keep buying them for the PC.
Unreal Tournament 2003 is fantastic, when is it's PS2 release ?, I say no more.
I don't think they want to comprimise an excellent product with poor detail levels.
I wasn't trying to start some kind of argument here, just stating what I prefer in FPS. Until consoles manage to crate game like Operation Flashpoint, Thief, and system shock 2, then I will always prefer PC FPS to consoles, and the control method I use on PC games, hasn't really been bettered by most console FPS I've played. My opinion again.
When I first got Timesplitters I spent much of the first couple of hours of play running around like a headless chicken, it's not as easy to get to grips with as the mouse and keyboard which I can just jump straight into and get on with playing. That's me though, and I find the keyboard and mouse set up easier to deal with since I have quite allot of FPS for my PC, and only one for my PS2.
Anyway, enough of this PC vs. Console nonsense, I think Red Faction 2 looks great, though I am sceptical whether it is going to as good as I hope, especially after the disappointment I got from the original game, which I felt was over-hyped. I just hope the developers have taken the time to create a game this time instead of an over long technology test demo that the original felt like.
When I first got Timesplitters I spent much of the first couple of hours of play running around like a headless chicken, it's not as easy to get to grips with as the mouse and keyboard which I can just jump straight into and get on with playing. That's me though, and I find the keyboard and mouse set up easier to deal with since I have quite allot of FPS for my PC, and only one for my PS2.
Anyway, enough of this PC vs. Console nonsense, I think Red Faction 2 looks great, though I am sceptical whether it is going to as good as I hope, especially after the disappointment I got from the original game, which I felt was over-hyped. I just hope the developers have taken the time to create a game this time instead of an over long technology test demo that the original felt like.
cipro wrote:
> I've always preferred PC FPS to console ones, not just because of the
> control method which I think is allot more easier and fluent than a
> joypad,
Thats just down to what you use most often. If you spend more time with keyboard controls, then it probably becomes more natural, but to me, the idea of using keys that were designed around typing out words to make a character move is silly. Why not use a joypad which was designed around the whole gaming idea in the first place?
> but because I've only ever enjoyed three console FPS. The
> original 2 Medal of Honour games and Timesplitters, other games like
> Red Faction and Agent Under Fire, sucked.
I very much enjoyed Red Faction, but gave AUF a miss (though it was highly rated in reviews). As you say though, TimeSplitters was an excellent game. The PS1 didn`t have the necessary bits and bobs to make a proper working FPS and resulted in a few failed attempts, but the PS2 manages it fine, with great success already, and much more to come.
> Not that I think all FPS on consoles are bad, I just think this is a
> fairly new genre there just getting use to, so not every FPS is going
> to be great. As time progresses, I think console developers will get
> more used to this genre and produce a much better standard of games,
Aren't the developers generally the same people? I mean, the guys creating FPS games out there tend to be the same across most platforms. Admittedly there are a few that develope only for certain consoles etc... but there isn`t usually much to choose between them.
The only advantage I can see with PC FPS games is that they have a slightly higher resolution thanks to the monitor capabilities, but with TimeSplitters 2, it has been shown that you can get virtually as much from a TV these days.
I don`t want to go too far into the PC vs Consoles debate as this is just a PS2 FPS topic, but basically it comes down to a choice between these two things:
- Sit about 30 cm or less from a PC, in a "proper" chair using the keyboard and mouse in a kind of weird combination developers are forced to use to get round the fact that it wasn`t designed for gaming, and wonder where my friends are - could they be next door, or further away?
Or
- Sit a few meters back where my eyes don`t hurt so much, in a nice comfortable chair of whatever variety happens to be there at whatever height you choose to put it, using the specially designed controller made specifically for gaming, sat next to a friend or friends while we experience great multiplayer fun.
Hmmm, tough choice.
> that's just my personnel preference I guess.
Do you have lots of personnel working for you? :D
> I've always preferred PC FPS to console ones, not just because of the
> control method which I think is allot more easier and fluent than a
> joypad,
Thats just down to what you use most often. If you spend more time with keyboard controls, then it probably becomes more natural, but to me, the idea of using keys that were designed around typing out words to make a character move is silly. Why not use a joypad which was designed around the whole gaming idea in the first place?
> but because I've only ever enjoyed three console FPS. The
> original 2 Medal of Honour games and Timesplitters, other games like
> Red Faction and Agent Under Fire, sucked.
I very much enjoyed Red Faction, but gave AUF a miss (though it was highly rated in reviews). As you say though, TimeSplitters was an excellent game. The PS1 didn`t have the necessary bits and bobs to make a proper working FPS and resulted in a few failed attempts, but the PS2 manages it fine, with great success already, and much more to come.
> Not that I think all FPS on consoles are bad, I just think this is a
> fairly new genre there just getting use to, so not every FPS is going
> to be great. As time progresses, I think console developers will get
> more used to this genre and produce a much better standard of games,
Aren't the developers generally the same people? I mean, the guys creating FPS games out there tend to be the same across most platforms. Admittedly there are a few that develope only for certain consoles etc... but there isn`t usually much to choose between them.
The only advantage I can see with PC FPS games is that they have a slightly higher resolution thanks to the monitor capabilities, but with TimeSplitters 2, it has been shown that you can get virtually as much from a TV these days.
I don`t want to go too far into the PC vs Consoles debate as this is just a PS2 FPS topic, but basically it comes down to a choice between these two things:
- Sit about 30 cm or less from a PC, in a "proper" chair using the keyboard and mouse in a kind of weird combination developers are forced to use to get round the fact that it wasn`t designed for gaming, and wonder where my friends are - could they be next door, or further away?
Or
- Sit a few meters back where my eyes don`t hurt so much, in a nice comfortable chair of whatever variety happens to be there at whatever height you choose to put it, using the specially designed controller made specifically for gaming, sat next to a friend or friends while we experience great multiplayer fun.
Hmmm, tough choice.
> that's just my personnel preference I guess.
Do you have lots of personnel working for you? :D
I've always preferred PC FPS to console ones, not just because of the control method which I think is allot more easier and fluent than a joypad, but because I've only ever enjoyed three console FPS. The original 2 Medal of Honour games and Timesplitters, other games like Red Faction and Agent Under Fire, sucked.
Not that I think all FPS on consoles are crap, I just think this is a fairly new genre there just getting use to, so not every FPS is going to be great. As time progresses, I think console developers will get more used to this genre and produce a much better standard of games, but it's still unlikely to convince me that console FPS are better than PC ones, though that's just my personnel preference I guess.
Not that I think all FPS on consoles are crap, I just think this is a fairly new genre there just getting use to, so not every FPS is going to be great. As time progresses, I think console developers will get more used to this genre and produce a much better standard of games, but it's still unlikely to convince me that console FPS are better than PC ones, though that's just my personnel preference I guess.
The myth that FPS games are always better on PC is not one I believe in. I`ve never enjoyed playing that kind of game on a keyboard. There are too many short and cheap ways to cheat, and it just doesn`t have the smooth analog control you can get with a joypad. As for X-Box I`m still totally unimpressed with it, and think that the fact Halo 2 seems to be only the second game to get hyped up on X-Box, after Halo 1 is a bit stupid. I`m quite happy sticking with my PS2.
As for Red Faction 2, many of the improvements that were promised have actually been implemented, in particular the greater use of geo-mod to progress through levels, but I still think its missing the flare of TimeSplitters 2.
As for Red Faction 2, many of the improvements that were promised have actually been implemented, in particular the greater use of geo-mod to progress through levels, but I still think its missing the flare of TimeSplitters 2.
I'm growing increasingly apprehensive of Red Faction 2. They're making all the promises they made with the original. Who's to say they'll make the engine not suck this time?
Anyways, console FPSs aren't often good enough to challenge the main PC players but at least with TS2 it looks like everyone'll get a decent game. Still, with the new Rare deal and Halo 2 started, XBOX is the place to be, not PS2.
Anyways, console FPSs aren't often good enough to challenge the main PC players but at least with TS2 it looks like everyone'll get a decent game. Still, with the new Rare deal and Halo 2 started, XBOX is the place to be, not PS2.
During the first year after Playstation 2's release there were a fairly large number of First Person Shooter releases. Starting with TimeSplitters at launch, and moving onto Quake 3 and Unreal Tournament shortly afterwards. Later in the year Red Faction was released, and soon after, Half Life. Between this selection of games everything a First Person Shooter needed was there, but sadly no single game had it all.
Half Life may have had an amazing storyline, but being an older game, it looked a little dated. On top of that the multiplayer game was far from perfect. A similar thing applied to Red Faction which supported only 2 rather than 4 players. TimeSplitters was the opposite, with great multiplayer possibilities, but a slightly short one player game with practically no storyline. Other flaws could be found in Unreal Tournament and Quake 3 where, for example, the speed of the game tended to drop a little if the action got too hectic on screen.
Though Medal of Honour had a great deal of success this summer, there were still gaps in the formula, and so with Playstation 2 nearing the end of its second year, its time that an FPS game arrived which fulfilled all the criteria, combining both decent multiplayer and proper single player gaming together. In this year's lead up to Christmas, two games are aiming to be the PS2's perfect Shooter, Red Faction 2 and TimeSplitters 2, but which one looks set to win the battle?
Simply the name, First Person Shooter, obviously suggests there are going to be guns in the game, and they are an incredibly important ingredient. Both TimeSplitters 2 and Red Faction 2 have an impressive array, each feeling like they actually have weight in the characters hands rather than just being floating objects dancing around the screen. The animations in both are exquisite, smooth pieces of artwork with flawless reloading. While the weapons are excellent in each game, its the weapon change that makes the difference. Where TimeSplitters 2 takes the cycle through as you go option, Red Faction 2 launches a menu in the corner letting you cycle through to your chosen weapon without each one popping out in front of you. Which one you prefer is down to personal preference, though personally I'd go for TimeSplitters style because the action can get so frantic that you always want a weapon of some sort handy, rather than staring at a sub-menu whilst getting shot.
When it comes to playable characters, TimeSplitters 2 is king, with an absolutely massive variety of misfits to try out. Aliens, Robots, Zombies, Mummys and occasionally even humans are all there to carry your guns for you. More importantly than the number of characters though is the way they move. Its no good having a character carrying a gun that can't actually walk properly, it would just ruin the look of the game. Sadly, whilst Red Faction 2 does look very nice, it does suffer from "float-walking". Basically, the characters just feel as if they are slightly off the ground, (perhaps the developers could put this down to low gravity on other planets). Movement seems more like ice skating than running, which just doesn's seem to work as well as TimeSplitters 2 with its solid running and walking. If you decide to run in TimeSplitters, you'll feel like you're running, and that's an important point in this kind of game.
Both games are strong in the single player mode now, each having an improved plot, (especially TimeSplitters 2 which obviously had more room for improvement), and there is little to choose between them. Both are based around a sci-fi theme, either with time travel, or inter-planetary travel. The weapons are often futuristic, though TimeSplitters also has many from the past. The ideas of both games are much more strongly enforced than in the prequels. Instead of "pick up object and return" in TimeSplitters, you are now given reasons why objectives must be carried out, and on top of that, its not just about mad running, but about careful stealth areas and puzzle solving. Red Faction 2 has similarly tried to boost its one player efforts with greater use of the geo-mod technology. Rather than an occasional gimmick, its become a greater part of the game, often making all the difference to level completion.
Speedwise, Red Faction 2 makes its predecessor look completely stationary, but its no match for TimeSplitters 2. The ridiculous frame rate that Free Radical have produced never blinks, allowing you to hurtle through levels so smoothly that you feel like a Ferrari compared to the Minardi of Red Faction. Even in multiplayer, TimeSplitters 2 doesn't let up for a minute, allowing four people on screen at once, racing past at 60 frames per second.
Whilst TimeSplitters 2 is certainly faster, the games are fairly equivalent in single player. They each have their own strengths, with their own style of play - fast action, stealthy sneaking around, puzzle solving, camera disabling, tunnel digging and more leading to a great sense of variety in either game. The difference between the two games though is the multiplayer. TimeSplitters managed to create near perfect multiplayer gaming first time round, and so with nearly two years extra development time, its no surprise that TimeSplitters 2 has produced its own little part of heaven, leaving Red Faction 2 just below the clouds.
Volition have certainly taken note of the problems that Red Faction's multiplayer had, and have introduced a four player mode, and certainly tried to boost its attraction, but nothing compares to the amount of choice and fun you can have in TimeSplitters. After choosing from hundreds of playable characters, a huge array of weapons, a colassal set of levels (as well as level editor creations which have been taken to an all new level) and a handy selection of other little features to tweak you are launched into one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences of all time. Pick up the controller and start playing TimeSplitters 2... and it might just capture you forever.
Red Faction 2 is a superb game that would definitely make a worthwhile purchase this Christmas. It is far better than the original, demonstrating that the developers know what to improve when making a sequel, but if you can only afford one First Person Shooter this Christmas, then I have to recommend TimeSplitters 2, it really is a masterpiece.
Half Life may have had an amazing storyline, but being an older game, it looked a little dated. On top of that the multiplayer game was far from perfect. A similar thing applied to Red Faction which supported only 2 rather than 4 players. TimeSplitters was the opposite, with great multiplayer possibilities, but a slightly short one player game with practically no storyline. Other flaws could be found in Unreal Tournament and Quake 3 where, for example, the speed of the game tended to drop a little if the action got too hectic on screen.
Though Medal of Honour had a great deal of success this summer, there were still gaps in the formula, and so with Playstation 2 nearing the end of its second year, its time that an FPS game arrived which fulfilled all the criteria, combining both decent multiplayer and proper single player gaming together. In this year's lead up to Christmas, two games are aiming to be the PS2's perfect Shooter, Red Faction 2 and TimeSplitters 2, but which one looks set to win the battle?
Simply the name, First Person Shooter, obviously suggests there are going to be guns in the game, and they are an incredibly important ingredient. Both TimeSplitters 2 and Red Faction 2 have an impressive array, each feeling like they actually have weight in the characters hands rather than just being floating objects dancing around the screen. The animations in both are exquisite, smooth pieces of artwork with flawless reloading. While the weapons are excellent in each game, its the weapon change that makes the difference. Where TimeSplitters 2 takes the cycle through as you go option, Red Faction 2 launches a menu in the corner letting you cycle through to your chosen weapon without each one popping out in front of you. Which one you prefer is down to personal preference, though personally I'd go for TimeSplitters style because the action can get so frantic that you always want a weapon of some sort handy, rather than staring at a sub-menu whilst getting shot.
When it comes to playable characters, TimeSplitters 2 is king, with an absolutely massive variety of misfits to try out. Aliens, Robots, Zombies, Mummys and occasionally even humans are all there to carry your guns for you. More importantly than the number of characters though is the way they move. Its no good having a character carrying a gun that can't actually walk properly, it would just ruin the look of the game. Sadly, whilst Red Faction 2 does look very nice, it does suffer from "float-walking". Basically, the characters just feel as if they are slightly off the ground, (perhaps the developers could put this down to low gravity on other planets). Movement seems more like ice skating than running, which just doesn's seem to work as well as TimeSplitters 2 with its solid running and walking. If you decide to run in TimeSplitters, you'll feel like you're running, and that's an important point in this kind of game.
Both games are strong in the single player mode now, each having an improved plot, (especially TimeSplitters 2 which obviously had more room for improvement), and there is little to choose between them. Both are based around a sci-fi theme, either with time travel, or inter-planetary travel. The weapons are often futuristic, though TimeSplitters also has many from the past. The ideas of both games are much more strongly enforced than in the prequels. Instead of "pick up object and return" in TimeSplitters, you are now given reasons why objectives must be carried out, and on top of that, its not just about mad running, but about careful stealth areas and puzzle solving. Red Faction 2 has similarly tried to boost its one player efforts with greater use of the geo-mod technology. Rather than an occasional gimmick, its become a greater part of the game, often making all the difference to level completion.
Speedwise, Red Faction 2 makes its predecessor look completely stationary, but its no match for TimeSplitters 2. The ridiculous frame rate that Free Radical have produced never blinks, allowing you to hurtle through levels so smoothly that you feel like a Ferrari compared to the Minardi of Red Faction. Even in multiplayer, TimeSplitters 2 doesn't let up for a minute, allowing four people on screen at once, racing past at 60 frames per second.
Whilst TimeSplitters 2 is certainly faster, the games are fairly equivalent in single player. They each have their own strengths, with their own style of play - fast action, stealthy sneaking around, puzzle solving, camera disabling, tunnel digging and more leading to a great sense of variety in either game. The difference between the two games though is the multiplayer. TimeSplitters managed to create near perfect multiplayer gaming first time round, and so with nearly two years extra development time, its no surprise that TimeSplitters 2 has produced its own little part of heaven, leaving Red Faction 2 just below the clouds.
Volition have certainly taken note of the problems that Red Faction's multiplayer had, and have introduced a four player mode, and certainly tried to boost its attraction, but nothing compares to the amount of choice and fun you can have in TimeSplitters. After choosing from hundreds of playable characters, a huge array of weapons, a colassal set of levels (as well as level editor creations which have been taken to an all new level) and a handy selection of other little features to tweak you are launched into one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences of all time. Pick up the controller and start playing TimeSplitters 2... and it might just capture you forever.
Red Faction 2 is a superb game that would definitely make a worthwhile purchase this Christmas. It is far better than the original, demonstrating that the developers know what to improve when making a sequel, but if you can only afford one First Person Shooter this Christmas, then I have to recommend TimeSplitters 2, it really is a masterpiece.