Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5531 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: ACTIVISION
• Released on: 2007-11-02
• Rating: To Be Announced
• ESRB Rating: Adults Only
• Platform: Windows XP
• Dimensions: .0 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review

It’s never obvious what to make of delays in video games. Sometimes it’s simply an indication of a problem production that ends up looking out of date before it’s even released. Other times though it’s simply evidence of ruthless perfection: thankfully TimeShift seems to be the latter. At first glance it seems like any other first person shoot ‘em-up, with some technically impressive but artistically ordinary visuals. What makes it unique though is the gameplay, with the best use of time travel in a game since Prince of Persia.

The story of the game involves the unlikely named Aiden Krone go back in time and changing history to suit him – kind of like a more evil version of Back to the Future, Part II. However, the time travelling doesn’t end there as the special suit you’re strapped into to chase after him also allows you to stop, rewind or slow down time whenever you want. Since Krone has got his own version of the same kind of time suit many of the enemies can’t even be properly seen under normal conditions because they’re moving too fast, but there are more subtle uses for the rewind and stop powers. Slipping past guards or running through a burning building becomes child’s play, while stopping time, running up to an enemy to grab his gun and then nipping back to cover to shoot him with it is just one of the game’s unique pleasures. Even if Doctor Who wouldn’t approve.

Manufacturer's Description
Dr. Aidan Krone has made sure he will be the first human being to make a Timeâ€"Jump across the space-time continuum--a reckless act with frightening implications. As a result the megalomaniacal physicist now resides within an alternate reality that is his to control. A disturbing existence that has evolved into an experimental nightmare.

It is during this alternate reality that you have arrived within the bleak and rain-soaked Alpha District. You are welcomed as the newest member of the Occupant Uprising, the few remaining soldiers that refuse to surrender to the ruthless Krone Magistrate. This outmanned rebel uprising is on the brink of extinction--but that was before your arrival.

Armed with the experimental Beta Suit, a malfunction has given you the ability to SLOW, STOP, and REVERSE the flow of time itself. Only you can perfect this ability to end Krone's madness. Join this battle for survival and lead the uprising to victory.

Customer Reviews

Much underrated
This is a quality FPS - there were mediocre reviews from a couple of jaded hacks in the PC Magazine brigade which initially put me off but having tried the download and subsequently bought the game I can confirm that Timeshift is really superb.

Outstanding graphics and an all pervading atmosphere combine with a very varied weapon array and a good solid story-line to make this demanding and fun.

A lot of thought has gone into making it different, there are some interesting challenges and good character interaction - and its not another WW2 game! With shades of HL2 and Crysis this is however very much its own game with a 1984/Orwellian atmosphere and an essential time shift ability (believe me if you play on anything but easy its absolutely necessary) this really works as a game.

It's not corney or patronising its just good solid hard core soldiering with a bit of natural strategy and brilliant special effects. Pace is good as is coding and UI (with patch 1.02). A very solid piece of work - recommended!

How come I had never heard of this?
I bought this game about 6 months ago, with the feeling that I was settling for second best. I hadn't read a single review, and after reading the description of it on Amazon, it sounded like a game based on a gimmick. But at the time I was a bit starved for FPS games, so I thought, what the hell? I kid you not, this game deserves to be bought. I won't go into the plot (see above), so the games physics will have to suffice. The suit you wear has 3 modes. The first has been done to death, matrix bullet-time style. But, and I love this, the world around you slows down. You do not. That means you can kill Krone's guards at your leisure. It only lasts about 10 seconds though, so aim sharp. Mode 2 is a complete stoppage of time. This one lasts about 4 seconds, but dear gods, it is so handy. Your energy recharges when in this mode, making it a lifesaver. Best part is, if you are fast enough, you can really mess with the enemy. Stop time, run in, take his weapon out of his hands, and put a sticky grenade on him. Then restart time. He asks "huh? wheres my gun?", then realises he is a walking grenade, runs around in a panic before the old KABOOM!!! Mode 3 is less impressive, it lets you walk forwards through time, while time is going in reverse. As far as I can tell, it cant be used during combat, its mainly there for problem solving.

Doom style, you get to carry every weapon, although you wont get the better ones until later in the game. They are really good fun though. Explosive crossbow bolts? Freeze time, fire a bolt into a mobs head, then restart time. Then watch the guy explode! Priceless.

I really hate to see great games pass under the commercial radar, and I am so glad I took the chance with Timeshift. It took me about 2 weeks (average of 2 hours a day playtime) to finish, and if you enjoy it, you will play it again.

It has a multiplayer mode, but in all fairness I haven't tried it. From the manual, you cant slow time down (makes sense), but you do get grenades that slows anyone down who gets caught in the blast radius, making them chicken feed. Wish I could tell you more.

The main reason I hate great games slipping under the radar, is because the developers deserve credit, and in this case, they deserve just that. I really can't stress enough, this game lasted longer than Crysis did, is programmed better, and is so much more fun (vs singleplayer Crysis at least). I really have nothing bad to say about it, guess the bribe was too low for a 90+ rating, damn shame.

EDIT: Ok, I mentioned that reversing time can't be used during combat as far as I could tell. It actually can be used, but has limited applications. The main one that comes to mind is when a sticky grenade hits you. If you fail to react quickly enough to reverse time, you will die. Something else I never mentioned, the game has an 'intelligent' button that can be used to automatically select which of the 3 time altering modes is most appropriate for the situation. If your health is low and you are about to die, time stop will be used, to pause time and allow your health to regenerate (it works in a similar way to Halo's health regen system, avoid taking damage for long enough and it will regenerate). If a grenade lands on you, time reverse will be used, allowing you to reverse time and have the grenade jump off you and land back in the thrower's hand. When time restarts, simply move to the side to avoid the grenade. You can't however, shoot at enemies while time reverse is being used.

A Cracking Game Which Is Fun Throughout.
Admittedly, I never heard of this game before it's release and I didn't follow it's progress pre-release, so I accepted the game as I got it. Infact, I only heard of it via word of mouth. I didn't know what to expect, to be honest. But what I saw, I enjoyed very much.

The storyline is rather confusing. All the way through the game, your character is having flashbacks of some sort which I suppose you have to piece together in your mind. Of course, you have the beta and alpha suits, which you have to use to catch a guy who, how original, changes time for power.

The game is actually fun! Once you get the hang on the key combinations for the different time-changing abilities I was loving every second of utter domination over the enemy. I made the most out of being able to freeze time, run up to an enemy, take his gun, un-freeze time, watch his wonder where his gun had gone, then smack! Unconciousness. :D Another part I enjoyed was running across a minefield in slow-mo, you can run across and watch the mines spring out of the ground and explode behind you from a safe distance. There's loads of good co-operative moments, sometimes it feels like you're in a futuristic WWII movie.

There are plenty of puzzles, some of which kept me occupied for a while, and there's a fair share of challenges, it's not all dominating the evidence see, as you become better at using your time shifting abilities the enemies get upped too, eventually you come against enemies who (shock!) have the same suit as you...

The ending is left wide open for a sequel, so what are you waiting for?