Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2464 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Sierra
• Released on: 2007-12-07
• Platform: PLAYSTATION 3

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 Sometimes it's simply an indication of a problem production that ends up looking out of date before it's even released.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

Great Value For Money
I bought this Game around 3 Months Ago and have just begun to get into the Second Level,I play a LOT of FPS on the PS3 and i must admit i was pleasantly surprised by the Graphics and the ease of use of the Controls for this Game.The Time Shifting Effect is very ,Very,Good and certainly adds an extra "Something" to the Game,i was surprised to read some of the Customer Reviews that really Slate this Game.All i can say is that i found it Great Fun to Play and in My Opinion it was Money very well spent,and i would certainly reccomend it to those PS3 Gamers out there on a limited Budget (Self Included).The price of this Game wont Skint You,and neither will you feel that you have been ripped off.

Very last gen, but still fun
Originally intended as an X Box release, Timeshift's been in development for years. During this time, its had a complete stylistic overhaul, and is now a shooter very much in the mould of Half Life 2 and Gears of War.
This is most obvious during the games opening hour; anyone who's played HL2 will immediately recognise the streets and propaganda screens. Everything feels a like an inferior City 17, the fact your character is a mute physicist really doesn't help the comparisons much.

In fact, it's only when the time-shifting abilities are available that Timeshift has an identity of its own. They're a lot of fun, and give the ability to slow, pause and rewind time. The carnage it creates never gets boring. The abilities are also well balanced against the player's health, and fire fights nearly always feel tense and challenging.

The levels have little interaction, the plot quickly becomes a confusing mess, and most weapons are pretty boring, so these powers really save the game. However, all puzzles or situations require is a press of the auto-button which selects the most suitable power.
This means levels are breezed through and there is no overall sense of achievement. This would have worked better as an optional feature, or just on the easy setting.

Timeshift isn't worthy of its RRP, as these are much better shoters out there.
Although this is fun, it is just a shooter with a gimmick, and poor graphics.

Wasted potential
Oh this could have been such a good game, the first-person shooter equivalent of Prince of Persia, and yet so many problems. The graphics are PS2-worthy, hardly next-gen, and even then it struggles to get them on screen sacrificing vertical syncing for a consistent framerate.

The AI is not too bright; the between level loading screens are reminiscent of early PS1 games - "You play a scientist with a mysterious past" really wow thanks for telling me that it makes so much difference to the way I play the game; and any level of difficulty vanishes once you realise the potential of combining the easily dodged one-shot kill weapon with slowing or stopping time for a headshot every time.

Finally the context-dependant actions will have you screaming in frustration as you desperately dance around the designated 'action' area trying to mount a gun-turret to take out a squad of guards while your time meter ticks away and the end battle will simply have you asking "Is that it?"

To put it simply this is a PS2 game rapidly ret-conned for the PS3 and shoved out of the door before it was ready or possibly even tested and yet... it's still kind of fun when you catch glimpses of the game it could have been.