TimeSplitters: Future Perfect

You’ll spend lots of time here, and in no way will it be depressing.

Tags: Categories: Reviews, Xbox Reviews

Posted by David Hinkle on Apr 21st, 2005

Title Players
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect (title page) 1 - 2
Developer Publisher Genre Online
First Person Shooter No

TimeSplitters: Future Perfect is damn near a perfect game. This is the game you would want to show to anyone who truly believes first-person shooters don’t play well on a console. With excellent controls, an uncountable amount of unlockables, and some of the best multiplayer gameplay you will see, TimeSplitters: Future Perfect shows us that it’s possible to craft a brilliant game without even including the ability to jump.



That really is the only gripe one could have with this game – that it’s seen 3 installments and Free Radical has yet to include the ability to jump. Regardless, the game is near flawless and manages to play better than most titles which include an ability that is often taken for granted. So when the only problem with an engine is one as small as this, the game must be good, right? Not necessarily, but thankfully it is in this case.

For those who lack anyone else to play with and LIVE! support, there is a hefty amount of single-player action here to utilize. Story mode picks up from the last title, with Cortez on the way back to base with the Time Crystals. If you’re unfamiliar, TimeSplitters refer to a race of creatures hell-bent on the destruction of humankind. Using the Time Crystals, Cortez will go back in time and prevent this war from ever happening.


Each mission in Story Mode has you teaming up with not only someone else, but yourself at times. Missions are each a cooperative affair, both filled with new faces and old. Some of the fan favorites return, such as Captain Ash and Harry Tipper, so the comedy element of course returns with them. Some of the newer characters follow with their own quirks, and fit in quite well with the universe. Also at certain points, you’ll encounter small wormholes in the time-space continuum, which upon entering will take you to the past where you’ll assist your past self. The only problem with this gimmick is that their really isn’t any surprise to it, as you’ll first encounter a cutscene of the future Cortez assisting you, then later on going back to do whatever task that Cortez did. So taking note of exactly what that Cortez is doing will ensure the future endeavor goes smoothly with ease. Bill and Ted fans rejoice.

Each mission has you pairing with someone else, so you might think the Story Mode allows for two-player cooperative play, right? Well, this is the case, although given how easy it is alone you might not feel it is needed. When going through with someone else, you won’t find any special accommodations waiting for you, such as a higher volume of enemies or more life for bosses. So naturally you’d turn up the difficulty, but this essentially just turns it into a single-player game on medium difficulty.


Aside from Story, there are the wonderful modes of Arcade and Challenge. Arcade allows for multiplayer action in various different gametypes (both traditional such as Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch, and non such as Tag or Monkey Assistant), either with bots should you have noone around to play, or up to 4 total people on the same Xbox. Playing with bots seems to be on its way to becoming a lost art, and something I generally appreciate should it be included in a game. It not only allows someone to sharpen their skills for play against humans, but is a nice way to just kill time and get to know the maps. Under Arcade is also the option to play in League, which is a multi-tiered game mode having you play through several different Arcade matches with bots, but with a twist.

There is also a Challenge mode here, which has you participating in wacky challenges for trophies that unlock characters and cheats for use. Challenge is a really fun time, although it doesn’t last too long. Here you’ll be doing things such as racing mechanical cats and fending off hordes of zombified monkeys. Each challenge is unique, and even some a bit difficult. Taking the game online, you can post your scores here for all to see.



The mapmaker tool is something the franchise has been well-known for, and for good reason. Making maps for multiplayer and story mode is a snap, and relatively quick. With a grid-like interface and clean menu setup, you’ll be making maps with ease. For those with LIVE!, you can even upload your maps online for others to download, a wonderful idea from Free Radical. With maps that mimmick Doom and Splinter Cell online the very first time I opened the game and went online, you can bet this will be something that keeps the game fresh after you’ve unlocked all the characters and cheats.

Playing online is frantic fun and filled with a great community. Finding games is never difficult, and once found you’ll be in for some great fun. A few times we’ve encountered some teleportation (people running in place one moment then magically moving halfway across the room the next) during some of the more crowded games. This isn’t something that became a consistency, but it happened enough to warrant a mention.


Graphically, the game looks good and moves at a steady frame rate throughout. There weren’t any occasions of slowup noticeable during multiplayer (4 people on one box or with 1 person and maxed-out bots), but there was one case during the Story mission that has Cortez roaming a speeding train. Battling a helicopter alongside Cortez’s future self, once destroying it slowed the game down to a crawl everytime. Otherwise, all the player models look good and move well, especially in their elaborate facial expressions. Sound works really well in the game too. From the excellent spectrum of voice actors to the thumping music, and finally coming full circle to the distinct sound of each weapon, you’ll be constantly surprised throughout.

Honestly, the only major grievance is that the game doesn’t have a jump function yet. With such a stellar multiplayer mode and enough to keep soloists satiated, anyone who enjoys good FPS action needs to own this game. With it’s tongue-in-cheek humor and bizarre quirks, it’s not only an action-packed game, but close to the funniest experience one could have on an Xbox. So do yourself a favor and go buy this game, now.

What Works Score
Everything 9.5
What Doesn't
Nothing...well, no jumping.
Under the Shrink-wrap
Xbox enthusiasts need to give this a try. They won't be disappointed.
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