Game Review: Timesplitters Future Perfect (PS2)

Future Perfect is the third game in the critically acclaimed series of Timesplitters games. A first-person shooter, the game sees the player's past, present and future self in a battle through time.

Cortez returns as our hero for this game, with humanity on the brink of destruction. Chasing a mysterious enemy through different time periods and places, Cortez must discover the origin of the TimeSplitters and, while he's at it, save the world.

As with previous Timesplitters games, killing is high on the agenda. Pirates, ninjas and even nurses are all cannon fodder and with an array of death-dealing weapons available (from the sublime to the ridiculous), the variety of kills is great fun. The gameplay itself, although highly polished, is rather simplistic and the single-player campaign itself has only a limited life-span.  It's not without any enjoyment but is ultimately a rather flat experience. 

I feel, though, that offline single-player is missing the point with Timesplitters as the meat of the game is, without doubt, the multiplayer aspect. And here is the problem for most UK PS2 players...PS2's online network really hasn't taken off over here.  Having reviewed the PS2 version, I admit, I'm itching to pick up a copy for the Xbox and experience the delights of Xbox Live as the offline multiplayer aspect, with its enormous range of gamemodes, is excellent.

I don't recommend this title if you're buying it for the single-player element alone but With numerous unlockables, a custom mapmaker and the excellent multiplayer options, Future Perfect is highly recommended for those with a) Xbox Live or PS2 online or b) lots of friends.