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Timeshift Xbox 360 demo: first impressions

Posted Aug 31, 2007 at 09:21AM by Nicolo S. Listed in: Timeshift, Games, Opinions & Analysis Tags: Sierra Entertainment, Sierra Online
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Timeshift screens - Image 1 Timeshift screens - Image 2


Before anyone tries to stop or reverse time, we secured Sierra Entertainment's Timeshift's Xbox 360 demo that recently went live. The effort rewarded us with topnotch First Person Shooter action, puzzle solving, and flying limbs. If run-and-gun is becoming too stale for your tastes, then look no further.

Our protagonist, coming from the distant future ruled by a mad dictator, is equipped with an equally futuristic suit that can mess with time. In a game like Timeshift where players get plenty of abilities, intuitive controls are heaven sent. Just a few minutes in and we were already manipulating time like Einstein's biggest nightmare.

After a brief intro cutscene, enemies were thrown at us non-stop with only a trusty carbine to defend ourselves. Fortunately, ample use of time-defying feats made combat easier. Using an ability depletes time energy, but the gauge fills up automatically.

The time suit is context sensitive, which is especially helpful in sticky situations. However, it's easy to pick a specific power and use it on the fly. One button press opens up choices, while the next lets you pick which ability to use. "Slow' puts the game in bullet-time state, allowing only the player to move at normal speed. "Stop" freezes everything, as you would've guessed. The latter takes up more energy, but very effective when used properly. "Reverse" rewinds all events that happened a few seconds back while still letting the player go on with his business.

Weapons are varied and fit for different circumstances, though there aren't much to choose from. Most situations can be handled by the machine gun, but the shotgun with faster firing rate than your usual pump-action is ace in close combat. For sniping, there's the bowgun that shoots explosive bolts from long range.

Sierra Entertainment's Timeshift for Xbox 360 screenshot - Image 1 Sierra Entertainment's TimeShift for Xbox 360 screenshot - Image 1


Objectives are pretty simple - defend this place, go there, meet that guy - but pacing is good overall. There was never a dull moment as we moved from one tactfully placed checkpoint to another. Plenty of hurdles came up every once in a while, providing a window for puzzle-solving elements. For one, there's a hallway that will crumble and leave you under a big pile of rubble; unless you reverse time and pretend nothing happened, of course.

Even with god-like abilities, the game does a good job of bringing the fight to the player. Enemy AI is nothing groundbreaking, yet skilled players still need to be more cautious. Time energy refills slowly, preventing too much use of powers.

Timeshift's setting doesn't bring anything new to the table, but it's one of the best looking sci-fi games to date. Environments are packed with detail, albeit small and somewhat linear. While walls crumble and many objects are destructible, finding cover isn't hard for the most part. There's a good amount of blood and gore, bodies get blown into pieces, but only extreme conservatives would be bothered.

We stumbled upon various tricks as we played with time, like attaching grenades to enemy soldiers or shooting rockets down after freezing them in the air. It's also possible to steal weapons from unsuspecting enemies when time is halted, since we all love pumping someone with lead using his own firearm.

TimeShift's demo is fun while it lasts. The many ways to exploit time open up new ways to play an FPS. Action is always right around the corner, and it looks good when things start going crazy. For the hardcore, it's not uncommon to find dismembered bodies and detached limbs on the floor. Take our word: this 500mb download is worth it.

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16 Comments


Sort by:
   by Devise (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » ...
Downloading this at the moment. Thanks for the first impressions for this demo and others. Keep up the good work.

   by .. (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » ..
Thanks downloading now

   by FreePlay (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » So
it's Blinx, with guns.

   by Rayn (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » I played this demo last year
I played the demo on the original xbox...it had the clips from crackdown on it but yeah this demo is old it just was never been ported to the 360

   by Ace High (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » a big let down
This game had potential but fell flat on it's face. The visuals are unimpressive, the enemy ai is dumb, the physics are wonky (especially when using time control) , and the time control is only fun for the first ten mins. Overall the game was repetitive and drab, which is sad because it could have been so much more.


   Re: Lucifonz (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » -
Finally someone who agrees with me. The weapons are completely unoriginal and the slo mo satisfaction from kills is nothing when compared to FEAR.

It also takes huge features from HL2. Im not forking out £40 on an unoriginal shooter when theres SO many this year.

Halo 3 will last up until CoD4 - which is by the way absolutely stunning from playing the beta ;)

   Re: hgk (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » As bad as Lair reviews ?
Do you mean its actually as bad as LAIR and Heavenly sword ratings are getting on the PS3 ?, is it that bad ?.

   Re: Doggy (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » Are you high?
This guy clearly works for a competitor. The physics is Havok, the time control is awesome and the visuals are superb!
   by Advertising -
   by fansite (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » no no no
the review isn't bad but lair sure is.


   Re: sd (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » PS3 owners tut tut come on its just a game machine
Looks like 360 Owners are getting very wise to the PS3 fake I have a 360 etc etc etc owners.
   by Spectre (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » LMAO
*yawn* Just another FPS with unoriginal content. Next?

BTW, Heavenly Sword has better reviews than Blue Dragon (which is supposed to be JAPs flagship title to cross over and cling onto the M$ boat)...LMAO. I guess there's no hope for M$ in Japan.


   Re: Jesus Christ (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » Yea
So the 39 or 38/40 by famitsu (higher than most FFs and MGS) makes it a flop.

Lol, good one.

   Re: Spectre (Unregistered) - 2007-09-01
 » ROFL
Famitsu? LMAO, that's like one of the most biased groups in the industry. Take a look at COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS from metacritic.com or gamerankings.com kid. ROFL
   by spectres right (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » but......
but the ps3 is doing just as *****ty is the much bigger US of A.

SO whose got the upper hand?


   Re: MGSROCKS1 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-31
 » ????
Dude, fix your grammar. I have no idea what you just said.
   by Tom (Unregistered) - 2007-09-01
 » Spectre is a jackass.
Do you have nothing better to do with your life?

No girlfriend? No friends? No life?

You just sit there in your room getting happy over the fact you are trying to put down 360 fans, note how we aren't as sad as you and don't need to put down a competitor...

See that rectangle shape thing near the front of your house? It's called a door, it's lets you go outside. Go get yourself a girlfriend or something.



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