Others say...

"Next time is THE time"
Time Shift is one of those games that i can't wait for the next installment having only moderately enjoyed this installment.

Let me explain with Graphics, storyline, gameplay, Performance and "Hook".

Graphics
The team creating Time shift has been dinged time and again for the blend between the old steampunk and newer graphics. I couldn't care less, they did a nice job on the graphics. Of course it doesn't make a lot of sense to fly a zepplin through a bunch of hovercraft blackhawks successfully, but in for a penny in for a pound as they say.

Storyline

There isn't one. Oh there is a little tidbit about going back in time to catch a guy with another suit, but ultimately it bears no impact on anything. you don't have a mano-a-mano at the end with timeshifting battles so who cares? Shame too, THAT could have been epic: Just when you think you have him dead to rights, your world suddenly backs up three seconds and you're back at it.

Gameplay:
First the good:

See the "Hook" section for timeshifting discussion.

Weapons are very very good. I've heard some carping about the over powerful crossbow. not so. while some alternate ammo might be fun- the crossbow never gets old. Zoom-timestop- shoot- time go- watch the baddies say "He's got a Cross. . ."-boom. never gets old.

Here's where where my real beef begins- ENOUGH WITH THE JUMPING PUZZLE BS. Some of the puzzles are interesting such as having to reverse time and get carried into the next room by the crate conveyer. fair enough a reasonable use of the technology, but things list the wind tunnel just piss me off. Dart out and hope you can find some amorphous spot where you won't get sucked off to your death by the breeze. The refueling mission starts with a very exciting "Find your way off the Zepplin" segment which reminded me of being lost in south Philly: Nothing is marked and no one will help you.

The "Defend the Zepplin" sections aren't too painful. It is completely linear and the abilities of the suit vary from moment to moment. At times I can hop across a pretty good distance, others I can't jump over a box of kleenex. The length of time stoppage varies(It seemed to me) as well.

The boss fight is medicocre and there's enough ammo that you can blow shots off to kingdom come and still not run short.

Overall the plusses outweigh the minutes and i did enjoy the game, but there were several moments I just walked away in annoyance.

PERFORMACE

I'm playing on a direct X10 enabled alienware with 2 videocards and a 30" apple cinema- THe game worked well, but it's a high end rig. There were some minor clipping issuses, otherwise it was clean.


THE HOOK: Manipulating time.
After Max brought us bullet time- nothing was ever the same. Time Shift brings this concept to the next level of stop and reverse and integrated into the game play fairly well. I get the idea however that the impact on game play and level design was so novel, they didn't know quite what to do with it. Which brings me to the title of the review:

I think once the modders have had a crack at the code and the team gets inspired, the next time shift will be dynamite.

Buy the game, you'll enjoy it. Level designers take note if your product is M for mature- leave the jumping puzzles out.






"Surprisingly better than expected"
Much game better than I expected. I enjoyed the time shifting element of the game, as some of the puzzles had me thinking in a 4th dimension that was new to me and pretty clever in design. A linear FPS, but the ability to slow down, reverse, or stop time allows for some fun crossbow sniping and slow motion explosions. I played it through a second time just because it was that much fun.

"Outstanding Game"
Great first person shooter w outstanding graphics and a clever hook involving 'time shifting' during the action. Fast play through, however...already waiting for the sequel.

"good game but not long enough"
hello,
this game is a good game great idea and great game play great graphics, but is not long enough could be a lot longer

"Great Game"
This is a great game. It contains superb graphics, effects, and game play. The only downside, is there are some moments where there seems to be no story line, all in all 9.5/10. Well worth the purchase.