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In In Memoriam we regularly look back at a series that we lost and that left a hole in our hearts. An IP that deserved more than it got, or just a series of games that left you wanting more, regardless of whether it was well-rounded. This is a series from the heart, the broken heart.
Today we turn our attention to a series that took players on a journey through time and space, filled with chaotic multiplayer battles and a quirky sense of humor: TimeSplitters. It all started in 2000 when Free Radical Design released the first TimeSplitters game for the PlayStation 2.
TimeSplitters was unique in its approach to the first-person shooter. Not only did it bring intense single-player campaigns, but also a multiplayer mode that quickly won the hearts of gamers. The story revolved around time travel and an evil race called the TimeSplitters who caused chaos throughout time. Players were encouraged to travel through different eras, from the Wild West to the far future, to save the world.
What really set TimeSplitters apart was its focus on the multiplayer experience. The game brought with it a seemingly endless selection of customizable characters, levels, and game modes, making it a delight for any player who craved frenetic gunplay. The characteristic humor, often absurd and often laced with satire, made TimeSplitters a light-hearted and entertaining experience, a breath of fresh air compared to other serious shooters of the time.
TimeSplitters 2 was released in 2002 and built on the success of the original. It expanded on the time travel concepts and introduced new characters and weapons. Multiplayer became even more immersive and the “MapMaker” gave players the ability to create their own levels, leading to a seemingly endless source of creativity.
The third title, TimeSplitters: Future Perfect, was released in 2005 and built on the story of the previous games. Future Perfect also brought a cooperative mode where players could team up with a friend to overcome the campaign’s challenges. It was an addition that further highlighted the social nature of TimeSplitters.
Despite its success and critical acclaim, the TimeSplitters franchise seemed to die a quiet death after Future Perfect. Free Radical Design was working on a fourth installment, but development was halted, likely due to financial problems and other challenges.
However, TimeSplitters fans held on to hope for a long time. Especially when the developer ended up in the hands of THQ Nordic (part of Embracer Group) in 2018. A return of TimeSplitters was even announced, but after a few years more and more dark clouds gathered around the studio and at the end of 2023 Free Radical Design closed its doors, so that TimeSplitters now seemed completely dead and buried.
TimeSplitters not only influenced the FPS genre, but also the way gamers viewed social interaction in games. The importance of playing together and having fun rather than just competing was emphasized. The series taught us that games don’t always have to be deadly serious, they can also be fun.
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