I've been playing some Timesplitters 2, after hearing it brought up again as a shining example of console FPS perfection. And...well, frankly, I don't see the appeal. It seems like a mess of horribly bland level design, extremely unclear objectives, bad controls, grating music and sound, and a difficulty curve that relies more on screwing the player over than it does on presenting an actual challenge. Yes, there's a ton of varied content. Yes, the weapons are cool. Yes, some of the graphical effects are nice. And yes, the splitscreen multiplayer is a blast. But to me it seems like it took everything that didn't work about Goldeneye and made it even worse (and I actually kinda like Goldeneye).

So what gives? Am I just not the game's target audience? I'm not trying to bash the game... I just want to know what's so great about it.

You could basically say the same for HALO.

Nothing that would truly impress a PC gamer, but all the rage on consoles.

I think where it really shone was the mutliplayer. Not online-PC multiplayer, but frantic split screen console multiplayer. It was the FPS Mario Kart.

Well I can understand that, I suppose... the multiplayer is quite entertaining.

It was the FPS Goldeneye to be exact. :p

Yes Goldeneye is a FPS but that's the point. The multiplayer is supposed to be amazing like it was in Goldeneye on the n64 because the guys who worked on Goldeneye created Timesplitters.

Well yes, Goldeneye was the FPS MK64, Timesplitters was the FPS MKDD (which isn't a fair comparison because DD was a bit meh).

Bland level design? Really? I dont think ive played the same Timesplitters 2 as you. It was certainly one of the best FPS ive ever played. I think that what makes it attractive is that theres just a lot of variety in campaign mode, youre constantly going through different time periods, each with its own weapons, enemies and levels. Its just really fun, it never gets old because every level feels like a whole new game. The only complaint i can come up with is that the campaign was very short.

And multiplayer was great, too bad there wasnt an online mode when it was released. However, its sucessor, Timesplitters Future Perfect had an online mode (except the GC version) which was really, really fun. Oh, and there was a level editor, you could make new levels and maps and share it online. That was just amazing for its time. Are you kidding? Im a PC gamer and i was impressed when i first played Halo. It was that good. It revolutionized FPS, not only on consoles, but on PC too. You can see Halos influence on most FPS nowadays.

Yes, there were a lot of different periods, but none of them felt evocative or memorable in the slightest. Visually, everything was just...bland. Horribly, irrevocably bland, they felt like the sort of thing you'd see in a mod, or in some cheap budget title. Gameplay-wise, there is admittedly variety between each level. My main complaint is how unattractive and atmosphere-less they look. Not TOO much. The biggest thing it brought to the table was rebounding health, and arguably a designated grenade button. And, again, Halo has some of the single worst level designs I have ever seen. Its combat was admittedly pretty good, and I guess its story would be ok if you're into cheesy over-the-top space operas.

At least it didn't introduce ADS aiming to the mainstream. That travesty came from the CoD games.

I absolutely loved the Level Designer in TimeSplitters 2. So much variety, especially for a console game! I don't think 3 had quite the same depth, or it just seemed a bit plasticky in comparison.

Looking back, I think it was a decent game and well worth the money.

Ok, now that I'm thinking about it, I suppose that the gameplay variety should be counting. I'm just highly focused on atmosphere, so the lack thereof in TImesplitters 2 bothers me.

Like how? The shitty 2 weapon limit?

Also, one thing I have to add, these games had a sense of humour which I definitely appreciated. They never seemed to take themselves too seriously.

Health regeneration (which is included in every blockbuster FPS now), interesting vehicle combat, a decent story, great AI, both for enemies and friendly soldiers (FPS games had a terrible AI at that time), a very well composed soundtrack, and the list goes on.

Man, Timesplitters is well up there in FPS games that are pro

Like Unreal tournament, Quake, and something else.

Its a pure example how FPS games still should be made, No health regen, Had pickups, you can carry 6 guns just like real life!!! No bloody screen, No 1 shot kills

Its a golden FPS and it would be nice if we had a recent golden FPS game to play these days instead of the silly health regen and crap