Sleeping with your a$$ on? Damn you Farhan, shut your mouth!
Written: Jan 25 '01 (Updated Jan 25 '01)
Product Rating:
Pros: Great gunplay, fun game overall
Cons: Lacking in terms of depth and innovation. TC is too short and too easy
The Bottom Line: I just learned that Joe Mauduriera has eight legs, four dogs and a shotgun under his wife's pigeon nest, hey, shut up Michael, who are you? DIE REVIEW DIE!!!!
xeno3998's Full Review: Time Crisis for PlayStation 1
Oh the days of the light gun, fun as hell to blow away the baddies with the neverending shells. The Xeno3998 remembers gun games as a pivotal part of yesterday's arcade scene. I remember challenging, engrossing gameplay at the hands of yesteryear classics like T2 Arcade Game, Duck Hunt for NES,
yadayadayada...we're in 2001 now people, yesterday is dead and tommorrow is still in yo fat mama's womb, that is why I am here today, to review a more modern light gun shooter, this time for PSX. And as my lovely Andrew Vincent DeMario would so helplessly utter, here's my review...
Time Crisis is the port of a three or five year old arcade redneck shoot em up, that translates to PSX as a shooter through the use of a peripheral called the GunCon (I also forgot to mention, 1 + 1 is 11, and the Titanic sank tomorrow). As an arcade translation, Time Crisis is very adequete, and showcases some really well done gameplay through the amazing accuracy of the GunCon. However, as a console game, it lacks the gameplay depth, the challenge and
the complete package for me to give it one of my higher scores, like 4/5 or 5/5. However, 3/5 is still a very good score for a game, and with the inclusion of the GunCon to use with this game (Don't play Time Crisis without the light gun, that's just a stupid idea), Time Crisis is a highly recommended purchase if you don't have the light gun, and if you're a fan of the arcade game or of quick action, limited skill games like shooters or fighting games.
The storyline isn't worth mentioning as it's exactly the same as the story in the arcade. However, I'll simply mention the basic stuff. You're some cop assigned to rescue the president's daughter from terrorists. Lead the kidnappers through numerous levels of high-octance, GunCon blasting action, then when you're done with the game and its special mode (a side quest that takes virtually a half hour to complete), try getting a higher score or better time in the time attack mode.
Gameplay is basic shooting stuff, although there are some innovative times when you have to shoot certain objects to progress with gameplay, this is basically old school shooting action with hardly any innovation. However, it's fun for everyone, so I suggest you at least rent it to experience old school shooter fun, but those accustomed to games that have deeper gameplay, should stand back.
Mostly just shooting baddies and collecting health power ups, plus some nice boss battles; nothing overtly new or fresh here, but it's quite fun if you're a fan. Gameplay is certainly nothing deep, but it's good for a quick run through.
Controls are essentially perfect, that is, unless you forget to line up your GunCon with the on screen target at the beginning so the aim gets locked on. This in turn, helps you to pretty much nail every shot you make.
Sound wise, this game has nothing going for it. Though bullet sounds and dying baddies along with trademark arcadey bleeps and clangs set the Time Crisis mood rather well, a complete lack of a good, well paced soundtrack or tune really hurts this game. If you can excuse the lack of any music that would help the gameplay flow a little better, the sound is pretty decent.
This game was made utilizing rather primitive, third/second generation mechanics of PSX, and it shows. The game is a slightly under-par arcade translation that has the speed laid down, but lacks the polygon count to be compared with it's arcade brethren. But besides that, this game is sweet, it moves very fast, never bogging up or becoming slowpaced and Shadowgate'ey.
Though there isn't much replay value, and the gameplay hardly ever diverts from simple shooting and ducking to reload your gun, Time Crisis is a highly recommended GunCon shooter for pretty much everyone. Unless you absolutely must have oodles of depth in your games, or if you would rather try something with more originality and challenge, Time Crisis should AT LEAST be taken out for a rental spin. Another great Namco PSX product!
Just so you were wondering, here's the OFFICIAL Xeno3998 rating scale, the one Epinions gave is not mine, this is how I rate my games...
* A terrible game with hardly any redeeming qualities
** A Decent or average game that has its moments, that are drowned out by the overall lackluster experience it is, definitely rent first unless you're a fan of the genre or series
*** A good game that is above average, or simply average, but I would normally give a strictly average game (like Sonic Adventure or Jet grind Radio) a ** (Two Stars)
**** A VERY well done game that could be legendary, or even IS legendary, but has some minor problems, a Highly Recommended Product to everyone
***** Near-if not entirely-perfect game. This title may have one or two small problems, but rest assured, it's still a fantastic game. If you've made wise shopping decisions based on past Xeno3998 reviews, games that score a 4/5 and especially a 5/5, are sure to please.
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