The TimeSplitters Trilogy Is Still Great 16 Years Later

TimeSplitters, TimeSplitters 2 and TimeSplitters: Future Perfect is one of the most beloved shooter trilogies in console gaming history. But it’s been 16 long years since the last entry to the franchise, and first-person shooters have changed dramatically in that time. With a new TimeSplitters game on the horizon, how well does the original trilogy hold up in 2021?
Back in May, Deep Silver announced the reformation of Free Radical Design, creators of the original TimeSplitters trilogy, and their first task is a new entry to the classic shooter franchise. Can a sequel retain the chaotic, uncomplicated joy of the original games?
Surely a remake or remaster of the TimeSplitters trilogy can't be far away, but in the meantime join Chris as he digs out a dusty old PS2, plugs in a shonky pad and revisits three of the best console shooters ever made.
#timesplitters #timesplitterstriology

[@TylerLuvsCinema]

The one trilogy I would kill to see remade in HD as well as a future sequel. I was so fucking stoked to find out that TS2’s entire campaign can be played thanks to a Easter egg in Homefront: The Revolution.

[@Hysteria98]

WHAT? AN ENTIRE GREAT GAME HIDDEN IN A CRAP ONE?

[@jimsouth5203]

@@Hysteria98 yeah what really upsets me is that they clearly have rights to the game so could easily make it backwards compatible but haven't done

[@TylerLuvsCinema]

@@Hysteria98 Yep. There is an arcade cabinet you find in a building in the game that lets you play the first two levels. When you’re in TS’s menu in the arcade cabinet you can input a code that unlocks the full game accessible from Homefront’s main screen.

[@rejogeorge7461]

@@Hysteria98 -vkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[@rejogeorge7461]

@@Hysteria98 -vkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[@sgtpieman]

"Destroy a helicopter from some kind of bridge. I mean, dam(n)!" That joke deserves more recognition and praise.

[@christophermorris5971]

Yes I think so

[@soul4speech583]

You got a golden eye for spotting things.

[@christophermorris5971]

@@soul4speech583 I thought it was a bridge until I noticed its perfect arc

[@williamgill5286]

i have no idea what that means i guess who said im leff off bad boojee

[@Cats_n_videogames]

Timesplitters is like the suit and tie, timeless and will never go out of fashion.

[@fixthesegames6303]

Beautiful way to put it. Timeless I hope they live up to their old standards with the new one

[@superspecky4eyes]

I'd say it was more like a 70s flared suede suite. Outrageous, fun and perfect for it's time but you wouldn't be caught dead wearing it today.

[@Cats_n_videogames]

@@superspecky4eyes I couldn’t disagree more but whatever man it’s your opinion n what not :)

[@superspecky4eyes]

​@@Cats_n_videogames Not saying I didn't love my time spent with those games, especially TS2, I just think if I played them today they would feel very old-fashioned. When you think of things like having to basically stop still and use a cursor to manually aim was a hangover from Goldeneye 64, which came out in 1996.

[@medzgb8921]

One of the greatest shooters of all time,

[@curticemorris]

I remember playing Timesplitters 2 on Gamecube with my brother. I still remember one time we set the computer difficulty to the highest in multiplayer, and it was going to be us vs the computers. But he tricked me and it ended up being me vs him and the computers. I still won though, lol.

[@koalakarity1491]

Yep, will probably never forget all these hours spent on the multiplayer mode... God, it was way too enjoyable! :D

[@subculturebith1616]

W

[@AlphaZeroX96]

The Timesplitters games and Unreal Tournament 2004 are without a doubt, the greatest first person shooters of all time.

[@superspecky4eyes]

Quake III?

[@feplays007]

The TimeSplitters franchise is underrated, simply because it's one of the best FPS games ever made, TimeSplitters Future Perfect was one of the most complete games I've played so far. And it's great to know that fans are making a new game and the original developers too.

[@koalakarity1491]

Yes, the generosity made it an amazing game, but you're right, maybe not the best shooter haha! Well, we still remember our endless multiplayer sessions, and this level of generosity, so that's the most important :) I bet we all hope that this is what the devs will keep for the next game(s)... Fingers crossed!

[@feplays007]

@@koalakarity1491 Hardly anyone who played the best shooting games at the time like 007 Goldeneye or Perfect Dark will not like TimeSplitters, and just like these two great games TimeSplitters was one of the best, simply because it contains all the essence of Goldeneye and Perfect Dark and more, made by the same creators.

[@koalakarity1491]

@@feplays007 Arf, I was slightly too young when Goldeneye came out (I mean, I could have played it, but parents were definitely against it). No doubt for Perfect Dark that involved a lot of mechanic, but was the gap that huge between Goldeneye and TS..? I hope it's not a too naive question haha

[@six12]

I don't know who is behind these recent essay type videos but Thank You very much. The Gamespot I knew might just be coming back.

[@six12]

Thanks Chris. A big thanks to Kurt too as I like his style

[@KurtIndovina]

Chris is great. And hopefully there’s more videos to come from him, Six

[@RaidenX01]

When Future Perfect released, I had played almost every FPS except this one. But when I discovered it, I thought it was the most fun game ever. I have huge amounts of memories from the coop campaign, multiplayer, challenges. We need a remaster of thoses games ASAP. Great video btw.

[@flexivefowl8186]

I might have to give this trilogy a go one day. I’ve never even played any of the games.

[@sadboycam3293]

I haven’t played it either I really don’t remember timespliters

[@CharismaStrategies]

@@sadboycam3293 Maybe you was too young

[@carlbrown1000]

Life must have sucked for you this game was and still is my childhood. I remember playing perfect future first then when that broke we went to game stop to get it again only to find out gamestop gave us the wrong fucking game and it turned out to be TimeSplitters 2. God that was a blessing in disguise it was so different yet so similar.

[@rybo0072]

They are fantastic games and probably the best in the genre but for some reason the franchise just disappeared in to obscurity which is so sad

[@Pegfoxx]

Wow where have you been lol! Timesplitters Future Perfect is the best FPS game ever. Get a Gamecube one copy of the game and four mates round and let the fun begin!

[@tylerpellegrini2984]

Thank you so much. This game was amazing. Creating maps and playing crazy multiplayer before c.o.d.

[@koalakarity1491]

Yes great video, so much nostalgia..!

[@DaRkLoRd-rc5yu]

Timesplitters 2 is my favourite game of all time. It is just perfection in arcade fast paced action. I easily have 1000 hours in that game.

[@LckeStudios]

"The trilogy also feels like a kind of window into a lost era of gaming. There are 150 characters in Future Perfect's multiplayer. If it was released now, how many do you think would be locked behind DLC, season passes or pre-order bonuses? There's no XP grind, no time limited events, seasonal tie-ins or pay-to-win weapons. Excuse the nostalgia, but they're like a peak into the innocent halcyon days of console gaming that are probably never coming back." Ouch.

[@koalakarity1491]

Sounds awfully too accurate :(

[@Maxi23543]

At least we have the indie scene.

[@unknowslayer7055]

If they ever remastered future perfect well any timesplitters game and locked stuff like the way you described it would be suicide for the game developers and the Studio but I doubt they’d be dumb enough to do that considering the original developers I working on a new timesplitters game

[@animefox360]

Screen shooting this, cause I just can't find a better use of words describing the convoluted & utter dismal state that is modern video gaming.

[@nocturnal1147]

He's absolutely right and I been saying the same thing to people for years.

[@DaRkLoRd-rc5yu]

The mansion in timesplitters 1 is actually the best level in the series. Its the best version of a zombie level although notre dame in timesplitters 2 is also a 10/10.

[@MLWJ1993]

Just the soundtrack is enough to get me in a good mood 😁

[@ZombieCortez]

When he said "and haze" that hit me hard

[@alexdesforges5026]

I really enjoyed this video. Love timesplitters and got so much nostalgia for those first two games. Really well done video!

[@IIMEERKATPLAYS]

I'm still playing TS2 to this day. Absolutely amazing game.

[@koalakarity1491]

On what platform?? :)

[@IIMEERKATPLAYS]

@@koalakarity1491 PS2 and GameCube

[@koalakarity1491]

@@IIMEERKATPLAYS Ah great, wish I could still launch the game from time to time..!

[@sims09b]

@@IIMEERKATPLAYS I still have my PS2 connected with TS2 ready 2 go

[@RaccoonLex]

4:40"somekind of bridge,, i mean damn" n1 :D

[@brantgarratt9873]

I played TS 2+3 religiously as kid for years. They were and still are my favorite wacky first person shooters. No game did Easter eggs, pop culture references, and comedy gags better than these games. They have so much heart and soul! Not to mention the incredible wealth of content. The characters, the maps, the editor, the arcade modes, challenges etc. I've heard some people complain about the mini games but I'll tell you, me and my brother had the time our childhood lives blowing up waves of Carrion Carcasses as undead chefs. Capture the bag in Siberia against an army of buffed Dickman Drakes (or Eli Scrubs) was always a hoot.

[@gabrielledebourg2487]

TimeSplitters 2 and Future Perfect is now available as backwards compatible titles on Xbox! I revisited TS2 and it’s just as amazing as it’s always been.

[@Wally17.]

I played some Future Perfect online multiplayer with some people right after it came to backward compatibility. It was a good time. I’m glad it was added to backward compatibility before the program ended.

[@nigelbotterill1936]

My first experience with time splitters was in shaun of the dead 🤣

[@KatarMilak]

Given that Free Radical was only just reformed, it's likely we won't hear anything about a TimeSplitters game until 2023 at the very least

[@Zombiekilleryamato]

Maybe sooner for remasters if they have the original code

[@emilefoxhall3155]

Man bro, I'm 29 and I've been waiting for a fourth Timesplitters game for so long. I really hope this franchise comes back one day.

[@chrisrichfield8906]

I always felt that the name Future Perfect was very suitable, as it is one of those games I will love playing, forever. The massive character roster, hilarious story and theme, and the map maker and abundance of modes gives it practically unlimited replay value. The artstyle holds up very well for an original xbox game. The animation is very expressive, almost Pixar like. The sound design is also fantastic, sticking to the comedic artoony sounds, but also very satisfying and badass gun sounds. Basically, I love everything about this game.

[@Kaizoushin]

I've still got TimeSplitters 2 for PS2 in my case. Right next to my chipped PS2 that is covered in dust. Keeping it all "just in case."

[@glesgagreg2255]

Got Timesplitters 2 for Christmas in 2002, great memories. Still have my PS2 games but recently got a console and the same dodgy controller shown in the vid, mainly to play the old Pro Evo games but also fired up the dam level of TS2 and, like you say, held up really well. Enjoyed this vid!

[@OCDcODY]

They were actually just added to Xbox backwards compatibility a few weeks ago! I haven't played them again yet, but I'm happy to have them in my library.

[@new_age_entertainment]

Best way to play it now is through the Dolphin emulator upscaled to HD. Still play 2 and 3 to this day. Can't wait for the new one!

[@WiredAnomaly]

Just platinumed all of ts2 and tsfp about a week ago. Started playing probably around 12. At 30 I can say these games are still amazing, and they hold up better than anything that's been released in the past decade. Best of all they are challenging. I still gotta beat ts2 hard mode, I'm looking at you robot factory but it's been a fun time revisiting them. God willing ts4 is on its way and huge shootout to all you other timesplitters loyalists who know the greatness of this drastically underrated series.

[@RainforceVI]

I'm very grateful that you included TimeSplitters into the Firearms Expert Reacts series TimeSplitters was just ahead of its time

[@docsamsonplays8083]

Dont know who needs to read this but timesplitters 2 and future perfect are now on the xbox market place for £8.39 each

[@methos4866]

My first go with the series was when i bought Timesplitters Future Perfect for the Gamecube at a flea market for merely €2. Easily the best €2 i ever spent because i played that game for so many hours. I didn't have any friends to play multiplayer with as i bought it when the 360 and PS3 were well into their lifespan but i played the hell out of that story mode. Still one of the best shooters i've ever played.

[@gerrardtin3208]

Shame you didn’t mention the music. Some of the best video game OSTs ever, TimesSplitters 2 in particular.

[@rjmeeker89]

Indeed. I hope they get Graeme Norgate back on board with the reformed free radical design. I wish they could get Grant Kirkhope as well but that is unlikely.

[@mixxavelly9189]

Glad im not the only one that remembers this game. I loved it so much i with they would remake or remaster it

[@DanTheHitman]

Adorable vid mate XD and don't worry nothing happened to ya, still seen like a cool gamer 👍👍👍 great upload!

[@Zombiekilleryamato]

TS 3 is number one on my list of games I want added to Xbox backwards compatibility

[@Arronic]

Well my friend you wish has been granted if I remember correctly

[@gwellz]

Got TS with my launch PS2. So many hours spent playing split screen with friends. Cant believe this hasn’t been remastered

[@ThatOtherOz]

I wish these games were on steam or something

[@brianzulauf2974]

Ea doesn't want us to know how good old games are

[@AgentBurgers]

Man every year my buddies come back from the military for the holidays we get together and fire up dolphin to play timesplitters future perfect, The fun factor has aged like fine wine.

[@therealMrA]

Timesplitters battle royale already exists. It's called Elimination. The pro version is Vampire

[@logankovach8309]

Yesss why has no one mentioned this already? I'm 99% sure you could set it to 1 life instead of 5 too.

[@iwillheadlockyournan731]

More vids like this please mate

[@civilwarfare101]

90s and early 00s fps had a nice and simple charm to them. 90s shooters dropped you into the action while 00s fps depending on the game just gave you a cutscene and go wild. At least indie fps games are embracing what 90s shooters did. As for TS, I mainly like 3 but 2 would be more enjoyable with an updated remaster. You can always emulate the games. I would love a new TS and personally prefer the bombast of 3's campaign.

[@KurtIndovina]

More of this please. And more of Chris. He’s amazing.

[@thatsnodildo1974]

I had a heart skip beat moment I saw the thumbnail than got let down hard thinking it was a announcement of the remaster. GIVE US FUTURE PERFECT REMAKE ALREADY GOOOOOOOO DAMN

[@iim4xii129]

Played these games since before I could walk properly (the first game came out two months after I was born), and I still have all three. Thanks to my big bro, who introduced it to me.

[@Sqdlow]

Awesome video! This franchise means the world to me

[@Lacotemale]

Played endless hours of multiplayer on Timesplitters FP. It was the best game to play with friends.

[@LemonDeadly]

I won a bunch of games and a PS2 in a raffle at a local charity fair back when the PS3 had been out for a while, so nobody was really playing the PS2 anymore, but me and my cousin decided to plug in and play Timesplitters because we thought the cover looked hilariously bad. We were expecting it to be awful, but after we played for a few minutes we quickly realised that this game was amazing. I quickly went onto eBay to buy the other two games, and now I class them as some of my favourite games of all time. So many fun memories, absolutely can't wait to see what the next Timesplitters game is like.

[@pizzarolls5027]

I’m praying they remaster time splitters 2

[@luckyspray]

This game trilogy deserve at least a remaster, it was the most fun and frenetic shooter ever and i think it still is

[@chrisrichfield8906]

It would be hard to capture the charm of Timesplitters Future Perfecft, but having Tom Hill Clarke reprise his roll as Cortez might help. TSFP has one of the best story campaigns i can remember thanks to his wonderful acting and the hilarious script.

[@bena9713]

“What is that accent supposed to be” actually killed me coming from you I get the joke. Well done.

[@HopelessIncubus]

My childhood right here! I'd love more of the cheesy story, and online party modes.

[@amnedits4898]

this game defined my childhood and is still my favourite franchise of all time... the news of Free Radical sparking up made me so happy

[@inspectorhaze9054]

GoldenEye Perfect Dark TimeSplitters 1 2 and 3 some of the greatest games in history

[@CalDal_22]

2 and 3 still remain my favourite shooters to this day. I wish we got a pc release with COOP and multiplayer support .

[@harry1178]

Brilliant video for brilliant video games !

[@PaladinLeopard44]

I've been waiting for a new Timesplitters game as well. I was excited about that same news and when E3 came about. I was pretty sad about it. Hopefully in the future they come out with one.

[@nightowlseclipse2421]

Maybe Deep Silver will share first details at Gamescom soon

[@Gr0nal]

Ngl this video almost made me cry

[@comicartist79]

One of my favorite series ever very underrated Great campaign Awesome little many challenges with over a 100 unlockable characters. I missed this game

[@vahlok1426]

A friend of mine and I once dedicated ourselves to making an epic length campaign of our own in the TSFP map maker. It started by one of us making one map, then handing off the memory card to the other and having them play the level. Then the one of us who had the card at the time needed to make the level that would come after the one prior. It was impressively long actually, going on for at least a dozen or more levels before we capped it off with a TS2 style escape level. I wish I could find that memory card...

[@AKBeats1]

thank you for this, this game was my childhood

[@Unee720]

Virus was my multiplayer mode of choice huddling around with 3 other friends with a gamecube. Screaming at each other while trying to run away from whoever is "it"

[@richardsheldonjames]

One of my ultimate favorite games! A gem in every aspect... Wish that they would bring an updated but exact port of this...

[@harkerisss]

Well thank God! We have backward compatibility on Xbox Series. Played Future Perfect yesterday. It brings back so much memories!!!

[@UnvarnishedTarnished]

I got a steam deck recently and have been playing the heck out of future perfect - love these games!

[@matthewlovesbritney]

Future Perfect is my favorite ❤️ hopefully we get a remaster 🙏🙌

[@connorlambert8916]

With you on this one bro 😎 miss timesplitters

[@linkbond08]

I wasn't raised with TimeSplitters I discovered it merely by chance, about 3 or 4 years ago, I'm 31 about to be 32 next month. But I know exactly what you mean because I used to play GoldenEye for the 64 when I was 10 at my parent's home, and TimeSplitters captures that vive to the letter.

[@rungeon83]

Was 17 when I cracked xbox(originals) and remember having all the games and thought time splitters ticked everybox I wanted but found them just... DULL!

[@Shanebear4291]

Timesplitters was the game I learned to play FPS with. TS2 is still one of the best games I've ever played. A true classic.

[@abelramirez7320]

I'm glad we are remembering timesplitters

[@CheshiresDream]

Just being able to mix & match your own unique squad from the 100's of choices of characters they had to make your own random game theme was Bloody Awesome/ anything from creating your own Zombie apocalypse to a sci-fi robot war against an army of mutant insects/ not to mention Monkey soldiers/ dinosaurs/ gingerbread men, & a Fish in a bowl with a mech suit!!! You can't emulate this)))

[@LxstGalaxy2000]

I'm lucky to have been able to experience Timesplitters although I only had 2 and future perfect but still would play these all the time it's so fun. We need a remaster the only game to push boundaries.

[@koalakarity1491]

THANK YOU for this amazing video that honors this great franchise 😍 Can't wait to see what they are working on, even if it's just 1 or 2 remaster(s) to generate some revenues that will help the development of a future game, I am in!

[@celebalert5616]

This is called Cross branding with Jonathon Freguson videos and I like it

[@majorchaos5000]

timesplitters will always hold a special place in my heart from playing split screen with my siblings to laughing at multiplayer with my school mates it always brings back to my innocent years of being a teen and not having a care in the world and just enjoying a very fun game with no "modern gaming" bs attached to it just hope the 4th game brings that same vibe of the classics with "some" modern improvements ie being able to play co-op online

[@j.h.2967]

The TimeSplitters trilogy is now available to purchase on PS Store, or play via PS Plus! TS2 and Future Perfect is also available for Xbox S/X!

[@vherostar]

too many nights spent playing TS2 on 4 player multiplayer using a multitap. I was a young adult too so the beer was flowing. Honestly some of the best nights as a gamer i ever had. I am worried yet excited for a new game as like u said there will probably be paywalls. But if they do none and give a real TS experience it may force the hands of other studios. I would be happy with skins and new types of worlds for map creator as dlc but not characters..

[@SynthLizard8]

Wait....The gun archivist reviewing Timesplitters guns...now there's a retrospective of the franchise....**puts on tinfoil hat**...I think there's a announcement coming soon....

[@nightowlseclipse2421]

Gamescom is going to start in 2 weeks. Koch Media is also there (Owner of reformed Free Radical). Maybe they will have first informations about the new TimeSplitters.

[@FlyingAce1016]

we getting a new timesplitters game and a new perfect dark what a time to be alive

[@bencesarvari2235]

watching in 2022 timesplitters 2 and future perfect is on the xbox one. Everything is good.

[@doublel1572]

Me and my best mates favourite games, late childhood memories

[@ROBBINMASTER]

“Shake your money maker”

[@zdhome5727]

I hope she comes back. About the "outdated design"... She was a punk kid rebel breaking into a haunted mansion. What do punk kid rebels do? Speak, act, and wear clothes that go against what every adult would want. It's a personality.

[@afd19850]

Timesplitters is a perfect dissection modern gaming. As you say of those 150 characters, 140 would be locked behind season passes, bundles and mtx. When it does come back we should expect the same. However, an oddball off the wall cartoony BR mode could rival the younger demographic who play Fortnite whilst brining older gamers back.

[@MusicAddict9228]

Timesplitters 2 and Future perfect I put so many hours into that multiplayer on GameCube

[@sjosephr]

I loved all 3 and worried if it came out today will be too modernised. Back then it was fun, no levelling up jus plug and play. Now it’s doesn’t matter how good you are at a game it’s about how much time you put into a game.

[@agentrevenge3370]

I love the TimeSplitters series. My brother and I use to spend hours playing the escort missions on TS1.

[@rev_ares8680]

I remember playing future perfect on game cube when I was 5 dam good days

[@romanwolf0072]

"Its time to split!"

[@spiritualawaken6297]

Best trilogy of all time for me man. 100% love for these games and best nostalgia moments for me with my brother too!

[@andrewarnott2619]

TimeSplitters 2 was the first fps game I ever played and I used to spend hours with my siblings playing round after round.

[@Graham2468]

7:08 technically "Elimination mode" is essentially battle royale mode, but way more customisable

[@levelwithme8535]

Thank you for making this. It’d be a dream to be a level designer for a new Timesplitters game.

[@isaacgomez5730]

The second and third time splitters are now in the Xbox store! I missed out on future perfect so I got is for $2.50 and it brings back so many memories

[@heardofrvb]

Huh. Didn't realize how stylish the European box art is

[@christophermorris5971]

It's so great isn't it!

[@Rainbow_Shogun]

I wish they would remaster the original trilogy. Future Perfect was a blast, especially multiplayer.

[@mosemister]

"Not even on the xbox backwards compatibility list" .... Well .... That didnt age well

[@jeremiasdrumond7457]

Akimbo shotguns were just absurd :)

[@Artersa]

One of the best thing about these games was the custom maps. I adored it and began making maps for Team Fortress in response. Imagine the kinda if maps we could make in a 2021+ Timesplitters game!!!