Fancy a bit of time travel courtesy of your Xbox? How about a bit of a rootin' tootin' shootin' match, as loud and fast as Concorde but with a cheaper entrance fee? TimeSplitters 2 is here to rock the big black box and maybe even knock Bungie's Halo off its perch as the multiplayer must-have for the console. You are now a member of an elite group of Space Marines, so take up thy weapon and walk.

From the main menu, and discounting the options and mapmaker selections, there are three choic ... more >>

Fancy a bit of time travel courtesy of your Xbox? How about a bit of a rootin' tootin' shootin' match, as loud and fast as Concorde but with a cheaper entrance fee? TimeSplitters 2 is here to rock the big black box and maybe even knock Bungie's Halo off its perch as the multiplayer must-have for the console. You are now a member of an elite group of Space Marines, so take up thy weapon and walk.

From the main menu, and discounting the options and mapmaker selections, there are three choices of game type available in TS2; Story, Arcade and Challenge. Story is a mission-based mode that allows you to play different characters in different locations spanning over 500 years from 1853 to 2401. As you complete each mission, further missions will open up to you until the game is complete. It doesn't sound too enticing at first, until you discover that completion of missions gives access to hidden bonuses in the Arcade mode, thus opening up more gameplay possibilities. Story mode can be played solo or with two players, with the two-player cooperative mode adding a new dimension to the TimeSplitters experience.

The Arcade mode is split into two sections. Arcade League offers a number of tournaments against selected enemies and weapons in a series of different locations. If you fancy a quick blast on your own, then Arcade League is just the ticket. Arcade Custom offers a wide variety of games and options for you to tamper with. Up to four players are accommodated, either co-operatively or head-to-head.

Challenge mode puts you up against a selection of enemies and weapons. If you really want to test yourself, and get some serious practice along the way, Challenge is what you're looking for.

TimeSplitters 2 has had a lot written about it throughout year 2002, oodles of hype, and page after page on the web and in print. We say 'believe the hype', 'cos TS2 blows other first-person shooters away, whichever of the plentiful game modes you choose to play in. Now, where are those flaming monkeys? << less