August 19, 2002 Update

Eidos Interactive has released four new screenshots from TimeSplitters 2. To check them out, see screenshots #4,5,6, and 7 below.

Eidos Interactive made a disappointing announcement regarding the online mode in the PlayStation 2 version of TimeSplitters 2. As of now, TimeSplitters 2 will not support any online features.

"We had always hoped to include an Internet online component in the PlayStation 2 version of TimeSplitters 2," said a representative from Eidos . "However the infrastructure is not yet in place that will enable us to incorporate an online element and still make the game's proposed release date. We certainly don't want to delay the release of one of the year's most anticipated games and as a result disappoint the many fans who are eagerly awaiting the game."

In light of losing online gameplay, Eidos promptly restated that TimeSplitters 2 will still support iLink and LAN multiplayer modes. Players will be able to link up to six consoles via the PlayStation 2 iLink, which will support up to 16 players. Users can also create a LAN using the upcoming PS2 Network Adapter. The LAN option allows the connection of eight consoles and 16 player matches.

Eidos Interactive recently announced that TimeSplitters 2 will indeed include online gameplay - in addition to its i.Link multiplayer mode. Free Radical Design wasn't quite 100% sure if TS2 would have online elements, but due to Sony getting the ball moving for their online network, eveyrthing seems to be falling into place.

Although extremely rushed for the PS2 launch, TimeSplitters got rave reviews from various websites and publications. Now that the first game has sold fairly well in the U.S. and U.K., Free Radical Design has the opportunity to go back and create the best game possible with all of the time and resources that they need. If the original product turned out this good, imagine how the good the sequel will be without all of the tight deadlines.

If you got the TS2 playable demo last week in the mail, there is no doubt in my mind that you walked away extremely impressed. At a glance, TimeSplitters 2 seems to be a major rip off of the legendary N64 game, Goldeneye - but believe it or not, TS2 is being developed by some of the key players from the James Bond masterpiece and Perfect Dark (just like the last game). Hell, even the menus and sound effects are rip right out of the N64 classic!

The first major change you'll notice about TS2, is the deeper single-player mode. Instead of tracking down a silly artifact and bringing it back to the beginning of the level - TS2 has you completing various objectives and tasks. One objective has you blowing up a satellite dish, while another has you destroying documents found in various file cabinets placed through out the level.

The graphics have been extremely upgraded in the sequel as well. Environments are more detailed, and are massive in size and scope. They are much more wide-open compared to the claustrophobic sets in the first game. In addition, the enemy AI has also been improved. They actually have to look for you instead of magically knowing where you are all the time. This was a huge complaint about the last game. Also, much like MGS2, enemies will notice destroyed objects and fallen comrades - and will come and investigate the situation.

As for multiplayer modes, they are being improved as well. MP maps will be larger and will have better sniping and camping points. There will also be just as many bots (10) as the last game (maybe even more if the game engine is capable of supporting more bots w/o having the framerate drop). However, the best part is that TimeSplitters 2 will support up to 2-16 player battles! Much like Halo on the Xbox, TS2 will allow people with more than one PS2 to link up and go at it with 8 vs 8 players or 16 FFA deathmatches. This is really useful if each of your friends has a PS2. Finally, a PS2 game to compete with Halo's awesome network mode!

Needless to say, TimeSplitters 2 will be one helluva game when it is released this Spring. Trust me, this is one game that you must reserve!