As one story ends another begins. This is what brings us to Crossbell. A city state sandwiched between two political superpowers seemingly hanging on by a thread to stay afloat of outside influences. However not everything is what it seems on the surface. Crossbell is corrupt and is very limited on what it can do to fix its own issues. And only the SSS can change Crossbell's wrongdoings from within.

I love the SSS man. Every member is so fun to see and their interactions are priceless. The squad is so diverse in personality and yet they mesh so well. Even their battle styles are different. Seeing the SSS slowly get the recognition they deserve is such a payoff. They aren't just a copy of the bracer guild and made their own identity.

I find the setting of Crossbell to be very engaging especially since the state is small enough to where you are able to get to know every character including the npcs and really connect with the characters when shit hits the fan. It also isn't small to the point where you get tired of the same locations. This can also be implied due to how well this game uses its map. Like it just makes sense that you have to go all over Crossbell to retrieve an overdue book or partake in a fishing contest at the sandbar.

As always Trails and of course Falcom delivers on its soundtrack. Like every time this track played I was on the edge of my seat because I knew I had to lock in. Another great soundtrack that the music is all it takes to change your mood in an instant.

Can't talk about Zero without a certain character's journey that has spanned over 3 games now. Definetly one of the best character journeys I have seen in a video game. Every time they are on screen I always get emotional. There is just something about how its handled that it's truly special.

From what this game concludes off of, I really wonder how Azure will start off because Zero had a pretty conclusive ending but definetly has questions that needs to be answered. Just like us as the player, the SSS still doesn't know all of the answers on the why of how Crossbell functions but if we just get over the barrier only then we can seek the truth and justice be served.

"But what we need right now is the experience of overcoming these kinds of obstacles. Think about it, clear the small barriers one by one… If we do that, then someday, we’ll have the power to get over the taller barriers, too. "

I stumbled upon this game a couple years back and had shown some interest to it but never really got far. I would play the first chapter or so and that would be it.

Time flies by and I would make decent progress until about recently. Continued and finished all the way through.

Which I must say this game is pretty slow in story and gameplay. For something that is about 10 hours or so should not make you feel that way but it did. In between chapters there would be this prolonged TV show cinematic and was pretty neat at first, but after awhile it got repetitive and frustrating. The story was convoluted with several things you had to do to follow along with the story. It was ambitious, which I admire it for doing so, but it inevitably did not execute.

All in all, the concept was there with time travel and chronostasis but just executed poorly. I wouldn’t label this as “bad” but definetly not good either. In between the two of it being just “fine” is where this game belongs.

Going into this game I had some expectation considering that it’s labelled as one of the best FPS games of its time, but I wasn’t really expecting how much fun this game would truly be.

I will start off and get the negatives out of the way and follow up with the overwhelming positives.

While TimeSplitters 2 features a time-traveling storyline that adds an element of excitement and variety, it felt that the overall narrative lacked depth. The focus of the game is primarily on gameplay and multiplayer, with the story serving as a backdrop rather than a central element. As a result, the storytelling and character development may not be as robust as in other narrative-driven games. Additionally, the campaign’s overall length was found to be relatively short and wasn’t optimized fully.

Now onto the positives.

Despite not being a game that focuses on its narrative, TimeSplitters 2 offers a captivating time-traveling storyline that takes players through diverse eras, including the Wild West, the 1920s, and a futuristic robot-filled world.

The game's campaign mode delivers an array of missions with distinct objectives and settings, introducing players to varied enemies, weapons, and environments as they jump across time. In its multiplayer mode, you’re provided an extensive range of options to enhance the multiplayer experience. With support for split-screen multiplayer, you can engage in thrilling deathmatches, intense capture the flag battles, or even experience the unique "virus" mode where players transform into zombies.

The gameplay mechanics are solid and enjoyable, boasting responsive controls and satisfying shooting mechanics. In which, offers a wide selection of weapons, from classic firearms to futuristic energy-based arms, each with its own distinctive feel and characteristics. The level design strikes a well-balanced mix of tight corridors and open spaces, creating diverse and engaging combat encounters… for the most part. While the AI opponents do offer a reasonable challenge, there were instances where the enemy AI could exhibit predictable patterns or occasionally behave erratically. Which, at times, impacted the overall immersion and challenge level of certain missions.

While the graphics may not stand up to today's standards, the game still impresses with its detailed environments, diverse character models, and smooth animations, effectively utilizing the capabilities of the consoles it was released on. The soundtrack adds to the experience with its catchy tunes and atmospheric music, enhancing the overall immersion.

One of the standout features of TimeSplitters 2 is its delightful sense of humor. The game embraces a lighthearted tone, incorporating playful moments and quirky characters throughout the campaign and multiplayer modes. Like for example, there is a snowman character that players can encounter and interact with in certain levels. Amusingly, by interacting with the character, players can shoot at the snowman, causing its head to fly off, revealing a hidden item or power-up. By not taking itself too seriously, TimeSplitters 2 adds a fun and lighthearted element to the game, showcasing the game's sense of humor and attention to detail. The presence of the snowman is just one example of the game's playful and quirky nature, adding an extra layer of enjoyment for players as they explore the various levels and discover hidden surprises.

All in all, I can totally see how TimeSplitters 2 is considered one of the best FPS games of its time. Its solid mechanics, enjoyable campaign, and comedic flair make it a memorable title in the genre. Even after more than two decades since its release, TimeSplitters 2 remains an entertaining and highly replayable game. Whether you're a fan of FPS games or simply seeking a fun and unique gaming experience, TimeSplitters 2 is definitely worth exploring.