Silicon Fusion >> Reviews >> Time Crisis 3

	All Platforms
	Xbox
	GameCube
	PlayStation 2
	PC
	Game Boy Advance

Site Sections:

	Updates
	News
	Games
	Publishers
	Developers
	Reviews
	Previews
	Release Dates
	Editorials
	Glossary
	Contact Us

Review:

27th November 2003:
Time Crisis 3
Can it capture the great essence of the arcade? Or is it just a waste of your time?
Posted by Peter Cavan - PlayStation 2 - UK and Europe

Time Crisis, the original, didn't invent the light gun genre, in the same way that Microsoft didn't invent the operating system. They may not have invented it, but they damn well brought out the one the world knows best (and sells best, for that matter). Time Crisis 2 built on the excellent formula of allowing the player to hide behind objects, with 2-player simultaneous play and generally making everything a bit better.

And now, we have Time Crisis 3. Released, as with all in the series, on the console and the arcade. As you may know, Time Crisis 3 is a shooting game, that involves the player blasting at enemies on the screen. The Dualshock 2 can be used, but with a lightgun (G-Con 2 is the best) this title really shines. You can get a deluxe pack with a gun and a game, for those coming for the first time into the world of the lightgun game.

Why do you shoot at those enemies? For this there is a storyline, told nearly entirely in skip-able cut-scenes. It is fictional, with the exception of being set in the Mediterranean. A Mediterranean country known as Astigos has been invaded by the neighbouring country of Zagorias, a country that is seeking independence from Astigos and the neighbouring country of Lukano. With Zagorian troops in Astigos, an invasion of Lukano is imminent. Daniel Winston, a soldier for Lukano, assembles a rebel group in an effort to stop the Zagorian Federation Army, but he is kidnapped. Meanwhile, the international agency VSSE has received information that the Zagorian army has tactical missiles which can not only strike Lukano, but other nations as well, meaning the situation is worse than one expected. To stop this crisis, VSSE has deployed agents Alan Dunaway and Wesley Lambert to infiltrate the island, stop the army, and destroy the missiles at any cost whatsoever. Meanwhile, Alicia, the younger sister of Daniel, is attempting to rescue her brother herself when she happens upon Alan and Wesley. At that point, the three decide to work together to accomplish their own missions.

This not only gives you a reason to kill lots of bad guys, but it also provides a backbone for the game's mission structure. The Arcade mode centres around Alan and Wesley, and tells most of the story within it. Once you beat that, you can play the Rescue Missions, which is the same basic idea, but you play as Alice trying to save her brother. Some of the levels in this are seen from a different viewpoint, and some are completely new. There are even missions after that, Crisis Missions, which are training simulations, similar to in TC2.

One of the biggest improvement in this game over its predecessors is the Weapon Select. This means you get a pistol, a shotgun, a machine gun and a grenade launcher; and can switch between them mid-mission. They are very nice to have, but won't be very new for Time Crisis 2 fans. The machine gun and shotguns are nearly exactly the same as the unlockable extras found in the previous game. Different weapons does make the whole title more involving, choices have to be made which can, and will, decide how good a TC3 player you are. Also, everything except the pistol requires ammo (sorry, you can't play the whole game blasting with a grenade launcher). You get ammo by shooting white bad guys, but don't worry, you'll usually have more than enough.

On the subject of bad guys, there are different types of them. Their colours tell you how they are and what they do. For example, greens are the grunts who can shoot at you from 2ft away and still miss, whereas reds will hit you with just about every shot they can. This adds a more tactical edge to the playing; you'll want to take out the sharpshooters before going for the grunts. There are bosses in the game, they require more than just single hits, sometimes you have to hit them 40+ times before they go down.

This game's graphics aren't revolutionary but are certainly good. They run at a steady 60 FPS and slowdown is far less likely than with the arcade version. The graphics aren't perfect and there are occasional glitches, but these aren't noticeable.
The sounds aren't really important in this title, the dialogue is average and the bullet shots you will spend most of your time hearing aren't anything new.

This is a short game. The arcade can be completed in under 30 mins, and the Rescue Mode doesn't exactly take all day. Unless you enjoy playing the game again and again, it really isn't worth your cash. But then, most people love playing it again and again and again.

Overall, this a great game that some will call pointless blasting but most will love. Graphics and sound are generally good, and there is enough replay value to keep players coming back. Time Crisis 3 and a G-Con 2, might be pricey but more than justifies the price.

Peter Cavan

Latest Images:

Review Scores:

Graphics:
Sound:
Gameplay:
Length:
Overall:
Click here for our Review Score Guidelines .

Review Summary:

Time Crisis 3 is a good game, probably the best in the light-gun genre. It is a blast to play, and provides wall-to-wall action, but then it doesn't last for very long. The arcade in your home, and actually is even better.

Related Games:

Time Crisis 3
for PlayStation 2

Screenshots

Review