Time travel has long been a popular sci-fi theme and there is a virtual cornucopia of films, novels and TV shows that have explored it (anyone remember TimeTrax?) Enter Sabre Interactive's TimeShift, a first person shooter set in a future where time travel is made possible by two prototype suits, one of which has fallen into the wrong hands. Not only do these suits allow the wearers to travel through time, but they also allow limited control of its flow, and while not without its faults, this is one trip through time that's worth taking.

The story centers around a megalomaniacal baddie by the name of Dr. Krone, who gets his hands on one of the two existing suits and sets on a course to change history to make him the ruler of the world. So, it's your job to don the second suit and stop him by any means necessary, traveling back to an alternate 1939, where Krone has replaced Hitler as the rising power in the world, aided by the advanced technology from the future he that has used to build himself a formidable army with pseudo-futuristic weaponry. TimeShift won't win any acclaim for its story, as we've all seen this plot played out before in other media, but it's substantial enough to provide a solid foundation for the fun to be had controlling time as you blast your way to the finish line.

Through the technological marvel that is the time suit, you gain the power to temporarily slow, stop and reverse time. Since TimeShift is a linear shooter at its core, its time control mechanic may at first glance appear to be a gimmick, but it's actually far more useful and fun than that. These powers offer you some interesting tactical options when confronted with enemies and other obstacles that you come across. For instance, if you're coming down a corridor and notice an enemy firing off shots at you from behind cover, you could opt to stop time, get within striking range and knock him out. You might also stop time, snatch his weapon, restore time and laughingly watch him react in shock at his boomstick's disappearance, before inviting him to an all-you-can-eat ballistic buffet. Alternatively, you could slow time as you are approaching and use your advantage to take better aim as the enemy pops up from behind cover and take him down. The core gameplay revolves around you making on-the-fly decisions about how to best use the suit's powers to gain the upper hand.

But I know what some of you are wondering - do the time powers make the game too easy? Well, yes and no. Using your time powers drains a considerable amount of energy from the suit, so each power can only be used for a few seconds. However, give the suit another few seconds and its energy is replenished, then you're good to go again. The enemies are tough too - they're heavily armored and take a good few shots before they go down, plus there are many of them and they will flank you, take cover and try to flush you out with grenades - if you don't make good usage of cover while you're waiting for your time powers to recharge then you'll quickly die. Nevertheless, the game can feel a bit too easy at times, since your foes can't do a thing to counter your manipulation of time (even enemies that can also manipulate time, which occur later in the game, are easy to kill when you stop time) and often die before they even understand what is happening. Consequently, you are, for all practical purposes, unstoppable when a time power is activated (especially when you freeze time). It can sometimes feel a bit like flipping God mode on for a few seconds and then cutting it off. Additionally, TimeShift also takes a leaf from the Halo playbook and features an automated health regeneration system that maxes out your health after taking cover for a few seconds. While this mechanic conveniently eliminates the need to find health packs, it allso makes the game easier. Don't get me wrong - TimeShift isn't a pushover, but you're sure to find moments when you feel next to invincible.

Remove the time powers from TimeShift though and it's really a linear shooter. There aren't any alternate routes to a given objective, so you'll always know where you need to go next. And while players will find themselves in larger outdoor areas for some of the time (which feature the most graphically impressive locations), much of the action takes place in enclosed areas. It's important to note however that the title's linearity is softened by the presence of the time powers at your disposal, as you will more likely be engrossed in choosing which power to employ during encounters with enemies than become preoccupied with the game's linear design.

Between the time-bending firefights, you are sometimes faced with puzzles that require the use of time powers to solve, none of which are particularly difficult. As a case in point, early on in the game you must cross through a large pipe suspended by a cable. If you try to cross it in regular time then the pipe will dip from your weight as you step through, making it impossible to step onto the ledge at the opposite end of the pipe. However, slow or freeze time and you can make it across before the pipe can react to your weight (I can't help but think back to some of the physics-based puzzles in Half-Life 2.)

TimsShift offers up a suitable bevy of weaponry with which to wreak havoc as you make your way to Krone. The ubiquitous pistol, shotgun and sniper rifle are present and accounted for, as well as more exotic fare like the Hellfire, a vicious little puppy that spits out incendiary rounds at your foes. Additionally, you're bound to have some fun with the various mines at your disposal, like the spring mine that, once triggered by an enemy, leaps into the air and explodes. There's something immensely satisfying about laying traps and waiting for some knucklehead to wander straight into his demise.

If you fancy some multiplayer action then TimeShift offers several modes including genre staples like deathmatch, team deathmatch and capture the flag, along with some innovative game types and features. For instance, in multiplayer modes you can use ChronoGrenades, which come in three types, those that stop, slow, or reverse time within their blast radius, which adds a bit of spice to deathmatches. The King of Time mode features something called a Time Sphere, which temporarily negates time control effects induced by other players, giving its possessor the upper hand. How's that for balancing? The multiplayer can be fun, but it won't substantially increase the shelf life for the average player because at the time of writing there aren't many servers hosting online games.

TimeShift offers up some solid visuals, with sharp textures and art design that goes a long way towards depicting alternate realities riddled with violence and destruction. Battle-scarred, hollow buildings and dark, dank corridors abound, along with some quite spectacular vistas during outdoor levels where you sometimes speed along mountain paths in a four wheel buggy. While weapons and character models are generally well done, some of the visual effects (like grenade explosions) leave something to be desired, although the gore factor is very high, earning the game's mature rating; enemies explode in a shower of blood and body parts when blasted by a shotgun, rocket or grenade. This is particularly impressive to watch while the game is slowed down by your time powers, marked by a cool shimmering effect that slightly bends reality as you zip around watching enemies barely moving and reacting to your attacks. The sound design is generally on the mark too; the soundtrack that plays in the main menu is particularly haunting and foreboding and helps to set the atmosphere, backed up by a range of appropriate tunes in the game that enhance the action nicely. Voice acting in games can often fall below expectations, but TimeShift bucks this trend and features generally solid voice acting from allies and foes alike, which helps to further immerse you in the game world.

TimeShift offers FPS fans an often fun but sometimes unchallenging romp through a dystopic alternate past. The time powers are integrated well and make for some entertaining and sometimes funny gaming experiences. The multiplayer spices up some of the genre staples too, but is unlikely to sink its hooks very deep in the long run. Still, if you have already played BioShock and Crysis and are looking for something to keep your trigger finger happy for a while then TimeShift will provide you with a decent ride for as long as it lasts.

Reviewed by Michael Callon for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).