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69
1942: Joint Strike
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
The newest installment in the popular action-shooter series propels the franchise into the next generation, with an in-depth First Person Shooter mode, High-Definition graphics and a newly designed Guncon to complete the total Time Crisis experience. Players are given the task of preventing a top secret weapon from falling into the hands of international terrorists. With 4 modes of gameplay delivered in true HD, players have a vast gaming experience to enjoy. Featuring a new dual analog stick design, the next-gen Guncon 3 is capable of delivering entertainment to any home theater setup, supporting both High Definition displays and Standard Definition displays. New to the Time Crisis franchise, the FPS mode allows players to move freely through stages. In addition to basic game controls such as switching weapons, changing camera angles and character movement, a full feature set of gameplay actions including crouching, jumping, sniping provide a completely immersive FPS gameplay experience. A vast assortment of upgradeable weapons, unlockable bonus weapons and the ability to capture enemy machine guns mounts, make Time Crisis 4 the most in-depth and expansive Time Crisis title yet. [Namco Bandai Games]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 88
Worth Playing
If you are a light-gunslinger, if you're in it for the fun of realistic point-and-shoot, perhaps inviting a few friends over for taking turns at high-score challenges — the game also supports a second Guncon 3 controller, not included in the bundle, for two-player arcade-mode games — you'll almost certainly enjoy Time Crisis 4. And you'll save wads of dollar bills you'd otherwise feed into arcade token exchangers.
 80
Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
However, with five difficulty modes, an optional crosshair view, and extra mini-games, Time Crisis 4 should appeal to just about any arcade-lovin' audience...provided they have deep enough pockets. [Jan 2008, p.85]
80
IGN
Packed with a ton of unlockable content and a large amount of replayability, Time Crisis 4 is a fun game for any shooting fan looking to blast away with their PS3. The FPS Complete Mission mode places a new spin on the franchise, and the Crisis Missions and mini-games only extends the title's lifespan.
80
TotalPlayStation
Time Crisis 4 is an instant buy for long-time fans of the series. It really is a damn fine game, and the new Guncon has some potential for great games. At its core, the arcade game represents the perfect approximation of what it'd be like to be in a Jerry Bruckheimer action flick, and though it's over quickly, while it lasts, it's a blast.
80
GamePro
The game is still a blast, even if you eventually get tired of it. If you're a PS3 owner who loves light-gun games then Time Crisis 4 is the only game you need; it's also the only game you can have.
80
G4 TV
This package should make any arcade lover happy.
76
Console Monster
Although there are some rather negative elements of Time Crisis 4, it's still the only game on the PS3 that currently uses any form of light gun technology, and that alone makes it worth while.
75
ZTGameDomain
Time Crisis 4 is an exceptionally well-designed game that only suffers the crime of being an out-of-date genre.
71
DailyGame
If the design errors can be overlooked, Time Crisis 4 is what you expect: a fast, intense light gun shooter with decent graphics and the ability to make one's arm sore for days after.
70
GotNext
The greatest illusion accomplished by Time Crisis 4, aside from making the player feel masculine while controlling two of the most flamboyant leads in shooter history, is the transformation of your PlayStation 3 into a full-blown arcade machine.
70
Digital Entertainment News
If you're a fan of the series this is a must-have, but it's enough of a niche genre that you probably already know if you want it. I can't imagine many people on the fence on this one.
70
GameSpy
While Time Crisis 4 has its fair share of graphical, gameplay and control faults, its fast, fun on-rails shooter action will appeal to anyone looking for a break from controller-based shooters. Just don't expect anything spectacular.
70
GameDaily
The intensity of the arcade game stays intact, whether shooting a slew of disease-carrying bugs or taking on a mad man across multiple screens.
70
Level7.nu
Time Crisis 4 is a great conversion from the arcade original to the console platforms, with minor additions to appease the new crowd. There are a lot of hours of play in this package and as long as you’re not expecting anything other than a classic Time Crisis experience you’ll find a healthy dose of intense action in this title.
70
AceGamez
With tons of content and a charm that is missing from many of today's more cynical releases, it's hard to judge Time Crisis 4 too harshly. Its attempts at reinventing the genre may be a bit hit-and-miss, and graphically it could have used a PS3 makeover, but there's enough here to keep the majority of gamers happy.
70
Gameplayer
If you’re into arcade TC4, you’ll really dig this.
70
Gamer.nl
When you first play Time Crisis 4, you get the feeling it's basically all the same. It's not until further in the game that you get a nice new gaming experience. The game is a succesfull conversion to the console, but the arcade style hasn't changed since the first game of the series. Also the high price of the game might be a reason for many players not to buy Time Crisis 4.
69
Play UK
A better FPS mode, gun and conversion would make a huge difference! [Issue#166, p.94]
68
IGN AU
The accuracy of the shooting is a little off – even though the 5-point calibration aims to fix this. The gun is only suited to righties or the ambidextrous, too.
65
Armchair Empire
I’d actually have to agree these criticisms I just don’t think it detracts from the overall arcade-like vibe that I want from a game like Time Crisis 4.
65
Gaming Nexus
If you really love Time Crisis 4 or light gun games and have some money to burn then Time Crisis 4 is right up your alley. If you don't fall into those two categories then you should spend your money someplace else.
65
Play Magazine
One of my biggest beefs is with the presentation, which is too static and satisfied to be just barely good enough on the PS3 hardware. [Jan 2008, p.59]
64
GameTrailers
Time Crisis is the undisputed champion of arcade rail shooters. Considering how irrelevant the genre has become, that’s not exactly glowing praise.
60
Playstation Official Magazine UK
A game that forgets its key strengths, builds on its weaknesses and throws in a novelty first-person mode that you'll play for ten minutes. [Feb 2008, p.88]
60
GamerNode
If you love the Time Crisis games, you'll likely love Time Crisis 4. If you were never a fan of the series or never really played one before, save your money. It's more of the same, and more hit-or-miss than ever.
60
Cheat Code Central
There are other simple shooters out there that cost much less and are far more rewarding.
60
Jolt Online Gaming UK
We can only really recommend this to long-term fans who will be contented solely with the Arcade mode.
58
Pelit (Finland)
Time Crisis 4 has no balls. Shooting hordes of faceless soldiers is boring. So are the story and stages. Light gun shooter is a problematic genre for home release. However there are far better ways to execute it than this. The alternative FPS game mode deserves special recognition. It's that bad! [May 2008]
58
GameShark
Overall Time Crisis 4 is a fun shooting game but it’s pretty tough to recommend at a $90 price point, especially since a 2nd player on the same console would require a second gun that you can’t purchase at this time. The mission mode is a nice addition, but a multiplayer online mode would have been more welcomed.
55
GameSpot
A bland first-person shooter mode does little to freshen up the stale taste of this aging light-gun series.
55
Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
The last specimen of a dying genre, Time Crisis 4 tries to revive itself with a new FPS mode. Unfortunately, the outcome is very poor, and a set of technical problems obliterate all the fun obtained with the classic shooter mode. And only that guilty pleasure prevents an even lower score. [June 2008]
55
NZGamer
This game will be a great rental title to experience a light-gun game on the PS3 and for true hardcore Time Crisis fans who will probably enjoy the challenge.
52
Games Master UK
Time Crisis has always looked out of place on consoles and this just doesn't work. [Feb 2008, p.76]
50
Edge Magazine
While the arcade version of the game (included here in its entirety) is not without serious flaws, this interpretation exacerbates those that exist and throws in significant new ones. [Jan 2008, p.87]
50
EuroGamer
If you were hoping for the return of Time Crisis to herald some kind of rebirth for on-rails shooters, then you'll be sorely disappointed. The arcade mode is dumb fun for a short while, but is little more than a tired throwback, while the addition of FPS missions will be barely tolerable to even the most forgiving shooter.
50
Video Game Talk
But the real question is does the game itself warrant the purchase, and bluntly I don’t think it does. Arcade games are short, very short – and while that’s not a reason to ignore a game in the case of a one trick pony like Time Crisis 4 it is a reason to ignore it.
50
Games Radar
But with its new fangled attempt at first-person shootage - accompanied with awful zooming, crouching and strafing - makes TC4 a technical failure in addition to being exquisitely ugly.
50
PSX Extreme
The game as a whole deserves more. Time Crisis 4 is surprisingly...well, bad. And it pains me to call a Time Crisis game "bad", because I simply don't know them to ever be anything other than great fun.
50
Gaming Age
An enjoyable, if not dated experience. Is it worth 90 bucks? Not unless you are just an insane light gun fan.
50
Gameplanet
A "light gun" title that rates on the high side of the genre. Unfortunately the genre is fairly rubbish, so this isn't a huge achievement. When will game developers drop this tired concept?
50
PALGN
Time Crisis 4 feels like a 10 year old game, the franchise needs to advance and Time Crisis 4 is easily the worst title yet in the series.
50
games(TM)
You will finish the game having experienced sporadic moments of fun, but your money would be far better spent elsewhere. [June 2008, p.114]
50
PTGamers
We're still waiting for a truly significant light-gun shooter for the PS3, and not another half-baked translation from the arcades.
45
Ferrago
For committed (good one - Ed) fans of this rather niche genre, Time Crisis 4 might appeal, and it does offer flashes of high-quality entertainment, but frankly most of what Namco have delivered is largely uninspired, and the GunCon 3 controller is certainly no mould-breaker.
45
Deeko
If you can tolerate all of Time Crisis 4's shortcomings, you might enjoy the thirty minutes of gameplay you'll get out of it, but fans of light-gun games, as well as fans of first person shooter titles, are going to take one look at this one and walk away fast.
45
Gaming Target
The arcade business is on life support along with the light gun shooters that were once a prominent arcade attraction, so you probably have lots of quarters stacked up these days. But, don’t cash them in for Time Crisis 4 at full price.
43
PSM3 Magazine UK
It has a certain nostalgia, but this fails to entertain long enough to demand a purchase. [Feb 2008, p.72]
43
Game Informer
Even ignoring the ludicrous plot, what really matters here should be the shooting mechanic, which just isn’t much fun. The strangely designed cover system has you popping up and down like a hyperactive rabbit, so you never really get a full view of the action. And get this: in the cooperative multiplayer, you play in split screen – in letterbox format! What were they thinking? I don’t know what else I can tell you to discourage you away from this complete disaster.
40
Total Video Games
The series is very, very tired and should really have been put to bed by now, with this latest iteration boasting lacklustre content and all the appeal of drinking sulphuric acid.
37
Electronic Gaming Monthly
35
1UP
Time Crisis 4 isn't broken, and the GunCon3 generally works as advertised; it's just appallingly unentertaining after ten minutes, insultingly expensive for what it offers, and has absolutely no place in the PS3 library of anyone but the most desperate gun nuts and Time Crisis devotees.
33
Game Revolution
It’s just a bland shooter with a flimsy toy gun and a big spoonful of “we-know-better” arrogance.
B. M. gave it an8: John K. gave it a9: Creation 2012 gave it an8: Will B. gave it a5: Harry S. gave it a10: Kenny L. gave it a7: |
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