After a lengthy 13-year journey through the intricate landscape of game development, TimeSplitters Rewind has finally emerged from the shadows. The creators, having announced last month that this CryEngine-powered mod would see its release in November, have stayed true to their word, making the project available for download now.
A Unique Fan Project
TimeSplitters Rewind stands out as a distinctive fan-driven endeavor, blending elements of a remake, compilation, and spiritual successor to the beloved original trilogy of TimeSplitters games. The official website characterizes it as “a greatest hits collection of maps, modes, leagues, challenges, and story content across the original trilogy,” offering a nostalgic experience for long-time fans.
The development of Rewind has been anything but straightforward. Initially, Crytek, the parent company of Free Radical Design, granted a group of modders known as Pantheonyx the green light to create a TimeSplitters mod utilizing the powerful CryEngine. However, like many ambitious fan projects, the path to completion has been fraught with challenges. The project’s website features a comprehensive timeline that chronicles its many highs and lows, providing insight into the tenacity of the development team.
Among the intriguing anecdotes is the moment the team pivoted to Unreal Engine 4, using Unreal Tournament as their technical foundation. This decision, however, proved problematic when they discovered that relying on Unreal Tournament as a base violated Epic’s development policies, leading to the scrapping of the entire build—a significant setback.
Momentum began to build in 2020 when Cameron Williams, the de facto art lead, released a secret update video that included a call for assistance. This outreach resulted in a remarkable expansion of the team, tripling its size within just two months, and marking a turning point in the project’s development.
As the final product is unveiled, there is a palpable curiosity surrounding its execution. The original TimeSplitters games are cherished for their imaginative concepts and their successful adaptation of first-person shooter gameplay to console platforms. However, they may not resonate as strongly with today’s gaming audience. The hope is that the Rewind team’s enhancements using CryEngine will breathe new life into these classic titles, showcasing the elements that endeared them to fans in the first place.
