Time Crisis II

"The first light gun game for the PS2. Oh how sweet it is"

At long last, the PlayStation 2 finally gets a shooting game that you actually use a light gun with. And to go along with that game, the all new GunCon2, Namco’s take on light guns. The most accurate, most advanced light gun available. The Time Crisis series started on the Playstation with Time Crisis (imagine that). Two months prior to the release of Time Crisis 2 for the PS2, Namco released Time Crisis: Titan Project for the Playstation. Then, in early October of 2001, Namco released Time Crisis 2 for the Playstation 2 console along with an update to their GunCon light gun, the GunCon2.

Gameplay - 9
You can use the Dual Shock 2 or other PS2 controller on this game. But why bother. Just pitch in the extra $5 for the GunCon2. The GunCon2 seems like a normal light gun at first. But when it comes time for hooking it up, it’s far different then any other light gun (besides the original GunCon). Probably one of the first things you’ll notice is that it has two plugs. One, a USB plug and the other taps into your video feed as your PS2 connects to you TV, VCR, whatever you have it going through. The other thing you’ll notice is that the GunCon2 is bright, construction sign orange. Why orange you ask? Well, it’s so that if you take it to school, people won’t think it’s a real gun with a 6 foot cord sticking out the back of it. Anyway, as soon as you start the game up, you’re prompted to calibrate your gun right away (which is very annoying). When you’re playing the game, you can configure the gun for three different styles of reloading. One way is by hitting the “C” button (located at the bottom of the handle) to reload, which is actually kind of cool for the first few tries. Hitting the “C” button to shoot, which is annoying all the time. And the third is just your standard shooting off the screen to reload. But one thing I absolutely love is that you have no need for the controller at all with this game. The GunCon2 has a built in D-Pad on the back of the handle facing you but you don’t even need that. Everything in this game is point and click (literally). This game can be totally operated using the GunCon2. Now that’s awesome. Of course, if you opt not too buy the GunCon2, and you have the GunCon, you can use that as well. But the GunCon2 (according to Namco) is the most accurate light gun you’ll find for the PS2.

One problem that originally happened to me when I first hooked up the GunCon2 is that there was kind of like an invisible border around the entire screen that the GunCon2 wouldn’t want to shoot in. I figured out that this problem was due to me having my brightness on my set too low. So, if you encounter problems like that, try adjusting your sets brightness.

You can only have up to two players. In order to have it in multiplayer, you either have to have another PS2, another TV another, well, basically everything, link both PS2s together and play one on each screen. Or, there is a two player option that when selected it splits the screen into two screens. There is this really cool feature were you can play with two guns on the same screen. It’s meant for one player with one gun in each hand, but you can probably have the other guy use the other gun. The double gun option is really sweat if you had two guns, you can even use the original GunCon if you have it.

There are also little mini games in this game. One of them is called “Shoot Away 2”. It’s like Duck Hunt for the old NES. But instead of ducks you shoot clay pigeons (well, Duck Hunt had that too). There is also a target training game called “Agent Training” just like a firing range. You shoot this human outline (you can also change it to a bulls eye) till you run out of bullet. “Quick & Crash” has you do a whole bunch of things like see how many targets you can get in 10 seconds or see how many targets you can hit without missing one. But the coolest comes after you beat the game once. Once you beat the game the first time, you open up “Crisis Missions”. This is a series of missions that provides the game with most of its replay value. You have objectives to accomplish such as shoot 30 enemies without hitting any hostages or kill 4 guys with one shot. Just loads of fun.

Graphics - 9
It’s undeniable; this game has some great graphics. Everything looks so real that you feel like you’re part of the game. There is a slight problem with aliasing, but hardly worth mentioning. In fact, forget I said that, this game is perfect. The coloring is aesthetically pleasing; the environments are well planned and drawn.

Sound - 8
Background music is always an important part of any shooter. It should be loud enough as to be heard, yet quiet enough as to not annoy the hell out of you. Time Crisis 2 does a great job in this department. The sound effects go along way into enhancing the overall realism of this game. From the sound of breaking glass to the sound of the individual guns, this game offers a sense of realism the before only the arcades could provide. Of course, this game sounds as awesome as it plays.

However, this game like many others of it genre has one annoying aspect. When navigating the menus, the background music can drive you nuts. Prolonged exposure may cause insanity.

Replay - 8
Its great in single player and multiplayer isn’t too bad. As I said above, the “Mission Crisis” mini game was what adds a lot to this replay value. And so does the double gun feature (if you have two guns).

Overall - 8
Time Crisis 2 is a great but short arcade game for the PS2. For anyone who likes shooting games, this one is definitely worth at least a rent (if you don’t have the $60 which not allot of people do just to spend on a game). An additional GunCon2 costs about $15 so if you buy this game, maybe you want to invest a little more for a second GunCon. Maybe in the future they’ll release a black Gun Con 2, but until then, there’s always spray paint.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/04/01, Updated 07/31/02