TIMESHIFT
Atari, Xbox360/PC, $49.99
Just ask Marty McFly: when you travel back in time and accidentally change the future, you gotta do whatever it takes to make things right. At least, that’s the premise behind Atari’s latest first-person shooter, TimeShift. Welcome to the world of Colonel Michael Swift, America’s first chrononaut. While trying to save the life of his daughter in the past, Swift accidentally transforms the future into a bleak wasteland ruled by a tyrannical warlord. Armed with the power to slow down, stop, and even rewind time–not to mention an arsenal of futuristic weaponry–you must blast your way through 30 levels of mayhem to make amends. But this is not your average FPS: it boasts great-looking, next-generation graphics and gameplay that’s nothing short of innovative. Being able to manipulate time is not only hella cool, it’s necessary to solve in-game puzzles and defeat the tougher enemies. (Taking on a tank is all but suicidal in real-time…). Another nice touch is the super-interactive environment, which allows you to use nearly any object to attack your adversaries; shoot down a streetlight to crush an opposing soldier, for example. And don’t think this is just a solo effort; the multiplayer mode is just as detailed. TimeShift isn’t the next Halo, but it’s a more-than-adequate substitute that should chew up some time until then. Chris Zimmerman
www.atari.com

Love: Time-control powers, interactive environments
Hate: First person shooters with puzzles
Final word: Good times!