Time Crisis II
Two-player cooperative light-gun shooter with foot pedal mechanics.
Time Crisis II is a light-gun shooter arcade game released by Namco in 1997, serving as the second entry in the Time Crisis series. It introduced cooperative two-player gameplay to the franchise, allowing two secret agents to play simultaneously. The game was later ported to the PlayStation 2 in 2001, bundled with the GunCon 2 controller.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Namco
- Director
- Takashi Satsukawa
- Producer
- Takashi Sano
- Composer
- Kaz Nakamura
- Genre
- Rail shooter
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Platforms
- Arcade, PlayStation 2
- Arcade system
- Namco System 23, Super Namco System 23
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
The game retains the foot pedal system from the original Time Crisis, letting players duck behind cover by releasing the pedal and emerge to shoot by pressing it. A new crisis flash system warns of incoming critical hits, a feature absent in the predecessor. Players lose a life if struck by a critical bullet or obstacle, or if the time limit reaches zero; unlike the first game, running out of time results in a life loss rather than an immediate game over. Continues allow players to resume from their current position. This installment marks the first in the series to support two-player simultaneous play, with each player able to cover the other. In single-player mode, the computer controls the second character. Arcade cabinets could be linked for two players. The PlayStation 2 version offers split-screen and System Link via iLink cable, requiring two televisions, consoles, and copies of the game. Friendly fire deducts points but does not cost lives.
Plot
In 1997, NeoDyne Industries announces the StarLine Network, a series of 64 satellites intended to unify global communications. V.S.S.E. agent Christy Ryan discovers that CEO Ernesto Diaz plans to launch an experimental nuclear satellite for sale to the highest bidder, using StarLine as a cover. After escaping to a safehouse with incriminating data, she is captured by NeoDyne mercenaries led by Jakov Kinisky, just as agents Keith Martin and Robert Baxter arrive. The agents pursue Kinisky, killing him during a boat chase, and retrieve the suitcase. Learning the satellite is being transported by train, they board it but are thwarted by Buff Bryant, who extracts the satellite by helicopter before dying in battle. Surviving the derailment, the agents hijack a helicopter and reach NeoDyne's oceanic spaceport, where they face Wild Dog, a former crimeboss thought dead. Dog fights them with a prosthetic minigun but escapes via self-detonation. After rescuing Christy, the agents confront Diaz, who activates a prototype satellite's defense system. They destroy the prototype and shoot Diaz, causing the rocket to malfunction and explode. Christy rescues the agents from the water as the V.S.S.E. extracts them.
Reception
In Japan, Game Machine listed Time Crisis II as the second most-successful dedicated arcade game in its June 15, 1998 issue. It became the sixth highest-grossing arcade game in Japan for both 1999 and 2001. Edge awarded the arcade version its 1998 Coin-Op of the Year, praising the separate-screen two-player mode as one of the most convincing cooperative experiences in arcades. AllGame gave it four-and-a-half stars out of five. Next Generation described the arcade version as not as significant a milestone as the first but a superb game, while finding the PlayStation 2 conversion less impressive than other lightgun shooters. Metacritic calculated an average score of 81 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version based on 21 reviews. Famitsu scored the GunCon 2 bundle 32 out of 40. The PlayStation 2 version was nominated for The Electric Playgrounds 2001 Blister Award for Best Console Shooter Game, losing to Halo: Combat Evolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Time Crisis II?
Time Crisis II was directed by Takashi Satsukawa.
Who composed the music for Time Crisis II?
The music for Time Crisis II was composed by Kaz Nakamura.
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