Time Commando
Time Commando | |
---|---|
Single player |
Time Commando is an
It was originally released for the PC on 31 July 1996 in Europe, the United States and Brazil, and was later ported for PlayStation and released on 30 September 1996 in Europe and the United States, and on 15 November 1996 in Japan. A Sega Saturn version of the game was also released in Japan on 5 March 1998.
Time Commando was re-released for modern computer systems on 6 January 2012 by GOG.com.[3]
Story
At the Historical Tactical Center, the military, with the help of a private corporation has created a computer capable of simulating any form of combat from any point in history. However, a programmer from a rival corporation infects the system with a "Predator Virus" that creates a time-distortion vortex, which threatens to swallow the world if it is not destroyed. The player controls Stanley Opar, a S.A.V.E. operative (Special Action for Virus Elimination) at the facility who enters the vortex to try and stop the virus.
In order to accomplish this, Stanley must combat various enemies throughout different time periods. These eras are
Gameplay
In each level, Stanley collects various weapons exclusive to the time period.[4] Stanley has a small life bar that grows larger when the player picks up life power-ups. Along the same lines, Stanley has multiple lives. As the player plays through a level, a time bar, which counts the time until the virus completely takes over and the player dies, slowly fills. This bar can be emptied by depositing computer chips collected throughout the levels in various "orb pools," which resemble the vortex Stanley first entered.[5]
Music
The music soundtrack was composed by Philippe Vachey.
The PC CD-ROM contains two audio tracks:
- Track 1 - "Time Commando"
- Track 2 - "Rush"
Development
Adeline Software International's initial plan after the release of Little Big Adventure was to begin work on a sequel, but it became apparent that there was not enough time to complete it in time for Christmas 1995. Because of this, they decided to create a "quick, small, simple game" to secure a Christmas release. Work began on Time Commando with a focus on graphics but no planning on the actual gameplay. This development approach, along with Adeline's admission that making a small game is not in their nature, meant that the Christmas release date was missed, resulting in an actual release date of 31 July 1996.[6]
The 3D engine used in Time Commando was a re-written version of the engine used in Little Big Adventure which resulted in it being faster, and also having slightly improved animations.[6]
Reception
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Electronic Gaming Monthly | 6.125/10 (PS)[7] |
GameSpot | 8.2/10 (PC)[8] 7/10 (PS)[9] |
Next Generation | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
By August 1999, Time Commando had sold above 500,000 units.[11]
The four reviewers of
References
- ^ "Online Gaming Review". 1998-02-10. Archived from the original on 1998-02-10. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
- Imagine Media. June 1996. p. 15.
EA is, in fact, the game's publisher in England, but not in the United States. Activision is the US publisher of Time Commando.
- ^ "Time Commando on GOG.com". www.gog.com. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
- Imagine Media. May 1996. pp. 72–73.
- ^ "Time Commando: A History Lesson in Combat". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 88. Ziff Davis. November 1996. pp. 228–9.
- ^ a b "An audience with Adeline". Edge. No. 31. April 1996. pp. 22–26. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
- ^ a b "Review Crew: Time Commando". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 88. Ziff Davis. November 1996. p. 88.
- ^ Adam, Jeffrey (August 29, 1996). "Time Commando Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ^ a b "Time Commando Review". GameSpot. December 1, 1996. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ^ Imagine Media. January 1997. p. 60.
- No Cliché. Archived from the originalon August 31, 1999.
- ^ "ProReview: Time Commando". GamePro. No. 99. IDG. December 1996. p. 126.