Developer: Namco Bandai Games
Publisher:  Namco Bandai Games
Genre: Light Gun Shooter
Rating:  T (Teen)
Number of Players: 1-2
Expected Release: November 20, 2007
Time Crisis 4 Gallery

If you aren’t familiar with the Time Crisis series, the gameplay isn’t overly complicated. In the arcade mode, your character’s movement is automatically controlled by the computer. Naturally you will remain behind cover, and by pressing a button you jump out into the open in hopes of getting a few quick shots off before having your head blown off. The action is incredibly fast paced and the variety of weaponry and enemies you face will keep you on your toes for the entire game.

And you thought airport security was bad!

As if a straight up port of the arcade version isn’t enough, the developers have worked in tons of extra features to make this $80 bundle worthwhile. For starters, in the arcade mode alone, there are new scenarios in which you will face threats from all sides. By aiming the GunCon off the side of the screen, your field of vision will shift in the respective direction, and you can expect to be faced with tons of opposition here.

The most highly anticipated feature about Time Crisis 4 on the PS3 is undoubtedly the exclusive FPS mode. That’s right. In addition to the “shooting on rails” style gameplay, a separate mode will now give you full control of your players’ movements. This is done via two control sticks, one on the back end of the gun and another, attached to a platform on the left side of the barrel. Certainly there’s going to be a bit of a learning curve on this because traditional shooting games use only a dual analog setup, whereas this game will use two analog sticks while also requiring you to point and shoot.

From the beginning of the game you’re given a handgun, shotgun, machine gun, and grenades. Ammunition is limited except for the handgun, but you can always pick-up more by shooting the right on-screen cues. Occasionally a “Best Weapon” notice will appear which gives you extra ammo for a certain weapon, allowing you to overcome the situation at hand. For example, if a ton of Terror Bites flood the screen, a boost to your machine gun will give you an edge. Weapons can be upgraded as the game progresses too. While you start off just with grenades, for instance, eventually you’ll be given a grenade launcher.

Although using the GunCon 3 could potentially be difficult for left handed gamers, as it stands the setup seems to be well designed. There are a number of buttons easily in reach of the trigger that allow for reloading, jumping, cycling through weapons, and other actions of that nature. The gun also includes two sensors to be placed on top of your television, and the controller is said to be compatible with all types of displays. Currently, there are no plans to release a wireless version of the controller, but it’s clear that there would be a great demand for these.

The storyline isn’t overly engaging and the presentation won’t leave you drooling but Time Crisis 4 is considerably a must-have title for the PS3 nonetheless. The FPS mode alone consists of about 15 stages that each last about half an hour, and this doesn’t even include times for the arcade, time trial, or mini game modes. Regardless of your history with light gun style shooters, anybody with a pulse will surely get a rise out of Time Crisis 4 upon its release.