To provide the player with just a bit more satisfaction, Crisis Mission mode was added, and you can also play a number of mini-games to test your sharp shooting skills. Additionally, you will be able to download more missions over time to keep the experience going should you so choose. If you want some kind of deep multiplayer online experience, you'll be disappointed. Time Crisis 4 is strictly an offline game. There is some unlockable content that modifies how the game can be played. For example, by meeting certain criteria you'll actually be able to augment the number of rounds your weapons can hold by enabling the feature in the options menu.

The graphic quality was a bit of a letdown, but not too disconcerting. The visuals are only outputted in 720p and the attention to detail is not there at all. The objects look very shiny and pleasing to the eye, but the lush environments and realism that gamers have become accustomed to are simply not supported. Having said that, the graphics look as good as they do in the arcade and don't really hinder the shooter element. All-in-all, graphics are everything that you'd expect out of an arcade style rail shooter, but they're not at the PS3's level. The sounds including music and voiceover work fall in line with the graphics. The cheesy music and sounds pervade throughout, but they are quite apropos for the genre. The voiceover work is very stiff with terrible writing, but again that's probably best for the type of shooter that it is.

Unfortunately, this is not the game I had hoped it would be. I had visions of a multiplayer shooter that I would be able to share with my buddies. That's not the case. In fact, I'll be placing my copy of Time Crisis 4 and Guncon 3 controllers on Ebay to make room for my ever expanding game library. If you liked the previous versions of Time Crisis for the PS2, then you'll probably love this game. For the rest of you I would strongly suggest staying away from the title and spending your money elsewhere. If it's on your wish list this holiday season, be sure and scratch it off. There are other simple shooters out there that cost much less and are far more rewarding.

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Freelance Writer

Features: