Killing Time (Classic)

This is quite probably the most ambitious and innovative early first person shooter that nobody has played. The story behind this game is about as convoluted as the gameplay itself, so bear with me. Originally The 3DO Company wanted a port of Doom, and the developer Art Data was supposed to make a port from the original source code since Id Software decided it wasn't going to do ports themselves for consoles after making one for Atari to release on Jaguar 64. Well, Art Data ended up being all bluster and no man power, so one solitary programmer named Rebecca Heinemann took the source code and the code for the Jaguar 64 (which had a similar architecture to the 3DO), and made the port "quick and dirty" in just 10 weeks. Considering Rebecca had already worked with 3DO via her own company (Logicware) on a console port of Wolfenstein 3D and the 3DO console version of Killing Time with Studio 3DO, it only made sense to have Logicware handle this PC version of Killing Time as well. Make no mistake though, this is NOT a backport of a console game onto PC, but rather an entirely different, expanded, and tougher version of Killing Time than what appeared on the 3DO. Now that we have all that out of the way, here's what you get: A fully free-roam non-linear first-person survival horror game with a save-anywhere feature, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Already, we have much more than the typical shooter built on the Wolf3D or Doom engine (or one of their forks), since back then they were all called "Doom Clones" anyway. The original 3DO version of Killing Time was also technically open-world too, but with a very limited, maze-like map design, and thus could be beaten in a handful of hours. Novel use of ghost apparitions appearing as transparent full-motion videos that playback as a means of storytelling was pretty novel, and it would be years before we saw things like Doom 3 or Bioshock do similar storytelling tricks with in-world voice logs, videos, or ghosts. Killing Time PC also used the same hacked-up Doom engine (by Heinemann) from the Jaguar 64 port, and thus had a few features not in vanilla Doom, like silent instant teleporters. Logicwear and co-developing Studio 3DO used these silent teleports to piece together the entire game world into one massive map, with seamless transitions from one area to the next instead of load bars or screens, This includes floor-over-floor architecture, which would normally be impossible with the Doom engine, since crossing a threshold between two areas triggered a silent teleport from one area to the other, and all you see is the act of walking through a connecting hallway or flight of steps. We wouldn't see this in the Doom engine again until the GZDoom sourceport added it in 2006. If all the technical innovation isn't enough, the art style is a blend of Art Nouveau and Art Deco that feels like La Belle Epoque meets The Great Gatsby, which was novel then, and still a rare sight now. The game's puzzling choice of live studio music covering jazz and ragtime standards, mixed with the usual moody horror synthesizer fare is pretty unique, if not downright goofy at times, but it's all coated in a glaze of faux-Egyptian vibes meant to fit the aesthetic of a atory about a cursed island and Egyptian water-clock, so it's all part-and-parcel. Is it really different than all the commercials, public service announcements, and period 1930's/40's music played in Bioshock's undersea city of Rapture? If anything, that cheeky camp-meets-creep atmosphere was done here first. Without spoiling much of the game's plot, finding all of Killing Time's completion-necessary keys and items. revealing what happened on the Island of Mattinicus, and breaking the curse will take players about 15-20 hours depending on how much they die or how many times they get lost, which really isn't bad for a game from 1996. The endgame is truly harrowing, and resource management is important as there is only a finite amount of everything (enemies/ammo/health) in the game, so nobody's blaming you if you need cheat codes on at some point here. Now for the bad news: This game is utterly broken out of the box if you buy it from Steam, because publisher Ziggurat entertainment only purchased rights to the game (much like Art Data did for Doom), but never got any source code for a proper remaster. Instead, there was some "quick and dirty" done to the Killing Time PC version to remove the need to run from the CD-ROM, ironically just like "Burger Becky" Heinemann did years ago to Doom in order to get it running on the 3DO, which makes a game like KIlling Time PC - that was only ever coded originally to be compatible with WIndows 95 and run from a CD-ROM on period hardware - limp along with frequent crashes due to whatever Ziggurat did to circumvent these requirements, if it even launches at all. Luckily, there is a community-made fan-patch you can get that replaces the garbage compressed versions of the FMV and audio tracks done by ZIggurat (to remove the need for on-demand CD-ROM playback) with ones taken at higher resolution from the original CD, plus a litany of fixes so Killing Time runs on modern hardware-based renderers and even has mouse-look (making controller emulation infinitely easier too). Yeah, you're still stuck in 640 x 480 mode, and will be stuck with a stuttering 20fps if you select to play the game at it's original hardware speed. (so that modern framerates don't break the enemy AI or physics since \they're hardcoded to frametick), but at least you can actually play the game you pay for here with the patch. Honestly, I've played the game at full 60fps speed and the only thing that gets to be tricky is the jumping. All this just further shows proof that someone like Nightdive Studios needs to bring this severely-underappreciated and neglected title over to their KEX engine for a proper remaster, given nobody in my lifetime will be interested in remaking such an obscure title from a dead developer, originally released for a dead console manufacturer. Abandonware or not, Killing Time is one of the most-interesting classic FPS games out there.

This game is a disappointing relic of 90s gaming. Its clunky controls, dated graphics, and lack of originality make for a frustrating and forgettable experience. With uninspired gameplay and a lack of innovation, it's a title best avoided unless you can approach it with fond memories (nostalgia) or you're a glutton for punishment. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3258738548 https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3238195952

[h1] Genre [/h1] Ein Frist Person Retro Shooter mit Horror Elementen [h1] Story [/h1] Wir spielen einen ehemaligen Studenten der Ägyptologische Artefakte studiert hat. Wir bekommen einen Hinweis das auf einer verlassenen Insel ein Artefakt sein soll und zwar eine Ägyptische "Water-Clock". Wir reisen un dorthin um herauszufinden was an der Sache dran ist [h1] Gameplay [/h1] Es spielt sich wie auch seine damaligen Genre Kollegen DOOM & Co. Das besondere hier war aber das man eine Art offene Spielwelt hatte und keine Eigenständigen Level. Man konnte bzw kann überall hingehen ohne Ladezeiten. Das war für damalige Verhältnisse absolut genial. Aber nun zum Gameplay. Wir beginnen auf einem kleinen Boot und betreten die Insel. Bewaffnet sind wir mit einem Revolver (Gute Startwaffe und auch Wirkungsvoll was ja eher ungewöhnlich ist für eine Starterwaffe). Im Laufe des Spiels bekommen wir dann noch eine Brechstange, einen Zweiten Revolver, eine Shotgun, eine Tommy-Gun, Molotov Cocktails, einen Flammenwerfer und ein Magisches Ankh welches alles vernichtet was sich derzeitig auf dem Bildschirm befindet. Es gibt auch ein Großes, Kreatives Gegner Roster von verschiedenen Zombie Arten über verschiedene Insekten bis hin zu Dämonen & Geister. Ziel des Spiels ist es 9 Behälter mit Gliedmaßen/Organen zu finden um eine Frau zu retten die uns am Anfang um Hilfe bittet. In der Spielwelt sehen wir an verschiedenen Orten ihren Geist schweben und wenn wir dort hingehen wird uns eine In Game Cutscene gezeigt (bestehend aus Full Motion Video) welche die Story des Spiels nach und nach erzählen damit wir verstehen was genau passiert ist auf der Insel. Man muss zwischendurch auch kleine Rätsel lösen (Schalter oder versteckte Türen finden). Das Spiel ist nicht ganz einfach aber wenn man oft speichert (was natürlich jederzeit machbar ist) kommt man gut voran und kann sich vorbereiten auf die einzelnen Situationen. Gegner lassen zudem auch oft Health Sphären fallen (Blau) damit wir uns wieder auffüllen können. Sie können aber auch Rote Sphären fallen lassen und die sollten wir nicht aufheben weil diese uns Leben entzieht. Was auch cool gemacht ist, ist das wir die Einzelnen Behälter mit Gliedmaßen/Organen auch einsetzen können um für kurze Zeit eine Fähigkeit zu bekommen (Unverwundbarkeit, mehr Schaden mit Waffen usw.) Diese müssen aber mit Hilfe von weißen Behältern wieder aufgefüllt werden und davon gibt es nicht viele im Spiel (ich habe 2 gefunden). Das Spiel läuft technisch ganz ordentlich. Ich hatte keine Probleme es am laufen zu bekommen. Allerdings muss ich sagen das die Steuerung Anfangs recht gewöhnungsbedürftig ist (man muss im Spiel via F1 Taste in den Optionen auf die Maus klicken um überhaupt erst Maus Steuerung zu aktivieren, diese ist aber nicht ganz ordentlich optimiert und man bewegt seinen Charakter, wie man es von damals her kennt, wenn man die Maus bewegt, aber nach kurzer Zeit gewöhnt man sich daran). Zudem hatte ich Lediglich gegen Ende des Spiels 2 abstürze was ich aber nicht als schlimm empfand. Das Einzige Größere Problem ist die Musik, diese setzt des öfteren einfach mal aus und kommt nach einiger Zeit wieder. An sich ist die Musik aber sehr gut und trägt auch gut zur Atmosphäre des Spiels bei. Nur an einer Stelle fand ich sie unpassend. Man kämpft sich an einem Berg entlang gegen Insekten & Skelette mit Jazz Musik, das war etwas unpassend, ob das gewollt oder lediglich ein Bug war kann ich nicht genau sagen [h1] Pro/Contra [/h1] + Gute Story + Gute Atmosphäre + Die Spielwelt ist recht Groß & Offen + Viel zu erkunden + Nettes Waffen Roster + Großes & Kreatives Gegner Roster + Nette FMV Cutscene Sequenzen +/- Leider keine Achievements - Die Musik setzt des öfteren mal aus - Die Steuerung ist Anfangs Gewöhnungsbedürftig (man bewegt den Charakter wenn man die Maus bewegt, so wie man es von damals halt kannte. Dies lässt sich nicht umstellen und man muss sich daran leider gewöhnen) [h1] Fazit [/h1] Ein wirklich Großartiger First Person Shooter mit Horror Elementen. Es ist ein echter Klassiker der damals aber irgendwie untergegangen ist weil die 3DO Konsole viel zu teuer war (ich habs damals bei meinem Nachbarn schon gespielt, der tatsächlich eine 3DO Konsole hatte, aber wir sind nicht wirklich weit gekommen). Man muss dazu sagen das die 3DO Version auch etwas anders ist als die PC Version. Nichts desto trotz kann ich es jedem Shooter Fan sehr ans Herz legen. wer es noch von damals kennt oder es schon immer mal spielen wollte, sollte sich dieses Spiel auf jeden Fall zulegen. Mir hat es richtig gut gefallen und Spaß gemacht. Ganz Klare Kauf Empfehlung 👑 Powered by HoI 4 Deu Curators group in German / English 👑⠀⠀⠀[list][*][url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/30388691/] Follow Main group [/url][*] [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/40282064/] Follow Second group [/url][*] [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/44688798/] Follow third group [/url][/list]

Great game, unfortunately the controls in this version make the game virtually unplayable. There is the Community Patch which fixes this but the game shouldn't need extra patches it should already be patched but unfortunately that is not the case

В детстве играл в данную игру на 3DO, очень нравилось, но по каким то неведомым мне причинам родители продали приставку в детстве. Увидев сейчас данную игру, почитал, посмотрел, вроде бы тоже самое, в итоге купил ( так как решил обновить свои детские впечатления). Но увы, я был очень разочарован, это совсем другая игра. Не очень удобное управление, не очень удобная игра, да честно, все не то. Может быть я старым стал... В итоге что я могу сказать, для тех кто играл на 3DO лучше не покупать. Для тех кто не играл, удачи)))

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Lots of people in reviews seem to have trouble running the game but it's run perfectly fine for me aside from FMV audio stuttering and music suddenly stopping sometimes. The pre mouselook shooter era, ah. For its era what stands out most is the fact that there's no levels, the entire island can be explored. Somewhat different from general open ended modern games too with the way that enemies and items won't respawn, when you come back you can even see their corpses still there. I like that a lot. It's nice honestly, going one way and finding out you don't have a key, then when you come back you see all the enemies you've killed. The FMV characters have relatively good acting by FMV game standards too, and it's neat seeing them in the world rather than being restricted to cutscenes. Though faces being a mess of pixels does detract from that. Neat setting too, Egyptian themed, but not Egypt, 1920s mansion of a woman obsessed with Egypt and immortality.

not too bad

First time player here. Never had a 3DO, but I'm generally interested in trying older games, and the FMV looks fun. After an hour of gameplay, I found it’s not a fun game. I think the main problem is shooting brings little excitement. The early enemies include mafia mobs, when I use dual pistols to shoot them in the face, they take the bullets like I shot them in the body, freeze a bit, but only go down after 5+ bullets. That feels weird for a human enemy. Then the puzzle part. This game only has one map. It is easy to miss an essential item/key in one area and get stuck in another. Some places are really well hidden, like the cave entrances - they look like secrets when I first find them but turn out to be part of the main story. Some of the monsters are... freaks. Not ugly, but freaks like the floating red face, the wasp and those two-headed dogs are brutal. Only by comparison did I realize how monsters in other FPS games from older time are normal. The good part is ammo is always abundant. Every time an FMV video clip exist nearby, the woman will repeat "HELP ME!" regardless of whether I’ve already played that clip. It turns out this woman did to[spoiler]her soul something similar to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in the Harry Potter franchise[/spoiler]. I decided to stop, knowing I missed out on keys but don’t know where to find them. It’s a big map, and items are well hidden in this FPS. If you’re a returning player, you may find this game nostalgic. I don’t recommend this game to new players. [u] [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43342176-Why-Not-Games/#browse] My curator page[/url][/u]

Man, this is a rough play. I never played this game back in the day so I couldn't go into this with any kind of nostalgic value. But I did go into searching for an appreciation of the early days of FPS games. Instead what I found was several examples of how to give a bad name to an early genre. I was only able to tolerate this game for about an hour before turning it off but here is what I experienced in that hour: This game (or at least the beginning part that I played) is a whole MAZE. There is absolutely no indication on where you are supposed to go so you just keep wandering through these random forest and cave areas, the caves being the worst because of how narrow the corridors are. This is made even worse by the fact that if you come into contact with a wall or a tree, your walking speed slows to a crawl. The combat difficulty isn't too bad. Despite the fact that there are tons of enemies in every area, there is an absurd amount of ammo laying around every few steps you take. While ammo pickups are far too frequent, the same cannot be said about health pickups. Thankfully, enemies can sometimes drop health pickups when they die. Unthankfully, they can also drop negative health pickups as well for some reason? This is very annoying when you kill an enemy in your face with your back against the wall and they drop a negative health pickup right in front of you, forcing you to wait until it despawns before you can move. The visuals were fairly nice for its time but the music ranges from okay to straight up goofy in some parts. I can't comment on the story or the plot because it was never made known to me at any point during my play. Overall, there is no reason anyone should be recommending this game to someone who has never played it before. Nostalgia does not equal a good game.