The first two are, ultimately, forgettable single player games saved from the bargain bins by an addictive multilayer mode crafted by the minds behind the N64 classic "Goldeneye 007".
Future Perfect, however, is a straight up terrific game in every regard, and easily one of the last generation's finest games. While Halo 2 might have been the big dog, Future Perfect was infinitely more fun.
It's single player mode is easily one of the best FPS single player offerings ever created. And that's no exaggeration. It's one of the rare first person shooters that doesn't take itself seriously, and yet doesn't water down it's gameplay - it's an amazingly well crafted shooter. The mechanics are perfectly refined, and you never feel cheated when you die. While they might not hold up to today's standards, they're not that far behind. You could pick it up today and - apart from the lack of a jump button - you'd feel right at home.
The gameplay is varied across all of the levels, and although it never really deviates from the core FPS gameplay, it never - not once - feels recycled or redundant, and you never get bored. There are enough gameplay styles in this single title to fill 10 full retail releases in today's market. And no, I'm not joking. This would suck if it wasn't for the fact that it nails everything it does. From the Zombies to the Robot Monkies, Future Perfect doesn't make many mistakes.
The story is, strangely enough, actually a high point. It's a little twisted, but if you follow it all the way through you'll really enjoy it. It's one of the only FPSs I've ever finished and actually paid attention to the story. As it deals with Time Travel, it eventually loops back onto itself; and you'll be grinning like an idiot when it does.
The writing is easily some of the best for any FPS, and it's one of most honestly funny games I've ever played. Cortex so desperately wants to be an action hero - complete with a trade mark catch phrase "It's time to split!" - that it's hard not to find him likeable. His side-kicks are terrifically realised, and while they're all very cliché, it's done in such an honest and humourous manner that they're entirely forgiveable and enjoyable. You'll be rooting for the good guys.
On top of the single player campaign are the challenge maps and these are worth the price of admission alone. From the dark zombie room survival map - which is legitimately awesome enough that I'd pay money for it on it's own - to the Robot Monkey Disco, where you need to keep the monkeys dancing by recharging their batteries with a lightning gun, there's enough additional fun here to keep you entertained for dozens and dozens of hours.
However, it's the multiplayer mode that elevates this title to the top tier. Take Goldeneye 007's multiplayer. Add the most insane collection of weapons - both realistic and non-realistic - and an absolutely stellar collection of maps, and serve with an instant classic soundtrack, and you have the makings for one of the greatest multiplayer titles ever made.
Of course, the reason Future Perfect is so damn amazing is because it always goes the extra mile. Not only do you get a terrific single player game that is well written, perfectly paced, funny as hell, infinitely re-playable and over a dozen hours long without ever being boring, a collection of challenge maps that put most "casual games" of today to utter shame, a multiplayer mode that makes everything else look like the generic "brown" garbage that they are, you also get one of the most incredibly functional map makers ever released for a console title.
My friends and I re-created the entire map collection of Goldeneye 007 and Perfect Dark, just to cut our teeth. Then we started to get involved. Days, weeks and months spent playing and testing our maps to perfection. From "Saving Private Ryan" style assaults, complete with layered objectives, to "Die Hard" style "all on one" style survival maps - including single player versions that could be played for High Score bragging rights - we literally played this game for over three years. Straight. Nothing else. Just this.
Timesplitters: Future Perfect is one of the best FPSs ever made, one of the best console titles ever crafted, and the game most deserving of a sequel. You can keep your Psychonauts 2 - Timesplitters 4, baby. Now.
