TimeSplitters Rewind is an ambitious, fan-driven project designed to serve as a comprehensive “greatest hits” collection of content from the entire original TimeSplitters trilogy, TimeSplitters 1, TimeSplitters 2, and TimeSplitters: Future Perfect. Developed by the community team Cinder Interactive, the project aims to distill the spirit of all three classic first-person shooters into a single, cohesive, modern game, rather than a traditional HD collection or remake.
Project History and Development
The genesis of TimeSplitters Rewind began in the aftermath of the original developer, Free Radical Design, entering insolvency in 2008, which led to the shelving of TimeSplitters 4. Following a significant fan petition, the project team received the official blessing from Crytek, the then-owner of the TimeSplitters intellectual property, to develop the game as a non-monetized community effort in 2013.
The game’s development has been a decade-long endeavor, involving nearly 200 contributors, including hobbyists and AAA game developers. Despite the IP eventually being acquired by THQ Nordic (now Plaion) in 2018, the new owners honored the original agreement with the fan team. Notably, Free Radical Design briefly reformed under Plaion to work on a new official TimeSplitters title, but that studio was ultimately closed in 2023, once again making the fan-led Rewind project a key focus for fans of the dormant series. Cinder Interactive has described the effort as one of the largest amounts of free content ever provided in a video game without any monetization elements.
Early Access Content and Scope
The project is currently available as a free-to-download Early Access version (v0.3). Despite being a work-in-progress, this version is packed with a substantial amount of content, confirming the game’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive experience.
Key features of the Early Access release include:
- 28 Maps
- 96 Characters
- 41 Weapons
- 20 Arcade Game Modes, including Team Elimination and an updated Last Stand mode.
- 51 Arcade Leagues and 32 Challenges.
The current Story Mode primarily focuses on levels from the original TimeSplitters, with a plan to integrate content from TimeSplitters 2 and Future Perfect in future updates.
Download TimeSplitters Rewind by clicking here.