During a recent Sony Seasonal Preview event, Sal and I were able to get a hands-on with Time Crisis: Razing Storm, Namco Bandai’s next in the arcade franchise slated for a September release on PlayStation 3. The portion we played consisted of the first level of the Razing Storm arcade mode. We played the game with two Move controllers, though the game does support both DualShock 3 and Guncon controllers, as well. 

The arcade level we played was fast paced – faster than Time Crisis has ever been before. You’re still on-the-rails, but your primary weapon is an automatic with infinite ammo. The first thing I noticed was that the Move controller was precise – extremely precise – and it was just the precision we needed to take out our first group of enemies. Enemies come in the plentiful in Razing Storm, mainly because you have an automatic weapon at most times. That precision is key for taking out either one at a time quickly, or sweeping your controller through their entire line back and forth. The precision should be expected for a Time Crisis title, but it was just really nice to see the new technology working so flawlessly.

As for the arcade mode itself, like mentioned above, it’s fast. Groups of about five to eight enemies will swarm you at a time, forcing you to dispatch them quickly. On the Move controller, you hold down one button to stay behind your shield and release it for the ability to shoot. Enemies will hit you if you’re not careful, indicated by a marker on the enemy himself that warns he’s about to fire at you. The marker is either red or blue, depending on who he’s about to attack, and with quick reflexes, ducking back behind your shield will save you. After every several groups, you’ll quickly be scored on how many enemies you killed, and how much damage you received. It quickly awards several stars to each player. It gave Sal and I a competitive edge as well as a cooperative experience. Fortunately for me, Sal lost most of the time. (Editor’s Note: Someone’s not coming to the next event… *wink*)

Though your main weapon is an automatic, at certain instances the game will give you a different weapon to use for a short time – either for more waves of enemies, special enemies, or for a boss. At the end of the arcade mode, we contended with a giant robot strapped with machine guns and rockets on its several arms. To be honest, I couldn’t really make out if it was a robot or a type of jet. I was too concerned with dodging behind my shield and shooting our new rocket launchers at it. Even though they give you new weapons, all of the weapons will have infinite ammo. The game is designed to be fast paced and extremely more intense. At the end of the boss fight, Sal and I were scored on the entire mission, where it adds up all of the stars you collected through that particular level.

The game felt great, and take in mind I’m not generally an advocate for the Time Crisis series, but this may be a title I have to pick up. That’s true especially because of the four different single player modes (arcade mode, sentry mode, story mode, and an online battle mode – story and online modes are an off-rails FPS) and the additional Time Crisis 4 and Deadstorm Pirates inclusions. It’s three games in one, practically. The arcade modes are set to be about two-three hours long, with the story mode to be about five to six hours. All with multiplayer deathmatch and the likes included as well. The game looks like it’s going to be a surefire way to jump start my Move game collection.

http://scrawlfx.com/2010/07/hands-on-time-crisis-razing-storm

Supposedly the game was so good and so much fun with the Move controller that it ended up being the one game they played where they had to do a preview piece.

I found this out from their other Move article, which also praises it on precision and also kills The Fight: Light Out.

http://scrawlfx.com/2010/07/hands-on-playstation-move-games

i havnt played a time crisis game since the ps1 but im really looking forward to this one and its great value since you get 3 games in one.

I agree.

I have been on the fence about Time Crisis 4 for a very long time now because I really enjoy Guncon games, but I didn't want to buy a 2nd gun to only have it work with the 1 title.

Now however I can get 2 Moves for $100 (I already own a PSEye thanks to Eye of Judgment) and grab this game, which also contains Time Crisis 4!

It all worked out so perfectly for me!!!

I already have 2 guncon :(. If at least they would be cable and sensor free I could use them instead of the move controller. Well, it looks like theyll sit in a drawer somewhere lol. On another note, playing the solo first person version of Time crisis 4 would be awesome with move and navigation controller, much more comfortable. What do you think?

I am not sure if it requires more than just the Move, but are your Guncon controllers PS3 compatible? I ask because this game supports Move, Guncon and Dualshock 3.

Yes its the PS3 guncon, but it require sensors and cable which is troublesome for me because of the projector screen. So ill use the move controller but would have prefer guncon if it would be blutooth and have move tech. I find the move gun attach too small and strangely it doesnt have a gun visor. The navigator was an idea for something like the FPS solo campaing there is in Time Crisis 4.

Gotcha!

Hearing that now I am glad I didn't get the Guncon. Sounds like a real pain.

I also think the Move gun attachment looks stupid, but for this I will probably pick one up.

As for the Navigator, I'll probably see if I can deal with using a Dualshock for a while since it can be used instead.

It is really a pain. You need 2 place to sensors at each corner of your screen. And when theres a big amount of sun light it doesnt work for me because im farther from the screen than what it was design for. I also add to extend the cable between the 2 sensor because my screen was too large. Had to cut it, then take another cable and solder it to the sensors cable. It was worth it anyway, Time Crisis 4 is very good. Next one will be less hassle tough.

I so wanted The Fight to be good.

Let's wait till the game is finished, In the video, the guy explained to the tester that there was lag "at the moment".

It's up to them to fine tune their control scheme and get rid of it