Atari dropped off this nifty weapons preview/guide for their upcoming Xbox 360 and PC first-person shooter, Timeshift, and we felt compared to share. I get the feeling Swarm Grenades are going to be nasty little buggers! Read on for a little sneak peek at the guns you’ll become well acquainted with later this year.
KnuckleDuster
This small caliber one-handed pistol has excellent accuracy at all distances in primary fire mode. The primary mode shoots individual bullets with a zero blast radius and medium shot power. The ammo cartridges are small, so frequent reloading is required. Due to the small size of the cartridges, you can carry a large amount of spare ammunition. Alt-fire mode is rapid but less accurate and uses ammunition much more quickly than the primary mode.
MagCannon
This weapon uses energy cells to shoot concentrated projectiles of magnesium. The two modes of fire utilize the same energy source, but have very different effects. The primary mode shoots projectiles at a medium rate of fire and is highly accurate up to medium range. The shot power is medium and the blast radius is small. This mode of fire is useful in combat situations against large numbers of mid to small-range opponents. The weapon allows for an average amount of shots before reloading. The alt-fire mode creates an extremely powerful projectile with a large blast radius. In this mode the weapon utilizes a significant portion of the internal energy cell for one shot. It is slow to fire and is best used against slow moving opponents, to pierce armor or break objects. The range of the alt-fire is considerably greater than that of the primary mode of attack.
M74 Bloodhound
This shoulder-mounted rocket launcher has two unique modes of fire. The primary mode fires rockets that are effective at long range, cause high damage and have a high blast radius. The Bloodhound can only hold a small number of rockets, so you’ll want to conserve ammunition and use it only against the toughest opponents. Alt-fire mode launches a guided rocket that you can aim as it flies toward its target.
GearMaster
This double-barreled shotgun is extremely effective at close range. It shoots multiple pellets that spread out quickly, so its effectiveness at medium distances is limited, and at long range it is essentially useless. It has a zero blast radius, so you will not incur damage by using it at close range. This weapon reloads relatively slowly, so it is important to shoot accurately and to have room to maneuver after each shot. The Gearmaster carries a medium amount of ammunition. Alt-fire mode shoots both barrels, employing twice as many pellets for twice the damage at close range.
KrossBow
This weapon shoots energy projectiles that penetrate an opponent or armor and detonates immediately. The projectiles fly at a medium-fast rate of fire and have a medium blast radius. This weapon holds a medium amount of ammunition, and requires frequent reloading. The KrossBow is extremely accurate at short to medium distances, but it will deteriorate in accuracy at greater distances. The KrossBow’s alt-fire mode is as a sniper weapon. Its zoom lens allows you to target opponents from medium range.
Echo Rifle
This weapon is a single-shot sniper rifle. It possesses 8x zoom capabilities in alt-fire. The gun shoots large caliber projectiles that are extremely powerful and effective at long range. The weapon must be reloaded after every third shot and has a relatively lengthy reload time. The Echo Rifle is most effective in picking off opponents from a distance. It is best used against slow-moving or stationary opponents because of the difficulty in aiming in zoom mode. It is also easier to use the weapon from a stationary position and is thus not particularly useful in fast-paced combat situations.
KP-HellRazer
This uzi-style weapon shoots incendiary bullets. Its alt-fire mode provides you with a close-range flamethrower. While the flames are less damaging than a bullet-burst, they are faster, have no recoil, and sow confusion and terror on groups of enemies.
Stalker Rifle
This automatic rifle fires powerful bullets at a high rate of fire and is extremely accurate at long distances. It has limited ammunition per cartridge and requires relatively frequent reloads. The alt-fire mode is a grenade launcher.
Surge Gun
This is your most powerful weapon, firing an energy charge that latches onto any enemy it comes in contact with and disintegrates them instantly. In alt-fire mode, the Surge Gun generates a massive pulse of energy that builds up until it fires and annihilates any enemy (or destructible object) in its vicinity.
Clutch Grenade
Clutch grenade adheres to enemies, using electro magnetic energy.
Swarm Grenade
These grenades are actually miniattack drones. When thrown, these drones deploy in the air and hover in place while firing electricity bolts at nearby opponents.
Static Weapons
In addition to the handheld weapons and grenades you will also find static turrets in some levels of the game. Turrets can be used by you and your opponents. They are extremely lethal, and you are advised to use the TIME SHIFTING functions of your Quantum Suit to avoid their fire, or even to back an opponent out of a turret that he has recently mounted. The TimeShift world is populated by a host of opponents each with its own unique mode of attack and behavior.
