Type: Personal Computer
Formerly on Stargate… how long have you been there for? It’s been a hot minute since the franchise last held much cultural relevance, and even longer for those whose only interaction with the series was Roland Emmerich’s breakthrough picture, which celebrates its 30th anniversary later this year. Before this brief 2018 webseries, the only Stargate media for over a decade was this.
However, Timekeepers is hardly the most easy reintroduction into the universe of this once-dominant sci-fi property, with a plot set between seasons seven and eight of the original TV spin-off series Stargate SG-1. This real-time strategy campaign doesn’t waste any time getting players up to speed, so even those with the complete ten-season boxset may soon find themselves consulting the Stargate wiki pages for clarification. It’s an odd choice for a television program with a lot of lore that was last seen on our small screen more than 15 years ago.
At least in terms of tone, Timekeepers does a good job of capturing the campy vein of 90s sci-fi that _Stargate_ embodied from the beginning of its cinematic run. Although the specifics of your spec-ops team’s battle against the Goa’uld may not make sense to you, the film’s lively ensemble of original characters does manage to pique your interest in what will ultimately happen.
Sufficient to present a strong argument in favor of resuming Stargate’s cryopreservation.
However, the strong emphasis on stealth placed in Timekeepers by creator Slitherine may be an even more unexpected design decision. The universe of SG-1’s heroes and villains may have used deceit when the situation warranted it, but it was by no means the standout plot point for a program more recognized for its epic space battles and military shootouts. However, Timekeepers benefit greatly from this strategy, which offers an engaging game flow in which you lead your team through a series of missions that get harder and harder while evading opponent sightlines and eliminating them completely.
A few essential ingredients are at the center of the winning recipe. First, there’s the squad-focused gameplay in Timekeepers, where each playable character has unique skills and strategies. For example, Technical Officer Sam Watson can summon an enemy disguise at will, fooling lower-level soldiers so thoroughly that he can occupy them with conversation and let his other squad members to pass unnoticed.
However, Colonel Eva McCain is one of the few characters who is fit for open battle; she has explosives and firearms that are ideal for taking out multiple attackers at once, usually as a last resort. Since each of these characters was created to work best when combined, some of Timekeepers’ most satisfying moments come from organizing their various acts into a coherent whole, carrying out the ideal plan, and witnessing the harmonic teamwork come to pass.
Second, the game’s numerous locales, which are arranged into a sequence of linear missions, are beautifully crafted, enjoyable to explore, and challenging enough to put your tactical acumen to the test without ever feeling unjust. Fans of the Stargate series will also derive additional enjoyment from Slitherine’s evident love for the series; several thoughtful details lend an air of authenticity to the encounter, including an animated loading screen featuring a real stargate putting in coordinates for the next mission.
Yes, there are some jagged edges. Although none of Timekeepers’ faults are fatal to the game, the combination of their clunky character movements and flat visuals prevent the game from being visually appealing. The issue of structure is another. As of right now, you’re only paying for the first half of the game; the second batch of episodes for Timekeepers won’t be out until later this year. Despite the fact that Slitherine is marketing it as the next “Season” of its narrative, paying full price for only half of a product doesn’t seem like a good deal right now.
Though Timekeepers is obviously catering to SG-1 uber-fans, those who can get beyond the bewildering lack of scene-setting will find an inventive real-time strategy campaign centered in gritty, squad-based subterfuge. Still, what’s here is enough to create a great first impression. Enough playable episodes occur from the process to convince people to convince Stargate to emerge from cryopreservation.