Killing Time 3DO
Killing Time 3DO review
Killing Time: A Gothic Ghost Story on 3DO
Released in the twilight days of the 3DO, Studio 3DO’s Killing Time (1995) remains a fascinating curio, a title that dared to blend FMV storytelling with first-person shooting in a lavish, if technically flawed, Gothic setting. This isn’t just another Doom clone; Killing Time aims for something more, something stranger.
The premise is pure pulp horror: a missing ancient relic, a reclusive heiress obsessed with immortality, and a remote island ripe with dark secrets. You’re an Egyptology student caught in the crossfire, investigating the disappearance of the Water-Clock of Thoth.
Your quest leads you to Matinicus Isle, home to the occult-obsessed Tess Conway, who plans to use the clock to achieve eternal life. Naturally, things go awry, resulting in a cast of undead inhabitants and a curse that transforms the island – and its visitors – into something monstrous.
SETTING: A Gothic Inspiration
Killing Time wears its Gothic inspirations proudly. The opening cinematic, set in the real-world Boldt Castle, establishes the game’s eerie atmosphere. Matinicus Isle itself is a non-linear playground of interconnected areas, free from loading screens, where exploration is key. You’ll scavenge for weapons (crowbar, flamethrower, dual pistols, Tommy gun, even a magical Ankh) and crucial artefacts, fragments of Tess’s spirit that grant temporary power-ups. Resource management is as important as trigger-happy reflexes.
GAMEPLAY: Immersive Storytelling
The game’s most striking feature is its use of live-action FMV sequences. Ghostly apparitions deliver key plot points in real-time, seamlessly integrated into the gameplay. It’s a bold move, and while the acting might be hammy at times, it adds a unique flavour to the experience.
This commitment to narrative, combined with the detailed environments, rich textures, and dynamic lighting, pushes the 3DO hardware to its limits. The art deco stylings further enhance the unsettling ambiance. The haunting soundtrack and chilling sound effects (creaking floorboards, ghostly wails) complete the atmospheric package.
PERFORMANCE ISSUES: The Game’s Shortcomings
However, Killing Time is not without its flaws. The frame rate can be sluggish, making combat a frustrating affair, particularly in challenging areas like the Assyrian Experience, where precarious walkways and constant projectile attacks can lead to cheap deaths.
The narrative, too, can be convoluted, culminating in an ending that feels somewhat nonsensical (though the PC version offers a more coherent, if equally bizarre, alternative with a final boss battle against Isis).
CONCLUSION: A Must-Play for 3DO Fans
Despite these shortcomings, Killing Time remains a fascinating glimpse into what could have been. It’s a testament to Studio 3DO’s ambition, a game that dared to be different. Its innovative storytelling, atmospheric design, and memorable gameplay make it a cult classic, recently resurrected in Killing Time Resurrected (2024).
For 3DO aficionados and fans of atmospheric first-person shooters, Killing Time is a must-play, a flawed gem that deserves to be rediscovered. And if you’re struggling, remember those Game Guru cheats (see below). You’ll need them.
Killing Time Game Guru Cheats
The Game Guru tool allows players to reduce the difficulty with various cheats and patches and lets you see experience more of the game if you are struggling.
- All Winged Vessels:
GDDGVXFthenPHHGGFFEEDDLVXF - All Keys:
SDDSVXFthenHHHGGFFEEDDXVXF - All Weapons:
PWXWXWXWXFWIF - Invincibility:
GXGFFEEDLTXXF
Killing Time 3DO game manual
Intro video and gameplay
Killing Time ending FMV
Screenshots
Killing Time Resurrected: improved FMV Ghosts
Game Box and CD
Tess Conway played by Lise Bruneau
Key points
Plot:
- Egyptology student investigates the disappearance of the Water-Clock of Thoth.
- Wealthy heiress Tess Conway seeks immortality through the clock’s power.
- Player will experience betrayal, horror, and demonic forces on a remote island.
- Players must collect artifacts and destroy the Water-Clock.
- 3DO ending shows Tess killing Seth(Duncan) but makes little sense. PC version includes a surreal twist with the goddess Isis.
Setting:
- Gothic Revival mansion, Boldt Castle.
- Eerie and atmospheric Matinicus Isle.
Gameplay:
- First-person shooter with unique weapons.
- Collect artifacts for power-ups.
- Non-linear exploration and resource management.
- Innovative storytelling with live-action professional actors as ghosts.
Visuals and Sound:
- Detailed art deco style environments, rich textures, and dynamic lighting.
- Haunting soundtrack and atmospheric sound effects.
Performance:
- Sluggish frame rate and some challenging level design.
- Still a visually impressive game for its time.
Legacy:
- Ported to PC and revived as “Killing Time Resurrected.”
- Cult classic status and fan community.
- Game Guru codes can reduce difficulty and help exploration.
Overall:
- A groundbreaking game for the 3DO and Studio 3DO.
- Innovative storytelling, atmospheric design, and memorable gameplay.
- A hidden gem worth exploring for 3DO enthusiasts and FPS fans.
