TimeSplitters Rewind Hits Early Access After 13-Year Odyssey: Download the Free FPS Classic Revival Now
- Nov 25 2025
-
In a gaming miracle that's been 13 years in the making, TimeSplitters Rewind, the ambitious fan project recreating the glory of the original TimeSplitters trilogy, launched its Early Access build over the weekend. Completely free to download on PC via IndieDB, this "greatest hits" collection packs in maps, modes, leagues, challenges, and story content from TimeSplitters 1, 2, and 3, all polished in Unreal Engine with modern graphics and online multiplayer.
For a generation weaned on split-screen chaos, bizarre characters, and time-hopping mayhem, this is the resurrection we have dreamed of while official sequels languished in development hell.
A Development Saga Worthy of Its Own TimeSplit
The journey began in 2012 as a CryEngine mod teasing TimeSplitters 4, a dream dashed when Crytek pulled the plug. What started as a small hobbyist effort exploded into a massive collaboration involving nearly 200 contributors, from bedroom coders to AAA veterans (including ex-Free Radical devs).
To say it's been a long road to release would be an understatement. There have been engine switches (CryEngine to Unreal), lead dev departures, long periods of radio silences, and endless scope creep that started to make it seem like this was a project that would never end. By 2020, updates trickled in with multiplayer tests; 2024 saw recruitment drives; and finally, this October brought a full reveal promising the "largest free content video game ever."
"Sorry it's taken us so long. We've only been making the largest free content video game ever." - TimeSplitters Rewind Team
Early Access: A TimeSplitters Time Capsule Bursting with Content
Version 0.3 (Early Access v0.3.0) is no bare-bones alpha. Expect bugs and areas that need polish, but the sheer volume of content is staggering:
- 28 Maps: Iconic arenas from across the trilogy.
- Full Story Mode: Entire TimeSplitters 1 campaign, playable offline or online co-op.
- 51 Arcade Leagues: Competitive ladders for endless rivalry.
- 32 Challenges: Bot-slaying trials to hone your skills.
- 96 Characters: From Cortez to cyber-monkeys, all unlockable oddballs intact.
- 41 Weapons: Kuban bricks to double-barreled shotguns, we are so back.
- 20+ Arcade Modes: Classic deathmatch, capture the flag, plus Team Elimination and updated Last Stand.
- Multiplayer Mayhem: Up to 10 players online, bots for offline arcade, seamless lobbies.
It runs smooth on modest rigs (GTX 760, 8GB RAM), and early testers say it has good Steam Deck compatibility but we haven't been able to test that quite yet. We can say that it is a blast to jump into that classic TimeSplitters interface and see all the crazy characters brought to life in Unreal. We did have some trouble with the online servers, lagging and missing sounds, but it seemed to run much better when we found servers closer to home. Make sure you filter the server list to your region for the best results.
96 unlockable legends, no censorship.
Roadmap: More Splits on the Horizon
Frequent updates are promised including the TimeSplitters 2 and 3 story modes, additional maps/modes, visual/audio tweaks, and I'm sure some improvements on the multiplayer side as well. But you don't have to wait for that, you can jump in right now and download it for yourself. Just head over to timesplittersrewind.com and hit that download link. You'll need to unzip the launcher and fire it up, then get ready to split!
In an era of $70 remasters, this free fan opus is a defiant love letter to PS2-era FPS magic. If you were a fan of the series this is a no-brainer, and if you haven't played a TimeSplitters game before; you're in for a wacky treat. Enjoy!
