Zeit Squared

 Xbox 360
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Jan 12, 2011
  • Also On: PC
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Multiplayer.it
    Jan 31, 2011
    70
    Zeit 2 is a truly hardcore gamer shooter, which may get really frustrating on your nerves. If you are looking for an extreme experience this may be what you are looking for, otherwise you may want to steer away from it.
  2. IGN
    Jan 28, 2011
    70
    Zeit Squared is a fairly generic-looking shooter, partially saved by an interesting game mechanic: rewinding time. I haven't played a shooter like this, and it's fun to shift outside of the genre's comfort zone into a more strategic and cerebral game. I just wish there was more here.
  3. Gamereactor Sweden
    Jan 28, 2011
    70
    A refreshing concept and quite challenging, but the presentation needs a bit of work.
  5. Gamer.nl
    Jan 28, 2011
    70
    Zeit 2 is a fresh, two-dimensional shooter. Playing with time ensures shooting everything in plain sight isn't the best tactic. This is a solid shooter with a slightly boring presentation.
  6. Thunderbolt
    Jan 26, 2011
    70
    The premise of a shoot 'em up which encourages players to be more selective about what they shoot may sound counterintuitive, but Zeit Squared's risk/reward health system, coupled with some fine-tuned, innovative game mechanics, are engaging throughout.
  7. Eurogamer Italy
    Jan 23, 2011
    70
    Zeit2 is a fresh reinterpretation of the shot'em up genre, with psychedelic minimalistic style and interesting features like time-travelling. Unluckily, game mechanics are a bit too difficult not only for the newbie, but also for the shmup veterans. Remember that: after you'll start it, your fingers will be in danger!
  8. Official Xbox Magazine
    Jan 12, 2011
    70
    The game starts to lose its novel sheen after just a few hours, even as it offers a tantalizing glimpse of the genre's future.
  9. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Mar 3, 2011
    60
    We'd love to see a sequel that builds on the cool mechanics that the game already boasts. [Issue#69, p.99]
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  10. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Feb 22, 2011
    60
    Temporarily interesting.
  11. GameWatcher
    Feb 1, 2011
    60
    But a jam-packed experience underpinned by flawed game play is still a flawed package.
  12. Gamereactor Denmark
    Jan 25, 2011
    60
    Most shoot em ups these days rely on a gimmick, and Zeit2 has a clever one: time travel. By rewinding the game a few seconds, you are essentially able to play co-op with yourself. The shooting is a bit lackluster, though, and Zeit2 often feels more like puzzle game, where you have to use the rewind function just right to beat the oncoming wave of enemies. May be interesting to hardcore Shmup-fans, but more casual players of the genre can skip it.
  13. Metro GameCentral
    Jan 13, 2011
    60
    It's rare to see any new ideas in a 2D shooter, let alone as many as this game boasts, but they're all suffocated by some hopelessly dull presentation.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. Timster
    Apr 28, 2013
    8
    it's a classic shoot'em up with an interesting time rewinding mechanic that adds alot of strategy. the game is fun and also quite hard. theit's a classic shoot'em up with an interesting time rewinding mechanic that adds alot of strategy. the game is fun and also quite hard. the arcade mode is short but the game has alot of other game modes and you can always try again to get a better score. the game controls great and is very fluid. the soundtrack is amongst the best in gaming and the boss music is my 2nd favorite boss theme ever, only topped by okamis final boss.… Full Review »
  2. chris_j
    Mar 29, 2011
    9
    If you like skill based action games, innovative game play and high score hunting, Zeit² is almost a must have title. The longerIf you like skill based action games, innovative game play and high score hunting, Zeit² is almost a must have title. The longer you play the game the more you are sucked in by its briliant mechanics. It really brings new live to the shoot 'em up genre. Zeit² is at its best with an addictive and eternal fight for a good leaderboard position ;)

    The demo does not give you the slightest idea of what action and long time motivation can be found in Zeit². You need to give the game time. I was sceptic at first but got the game and don't regret it. You just realized how deep the possibilities are after playing for a while. It adds a new dimension and tactical element to a shooting game.

    The time traveling doesn't just undo what you played to make it easier like in Forza 2. You can actually interact with your own playing by "duplicating" your ship through the time warp. This allows for awesome moves that special shots.

    + clever time travel that are essential to the gameplay
    + AWESOME variety of game modes
    + great challenges that work like ingame-achievements on top of the 200 gamerscore
    - graphics are a little repetitive
    - multiplayer only through (the very well executed) leaderboards

    This game wasn't advertised a lot and that's why you could easily overlook it, but it was a very nice addition to my game library. I got it over a month ago and still fire it up when I have a couple of minutes to play. Zeit² deserves some more attention!    … Full Review »
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