Fan-Driven “TimeSplitters Rewind” Launches Free on PC After Decade-Long Development
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A remarkable testament to enduring fan passion, “TimeSplitters Rewind,” a community-led remake of the beloved first-person shooter trilogy, has officially released on PC for free as of November 26, 2025. The project, years in the making, has received full authorization and support from the intellectual property holders.
A Legacy Reborn: The History of TimeSplitters
“TimeSplitters,” “TimeSplitters 2,” and “TimeSplitters: Future Perfect” captivated players in the early 2000s with their innovative gameplay and quirky charm. Developed by British studio Free Radical, the series quickly gained a dedicated following. However, the original development team faced financial hardship, declaring bankruptcy in 2008 while working on “TimeSplitters 4,” and was subsequently acquired by Crytek, known for the “Crysis” franchise.
From Fan Project to Reality
In 2013, Crytek took a groundbreaking step, officially sanctioning a fan project to continue the spirit of the “TimeSplitters” series. This allowed dedicated fans to utilize original assets and build upon the foundation of the classic games. The intellectual property later transitioned to THQ Nordic (now part of Embracer Group), who honored Crytek’s initial agreement. Despite a brief attempt by THQ Nordic to revive the Free Radical studio and officially resurrect the series – a plan that ultimately failed and led to the studio’s second closure in 2023 – the fan project persevered.
“Rewind” – A Unique Approach to Remaking a Classic
“TimeSplitters Rewind” isn’t a traditional remake, but rather a “gathered collection,” as described by its developers. The team has meticulously rebuilt classic maps, modes, leagues, and story content from across the trilogy from the ground up. “’Rewind’ is not a traditional remake. It is not three independent game execution files, but a single work that captures the spirit of the three games as much as possible,” explained a representative from the development team.
Content-Rich Early Access Release
Despite facing years of personnel changes and developmental hurdles, “TimeSplitters Rewind” has launched in “early access” with a substantial amount of content. Players can currently enjoy 28 multiplayer maps, 96 playable characters, 41 weapons, a new team annihilation mode, and the complete story mode from the original “TimeSplitters.” Future updates are planned to include additional story campaigns, maps, characters, game modes, and features requested by the community.
Interested players can download “TimeSplitters Rewind” for free through the project’s official website. For those seeking a more traditional experience, the original “Time Splitters” trilogy was re-released on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 last year and is available as part of the PS Plus Premium subscription service.
