A Stealthy Adventure Through the Stargate Universe: A Review of Stargate: Timekeepers

The universe of Stargate has always been a fascinating one, filled with intrigue, adventure, and a healthy dose of sci-fi. With the release of Stargate: Timekeepers, a new stealth tactics game set in the Stargate universe, fans of the franchise have a new way to explore this expansive universe. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the game’s story, gameplay, and presentation to determine if it’s worth your time and money.

Story:
The story of Stargate: Timekeepers takes place during the seventh season of the Stargate: SG-1 television show, following a parallel adventure that is completely new to the game. The game’s narrative is set in the same universe as SG-1 and Atlantis, but it assumes that the player has a solid understanding of the Stargate lore. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t make any effort to explain the basics of the Stargate Command, the Jaffa, or the Goa’uld, making it a challenging experience for newcomers to the franchise.

Gameplay:
Stargate: Timekeepers is a stealth tactics game that allows players to approach each mission with a range of playstyles. The game features a team of soldiers and misfits, each with unique abilities that can be used to overcome various challenges. The team is led by Colonel Eva McCain, who is reminiscent of Samantha Carter from the TV show. The team also includes Max Bolton, a sniper with a cool demeanor, A’ta, a rebel Jaffa with her own “Indeed,” and Derrick Harper, a nervous and quirky scientist.

The game’s levels are rich and interesting, featuring a variety of alien environments that are both visually appealing and challenging to navigate. Each area requires careful planning and execution to successfully complete the mission objectives. The game’s Tactical Mode makes it easier to coordinate multiple characters, allowing players to issue multiple orders and sync them to happen at the same time.

The game’s difficulty curve is satisfying, with each level introducing new elements to keep the player engaged and challenged. However, the game doesn’t reward stealth or nonviolence in any meaningful way, making it a more challenging experience for players who prefer to approach the game from a nonlethal perspective.

Presentation:
Stargate: Timekeepers features a clean, readable UI and dialogue subtitles that make it easy to navigate the game’s menus and understand the conversations between the characters. The game’s loading screens also show coordinates being dialed in on the stargate, adding to the immersive experience.

The game’s graphics are not particularly modern or detailed, but each level features rich and interesting alien environments that help to keep the game visually appealing. The character models and particle effects are also decent, considering the game’s budget.

Conclusion:
Stargate: Timekeepers is a challenging and engaging stealth tactics game that pays homage to the Stargate universe. The game’s story may be difficult to follow for newcomers to the franchise, but the rich and interesting alien environments, satisfying difficulty curve, and unique team dynamics make it worth exploring for fans of the Stargate universe. While the game could benefit from a few improvements, such as a more intuitive character selection system and more meaningful rewards for stealth and nonviolence, it’s a solid addition to the Stargate franchise and a worthy addition to any fan’s collection.

Overall, Stargate: Timekeepers is a must-play for fans of the Stargate universe and a worthwhile investment for anyone looking for a challenging and engaging stealth tactics game. With its rich story, satisfying gameplay, and immersive presentation, Stargate: Timekeepers is a welcome addition to the Stargate franchise and a testament to the enduring appeal of this beloved sci-fi universe.