History VideoGame / KillingTime

''Killing Time'' is a horror-themed {{FPS}} video game with [[LiveActionCutscene Full Motion Video]] components, developed by Studio 3DO and released in 1995 for their UsefulNotes/ThreeDOInteractiveMultiplayer console.

It was initially meant to stay as an exclusive, but was later ported (with substantial changes) to [[UsefulNotes/IBMPersonalComputer Windows 95 PC]] platform in 1996 by Intrepid Software and to UsefulNotes/{{Macintosh}} when the 3DO system failed to meet sales expectations. The PC version has significantly improved level design and controls as well as higher resolution weapons, but the [=FMVs=] are significantly more compressed and pixelated, and the enemy sprites are also much simpler (comparable in quality to ''Doom'' or ''Duke Nukem 3D'') in contrast to the high-resolution live-action sprites of the 3DO version.

The PC version of the game was only available via digital distribution on the obscure Zoom Platform website for a couple years, but as of November 2016 is now available on GOG.com and Steam as well. A UsefulNotes/PlayStation port was planned for release by {{Creator/Acclaim}} in 1997, but was cancelled (the beta image was eventually leaked online).

* ApocalypticLog: Most of the story is told through live action FMV flashbacks of past events that occur at specific points on the map, marked by a blue ghost of Tess saying "help me". In the second half of the game, after you've gotten most of the keys from the cellar[=/=]sewers[=/=]temple of Isis path, the FMVs will start to turn into the ghosts of the island actually communicating with you rather than simply recordings of the past.

''Killing Time'' is a horror-themed {{FPS}} video game with FullMotionVideo components, developed by Studio 3DO and released in 1995 for their UsefulNotes/ThreeDOInteractiveMultiplayer console.

* CaptainObviousReveal: The player doesn't have to be paying very close attention to figure out that Tess Conway's spirit is up to no good, between her being a rich, hedonistic heiress obsessed with obtaining immortality ([[ImmortalityImmorality a goal usually associated with villainous characters]]) and the game's artwork and title screen both depicting her with a sinister look on her face. Heck, [[http://www.thecoverproject.net/view.php?game_id=3703 the back cover art]] flat-out depicts her as an EvilOverlooker.

** It's also worth noting that this ending is unavoidable in the 3DO version no matter what you do. The later PC and Macintosh versions of the game allows you to avoid it though.

The PC version of the game was only available via digital distribution on the obscure Zoom Platform website for a couple years, but as of November 2016 is now available on GOG.com and Steam as well. A UsefulNotes/PlayStation port was planned for release by {{Creator/Acclaim}} in 1997, but was cancelled.

* UniversalAmmunition: The Colt Peacemaker revolver and the Tommy Gun both share the same ammo; the devs were apparently unaware that the .45 Colt used by the Peacemaker and the .45 [=ACP=] used by the Tommy Gun are not at all the same type of bullet.

The PC version of the game was only available via digital distribution on the obscure Zoom Platform website for a couple years, but as of November 2016 is now available on GOG.com and Steam as well.

* FrenchMaid: In the PC version, Tess' manor has plenty of sexy French maids running around, though they've been turned into [[HornyDevils succubus-like demons]]. There are also a lot of portly zombie [[SculleryMaid Scullery Maids]] running around also (the 3DO version only seems to have the portly zombie Scullery Maids).

The player controls an ex-Egyptology Student, trapped on a fictional [[TheGreatDepression 1930s]] version of Matinicus Isle, Maine, within the estate of wealthy heiress Tess Conway. In 1932, during the night of the Summer Solstice. Tess, while attempting to use a mystical Ancient Egyptian Water-Clock which purportedly grants eternal life, vanished, along with many of her society friends. The player's objective is to find, and destroy, the Water-Clock, and discover the secrets of the estate, all while beating back the many horrors that now occupy the island from beyond the grave.

* KillItWithFire: A fairly good tactic if you can find the flamethrower and keep it fueled.

--> [[spoiler:Duncan]]: "You cannot kill ME, mortal!"

** To progress to the endgame area from Tess' bedroom, you need to select the portrait of the character who is responsible for her murder. However, not only are you not provided enough information to know this for certain at this point, the game doesn't even indicate to you in any way that this is what you're supposed to be doing. You can at least brute force the solution by saving and loading.

* DemBones: Skeletons are a common enemy you'll find in underground areas. They fling fireballs and are generally annoying.

* DamageSpongeBoss: In the PC version, the final boss, [[spoiler: Tess as the goddess Isis]], is this, capable of soaking ''way'' more damage than any other enemy in the game and essentially being a typical FPS final boss fight. She takes almost your entire full stockpile of ammo for the shotgun, tommy gun, and flamethrower to take down.

** Winged Vessel powers can only be used once, and then they're gone. Winged Vessels can be recharged by picking up a White Vessel, but these are extremely rare.

* VideogameFlamethrowersSuck: Averted. The flamethrower acts more like the ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' plasma gun and a single burst is enough to kill most enemies in the game. Ammo for it is reasonably available as well. The only real problem with it is that it has trouble firing through level geometry such as over tables or through windows.

* PoisonMushroom: Enemies will sometimes drop red orbs instead of the blue orbs that restore your health. The red orbs instead damage you and can even kill you if your health is low enough.

* DoubleMeaningTitle: At first, the game being named "Killing Time" seems like just a general "trying to be badass" name that a lot of "Doom Clones" came up with at the time, such as "VideoGame/{{Gloom}}", "[[VideoGame/ChasmTheRift Chasm]]", or "VideoGame/{{Powerslave}}". However, the plot involves an island being trapped in time because of a curse that has broken the flow of time on the island, ''literally'' "killing time".

* DoubleMeaningTitle: At first, the game being named "Killing Time" seems like just a general "trying to be badass" name that a lot of "Doom Clones" came up with at the time, such as "Gloom", "Chasm", or "Powerslave". However, the plot involves an island being trapped in time because of a curse that has broken the flow of time on the island, ''literally'' "killing time".