The Jungle surrounding T'hochek.
The Lost Temple of T'hochek is a hidden Aztec Temple within the Guatemalan jungle.
Its first appearance was in TimeSplitters 2, where it hosted the 1920 Story level and an Arcade level in the surrounding Jungle. On TimeSplitters Future Perfect, the Temple returned, but featured a different section of the building.
History[]
The Aztecs were a group of indigenous people that occupied Central America until they were conquered by the Spanish in 1521 (coincidentally by a general named Cortés).
Despite the Spanish invasion, T'hochek and its followers survived long after this, probably due to its geographical position (the Spanish concentrated their attack on Tenochtitlan in Central Mexico). T'hochek then remained undiscovered, until the early 20th century, when it was visited by the TimeSplitters. The Splitters were mistaken for the Aztec's gods, forcing them to worship their dark existence and the mysterious Jade Crystal.
Story[]
1920, Aztec Ruins[]
- Main article: Aztec Ruins (Story)
Captain Ash, as seen in TS2.
400 years after the Spanish invasion, explorer Captain Ash discovered T'hochek, in search of treasure.
Despite the odds, he managed to find the Time Crystal hidden deep within the Temple.
However, he was chased by a Stone Golem, who then fought Ash and took the Crystal from him, dropping him over the bridge in the process.
Right afterwards, Sergeant Cortez (presumably) morphed into Ash, taking his physical form and clothing.
With the help of the Jungle Queen (who was raised by wolves in the surrounding jungle), they entered the temple under attack from Aztec Warriors, the High Priests, deluded Monkeys with exploding Watermelons and elemental golems of Wood and Stone, before finally securing the Time Crystal and freeing its people from the TimeSplitters.
Arcade[]
1920, Aztec[]
- Main article: Aztec (Arcade)
This Arcade level is based on the jungle area of the Story level, before Captain Ash and the Jungle Queen reach the main Temple.
The map consists of a variety of corridors through the rocks, as well as many open air sections. Unlike most other levels, the level is filled with torches that can light the end of a Crossbow, for use in setting enemies on fire.
The best game modes here are undoubtedly Virus and Flame Tag, due to its winding corridors and frantic close-quarters situations. Other free-for-all style matches, such as Deathmatch or Elimination, also play well here.
Temple[]
- Main article: Temple
T'hochek returned in TimeSplitters Future Perfect in the form of the Temple Arcade map. Similar to Oblask Dam, the Future Perfect version has many irregularities with its former self. Exactly what time period the new level is set in is unclear, but it may be safe to assume that it appears at a similar date to Scotland the Brave (4 years after Aztec Ruins).
The new layout is based on the inside of the Temple itself, possibly in the deeper areas seen later in the original Story level on Normal and Hard, and features many large, open rooms, making it a dramatically different map to before. Conversely, there are some corridors through the rock, as well as a clifftop area outside, showing some similarities to the original level.