This Month's Most Popular Games Tagged 'core, action' on The Great Games Experiment http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/games/popular/month/core/action/?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss ]]> This Month's Most Popular Games Tagged 'core, action' on The Great Games Experiment http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/css/logo.jpg This Month's Most Popular Games Tagged 'core, action' on The Great Games Experiment http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/games/popular/month/core/action/?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss ]]> en-us S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Man made hell...

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl takes you into a near future where nuclear disaster has taken place. When a strange second explosion at the old Chernobyl site rocks the landscape, it leaves a vast "Exclusion Zone" plagued with deadly energy disturbances in its wake. The quarantined Exclusion Zone expanded over time, and by 2012, specially equipped poachers, known as S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s, venture into the Zone to claim radioactive artifacts for the black market. You are a new S.T.A.L.K.E.R. battling for survival among rivals, soldiers and mutant creatures while trying to discover the true nature of Chernobyl's dark past and horrific future.
]]> 07 Jan 2007 09:06:28 Mega Man II In the year of 200X, a super robot named Megaman was created. Dr Light created Megaman to stop the evil desires of Dr Wily. However, after his defeat, Dr Wily created eight of his own robots to counter Megaman.


Original Box Art
]]> 09 Oct 2006 06:37:48 Mega Man III After suffering his previous defeats to Mega Man, Dr. Wily turns up at Dr. Light's laboratory, having apparently undergone a change of heart. Dr. Light takes him in, and the two begin work on Gamma, a great robot intended to maintain the world's peace. Near the end of their work, the two need energy elements from eight unknown planets to activate Gamma.

Suddenly, though, Wily's Robot Masters in charge of mining and processing the elements on those planets begin to go berserk. Mega Man takes off to quell the robot rebellions and investigate their cause, but new mysteries await him as well.


Original Box Art
]]> 09 Oct 2006 07:01:00 Mega Man IV AD 200X. Household robots Rock and Roll were created by master robot designer, Dr Light, and were enjoying their peaceful days. Then one day, the industrial robots all over the world went on a rampage and the world fell into total chaos. Dr Light quickly realized that mad scientist, Dr Wily, was behind the nefarious deed but he didn't know what to do. Rock, having a strong sense of justice, volunteered to be converted into a fighting robot. Thus the super robot Mega Man was born. Mega Man shattered Dr Wily's plans three times and world peace has been maintained so far.... but history repeats itself. Dr Cossack, a mysterious scientist, has invented eight powerful robots and sent then after Mega Man. Mega Man starts for the battle again, this time equipped with the powerful new Mega Buster!!


Original Box Art
]]> 09 Oct 2006 07:01:12 Mega Man V In the year 20XX AD... A vicious army of robots is bent on destroying the world!! And behind this destruction is... Protoman!?


Original Box Art
]]> 09 Oct 2006 07:02:01 Mega Man VI A mysterious individual known as Mr. X has begun to hoIn the year 20XX, the first annual "Robot Masters Tournament" is held. The tournament was designed to test the designing capabilities of the world's greatest engineers. Thus, engineers and programmers (and of course, spectators) from the world over gathered to participate in this event. The tournament was hosted by a man known only as "Mr. X," who was one of the world's richest men and supposedly one of its greatest engineers.

Dr. Light, a pacifist, decided not to enter the tournament, but he took charge and did send Mega Man to go along and make sure that everything was safe for all the spectators and to discipline the Robot Masters. Many strong robots participated, and in the end, eight robots were victorious.

However, at the close of the tournament, Mr. X came to the podium and announced that he had reprogrammed the eight robots to do his bidding and that he had been manipulating the contestants all along. Furthermore, he was going to use his newly created army of robots, under command of the new Robot Masters to take over the world. Mega Man was immediately ordered by Dr. Light to put an end to the madness.ld a robot tournament encouraging all robots in the world to enter, to discover the true masters of them all. Unknown to the robots, once the eight winners were chosen, Mr. X took control of them and began to use them in his plot to take over the world. Explaining that he had manipulated Dr Wily from the beginning, Mega Man must now face up to Mr. X's eight new Robot Masters before confronting the mastermind himself.


Original Box Art
]]> 09 Oct 2006 07:02:14 Mega Man VII In the year 20XXAD

The world cheered Mega Man when at long last he captured and imprisoned Dr Wily.

But...

Dr Wily always knew his schemes might end in failure and had planned for just such an occasion.

Four robots had been hidden away and after six months without being contacted by Dr Wily, they activate and...

Begin searching for their master...


Original Box Art
]]> 09 Oct 2006 07:02:29 Mega Man VIII After Mega Man's previous quest saw the introduction of Bass & Treble, Dr. Wily's new robotic rivals of Mega Man, the threat of Wily's world domination plans intensified. Dr. Wily escaped during his previous battle against Mega Man and has begun to build up his army again. Designing and constructing a new secret castle hidden under the depths of a volcano, Wily began to formulate new plans for the destruction of Mega Man. While out on patrol for Mega Man, Bass finds him and a battle ensues. As always, Bass' overconfidence allows Mega Man to overcome him, but little did either of them know that an event was occurring in outer space that would prove to be very dangerous for both of them. Far off in space away from Earth, two mysterious robots were also locked in battle, with one of the combatants losing fast. The failing robot, the one bent on destruction and hatred, begins a descent into Earth's atmosphere. The other robot races after it, but is too late to stop the evil robot from breaking up and sending it's remains down to the surface. The resulting crash alerts both Dr. Light and Dr. Wily, but Wily manages to find the crash site before Mega Man can. Racing to the scene, Mega Man finds Dr. Wily fleeing with a piece from the crash site, a small meteor which he claims can give him the power to take over the world. Escaping in a small capsule, Wily leaves Mega Man alone at the crash site, but Mega Man discovers the damaged body of the other robot in the remains, and quickly takes it back to Dr. Light for repairs. The alien robot intrigues Dr. Light, and while he conducts repairs on it's damaged body, Mega Man heads out to stop Wily and his eight new Robot Masters.



Original Box Art
]]> 09 Oct 2006 07:02:44 Escape Velocity The original game in the Escape Velocity series from Ambrosia Software. An open ended space trading, combat, adventure rpg. It's similar to Elite, but with all the fun distilled and purified into one big addictive lump of super fun.

The following is the blurb from the official Ambrosia website:

Check your calendar: It's 2246, and the galaxy just isn't what it used to be. Spacefaring pirates roam free, civil war rages, and simple traders cheat death to make a living. Welcome to life in the 23rd century!

Ambrosia Software's Escape Velocity puts you smack-dab in the middle of that booming galaxy. As the captain of a shiny new spacecraft, you make your fortune and build your empire. If that sounds like a walk in the park, you're in for a surprise - dangers abound! Your lowly shuttle craft will need more than a little luck to make a profit... and survive.

Escape Velocity offers a rich and open-ended environment that evolves as you play. Over a hundred worlds occupy the galaxy, each with its own technology, alliances, and commodities. As you earn credits and gain fame, Confederation peace keepers and Rebel patriots struggle for power, leaving you in the middle.

Numerous sub-plots fill Escape Velocity's world; your choices affect the story's development, guaranteeing that each game will be different from the last. You'll have the opportunity to infiltrate hostile military bases, ferry emergency supplies to distant star systems, rescue passengers from stranded cruise ships, stop alien invaders, and more. In addition, Escape Velocity sports an open game engine. Future scenario designers will be able to create their own worlds for other players to explore...
]]> 14 Nov 2006 04:32:58 Deus Ex The year is 2052 and the world is a dangerous and chaotic place. Terrorists operate openly - killing thousands; drugs, disease and pollution kill even more. The world's economies are close to collapse and the gap between the insanely wealthy and the desperately poor grows ever wider. Worst of all, an ages old conspiracy bent on world domination has decided that the time is right to emerge from the shadows and take control. No one believes they exist. No one but you.
]]> 22 Nov 2006 09:26:12 Sin Episodes: Emergence SiN Episodes: Emergence launches the new era of episodic gaming. A first person shooter powered by Valve's award-winning Source technology, SiN Episodes offers unprecedented interactivity, an engrossing story, and a revolutionary dynamic difficulty system that provides a custom experience based on your skill level and play style.
]]> 25 Nov 2006 04:54:19 Tribes 2 The ultimate team-based action experience for you and up to 60 others. Tribes 2 is a sci-fi first-person shooter (FPS) computer game, currently the second-latest game in the fictional Earthsiege universe . It was developed by Dynamix and published by the company then known as Sierra Entertainment in March 2001.
]]> 25 Nov 2006 07:08:58 Hitman: Codename 47 You are Agent 47, a clone made to be the perfect assassin. You work for the agency, traveling to places like China, Columbia and Russia to complete your contracts.
]]> 25 Nov 2006 08:37:25 Hitman 2: Silent Assassin AFter the events in the first game 47 quits the Agency and retreats to a life of solitute as a gardener for a church in Italy. When the priest who runs the church is kidnapped and 47 himself is targeted he must return to action.
]]> 25 Nov 2006 08:39:18 Hitman: Blood Money 47 finally comes to the U.S to escape danger in Europe from a rival assassination agency. But danger follows him. From Vegas to the suburbs of California. 47 must compete and stay alive and stop his competition. This game explains all of the confusion created by Contracts.

This sequel introduce so many new features to the game it's hard to believe. 47 truly comes alive with a more agile move set, a better arsenal and a notoriety system.
]]> 25 Nov 2006 08:40:15 Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth Call of Cthulhu -- Dark Corners of the Earth is a first-person horror game that combines intense action and adventure elements. You will draw upon your skills in exploration, investigation, and combat while faced with the seemingly impossible task of battling evil incarnate.
]]> 26 Nov 2006 01:18:28 Hitman: Contracts Contracts was the third game in the series. This one had a storyline that could be considered confusing, but that shouldn't get in your way. You'll relive many past experiences of 47 as he lays dying on a table in France. My only complaint was the levels remade from the 1st game, but luckily they were changed around and they became new again.
]]> 26 Nov 2006 02:32:21 Beyond Good and Evil For centuries, the planet Hyllis has been locked in conflict with a race of relentless alien invaders.

Wary of her government's promises to repel the aliens for good, a rebellious action reporter named Jade sets out to capture the truth behind the prolonged war.

Armed with her camera, dai-jo staff, and fierce determination, Jade soon finds herself inside the jaws of a horrific conspiracy, and face to face with an evil she cannot possibly fathom.

In a world where deception is the deadliest weapon of all, will Jade's discoveries be enough to free her people?
]]> 26 Nov 2006 11:41:51 Bubblomania X Bubblomania X is an original arcade game, full of thrill and action, featuring cute and funky graphics, and great music!

Colorful bubbles are floating up, and you have to pop them by moving the pin on top. Some bubbles contain goodies or bonus points, while other must be avoided.

Bubblomania X features 8 game modes and online topscores.
]]> 27 Nov 2006 05:06:17 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines brings White Wolf's famous pen-and-paper role playing game to the back to the PC . For the first time players can explore the World of Darkness from a first person perspective in a game which utilizes Valve's striking Source Engine.

Unlike third person role playing games, Bloodlines will put you in the shoes of the character you control. You will get up close and personal with the brilliantly animated characters that populate the game world and tangled in the web of intrigue that is the staple of Troika Games' roleplaying titles.

Although set in the same universe, Bloodlines is not a sequel to the last Vampire title: Redemption.

You begin your journey this time in modern day Los Angeles as a newly embraced vampire. By creating you without the consent of your clan's Elders, your sire has violated one of vampire society's most hallowed laws. As punishment for the crime he has been put to death. Normally you would be expected to share the same fate but the newly installed Prince of Los Angeles thinks you might have some merit: you're a newly embraced vampire with no sire to guide you; you are unfamiliar with the world of vampires and their laws and customs. You would be useful and expendable pawn in his grand scheme.

You will employ a variety of firearms and skills such as computer hacking and lock picking as well as your devastating array of vampiric powers called Disciplines. And what would a game about vampires be if there wasn't some blood drinking?

You choose to play as a member of one of seven diverse and specialized vampire clans and you'll need to employ all of your preternatural skills to survive. You'll need to charm, sneak, intimidate and fight your way through the dangerous world the vampires inhabit and along the way decide just who you really owe your allegiance to.

With so many different clans, as many as 5 different endings and the ability pursue several avenues of specialization as you upgrade your character, Bloodlines will provide a great deal of replayability.
]]> 01 Dec 2006 06:25:23 Crysis Crysis is an upcoming sci-fi first-person shooter computer game that is currently in production by German developer Crytek. Crytek is best known for the 2004 shooter Far Cry that was released for PC.
]]> 01 Dec 2006 11:21:39 Far Cry Far Cry is a first-person shooter computer game developed by Crytek Studios and published by Ubisoft on March 23, 2004. Far Cry sold 730,000 units within four months of release. The game's story follows an ex-Special Forces man named Jack Carver, who is stranded on a mysterious archipelago in Micronesia. He is searching for a female journalist he was escorting after she went missing when their sailboat was destroyed by mercenaries.
]]> 01 Dec 2006 11:40:12 Marathon Marathon is a classic sci-fi shooter created for MacOS. It spawned two sequels - Marathon 2: Durandal and Marathon Infinity.

Bungie went on to create one of the most successful games of all time: Halo: Combat Evolved.

Developer: Bungie Software
Released: 1994
]]> 01 Dec 2006 12:15:30 Tribes: Vengeance Tribes: Vengeance (sometimes called T:V or Tribes 3) is a sci-fi first-person shooter (FPS) computer game of the Tribes video game series. It was developed by Irrational Games and released by Sierra Entertainment (part of Vivendi Universal) in October 2004. It was built on enhanced version of the Unreal Engine 2/2.5, which Irrational Games called the Vengeance engine. In addition to its multiplayer network maps, Vengeance includes a complete single-player campaign.
]]> 01 Dec 2006 05:46:42 Red Faction Join a group of miners on Mars working for the evil Ultor Corporation. Miners have been dying from bad working conditions and a new disease. Join the Red Faction to combat Ultor and gain freedom for your fellow miners.
]]> 01 Dec 2006 10:22:10 Manhunt They just killed Cash. Now, they want to kill him again.

America is full of run down, broken rust-belt towns where nobody cares and anything goes. In Manhunt's Carcer City, nothing matters anymore and all that's left are cheap thrills. The ultimate rush is the power to grant life and take it away, for sport. This time, James Earl Cash, you are the sport. They gave you your life back. Now, they are going to hunt you down.

You awake to the sound of your own panicked breath. You must run, hide, and fight to survive. If you can stay alive long enough, you may find out who did this to you. This is a brutal blood sport.
]]> 01 Dec 2006 11:22:28 Marathon 2: Durandal Marathon 2: Durandal is the second game in the classic sci-fi shooter trilogy. It continues the story started in Marathon and is followed by Marathon Infinity.

Bungie went on to create one of the most successful games of all time: Halo: Combat Evolved.

Developer: Bungie Software
Released: 1995 [Mac], 1996 [Windows]
]]> 02 Dec 2006 01:38:19 Marathon Infinity Final installment of the classic sci-fi shooter series. Follows Marathon and Marathon 2: Durandal.

Bungie went on to create one of the most successful games of all time: Halo: Combat Evolved.

Developer: Bungie Software
Released: 1996
]]> 03 Dec 2006 09:50:33 Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is the follow-up to one of the most captivating and intelligent adventures on the original PlayStation. Solid Snake, everyone's favorite mullet-sporting supersoldier, is back, along with many other familiar faces and voices. While its predecessor was lauded for telling a complex story, this sequel has even more fascinating twists and turns. Also, like Metal Gear Solid, MGS2 takes console-game storytelling to an entirely new level with stunning in-game movies, great graphics, and game mechanics that let you find your own solutions to challenges. The game's twisting and at times bizarre plot will undoubtedly keep some gamers perplexed.

Konami has replaced the moronic enemies from the first MGS with more cerebral and capable foes; this causes an even greater emphasis on stealth than the original. The controls have been refined and Snake's repertoire of moves has grown, significantly deepening the gameplay. This is, technically and stylistically, one of the best-looking PS2 games on the market. The sound is also topnotch, with a fabulous score and outstanding voice acting. What makes this game such a standout, however, is how all of these sight, sound, and story elements combine to immerse the player into an entertainment form somewhere between movie and game. It will be years before Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is surpassed. This is interactive entertainment at its finest. --Raymond M. Padilla
]]> 05 Dec 2006 07:17:05 Pathogen Pathogen is an action-packed sci-fi horror game.
]]> 05 Dec 2006 07:46:39 Quest for Glory 3: Wages of War The third game in Quest for Glory series is set in the Africa-like world of Tarna, where you travel with your new liontaur friends you have met in the second game. Shortly after your arrival, you learn about the conflict between the liontaurs and the neighbor Simbani village, populated by the leopardmen. It is now time for our hero to become a skillful diplomat and to prevent an upcoming war between the two nations.

The gameplay system of "Wages of War" is the same as in the two previous games. The game plays like an adventure, with puzzles to solve and characters to talk to, with the additional of RPG elements: combat (action-based) and character development. You can play as either a fighter, a thief, a mage, or a paladin, and raise your skills directly after battles or by performing various actions. Graphics and interface underwent a major change. This is the first 256-color Quest for Glory game, and the first one to utilize the new, icon-based interface.

(from the Moby Games QFG3 page)
]]> 05 Dec 2006 11:32:14 Arx Fatalis Arx Fatalis is a first-person RPG, which plunges the player into an amazingly complex fantasy world. Arx Fatalis combines intelligent storyline with impressive medieval surroundings. The user-friendly interface allows the highest interactivity possible. Arx Fatalis creates a state of intense immersion that allows the player to feel that all his actions have a direct consequence in the Arx game world.

The goal of the game is to destroy the secret cult of Akbaa: the god of devastation and chaos, and thereby prevent his return to the physical world. Should the player fail, the demon is bound to impose his reign of terror upon Arx. The player, assuming the role of the potential hero, fights inside an underground fortress using wooden clubs, swords and magical items to defend himself against creatures including goblins, trolls, ratmen and other vicious opponents. But, brute force is not always the best way to succeed and the player has at his disposal the innovative new "onscreen gesture based magic system" to assist him in his progress through the game. Using the mouse, burning runes can be drawn in mid-air. A series of these gestures combine to create powerful magic spells that will protect the player or empower him to defeat his enemies and pursue his quest.

In addition to the struggles against demons and monsters there are numerous opportunities for interaction with the creatures and objects inside the fortress helping the player to rediscover his memory, solve puzzles and fulfill quests. Collecting experience points enables the player to appropriately craft his hero's skills and abilities and to develop his overall persona. Dare to enter the world of Arx Fatalis. Explore underground cities, secret temples, lost civilizations, dwarf mines and discover the magic of Arx Fatalis...

(from the official Arx Fatalis website)
]]> 05 Dec 2006 11:49:23 RoboBlitz Blitz is a young and capable robot working as a technician in the Opera Point Orbital Defense Station and Space Cannon facility. His job description includes: fueling generators, rewiring electrical systems, re-balancing busted conveyors, spinning massive fans, and even molding giant railgun slugs. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it! Thankfully, Blitz has a trusty sidekick named Karl, who helps out by designing new weapons and tools. We'd tell you more, but then we'd have to EMP you...
]]> 06 Dec 2006 11:37:33 The Qube WHAT IS THE QUBE? The Qube is a fun, challenging
& VERY ADDICTIVE 3D Puzzle Game based on the classic PSone game Kurushi (also know as Intelligent Qube).

In a variety of breathtaking backdrops, you must first select 1 of 4 characters from `The Diaeresis Fleet` with varying abilities & speed to find out exactly & take on the relentless wrath of The Qube!
]]> 07 Dec 2006 03:49:54 Evolva Evolva is a third-person squad-based action shooter whose original design concept actually succeeds in adding to the overall quality of the game. Evolva's organic visuals are also rather impressive, though they put quite a demand on your system.

In the game, you command the Evolva, a team of genetically mutable "genohunters" on a mission to rid a planet on the edge of the galaxy of a world-eating parasite and its spawn. Your four genohunters are capable of mutating to incorporate genes unique to the aliens you encounter on your crusade, as they physically append new weapons and morph to reflect their added abilities. You actually control the development and balance of various genetic abilities in the mutation screen: Each time a genohunter mutates, you are presented with two genetic paths to choose from, each with benefits and shortcomings, until you accumulate more genes to achieve a net increase in power.
]]> 08 Dec 2006 01:51:19 Contra Playing with fire and murder in the eyes.
Keep squeezing that trigger and never let go.
If it moves, shoot it.
If it doesn't move, shoot it anyway just to be sure.
]]> 09 Dec 2006 09:14:23 Deus Ex: Invisible War Fifteen years following the events depicted in the multi-award winning Deus Ex, the world is just beginning to recover from catastrophic depression.

As an elite anti-terrorist agent, you must fight numerous militant factions bent on violently reshaping the world to suit their own agendas. Using high-tech gadgetry and futuristic body modification (or biomods), you are granted near superhuman powers.

Travel the globe while uncovering fiendish plots of world domination. Unmask the conspirators, while uncovering the shocking truth behind your own origins.
]]> 09 Dec 2006 01:08:20 Dark Legions A beautiful mix of strategy and action.
]]> 09 Dec 2006 07:53:55 Crusader: No Remorse
Videogame Advisor said,
Origin has created a masterpiece in the mission-based action game genre. This game is pure joy to play.

An isometric action game set in the near future. Play as a Silencer in the Resistance and try to take down the World Economic Consortium.

Take on 15 different missions that include helping your new friends escape from prison, blowing-up power generators, and finding top-secret intelligence. Thankfully, there are 13 different weapons to utilize. Will you be able to gain the confidence of the resistance? Can you stop the evil plans of the World Economic Consortium? Play CRUSADER: No Remorse and find the answers to these questions.

Additional Game Features:

  • Origin's scrolling isometric sets let you explore refineries, military bases, government offices, rebel bases, labs and interstellar backgrounds that explode at every blast. Almost anything you see can be destroyed.
  • Incredibly high-detailed SVGA frames of bit mapped animation for the Crusader, let you run, jump and crouch, roll, side-step and ambush.
  • Live action video gives you fully detailed mission objectives to maximise your shooting efficiency.
  • Ingenious puzzles force you to take control of enemy vechicles and gun turrets.
  • Single player action game powered by the Enhanced Ultima VIII engine, and enhanced with fmv cutscenes.

Developer: Origin Systems, Realtime Associates
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Released: Aug 31, 1995

System Requirements
MS-DOS 5.0 or higher, i486 DX2 66 MHz, 8 MB RAM, 65 MB hard disk space, Sound Blaster compatible sound card, VESA compatible SVGA video card
]]> 10 Dec 2006 01:45:36 Crusader: No Regret Isometric sci-fi action game, sequel to 1995's Crusader: No Remorse.
]]> 10 Dec 2006 01:56:59 MDK2 MDK2, the sequel to Shiny Entertainment’s 1997 hit, take on the roles of Max, Dr. Hawkins, and Kurt Hectic as you fight to save the world from an alien threat. Each of the characters in MDK2 provides a totally unique gameplay experience, delivered in a puzzle-packed action game.
]]> 12 Dec 2006 04:11:09 Heli Attack Heli Attack Series:
]]> 12 Dec 2006 07:00:54 Heretic Raven Software teamed up with Id Software for the second time in its creation of the hit fantasy action game Heretic. Based on a modified DooM engine, Heretic pioneered a revolutionary new inventory system for character item use that has become commonplace in the FPS genre. Id Software published the game under its flag and it was distributed by GT Interactive.

Players took the role of Corvus, an Elven hero whose race was nearly eliminated by a horde of evil monsters from another dimension. The first episode of Heretic was released as Shareware as a precursor to the full version of the game, Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders.

Heretic won several awards for excellence, appeared in such notable publications as USA Today and Playboy, and opened many new doors in the computer gaming software industry for Raven Software and its team of developers. Heretic was Raven Software's most popular, highest acclaimed, biggest selling game to that point.

(from the Raven Software Heretic page)
]]> 13 Dec 2006 01:18:12 Metal Gear Solid This game is the game that started it all, sure the other ones after this are great, but I think this is the best. It has level design that is genious. The storyline is compelling and full of plot twists, and the action and gameplay is groundbreaking.

basic Plot outline:
An elite group of Next Generation Special Forces lead by members of FOX HOUND has attacked and captured an Alaskan nuclear weapons facility.

Their demands state that the US government hand over the remains of their former commander (Big Boss) within 24 hours or they will launch a nuclear weapon.

Solid Snake's mission comes in a two phases. First, he needs to rescue both DARPA Chief Donald Anderson and the President of Arms Tech Kenneth Baker, both are being held captive in the facility.

Next, Snake needs to investigate weather or not the terrorists have the ability to actually launch a nuclear weapon, and stop them if they do.
]]> 13 Dec 2006 05:20:13 Messiah In a future earth full of gloom and despair, a cherub named Bob is sent by the almighty to purge evil and restore order. As Bob you are small, weak, and without much skill save one; you have the ability to possess any living creature.

With the devil on his heels, Bob has his work cut out for him, but he can navigate sewers as a rat, battle as a thug, or find just the right human to get through a high security area. Lots of puzzles are involved, as well as fighting to the music of Fear Factory.

Messiah is a 3rd person, 3d, single player action shooter produced by Shiny Entertainment and published in 2000 by Interplay.

System requirements:
Microsoft Windows 95 or higher, DirectX, Intel Pentium II 233, 3D Acelerator Card, 64MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM or faster, DirectSound compliant sound card, 250MB HDD space.

ESRB rating of Mature (M)

The retail version is on 2 cd's. There is an OEM version on 1 cd that apparently lacks some of the musical content.
]]> 14 Dec 2006 02:41:02 Alan Wake Alan Wake's first novel is hailed as a masterpiece of horror, its source material having come from dreams that began just before meeting his fiancee Alice. Her sudden dissappearance leaves him devastated. Suffering from insomnia, he can no longer write, nor even dream. Desperate for help he travels to a sleep clinic in the secluded, small town of Bright Falls, Washington.

At the clinic he overcomes his insomnia, but meets a woman that looks remarkably like Alice. He begins to have nightmares, and starts writing a new novel based upon them, but soon finds that Bright Falls appears to be turning into the horrible place of his nightmares. With gun and flashlight in hand, he must find out what's going on.
]]> 14 Dec 2006 03:01:56 Outcast Plot

In 2007 the U.S. government successfully sends a probe to an alien world in a parallel universe. The probe starts transmitting video images of the world back to Earth. Then, just minutes into the mission, an alien life form discovers the probe and damages it, causing an unforeseen backlash of energy to create a black hole threatening Earth. Cutter Slade, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, is given the job of escorting three scientists on a mission to this alien world to recover the probe and close the black hole.

Arriving in this alien world, Cutter is separated from the other scientists and is hailed by the natives as their messiah, the Ulukai.

Technology

The game uses a voxel engine to render its objects and textures. This unique method is purely software-based; it does not rely on any hardware-acceleration via a graphics card. A voxel engine was chosen because there is no performance hit when rendering round or curved surfaces, thus allowing for a much more detailed Landscape. Had the same level of detail seen in Outcast been attempted on a hardware-accelerated polygon engine, there would have been a significant drop in performance.
]]> 14 Dec 2006 04:57:01 Kingpin: Life of Crime In Kingpin you start out with nothing but a bruising from the henchmen of the local crime boss. After that it's all about revenge, and surviving the roughest parts of a gritty urban environment that has elements of a historical past, but never quite existed.

As you work your way up you win the respect of those you need to help you, as well as do what it takes to acquire the wealth needed to keep rising through the ranks until you're the top dog. Among other things, cash is useful at the "pawn-o-matic" found in each chapter as a means to purchase weapons and ammunition.

The game is bloody, vulgar and relentlessly violent, and has received criticism over this. When installing, you can opt for a reduced level of violence and swearing, although that seems contrary to the inevitable objectives of the game.


The game features nine deadly weapons ranging from lead pipes and pistols to grenade launchers, bazookas and flamethrowers. Multi-player support is provided for both LAN and Internet and offers customizable pre-game options such as time limits, flag limits (maximum death toll) and a cash limit. Up to 16 players can bully and bludgeon their way through an online game at any given time.

Also featured are soundtrack music by Cypress Hill, clever level layouts, an intuitive and fully customizable gui, "area specific damage" to characters, blood, and a gritty, urban ghetto feel through carefully crafted and performed dialogue, sound effects and the artful use of haze and custom textures to achieve the best possible looks the Quake 2 engine could produce at that time.

Developed by Xatrix Entertainment on the Quake II engine, Kingpin: Life of Crime was published on June 30, 1999 by Interplay.

System requirements: 233MHz Processor, 64Mb RAM, OpenGL 3D Graphics card
]]> 14 Dec 2006 08:46:21 Bioforge
Take the starring role in Origin's latest Interactive Movie"

Centuries in the future, a madman's interstellar plot is set in motion, and only you have the skills, the position and the armament to stop it. You are the Mondites' first success in creating the perfect warrior.

Stripped of memory and enhanced with both human and alien technology, you are a primary element of their master plan - unless you can rediscover who you are, uncover your enemies' plans and make your break for freedom. But you'd better be quick - time and opportunity are running out.

Game features:

  • Variable identity outcomes - your choices throughout the game determine your former identity from a list of experimental subjects.

  • Lifelike, fluid animation with 24 powerful combat maneuvers.

  • Interactive backgrounds - from ground-to-air weapons, to monitors and projectile-reflective surfaces.

  • 8-channel digital sound effects, cued by distance and camera location.

  • 3-D, texture-mapped synthetic actors whose images actually show the injuries suffered in combat.

  • Multiple camera angles and beautifully rendered alien environments.

  • 22 voice actors!

  • Believed to have the first single-skin, fully texture mapped, skeleton-based characters ever seen in gaming.

Origin Systems (An Electronic Arts Company) developed and published this single player adventure. It was released in the U.S. in April 1995. At the time the following system requirements were high end!

Requirements
MS-DOS: Intel486/50+ or 100% compatible PC system. Required: MS-DOS 5.0 or higher, 8MB RAM, 5MB Hard drive space (29MB recommended), 2x CD-ROM drive, MSCDEX version 2.2 or higher, Microsoft mouse , keyboard.
Graphics: 256-color VGA.
MUSIC: Ad Lib, Sound Blaster/SB Pro/SB 16/SB AWE, Wave Blaster, General Midi MPU-401 interface, or 100% compatible sound board.
DIGITIZED SPEECH and SOUND EFFECTS: Sound Blaster/SB Pro/SB 16/SB AWE or 100% compatible sound board.


Trivia: Spoiler warning! In spite of a highly detailed story that obviously was painstakingly crafted, the game ending is rather notorious for falling a bit short. The developers endeavored at one point to rewrite the ending, which then blossomed into a possible sequel, but at length the whole initiative was dropped.
]]> 14 Dec 2006 10:44:27 Mafia Mafia is a 3D action crime epic set in the seedy underworld of the 1930's. Rise from the lowly but well-dressed Footsoldier, to an envied and feared Made Man in an era of mob hits, car chases, and bootlegging. Earn a reputation as a tough enforcer, daring getaway driver, and deadly hitman in your quest for respect and power within the Salieri Family.
]]> 15 Dec 2006 05:38:27