Not that bad at all. This is a game that Apogee released between Wolfenstein 3D and Rise of the Triad. Basically it uses the Wolfenstien engine with some modifications, the best of which is a map so you're not lost throughout the entire game. It also adds a greater variety of enemies, money which can be used to buy things, switches which change the level, and so on. It isn't quite as memorable as Wolf3D (mostly because it lacks the freshness of that game) but if you like the older 3D games like Wolf3D or Catacomb Abyss you might want to try it out.
Made using the "Build" 3D engine (the same engine used to make Duke Nukem 3D), Blood is an often overlooked game that is actually quite well made and offers plenty of fun for 3D shooting fans. This demo version includes an introduction to the full game. Not surprisingly, this game serves up a lot of ... uh, blood. And severed heads, and so on ... plus lots of frantic 3D action. (NOTE: It should be obvious but this game is not intended for children!)
What? An id Software 3D shooter that was released before Wolf3D? Yup. It's relatively cool, too, if a bit less refined than Wolf3D. (It uses EGA graphics instead of VGA.) This game could have served as the inspiration for the newer 3D game Blood, so similar are the styles. I like it, it's still quite fun to play. And hey, it has a pretty cool name, too.
This surprisingly good 3D shooting game (the demo is downloadable here) is, in terms of technical things like graphics, somewhere between DOOM and Quake. Unlike most other 3D copycat-style games of this time period, this game actually plays quite decently. There is an actual story before the game begins, and once the game starts there is plenty of frantic action, along the lines of Quake. Recommended! (Note: Windows users may want to try VDMSound, available on the Essential Utilities page, to get this game working.)
Based on a modified version of the DOOM engine, Chex Quest was originally included on free promotional CDs with Chex brand cereal. Surprisingly, this game is actually decent, with fairly good graphics and sounds (not too surprising, given its DOOM-based engine). Although it's fairly short (only five levels) its surreal atmosphere makes it worth trying out. (Thanks goes to "doowopman" of The-Underdogs for repacking this game for easy online distribution.)
While this game has won many awards (listed on the ChubGamSoft website) I'm not a huge fan. It plays well enough and has some interesting graphic/gameplay elements (like an actual storyline, and cutscenes to tell it) it just seems quite unprofessional at times. (Note: You'll probably have to reboot into DOS mode to play this game ... I was unable to get it working on this computer (at all) so this review was written from memory from when I played this game a year or so ago.)
This game was unfortunately released shortly after Doom, meaning that it had to compete with one of the best 3D shooters of all time using ... the Wolfenstein 3D engine. Not even a fair fight, really. While the game is decent enough, its pretty obvious that its using the Wolf3D engine, with its boxy environments and simple sprites. Overall, it has decent graphics (again, comparable to Wolf3D), and it could be enjoyable if you force yourself to forget about Doom and play this game based on its own merits.
A demo version of one of a simply great 3D shooting game that I missed playing when it was originally released. Also known as "Star Wars: Dark Forces", this 3D shooting game does not use the DOOM engine, it uses LucasArts' own engine which includes a few features not seen in DOOM. (Though it still includes a very DOOM-like map.) Smooth although low-res graphics and responsive gameplay, along with the Star Wars theme, make this one a keeper. Definitely play it if you enjoy 3D shooting games!
Depth Dwellers is a relatively unknown early 3D shooting game that was probably the victim of bad timing: It was released only a few months after DOOM. The game engine developed by TriSoft is somewhere inbetween Wolfenstein 3D and DOOM in terms of features and abilities. The game itself is fairly generic, with not a lot of unique features, and only passable graphics for a 3D game. Overall a decent effort from an unknown development team, but really there's not much reason to play this instead of DOOM. It's not quite as "AWSOME" [sic] as the registration screen suggests.
Descent was quite popular on its release. It expanded on the 3D shooting genre by giving players a real 3D environment unlike Doom or Duke Nukem 3D. In this 7-level DEMO version of Descent you must pilot your spaceship through many 3D levels destroying various bad guys along the way. Think of Doom crossed with Wing Commander and you'll have a fairly good picture of what this game's about. A fun shooter that has aged pretty well (and still works on my XP computer) that lacks a bit of the flair and style of Doom or Duke Nukem 3D.
Chosen by Computer Gaming World as part of their 'Hall of Fame' ("DOOM revolutionized PC action games"), DOOM has been one of the most played computer games of the past few years. And for good reason. I admit, it scared the hell outta me when I first played it. Even today, with increasingly sophisticated 3D action games (Quake, Unreal, Halflife, etc.) DOOM's gameplay is classic. Get it now, even if you've already played it ... it's still fun.
Does blowing away pigcops, destroying entire buildings, and shooting your way through an adult XXX store sound enjoyable? Then you'll love Duke 3D. (Note: There isn't actually anything X-rated in the game.) Uses the "Build" engine, which is still similar to the old Wolf3D engine in that there are no rooms on top of other rooms, but it's been tweaked and pushed to the max. Lots of fun! (Note: Several people have emailed me to comment that there ARE rooms-above-rooms in Duke3D. While the effect of rooms-above-rooms can be _simulated_ in Build, there are never really any rooms on top of other rooms in the game, and thus it's not truly 3D.)
Based on the DOOM engine, Heretic was only mildly popular on its release because there were so many copycat 3D-shooting games released around the same time. However, Heretic is one of the better shooting games released in the pre-Quake era. It has solid level design, good graphics & sounds (although of course you're limited to 320x240) and really the only major criticism that could be leveled at it is that it's too much like DOOM.
The sequel to the popular Heretic game, Hexen takes the Heretic engine and adds some notable improvements, like weather effects, breakable environments, roleplaying elements and less linear gameplay. Instead of just playing through levels, you must venture through the "hub" which connects various worlds. The atmosphere created in this game is well done, and if you're a fan of early 3D shooting games chances are you'll enjoy this 4-level DEMO version of Hexen.
This is a 3D shooter you've probably never played before. It uses an engine similar to the one used by early 3D games like Wolfenstein 3D or Ken's Layrinth. It includes weird SB sound effects and some rather wacky graphics ... you'll have to download it and see it for yourself whether you enjoy this somewhat strange game!
Sort of like Wolf3D, but more ... wacky. It was created by Ken Silverman (who later went on to design the "Build" engine used for Duke3D). Originally he released it on his own ... later it was purchased by Epic Megagames, although I liked the original better. It's still fun to play even though it uses outdated technology, and it's more likely to work on your computer than Wolf3D is. :) (NOTE: This is the full registered version of the game! It has been released for free by the original author, Ken Silverman.)
Apparently created using Pie in the Sky's old 3D game creation software, Legal Tender is a good example of a 3D shooter that tries hard and has plenty of features, but unfortunately feels like a letdown in the "fun" department. The graphics are average, as are the sounds. There is a story of some sort but I just wasn't interested in it. As previously mentioned, there are some interesting features (like equipping yourself with weapons and an item system) but the overall package doesn't end up being too appealing.
Line Wars was a popular "3D" shooting game that was released long before the advent of modern 3D gaming cards. While its gameplay is quite tame compared to today's standards, it can still be fun. Line Wars II updates the original adding new missions and multiplayer modes. (Multiplayer is achived through a modem or DOS-based network.) The game includes three different missions of varying difficulty.
From the creator of Hugo's House of Horrors (see the adventure games page) comes this 3D shooter. It's technical level is about the same as Wolf3D, but it DOES include some cool new stuff. The campy pseudo-horror motif is well done, and generally it's fun to play.
Operation Body Count is a 3D shooting game built using a modified version of the Wolfenstein 3D engine. Unfortunately, the game does not offer much in the way of improvements over the basic Wolf3D formula, while at the same time lacking that certain indefinite quality that made Wolf3D so engaging. It features average graphics and sounds, and may be worth playing if you are a fan of 3D games from this era, otherwise you may want to take another spin through Wolf3D instead.
I don't know how I missed adding this game! One of the best DOS games ever? Probably! I have spent many hours playing this classic, and still go back to play it sometimes. If you have never played it ... get it now! With the release of Quake, iD Software once again revolutionized the 3D shooting genre. It's amazing, even today!
Radix is a spaceship 3D shooting game which is somewhat similar to Descent. It still owes a lot to Doom though, and the level design is not quite up to par with Descent. Still, it has nice graphics (for its time) and good sound effects as well. The control system also takes some getting used to, as you need to control your ship's speed ... but strangely, the ship can also "strafe" from side to side.
A fairly cool shooting game from Apogee. It's sort of inbetween Wolf3D and Duke3D ... it has some cool new features, (at least, they were new at the time), but at times they don't seem to work together all that well. For example, there's too much platform jumping. It's worth a try, though.
Created using the "Build" engine (the same software the Duke Nukem 3D was created with), Shadow Warrior was largely ignored upon its release due to the fact that Quake has been released the year before, with superior graphics and gameplay enhancements (true 3D environments). Shadow Warrior is still a great game, with many of the same gameplay elements that make Duke Nukem 3D such a classic game, although some of the "off-color humor" might be offensive to some gamers.
An unofficial sequel to Wolfenstein 3D that was released by Formgen as a retail only game (not shareware like Wolf3D) this demo version unfortunately contains only two playable levels. However the Spear of Destiny game is still great fun, although it uses the exact same engine, graphics, sounds etc as Wolfenstein 3D and features only new levels. The full version is still available on id Software's website, or via other means such as eBay.
Strife is one of the best 3D shooting game's that you've likely never heard of. This demo version showcases some of the great gameplay and features that you'll find in the full version, if you're able to find it anywhere (eBay? the bargain bin at your local EB?) The game's story-driven gameplay, adventure elements and interesting enemies and powerups make this game a relatively unknown classic. (Note: I got this game running in XP using DOSBox but it didn't run at full speed. Unless you have a very fast computer, probably best to play this on real DOS computer.)
It takes a little while to get used to, but this flying/shooting game (sort of like Decent, but more out in the open) can be really fun to play. (It gets much tougher during the later levels, however.) I found it to be a lot of fun, even though it gets very challenging. (Note: Microsoft later released this game as a Windows game called 'Fury3'. As far as I know, the games are identical.)
Terminator: Future Shock was a game that probably never got the attention it deserved when it was released. As showcased in this playable demo version of the full version game, this game differs from Quake in that it offers a bit more in the way of plot, and a little less in the way of slick gameplay. The game engine can be a bit buggy at times, but this can be overlooked because of the (at the time) excellent graphics, sound effects, and the coolness factor of playing a game based on the Terminator movies. You also get to drive vehicles on some levels of the full game.
Ever felt the need to rescue a kidnapped elf who has been captured by a evil polar bear? No, me neither. Yet, in Wolfenstein-like 3D, that's exactly the premise of this game. Although you use heavy weaponry (shotguns and so on) this is not a gory game. The graphics, sounds and gameplay are all fairly basic. The graphics have a mildly winter/Christmas related theme, and there is an inventory system that is a bit more complex than usual in games of this type. Probably worth trying if you enjoy early 3D shooting games.
A unique hybrid action/RPG game that features a DOOM/Hexen-like 3D engine. This has all the usual RPG elements (wizards, magic, townsfolk, evil monsters, chests ...) but in a fully 3D world. The graphics are somewhere between Wolfenstein-3D and DOOM in terms of quality. The game does show a lot of care has gone into its construction, from the opening cinema to the townsfolk to the active battle system. (No turn-based stuff here!) Overall a very interesting action/RPG game.
The game that made Lara Croft a virtual star, and launched the entire series of Tomb Raider games. The game may seem somewhat bland by today's standards but it was quite popular upon its release, and NOT just because of certain attributes of its star character. One of the first of many 3rd-person 3D shooters. (Note: Press F1 in the game to toggle high resolution mode for better graphics.)
What can I say? The game that started it all, and helped to define what is now one of the most popular computer game genres. If you've never played it (who hasn't?) you should. (Note: This game seems to really hate Win95/98. Run it from straight DOS, or risk having it crash often ... or not work at all.)
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