Top 10: Unsung Pioneers of Gaming
We've reached a point in gaming where it seems nothing is impossible. Quality is now judged on elements like story, visuals, and replayability. But not too long ago, all it took was a single gimmick or gameplay mechanic to impress gamers. Things viewed as standard features today were once considered revolutions, like guns that reload, enemies that hide behind cover and... bouncing breasts.
This top 10 honors games that never got the credit they deserved. Whether it was creating a new feature that we take for granted today or simply being too ahead of their time, these games left a permanent mark on the industry without recognition.
This top 10 honors games that never got the credit they deserved. Whether it was creating a new feature that we take for granted today or simply being too ahead of their time, these games left a permanent mark on the industry without recognition.
10. Kill.Switch (2003, PS2, Xbox)
Gears of War takes all the credit for introducing a cover system in gaming but Kill.Switch was the original. The game featured a lock on mechanic that allowed for popping in and out of protection and blind firing around corners. This cover system has now become mandatory for all 3rd Person Shooters like Grand Theft Auto, Uncharted, and Mass Effect.
09. Rise of the Triad (1995, PC)
This game gets the dubious distinction of being the First Person Shooter to originally feature dual wielding. The game was released during the Doom era and for all intents and purposes, was pretty terrible. But gamers were used to only wielding one sci-fi gun at a time until ROTT unleashed a pistol in each hand. On a side note, Rise of the Triad also featured enemies that begged for their life when wounded.
08. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990, MSX2)
Most gamers today didn't experience a Metal Gear game until Metal Gear Solid hit the Playstation in 1998. Everyone praised the games story, espionage gameplay, and boss battles. What few realize is that everything deemed revolutionary in MGS was already done in Metal Gear 2. Punching walls to distract guards, fighting a Hind with a stinger, hand to hand combat with Ninjas, Metal Gear Solid was pretty much a 3d recreation of Metal Gear 2. If you haven't played Metal Gear 2, download an emulator and get it now.
07. Disney's Stunt Island (1992, PC)
As far as I'm concerned, this was the original Machinima maker. Stunt Island was a 3d Flight simulator that took place on a giant movie set island. You could either play the "story" mode where you are hired to perform random stunts like land a jet on a bridge or skydive into a barn but the real fun came from the free mode. You had the ability to choose one of a hundred vehicles ranging from the space shuttle, a blackbird, prop planes, cars or even a shit dropping duck and fly around the island. You could also set up movie cameras, props and scripted triggers to film your own movies. I'm ready for a remake.
06. Hidden and Dangerous (1999, PC)
Hidden and Dangerous was mostly forgettable except for the fact that it introduced "aiming down sights." There aren't very many shooters today that don't bind "ADS" to a button and I get freaked out every time I play a game that doesn't have this. If you're a Call of Duty fan, try going back and revisiting Half Life or Counter Strike to see what I'm talking about.
05. Starsiege: Tribes (1998, PC)
I will argue that Starsiege: Tribes defined team based multiplayer. Before tribes, most online games focused on free for all deathmatch. It also had vehicles and clever team weapons like the laser designator, that surprisingly isn't in more games today.
The graphics in 1998 were cutting edge, slightly above Zelda: Twilight Princess. Oh no I di'int!
04. Dune II (1992, PC/Sega Genesis)
Dune II established the format for Real Time Strategy games. All you Starcraft losers owe your existence to Dune II.
03. Aliens Vs. Predator (1999, PC)
This one is a bit abstract but it's the first instance I've ever seen where a game had "bullet time," even before Max Payne. The game had an unlockable cheat called "John Woo Mode" that put everything into slow motion every time there was action. However, you could still aim in real time giving you an advantage over those pesky facehuggers. Now every Need for Speed and Call of Duty game uses this feature at least 3 times every 15 minutes.
02. MDK (1997, PC)
The first time I played a game that had a sniper rifle with zoom-able scope was Goldeneye and I was amazed. In my eyes it was the biggest technological leap forward since the horseless carriage. Little did I know that an obscure third person shooter from the makers of Earthworm Jim had already pioneered this mechanic. I never played MDK but I salute it.
01. Jurassic Park: Trespasser (PC, 1998)
Before every game was slapped with a "Havok" physics logo and before Half-Life 2 created the gravity gun, there was Jurassic Park: Trespasser. This game was probably one of the most ambitious failures in the history of games. Dreamworks attempted to create a game with physics where objects like crates, guns, and rocks could be picked up, thrown or stacked with realistic results. Throw a basketball at a Raptors face, and what you'd expect to happen would happen (ball bounces off Raptors face, Raptor kills you). Unfortunately the game was insanely buggy and had ridiculous system requirements to run. Despite being a commercial failure, the game had a huge influence on Valve when creating Half-Life 2.
What did I miss? Post your suggestions below.
XOXO,
Abortion Fist
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