Developer: Xanth Software F/X

Faceball 2000 (1991)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Faceball 2000: The Cutting-Edge VR Shooter That Defined a Genre

Released in 1991, Faceball 2000 was a groundbreaking virtual reality shooter that set the standard for immersive first-person combat. Developed by Virtuality, the game transported players into a futuristic world where they could team up or compete against friends and computer-controlled opponents in intense firefights.

Immersive 3D Graphics and First-Person Perspective

Faceball 2000 was one of the first games to feature true 3D graphics and a first-person perspective. This gave players an unprecedented sense of immersion, making them feel like they were actually inside the game world. The game’s environments were rendered in detail, with realistic textures and lighting effects. The character models were also well-animated, giving them a lifelike appearance.

360-Degree Maneuverability

Another groundbreaking feature of Faceball 2000 was its 360-degree maneuverability. Players could move freely through the game world, look up, down, and all around them. This gave them a much greater sense of control and allowed them to engage in more dynamic combat.

Two Thrilling Game Modes

Faceball 2000 featured two distinct game modes: CyberZone and Arena. CyberZone was a single-player or cooperative mode in which players fought their way through a series of treacherous mazes, battling against waves of computer-controlled enemies. Arena mode was a competitive multiplayer mode in which players could face off against each other in fast-paced rounds of high-tech combat.

CyberZone: A Maze of Menacing Enemies

In CyberZone, players took on the role of a lone operative tasked with infiltrating a heavily guarded enemy base. The game’s levels were designed as a series of interconnected mazes, filled with menacing enemies lurking in the shadows. Players had to use their wits and combat skills to navigate the mazes, avoid enemy fire, and complete their objectives.

Arena: Fast-Paced Multiplayer Combat

Arena mode was all about fast-paced, competitive multiplayer combat. Players could choose from a variety of weapons and power-ups, and then face off against each other in a variety of arenas. The goal was to be the last player standing, and the action was intense and unforgiving.

Critical Acclaim and Legacy

Faceball 2000 was a critical and commercial success, winning praise for its groundbreaking graphics, immersive gameplay, and innovative control scheme. The game was also a pioneer in the field of virtual reality gaming, and it helped to pave the way for future VR shooters.

Today, Faceball 2000 is considered a classic of the VR gaming genre. It is still enjoyed by retro gaming enthusiasts and serves as a reminder of the early days of VR technology. The game’s legacy can be seen in many modern VR shooters, which continue to build on the foundation that Faceball 2000 laid down.

Conclusion

Faceball 2000 was a groundbreaking VR shooter that defined a genre. Its immersive 3D graphics, first-person perspective, and 360-degree maneuverability gave players an unprecedented sense of presence and control. The game’s two distinct game modes, CyberZone and Arena, offered a variety of gameplay experiences, from cooperative maze exploration to competitive multiplayer combat. Faceball 2000 was a critical and commercial success, and it remains a classic of the VR gaming genre today.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

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Midi Maze (1987)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 4 minutes read

Summary

Midi Maze (1987): The Game That Pioneered Deathmatch

Released in 1987, Midi Maze was a groundbreaking networked first-person shooter maze game that introduced the concept of deathmatch to gaming. It was one of the first games to allow players to compete against each other in a 3D environment, and its fast-paced, action-packed gameplay helped to lay the foundation for the FPS genre as we know it today.

Gameplay

Midi Maze is played from a first-person perspective in a flat-shaded maze. Players are represented by Pac-Man-like smiley avatars in various colors, and bullets are represented as small spheres. The game area occupies only roughly a quarter of the screen, with the rest of the screen displaying information such as the player’s score, the current time, and a minimap of the maze.

The goal of the game is to score as many points as possible by killing other players. Players can kill other players by shooting them with bullets, or by running into them. When a player is killed, they respawn at a random location in the maze.

Midi Maze can be played with up to 16 players over a network, or with up to 4 players on a single computer. The game supports a variety of game modes, including deathmatch, team deathmatch, and capture the flag.

Development

Midi Maze was developed by programmer Bob Stevenson and artist John Carmack, who would later go on to co-found id Software and develop the groundbreaking FPS Doom. Midi Maze was inspired by the arcade game Pac-Man, and it was one of the first games to use 3D graphics and networking technology.

Legacy

Midi Maze was a critical and commercial success, and it is credited with popularizing the deathmatch mode in FPS games. The game’s fast-paced, action-packed gameplay and innovative use of 3D graphics and networking technology helped to lay the foundation for the FPS genre as we know it today.

Midi Maze has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the PC, the Amiga, and the Atari ST. The game is still played by a small but dedicated community of fans, and it is considered to be one of the most important early FPS games.

Cultural Impact

Midi Maze has had a significant impact on popular culture. The game’s deathmatch mode has been featured in numerous other FPS games, and it has helped to popularize the concept of competitive online gaming. Midi Maze has also been referenced in numerous TV shows, movies, and songs.

Conclusion

Midi Maze is a groundbreaking FPS game that introduced the concept of deathmatch to gaming. The game’s fast-paced, action-packed gameplay and innovative use of 3D graphics and networking technology helped to lay the foundation for the FPS genre as we know it today. Midi Maze is still played by a small but dedicated community of fans, and it is considered to be one of the most important early FPS games.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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