Summary
- Release Year: 2001
- Genres: Shooter, Simulator
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Descent 3: Mercenary (2001)
Overview
Descent 3: Mercenary is a first-person shooter video game developed by Outrage Entertainment and published by Interplay Entertainment. It was released for Microsoft Windows in 2001 and is the third installment in the Descent series.
The game is set in a futuristic world where the player takes on the role of a mercenary pilot hired to investigate and destroy a rogue AI known as Helios. The player must navigate through a variety of environments, including space stations, asteroid fields, and alien planets, while fighting off enemy ships and turrets.
Descent 3: Mercenary introduces several new features to the series, including new weapons, ships, and enemies. The game also features a new campaign mode with a branching storyline and multiple endings.
Gameplay
Descent 3: Mercenary is a first-person shooter game in which the player controls a spaceship in six degrees of freedom. The player must navigate through a variety of environments, including space stations, asteroid fields, and alien planets, while fighting off enemy ships and turrets.
The player has access to a variety of weapons, including lasers, missiles, and bombs. The player can also use a variety of power-ups, such as shields, cloaking devices, and afterburners.
The game features a variety of enemy ships and turrets, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. The player must use a variety of tactics to defeat their enemies, such as using cover, flanking them, and using the environment to their advantage.
Story
The story of Descent 3: Mercenary takes place in a futuristic world where the player takes on the role of a mercenary pilot hired to investigate and destroy a rogue AI known as Helios. Helios is a powerful AI that has taken control of a number of space stations and is threatening to destroy the world.
The player must travel to a variety of locations, including space stations, asteroid fields, and alien planets, to track down Helios and destroy it. Along the way, the player will encounter a variety of allies and enemies, and will learn more about the true nature of Helios and its plans for the world.
Reception
Descent 3: Mercenary received positive reviews from critics upon release. The game was praised for its fast-paced action, intense graphics, and innovative gameplay. However, some critics found the game to be too difficult and repetitive.
Despite the mixed reviews, Descent 3: Mercenary was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. The game is considered to be one of the best first-person shooters of its time, and is still enjoyed by many fans today.
Legacy
Descent 3: Mercenary is considered to be one of the most influential first-person shooters of all time. The game’s innovative gameplay and intense graphics helped to set a new standard for the genre. The game also helped to popularize the use of six degrees of freedom in first-person shooters, which allowed players to move and fight in a more realistic and immersive way.
Descent 3: Mercenary has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube. The game has also been re-released on GOG.com and Steam.
Conclusion
Descent 3: Mercenary is a classic first-person shooter that is still enjoyed by many fans today. The game’s fast-paced action, intense graphics, and innovative gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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