Summary
- Release Year: 1994
- Genres: Shooter
- Platforms: DOS, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Capstone Software
- Publishers: Capstone Software, U.S. Gold
Operation Body Count: The Grandfather of Modern FPS Games
Released in 1994, Operation Body Count (OBC) was a groundbreaking first-person shooter (FPS) that introduced many features that would become standard in the genre. Developed by Core Design, the same team behind the classic Tomb Raider series, OBC was a critical and commercial success, selling over one million copies worldwide.
Gameplay
OBC is a fast-paced, action-packed FPS in which the player takes control of a member of an elite counter-terrorism unit tasked with rescuing the leaders of the world who have been taken hostage by terrorists in the Twin “U.N towers” in the United States of America.
The game features 40 levels, with the first 5 taking place in the sewers beneath the towers. These levels are filled with giant rats and mutants, which the player must fight their way through to reach the towers.
Once inside the towers, the player must fight their way through hordes of terrorists, using a variety of weapons including a shotgun, Uzi, Galil, flamethrower, and grenade launcher. The aim of each level is to kill a certain number of terrorists before using one of several elevators or stairs to go up to the next floor.
OBC pioneered many features that would become standard in the FPS genre, including:
- Controllable allies: The player can order their squadmates to follow them or to roam the floor killing all they find. The player can also freely jump between their bodies, meaning that they can effectively have unlimited lives.
- Near fully destructible environment: The flamethrower can set bad guys, scenery, and the level itself on fire, which can make movement extremely hazardous for the player. The grenade launcher can destroy any wall, with some hard-coded exceptions.
- Textured floors and ceilings: OBC was one of the first FPS games to feature textured floors and ceilings, which gave the game a more realistic and immersive look.
Technical innovations
In addition to its innovative gameplay, OBC was also a technical marvel for its time. The game used a modified version of the Doom engine, which allowed for larger levels and more detailed graphics than previous FPS games. OBC was also one of the first FPS games to feature 3D sound, which helped to create a more immersive experience for the player.
Legacy
OBC was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the most important FPS games of all time. The game’s innovative gameplay and technical features helped to set the standard for future FPS games, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers today.
Critical reception
OBC received positive reviews from critics, who praised the game’s fast-paced action, innovative gameplay, and impressive graphics. The game was also a commercial success, selling over one million copies worldwide.
Accolades
OBC won several awards, including:
- Game of the Year (1994) from Computer Gaming World
- Best Action Game (1994) from PC Gamer
- Best Shooter (1994) from GameSpot
Cultural impact
OBC has been cited as an influence on many later FPS games, including Half-Life, Counter-Strike, and Call of Duty. The game’s innovative gameplay and technical features helped to shape the FPS genre, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers today.
Conclusion
OBC is a classic FPS that pioneered many features that would become standard in the genre. The game’s fast-paced action, innovative gameplay, and impressive graphics made it a critical and commercial success, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers today.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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