Descent

Not only does it look sharp, but there's more options to customise controls and ability to save at any spot. The gameplay is a lot of fun, and holds up really well after all this time. Make sure to check out Descent 2 as well, which is even better and also has a rebirth mod!

I grew up with the famously borked but awesome PS1 version (with its amazing soundtrack) when I was a kid, and one of the things that always fascinated me was the ability to move around in full 360-degree movement. Unlike many FPS shooters of the time, this one was both technologically and intellectually impressive in terms of gameplay. Now, playing it years later, it still seems (just like its later, more streamlined successors) ahead of its time. It wasn't until recently that we got another shooter (Overload) with that same complexity and gameplay loop, which this series, to this day, still scratches for me. In terms of story, Descent has complex and, albeit, interesting themes on class and culture. Throughout the game, there's an underlying commentary on how corporations control and commodify human lives. The Material Defender, though highly skilled, is disposable to PTMC—his mission is less about saving people and more about protecting assets. The sterile, machine-dominated mines are places of industry stripped of humanity, where the line between worker and tool blurs. The game challenges you to think about where loyalty lies in a world where power resides with faceless conglomerates rather than individuals. To enhance your experience with Descent, I recommend these mods for the DXX-Redux Source Port: D1X-R High Res: Improves textures and models for a more immersive visual experience. https://www.reddit.com/r/descent/comments/1dn0c4g/d1xr_high_res/ and D1/D2 Redbook DXA Soundtracks: Adds the iconic high-quality soundtracks, elevating the atmospheric intensity. https://www.reddit.com/r/descent/comments/1dv8s0g/d1_d2_redbook_dxa_soundtracks/ These mods bring out the best of Descent, making it an even richer experience for both new players and returning fans! Despite being "just a shooter," Descent layers its intense action with a haunting look at a future in which profit takes precedence over individual lives—a theme that feels all too relevant today.

One of my first games ever to play. Never went past level 2 because I was not able to find the exit there. Never understood the plot because I did not understand English back then. Had a hard time on Rookie level because I did not care about customized controls. Still, I was fascinated by the concept of flying a space ship and shooting robots. I just stumbled upon this game here on GOG and I must say: This game is even better than I remember! The 6-DOF design, which is a rare thing even today, can easily be accessed with mouse & keyboard to deliver one of the smoothest and most precise to control gameplay experiences I have seen so far. Moving in the 6-DOF levels becomes second nature quickly, although navigation may be challenging for modern gamers, as levels are designed as tubular mazes opposite to open worlds. Graphics and sound surely are not state of the art but the saying "they aged well" pretty much sums it up. For its time, the game's lighting is phenomenal, as flares shot will only lighten the area directly around them. About the GOG release: It comes with a ready-to-use DOS-Box and works flawlessly with Win10. I recommend tweaking the games dosboxDescent.conf to fullresolution=1440x1080, output=overlay, and aspect=true which will produce a 4:3 fullscreen image set off to the left side of the monitor, if the game is started in fullscreen mode. I cannot help but highly recommend this game!

The Descent games were some of the best of the 90's, the freedom of moving in a true 3D environment was an huge leap forward in the PC games genre. I have fond memories of hours of single player, multiplayer and especially coop gameplay, how much more immersion the sequal added with the different camera views, mercury missiles and even more multi player modes.

I used that play on LAN with the Voodoo 3D patch all the time. These games were what started me off in the Flight Sim universe. A great game with Great Action!