Duke Nukem 3D

3D Realms’ Duke Nukem 3D hasn’t aged well when examining its more risque elements. At the time, it stood out for imbuing some character into the first-person shooter genre, courtesy of Duke’s one-liners. The environmental interactions and destruction also felt fresh, to say nothing of bizarre weapons like the Shrink Ray for cutting enemies down to size.

SUPERHOT

What should be a gimmicky concept – time only moving when you do – results in an engaging, clever experience in the first-person shooter space. Superhot isn’t just about scoring headshots, throwing weapons, or swinging katanas to take out scores of enemies – it’s the assessment, the moments between each kill, that make it sing.

Valorant

Mix Counter-Strike: GO’s tactical shooting with characters befitting a hero shooter and you get Valorant, in a nutshell. As slow-paced and odd as it may seem, this is also one of the best tactical shooters, if not competitive multiplayer titles, out there. Despite only being out for a little over four years, Valorant offers tense gameplay that’s hard to put down.

Borderlands 3

Ignore the base game’s story, characters and writing for the sake of your sanity, and the gameplay in Borderlands 3 is a significant step up. From the smoother response and feedback and improved mobility to more varied gun types and deeper build crafting, it’s a strong looter shooter, though nowhere near as timeless as its predecessor.

DOOM 1 + DOOM 2

While fairly recent, DOOM 1 + DOOM 2 collects the best of both titles into one excellent package. Boasting all their additional content, Sigil, and a great new campaign by MachineGames, the release is made even better with in-game mod support, a stellar remixed soundtrack and cross-platform multiplayer deathmatch, with 26 new maps to cause chaos on.

Killzone 2

After the infamous E3 2005 incident, Guerrilla Games’ first-person shooter had nowhere to go but up, and subsequently knocked it out of the park. The gorgeous visuals were a factor, of course, but the well-designed missions, gunplay, intelligent AI, and tight level design made for an incredible experience (even if the ending was underwhelming).

Halo 3 ODST

Though not quite the follow-up that fans expected, especially after Halo 3’s thunderous conclusion, ODST was still a worthy side story. It focused on one of the most compelling units, the Helljumpers, as they infiltrated New Mombasa and engaged in urban warfare with the Covenant. Perhaps its biggest contribution is the introduction of Firefight, a Horde-style variant with difficulty modifiers, a shared lives pool, and multiple sets to overcome.

Bulletstorm

People Can Fly and Epic Games had a pretty simple goal with Bulletstorm – gamifying stylish ways to kill the opposition. The story and characters are ultimately secondary; kicking enemies into environmental hazards, sending them sky high for some skeet shooting, and more for extra points is ultimately what sold the experience. Even if it remains underrated (no thanks to its terrible VR port), Bulletstorm is still a hell-raising good time.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

The Zone remains as haunting as ever in GSC Game World’s S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, the third title in the series and most compelling yet. Though it has its share of bugs, the sandbox gameplay combined with the atmospheric horror and survival elements make for a harrowing time, whether you’re dealing with Anomalies or the various factions.

Destiny 2

Bungie’s live service shooter has had a long history, one with many ups and downs. Even throughout all of the changes, it remains perhaps the best of its kind. Between excellent campaigns like The Witch Queen and The Final Shape, an unmistakable feel for its weapons, gorgeous art direction, and stellar raids, Destiny 2 is still worth playing.

Unreal Tournament

When Quake 3 Arena was believed to reign supreme, Unreal Tournament appeared out of nowhere and claimed the throne. While the former still held a strong esports presence, the latter was the overall better product, from its map design and visuals to the sheer variety of mode types. Assault alone is an incredible addition to the competitive FPS formula and playing with AI bots actually felt enjoyable, even on the higher difficulties.

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter

Turok may have initially come across as “What if FPS but killing dinosaurs instead of humans?” but surprised many with its exploration and gorgeous visuals on the Nintendo 64. Of course, the combat was no slouch either, as each of the 13 weapons resulted in ample gore. Together, these elements made for an unorthodox but memorable shooter.

Prey (2017)

What could have been with the Prey franchise if Human Head Studios’ sequel wasn’t cancelled? We’ll never know, but in the meantime, Arkane Austin’s 2017 reboot, which embraces a more immersive sim structure and deep space paranoia, is excellent. As Morgan Yu, players must survive in a massive space station overrun with Typhon, but not everything is as it seems. The result is one of the finest first-person titles ever made.

Far Cry 3

Moving away from Far Cry 2’s realistic sandbox, Far Cry 3 went much bigger, returning to the tropical island setting while introducing a compelling new villain. Though the story is far more structured, the open world is rife with quests, enemy camps, wild animals, and much more. To this day, Far Cry 3 remains in a class of its own.

Metro: Last Light

Much as Metro Exodus embraced an open-world-style approach to its large areas, there’s something about Metro: Last Light and its linear narrative. Maybe it’s how well-designed each section felt, whether you were escaping from captivity or slinking through the surface, avoiding contact with its mutants. Perhaps it was the moral dilemmas that Artyom faced. Either way, the series’ brand of survival and fast-paced gunplay is at its peak here.

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (Classic)

Ignoring the utter cluster that Aspyr’s re-released turned out to be in the online department, the classic Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is still a timeless game. The campaign is enjoyable enough but Galactic Conquest was a game changer of a single-player mode, offering a Risk-like map to fight through and conquer. Multiplayer was still arguably the highlight of it all, especially with 24 maps and modes like Hero Assault.

Medal of Honor (1999)

Developed by Dreamworks Interactive, it was the premiere World War 2 title, immersing players in the conflicts of the time while offering a top-tier presentation. Allied Assault would be more remembered thanks to its recreation of the Battle of Normandy, but Medal of Honor still deserves its flowers.

Left 4 Dead 2

Decried as little more than an expansion pack before launch, Left 4 Dead 2 expanded so much on its predecessor’s already compelling co-op gameplay. New Special Infected, deeper campaigns with more varied objectives, a wider variety of melee weapons and guns, and incredible replay value courtesy of its AI Director were just some of the reasons it stood out. Of course, its modability over the years has also ensured some great laughs.

Resistance 3

As the conclusion to the Resistance trilogy, Insomniac’s Resistance 3 is also its least successful. It’s a shame because, on top of new and old weapons, the atmosphere and dark subject matter added to the stakes, making it feel like humanity’s last desperate attempt to stay alive. While it still needed some polish, the gunplay and overall presentation made for a fitting end to the series.

System Shock (2023)

One of the best first-person titles ever made, System Shock is also far from easy to remake. Nevertheless, Nightdive Studios took a swing, rebuilding the visuals from the ground up while staying true to the far-future cyberpunk aesthetic of the original. Even with the improved UI, overhauled Cyberspace and other changes, it still maintains that sense of dread and terror that defined the original.

GoldenEye 007

Rare was already pretty well-established before GoldenEye 007 and yet, its launch raised the developer’s stock considerably. It isn’t just one of the best video game adaptations of a movie (usually a formula for failure back then), but proof that console shooters could be great. The local multiplayer alone defined many gamers’ lives growing up.

Cyberpunk 2077

After all the updates, revamped perks, and improvements, Cyberpunk 2077 has gone from a good first-person shooter to a great one. It’s backed by actual build variety, whether you’re a manic Mantis Blades user, a Netrunner overloading every single enemy, or skilled in a variety of guns. Of course, everything else that makes the game great, from its side quests to its open-world activities, doesn’t hurt either.

Wolfenstein 3D

While not quite the first-ever FPS made, Wolfenstein 3D is what ultimately led to the genre’s rise. It was frantic and fast-paced, with revolutionary visuals and excellent weapons. Though it offered secrets to discover throughout its ten episodes, the simplicity is ultimately what made it such a universal hit.

Quake 2 Remastered

Crafted with Nightdive’s assistance, the recent enhanced edition of Quake 2 packs all the mission packs, Quake 2 64, and a new episode from MachineGames into one package. Then it adds the id Vault, AI opponents in multiplayer, 4K/120 Hz support, and various quality-of-life features, turning one of id’s best shooters ever into a contemporary must-play.

The FINALS

Embark Studios’ THE FINALS is often forgotten when discussing competitive shooters, especially free-to-play options. Nevertheless, it’s a strong package with some unique modes, dynamic combat thanks to full environmental destruction, and extensive strategy, thanks to the unique gadgets. The arena-style combat may not appeal to everyone, but it still makes for some intense PvP sessions.

Black Mesa

If developing a sequel to Half-Life is challenging, remaking the experience, especially as a small team of fans, is an almost Herculean effort. Yet throughout many years of waiting, Black Mesa was finally a reality, delivering everything we loved about the original with gorgeous revamped visuals and entirely new sections like Xen.

DOOM (2016)

Considering how diminished interest had been in the franchise, it’s a miracle that DOOM even released. The fact that it’s this good is just an anomaly. Everything about it, from the visuals and action, particularly the new Glory Kills, is simply fantastic.

Perfect Dark

GoldenEye 007 showcased Rare’s surprising expertise for incredible first-person shooters and Perfect Dark only solidified it. With a tighter narrative focus and strong characterization (as seen with the iconic Joanna Dark), it weaved stealth, tense gunplay, memorable set pieces, and stellar levels into one cohesive package. The fact that it delivered so much despite the Nintendo 64 nearing the end of its lifespan is an achievement unto itself.

Titanfall 2

While it’s a shame that the original didn’t become all that popular, Titanfall 2’s fate is even more tragic given the sheer quality involved. The multiplayer is much more involved with its variety of Titans, weapon types and abilities (even if some maps could be hit or miss). Furthermore, the campaign is simply an all-timer with its level design, boss fights, and stories, making it worth the price of admission alone.

Half-Life 2

When you’re in Valve’s shoes and Half-Life is the pinnacle of narrative first-person shooters, there are high expectations. Yet, Half-Life 2 surpasses with relative ease, from the presentation and world-building to the story-telling and characters. Each area is memorable and unique; the Combine makes for enjoyable foes to fight; and the Gravity Gun is iconic all on its own.

Resident Evil Village

The Resident Evil series has seen its fair share of remakes in the form of the stellar Resident Evil 2 and the disappointing Resident Evil 3, but it has consistently delivered high-quality follow-ups. These include Resident Evil 7 and its follow-up Village, the latter of which represent the best of what the series offers. Resident Evil Village majestically swerves from one kind of horror to the next without any hiccups, and the action keeps pace with the changing scenery and shifting mechanics. The core gameplay of shooting down zombies is much faster than Resident Evil 7, but it retains the heft and groundedness of a survival horror game that comes together to make it one of the best in its class.

NOTE: This feature contains spoilers for every game that is mentioned. If we begin talking about a game you don’t want spoiled, skip ahead to the next entry.

WOLFENSTEIN: THE NEW ORDER

Wolfenstein as a series has never been afraid of flights of fantasy, and The New Order, in typical Wolf fashion, has plenty of that going on as well. To secure lunar launch codes, BJ infiltrates a Nazi base on the moon, killing Nazis, destroying drones, and even donning a spacesuit and walking on the moon’s surface. It’s one of the game’s best missions that serves to exemplify how far-flung the series can get with its stories (in a good way).

Red Dead Redemption 2 – The Donkey Lady

Red Dead Redemption had all manner of odd “glitches” but they were so elaborate that one could have thought them easter eggs. One was the Donkey Lady who had the body of a woman but the face of a donkey (obviously). Even if it was a glitch, Rockstar included her in Red Dead Redemption 2. Unfortunately, it seems that the world wasn’t kind to her existence, tying her to a horse mill until her death at Cholla Spring in Two Crows.

The franchise first got its start with the eponymous Duke Nukem in 1991. The franchise is most known for 3D level progression much in the same way that Doom or Quake games play, but it actually got its start as a 2D scrolling platformer. wherein the player navigates Duke to the end of the level, all the while managing his health bar and collecting enhancements for health or weapons, It was a game whose story is told in three episodes, with Duke Nukem pursuing the evil Dr. Proton through Los Angeles, a base on the moon, and in the future in the first, second, and third episodes, respectively.

This game was followed up by Duke Nukem II in 1993, and would be another 2D scrolling platformer, following Duke Nukem as he fights against an evil alien race who seek to take over the Earth across four episodes, each with eight levels. The game features four different kinds of usable weapons. Visually it shares great resemblance to the first game, but mission progression differs noticeably, and features interactable environments such as climbing across pipes as part of playing through stages. Interestingly, besides releasing on computers, it also released for the GameBoy Color, and offered a different gameplay experience altogether – a different enemy alien race, fewer stages, but different weapons, and in this game, Duke Nukem can hang onto ledges.

It would be with Duke Nukem 3D that the franchise and its reputation would really take off. It’s the franchise’s first first-person-shooter, and sits amongst a pantheon of pivotal computer FPS’s such as Quake, Doom, and Wolfenstein 3D for their popularizing of 3D shooter action games. Compared to games such as Quake or Doom, Duke Nukem 3D is noticeably less linear, with destructible stage elements and the ability to interact with environmental elements such as climbing through air ducts.

Duke Nukem 3D also incorporates game design ideas that noticeably differ it from its franchise predecessors, such as a portable medkit that allows Duke Nukem to himself at will. Another evolution of note from its predecessors for the series is the introduction of online multiplayer, in line with the other computer-based popular shooters of the day. Players can play on levels used in the main scenario or on levels made by the level editor included with the game – the same one used by the game’s developers, and the option for co-operative progression through the game’s main scenario was also an option. Duke Nukem 3D, and the first two Duke Nukem games, have all been developed by the same company – while 3D Realms is listed as the developer for Duke Nukem 3D, it is also the name that Apogee Software took on after 1996.

And while Duke Nukem 3D would be followed up by a host of other spinoffs following its release, there would not be a proper sequel for quite some time – not until 2011, with Duke Nukem Forever. Not that this was intended to be the case – as it was initially announced back in 1997, but was delayed and even one officially cancelled at one point in 2009 – though development continued in spite of that. 3D Realms, responsible for the development of the influential Duke Nukem 3D, did not end up completing the game themselves, but Triptych Games and Gearbox Software would finish the job, with Triptych containing some personnel from original Duke Nukem developers 3D Realms. Duke Nukem Forever features interesting deviations from past games, including the way health works – first, Duke Nukem’s ego bar must be depleted, and then his health bar can be depleted.

Duke Nukem Forever was also treated to a DLC expansion called The Doctor Who Cloned Me, an additional scenario campaign featuring the villain Dr. Proton from the first Duke Nukem game. While Forever left the door open for a sequel, the reviews for the game were negative across the board, with the game being seen as dated both in its gameplay design and regressive or offensive in its humor. It was also seen as a weak gameplay experience, plagued by poor controls and too long loading times. The game plays slowly despite trying to harken back to the shooters that 3D released alongside (and despite not containing more movement sophistication associated with more modern shooters, such as cover mechanics,).

This all said and done, it would turn out that Duke Nukem Forever holds the longest ever development time for a video game, a time marked by repeated releases of promotional media – 14 years and 44 days. Rather than a strong return to form, the game is mostly known for a comically long development time and for being disappointing upon release.

The Duke Nukem franchise has also been host to a variety of spinoff games. Releasing in 1998 on the Playstation is Duke Nukem: Time To Kill. This game was not developed by 3D Realms, but by n-Space. Following that in 1999 for the Nintendo 64 is Duke Nukem: Zero Hour, developed by Eurocom – known for their work on certain 007 titles. However, while 007 Goldeneye is seen as an N64 classic, this game released to mediocre reviews.The last main spinoff for the Duke Nukem franchise would be Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project, originally releasing for PC in 2002. It is a game that plays in 2.5D, and allows for the player to focus zoom on either the environment or on enemies, and at times allowing the use of jetpack for traversal.

While Duke Nukem Forever teased a seqyel, the future doesn’t seem good for another new game at all. In a statement dated April 2017, Gearbox made it clear that they have no plans to work on another Duke Nukem game anytime soon, after discussing Duke Nukem’s cameo appearance in Bulletstorm. It’s a rather strange turn of fate for a franchise littered with cancelled projects, signaling the once great interest in continuing the life of the franchise. The voice actor for Duke Nukem, outright stated in a Twitter post at the end of this past January that there is nothing in the works for Duke Nukem.

We can hope that the fates of the character change in the future, but in order to do so, the character very likely has to evolve and find a place in the modern gaming landscape, rather than playing to gameplay experiences or humor sensibilities associated with the past. What do you think is needed for a new Duke Nukem game to succeed? While there are a variety of other shooter franchises that are active, Duke Nukem is notable for being both a shooter and placing heavy emphasis on its protagonist. Let us know in the comments section below. As always – thanks for reading.

CYBERPUNK 2077’S E3 2018 SECRET MESSAGE

Cyberpunk 2077 was re-revealed by CD Projekt RED at last year’s E3 with a trailer at Microsoft’s press event, but the trailer was a significant one for multiple reasons. Within the trailer, CD Projekt hid a lengthy message, within which they discussed multiple things, from the development of the game, to whether or not it will be DRM-free, to when they’ll be speaking of a release date, to whether the game will have microtransactions, and more.

“Spartans never die. They’re just missing in action.” – Halo series

Spartans in the Halo series were treated as greater beings. Sure they were subject to horrible experiments but the Master Chief wasn’t just an enhanced soldier – he was a one man army, capable of turning the tide of war. As such, the death of Spartans following the SPARTAN-II program going public were thought to cause a loss of morale. So they were never considered to be dead – just missing from action.

All you folks with an Android device have a reason to rejoice, as Duke is headed your way. Who is Duke? Well, going by the recent game that came out on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, even I have no idea.

But before Duke became uncool, there was this game called Duke Nukem 3D, which was released almost 10 years ago. It is now headed to the Android platform. The release date hasn’t been announced yet, but all that the press release said was “very soon”.

“Duke Nukem is a legend in his own time, and he’d be the first person to tell you that,” said Rob Carroll, Tapjoy’s Director of Publishing for Tapjoy.

“MachineWorks NorthWest has done a great job of bringing the brash, trash-talking character and all his ass-kicking glory to the mobile environment, and we are thrilled to be working with AAA studios like MachineWorks to help bring games of this caliber to Android.”

You need an Android device running 2.1 or higher to play the game. Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Thanks, Joystiq.