Summary
SinceWolfenstein’s debut in 1992, theFirst-Person Shootergenre has steadily grown into a tent pole of the video game industry. FollowingWolfensteincameDoom, fromDoomcameQuake,and by the mid to late 1990s, first-person shooters were in demand on both consoles and home computers. At the same time, Sony’s debut console burst onto the scene andmade waves in the industry. ThePlayStationwould sell over 100 million units, bringing the likes ofTomb Raider, Crash Bandicoot, Tekken,andResident Evilto the gaming public.
Like any other gaming scene of the time, it also brought first-person shooter experiences which were no less in demand on the PlayStation than anywhere else. Below is acollection of FPS games for the PS1that are rarely remembered, except by those who played them.
One of the most importantStar Warsgames ever made would be released on MS-DOS in 1995. While making waves on the PC, just a year laterStar Wars: Dark Forceswould also be released on the PlayStation. Despite some considerable slowdown and graphics issues in the game, the cross betweenDoomclones and theStar Wars licenseproved inspired, and the game sold around 1 million copies. Sadly, the PlayStation port would be forgotten by many for good reason, as it struggled with framerate, presentation, and control issues.
This initialDark Forcesgame would inspire later the franchiseJedi Knight, spanning a series of inspired and celebrated games across PC and home consoles.
Released two years after the console’s successor, the PlayStation 2,Delta Force: Urban Warfarewould arrive on the PlayStation in 2002. Unlike many in the genre released on the PlayStation,Delta Force: Urban Warfarewould take a predominantly realistic take on first-person action. Across 12 missions, the player is placed in the role of a Delta Force operative in simulations of hostage rescues, strategic assaults, and bank robberies. Missions are directed and shaped through voice acting and fully animated cutscenes throughout the story.
Typically,Delta Forcegames have open-ended and vast single-player campaigns, whereasUrban Warfarekeeps them linear and story-based. This popular franchise entry would be re-released on the PlayStation Network in 2010 for both the PlayStation 3 and PSP.
An uncanny sequel toDoom 2,Final Doomwas released on the PC and Macintosh in 1996. The PlayStation release the same year would look considerably different. Its soundtrack would be changed from the traditionalDoomrock/metal arrangement with ambient music being used instead. Notably,Final Doomon the PlayStation would have half the levels of the PC versions and the difficulty would be substantially reduced. On the PlayStation,Final Doomwould not run at quite the same smooth framerate or with the same control precision as the initialDoombut was well-reviewed.
Despitethe fanfare surrounding the franchise,Final Doomremains something of a forgotten entry on the PlayStation and otherwise.Final Doomwas one of the few titles compatible with the PlayStation Mouse.
A futuristic shooter developed by the team that madeWipeout,Codename: Tenkawould be released on the PC and PlayStation in 1997. The player assumes the role of Jospeh D. Tenka, who uncovers the nefarious genetic experiments of Trojan Incorporated and sets out to bring them down. Backed by a synth soundtrack, the first-person gameplay has players blasting through bipedal mutants, flying robots, and turrets in a well-designed but repetitive experience.Codename: Tenkawould be well reviewed with the graphics and imaginative enemy designs in particular earning plaudits.
Remembered by most as a solid shooter,Codename: Tenkadid not ultimately offer enough to make it stand out fromthe genre’s ever-growing library.
Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M.
Launching on the PlayStation in 2000,Armorines: Project S.W.A.R.M. arrived on the back of high expectations. Developed by Acclaim Entertainment and running on the same game engine as the celebratedTurok 2: Seeds of Evil, the hype aroundArmorineswas intense. The player controls marines charged with protecting Earth from an invasion of extra-terrestrial arthropod invaders. A rarity for games of the genre at the time,Armorineswould feature a 2 player co-op campaign option as well as two different characters to play through the campaign with.
Unfortunately,Aromorines: Project S.W.A.R.Mdid not live up to the lofty heights ofTurok 2. While its sci-fi horror story would be well received, the game itself would not be, and the PlayStation release received the lowest critical scores by far.
One of the very first commercially successful PC FPS experiences,Descentwould make its way to PlayStation a year after its initial release. Across 30 levels, the player controls a spaceship fighting off virus-infected mining robots. The clever setting of a spaceship cockpit gives the game use of fully-3D graphics, groundbreaking for its time. While without a doubt,Descent isa game more celebrated and known for its PC release, the PlayStation conversion would win considerable praise.
Reviewers would point toDescentas one of the most impressive showcases of the PlayStation’s capabilities and a remarkable conversion of a PC title. While a somewhat repetitive title in today’s eyes,Descentremains one of the most important FPSs in the genre’s development.
Long before being handed a certain famous skateboarder’s license, Insomniac Games made their very own FPS for the PlayStation. Released in 1996,Disruptoris a sci-fi first-person shooter very much in theDoomclone subgenre. Initially developed on the 3DO,Disruptorwould be well received on its PlayStation release with its array of weapons, graphics, and unique abilities. The game made aunique adaptation to theDoomformulawith limited ammo, making accuracy a matter of vital importance.Some would also note thatDisruptorwas one of the best-looking 3D games on the original PlayStation.
Despite its upsides, including great write-ups from reviewers,Disruptorwould not end up being a commercial success and would remain unseen by many.
