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Forsaken (video game)

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Forsaken
European cover art
Developer(s)Probe Entertainment (PC & PS)
Iguana UK (N64)
Nightdive Studios (remaster)
Publisher(s)Acclaim Entertainment
Nightdive Studios (remaster)
Director(s)Andy Squirrell (PC & PS)
Guy Miller (N64)
EngineKex Engine (remaster)
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Linux, macOS, Xbox One
ReleaseWindows
PlayStation
Nintendo 64
Linux, macOS, Xbox One
31 July 2018 (remaster)
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Forsaken is a 1998 first-person shooter video game. It was developed by Probe Entertainment for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation and Iguana UK for the Nintendo 64 and published by Acclaim Entertainment. A remastered version was released in 2018 for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux and Xbox One.

Gameplay

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Forsaken is a 3D first-person shooter in the style of Descent (1995), featuring similar weapons, power-ups, having missiles and mines being labeled "secondary weapons", and involving 3D movement of a vehicle through several tunnels.[7][8] It is set on a futuristic Earth that, in 2113, had all of its life destroyed as a result of a shockwave from a science accident.[9] The goal of the game differs between formats. In the PC and PlayStation versions, the player acts as someone trying to obtain the planet's lost treasure, while in the Nintendo 64 release, the goal is to kill looters finding the treasure.[8] There are also elements of Quake.[10]

The single-player mode has four difficulty modes: easy, normal, hard and total mayhem. Each has progressively stronger enemies and less ammo to spare. Due to the near-impossible challenge presented by the four modes, Acclaim provided the patch 1.00 that (among other things) decreased the difficulty of the game dramatically. There are 22 missions, each requiring the player to either destroy all enemy ships in a maze of tunnels, or achieve a certain target, such as completing within a time limit and/or at a specific percentage of enemies murdered.[11] Similar to Starfox 64 (1997), different paths appear depending on which targets were achieved.[7][11]

There are six different types of multiplayer games: Free for All (deathmatch), Team Game, Capture the Flag, Flag Chase, Bounty Hunt, and Team Bounty Hunt. There are various sub-options for each. Up to 16 players can join in on the PC version, four on the Nintendo 64, and two for the PlayStation.[8] Also on the Nintendo 64 version, a maximum of three computer players can join.[8][11] The PC version also has the ability to record demos.[8]

Development

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The game was developed by Probe Entertainment during the 1996–1998 period as the company became merged into its parent company (Acclaim). At that time, Microsoft's newly bought and re-branded rendering layer (DirectX) had just started to dominate PC development.

Fergus McGovern headed the development team.[12] The game was heavily technology driven at the beginning and was titled ProjectX.[citation needed] This was changed to Condemned[12] when the story elements were added although it was later changed to Forsaken due to a potential naming conflict.[clarification needed]

A Sega Saturn version of the game was announced,[13] but canceled as part of Acclaim's general withdrawal of support for the system.[14]

Due to the heavy technology focus of the game, it was often bundled with hardware to show off the graphic cards, and was used as a benchmark for many years after its initial release.

The Swarm (Dominic Glynn and Stephen Root) performed and produced the Forsaken soundtrack which features dynamic drum and bass and electronica tracks. An album featuring many of the original tracks and remixes was released on No Bones Records.

Various employees of Acclaim Studios Teesside, the developer who worked on the Nintendo 64 port of the game, made plans for a sequel to Forsaken, which were permanently scrapped when Acclaim closed the studio down in 2002.[15]

Reception

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The game received favorable reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[16][17][18] In Japan, where the PlayStation version was ported and published by Acclaim Japan on 2 September 1999, Famitsu gave it a score of 24 out of 40.[25]

Paul Biondich of AllGame gave the PC version four-and-a-half stars out of five and argued that although its gameplay was uninventive, its PC version, with its use of "3D Accelerator" [graphics card] and Direct3D, has "utterly impressive technical savvy and attention to detail" few other games had achieved. He highlighted "the quality and generous use of real-time colored lighting effects", "the screen blistering frame rates", explosions, the detail of enemy ships, and smoke trails of missiles.[43]

Lighting effects were highlighted in reviews of all versions. Martin Kitts of N64 Magazine called the lighting effects the best on the Nintendo 64, "giving heated battles a pleasant lava lamp effect, with shots and explosions bouncing around the room in slow motion."[11] The game's intense action was well-received, but the difficulty was occasionally considered excessive. Kitts explained the N64 port's first stage "will leave most players cold, soon turning into a tedious slog around a nondescript 360° maze".[11]

Forsaken's PC release significantly exceeded the expectations for Joel Durham, writing for the American edition of PC Gamer. He expected another PC title that emphasized 3D acceleration effects over gameplay, a la G-Police (1997) and Terracide (1997).[42]

Edge gave the PlayStation version eight out of ten in its June 1998 issue, stating that, although it feels familiar to Descent, it refined and updated the formula with features such as its auto-levelling system and orientation aid.[44] An issue later, the magazine gave Forsaken 64 eight out of ten, saying, "With luck, programming of this calibre can become an expectation for all N64 titles developed across multiple formats."[45] Dan Toose of Hyper gave the game 92% and said: "Unless someone pulls some wonder game out of the bag at E3, this one looks like it's going to be the all-formats game of the year. If you like action shooter games, this is a must-have".[8]

Kitts gave the N64 version 87% and compared it to Quake and Descent (1995), as well as 2D shooters such as R-Type (1987) and Axelay (1992).[11] He called it the best "serious" Nintendo 64 title since GoldenEye, and "a game that, although not for the fainthearted, holds a genuinely rewarding experience for those who are prepared to persevere".[11] He wrote that the game's best moments were those that required thinking, although did enjoy the more intense parts, such as enemies popping up behind the player and shots from guns hidden in alcoves.[11] Despite the use of static, non-animated character models, he called the visuals impressive nonetheless.[11] He enjoyed how enemy ships, when destroyed, spin out of control, fire random shots, and occasionally dive on the player, adding to the fast-paced gameplay.[11] He also higlighted there being no fogging in the four-playing mode.[11] It did take a little bit of time for him to appreciate the game, however; he was critical of the default control system. He also was disappointed in the multiplayer mode, writing it was hard to tell players from each other and that weapons barely took off hit points of other players, resulting in overly-long matches.[11]

Boba Fatt of GamePro described the N64 version as an "endless maze of frustration" wasting "excellent control and four-player split-screen capability". He criticized the lack of radar, which made it difficult to look for the other players in multi-player, and made single-player a chore: "You'll run in perpetual circles looking for your objective or final enemy until you either memorize the level or pass out. Even worse, the unimaginative bad guys blend right into the background, and every level looks just like the previous one."[46][d] Fatt also said that the PlayStation version's "sharp environmental detail and spectacular real-time lighting effects are just window dressing for a poorly devised game. Unfortunately, bland enemies, derivative gameplay, and squeaky, unappealing sound effects (laser fire on helium—anyone remember Atari's Phoenix?) run rampant."[47][e]

Next Generation said in its July 1998 issue that the N64 version was "solid, enjoyable stuff with not a hint of originality to cloud the fun";[10] and called the PlayStation version "a decent title. Probe has mixed together the best elements of Descent and Quake and added some pretty tricky enemy AI, resulting in a game that shines, although in slightly different ways, on each platform."[39] An issue later, the magazine called the PC version "a good game that will provide a nice distraction until players get their hands on the big guns like Sin, Half-Life, and Duke Nukem Forever."[38] (Ironically, the latter game would not be released until over 13 years later, long after the magazine stopped publication.)

Notes

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  1. ^ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Nintendo 64 version each a score of 6/10, and two others gave it each a score of 6.5/10.
  2. ^ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version each a score of 6/10, one gave it 4/10, and another gave it 6.5/10.
  3. ^ In GameFan's viewpoint of the PlayStation version, three critics gave it each a score of 88, 96, and 90.
  4. ^ GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version 3.5/5 for graphics, 3/5 for sound, 4.5/5 for control, and 2/5 for fun factor.
  5. ^ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 3.5/5 for graphics, 2.5/5 for sound, 1.5/5 for control, and 2/5 for fun factor.

References

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  1. ^ "Software - Save Up to Half Price". Birmingham Evening Mail. 15 May 1998. p. 39. Retrieved 14 January 2024. Forsaken//Inc Vat £17.49//Half Price
  2. ^ "News for April 24, 1998". Online Gaming Review. 24 April 1998. Archived from the original on 4 December 2000. Retrieved 6 December 2019. April 24, 1998: Acclaim's first-person 3D action game Forsaken has been spotted in stores.
  3. ^ a b "Acclaim Dates Verified". PSX Nation. 30 April 1998. Archived from the original on 6 May 1998. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Key Dates". Staines and Ashford Leader. 7 May 1998. p. 5. Retrieved 14 January 2024. May 15th//Forsaken
  5. ^ "Forsaken 64 [sic]". IGN. Snowball.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Special Reserve Discount Superstore". Walton and Weybridge Leader. 21 May 1998. p. 9. Retrieved 14 January 2024. May 22nd//Forsaken//Nintendo 64 - Save £8
  7. ^ a b c Boyer, Crispin; Smith, Shawn; Davison, John; Kujawa, Kraig (July 1998). "Forsaken 64". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 108. Ziff Davis. p. 134. Retrieved 4 September 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Toose, Dan (June 1998). "Forsaken". Hyper. No. 56. Next Media Pty Ltd. pp. 62–65. Retrieved 20 September 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  9. ^ a b Schneider, Peer (3 June 1998). "Forsaken 64". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  10. ^ a b c "Forsaken [64]". Next Generation. No. 43. Imagine Media. July 1998. p. 111. Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Kitts, Martin (June 1998). "Forsaken". N64 Magazine. No. 16. Future Publishing. pp. 50–55. Retrieved 23 November 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  12. ^ a b Rider, David; Semrad, Ed (April 1997). "Probe Has the Games to Bring Acclaim Back to Life!" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 93. Ziff Davis. p. 86. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023 – via RetroCDN. First up is a game code named Condemned, an awesome first-person perspective shooter on the N64, PlayStation, Saturn and PC. It's Fergus' baby-a special project he has a team of 15 working on.
  13. ^ "Canned!". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 19. EMAP. May 1997. p. 7. Retrieved 4 September 2023 – via Internet Archive. Acclaim's Fantastic Four and Batman and Robin are now off the schedule (although the potentially brilliant Condemned is still coming out)...
  14. ^ "Acclaim Back Away from Sega". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 22. EMAP. August 1997. p. 15. Retrieved 4 September 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  15. ^ Sabre470 (21 October 2012). "All there is to know about Forsaken 2". Super CD-ROM2. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ a b "Forsaken 64 for Nintendo 64". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 12 May 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Forsaken for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Forsaken for PlayStation". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  19. ^ D'Aprile, Jason (10 July 1998). "Forsaken 64". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on 23 August 2000. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  20. ^ Chick, Tom (19 May 1998). "Forsaken (PC)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  21. ^ Damattia, Nathan (1 May 1998). "Forsaken (PS)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  22. ^ Stratton, Geoff (20 May 1998). "Forsaken". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on 5 July 2003. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  23. ^ Goble, Gordon (August 1998). "Beautiful Bruiser (Forsaken Review)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 169. Ziff Davis. p. 178. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via CGW Museum.
  24. ^ Smith, Shawn; Boyer, Crispin; Kujawa, Kraig; Davison, John (July 1998). "Forsaken (PS)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 108. Ziff Davis. p. 138. Retrieved 4 September 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  25. ^ a b "フォーセイケン [PS]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  26. ^ "Forsaken 64". Game Informer. No. 64. FuncoLand. August 1998.
  27. ^ Bergren, Paul (July 1998). "Forsaken (PC)". Game Informer. No. 63. FuncoLand.
  28. ^ "Forsaken (PS)". Game Informer. No. 64. FuncoLand. August 1998.
  29. ^ Justice, Brandon "Big Bubba"; Chau, Anthony "Dangohead"; Higgins, Geoff "El Nino" (August 1998). "Forsaken (PS)". GameFan. Vol. 6, no. 8. Metropolis Media. p. 16. Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  30. ^ Hubble, Calvin (June 1998). "Forsaken Review (N64)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 20 February 2004. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  31. ^ Hubble, Calvin (June 1998). "Forsaken - PC Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 22 February 2004. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  32. ^ Cooke, Mark (June 1998). "Forsaken Playstation Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 19 April 2004. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  33. ^ Gerstmann, Jeff (25 May 1998). "Forsaken 64 Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  34. ^ Gerstmann, Jeff (14 May 1998). "Forsaken Review (PC)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  35. ^ Gerstmann, Jeff (21 May 1998). "Forsaken Review (PS)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  36. ^ Williamson, Colin (13 August 1998). "Forsaken (PC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  37. ^ Perry, Douglass C. (13 July 1998). "Forsaken (PS)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  38. ^ a b "Forsaken (PC)". Next Generation. No. 44. Imagine Media. August 1998. p. 100. Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  39. ^ a b "Forsaken (PS)". Next Generation. No. 43. Imagine Media. July 1998. p. 112. Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  40. ^ "Forsaken 64". Nintendo Power. Vol. 108. Nintendo of America. May 1998. p. 95. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  41. ^ "Forsaken". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Vol. 1, no. 10. Ziff Davis. July 1998.
  42. ^ a b Durham, Joel (August 1998). "Forsaken". PC Gamer. Vol. 5, no. 8. Imagine Media. Archived from the original on 10 March 2000. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  43. ^ Biondich, Paul. "Forsaken (PC) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  44. ^ Edge staff (June 1998). "Forsaken (PS)" (PDF). Edge. No. 59. Future Publishing. pp. 86–87. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via RetroCDN.
  45. ^ Edge staff (July 1998). "Forsaken 64" (PDF). Edge. No. 60. Future Publishing. p. 101. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023 – via RetroCDN.
  46. ^ Boba Fatt (June 1998). "Forsaken Review for N64" (PDF). GamePro. No. 117. IDG. p. 106. Archived from the original on 22 December 2004. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  47. ^ Boba Fatt (June 1998). "Forsaken (PS)". GamePro. No. 117. IDG. p. 118.
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