Developer: General Arcade

Shadow Warrior (1997)

by Nish August 23, 2024

written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Release Year: 1997
Genres: Fighting, Shooter
Platforms: DOS, iOS, Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: 3D Realms, General Arcade, Westlake Interactive
Publishers: Atari Games, Devolver Digital, GT Interactive Software, MacSoft Games

Shadow Warrior (1997): A Build Engine Masterpiece

Released in 1997, Shadow Warrior was a groundbreaking first-person shooter that pushed the limits of the Build engine and set a new standard for the genre. Developed by 3D Realms, the game featured a unique blend of over-the-top violence, tongue-in-cheek humor, and innovative gameplay that set it apart from its contemporaries.

Gameplay

Shadow Warrior is a classic FPS in the vein of Doom and Quake, but it introduced several new features that helped it stand out from the crowd. One of the most notable innovations was the introduction of true room-over-room situations, which allowed for more complex and vertical level design. The game also made use of 3D voxels instead of 2D sprites for weapons and usable inventory items, which gave them a more realistic and immersive appearance.

Another key feature of Shadow Warrior was its emphasis on melee combat. In addition to a variety of firearms, the player could also wield a katana and a variety of other melee weapons. This gave the game a more varied and dynamic combat system than many other FPS games of the time.

Story

Shadow Warrior tells the story of Lo Wang, a skilled ninja who is hired by a powerful sorcerer to retrieve a stolen talisman. The game’s story is full of twists and turns, and it features a cast of memorable characters, including the wise-cracking Lo Wang himself.

Graphics and Sound

Shadow Warrior was one of the best-looking games of its time. The Build engine was capable of producing stunning graphics, and the game’s levels were full of detail and atmosphere. The game’s soundtrack was also top-notch, and it featured a mix of heavy metal and traditional Japanese music.

Legacy

Shadow Warrior was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish 3D Realms as one of the leading developers of FPS games. The game has since been ported to a variety of platforms, and it remains popular with fans of the genre today.

Review

Shadow Warrior is a classic FPS that still holds up today. Its innovative gameplay, memorable characters, and stunning graphics make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Score: 8.5/10

System Requirements

OS: Windows 95/98/Me/XP/Vista/7/8/10
Processor: 1 GHz Pentium III or equivalent
Memory: 256 MB RAM
Graphics: 3D graphics card with 32 MB VRAM
DirectX: Version 9.0c
Hard Drive: 1 GB available space

Additional Information

Shadow Warrior was developed using Ken Silverman’s Build engine.
The game was ported to Mac OS in August 1997.
A combination of Duke Nukem 3D and Shadow Warrior was published by GT Interactive in March 1998, titled East Meets West.
Shadow Warrior was re-released on Steam in 2013.
A reboot of Shadow Warrior was released in 2013.

Conclusion

Shadow Warrior is a classic FPS that deserves to be remembered as one of the best games of its era. Its innovative gameplay, memorable characters, and stunning graphics make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

8.5/10

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Pathologic Classic HD (2015)

by Ji-yeong August 17, 2024

written by Ji-yeong 5 minutes read

Summary

Release Year: 2015
Genres: Adventure, Indie, Role-playing game (RPG)
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: General Arcade, Ice-Pick Lodge
Publishers: Good Shepherd Entertainment

Pathologic Classic HD: A Deeper Look into the Bleak and Brutal

Introduction

Pathologic Classic HD is an extensive remaster of the original Pathologic game, released in 2005. The game is set in a remote town built upon old tanneries and butcheries just as a mysterious and deadly disease breaks out. Players take on the role of one of three characters – the Haruspex, the Bachelor, or the Changeling – each with their own unique abilities and storylines.

Gameplay

Pathologic Classic HD is a survival horror game with a strong emphasis on exploration and dialogue. Players must scavenge for supplies, heal the sick, and make difficult choices that will affect the outcome of the game. The game features a day-night cycle and a dynamic weather system that affects gameplay.

One of the most unique aspects of Pathologic Classic HD is its dialogue system. Players can engage in conversations with a variety of characters, each with their own unique stories and perspectives. The dialogue is often complex and branching, and players’ choices can have a significant impact on the game world.

Characters

There are three playable characters in Pathologic Classic HD:

The Haruspex: A surgeon with the ability to heal the sick and commune with the dead.
The Bachelor: A scholar with a deep understanding of the town’s history and culture.
The Changeling: A mysterious outsider with the ability to shapeshift.

Each character has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and players must choose carefully which character they want to play as.

Setting

Pathologic Classic HD is set in the town of Gorkhon, a remote and isolated town built upon old tanneries and butcheries. The town is home to a variety of strange and unsettling characters, and the atmosphere is one of constant dread and paranoia.

As the game progresses, the town is ravaged by a mysterious and deadly disease. The player must investigate the outbreak and try to find a way to stop it.

Themes

Pathologic Classic HD explores a variety of dark and disturbing themes, including death, disease, and the fragility of human life. The game also examines the nature of good and evil, and the choices that people make in the face of adversity.

Remaster

Pathologic Classic HD is a significant improvement over the original game. The graphics have been updated, the English script has been completely redone, and new voice-overs have been recorded. The game also includes a number of new features, such as a new tutorial and a new difficulty setting.

Conclusion

Pathologic Classic HD is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a unique and unforgettable experience. The game’s dark and disturbing themes, its complex characters, and its unique gameplay make it a must-play for fans of survival horror games.

Review

Pathologic Classic HD is a masterpiece of survival horror. The game’s dark and disturbing atmosphere, its complex characters, and its unique gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre. The remaster has significantly improved the game’s graphics and sound, and the new features make it more accessible to new players.

Score: 9/10

Pros:

Dark and disturbing atmosphere
Complex and well-developed characters
Unique and challenging gameplay
Extensive remaster with improved graphics and sound

Cons:

Can be difficult and frustrating at times
Some of the dialogue can be difficult to understand
The game’s ending is somewhat ambiguous

Review Score

8/10

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Twin Dragon (1998)

by Christopher April 17, 2024

written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Release Year: 1998
Genres: Shooter
Platforms: DOS, Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: General Arcade, Level Infinity
Publishers: Devolver Digital, Level Infinity

Twin Dragon: A Shadow Warrior Expansion Pack That’s More Than Just a Cash Grab

Released in 1998, Twin Dragon is an expansion pack for the popular first-person shooter Shadow Warrior. Developed by 3D Realms and published by GT Interactive, Twin Dragon features 13 new levels, new enemies, new weapons, and a new playable character.

Gameplay

Twin Dragon’s gameplay is very similar to Shadow Warrior’s. Players control either Lo Wang or Pei Ling, two warriors who must fight their way through hordes of enemies using a variety of weapons and martial arts techniques. The game features a fast-paced and action-packed combat system that is both challenging and rewarding.

One of the most unique aspects of Twin Dragon is its dual-wielding system. Players can equip two different weapons at once and switch between them at any time. This allows for a variety of combat strategies, as players can combine different weapons to create powerful combos.

Levels

Twin Dragon’s 13 levels are set in a variety of locations, including ancient temples, futuristic cities, and even a haunted forest. Each level is filled with challenging enemies and obstacles, and players must use all of their skills to survive.

Some of the most memorable levels in Twin Dragon include:

The Temple of the Dragon: A sprawling temple filled with traps and puzzles.
The City of the Dead: A futuristic city overrun by zombies and other undead creatures.
The Haunted Forest: A dark and eerie forest filled with ghosts and other supernatural beings.

Enemies

Twin Dragon features a variety of enemies, both new and old. Some of the new enemies include:

Shadow Demons: Fast and agile demons that can teleport and attack from a distance.
Oni Warriors: Powerful demons that are armed with swords and shields.
Giant Spiders: Large and deadly spiders that can spit webs and poison.

Weapons

Twin Dragon features a variety of weapons, both new and old. Some of the new weapons include:

The Dragon Sword: A powerful sword that can be used to slice through enemies with ease.
The Phoenix Cannon: A rapid-fire cannon that can be used to take down multiple enemies at once.
The Shadow Staff: A staff that can be used to cast spells and summon creatures.

Characters

Twin Dragon features two playable characters:

Lo Wang: The protagonist of Shadow Warrior, Lo Wang is a skilled warrior who is armed with a katana and a variety of firearms.
Pei Ling: A new character to the series, Pei Ling is a female warrior who is armed with a staff and a variety of spells.

Reception

Twin Dragon received positive reviews from critics. Many praised the game’s fast-paced combat, challenging levels, and variety of weapons and enemies. However, some critics found the game to be too short and repetitive.

Despite its mixed reviews, Twin Dragon was a commercial success. The game sold over 1 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling expansion packs of all time.

Legacy

Twin Dragon is remembered as one of the best expansion packs ever made. The game’s fast-paced combat, challenging levels, and variety of weapons and enemies made it a hit with fans of Shadow Warrior. Twin Dragon also introduced new characters and weapons to the series, which would go on to be featured in future Shadow Warrior games.

Conclusion

Twin Dragon is a must-play for fans of Shadow Warrior. It’s an excellent expansion pack that adds a lot of new content to the game. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding FPS experience, then Twin Dragon is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

8.5/10

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Wanton Destruction (2004)

by Christopher April 12, 2023

written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Release Year: 2004
Genres: Shooter
Platforms: DOS, Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: General Arcade, Sunstorm Interactive
Publishers: 3D Realms, Devolver Digital

Wanton Destruction: A Shadow Warrior Story

Wanton Destruction is a free expansion pack for the 2004 first-person shooter Shadow Warrior. It was developed by Flying Wild Hog and published by Devolver Digital. The expansion was released on September 9, 2005, and continues the story of Lo Wang, the protagonist of the original game.

Gameplay

Wanton Destruction is a first-person shooter that retains the fast-paced, over-the-top gameplay of the original Shadow Warrior. Players control Lo Wang as he battles his way through hordes of enemies, using a variety of weapons and abilities.

The expansion introduces several new features to the Shadow Warrior formula, including:

New weapons: Lo Wang now has access to a variety of new weapons, including the Shuriken Cannon, the Rocket Launcher, and the Plasma Rifle.
New abilities: Lo Wang can now use new abilities, such as the Shadow Strike and the Shadow Fury.
New enemies: The expansion features a variety of new enemies, including the Shadow Ninjas, the Shadow Demons, and the Shadow Bosses.

Story

Wanton Destruction continues the story of Lo Wang after the end of the original game. Lo Wang has defeated the evil sorcerer Zilla, but he is still haunted by the memories of his past.

One day, Lo Wang is visited by the spirit of a young woman named Mei Ling. Mei Ling tells Lo Wang that her village has been attacked by a group of Shadow Ninjas. Lo Wang agrees to help Mei Ling, and sets out to investigate the attack.

Lo Wang soon discovers that the Shadow Ninjas are led by a powerful sorcerer named Orochi. Orochi is planning to use the power of the Shadow Stone to conquer the world.

Lo Wang must stop Orochi and his Shadow Ninjas before it’s too late. He travels to a variety of locations, including a forest, a temple, and a castle, as he fights his way to Orochi’s lair.

Reception

Wanton Destruction received positive reviews from critics. IGN praised the expansion’s “fast-paced, over-the-top gameplay” and “great new weapons and abilities.” GameSpot called the expansion “a solid addition to Shadow Warrior” and “a must-play for fans of the original game.”

Legacy

Wanton Destruction is considered to be one of the best expansion packs ever released. It is a faithful expansion to the original Shadow Warrior, and it adds a lot of new content to the game. The expansion is also notable for its innovative use of the Shadow Warrior engine, which allowed the developers to create a variety of new and exciting gameplay experiences.

Wanton Destruction has been praised for its fast-paced, over-the-top gameplay, its great new weapons and abilities, and its solid story. The expansion is a must-play for fans of the original Shadow Warrior, and it is also a great introduction to the series for new players.

Conclusion

Wanton Destruction is a great expansion pack that adds a lot of new content to Shadow Warrior. The expansion is a must-play for fans of the original game, and it is also a great introduction to the series for new players.

Review Score

8.5/10

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Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (2006)

by Nish December 26, 2019

written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Release Year: 2006
Genres: Adventure, Hack and slash/Beat ’em up, Racing, Strategy
Platforms: Legacy Mobile Device, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 2, Xbox
Developers: General Arcade, The Collective
Publishers: Atari, Inc., Devolver Digital

Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (2006): A Hidden Gem of Graffiti, Activism, and Urban Exploration

Released in 2006, Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure is a unique and underrated gem that combines the worlds of graffiti, activism, and urban exploration. Players take on the role of Trane, a young graffiti artist with the ambition to become an “All City King” – the most respected graffiti artist in the city.

Gameplay

Getting Up is a third-person action game with a focus on graffiti and urban exploration. Players must navigate the city, avoiding the police and rival gangs, in order to find the best spots to tag. The game features a unique “Get IN, Get UP, and Get OUT” mechanic, which requires players to plan their tags carefully and execute them quickly.

In addition to tagging, players can also engage in combat with the police and rival gangs. Combat is fast-paced and brutal, and players must use a variety of improvised weapons to survive. Getting Up also features a unique “Intuition” system, which allows players to sense the best spots to tag and avoid danger.

Story

The story of Getting Up is set in the fictional city of New Radius, a metropolis plagued by corruption and oppression. Trane, the game’s protagonist, is a young graffiti artist who dreams of using his art to make a difference in the world. As Trane progresses through the game, he uncovers a deep, dark secret about the mayor of New Radius, and he must use his fighting talents and graffiti skills to expose the mayor’s corruption.

Themes

Getting Up is a game with a strong social message. The game explores themes of graffiti as activism, the power of art to change the world, and the importance of standing up to oppression. The game’s protagonist, Trane, is a complex and relatable character who embodies these themes.

Graphics and Sound

Getting Up features cel-shaded graphics that give the game a unique and stylized look. The game’s world is full of vibrant colors and detailed textures, and the character models are well-animated. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, featuring a mix of hip-hop, rock, and electronic music.

Reception

Getting Up received mixed reviews upon release, with some critics praising the game’s unique gameplay and social message, while others criticized its repetitive missions and technical issues. However, the game has since gained a cult following among fans of graffiti, activism, and urban exploration.

Legacy

Getting Up is a unique and important game that deserves to be rediscovered by a new generation of gamers. The game’s innovative gameplay, strong social message, and excellent graphics and sound make it a hidden gem that is well worth checking out.

Tips for Playing

Use your Intuition: The Intuition system is a powerful tool that can help you find the best spots to tag and avoid danger. Pay attention to the subtle cues that the game provides, and you’ll be able to navigate the city with ease.
Plan your tags carefully: Before you start tagging, take a moment to plan your route. Consider the location of the police and rival gangs, and make sure you have a clear escape route.
Use a variety of weapons: The game features a variety of improvised weapons, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Experiment with different weapons to find the ones that work best for you.
Don’t be afraid to experiment: Getting Up is a game that rewards experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try different approaches to tagging and combat. You may be surprised at what you can achieve.

Conclusion

Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure is a unique and underrated gem that combines the worlds of graffiti, activism, and urban exploration. The game features innovative gameplay, a strong social message, and excellent graphics and sound. If you’re looking for a game that is both challenging and rewarding, then you should definitely check out Getting Up.

Review Score

8/10