There have been lots of innovations taking place in the gaming world in the last few years. From the games like Super Mario and Claw, we have gone through Diablo and Blood to reach the next level of gaming - UT 2004, Doom 3 and Far Cry. But on the way, there were a few games which have reserved a permanent spot in out mind due to some innovative ideas implemented by the game makers. These games were different from the others and manages to have an identity of their own unlike some of the few copycats coming into the field these days.
10) HITMAN
Unlike the other action games, Hitman was far more based on stealth and precision instead of wandering around and shooting everything on sight like a mass murderer. You are a silent assassin, a contract killer, meant to assassinate the one whom you are supposed to, according to your contract only.
The other targets are optional and any kind of conflict with them are better to be avoided so that there won't be any problem in your mission later. Just like the game Thief, Hitman concentrates on a silent attack and using the brain in the most appropriate manner.
9) PLAYBOY: THE MANSION
I should say that it really was a good, 'matured' attempt to make a game like this, almost in the form of a people simulator. The fact is that these people have managed to do a good job by keeping the game at a level which is almost good for different levels of gamers, even if not suitable for the younger ones.
The game does give the gamer lots of thinking options, but the only problems that comes across is the game getting repetitive after long periods of gaming. But the game certainly is worth playing atleast once due to its difference from the others.
8) PRINCE OF PERSIA
There may not be anyone who does not know the Prince - POP.exe is the file that I have encountered the most in my early days with computers. The first version of the Prince, even if it doesnt look impressive in any manner now, was one of the favourite games of kids on those days. POP 2 was not that much of a success and POP 3D was just an average game.
But Sands of Time and Warrior Within were two titles that took the Prince to higher levels with martial arts and aerobic moves along with stunning textures as well as a nice storyline. The acton and traps rules the game and the puzzles that you have to solve are enumerous. If you have completed this game, I have to say that you have done an amazing job!
7) THIEF: THE DARK PROJECT
With Doom, Quake and then Halflife coming up with better and better highly intense action games, there was one game which didn't gain as much popularity among the gamers, but still managed to stay alive - it was Thief, a game based more on mind games rather than the usual action.
You are playing a thief, relying on stealth, embracing darkness to help you move unnoticed in missions, looting rich people like Robin Hood using arrows, ropes and swords. With sequels being released for the game, it surely is a nice pick if you have like the games like Hitman and Deus Ex. As long as you can move silently, consider yourself the winner!
6) RAINBOW SIX
Team warfare was a field which was not completely exploited until Rainbow Six was released. Hidden and Dangerous was an option, but it was in no way good enough for long hours of play. Rainbow Six combines action with strategy providing us with not the usual hit and run, but tactical warfare with lots of importance given to stealth and planning. Failing to plan your strategy well can lead to your defeat!
Controlling a team instead of one player certainly is a task that requires lots of alertness and this is what makes the game a good choice. Now with Rogue Spear and Raven Shield, the second and third parts of the game being released, the gamers certainly have a lots to anticipate!
5) AGE OF EMPIRES
AOE was a masterpiece among the strategy games. The fact was that most of the gamers never liked the strategy games due to the low graphics and predictable gameplay. The games like Warcraft 2 failed to impress the gamers. But Ensemble studios came up with a fantastic innovation, Age Of Empires which has used the history very well to make a good strategy game with some features which are easier to understand, and also making much more sense.
AOE 2 was even more better, the exact word for that being'it rocked'. With easy controls and an interface which is more user-friendly, this game has managed to become one of the best games ever developed. With Age Of Empires 3 about to be released, there are more strategy gamers now, thanks to AOE.
4) THE SIMS
The people simulator from Maxis has been one of the best selling titles ever. It gives the gamer an opportunity to live a life of his own in the game. The life of these people whom you control can be diverted to any field as you can lead them to glory or ruin them.
The basic needs as well as the other features are well connected in a detailed manner so that you will never have any problem in understanding and playing this game. Now Sims 2 is released with great improvements which will gain your attention. A welcome change from those Flight, Train and City simulators!
3) MAX PAYNE
Max Payne may be another one of those FPS games, but it is just one level higher. With a bullet time mode fighting which resembles the Matrix(diving away from the bullets is always great to watch) and a catchy storyline have made the game different.
Max Payne 2 was even more rocking and keeps the gamers glued to their seats. The game certainly is a great work and its theme is gorgeous! This certainly deserves to be rated as one of the best action games ever released on PC division.
2) GRAND THEFT AUTO
GTA came out with a concept that could satisfy gamers of different genres at the same time, may it be action, sports or RPG, GTA is the one game that one of them can avoid. You will be able too fight, drive vehicles, acquire properties along with lots of missions to complete.
Now with San Andreas released after the sucess of Vice City, GTA certainly is giving the gamer gameplay at very high levels. Mafia was another game similiar to GTA, but fails to catch up with it. With some excellent graphics which has kept on getting better and better, same being the case with the audio and other features.
1) UNREAL TOURNAMENT
There is certainly no better innovation in the gaming field than the beginning of the death matches. It was Unreal Tournament which started it with a bang, and it was followed by not only UT 2003 and UT 2004, but also by Quake 3 Arena. With Quake 4 coming up next, the deathmatches with all those fragging and the theory of'keep moving to stay alive' had been a marvellous innovation.
The best thing it has done is to increase the speed and agility of the game so that the games just cannot be boring. The multiplayer option the game had was even more wide and the game could be called nothing, but a masterpiece, that is one of those few games which are highly addictive deserves full marks.
Special mentions:-
Need For Speed
Alien vs Predator
Serious Sam
Far Cry
Doom
Quake
Constantine
Diablo
Age Of Wonders
Deus Ex
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