In the late 1990s, the first-person shooter genre was undergoing a massive transformation. While titles like Quake were pushing the boundaries of true 3D environments, another contender emerged that challenged the very concept of "up" and "down." Released in 1998, Forsaken (also known as Condemned in certain development phases or 浩劫餘生 in Chinese-speaking regions) offered a visceral, high-speed experience that stood apart from traditional corridor shooters. Developed by Probe Entertainment and published by Acclaim, it became a benchmark for technical prowess during the 32-bit era, providing a dizzying 360-degree combat experience that remains a cult classic to this day.
The narrative of Forsaken is rooted in a dark, dystopian future. The story takes place on Earth in the 22nd century, but it is not the planet we recognize. A botched scientific experiment involving subatomic particles resulted in a global catastrophe that wiped out most of the human population and left the planet a radioactive husk. With Earth declared a "dead zone" by the ruling galactic authorities, the planet was abandoned to its fate. However, the ruins remained filled with advanced technology and valuable resources. This attracted "scavengers"—mercenaries and outlaws who braved the automated defense systems left behind to loot the remains of civilization. Players step into the boots of one such scavenger, navigating the claustrophobic remains of human ingenuity while fending off rival looters and lethal security drones.
What truly defined Forsaken was its "Six Degrees of Freedom" (6DOF) gameplay mechanics. Unlike standard shooters of the time where players were tethered to the ground, players in Forsaken piloted heavily armed hover-bikes, allowing them to move in any direction—up, down, left, right, and rotating on any axis. This created a uniquely disorienting and exhilarating combat environment where threats could come from literally any angle. The level design leaned heavily into this freedom, featuring intricate, multi-layered tunnels, massive industrial chambers, and vertical shafts. Players had access to a devastating arsenal, ranging from rapid-fire lasers and "Power Pods" to homing missiles and gravity-defying mines. The pace was frenetic, demanding quick reflexes and spatial awareness to survive the onslaught of enemies and environmental hazards.
This game was released on several platforms, including the PlayStation and Sega Saturn, reaching a wide audience across different regions.
The legacy of Forsaken is primarily tied to its technical achievements. At the time of its release, it was often used as a showcase for the power of 3D accelerator cards on PC, but its console ports were equally impressive for managing to maintain a fluid frame rate despite the chaotic action. It is often compared to the Descent series, though Forsaken is generally remembered for its faster, more "arcade-like" feel and its gritty, cyberpunk aesthetic. In 2018, the game’s relevance was reaffirmed when Nightdive Studios released a remastered version, bringing the title to modern hardware with enhanced resolutions and improved lighting, proving that its core mechanics still hold up decades later.
Games
Forsaken
Seller: retrogameplace
Country of origin: Spain
Status: loose
Description: Jeu Forsaken pour console Playstation (PS1) Forsak... show more Jeu Forsaken pour console Playstation (PS1) Forsaken est un jeu vidéo immersif où les joueurs plongent dans un monde désolé où la survie est essentielle. Avec des graphismes époustouflants et des envi... show less
