DOS

Descent

For its time, Descent's graphics were above-standard (SVGA was something brand new), although you can change the detail level to match your comp's speed. The quality of sound effects is good (for that time very good) and, like in every 3D shooter, without sound you are "blind". The only difficult thing at the start will be learning how to fly, because it is quite complicated to get used to. However, once you get into it, this can easily become one of the best 3D games you ever played.

Allting är uppbyggt i 3D-miljö och kan för vissa ge upphov till illamående. Så bra är det!

Terrific graphics; non-stop action; and true 3D movement. The complex controls can take a while to master. Parallax did a magnificent job -- easily one of the most addictive and entertaining action games you'll play.

Imagine a first-person perspective game that allows you to make a loop in a true virtual environment with unbelievable textures, fast pace action and a great soundtrack without sacrifying speed and having to buy a twin pentium motherboard. Surely, you think this is only a dream and that you probably hope it will one day come true. Fortunately, the folks at Parallax Software have heard your prayers and decided to reward you for your patience with one of the best action games available for the PC: Descent.

Doom 2 ist dreidimensional, oder nicht? Nachdem man einen kurzen Blick auf Descent geworfen hat, ist man da nicht mehr so sicher. Schließlich gibt es nur eine 2D-Karte, die Gegner sind dünner als Papier, man kann nicht fliegen, nicht einmal springen. Wo bleiben da die Höhen und Tiefen des Raums?

With the same kind of following as Doom and Doom II, Descent has a long following of dedicated Descent lovers that EAT, BREATH and SLEEP Descent too. With a following like that, one would expect a barrage of homemade levels, and there is! Interplay has a monthly level creation contest, and on their WWW page you can find a bunch of new Multiplayer or Solo Descent levels. I've heard through the grapevine that Genie will be hosting the official Descent multiplayer network as well. Of course, you can play through the Internet for free with the addition of a program called KALI. It will be nice to play it the way Interplay and Genie have designed. A new level each week, and team play wit up to 8 people at once in teams of 2. We'll have to wait and see where that goes, but Descent certainly has a very brightly lit future!

Descent is definately a memoriable game, destined to become a classic game of our time. Although not as innovative as Pong or Pac Man to their respective times, Descent brings with it a fresh new style.

Descent hat sich bei mir mühelos den Spitzenplatz unter den 3D-Actionspielen gesichert. Die großen und höchst abwechslungsreichen Level, die intelligenten Gegner und eine genial eingängige Steuerung sorgen für langen Spielspaß. Dazu kommt der immens vergnügliche Adrenalinstoß, wenn der Reaktor explodiert und man den verflixten Ausgang noch nicht gefunden hat.

Jeu d'arcade très enboûtant, bien qu'assez complexe, Descent bénéficie d'une finition et d'un réalisme à toute épreuve.

All in all "Descent" is a funny game in spite of that, but you never get the feeling of being in a "campaign" because the story does not develop during the game. What is left to say? Yes, there is an outstanding multiplayer option (for several computers in a network) with different modes of cooperation and rivalry.

De optimale bewegingsvrijheid die in Descent mogelijk is, is wel even wennen, maar na een tijdje wil je niet anders. Er wordt wel gezegd dat Descent doet voor Doom wat Doom deed voor Wolfenstein 3D. Dat zal nog moeten blijken, maar het is wel zo dat andere 3D shoot-'em ups na het spelen van Descent, wel eh, zo plat lijken.

As the next step along the Wolfenstein-Doom evolutionary ladder, Descent makes a great impression and a pleasing distraction. However, Descent has the same fundamental problem as Doom in terms of long-lasting playability: the only way to keep the game interesting is to up the sheer number of robots you have to kill. In the end, after thirty levels, I was ready to ascend from Descent.

With addictive action, network multi-player play and Descent level editors available everywhere you turn, I say without hyperbole that Descent is destined to be a classic. Don't believe me? Download the widely available free demos (while you're at it, check out Descent II as well) and judge for yourself. Just remember to keep your airsickness bag handy.