The FPS games from the 90s that defined my youth:

Wolfenstein 3-D (1992) – the game that made me realize that DOS was truly legit, and that keyboard and mouse could deliver something consoles could not. That is, until Halo came around.

Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold (1993) – similar to Buck Rogers, this was the first sci-fi FPS game I ever experienced. Also the first that had NPCs who could talk to you and help you. And it had vending machines.

Doom (1993) – this game was everywhere. It was the first one to really hit the mainstream, the one where console gamers looked at DOS with envy. Also has impeccable level design. So amazing, it was demoed at computer stores.

Heretic (1994) – it wasn’t the first sword-and-sorcery FPS, but it was the first one to really nail something compelling. The weapons, the character models, the world felt completely immersive. I remember being 16 years old, glued to my iMac at 3AM, telling myself I’d play just one more level.

Marathon (1994) – the Mac’s answer to Doom, and what an answer it was! Made by Bungie, this was the first game that delivered complex lore. And one of the first to provide mouse-look too. The precursor to Halo. There’s a reason Bungie is bringing it back.

Star Wars: Dark Forces (1995) – I was shocked when I first saw this. Before Dark Forces, I couldn’t imagine living in the Star Wars universe. And I had been playing Star Wars games since they were available on Atari 2600. But it wasn’t just the first-person perspective, it was the excellent cutscenes and voice acting.

Eradicator (1996) – I love this one for a giant reason: you got to choose different characters, and each one offered a different gameplay experience. What’s more? A jetpack! But also, the environments were destructible. Too bad it was released during the same year as Quake.

Quake (1996) – this was the reason to invest in a GPU, which wasn’t even a consideration for me until Quake arrived. I remember being so blown away by the lighting effects that I almost couldn’t believe a computer could pull this off. On top of that, the soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails is some of the best video game music I’ve ever heard.

Blood (1997) – I’ll never forget the moment Caleb arises from the grave, grabs a pitchfork, and goes to work against ghouls and cultists. The level design, character models, and sheer attitude are top notch. Duke Nukem 3-D and Shadow Warrior are the other parts of the Holy Trinity of Build Engine games, but this one is the apex.

Half-Life (1998) – what’s the most iconic weapon in gaming? Some say it’s the Master Sword from The Legend of Zelda. Others say it’s the Buster Sword from Final Fantasy VII. But to me, it will always be the crowbar from Half-Life because the moment Gordon Freeman grabbed it, video games changed forever. Half-Life wasn’t just the best FPS of the 90s, it pioneered a new mode of in-engine storytelling, delivering something so impactful that it became the most important franchise in PC gaming to this day.

@atomicpoet seriously Disney just needs to do a series like dark forces

Allan Chow So true! Dark Forces is better than many mainline Star Wars movies.

@atomicpoet i mean seriously a tie fighter series would be awesome.

The FPS games from the 90s that defined my youth:

Wolfenstein 3-D (1992) – the game that made me realize that DOS was truly legit, and that keyboard and mouse could deliver something consoles could not. That is, until Halo came around.

Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold (1993) – similar to Buck Rogers, this was the first sci-fi FPS game I ever experienced. Also the first that had NPCs who could talk to you and help you. And it had vending machines.

Doom (1993) – this game was everywhere. It was the first one to really hit the mainstream, the one where console gamers looked at DOS with envy. Also has impeccable level design. So amazing, it was demoed at computer stores.

Heretic (1994) – it wasn’t the first sword-and-sorcery FPS, but it was the first one to really nail something compelling. The weapons, the character models, the world felt completely immersive. I remember being 16 years old, glued to my iMac at 3AM, telling myself I’d play just one more level.

Marathon (1994) – the Mac’s answer to Doom, and what an answer it was! Made by Bungie, this was the first game that delivered complex lore. And one of the first to provide mouse-look too. The precursor to Halo. There’s a reason Bungie is bringing it back.

Star Wars: Dark Forces (1995) – I was shocked when I first saw this. Before Dark Forces, I couldn’t imagine living in the Star Wars universe. And I had been playing Star Wars games since they were available on Atari 2600. But it wasn’t just the first-person perspective, it was the excellent cutscenes and voice acting.

Eradicator (1996) – I love this one for a giant reason: you got to choose different characters, and each one offered a different gameplay experience. What’s more? A jetpack! But also, the environments were destructible. Too bad it was released during the same year as Quake.

Quake (1996) – this was the reason to invest in a GPU, which wasn’t even a consideration for me until Quake arrived. I remember being so blown away by the lighting effects that I almost couldn’t believe a computer could pull this off. On top of that, the soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails is some of the best video game music I’ve ever heard.

Blood (1997) – I’ll never forget the moment Caleb arises from the grave, grabs a pitchfork, and goes to work against ghouls and cultists. The level design, character models, and sheer attitude are top notch. Duke Nukem 3-D and Shadow Warrior are the other parts of the Holy Trinity of Build Engine games, but this one is the apex.

Half-Life (1998) – what’s the most iconic weapon in gaming? Some say it’s the Master Sword from The Legend of Zelda. Others say it’s the Buster Sword from Final Fantasy VII. But to me, it will always be the crowbar from Half-Life because the moment Gordon Freeman grabbed it, video games changed forever. Half-Life wasn’t just the best FPS of the 90s, it pioneered a new mode of in-engine storytelling, delivering something so impactful that it became the most important franchise in PC gaming to this day.

@atomicpoet@atomicpoet.org I don't think Bungie is bringing it back, I think Sony is stuffing something inside its husk.