There’s no doubt that first-person shooters are popular in the gaming world. There are many different types of first-person shooters whether they’re single player oriented, or they’re more designed to be played with friends. First-person shooters are here to stay, and they will continue to have more games within their genre.
The genre has also been getting some reboots of old series too like Wolfenstein and Doom. Bungie’s Marathon would also become the next reboot of an old series in recent times. Since the gaming world does like its fair share of reboots, what other ‘90s first-person shooter should get similar treatment like Wolfenstein and Doom? The ‘90s was a time where many first-person shooters were born to stand on its own against id Software’s games.
Without a doubt, these games were certainly inspired by id Software’s Doom or Quake, but they do have their appeal that gives them a bit of an identity. Some of these shooters you are well aware of them, and some of them you might not, but you will learn a thing or two. These five games I believe should get the reboot treatment because they do have their established fan base, and there is just a charm to these games that isn’t found much in today’s shooters.
Heretic
For those who are Doom fanatics, you might heard of Heretic which is basically similar to Doom, but with a fantasy twist. Heretic was also released one year after the original Doom. Despite the game being similar to id Software’s beloved first-person shooter series, it did have some of its own ideas going on at the time like the player was able to carry inventory-based items which was a rare feature during those days. In 1998, Heretic II would be formed and there was a couple of indirect sequels of Heretic which was called Hexen: Beyond Heretic.
It’s been a while since the Heretic series got in the limelight, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to make a fantasy styled first-person shooter in today’s times just to stand out from the many military or sci-fi themed shooters. A Heretic reboot should also take cues from its sequel where the sequel wanted to be more than just a Doom clone, but it should also embrace the first game’s first-person shooter roots because it was certainly a stylish shooter at the time.
Video credit: NostalgicGames.
Shogo: Mobile Armor Division
Before Titanfall was able to run, 1998’s Shogo: Mobile Armor Division had to walk to show everyone that a first-person shooter and mech driven game can work. It was also a game that had an anime art style which those that played this game back in the late ‘90s will certainly remember it. The game was developed by Monolith Productions; the same folks who made the commercially and critically successful F.E.A.R. series.
Despite being a game that has a lot of style, it wasn’t quite a commercial success, and that is why the developers have never released any more games under the Shogo name. It seemed to be a forgotten series by today’s times, but it would be interesting to have another first-person shooter and mech driven game. At the end of the day, it depends whether Monolith Productions is feeling nostalgic for their late ‘90s ambitious title.
Video credit: FirstPlaysHD.
Duke Nukem
There’s no doubt that Duke Nukem 3D was certainly one of the best ‘90s first-person shooters of all time. The level design was superb, the weapons were well crafted, interesting enemy design, and Duke Nukem’s persona makes this game a timeless masterpiece. The sequel, Duke Nukem Forever, definitely could’ve been better, and it’s only right that Duke Nukem gets another shot at the limelight.
It’s sad to see a big first-person shooter icon has not been getting proper treatment because Duke Nukem as an IP is definitely just as influential behind some of the biggest ‘90s first person shooters. I have written a separate article on why Duke Nukem should deserve a big reboot type of game if you find my subject matter interesting.
One of my personal favorite weapons from the game.
Chasm: The Rift
Chasm: The Rift is certainly a niche game, but it was a fairly interesting game for its time. It experimented with a time rift based setting and what that means is it had the player fighting enemies that belonged to that sort of theme. That was one of the coolest things about the game when it was mostly a game that was inspired by the greats of the ’90s.
But despite being a fairly standard fair Doom and Quake clone, it was a game that felt like it never reached the fullest potential it could’ve had. The game wasn’t that long, and it also was lacking polish despite having some merits at the same time. It also only had one major title with a couple of bonus levels, so the Chasm as a series was very short lived. But if it does happen, it’ll be interesting to see a group of developers that’ll try to embrace the positives of the original game, and maybe make its combat as visceral like the modern Doom titles.
There are some cool looking enemies in Chasm: The Rift.
Quake
I believe it is only right for me to mention another big name from the ‘90s first-person shooter scene especially during the Xbox Developer Direct, Indiana Jones developer MachineGames teased shooter fans by showing a snippet of “Quake 6” on the marker board.
Quake is certainly a game that MachineGames have shown appreciation from the past, and having a rebooted one would certainly please the avid id Software fanatics since the ‘90s. While it is unclear whether a rebooted version of Quake would happen in today’s time especially with MachineGames being busy with multiple projects, maybe that little snippet shot is a sign of hope for those that loves to rocket jump in their shooter.
The original Quake logo has always looked so cool.
In the year of 2024, anything could happen, and maybe one or two of these games could actually end up having a reboot with new gameplay enhancements and graphical updates. We shall see if that is the case as time is ticking day by day.
