History hasn’t been always kind to great game titles. Once considered as masterworks are often lost as console cycles keep on evolving. There were titles that got erased from the gaming chronicles or lost in the race of technological evolution. Each one of these did something interesting with gaming. Somehow they were the trendsetters, paving the way towards precise graphical and visual renaissance!
A few lost gems:
3D Deathchase (Micromega, ZX Spectrum, 1983)
This remarkably progressive 3D chase game got the player to ride a futuristic motorbike through dense woodland, attempting to track down and shoot enemy riders. The first-person view and smooth sensation of the movement were astonishing at the time (especially considering it ran on the older 16k Spectrum), and it no doubts prepared the way for future variations on the free-roaming driving game.
Aliens: The Computer Game (Software Studios/Electric Dreams Software, C64/Spectrum, 1986)
It was a prototype first-person shooter, complete with moveable targeting reticule. Though the movement was essentially limited to left and right (firing at doors lets you pass through them), the action was tense, and the importance of quick accurate aiming hinted at the FPS genre to come.
Astal (Sega, Sega Saturn, 1995)
This beautiful early Saturn release has been over-looked perhaps due to console’s untimely demise. There was an innovative but tricky co-op mode which put the player into the role of Astal’s bird sidekick. It was a combo of wonderful character and landscape designs.
Bust A Groove (Enix/Metro Graphics, PlayStation, 1998)
This formative rhythm action game cordially invited players to bust ridiculous disco moves by following onscreen direction prompts, in a similar manner to Sony’s revered PaRappa The Rapper. Featuring an excellent electronica soundtrack, bizarre characters and super-smooth animation, the title helped build the ‘post-pub gaming’ credentials of the PlayStation. But then Konami’s all-conquering Dance Dance Revolution strutted in and kicked it from the dance floor!
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (Nintendo/Silicon Knights, GameCube, 2002)
Developed by Canadian studio Silicon Knights and originally meant for the N64, Eternal Darkness was a fascinating Lovecraftian romp following student Alexandria Roivas as she investigated a book known as the Tome of Eternal Darkness. A proposed sequel never materialised!
The list of lost titles is unending but somehow they took the first stride in taking the virtual limits to the helm where we witness it today!
