(NB - unsure of whether the goldsrc mods actually were in 99, and you may have noticed that I've *slightly* twisted when Starcraft was released... only the Mac release was 99, I believe)
It's about the games then, really.
Half Life -> arguably the single greatest step that FPSs have made -> still fantastic fun to play, and most definitely the start of something special - a long string of fantastic valve shooters and mods
Counter Strike -> clearly linking into the above, it's my very favourite online FPS to date. Endlessly replayable and impossibly successful for a mod, its legacy is unmatched. Probably still my most played game over the last few months.
Team Fortress, Day of Defeat -> both pretty great, and probably underrated. A testament to the quality of HL and the Goldsrc engine that such great mods can be made. Obviously leading onto some very nice Sourcey sequels (even if many claim that source ruined DoD)
Unreal Tournament, Quake 3 -> Between them, the ultimate deathmatch games. My pick of the two is UT.. to the point that I automatically try double tapping A and D in other games (doesn't work, FYI. except if you're playing GOW PC).
Starcraft -> Probably my single favourite game of all time (rivalling Counter Strike and Metroid Prime), Starcraft is also the number 1 E-sport, and, I believe, the national sport of Korea. The game which combines style and endless replayability (endlessly replayable games tend to lack charm -> e.g. CS, Civilization and stylish games, e.g. Jet Grind Radio, tend to lack staying power) better than anything else ever, for me. Terran ftw.
System Shock 2 -> powerful memories attached to this games, it's a lot better than Bioshock for me. An actual FPSRPG (Bioshock is missing the latter 3 letters), SS2 had more substance than style, but capped it all off with a tremendous story, wonderfully told. The only game ever to have scared me.
Age of Empires 2 -> Didn't *everyone* love that game?
Tony Hawk Pro Skater -> the original that started off *that* bunch of games
Descent 3 -> just a fantastic shooting game really. Possibly preferred 2, but they just don't make 'em like this anymore.
Also -> Homeworld, Alpha Centauri, BG1 Expansion (tales of the sword coast), Heroes of Might and Magic 3 (best of the series), original Silent Hill, original Super Smash Bros, Planescape (great RPG), Soulcalibur (alongside Tekhen 3 as the best fighting game ever), Battlezone 2, original MoH... etc.
**************
I rest my case with the above really. It's an *unbelievable* line-up for a single year. My 3 most played games recently, Starcraft (yes, I know), Counter Strike and UT were all that year. In all, a phenomenal year for gaming -> much better games than the rubbish that the future seems to be bringing us.
Discussion welcome, as always.
EDIT: ouch, slight wall of text.
It's about the games then, really.
Half Life -> arguably the single greatest step that FPSs have made -> still fantastic fun to play, and most definitely the start of something special - a long string of fantastic valve shooters and mods
Counter Strike -> clearly linking into the above, it's my very favourite online FPS to date. Endlessly replayable and impossibly successful for a mod, its legacy is unmatched. Probably still my most played game over the last few months.
Team Fortress, Day of Defeat -> both pretty great, and probably underrated. A testament to the quality of HL and the Goldsrc engine that such great mods can be made. Obviously leading onto some very nice Sourcey sequels (even if many claim that source ruined DoD)
Unreal Tournament, Quake 3 -> Between them, the ultimate deathmatch games. My pick of the two is UT.. to the point that I automatically try double tapping A and D in other games (doesn't work, FYI. except if you're playing GOW PC).
Starcraft -> Probably my single favourite game of all time (rivalling Counter Strike and Metroid Prime), Starcraft is also the number 1 E-sport, and, I believe, the national sport of Korea. The game which combines style and endless replayability (endlessly replayable games tend to lack charm -> e.g. CS, Civilization and stylish games, e.g. Jet Grind Radio, tend to lack staying power) better than anything else ever, for me. Terran ftw.
System Shock 2 -> powerful memories attached to this games, it's a lot better than Bioshock for me. An actual FPSRPG (Bioshock is missing the latter 3 letters), SS2 had more substance than style, but capped it all off with a tremendous story, wonderfully told. The only game ever to have scared me.
Age of Empires 2 -> Didn't *everyone* love that game?
Tony Hawk Pro Skater -> the original that started off *that* bunch of games
Descent 3 -> just a fantastic shooting game really. Possibly preferred 2, but they just don't make 'em like this anymore.
Also -> Homeworld, Alpha Centauri, BG1 Expansion (tales of the sword coast), Heroes of Might and Magic 3 (best of the series), original Silent Hill, original Super Smash Bros, Planescape (great RPG), Soulcalibur (alongside Tekhen 3 as the best fighting game ever), Battlezone 2, original MoH... etc.
**************
I rest my case with the above really. It's an *unbelievable* line-up for a single year. My 3 most played games recently, Starcraft (yes, I know), Counter Strike and UT were all that year. In all, a phenomenal year for gaming -> much better games than the rubbish that the future seems to be bringing us.
Discussion welcome, as always.
EDIT: ouch, slight wall of text.
