Hobbies And Interests
"Duke Nukem 3D"
A grandfather of the first person shooter (FPS), "Duke Nukem 3D" was met with universal critical praise when released on the PC in 1996. Set in a futuristic LA after an alien invasion has nearly wiped-out the human population, Duke Nukem returns to Earth to reclaim the planet, while saving some bodacious bikini babes along the way. Known for its brutal, over-the-top game play and humorous wit, "Duke Nukem 3D" gives players a wide array of weapons to blow stuff up with. Standard weapons like shotguns and pistols complement more creative weapons like shrink rays and freeze guns, perfect for exacting some revenge on the alien menace. The recently updated version available on Xbox Live records a player's game and gives him the opportunity to rewind the action if he becomes stuck or if he wants to try a different approach to take down a particularly nasty opponent.
"Perfect Dark"
Considered ahead of its time when released on the Nintendo 64 (N64) in 1999, "Perfect Dark" set the standard for a generation of console FPS games. A classic in every sense of the word, fans of modern day FPS games should consider "Perfect Dark" a must play. Following the exploits of British secret agent Joanna Dark's attempts to uncover a secret alien conspiracy, "Perfect Dark's" engaging game play and user friendly control system help to mask some truly terrible voice acting and a laughable plot. Because the original game exceeded the limits of the N64, game play sometimes slowed when too much action was on screen. The recently updated version of the game has fixed these occasional glitches, creating the gaming experience the developers had intended and giving fans of the game a reason to revisit it.
"NARC"
Released during the height of then President Ronald Regan's Just Say No campaign, "NARC" is a hysterical flashback to the late '80s war on drugs. Equal parts public-service campaign and side-scrolling shooter, "NARC" puts players in control of Narcotics Opposition agents Max Force and Hit Man as they attempt to take down notorious drug kingpin Mr. Big. Dressed in matching red and blue jumpsuits, Max and Hit take to the streets shooting down junkies (who throw used hypodermic needles), roving gangs of hookers and gun-toting drug dealers. "NARC" has not received any upgrades since the original arcade stand-up or Nintendo versions, but its ridiculous stereotypes and misguided message, coupled with decent game play, make the game a classic of the era.
"Shadow Complex"
While video games continue to advance in size and scope, the days of a high-quality side-scrolling shooter are not entirely gone. Microsoft Game Studios' 2009 release of "Shadow Complex" for Xbox Live only helped to reinforce that point. A commercial and critical success, "Shadow Complex" puts gamers in control of hero Jason Flemming as he attempts to rescue his date from a group of anarchists determined to overthrow the US government. Creative level design, compelling story and the use of a wide array of gadgets and guns gives the game a fresh but familiar feel that will appeal to fans of shooting games.