MrEUser

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/119027

GZDoom is a powerful and versatile game engine derived from id Software's DOOM, a legendary first-person shooter (FPS) that revolutionized the gaming industry. This engine provides a modern platform for DOOM fans and game developers to create and play DOOM mods or total conversions, bringing in the capacity for enhanced visual details, advanced scripting, dynamic lighting, and many other improvements while still retaining the core DOOM gameplay mechanics. It has OpenGL support, which allows for a range of effects such as dynamic lighting and fog, reflective surfaces, and high-resolution textures, thereby offering significant graphical upgrades compared to the original DOOM engine.

Furthermore, GZDoom supports many games beyond DOOM, including Heretic, Hexen, and Strife, as well as fan-made projects. It also has a vast range of features, including 3D floors, slopes, and extensive modding capabilities, all of which allow for significant enhancements to the gameplay experience and creative freedom for modders. This flexibility and power make GZDoom a preferred choice for many DOOM modders, allowing them to breathe new life into this classic game by creating complex and immersive mods that both pay tribute to and expand upon the original DOOM experience.

Id Software’s DOOM has inspired countless mods and standalone titles since its source code was released six years after the game’s debut. DOOM mapper Bridgeburner is leveraging this freedom to create a GZDoom engine-based total conversion game, The Age of Hell, which replaces all vanilla assets to provide a fresh yet familiar experience. Retaining the fast-paced action intrinsic to DOOM, The Age of Hell employs sprite-based enemies and weapons to maintain the classic 90s aesthetic, with voxels used for pickups. The game is set to be a massive total conversion with a heavy metal soundtrack and six extensive episodes featuring distinct environments including icy locales, marble crypts, nightmare realms, tech-centric zones, and gothic palaces.

Each episode of The Age of Hell will present large, intricately designed environments with dynamic lighting and unique monsters, two bosses, and gameplay tailored to its demonic bestiary. New and familiar faces will populate the game, such as the nightmare fuel-infused Cacovore, the upgraded Cyber Lord, and the aggressive new demon, the Hasmodel. To battle these foes, the protagonist will be equipped with an arsenal of weapons redesigned with a holy theme and alternate fire modes to keep them relevant throughout the game. This includes an even more destructive BFG and a visually striking Super Shotgun. The game, rumored for a release by the end of 2023, will see the protagonist using these weapons and redesigned armors to take on Hell.

Lycanthorn II, a first-person shooter game inspired by the iconic Castlevania series, uses the GZDoom Engine to create an immersive gaming experience filled with color, adventure, and unique challenges. Players will follow the protagonist, Rain, through the lands of Morvania, using axes and blood magic to combat the pervasive evil. The game is characterized by vibrant, flowing colors and exploration-focused gameplay, inviting players to traverse caves, castles, and even the insides of a giant fish. Gameplay is driven by collecting keys, conquering accessible areas, and defeating bosses before moving to the next challenge, supplemented by the ability to recruit three unique party members, each offering different playstyles and exploration methods.

Despite its short gameplay duration, Lycanthorn II leaves a strong impression with its amalgamation of first-person shooter and platforming elements, offering a fresh gaming experience with distinct influences yet maintaining its unique identity. Players can explore, battle diverse enemies, and recruit party members with different abilities, all within a captivating world vivid with color and detail. While there are minor inconveniences, like seemingly forced platforming and a day/night cycle that unleashes numerous enemies, these don't diminish the overall appeal of the game. Ultimately, Lycanthorn II succeeds in being a brief, yet passionately-crafted game that inspires a sense of loss and longing for more once the credits roll.

Relentless Frontier is a GZDoom project, crafted by Fission Ogre under the Hellforge Studios banner. This game is centered on using high-powered sci-fi weapons to decimate adorable creatures, spread across three episodes, and is in Early Access. The game storyline, set in 2482 AD, revolves around Noah Gansky, a scientist wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life. However, en route to his prison, his vehicle crash-lands on a desolate planet, forcing him to combat colossal insects in a bid for survival. Each episode introduces new enemy factions, which interact intriguingly with those from previous episodes.

The game features four unique weapons, including a melee weapon called the Omniaxe and a belt-fed 1D-gauge shotgun named the Peacekeeper, which is expected to easily and amusingly decimate enemies throughout the game. The enemies in Episode 1 are the Armilimax, a fascinating race of insectoids consisting of slug-like toes and gelatinous entities known as Elders. These Elders telepathically control the slugs, making them harmless once the Elders are destroyed. The game promises many such interesting quirks about the enemies, ratcheting up the excitement for future episodes.

SharpShooter3D, a total conversion mod for GZDoom created by HeadHuntersGames, was among the almost 800 games removed from Steam when publisher Dagestan Technology was taken down for breaching the publisher code of conduct. Set in the fictional country of South Slovenko, the game features a heavy focus on melee combat and a narrative centered around civil unrest. Players navigate through diverse environments like clubs, bars, housing estates, rooftops, and even a sci-fi hellscape in a journey to take down the government. Missions in SharpShooter3D vary in length and quality but maintain a similar design, adding occasional unique twists to keep the gameplay engaging.

SharpShooter3D distinguishes itself from most DOOM II total conversions with its emphasis on melee combat, featuring common weapons like beer bottles, box-cutters, hammers, and power drills. The game has a one-weapon carry limit which forces players to experiment with different weapons in a single playthrough. However, the melee-centric gameplay can be quite primitive and clunky at times, offering a rather unsavory visual experience despite its visceral impact. SharpShooter3D's depiction of an Eastern European slum is laudable, with grimy apartment blocks and littered streets setting a grim, immersive atmosphere. Despite minor drawbacks such as awkward vehicle sections and less intelligent enemy AI, the game’s unique, unpredictable elements make it worth exploring, particularly for those seeking an unconventional DOOM mod experience.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/113680

The 1995 Star Wars classic, "Dark Forces," has been granted a new lease of life, thanks to a thorough remastering from The Force Engine. The 1.0 build of this project, three years in the making, presents an array of enhancements, from high-definition resolutions and modern control schemes to improved performance. The masterminds behind this reinvigoration are developers luciusDXL, winterheart, and gilmorem560. "Dark Forces" enthusiasts can now dive back into the game's memorable levels and expansive user modifications using this updated engine.

The driving ambition for The Force Engine was to replace the need for DosBox and the original game executable, which was met with the release of version 1.0. The improvements go beyond aesthetic upgrades. Troublesome bugs like freezing on ice or missile malfunctions have been addressed, along with setup-related DosBox issues. This new engine offers modern conveniences and a more seamless gaming experience while preserving the original 320x200 fixed-point renderer for players yearning for a dose of nostalgia.

The Force Engine also brings a host of new features to Star Wars: Dark Forces. From mod support and high-resolution widescreen visuals to improved AI and a revamped save system, these enhancements bring Dark Forces up to par with modern gaming expectations. Notably, the engine offers an extensive range of customizable quality-of-life improvements, including optional mouselook, aiming reticle, autorun, and more.

"Dark Forces," which made its mark as the first Star Wars FPS and the precursor to the Jedi Knight series, has received the ZDoom treatment with the new Force Engine. The game, often compared to the "Doom Clone" era of first-person shooters, shines in its Star Wars-themed presentation. While its successors in the Jedi Knight series have overshadowed it, Dark Forces' renovation brings its immersive Star Wars atmosphere, engaging storyline, and unique weapon arsenal back to the limelight.

The Force Engine has revolutionized Dark Forces for modern players. The installation process, including mod implementation, is designed to be simple and quick. While the game itself is not freely available and must be procured separately, the ease of use offered by the Force Engine promises a world of revitalized FPS levels. Along with the plans to extend support for Outlaws in the project's 2.0 update, the future of The Force Engine is promising, helping to bring the classics of yesteryears to the gamers of today.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/113413

EDIT: What happens when you click on the images?

The gaming industry, traditionally dominated by male protagonists, has been experiencing a steady shift in recent years, most notably within the realm of retro first-person shooters (FPS). Recognizing the need for diversity and representation, game developers have started to incorporate female protagonists more prominently. This trend not only fosters inclusivity but also provides fresh narratives and perspectives, thereby enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Historically, video games, especially the FPS genre, were heavily saturated with male lead characters. Titles like "Doom," "Wolfenstein," and "Quake" from the retro era were monumental in shaping the genre, but they all featured male heroes. However, as gaming audiences diversified and demanded more representation, the industry began to respond. Female characters started appearing in important roles, with notable examples like Samus Aran from "Metroid" and Jill Valentine from "Resident Evil." This marked a significant shift in the narrative and character dynamics of video games.

Introducing female protagonists into retro FPS games has resulted in richer storytelling and nuanced characters. These games have not only presented women as strong and capable characters but have also delved into their complex personalities and backgrounds, adding depth to the narrative. Moreover, female-led FPS games often incorporate unique mechanics and gameplay styles, offering a fresh take on a well-established genre. This change has been instrumental in creating more diverse and inclusive gaming experiences, which resonate with a broader audience.

Games such as "Perfect Dark," with its lead character Joanna Dark, and "Metroid Prime," featuring Samus Aran, serve as early examples of female-led retro FPS. More recent titles like "Selaco" and "Phantom Fury" showcase compelling female protagonists with complex personalities and dynamic skill sets. Additionally, indie game developers are further pushing this trend, creating other retro-inspired FPS games with female leads, contributing to a more diverse and representative gaming landscape.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the presence of female protagonists in retro FPS games is a welcome development. It not only offers a fresh perspective in a historically male-dominated genre but also paves the way for more diverse and inclusive narratives. As we move forward, it is essential to continue this trend of representation, breaking down barriers and creating games that appeal to all players, regardless of their gender.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/113413

EDIT: What happens when you click on the images?

The gaming industry, traditionally dominated by male protagonists, has been experiencing a steady shift in recent years, most notably within the realm of retro first-person shooters (FPS). Recognizing the need for diversity and representation, game developers have started to incorporate female protagonists more prominently. This trend not only fosters inclusivity but also provides fresh narratives and perspectives, thereby enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Historically, video games, especially the FPS genre, were heavily saturated with male lead characters. Titles like "Doom," "Wolfenstein," and "Quake" from the retro era were monumental in shaping the genre, but they all featured male heroes. However, as gaming audiences diversified and demanded more representation, the industry began to respond. Female characters started appearing in important roles, with notable examples like Samus Aran from "Metroid" and Jill Valentine from "Resident Evil." This marked a significant shift in the narrative and character dynamics of video games.

Introducing female protagonists into retro FPS games has resulted in richer storytelling and nuanced characters. These games have not only presented women as strong and capable characters but have also delved into their complex personalities and backgrounds, adding depth to the narrative. Moreover, female-led FPS games often incorporate unique mechanics and gameplay styles, offering a fresh take on a well-established genre. This change has been instrumental in creating more diverse and inclusive gaming experiences, which resonate with a broader audience.

Games such as "Perfect Dark," with its lead character Joanna Dark, and "Metroid Prime," featuring Samus Aran, serve as early examples of female-led retro FPS. More recent titles like "Selaco" and "Phantom Fury" showcase compelling female protagonists with complex personalities and dynamic skill sets. Additionally, indie game developers are further pushing this trend, creating other retro-inspired FPS games with female leads, contributing to a more diverse and representative gaming landscape.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the presence of female protagonists in retro FPS games is a welcome development. It not only offers a fresh perspective in a historically male-dominated genre but also paves the way for more diverse and inclusive narratives. As we move forward, it is essential to continue this trend of representation, breaking down barriers and creating games that appeal to all players, regardless of their gender.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/113401

With a relentless speed that harks back to Devil Daggers, Hellscreen's heart-thumping pace is a hallmark of its design. Developer Jamie Degen has masterfully crafted a world where death serves as an upgrade, leaving players to face a fiery onslaught of flaming skulls and eldritch horrors. The game's idiosyncratic aesthetic, a dramatic interplay of cyan and red, lends a surreal quality to the eerie maps and comic-book-style gunfire, recalling the disturbing artistry of H.R. Giger. With each inevitable death, players return stronger, ready to brave the uncanny labyrinth that unfurls beneath a blood-red sky.

The game’s first-person perspective is enhanced by an intriguing feature—a rear-view mirror. This novel addition, uncommon in first-person games, elevates the need for environmental awareness. It’s not merely about charging ahead; players must constantly swivel between what lies ahead and the threats creeping up from behind.

Surprisingly, the mirror offers more than just improved situational awareness. Right-clicking allows players to fire backwards, with a small gun and reticle appearing in the mirror view. The game rewards players who master this feature, offering double damage when moving and firing forwards, and quadruple damage when progressing forwards and shooting backwards. Navigating this three-dimensional battlefield feels akin to grappling with a groundbreaking realm of movement. This unique mechanic adds a satisfying layer to the game, calling for well-timed, precision mirror shots.

Over several years of development, Hellscreen has evolved from its initial Kickstarter campaign into a standout shooter. The narrative immerses players into a universe of ancient gods, an afterlife machine, and creatures artificially crafted as part of the mechanism. As one of the machine’s errors, you are thrust into the Hellscreen dimension, caught in a cycle of death and resurrection. It's up to you to destroy this malfunctioning machine, restore the natural order, and perhaps then find everlasting rest.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/90587

Imagine being able to play four new Quake episodes.

What the Dwell?

Dwell, an ambitious project for Quake, is a four-episode mega map pack put together by a team of over ten members who share a deep love for Quake. Despite currently being incomplete, with only two of its four episodes released, the project has drawn attention due to its intricately designed maps and attention to detail. The single available episode, set in an Egyptian-themed landscape, presents an impressive array of challenges and design masterclass. The team behind Dwell has poured meticulous care into creating the textures and models necessary for the thematic swap, evident from the moment players encounter the structures and enemies.

The initial experience of Dwell, starting from a difficulty-selection map and leading to a ruined laboratory, might come off as underwhelming. Players might be initially put off by the large team size, the unfinished state of the mod, and the first level seeming like a slow-paced reiteration of previous Quake levels. However, the game quickly disrupts these expectations by offering challenging encounters, like facing a shambler at the exit gate armed with minimal weapons, which forces players to show their mastery of the game's mechanics.

One of the key principles of Dwell is that it expects players to perform well, as it's a mod released two decades after the original game. The game's difficulty increases consistently but satisfyingly, and just when players think they need a change of pace, they are often offered a reprieve or a new weapon. The following levels are impressively designed with well-rendered textures and creative map design, offering a captivating experience. The game's visuals and set pieces continuously evolve, transitioning from sunny sands to gore-drenched depths, and then into vast blackness filled with sacrifice chambers and Chthonic rituals.

A common concern is whether Dwell might end with a whimper rather than a bang, as many Quake mods do, given their lack of big final boss-type enemies. However, Dwell promises that every episode of the pack will feature its unique end boss to fight against. The first boss in Dwell, known as "The Warden," is a formidable adversary, requiring players to have a complete understanding of Quake's mechanics. This boss challenges players with deadly projectiles and a horde of foes to beat before they can face him.

Dwell serves as a beacon demonstrating that as long as a game has a thriving community, it's never truly dead. Even though the Quake series hasn't seen a main series release since 2005, the community's efforts, exemplified by projects like Dwell, keep it alive. If the current work by the Dwell team is any indication of what's to come, fans of the series have much to look forward to.

#Quake #episodes #boomer_shooter

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/78911

AMD has unveiled two workstation GPUs, the Radeon Pro W7900 and Radeon Pro W7800, based on the advanced RDNA 3 architecture. These high-performance GPUs, designed for workflows such as visualization, real-time 3D, ray trace rendering, and more, are equipped with unified RDNA 3 compute units, dual-issue stream processors, AI accelerators, and second-generation ray tracing accelerators. According to AMD, RDNA 3 delivers up to a 50% increase in raytracing performance per compute unit compared to the previous generation.

The Radeon Pro W7900 is a triple (2.5) slot GPU, packing 48 GB of GDDR6 memory and 61 TFLOPs of peak single precision performance with a total board power of 295W, priced at $3,999. On the other hand, the Radeon Pro W7800 is a dual slot GPU, featuring 32 GB of GDDR6 memory and 45 TFLOPs of peak single precision performance with a total board power of 260W, available for $2,499.

Both GPUs are engineered to rival Nvidia's RTX 6000 Ada Generation (48 GB). While AMD's Radeon Pro W7900 outperforms Nvidia's flagship pro GPU in certain benchmarks, AMD emphasizes the competitive price-performance ratio of both GPUs. For instance, in the SPECviewperf 2020 GeoMean benchmark, AMD claims the Radeon Pro W7900 comes within 7% of the Nvidia RTX A6000 Ada Generation's performance, but at less than half the cost ($3,999 vs $8,615), delivering more than double the price-performance.

The newly launched GPUs also feature support for DisplayPort 2.1, a significant upgrade from the previous generation that allows for increased refresh rate, pixel resolution, and color bit-depth. This ensures these GPUs are future-proofed for next-gen displays. Both the Radeon Pro W7800 and W7900 offer three DisplayPort 2.1 and one Mini DisplayPort 2.1 connectors, contrasting with the previous Radeon Pro W6800's six Mini DisplayPort 1.4 connectors.

The Radeon Pro W7900, with its 48 GB memory, offers a 50% increase from its predecessor, the Radeon Pro W6800, matching the Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada's memory capacity. As workflows become increasingly complex, larger memory capacity is crucial for handling high-polygon datasets and multitasking. Both GPUs are expected to be available in Q2 2023, with OEM and SI system availability expected in 2H 2023.

#AMD #GPU #red_team

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/55317

Metal: Hellsinger arrives on the main stage with a rhythm-based rampage through the fiery depths of Hell, melding Doom and heavy metal music. Despite the enjoyable heathen-seeking headshots and headbanging that accompanies the game, the short duration of roughly four hours and its limited features and content are a letdown. It features a sparse story narrated by voice actor Troy Baker, portraying our character, The Unknown, seeking vengeance through eight levels of Hell. The underworld imagery is quite striking but the narration often lacks a lighter, comedic tone to counterbalance the serious stretches of demon decimation.

The game's soundtrack includes a blend of styles from infectiously melodic anthems to higher-intensity modern metal tracks. However, those longing for old-school classic metal or early '80s thrash might be left disappointed. Yet, standout vocal performances from contemporary metal maestros, such as Trivium’s Matt Heafy and Serj Tankian from System of a Down, add a compelling dimension to the game. Unlike Doom, "Metal: Hellsinger’s" bone-crushing musical accompaniments serve as your conductor in this symphony of destruction, where timing your attacks with the double-kicked drum beats increases your Fury multiplier, adding an exhilarating crescendo to the carnage.

The game's enemy waves are strategically staggered throughout each level to maintain your momentum. A mix of weak grunts and powerful monsters with abilities that can upset your rhythm present a challenge that keeps you on your toes. However, the weapons arsenal leaves a lot to be desired. It is not as extensive as its enemy types and lacks upgrades or modifications. The arsenal includes a default sword for melee attacks, a skull that fires underpowered projectiles, a primary and secondary weapon from a limited range of just four options: a shotgun, dual-wielded six-shooters, an explosive crossbow, and a pair of boomerang-like blades.

Metal: Hellsinger offers additional challenges called Torments upon conquering each of the eight Hells. These optional arena fights come with devilish twists, shaking things up and encouraging adaptation of your combat strategy. Completing them earns you sigils that can be equipped in the main levels. They provide valuable buffs, crucial for those serious about scaling the game's high score leaderboards. However, they do not particularly change how you play the game and are not required to beat the campaign.

Although striving for high score supremacy can incentivize replaying the game, the linear, structurally similar environments and lack of secrets or collectibles limit the replay value. Aside from the final boss, end level bosses are just slight variations of the same winged demon design, making the encounters increasingly stale with each subsequent appearance. Although Metal: Hellsinger is a rhythmic riff on the metal-propelled mayhem of modern Doom, it falls short in providing a meaty first-person shooter campaign, lacking variety in weapons and boss fights, and missing other major modes or multiplayer, making it feel slim when compared to similarly priced games. Nevertheless, it serves as a stirring tribute in the demon-slaying shoot 'em up genre.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/61446

A new patch just dropped for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun. It targets PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC, and brings a slew of quality of life fixes, bug fixes, and more!

Do you like cheat codes? With this patch you can use them to unlock all weapons and/or give yourself infinite ammo!

Of particular interest to Steam Deck owners is that this patch fixes cutscene playback on the Steam Deck. According to the developers, this means that the game is now fully compatible with that platform.

You can check out the details of the patch here. And remember, Boltgun is still 20% off as part of the Steam Summer Sale.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/24108

Click on the image above June 27th to see it streamed

Amid Evil is a boomer shooter that breathes new life into the genre with an intriguing mix of weaponry, including a staff that fires homing blobs and a sword that slings waves of green energy. While the game pays homage to classics such as Heretic and Hexen, it differentiates itself through its disregard for some established FPS conventions, making the gameplay experience smoother and more enjoyable. Notably, the game eschews fall damage and hazards like crushing elevators, and instead emphasizes the thrill of the combat.

However, the game is not without its flaws. For instance, moving out of water can be frustratingly difficult, and certain platforming sections of the game can be infuriating. While the lack of fall damage is generally beneficial, it can sometimes serve as a curse in these precise platforming sections. The constant quick-saving feature somewhat alleviates this issue by letting you retry a failed jump without having to climb back up.

Furthermore, the game’s level designs, while intriguing and full of secrets, can sometimes slow down the pace due to their reliance on pressing buttons to activate changes in the environment. Despite the occasional tedium of retracing steps, the thrill of the combat, particularly with the Star of Torment, a weapon that pins enemies to walls, adds a fun element to the gameplay.

The game's balance of challenge and reward is noteworthy. The Hard Mode is tough but manageable, and the game gives you tools such as the quicksaving feature and secret areas with health boosts to aid in your battles. Additionally, the game features Soul Mode, which significantly enhances your weapons' destructive power, turning them into "fire hoses of death". However, some players may find that they don't need to use this powerful feature often.

Despite these minor complaints, Amid Evil still delivers a memorable gaming experience with its unique weaponry, compelling level design, and intense combat. Its beautiful visual design and fascinating enemies create a captivating world that keeps players intrigued to see what lies around the next corner. Whether it is fighting off space serpents in the astral plane or shredding through evil knights with your green energy-slinging sword, Amid Evil remains an engaging tribute to classic FPS games while introducing refreshing twists to the genre.

#boomer_shooter #amid_evil #retroFPS #video_game

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/72948

A smorgasbord of FPS’s from the 90’s

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ninja/post/68840

Two of the best Boomer Shooters you likely played in 2022:

1. 

Prodeus is a well-crafted love letter to the retro first-person shooter genre. The game perfectly captures the frenzied pace and the visceral combat of the classics, while offering a visual upgrade that brings the experience to the modern era. The level design is intricate and filled with secrets, rewarding exploration as much as it does gunplay. Its user-generated content system extends the game's longevity, providing an endless supply of new levels. The variety of weaponry feels satisfying and impactful, while the enemy AI provides a substantial challenge. Overall, Prodeus stands out as one of 2022's best boomer shooters, offering a blend of nostalgia and innovation.

2. 

ULTRAKILL blasts its way into 2021 with a fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping experience that fans of the classic boomer shooter genre will love. Despite its retro inspiration, it pushes boundaries with innovative mechanics such as health recovery through causing damage, ensuring that the action remains unrelenting. Its levels are varied and filled with secrets, providing plenty of content for players. The enemy design is diverse, each type requiring different strategies to overcome. One of the standout features is its weapon system, which provides alternate firing modes, adding another layer to its strategic depth. The game's difficulty can be brutal, but always fair, making victories feel earned. ULTRAKILL is a standout title in the boomer shooter genre for 2022, providing a high-octane, retro-inspired experience that's hard to beat.