First Person & Third Person Games: 1991 (Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Monster World III, FF Adventure, Metroid II, Ufouria and ToeJam & Earl are released)
1990|1991|1992|1993|1994|1995|1996|1997|1998|1999
Hunter (AMI/AST, 1991)
Subgenre: Open World RPG/Action Adventure (Hunter/Adventure Mode), 3D
Perspective: TP View
Other: Can swim near land, Boat/truck/chopper/tank vehicles, No platforming (can jump out of vehicles)
-Shops
-Can add locations by typing coordinates on the map screen, Map zoom feature (shows points of interest)
-Save anywhere
-Day/night cycle (can use flares to light up the surrounding area)
-Can blow up certain buildings with explosives and other weapons
-Enemy uniform disguise
Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review
Cybercon III (AMI/ST, 1991/PC, 1992)
Subgenre: 3D FPS/Maze Shooter (Mech-based, sprite HUD)
Perspective: FP View
Other: Jumping and charge jumping but not much platforming, Some puzzles
No ability gating?
Can find a basic map? (mentioned in the manual), Compass
Save points
Parrot camera for scouting
HP regen/auto-repair system
16 item inventory
Playthrough - Reviews - Developer's Commentary - Mini Review
Midwinter II: Flames of Freedom (ST/AMI, 1991/PC, 1992)
Subgenre: 3D Action Adventure, Mission-based (assassination, sabotage, recruitment, rescue, destruction of particular enemy unit or seizure of vital documents; overall goal is to liberate a number of slave islands)
Perspective: FP View
Other: Area/scenario selection map (all scenarios are playable from the get go?), Tank/jeep/boat/truck/chopper/airplane/zeppelin/balloon/bus/train/crawler/submarine/minisub/ship/flying boat/flying sub/hovercraft vehicles, Leap move (not sure how close to a jump it is - might only be used to enter vehicles?), Underwater swimming, Parachuting
Island and world maps, Detailed info on each island in the manual
Save in-between missions
Autoroute/pilot and Quick Time/Fast travel options
Day/night cycle
Resting mechanic
Unit position tracker (god's eye)
Changing psychological profile based on your actions when meeting NPCs (Charm, Sex Appeal, Bribery, Threats, Reason, Pleading, Authority and Deception) - used for persuading NPCs
Physical stats "may change over time"? (Reflexes, Endurance, Sturdiness, Recuperation, and Stamina)
Can cut off enemy supply routes (later used in Outcast)
Some traitor NPCs ("having betrayed you once, a traitor will never betray you again - he is terrified of your taking revenge, and will do all he can to help you.")
Encounter enemy and neutral vehicles while traveling
Stealth element (enemies can search for and find you going by your footprint/vehicle trace - after a certain point they'll time out and stop searching, it's possible to sneak up on certain types of enemy vehicle from behind)
Some tool gating besides vehicles (explosives and mines for buildings, sniping rifle?, rocket pack)
Gameplay - Video Review - Mini Review
Mercenary III: The Dion Crisis (AMI/ST, 1991)?
Subgenre: 3D Open World Adventure/Immersive Sim/Space Flight Hybrid
Perspective: FP view
Other: Ground/Air/Space vehicles, No jumping, Trading
Save anywhere
Compass, Comes with a map
Run button
Can become president (goal is to stop the villain from becoming one)
Can bribe the press and hire a private investigator to smear the villain
Can build prisons
Can sabotage the villain's casinos
Gameplay - Review/Opinion Piece - Mini Review
The Terminator (PC, 1991)
Subgenre: Open World Driving/Maze Shooter/AA, 3D engine (except for the hud/inside the car view)
Perspective: FP view
Other: Play as either Kyle or the Terminator, Shops, Run button
-GTA-like unlawful activity (shoot and run over people?, bank and store robbing, steal cars/trucks/buses)
-Online 1 Vs 1 MP (serial link or modem?, can use spikes to stop the other player's car)
-Map feature and compass
-Save feature
-Difficulty options
-Sci-fi horror theme
-Fast travel option
-Four body parts with their own status (can heal at the hospital as Kyle)
-Can gain a dog which can sense the terminator and bark in its direction when playing as Kyle, Can give Sarah commands as Kyle
-Gore (death animations in separate viewport)
-No traffic unless playing MP, The silencer doesn't work
Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review
Star Wars (US/EU)(NES, 1991/SMS, 1993?)
Subgenre: Platform Adventure/Action Adventure/Space combat Sim
Perspective: TD (overworld)/SV (areas and dungeons)/FP view hybrid
Other: Separate overworld
-Hybrid gameplay
-Three different playable characters with different attributes
-Limited map feature (R2-D2 can display a death star hallway map)
-No save or password save
-Can talk to C-3PO for general tips
Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review (SMS) - SMS vs. NES comparison
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary (NES, 1991)
Subgenre: Action Adventure/Space Combat Sim
Perspective: TD view/FP view hybrid
Other: Hub map, CPU allies (party of 3)
Partially non-linear
No area/planet maps?
Password save
No penalty for dying
Chars have different abilities though they are used like keys
Playthrough - Video Review
Heimdall (PC, 1991/MCD, 1994)
Subgenre: ARPG/AA (party creation - pick 4 premade chars; only the leader is used outside of battle - in battle you can switch between them)
Perspective: Isometric view (main gameplay and some mini-games)/FP view hybrid (separate combat encounters (P&C w/ icons-driven, mostly non-random) and some mini-games)
Other: Some mini-games, Hub map, No jumping besides in one of the mini-games, Towns w/ shops
Save in the boat/on the hub map
No area maps
Partially non-linear?
Identify mechanic
Minor ability gating (short teleport spell, more?)
Playthrough
3D Construction Kit/Virtual Reality Studio/3D Virtual Studio (PCs, 1991)?
Subgenre: 3D Action Adventure?
Perspective: FP view
Includes a couple of pre-made demo games, one of which is similar to Driller and Castle Master
Vehicles
Playthrough (Spectrum)/Playthrough (PC OpenGL fan remake) - Video Tutorial/Promo (AMI)
Outliers:
Eye of the Beholder II (Multi) - FP Dungeon Crawler RPG
Legend of the Mystical Ninja/Ganbare Goemon: YKE (SNES, 1991) - Action Platformer/TD Action Adventure Hybrid, 2-Player Co-op
-You can carry the other player on your back making 2-player platforming less frustrating
-Some innovative platforming (makes use of rotation and scaling, the bridge to the Yuruki(?) castle with air filled floating platforms)
-Feudal japan setting w/ mythological elements (NES games)
-Save feature (as well as overly long passwords)
-Can block some shots
-Some hidden paths with power ups
Crossed Swords (ARC/NG, 1991) - FP (Super Punch-Out style) Hack 'n Slash w/ AA elements (shops, NPC encounters, upgradeable lifebar), 2-Player Co-op
-Choose your path for the first three levels, Some branching paths (select from a menu which route to take)
-High and low attacks+blocking
-Special attack (works like a desperation attack if used when attacked or holding down at which point it also knocks back the enemy, works like a ranged attack if you hold up, always drains some life)
-Some interesting magic attacks (area of effect stun, temporary shield, smart bomb, transform enemies into harmless scarecrows)
Catacomb 3D (PC, 1991) - FPS/FP Maze Shooter, See Catacomb II
Hunter (AMI/AST, 1991)
Subgenre: Open World RPG/Action Adventure (Hunter/Adventure Mode), 3D
Perspective: TP View
Other: Can swim near land, Boat/truck/chopper/tank vehicles, No platforming (can jump out of vehicles)
-Shops
-Can add locations by typing coordinates on the map screen, Map zoom feature (shows points of interest)
-Save anywhere
-Day/night cycle (can use flares to light up the surrounding area)
-Can blow up certain buildings with explosives and other weapons
-Enemy uniform disguise
Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review
Cybercon III (AMI/ST, 1991/PC, 1992)
Subgenre: 3D FPS/Maze Shooter (Mech-based, sprite HUD)
Perspective: FP View
Other: Jumping and charge jumping but not much platforming, Some puzzles
No ability gating?
Can find a basic map? (mentioned in the manual), Compass
Save points
Parrot camera for scouting
HP regen/auto-repair system
16 item inventory
Playthrough - Reviews - Developer's Commentary - Mini Review
Midwinter II: Flames of Freedom (ST/AMI, 1991/PC, 1992)
Subgenre: 3D Action Adventure, Mission-based (assassination, sabotage, recruitment, rescue, destruction of particular enemy unit or seizure of vital documents; overall goal is to liberate a number of slave islands)
Perspective: FP View
Other: Area/scenario selection map (all scenarios are playable from the get go?), Tank/jeep/boat/truck/chopper/airplane/zeppelin/balloon/bus/train/crawler/submarine/minisub/ship/flying boat/flying sub/hovercraft vehicles, Leap move (not sure how close to a jump it is - might only be used to enter vehicles?), Underwater swimming, Parachuting
Island and world maps, Detailed info on each island in the manual
Save in-between missions
Autoroute/pilot and Quick Time/Fast travel options
Day/night cycle
Resting mechanic
Unit position tracker (god's eye)
Changing psychological profile based on your actions when meeting NPCs (Charm, Sex Appeal, Bribery, Threats, Reason, Pleading, Authority and Deception) - used for persuading NPCs
Physical stats "may change over time"? (Reflexes, Endurance, Sturdiness, Recuperation, and Stamina)
Can cut off enemy supply routes (later used in Outcast)
Some traitor NPCs ("having betrayed you once, a traitor will never betray you again - he is terrified of your taking revenge, and will do all he can to help you.")
Encounter enemy and neutral vehicles while traveling
Stealth element (enemies can search for and find you going by your footprint/vehicle trace - after a certain point they'll time out and stop searching, it's possible to sneak up on certain types of enemy vehicle from behind)
Some tool gating besides vehicles (explosives and mines for buildings, sniping rifle?, rocket pack)
Gameplay - Video Review - Mini Review
Mercenary III: The Dion Crisis (AMI/ST, 1991)?
Subgenre: 3D Open World Adventure/Immersive Sim/Space Flight Hybrid
Perspective: FP view
Other: Ground/Air/Space vehicles, No jumping, Trading
Save anywhere
Compass, Comes with a map
Run button
Can become president (goal is to stop the villain from becoming one)
Can bribe the press and hire a private investigator to smear the villain
Can build prisons
Can sabotage the villain's casinos
Gameplay - Review/Opinion Piece - Mini Review
The Terminator (PC, 1991)
Subgenre: Open World Driving/Maze Shooter/AA, 3D engine (except for the hud/inside the car view)
Perspective: FP view
Other: Play as either Kyle or the Terminator, Shops, Run button
-GTA-like unlawful activity (shoot and run over people?, bank and store robbing, steal cars/trucks/buses)
-Online 1 Vs 1 MP (serial link or modem?, can use spikes to stop the other player's car)
-Map feature and compass
-Save feature
-Difficulty options
-Sci-fi horror theme
-Fast travel option
-Four body parts with their own status (can heal at the hospital as Kyle)
-Can gain a dog which can sense the terminator and bark in its direction when playing as Kyle, Can give Sarah commands as Kyle
-Gore (death animations in separate viewport)
-No traffic unless playing MP, The silencer doesn't work
Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review
Star Wars (US/EU)(NES, 1991/SMS, 1993?)
Subgenre: Platform Adventure/Action Adventure/Space combat Sim
Perspective: TD (overworld)/SV (areas and dungeons)/FP view hybrid
Other: Separate overworld
-Hybrid gameplay
-Three different playable characters with different attributes
-Limited map feature (R2-D2 can display a death star hallway map)
-No save or password save
-Can talk to C-3PO for general tips
Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review (SMS) - SMS vs. NES comparison
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary (NES, 1991)
Subgenre: Action Adventure/Space Combat Sim
Perspective: TD view/FP view hybrid
Other: Hub map, CPU allies (party of 3)
Partially non-linear
No area/planet maps?
Password save
No penalty for dying
Chars have different abilities though they are used like keys
Playthrough - Video Review
Heimdall (PC, 1991/MCD, 1994)
Subgenre: ARPG/AA (party creation - pick 4 premade chars; only the leader is used outside of battle - in battle you can switch between them)
Perspective: Isometric view (main gameplay and some mini-games)/FP view hybrid (separate combat encounters (P&C w/ icons-driven, mostly non-random) and some mini-games)
Other: Some mini-games, Hub map, No jumping besides in one of the mini-games, Towns w/ shops
Save in the boat/on the hub map
No area maps
Partially non-linear?
Identify mechanic
Minor ability gating (short teleport spell, more?)
Playthrough
3D Construction Kit/Virtual Reality Studio/3D Virtual Studio (PCs, 1991)?
Subgenre: 3D Action Adventure?
Perspective: FP view
Includes a couple of pre-made demo games, one of which is similar to Driller and Castle Master
Vehicles
Playthrough (Spectrum)/Playthrough (PC OpenGL fan remake) - Video Tutorial/Promo (AMI)
Outliers:
Eye of the Beholder II (Multi) - FP Dungeon Crawler RPG
Legend of the Mystical Ninja/Ganbare Goemon: YKE (SNES, 1991) - Action Platformer/TD Action Adventure Hybrid, 2-Player Co-op
-You can carry the other player on your back making 2-player platforming less frustrating
-Some innovative platforming (makes use of rotation and scaling, the bridge to the Yuruki(?) castle with air filled floating platforms)
-Feudal japan setting w/ mythological elements (NES games)
-Save feature (as well as overly long passwords)
-Can block some shots
-Some hidden paths with power ups
Crossed Swords (ARC/NG, 1991) - FP (Super Punch-Out style) Hack 'n Slash w/ AA elements (shops, NPC encounters, upgradeable lifebar), 2-Player Co-op
-Choose your path for the first three levels, Some branching paths (select from a menu which route to take)
-High and low attacks+blocking
-Special attack (works like a desperation attack if used when attacked or holding down at which point it also knocks back the enemy, works like a ranged attack if you hold up, always drains some life)
-Some interesting magic attacks (area of effect stun, temporary shield, smart bomb, transform enemies into harmless scarecrows)
Catacomb 3D (PC, 1991) - FPS/FP Maze Shooter, See Catacomb II