Only a handful of video-game titles for personal computers this season attempt to break out of the pack and offer a new spin on old games.
Although the complexity of games has increased, there’s little variety. Violence, death and sex continue to be the dominant themes of games.
Still, here are games that strive to do a little more than remake the hits from last year.
– The X-Files (Fox Interactive, $55). David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson star in an all new “X-Files” adventure. Assist agents Mulder and Scully by examining evidence, interviewing witnesses and piecing together facts to solve a game-exclusive case. Game contains new footage by “X-Files” creator Chris Carter.
– Unreal (GT Interactive, $50). Unreal sets a new standard for first-person shooters. Huge levels, enhanced lighting effects and improved artificial intelligence for the enemies make Unreal the game of choice for fans of fast-action shooters. Up to 32 people can play against each other over the Internet. You’ll need a fast computer.
– Grim Fandango (Lucas Arts, $50). A bizarre afterlife adventure. Manuel “Manny” Calavera, a travel agent from the Great Beyond, visits the Land of the Living and escorts folks to the Land of the Dead. The object of this offbeat game is to help Manny reach his sales goal so he can go to the Land of Eternal Rest.
– Motorcross Madness 98 (Microsoft, $55). This beautifully designed motorbike-racing game captures the free spirit of the sport. The game looks great, but you must have a 3-D acceleration card to play. Up to eight players can compete via the Internet.
– Thief: The Dark Project (eidos, $50). This game strives to be more than just a Quake clone. The first-person shooter stresses patience and problem-solving over simply killing everything that moves. Gamers take on the role of the thief whose survival requires stealth and silent killing.
– Dune 2000 (Westwood Studios, $50). Before Warcraft and Command & Conquer, there was Dune 2, the first real-time strategy game. Dune 2000 is an updated version of the 1992 game. Gamers compete to mine space and energy as a leader of one of three forces. It’s also Internet compatible.
– Half-life (Sierra On-Line, $50). The heavy-duty, first-person shooter takes the best elements of Quake technology and makes it a little better. The new game has incredible graphics with a high polygon count and smooth animation. Its multiplayer-mode clinches this game as a top seller.
– Myth II: Soulblighter (Bungie, $50). The game is basically an enhanced version of last year’s surprise hit Myth: The Fallen Lord. The graphics have been improved and the movements simplified to make moving through the 3-D environment a little easier.
– Trespasser (Dreamworks, $50). Dreamworks’ latest game sends you to Jurassic Park — alone. Unlike most 3-D games, you’re not given an arsenal of weapons to blast every monster in sight. Instead, you must use your wits to survive. The game features incredible graphics with realistic physics and sound.
– Tomb Raider 3 (eidos, $50). Laura Croft is back, yet again. Expect better graphics with a few new moves, new vehicles, a new villain. The new game is still mission-based but less linear.
– Turok 2: Seeds of Evil (Acclaim, $60). Fight dinosaurs and aliens with a whole new arsenal of weapons. This sequel is twice the size of Turok with improved graphics and more puzzles to solve. A violent, bloody game that should appear on everyone’s most-wanted list.
– Delta Force (Novalogic, $45). Join the Army’s top-secret, elite special-forces unit, Delta Force, and learn the advantages of fighting quietly behind the scenes. Use weaponry modeled on the actual M40A1 Sniper Rifle, the M249 SAW and the Barret Light .50 caliber. The game offers challenging missions.
