Chasm: The Rift

This has a Quake vibe that drew me in, it is not as polished but it is undeniably fun and addicting. Highly recommended.

In theory this is a game that I should like quite a bit. it's an older shooter that was overlooked by the public for being technically inferior- a game that was mostly flat in a time when quake 2 was around the corner. the only thing it had going for it marketing wise was that it was able to run on weaker computers than quake 1. I can see why the few people that love it, do so fervently. there is an enemy dismemberment system that affects the gameplay, making it so zombies won't die unless you shoot off their head, and if you literally dis-arm an enemy that has cybernetic arm enhancements you completely deny them their ranged attacks. there are little bits of scenery that move, like paper flapping in the wind. there is a level of care and attention put into the environment that was unexpected and would later influence things like dusk having immersive sim elements in an otherwise straightfoward shooting game. so why am I not recommending it? the level design. no really, that's the only reason. if there was some improved level pack and/or community mod tools so people could make better campaigns (this exists for the original DOS version, but not this remaster) then I would switch that no to a yes immediately... but as it stands, your only option is the main campaign + the three extra levels. and they *suck*. the entire thing is filled to the brim with cryptic boss fights, including one where you have to get an item from a completely different room and run back to the boss which the game does not even remotely tell you about. there are switches all over that are half the map away from the doors they open and there is zero indicator of what they actually did. and occasionally it will lock you in a small room with no room to move then teleport in the tankiest hard hitting melee enemies it can in an attempt to outright kill you. and there are even some puzzles that you solve by shooting objects that look not that different from any of the set dressings around you in any other level (screw you, egypt). this game feels like it does not want you to win. it is not testing you fairly. it is like a teacher that hates you and wants you to fail giving you a test with stuff you never studied on it. it's a downright shame, too, because if the levels themselves didn't suck so much I'd gladly recommend this game to anyone looking for lesser known gems (although maybe wait for a sale since the game length and depth does not justify a full twenty dollar price tag).

Pretty terrible game, but cutting off enemy limbs has its charm. Still didnt enjoy it as a package, as its dark and levels are maze-like, full of cheap traps and braindead enemies ganks. And bosses are just gimmick fights.

i like the creativity