A trip back to 2000 in gaming history (Part 2)
As Y2K goes on without any apocalypses and serious, widespread computer failures that had been predicted, Bill Gates leaves his position as Microsoft's CEO, we are getting back to looking at the amazing gaming-wise year - 2000.
As you might have seen (be sure to do so if you haven't yet) in the first part of the "2000" post, this year was highly saturated with delightful games, some of which are considered gems to this day!
Below you'll see even more awesome titles that would make you think of how could have this all happened in just one year!
Before I carry on with this I'd like to note that it'd be really cool if you reading this would share your thoughts and opinions on the games I highlighted below as I (and probably most other people) am not well familiar with all of them and might have totally missed the awesomeness of some or even generally missed to mention some cool games released that year.
Some other years I already covered, be sure to open them up in a new tab while reading this one.
A trip back to 2001 in gaming history (Part 1)
A trip back to 2000 in gaming history (Part 1)
A trip back to 1999 in gaming history (Part 1)
A trip back to 1999 in gaming history (Part 2)
A trip back to 1998 in gaming history (Part 1)
A trip back to 1998 in gaming history (Part 2)
A trip back to 1997 in gaming history (Part 1)
A trip back to 1997 in gaming history (Part 2)
A trip back to 1996 in gaming history (Part 2)
A trip back to 1991 in gaming history
I would also like to thank everyone who has been here so far for the awesome discussions that follow these posts, it's absolutely amazing to see this because having your thoughts and opinions on these games actually makes you half of the content here, thanks!
Having that out of the way, let's dive into this!
- Diablo II
Yes, that's right, Diablo II was also introduced in Y2K! Same as with the first Diablo in one of the earlier posts, I would not go into details about it as it would deserve a post of its own. However if you know any fun facts about it, please share with us in the comments! (one i know of is the cow level :) )
- Shogun: Total War
A turn-based strategy with elements of real-time tactics that puts you in control of a Japanese clan in an attempt to take control of the nation and become the shogun.
- Deus Ex
An action shooter with stealth and RPG elements set in a dystopian future. One thing that amazed me back then was how you can complete mission in a variety of different ways, of course this is nothing new now, but was a rarity back then!
- Icewind Dale
They say you can't talk about Icewind Dale without mentioning Baldur's Gate. Ok, I will mention it - it was epic and awesome! So Icewind Dale is epic and awesome as well, but in a slightly different way. Combat happens in real-time with the ability to pause at any point to give your team a set of orders. (Same was implemented in the quite recent Pillars Of Eternity, which proves that this formula doesn't get old)
- Dark Reign 2
An RTS developed by Pandemic Studios. The game was extremely mod-friendly and included all necessary tools in the original CD in addition to the built-in map editor.
In 2011 a complete source code tree of the game was leaked and posted on a Google repository.
- Final Fantasy IX
The last Final Fantasy game to be released for the PS1 console. Often referred to by critics and die-hard fans as the best installment in the series. Are you a "Final Fantasy" person, if so - do you consider this being the best installment?
- Heavy Metal: F.A.K.K. 2
A third-person shooter developed by Ritual Entertainment on the "Quake III engine". The game is a sequel to the "Heavy Metal 2000" animated movie. There were rumors that the game will be re-released, however in 2015 game designed Tom Mustaine announced that it is not possible to do it due to copyright issues.
- Spawn: In the Demon's Hand
A game based on the comic book character Spawn created by Todd McFarlane. The game was originally released for the Dreamcast console and was planned to be released for the PS2 as a launch title, yet was later cancelled.
- Chrono Cross
An RPG developed by Square (currently Square Enix) for the PS1 console (lots of amazing PS1 RPGs released in Y2K). It is a successor to the 1995 SNES "Chrono Trigger".
- Homeworld: Cataclysm
Originally planned as an expansion for "Homeworld", although eventually released as a standalone title. Later the game reappeared on GOG, but with a different name, as Blizzard had already trademarked "Cataclysm".
- Star Trek: Voyager Elite Force
An FPS developed by Raven Software (creators of Quake 4) based on the fourth Star Trek TV series - Star Trek: Voyager.
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
Tony Hawk games for me and thousands of people in my generation is what got us into skateboarding. THPS2 polished everything that was good about the first game and became a real classic! Sadly good things don't last forever.
- Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Working on a sequel to Baldur's Gate (released in 1998) BioWare tried to improve everything they possibly could, making a strong emphasis on fan feedback. Once the game was out it received fantastic reviews and is often referred to as one of the best RPGs ever made.
- Spyro: Year of the Dragon
While my personal favorite is "Ripto's Rage" - this one was still quite good and kept true to the series general concept.
- Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
Red Alert 2 pucks up where you left off playing the Allied campaign in the first part. The game was a colossal commercial success (no wonder why). I personally loved the amazing video cutscenes that tied the story together.
- SSX
First game of the SSX series, which premiered for the PS2. The game had an arcade-ish feel to it (at least for me) and for some reason (which I cannot tell really) performed extremely poor sales-wise. Nevertheless the game received generally positive feedback and got a number of different awards.
- Sudden Strike
A really advanced (for its time) WWII-themed RTS. Was regarded as the best RTS of Y2K. I personally do not have much to say about this game as I've never actually played it, which is why it would be awesome if you could share something about this game with us!
- Tekken Tag Tournament
The fourth installment in the Tekken series, one of PS2's launch titles.
- 4x4 Evolution
- Rune
An action-adventure based on Norse mythology.
- Sacrifice
An RTS developed by Shiny Entertainment (creators of MDK). Worth to mention that unlike its competitors, Sacrifice places very little emphasis on resource gathering and management.
- Crash Bash
An arcade-like Crash game, featuring a small story line. Seems to have gone really far from what the original series were about, but still managed to deliver quite a delightful gaming experience.
- Escape from Monkey Island
Another "monkey gem" from LucasArts studios. The first game in the series to adopt 3D graphics. Escape from Monkey Island was the last adventure game that LucasArts released.
- No One Lives Forever
As @the-uniporn mentioned in the comments - NOLF 1 and 2 were abandoned, but will be revived now http://nolfrevival.tk/ be sure to check it out if you like the series!
- Gunman Chronicles
There is an interesting story behind this game - originally it was created as a Quake mod named "Gunmanship 101". Later it was moved to the Quake II engine and became a Half-Life mod. The mod was so popular at "Half-Life Mod Expo" that Sierra approached Rewolf Software (creators of the mod) with a proposal to make a standalone retail version. Gunman Chronicles was also planned to be released for the GameCube, however that never happened.
- Hitman: Codename 47
The first installment in the Hitman series. this was one of the first games to adopt ragdoll physics. Apart from that you can not disagree that this is a modern-day classic, something that puts "stealth" into Stealth-action.
- Mechwarrior 4: Vengeance
- American McGee's Alice
A third person horror-adventure action game developed by Rogue Entertainment. The game uses the "Quake III" engine and a PS2 port was planned to be release some time in 2001, but was later cancelled.
- Colin McRae Rally 2.0
The second game in the Colin McRae Rally series. The series in general is regarded as one of the most realistic racing simulators. Colin McRae Rally 2.0 had great commercial success, however was often criticized by gamers for short rally stages.
That's if for Y2K, and exciting year in the gaming world indeed! As usual - it would be amazing for us to know some details and opinions about these games from you in the comments. The next post is going to be slightly different from the what I was putting out so far, but I do hope that it will help moving the whole idea forward.
A trip back to 2001 in gaming history (Part 1)
A trip back to 2000 in gaming history (Part 1)
A trip back to 1999 in gaming history (Part 1)
A trip back to 1999 in gaming history (Part 2)
A trip back to 1998 in gaming history (Part 1)
A trip back to 1998 in gaming history (Part 2)
A trip back to 1997 in gaming history (Part 1)
A trip back to 1997 in gaming history (Part 2)
A trip back to 1996 in gaming history (Part 2)
A trip back to 1991 in gaming history
Thanks for tuning in and peace out!
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Diablo 2!!! Its one of my favourite PC games oh yesteryear. I played D3 but i just dont feel the same.
Wow, I haven't really played any of these games (maybe Spyro as a kid). I did recently pick up Final Fantasy IX though. I'm looking forward to it.
Final Fantasy IX was a big deal at the time, because it was advertised as a return to the classic feel of the series, after VII and VIII being so inundated with high-res graphics, sci-fi settings, and complicated skill systems. I played the game, but never finished it. Watching a Let's Play of it much later, I do think the mechanics of it were well-designed in a lot of ways. I'm just not terribly fond of the art style.
Chrono Cross was also highly anticipated, being a sequel to one of the greatest games of all time. I'm really not fond of it, though. The number of playable characters you have to keep track of is pretty overwhelming, and trying to manage the colored equippable abilities that the combat system was built around just didn't feel all that enjoyable. I think it was pretty well-done artistically, though, and the writing and the soundtrack were both amazing.
Interesting thoughts on "Chrono Cross" actually, being someone who never played "Chrono Trigger" (I will surely do, after you named it as "one of the greatest games of all time" :) ) I just got blew away by it, however i would have to admit that it took me as a kid a good few tries to actually get into learning how the game works.
Gaming.. I love this..
cool man a nice variety of games you got there
NOLF 1&2 are abandon-ware now and have been revived. http://nolfrevival.tk/
Awesome, I'll add that to the post with a reference to you! :)
tony hawk was great, as was ssx and not forgetting monkey island which i might've had on the atari st.. never seen shogan though the graphics look sharp for that time.
I wish adventure games like escape from monkey island where produced right now, I think there is a serious lack of those type of games nowadays, we could used some of that adventure games for let's players.
This post was shared in the Curation Collective Discord community for curators, and upvoted and resteemed by the @c-squared community account after manual review.