Policenauts (1994)
Genres:Adventure, Shooter, Visual Novel
Themes:Action, Science fiction
Game modes:Single player
Story:Policenauts is an interactive movie/graphic novel/adventure game with a hard science fiction storyline, written and directed by Hideo Kojima, and published by Konami. It was initially released for the PC-9821 computer platform in 1994, followed by remade versions for the 3DO in 1995, and the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1996. The game has never been officially released outside Japan, despite plans for an English localization of the Saturn version. On August 24, 2009 (in honor of the 46th birthday of the game designer, Hideo Kojima), an unofficial English translation patch was released onto the internet.
The game is set in a primarily first person perspective and uses a point-and-click interface: the player can move the cursor and have the protagonist (Jonathan Ingram) analyze objects around his environment or talk to other characters in the game. Like in Snatcher, the game features shooting segments where the player must defend their character from incoming enemies. The player can use the shooting trainer at the police department to test their reflex and accuracy. There are numerous puzzles in the game, including an event where the player must dismantle a bomb by following their partner's instructions.
The console versions of the game all include support for their respective mouse peripherals. The Saturn version features light gun support for the shooting segments.
The game was notable for being an early example of extensive voice recording in video games. It also featured a theme revolving around space exploration and occasional full-motion video cut scenes. The gameplay was largely similar to Snatcher, but with the addition of a point-and-click interface and some first-person shooter segments. Policenauts also introduced summary screens, which act to refresh the player's memory of the plot upon reloading a save, an element Kojima would later use in Metal Gear Solid. The PlayStation version of Policenauts could also read the memory card and give some easter egg dialogues if a save file of Konami's dating sim Tokimeki Memorial is present, a technique Kojima would also later use in Metal Gear Solid.Show more
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.1 116
Lesser known adventure by Kojima, because unlike Snatcher, it was unreleased outside Japan - I only played because a fan-translation project version. To this day I always remember a impactful moment from this title and, to me, is a evolution of Snatcher in so many ways. It is a gem from Kojima that should be played by anyone that enyoys sci-fi and adventures games - truly a hidden gem (like many many japonese games for us).
This game is currently only available in the West through a fan made translation (a very well done one) of the PlayStation/Saturn versions, which do not feature the original pixel art of the PC98 version. That version needs to be translated and ported to the West market, a little gem by Hideo Kojima that tells a lot about his storytelling abilities and uniqueness in creating.
It is extremely sad to see this, and Snatcher have so much fewer votes than any of the other games on the list. It is a great injustice. Those two games are excellent with great story and characters. They need to become more well know known to players who know little to nothing about it and become more available. I hope regardless of the low votes, this and the other will be considered to be preserved.
OniAn intense action anime thriller comes to life in Oni. As an elite member of the tech crimes task force, Konoko is an agent on a mission to fight the evil Syndicate. But things are not always as they seem... Konoko is haunted by unknown demons of her past, and the truth threatens to send her over the edge.Action Science fiction
Silent Hill: OrphanSilent Hill: Orphan is the second release in the Silent Hill series on the mobile phone. The game is played with first-person point-and-click gameplay. In order for the player to survive, a string of puzzles must be solved by using various items and clues. Orphan also unveils a new perspective on some past events that have occurred in the town.Horror
GalagaThe objective of Galaga is to score as many points as possible by destroying insect-like enemies. The player controls a starfighter that can move left and right along the bottom of the playfield. Enemies swarm in groups in a formation near the top of the screen, and then begin flying down toward the player, firing bombs at the fighter. The game ends when the player's last fighter is lost, either by colliding with an enemy or one of its bullets, or by being captured.
Galaga introduces a number of new features over its predecessor, Galaxian. Among these is the ability to fire more than one bullet at a time, a count of the player's "hit/miss ratio" at the end of the game, and a bonus "Challenging Stage" that occurs every few levels, in which a series of enemies fly onto and out of the screen in set patterns without firing at the player's ship or trying to crash into it. These stages award a large point bonus if the player manages to destroy every enemy.
Another gameplay feature new to Galaga is the ability for enemies to capture the player's fighter. While the player is in control of just one fighter, a "boss Galaga" (which takes two shots to kill) periodically attempts to capture the fighter using a tractor beam. If successful, the fighter joins the enemy formation. If the player has more lives remaining, play resumes with a new fighter. The captured fighter flies down with the enemy that captured it, firing upon the player just like normal enemies, and can be shot and destroyed. The player can free the fighter by destroying the boss Galaga while in flight, causing the captured fighter to link up with the player's current fighter, doubling his or her firepower but also making a target twice as large.
Galaga has an exploitable bug that can cause the attackers to stop firing bullets at the player, due to a coding error. In addition, similar to the famous "Split-Screen bug" in Pac-Man, a bug exists in Galaga in which the game "rolls over" from Level 255 to Level 0. Depending on the difficulty setting of the machine, this can cause the game to stall, requiring that the machine be reset or power-cycled in order to start a new game.Science fiction
Island, Sex & SurvivalYou began a new life on the mysterious deserted island after drifting there due to a shipwreck, starting from scratch. Building a base, exploring different areas of the island, living alongside various female characters you encounter, and experiencing all sorts of miraculous events.Erotic
Galaga: Destination EarthGalaga, the "slide-and-shoot" arcade classic from 1981, has been updated with nine new worlds, 3D graphics, futuristic backgrounds and more in GALAGA -- Destination: Earth.
Like in the original game, you begin this enhanced version of Galaga controlling a ship that moves horizontally along the bottom of the playfield and fires upward at wave after wave of diving, swirling aliens that eventually fly into formation. However, unlike the original, this game, depending on what mission you are playing, features a number of other viewpoints, including over the shoulder, top down and side on. You can fire just two shots at a time, but you can gain the ability to have three shots onscreen at once.
Also like the original game, GALAGA -- Destination: Earth features challenge waves in which you blast streams of enemies for points while not having to worry about your own safety. And, of course, you can let a Galaga capture your ship, then shoot your ship's captor, letting the captured ship fall to you, enabling you to double your firepower. Similar to Gaplus, the sequel to classic Galaga, this game also lets you collect beam power-ups that enable you to capture enemies, place them by your side and use their weapons.Action Science fiction
Silent Hill HD CollectionSilent Hill HD Collection is a compilation of remastered ports of Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3. The core play mechanics and story for all games remained mostly the same with some artistic changes in the remastered versions. Both games have had a graphics overhaul to allow them to support modern 720p resolution on consoles, as well as run at locked 30 frames per second. They also feature an alternate voice dub, as well as PlayStation Network Trophies and Xbox 360 Achievements. Players have the option to switch between the original voice acting and the alternate voice acting for Silent Hill 2, while the re-dub is mandatory for Silent Hill 3 because it lacks the original voice acting.Horror Survival
Galaga LegionsGalaga Legions is an Xbox Live Arcade exclusive video game created by Namco Bandai Games. The title was developed by the same team who created Pac-Man Championship Edition. This game is also included in the Namco Museum Virtual Arcade collection, and in Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions for Nintendo 3DS. A DX version of the game was released on Xbox Live Arcade as part of the Namco Generations series on June 29, 2011, with the PlayStation Network version released in August 2, 2011.Science fiction
Galaga Legions DXThe legendary hit arcade shooter returns with Galaga Legions DX! Featuring a new twist on the classic gameplay, slick new graphics and devastating weapon power-ups, the fate of the galaxy lies in your hands! Board your fighter and prepare to defend Earth from wave after wave of relentless aliens. Target your enemies' critical weak spots to earn bonuses and rack-up an astronomical score! Blast your way through unique levels and epic boss battles on your mission to defend the galaxy and prevent an intergalactic catastrophe!Action Science fiction
Silent Hill: HomecomingSilent Hill: Homecoming is the sixth installment in the Silent Hill survival horror series. The gameplay is the same as it's previous entries, where the player searches for objects and uses weapons to defend against grotesque monsters while solving puzzles to advance further into the game. In terms of combat, the player is able to perform light and heavy attacks or mix them to perform combinations. For the first time in the series, the player may select responses when engaging in dialogue with other characters encountered in the game, which in turn may affect how the player sees the plot unfold.Horror Survival
Silent Hill: OriginsSilent Hill: Origins is the fifth installment in the Silent Hill survival horror series, and a prequel to the original game. As in the previous entries, the player move back and forth between nightmare and real versions of the town, gathering items used to solve puzzles and open up new areas. Monsters of various types provide obstacles and, in series tradition, are mostly disturbingly twisted versions of humanity. The main character can fight with his bare fists or use melee weapons. Unlike previous games in the series, melee weapons break after a time. There are also one-shot items that can be thrown and several guns. There is no HUD, but the edge of the screen turns red when the protagonist is near death.Horror Survival