Descent (1994). Play online

Summary

Descent on PlayStation dropped me into a truly three‑dimensional frenzy, with light‑source shading, texture‑mapped walls and a 360° sense of motion that made every turn feel like a vertigo‑inducing stunt. The six degrees of freedom let me climb, dive, and barrel‑roll through twisting mine shafts while robots swarmed from every angle.
The console version swapped static screenshots for pre‑rendered FMV cutscenes with voice acting, and the new industrial soundtrack added an edge that felt distinct from the PC launch. Reviewers praised its lightning‑fast rendering and glowing lighting effects – Electronic Gaming Monthly called it an "outstanding conversion," while GamePro noted the controls were complex yet manageable despite occasional slowdown.
Multiplayer was a highlight, offering both head‑to‑head deathmatches and co‑op missions for up to eight players via modem, and even leveraged the PlayStation Link Cable for extra local competition. Commercially it helped push the series past a million units sold, cementing its legacy as a seminal true‑3D shooter on the PlayStation.

Storyline

Descent drops you into the year 2169, where the Post‑Terran Mining Company (PTMC) has lost contact with its off‑world miners. As the company’s top Material Defender, you’re hired on a mercenary basis to investigate a mysterious alien computer virus that has taken over mining robots. The briefing starts at Lunar Base I, and your first task is to locate any survivors and trace the source of the infection.

The campaign sweeps you across the Solar System: after clearing the Moon you venture to Venus, Mercury, then Mars, before tackling the moons of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Hidden doors in the asteroid belt unlock three secret levels, and each planetary complex culminates in a boss robot showdown. The final confrontation occurs on Pluto’s moon Charon, where you destroy the ultimate infected machine.

With the Charon boss dead, PTMC warns you that your ship may now carry the virus, preventing a safe return to Earth orbit. The company also reports lost contact with deep‑space outposts beyond the Solar System, hinting at the sequel’s next threat.