Descent

In Descent, the Post-Terran Minerals Corporation’s mining robots have been hijacked and taken human workers hostage across the solar system. As the mercenary known as the “Material Defender,” the player pilots a modified Pyro-GX ship through infected mines to rescue the hostages and destroy the hostile robots.

The game combines first-person shooting with full 720-degree movement through the mines. Players collect weapons including lasers, the Vulcan Cannon, Spreadfire Cannon, Plasma Cannon, Fusion Cannon, and a range of missiles and bombs. Most energy-based weapons draw from the ship’s energy supply, while the charged Fusion Cannon offers greater power at increased risk.

Each level centers on locating and destroying the mine’s reactor. Once the reactor is destroyed, the player has 45 seconds to reach the escape hatch before the mine explodes. The game’s AI adapts to the player’s strategies and attempts to hinder progress.

Game Information

• Release date: March 16, 1995
• Developer: Parallax Software
• Publisher: Interplay
• Platforms: DOS, Mac, MS-DOS, Panasonic M2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation, Sony PlayStation
• Genres: Action, Flight Simulator, Shooter, Simulator, Vehicle Simulation