🕹️ Play Retro Games Online: Descent (DOS)

Genre: Action

Perspective: 1st-person

Gameplay: Arcade, Shooter

Interface: Direct control

Vehicular: Space flight

Setting: Sci-fi / futuristic

Published by: Interplay Productions

Developed by: Parallax Software Corp.

Released: 1995

Platforms: DOS, PlayStation (PSX, PS1)

Station «Shiva».

Earth's orbit.

The Company's management extraterrestrial minerals.

With the principal's office and start a new game company «Interplay». First-savers, we learn that it it will be about space exploration and combat with extraterrestrial civilizations, cunning and evil aliens. For those who love space strategy, waiting for a big disappointment. However, those who are at the heart of space shooters, - too. The authors have created a very unusual game, a sort of synthesis of the labyrinth adventure in the style of «Doom» and space simulator battleship. Unconditional resemblance to «Doom» is that the action of the game takes place in mines and tunnels scared Rudnikova labyrinth, and problem plays is that, having shot all in its path (except the captured enemies hostages), do some basic mission. Image synthesized in such a way that we look at what is happening with their own eyes. With space simulator «Descent» kinship that move in the maze is not walking (old-fashioned), and in the cockpit of a fighter ship ultramodern PYRO-GX Israeli production, equipped with the very latest military hardware. But the main thing - is not it. Basic similarity with simulators is that we are completely free in the movement, because we fly. Limit our ability just comes down mines. But they, bizarre twists, leaving it down sharply, then - steeply, to diversify (and complicate) the slip in space. Our ship can move freely, not only forward, backward and sideways. He can go down and up, obeying only the will of the pilot, without paying any attention to the laws of gravity, or the steepness of the floor of the mine.

In the end, that had become a largely traditional and popular genre among the people, stood before us in a different light. In this case, complicated, by making full use of the space, «Descent» will be difficult to pass even tried «DOOM» fighters.

On the advantages and disadvantages of graphics will be discussed later, but for now - back to the story, to the office of Director of the Company extraterrestrial minerals, and continue the conversation earlier. By the way, you - fighter pilot, and set up a very, very pessimistic. But what to do? You are in the service. I have to listen and obey.

The problem faced by your company, is this - mines on Pluto have been someone else's attack. Defensive robots do not work. The most vulnerable spot mines - reactors that are at great depths, from orbit to destroy not possible, as all the attacks were repulsed from space. You are proud of, believe the only one in this situation will not only help the Company and all earthlings. Yes, the issue has been that way. By itself, the loss of mines unpleasant, of course, but the main point is that the ultimate goal of invading - Earth. And we assume, of course, we can not.

Your main goal - to blow shaft reactors, and with them, and all the infected mine. Along the way you'll need to destroy enemy robots in an amount that is within your reach and sufficient to perform basic tasks. In addition, you will need to release captured by the aliens of our employees, who worked in the mines. Henceforth lives of the hostages will be in your hands. Then - as the data about the invasion scrappy and not systematic, you will carry out video of enemy combat vehicles for transmission of films to the appropriate services. Finally, the last, the most important - you will still survive. But not because they love you so much (after all, you're working for money). Just missions similar to the first, a lot, and you - one. And save the humans and the Company appears to be no one else. Therefore, the reactor blew up, you should always have time to sneak out through the emergency exit.

Consolation can serve only three things.

First. Your PYRO-GX is not just made with the latest technology. He is also equipped with weapons and equipment that is no longer used anywhere, but, and this is absolutely true - a good and powerful.

Second. Our last remaining intact robots had secretly smuggle in weapons to mine new PYRO-GX and necessary equipment. So in the mines you will not feel completely alone. The center will periodically remind yourself various upgrades of your ship.

And finally, the third - the enemy is still no one disturbed and sudden attack can succeed.

What you will find in the depths of the captured enemy mines?

Primary information is small and sketchy. In infected mines - robots. Most of them are made on the basis of standard mining machinery. There is, however, a completely new model. All that has penetrated into the mine, has adapted very quickly. Internal camera not working, but our companions found several modified robots closer to the surface.

Actual cabin with a full plate

Three displays on the left - the place where you found the keys will be placed - blue, red and green.

In the center - the state shield your ship, displayed in purple. Starting position - 100% indicated slightly higher. Over the defense in the center - the number of energy charges, the figures shown in yellow and two horizontal scales, decreases in the consumption of energy. This kind of ammunition for the laser gun and PRIMARY WEAPON «FIRE FLARE». One charge lasts for a few shots LASER CANNON (series 3, 3 and 2, which is three charges - eight shots).

FIRE FLARE, as a weapon, is very shallow. Use it in battle is advisable only in extreme cases, when nothing else is left. Useful to use as a flare, but burning it is also very small.

Two symmetrically placed on the panel screen black suggest what now you have weapons ready for battle.

In the upper left corner of the screen shows the number of lives that you have left to complete a task. Initially given three lives (including the current).

In the upper right corner of your personal account - the number of points earned for shooting enemy robots.

If you change the button F3 view cabins, several current settings will change their location with a stay at the bottom of the screen in the form of a band, but almost without changing their appearance. If you removed the + panel in general, the current information in alphanumeric form reminds you of yourself in the four corners of the screen. Top left - life, the right - the bill. Below: left - SHIELD and ENERGY, right - both weapons.

And finally, the last thing you need to sort out before the flight - a map. Calling it by the button TAB. At first, she did not tell you interesting things. You will only see a small portion of the maze. But as you move forward to victory (or defeat?), The card will be expanded and turned into a bizarre three-dimensional maze, find out in which, at first glance, it is impossible. But this is the most important element of the game, so should be explained in detail.

The map shows your current position is indicated by a purple arrow direction and location relative

horizon. Are also closed blue, red and green doors that you can open only the appropriate keys. So, learn how to determine your location on the map is of paramount importance. Do not worry, while viewing the map hostilities cease, and you have the time to understand. Map rotates in all possible planes cursor keys LEFT and RIGHT, and buttons 6, 8 and 9 on the keypad Keypad. Cursor UP and DOWN respectively zoom in and out the image, depending on your desire. - And + buttons allow you to remove it from the map of the distant land in order to focus on the current status of your ship.

As for the graphics of the game - it is completely on the level. In some details behind the usual games of this kind, but the real three-dimensional image makes these shortcomings irrelevant.

Once you understand all that has been said above, we can safely proceed not only to the training flights, but also to carry out combat missions.

MAIN MENU

SELECT PILOT (CREATE NEW) - to create a new pilot, CTRL + D - delete an existing one.

NEW GAME - DIFFICULTY LEVEL (level of difficulty):

- TRAINEE;

- ROOKIE;

- HOT SHOT;

- ACE;

- INSANE.

Selecting the difficulty level, go to the briefing. Detailed job demonstrating enemies on the level and the output of the mine. For all types is their armament, features and so on. (Information is useful, but not essential). Turning pages - ENTER. Skip description and continue with the job - ESC.

LOAD GAME - load a previously recorded game.

MULTI PLAYER - a game for multiple players on a network or modem.

CHANGE PILOTS - the same as in the beginning of the game. Replacement Player (you can delete the current one).

VIEW DEMO - a choice of fragments (the recording will be discussed below) that you recorded the game. (CTRL + D) - you can erase them.

HIGH SCORES - table of records, where you can be you. (CTRL + R) - free the table for new records.

CREDITS - author information game.

QUIT - exit.

OPTIONS - Setting the program. Control the cursor keys.

FX VOLUME - volume effects.

MUSIC VOLUME - volume of the music.

REVERSE STEREO - swap the audio channels - SPACE.

BRIGHTNESS - lighting the screen.

DETAIL LEVELS - provides five levels and the sixth, the constructed manually (separate drawing objects, walls, number of fragments, which scatter defeated enemies).

CALIBRATE JOYSTICK - joystick calibration.

JOYSTICK / MOUSE SENSITIVITY - the sensitivity of the joystick, and mouse.

SHIP AUTO-LEVELING - automatic alignment of the ship.

CONTROLS - choice of management options:

- KEYBOARD ONLY;

- JOYSTYCK;

- CH FLIGHTSTICK PRO;

- THRUSTMASTER FCS & WINGMAN EXTREME;

- GRAVIS GAMEPADE;

- MOUSE;

- CYBERMAN;

- CUSTOMIRE ABOVE - the distribution of the buttons on the control devices. First, select the button SPACE device itself (eg, GRAVIS GAMEPAD), then redistribute button on it.

- CUSTOMIRE KEYBOARD - for lack of a good Joystick Control is performed only with better keyboard.

Before starting the game you need to spend a few minutes on the redistribution of keys. Management, is the default, it is inconvenient, as in a busy fight frantically fumbling around the keyboard to find the buttons impossible.

We offer all the buttons grouped around the cursor keys as follows

PITCH FORWARD -; - fly up;

PITCH BACKWARD - / - dive down;

TURN LEFT - Left - turn left;

TURN RIGHT - Right - turn to the right;

SLIDE ON - CapsLock-inclusion regime shift;

SLIDE LEFT -, - offset to the left, with no change of direction

the flight;

SLIDE RIGHT -. - Shift to the right, without changing the direction of flight;

SLIDE UP - About - shift up (without changing the overall orientation in space);

SLIDE DOWN - L - Go down (without changing the overall orientation in space);

BANK ON - LeftAlt - to set the profile of rotation;

BANK LEFT - J - counterclockwise rotation;

BANK RIGHT - TO - clockwise rotation;

FIRE PRIMARY - RightAlt - fire a weapon;

FIRE SECONDARY - SPACE - fire with two weapons;

FIRE FLARE - RightShft - shooting flares (energy light charges);

DROP BOMB - RightCtrl - dropped bombs;

REAR VIEW - M - the view from the cab back;

AUTOMAF - TAB - call map;

ACCELERATE - UP - move forward;

REVERSE - DOWN - move back;

CRUISE FASTER - C - independent rapid progress;

CRUISE SLOWER - X - independent slow motion

forward;

CRUISE OFF - Z - deactivate CRUISE.

Running, finally, the option NEW GAME, we start the game and at the same time have access to a few more "hot" buttons (the list appears when you FI):

ESC - ABORT GAME - stop the game;

ALT + F2 - SAVE - record the current status (EMPTY - 10 free places);

ALT + F3 - LOAD - load postponed game (name + Freeze battle - asks for confirmation RESTORE GAME - YES);

F2 - OPTION MENU - opens the menu;

F3 - TOGGLE COCKPIT - a change of the cabin;

F4 - CALIBRATE JOYSTICK - recalibration (but it must be selected initially);

F5 - TOGGLE RECORDING - start recording the current track;

PAUSE - pause time;

- / + - CHANGE SCREEN SIZE - resize the game screen;

PRINTS CRN - SAVE SCREEN SHOT - Recording still katsra to form a new file;

1-5 - SELECT PRIMARY WEAPON - first choice of weapons;

6-0 - SELECT SECONDARYWEAPON - the choice of the second weapon.

F3 - by default - a general view on the dashboard, and to the environment. When pressed again, we're kind of leaning over the windshield fighter, increasing the number of review by the transfer of real control panel down the screen. In this case, it becomes the band.

F5 - pressing this key, we can write the following piece of the game (30 ') and then look it up by going to (VIEW DEMO).

- / + - Increase / decrease the size of a "live" game screen (without changing the band instrument panel) 8 screen size and the biggest one - without any instruments (only text and digital clues in the corners).

FIRST AND SECOND CHOICE OF ARMS

Guns

1. LASER CANNON;

2. VULCAN CANNON;

3. SPREAD FIRE CANNON;

4. PLASMA CANNON;

5. FUSION CANNON;

Missiles and bombs

6. CONCUSSION MISSILE;

7. HOMING MISSILE;

8. PROXIMITY BOMB;

9. SMART MISSILE;

10. MEGA MISSILE.

So we start the mission. First, let's deal with the control panel. It displays important information about the current game.

Actual cabin with a full plate

Three displays on the left - the place where you found the keys will be placed - blue, red and green.

FIRE FLARE, as a weapon, is very shallow. Use it in battle is advisable only in extreme cases, when nothing else is left. Useful to use as a flare, but burning it is also very small.

Two symmetrically placed on the panel screen black suggest what now you have weapons ready for battle.

In the upper left corner of the screen shows the number of lives that you have left to complete a task. Initially given three lives (including the current).

In the upper right corner of your personal account - the number of points earned for shooting enemy robots.

The map shows your current position is indicated by a purple arrow direction and location relative horizon. Are also closed blue, red and green doors that you can open only the appropriate keys. So, learn how to determine your location on the map is of paramount importance. Do not worry, while viewing the map hostilities cease, and you have the time to understand. Map rotates in all possible planes cursor keys LEFT and RIGHT, and buttons 6, 8 and 9 on the keypad Keypad. Cursor UP and DOWN respectively zoom in and out the image, depending on your desire. - And + buttons allow you to remove it from the map of the distant land in order to focus on the current status of your ship.

As for the graphics of the game - it is completely on the level. In some details behind the usual games of this kind, but the real three-dimensional image makes these shortcomings irrelevant.

Once you understand all that has been said above, we can safely proceed not only to the training flights, but also to carry out combat missions.

Practical tips

To fight the enemy robots using the entire width of the mines. Blows your ship on the wall does not bring PYRO-GX is no harm;
As soon as possible include cruising mode. This allows you to not be distracted by the extra buttons, fully concentrating on the study of mazes and fight with the enemy;
As often as possible include the view from the cab back. The ego will allow you to notice the approach of a particularly insidious enemy robots;
Use in combat all the advantages of three-dimensional solution of the game. Dodge the rockets and missiles not only in the side, but also up and down;
Receiving a new weapon, expend it sparingly. Remember that you are on the threshold of the unknown. Who and what is waiting for you at the back - no one knows, and the presence in the arsenal of the most powerful weapons never hurt. Protect the missile - in times of crisis, they will be your only salvation;
For all types of shooting missiles beware. Unlike guns, missile warheads, torn on the wall near your vehicle, you will be systematically applied considerable damage;
Collect all in the maze, you see. Shells, energy charges, protective screens - it's all there in the mines and will greatly help you to survive;
Pick up your liberated hostages;
Do not miss out on any door. Many of these "open" a good rocket salvo. Usually for these doors are very useful things;
After the loss of one life, you continue to play with the full protection of the maximum possible at the moment with all the weapons and found the keys. So, dying once - take heart. Still to come;
Carefully study the map of the dungeon. Despite its seeming uncomfortable, it is indispensable for the successful solution the problem;
Remember your first goal - the keys, then - the emergency exit, and then - the reactor. Moreover, in order to get to it, do not necessarily have all the keys. The path to victory is much shorter than it seems;
After the explosion of the reactor (the best - missiles) you will have a few seconds, then, to be saved. Proceed quietly, ignoring the roaring sirens and rushing around the enemy robots. Do not be distracted by them - after the explosion, and they will die without your help.

Select Gaming Platform and game

Descent (DOS)

Consolation can serve only three things.

Actual cabin with a full plate

MAIN MENU

We offer all the buttons grouped around the cursor keys as follows

FIRST AND SECOND CHOICE OF ARMS

Guns

Missiles and bombs

Actual cabin with a full plate

Practical tips