The article is really badly layed out (across like 20 pages) so I thought I would reformat for easier reading for you guys. Thoughts on these games and others welcome!
Aliens Vs Predator
Yep, we know that Gearbox Software and Sega are working on an Aliens shooter right now but in our eyes the franchise began and ended with the team-up of the zenomorphs and the alien hunter. Developer Rebellion released such a game in 1999 that allowed the player to experience life as a Predator, a Colonial Marine and even an Alien (you could even climb walls as the character). Monolith developed an exceptional sequel in 2001 that kept Rebellion's three character play with much better graphics and multiplayer options.
With two AVP movies released since the game Aliens Vs Predator 2 was released we thought it would be a no-brainer to bring this particular franchise back. While we think Gearbox will do an exceptional job with their Aliens game we wish there was a Predator somewhere in the mix.
Baldur's Gate
It was the game that made BioWare a force to be reckoned with in the game industry. Released in 1998 via Interplay, the Dungeons and Dragons-based RPG was one of the games that helped to revive the RPG genre on the PC. Its vast gameplay and tons of options made it a huge hit.
BioWare made an expansion pack and a sequel to Baldur's Gate (which also got an expansion) before moving onto other projects. However BioWare's upcoming RPG Dragon Age: Origins is supposed to be a kind of spiritual successor to the Baldur's Gate titles.
Meanwhile, the Baldur's Gate license itself is now owned by Atari and they have expressed an interest in making a new game in the series. The big question: Could a third Baldur's Gate game be successful without BioWare (now owned by EA)?
Blood
One of Monolith's first ever games was this 1997 Build engine horror shooter for GT Interactive (now known as Infogrames/Atari). This mixture of horror and the Old West was very popular at the time and in 1998 GT Interactive quickly got a sequel, Blood II: The Chosen, out of Monolith using their (at the time) new 3D Lithtech engine.
However the sequel was too quickly rushed out and as a result the buggy game got poor reviews and sales. We still think, however, that a new Blood game would be popular, especially with the success of games like Dead Space and Monolith's own F.E.A.R.
Freespace
Back when Volition was an independent developer the company released a space combat game series called Freespace for publisher Interplay. The game combined incredible graphics, fast-paced gameplay and a solid sci-fi storyline to make one of the best space combat titles ever made.
After releasing the original game in 1998 and a sequel in 1999, Interplay hit some financial problems and Volition was bought by THQ in 2000 where they went onto develop the Red Faction and Saints Row series of action games. The Freespace game engine, however, turned into an open source port for anyone to make any game they wanted. But Interplay still owns the Freespace IP. Could the publisher release a third game in the series? Could THQ buy the series from Interplay and have Volition return to it after all this time? We think it would be a good move.
Freedom Force
Before BioShock made 2K Boston/Australia a hit making game developer, the company was known as Irrational Games. They made titles that were critically acclaimed but didn't sell all that well. The best of those games were in the Freedom Force series, a super hero top-down action-RPG that combined terrific gameaplay with humor and fun.
After releasing the first game with EA and Crave in 2002 and a sequel (Freedom Force Vs The Third Reich) in 2005 via Vivendi, Irrational Games concentrated on BioShock under their new owners 2K Games. However it would be a shame if one of the best RPG titles of the decade didn't get a third installment especially the sequel did end on a cliffhanger.
Heretic/Hexen
Raven Software's first major game hit was the first person fantasy action series that began with Heretic in 1994 and continued with Hexen in 1995 and Hexen II in 1997. Raven's last game in the series was a third person action game, Heretic II, that was released in 1998. All of these games had excellent and varied gameplay but poor sales of Heretic II seemed to kill the series.
Raven is, of course, working on several projects for its owners Activision including another original game, Singularity. We still miss the Heretic/Hexen series, though, and perhaps Raven and Activision could see fit to work on some kind of new game (maybe an action-RPG mix) at some point in the future
Homeworld
Released in 1999, this fully 3D space based RTS game was the first title from the acclaimed Relic Entertainment. It won a ton of awards, spawned a stand alone expansion (Homeworld: Catalysm) in 2000 and a full sequel in 2003.
Yes we have been waiting a long time for a new game in a series that helped to define the 3D RTS game genre. THQ, the current owners of Relic, now own the Homeworld license but so far there's been no clear world from either THQ or Relic if a third Homeworld game is in the works, despite lots of speculation. THQ would be remiss if they didn't try to make a third game, especially with the success of 2008's Sins of a Solar Empire.
Kingpin
Much like they did with Redneck Rampage, Xatrix Entertainment released a very adult shooter in 2001 via Interplay with Kingpin. A mix of mob shooting with a hip-hop soundtrack the game was rushed to release thanks in part to the Columbine school shootings (Interplay wanted to dump the game to stores as quickly as possible). Despite the publisher's lack of confidence the game sold very well even if it was released in a somewhat incomplete state.
While Xatrix Interactive is no more Interplay still holds the rights to the Kingpin series and at one point announced a sequel was in the works. Nothing came of those plans but perhaps Interplay will see fit to revive the franchise at some point.
Myth
Before Bungie became a mega-developer with the Halo series, they gained fame with other creations. One of them was Myth, a fantasy RTS game series that Bungie both created and published with the first title in 1997 and the second in 1999. The combo of small tactical gameplay with solid graphics and great multiplayer made the game popular and also got fans to make a number of third-party mods.
Bungie sold off its Myth rights to Take Two Interactive when it was bought by Microsoft. A third Myth game, made by MumboJumbo and released in 2001, is considered to be inferior to the first two Bungie made games. With Bungie now an independent game developer again perhaps they could go to Take Two and make a deal to create an all new Myth title.
No One Lives Forever
It's perhaps Monolith's best game they have ever made (yep, even better than F.E.A.R.). The 1960's spy game series "starring" Cate Archer employed both action and stealth along with a great art style and humor. The first game was released in 2000 via Fox Interactive with a sequel released in 2002 (a short spin-off, Contract J.A.C.K was released in 2003.
With more interest in spy games these days a NOLF revival might be a good idea. The big question is who owns the franchise. Fox Interactive was bought by Vivendi Games and then Vivendi Games was merged into Activision Blizzard. The rights to the game could be out of reach.
Planescape Torment
Released in 1999 by Interplay's Black Isle Games division, this D&D based RPG didn't get the attention that BioWare's Baldur's Gate titles received but Planescape Torment, with its tale of a man trying to regain his memories while adventuring in a fantasy world, continues to receive praise from fans.
Interplay recently sold off its D&D game rights to Atari so any revival of a Planescape game would seem to rest on Atari's shoulders at this point. If Atari's D&D game plans do well perhaps a new game in the Planescape universe might happen.
Redneck Ramage
Xatrix Entertainment's first major hit was this goofy and very adult first person shooter using the Build engine (the same as 3D Realms used for Duke Nukem 3D). First released in 1997 from Interplay, the game got a sequel, Redneck Rampage Rides Again, in 1998. The combo of fun shooting gameplay, blue collar humor and one of the best ever song soundtracks ever made for a game are the highlights here.
A few years ago, the Redneck Rampage IP was bought by Vivendi Games which was then merged into Activision Blizzard. There's been no word if the new owners have any interest in either making an new game or selling it off to a new owners. But we will be first in line for any new Redneck Rampage title.
Shogo: Mobile Armor Division
Monolith was once a game publisher, handing some of their own titles as well as third party games. Perhaps the best game from this brief period was Shogo, a Japanese anime-themed shooter released in 1998. Combining FPS with vehicle combat (including transforming mech to vehicle play) it remains one of the most unique action games of the 1990s'.
There have always been rumors that Monolith has wanted to do a Shogo sequel and indeed new screenshots for F.E.A.R. 2 show a character wearing a Shogo 2 t-shirt. We hope it's a sign of things to come rather than just a nice Easter egg.
Star Wars Dark Forces/Jedi Knight
LucasArts's recent game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was regulated to the console only but PC gamers remember that true Jedi action gameplay came their way first with the Dark Forces/Jedi Knight series. Dark Forces, released in 1995, was a pure shooter with no Force powers but the superior sequel, Jedi Knight, brought full force and and light saber action to the PC in 1997.
After making the first two games themselves, LucasArts brought in Activision and Raven Software for two more Jedi Knight installments (Jedi Outcast and Jedi Academy) in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Yep, it's been a long time since a pure PC Star Wars action game came to our platform and we think the time is right for it to return.
Star Trek: Elite Force
Perhaps the best Star Trek game ever made was Raven Software's Star Trek Voyager Elite Force. This first person shooter based on the fourth Trek TV series looked and felt like the gamer was actually taking a part in an episode of the show. Released in 2000, the game got a non-Voyager related sequel in 2003 from developer Ritual. It also happens to be the last Trek game that was published by Activision.
Cryptic is working on Star Trek Online, a MMO game that will have planet based adventures as part of its gameplay. However the Elite Force series is still extremely entertaining to play. With the apparent new interest in the Trek franchise thanks to the upcoming movie revival we think a new Elite Force game could be successful if the right developer is found.
Syndicate
In the early 1990's UK based Bullfrog was one of the most innovative game developers around. In 1993 they created a unique real time tactical action-strategy game called Syndicate. The cyberpunk setting and unique (for its time) gameplay was a hit with gamers and a sequel, Syndicate Wars, was released in 1996.
There have been a number of rumors that Syndicate's current owners, EA, might be working on some sort of revival but so far that's all we have: rumors. Still, we think a new fully 3D Syndicate game that keeps the setting and the tactical strategy of the original could be a huge hit.
Ultima (single player RPG) series
Before it turned into the first successful MMO game, the Ultima fantasy RPG series was among the most acclaimed games ever made. The creation of Richard "Lord British" Garriott and his Origin studios, the Ultima line spanned nine single player RPGs with the last, Ultima IX: Ascension, released in 1999.
However that game was rushed to release and was highly buggy which was one of the reasons why Garriott left Origin (since bought by EA) in 2000. Since then EA has announced and then canceled two attempts to do a sequel to Ultima Online. Perhaps the publisher might find better luck with a Elder Scrolls-like open world RPG for a single player Ultima revival.
Wing Commander
In the 1990's it was one of the biggest PC game franchises ever but the series suffered after its creator at EA's Origin studio, Chris Roberts, left to form his own game studios (he has since left game development entirely). Yet the vast universe of the Wing Commander franchise would make it perfect for EA to launch anything from a space sim series to an RTS game to even an RPG.
EA, however, may have other things on its mind nowadays which could prevent a full-scale Wing Commander revival from happening (that Xbox 360 Arcade game doesn't count). It would still be a shame to let this game series die.
X-Com
Created in 1993 by two UK brothers (Julian and Nick Gollop) Microprose published the first X-Com game to huge critical acclaim and sales. The mix of turn-based strategy and action with its sci-fi setting was a big hit. Microprose released a number of sequels and even tried to expand the game to other genres like action and FPS games.
Financial issues caused Microprose' properties to be bought by Take Two Interactive and rumors persist that a new X-Com game is in the works. Meanwhile there are a number of spiritual successors to the X-Com games including Laser Squad Nemesis, a downloadable title created by the Gollop brothers.
X-Wing/TIE Fighter series
LucasArts released some of the best PC games of the 1990s with this series of space combat-sim games based on their Star Wars license. Led by Larry Holland, titles including X-Wing, TIE Fighter, X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter and finally X-Wing Alliance. The graphics, gameplay and the story tie-in to the classic movie trilogy were all spot on.
While space combat also exists in the current Star Wars Galaxies, now would be a perfect time for a comeback to a pure space sim series. As long as LucasArts ignores the prequel trilogy, we think PC gamer would welcome a new X-Wing/TIE Fighter title with open arms.
Aliens Vs Predator
Yep, we know that Gearbox Software and Sega are working on an Aliens shooter right now but in our eyes the franchise began and ended with the team-up of the zenomorphs and the alien hunter. Developer Rebellion released such a game in 1999 that allowed the player to experience life as a Predator, a Colonial Marine and even an Alien (you could even climb walls as the character). Monolith developed an exceptional sequel in 2001 that kept Rebellion's three character play with much better graphics and multiplayer options.
With two AVP movies released since the game Aliens Vs Predator 2 was released we thought it would be a no-brainer to bring this particular franchise back. While we think Gearbox will do an exceptional job with their Aliens game we wish there was a Predator somewhere in the mix.
Baldur's Gate
It was the game that made BioWare a force to be reckoned with in the game industry. Released in 1998 via Interplay, the Dungeons and Dragons-based RPG was one of the games that helped to revive the RPG genre on the PC. Its vast gameplay and tons of options made it a huge hit.
BioWare made an expansion pack and a sequel to Baldur's Gate (which also got an expansion) before moving onto other projects. However BioWare's upcoming RPG Dragon Age: Origins is supposed to be a kind of spiritual successor to the Baldur's Gate titles.
Meanwhile, the Baldur's Gate license itself is now owned by Atari and they have expressed an interest in making a new game in the series. The big question: Could a third Baldur's Gate game be successful without BioWare (now owned by EA)?
Blood
One of Monolith's first ever games was this 1997 Build engine horror shooter for GT Interactive (now known as Infogrames/Atari). This mixture of horror and the Old West was very popular at the time and in 1998 GT Interactive quickly got a sequel, Blood II: The Chosen, out of Monolith using their (at the time) new 3D Lithtech engine.
However the sequel was too quickly rushed out and as a result the buggy game got poor reviews and sales. We still think, however, that a new Blood game would be popular, especially with the success of games like Dead Space and Monolith's own F.E.A.R.
Freespace
Back when Volition was an independent developer the company released a space combat game series called Freespace for publisher Interplay. The game combined incredible graphics, fast-paced gameplay and a solid sci-fi storyline to make one of the best space combat titles ever made.
After releasing the original game in 1998 and a sequel in 1999, Interplay hit some financial problems and Volition was bought by THQ in 2000 where they went onto develop the Red Faction and Saints Row series of action games. The Freespace game engine, however, turned into an open source port for anyone to make any game they wanted. But Interplay still owns the Freespace IP. Could the publisher release a third game in the series? Could THQ buy the series from Interplay and have Volition return to it after all this time? We think it would be a good move.
Freedom Force
Before BioShock made 2K Boston/Australia a hit making game developer, the company was known as Irrational Games. They made titles that were critically acclaimed but didn't sell all that well. The best of those games were in the Freedom Force series, a super hero top-down action-RPG that combined terrific gameaplay with humor and fun.
After releasing the first game with EA and Crave in 2002 and a sequel (Freedom Force Vs The Third Reich) in 2005 via Vivendi, Irrational Games concentrated on BioShock under their new owners 2K Games. However it would be a shame if one of the best RPG titles of the decade didn't get a third installment especially the sequel did end on a cliffhanger.
Heretic/Hexen
Raven Software's first major game hit was the first person fantasy action series that began with Heretic in 1994 and continued with Hexen in 1995 and Hexen II in 1997. Raven's last game in the series was a third person action game, Heretic II, that was released in 1998. All of these games had excellent and varied gameplay but poor sales of Heretic II seemed to kill the series.
Raven is, of course, working on several projects for its owners Activision including another original game, Singularity. We still miss the Heretic/Hexen series, though, and perhaps Raven and Activision could see fit to work on some kind of new game (maybe an action-RPG mix) at some point in the future
Homeworld
Released in 1999, this fully 3D space based RTS game was the first title from the acclaimed Relic Entertainment. It won a ton of awards, spawned a stand alone expansion (Homeworld: Catalysm) in 2000 and a full sequel in 2003.
Yes we have been waiting a long time for a new game in a series that helped to define the 3D RTS game genre. THQ, the current owners of Relic, now own the Homeworld license but so far there's been no clear world from either THQ or Relic if a third Homeworld game is in the works, despite lots of speculation. THQ would be remiss if they didn't try to make a third game, especially with the success of 2008's Sins of a Solar Empire.
Kingpin
Much like they did with Redneck Rampage, Xatrix Entertainment released a very adult shooter in 2001 via Interplay with Kingpin. A mix of mob shooting with a hip-hop soundtrack the game was rushed to release thanks in part to the Columbine school shootings (Interplay wanted to dump the game to stores as quickly as possible). Despite the publisher's lack of confidence the game sold very well even if it was released in a somewhat incomplete state.
While Xatrix Interactive is no more Interplay still holds the rights to the Kingpin series and at one point announced a sequel was in the works. Nothing came of those plans but perhaps Interplay will see fit to revive the franchise at some point.
Myth
Before Bungie became a mega-developer with the Halo series, they gained fame with other creations. One of them was Myth, a fantasy RTS game series that Bungie both created and published with the first title in 1997 and the second in 1999. The combo of small tactical gameplay with solid graphics and great multiplayer made the game popular and also got fans to make a number of third-party mods.
Bungie sold off its Myth rights to Take Two Interactive when it was bought by Microsoft. A third Myth game, made by MumboJumbo and released in 2001, is considered to be inferior to the first two Bungie made games. With Bungie now an independent game developer again perhaps they could go to Take Two and make a deal to create an all new Myth title.
No One Lives Forever
It's perhaps Monolith's best game they have ever made (yep, even better than F.E.A.R.). The 1960's spy game series "starring" Cate Archer employed both action and stealth along with a great art style and humor. The first game was released in 2000 via Fox Interactive with a sequel released in 2002 (a short spin-off, Contract J.A.C.K was released in 2003.
With more interest in spy games these days a NOLF revival might be a good idea. The big question is who owns the franchise. Fox Interactive was bought by Vivendi Games and then Vivendi Games was merged into Activision Blizzard. The rights to the game could be out of reach.
Planescape Torment
Released in 1999 by Interplay's Black Isle Games division, this D&D based RPG didn't get the attention that BioWare's Baldur's Gate titles received but Planescape Torment, with its tale of a man trying to regain his memories while adventuring in a fantasy world, continues to receive praise from fans.
Interplay recently sold off its D&D game rights to Atari so any revival of a Planescape game would seem to rest on Atari's shoulders at this point. If Atari's D&D game plans do well perhaps a new game in the Planescape universe might happen.
Redneck Ramage
Xatrix Entertainment's first major hit was this goofy and very adult first person shooter using the Build engine (the same as 3D Realms used for Duke Nukem 3D). First released in 1997 from Interplay, the game got a sequel, Redneck Rampage Rides Again, in 1998. The combo of fun shooting gameplay, blue collar humor and one of the best ever song soundtracks ever made for a game are the highlights here.
A few years ago, the Redneck Rampage IP was bought by Vivendi Games which was then merged into Activision Blizzard. There's been no word if the new owners have any interest in either making an new game or selling it off to a new owners. But we will be first in line for any new Redneck Rampage title.
Shogo: Mobile Armor Division
Monolith was once a game publisher, handing some of their own titles as well as third party games. Perhaps the best game from this brief period was Shogo, a Japanese anime-themed shooter released in 1998. Combining FPS with vehicle combat (including transforming mech to vehicle play) it remains one of the most unique action games of the 1990s'.
There have always been rumors that Monolith has wanted to do a Shogo sequel and indeed new screenshots for F.E.A.R. 2 show a character wearing a Shogo 2 t-shirt. We hope it's a sign of things to come rather than just a nice Easter egg.
Star Wars Dark Forces/Jedi Knight
LucasArts's recent game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was regulated to the console only but PC gamers remember that true Jedi action gameplay came their way first with the Dark Forces/Jedi Knight series. Dark Forces, released in 1995, was a pure shooter with no Force powers but the superior sequel, Jedi Knight, brought full force and and light saber action to the PC in 1997.
After making the first two games themselves, LucasArts brought in Activision and Raven Software for two more Jedi Knight installments (Jedi Outcast and Jedi Academy) in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Yep, it's been a long time since a pure PC Star Wars action game came to our platform and we think the time is right for it to return.
Star Trek: Elite Force
Perhaps the best Star Trek game ever made was Raven Software's Star Trek Voyager Elite Force. This first person shooter based on the fourth Trek TV series looked and felt like the gamer was actually taking a part in an episode of the show. Released in 2000, the game got a non-Voyager related sequel in 2003 from developer Ritual. It also happens to be the last Trek game that was published by Activision.
Cryptic is working on Star Trek Online, a MMO game that will have planet based adventures as part of its gameplay. However the Elite Force series is still extremely entertaining to play. With the apparent new interest in the Trek franchise thanks to the upcoming movie revival we think a new Elite Force game could be successful if the right developer is found.
Syndicate
In the early 1990's UK based Bullfrog was one of the most innovative game developers around. In 1993 they created a unique real time tactical action-strategy game called Syndicate. The cyberpunk setting and unique (for its time) gameplay was a hit with gamers and a sequel, Syndicate Wars, was released in 1996.
There have been a number of rumors that Syndicate's current owners, EA, might be working on some sort of revival but so far that's all we have: rumors. Still, we think a new fully 3D Syndicate game that keeps the setting and the tactical strategy of the original could be a huge hit.
Ultima (single player RPG) series
Before it turned into the first successful MMO game, the Ultima fantasy RPG series was among the most acclaimed games ever made. The creation of Richard "Lord British" Garriott and his Origin studios, the Ultima line spanned nine single player RPGs with the last, Ultima IX: Ascension, released in 1999.
However that game was rushed to release and was highly buggy which was one of the reasons why Garriott left Origin (since bought by EA) in 2000. Since then EA has announced and then canceled two attempts to do a sequel to Ultima Online. Perhaps the publisher might find better luck with a Elder Scrolls-like open world RPG for a single player Ultima revival.
Wing Commander
In the 1990's it was one of the biggest PC game franchises ever but the series suffered after its creator at EA's Origin studio, Chris Roberts, left to form his own game studios (he has since left game development entirely). Yet the vast universe of the Wing Commander franchise would make it perfect for EA to launch anything from a space sim series to an RTS game to even an RPG.
EA, however, may have other things on its mind nowadays which could prevent a full-scale Wing Commander revival from happening (that Xbox 360 Arcade game doesn't count). It would still be a shame to let this game series die.
X-Com
Created in 1993 by two UK brothers (Julian and Nick Gollop) Microprose published the first X-Com game to huge critical acclaim and sales. The mix of turn-based strategy and action with its sci-fi setting was a big hit. Microprose released a number of sequels and even tried to expand the game to other genres like action and FPS games.
Financial issues caused Microprose' properties to be bought by Take Two Interactive and rumors persist that a new X-Com game is in the works. Meanwhile there are a number of spiritual successors to the X-Com games including Laser Squad Nemesis, a downloadable title created by the Gollop brothers.
X-Wing/TIE Fighter series
LucasArts released some of the best PC games of the 1990s with this series of space combat-sim games based on their Star Wars license. Led by Larry Holland, titles including X-Wing, TIE Fighter, X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter and finally X-Wing Alliance. The graphics, gameplay and the story tie-in to the classic movie trilogy were all spot on.
While space combat also exists in the current Star Wars Galaxies, now would be a perfect time for a comeback to a pure space sim series. As long as LucasArts ignores the prequel trilogy, we think PC gamer would welcome a new X-Wing/TIE Fighter title with open arms.
