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.1 109
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.
Drakan: Order of the FlameCenturies ago, mankind and dragons battled, causing chaos. Eventually, the Order of the Flame formed, uniting humans and dragons as protectors of peace. Under their guidance, Drakan flourished in magic and harmony.
Drakan features a unique engine that seamlessly combines outdoor and indoor scenes. Play as Rynn, wielding swords and bows, or ride Arokh, using fiery breath as a weapon. Engage in battles against dragons, spiders, scavengers, and Wartocks.Action
StarsiegeStarsiege takes place in the 29th century, portraying the conflict between humanity and the artificially intelligent Cybrid war machines. Played out in various locations throughout the solar system, the story examines both civil unrest in the colonies and an all-or-nothing genocidal invasion by the machines. Bipedal mecha known as HERCs are the mainstay of ground-based combat, and the focus of gameplay.
Humanity is nominally united in an interplanetary Empire, led from Earth by the Immortal Emperor Solomon Petresun. Petresun's policy is the defence of Earth at all costs. While Earth is prosperous and well protected, the colonies on Luna, Mars, and Venus suffer from increasingly harsh regulations and production quotas. The combat units of the Empire are represented by the Imperial Police, Terran Defense Force and the Imperial Knights. The former paramilitary group is responsible for maintaining order in the colonies. The Terran Defense Force are the standard military with bases from Mercury to Titan. The Knights, led by Grand Master Caanon Weathers, are the military's elite and are provided with the best pilots and equipment.
The inequality between the colonies and Earth foments rebellion. In 2802 there are two guerilla movements on Mars, one that concentrates on destroying and capturing Imperial infrastructure and supplies and another bent on killing Imperial personnel and sympathizers. Both groups operate from underground bases and make do with modified mining HERCs and tanks. The rebels partially offset their disadvantages with superior weapons taken from the alien "Tharsis Cache"; an underground stockpile of alien technology discovered by rebels while digging new tunnels. Eventually the rebellion becomes too great for the police to contain and the Knights are deployed to Mars to crush the insurrection.
The Cybrids are a race of sentient robots responsible for the first Earthsiege. They are led by the first Cybrid, Prometheus, who is revered with god-like status. The Cybrids established themselves in the outer solar system after being defeated two centuries before during the first Earthsiege. Since then they have built up their strength for another bid to destroy humanity and claim Earth for their own. Like the Martian rebels, the Cybrids discover their own cache of alien weapons and adapt it to use, but their cache is inferior to the Tharsis Cache.
The game offers two story campaigns, with different endings. The Human campaign puts the player in control of a Martian rebel, initially fighting the Empire before humanity unites against the Cybrid invasion midway through the campaign. The human campaign culminates in an attack on Prometheus on Pluto. The Cybrid campaign starts with their invasion across the outer colonies and proceeds to Earth, ending in an assault on the Imperial palace to kill Petresun.Action Science fiction
Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, for Gameboy Advance, is an action and adventure game based off of the first two movies of the popular Lord of the Rings series, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers. Players battle their way through some of the key events of these films as Aragorn, Gandalf, Frodo, Legolas, Eowyn, and Gimli.Action Fantasy
Castlevania Anniversary CollectionKonami's Castlevania Anniversary Collection traces the origins of the historic vampire franchise. Included is a unique eBook with details provided by developers, artists and others inspired by the Castlevania legacy which sheds a fresh light into the world of Castlevania.
Released as part of the Konami 50th Anniversary celebration, relive these timeless classics that helped define the platformer genre. From the Belmont clan to their extended bloodlines and allies, the Castlevania Anniversary Collection is the best first step for anyone to take into the world of Castlevania and the fight against Dracula!Action Fantasy Horror
Star Ocean: Till the End of TimeReleased as "Star Ocean 3: Till the End of Time" in 2003 by Enix before they merged with Squaresoft, the game was re-released under the name "Star Ocean: Till the End of Time" as a remastered version by Square Enix in 2004.Action Science fiction
Xenoblade Chronicles XXenoblade Chronicles X is an action role-playing video game and a part of the Xeno series of video games, serving as a spiritual successor to Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii. In a similar fashion to the original, the game plays as an open world role-playing video game, with an emphasis on exploration. Traveling can take place on foot, or in large humanoid robots, approximately four times the height of the average playable character, called "Skells" ("Dolls" in the Japanese version), that the player may opt to control. The Skells have the ability to fly, traverse water, and transform into vehicles such as motorcycles or tanks. Aerial battles will also take place in the game.Open world Action Science fiction Sandbox
Xenoblade Chronicles 2The next adventure is on the Nintendo Switch console set on the backs of colossal, living Titans. Discover each Titan's diverse regions, culture, wildlife, equipment, and hidden secrets. Find, bond with, and command weaponized life forms known as Blades to earn abilities and enhance them. Uncover the history of Alrest and the mystery of its endless ocean of clouds.Action Fantasy Science fiction
Digimon WorldDigimon world is a game that allows a player to raise their own Digimon and teach it to battle.Our Pick Top Trending Fantasy Science fiction
SnatcherSnatcher is a cyberpunk-themed graphic adventure game directed and written by Hideo Kojima and produced by Konami. The setting and story of Snatcher is heavily influenced by cyberpunk and science-fiction media, taking place in a large futuristic dystopian city. The story revolves around an investigator named Gillian Seed assigned to investigate a breed of bioroids known as "snatchers", who are killing humans and taking their place in society. The game is set in a primarily first person perspective and uses a menu-based interface that allows the protagonist to interact with his environment. The player can choose to "Look", "Investigate", "Talk", "Ask" and "Move" (in addition to other options) to acquire key items or receive vital information from other characters. The player can analyze items in Gillian's belongings or show it to other characters. During key points of the game's story, the player must pass shooting sequences to defend Gillian from assailants. These shooting segments use a 3x3 grid which the player can target to fire at enemies. A shooting trainer, called "Junker's Eyes", is accessible at Junker HQ that allows the player to measure their accuracy.Fantasy Science fiction
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age"FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE improves upon the 2006 classic FINAL FANTASY® XII, now more beautiful and easier to play than ever. The high-definition remaster introduces several modern advancements, including reconstructed battle design and a revamped job system. With newly implemented trophies and share functions, as well as stark visual and sound improvements in true HD for the first time, players both returning and new to the game will experience a grand adventure that spans the world of Ivalice in an entirely fresh and improved way.
Includes several all-new enhanced gameplay features:
– The Zodiac Job System
– Improved character leveling system that now caters to the player’s preference
– Trial Mode – Take on monsters and enemies in up to 100 consecutive battles
– Speed Mode
– Latest-generation HD graphical capabilities, including characters and movie scenes fully remastered in high definition.
– True 7.1 surround sound, including high definition voicing and newly recorded background music utilizing the current generation of sound production.
– Modern advancements including PlayStation®4 trophy support and share functionalities, auto-save and shortened loading times
– An endless amount of gameplay and adventure including Hunts, Battles, and mini-games"Action Fantasy Sandbox