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Shooters with good hub/non-linear level design?

zwanzig_zwoelf

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I've got another itch that I need to scratch, and I'm talking about shootahs with non-linear or hub level design.
The only games I can remember so far are Hexen and Deus Ex series, but I'd like to play more games with open/hub/non-linear approach to levels.

To be more precise, here is what I want:
- Non-linear levels that can/must be revisited to complete some objectives;
- If the game features some sort of character progression, the levels should have additional ways to explore and/or finish them;
- Optional: futuristic setting;
- Optional: first person perspective;
- Pre-2006, please, or something that doesn't require a high-end rig.

Honestly, guys, I just need something to get a break from Doom and Gothic.
 

ghostdog

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Strife
CyberMage - Darklight Awakening
No one lives forever
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
System Shock 2
Realms of The Haunting
 

Severian Silk

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System Shock 1 is a better shooter than System Shock 2. The level design is A LOT more interesting. In SS2 most levels are tiny with no real room to run. This is not the case in SS1.
 

zwanzig_zwoelf

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kingpin life of crime
Thanks! It's been years since I played it, but IIRC it was pretty good (maybe a bit rough around the edges, but still good).
Played that, but another re-run won't hurt, I guess.
Thanks, always wanted to give it another go. Any advice about the source ports? I think the game had some game-breaking bugs if you tried to play it via (G)ZDoom.
CyberMage - Darklight Awakening
Realms of the Haunting
Oh man, forgot about these two. Remind me to give you 10 brofists per suggested game. :cool:
No one lives forever
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
System Shock 2
Finished those a long time ago.
Eeeh, I tried to enjoy it, but IIRC the controls were absolutely horrendous. Maybe I should give it another try...
System Shock 1 is a better shooter than System Shock 2. The level design is A LOT more interesting. In SS2 most levels are tiny with no real room to run. This is not the case in SS1.
Yep, gotta reinstall SS1 too.

So many games to play now, oboi. Guess I'll have a good summer.:positive:
 
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Hexen 2 for sure. Combat is way harder than in the first game and level design holds up pretty well. Assets haven't aged as gracefully as 2d art but it's still very playable, especially with Hammer of Thyrion.
 

baturinsky

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GTA3/VC/SA games have a lot of shooting, but shitty controls.
Borderlands is a decent 2009 open world shooter
 

zwanzig_zwoelf

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Thanks, always wanted to give it another go. Any advice about the source ports? I think the game had some game-breaking bugs if you tried to play it via (G)ZDoom.
IIRC I used Gzdoom without any problems: http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/index.php?threads/lets-play-strife-finished.33556/
There's also a recent updated version on steam, with some new HD backgrounds (but they look weird).
Gonna try to beat it via GZDoom, thanks again.
What kind of rig are we talking about? My old laptop with a GT 320M could run Shadow of Chernobyl flawlessly minus the dynamic lights, and few FPS are as good when it comes to hub/semi-open world design.
Not a fan of Stalker series, but IIRC this laptop should run it just fine. Thanks for your suggestion.
Hexen 2 for sure. Combat is way harder than in the first game and level design holds up pretty well. Assets haven't aged as gracefully as 2d art but it's still very playable, especially with Hammer of Thyrion.
Hexen 2 looks very good even today. Gonna try to finish it again, then.
GTA3/VC/SA games have a lot of shooting, but shitty controls.
Borderlands is a decent 2009 open world shooter
Hub-based level design != open world.
 

Riskbreaker

Guest
Turok 1 and 2 would be to your liking, methinks.

Console version of Powerslave/Exhumed, which was ported to PC some time ago by Kaiser of Doom 64 EX/Turok HD fame (port was latter taken town due to legal issue, but it is rather easy to find) might be worthy of your attention. Game is basically FPS metroidvania: you acquire abilities throughout the game (like increased jump height, floating etc), and with said abilities you'll oft return to earlier maps in order to access passages to new ones or to collect previously inaccessible power-ups.
 

AN4RCHID

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Original The Darkness had some openish hub levels. I'd recommend it mostly for the atmosphere and story though.
 

zwanzig_zwoelf

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Turok 1 and 2 would be to your liking, methinks.

Console version of Powerslave/Exhumed, which was ported to PC some time ago by Kaiser of Doom 64 EX/Turok HD fame (port was latter taken town due to legal issue, but it is rather easy to find) might be worthy of your attention. Game is basically FPS metroidvania: you acquire abilities throughout the game (like increased jump height, floating etc), and with said abilities you'll oft return to earlier maps in order to access passages to new ones or to collect previously inaccessible power-ups.
Just tried Powerslave EX, and it feels really good. One of the best suggestions so far!
Take No Prisoners was quite decent (not FPS, 3D top-down)
Added to my backlog. Thanks!
Original The Darkness had some openish hub levels. I'd recommend it mostly for the atmosphere and story though.
Well, from what I've heard, it's a good game, but it's console only, and anything past PS2 is a no-no for me.
 

AN4RCHID

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Ahhhh you're right...

If you're interested in going really far back, the marathon trilogy has excellent level design and they're freeware now - http://trilogyrelease.bungie.org/

Marathon 2 and Infinity are the best, but they're all worth a play.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 

zwanzig_zwoelf

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Ahhhh you're right...

If you're interested in going really far back, the marathon trilogy has excellent level design and they're freeware now - http://trilogyrelease.bungie.org/

Marathon 2 and Infinity are the best, but they're all worth a play.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Oh, goodie, are these games sector-based too, like PowerSlave EX? Good, good, added them to my backlog. :shittydog:
 

AN4RCHID

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Marathon's strictly level based, so you do have to play through the maps in a linear order. But the levels themselves are big and mazey and non-linear.
 

zwanzig_zwoelf

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Marathon's strictly level based, so you do have to play through the maps in a linear order. But the levels themselves are big and mazey and non-linear.
It's 4 AM in the morning, so I guess I should paraphrase:
Marathon games look like they're using a sector-based engine (other examples of such engines include Doom Engine, Build Engine, etc). These are welcome in my book for a variety of reasons.
 

AN4RCHID

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ah I think I got ya. If I'm understanding the term right, the first Marathon was sector based but Marathon 2 and Infinity have fully 3D level geometry.

Marathon 1 map:

14.gif


Marathon 2 map:

11.gif


Marathon Infinity map:

18.gif
 

oscar

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E.Y.E Divine Cybermancy to a Tee (albeit somewhat newer than 2006 but not too graphically demanding).
 

Darth Roxor

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TRON 2.0
Clive Barker's Clive Barker's Undying by Clive Barker
 

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