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Best games by 3D Realms
15th Feb 2026
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3D Realms, formerly Apogee Software, has left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape. From pioneering shareware distribution to pushing the boundaries of first-person shooter technology, they've gifted us with titles that defined genres and sparked countless hours of explosive fun. Get ready to revisit iconic characters, cheesy one-liners, and pixelated mayhem as we delve into the absolute best games crafted by this legendary studio. This isn't just *our* list; it's a conversation starter. We want to know *your* definitive ranking of 3D Realms' masterpieces. Use the drag-and-drop functionality below to reorder these games based on your own personal preferences and create your ultimate list! Let the debate begin – what truly deserves the top spot?
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Introduction
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3D Realms, formerly Apogee Software, has left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape. From pioneering shareware distribution to pushing the boundaries of first-person shooter technology, they've gifted us with titles that defined genres and sparked countless hours of explosive fun. Get ready to revisit iconic characters, cheesy one-liners, and pixelated mayhem as we delve into the absolute best games crafted by this legendary studio. This isn't just *our* list; it's a conversation starter. We want to know *your* definitive ranking of 3D Realms' masterpieces. Use the drag-and-drop functionality below to reorder these games based on your own personal preferences and create your ultimate list! Let the debate begin – what truly deserves the top spot?
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Ion Fury (2019)
#11.0Ion Fury casts players as Shelly "Bombshell" Harrison, a bomb disposal expert forced to create explosions rather than prevent them when Dr. Jadus Heskel's cybernetic cult unleashes chaos on Neo DC. This high-octane first-person shooter delivers a relentless run-and-gun experience through vast, multi-path levels packed with gigantic explosions, an uncountable number of secret areas, and inhuman foes around every corner. Eschewing regenerating health and mandatory checkpoints, Shelly's arsenal features a wide array of weapons with alternate fire modes and different ammo types, from her signature tri-barreled Loverboy revolver with Old West-style hammer fanning to buckshot-loading grenade launchers and violent Bowling Bombs. Voidpoint and 3D Realms expertly blend classic '90s FPS action with modern improvements like headshots, advanced physics, widescreen support, and auto-saves, all powered by the iconic BUILD engine pumped up for a new generation. Ion Fury rightfully belongs on a list of the best games by 3D Realms as it serves as a triumphant spiritual successor to classics like *Duke Nukem 3D*, *Shadow Warrior*, and *Blood*. Its revitalized BUILD engine, after 20 years, perfectly embodies the studio's legacy of pushing the boundaries of classic FPS design. The game's commitment to zero procedural generation, instead offering thousands of hand-crafted textures and sprites across seven detailed zones, reflects the meticulous level design and complex set pieces that defined 3D Realms' golden era. With its awe-inspiring arsenal, locational damage, seamless level transitions, and thumping module music, Ion Fury not only honors the beloved '90s FPS formula but elevates it, proving that the blend of irreverent humor, explosive action, and intricate design remains a powerful force in modern gaming, cementing its place as a standout title from the studio.
WRATH: Aeon of Ruin (2024)
#22.0Step into the boots of the Outlander, a wanderer cast upon the shores of a dying world, tasked by the enigmatic Shepherd of Wayward Souls to hunt down the last remaining Guardians of the Old World. Prepare for an epic journey through vast gloom, exploring ancient ruins, uncovering forgotten secrets, and engaging in brutal combat against lurking horrors. Equipped with weapons of exceptional might and an arsenal of powerful artifacts, you will traverse corrupted temples, sunken ruins, and howling forests, bringing death to formidable adversaries. Fueled by legendary Quake 1 technology, WRATH pumps with the raw DNA of revered '90s shooters, offering engaging combat, diverse environments, and captivating lore, all masterfully crafted by veterans of the Quake scene and featuring the haunting music of Andrew Hulshult. WRATH: Aeon of Ruin firmly secures its place among the best games by 3D Realms by embodying the publisher's foundational legacy. 3D Realms rose to prominence in the '90s championing groundbreaking, fast-paced first-person shooters like *Duke Nukem 3D* and *Shadow Warrior*. WRATH directly taps into this heritage, offering an authentic "boomer shooter" experience built on the classic Quake 1 engine, complete with intense action, intricate level design, and a dark, atmospheric world. Its faithful dedication to the genre, combined with modern polish and a strong sense of identity, makes it a spiritual successor to the games that defined 3D Realms, proving their continued commitment to pioneering and delivering visceral, challenging, and highly replayable FPS experiences.
GRAVEN (2024)
#33.0GRAVEN (2024) thrusts players into a grim medieval fantasy as an exiled priest of the Orthogonal order, resurrected into a world plagued by eldritch perversions. Having perished defending another, you awaken in a small boat adrift in a swamp, gifted with a cryptic warning, a mysterious staff, and an ancient book by a strange ferryman. From this solemn beginning, your divine task unfurls: to alleviate suffering, expose deceptions, and confront the encroaching horrors that threaten reality itself, all while perhaps earning your lost peace. The experience marries modern development prowess with a distinctive late 90s aesthetic, brought to life through character designs by industry veterans like Chuck Jones and the iconic voice work of Stephan Weyte, crafting a dark yet uniquely atmospheric journey. This first-person action-adventure embodies the spirit of classic 3D Realms titles, emphasizing intricate level design, environmental puzzles, and a compelling blend of combat and exploration. Players will scour lore to unmask heretical sects, manipulate the environment by spreading fires, charging machinery, or freezing rivers to access new areas. The journey encourages returning to previously explored locations with newly acquired abilities, revealing hidden paths and deeper chasms, a hallmark of interconnected world design that rewards thoroughness. With over twenty distinct enemies, three formidable bosses, and an expanding world across multiple biomes, GRAVEN offers substantial content, further enhanced by cooperative play for up to seven friends. Its blend of atmospheric immersion, resourceful puzzle-solving, robust combat customization through weapon upgrades, and a commitment to a distinct, dark fantasy vision places it firmly among the best experiences championed by 3D Realms.
RIPOUT (2024)
#44.0RIPOUT (2024) plunges players into a harrowing co-op horror shooter, tasking them with fighting through abandoned, mutant-infested spaceships in a desperate search for Sanctuary, humanity’s last hope. This Sci-Fi FPS experience challenges players to collect loot, customize their characters, and contend with a high variety of reconfigurable monsters that strengthen themselves by attaching smaller mutants. A key innovation is the Living Pet Gun, a sentient biotech companion that players can harness to turn against their foes, ensuring dynamic combat in quick, action-packed missions across procedurally generated levels, offering endless replayability and scalable difficulty for teams of all sizes. This title stands as a worthy inclusion among the best games associated with 3D Realms, echoing the publisher's legacy of pioneering engaging and innovative first-person shooters. Much like the classic, fast-paced action titles 3D Realms helped define, RIPOUT presents a unique gameplay hook with its evolving monsters and sentient Pet Gun, reminiscent of the inventive arsenals found in their earlier works. Its blend of intense cooperative PVE, sci-fi horror, and a strong emphasis on player customization and replayability aligns perfectly with the spirit of challenging and groundbreaking experiences that have historically captivated fans of the developer's output.
Bombshell (2016)
#55.0Bombshell (2016) Digital Deluxe Edition launches players into a galactic action shooter adventure from the legendary game maker 3D Realms, the creators behind *Rise of the Triad*. Players embody Shelly 'Bombshell' Harrison, a bomb disposal technician turned mercenary, as she strong-arms her way across four planets in an Unreal Engine-powered quest to rescue the president from an apocalyptic alien threat. The game promises an explosive experience with its never-before-seen arsenal of devastating weaponry, genre-crossing mechanics, and an array of out-of-this-world enemies across diverse settings like the dying world of Kyrron and the frozen civilization of Zeroth. This title earns its place among 3D Realms' best for its ambitious fusion of brutally brilliant isometric shooting with classic role-playing mechanics, including experience points, upgrades, and non-linear levels, all infused with a twist of first-person shooter sensibilities. True to 3D Realms' legacy of creating iconic action heroes, Shelly Harrison with her distinctive robot arm stands as a memorable protagonist, shell-shocking her way through vicious predators and augmented alien species with heavy-handed finishing moves and more than ten weaponized arm modifications. *Bombshell* exemplifies the developer's commitment to delivering dynamic, over-the-top action and unique experiences, building upon their tradition of innovative and engaging gameplay while exploring new perspectives and mechanics within the genre.
The Kindeman Remedy (2023)
#66.0"The Kindeman Remedy (2023)" casts players as Doctor Carl Kindeman, a disgraced physician who seeks to restore his reputation by conducting horrific experiments within the confines of a dilapidated prison. As the "Monster Doctor," you have absolute authority over the inmates, using them as guinea pigs for your unethical research. Gameplay centers on managing a secret lab with eight distinct rooms, utilizing poisons, drugs, and hazardous substances to conduct your twisted science, all while Sister Anna remains an ever-loyal assistant. The experience is deeply story-driven, featuring complex characters and disturbing moral questions that lead to multiple endings and unlockable events, enhancing replayability. For an ultimate challenge, an Endless Mode tests your ability to perform malicious deeds while avoiding constant scrutiny. This title finds its place among the "Best games by 3D Realms" due to the publisher's enduring commitment to unique, often dark, and boundary-pushing interactive experiences. Much like their legacy of cult classics, "The Kindeman Remedy" embodies a distinct vision, marrying resource management with profound ethical dilemmas and a compelling, if unsettling, narrative. 3D Realms continues to identify and champion games that deliver strong, memorable experiences, often challenging player perceptions and expectations. This particular release demonstrates their modern aptitude for curating and supporting titles that resonate with an audience appreciative of original concepts and immersive, morally complex gameplay, solidifying its standing within their curated collection.
Rad Rodgers: World One (2016)
#77.0Rad Rodgers: World One plunges players into an adventurous world with Rad, a spirited young boy sucked into his video game after a long night of gaming. He teams up with Dusty, his now-sentient, foul-mouthed game console, as they navigate the corrupted First World, a decaying jungle threatened by a fierce infection. Their mission spans seven dangerous stages of action-packed, humor-filled platforming, aiming to save the jungle's inhabitants and restore the Elder Tree. Rad wields an arsenal of weaponry, from the unlimited Bolt Blaster to the fiery Phoenix Cannon, while Dusty uniquely ventures into the spacetime-breaking Pixelverse to repair glitches. The game also boasts an authentic, retro-style soundtrack from Andrew Hulshult, complete with MIDI-inspired music and synthesizers, alongside classic Easter eggs hidden in secret rooms for intrepid explorers. This title holds a significant place among 3D Realms' output, embodying the very spirit of the developer's celebrated history in hardcore platforming and irreverent action. "Rad Rodgers: World One" channels the same blend of challenging gameplay, distinct personality, and a retro aesthetic that defined the studio's most iconic releases. Its vibrant humor, engaging buddy-duo mechanics, and meticulously crafted levels filled with secrets resonate with the qualities that made 3D Realms a revered name in gaming, positioning it as a standout modern offering that proudly carries forward their legacy of innovative and entertaining experiences.
Hocus Pocus (2014)
#88.0Hocus Pocus plunges players into a magical quest across 16 perilous realms, each teeming with unique dangers and a diverse bestiary of dragons, imps, ghosts, and over 30 other fantastical creatures. As Hocus, players must navigate Terexin's challenging final test, with the ultimate goal of becoming a full-fledged, card-carrying Wizard – failure promises a less fortunate outcome. This action platformer boasts remarkable variety, with level graphics, backgrounds, and enemies completely transforming every two levels, ensuring an ever-fresh experience across its 36 stages. Hocus is armed with a standard magic spell, but discovering powerful potions grants temporary boosts like rapid fire, enhanced jumping, teleportation, or devastating energy blasts, adding strategic depth to the platforming and integrated puzzles. The game's polished presentation is highlighted by smooth 360-degree scrolling and a parallax background, all rendered in vibrant 256-color VGA graphics. Hocus Pocus earns its place among the best games from 3D Realms not just for its engaging gameplay, but for its significant contribution to the shareware era and the PC platforming genre. Released by Apogee Software (which later became 3D Realms), it exemplified the company's commitment to quality arcade-style experiences with technical prowess, offering smooth animation and colorful graphics that pushed the boundaries for its time. Its imaginative level design, clever puzzles, and consistent challenge resonated with a broad audience, making it a memorable and beloved title. The game's expansive content, including its four huge bosses and multiple skill levels, provided immense replayability, solidifying its status as a classic that perfectly captured the charm and innovation that defined 3D Realms' golden age of PC gaming.
Kingpin: Reloaded (2023)
#99.0Kingpin: Reloaded immerses players in a stylized noir art deco gangland, a gritty metropolitan nightmare where the eponymous Kingpin reigns with a bloody fist. The narrative thrust begins when a no-name thug, left battered and broken by the Kingpin's lieutenant Nikki Blanco, rises from a puddle of blood with a pipe in hand and revenge as his sole purpose. This updated classic retains its unique atmosphere, inviting players to stalk lamp-lit streets, take down rival gangs, and set the stage for the Kingpin's downfall. This 2023 edition breathes new life into the beloved Quake II engine original, earning its place among 3D Realms' best by masterfully enhancing a foundational title from their publishing history. Kingpin: Reloaded shines with 4K resolution, ultrawide support, and improved graphics in its Enhanced mode, alongside re-balanced and polished gameplay. Beyond visual upgrades, new quest and conversation systems, controller support, and immersive sim elements allowing gang recruitment and influence building elevate the experience. With location-based damage for thrilling, bloody battles and upgradeable weapons, Reloaded not only respects its mature, groundbreaking roots but also reintroduces a seminal 3D Realms game to a new generation, showcasing the enduring quality and innovation that defined their most impactful releases.
Wacky Wheels (2014)
#1010.0Wacky Wheels (2014) throws you into high-speed 3D point-of-view racing as one of eight wildly competitive animals, including a tiger, elephant, raccoon, panda, and shark. These colorful characters bring unique animations and a fierce determination to win, delighting in bumping, scraping, and knocking rivals off the track to keep you at the back of the pack. Players will experience the thrill of weaving through a large variety of race tracks (42 in the 'Upgrade Edition'), avoiding obstacles, launching weapons, utilizing shortcuts, engaging turbo mode, and perfectly timing jumps to outrace opponents, often winning by just a bumper. This vibrant kart racer earns its spot among the best games by 3D Realms (Apogee Software's original name) for its innovative spirit and lasting impact on early PC gaming. While presented as a 2014 title, the game's foundation from its original 1994 release was a technical marvel for its era, offering fluid pseudo-3D graphics and engaging split-screen multiplayer long before such features were common on home computers. Its blend of charming animal racers, varied game modes like battle zones and the unique duck shoot-outs, and competitive local play solidified its reputation as a fun, accessible, and endlessly replayable title, contributing significantly to Apogee's diverse portfolio of groundbreaking shareware hits.
Rad Rodgers - Radical Edition (2018)
#1111.0Rad Rodgers - Radical Edition plunges players into a vibrant, action-packed platforming adventure where a rambunctious young gamer, Rad, is sucked into his own video game. Accompanied by Dusty, his foul-mouthed yet good-hearted sentient console, the duo embarks on a mission to save a decaying jungle world from fierce corruption and restore the Elder Tree. The journey is filled with hardcore platforming, humor, and a diverse arsenal of "radical bad-ass weaponry" like the Bolt Blaster and Phoenix Cannon. An authentic MIDI-inspired soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult sets the retro tone, while Dusty’s unique ability to enter the electrified Pixelverse to fix glitches adds a clever gameplay twist. The Radical Edition significantly expands the experience with brand new additions including 2 Player Couch Co-op, a competitive Battle Mode, new playable characters, abilities, minigames, an expanded overworld, additional levels, and a wealth of new secrets and collectibles to uncover. This title earns its place among the best games associated with 3D Realms by embodying the spirit and irreverent charm that defined the studio's golden era. While developed by Slipgate Ironworks, 3D Realms’ involvement as a publisher and creative partner for the original release lent their distinctive stamp to the project. Rad Rodgers serves as a modern homage to the classic 90s platformers and shooters that 3D Realms championed, featuring an over-the-top attitude, witty dialogue, and precise action that resonates with fans of their iconic titles. Its blend of retro sensibilities with contemporary mechanics makes it a worthy spiritual successor, showcasing the lasting influence and appeal of the style of games 3D Realms helped popularize.
Bloodless (2024)
#1212.0Bloodless (2024) plunges players into a retro-stylish action-adventure, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Bakugawa. You assume the role of ronin Tomoe, tasked with confronting the ghosts of her past and bringing an end to the tyrannical rule of Shogun Akechi, her former master. A core innovation lies in Tomoe’s unique non-lethal combat; having sworn off taking lives, she must skillfully disarm her enemies using a combination of precise counters and powerful ki-attacks. The journey offers rich customization through special ki techniques that enable unique combos, alongside enhancements from crests and herb infusions discovered throughout Bakugawa’s striking environments, which range from hallowed natural landscapes to desolate, mistreated districts. Tomoe’s emotional story as a perceived deserter, returning to spark hope against a violent regime, provides a compelling narrative, further extended by extra challenges in Warrior Idols and Arenas. This title rightfully earns its spot on a list of best games by 3D Realms, aligning with the publisher's long-standing tradition of backing distinctive and impactful action experiences. 3D Realms has consistently been a champion of games that push boundaries within their genres, often with a unique stylistic flair, much like their iconic works. "Bloodless" embodies this spirit by offering a fresh, innovative twist on action-adventure gameplay with its non-lethal combat mechanics and evocative art direction. It reflects 3D Realms’ commitment to supporting original visions and intense, focused gameplay, delivering a memorable protagonist and a rich, atmospheric world that resonates with the high-quality, engaging experiences their name has become synonymous with.
Stargunner (2014)
#1313.0Stargunner (2014) launches players into an exhilarating, 34-level blast-a-thon across the cosmic void. Battle through the dark reaches of space, navigate the hostile alien world of Zile, and delve into the wreckage-ridden depths of the enemy’s darkened waters. This action-packed journey challenges players to destroy 75 enemy craft and confront 33 formidable bosses, ensuring an unrelenting torrent of targets. As you decimate the forces of Zile, earn power-ups and credits, which can then be spent on new weapons and engines to strategically upgrade your ship, enhancing your combat prowess. Partial Xbox 360 Controller support also ensures a more modern, comfortable experience. This modern iteration of Stargunner rightfully earns its place among the best games associated with 3D Realms, reflecting the publisher's legacy of delivering high-quality, intense shareware action. Originally released in 1996, the game exemplified the fast-paced, addictive shooter mechanics that defined a significant era for PC gaming and for 3D Realms' catalogue. Its deep upgrade system and vast array of enemy types, combined with expansive level design, provided a robust and replayable experience that stood out in its genre. The enduring appeal, preserved through this 2014 re-release, showcases 3D Realms' commitment to publishing engaging and memorable titles that continue to entertain a new generation of players.
Word Rescue (2014)
#1414.0Word Rescue (2014) presents an engrossing educational experience, boasting vivid EGA/VGA graphics and support for classic sound cards like Adlib and Sound Blaster. Utilizing the same advanced graphical system as early Duke Nukem titles, it features state-of-the-art dual-screen scrolling, a technical marvel akin to capabilities seen on the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis home systems. Players embark on a word-finding adventure across diverse locations such as dark caves, rocky cliffs, happy towns, and haunted houses, with the option to play as either a girl or a boy character. This comprehensive package offers three unique multi-level adventures with 330 words to rescue, fostering learning in reading, spelling, word meanings, and logic-solving, proving enjoyable for a wide range of players. This title earns its place among the best games by 3D Realms (Apogee Software's evolution) not just for its engaging play but for demonstrating the studio's technical prowess and genre versatility beyond their famed action series. By applying the cutting-edge Duke Nukem graphical engine to an educational game, Apogee proved their ability to deliver high-quality, technically sophisticated experiences for all audiences. Word Rescue exemplifies the developer's commitment to "Progress Through Play," making learning genuinely fun while offering features like progress saving, high score lists, and even partial Xbox 360 Controller support in its modern iteration, solidifying its legacy as a foundational and enduringly popular offering from the esteemed studio.
Math Rescue (2014)
#1515.0In "Math Rescue (2014)", players embark on a crucial mission to recover all the numbers stolen by the mischievous Gruzzles, the same villains who once targeted our written words. Designed for ages 6 and up, this adventure offers a flexible learning environment where users can choose problem types from addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or a mix, catering to various skill levels. Players can personalize their experience by selecting a boy or girl avatar before venturing through captivating locations like the deep sea, volcanic landscapes, and the vast cosmos, all while enjoying an educational journey enhanced by game saves, built-in help, a high-score list, and even partial Xbox 360 Controller support. "Math Rescue" earns its distinguished place among the best games by 3D Realms as a testament to the developer's surprising versatility beyond their renowned action and FPS titles. Originally a pioneer in educational software from the studio's early days, this 2014 iteration carries forward that legacy, showcasing 3D Realms' capacity to create fun, comprehensive learning tools with the same attention to detail and engaging design found in their blockbuster hits. Its success in combining entertainment with fundamental arithmetic education, offering features like character choice and adaptive difficulty, proved that a "best of" list for 3D Realms must encompass the breadth of their innovative contributions, including those that inspired a younger generation of learners.
Paganitzu (2014)
#1616.0Paganitzu (2014) delivers a genuine adventure that transcends a simple series of levels, allowing players to navigate multiple routes to success and ensuring that many intriguing situations and animated sequences might be missed on a first playthrough, all carrying the player through an entire pyramid to a dramatic conclusion. The journey is split into three parts: "Romancing the Rose" sees Al inadvertently release a powerful, world-ravaging spirit within the Aztec pyramid; "The Silver Dagger" finds Al exploring deeper into a world of fiery devastation filled with new graphics and perils; and "Jewel of the Yucatan" reveals the horrifying truth of the pyramid as a living entity, culminating in a chilling end. The game features the ability to save and restore up to five games, partial Xbox 360 Controller support, and a "Harrison Hoard" of secret treasures and hidden rooms. This definitive collection of Paganitzu earns its spot on a list of the best games by 3D Realms as a prime example of Apogee Software's (which became 3D Realms) early shareware prowess and innovative design. Long before their famous 3D shooters, titles like Paganitzu established the company's reputation for crafting engaging puzzle-platforming adventures with intricate level design, hidden secrets, and a multi-part narrative that kept players hooked. Its challenging gameplay and emphasis on exploration cultivated a dedicated fanbase and solidified the formula for quality that would define many of 3D Realms' later successes, marking it as a foundational and enduring classic in their impressive catalog.
Realms of Chaos (2014)
#1717.0Realms of Chaos (2014) immerses players in a high-octane adventure through a vibrant, realistic VGA world, presented with a high-speed, 360-degree scrolling playfield viewed at a tilted perspective. The darkness of the game's narrative is gradually unveiled across three distinct chapters, each comprising three unique realms filled with new enemies, graphics, traps, and challenges across 26 killer levels. Players command two unique characters: a male warrior boasting a devastating sword attack and extra stamina, and a female sorceress capable of long-range fireball assaults and an agile leap. The ability to switch between these heroes instantly allows for strategic adaptation to every peril, including four incredible bosses and a final super boss. This title rightfully earns its place among the best from 3D Realms, a testament to the company's legacy of innovative and engaging PC games. Although re-released in 2014, the game’s core experience, originally from Apogee Software (which became 3D Realms), showcases the developer's mastery of 2D action-platforming. It provides extensive replayability with five difficulty levels, from 'Super Easy' to 'Psycho Warrior,' introducing new hazards at higher tiers, complemented by a robust save-anywhere system. Furthermore, its iconic MIDI music and digital sound effects are crafted by Bobby Prince, whose award-winning contributions to *Wolfenstein 3D*, *DOOM*, and *Duke Nukem 3D* are legendary, firmly establishing *Realms of Chaos* as a classic in the developer's celebrated catalog.
Major Stryker (2014)
#1818.0Major Stryker is notable as the first Apogee game to feature triple-parallax scrolling, dramatically enhancing the illusion of depth and danger across its environments. Players pilot a high-powered, armored space ship through dozens of visually stunning scenarios, ranging from intricate space stations to perilous lava caves and mysterious alien cities. This experience is powered by EGA high-speed animated graphics (VGA compatible) and awesome cinematic sequences, creating an engaging visual feast for its era. The game further rewards exploration with "Bounty Hunter" bonuses and secrets to uncover, alongside practical features like saving and restoring up to 10 games, and partial Xbox 360 Controller support for modern play. This 2014 re-release earns its place among the best games by 3D Realms (Apogee Software) by preserving and presenting a foundational title from their rich history. The original Major Stryker, released in 1993, was a testament to Apogee's pioneering spirit in the shareware market, pushing technical boundaries with its innovative scrolling techniques and delivering tightly crafted side-scrolling action. Its inclusion on such a list underscores 3D Realms' early mastery of engaging 2D shooters, demonstrating their consistent commitment to quality and innovation that laid the groundwork for future successes. The enduring appeal of its fast-paced action and inventive level design makes it a vital piece of the company's celebrated catalog.
Mystic Towers (2014)
#1919.0Mystic Towers (2014) invites players into an action-oriented and puzzle-filled adventure steeped in exploration and magic. As Baron Baldric, you navigate a sprawling world of 540 rooms, where over 30 unique monsters crawl, slither, and fly, demanding diverse combat strategies. Baldric's versatile abilities allow him to jump, push, pull, flip switches, open doors, and climb ladders, complemented by an array of weapon spells like fireballs and venom. The game also features a deep magic system with spells such as Healing, Reveal for secret areas, Levitate, and Teleport, all playable with mouse, keyboard, or joystick, and the freedom to save progress at any time and place. This title holds a significant place among the best games released by 3D Realms (formerly Apogee Software), representing a unique entry in their storied publishing catalog. Unlike many of their fast-paced shooters, Mystic Towers offered a deliberate, isometric puzzle-adventure experience that showcased the company's commitment to diverse and innovative PC gaming. Its extensive environmental interaction, requiring players to look under objects, push buttons, and move almost any item, combined with complex, multi-level tower traversal via ladders and invisible bridges, provided a cerebral challenge. This blend of exploration, strategic combat, and magical problem-solving made it a standout and memorable game, solidifying its legacy as a distinct gem from an era defined by Apogee's pioneering spirit.
Shadow Warrior (Classic) (2014)
#2020.0Lo Wang, an elite assassin for the powerful Zilla Enterprises, uncovers a dark secret: Master Zilla's demonic plan to conquer Japan with creatures summoned from the dark side. A man of honor, Wang quits, but his former employer cannot allow such a formidable warrior to walk free. Unleashing his summoned monstrosities, Master Zilla's first command is to eliminate the rogue Shadow Warrior. Players will experience an intense action game where they can swim, duck, jump, drive vehicles, and climb ladders, all while interacting with and destroying nearly every object in the environment, even smashing down walls with cars. This 2014 re-release of the 1997 classic stands as a testament to 3D Realms' pioneering work in the first-person shooter genre. Utilizing the advanced BUILD engine, it delivered groundbreaking 'room-over-room' architecture, allowing for unprecedented verticality and complex map design, a signature innovation from the studio known for pushing boundaries. Its blend of fast-paced action, interactive environments, and robust 8-player network deathmatch and co-operative play firmly establishes Shadow Warrior as one of the most imaginative and feature-rich shooters of its era, securing its place among the very best games developed by 3D Realms.
ZIQ (2018)
#2121.0ZIQ (2018) is an intense arcade runner that challenges players with its unique polarity-switching gameplay. As the prototype Z series IQ nanite (ZIQ), you must navigate treacherous, procedurally-generated obstacle courses, running, dodging, jumping, and pulling pickups. The core mechanic revolves around quickly swapping ZIQ's polarity to safely pass or even destroy polarized obstacles. With over 25 obstacle types and countless combinations across seven themed stages, death is a constant companion, but thanks to nanoforms' endless reconstruction, it offers no respite. Success hinges on mastering pickup sequences, maintaining chains, and timing pulls for optimal scores, culminating in an Overcharged state after seven chained sequences, allowing ZIQ to destroy polarity traps for bonus points and climb the global leaderboard. The game is set against the backdrop of an unending vendetta waged by Swarm, an ancient AI turned malevolent, who forces ZIQ through these torturous experiments to improve its neural network. Indifferent to ZIQ’s suffering, Swarm, voiced by YouTube’s Dash Star, relentlessly heckles the player for every mistake, increasing the stage difficulty the better you perform. This blend of fast-paced, demanding gameplay, abstract sci-fi visuals, and dark synth music is complemented by Swarm's constant berating, creating a uniquely challenging and often darkly humorous experience. Its focus on skill-based arcade action, innovative mechanics, and a strong, personality-driven antagonist makes ZIQ a fitting addition to the "Best games by 3D Realms" list, aligning with their history of supporting engaging and often irreverent titles that prioritize challenging and memorable player experiences.
Graveball (2018)
#2222.0"Graveball (2018)" thrusts players into a macabre yet hilarious sports arena set within a local cemetery, where sporting goblins engage in a unique blend of football and basketball. Teams of three depraved, shovel-wielding creatures vie for possession of the "skullball," aiming to carry it into the opposing end zone for two seconds to score, or even shoot it into a periodically appearing hoop. This fast-paced, multiplayer combat sports game also rewards simultaneous elimination of the opposing team, adding a significant brawler element to its 75% sports, 25% arena brawler mix. With hilarious ragdoll physics, tight controls, and skill-based mechanics that eschew auto-aim, players can expect intense online competitive matches on dedicated servers or local co-op play, all while tracking stats and customizing their goblin with a variety of masks, weapons, hairstyles, and taunts. Death is merely a temporary setback, as fallen goblins respawn as swift ghosts, ready to summon a new body from the earth. This quirky title earns its place among the best games by 3D Realms as a prime example of the publisher's modern commitment to supporting innovative and distinctive independent titles. While 3D Realms is historically celebrated for groundbreaking first-person shooters, their role in publishing "Graveball" highlights their embrace of unique multiplayer experiences that resonate with the irreverent humor and skill-based gameplay often found in their own developed classics. Its blend of competitive sport, arena combat, and over-the-top character makes it a standout in their contemporary catalog, demonstrating their eye for games that offer deep, engaging mechanics and a memorable identity, solidifying its position as a notable entry in their storied publishing history.
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