Descent is a 3D first-person shooter video game which spawned two direct sequels (Descent II and Descent³). The Descent name was also used for an unrelated space simulator released by Volition, Inc. called Descent: FreeSpace due to trademark issues. Descent was developed by Parallax Software and released in 1995. Although unsophisticated by modern gaming standards, it is still cherished by a strong community of fans, particularly for online multiplayer, and new levels continue to be developed.
The series has a strong following due to its unique "six degrees of freedom" gameplay. However, because this gameplay can be challenging and strongly favors the use of a joystick, Descent never gained the popularity of more conventional ground-based 3D first-person shooter games. Being regarded as a Doom clone by casual gamers meant that Descent's unique aspects were often overlooked, confining it to a niche. Limited support for modifications, compared to some competing games such as Doom and Quake, also effectively limited its lasting appeal.
Descent (classic Fps)