On February 13, 2014 we note the release of Descent some 19 years ago.  (yeah, I know, today is the 17th, I'm late.  sue me)

Looking back over the years, I marvel at what has taken place.  I still remember the games that were common place back in 1995 (queue flashback sequence)...  PC players had a fair number of game choices (assuming their computer could handle it and that they even had a computer) such as Earthworm Jim, Star Wars: X-Wing, Star Wars: TIE Fighter, Star Wars: Dark Forces, Doom, Doom II, Heretic, Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, King's Quest, and Wing Commander.   While these games, if you had them (and I emphasize the IF), could provide many hours of entertainment and while some were space battle types of games (heavy on the Star Wars theme) many of them were "ground pounders" and posses a significant "flaw" if you will.  When viewing their map, or when designing levels, it was apparent with most of the games of the time, the playing field/arena was very 2 dimensional.  You could go up, down, side to side, back and forth, but never over or under.  The "3rd dimension" was lacking.  It was simulated, to be sure and games like Doom and Heretic tried hard to simulate going over or under, the player never actually did so.

Along came Descent sporting actual 3D graphics and the previously un-heard of actual 360 degrees of movement both in player position and in the environment itself.  It was groundbreaking and ... barf generating... until you got used to it.   If you played it long enough to get used to it, you were hooked and could only laugh and deride at the other "poser" games.

I tip my glass (be it orange juice, cocoa, beer, wine, or fine milk...) to the game that set new standards and two great sequels, all of which still have not been fully duplicated again.

Long may we be able to play Descent!