There have been many iconic studios throughout gaming’s storied history, but some of the most recognizable ones were born in the 80s. From LucasArts and Activision to 3D Realms and Arc System Works, the list literally goes on and on!One studio that was established during that timeframe and helped shape the gaming industry into what it is today is the amazing Interplay Entertainment. The company has played a role in many titles, including creating the Fallout series and publishing the early Baldur’s Gate titles, but that’s just the start!
While that might be two of the most mainstream titles to have been touched by the company created by Brian Fargo, Jay Patel, Troy Worrell, and Rebecca Heineman, there have been plenty of other games that the studio has been a part of.
With the awesome
Interplay catalog sale underway on GOG.COM, we thought it would be the perfect time to look at some of these other stellar titles that have come from the studio, so join us as we touch on some of the greatest hits, and stick around for a bit of history regarding the company!
From platformers and sidescrollers to epic space adventures, there’s a lot to love so let’s dive in:
Cyberia - The first game on this list released way back in 1994 and featured amazing visuals and gameplay for its time. In this action-adventure game, you have to solve puzzles, explore the environment, and you even have the chance to control the guns in various vehicles.
Descent - The next game on our list is a first-person shooter that was first released in 1995. You play a mercenary pilot sent to eliminate an alien threat that is infecting robots. What makes this title special is that it was the first FPS game to feature true-3D graphics!
Earthworm Jim 1+2 - If you were gaming in the 90s, you are almost certainly aware of this classic platformer. While you might be familiar with the game, did you know that the developers were inspired by the success of Sonic the Hedgehog? They saw the popularity of creating a unique franchise and wanted one of their own, and thus, Earthworm Jim was born. There was even a TV series based on the games!
Redneck Rampage Collection - The second first-person shooter on our list, this one trades in sci-fi for a fictional town in Alabama. As the name implies, you’ll be shooting your way through a variety of aliens, but what really sets this game apart is the unique power-ups. You’ll be using such southern staples as Moon Pies, pork rinds, and alcohol as you make your way through the levels.
Freespace 2 - Moving back to sci-fi, Freespace 2 is the sequel to Descent: Freespace, a series we mentioned above. This one improved on almost every aspect of the prior titles in the series. You continue your role as a space pilot, this time tasked with protecting Earth and its allies, while also squashing a rebellion uprising!
Sacrifice - The final game on our list is a real-time strategy game that separated itself from other similar titles at the time. Unlike many RTS that put a focus on resource-gathering, Sacrifice has you collecting souls and casting a variety of spells.
A look back at Interplay Entertainment
Interplay, founded in 1983, started as a company that focused on software conversions and even did some defense contract work for the military. It wasn’t until a deal with Activision regarding a handful of text adventure games that the company started really dabbling in the budding gaming industry.
One thing led to another and the company became a part of many successful titles like the ones mentioned above. The studio’s first self-published games consisted of Battle Chess and Neuromancer. From there, Interplay continued publishing its own games, while also helping other companies release their own games.
In total, Interplay Entertainment was a part of over 100 games, helping solidify its place in gaming history. To this day, you can see games inspired by these classics, with some titles like Fallout and Baldur’s Gate continuing to live on. Interplay truly was, for lack of better words, a game-changer.
So, join us as we celebrate the company’s epic legacy and make sure to check out some of the awesome deals we have on Interplay games on GOG.COM!What are some of your favorite Interplay titles? Plan on revisiting some of them? Let us know down in the comments below! 