Forsaken (video game)

Lore & Background

Forsaken is set on a futuristic Earth in 2113, where all life was destroyed by a shockwave from a science accident. The goal differs by platform: in PC and PlayStation versions, the player seeks the planet's lost treasure; in the Nintendo 64 release, the goal is to kill looters finding the treasure. The single-player mode features 22 missions across four difficulty modes (easy, normal, hard, total mayhem), with paths that change based on objectives achieved, similar to Starfox 64. Multiplayer includes six game types, supporting up to 16 players on PC, four on Nintendo 64, and two on PlayStation.

Development began in 1996 under the title ProjectX, later changed to Condemned, and finally Forsaken to avoid a naming conflict. The game was heavily technology-driven, often bundled with graphics hardware to showcase 3D acceleration. A Sega Saturn version was announced but canceled. The soundtrack, performed and produced by The Swarm (Dominic Glynn and Stephen Root), features dynamic drum and bass and electronica, later released as an album on No Bones Records. Plans for a sequel by Acclaim Studios Teesside were scrapped when Acclaim closed the studio in 2002.

Reader's Guide

Forsaken received favorable reviews on all platforms according to GameRankings. Critics highlighted its real-time colored lighting effects, high frame rates, and detailed enemy ships, though some found the gameplay derivative of Descent and Quake. The difficulty was often considered excessive, leading Acclaim to release patch 1.00 to reduce it. The Nintendo 64 version was praised for its lighting effects, called the best on the system, but criticized for its default controls and multiplayer visibility issues. The PC version exceeded expectations for some reviewers, who anticipated another title prioritizing 3D effects over gameplay. Edge gave the PlayStation version 8/10, noting it refined the Descent formula, and the N64 version 8/10, hoping for similar quality across multi-format titles. Next Generation called the N64 version 'solid, enjoyable stuff' and the PC version 'a good distraction' until bigger releases. The game's legacy includes its use as a benchmark for 3D graphics cards and a 2018 high-definition remaster by Nightdive Studios.

Did You Know?

• The game was originally titled ProjectX, then Condemned, before being renamed Forsaken to avoid a naming conflict.
• A Sega Saturn version was announced but canceled as part of Acclaim's withdrawal of support for the system.
• The soundtrack was performed and produced by The Swarm, featuring dynamic drum and bass and electronica tracks.
• The Nintendo 64 version was released on the Nintendo Classics service via the Mature 17+ app in 2025.