The most interesting games released in 1999
All the best and most popular games of the year, upcoming releases, and hits from the past. Use filters to narrow down search.
Half-Life: Opposing Force
Action
December 3, 1999
The official expansion for Half-Life, Valve's bestselling debut from 1998. Gearbox Software, a young but experienced studio, was chosen to create the expansion. The Opposing Force storyline presents the events known from the original from a completely different perspective. We play as one of Gordon Freeman's opponents - a marine sent to cover up an incident at Black Mesa laboratories.
Unreal Tournament (1999)
Action
November 23, 1999
A first-person shooter based on the engine of the bestselling game Unreal. The title was developed by Digital Extremes and focuses on online battles between players on futuristic arenas. In Unreal Tournament the players can compete in several gameplay modes – deathmatch, team deathmatch, capture the flag, domination, last man standing, and assault. Each mode is different from the remaining ones. There aren’t many weapons available, but each one can be used in two ways. In addition to the multiplayer mode, the developers have also prepared a single player mode which consists of a series of matches against AI-controlled opponents. The realistic behavior of the bots is worth mentioning – their intelligence can be set based on player’s skills and preferred gameplay style.
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
Strategy
September 28, 1999
The second installment belonging to an incredibly popular series of real-time strategy games. Age of Empires II: The Age of the Kings was developed by Ensemble Studios. The player assumes command of a civilization chosen (13 in total here) and leads them through subsequent stages of development. For example, one can play as Franks, Mongols, Celts or Vikings. Compared to the first installment, the visuals were improved (more detailed), as was the AI of the player's subordinates - as a result, additional orders can be given to them, such as to patrol the vicinity, to guard a designated spot, or to follow a specific target. Furthermore, an option to group units into various formations was introduced. Apart from that, the player can now trade and manipulate the prices of different resources. Age of Empires II: The Age of the Kings features both single player modes (such as a campaign devoted to a Scottish national hero William Wallace) and a multiplayer variant (PC version only).
Commandos: Beyond the Call of Duty
Strategy
March 31, 1999
An independent expansion for Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines – a famous tactical real-time strategy developed by Spanish Pyro Studios. The described expansion offers eight complex and dangerous missions that are entrusted to a small group of commandos, made up from soldiers with different abilities. Our team receives completely new tasks, such as capturing enemy soldiers, destroying artillery emplacements, or sabotaging a prototype plane. Each hero has a set of useful abilities, with sniper fire or distracting enemies with cigarettes being only the tip of the iceberg. The unit receives some help from the locals: a woman from Dutch resistance, and a Yugoslavian major. Additionally, Commandos: Beyond the Call of Duty expands the core game with new buildings, vehicles, and weapons.
Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun
Strategy
August 24, 1999
The third entry in the ground-breaking real-time strategy game series, this time calling back to the very first game from 1995. The game itself, however, takes us to the beginning of 21st century and once again puts us in charge of the weakened Nod Brotherhood or GDI alliance that tries to maintain the world peace under the command of General Salomon. Despite what we could have thought, the charismatic leader of Nod did not die under the ruins of his temple and is quick to begin a new conflict, which can change the world forever. Gameplay of Tiberian Sun doesn’t differ much from the original, though the creators from Westood studio made sure to implement some changes and novelties. Each faction has new buildings and units that force us to develop new tactics. There also additions like new, three-dimensional game engine, improved cutscenes with well-known actors (including James Earl Jones and Michael Biehn) and enhanced multiplayer for up to 8 players.
Quake III: Arena
Action
December 3, 1999
The third installment of a bestselling series by id Software, and one of the most important titles when it comes to multiplayer FPP shooters. The greatest novelty introduced by Quake III: Arena is the fact that after two previous installments of the series, intended to be played both in multi-, and single player modes, the developers decided to focus exclusively on the multiplayer aspect of the game. Thus, the basic form of gameplay here are skirmishes between two teams, governed by a set of clearly-defined rules. Although Quake III: Arena contains a single player mode, it is based only on skirmishes with AI-controlled bots, and can be treated as training before the actual multiplayer gameplay.
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
Adventure
September 22, 1999
The third installment of the extremely popular survival horror series, which is supervised by Capcom. Players once again find themselves in the fictional town of Raccoon City, whose residents have been turned into bloodthirsty zombies. Of course, behind these events is once again the Umbrella corporation, from whose laboratory escaped another, deadly virus. We're given two protagonists - at the beginning we control only Jill Valentine from the elite S.T.A.R.S. unit, but with time a Brazilian mercenary, Carlos Oliveira, joins her.
Grand Theft Auto 2
Action
October 22, 1999
A sequel to the very popular, and rather controversial, game from DMA Design (currently Rockstar North), which offered a taste of criminal lifestyle, letting you commit progressively more brazen and bloody acts of violence. The second part once again takes you to the streets of a virtual metropolis, and although it features only one city, it is much bigger than those in the first game. It is divided into three districts controlled by three local gangs. Players do various jobs for the gangs. With each successful mission their reputation in the group's ranks increases. As it was in the first game, while on a mission, the player can make use of a wide arsenal of weapons as well as more than 120 distinctive vehicles. This time, however, it's not just the police that are trying to get in your way; you will be facing SWAT, FBI, and even the army. Gameplay is presented in top-down perspective, although the graphics are more colorful than before, and accompanied by radio music playing each time you are driving a car.
System Shock 2
RPG
August 11, 1999
System Shock 2 brings a continuation to a an acclaimed action game featuring RPG elements, combining classic science-fiction elements with cyberpunk. The second installment was once again created by Looking Glass, this time however, supported by Irrational Games. The game is set 40 years after the events depicted in the original System Shock, when the UNN military organization tries to limit the power of great corporations, using a state-of-the-art spaceship called Von Braun to do so. The player takes on the role of a volunteer who wakes up during the vessel's first flight and finds out that the crew is dead and the ship is overrun by dangerous mutants and rebellious robots. The mechanics of the original System Shock were changed to a certain degree - elements of action, role-playing and adventure games were complemented this time by a portion of features associated with the survival horror genre. Furthermore, the character development mechanics were expanded. The player chooses one of three available classes differing in skills they offer.
Heroes of Might and Magic III: Armageddon's Blade
Strategy
September 30, 1999
The first official expansion to the renowned turn-based fantasy strategy game Heroes of Might and Magic III from the New World Computing studio. The storyline of the Armageddon’s Blade expansion tells the tale of the events, which took place after the end of the campaign of the vanilla version of the production. The main story arc revolves around the character of the lord of Eeofol – Kreegan, who desires to create a powerful weapon, and by using its might he means to bring chaos and destruction to the entire world. The future queen of Erathia – Catherine, takes up arms against him together with her husband and other allies. Counting the five subplots, we receive a total of six new campaigns in the expansion, which consists of 26 missions in total. Armageddon’s Blade also features 38 new maps for single player games and 10 for multiplayer skirmishes. The game also has a new town (Conflux), 23 previously unavailable creatures, and two fresh hero classes (in total 18 new characters) with distinct features and unique abilities. All of the above is further improved by numerous adjustments to the game mechanics and an enhanced map editor and map generator.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Action
May 19, 1999
Based on the motifs of the film opening the Star Wars saga an action game with a third person's perspective. As Anakin Skywalker, Qui-Gon Jinn, Queen Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi and other Star War heroes, the player has to face the dangers lurking on the planets of Naboo and Tatooine, as well as in the capital of the Republic - Coruscant.
Need for Speed 4: High Stakes
Racing
March 1, 1999
The fourth installment in the famous series of racing games started in 1995 by Electronic Arts. Need for Speed: Road Challenge (also known as Need for Speed: High Stakes) expands the best ideas of its predecessors. It offers 18 licensed vehicles from the world's most famous brands and 20 varied tracks that contain traffic, jams and police patrols. The game features several different race modes, including the Hot Pursuit Mode introduced in the third game, in which the player can act as a cop and drive a police car. In comparison to the previous installments in the series, the game features improved visuals and AI of the drivers. Changing weather conditions and realistic destruction model were added. The latter is reflected both in visual damage of cars and in reduced performance of vehicles. For the first time in the series a simple economy was added that allows the player to repair and upgrade the vehicles.
Ancient Conquest: Quest for the Golden Fleece
Strategy
June 8, 1999
A real time strategy taking place in mythological realities. The creators prepared 14 missions comprising the Golden Fleece campaign and a multitude of individual scenarios. During the game we collect raw materials, fight against mythical beasts, recruit heroes and develop the fleet. In addition, a map and mission editor is available in the game.
Silent Hill
Adventure
January 31, 1999
A classic survival horror movie from PlayStation, which started one of the most popular series in its genre. In the game we play the role of Harry Mason, who together with his daughter goes on holiday to the title town of Silent Hill. On the spot, the protagonist undergoes an accident, after which it turns out that his daughter has disappeared and the city is shrouded in dense, mysterious fog.
Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia
Strategy
March 3, 1999
The third installment in a popular series of turn-based strategy games set in a fantasy universe and developed by New World Computing. After the death of king Gryphonheart, Erathia was brought to its knees by the dark forces of Nighon and Eofol. Gryphonheart's daughter - Queen Catherine, the ruler of Enroth. returns to her homeland in order to unite her compatriots in the fight against the forces of evil. The game remains faithful to the gameplay formula of its predecessors, thus the player explores Erathia in search of mythical artifacts and treasures, as well as expands their towns. What is also an inherent part of the experience, is the necessity to recruit armies and fight turn-based battles against various kinds of enemies. Compared to the franchise's previous iterations, the game introduces new heroes, new kinds of towns, and 118 types of units having new abilities and 64 spells at their disposal; the spells were divided into 4 schools of magic. The in-game maps have become larger and more detailed. Also, graphics, animations and multiplayer variants were improved.
Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor
RPG
June 9, 1999
The seventh installment in one of the most popular first-person RPGs by New World Computing. Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor takes us to the world of Erathia, which slowly regains its balance. It quickly turns out that multiple different races cannot coexist peacefully, and the increasing tensions between humans and elves will soon become intolerable. The Necromancer guild tries to use the situation in Erathia to their wicked ends, and only the player-controlled party can thwart their plan. Apart from the main storyline, the game features 18 side quests, nearly 30 kinds of monsters, and over 500 non-player characters. The seventh installment of the saga, created on the basis of its predecessor, offers a similar visual quality level as well as comparable gameplay mechanics and character development system. The number of available classes was increased, though, and the plot became multi-threaded, thus forcing the player to make choices that have an impact on the further course of the story.
Re-Volt
Racing
July 31, 1999
Re-Volt is one of Acclaim's most crazy racing games. Players take control of remote-controlled cars and start exciting races on bizarre tracks, such as a toy shop, botanical garden and museum. As the game progresses, new models of cars with different technical parameters are unlocked.
Psychic Force 2
Fighting
October 7, 1999
Converted from slot machines, a three-dimensional fight in which people endowed with extraordinary abilities fight. The production is distinguished by the specific mechanics of rolling clashes and the fact that they take place in oval cages where warriors levitate.
Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator
RPG
October 30, 1999
Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator is a cRPG game created by Valkyrie's development team. The player takes on the role of a heroine named Maya, who tries to save the fantastic world of Septerra Core and its inhabitants from destruction. The creators have prepared more than 200 locations located on 15 vast levels, as well as 140 NPCs you can meet during the game.
Hype: The Time Quest
Adventure
November 18, 1999
Adventures of knight Hyp in the land of dragons, fairies and giants. The game combines arcade and adventure elements and is designed for younger players. The authors have taken advantage of the Playmobil license, thanks to which the characters resemble people from the bricks produced by this company.
Pharaoh
Strategy
October 30, 1999
A cult economic strategy game created by Impressions Games and published by Sierra Entertainment. Pharaoh takes place in the Nile valley, several hundred years B.C., and spans from the era of the great pyramids to the New Kingdom period. As the pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, you have to transform local villages into great cities, take care of your people's needs, and make your country the greatest of them all. A big factor in the development of your country is agriculture, which is dependent on the flooding of the Nile. You develop your cities, build famous structures (such as the pyramids, the Sphinx, or the Luxor Temple), and also oversee the trade, religion and culture. Apart from governing the cities, the game also features a tactical combat system, both on land and at sea. Pharaoh features several single-player campaigns, each consisting of several dozen of missions. The 2D visuals of the game are very detailed and utilize an isometric view.