The most interesting games released in 2001
All the best and most popular games of the year, upcoming releases, and hits from the past. Use filters to narrow down search.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 - Yuri's Revenge
Strategy
October 17, 2001
The official expansion to Command & Conquer 2: Red Alert 2, the renowned RTS released in 2000 by the Westwood Studios company. The expansion pack, titled Yuri’s Revenge, expands the storyline of the vanilla version by adding an additional plot thread, in which Yuri – the advisor of the main antagonist of Red Alert 2 – is the lead character. Similarly to the previous installment of the production, the single player campaign has been divided into two separate parts (seven missions for each of the factions), allowing us to declare ourselves either for the Allied or the Soviet side of the conflict. The multiplayer mode has also been further developed with the addition of ten new scenarios and also an entirely new faction – the forces of Yuri. Furthermore, the title also features previously unavailable regions, such as Hollywood, London, Cairo or Transylvania; several unique buildings and units have also been added to the expansion, including the Virus sniper, the genetically modified Brute, the Boomer submarine, as well as the Slave Miner excavation vehicle. The developers have also prepared over an hour of HD cutscenes to further enhance our gameplay experience.
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Action
November 20, 2001
A first-person shooter set during World War II and an attempt at refreshing the legendary FPS Wolfenstein 3D, a breakthrough installment in the series that originally began in 1981. It was developed by a previously unknown studio called Gray Matter, although id Software, the creators of the original, kept watch over the development process. In the game, we assume the role of an American soldier of Polish descent, B.J. Blazkowicz, who is tasked with stopping a secret Nazi experiment that aims to resurrect prince Heinrich I and use his power to gain upper hand in war. During his mission, the protagonist has to face various enemies that include not only SS soldiers but also creatures that are the result of the secret German experiments and supernatural powers. The game’s multiplayer mode is its big asset—players are divided into Allies and Nazis, and each side has different tasks to perform. The high-quality graphics are powered by a modified Quake III engine.
Grand Theft Auto III
Action
October 23, 2001
Another installment in the controversial series of action games started in 1997. Grand Theft Auto III was developed by the authors of the original game, the DMA Design studio, this time under the wings of Rockstar. The third entry revolutionized the series by unleashing the players into an open, fully three-dimensional world brimming with virtual life. This was possible thanks to the RenderWare technology. The game takes place in Liberty City, a virtual adaptation of New York. The main protagonist is a young man named Claude who dreams about becoming the boss of the underworld and taking revenge on people who almost sent him to prison. The story of the game is non-linear and develops as the player completes dozens of assignments from various mafia bosses. A large arsenal of weapons can be useful in completing these tasks. The game also contains dozens of vehicles which – similarly as in the previous installments of the series – can be used with no limitations.
Codename: Outbreak
Action
October 12, 2001
An addictive action game from the perspective of the FPS, in which we become a fighter of those fighting to defend humanity. Eliminate the cosmic plague spreading on earth with your powerful weapon. Instead of leading a single character, we take command of the entire unit. In addition to the solo campaign, there is also a multiplayer mode.
Halo: Combat Evolved
Action
November 15, 2001
Halo: Combat Evolved is a futuristic FPP/TPP shooter that was a launch title of the Xbox console and became Microsoft's first system seller. It was developed by Bungie Software, a studio previously known for the Myth series. The game tells the story of a conflict between humans and aliens that are bent on annihilating our kind. We play as a genetically modified soldier and a member of an elite military unit that was established in order to defeat the alien threat. We will visit many various areas, like forests, swamps, meadows, and alien bases. Halo: Combat Evolved uses an advanced game engine with realistic physic that allows us to use all elements of the game's environment as covers. The game comes with a multiplayer mode that can be played online or on split-screen.
Red Faction
Action
May 21, 2001
An action game, developed by Volition, combining the features of a classic FPS game with extensive adventure game elements. The plot of Red Faction has been set in the year 2100, and takes place on Mars. In one of the mines, a rebellion breaks out against the ruthless regime of the Ultor Corporation, and is further fueled by a virus decimating the workers. We assume the role of Parker, who becomes a member, and later the leader of the rebellion aimed at overthrowing the current state of affairs, and proceeds to reveal the secret of the plague. During the gameplay, the players have 15 types of weapons at their disposal, and the ability to control various land, air or sea vehicles. A huge asset of the game is the use of Geo-Mod, an innovative technology allowing for increased interaction with the environment and the ability to modify it by, for example, breaking through walls using explosives. The whole game is complemented by a multiplayer mode for up to 32 players.
Diablo II: Lord of Destruction
RPG
June 29, 2001
Lord of Destruction is the first official expansion pack for Diablo II. It was developed by Blizzard North. The expansion allows the players to fight with the third Prime Evil, Baal, who gathered an army of demons and besieges the Harrogath fortress, which is located at the base of Mount Arreat. The titular Lord of Destruction tries to find the legendary Worldstone. Our job is to stop him before he manages to do so. Along with the new storyline, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction introduces two no classes, Assassin and Druid. The expansion also comes with new weapons and armors, new Horadric Cube combinations, and with items that have a chance of casting a spell when being used. Our item inventory has increased in capacity and we can change the game's resolution from VGA (640x480) to SVGA (800x600). Lord of Destruction's soundtrack was composed, like in the base game, by Matt Uelmen.
Max Payne
Action
July 26, 2001
Max Payne is a third-person perspective action game developed by the Finnish studio Remedy Entertainment. The protagonist is an undercover DEA agent whose task is to locate the source of Valkyr - a deadly new drug. Personally, Max is also seeking revenge against the murderers of his family. He falls victim to a conspiracy and gets accused of killing his supervisor. The creators were inspired by the crime stories from the 1940s and 1950s, Pulp novels, and the movie, The Matrix. The gameplay focuses on very dynamic sequences of spectacular shootings. An innovative gameplay mechanism is the bullet-time effect which allows the player to slow down the passage of time for a short while in order to perform quick movements, such as jumps or dodges.
Gothic
RPG
March 15, 2001
A fantasy action RPG developed by a debuting Piranha Bytes studio, founded by ex-employees of Greenwood Entertainment, a company that prospered in the 1990s. You take on a role of a nameless hero, who, with a group of others, gets incarcerated in a penal colony on Khorinis island. As it turns out, he is not a mere criminal, but a champion of gods who aim to clear the realm of evil forces lead by a mighty demon called The Sleeper. On his quest, the protagonist joins one of three camps and completes many tasks, encountering over 200 non-player characters and a few dozen types of monsters. As he earns experience, the nameless hero develops his skills and learns new abilities – both combat and magic. The game’s 3D graphics is powered by an proprietary engine called ZenGin.
Black & White
Strategy
March 28, 2001
An unusual strategy game with RPG features, developed by the British Lionhead Studios under the lead of a legendary developer, Peter Molyneux. Black & White takes us to the world of Eden, where a long-standing harmony and balance between the humans and the nature is disrupted by the appearance of many deities, whose untamed craving for power leads to countless conflicts and wars. We take role of one of such gods, with our task being to teach and guide our followers, as well as raise a familiar - a powerful creature that will assist us in fights and help control our tribe. Depending on our preferences, we can become a god loved by our people or a merciless tyrant ruling through fear. Our choices will also impact the growth of our familiar, which can turn into friendly and helpful entity or a fearsome monster.
Championship Manager 2001/2002
Sports
October 12, 2001
Championship Manager 2001/2002 is a football manager produced by Sports Interactive studio, allowing players to lead their own football team. The game allows, among other things, setting pre-match strategies, player transfers and expansion of the club infrastructure. The game database contains information about over 100 thousand players playing in 26 leagues and national teams.
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel
Strategy
March 16, 2001
A turn-based tactical strategy game with RPG elements and a spin-off installment of the Fallout series. It was developed cooperatively by Micro Forté and 14° East. The action takes place in the post-nuclear universe of the future, in which we become a member of the eponymous group that seeks to rebuild the world destroyed by the nuclear apocalypse. The players’ task is to locate long-forgotten technologies that will enable them to destroy dangerous foes. To do so, we have to complete a series of subsequent missions that will test our tactical abilities. In Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel, we can make use of a large weapon arsenal and numerous armored vehicles, while the party members, in a typical RPG manner, increase their attributes and skills thanks to the experience points gained in combat. The game can be played either solo or in a network multiplayer for up to 18 players.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
RPG
August 22, 2001
A classic, isometric cRPG, set in an original world combining traditional fantasy elements with nineteenth-century industrial era. Title was developed by the team of Troika Games studio, founded by former employees of Interplay and co-authors of the iconic RPG, Fallout. In Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura we play the part of a simple mortal, who, after having managed to survive the disaster of the world's first airship, becomes widely recognized as a deity due to an ancient elven prophecy, bringing him a whole lot of adventures, troubles, and dangers. The game develops in a nonlinear way, offering, in addition to the main plot line, a whole bunch of extremely complex side quests. Just as in the aforementioned Fallout, the game has no rigid class system; hence, our character can specialize in magic, technology, or freely combine both elements.
FIFA 2002
Sports
October 15, 2001
The next adaptation of the 2002 edition of the popular football simulation allows you to play in the most important leagues in the world and participate in the World Cup 2002 qualifiers. More than 75 licensed national teams and 16 leagues are available, including the English Premier League, the German Bundesliga, the Spanish Premier Division, the French LNF and the American Major League Soccer (MLS).
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
RPG
December 3, 2001
RPG action game from the series, which debuted on PCs. In the console version we received a faster and battle-oriented production, but still unusually atmospheric. The adventure takes the player to the world of Forgotten Realms and allows you to play one of the three daredevils. Tasks, powerful artifacts and mythical monsters - in the game you will find all the typical motifs known from other RPGs.
Commandos 2: Men of Courage
Strategy
September 21, 2001
The sequel of the popular turn-based tactics game from 1998, developed by Spanish Pyro Studios. In Commandos 2: Men of Courage we take over a squad of well-trained commandos, sent to complete various missions behind enemy lines. The group now consists of a green beret, a sapper, a spy, a driver, a sniper, and a diver, with occasional appearances of Natasha, a seductress, and Whiskey, a dog, which is a completely new addition to the series. Each of the characters has his own set of skills, which are often indispensable for the mission to end with victory. The game contains 10 complex levels taking place all around the world, and divided into a number of smaller segments. Our commandos can now move around interiors (including a submarine), and have new skills and movement options. The game is powered by an improved graphical engine that offers various zoom levels, and four different camera shots (every 90 degrees).
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive
Strategy
April 27, 2001
Developed by Spellbound Entertainment, the game is a tactical strategy western-style game based on the mechanics of the popular Commandos series. The action of Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive takes place in the Wild West and during the game we control a team led by gunslinger John Cooper and consisting of six cowboys with different skills. In the team there are: a simple bandit, an expert in explosives, a barber who can heal minor wounds, a poker player and an experienced gambler.
Aliens vs Predator 2
Action
October 31, 2001
The second part of the cult series of FPP shooters, in which we play one of the three races: Alien, Predator or Marines. A fictional campaign dedicated to each of the characters is a unique experience and a completely different combat system. This made the production go down in history as one of the most interesting games of this type. The solo game is complemented by a multiplayer.
Knights & Merchants: The Peasants Rebellion
Strategy
November 1, 2001
Continuation of the strategy and economic game Knights & Merchants: The Shattered Kingdom. The action was set in the Anglo-Saxon realities of the 13th century AD, and the task of the players is to unite numerous smaller states and provinces into one strong kingdom.
Emperor: Battle for Dune
Strategy
June 12, 2001
Westwood's third real-time strategy based on Diuna, Frank Herbert's famous novel. The action takes place after the death of Emperor Fredrick IV. The player takes on the role of one of the three nations, which fight for a unique raw material and absolute power over all other creatures. Great three-dimensional graphics, new units and the ability to play online with other players make this production a must for all Diuny fans.
Zoo Tycoon (2001)
Strategy
October 28, 2001
Tycoon Zoo is an economic strategy developed by Blue Fang Games studio, allowing players to play the role of the manager of the zoo. The duties of a virtual zoo director include taking care of animals, hiring employees, taking care of financial matters and designing and supervising investments. The aim of the game is to create a perfect zoo to which crowds of visitors will be attracted.
Erotica Island
Adventure
April 12, 2001
Adventure with a large number of erotic threads, intended for this reason only for adults. As the well-known playboy Rysiek, we are imprisoned on an island inhabited exclusively by more or less closely resembling women. Our task is to solve many puzzles in order to find a way to escape from this place.
Half-Life: Blue Shift
Action
June 14, 2001
The second, but this time a standalone, addition to the Half-Life game, developed once again by the American studio Gearbox Software under the watchful eye of the original's creators. The next episode is also another look at the same events. This time, they're shown from the perspective of a Black Mesa guardian whose task is to investigate the lab's restricted areas and rescue the surviving scientists.
Empire Earth
Strategy
November 13, 2001
A real-time strategy developed by Stainless Steel Studios, consisting of the creators of the famous Age of Empires series. We play the role of the leader of a given nation and we have been leading its development for over half a million years. The game has a very nice audio-visual setting, many gameplay options, extensive multiplayer mode and a convenient user interface.