http://whatculture.com/gaming/10-pioneering-video-games-that-were-way-ahead-of-their-time

In regards to gaming, there have been countless games released ahead of their time that have attempted to revolutionise the medium, reinventing core concepts or reimagining narrative and gameplay preconceptions. In some cases, these games have been praised for their groundbreaking achievements; in others, they’ve been outright rejected, misinterpreted, or otherwise ignored in favour of more cautious, conventional or unadventurous titles.



Without a doubt, every example on this list has pioneered in one way or another, and while many have received the recognition they deserve, others have been disregarded, overlooked or otherwise forgotten. Without them, the current state of gaming would be virtually unrecognisable, these games having pushed the boundaries of possibility, transforming the medium into what it is today.



As such, here are seven pioneering video games that have paved the way for everything to come......

Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 – the fourth instalment in the franchise, and the first to include third-person camera perspectives, as well as more action orientated gameplay – was way ahead of its time. Something of a hybrid, the game represented a pivotal moment in the series, a moment in which focus shifted away from conventional survival horror elements to a more commercial action-adventure style of gameplay.

In the game, players assume the role of Leon S. Kennedy – a special operative tasked with rescuing the president’s daughter from a sinister Spanish cult, Los Illuminados. Alone, vastly outnumbered and completely oblivious to the situation, Leon is soon infected with a lethal virus, leaving him with precious little time to make his escape.

Released in 2005, Resident Evil 4 was an unprecedented cinematic experience, complete with excellent animations, stunning visuals and immersive environments.

Graphically, nothing could compare, the game seeming as though it was somehow made for the following generation of home consoles, accidentally released half a decade early.
To date, it completely holds up, which is a testament to how truly progressive it really was.

Shenmue
Released in 2000, Shenmue was said to have had a budget anywhere between $50 and $70 million, which was an industry record at time of release.

In fact, the game was so ambitious – and commercially disappointing – that it was singlehandedly responsible for transitioning SEGA from a first-party into a third-party developer, the company financially incapable of continuing to produce games consoles.

With that being said, Shenmue was tremendously ahead of its time, featuring weather effects, a day-and-night cycle and an immersive community of non-playable characters, each of which would perform actions independently of the player, moving around the open environment and interacting with other characters.

Besides that, the game was uncharacteristically detailed, making it one of the most innovative titles of its generation.

Interestingly, it was also one of the first games to use quick-time-events during cutscenes, improving upon the immersive quality of the game by keeping the player constantly invested in the action.

Body Harvest
Released in 1998, Body Harvest was developed by DMA Design, and was originally planned to be published by Nintendo, but was dropped by the company following concerns relating to depictions of violence.

In the game, players assume the role of a genetically engineered soldier capable of travelling through time, tasked with preventing numerous alien “harvests” being carried out in multiple locations throughout history.

Interestingly, the game was entirely non-linear, meaning players could venture wherever they pleased, tackling each individual section of the game in whatever order they preferred. Body Harvest also featured numerous sandbox elements, allowing players to commandeer their own vehicles, and wreak havoc in an open-world environment.

As such, the game has been credited with revolutionising concepts which would eventually be popularised by Grand Theft Auto (DMA Design became Rockstar North), but has since been unfortunately eclipsed by the notoriety of that particular series.

Regardless, Body Harvest was remarkably ahead of its time, and - while it may appear considerably dated by modern standards - there was nothing quite like it back in 1998.

Super Mario 64
In terms of 3D gameplay, the 90s were an awkward, transitional phase for gaming, the vast majority of companies struggling to make the jump successfully from two to three dimensions.

As a result, the period was somewhat defined as an experimental time, in which everything from Bubsy 3D to Croc: Legend of the Gobbos tried and failed to make the transition, and nothing seemed to be getting it right.

Released in 1996, Super Mario 64 managed to successfully integrate gratifying gameplay into a 3D environment, pioneering 3D platforming an entire decade before it would become otherwise perfected. To date, the game completely holds up – besides a few camera issues – and is generally considered the best in the series, despite being released over two decades ago.

In fact, the game got nearly everything spot on, preserving the personality of previous 2D instalments, whilst emphasising exploration within a non-linear 3D environment.

As such, the game is considered an archetype of the genre, and is generally considered one of the most influential games ever made, released several years ahead of its time.

Starsiege: Tribes
Starsiege: Tribes – the first instalment in a series of five games – was a critical success, praised for its customisable weapon loadouts, striking visuals and fast-paced gameplay. In the game, players compete in multiple gametypes across forty unique stages, the objectives varying from Deathmatch to Capture the Flag.

Released in 1998, the game was multiplayer only, and was unfortunate enough to be released at a time when most players were restricted to modems, meaning the game suffered tremendously in terms of connectivity, as well as online lag.

It was also remarkably ahead of its time in terms of core concept, the vast majority of players unaccustomed to the prospect of online multiplayer – something which wouldn’t be popularised for several more years.

Regardless, the series is considered a precursor to the modern online shooter, a pioneer in terms of class based combat, and a significant influence on the likes of everything from Halo to Killzone.

Half-Life
Released in 1998, Half-Life materialised at a time when the FPS genre was in its infancy, consisting almost entirely of loud, obnoxious games, all of which heavily inspired by the likes of DOOM and Wolfenstein 3D.

By comparison, Half-Life was relatively slow-paced, taking the time necessary to construct a comprehensive universe in which the action could reasonably take place.

The result was a comparatively realistic shooter which prioritised storytelling and atmosphere over mindless carnage, and in which particular attention was paid to the articulation of certain narrative themes.

In the game, players assume the role Doctor Gordon Freeman, a theoretical physicist inadvertently responsible for causing a resonance cascade, opening a gateway between dimensions and allowing extra-terrestrial invaders to launch an offensive on The Black Mesa Institute. Gameplay is divided equally between puzzles and combat, and while the latter is certainly emphasised throughout the game, the two are combined to create a remarkably diverse experience.
Wolfenstein 3D may have been the first FPS, and DOOM may have been the most prominent, but Half-Life perfected the formula in ways no one could have possibly predicted.

It was something unlike anything that had come before it, and continues to be relevant, as well as tremendously influential to this very day.

Phantasy Star : Online
When it comes to revolutionary games, there are very few that can claim to be as pioneering as Phantasy Star Online.

Released in 2000, the game was a critical and commercial success, and represented SEGA’s first foray into online multiplayer, introducing an entire generation of console gamers to the world of online gaming.

In the game, players choose between three classes, teaming with other players in order to access various stages of the game – which are divided by difficulty, and unlocked as the player advances in rank. Besides multiplayer, a singleplayer mode is also included in which players advance through numerous stages, completing objective and defeating bosses in order to advance in the story, engaging in side-quests for NPC’s in order to gain advanced weaponry.

Released for the Dreamcast, Phantasy Star Online was tremendously ahead of its time, a dungeon-crawler responsible for introducing an entire generation to the world of massive-multiplayer online gaming.

Additionally, the game is credited with being a forerunner in regards to the RPG genre, implementing serious themes and a more mature subject matter, blending everything together under the umbrella of an epic narrative, as well as a more strategy orientated battle system.



cc: lalasticlala Seun Cao Mynd44

Assassin's creed unity, the graphics was way beyond its time

GameGod:
Assassin's creed unity, the graphics was way beyond its time

lol

On Resident Evil 4 though, it wasn't the 1st Res with 3rd person camera, they all did but earlier games had fixed cameras, instead it was the 1st Res with Over the shoulder camera that the player could also control.

Half life is superb though especially Half life 2 and it's episodes, I hate the infected though the same way I hate the flood in Halo.

I disagree any game came ahead of its time, maybe movies like matrix, avatar, games are always built on engines that are made for that time.. Hard to explain... Ea made noise about frostbite... Pls someone tell me the new engine improved visuals and graphics up to 40 percent...

Hmmm

Ok

1st Doom was

Where is Silent Hill?

Residents evil

Like if you remember this

Metal gear solid.1998
PS1.

Sometimes I feel like we are in the stone age

Sega Mega drive mortal Kombat 3 nko?

We way play only super Mario let us sidown here and see

Ayo and ludo nko?

Flashback & Guerilla War on Super Nintendo.

You left out Metal Gear Solid series

Grand Theft Auto

Super Mario

Call of Duty

Halo

Soul Calibur

Tekken

Tony Hawk Pro Scater

Max Payne....

If it is not soccer forget it

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
Soul Reaver: Legacy Of Kane

Chai!!! Games move me no more unlike while growing up even went as far as going to Play Station game centre's during Sunday service.
Agu u almost turned me to an addict.. Thank my family relocated ooo

If there is no God of war............................................. . ........ ......... Story for the gods.....