Wolfenstein 3D

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: id Software

I’ve never really been a huge first-person shooter fan…however, after playing games like Wolfenstein 3D loooong after its release (my first time playing it was today as I place it on this list) I can definitely understand why the genre has become as popular as it is. A year before the ultra-popular Doom was made, id Software released Wolfenstein 3D. A continuation of the Castle Wolfenstein games from the early 80’s, Wolfenstein 3D ditched the basic, 2D graphics of the previous games and thrust players into a 3D environment that was beautiful for its time. It’s not just fun taking out Nazis as you traverse the levels, it’s equally fun exploring the levels in an attempt to find secrets. Id Software’s later first-person shooters would improve upon this formula, but for the time it was released, this game was absolutely amazing and, along with Doom, helped set the stage for first-person shooters being one of the most beloved genres in video game history.

Review added: 03/18/2020

The Wonderful End of the World

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: Dejobaan Games

If you don't know anything about the Wonderful End of the World, think Katamari Damacy, but without much of the charm and personality that made that franchise so popular. If you were desperate for a Katamari-style game on PC, back when this game was released, your only real (legal) option was this game…However, with Katamari Damacy Reroll making its way onto Steam about a year ago, that’s no longer the case. Even with no competition, though, Wonderful End of the World was still a bland version of the Namco-published series, and even diehard fans of that style of gameplay will likely find themselves getting bored before this short game is finished…I beat it in a little under an hour and a half and by that time, I was completely ready to move onto something else. It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever played by any means, but when you’ve got the option to play a Katamari game or this, I can’t imagine why you would pick this instead.

Review added: 02/11/2020