The eminent legacy led by Sony’sPlayStation 1was frivolous, to say the least, brandished as a household name and prized by its vast capabilities. However, as time went on, many of their games have ultimately been forgotten despite the former glory and entertainment value they once withheld.
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As the growing demand for new additions to the survival genre rose, developers were forced to adhere, creating some of the industry’s most cherished, innovative, and respected titles gamers have ever seen. Though a plethora of franchises have managed to stand the test of time, this band of signature pieces was inevitably lost to time.
Acclaim Studios Teesside
1999
Proclaimed by many as a must-have in their survival rotation,Shadow Man’s overall theme and storyline ultimately secured its position as a classic among PS1 holders, boasting an extraordinarily unique setting, vast array of exclusive characters, andgrippingly intense plot. Prized by its essence of horror,Shadow Man’s level of replayability has inevitably assisted its popularity over the years, however, enduring the longevity of the PS1’s cycle was a risk the developers were forced to take.
Held as a protector of both Liveside and Deadside, players are able to utilize Micheal LeRoi, the iconic Shadow Man. Aided by his voodoo accomplice Nettie, fans of this horror-twisted title are thrust into a deathly journey, poised with preventing the callous Legion from unleashing a vicious army upon the living.
Intense, harsh, and downright unpredictable at times, fans of theShadow Mangame were granted ceaseless hours of gameplay,volatile enemies, and a highly cherishable movement system, yet to no avail did this achieve a memorable spot in the minds of gamers, as the survival masterpiece has been relinquished from the forefront of this beloved genre.
Artdink
1996
Arguably an exemplar for the survival genre,Tail Of The Sunsets the foundations for future titles, brandishing a vastly explorableopen-world extravaganza, capable of enthralling its players. Whether a fan of being encapsulated in a challenging climate or not,Tail Of The Sunapproached the gaming scene from a very meticulous angle, appealing to the majority of PS1 owners regardless of their preferred game type.
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Delving back to the very roots of mankind, fans are transported into a prehistoric setting as a caveman, tasked with gathering materials, hunting for food, and seeking refuge in uninhabitable locations. Being one of the earliestsurvival gamesof its kind, Artdink’s decisive choice to thrust players into a harsh environment was that of a smart one, as this way, an immersive, real-life experience can be accomplished, cementing itself as a classic among the cherished genre.
Despite the lovable character interactions, colorful scenery, and immaculate survival concept,Tail Of The Sunhas inevitably been buried in the minds of gamers worldwide, forgotten and left in the past.
Kronos Digital Entertainment
Taking center stage in terms of action-packed survival games isFear Effect, a dual-wielding shooter set in a futuristic Hong Kong. Riveting, puzzling, and downright violent are all aspects thisgun-brawling titlewithholds, as the overriding theme, albeit a rather demanding one, is to survive no matter the cost.
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Boasting a slight element of horror,Fear Effectplaces its players in the heart and soul of a ruthless, gang-dominated society, viewed through the eyes of mercenaries Hana, Deke, and Glas. Tasked with kidnapping a crime boss' daughter, fans of this survival game must shoot their way through coarse environments, however, human soldiers are not their only foes, as demonic creatures in the form ofbloodthirsty zombies, innocent civilians, and ferocious hounds are also out to disrupt the player’s progress.
Nonetheless, the mesmerizingly deep lore and engaging combat system were not enough to keep this title’s reign going for long. However, additions to the series have seen a slight increase in popularity over the years, but nothing compared to its initial success.
Victor Interactive Software
Synonymous with the farming genre isHarvest Moon: Back To Nature, a survival tale like no other. Having already established acherished franchise,Harvest Moon: Back To Natureplaces a challenging twist on the beloved series, submerging fans in a pressuring environment, bound to hinder their agricultural success.
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Only through the yielding of crops, harvesting of a plantation, and maintenance of cattle can players progress in thisambitious title, however,Harvest Moon: Back To Naturealso tests their fans' survival capabilities, as this iteration of the franchise requires them to restore the farm to its former glory, with the threat of restricting them to continuing playing if failed.
Creating relationships with the townsfolk, gifting them presents, and hosting their events are also on the table, forming a rather tedious journey in this quirky survival game. Despite the lucrative launches theHarvest Moonseries still wheels in, this installation’s love was short-lived, as the memory of this once esteemed game has ultimately been forgotten.
Square
Big on battles, storylines, and exploration isSaGa Frontier 2, an enthralling survival role-playing game. Adhering to a linear plot isn’t a prominent aspect of this title, as players aregranted total freedomto wander through the treacherous dungeons, mountains, and villages of Sandail, choosing the way in which they wish the game to progress.
With two deeply different narratives being offered up to fans ofSaGa Frontier 2, the overpowering theme of surviving the bleak realm of Sandail is heavily prevalent, brandishing a distinguishably formidable roster of enemies to face, a challenging weapon upgrading system, and most notably, and wildly volatilecombat systemin which players are forced to act fast on their actions. However, asides from the newer installations of the beloved series, Square’s eminent title has failed to stand the test of time and has conclusively been abandoned by the thoughts of gamers alike.
