Before id Software made Wolfenstien 3D, they made a series of 3D games under the Catacomb series. The game Hovertank is generally considered to be the first 3D/FPS game for the PC. Then they created Catacomb 3D (a sequel to a 2D game), establishing many of the standards we expect in our games today.

This game, the Catacomb Abyss, is actually the first part of a trilogy of sequels to Catacomb 3D. The engine is a little more advanced than the one used in Catacomb 3D. It has destructible walls, animated textures, warping, EGA graphics.

I mean, really, how many colors do you need beyond 16 anyway? Anything else is just greedy. :) (more...)

Before id Software made Wolfenstien 3D, they made a series of 3D games under the Catacomb series. The game Hovertank is generally considered to be the first 3D/FPS game for the PC. Then they created Catacomb 3D (a sequel to a 2D game), establishing many of the standards we expect in our games today.

This game, the Catacomb Abyss, is actually the first part of a trilogy of sequels to Catacomb 3D. The engine is a little more advanced than the one used in Catacomb 3D. It has destructible walls, animated textures, warping, EGA graphics.

I mean, really, how many colors do you need beyond 16 anyway? Anything else is just greedy. :)

Catacomb Abyss was the only game in the Catacomb series released as shareware. Interestingly, you could play the all the levels of the full version using cheat codes.

You can definitely see some hints of Wolfenstien in this video, and even Doom in some of the artwork of the deeper levels.

The very basic plot of Catacomb 3D, taken from idsoftware.com:
You, the high wizard of Thoria, must save the troublesome but useful Nemesis of Kelquest from his suspended animation in magical amber. Beware the evil Grelminar or you, too, could be seeing the world through amber shades. (less...)