Indie publisher Little Orbit and developer Descendant Studios have announced launch details for their reimagining of Descent, confirming that a Nintendo Switch version of the game is on the way.
Descent is a 1995, 3D, first-person shooter set in space, originally releasing on PC, Mac OS, PlayStation, and even the Acorn Archimedes. This reboot promises that players will be able to blast right back into the original's classic six-degrees-of-freedom action, "reimagined for a new generation using Unreal Engine 4".
In the game, Earth's resources are dwindling and governments are falling, with mankind's survival depending on just the natural resources left in deep space. Players can fly 20 different ships, each with distinct roles, play styles, and customisation options, and make use of various upgrades. There's a single-player campaign to fight through, or you can prove yourself in a variety of pulse-pounding multiplayer modes.
The previously announced PC, Mac, and Linux versions are now available to pre-order (including access to a beta and other extras), with their final release dates set to coincide with the newly-announced console versions. A retail and digital Switch release is expected to arrive in "early 2019".
Did you play the original back in the '90s? Do you like the sound of this reboot? Share your thoughts with us below.
Comments 50
Never heard of it.
Looks intriguing though
Owned it on PC. Good memories...
Just got a big nostalgia kick there. Loved the game even though I never managed to finish it as a kid.
When are they going to reboot "Reboot" series?
I’m more interested in a Descent: Free Space remake.
I was a temp at a company when Descent came out, and ended up playing every day on the network against the IT guys. I utterly loved it, even though I was truly terrible at it. Good times
I've heard of it, but never played it.
I wonder if Techland would remake/reboot their debut game, Crime Cities. Similar idea (flying vehicular combat), but in an open-world city, with the vehicles being car-shaped.
Sweeeeeet
One of my last 486 Game. So nice to see this!
Wow what a nice surprise. This brings back memories. Wonder if Forsaken will get a reboot next.
Loved this game, although I used to get so confused about which way up I was supposed to be. I'd be cruising along thinking everything was normal and then I'd realise that I was flying upside down!
@Dethmunk
What have they done to one of my favorite TV shows?
:,-(
A game I never played because it looked disorientating. Maybe the remake will be eAsier to get my head around
I don't remember if played this or not back in the day but it brought nostalgia for terminal velocity (about the same time period) as I absolutely loved that game!
@sr_388 I also thought of Forsaken. Nice to see a resurgence in these types of games.
Now there's a blast from the past. Ain't heard that name in ages.
WOW! When the Nintendo Switch was first announced, I, like many others, dreamed of what great games could come to the new hybrid console. Descent was at the top of my list! I couldn't be more pleased, now it just has to happen (instead of getting lost in an endless cycle of delays). I am glad that they developers are sticking with the narrative approach that really seems to honor the original's intent. Oh! and I noticed on the trailer that the mechanic of escaping a mine as it explodes is still in tact.
OK, now guys we just need the Tmesplitters reboot (or trilogy) and Bioshock trilogy...
Put a joycon in a tin and rattle it around like mad. Authentic Descent experience right there.
Looks great - and more importantly - fun. Never played the original but it always had me intrigued.
Good. I enjoyed playing the original on PS1.
It will be very interesting to see how this game stacks up against Overload, the game made by the original creators of Descent.
I have played the original at ps1. Very good game, very good memories.
Also like this is Warhawk, with a helicipter.
Ecceptional games both.
Yess please.
I remember being blown away by this game back when it first released on PC. It’ll be interesting to revisit it in this day and age.
The Descent series is the precursor of Forsaken. And this remake looks like the closest we could hope for in terms of classic HD remakes. I look into it if it has 4-player splitscreen and online.
Played it.
It was descent.
Oh wow... I had a LOT of fun with the original and a Thrustmaster FLCS as a kid!
Loved the mainline series on my Mac. Played the crap out of the first two games, not so much 3, but a series I miss. Thrilled it's coming to the Switch.
Another cool fact on the Mac version, it was the first one to have high-quality CD audio and featured the band Type O Negative as the music in the first second game. Still have the original MacPlay disc copies and ripped the soundtrack to iTunes.
I have fond memories playing this on the LAN with a few other lucky students after school in the computer lab. It was only a demo that had 2 (maybe 3?) maps, but man was it so much fun!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE include gyro controls as an option! I couldn't imagine trying to play a game like this with the typical dual stick setup...
I dabbled in Descent 1 & 2 back in the day on my 486 DX2. I preferred Doom & Rise of the Triad though.
A blast from the past I didn’t think I’d see.
Played it at E3 (the original) in a competition. Played well with keyboard and mouse.
Wasn't the original developed by Volition, the same group who developed the Saints Row and Red Faction games?
I have only ever play the PS1 version and enjoy it quite a bit, seem like a Star Wars Arcade kinda game. I'll see if this reboot is any better.
Um, this isn't a reboot. It's a prequel called "Descent: Underground" that I helped fund on Kickstarter back in 2015.
Still, it's nice to hear that it's finally nearing release.
@BionicDodo lol, the first time I rescued the hostages on Level I, I was there like, "Why are they standing on the ceiling, upside down?" hilarious...
@progx ditto, in fact, I think I have 2 of the Descent Mac CD's...the music is fantastic. People should look it up on YouTube. In fact, here is track #2, my favorite:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9J4OdBdAqY&index=2&list=PLY2WY-1XFse8A4DTt0DGwkJXJ3xyQzNug
Woohoo definitely interested in this one. My college roommate had the original on his PC and it was fun!
I remember buying this game because it had a Type O Negative song on it.
Never played Descent properly, just a demo.
I was actually a Forsaken fan, and that was more than enough.
Multiplayer split screen on the PS1 was great fun.
... having that on Switch would be epic!
Terrible that you don't mention the real reboot: Overload. Overload was made by the devs that made the original Descent. They lost the rights to the name, so another studio made this "reboot" version.
Here's the trailer for the real reboot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIynFVk1NG8
@Daggot There's also a PC demo for Overload
https://store.steampowered.com/app/450220/Overload_Playable_Teaser_30/
But will they make a new version of that craaaazy sphere-shaped controller that let you move in full 3D???
Descent was a great demo and led me to buying the game. It was a prime PC title for me and they should definitely include gyro controls or it will not be right to play.
@jenkje
old memories.
i remember playing against a buddy of mine over a 14.4 modem. that and duke nukem. good times.
@sword_9mm A reference for millennials is a 14.4 modem is like 2G wireless.
@Zidentia
hah. we wished it was.
Now up for preorder on Argos UK website so must be due soon (Q2 2019)
Uau ! Found this today and I'm very Happy ! Played a lot when it launched and liked it too much... I imagine if they could implement Gyros and play it with LABO VR. Spectacular...
Early 2019 came and went and nothing... Come on, don't let me down! I remember years ago Descent was announced for WiiWare and nothing came of it and as someone who grew up with the PC original, I was extremely disappointed. This better come out!
2021 now. I officially give up all hope. Thanks for nothing. 😡
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