Descent II Vertigo Series (1996) - Explore, Fight, and Survive in Space with New Weapons and Enemies
Descent II Vertigo Series: A Classic DOS Game You Can Download for Free
If you are a fan of old-school shooters and space flight simulators, you might have heard of Descent II Vertigo Series, a 1996 game that was one of the pioneers of 3D graphics and 360-degree movement. But if you haven't, don't worry. In this article, I'm going to tell you everything you need to know about this classic game and how you can download it for free on your computer.
Descent II Vertigo Series (1996) by heroskeep-.zip download for computer
Introduction
What is Descent II Vertigo Series?
Descent II Vertigo Series is a DOS game that combines elements of first-person shooter and space flight simulator genres. It is a standalone expansion pack for Descent II, a 1995 game that was a sequel to Descent, a 1994 game that started the series.
In Descent II Vertigo Series, you play as a mercenary pilot who is hired by the Post-Terran Mining Corporation (PTMC) to destroy rogue mining robots that have gone berserk in various planets and moons. You fly a Pyro-GX spaceship that can move in any direction and orientation in zero-gravity environments. You have to navigate through complex 3D mazes filled with traps, secrets, power-ups, and enemies. Your goal is to find and destroy the reactor core of each level and then escape before it explodes.
Why is it a classic game?
Descent II Vertigo Series is a classic game because it was one of the first games to use true 3D graphics and physics. Unlike most shooters at the time, which used 2D sprites and fixed camera angles, Descent II Vertigo Series used polygonal models and allowed the player to look and move in any direction. This created a sense of immersion and realism that was unmatched by other games.
Descent II Vertigo Series also had a unique gameplay that blended shooting and flying skills. The player had to master the controls of the Pyro-GX spaceship, which could roll, pitch, yaw, slide, bank, and thrust in any direction. The player also had to deal with inertia, momentum, gravity, and collisions. The game was challenging and rewarding, as the player had to explore, fight, solve puzzles, and survive in hostile environments.
How can you download it for free?
Descent II Vertigo Series is a game that you can download for free on your computer. There are two ways to do this:
The first way is to use an emulator program that can run DOS games on modern operating systems. One such emulator is DOSBox, which is free and easy to use. You can download DOSBox from https://www.dosbox.com/. After installing DOSBox, you can download Descent II Vertigo Series from https://wowroms.com/en/roms/dos/descent-ii-vertigo-series-1996/147013.html. This is a ROM file that contains the game data. You can unzip the file and then run it using DOSBox.
The second way is to use a source port program that can run Descent II Vertigo Series natively on modern operating systems. A source port is a program that uses the original game code but modifies it to work on newer hardware and software. One such source port is DXX-Rebirth, which is also free and easy to use. You can download DXX-Rebirth from https://www.dxx-rebirth.com/. After installing DXX-Rebirth, you can download Descent II Vertigo Series from https://archive.org/details/msdos_Descent_II_Vertigo_Series_1996. This is an ISO file that contains the game data. You can mount the file using DXX-Rebirth and then run it.
Either way, you will be able to enjoy Descent II Vertigo Series on your computer for free.
Gameplay and Features
How do you play Descent II Vertigo Series?
As mentioned before, Descent II Vertigo Series is a game that requires both shooting and flying skills. You control your Pyro-GX spaceship using your keyboard or joystick. You can also customize your controls according to your preference.
The game has two modes: single-player and multiplayer. In single-player mode, you can choose between three difficulty levels: Rookie, Hotshot, or Ace. You can also select which mission pack you want to play: either Descent II or Vertigo Series. Descent II has 24 levels plus four secret levels, while Vertigo Series has 23 levels plus one secret level.
In each level, you have to find and destroy the reactor core and then escape through an exit door before it explodes. Along the way, you will encounter various enemies that will try to stop you. These include different types of robots, such as Class 1 Driller, Thief Bot, Spider Processing Robot, Diamond Claw, Omega Defense Spawn, Red Fatty Junior Boss Robot, and more. Some enemies are immune or resistant to certain weapons or have special abilities like cloaking or stealing items.
You will also find various power-ups that will help you in your mission. These include weapons like Laser Cannon, Vulcan Cannon, Spreadfire Cannon, Plasma Cannon, Fusion Cannon, Super Laser, Gauss Cannon, Helix Cannon, Phoenix Cannon, Omega Cannon, Flash Missile, Guided Missile, Smart Missile, Mega Missile, Mercury Missile, Earthshaker Missile, and more. You can also find shields, energy, cloaking device, invulnerability, quad lasers, afterburner, headlight, and more.
What are the new weapons and enemies in the game?
Descent II Vertigo Series adds some new weapons and enemies to the game that were not present in Descent II. These include:
Gauss Cannon: A rapid-fire weapon that shoots metal slugs at high velocity. It has high damage but low accuracy.
Helix Cannon: A weapon that shoots six laser beams in a spiral pattern. It has high spread but low range.
Phoenix Cannon: A weapon that shoots fireballs that explode on impact. It has high damage but low rate of fire.
Omega Cannon: A weapon that shoots a continuous beam of energy that drains your energy as well as your enemy's. It has high damage but high energy consumption.
Mega Missile: A powerful missile that causes a huge explosion when it hits its target or a wall. It has high damage but low speed.
Mercury Missile: A homing missile that can lock onto multiple targets at once. It has low damage but high speed.
Earthshaker Missile: A devastating missile that causes an earthquake when it hits its target or a wall. It affects everything in its radius including yourself. It has very high damage but very low speed.
Diamond Claw: A new enemy robot that resembles a crab with diamond-shaped claws. It can shoot lasers from its claws or slash at you with them.
Omega Defense Spawn: A new enemy robot that resembles a small sphere with four spikes. It can shoot omega beams from its spikes or explode when near you.
and a mouth. It can shoot lasers from its arms or bite you with its mouth.
What are the benefits of the Guide-bot and other helpful features?
Descent II Vertigo Series also introduces some new features that make the game easier and more fun. These include:
Guide-bot: A friendly robot that can help you find your way through the levels. You can give it commands like "follow me", "find exit", "find energy", "find reactor", and more. It can also attack enemies or distract them for you.
Afterburner: A device that allows you to fly faster for a short time. It can help you escape from danger or reach distant places quickly. It consumes energy when used.
Energy-to-shield converter: A device that allows you to convert your energy into shields and vice versa. It can help you survive when you are low on either resource. It has a conversion rate of 2:1.
Headlight: A device that allows you to see better in dark areas. It can help you spot enemies or secrets that are hidden in the shadows. It consumes energy when used.
History and Reception
When and by whom was Descent II Vertigo Series developed and published?
Descent II Vertigo Series was developed by Parallax Software Corp., a company founded by Mike Kulas and Matt Toschlog in 1993. Parallax Software was also responsible for developing Descent and Descent II, as well as other games like Redbook Audio Player, Descent Mission Builder, and Outrage.
Descent II Vertigo Series was published by Interplay Productions, Inc., a company founded by Brian Fargo in 1983. Interplay Productions was also responsible for publishing Descent and Descent II, as well as other games like The Bard's Tale, Wasteland, Fallout, Baldur's Gate, and Star Trek.
Descent II Vertigo Series was released in 1996 for DOS, Macintosh, and Windows platforms. It was also ported to PlayStation in 1997 as part of Descent Maximum, a compilation of Descent II and Vertigo Series.
How did it differ from the original Descent game?
Descent II Vertigo Series differed from the original Descent game in several ways. Some of the main differences were:
The game had improved graphics and sound effects, using SVGA mode and CD-quality music.
The game had more weapons and enemies, as well as new features like Guide-bot, afterburner, energy-to-shield converter, and headlight.
The game had more varied and challenging levels, with different themes, textures, lighting, and hazards.
The game had a new story and setting, taking place in different planets and moons instead of just Earth's solar system.
The game had a new soundtrack composed by Johann Langlie, Larry Peacock, Brian Luzietti, Tim Wiles, Leslie Spitzer, and Ron Valdez. The soundtrack featured techno, rock, ambient, and orchestral tracks that matched the mood of each level.
How did critics and players react to the game?
Descent II Vertigo Series received positive reviews from critics and players alike. The game was praised for its graphics, sound, gameplay, level design, and replay value. Some of the quotes from reviews were:
"Descent II is one of those rare games that improves on its predecessor in every way." - PC Gamer
"Descent II is a blast - literally." - Computer Gaming World
"Descent II is one of the most exhilarating games ever." - GameSpot
"Descent II is a must-have for any action fan." - IGN
"Descent II is a masterpiece of gaming." - Game Revolution
The game also won several awards and accolades, such as:
Best Action Game of 1996 by Computer Gaming World
Best Action Game of 1996 by PC Gamer
Best Action Game of 1996 by GameSpot
Best Action Game of 1996 by Computer Games Strategy Plus
Best Action Game of 1996 by CNET Gamecenter
Editor's Choice Award by PC Gamer
Editor's Choice Award by Computer Gaming World
Editor's Choice Award by GameSpot
Editor's Choice Award by IGN
Editor's Choice Award by Game Revolution
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, Descent II Vertigo Series is a classic DOS game that you can download for free on your computer. It is a game that combines elements of first-person shooter and space flight simulator genres. It is a game that uses true 3D graphics and physics. It is a game that has unique gameplay that blends shooting and flying skills. It is a game that has new weapons and enemies, as well as new features like Guide-bot, afterburner, energy-to-shield converter, and headlight. It is a game that has varied and challenging levels, with different themes, textures, lighting, and hazards. It is a game that has a new story and setting, taking place in different planets and moons. It is a game that has a new soundtrack composed by various artists, featuring techno, rock, ambient, and orchestral tracks. It is a game that received positive reviews from critics and players alike, and won several awards and accolades.
Call to action for the readers
If you are interested in playing Descent II Vertigo Series, you can download it for free on your computer using either an emulator or a source port program. You can find the links to download them in the introduction section of this article. You can also find more information about the game on websites like https://www.mobygames.com/game/descent-ii, https://www.dxx-rebirth.com/, or https://descent.fandom.com/wiki/Descent_II. You can also join online communities of Descent fans on forums like http://www.planetdescent.net/, https://www.dxx-rebirth.com/forum/, or https://www.reddit.com/r/descent/. You can also watch gameplay videos of Descent II Vertigo Series on YouTube channels like https://www.youtube.com/user/thousandyoung, https://www.youtube.com/user/ParallaxAbstraction, or https://www.youtube.com/user/Blarget2.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about Descent II Vertigo Series. If you did, please share it with your friends who might be interested in retro games or space shooters. And if you have any questions or comments about the game or the article, please leave them below. I would love to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the system requirements for Descent II Vertigo Series?
The minimum system requirements for Descent II Vertigo Series are:
A 486 processor or higher
A VGA graphics card or higher
A Sound Blaster compatible sound card or higher
A CD-ROM drive or higher
A mouse or joystick (optional)
A modem or network card (optional for multiplayer)
DOS 5.0 or higher (for DOS version)
Windows 95 or higher (for Windows version)
Mac OS 7.5 or higher (for Macintosh version)
How long does it take to finish Descent II Vertigo Series?
The length of Descent II Vertigo Series depends on your skill level, difficulty level, and play style. But on average, it takes about 10 hours to finish Descent II igo Series.
What are the cheat codes for Descent II Vertigo Series?
Descent II Vertigo Series has several cheat codes that can be activated by typing them in the game. Some of the cheat codes are:
GABBAGABBAHEY: Enables cheat mode
SCOURGE: Gives all weapons
MITZI: Gives all keys
RACERX: Invulnerability on/off
GUILE: Cloaking on/off
TWILIGHT: Shields to 100%
FARMERJOE: Warp to any level
BIGRED: Super weapons on/off
BRUIN: Extra life
AHIMSA: Enemies stop firing on/off
Note that using cheat codes will disable your score and prevent you from saving your game.
How can I play Descent II Vertigo Series online with other players?
Descent II Vertigo Series supports multiplayer mode for up to 8 players via modem, network, or internet. You can play various modes like Anarchy, Team Anarchy, Robo-Anarchy, Capture the Flag, Hoard, or Co-op. To play online with other players, you need to use a source port program like DXX-Rebirth or a service like Kali or Kahn. You can find more information on how to set up multiplayer on websites like https://www.dxx-rebirth.com/multiplayer/, http://www.planetdescent.net/index.php?topic=1070.0, or https://descentchampions.org/new_player.php.
Are there any mods or fan-made levels for Descent II Vertigo Series?
Yes, there are many mods and fan-made levels for Descent II Vertigo Series that you can download and play. Some of them are:
D2X-XL: A mod that enhances the graphics, sound, gameplay, and features of Descent II Vertigo Series. You can download it from http://www.descent2.de/.
The Enemy Within: A fan-made mission pack that adds 22 new levels and a new story to Descent II Vertigo Series. You can download it from https://www.dxx-rebirth.com/download/dxx/user/levels/descent2/missions/TheEnemyWithin.zip.
Descent Maximum Levels: A fan-made mission pack that adds 30 new levels from the PlayStation version of Descent II Vertigo Series to the PC version. You can download it from https://www.dxx-rebirth.com/download/dxx/user/levels/descent2/missions/DescentMaximumLevels.zip.
Descent Mission Database: A website that hosts hundreds of fan-made levels for Descent II Vertigo Series and other Descent games. You can browse and download them from http://www.descent2.de/dmdb/index.html.
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This is the end of the article. I hope you liked it and found it useful. Thank you for reading.