In addition, the expansion Descent 3: Mercenary builds upon the existing backdrop of the Descent 3 universe. Centered around the dark conspiracy revealed in Descent 3, Mercenary will have you flying as the leader of the Black Pyros, hired by Dravis to carry out his evil plans.

The sky's the limit (almost, as there is a moratorium on altitude), and the players can now skim over enigmatic alien ruins and the bombed-out hulks of recent industry. Enemies are just as hard or harder to fight in open terrain, and some truly gifted behemoths will make players scurry for the familiar safety of the underground warren.

But the most challenging aspect of this milieu is its vigorous use of all three dimensions. If players are too regimented in forward, back, and sideways moves, some nasty 3-D accelerated surprises await them. Of course, there's standard play for the lone wolf, but for those who like to fly in packs, there's the Internet module, which enables players to congregate and interact. Descent 3 is the ultraworthy heir to a gaming dynasty, so put your tray table in its upright position and adjust your attitude. --Tamara Hladik

If you're looking for a singleplayer game, look somewhere else. The Descent 3 singleplayer is boring. I never even finished the singleplayer of my favorite game of all time.

Multiplayer is what Descent 3 is all about. Forget Counterstrike. Forget Quake and Unreal. This game requires more skill than those games have in their pinky fingers.

If you're looking for an easy multiplayer game, Descent 3 is not for you. On your first day you may die 50 times in a row at the hands of more experienced pilots. But is it worth it? Most definitely. It's one of the few things that still gives me an adreniline rush. I almost fell asleep snowboarding the other day. I guess that's what D3 does to you.

I have some friends who prefer to watch me play rather than try to learn it themselves. For me, it's fun to play and fun to watch. I still play D3 every chance I get and no game will ever take it's place. I playe warcraft 3 on the side, but Descent 3 will always be my main squeeze (videogamewise.)

Plenty of people play online on PXO. Hop in some time. You'll meet some cool people who are always willing to help newbies... and umm make inappropriate jokes. ;)


Excellent value; excellent game.   January 29, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

A candidate for GAME OF THE YEAR OF 1999, Descent 3 is, by far, the best of the trilogy and three years later, still remains one of the best-looking and best-playing computer games that I've ever come across.

Like the previous two prequels, in Descent 3 one flies a quasi-diminutive robotic ship through neon-lit tunnels, destroying enemy robots, collecting powerups and advancing from level to level in order to complete ones' mission. One major advantage that this latest installment of the trilogy has over the previous two is that -as opposed to being COMPLETELY limited to the inside of tunnels- in Descent 3 one can access tunnel exits and fly OUTSIDE.

Like other stellar Interplay titles, Descent 3's menu, alone, belongs in the hall of fame: Setup is extremely user-friendly and there are so many options that it's not even funny. D3's graphics are excellent, the sounds are superb, the weapons are evenly balanced, as is the gameplay -not too fast and not too slow- and the missions are very challenging, but not impossible.

Although Descent 3 may not be for everyone (I, personally loathe Role-Playing-Games and related genres) if you might be or are interested in first-person combat flight simulators replete with technologically-advanced science fiction elements, then you can't go wrong with purchasing Interplay's 9 dollar Descent 3/Mercenary expansion title. At a mere nine dollars, it's practically too good to be true; it's like winning the lottery or a sweepstakes.


Pretty Good, but not everyone's type of game   January 19, 2002
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I bought Descent 3 several Months ago. It has some good cutscenes, and a plot that's more than an excuse to frag. I enjoyed what I have played so far, but when you get stuck, (and you will), the game suddenly loses its interest. You need to be a good gamer to fully appreaciate this game, or at least willing to put some serious time and effort in. I like the expansion pack a little better than the normal game, both in graphics and action. I'm not a real fan of the Descent series, but if you were madley in love with at least one of them, this is your kind of game. Be sure to have a good crisp joystick, good speakers, and lots of time!