Far Cry
Release: March 26, 2004 | Developer: Crytek | Platforms: Windows, Xbox 360/One/SeriesX/S, PlayStation 3
The German developer Crytek laid the foundation for the Far Cry shooter series 20 years ago. Everything began on an island somewhere in the South Pacific. We play as soldier Jack Carver, who fights against mercenaries and mutants amid the idyllic landscape.
Far Cry was a true visual spectacle at its release and set new standards in graphics. Especially the water was impressive back then. No wonder, the developer Crytek was also behind the Crysis shooter series, which a few years later also delivered impressive graphics.
The first Far Cry was the starting point for five more main installments and several spin-offs. And yes, the live-action film with Til Schweiger deserves a brief mention here. But just briefly, I promise. Far Cry stays with us more due to its gameplay freedom, good AI, and varied game world.
Fable
Release: September 14, 2004 | Developer: Lionhead Studios | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Xbox, Xbox 360/One/SeriesX/S
Fable was initially released only for the first Xbox but was soon also made available for PC. The RPG from developer Peter Molyneux could not fulfill all the promises made beforehand (via ign.com), but it sold 375,000 copies in its first week (via ign.com).
What was special about Fable was primarily the character development. The hero of the game ages, gains weight, or becomes a muscle-bound character. His reputation precedes him, and NPCs react differently to the protagonist. Importantly, whether you play traditionally good or evil is up to the player. Points are collected for good and evil deeds.
Fable led to two further installments, with the third part being released 13 years ago. In 2023, there was finally a sign of life from the series. A new installment was shown during the Xbox Games Showcase. Who knows when we will return to the fantastic world of Albion again.
Monster Hunter
Release: September 21, 2004 | Developer: Capcom Production Studio 1 | Platforms: PS2, Wii
The monster hunt began 20 years ago as well. How time flies. In the first part of the still-popular series, players typically engage in combat against various monsters. While in offline mode, players simply defeat enemies for themselves, the goal of online mode is to reach the highest hunter rank among all players.
The game received mixed reviews at release (via metacritic.com). Nevertheless, it found an audience among players. Just two years later, the sequel Monster Hunter 2 was released. To date, six main installments have been released, along with numerous re-releases featuring tougher monsters and minor improvements.
In 2025, the next installment titled Monster Hunter Wilds is expected. The huge successes of Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise show that the series remains very popular and will likely accompany us for a while longer.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Release: November 17, 2004 | Developer: Konami | Platforms: PS2/3/4/5, PS Vita, Nintendo 3DS
Instead of playing as the hero from parts 1 and 2, Solid Snake, players take on the role of his father Naked Snake in Snake Eater. Most of the time, players sneak through dense jungle and must be careful not to get caught by the enemy. The new camouflage function helps with this.
Typical for the series are the many long cutscenes. The creative mind behind the series, Hideo Kojima, is an avowed film fan. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the game is very cinematic, tells an exciting story, and has a rich atmosphere. Unforgettable: The title song, which surely reminds one of the best James Bond songs.
There are 11 games in the main series, with the announcement of a new installment still pending after the split between Hideo Kojima and Konami. The eccentric developer has celebrated some success in recent years with his own studio, especially with Death Stranding. A new game titled OD has already been announced.
At least we can expect a remake of Snake Eater for modern consoles and PC soon.
