Chasm: The Rift is a quintessential old-school FPS (First Person Shooter), embodying the characteristics of the genre’s early days. The narrative, while simple, sets the stage: time and space have fractured, thrusting the player into a nightmarish realm teeming with monstrous creatures, grotesque soldiers, and other unholy entities. Progression relies on acquiring an arsenal of weapons and skillfully navigating levels, offering a chance to survive and potentially restore order to the fractured world.
Chasm: The Rift holds a particular significance for me. Though perhaps not as widely recognized as some of its contemporaries from the late 90s, I maintain fond memories of the game, owing primarily to its distinctive music.
Back in 1997, I was directing a short film titled Delad Insats (Shared Effort), a project that marked a transition towards more professional filmmaking. My friend and I sought a cohesive soundtrack to enhance the film’s overall feel. Coincidentally, I had recently acquired Chasm: The Rift for my PC. At the time, the game’s music was accessed directly from the CD-ROM, allowing me to play it on a standard CD player. The soundtrack proved to be an ideal match, and we incorporated several tracks into the film.
Consequently, Chasm: The Rift evokes strong memories of that film project, making a return to the game a compelling prospect.
Chasm: The Rift adheres to the structural and gameplay conventions prevalent in FPS titles of the 90s. However, its distinguishing feature lies in the ability to dismember opponents, removing limbs and heads. The game boasts a remarkably fast and fluid pace, complemented by a substantial number of enemies. Similar to Doom, progression hinges on locating specific keys, cards, or activating switches. New weaponry and enhancements become available, aiding players in overcoming the challenges ahead.
The current iteration features updated resolution support for 4K displays and controller compatibility. However, the core graphics remain unchanged. This release is not a remake or remaster, but rather a modest update intended to ensure compatibility with modern consoles and computers.
In conclusion, I recommend experiencing Chasm: The Rift as a slightly overlooked FPS title deserving of recognition. It offers a worthwhile opportunity to delve into a classic 90s retro FPS experience.
SNEG provided a review code for this assessment. Provision of materials does not influence our editorial objectivity.
