Originally published as Tyrian, this game is widely regarded as one of the best shooters ever. At the highest settings, Tyrian features amazing graphics and sounds, as well as voice. Many enemy ships, especially bosses, visibly take damage and break into smaller vehicles as pieces get destroyed, adding a real arcade feel to the game. The self-regenerating shields are especially helpful for aggressive players. You can collect money to buy upgrades for your ship, as well as pick up holographic data cubes that provide information or contribute to the story, or contain advertisements for fictional products. Even the advertisements provide some background information, and other characters contact you to keep you apprised of the situation. The story actually has depth and is not merely an afterthought to provide continuity to the levels. You can sometimes choose the levels you play by choosing a direction on the map screen, and there are secret bonus levels. Definitely recommended. Originally a trilogy, a new episode was added in version 2.0. A fifth episode was added to version 3.0, at which time the game was officially renamed Tyrian 2000. There are 5 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Escape
Episode 2 - Treachery
Episode 3 - Mission: Suicide
Episode 4 - An End to Fate
Episode 5 - Hazudra Fodder

Added by DOSGuy

Screenshots

VGA Mode 13h
320×200×256c

Downloads

Patches

Availability

Author Jason Emery has generously released this game as freeware.