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The Apogee Throwback Pack

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac • 2013

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Quick resume

The Apogee Throwback Pack is a collection of four classic Apogee Software titles all in one kick ass package. Blast your way across the galaxy as British Special Agent Blake Stone in "Aliens of Gold" and "Planet Strike", then take on an ancient evil menace as the H.U.N.T in "Rise of the Triad".

Global score

91/100

Genres

Action

Similar games

    Pros

    • Nostalgic classic fps experience
    • Varied weapons and power-ups
    • Engaging level design with secrets
    • Good value bundle price
    • Authentic dosbox emulation

    Cons

    • Clunky controls by modern standards
    • No native modern source ports included
    • Limited multiplayer and cooperation
    • Some levels and expansions are frustratingly difficult
    • No linux version available

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Relaxation, Survival, Violence, Fellowship. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence, Exploration, Expression.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have freedom to explore levels, choose characters (ROTT), revisit levels, and select weapons, showing control over actions."

    • Competence
      3

      "Games provide skill challenges with difficult enemies, platforming, and strategic use of weapons and power-ups."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Focus is mostly on single-player experience; multiplayer modes exist but are not emphasized in reviews."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players report long play sessions, nostalgia-driven repeated play, and engagement with expansions and secrets."

    • Cooperation
      -4

      "Games are primarily single-player focused with limited or no cooperative gameplay."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Some customization in character choice (ROTT), secret discovery, and level exploration, but mostly predefined level design."

    • Domination
      -4

      "Interactions are balanced and respectful; no evidence of power imposition or trash talk."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Strong nostalgic appeal and immersion in fictional sci-fi and action settings provide real-life escape."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia, not obligation."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players explore secrets, try different weapons and power-ups, and experiment with level navigation."

    • Exploration
      4

      "Exploration of large, maze-like levels with secrets and traps is a core gameplay element."

    • Expression
      1

      "Limited character selection and some customization, but mostly standardized presentation."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "Games feature imaginative sci-fi and over-the-top action, including power-ups like turning into a dog or god."

    • Fellowship
      -3

      "Minimal social connection; primarily solo play experiences."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop skills in navigation, combat, and strategy; learning enemy behaviors and secrets."

    • Health
      -4

      "Sedentary gameplay typical of classic FPS with no physical activity elements."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused attention due to challenging gameplay and complex level design."

    • Intimacy
      -4

      "No evidence of close social relationships; interactions are minimal and surface-level."

    • Leadership
      -4

      "No leadership or group management roles; gameplay is individual."

    • Progression
      4

      "Strong progression through levels, weapon upgrades, power-ups, and score accumulation."

    • Relaxation
      -2

      "Gameplay is intense and challenging, with some frustration reported, limiting relaxation."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Over-the-top gore, fast action, and dynamic soundtracks provide sensory stimulation."

    • Status
      -4

      "Little focus on social recognition or status; achievements are personal."

    • Story
      2

      "Some narrative elements and cutscenes exist, but story is secondary to action."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Players use planning for weapon choice, enemy tactics, and level navigation."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Fast-paced action, suspenseful boss fights, and challenging enemies create excitement."

    • Value
      4

      "Players appreciate the bundle price and content value compared to original costs."

    • Violence
      5

      "High enjoyment of combat, gore, explosions, and chaotic action."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players manage health, ammo, and avoid death in challenging enemy encounters."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026