History VideoGame / SiN1998

The original game (which was caught up in the wake of ''VideoGame/HalfLife1'' despite releasing almost a month before it) was criticized for [[ObviousBeta being buggy]] and somewhat generic gameplay, but praised for the strong level design and excellent music. It still sold well enough to receive several follow-ups, including an ExpansionPack called ''Wages of Sin'', where the villain focus is Gianni Manero, a mafia boss who wants to eradicate Freeport City using Elexis's research. It was developed by 2015 Inc., fixed a few bugs, and added a new set of levels and new features, such as the ability to use the standard handgun [[GunsAkimbo two at a time]].

* ArmorIsUseless: Averted, Armor makes enemies take a good bit more damage for whatever part of the body it's cover and armor massively reduces damage for Blade himself.

* BodyArmorAsHitPoints: Surprisingly in-depth for the time, as armor is divided into several sections (helmets, vests and thigh pads) that separately deplete depending on where you get hit. It's also treated realistically in that, rather than being able to somehow instantly repair your vest by picking up another one with almost no integrity left, you can only loot armor if it's in a better state of repair than what you currently have.

* StoryBranching: A minor example, If Blade manages to rescue a scientist who informs him of his kidnapped daughter in the first level then some of the game's next levels will be played in a different order with different enemies, most notably Daeneer Shipping will be set in either day or night, the day version allows Blade to pretend to be a new worker to sneak around and has weaker enemies overall while the night version has snipers, Blade is shot at on sight and heavily armed SinTek have shown up.

* StoryBranching: A minor example, If Blade manages to rescue a scientist who informs him of his kidnapped daughter in the first level then some of the game's next levels will be played in a different order with different enemies, most notably Daeneer Shipping will be set in either day or night, the day version allows Blade to pretend to be a new worker to sneak around and has weaker enemies overall while the night version has snipers, Blade is shot at on sight and heavily armed SinTek have shown up.

* InsultBackfire: One of the very first enemies in the original game taunts Blade with "who are you, Series/BarneyMiller?" After gunning a few of them down, Blade gleefully responds "that's right, Barney Miller is back!"

* DevelopersForesight: In Elexis' estate, it's possible to find a secret janitor closet that has a camera feed showing [[BathtubScene Elexis sitting in a hot tub]] (which wouldn't be glimpsed until the next level). Although it's impossible to see what she's doing normally in regular gameplay, clipping out of the level will allow you to find the jacuzzi area before you exit, and you'll subsequently realize that the developers put a ''[[ADateWithRosiePalms very]]'' special animation of Elexis (fully animated and all) for those who discover it.

''[=SiN=]'' is a FirstPersonShooter action game for the PC developed by Creator/RitualEntertainment and published by Creator/{{Activision}} in 1998. It's the first game in the ''VideoGame/{{SiN}}'' franchise.

''[=SiN=]'' is a FirstPersonShooter action game for the PC developed by Creator/RitualEntertainment and published by Creator/{{Activision}} in 1998.

* BagOfSpilling: At several points in the original, Blade will start a series of missions without bringing over the ammo and weapons from the previous levels. Most notable when Blade goes from [=HardCorps=] HQ to the [=SinTEK=] offices wielding nothing more than his handgun and fists (even though the previous level had him using four different weapons).
* BankRobbery: Elexis was upset that it became a full-scale bank heist rather than just grabbing a single deposit box, because the full robbery was taking too long.

* CollectionSidequest:
** In the main game, Blade can collect pieces for a Quantum Destabilizer that can rip through any enemy in the game. The only downside is that [[EleventhHourSuperpower the final piece is only found four levels away from the end of the game]].
** The expansion has two minor ones: a set of four different calendars which unlock an extra cutscene that plays during the ending. The second are an item ("[[WesternAnimation/SouthPark Cheesy Poofs]]") that if enough are found, a background detail in the ending is replaced with a giant spinning bag of Cheesy Poofs.
* CoolBike:
** In the Mountain Gorge level of the main game, Blade must use an incredibly fast motorbike to traverse broken roads and bridges while lava floods the region.
** The multiplayer levels of ''Wages of [=SiN=]'' introduce a hoverbike which also is armed with lasers, missiles and hovering mines. In many of the levels are different checkpoints for doing races.
* DevelopersForesight: In Elexis' estate, it's possible to find a secret janitor closet that has a camera feed showing [[BathtubScene Elexis sitting in a hot tub]] (which wouldn't be glimpsed until the next level). Although it's impossible to see what she's doing normally in regular gameplay, clipping out of the level will allow you to find the jacuzzi area before you exit, and you'll subsequently realize that the developers put a ''[[ADateWithRosiePalms very]]'' special animation of Elexis (fully animated and all) for those who discover it.

* DistractedByTheSexy: In the final cutscene, [[spoiler:Blade is distracted long enough by Elexis making sexually suggestive movements that she manages to escape using a hidden trigger-button in her chair]].
* EasterEgg: Tons, especially in the first level where you can find a quarter in a fountain and call various humorous other soundclips on the payphones.
** Using the [=ATMs=] in the first level to access the account number 123456 with the PIN 1234 shows that [[Film/{{Spaceballs}} President Skroob]] has an account with Freeport Bank.
** Taking the time to swim against a current of water during the underwater level (something which most players are unwilling to try) will lead you into a secret room filled with inactive submarines and a message telling you that you're not supposed to be there, along with the advice underneath to start playing the game again.
* ElaborateUndergroundBase: There is an entire complex located underneath Elexis' house in the main game (which is only accessible from an elevator in her main living room).

* FateWorseThanDeath: At one point in the main game, Blade finds a homeless man being [[ICannotSelfTerminate tied down and experimented on]] in Elexis' secret research laboratory. The player can either give him medicine to stop the pain or [[MercyKilling end his suffering]].
* GameBreakingBug:
** In the unpatched version, many players were never able to see an extra level (the Silo) accessed through the Freeport Dam, as the game would crash if the player happened to just ''walk'' down the only hallway leading to the alternate exit in the level.
** Even in the patched version, going through the "Biomass Reclamation Center" secret level will render the game unwinnable as the entryway into Darwin Chamber 3 will never open, forcing the player to no-clip through it.
* GunsAkimbo: One of the additions with the expansion is the ability to use the Magnum pistol two at once as soon as you grab a second one - quite conveniently, sticking around in the opening of the first on-foot level for a few seconds has a single enemy graciously rappel in behind you and then drop a second pistol when you cap him.

* IncompetenceInc: In several points, important security computers are locked by passwords. To crack them, you need only find the really big computer and type in the name of the guy whose password you want. And this big computer, housing every password and controlling every camera, alarm, and security system in a whole level? It has no password.
* InsultBackfire: One of the very first enemies in the original game taunts Blade with "who are you, Series/BarneyMiller?" After gunning a few of them down, Blade gleefully responds "that's right, Barney Miller is back!"

* LimitedWardrobe: ''Wages of [=SiN=]'' has a part in the final three levels of the game where you can find a worker's uniform stashed in a vent which will help you past a few security checkpoints early on. Even when Blade has to fight the penultimate boss fight of the game, the cutscene still shows him wearing the uniform.

* NoGearLevel: Blade has to do this in one level (with an additional secret level) in the original because he's been transformed into a monster. However, he immediately gets his entire inventory back (along with his clothing) the moment you change back into your human form.
* NoOneCouldSurviveThat: What Blade says at the end of the main game after [[spoiler:the missile launch (supposedly containing Sinclaire's transported body) is aborted]].
%% (ZCE) * NoOSHACompliance: The Jungle and Mountain Gorge levels in the original are all subject to this.

* OnePasswordAttemptEver: The computer to disarm the nuke only allows one password attempt, failure releases toxic gas. (Easy gives an additional chance.)
* OptionalStealth: In the first game, levels 6 and 7 are supposed to be completed in a stealthy way, as you're undercover and must prevent the workers to raise the alarm and call the security: failing the stealth part (which is surprisingly easy in level 7) will result in more fights with more enemies.
* RailShooter: In the original, the opening bank assault level, where Blade must sit in an attack helicopter and shoot the enemies on the roof of the Freeport Bank and several adjoining buildings.
* SecretLevel: Several in the main game, including the Silo and several extra Jungle stages (to wit; the player can complete only one, or journey through three extra jungle-themed levels if they get caught in an undercurrent during the beginning of the first stage).
* ShootingGallery: There are four shooting galleries in the original game's training stage: a sniper range, a skeet range, and the lineup and city ranges found in ''Hogan's Alley''. However, the skeet range uses an inaccurate shotgun, and the lineup shooting range used a slow-firing pistol when you needed to hit three targets quickly. In all four galleries, reaching the [[{{Cap}} score limit]] wraps the score to zero.
* SinisterSubway:
** The fourth level of the main game, set in an abandoned subway featuring flickering lights, cracking floors, thugs that try to kill you and a ''monstrous, mutated brute that stalks you throughout the level''.
** The first couple of levels of the ''Wages of [=SiN=]'' expansion will throw Blade from the surface, into the sewers, and then into the subways multiple times. In fact, hidden in a bathroom is an abandoned bag of money assumed to have been taken during Mancini's original robbery in [=SiN=].
* SnipingMission: The main game has a short section wherein you must snipe all the guards on an oil rig before you can board it. An easy mission, as the guards are never close together and have predictable patrol routes.
* StealthBasedMission: The [=SinTEK=] office in the original game. Note that being spotted will not result in a game over, but it will make the level (and the ones after it) much more difficult.
* StormingTheCastle: Done unwittingly by Blade in the original. He doesn't realize he's reached her base until he's within sight of it, and by that point, there's no going back.
* SuperNotDrowningSkills: Blade can find a Rebreather in the first game that allows him to swim ad infinitum without the need to breathe. If you forget to take it, you can still complete the necessary level by using air bubbles.
* SuspiciousVideogameGenerosity: In the final level of the main game, you're dumped from a meat cart into a seemingly empty level featuring a giant cache of ammo, weapons and health packs) ... then you walk outside and see [[spoiler:Elexis Sinclair's several-foot high mutated father stalking towards you with a tri-projectile rocket launcher]], and you'll suddenly realize ''[[OhCrap the door to the supply room just locked behind you]]''.
* ThereWasADoor: The mini-Manumit found in the Estate Sinclaire level bursts through a thick wall right after you enter a large testing area.
* UnderTheSea: A long level in the main game takes place as Blade swims from the underwater research facility beneath an oilrig to a secret jungle facility.

** [[spoiler:Late in the game, Blade is transformed into a Manumit and is forced to fight with his bare claws and recover U4 flasks for his costantly-draining health.]]

* VariableMix: The game shifts to a calmer music if there's no combat for some period of time.
* VideogameCrueltyPotential: You could shoot, cripple and/or kill hostages and ''homeless people''.
* WorldOfBuxom: Pretty much all the female [=NPCs=] (such as the female hostages or the nurses) have pretty big breasts.

The original game (which was caught up in the wake of ''VideoGame/HalfLife1'' despite releasing almost a month before it) was criticized for [[ObviousBeta being buggy]] and somewhat generic gameplay, but praised for the strong level design and excellent music. It still sold well enough to receive several follow-ups, including an ExpansionPack called ''Wages of Sin'', where the villain focus is Gianni Manero, a mafia boss who wants to eradicate Freeport City using Elexis's research.