10 Pioneering Video Games That Were Way Ahead Of Their Time

10. Body Harvest

Released in 1998, Body Harvest was developed by DMA Design, and was originally planned to be published by Nintendo, but was dropped by the company following concerns relating to depictions of violence. In the game, players assume the role of a genetically engineered soldier capable of travelling through time, tasked with preventing numerous alien “harvests” being carried out in multiple locations throughout history.

Interestingly, the game was entirely non-linear, meaning players could venture wherever they pleased, tackling each individual section of the game in whatever order they preferred. Body Harvest also featured numerous sandbox elements, allowing players to commandeer their own vehicles, and wreak havoc in an open-world environment. As such, the game has been credited with revolutionising concepts which would eventually be popularised by Grand Theft Auto (DMA Design became Rockstar North), but has since been unfortunately eclipsed by the notoriety of that particular series.

Regardless, Body Harvest was remarkably ahead of its time, and - while it may appear considerably dated by modern standards - there was nothing quite like it back in 1998.