Pariah (video game)

Pariah is a first-person shooter video game developed by Digital Extremes and published by Groove Games in 2005. It was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox.

The game's story centers on Jack Mason, a medical officer aboard a prison transport ship that crashes on a hostile, alien-inhabited planet after encountering a genetically modified superweapon. Mason is tasked with protecting a female prisoner named Karina, who is immune to the weapon's effects and holds the key to stopping its spread.

Gameplay in Pariah focuses on fast-paced combat utilizing a variety of weapons, including those scavenged from fallen enemies and vehicles. A unique feature of the game is its weapon recharging system, allowing players to replenish their ammunition by absorbing energy from certain sources in the environment. Players can also upgrade their weapons throughout the game to improve their effectiveness.

The game features both a single-player campaign and multiplayer modes. The multiplayer component included standard deathmatch and team-based modes, allowing players to compete against each other on various maps.

Pariah received mixed reviews upon release. Critics generally praised the game's unique weapon system and fast-paced action, but often criticized the storyline, character development, and perceived lack of innovation within the first-person shooter genre. Technical issues and inconsistent enemy AI were also common criticisms.