Armed / Aftermath

Armed a.k.a. Aftermath is a cancelled PS1 and Saturn game from Point of View. It's a sci-fi side scrolling shoot 'em up that looked more Terminator than Contra.

Plot
The year is 2495. You play as Vic, a hardened member of the special forces unit. Your job is to blast your way into Omega Central and destroy the doomsday machine. Aliens will do their best to stand in your way.

All of this builds up to a final confrontation with your greatest foe. This evil enemy is a treacherous member of your own squad.

Gameplay
Armed/Aftermath was no measly 16-bit game: it was keen to show off the new consoles. The gameplay was to have 3D elements to enhance the experience. The FMVs were a treat and showed how ambitious the project was.

There was to be 12 levels. These levels would be large maze-like labyrinths.

Cancellation
The game disappeared as quickly as it was announced. Armed / Aftermath was likely cancelled due to it being too ambitious for a new company.

Prototype
In October 2017 a Sega Saturn prototype of the game was sold on eBay. http://hiddenpalace.org/Armed_(Jan_22,_1997_prototype)