I played this game when I was a kid but I forgot it's name. Basically the game is an Abuse clone but with better graphics. Played exactly like Abuse too, side scrolling, run with keyboard - free aim with mouse, and the player's aim(reticule) could be moved 360 degrees around him just like Abuse. The game looked visually somewhat similar to Abuse, had a dark eerie post apocalyptic tone to it.
The name of the game was a single word and if I remember correctly it must've been 8 letters. I Played this game before 2003, so if I'm right, this game was released after Abuse (1995) and before 2003. Platform was Windows for sure, not DOS.
Abuse clone on PC [Genocide]
Abuse clone on PC
I guess Kaos Kontrol's Genocide is the most likely candidate, as it was based on Abuse's source code IIRC.
If not that, try Dark Angael.
Abuse clone on PC [Genocide]
You're welcome!