Videogames are probably unique in all entertainment mediums, simply because they exist in a constant moving point of ‘now’, with the past not existing for most people and the future being what everyone looks forward to.
That’s WRONG. The past is full of treasures, of gleaming gaming jewels that demand your attention. Yes, maybe they’re not as easy to play now, but there’s still wonders to behold.
But what should you play? Well read on young adventurer, and read all about some old games that you should play, even if you only play them once.
Half-Life – 1998
What is it?
Valve’s first game, see what happened to Gordon Freeman and Black Mesa when the aliens from another dimension invade. It’s a puzzle heavy FPS with strong narrative elements.
Why should I play it?
Because it’s still a solid shooter, has brilliant pacing, and it’s got ambition. It’s a middle bridge between the mad FPS games of the 90s and the more tightly focused narrative based squadmate following FPS games we’ve got today. Also to be honest you’ve probably got it in your Steam library anyway, because it’s Valve’s game, and pretty much everyone owns it by now, surely.
What’s the downside?
To be fair, the soundtrack has not aged well. That’s about the only downside, it pumps techno at you no matter what you’re doing. Turn it off and you’ll be immersed in Black Mesa in no time. Also Xen isn’t as bad as everyone makes out, it’s pretty short.
Escape Velocity Nova – 2002
What is it?
A top down trading and combat space sim, trade and fight your way to bigger and better ships, then find and follow the different storylines seeded throughout the universe to align yourself with one of the factions.
Why should I play it?
If you like Elite Dangerous, it’s that but 2D and a lot faster. The storylines are well hidden, not in that you won’t find them, but you’ll be following one before you realise it. It’s one of those games that’s a forever game, you can just play on after you’ve finished a faction storyline, or start over and see where the universe takes you. Will you join the rebels, will you join the aliens, or will you be a psyker whose ship is made of your own projected will?
What’s the downside?
Because it’s 2D it doesn’t look aged, so that’s not a barrier to enjoying it. The only real problem is probably finding a copy. Only Nova came to PC, the rest are Mac games, so that won’t help you either if you want to pick up a copy!
Master of Magic – 1994
What is it?
It’s Civilization, but with magic.
Why should I play it?
It’s Civilization, but with magic.
What’s the downside?
It’s pretty low res compared to modern games, but the game itself holds up surprisingly well. It’s got strong VGA art, so if you can look past the pixeliness, you’ll enjoy Civilization, but with magic.
Fallout – 1997
What is it?
It’s a post apocalyptic RPG with turn based combat and a dour, but often very funny, setting.
Why should I play it?
Fallout has become a huge thing due to being bought by Bethesda and turned into the first person juggernaut it is today. It started off much humbler, made by the sadly defunct Black Isle studios it plonked you down with a basic quest in a fascinating world that you, and your character, discovered together, and let you loose. It’s got a brilliant story made up of lots of fantastic small moments of humour, dark grimness, and misery. The combat system’s robust and flexible enough so you can try different approaches, but the main draw is the plot and the writing.
What’s the downside?
You might have to patch it to get it working properly on modern systems, and if you don’t like slow turn based RPGs then this won’t be your bag. It looks pretty bland, but if you’re a story or RPG junkie, that’ll hopefully not matter so much.
Planescape Torment – 1999
What is it?
Madness. Madness and death.
Why should I play it?
If you ever thought to yourself ‘I wish games had better writing’, then you’ll need to check out Planescape Torment. This is the good stuff, it’s where the best games writing is hiding. It’s a big RPG set in the maddest universe since mad universes were created. The Planescape setting is a D&D pen and paper RPG setting where there’s a convergence of worlds and planes all in one place, the city of Sigil. Any door can be a gateway to either another place, or another time, or another universe. This means you’ll see almost anything as you wander the Sigil streets. Planescape Torment takes this setting and puts it into a cRPG, one that has the best writing this side of…well…anything really.
What’s the downside?
The combat isn’t great, it’s the Baldur’s Gate combat but frankly you’ll want to skip it where you can so you can read more and advance the plot. Also, due to limitations, things are described more than seen. If you’re not into reading a whole novel while you play, that could be a turn off too.
Ultima VII: The Black Gate – 1992
What is it?
It’s an open world RPG with a world that. Well. Let me write about that in the next paragraph.
Why should I play it?
Because it’s a real world. Well obviously it isn’t, but it’s a world that has rules and those rules play out even if you’re not around. Wheat is harvested, it’s milled, it’s kneaded, it’s baked, and bread is made. You can follow someone do all this, or you can do it yourself. There’s loads like this in the game, it’s a proper open world where you’re the most important person, but you’re not the centre of the universe. People have lives that don’t revolve around you. Add into it the plot where you’re chasing after Elizabeth and Abraham and you’re trying to find out who the big red dude who taunts you when you sleep is, and you’ve got yourself a cracking RPG.
What’s the downside?
It can be tricky to run properly, to be honest I’d just recommend grabbing Exult to play your version as not only does it let you play, it adds in a few quality of life adjustments. Also the combat is rubbish, you press C and then it just…kinda…happens? Yeah, stay for the plot and the world, ignore the combat if you can.
Star Control II – 1992
What is it?
It’s a top down 2D trading and combat and mining space game! Yes we’ve already got one of those on the list, but shut up, it’s my list.
Why should I play it?
The universe is huge and it’s all yours to play in. Set in a period of time where an evil race of aliens has taken over and enslaved or imprisoned all dissenting races, you return to Earth in possession of an upgradable super-powered alien battlecruiser. You’re tasked with getting together an alliance of races, and kicking some serious alien arse. It’s really open and you can tackle anything in almost any order, just as long as you’re prepared for what comes. The writing is top notch with some really alien-aliens, and the combat system is kinda throwaway, but very fun and each species’ spaceship is distinct and handles differently.
What’s the downside?
Again it can be tricky to get running, but thankfully The Ur-Quan Masters exists!
James Pond 3: Operation Starfish – 1993
What is it?
It’s Super Mario World in space with cheese and a fish!
Why should I play it?
It’s got a lot in common with metroidvanias too, so you unlock new things as you go around the map, picking up abilities and friends that can help you reach places in other levels you couldn’t have before. If you want to do everything you’re going to have a lot of game ahead of you, this game is absolutely huge, it’s massive, it’s. Look it’s big, OK?
What’s the downside?
Well unless you’ve got a Megadrive or an Amiga then you’re going to have issues running it. Also it’s hard, like, really hard.
The Longest Journey – 1999
What is it?
A point and click set in the near future…and also another dimension where magic exists.
Why should I play it?
The story is fantastic. Some of the moments and narrative beats in this game are unrivalled, and that ending. I can’t tell you about the ending but. That ending.
What’s the downside?
It’s pretty ugly now, but that shouldn’t be an impediment right? Alas some of the puzzles are hot garbage, so might be best played with a walkthrough.
Deus Ex – 2000
What is it?
The grand daddy of immersive sims, you’re JC Denton and you’re investigating every conspiracy theory under the Sun.
Why should I play it?
The level design is brilliant, massive sprawling levels that’ll take you minutes just to traverse and that’s without guards, things to do, side quests, stuff to unlock, secrets to find. It’s a huge game and it’s absolutely packed with hidden routes and ways to get around the world. With an upgrade system in the game too, you can choose how you want to play the game and tool yourself appropriately.
What’s the downside?
It was ugly when it came out and the intervening 17 years hasn’t helped. It. Is. Ugly. Also some of the voice acting? Not great.
Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War – 1998
What is it?
A space combat dogfighting game. Pilot your spaceship as an alien race appears in our region of space, and proceeds to try and KILL US ALL.
Why should I play it?
It’s absolutely solid and still holds up today as the pinnacle of space based dogfighting. Enemies are varied and require different tactics to beat, and you’ll have to play close attention to the ship you’re in and your loadout if you want to defeat them. You’ll be facing tiny little ships all the way up to capitol class cruisers, and you’ll blast the heck out of them all. The story isn’t bad too, again, great ending that I can’t tell you about.
What’s the downside?
It throws a lot of information at you which you’ll have to deal with when you start playing, and it’s one of those games where almost every key on the keyboard is bound to something so you’ll be pressing a lot of buttons. It’s not as pretty as the second Freespace game, but it’s probably got the better campaign. Also, it’s got absolutely nothing to do with Descent.
So there you go! That’s some of the games I reckon you should check out, even if you only load them once to have a play with them. What do you think people should still be playing? Hit us up in the comments below!
