In today’s gaming world, we are blessed to be treated to tons of new releases every year. With the advances being made in video game technology, we are given titles with ever more impressive cinematic experiences that were previously unheard of. Nowadays gamers require a powerful gaming PC in order to handle the graphical demands of modern games.
So what about the classics? Are there old PC games that are still worth playing today? They may pale in comparison to the impressive graphics we are treated to nowadays, but there is a sense of nostalgia that comes with them.
With that in mind, we’re going to run through the best classic video game titles that we hold dear and see just how well they stack up today.
Contents
Best Old PC Games
1. Duke Nukem 3D
Release year: 1996
Let’s throw it back to one of the most successful, critically acclaimed video game franchises of all time; Duke Nukem. The first two installments were enjoyed by gamers, but it was Duke Nukem 3D which truly kicked the series into life.
The game follows the titular protagonist, Duke Nukem as he leads the fight against an alien invasion on Earth. He represents everything you’d expect from a lead male character in the 1990s – macho, wise-cracking and shoots from the hips.
As a first-person shooter (FPS), the levels are presented from Duke’s point of view as he kicks ass and saves the planet from the ever-looming alien threat. Perhaps some of the risqué humour and satire have not aged well, but there’s no doubt that this game is an absolute classic.
2. Doom
Release year: 1993
Alongside Duke Nukem, Doom has been touted as one of the games responsible for bringing FPSes into the mainstream. You play as the nameless space marine, known as Doomguy, as he battles against an army of hellspawn (demons from Hell).
This old PC game is such a classic that most consider it to be one of the best games ever made. Nowadays the Doom franchise is still going strong, with new releases available across every video game platform. But it’s always worth going back to its roots and treasuring what spawned such a fun series.
3. Quake
Release year: 1996
Following on from the hugely successful Doom, developer iD Software went on to make Quake three years later. It keeps in line with the hellish and satanic theme synonymous with Doom as the player traverses through lava-filled cave systems and medieval dungeons.
Quake was one of the first games to have maps specifically for multiplayer, and upped the number of players from four to eight – truly expanding its multiplayer capabilities. It spawned a hugely successful series, including titles such as Quake Champions that have a focus on competitive multiplayer.
4. StarCraft
Release year: 1998
Blizzard Entertainment’s big breakthrough came with the release of StarCraft. This game shaped the real-time strategy genre into what it is today.
Set in the vastness of space, players can play as one of the Terrans (humans), the insectoid race Zerg or the Protoss, a humanoid species with advanced technology and psionic abilities.
It is up to you to construct bases, manage resources and battle against others to take on your opponents and get the most assets.
5. Deus Ex
Release year: 2000
Deus Ex is set in the year 2052 in a dystopian landscape depicting a society that gradually spirals into chaos in the midst of a pandemic. You assume the role of entry-level cyborg JC Denton, an agent of the fictional United Nations Anti-Terrorist Coalition, who is given his superhuman abilities through nanotechnology.
JC Denton is pitted against the Triads, Majestic 12, the Illuminati and a number of other suspicious organisations. As a role-playing game (RPG), you are given complete freedom to approach any given problem with a number of different solutions.
6. Half-Life 2
Release year: 2004
Where’s Half-Life 3? This is a question gamers worldwide have been asking for years and years. Alas, we are yet to see this title, and there is certainly no sign of it on the horizon. Perhaps the clamor for a third installment comes from the community’s love for Half-Life 2.
This FPS follows Gordon Freeman on his quest to survive an alien invasion. You are equipped with a number of awesome weapons to fight off the ‘Combine’.
Half-Life 2 is without a doubt one of the greatest video games of all time, winning over 35 Game of the Year awards in its release year of 2004. Gamers still treat it with the same adoration today.
7. Baldur’s Gate II
Release year: 2000
Baldur’s Gate II is a Dungeon & Dragons setting, so if you’re a fan of the fantasy tabletop RPG, you’re bound to know and love this game. It’s set in a fictional world which is similar to medieval Earth – the Forgotten Realms.
Players can choose to be a fighter, a thief, a wizard or any of the other available classes, all of which are standard for the tabletop game as well. The perfect balance between fantasy storytelling and combat, this game is a truly fascinating experience.
8. Fallout 2
Release year: 1998
The Fallout series’ first release was actually in 1997 but the second installment is where the game really began to achieve critical success. Fallout 2 takes place in the year 2241 in a time when atomic war has reduced the majority of the world to a nuclear wasteland.
It comes with a load of different settlements, multiple story arcs and, as another RPG, gives you a tremendous amount of freedom to explore as you like. Although the graphics may not compare to its successors Fallout 3 & 4, Fallout 2 still offers a hugely immersive world.
9. 3D Pinball: Space Cadet
Release year: 1995
Let’s see off the list with a game that we’ve all had on our PC and, let’s be honest, we wish it was still around. It gained somewhat of a cult following and if you really want to there are ways to still get it, even though it no longer comes with Windows operating systems. Playing this game today will really give you that feeling of nostalgia.
So, what old games should I play?
Very good question. This is a list of just nine of the countless old PC game classics that have been developed over the years. There are games out there that cover every genre. Are you a sports fan? Why not try out some of the old-school FIFA games out there, and play with some of the legends of the game.
Grand Theft Auto is another series that has been going for years – remember the birds-eye-view version? Take a trip down memory lane. We all have games that bring out that feeling of nostalgia, so why not embrace it today?
