I released a video today with a quick guide on how to make use of your old PC once you upgrade to the next generation of PC hardware that’s slated to come out in a few weeks time, including new GPUs from NVidia and AMD, and new CPUs from Intel and AMD, along with whole new platforms. This article functions as a companion piece to that video, particularly for the younger generations among my viewers who might not be familiar with many of the awesome games from PCs long gaming history, particularly from the 80s and 90s. So here are some games that I recommend you install in your retro focused gaming PC:
Thief and Thief 2: The Metal Age (PC)
Sneaking in modern games is reduced to a visibility meter and pressing “A” to assassinate. In the classic Thief PC games sneaking and stealth mechanics were complex, immersive and challenging. Thief 2: The Metal Age is arguably the best stealth game of all time (if not the best game of all time), with possibly the most complex integration of sound into game mechanics ever done in a videogame. It’s a must install.
Interstate 76 (PC)
It’s rare to find an old PC game that one could classify as “timeless”. Graphics generally age poorly, and control schemes on the PC took decades to mature on the platform so many old PC games feel clunky and inaccessible. Interstate 76 is one of the rare games that stands tall today, probably because of the bold choice of using the minimalist sparsely textured graphics. The game engine (if you can get it working flawlessly on windows 10) is superb, the story is compelling and well produced, the funk soundtrack is awesome, and the characters ooze style. Above all, it’s a ton of fun. I played it when it came out back in 1997 shortly after my 15th birthday, first with PC hardware rendering, and after a patch (via CD expansion) with support for my 3DFX Diamond Monster Voodoo graphics card (along with a Matrox card for 2D support). This game still holds up today and is a must play.
Myth and Myth 2: Soulblighter (PC)
The gore, the ambience, the challenge. It’s difficult to pinpoint what makes this game so much fun. There haven’t been many games like it, its unique formula made it a one of a kind. Perhaps the closest relative in modern times would be “Totally Accurate Battle Simulator” but this modern incarnation lacks the depth of the Bungie classic.
Sunset Riders Arcade (Mame)
Much tougher than the home conversions I remember beating this classic in the arcade back in the early 90s (sneaking into adult only arcades was a challenge in itself). It’s one of Konami’s greatest games and holds up today really well. Just be ready to die A LOT.
Morrowind (PC)
Bethesda’s magnum opus is still best enjoyed on a CRT in my opinion. Not much I can say about this game that hasn’t been said. I played it when it came out on the PC and completed it (along with the expansion) several times, making it probably my most played game to date. If you liked Skyrim, give Morrowind a try. Just don’t expect an intuitive interface or controls. The chunkiness is part of its charm.
R-Type (Mame)
The “schmup” that started it for me. Challenging and one of the best ever made.
Shock Troopers (Mame)
I remember this coming out at a time when 3D was all the rage. I only got to experience it in the early 2000s and man this game is a ton of fun. One of the best games on the Neo Geo for sure.
Windjammers (Mame)
I played many a tournament of Windjammers back in the 90s with my buddies. Get a few friends together with some beers and put this on. It’s guaranteed fun.
Planescape: Torment (PC)
An incredible CRPG with fantastic writing, perhaps one of the best stories ever in a video game. It’s very dialog heavy which is probably one of the reasons that made it flop back in the day, but it’s well worth putting the time into it. You can get the enhanced edition of the game nowadays (like with many other infinity engine CRPGs) which will work flawlessly on modern systems (with a few dated things here and there of course).
Divine Divinity (PC)
There are many CRPGs that I could include on this list (I played them all), but one that I think most people probably missed is Divine Divinity, Larian Studios’ first game and a precursor to the modern Divinity games by the same studio (who is also at the helm of the upcoming Baldur’s Gate reboot). This game is phenomenal. I was at Uni when this came out and missed many a class because of it.
Conclusion
With the exception of the Thief games I purposefully avoided the PC classic that everyone else recommends, even though I played pretty much all of them back in the day, from Doom to Half-life, Diablo, Baldur’s Gate, Monkey Island, etc. While those games are called classics for a reason I think people end up missing out on some of the most unique games of the 80s and 90s by focusing too much on popular games that have come to influence a lot of modern titles.
There are a few things you will have to contend with. Bad user interfaces and UX, terrible inventory systems, awkward control schemes, dated visuals. This is all par for the course but if you’ve ever felt that modern games lack in story telling and AI complexity, these old games will scratch that itch for sure.
Add your own suggestions to the comments of this article or the video that it accompanies as I myself am keen to try some of the old classics that I might have missed.