Forum Overview :: Gamerasutra :: A smattering of selections across the genres

[quote name="Willdog"]Games that DO stand the test, mostly Win 3.1 / Win95: * XCom (1993, already mentioned) - Not withstanding the terror missions, which sucked, this game is still solid, though the graphics and sound are really dated now. * Railroad Tycoon, Civilization, Master of Orion, Master of Magic, Master of Orion II (1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996) - Classic Microprose 4X strategy games (though there's not a lot of combat in railroad, unless you count hostile takeovers). Graphics and sound are really old, but the gameplay is still solid. Microprose was really good in the 1990's. * Star Control 2 (1992, already mentioned) - Extremely engaging story with wildly entertaining characters in a fluid game world, an unusual combination back then. Graphics are really dated, sound can be entertaining though. * Mechwarrior2: Mercenaries (1995) - The last first-person Mech game I've really enjoyed. Music was really good, sound effects were great, some of the missions were really good, graphics are pretty old though. The Mech customization and salvage interface wasn't completely dumbed down as opposed to later titles. * Tie Fighter (1994) - Surprised this one wasn't mentioned yet. I still consider this game to the pinnacle of Star Wars themed games (though I did enjoy Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance as well, except for the jarring ending) Graphics are old but serviceable with the updated collectors edition. Sound is just what you remember from Star Wars. * Covert Action (1990) - Ok, this one is a long shot because the graphics and sound are crap. However, the gameplay experience is unique, if repetitive. As a spy, your job was to prevent a random terrorist plot by flying around the world, placing wire taps, decoding messages, planting bugs, breaking into safe houses to look for clues, hunting down and arresting participants, and if all else fails, scanning the news paper, all while the clock is running and the crime is taking place with or without you. All of these actions were accomplished via unrealistic mini-games, most of which are pretty poor by today's standards. However, it's the first and maybe only spy game that doesn't simply devolve into alternatively sneaking around and then blasting the crap out of people (i.e. the Syphon Filter series, the Metal Gear series, the Splinter Cell series, etc). Win98 / WinXP Fallout / Fallout 2 (1997, 1998) - Graphics are pretty low rent but the gameplay is still stellar. StarCraft (1998) - Obviously FreeSpace II (1999) - The last jewel of what is now a basically dead genre, Space Sim. Graphics and sound are still respectable even today. The presentation is top notch. It's a crime that there was never another sequel to this series. I still play this game all the way through every 18 months or so. MechCommander 2 (2001) - I'm not sure why I like this game as much as I do. The plot is fairly ridiculous, the live acting is atrocious, the missions are more puzzle oriented than tactical. The graphics aren't even that great. But I like the MechWarrior universe and I love customizing a bad-assed squad of mechs to get tear up a boat load of enemies. I still play this one all the way though once every year or so. SNES Two Classic JRPGs that are still worth playing today: Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger. Both have interesting stories, though Chrono Trigger is a lot more character driven than Mana. Both have pretty 2D graphics, simplistic by current standards. Both have great music, though Chrono Trigger really shines. Chrono Trigger is perfectly paced; you'll probably have to level grind a bit with Mana. Basically, Mana is an appetizer, Chrono Trigger is the main course. It's the best SNES game that I can remember playing. Final Fantasy 2 (US) and 3 (US) are worth checking out, but if you're unfamiliar with what makes a JRPG a JRPG, you'll probably get sick of their idiosyncrasies. Playstation 2 Burnout 3: Takedown (2004) - Great battle racing game. I still prefer the graphics and sound in this version to all the subsequent sequels. Unlike a lot of people, I really enjoyed the soundtrack as well. I bought two of the follow up games but I still go back to this one. [/quote]