Top 10 PC Games of the 1990's
Join http://www.watchmojo.com as we countdown our picks for the Top 10 PC games of the 1990's
This list was very difficult put together, as even with our usual one per franchise rule and limiting our choices to PC exclusives, we were still left with an intimidating 30 entries in shortlist. That means that if a company made 2 or more games in the same genre, only one of them can make the list.
#10: “Star Wars: TIE Fighter” (1994)
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Some awesome space flight simulators came out in the 90’s, and while “Wing Commander 2,” just missed out on this list, TIE Fighter ruled our virtual galaxies. Unlike earlier Star Wars games, you fight for the evil Galactic Empire, making it perfect for living out your villainous dreams. It also had gameplay to match the innovative scenario, with tracking HUD that allowed you to see where your enemies were and variations on TIE ships that weren’t seen in the films.
#9: “Civilization” (1991)
Designer Sid Meier’s series of turn-based strategy games went on to become among the most beloved franchises in all of PC gaming, but it all started with this installment. You take charge of a civilization, which starts out small, and it’s up to you to build it into an empire, while also dealing with competing civilizations through both warfare and diplomacy. The massive scope and endless possibilities made the game incredibly addictive.
#8: “Quake II” (1997)
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One of the most innovative titles in the FPS genre, sported both a great single and multiplayer experience. The atmospheric single player campaign featured a stronger emphasis on story than previous titles by iD software, although the end goal of killing everything that moved remained the same. However, it was in multiplayer where things really heated up, and it was so popular that it became among the first eSports.
#7: “System Shock 2” (1999)
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Ken Levine went on to become one of the most acclaimed designers in all of gaming with the “BioShock” series, but this title is considered his masterpiece. The gripping story has you play as a lone soldier struggling to survive aboard a starship where something has gone very, very wrong. The gameplay was equally groundbreaking, fusing FPS action with robust RPG elements, all delivered in terrifying atmosphere.
#6: “Grim Fandango” (1998)
Many gamers consider this graphic adventure to be one of the funniest games ever, along with LucasArts other iconic series “Monkey Island,” but that’s not they’re only virtue. As protagonist and Department of Death travel agent Manny Calavera travels through the Land of the Dead in the hopes of saving the soul of his client, you meet a cast of unforgettably wacky characters, and you solve loads of brain-teasing puzzles. A remake for this game has now been confirmed, so keep an eye out for that.
#5: “Myst” (1993)
This puzzle-filled adventure was thought of by many as a title that would change gaming forever when it was first released, and, even though it may not have, it’s not hard to see why. As you journeyed through the mysterious titular island, discovering the secrets of it and its caretaker, Atrus, you witnessed a world unlike anything that had ever been seen in a game before. You could spend countless hours trying to figure out the head scratching puzzles.
#4: “Diablo” (1996)
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The PC RPG was becoming stale in the mid-90’s, but this hack and slash hybrid brought it roaring back. Doing away with turn-based combat, Diablo created a genre on its own by allowing the incredibly satisfying combat to unfold in real time. On top of the addictive gameplay, dungeons, monsters, items and quests spawned at random for each game, making multiple playthroughs equally rewarding.
#3: “Doom” (1993)
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While it wasn’t the first traditional FPS, with that honor actually belonging to its’ predecessor Wolfenstein 3D, Doom at the time was a technical milestone with super fast, hyper violent gameplay that shocked as much as it awed. If you’d ever question how seminal this game was to the genre, consider the fact that before people called them First Person Shooters, they called them Doom-clones. We were also giant fans of Star Wars: Dark Forces, but we’d have never got that without getting Doom first.
#2: “Half-Life” (1998)
Speaking of revolutionary FPS games, this title took the genre even further. Prior to it, video game storytelling had happened mostly through cutscenes, but Half-Life showed how to tell a compelling tale without them, or even a speaking protagonist. Narrative innovations aside, the remarkable variety of weapons, environments, and enemies made for hours of fun. When you consider the modability that led to games like “Counter-Strike,” it’s easily among the most important titles ever. Before we get to our number one, let’s take a look at some honorable mentions: “Fallout 2” (1998) “Baldur’s Gate” (1998) “Age of Empires II” (1999) “Command & Conquer: Red Alert” (1996) “Need for Speed 3: Hot Pursuit” (1998) “Wing Commander 3: Heart of the Tiger” (1994)
#1: “StarCraft” (1998)
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PC gaming saw great RTS titles in the 90’s, but this one was the best of the lot, or of any other genre. Starcraft did what so many titles have tried and failed to do for years since; create 3 factions that play entirely differently, but that are totally equal in the hands of skilled players. The game’s legacy was solidified with the multiplayer, which is so popular in South Korea that it’s a professional sport whose players are media celebrities. Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite PC Game of the 1990s? For more starry top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
