A lot of console gamers really don’t care about gaming on a PC. It can be because consoles are more comfortable and what they’re used to, or a lot of the time, PC games just don’t work right. It’s fair to say most who own a PS5 or Xbox Series X don’t have a gaming PC on that level.
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However, any modern PC should be able to play classic titles that will likely never come to any console. There are tons of great decades-old PC games that anyone, regardless of PC horsepower, can play. You’ll still need to tinker somewhat to get some of these games working, though.
10King’s Quest 6: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow
Sierra’s King’s Quest series is one franchise that typically isn’t held in high regard by modern audiences. This is primarily due to the series' brutal difficulty, unwinnable scenarios,and ridiculous puzzles. King’s Quest 6, though, is one entry that everyone, old-school and new-school, can enjoy. The story and characters are still charming today, being very much of their time, but KQ6 allows more freedom than previous entries.
There can be multiple solutions to certain puzzles, more freedom in the order of the various tasks, and the game even contains a branching path that leads to two different endings. All of this, combined with the game being way less unfair and brutal, makes it more approachable for modern audiences.
9Blood
Some of the best Boomer Shooters ever created were made in Ken Silverman’s Build engine. The holy trinity of this group isDuke Nukem 3D, the originalShadow Warrior, and Blood. Duke 3D has been ported countless times, Shadow Warrior has been ported to Mac and mobile phones, but Blood is still exclusive to PC.
All of these games, Blood included, are must-play FPS titles. They all have great level design and a diverse set of awesome weapons. you may pick up Blood: Fresh Supply on Steam, and while it had a rough launch, the numerous bugs have since been patched.
8Leisure Suit Larry: Love For Sail
The final originalLeisure Suit Larrygame worked on by series creator Al Lowe was Love for Sail, and they definitely saved the best for last. The game’s animated art style looks great and much better than the animated look for King’s Quest 7, which released two years earlier.
There are plenty of winks and nods to famous people at the time, including Bob Ross, of all things.This game still holds up, and that includes the humor. Previous Larry entries had some scenes that don’t hold up in today’s world, akin to Ace Ventura, but thankfully, that isn’t an issue here. Love for Sail is an absolute must-play 90s adventure game, no doubt.
7Scratches
Scratches is one of themore notable PC horror gamesto release in the mid-2000s, attaining a sizeable cult following. It has a classic horror setup with you playing as a male author settling in a haunted house. The game spans three days, and it does start slow.
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However, like Jaws and other horror films, it picks up hard later on and makes the large setup ultimately worth it. The atmosphere can be nerve-wracking, especially in certain locations like the basement. One of the only downsides to Scratches is that it can be a pain to set up on modern PCs, and you can’t even buy it on Steam anymore.
6System Shock 2
WhileSystem Shock 1got a remake for modern platforms, the same can’t be said about the second installment. It’s unfortunate as System Shock 2 is not only better than the original, it’s still acclaimed as one of the greatest PC games of all time. Upping the horror aspect, System Shock 2 was the first scary deep space horror game at such a large scale.
There was Enemy Zero on the Saturn before, but that game was nowhere near System Shock 2’s scope. Shodan returns and remains one of thegreatest AI characters of all time, voiced perfectly by Terri Brosius. If you loved the System Shock remake, jump straight into the second game.
5The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall
If you’re a modern gamer, the best title you’ve likely never played is probably The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall. Most have played the newerElder Scrollsgames, maybe even up toMorrowind, because it’s playable on modern Xbox systems. Daggerfall, though, is probably in the top two entries in the franchise. To this day, Daggerfall is still one of the biggest open worlds in a video game, and this title released in 1996.
The amount of play time you can put into this game is, believe it or not, significantly higher thanOblivionorSkyrim, and it’s still a lot of fun. This massive world is all procedurally generated, similar to elements inStarfield. Its graphics will turn off modern audiences, but you must play this game due to the sheer scope alone.
4Thief 2: The Metal Age
When someone thinks of the various stealth game series, they’ll likely think ofMetal Gear Solid,Splinter Cell, andHitman. If you’re a PC gamer, you should know one legendary stealth series that deserves to also be in that group: Thief. The first two titles are PC-exclusive and are still some of the greatest stealth experiences you can play today.
Sure, the graphics are dated, but its audio-based stealth system is just as fresh and good today as it was then. Thief 2 is the better one overall, particularly due to the improved level design. The levels are huge, with so much stuff to find, and it feels very much like the later Hitman games. With it being so cheap on Steam, it’s a must-buy stealth title.
3Hitman: Codename 47
Almost all the Hitman games are available to play on modern Xbox consoles, with the only one missing being the original PC exclusive entry. Codename 47 has a lot of aged elements, including its literal age, as it can be a pain to properly set up on modern PCs. Shooting your way through is much more viable here and, at times, practically required instead of the usual stealth gameplay.
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Many of the original levels were remade in Hitman: Contracts, but not all of them. This includes the levels set in Colombia and the incredibly important final two missions set in Ort-Meyer’s Asylum. The ending is a major turning point in Agent 47’s character, and these exclusive moments are why Codename 47 is still worth playing.
2SWAT 4
For the longest time, the only realistic tactical FPS in a PvE environment was SWAT 4. Thankfully, there’s Ready or Not now, breathing new life into this niche subgenre, but going back to SWAT 4 is still a good time. The tension here is unreal, and like Ready or Not, there are many distributing visuals throughout.
Due to the tension, it’s not only a fun game to play but watch as well. It’s also much better experienced in co-op, as the AI teammates, likeLeft 4 Dead, aren’t always reliable. There are definitely some aged elements here, but overall, it’s still a blast to play through.
1Trials 2: Second Edition
Ubisoft’s Trials series is one of the most underrated platformers of all time. Evading bombs and doing all these sick techniques to get past obstacles is satisfying like no other. Most got into the series with the first console entry Trials HD, but there were previous titles. The series started with various flash games, but Trials 2: Second Edition was the first paid installment.
Even if you’re a high-level ninja rider, going back to this game is like returning to square one. The physics are much looser, and you must play with a keyboard. With solely digital inputs here, it gives the game a totally different feel. It’s still a lot of fun, however, and the leaderboards are still active.
