Computer games released back in the distant 90s may not boast cinematic graphics or enchanting sound, but they can easily outshine most modern computer games in terms of the passion and love with which they were created. After all, most games were created by creative individuals with a special kind of thinking, far removed from commercialization.
Thanks to their determination and imagination, they managed to create true masterpieces that can still captivate us with their creations all night long. AdmiGram.com fondly remembers the oldest PC games, which, just like in the childhood days, are impossible to tear yourself away from.
5 of the oldest PC games that won’t let you sleep
Another World (Out of This World)
© Another World / Delphine Software
Developer(s): Éric Chahi, Delphine Software
Release: 1992
Genre(s): Action-adventure
The precursor of the action-adventure genre, Another World, was created by just one person, the legendary Éric Chahi. The revolutionary rendering technology used in this game became the basis for Macromedia Flash video technology five years later. Another World can be called a unique game that, like an incredible science fiction book, immerses the player in a mysterious and incomprehensible world.
© Another World / Delphine Software
In this game, you didn’t just play; you examined breathtaking landscapes, speculated about the events around you, and tried to understand what to do with it all. The immersion effect was simply enormous. Another World is a cult game that transcended its time, both in concept and in its technical implementation at that time.
Civilization
© Civilization / MicroProse
Developer(s): MicroProse
Release: 1991
Genre(s): Turn-based strategy
Continuing the collection of old masterpieces with the timeless hit from Sid Meier, which had us glued to the computer for entire days, forgetting about sleep and food. At the time, it was the most masterful project in the strategy genre with a phenomenal level of gameplay depth. The Civilization Encyclopedia alone (Hello, modern Wikipedia!) was worth its weight in gold.
© Civilization / MicroProse
The game immersed us headfirst into politics, economics, trade, and war. It made us balance an extensive toolkit to lead one of the 7 nations to the pinnacle of dominance. ‘Just one more turn and I’ll go to sleep for sure!’ These were the thoughts at 5-6 in the morning for anyone who sat down to play Civilization for the first time that evening. The game truly wouldn’t let us go until we emerged victorious.
UFO: Enemy Unknown
© UFO: Enemy Unknown / MicroProse
Developer(s): Mythos Games, MicroProse
Release: 1994
Genre(s): Strategy, turn-based tactics
UFO was a groundbreaking pioneer of turn-based tactical strategy games. It’s safe to say that no one has managed to capture the spirit of the first two UFO games to this day. The secret to the game’s insane popularity was simple. It was meticulously crafted and unforgiving to the player. Even on the easiest difficulty level, winning was incredibly difficult.
© UFO: Enemy Unknown / MicroProse
When playing UFO, we felt constant pressure and had to plan our moves ahead, much like in chess. The alien invaders, controlled by computer AI, consistently hit us where we least expected it. Towards the end of the game, the desire to simply win wasn’t enough; there was a wild urge to completely annihilate these darned extraterrestrial invaders.
Star Wars: TIE Fighter
© Star Wars: TIE Fighter / Totally Games
Developer(s): Totally Games
Release: 1994
Genre(s): Space simulation
In the last century, anyone who watched the ‘Star Wars’ universe films was awed by the computer graphics of George Lucas’s studio. Everything that happened in space was so realistic that many of us simply wore out video cassettes with this saga. The anticipation of the release of a new ‘Star Wars’ episode on screen was comparable to something truly incredible.
© Star Wars: TIE Fighter / Totally Games
In 1994, the legendary Tie Fighter was released on PC, allowing anyone to participate in massive space battles. Excellent polygonal graphics, the scale and integrity of the battles, as well as superb sound, allowed the player to immerse themselves fully in what was happening and truly feel like a part of the virtual pilots fighting for the glory of the Empire.
Full Throttle
© Full Throttle / LucasArts
Developer(s): LucasArts
Release: 1995
Genre(s): Graphic adventure
Full Throttle isn’t just a game; without exaggeration, it’s a masterpiece for all time. In that era, LucasArts made a real breakthrough in the adventure quest genre by adding arcade elements, animated sequences, a professional soundtrack, and voice acting to the game. It was the first interactive cartoon with the deepest level of immersion in a road adventure.
© Full Throttle / LucasArts
The game fully immersed us in the world of bikers and rock music. All its elements created a complete and cohesive picture of what was happening, allowing the player to feel like the hero of the most amazing interactive cartoon. Even now, almost 30 years later, Full Throttle is considered the standard of the adventure game genre.
image on top: Another World, Full Throttle / Delphine Software, LucasArts
