Computer games released back in the distant ’90s may not boast cinematic graphics or enchanting sound, but they easily outshine most modern titles with the sheer passion and love with which they were crafted. After all, most of them were built by creative visionaries whose unique mindset was far removed from commercialization.
Thanks to their grit and imagination, they managed to create true masterpieces that can still keep us captivated all night long. AdmiGram.com fondly looks back at five of the oldest PC games that — just like in the old days — are impossible to put down.
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
A precursor to the action-adventure genre, Another World was created by just one person: the legendary Éric Chahi. The revolutionary rendering technology used in this game actually became the foundation for Macromedia Flash five years later. Another World is a unique masterpiece that, much like an incredible sci-fi novel, immerses the player in a mysterious, alien world.
© Another World / Delphine Software
In this game, you didn’t just play — you studied breathtaking landscapes, pieced together the narrative from your surroundings, and tried to figure out how to survive. The sense of immersion was massive. Another World is a cult classic that was way ahead of its time, both in concept and technical execution.
Civilization
© Civilization / MicroProse
Developer(s): MicroProse
Release: 1991
Genre(s): Turn-based strategy
Next up in our collection of timeless masterpieces is Sid Meier’s legendary hit, which kept us glued to our monitors for days on end, making us forget about food and sleep. At the time, it was the most sophisticated project in the strategy genre, offering phenomenal gameplay depth. The in-game Civilization Encyclopedia alone (the grandfather of modern Wikipedia!) was worth its weight in gold.
© Civilization / MicroProse
The game threw us headfirst into politics, economics, trade, and warfare, forcing us to balance a complex toolkit to lead one of seven nations to global dominance. “Just one more turn, and then I’m definitely going to bed!” — that was the internal mantra at 5 or 6 a.m. for anyone playing Civilization for the first time. The game truly wouldn’t let you go until you conquered the world.
UFO: Enemy Unknown (X-COM: UFO Defense)
© 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 strategies. It’s safe to say that to this day, no other game has managed to perfectly replicate the atmosphere of the first two UFO titles. The secret to its insane popularity was simple: it was meticulously crafted and completely unforgiving. Even on the easiest difficulty, winning was a brutal challenge.
© UFO: Enemy Unknown / MicroProse
Playing UFO meant constant pressure and planning your moves steps ahead, much like in chess. The alien invaders, driven by a ruthless AI, consistently struck where we least expected. By the late game, wanting to win wasn’t enough — you felt a wild, personal urge to completely wipe those darned extraterrestrials off the face of the Earth.
Star Wars: TIE Fighter
© Star Wars: TIE Fighter / Totally Games
Developer(s): Totally Games
Release: 1994
Genre(s): Space simulation
Back in the day, anyone who watched the Star Wars original trilogy was awestruck by the visual effects from George Lucas’s studio. The space battles felt so real that many of us literally wore out our VHS tapes rewatching the saga. Anticipating a new Star Wars movie back then felt like waiting for a miracle.
© Star Wars: TIE Fighter / Totally Games
Then, in 1994, the legendary TIE Fighter arrived on PC, allowing anyone to jump into massive space battles. Excellent polygonal graphics, large-scale combat, and superb sound design allowed players to fully immerse themselves in the cockpit, truly feeling like elite Imperial 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 timeless masterpiece. During that golden era, LucasArts made a massive breakthrough in the point-and-click adventure genre by introducing arcade elements, cinematic animations, a licensed rock soundtrack, and professional voice acting. It was the first true interactive cartoon, offering a deep, immersive road-trip adventure.
© Full Throttle / LucasArts
The game perfectly captured the gritty world of bikers and rock culture. Every single element worked together to create a cohesive, unforgettable experience. Even now, over 30 years later, Full Throttle remains the gold standard of the graphic adventure genre.
image on top: Another World, Full Throttle / Delphine Software, LucasArts
