Retro games can easily be buried with all the new big names and indie releases that seem to come out weekly. It’s almost too easy to forget the video games that built the features and concepts that so many of the new games use. Fortunately, even the oldest video games can find a home in Steam’s libraries.
Steam may not have every retro classic, but they certainly have some of the greatest and most essential old-school games that have graced players’ systems over the years. Steam has a penchant for having games that aren’t always what gamers expect, especially when it comes to old-school titles. These overlooked retro games may not be the most well-known or iconic of classics, but they’re still just as fun as when they first came out all those years ago.
7 Thief 2
The grandfather of the stealth genre, the Thief series still has a lot going for it, especially the first two games. The old-school first-person perspective is as iconic as the sound effects and gameplay in this lovingly retro classic game.
The stealth mechanics still hold up, but the level design is where this game really shines. Intricate mazes of castles and dungeons make for some seriously fun exploration and, of course, theft. Steam has both of the original Thief games – each is fantastic in its own way and fans of stealth games should seriously consider checking out both.
6 Fallout 2
An essential RPG for any fan of retro PC gaming, as well as the precipitation series. The second game expands on the concepts of the first and makes improvements to the mechanics and overall world and story.
Unfortunately this game couldn’t hack it completely once Fallout 3 came along and stole its thunder, but the overall concept still turns out to be affecting the franchise. Some fans of the series even prefer the original two games, viewing them as more heartfelt and straightforward RPGs rather than action games.
5 Return to Castle Wolfenstein
One of the best old-school first-person shooters you can ever imagine, this classic Wolfenstein game still holds up despite its retro status. The gameplay deserves more attention than it has ever received.
The enemies are crazy, the weapons even crazier, but the game doesn’t lose itself too much in the madness, rather it uses its retro quirks to its advantage in creating a world that is both gruesome and silly. The horror WW2 setting that is now so common in video games was actually quite original back in the day.
4 Jetset radio
Still as alive as all those years ago, Jetset radio is as cool as video games come. The colorful graphics and lush soundtrack made this game a classic, but the unique cartoon aesthetic and wild storyline make this game essential.
Players spend most of their time skating and tagging walls with their graffiti. This retro classic was originally released on the Dreamcast, but has since made its way to new console generations, as well as phones and computers. A true testament to how much fun this game is.
3 Day of the tentacle
Graphic adventure games were huge in the 1990s, but fell out of favor in the 2000s as new genres of video games became more popular and accessible. LucasArts was the king of adventure games, perfectly blending comedy and puzzles for a light and airy gaming experience. Day of the tentacle was one of their earlier games of this nature, and it is often overlooked, even in other LucasArts games of the era. Goofy and challenging, this is still one of the better retro games available on Steam.
2 Half-life: Opposite Force
The most overlooked Valve game of the retro era. This cult classic is of course available on Steam given the Valve logo attached to it, but it’s still considered a second banana compared to the original half-life and its beloved sequel.
Following the story of the first game from an alternate point of view allows the player to experience the events of Black Mesa as seen by one of the invading Marines. Not to mention the game is insanely fun and does quite a bit to expand on the first game. This game may have been forgotten, but it certainly hasn’t disappeared.
It doesn’t get much more retro than this. Metal Slug is synonymous with the run-and-gun genre of 2D gaming, and for good reason: it’s insane. The shooting is non-stop and the levels and enemies get crazier and crazier by the minute.
The second game in the series is where this wild style of gaming really shines, and thankfully Steam has brought the original spirit of this daring arcade classic into the modern era for new and old players to enjoy.
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