Half-Life changed shooters by blending action with puzzles, storytelling, and constant surprises. One moment you’re gunning down aliens, the next you’re solving platforming challenges that test your patience but keep the tension high. Despite the occasional frustration, it remains a landmark FPS and one of the most complete single-player experiences ever made. | © Valve Corporation
MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat set a new bar for mech games with its mix of strategy and action. Piloting massive war machines meant managing heat, armor, and weapons while stomping through missions tied to the Battletech universe. Backed by a haunting soundtrack and deep mech customization, it delivered one of the most immersive giant robot experiences of the 90s. | © Activision
The Secret of Monkey Island became a classic by mixing sharp comedy with clever puzzle design. Its cast of oddball pirates and witty dialogue kept the adventure lighthearted, while the puzzles challenged without ever feeling unfair. By removing constant death screens, it let players focus on exploring and laughing their way through Guybrush Threepwood’s quest to be a pirate. | © Lucasfilm Games
Road Rash stood out by mixing high-speed motorcycle racing with brutal melee combat using chains, clubs, and kicks. Winning races earned cash for new bikes and upgrades, adding a progression system that kept players hooked. With its FMV cutscenes and grungy '90s rock soundtrack, it nailed the rebellious vibe of the era. | © Electronic Arts
Jagged Alliance 2 offered a rare mix of tactical combat and RPG depth that still feels unique decades later. Managing mercenaries with distinct personalities, training militias, and fighting across Arulco made it feel like a real war instead of isolated missions. Demanding but rewarding, its modern weapons, destructible environments, and dark humor earned it lasting cult status. | © Sir-Tech
Command & Conquer made RTS games accessible with simple resources, fast action, and units that felt powerful without being overwhelming. The mix of serious military plots and over-the-top characters gave the series personality, while the soundtrack and FMV cutscenes cemented its style. It wasn’t about perfect micro but about jumping in, building an army, and unleashing chaos, an approach that made it unforgettable. | © Westwood Studios
Final Fantasy VII is often called one of the most influential RPGs ever made, and for good reason. Its twisting story and memorable cast kept players guessing, while hidden materia, secret locations, and ultimate weapons rewarded repeat playthroughs. Even if the graphics show their age today, the emotional weight and scope of the adventure make it a timeless classic that people still return to. | © Square Enix
Resident Evil set the standard for survival horror with its eerie mansion, jump scares, and story that pulled players in from the start. Every corner felt dangerous, every surprise kept you on edge, and the tension never let up. It’s the kind of classic that made the PlayStation essential for horror fans. | © Capcom
The 7th Guest drops you into Henry Stauf’s creepy mansion, where live-action clips and a slow-burning story pull you into the mystery. You move through rooms solving logic, word, and chess puzzles, sometimes baffling, often clever, and the confusion adds to the unsettling charm. Stauf’s taunts, eerie music (check out the intro track “The Game”), and moody art tie it all together, making it a true CD-ROM classic. | © Trilobyte
Recoil stood out in 1999 by giving players full control of both tank movement and turret rotation, making combat feel fresh and tactical. Its large missions, mixed with destructible environments and flashy weapon effects, pushed the visuals further than most action games of the time. Combined with unique vehicle designs and satisfying sound work, it delivered a tank shooter that still feels ahead of its era. | © Electronic Arts
SimCity 3000 kept the series approachable while adding enough depth to make building a city feel meaningful. It struck a balance between charm and complexity, avoiding the endless debt spirals of SimCity 2000 and the cold realism of later entries. Even with quirks like tricky neighbour deals, it remains a favourite among players who want a city sim with personality. | © Maxis
Myst pulled players into surreal islands filled with levers, switches, and books that quietly revealed the story piece by piece. Solving its puzzles felt like real detective work – jotting notes, tracing patterns, and slowly unlocking the mysteries hidden in each Age. The mix of haunting music and eerie silence gave the game a uniquely unsettling atmosphere that stuck with anyone who explored it. | © Cyan Worlds
System Shock blended FPS and RPG elements into an atmospheric sci-fi nightmare that felt way ahead of its time. Its chilling AI villain, SHODAN, remains one of gaming’s most iconic antagonists, turning every encounter into a tense experience. The controls may feel dated today, but the core gameplay and unsettling atmosphere still hold up as a landmark in immersive storytelling. | © Looking Glass Studios
Day of the Tentacle is a bizarre and hilarious adventure that could only come from the minds of Dave Grossman and Tim Schafer. Between stopping the IRS, preventing human slavery, and facing off against giant tentacles, the game takes you on a ride that’s equal parts weird and brilliant. Anyone with a sense of humor owes it to themselves to play this classic. | © Lucasfilm Games
Baldur’s Gate redefined what a Western RPG could be, with a rich world full of history and unforgettable encounters. The game dropped players into the Forgotten Realms with freedom, choices, and the kind of storytelling that made every quest feel important. Even with its clunky AI, it stood out as a landmark title that revived a fading genre. | © BioWare
The CD-ROM era brought some of the most groundbreaking and memorable games in PC history. Developers used the new storage space to push graphics, sound, and storytelling in ways players had never seen before. Here are 15 of the best titles that defined the golden age of gaming.
