Summary
The90swere a great time for role-playing, both tabletop and computer-based. The latter, the ones played with a mouse and keyboard, came to be known as"CRPGs" (Computer Role-Playing Games).Despite their waning popularity during the late 2000s, they have seen a resurgence in recent years. While there have been sometruly fantastic modern entries, many wizened fans will jump at the chance to remind gamers everywhere that some of the peaks in 90s CRPGs have yet to be surpassed to this day (and in many cases, they aren’t wrong).
For all those gamers out there who just woke up from a 30+ year coma and want to catch up on all the gaming goodness they’d missed, or for those curious about what their grandparents played while the dinosaurs roamed the Earth, these 90s titles are absolutely worth a look.
Before the series' return in its third groundbreaking entry,Balder’s Gateset the standard for what a non-pen-and-paper role-playing game should look like. Each sequel is generally considered to be an improvement over the last (and that’soff the chartsin the case ofBaldur’s Gate 3), but the original from 1998 still has plenty to offer, especially for those looking to get an appreciation for the genre.
A vast open world, a story that has both an epic tale and highly-personal stakes, and a fairly robust combat system make thisDungeons & Dragonsadaption a worthy consideration for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the world of 90s CRPGs.
Some older CRPGs can be daunting to get into, especially for gamers who are used to the polished conveniences of modernity. Not so forDark Sun: Shattered Lands. Post-apocalyptic meets sword and sorcery in this forgotten classic, which pits the player character and their companions against an unforgiving wasteland, the political struggles of its scattered settlements, and the mechanization of an evil sorcerer.
The world of Athas is brutal, but considerable emphasis is placed on teamwork and cooperation, as the only way to survive the onslaught of both nature and a magically-superior enemy is to work together. The combat and dialogue systems both work equally as well, and provide an enthralling experience for heroes and brutes alike.
A day-night cycle, a weather system, and the ability to move or pick up just about any object in the game are but a few features that 1992’sUltima 7: The Black Gatecan claim to have implemented, along with its deep dialogue branches, imaginative world-building, seamless map transitions, emphasis on player agency, graphics that really do hold up (despite the passage of time) and more.
Villagers will react to gloomy rain or a sunny day. The player is free to follow an intriguing quest, or wander off and do a spot of babysitting, command cannon fire, assassinate the local royals, or become a baker. Decades of ambitious work in the rest of theUltimaseries (which began as early as 1981) coalesced into this gem whichpushed the idea of the open worldbeyond what anyone could have imagined.
Much ado has been made over the second mainlineElder Scrollsadventure, from its enormous, real-life England-sized map to expansive fantasy life simulation features. Fans are absolutely correct in flaunting its incredibly ambitious (for the time or even for today) efforts. However, it is a very different game from the hand-crafted worlds Bethesda is (usually) known for.
EachElder Scrollsgame evolves into something new with each generation, and it may be hard for aSkyrimfan to adjust. However, with the mindset of a 90s computer gamer, players will find no end of joy in exploringDaggerfall’smassive world and navigating its societies, dungeons, and menus.This classic is best enjoyed throughDaggerfall: Unity, a brilliant (free!) fan remake that seeks to patch up and modernize some of its more difficult characteristics.
A technical marvel of its day and a huge influence on gaming in general, not just RPGs,System Shock 2is an atmospheric, first-person, sci-fi thriller that rewards exploration and curiosity, accommodates a broad number of playstyles, and will still scare the pants off of players more than most modern horrors.
System Shock 2strikes the perfect balance between environmental and level design. Everything on the ship feels as though it had a purpose before the nightmare began, but levels and enemy placements make the game as challenging and fun as if they were designed to maximize gameplay enjoyment. It’s a spectacular balance that few games have managed to strike since.
This one arguably fits under the category of “action RPG” since it eschews stats for cybernetic upgrades, offers more limited dialogue branching than isometric affairs, and emphasizes action over math to resolve problems. However, its dedication to immersion (in an “if it works in the real world, it might work here” sense) gives it a definitively 90s CRPG spirit.
The streamlined “improve with play” skill system arguably worked in its favor, as the game’s massive scope could have otherwise been overwhelming.Deus Expulls off a few tricks and gives the player more agency than most games today can accomplish, all with voice acting.Deus Exis a prescient,dark mirror of the world of today, filled with nuance and stories that can blow the lid off the status quo for those who are looking for it, and a rocket launcher that can literally blow doors down for those who enjoy a more “hands-on” approach.
TheFalloutbrand is now practically universally known in gaming spaces (and beyond, thanks to the upcoming TV show). Yet there was a point in time in whichFalloutwasa PC-exclusive RPG. There’s little anyone can say to convince gamers who aren’t already curious about the first mainline series game to give it a shot except that, besides a few outdated design choices (i.e., no “take all” button for containers), it totally holds up.
Dark humor, an open-ended approach to quests and storytelling, and an atmosphere thicker than power armor casing makeFallout: A Post-Nuclear Role Playing Game(to give it its full title) one of the most iconic 90s bangers.
Set in one of the most interesting backdrops of the sharedD&Duniverse,Planescape: Tormentis not only one of the best-written RPGs, but is considered by many wizened CRPG fans to be the best of the best. The player takes on the role of “The Nameless One,” an immortal with many previous lives biting at his subconsciousness throughout his journey through what is essentially the nexus of all worlds and afterlives.
Combat inPlanescapeis functional and nothing special. It transparently plays second fiddle to the excellent plot and characterization, which effortlessly and entertainingly explores themes ofidentity, existentialism, and moralitywhile offering a compelling mystery that will hook players from the first moment and won’t ever let go.
