West of Loathing is incredibly charming and pulls me in with its strange world, endless text, tiny details, and hidden secrets. I did not enjoy all of the sillier twists, like “bean slinger” instead of magician, because I am a bit of a traditionalist that way. But it's consistent and makes it work. Some of the puzzles also get too involved and tedious, but the game still absolutely grabbed my fascination. I find myself returning back to it from time to time.
Wasteland made a huge impression on me when I played it as a kid, even though I did not really understand much of what was going on at the time. The radioactive cities, bizarre enemies, and harsh post-apocalyptic world completely blew me away. It felt dangerous, strange, and unlike anything else I had seen.
Ultima VII: The Black Gate is my favorite game because, when I played it as a kid in the 1990s, its world felt alive in a way I had never seen before. I loved the tiny details, like baking bread, watching NPCs follow their daily routines, and feeling that Britannia existed even when I was not the center of it.
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP has a mood that stayed with me. The pixel art, music, story which unfolds from tiny powerful expressions and scenes, and the sense of mystery make it feel more like a dream than a normal adventure game. It is minimal, but full of atmosphere. I played it through only once, but the imagery of the game has stuck with me for years.
Star Control II is simply one of the best space games ever made. It was one of my childhood favorites, and my friends and I endlessly talked about its alien races, strange discoveries, and huge universe full of danger and secrets.
Another game from 1999 that stands completely apart is Planescape: Torment. I am not even going to compare it to Baldur’s Gate, because this one feels so much more special to me. Its strange world, philosophical story, and unforgettable writing make it feel less like a traditional RPG and more like something unique, a work of art. It's one of those rare games that I've played through several times.
Arnaud de Bock, Remi Forcadell, Alan Zucconi, Calum Bowen 2019
Pikuniku surprised me with how outrageously good its story is. It looks simple and silly at first, but it keeps unfolding in clever, funny, and unexpected ways. I ended up playing it 100% through, which is rare for me.
Nethack was the game that made me want a PC as a teenager in the 486 era. It felt impossibly deep, mysterious, and full of strange systems waiting to be discovered. My first ascension was with a tourist, which still feels like a perfect example of how strange and memorable the game can be. Still one of my favorite games of all time.
This game is bitching! It is fast, stylish, and instantly readable, with that perfect feeling of trying one more run because I know I can do better. The way the plane moves, dives, stalls, and recovers makes every fight feel chaotic but skillful. It's funny how often you see "Oh no, I made a mistake" seconds in advance before you die. This game is a timeless masterpiece.
Another masterpiece. Chrono Trigger is one of those few games I've played through several times and still remember fondly. Its story, music, characters, and time-traveling adventure all fit together so perfectly that it never feels old.
Cave Story+ stands out to me as a masterpiece. It feels both tiny and enormous at the same time. It has simple controls, memorable characters, and a strange, melancholy world that is slowly revealed. There is something special about how much personality and emotion it managed to project.
The Captain is a masterpiece, but an incredibly stressful one. It constantly puts you in situations where every decision has consequences and they can be painful. I admired it the whole way through, but I never finished it because playing it felt tense and exhausting.
