It is no secret that games age. What was once considered the height of the medium gradually becomes less enjoyable to newer audiences who are used to different conventions.Classic RPGsespecially suffer from this.
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What older gamers enjoyed or simply could tolerate now make some of these games almost impossible for younger generations people. There is definitely some value in these titles below, but just know it won’t be easy to go through them for any gamer used to playing games from the past ten years or so. Still, it’ll help to know and appreciate where the genre came from.
10Elder Scrolls: Arena
TheElder Scrollsseries is all about player freedom. After the first dungeon, players can go in any direction they chose and tackle side quests or do the main story.
While the debut entry andDaggerfalloffer arguably more freedom and content, they are also crawling with technical issues, many of which are game-breaking. It is also just hard to navigate the systems and menus.For a good balance between the two generations ofElder Scrollstitles, go withMorrowind.
9Wizardry IV
TheWizardryfranchise is a classic on par withUltima. The games are arguably harder, however.
Wizardry IVin particular was designed to be almost impenetrable to anybody but the most loyal fans. Even with a guide, playing it today would be a huge challenge. Additionally, getting the game to run on modern computers or finding a copy will be a whole other obstacle all its own.
8Shadow Tower
Before FromSoftware blew people’s minds withDemon’s SoulsandBloodborne, they were making niche RPGs likeKing’s FieldandShadow Tower.
These older titles feature a similar level of difficulty but in first-person and with, admittedly, more jank. Time has not been super kind to them, either.Shadow Towerisplayable as PlayStation Classic on PS3 or PSP. Stats increase based on how players use them, similar toElder Scrollsgames.
7SaGa Frontier
SaGa Frontieris just one in a series of games, but it is worth mentioning because of a recent remaster for modern consoles. Even though it is updated,Saga Frontieris still a game of its time.
The idea of multiple perspectives from different protagonists depending on who you play as is great, but the open-ended nature makes it too easy to get lost. Figuring out what to do is more challenging than the combat.
6Wasteland
Those who have played the recentWasteland 2and3can attest to its difficulty. These are a cakewalk when compared to the originalWastelandfrom 1988. Even for its time,Wastelandgained a reputation for its brutal challenge. It can almost seem unfair at times.
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While maybe not everyone can beat it, it is worth playing simply because it was made by Interplay Entertainment, who went on to develop the originalFalloutgames.
5The 7th Saga
This lesser-known SNES JRPGwas actually made more difficult in its western localization. Enemies are stronger and the main character is made weaker. Unique for the time, players can see approaching enemies using radar on the HUD.
The 7th Sagareceived slightly lower reviews than similar all-time classics from the era. At least this game is easier to play than the planned sequel,Mystic Arkbecause that one was not even released in the west.
4Baldur’s Gate
Anyone who playedBaldur’s Gateswears by it as one of the best RPGs ever made. We believe them, but it is hard for anyone to see for themselves considering the complexity of its mechanics.
Baldur’s Gateis based on aDungeons & Dragonsruleset, so figuring it out takes time and effort. There is a remaster available for modern consoles, so it is at least worth diving into to try for oneself.
3Final Fantasy
The originalFinal Fantasyis bare-bones compared to its successors, but the formula is already well established.
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There are various remasters available, including the pixel-perfect re-release for mobile platforms and PC, but anyone looking to go back to the tried and true NES version will find a brutally difficult JRPG. The balancing is not as tight and numerous bugs make the journey harder. The best re-release so far is the 20th-anniversaryedition for the PSP.
2System Shock
While taking place in the first-person perspective,don’t mistake the originalSystem Shockfor a traditional FPS. It shares more in common with early immersive sims likeUltima Underworld.
It is worth playing to see where games likeDishonoredandPreydrew their inspiration. There is currently a remake in the works from Night Dive studios which looks promising. The sequel,System Shock2, is far easier to access from a modern gamer’s perspective andhas an equally creepy atmosphere
1Early Ultima Games
Most fans sing the praises ofUltima VII. Going back further and further, things become iffier. The first three games in the series in particular are games of their time.
The debutUltima came outin 1981 and just had its 40th birthday. One should not expect a game theoretically old enough to be a human grandfather to be easily playable in the modern age.
