Summary
Video games have been around for decades now. Although it took them a while to find their feet, there have been several stand-out titles across most if not all genres. These classic titles encompasseverything fromMario 64andDOOM, all the way toResident Eviland, later,Halo: Combat Evolved.
Classic games tend to have pushed the boundaries, setting the bar for their respective genres. While many of these games can be enjoyed today thanks to modern remasters and ports, there are a variety of modern titles that have managed to capture the magic of the games they’re inspired by.
Thisold-school survival-horrorgame features environments that have been lovingly crafted with rose-tinted glasses and a modern flair, giving players a pre-rendered look that’s fully realized, allowing for the rotation of the camera. The 3D models that move around the creepy, retro theme park ofCrow Countryare almost reminiscent of old 3DFinal Fantasygames, adding an extra level of charm.
It’s not just the visuals of this nostalgic survival-horror game that are reminiscent of classics such asResident Evil, though. The gameplay itself takes on a slower pace and features limited resources, designated saving points, and similar gunplay. All in all,Crow Countryis one of the better survival-horror throwbacks around, a well-crafted homage that also stands on its own two feet.
Harkening back to the unforgivingturn-based adventuresofRogueand its many successors,Caves Of Qudis traditional in many senses. Tactical turn-based combat, mechanics and progression inspired by dungeon-crawling tabletop RPGs, and tile-based graphics makeCaves Of Quda remarkably nostalgic experience. However, it also brings a veritable truck-load of new ideas to the table.
Caves Of Qudis a traditional rogue-like, but it can be played as a straightforward RPG using its “roleplay” mode, making it much more accessible right out of the gate. What’s most unique aboutCaves Of Qud, however, is its imaginative sci-fi fantasy world and the NPCs, locations, and items that can be found within it. Like the classics that inspired it,Caves Of Qudfeatures procedural generation, but it also mixes in hand-crafted content to offer players a more novel experience. It may play like a classic, butCaves Of Qudis a modern experience, complete with a memorable, retro-futuristic world.
While the classics of more popular genres such as the 3D platformer or the first-person shooter may be better known, the immersive-sim is an old genre full to the brim with iconic games. FromDeus ExandThief: The Dark ProjecttoSystem ShockandArx Fatalis, this genre is niche, but rich with stand-out titles. With such a wealth of acclaimed design to draw from, modern immersive-sims, however few, have been able to bring the charm and wonder of the classics into the modern era.
Gloomwood, despitebeing in Early Accessat the time of writing, is a superb example of bringing a classic design to the modern day.Gloomwoodis a dark, Victorian-themed immersive-sim that takes heavy inspiration from classics of the genre, predominantly from titles such as the aforementionedThief: The Dark Project.However,Gloomwoodis its own beast, not only with its twisted Victorian fantasy theme, but with its survival-horror elements that are influenced by classics such asResident Evil.
Arcade games are some of the most beloved and fondly remembered games in the industry, despite their tendency to drain pockets of coins. One of the core genres of any arcade is the beat ‘em up. Ofthe many beat ‘em upsfloating around in the late 80s and early 90s, 1991’sTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Timewas perhaps the best, though an argument could be made for 1992’sStreets Of Rage 2. Though these games eventually died out, modern games such asStreets Of Rage 4andTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revengeare keeping the nostalgic gameplay of these classic titles alive.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revengefeatures single-player and co-operative play across a brisk series of short but lovingly crafted missions. Each of these missions has players brawling their way through a variety of enemies as one of many iconic characters, taking in affectionate homages to both the classic arcade game and the source material itself.
Since the release of David Szymanski’sDUSK, indie games have experienced a resurgence ofold-school shootersthat take inspiration from classics such asDOOMandQuake. Fast, fluid movement controls, constant action, and expressive combat arenas make up most of their DNA, making for a very specific kind of shooter that was, for a time, lost.
Thankfully, the aforementionedDUSK, along withULTRAKILLandIon Fury, brought the genre back to life with an indie charm and modern quality-of-life.CULTIC, however, is arguably one of the best games to come out of this revival. It takes inspiration from classic shooters such asBloodand injecting it witha dose ofResident Evil 4horror. What follows is a non-stop, guns-blazing, gore-filled adventure through cultist-ridden territory.
