Modern Games That Play Like Classic Video Games

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Modern Games That Play Like Classic Video Games

Key Takeaways

  • Classic games set high standards for their genres, inspiring modern titles like Crow Country and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge.
  • Crow Country offers a nostalgic survival-horror experience with classic visuals and gameplay reminiscent of the genre’s classics like Resident Evil.
  • CULTIC revitalizes old-school shooters like DOOM, adding a touch of horror for a fast-paced, intense gaming experience inspired by Blood and Resident Evil.

As a seasoned gaming aficionado who’s spent countless hours immersed in the digital landscapes of yesteryears, I find myself drawn to these modern gems that harken back to the classics we all know and love.

Video games have been a popular form of entertainment for many years. While it took them some time to establish themselves, there are numerous exceptional games that span various genres. Iconic titles range from the likes of “Super Mario 64” and “DOOM,” to “Resident Evil” and eventually “Halo: Combat Evolved.

Timeless classics often expanded genre limits, raising the standards within their fields. Remastered versions and ports allow us to play these games even now, while numerous contemporary titles successfully replicate the enchantment of their predecessors.

5 Crow Country

Old-School Survival-Horror And Modern Quality Of Life

This classic survival-horror game offers meticulously designed settings viewed through a nostalgic lens with contemporary touches. The result is a visually stunning, pre-rendered perspective that can be rotated for exploration. The moving 3D characters within the eerie, vintage amusement park of ‘Crow Country’ resemble the old 3D models from early ‘Final Fantasy’ games, adding an additional layer of appeal.

This nostalgic survival-horror game, “Crow Country,” isn’t just visually similar to games like “Resident Evil.” Its gameplay is sluggish, with restricted resources, designated safe spots for saving, and comparable firearm mechanics. In essence, “Crow Country” is one of the top-notch survival-horror reboots, a skilfully designed tribute that manages to stand independently as well.

4 Caves Of Qud

A Classic Rogue-Like In An Imaginative Retro-Futuristic World

Reminiscent of the challenging turn-based games like Rogue and its subsequent versions, Caves of Qud is quite traditional in many aspects. It features tactical turn-based battles, mechanisms and progression influenced by pen-and-paper dungeon crawling RPGs, and tile-based graphics that create a remarkably nostalgic experience. Yet, it also introduces an impressive array of innovative concepts to the genre.

Caves of Qud is not just your typical roguelike game; it offers two modes of play – traditional roguelike and roleplay mode. The roleplay mode makes the game more approachable for those who prefer straightforward RPGs. What sets Caves of Qud apart, however, is its imaginative blend of sci-fi and fantasy elements, which are reflected in its NPCs, locations, and items. While it follows the procedural generation process like classic games that inspired it, it also integrates handcrafted content to provide a unique gaming experience. Despite its traditional playstyle, Caves of Qud offers a fresh, modern take, with a memorable retro-futuristic world as its backdrop.

3 Gloomwood

A Dark Victorian Immersive-Sim

Though games like 3D platformers and first-person shooters might grab more attention due to their popularity, the immersive-sim genre, which has housed many legendary games over the years, remains a niche but significant part of gaming history. Titles such as Deus Ex, Thief: The Dark Project, System Shock, and Arx Fatalis are just a few examples of this genre’s impressive legacy. Modern games that fall under the immersive-sim category, albeit rare, have successfully adapted the charm and magic of these classics for today’s gaming landscape.

Even though it’s still in Early Access at the moment, Gloomwood stands out as an exceptional modern adaptation of a classic design. This captivating immersive-sim, set in a dark, Victorian atmosphere, draws significant influence from genre classics like the renowned Thief: The Dark Project. However, Gloomwood carves its unique identity, not just through its warped Victorian fantasy setting, but also with survival-horror aspects reminiscent of timeless series such as Resident Evil.

2 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

A Love Letter To Old-School Beat ‘Em Ups

1990s arcade games, particularly beat ’em ups like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles In Time” (1991) and “Streets Of Rage 2” (1992), were favorites that left a lasting impression. Despite the coin-guzzling nature, they remain fondly remembered. Though these games faded away over time, contemporary titles such as “Streets Of Rage 4” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge” have preserved the vintage gameplay experience of these cherished classics.

The game titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge offers both single-player and team play options, where players progress through a fast-paced sequence of missions, each one meticulously designed. During these missions, players engage in combat with numerous opponents as their favorite characters from the series, appreciating nods to both the original arcade game and the original source material.

1 CULTIC

A Refreshing Take On Classic Shooters

Following the debut of David Szymanski’s game DUSK, there has been a revival among indie games of old-school shooters reminiscent of titles like DOOM and Quake. These games primarily feature rapid, smooth movement controls, relentless action, and dynamic battlefields, which are key traits in their design. This unique blend of features was once absent but has now been reintroduced, offering a distinct type of shooter experience.

It’s great to see that games like DUSK, ULTRAKILL, and Ion Fury have successfully revived the genre with their indie flair and contemporary polish. Among these, CULTIC stands out as one of the best titles to emerge from this resurgence. Drawing inspiration from classic shooters like Blood and infusing it with a dash of Resident Evil 4-style horror, CULTIC offers an unrelenting, gunfire-filled, gory journey through territories overrun by cultists.

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2024-09-14 04:33