The Greatest Games You Don’t Need To Play

Video games have existed for more than half a century, offering players incredible experiences in all sorts of worlds and game types. While many popular lists feature beloved classics and the games that launched major franchises, the quality of some of those older titles doesn’t always hold up today.

These games were initially hailed as groundbreaking masterpieces, but it’s tough for even the best creations to stay ahead of today’s advancements. While they’re still enjoyable to play, it’s often more rewarding to experience later installments in the series, updated remasters, or simply recognize how much they impacted the games we love now – and even entire genres.

Assassin’s Creed

Better Remembered Than Replayed

Repetitive level structure.
Later entries perfected the formula.

The first Assassin’s Creed game is significant for its place in gaming history, but it hasn’t aged well in terms of gameplay. The levels feel very similar, the missions aren’t very diverse, and you spend a lot of time doing the same types of tasks in cities that look almost identical, which can get repetitive quickly.

While this game felt groundbreaking at the time, it now feels a bit stiff, especially when compared to its sequels, which improved both the gameplay and story. You can still appreciate its impact without struggling through its older design. In fact, even dedicated fans might have more fun starting with the later games, which explore similar ideas with much smoother execution.

The Witcher

A Rough Draft Of Something Much Greater

Poorly aged combat.
The story is recapped in sequels.

Okay, so I’m a huge Witcher fan, but let’s be real – the first game hasn’t aged brilliantly. The combat feels really clunky and the animations are… well, awkward, which stops it from being a truly classic experience. It feels like they were trying out a lot of different things with the gameplay, and honestly, it often feels like the game is working against you instead of helping you enjoy it. I know a lot of people, even fans like me, struggle to get past the beginning because of this, even though the story is amazing once you get further in.

While later games in the series greatly expand on and improve the story, making it even more engaging, the original Witcher game was a crucial foundation for what became a truly legendary RPG. It’s probably best to leave the original as it is, but its importance in gaming history shouldn’t be forgotten.

Fallout

The Foundations Of Greatness

Steep learning curve.
A familiar concept adapted by the rest of the franchise.

Fallout is a hugely influential role-playing game and started a massive franchise, but it can be hard for new players to get into. Its menus and challenging gameplay aren’t very user-friendly by today’s standards. The combat is slow-paced, and even simple tasks require a lot of patience and understanding of how the game works – something later Fallout games handle much better.

The game’s world-building is truly outstanding, and its unique, satirical take on a post-apocalyptic world is a major reason the series became popular. While it has flaws, it remains a significant part of the franchise’s history, though it’s not essential to play it yourself.

Grand Theft Auto 3

Modern Then, Primitive Now

Clunky control scheme.
Superceded by every subsequent entry.

Grand Theft Auto 3 was revolutionary for open-world games, but playing it today really shows how far the genre has come. The controls feel clunky, shooting isn’t very accurate, and many missions are frustratingly difficult. Failing a mission often means having to repeat a long journey, which can be more annoying than challenging.

Grand Theft Auto 3 focused more on creating a strong atmosphere than developing complex characters. Later games in the series built upon its gameplay while also offering more engaging stories. The game’s importance remains, and while it may not feel the same as it did when it first came out, it’s still highly respected by fans of the series.

GoldenEye 007

Demolished By Time

A vital contributor to the FPS genre.
Its legacy outweighs its playability.

As a huge fan of old games, I always heard about how amazing GoldenEye 007 was, especially the split-screen multiplayer – it really set the standard for console shooters back then. But honestly? Playing it now is tough. It just doesn’t hold up. The performance is really rough, and the levels quickly feel repetitive, even if you’re trying to be patient and enjoy a classic.

GoldenEye was incredibly innovative for its time, pioneering stealth gameplay and missions with specific objectives. While hugely influential, the original game, created in the 1990s, has naturally been surpassed by modern advancements in gaming technology and design.

Borderlands

Prototyping Later Looter Shooter Greatness

Bare bones narrative.
Far better action and writing later on in the series.

I remember playing the first Borderlands when it came out, and it totally hooked me on that whole ‘shoot and loot’ style of game. But looking back, it feels pretty basic compared to the later games. There just weren’t as many different enemy types, and the characters and world didn’t have the same kind of crazy personality that Borderlands became famous for.

I have to say, playing the original Borderlands now feels a little rough around the edges after experiencing Borderlands 2 and everything that came after. It’s like the first game was a really promising start, but the sequels truly figured things out with better writing and gameplay. Still, I appreciate where it all began, even if those later games are just so much more polished and complete.

Resident Evil (1996)

Controls More Horrifying Than The Actual Threats

Restrictive tank controls
Issues solved in the remakes and newer games.

Resident Evil quickly became a landmark title in the gaming world. When it was released in 1996, it was incredibly scary and suspenseful, thanks to its detailed environments and challenging gameplay.

Looking back, that first experience is now either unpleasant or almost unbearable. The old-fashioned controls and camera are what many players find most difficult. Although the updated version improves things, most people will probably have more fun with newer games that offer a smoother, less frustrating experience.

System Shock

Hostility Towards The Players Themselves

Brilliant ideas that remain relevant today.
Marred by a difficult-to-grasp control scheme.

System Shock was a groundbreaking game that essentially created the ‘immersive sim’ genre, dropping players into a futuristic world and forcing them to rely on whatever they could find to survive. Unfortunately, its complicated controls have made it difficult for many to enjoy, even veteran gamers, obscuring the game’s true genius.

Although the game itself isn’t much fun to play now, it heavily inspired titles like BioShock and Deus Ex. Luckily, several updated versions and similar games exist, letting you experience what made the original special without the frustrating parts.

The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

Freedom At The Cost Of Joy

Archaic combat design.
Systems lack a lot of clarity.

The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind is famous for letting players do almost anything, raising the bar for role-playing games in a way few have matched. However, the game feels quite old-fashioned when you play it. Combat and exploration depend heavily on luck, and the game can be very difficult, particularly for those new to it.

Later Elder Scrolls games made these complex systems easier to use, but they still kept the same focus on creating a detailed and immersive world. While the game is impressively deep, many modern players might struggle not with enemies, but with the game’s own rules and how things work.

Alone In The Dark

Leaving A Genre Titan Behind

Extremely dated gameplay.
A relic in an incredibly stacked genre.

The first Alone in the Dark was incredibly influential, helping to define the survival horror genre with its focus on making players feel vulnerable and under pressure – elements that became staples in similar games. However, it also very much feels like a game from the 90s, with its graphics and some of its gameplay, like the puzzles, now appearing quite dated.

While many modern horror games have built upon its concepts of atmosphere and suspense, this game remains highly influential in terms of its overall design. However, despite its importance to the history of the genre, it’s no longer the best way to experience early horror gaming due to its age and how games have evolved.

2026-02-02 16:39