As you may already noticed i like to give a reference to Microprose games. Previous posts covered masterpieces like [UFO: X-Com] and [Civilization II] . And i’m doing that on purpose. Games of the past primarily relied on solid and very high-quality storylines. Back in the day processing power of computer was quite limited and developers can’t offer breath-taking graphics. So they have to use head to output quality entertainment product.

Sky Force is a neat vertical shmup on Android to kill your time on boring job. Excellent graphics and solid demoscene soundtrack of Reloaded remaster a bit spoiled by developer’s greed, coz game balance is tuned for purchasing stuff via real money. But if you are ok to play without microtransactions and slow progress is acceptable for you, then game is highly recommended. Of cource it can’t be compared with [Jets’n’Guns] or classical [Tyrain] , but anyways it is worth of mentioning here and can be counted as decent time killer.

Seen marvellous [UFO X-Com] ? So, here is another masterpiece by Microprose then. In my childhood i was obsessed by [Civilization I] , which can be played in plain DOS only. Game graphics was very pixel sketchy and forced the brain to complete imaginary world by myself. Many sand was spilled across the sand-glass. There are VI parts of the game to date! [Second part] of the game was released back in 1996.

UPDATED ON: 2022-04-03 Modern version of classic Diablo II with fully revamped graphics. [Official system requirements] doesn’t mention mighty Windows 7. To my surprise I was able to run game on Windows 7 x64 ESU without any problems. If some of you experiencing difficulties in launching game just grab hacked DirectX 12 libs and place them into the root of game folder. [DOWNLOAD DIRECTX 12 FILE PACK] GAMEPLAY SAMPLE SECRET #1: TO UNDO ANNOYING LOBBY MUSIC JUST DO ONE-TIME CTRL+M HIT

Not long ago i’ve told about [Diablo I modification] . Now it is time for something not so vintage. Diablo II to be precise. As you may know even the latest expansion set Lord of Destruction didn’t brought screen resolutions greater than 800x600. And when you play it on a 30" inch screen monitor with width resolution of 2560 pixels it looks kinda blurry. There are couple of patches, which brought higher resolutions, but unluckily all of them don’t work with latest version of game: 1.

Of course you can buy an excellent hard rock by [The Gone Jackals] . But if you are huntin’ for original in-game tunes and hunger to have them as MP3 files you’ve come to right place. Soundtrack is simply stunning. But there are no separate music files which embedded into main data file. It can’t be open via standard 7-Zip. We are in luck coz we have excellent ultility to extract music from some classic quests based upon Moai and Buddha engines.

UPDATED ON: 2022-03-16 Recently i’ve stumbled upon very neat modification, which is based around [Hellfire] [another Diablo I expansion set]. It is supported by a small amount of enthusiasts, forging game internals right from 2007 till current 2022. Feature set: Very high replayability Revamped character classes, with additional sub-classes Extended perks and traits system New game mechanics and craft system New weapon sets New music High resolution support Convenient comparison tools Auto money picker Custom settings Multiple game difficulties And much more… Some real life experience.

It will be prohibited not to mention about Streets of Rage II ► favourite beat’em’up of my childhood. First three parts are classical arcade machine stuff, they pretty similar to each other. Last one is a fan-made project with new graphics and design. STREETS OF RAGE II STREETS OF RAGE IV EVOLUTION OF STREETS OF RAGE 1991-2021 Imagery by spacedrone808 @Adobe Imagery by spacedrone808 @Freepik

While STALKER 2 announced to be delayed, [again] . It looks like that we have plenty of time to do one more run to an excellent [OGSR modification] of original [STALKER] . Classic post-apocalyptic survival-horor shooter with RPG elements. Original game was know for huge amount of bugs and glitches, so I recommend you to play-through OGSR mod, which fixes tons of bugs, adds new quests to main story-line, new weaponry, changes balance and adds convenience features.

You may already know about excellent side-scroller [Jets’n’Guns Gold] . [Second part repeats success] of original release with even more beautiful graphics and mind-blowing special effects. Dynamic pulse-pounding action, very cool soundtrack, supreme game design. What else could you dream of? But if you ask my opinion…. despite the fact that J’n’G series is a wad steal for sure, but in terms of replayability it nevertheless can’t reach classic [Tyrian] from ‘95.

Very-very-very-very neat cross-platform pixel run’n’gun side-scroller with fully destructible landscape reminds me [8-bit Contra] with some unique features. Design is screaming about the fact of how much love developers put into the game. Maaaan, this is a blast. Just, check this out. GAME TRAILER GAMEPLAY Imagery by spacedrone808 @Adobe Imagery by spacedrone808 @Freepik

Very cool [game studio] , which is know for excellent [Machinarium-series] . All their games are hand-drawn pieces of fine art. Also, i advice to take a look at Samorost series [►1◄] [►2◄] [►3◄] As usual I recommend only the best stuff. It is prohibited not to complete all of them. Imagery by spacedrone808 @Adobe Imagery by spacedrone808 @Freepik

[Fireproof Games] is know for their android-based quest series [The Room] . Addictive puzzle quest wrapped in beautiful 3D environment with plenty of interactive action. Realistic still life with great physics solidify the reason of game success. I recommend to finish all ROOM-series: [►1◄] / [►2◄] / [►3◄] / [►4◄] . Games really deserve this kind of action. DEMO TRAILER THE ROOM I Imagery by spacedrone808 @Adobe Imagery by spacedrone808 @Freepik

UPDATED ON: 2024-09-06 Added two history videos. Not many people know about Japanese console [Neo Geo] . It was pretty powerful and brought arcade machine quality to home gaming. Pulse-pounding and jaw-dropping action scrollers were a calling card of Japanese gaming device. Comparatively to more common [Super Nintendo] and [MegaDrive] it was advertised as console with 24-bit GPU bus, which allows very big 2D-sprites, supporting up to 4096 colors. By release time [31 Jan 1990] it was super impressive.

UPDATED ON: 2022-02-28 Another [quality game] from my childhood. This time, turn-based tactical combat. It’s addictive game-play coupled with stunning atmosphere make it so great. Emotive Adlib FM music bring up even more intrigue to classy style of this masterpiece. Some gameplay videos for deeper immersion. INTRO MISSION [ORIGINAL OST PLAYLIST] [XCOM LEGACY OST PLAYLIST] Heavily inspired by original one, not those orchestral epic crap. Also you should definitely check [open-source remake] of the original game.

My favorite game of all times. Thanks to it I’ve learn English [to some kind of degree] and even was almost expelled from university. What a neat memories. I was totally obsessed with deep “in game” atmosphere. Cyberpunk post-apocalyptic stuff, you know what I’m saying and those incredible ambient from master [Mark Morgan] . Can firmly confirm that modern series of this franchise don’t provide such immersion. As for backdrop music, Mark Morgan in Fallout ½ set quality bar to unreachable level.

Everybody count Mortal Kombat on PC or King of the Fighters on NeoGeo as best fighting games ever. I have another opinion on that. The most dynamic and neck-breaking fighting game is WWF. World Wrestling Federation. Fluid VGA animations and cool atmosphere, spiced-up with best combo system in the world, that’s the key to neat fighting game. It is extremely underrated! In my childhood i’ve managed to do 32-hit combo by Shawn Michaels.