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Classic adventure games that still hold up

Somewhere to get to, and plenty in the way

222 games · page 2 of 5

Marvel's Spider-Man 2018 Why it still holds upCrossing the city by web is still fun before you do anything else in it, which is the reason to play it now.
Resident Evil 4 2005 Why it still holds upThe game escalates steadily, and muted colours keep its places oppressive, so the pacing still keeps its grip today.
Final Fantasy IX 2000 Why it still holds upA party in which every member fights differently still gives each battle its own shape.
Final Fantasy X 2001 Why it still holds upTime stops while you decide and swapping characters makes each fight a choice of who suits it, so the battles still reward planning.
Assassin's Creed II 2009 Why it still holds upFree running and a choice of how to handle each situation, with several ways past the guards, are the draw today, in a Renaissance Italy with an orchestral score.
Resident Evil 2 2019 Why it still holds upPlayed today it keeps the tension through scarcity: ammunition is short, zombies need their heads destroyed to stay down, and a first run takes about eight hours.
Return of the Obra Dinn 2018 Why it still holds upIts deduction holds up today because nobody tells you who anyone is, so you piece together who was where and when.
Portal 2007 Why it still holds upOne tool and its momentum rules still open many solutions today, and the humour and writing make you want to keep going.
Pokémon SoulSilver Version 2009 Why it still holds upBadges, hidden machines and new creatures to catch still give it a steady pull today, with enough freedom to explore.
Ori and the Blind Forest 2015 Why it still holds upOri moves nimbly, and the story is told through play rather than long cutscenes, so it is still a pleasure to control today.
Mafia 2002 Why it still holds upThe period setting is why it is worth playing now: Lost Heaven is modelled on 1930s American cities, and the missions move between chases, races and shootouts.
Day of the Tentacle 1993 Why it still holds upIts comic writing and voice acting are the reason to play it now, since in the CD version every line of dialogue is spoken.
Dead Space 2 2011 Why it still holds upIts atmosphere is why it still works: the lighting and the sound design keep you on edge from start to finish.
Black Mesa 2020 Why it still holds upPlayed now, it keeps Half-Life's mix of shooting and puzzles on a newer engine, with physics that the original never had.
Inside 2016 Why it still holds upThe puzzles are why it still plays well: they are natural obstacles that make sense in the context of the game, and the wordless boy is expressive enough to carry it.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps 2020 Why it still holds upThe way the map opens up is still the reason to play: each ability Ori finds sends you back through Niwen by a route that was shut.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 2000 Why it still holds upThe three day cycle keeps it worth playing today: you plan your days around what people need, and the world changes with the clock, with the music growing more menacing toward the end.
Divinity: Original Sin II 2017 Why it still holds upFreedom in and out of combat, where a fight is a puzzle of armor, elements and position and a quest has more than one answer, still makes it worth playing today.
Minecraft: Java Edition 2011 Why it still holds upBecause nothing is required of you, a new world is whatever you decide to make of it, and that is what keeps it worth starting now.
Death Stranding 2019 Why it still holds upA route planned, built and shared with strangers still makes the long walks worth doing today.
Mass Effect 3 2012 Why it still holds upBecause so much of it rests on those earlier choices, the trilogy played in order from the first game still gives it its full weight today.
Pokémon Silver Version 1999 Why it still holds upA world that runs on its own clock, with a second full region after the first, is the reason to go back to it now.
Deus Ex 2000 Why it still holds upWith several routes to every objective, both a pacifist and a combat approach work, and that freedom in level design is the reason to play it today.
God of War III 2010 Why it still holds upToday it still offers combat built on chained combos and weapon switching, on a very large scale.
God of War II 2007 Why it still holds upIt holds up now because combat, platforming and puzzles are designed as one adventure.

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