Doom II: Hell on Earth 1994
Why it still holds upEach map is a place to explore, with its own layout, secrets and mix of enemies, and the three settings give each stretch its own look.
Classic shooters that still hold up
From cover, from the hip, and from a side-scrolling jet
Games
Doom II: Hell on Earth 1994
Why it still holds upEach map is a place to explore, with its own layout, secrets and mix of enemies, and the three settings give each stretch its own look.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth 2014
Why it still holds upItem combinations that differ every run, from a large library to unlock, keep giving it new runs today.
Doom Eternal 2020
Why it still holds upThe fights are why it is worth playing now: every arena asks you to keep moving and pick the tool that refills what you are short of.
Bayonetta 2 2014
Why it still holds upFast combat built on dodging and combos, with varied set pieces and challenge portals, is the reason to play it now.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard 2017
Why it still holds upPlay it now for the anxiety that builds in one confined location with limited vision.
Perfect Dark 2000
Why it still holds upMissions built on objectives, and a large multiplayer toolkit, still give it more depth than a straight shooter today.
Borderlands 2 2012
Why it still holds upA huge range of guns and builds, shared by friends in co op, still gives it reasons to replay today.
Far Cry 3 2012
Why it still holds upFive core systems, sneaking, shooting, driving, exploring and hunting, all feed the same leveling system, so the same encounter plays out differently depending on stealth, firepower and wildlife, and that is the reason to play it now.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart 2021
Why it still holds upThe arsenal and the rifts, which move you between worlds in seconds in the middle of a fight or a set piece, make it a shooter worth picking up today.
Beyond Good & Evil 2003
Why it still holds upPhotography, stealth, hovercraft racing, melee and exploration are mixed so that no single mechanic wears out, and that is the reason to play it now.
Grand Theft Auto IV 2008
Why it still holds upToday it is still a satirical Liberty City full of radio, TV and side activities, with a story of conflicting choices.
Metroid: Zero Mission 2004
Why it still holds upIts map still reads clearly: areas linked by doors and elevators and opened by power ups, with statues pointing the way.
Halo: Reach 2010
Why it still holds upA campaign of large battles, with modes to build and survive in after it, still gives you ways to keep playing today.
Fallout 3 2008
Why it still holds upIf you play it now, it is for an open world whose exploration is optional and whose quests respond to different approaches.
Cyberpunk 2077 2020
Why it still holds upA dense city of side jobs, taken on in whichever way you built your character, is still the draw in its updated form.
Mega Man X 1993
Why it still holds upPrecise controls and bosses with distinct movement patterns, where beating one changes how you fight the others, make it worth playing now.
Halo 2 2004
Why it still holds upTight controls and weapons that each cost something still carry the campaign today.
Mount & Blade: Warband 2010
Why it still holds upWith no set objective, you can still decide whether to be a mercenary, a vassal or a ruler.
Star Fox 64 1997
Why it still holds upRoutes that branch and medals to earn still give a short campaign reasons to replay today.
Resident Evil Village 2021
Why it still holds upPlayed now, the variety carries it: every section brings its own enemies, puzzles and boss.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory 2005
Why it still holds upStealth built on light and sound that you manage yourself, against guards who react to what you disturb, is still the reason to play it today.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption 2007
Why it still holds upAiming with a pointer rather than auto aim still puts the shooting in your own hands today.
Resident Evil 2 1998
Why it still holds upScarce ammo and limited saves force routing decisions, and four scenarios retell one story, which is the reason to play it now.
Control 2019
Why it still holds upEach of its shifting, brutalist rooms leads to a fight, and powers on cooldowns beside a weapon that changes form still keep those fights moving today.
Halo: Combat Evolved 2001
Why it still holds upWith two weapon slots and vehicles you can drive, every weapon you pick up is still a choice that shapes the next fight today.
Titanfall 2 2016
Why it still holds upLevels with several routes, and a Titan you swap into at the push of a button, still give five hours plenty of variety today.
CrossCode 2018
Why it still holds upFights and puzzles built from the same launch still give its dungeons two kinds of challenge today.
Metroid Fusion 2002
Why it still holds upA mission based layout with a pursuer always close still keeps its six hours moving today.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes 2004
Why it still holds upCrossing between two worlds, one of which wears her down away from safe zones, still makes every route a puzzle today.
Counter-Strike 2000
Why it still holds upWith no respawn and weapons bought with money from wins, losses and kills, each round is still a team decision about what to buy today.
Star Wars: Jedi Knight II - Jedi Outcast 2002
Why it still holds upLightsaber, blaster and Jedi powers in one game still give it a mix of melee and ranged fighting today.
Commandos 2: Men of Courage 2001
Why it still holds upA squad of specialists, each with abilities of their own, and missions with several objectives still give it plenty to plan today.
Metro Exodus 2019
Why it still holds upChoosing how to approach each objective, between open areas and linear stretches, still gives it room to play your way today.
Team Fortress 2 2007
Why it still holds upNine classes with distinct strengths and weaknesses, and teams that need a mix of them, still make every match about who plays what today.
Gears of War 2 2008
Why it still holds upCover, a short loadout and a partner still make each firefight a matter of positioning today.
Thief II: The Metal Age 2000
Why it still holds upLarge levels with several routes, and tools that change light and sound, still leave you to plan your own way past the guards today.
Unreal Tournament 1999
Why it still holds upTwo firing modes on most weapons, bots you can command and mutators that change the rules still give each match room to vary today.
TimeSplitters 2 2002
Why it still holds upSplit screen with bots, sixteen modes and a level builder still make a shared session easy to fill today.
SWAT 4 2005
Why it still holds upCharacters die quickly on both sides, so a room taken with a plan still beats one taken by force, and that careful pace holds up today.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 2002
Why it still holds upLight and shadow are your refuge and the level layouts form routes through gaps in vision, so play is still built around reading the lighting rather than shooting today.
No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way 2002
Why it still holds upBecause guards react to sound, light and bodies, a careful, silent approach and an all out one both still work today.
Duck Game 2014
Why it still holds upOne hit kills and simple controls still let a round be learned in seconds today, so it is quick to start.
Quake 1996
Why it still holds upFull 3D levels, enemies with distinct roles and rocket jumping still make exploring and fighting feel like one thing today.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow 2004
Why it still holds upEach stealth section today has a few more ways to play, with Sam whistling to draw guards and carrying bodies through doors.
Gears of War 2006
Why it still holds upCover, timing and a squad to keep alive still make every firefight tense today.
Conker's Bad Fur Day 2001
Why it still holds upSimple moves and pads that hand you the right tool at the right spot still keep each stretch moving today.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars 2009
Why it still holds upIt still has a look of its own, with a camera that looks down on an open city and outlined comic book shapes.
Medal of Honor 1999
Why it still holds upThe war still feels varied, with missions that range from rescue to sabotage and undercover work.