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1990s RPGs that still hold up

Somebody to become, and a long while to become them

89 games · page 1 of 2

Chrono Trigger 1995 Why it still holds upAreas hardly overstay their welcome and the puzzles are challenging without being frustrating, which is why the pacing holds up today.
Final Fantasy VII 1997 Why it still holds upThe Materia and the size of the world still give you plenty to get into.
System Shock 2 1999 Why it still holds upThe skill system and the atmosphere keep it worth playing now, since you build your character through choices aboard a ship that feels lived in.
Planescape: Torment 1999 Why it still holds upThe writing and the companions are still the reason to play it today, since your stats and what you say keep opening options in conversation.
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.
Pokémon Gold Version 1999 Why it still holds upTwo regions on one cartridge keep the adventure going past the first Elite Four, and that is the reason to play it today.
Pokémon Blue Version 1996 Why it still holds upThe loop of catching, training and battling is simple enough to pick up now, and the version differences make trading with friends part of the design.
Suikoden II 1998 Why it still holds upA huge recruitable cast, each with a place in battles or the castle, ties war strategy, party combat and base building into one loop, and that is the reason to play it now.
Pokémon Red Version 1996 Why it still holds upA journey past eight gyms with a collection to complete along the way is still the reason to play it today.
Baldur's Gate 1998 Why it still holds upDeep tabletop rules that run themselves let you make tactical decisions rather than handle the math, and that is why it is still worth playing.
Diablo 1996 Why it still holds upClick to act real time combat over randomly generated dungeons, built around finding better items, still endures.
Final Fantasy Tactics 1997 Why it still holds upJobs that unlock abilities and a Charge Time that decides who acts still make every battle a puzzle of order and class today.
Xenogears 1998 Why it still holds upDeathblow combos built by saving Action Points, and mech battles that run on fuel, still give its combat two different rhythms today.
Terranigma 1995 Why it still holds upBecause the world is rebuilt as you progress, its towns and dungeons change with Ark's actions, and quick controls keep it easy to pick up today.
Final Fantasy IV 1991 Why it still holds upCharacters with fixed roles who join and leave the party make the story and the combat change together, and that still shapes every battle today.
Chrono Cross 1999 Why it still holds upGrowth that comes from bosses instead of grinding, and a stamina bar for each action, still keep every battle worth thinking about today.
Final Fantasy VIII 1999 Why it still holds upJunction and Draw give deep, customizable character building, and Triple Triad ties into progression, which still makes each build your own today.
Secret of Mana 1993 Why it still holds upA party that fights beside you, alone or with friends, and a menu that pauses the action still keep fights simple to manage today.
Trials of Mana 1995 Why it still holds upThere is still more than one way to play through it, with six characters and class changes that split into light or dark paths.
Jagged Alliance 2 1999 Why it still holds upSquads built around who gets along with whom, and towns you can attack from any side, still make each choice of mercenary a commitment today.
Shining Force II 1993 Why it still holds upA lost battle only sends you back to town and one hidden item changes some promotions, so it stays forgiving and worth exploring today.
The Legend of Dragoon 1999 Why it still holds upEach attack is still an act of timing, in a battle that asks for a command at the right moment.
Parasite Eve 1998 Why it still holds upExploration and fighting still feel joined, because combat continues on the screen where you walk.
Suikoden 1995 Why it still holds upToday, a cast you can gather one warrior at a time gives the journey a goal beyond the main story.
Legend of Legaia 1998 Why it still holds upPlayers who enjoy planning combos will find in it a game that holds their attention now.
Vandal Hearts 1996 Why it still holds upLosing your leader means a defeat, so protecting him is still part of every plan.
Valkyrie Profile 1999 Why it still holds upEach outing still has two rhythms, platforming through a dungeon and then switching to battle.

Parties, battles taken turn by turn and stories told mostly through text: much of this page runs on reading and deciding. They ask for hours, and the ones here repay them with worlds worth getting to know.

Starter pack: ten of these, and why each one still plays today

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