Apr 20 · 8 years ago
God of War 2018
Why it still holds upToday the combat still carries it: throwing the axe and calling it back while Atreus fights beside you gives each fight several things to do at once.
Games released in April that still hold up
Games
Apr 20 · 8 years ago
God of War 2018
Why it still holds upToday the combat still carries it: throwing the axe and calling it back while Atreus fights beside you gives each fight several things to do at once.
Apr 18 · 15 years ago
Portal 2 2011
Why it still holds upA few simple tools that combine keep producing new puzzles, and the writing and characters carry them, so it still plays well today.
Apr 2 · 32 years ago
Final Fantasy III 1994
Also known as Final Fantasy VI
Why it still holds upPlaying it now means choosing your party: with fourteen characters, each with abilities of their own, who you bring is up to you.
Apr 24 · 14 years ago
On sale
The Walking Dead 2012
Why it still holds upA story built around one relationship is why it still plays well: the voice acting carries it, and the choices come under time pressure.
Apr 10 · 6 years ago
Final Fantasy VII Remake 2020
Why it still holds upThe battles are the reason to play it now: real time action that stops when you spend the ATB bar, to choose a spell or switch to whoever suits the fight.
Apr 27 · 26 years ago
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.
Apr 20 · 20 years ago
Mother 3 2006
Why it still holds upEvery fight asks for timed input and not only menu choices, and the story of a family and a changing village mixes humor and grief, which makes it worth the effort today.
Apr 20 · 20 years ago
Ōkami 2006
Why it still holds upPlay it now for an ink painting look and a brush that keeps opening up old areas of the world.
Apr 29 · 18 years ago
On sale
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.
Apr 25 · 9 years ago
On sale
What Remains of Edith Finch 2017
Why it still holds upEach short story uses a different way of playing, so no two scenarios feel alike even now.
Apr 27 · 29 years ago
Star Fox 64 1997
Why it still holds upBranching routes and medals give reasons to replay a short campaign, which is why it is worth playing today.
Apr 19 · 14 years ago
Fire Emblem Awakening 2012
Why it still holds upGrid tactics in which unit relationships change combat results, with permadeath as an option, are why it still plays well.
Apr 24 · 8 years ago
On sale
Frostpunk 2018
Why it still holds upWith one heat source at the center, every layout and law is a trade between warmth, resources and morale, and that still shapes each decision today.
Apr 25 · 23 years ago
Fire Emblem 2003
Why it still holds upEarly chapters that introduce concepts alongside story events, and a weapon triangle with permanent death, still teach tactics as you play today.
Apr 27 · 11 years ago
On sale
Kerbal Space Program 2015
Why it still holds upIn sandbox mode, with no real penalty for failure, experimenting with a craft still stays fun today.
Apr 16 · 7 years ago
Anno 1800 2019
Why it still holds upProduction chains and tiered populations that all have to be supplied still turn city layout into a planning puzzle today.
Apr 19 · 10 years ago
The Banner Saga 2 2016
Why it still holds upUnits that play differently, such as the charging Horseborn and the support focused Ravens, on a grid where position decides fights, still reward planning today.
Apr 19 · 21 years ago
On sale
Psychonauts 2005
Why it still holds upEach mental world is its own set of levels built around one character's psychology, which gives distinct settings and mechanics and still gives every area a new idea today.
Apr 5 · 21 years ago
SWAT 4 2005
Why it still holds upBecause characters die quickly, tactics and planning still count for more than brute force today.
Apr 29 · 22 years ago
Pikmin 2 2004
Why it still holds upPausing the clock underground, randomly built caves and 201 treasures still give each trip below a fresh set of choices today.
Apr 24 · 18 years ago
On sale
Valkyria Chronicles 2008
Why it still holds upA map for commanding and a third person view for aiming still let you plan like a commander and then aim like a soldier today.
Apr 28 · 25 years ago
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec 2001
Why it still holds upA progression of races, license tests and championships tied to unlocking cars still gives a career a clear path today.
Apr 30 · 12 years ago
Child of Light 2014
Why it still holds upA firefly that slows enemies and heals allies, and a surprise strike for whoever reaches an enemy's back first, still give every battle a small tactical choice.
Apr 23 · 7 years ago
On sale
Mortal Kombat 11 2019
Why it still holds upEven now, slower movement and fixed inputs for every character make each match a matter of careful positioning.
Apr 25 · 18 years ago
On sale
King's Bounty: The Legend 2008
Why it still holds upReplacing squadrons with gold after a loss turns every fight into a decision about what it will cost, which still gives its tactics weight.
Apr 19 · 15 years ago
Mortal Kombat 2011
Why it still holds upA meter you build by blocking as well as attacking still makes every round a choice between spending now and saving for an X-ray.
Apr 20 · 21 years ago
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance 2005
Why it still holds upPermanent losses and support bonuses between fighters who talk make each unit someone you plan to keep alive, and that tension is still there.
Apr 6 · 25 years ago
Worms World Party 2001
Why it still holds upFor a lively match with friends, it works as well now as it ever did.
Apr 30 · 5 years ago
On sale
Returnal 2021
Why it still holds upEach run is still worth starting: the layout and the weapons change every time, and the fights ask you to keep reading and dodging.
Apr 19 · 30 years ago
On sale
Metal Slug 1996
Why it still holds upEven now, animation that reacts to everything you do, and a tank that arrives at set points, give each level its pace, and unlimited continues in the Switch version let you see it all.
Apr 28 · 22 years ago
Clannad 2004
Why it still holds upRoutes that unlock one another give a long read a structure that still pulls you forward today.
Apr 5 · 7 years ago
On sale
Supraland 2019
Why it still holds upPuzzle ideas that rarely repeat, and landmarks to navigate by instead of a map, give you a reason to explore it today.
Apr 17 · 34 years ago
Ultima VII: The Black Gate 1992
Why it still holds upEven now, objects you can stack and dialogue you can steer give it a world to poke at.
Apr 29 · 23 years ago
NBA Street Vol. 2 2003
Why it still holds upTricks feed a meter that can turn the score around, and that keeps it worth playing today.
Apr 20 · 9 years ago
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia 2017
Why it still holds upA Turnwheel that rewinds a mistake and a Casual Mode that revives units let you choose how forgiving the game is, even now.
Apr 15 · 22 years ago
Kirby & the Amazing Mirror 2004
Why it still holds upA cellphone that calls other Kirbys to help, and a hub that leads to nine areas, make it easy to enjoy with friends today.
Apr 19 · 27 years ago
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.
Apr 28 · 28 years ago
On sale
Sanitarium 1998
Why it still holds upWith no game over, and chapters that each change the look and mood, it is still easy to follow into every new place.
Apr 18 · 23 years ago
Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town 2003
Why it still holds upChores that feed into each other, and relationships that build over many days, still give each season its own goals today.
Apr 30 · 28 years ago
Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven 1998
Why it still holds upExploring and fighting are still two ways of playing, with maps you can roam and a fight you can pause.
Apr 13 · 14 years ago
Fez 2012
Why it still holds upEvery room is still a puzzle about perspective, with a view you can turn to realign the world.
Apr 29 · 15 years ago
Virtua Tennis 4 2011
Why it still holds upEvery return is a small test of timing today: you time a first person swing yourself, and it is easy to pick up.
Apr 20 · 36 years ago
Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi 1990
Also known as Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light
Why it still holds upEven now, a cast of 52 units with fixed classes gives each choice of who to send a clear logic.
Apr 27 · 26 years ago
On sale
Breath of Fire IV 2000
Why it still holds upEvery party member is still useful outside combat, with field skills that clear a path.
Apr 4 · 9 years ago
Blackwood Crossing 2017
Why it still holds upPuzzles that reveal the siblings' past make each solution a piece of the story, which is how the game tells it today.
Apr 30 · 7 years ago
On sale
Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark 2019
Why it still holds upYou decide how forgiving the game is today, because a difficulty setting lets you choose how much a defeat costs, from nothing to permadeath.
Apr 18 · 17 years ago
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky 2009
Why it still holds upYour first run is still your own, since a personality test decides which Pokémon you become.
Apr 9 · 17 years ago
Muramasa: The Demon Blade 2009
Why it still holds upThe journey still has a look of its own, drawn by hand and inspired by Japanese art.