Shanghai 1986
Why it still holds upMatching tiles one pair at a time is a puzzle that still fits a few minutes today.
Top-down and isometric games that still hold up
The whole board in view, from somewhere above it
Games
Shanghai 1986
Why it still holds upMatching tiles one pair at a time is a puzzle that still fits a few minutes today.
Hearts of Iron IV 2016
Why it still holds upThe economy that feeds a war is the heart of the game, as it still is.
Tropico 2001
Why it still holds upRuling a small island with a sense of humor is a change of pace that still works today.
Geneforge 2001
Why it still holds upA world with no single right side still leaves the choices to you today.
Baba Is You 2019
Why it still holds upThe rules are the material you move, and today that one idea still carries the whole game.
Sins of a Solar Empire 2008
Why it still holds upA full evening of empire building across whole star systems is still on offer.
Age of Empires: Mythologies 2008
Why it still holds upChoosing a god before each game makes each army different.
Sunless Skies 2019
Why it still holds upInvesting in stat points unlocks opportunity checks, and siding with a faction in a large scale war opens some ports and closes others.
Illusion of Gaia 1993
Why it still holds upExploring is still a team effort, with three characters who open different doors.
Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories 2006
Why it still holds upA hub full of extra systems still gives each chapter plenty to dig into today.
Europa Universalis 2000
Why it still holds upA map of 1,500 provinces over 300 years gives a long campaign.
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars 2007
Why it still holds upEvery build order balances money against speed, and the decision is as live today as ever.
Planet Coaster 2016
Why it still holds upWith nothing locked and no budget to watch, sandbox leaves your own plan as the only limit, and that freedom is still the main pull.
Knights of Honor 2004
Why it still holds upMarriages, spies and faith still make a kingdom feel like a family business today.
Harvest Moon 2 GBC 1999
Why it still holds upA farm won back from weeds, with a village next door, still makes a quiet game of daily chores today.
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin 2008
Also known as Advance Wars: Dark Conflict
Why it still holds upA campaign that teaches its rules one at a time still makes a large set of units approachable today.
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden 2018
Why it still holds upYou still choose where a fight begins, which makes every encounter a planned one.
Tetrisphere 1997
Why it still holds upA sphere to dig into makes it a puzzle game unlike most Tetris.
Disciples: Sacred Lands 1999
Why it still holds upUnits that gain experience give a strategy game the pull of a role playing one.
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive 2001
Why it still holds upPlayers who like to plan a Western heist themselves will find that it still holds up today.
Cannon Fodder 1993
Why it still holds upA squad where every soldier is one round from death still makes each decision tense today.
Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic 2003
Why it still holds upThe choices it keeps handing you, which spheres to research and which heroes to hire, are still its draw today.
SimCity 4 2003
Why it still holds upGrowing a region one segment at a time is a long project that remains absorbing today.
Saturn Bomberman 1996
Why it still holds upA battle mode that fits up to ten players still gives it something to bring a group to.
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete 1998
Why it still holds upVisible enemies and short dungeons still keep its long story moving.
Hyper Light Drifter 2016
Why it still holds upA world told without words still asks you to piece it together as you go.
Fieldrunners 2 2012
Why it still holds upA choice of six weapons before each level gives you a plan to test.
Mushihimesama 2004
Why it still holds upA range of modes that runs from newcomers to experts still lets anyone find how much bullet hell they can take.
Breath of Fire II 1994
Why it still holds upToday, a Monster Meter that warns you of fights lets you decide how far to push on.
Arkanoid 1986
Why it still holds upA ball off a paddle, with bricks that each behave differently, is still a simple loop that holds you today.
Mole Mania 1996
Why it still holds upPlanning where to dig on each screen still takes real thought today.
World in Conflict 2007
Why it still holds upBecause every unit needs careful use, battles reward tactics for anyone who sits down to play now.
Volfied 1989
Why it still holds upCarving up a screen while an alien hunts you is a simple idea, and the tension is still there.
River Raid 1982
Why it still holds upFuel that is always running out still turns each stretch of river into a choice today, between a pass over a depot and clearing what is in the way.
Warlords III: Reign of Heroes 1997
Why it still holds upThe carried heroes still make a campaign whose generals remember the last war.
The Settlers: Fourth Edition 2001
Why it still holds upA settlement that has to feed its own army is still a patient challenge to take on.
Dawn of Discovery 2009
Also known as Anno 1404
Why it still holds upTwo halves of a world that depend on each other's goods still make every new street part of a longer chain.
Harvest Moon 3 GBC 2000
Why it still holds upCrops and animals worked around the days the ferry runs still give the week a rhythm today.
Ground Control 2000
Why it still holds upTroop choice matters so much that each battle rewards planning, as it does for anyone who plays now.
The Settlers II: 10th Anniversary 2006
Why it still holds upRoads and their flags are still the whole economy, and placing one well is the game.
Lunar: The Silver Star 1992
Why it still holds upBattles where characters walk to their targets and spells hit whole zones still reward positioning today.
Aero Fighters 1992
Why it still holds upA route that changes with every run and every pilot still makes it worth starting another today.
Cities: Skylines 2015
Why it still holds upToday it remains open ended, since a city can grow in whatever direction the player chooses.
Harvest Moon 1996
Why it still holds upA calm rhythm of small daily chores is as relaxing now as it ever was.
Brigador 2016
Why it still holds upThe city is still a town you are paid to flatten.
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together 2010
Why it still holds upA branching war story that can be rewound still gives reasons to go back today.
Hob 2017
Why it still holds upExploration and combat grow together with every power you unlock, and that steady widening still gives the world its pull.
Beat Hazard 2009
Why it still holds upA shooter that plays along with your own music still makes a record collection something to fight through today.