Soul Blazer 1992
Why it still holds upEach dungeon fight still has a visible reward, as an area is rebuilt one soul at a time.
Top-down and isometric games that still hold up
The whole board in view, from somewhere above it
Games
Soul Blazer 1992
Why it still holds upEach dungeon fight still has a visible reward, as an area is rebuilt one soul at a time.
A Good Snowman is Hard to Build 2015
Why it still holds upA few simple rules, with stacking in size order, still give a puzzle that grows from one idea.
Alundra 1997
Why it still holds upThere is no fixed path from one dungeon to the next, so you still never know what you will be asked to do next.
In a bundle
Pac-Man 1980
Why it still holds upA maze chase with four different pursuers still has plenty to figure out.
Alien Crush 1988
Why it still holds upTwo flippers on each screen, a choice of ball speed and secret tables to find are still all there is to learn.
Invisible, Inc. 2015
Why it still holds upThe 72 hours are still always one bad turn from losing an agent for good.
On sale
Empire: Total War 2009
Why it still holds upEven now, a campaign that includes the sea as well as the land gives the age of sail its own shape.
On sale
Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising 2001
Why it still holds upThe soul chips still give a crew of ghosts with opinions, and a factory ship to build them a body.
Supreme Commander 2007
Why it still holds upEvery expansion is still a risk, with one commander who is both the builder and the weak point.
The Binding of Isaac 2011
Why it still holds upThe stacking still turns a run into a creature nobody designed.
Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain 1996
Why it still holds upThe drinking still makes the hero's health bar the people he kills.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords - Anniversary Edition 2011
Why it still holds upA small adventure built around cooperation is still made to be shared with friends.
Tennis 1984
Why it still holds upA set of tennis against the computer or with a partner is easy to start today.
Sunless Sea 2015
Why it still holds upA dark sea full of choices still gives each voyage its own story.
Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring the Legend of Zelda 2019
Why it still holds upRhythm still turns every fight into a small dance.
Plants vs. Zombies 2009
Why it still holds upYou still have to choose which plant goes in which lane, since zombies have different weaknesses.
Populous 1989
Why it still holds upEach level is still a matter of changing the land, with powers that reshape the world and no units to order.
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game 2018
Why it still holds upA card game with factions and leaders still gives each deck a different aim.
On sale
Ape Out 2019
Why it still holds upShort levels and constant motion still make each escape quick to attempt again.
On sale
Stellaris 2016
Why it still holds upA crisis that comes just when you thought you had won is still the point today.
Spy Hunter 1983
Why it still holds upA spy car with a machine gun and a gearshift still has its place today.
On sale
Ruiner 2017
Why it still holds upA fast, stylish shooter with a tree you can rebuild still suits replays.
On sale
Torchlight II 2012
Why it still holds upA pet that runs to the shop for you still keeps the loot flowing today.
Empire Earth 2001
Why it still holds upFourteen epochs in one match still give it a long arc to play through.
Grand Theft Auto 2 1999
Why it still holds upToday a city to roam and jobs to take are still on offer.
On sale
Bad North 2018
Why it still holds upToday it is still a puzzle of placement worth solving, with a few units, an island of tiles and boats that can come from any side.
Mini Metro 2015
Why it still holds upEvery new line is still a bet on where passengers will pile up next.
Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 2006
Also known as Pro Evolution Soccer 6
Why it still holds upA national team to take through qualifiers still gives a different goal to chase.
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.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle 2017
Why it still holds upEach region is still a change of pace, with puzzle worlds that give way to turn based fights.
On sale
Crypt of the NecroDancer 2015
Why it still holds upToday, a dungeon where every move has to land on the beat still joins two genres in one habit.
On sale
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number 2015
Why it still holds upEvery death is still a better plan, since a restart takes only a moment.
Nox 2000
Why it still holds upTrueSight still keeps the dungeon only as big as what your character can see.
Space Invaders 1978
Why it still holds upA shrinking gap between a cannon and a descending formation still builds pressure today.
On sale
Unrailed! 2020
Why it still holds upA runaway train still turns teamwork into a rush of chopping and laying rails.
Titan Quest 2006
Why it still holds upA skill system you mix yourself still gives each hero its own shape.
Anno 2070 2011
Why it still holds upEcology against industry still gives every city a choice to make.
Age of Empires III 2005
Why it still holds upBuilding an empire through the Ages is still a good way to spend an evening.
Warcraft: Orcs & Humans 1994
Why it still holds upA small force to manage and a clear aim still keep each mission easy to read.
On sale
Two Point Hospital 2018
Why it still holds upSilly illnesses and a steady loop of building, curing and expanding still keep a hospital busy.
On sale
Helldivers 2015
Why it still holds upA game built around quick, chaotic co-op still runs well in short sessions.
Forager 2019
Why it still holds upThe islands are still bought a square at a time, with the farm running while you go to look at the next one.
Road Fighter 1984
Why it still holds upRacing a clock and a fuel gauge at once keeps a drive busy, and it still does.
On sale
Door Kickers 2014
Why it still holds upThe drawn line still has you draw the raid and then watch whether you drew it right.
Galaxian 1979
Why it still holds upOne shot at a time makes every miss count, and that is still true.
Diablo III 2012
Why it still holds upAdventure mode and the reworked loot still give a lot to come back to.
Commando 1985
Why it still holds upYou still have to think about where to stand, with a grenade that goes only one way.
In a bundle
Asteroids 1979
Why it still holds upDrifting and shooting at once is still a plan worth learning.