Good Old Games (AKA GOG) is selling some of the best video games in existence at vastly reduced prices, including a swathe of bumper-sized RPG classics. On the downside, there are more than 700 titles to sift through. Ain’t nobody got time for that. Well, nobody but Kotaku. Here are 30 dirt-cheap classics that every gamer should own.
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System Shock 2: $5.79 (50% off)
Irrational Games’ cyberpunk classic is a great mix of tense storytelling, varying gameplay styles and astonishing sound design. Portal’s AI antagonist GLaDOS owes the game a huge debt.
Baldur’s Gate 2 Complete: $5.79 (50% off)
The precursor to BioWare’s Dragon Age series is every bit as engaging as it was back in 2000. This version includes all the expansion packs. You’ll be playing this one for months.
Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy): $3.49 (49% off)
If you enjoyed Heavy Rain or Beyond Two Souls on the PS3, this game should be up your alley. It’s by the same creator and includes a similar mix of on-rails action and puzzle solving tied to a thriller-style plot.
Little Big Adventure: $3.49 (49% off)
Once upon a time, puzzle-adventure games were a viable genre. The quirky and loveable Little Big Adventure 2 was one of the best. The first game is also available on GOG.
Psychonauts: $5.79 (50% off)
Still one of Tim Schafer finest moments. The controls aren’t perfect and the seams are a bit wobbly but the hilarious script and sheer imagination on display make up for it.
Cannon Fodder 2: $3.49 (49% off)
War has never been so much fun.
ARCANUM: Of Steamworks and Magick Obsura: $3.49 (49% off)
Back in 2001, most fantasy RPGs stuck to the same old hodgepodge of wizards, dragons and orcs. But not Arcanum. The game takes place in an emerging industrial world that blends steampunk and magic to memorable effect. We’re also fans of its open-world setting which allows the player to explore the landscape in any direction they like.
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee: $3.49 (49% off)
This PlayStation One classic is arguably the finest 2D platformer outside of Nitendo. The sequels are also available on GOG and they’re equally good.
Sim City 2000: 3.49 (49% off)
Still widely regarded as the best Sim City game ever.
Descent 1&2: $5.79 (50% off)
This was an ambitious, early attempt at a “flying” FPS that threw enemies at you from all directions. Not for sufferers of motion sickness.
Settlers 2 10th Anniversary Edition: $5.70 (50% off)
Blue Byte has been churning out iterations of the Settlers since 1993. The second game is still considered by many to be the best in the series. This 10th Anniversary edition features updated 3D graphics and a handful of new gameplay features.
Pandemonium: $3.49 (49% off)
This PSX platformer was unfairly maligned at the time of release for not being “true” 3D. In reality, the on-rails gameplay is deliberately designed to show off the amazing environments. A hugely underrated game.
Wing Commander 3: $3.49 (49% off)
Pretty much all of the Wing Commander games are great, but the third in the series is arguably the best of the bunch. The others are also available from GOG for the same price.
Sid Meir’s Colonization: $3.49 (49% off)
This unofficial sequel to Civilization bagged rave reviews back in 1994. Bizarrely, it has since been all but forgotten. A wise investment for any strategy fan.
Ultima Underworld 1&2: $3.49 (49% off)
AKA one of the first video games to use scrolling FPS environments effectively. Wolfenstein might get the kudos, but it really started here.
Myst Masterpiece Edition: $3.49 (49% off)
At one point, this was the best-selling PC game of all time. It’s basically a puzzle game that relies on atmospheric graphics but it’s still worth playing at least once.
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin: $5.79 (50% off)
In my humble opinion, this remains the best Hitman game to date. Be sure to play on Hard setting!
Deus Ex GOTY Edition: $5.79 (50% off)
A regular fixture on Best Game Of All Time lists, Deus Ex is like a cross between Syndicate and The Matrix with plenty of action, stealth and role-playing to sink your teeth into.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow Of Chernobyl: $11.49 (50% off)
If you like post apocalyptic settings and don’t mind cacking your pants now and then, S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow Of Chernobyl is well worth the asking price of $11.49.
BloodNet: $3.49 (49% off)
This criminally underrated adventure game made “cyberspace” cool before most people had dial-up internet. It’s also got vampires in spiffy trench coats.
Lure Of The Temptress: FREE
One of the best fantasy point-and-click adventure games in existence — completely free. If you don’t snap this up you hate gaming.
Beneath A Steel Sky: FREE
See above.
Thief Gold: $5.79 (50% off)
This one should need no introduction to most PC gamers. It’s still considered one of the best stealth games ever made. Long live Garrett! Some of the sequels are also available at reduced prices.
The Chronicles Of Riddick: Assault On Dark Athena: $8.59 (50% off)
This is a relatively recent title that was unfairly overlooked by the gaming public. Give it a try (especially if you like Vin Diesel and/or the Riddick mythos.)
Simon The Sorcerer: $3.49 (49% off)
Time to get controversial: Simon the Sorcerer is funnier than The Secret Of Monkey Island. No really.
Battle Chess Special Edition: $3.49 (49% off)
Most DOS and Amiga owners have a soft spot for his game. The package includes Battle Chess II: Chinese Chess and Battle Chess 4000.
Beyond Good And Evil: $5.79 (50% off)
That this game didn’t sell more copies back in 2003 is a tragedy. Ubisoft has been teasing a sequel for years, but this currently remains photographer Jade’s only adventure. Sob.
Gobliiins pack: $3.49 (49% Off)
If you like your point-and-click adventure games quirky and French, it’s hard to look past the Gobliiins series. The pack includes Gobliiins, Gobliins 2: Prince Buffoon, and Goblins Quest 3. You can also choose between the floppy disk and CD versions.
Hotline Miami: $5.79 (50% off)
This game is as tough as nails. It also has one of the best game soundtracks devised by humans. (Note: This is a new game, but it’s clearly influenced by retro game design. So ner.)
The Lord Of Midnight: $3.49 (49% off)
If you want to go stupidly retro, look no further. This fantasy war game from the late, great Mike Singleton originally debuted on the ZX Spectrum all the way back in 1984. Despite the primitive graphics, it still has a great atmosphere.
Click here to check out GOG’s full range of discounted games.
Comments
12 responses to “The Best Retro Gems From GOG’s Massive Game Sale”
Have to disagree on getting Baldur’s Gate 2 from GOG, but only because the Enhanced Edition is available these days and people should be getting that.
Also, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. has been cheaper on Steam in the past.. but I’m sure that’s the case for a few of these which are available across both platforms.
BG1, BG2 and IWD on my iPad air let’s me pretend to be sitting watching TV with my girlfriend… But really I’m off rpging!
And KOTOR…
OMG BATTLECHESS
So weird, was just talking about that with my friend yesterday. Not even in relation to this sale at all or anything, either.
That was my exact reaction when I scrolled down to it!!!!
Blasphemy!
Nice to see Bloodnet getting some love. Great adventure game, and rarely spoken of.
Picked up the Myst pack this morning. Already had Riven but even after I had removed it from my cart, it still offered the rest of the games at the same discounted price. Go GOG!
I actually grabbed Tales From Monkey Island. During one of the flash offers it was 90% off.
Gets a lot of hate from purists, but I’m enjoying it so far. I’m considering the Space Run flash offer when that comes up again.
I don’t see Total Annihilation or Wing Commander: Privateer in this list?
FAHRENHEIT!!!
Seriously, fantastic game.
Planescape Torment.
Still so good..
Goddamn this is one of the most solid game lineups I’ve ever seen.