Hidden Gems of the DOS/Windows PCs

[RyaNtheSlayA]

my picks would be

Myst

as well as many other pointy clickys

Wolfenstein 3D

Doom

Megarace

[Bootaaay]

The Neverhood!!!!!
My all time favorite PC game for many reasons. The claymation is superbly done, the puzzles are extremely clever, the music is amazing, and best of all it's absolutely hilarious. It's definatly the best point and click I've ever played and not enough people have experienced it's magic. A must play.

Thats a good suggestion, I never personally tried it, but I remmember being wowed by the claymation back in the day and i've heard nothing but good things from the few who've played it.

@Ryan, i'm not sure either Doom, Wolfenstein or Myst could be considered 'Hidden Gems' - i'm sure everyones played Doom & Wolf3d at some point, and Myst has sold a ridiculous ammount of copies world wide. Megarace is a good pick though, I don't think many people are too familiar with that series.

[Flak Beard]

Would the Legend of Kyrandia games be considered hidden gems? I don't know anyone else personally that knew about them or played them.

[racketboy]

The Neverhood!!!!!
My all time favorite PC game for many reasons. The claymation is superbly done, the puzzles are extremely clever, the music is amazing, and best of all it's absolutely hilarious. It's definatly the best point and click I've ever played and not enough people have experienced it's magic. A must play.

Thats a good suggestion, I never personally tried it, but I remmember being wowed by the claymation back in the day and i've heard nothing but good things from the few who've played it.

@Ryan, i'm not sure either Doom, Wolfenstein or Myst could be considered 'Hidden Gems' - i'm sure everyones played Doom & Wolf3d at some point, and Myst has sold a ridiculous ammount of copies world wide. Megarace is a good pick though, I don't think many people are too familiar with that series.

Maybe he was thinking of the "best for today" that somebody mentioned...

[General Chaos]

I'll put in a word for the VGA fan remake of QFG2. It was just completed a couple months ago, so it should be plenty relevant to todays gamer. QFG, is the most successful fusion of RPG and adventure gaming I've seen. There's a big world to explore, full of myth, humor and interesting characters. Nearly every puzzle has a different solution, depending on your character class. The graphics and music are simply amazing for a fan made production, they easily match or exceed other Sierra VGA games. Check it out for free:http://www.agdinteractive.com/index2.html

I'll have to think a while about more "hidden" gems. I can think of many gems, but not all of them are hidden.

I'll second this. It's amazing what they've done here. QFG is just awesome anyway, but I'm not sure how "hidden" it is. Certainly this remake is not widely known outside of the still active QFG fanbase.

[General Chaos]

No kidding. The whole point of The Underdogs is to showcase these under appreciated gems, and it's huge. But I don't think that means we shouldn't try. Even a list of 20 or so must-play games that most haven't played, would be good reading, and good fodder for discussion. It doesn't have to be exhaustive.

BTW, I think the RotT suggestion is right on the mark.

Oh, I wouldn't imaging trying to be exhaustive

Perhaps you and whoever else may compile the list and produce the article can just preface it with a statement that the list is the result of contributions from Racketboy community members.

I'll throw in some suggestions of my own including some more recent ones:

Dungeon Keeper 1 & 2 (although these may be well known)
Europa 1400: The Guild
Majesty
Myth (NOT Myst) series (definitely under appreciated, though had a large following at one time)
Goblin's Quest series
Psychonauts
A Tale in the Desert

I'll also second Kyrandia--great games, if a little "creepy" at times.

[fastbilly1]

I take it we are only talking windows pcs, right?

If so the best way I can think of to do this is by decade. Granted even that would be huge lists.

[racketboy]

well, I was including DOS in the discussion...

[RemyC]

-Jazz jackrabbit from Epic Games. Great platforming/Run n gun action
-One Must Fall from Epic games. Great Robot smashing action. With a hint of customization


-Hocus Pocus From 3D Realms. Good looking platforming with SORCERY
http://www.3drealms.com/hocus/index.html
-Mystic Towers from 3D realms. Good game with exploration and monster mashing.
http://www.3drealms.com/towers/index.html

[RackGaki]

If you include a selection of shoot 'em ups for the PC, include Trouble Witches, and Perfect Cherry Blossom. Any Touhou game would be fine, actually. Shoot 'em ups are relatively unknown on the PC, but I think that more people are probably aware of the doujin Touhou games than knowing that Castle of Shikigami III was released on the PC.

Platformers I would suggest include Commander Keen(all) and Gods. I know Gods was available on the SNES and Genesis, but I first played the demo on the PC. Simply awesome title. Can't say enough about the Commander Keen series, either.