Hidden Gems of the DOS/Windows PCs

Gaming on the Playstation and Xbox Platforms
Citizin
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Re: Hidden Gems of the DOS/Windows PCs

Post by Citizin »

RemyC wrote:-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
These two should definitely be on the list.

Although I don't see how Doom, Wolf3d, and Keen are considered "hidden"? Most everybody knows of these. I'm not so sure how popular RotT was but it's a gem.
RackGaki
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Re: Hidden Gems of the DOS/Windows PCs

Post by RackGaki »

Citizin wrote:Although I don't see how Doom, Wolf3d, and Keen are considered "hidden"? Most everybody knows of these.
I thought Keen was relatively hidden, being a platformer on the PC. Wolfenstein 3d and the Doom series sold much more, and shareware distributed in far greater numbers. I use to find that most people have heard about it, but never played it, probably since they are eighteen or so year old games without a console release.

Besides Jazz Jackrabbit, I couldn't name another PC-exclusive platformer myself.
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MrPopo
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Re: Hidden Gems of the DOS/Windows PCs

Post by MrPopo »

Star Control 2
Star Control 2
Star Control 2

One of the best games ever. Very similar to Starflight, but the big thing about Star Control 2 is the humor in the game. You get to tell alien races just how ugly they are. And they get to tell you about the strange dreams they had that, while amusing, have nothing to do with anything. And it has Frungy, the sport of kings.

Several years ago the source and resources for the 3DO version were made public, and now a port to modern PCs (as well as other platforms) can be gotten here:

http://sc2.sourceforge.net/
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zarathstra
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Re: Hidden Gems of the DOS/Windows PCs

Post by zarathstra »

I want to second Star Control 2, as that is pure awesomeness.

My primary suggestion would be Master of Magic. It combined a turn based tactical combat game, and a Civ type civilization building game complete with a tech tree (researching spells instead of technology)

Its a sweet little game that most people don't even remember exists.

Alternates:

X-Com (not exactly hidden, but many younger gamers may never have heard of it)
Quest for Glory (any of them, but especially 1)
Wing Commander: Privateer (space combat sim+ role playing elements)
Chuck Yeager's Air Combat
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RyaNtheSlayA
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Re: Hidden Gems of the DOS/Windows PCs

Post by RyaNtheSlayA »

Bootaaay wrote:
ott0bot wrote: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.
yes when i tell people about megarace i get funny looks. Really, it was my favorite PC game growing up (yes it was available on SCD and 3DO but in choppy, grainy, slow fmv and rigid music vs. what a pc could do so it was pointless to play on those). Really its a very early Full Auto but what I really like about it is the music. You can find samples on youtube.
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marurun
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Re: Hidden Gems of the DOS/Windows PCs

Post by marurun »

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

This game is more recent, was released in 2001 by Sierra, programmed by Troika. It's a LOT like Fallout only in a Victorian Fantasy era of sorts. They did some nice play mechanics by giving every character a Technology/Magic scale. If you have lots of technology skills you become resistant to magic, meaning magic items and spells, positive and negative, fail to work on you, and vice versa. It's a VERY cool RPG with some interesting dialogue and varied followers and ways to play the game. Highly recommended.
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Ack
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Re: Hidden Gems of the DOS/Windows PCs

Post by Ack »

marurun wrote:Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
YES!

Yes, yes, yes!
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Funk, E
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Re: Hidden Gems of the DOS/Windows PCs

Post by Funk, E »

Highly recommended, but like all Troika games, it's buggy, unbalanced, and broken. Your mileage may vary.
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Re: Hidden Gems of the DOS/Windows PCs

Post by skate323k137 »

I agree with RotT, OMF2097, and Jazz Jackrabbit. I fried my brain on PC gaming growing up because my parents hated video game consoles. believe it or not, Beavis and Butthead in Virtual Stupidity was an awesome adventure game. I'd like to throw in a nod for Tyrian, fun shmup, but it's probably not that hidden.
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Bootaaay
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Re: Hidden Gems of the DOS/Windows PCs

Post by Bootaaay »

Was Virtual Stupidity the one with that Hock-a-Loogie mini-game where you had to spit onto people from the school rooftop? Heh, spent ages playing that & Drug Lord in IT lessons back in the day :p I also liked the Beavis & Butthead mini-golf game for PC.
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