While doing my recent top 5 Amiga games, I got to thinking about the early PC games that I also enjoyed. I got into PC gaming in the late 90s and early noughties. Please note, these are merely the games that I particularly enjoyed:

X-Wing: Alliance

Included in this is the entire X-Wing series, but I started with Alliance. Needs a joystick, but the inclusion of the requirement to manage your ship’s energy (lasers/shields/engines) adds another dimension. Great memories of playing this with my brother (one managing power, the other flying).

Half Life series (Team Fortress 2)

Almost automatic in any list I imagine. Included in this is Half-Life, Half Life 2, Half-Life 2:Espisode 1, Half-Life 2:Episode 2. Then the mods as well; Team Fortress Classic, CounterStrike, Day of Defeat, Team Fortress 2. WOW. All that from one franchise. The primary ‘feature’ of the first game was a plot-line that didn’t require cut scenes.

Rome: Total War

Great big armies in pitched battles fighting it for domination of the Med. Tactics and strategy are required to force your will and destroy your enemies.

Hidden & Dangerous

Doesn’t seem to get the love I feel it should. This world war II shooter sets a series of missions for which you must equip your squad and execute your plan. The first game had a few major bugs, which may have contributed to it’s lack of success. However, once these are patched up the rewards there. Sequel was also fantastic.

Homeworld

Best story in a game I’ve seen, interwoven with RTS elements. General your army in massive futuristic space battles, manage your resources in order to build/supply/repair your fleet. Along with the highly innovative 3d game world the gameplay and balance of this game made it a joy to play through each and every difficult mission. One of those games where failure to complete a mission made you more determined.