20 years ago, the video game industry was in a golden era of fierce competition—no pay-to-win mechanics, no reskins for the holidays, just a group of genius developers pushing the limits of limited hardware to create endless gaming fun. Looking back now, these titles have not been left behind by time; instead, they have aged like fine wine, becoming more cherished with each passing year.
Today, let’s take a deep dive into 10 “archaeological-level” masterpieces that still captivate modern players and even make today’s AAA games pay homage to their predecessors!
- “Splinter Cell” As the pioneer of stealth games, back when most games were about mindless shooting, “Splinter Cell” taught us that a true agent operates in the shadows, twisting necks and hiding in darkness, playing on the thrill of stealth.
The dynamic lighting effects in “Splinter Cell” were considered “black technology” at the time, given the limited hardware capabilities. Enemy AI would track players based on sound and light, a mechanic that still holds up today.
Modern stealth games like “Assassin’s Creed” and “Hitman” owe a lot to “Splinter Cell.” Although Ubisoft often faces criticism nowadays, this title was undeniably a hardcore classic in its time.
