Abandonware DOS retro gaming spotlight

1995 in retro gaming: from Command & Conquer to The Need for Speed

Thirty years ago, in 1995, monitors were bulky, the word “multimedia” was plastered onto anything that moved, and CD-ROMs promised “realistic” gaming experiences that often looked like low-budget school plays filmed on a camcorder. Windows 95 had just arrived with its legendary startup chime, and PC gaming was ...

Interactive fiction to play online

Interactive fiction is a niche but fascinating genre. Its golden age was in the 1980s, when pioneering software houses like Infocom, Level 9, and Legend Entertainment created intricate "text adventures" that are still rememberd today. These games relied solely on text to tell their stories, requiring players to type commands and ...

Gabriel Knight 2: a worthy sequel

Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within is a point-and-click adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line. It was released in 1995 as a sequel to the original Gabriel Knight game, Sins of the Fathers. The game was designed by Jane Jensen, who also wrote the story and script. This time, Gabriel ...

The first Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel

Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel is an adventure game released in 1987 by Sierra On-Line, designed by former police officer Jim Walls. In the game, you play as Sonny Bonds, a police officer in the fictional city of Lytton, California. The story follows Bonds as he investigates a ...

Loom: soundtrack added

Loom is a graphic adventure game developed and published by Lucasfilm Games (LucasArts). Loom is distinctive for its interface, which revolves around musical notes and spells. The protagonist, Bobbin Threadbare, is a young weaver who can use a magical distaff to play musical drafts to interact with the world. The ...

Ultima 7: soundtrack added

The Ultima VII soundtrack is, in my opinion, one of the most atmospheric and memorable scores in classic RPG history. It was released in 1992 with Ultima VII: The Black Gate and includes the all time classic "Stones". Ultima VII is regarded as one of the greatest RPGs of all ...

Oldies remade: the best remakes of old DOS games

Games developed for DOS or early microcomputers (such as the Spectrum, Commodore 64, BBC Micro, etc.) date back to the 1980s. Simply put, these games are old. Graphics, sound, user experience, and interface were vastly different compared to recent games.Game development has made significant strides over the years, and today&...

Quest for Glory 2: Trial by Fire - Adventure and RPG combined

Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire is the second chapter in the Quest for Glory series. It’s an adventure game with RPG elements, where players must choose a class—fighter, wizard, or thief—at the very start. Set in a fantasy world inspired by Middle ...

Anachronox: soundtrack added

Anachronox is a 2001 role-playing video game developed by Ion Storm and published by Eidos Interactive with a futuristic, cyberpunk-inspired setting. The story of Anachronox takes place in a galaxy where technology and magic coexist. The game’s protagonist, Sylvester "Sly" Boots, is a down-on-his-luck private investigator who finds himself ...

GDC Spotlight Awards: the best games of 1998

The Spotlight Awards was a prominent video game awards event held during the 1990s as part of the Game Developers Conference (GDC). This event recognized outstanding achievements in video game development across a wide range of gaming platforms, including PC, console, and arcade systems.By celebrating innovation and creativity within ...

Company profile: Cinemaware

Cinemaware was a video game developer and publisher founded in 1985 by Bob Jacob. The company was known for pioneering a blend of gameplay and cinematic storytelling, drawing inspiration from classic films and television.Cinemaware's titles were especially popular on platforms like the Amiga. Their most iconic games include Defender of ...

Dune: soundtrack added

Dune, released in 1992, is a game developed by Cryo Interactive and published by Virgin Games. It's based on the iconic science fiction novel of the same name by Frank Herbert. In Dune, players assume the role of Paul Atreides, the young scion of House Atreides, as he arrives on the ...

Dreamweb: soundtrack added

Dreamweb is a top-down point-and-click adventure game set in a dark, cyberpunk city. You play as Ryan, a character plagued by strange and violent dreams. The game stands out for its unique top-down perspective, the wonderful soundtrack and the sheer number of items your character can interact with and collect. ...

Interactive Achievement Awards - 1998

The Interactive Achievement Awards (IAAs), now known as the D.I.C.E. Awards, are an annual ceremony that celebrates exceptional accomplishments in the video game industry. Established by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) in 1998, the IAAs recognize excellence across various aspects of gaming, including game design, ...

Electronic Games Arcade Awards - 1982

Electronic Games was the first magazine in the United States dedicated to the video game industry. It was published from October 15, 1981, until 1997 under various titles, including Computer Entertainment and Intelligent Gamer.The magazine is notable for hosting the first Game of the Year Award ceremony, known as the Arcade Awards. ...