Which CRPGs from the 80s and early to mid 90s hold up best today?

[sys0nar]

Which CRPGs from before the Infinity Engine era hold up best today? Graphics are not a turn-down, basically I'm wondering which games have a good Suffering to Fun ratio, and good story with at least playable controls.

 

[mondblut]

Wizardry 7, Might & Magic 3-5, Dark Sun, Daggerfall, Darklands...

 

[BarbequeMasta]

Imo gold box games are still solid, just prepare a bunch of backgrouns music cause IIRC they dont have any.

 

[jebsmoker]

wasteland 1

 

[sys0nar]

Wizardry 7, Might & Magic 3-5, Dark Sun, Daggerfall, Darklands...

A very quick retard-free response, thank you.

 

[undecaf]

If you can find it somewhere, B.A.T. 2 is pretty fun, even though it’s more like an adventure RPG.

 

[buffalo bill]

Nethack, Angband, ADOM, other roguelikes

What Modblut said.

Ultima IV

Tons of others

 

[Dorateen]

All of them.

 

[Tavernking]

I am an expert on this topic, as I hate many 90s rpgs.
However, I was able to withstand Chrono Trigger and Baldur's Gate. Most other 90s games I'm convinced only nostalgia-tourists will appreciate.

 

[Stormcrowfleet]

Eyes of the Beholder (gold box in general). Ultima series (Underworld probably hold up more than the first few IMO). Darklands is very obtuse and I don't know if we can say it "hold up well" in terms of UI, UX, etc. But the gameplay is unique and it's still freakin' awesome.

 

[newtmonkey]

Ultima III-VII
Wizardry I-VII
Gold Box series
Might & Magic I-V
Demon's Winter
Wasteland
Ultima Underworld I&II
Dragon Wars
The Elder Scrolls: Arena
Darklands

 

[Butter]

I am an expert on this topic, as I hate many 90s rpgs.
However, I was able to withstand Chrono Trigger and Baldur's Gate. Most other 90s games I'm convinced only nostalgia-tourists will appreciate.

Aren't you making a Realms of Arkania clone?

 

[bec de corbin]

Dark Sun is excellent. Definitely worth playing.

 

[JarlFrank]

Wizardry 7, Might & Magic 3-5, Dark Sun, Daggerfall, Darklands...

Absolutely.

M&M 3-5 have a very user-friendly interface, and Dark Sun is an underrated classic that's better than the overhyped Baldur's Gate.

 

[JarlFrank]

adventure RPG.

Oh yeah, Quest for Glory of course.

 

[Voids]

Ultima VII, Wizardy 7, Dark Sun, Eye of the Beholder. A lot of people slept on Dungeon Hack, which is a great game.

 

[Lord_Potato]

Does Jagged Alliance 1 count? Released in 1995 so it definately should.

 

[PorkyThePaladin]

Ultima Underworld is one of the greatest games ever made, and still holds up exceedingly well. There are no other games like this, so be sure to play it.

Betrayal at Krondor, if you can stand the eye-cutting graphics. Very good game.

Dark Sun games are still playable, though the UI will make you curse.

Vulture (graphical NetHack). One of the all-time greats.

 

[felipepepe]

I would say Dungeon Master is the 1980s RPG that aged the best, not only in terms of gameplay but also controls and even performance. Wizardry I is also really solid to this day, but the console ports play way better than the original releases.

 

[ManaJunkie]

Realms of Arkania (especially Star Trail)
Dark Heart of Uukrul

 

[JarlFrank]

Also https://gbc.zorbus.net/

 

[Mr. Magniloquent]

I second Betrayal at Krondor. Mechanically, it's still superior to most RPGs released since. I can't think of any "quality of life" issues. The early 3D is a definitely dated, but the graphics are quite clear, and combat is very readable. Diablo 1 still has the same fundamental experience that defined looters. Some of the controls are a touch clunky, but the game is still fun, immersive, and dare-I-say, good looking.

 

[SausageInYourFace]

Playability or 'quality of life' is relative. A lot of those old CRPGs look hardcore as fuck but are actually extremely comfy to play due to the all keyboard controls. I have had much fun playing old blobbers with my laptop on my belly and a hot coffee and a cold beer next to me. A game like Wizardry 6 is arguably more playable than a game like Baldurs Gate with its heavy mouse use and scrolling and constant space pressing and all that crap.

 

[Krivol]

All real time blobbers (from Dungeon Master , through EoB 1-3, Lands of Lore, to Stonekeep and Anvil of Dawn) are 100% playable - Legend of Grimrock games have mostly identical gameplay and are quite modern.

 

[Saduj]

I’d second the guy who said Dark Sun. A lot like gold box with better interface and c&c.