I'm sure you could hardly contain yourself in anticipation of the next installment of this glorious series, so here we go. Links to the other episodes:
Games worth playing, Vol. I -- 1977-1985
Games worth playing, Vol. II -- 1986-1988
Games worth playing, Vol. III -- 1989-1990
Games worth playing, Vol. V -- 1993-1994
Games worth playing, Vol. VI -- 1995-1997
We're getting heavily into Golden Age of DOS gaming territory in this part. Amiga is still holding up admirably, but it doesn't exactly take a genius to see the writing on the wall (28 Amiga vs 80 DOS titles in total). 8-bit platforms have become almost completely irrelevant at this point; only a lone C64 game made it to the list (The Last Ninja 3).
Also, let me recommend this awesome thread; it contains over 100 quite entertaining and informative mini reviews from a single guy. Quite a few of the more obscure titles have been included based on his writings.
Extra notes for fellow Amiga fanatics:
RPG
Adventure
Tactics
Space
Simulation
Games worth playing, Vol. I -- 1977-1985
Games worth playing, Vol. II -- 1986-1988
Games worth playing, Vol. III -- 1989-1990
Games worth playing, Vol. V -- 1993-1994
Games worth playing, Vol. VI -- 1995-1997
We're getting heavily into Golden Age of DOS gaming territory in this part. Amiga is still holding up admirably, but it doesn't exactly take a genius to see the writing on the wall (28 Amiga vs 80 DOS titles in total). 8-bit platforms have become almost completely irrelevant at this point; only a lone C64 game made it to the list (The Last Ninja 3).
Also, let me recommend this awesome thread; it contains over 100 quite entertaining and informative mini reviews from a single guy. Quite a few of the more obscure titles have been included based on his writings.
Extra notes for fellow Amiga fanatics:
For the Amiga versions, I've started noting whether a game has an official hard drive installer. Quite often, it's preferable to emulate an Amiga 500 with a hard drive, and install the game using the uncracked original floppies from the SPS archive due to various glitches, quirks or even outright crashes WHDLoad and the cracks may introduce. Remember, WHDLoad was mainly invented to be able to play incompatible old games on newer hardware (e.g. A1200, A4000); with emulation, we actually do have better options. I am going to update my earlier threads with this info as well.
Most notably, all Gold Box games are way better on an Amiga 500 as you don't have to wait for *minutes* when saving your game into a new slot for the first time. Another example, the WHDLoad version of Ishar 3 introduces substantial wait times when opening and closing the automap, making me want not to use the damn thing at all—this problem is not present in the HD-installed game on an Amiga 500.
Of course, this means the copy-protection is not bypassed and we need the original manuals, but scans of those are easy to come by these days. In a way, playing with the copy-protection intact is the more authentic experience
Most notably, all Gold Box games are way better on an Amiga 500 as you don't have to wait for *minutes* when saving your game into a new slot for the first time. Another example, the WHDLoad version of Ishar 3 introduces substantial wait times when opening and closing the automap, making me want not to use the damn thing at all—this problem is not present in the HD-installed game on an Amiga 500.
Of course, this means the copy-protection is not bypassed and we need the original manuals, but scans of those are easy to come by these days. In a way, playing with the copy-protection intact is the more authentic experience
RPG
1991
- Antares (Nightmare) [Amiga]
- Conan: The Cimmerian (Synergistic) [DOS]
Play CD version
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Death Knights of Krynn (SSI) [Amiga]
Has official HD installer
- Disciples of Steel (Megasoft) [DOS]
- Elvira II: The Jaws of Cerberus (Horror Soft) [Amiga]
DOS port has a different soundtrack
Has official HD installer
Has ScummVM support
- Eye of the Beholder (Westwood) [Amiga]
Fan-made WHDLoad AGA version is recommended
Or DOS port to take the same party through the trilogy
Original non-AGA version has official HD installer
Has ScummVM support
- Eye of the Beholder II: The Legend of Darkmoon (Westwood) [Amiga]
Fan-made WHDLoad AGA version is recommended (cannot import from EoB I, though)
Or DOS port to take the same party through the trilogy
Original non-AGA version has official HD installer
Has ScummVM support
- Fate: Gates of Dawn (reLINE) [Amiga]
Has official HD installer
- Gateway to the Savage Frontier (Beyond) [DOS]
- Heimdall (8th Day) [DOS]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Knights of Xentar (Elf) [DOS]
- Magic Candle II: The Four and Forty, The (Mindcraft) [DOS]
- MegaTraveller 2: Quest for the Ancients (Paragon) [DOS]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra (New World) [DOS]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Moonstone: A Hard Days Knight (Mindscape) [DOS]
Or Amiga version
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Obitus (Scenario) [Amiga]
DOS port has MT-32 music, but the graphics are inferior
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Planet's Edge (New World) [DOS]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Pools of Darkness (SSI) [DOS]
VGA DOS version is best
Use Gold Box Companion to manually "transfer" the party from the Amiga port of "Secret of the Silver Blades"
- Spirit of Adventure (Attic) [DOS]
- Twilight: 2000 (Paragon) [DOS]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2 - Martian Dreams (Origin) [DOS]
- Vengeance of Excalibur (Synergistic) [DOS]
Sequel of "Spirit of Excalibur"
- Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes (ArtGame) [Amiga]
- Amberstar (Thalion) [Amiga]
Prequel to Ambermoon
Has official HD installer
PC port has good OPL2 soundtrack
Get bugfix patch from here if not using the WHDLoad version
http://meynaf.free.fr/pr/index_en.html
- Black Crypt (Raven) [Amiga]
Has official HD installer
- Buck Rogers: Matrix Cubed (SSI) [DOS]
- Challenge of the Five Realms (MicroProse) [DOS]
- Dark Queen of Krynn, The (MicroMagic) [DOS]
VGA DOS version is best
Use Gold Box Companion to manually "transfer" the party from the Amiga port of "Death Knights of Krynn"
- Darklands (MicroProse) [DOS]
- Ishar: Legend of the Fortress (Silmarils) [Amiga]
Play AGA version
- J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. II: The Two Towers (Interplay) [DOS]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Legacy, The (Magnetic Scrolls) [DOS]
- Legend (Mindscape) [Amiga]
The Four Crystals of Trazere
- Legends of Valour (Synthetic Dimensions) [DOS]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Lords of Time (Hollyware) [Amiga]
Has official HD installer
- Magic Candle III, The (Mindcraft) [DOS]
- Quest for Glory III: Wages of War (Sierra) [DOS]
Soundtrack composed on the Roland SC-55
Has ScummVM support
Consider playing the unofficial Enhanced Edition in DOSBox (not 100% compatible with ScummVM)
https://github.com/AshLancer/QFG3-Fan-Patch
- Ragnarok (Norsehelm) [DOS]
- Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny (Attic) [DOS]
- Shadowlands (Teque) [DOS]
- Spellcraft: Aspects of Valor (Tsunami Productions) [DOS]
- Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace (Cybertech) [DOS]
- Star Control II: The Ur-Quan Masters (Toys for Bob) [DOS]
Sound is best on Gravis Ultrasound
OPL soundtrack is very good too
- Summoning, The (Event Horizon) [DOS]
- Treasures of the Savage Frontier (Beyond) [DOS]
- Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss (Blue Sky) [DOS]
Supports dual OPL
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Ultima VII: The Black Gate (Origin) [DOS]
- WaxWorks (Horror Soft) [DOS]
Has ScummVM support
- Wizardry: Crusaders of the Dark Savant (Sir-Tech) [DOS]
D. W. Bradley's Dark Savant trilogy 2
Adventure
1991
- Adventures of Willy Beamish, The (Sierra) [DOS]
- Another World (Éric Chahi) [Amiga]
Out of This World
The 15th/20th Anniversary Editions featuring higher-res vector graphics are very good and recommended as well
- Are We There Yet? (Manley) [DOS]
- Blade Warrior (Image Works) [Amiga]
- Castle of Dr. Brain (Sierra) [DOS]
- Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood (Sierra) [DOS]
Supports dual OPL
Has ScummVM support
- Cosmoserve (Judith Pintar) [Interpreter]
https://ifdb.org/viewgame?id=9bgglbug7g1fxlxe
- Cruise for a Corpse (Delphine) [Amiga]
Has official HD installer
Has ScummVM support
- Cybercon III (Assembly Line) [Amiga]
- Dizzy: Prince of the Yolkfolk (Codemasters) [ZX Spectrum]
Dizzy VI
- Drakmyth Castle (James C. Gehrig) [Macintosh]
World Builder adventure
- EcoQuest: The Search for Cetus (Sierra) [DOS]
Has ScummVM support
- Fascination (Coktel Vision) [Amiga]
Has ScummVM support
- Gobliiins (Coktel Vision) [Amiga]
Goblins Quest 3
Has ScummVM support
- Heart of China (Sierra) [DOS]
- Last Ninja 3, The (System 3) [C64]
Use cartridge version for fast load times
https://csdb.dk/release/?id=164564
- Laura Bow 2 – The Dagger of Amon Ra (Sierra) [DOS]
- Leisure Suit Larry 5: Passionate Patti Does a Little Undercover Work (Sierra) [DOS]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
Has ScummVM support
- Martian Memorandum (Access) [DOS]
- Maupiti Island (Lankhor) [Amiga]
- Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge (LucasArts) [DOS]
OPL soundtrack is good too
Has ScummVM support
- Police Quest III: The Kindred (Sierra) [DOS]
Has ScummVM support
- Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective (ICOM) [DOS]
- Space Quest IV: Roger Wilco and the Time Rippers (Sierra) [DOS]
OPL soundtrack is good too, supports dual OPL
Has ScummVM support
- Spaceship Warlock (Mike Saenz, Joe Sparks) [Windows 3.x]
Has ScummVM support
- Spellbound Dizzy (Codemasters) [ZX Spectrum]
Dizzy V
- Timequest (Legend) [DOS]
Needs LEGMPU TSR utility to fix uneven MIDI timing on MT-32
https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=46178
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Alone in the Dark (Infogrames) [DOS]
- Amazon: Guardians of Eden (Access) [DOS]
Has ScummVM support
- Another Fine Mess (Ray Dunakin) [Macintosh]
World Builder adventure
- Bargon Attack (Coktel Vision) [Amiga]
Has ScummVM support
- Crystal Kingdom Dizzy (Codemasters) [ZX Spectrum]
Dizzy VII
- Curse of Enchantia (Core) [DOS]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Darkseed (Cyberdreams) [DOS]
- Daughter of Serpents (Eldritch) [DOS]
- Dune (Cryo Interactive) [DOS]
Adlib Gold (OPL3) soundtrack is considered best using the talkie CD version, so we get Adlib Gold music with Soundblaster digital sound.
- Flashback: The Quest for Identity (Delphine) [Amiga]
Has official HD installer
Cutscene animations will only play on the Amiga when HD installed
Amiga version has the best sound by far; stay away from any CD versions
Stay away from the 2013 remake
- Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon (Coktel Vision) [Amiga]
Has official HD installer
Has ScummVM support
- Inca (Coktel Vision) [DOS]
- Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (LucasArts) [DOS]
CD version is best
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
Has ScummVM support
- Island of Dr. Brain (Sierra) [DOS]
Soundtrack composed on the Roland SC-55
Has ScummVM support
- KGB (Cryo Interactive) [DOS]
Adlib Gold (OPL3) soundtrack is considered best
- King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow (Sierra) [DOS]
Soundtrack composed on the Roland SC-55
Has ScummVM support
- L-Zone (Infocity) [Windows 3.x]
Has ScummVM support
- Last Half of Darkness II (SoftLab Laboratories) [DOS]
- Leather Goddesses of Phobos 2: Gas Pump Girls Meet the Pulsating Inconvenience from Planet X! (Activision) [DOS]
Has ScummVM support
- Legend of Kyrandia, The (Westwood) [DOS]
OPL soundtrack is good too
Has ScummVM support
- Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Serrated Scalpel, The (Mythos) [DOS]
Has ScummVM support
- Lure of the Temptress (Revolution) [Amiga]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
Has ScummVM support
- Madness of Roland, The (?) [Windows 3.x]
- Maniac Mansion: Day of the Tentacle (LucasArts) [DOS]
CD version is best
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
Has ScummVM support
- Mixed Up Fairy Tales (Sierra) [DOS]
OPL soundtrack is also very good, supports dual OPL
Has ScummVM support
- Nippon Safes, Inc. (Dynabyte) [Amiga]
Has official HD installer
Has ScummVM support
- Rex Nebular and the Cosmic Gender Bender (MPS Labs) [DOS]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
Has ScummVM support
- Ringworld: Revenge of the Patriarch (Tsunami) [DOS]
Has ScummVM support
- Rome: Pathway to Power (Firstlight) [DOS]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Volume II (ICOM) [DOS]
- Spellcasting 201: The Sorcerer's Appliance (Legend) [DOS]
Needs LEGMPU TSR utility to fix uneven MIDI timing on MT-32
https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=46178
- Spellcasting 301: Spring Break (Legend) [DOS]
Needs LEGMPU TSR utility to fix uneven MIDI timing on MT-32
https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=46178
- Star Trek: 25th Anniversary (Interplay) [DOS]
Tactics
1991
- Champion of the Raj (Level 9) [DOS]
- Civilization (MPS Labs) [DOS]
- Floor 13 (PSI) [DOS]
Roland CM-32L ROM is required for the sound effects
- Headline Harry and The Great Paper Race (Davidson & Associates) [DOS]
- Mad TV (Rainbow Arts) [DOS]
- Midwinter II: Flames of Freedom (Maelstrom) [Amiga]
Has official HD installer
- Populous II: Trials of the Olympian Gods (Bullfrog) [Amiga]
Has official HD installer
- Sid Meier's Civilization (MPS Labs) [DOS]
- 1869 (Max Design) [Amiga]
Has official HD installer
- Caesar (Impressions) [Amiga]
- Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (Westwood) [DOS]
OPL soundtrack is considered best
- Lost Tribe, The (Lawrence Productions) [DOS]
- Siege (Mindcraft) [DOS]
- Space Crusade (Gremlin) [DOS]
- Storm Master (Silmarils) [Amiga]
Space
1991
- Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi (Origin) [DOS]
Play Deluxe Edition that includes Special Operations 1 & 2 and the Speech Accessory Pack
OPL soundtrack is considered best
Simulation
1991
- Birds of Prey (Argonaut) [Amiga]
Supports analog joystick
Has official HD installer
- F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0 (MicroProse) [DOS]
- Gunship 2000 (MPS Labs) [DOS]
- Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe (LucasArts) [DOS]
- Thunderhawk (Core Design) [DOS]
- Aces of the Pacific (Dynamix) [DOS]
- B-17 Flying Fortress (MicroProse) [DOS]
- F-15 Strike Eagle III (MPS Labs) [DOS]
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I didn't want to put a whole dissertation into the thread title, and these are the genres that I'm interested in. Just image it's called "Comprehensive list of all Western RPGs, adventures (including action-adventures and text adventures), plus a select few strategy/tactics games, and some simulation games, originally released on personal computers". Quite a mouthful, and I'm sure some people would be unhappy about that title too. In any case, my criteria is described in detail in the first post of the first thread.
