When it comes to gaming, there’s often the mindset that the classics, just can’t be beat. Often that might not ring true, but for my nostalgia prone brain, that’s often true. They just don’t make games like they used to. From the out of left field dialogue, to games that felt free and truly behemoth. Games have evolved into nothing more than corporate sources of income. To the tune of 184.4 billion dollars, that’s a lot of financial incentive. Yet, a game that’s decades old, seems to garner so much more appreciation these days.
So, why don’t we dive into a selection of retro games that we at OGZ have been absolutely enamored with. These are going to range from known entities to profoundly, under appreciated products. As far as availability goes, I will try to link you to whatever ones have the most access. The best way to enjoy most of them is going to have to be on original hardware!
Smugglers Run, a racing game with cops and robber chases that devolve into free roam madness.
With a game like this burned into my subconscious the first question is often: why? Quite simply, it was a fun racing game that we could play and try to outrun federal forces in. Growing up, with our only source of video games being whatever our blockbuster had for rent. This was frequently always a choice growing up and for better or worse it stuck! With the core gameplay loop being roughly the same across three levels, for 34 missions in total. The game had some meat on its bones to offer. Usually you had to get a contraband item from point A to point B within a time limit while avoiding the police or it was a simple A to B run.
Of course talking about it is objectively simple and it might not sound worthwhile, yet, if you wanted a cooperative game that you could find for cheap, this was the ticket. Aside from the main missions you had turf war mode. Which allowed players to play mini games which usually culminated in a big race off. Needless to say the game was a great time for myself and our three other siblings. Sadly, this is a game that is relegated to being left on the PS2, GBA and GameCube.
Gladius: The forgotten LucasArts Tactical Gem!
Ahh, Gladius, the little known tactical gem by the late and great, LucasArts. Centered around gladiatorial battles with two branching stories, Gladius pits you in forming a gladiatorial school, fighting towards ultimate glory, only to be flung into a world ending event when a sorceress seeks the resurrection of a dark god. It even offered a story perspective form either the Roman like faction or the wild barbarians. Something that, I as a kid, thought was the best offering from a video game! How we often take for granted the offer of duality within our modern narratives.
Being a tactical game you have a variety of units that offer advantages or disadvantages to how they play or how effective they are against other enemies. Damage is factored by the direction and height advantage of your gladiators, coupled with a “hit meter”, the game the determined the accuracy of your attack. Something that is true fully archaic by today’s standards and I’m here for this type of mechanic being left in the past. For me this was the game to play growing up. Having no access to fire emblem or advance wars growing up, this was my first proper foray into the tactics genre.
Luckily, this is a game that has a very accessible purchase ability! Well, on Xbox One and Series systems. Added back in 2021 as part of their backwards compatibility library. This game can be enjoyed on these systems today. For PlayStation, this is relegated to the PS3. So if you happen to have one still, the. You’ll have easy access to it!
Xbox Link: Gladius on Xbox
Grandia II: The RPG that defined the ill fated, Sega Dreamcast.
The RPG that for many, is the definitive RPG on Sega Dreamcast, Grandia II is a well structured and written JRPG that defies expectations. While sequel only in name, this second entry in the franchise sees our intrepid group of heroes tackling a social issue that’s not been fully replicated: the victors were the evil ones. As Ryudo is tasked with escorting Elena, a deeper narrative unfolds that shakes the foundations of the very world they dwell within. Being an RPG, you have the trappings of a standard turned based system with the associated skills and magic options becoming of an RPG of the time. The world itself and its characters felt truly alive and the voice acting was truly spectacular, if not shocking by today’s standards. Especially some of the… memorable dialogue and lines.
The title suffered after the fault of the Dreamcast, with the PS2 and original PC port suffering poor technical shortcomings and audio issues. The later being a common issue amongst Dreamcast ports. A later port done by GungHo Online Entertainment saw wider success on Steam and Switch for their enchanted port which was based on the more popular, Dreamcast version.
Steam: Grandia 2
Nintendo Switch: Eshop
Xbox: Xbox Marketplace
PS4: PSN Store
Liked what we posted or noticed a typo? Want to suggest something for us to check out? Feel free to leave us a comment or send us an inquiry via our contact page
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