The game that practically single-handedly popularized the first-person shooter genre still holds a fond place in the hearts of most gamers. No game before had ever gone where Doom went -- literally, to Hell and back. The weapon selection and variety of demonic terrors to shoot down made the game popular, but its amazingly solid gameplay is what made it a classic. The feelings of terror and anxiety, of the fear of what might lurk around the next hellish corner, have only been successfully reproduced by Doom 3 -- the 2004 re-envisioning of Doom. Even this newfangled update, though, pales in comparison to the sheer enjoyment of the original. From blasting imps with the shotgun, to mowing away pinky demons desperately with a chainsaw, players cannot hope to find an experience quite equal to that of the original Doom.
4) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Though technically not a PC game -- it was originally released on the Xbox in early 2003 -- the PC port of BioWare's phenomenal Star Wars RPG is vastly superior to its console cousin. This RPG has the look, feel, and experience of adventuring within the Star Wars universe -- a feat that has often been attempted in gaming, yet seldom accomplished. The player creates his own character and travels through several well-known Star Wars locations, such as Kashyyk (the Wookie planet) and Tatooine (home of Luke Skywalker). The Sith Lord Darth Malak is one of the most evil villains in gaming, and the plot twist is regarded as one of the most shocking (or at least interesting) ever. If all of this was not enough, what gamer can deny the sheer joy of wielding dual lightsabers of customized color? This game is simply amazing, and is an extremely faithful adaptation of George Lucas's cash cow.
3) Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
It's really hard to do Dungeons and Dragons justice in videogame form -- one need only look at the number of abysmal (or at best mediocre) renditions of the role-playing progenitor for proof. Bioware, however, hit the nail on the head with Baldur's Gate II, seamlessly integrating the classic tabletop rules into an intuitive, easy to use format. The game's second chapter alone stands to this day as the best videogame interpretation of D&D, allowing the player to lead a band of adventurers on numerous quests throughout the Forgotten Realms in search of vengeance, adventure, and of course treasure. Of course, the game presents an excellent, epic quest and many memorable characters (such as the unforgettable Minsc and Boo). The game's only fault is its strict adherence to D&D rules, which unfortunately break down at higher levels of play. Still, Baldur's Gate II is the best example of rollicking D&D fun yet created.
2) Planescape: Torment
Set in the gritty and quirky Dungeons and Dragons setting of Planescape, Torment is a testament to the power and enjoyment of the computer role-playing game. The main character, the Nameless One, is an immortal amnesiac whose memory is erased every time he dies, and players try to unravel the mystery of his existence and purpose -- all the while encountering some of the most awe-inspiring, breathtaking, and downright bizarre sights the multiverse has to offer. Some of the Nameless One's companions include a loudmouthed, disembodied floating skull; a lawful good succubus; and an animated suit of combat armor bent on exacting justice upon all of existence. The story stands as one of the best ever told in gaming, and the wonders of Sigil and the many planes of existence must be seen to be believed. This game features quite possibly the finest blend of story and role-playing ever created.
1) Fallout
Though its sequel made many essential improvements to the gameplay, the original Fallout is the better of the two. This post-apocalyptic masterpiece is one of the most beloved and innovative games ever made. Drawing its inspiration straight from 1950s pulp-fiction, Fallout thrusts the player into southern California, post-nuclear holocaust, with staggeringly great results. The game is all about experiencing the wonders and dangers of this harsh extrapolation of the future, and in this respect it admirably succeeds. The S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character-creation system is quite innovative and effective, allowing the player to create and assume the kind of role that he or she desires. The game is uniquely playable and able to be finished with many different character types, with each yielding a completely unique playing experience. Also, who could forget Dogmeat? This game is one of the best role-playing experiences to be had, PC or otherwise.
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