15 older games that are still worth playing

Not everyone has the hardware or the budget to get the latest games, but this doesn’t mean you’re limited to retro titles. There are plenty of games that were released before 2020 that are still worth playing — from modern classics to enduring indies.

I haven’t included live service games here, since their very nature is to continue to attract players years after launch. Rather, I’ve looked at games that were a one-time release that have aged well, benefited from post-launch developments, or significantly expanded their scope through mods and DLC.

15

Stardew Valley (2016)

A game that influenced all future farming sims

There’s a reason that Stardew Valley continues to be beloved among cozy gamers. Not only has it become a central influence for farming sims since its release in 2016, but continued work by developer ConcernedApe has extended the game’s longevity.

The game has a lot more content compared to when it first launched. This includes the addition of a whole new island and challenges that players can complete. I first played Stardew Valley in 2016, soon after its release, but revisited it again in 2024 to achieve the Perfection achievement. Having spent hundreds of hours in my latest run, I can definitely say that it is a game that has aged well thanks to the dedication of its developer. I would argue that it’s one of the indie games you should try at least once.

Stardew Valley

14

Terraria (2011)

Pixel graphics that don’t get old

Terraria first released in 2011 and is another game that has received a lot of post-launch love from its developers. This includes additional difficulty modes, bosses, and more. The game has also aged well thanks to its visual style, with pixel art having a somewhat timeless appeal.

The game is also perfect for gamers running older setups or even non-gaming laptops. The recommended specs list includes just 4GB of memory and a dual-core processor, making it extremely light on your system.

Terraria

13

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

A game that set a new standard

Often when I revisit games that I thought had great graphics at the time, I realize how they’ve aged poorly over the years. This isn’t the case for Red Dead Redemption 2, even though it was launched in 2018.

My setup uses a GTX 1060, but the visuals remain crisp and impressive. The game also performs relatively well despite the detailed graphics. It’s one of those games that prove you don’t need ray tracing for great visuals.

The visual appeal, along with the compelling story line, mean that the game is very much still worth playing.

Red Dead Redemption 2

12

Don’t Starve (2013)

A deceptively cutesy survival game

Even though I’m not very good at surviving, Don’t Starve is a game that continues to appeal thanks to its low price, various characters, and ample DLC. Launched in 2013, the game also now has a co-op title called Don’t Starve Together.

Even if you’ve played it for dozens of hours, each playthrough feels fresh because of the randomly generated world. Sometimes you’ll find the perfect safe zone to live through winter, other times you’ll spawn by a creature you’ve never seen, ending your playthrough prematurely.

The game also has a unique visual style that continues to charm more than a decade after its release.

Don’t Starve

11

Ark: Survival Evolved (2015)

Still buggy, but so much fun with friends

This suggestion comes with a caveat. Ark: Survival Evolved (ASE) is still buggy and poorly optimized, but thanks to mods and expansions, it’s also a whole lot more fun to play (with friends) today than it was during its Early Access days and at launch.

I had last played ASE in 2015, when it was in Early Access. But some friends and I recently decided to dive back into the game on a modded unofficial server — and I’ve racked up another 300 hours in the past two months.

There is a newer release in the franchise, Ark: Survival Ascended, but it has received mixed reviews. While it has better graphics, there is a lot more focus on paid add-ons and DLC.

Due to its price, its compatibility with older GPUs, and the great mods and free DLC available for the game, ASE is a game that’s still worth playing now.

ARK: Survival Evolved

10

Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014)

An RPG that has aged surprisingly well

Source: BioWare

I revisited Dragon Age: Inquisition in 2024 in preparation for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Originally, my aim was simply to catch up on the story as I had not finished the game when I first bought it.

But I was pleasantly surprised by how well the game’s graphics stood up a decade later. It still suffered from some of the gameplay issues I experienced during my first playthrough — the side missions and quests feel a bit repetitive and uninspired over time. But the core missions remained engaging, and I’m glad I took the time to play through it again.

However, I would suggest waiting for a sale if you don’t own the game already. Even though it has been a decade since release, the price remains high for a game of its age.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

9

The Wolf Among Us (2013)

One of the Telltale greats

The Wolf Among Us is a gritty thriller from Telltale Games that is based on the Fables comic books. The premise is interesting for those who are fans of noir detective adventures and it was one of the most notable titles from Telltale Games.

Even though it’s based on comics, it’s not just a visual novel. Your choices matter, you interact with the world around you, and you face quick time events that will affect how an altercation pans out. Thanks to its comic-based visuals, the game has also aged well thanks to its stylistic flair. With The Wolf Among Us 2 in development, it’s the perfect time to try out the original title.

The Wolf Among Us

8

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)

An open-world gem

Source: CD Projekt RED

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an iconic entry in the RPG genre. While you can’t customize your character, you still have control over the story through your choices, which makes it a compelling title to play even today.

It has a great story, stunning visuals, and an expansive world you can dive into. If you’re new to the series, it’s also a good starting point in the lead-up to The Witcher 4 if you don’t want to start from the beginning of the series.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

7

Minecraft (2011)

A sandbox for all ages

Source: Microsoft

Minecraft continues to be one of the mainstays of the sandbox genre thanks to its endless freedom and the incorporation of mods that add new gameplay elements. Over a decade later, people still find joy in creating unbelievable structures in the game.

It also offers different game modes, so you can choose whether you want to have a creative-only environment or a challenging survival experience. It’s a game that lets your imagination thrive.

Minecraft

6

Garry’s Mod (2006)

A mod that turned into a standalone game

Source: Facepunch Studios

Garry’s Mod is another sandbox game that helped to define the genre, but this time with a focus on physics. While its open-endedness may be intimidating for players who prefer a bit more structure and goals in their games, the Garry’s Mod community has created tons of maps and game mods that bring new elements to it.

One of my personal favorites is Prop Hunt, which sees you disguise yourself as an item from the map while another player tries to find you. The game also has Steam Workshop support, which gives you a selection of thousands of mods to choose from to easily integrate into the game.

Garry’s Mod

5

Papers, Please (2013)

A game worth multiple playthroughs

Source: Lucas Pope

Released in 2013, Papers, Please was warmly received by gamers for its interesting concept and gameplay hook. It sees you take the role of an immigration inspector for the fictional state of Arstotzka.

Using just the documents provided to you by travelers and the tools available to you from your state, you need to decide who can and cannot enter the territory. Your decisions also have consequences, adding an extra layer of complexity to your role.

Papers, Please

4

Portal 2 (2011)

Better with a friend

Source: Valve

Even if you’ve never played Portal 2, you’ve likely heard of it thanks to its status as a modern classic. The puzzle game includes both a single player and a two-player co-op campaign, so to get the most out of this title I’d recommend diving into it with a friend.

The game’s visual style still holds up today, while not requiring much in terms of hardware to get it running. Its puzzles will continue to bring joy and frustration to new players.

Portal 2

Some of Bethesda’s best work

Graphically, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim doesn’t hold up as well as some other games on this list, even if you get one of the newer editions. But it continues to be a defining title in the RPG genre. Over the years, it has benefited from DLC and mods that add to the core gameplay of the original.

There’s still likely a long wait until The Elder Scrolls VI is released, so if you want a gripping story set in the Elder Scrolls universe (but don’t want to play the Elder Scrolls MMO), then Skyrim is a game worth playing.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

2

Doom (2016)

A modern take on the boomer shooter

The Doom franchise first launched in 1993 and defined the boomer shooter genre along with the likes of Quake. While the original is a classic game you should play, the 2016 reboot brought many of the hallmarks of the genre to a newer generation of players and hardware — featuring fast-paced first-person action along with great visuals.

The game features both a campaign mode and an arcade mode, so you can choose if you want to follow a story or simply aim for the highest score. While I’ve tried to revisit other boomer shooter releases that are newer, like Quake Champions, Doom (2016) feels a lot more polished and responsive.

DOOM (2016)

1

Fallout 4 (2015)

Live your best life in the post-apocalypse

Thanks to the release of the Fallout series on Amazon Prime in 2024, a lot more people are interested in the Fallout universe. A great game from the franchise that still performs well today is Fallout 4.

The game has aged well in terms of graphics, even if you don’t install the high resolution texture pack that is now available on Steam. It’s definitely one of the games I plan to play again this year to fully dive into the universe and its lore.

Fallout 4: Game of the Year Edition

Some games get better with time

It’s difficult to keep up with the latest high-budget games, especially if you don’t have the hardware or the money for these premium titles. Thankfully, there are still plenty of older games that are still worth playing today that have aged well and support older graphics cards. Take a look at your Steam library, you might find that some of these are already a part of your collection, waiting for you to revisit them or try them for the first time. You’ll be surprised by just how well some older games hold up even a decade after release.