Old-school video games from the 80s and 90s have retained their popularity even in the age of advanced gaming technology. These games hold a special place in the hearts of gamers who grew up playing them and offer a nostalgic gaming experience that modern games cannot replicate.
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Steam, a popular online gaming platform, offers players access to a vast library of old-school games, many of which can be downloaded and played for free. This allows gamers to relive their favorite childhood games or discover newer titles that belong to the old-school genre.
9Chicken Invaders Universe
Chicken Invaders Universeis an incredibly addictive game that combines intense shooting action withexciting exploration, spacecraft customization, and competitive community challenges. As new recruits in the United Hero Force, players must fight against the invading intergalactic chickens and advance through the ranks to become a hero.
With over 1,000 star systems to explore and 20,000 missions to fly, the game offers a vast and immersive experience. The fully customizable fleet of spacecraft, 15 unique mission types, and 15 awesome weapons (upgradeable to 11 levels) add depth and variety to the gameplay. Additionally, players can participate in daily challenge missions and join squadrons with friends for even more fun.
8Excaliburian!!
Excaliburian!!is apixelated RPGthat tells the story of Alexander, a hero created by the Holy King to seal away the Demon King. Alexander ultimately succeeded, but to maintain the kingdom’s power, his descendants must journey to the heavens and renew their earthly dominion.
Excaliburian!!features 11 playable characters with jobs, classic turn-based combat, and an adjustable encounter rate.Excaliburian!!offers nonlinear game progression, shapeshifting, fast travel, saving in churches, and challenging super bosses, providing 5-10+ hours of playtime.
7Mission in Snowdriftland - Snowlogue
Mission in Snowdriftland - Snowlogueinspired by some of the greatclassic 2D platformersof yesteryear. It features Chubby, a little snowman on a mission to save historically valuable artifacts from the villain, El Pix, in his icy realm of Snowdriftland. The game can be played like a traditional advent calendar, with players able to select a level daily.
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Mission in Snowdriftlandoffers a gaming experience suitable for all players, with younger and less experienced gamers getting off to a quick start to enthusiastic core gamers. The game also features a wide range of unusual enemies, including brightly colored penguins and jogging polar bears.
6Krai. Digital-poetry vol. 1
Kraiis a unique digital poetry collection made up of five games created by a group of poets. Curated by Ilia Mazo, each game has its distinct theme and poetic style. In “Metaphysical Trolleybus Simulator,” players navigate through the city as a trolley, chasing after a dream represented by a mountain. “A Silent Room” is an existential hokku where players enter a room to find solace in the silence.
“The Flower” is abizarre dating simin which players search for the perfect bouquet. “ORG” is a futuristic shoot-a-fable that explores art censorship in the near future. Finally, “Ticker” is a running-n-crying runner that delves into the impossibility of verbal expression. Each game showcases the poets' creativity and imagination in the digital realm.
5FrankenStorm TD Prologue
FrankenStorm TD Prologueis aunique Roguelite gamethat offers a fresh take on the tower defense genre. The game allows players to make one choice per wave that affects both towers and enemies, leading to dramatic variations. It offers a challenge by making all towers and walls connected to a power source and randomizing enemy waypoints to create labyrinths that can be re-entered.
As players progress, they can gather salvage points to make permanent choices, building deeper strategies to counter enemies. Players must assemble insane synergies and strive to achieve a spot on the leaderboard, making this one of the most exciting and one of the very best free old-school games on Steam.
4Exoblast
Exoblastis a thrilling mix of the arcade and shoot ‘em-up genres witha unique futuristic twist. Featuring stunning pixel art and synth-wave graphics, players can choose their preferred ship and pilot to enter into intense matches against other players in various game modes.
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The game’s musical universe is also impressive, as the entire game is powered by the original creations of LukHash, adding a unique aesthetic to the gameplay experience.Exoblastis an easy-to-play game but hard to master, making it an exciting and challenging game for players of all skill levels.
3Eternium
Eterniumis a captivating game that offershack-and-slash gameplayto combat the dark forces that threaten the player’s home world. With intense tactical fights, players can enjoy a fast-paced action RPG experience., playing as either a Mage, Warrior, or Bounty Hunter.
The game offers visually pleasing backdrops, immersive music scores, and the satisfaction of responsive combat with spectacular special effects.Eterniumwas created by a small team of old-school RPG fans who love making the game they always wanted to play.
2Chip’s Challenge 1
Chip’s Challenge 1is a classic puzzle game that requires players to solve 144 challenging puzzles before Chip can join the Bit Busters computer club and win the heart of Melinda the Mental Marvel. With a bird’s-eye view, players must guide Chip through mazes, avoid monsters and traps, and collect computer chips to progress through the game.
Using blocks of soil to overcome water traps and cherry bombs, and finding keys, are just a few of the challenges players will encounter. Ultimately, their goal will be to help Chip become an official Bit Buster and win the love of his life.
1Ashen Empires
Ashen Empiresis aclassic MMORPG gameset in the fantasy world of Dransik. With a focus on free-form open-world gameplay, Ashen Empires allows players to explore the world, complete quests, and hone their skills in various activities, from fighting with swords and spells to sailing on boats and constructing personal houses or guild halls.
The game offers a variety of skills for players to choose from, enabling them to create a unique character and play how they want, when they want, to carve their destiny. It’s challenging, but this is arguably part of what makes it one of the best old-school games on Steam.
