Daniel Dahlen's PC Game Reviews - Best 90s Games

DOOM II: Hell on Earth (1994) [EDITOR'S PICK!]

Genre: FPS  |  Publisher: id Software If you thought DOOM was intense, DOOM II cranks it up to ELEVEN. The Super Shotgun is the most satisfying weapon in ALL of gaming. I played through the entire game in one weekend and my mouse hand was shaking by the end. This is what PCs were MADE for!!! Play it TODAY! 10/10

Command & Conquer: Red Alert (1996)

Genre: RTS  |  Publisher: Westwood Studios Einstein goes back in time and erases Hitler, and somehow that leads to the Soviets invading Europe?? The plot is BONKERS but the gameplay is incredible. I've been playing multiplayer over modem with my friend Erik and we've been at it for WEEKS. Play it TODAY! 9/10

Civilization II (1996) [EDITOR'S PICK!]

Genre: Turn-Based Strategy  |  Publisher: MicroProse WARNING: Do NOT start a game of Civ II unless you have cleared your entire schedule. I sat down at 7pm on a Saturday and when I looked up again it was 4am Sunday. My wife was NOT happy. But I had nukes and Gandhi didn't, so who's the REAL winner here?? Play it TODAY! 10/10

Quake (1996)

Genre: FPS  |  Publisher: id Software True 3D graphics, rocket jumping, and the most brutal multiplayer I've ever experienced. My 486 could barely handle it but I didn't care. Carmack is a GENIUS. If you have a Pentium and a 3D card, you NEED this game in your life right now. Play it TODAY! 9/10

Diablo (1996)

Genre: Action RPG  |  Publisher: Blizzard Click click click click click. That's the sound of me at 2am in a dark room, going deeper into the dungeon, telling myself 'just one more level.' Blizzard has created something dangerously addictive. The atmosphere is SO creepy with the lights off. Pure gaming perfection. Play it TODAY! 9/10

StarCraft (1998) [EDITOR'S PICK!]

Genre: RTS  |  Publisher: Blizzard Three completely different races, each perfectly balanced. Blizzard spent YEARS getting this right and it shows. The campaign story is like a sci-fi movie! I keep telling everyone at work about Zergling rushes and they think I've lost my mind. They're probably right. Play it TODAY! 10/10

Half-Life (1998) [EDITOR'S PICK!]

Genre: FPS  |  Publisher: Valve / Sierra This game changed EVERYTHING. No cutscenes, no loading screens between levels, just pure immersion. I was Gordon Freeman. I WAS in Black Mesa. When the military showed up I literally jumped out of my chair. This is what the future of gaming looks like, folks. Play it TODAY! 10/10

The Secret of Monkey Island (1990)

Genre: Adventure  |  Publisher: LucasArts I want to be a pirate!! This game made me laugh so hard I woke up my parents (I was 12). The insult sword fighting is genius. If you haven't played this yet, stop reading this review and GO PLAY IT. You can't call yourself a PC gamer without it. Play it TODAY! 9/10

SimCity 2000 (1993)

Genre: Simulation  |  Publisher: Maxis Building cities is surprisingly addictive when you're the mayor of everything. I named my first city 'Danielville' and it had the best public transit in the simulation. Then a tornado destroyed downtown. I may have cried a little. Don't judge me. Play it TODAY! 8/10

Age of Empires (1997)

Genre: RTS  |  Publisher: Microsoft Finally a strategy game where I can build ancient civilizations AND crush my enemies! The progression from Stone Age to Iron Age is so satisfying. WOLOLO!! If you know, you know. Great game but it needs a bit more variety in the units. Still highly recommended! Play it TODAY! 8/10

More reviews coming soon! I'm currently playing through WarCraft II and Duke Nukem 3D.
Stay tuned for Issue #8!

Got a game you think I should review? Send me an e-mail!