What is the oldest video game? In any case, OXO, the first video game ever made, was invented in 1952 by A.S. Douglas, a professor at Cambridge University. The player of this tic tac-toe simulator game competes with the computer. Six years later, in 1958, William Higinbotham developed Tennis for Two, the second video game ever made.
With the development of this gaming platform taking center stage several great titles ended up gracing the PC Games Of The Early 2000s.
the golden era of PC gaming is something that fans still look back on with fondness. PC games were on a stratospheric rise at the start of this amazing decade, with excellent first-person shooters,
which were a staple of PC gaming in the era, as well as some imaginative titles that stretched the limits of gaming to new heights.
Regardless of your tastes for specific gaming genres, these games have the pedigree and quality required to win over even the most adamant gamers in the region.
15 Best PC Games Of The Early 2000s
Take a look at this list if you want to learn more about some of the best PC games that came out in the early 2000s.
1. Half-Life 2
It was only expected that a list discussing early 2000s PC masterpieces would at some time or another bring up the Half-Life series. Even while the original game was a great first-person shooter in and of itself, Half-Life 2’s incredible quality is what really made this series one of the finest franchises in gaming history.
How loved Half-Life 2 truly is can be shown by the fact that Gordon Freeman was capable of earning a place in the Video Game Hall of Fame without saying a single word. Since there is no official third game in the series, Half-Life 2’s primary flaw is that it ends suddenly.
2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was first made available on the PlayStation 2, but it wasn’t until the game was made available on the PC a year later that it truly became known as one of the best open-world games ever.
It was a blast putting on CJ’s role and being involved in a tremendously intriguing tale of crime and betrayal.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’ extensive and complex mechanics continue to astound. Players were able to completely lose themselves in a vast open world overflowing with content and personality
thanks to a variety of distractions like the ability to level up a lot of abilities, become overweight, romance a lot of individuals in-game, and engage in a lot of side activities.
3. The Longest Journey
Even the most ardent lover of the genre had to accept that point-and-click games began to fade away at the turn of the 21st century, despite being all the rage on the PC during its golden years.
Consequently, The Longest Journey deserves praise for managing to be a commercial success even after the decline in the popularity of the point-and-click genre.
The Longest Journey is a game with a tonne of personality that fans of vintage PC games should definitely check out. It has a truly mind-bending tale and some of the most interesting characters ever featured in a video game. But watch out for the famously challenging puzzles in this otherwise incredible game.
4. The Sims 2
Despite being one of the most popular games at the time, The Sims still had a lot of flaws. But with the release of The Sims 2, players really saw exactly how stunning the franchise’s actual potential was.
The Sims 2 is a classic game that finally cemented the franchise’s name in the annals of gaming history for good thanks to a new engine, balanced gameplay mechanics, and a big amount of material that has kept the game enormously playable to this day.
The Sims 2 was a highly addictive life combat simulator that held players engaged for hours, days, months, and even years, whether you wanted to relax in Pleasantview or solve the mysteries of Strangeville.
5. Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Naturally, it would be impossible to discuss BioWare’s dominance in the early 2000s without trying to bring up Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, which the majority of players still regard as the finest game in the Star Wars franchise.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a game that no fan of the Star Wars series or excellent RPGs should miss out on since it has a cast of lovable characters and one of the best plots in video game history.
Legends are made of this game’s storyline twist, which shocks players once they discover the real identity of the character they have been playing for the entire time. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is still a great game that you should play even after all these years.
6. Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows Of Amn
Although BioWare’s standing has changed over time, there is no denying the size of the studio in the early 2000s. After all, at that period, it did produce the sequel to Baldur’s Gate, one of its most well-known and cherished games.
A sequel should be better than its predecessor in every way, and Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn certainly lived up to that promise. Everyone could see at the time that the idea of playing this famous CRPG would excite any RPG lover.
7. The Elder Scrolls 3 Morrowind
Although the Elder Scrolls series from Bethesda is perhaps one of the most well-known RPG games in the present, there was a period when the property was practically unheard of. The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, which was released, radically altered this perception.
You may quickly find yourself in one of the best public worlds ever, stuffed to the gills with intricate systems and exciting interactions. With Morrowind, you could invest 100 hours and yet merely scratch the surface of its wondrous iceberg.
8. Deus Ex
The original Deus Ex was a revolutionary game that established the immersive sim as one of the greatest genres to experience the magic of gaming.
It may have had the best level design of any game up to that point. Taking the role of JC Denton, you dismantled a vast scheme that involved both the presence of aliens and secret government afflictions.
Playing through Deus Ex is still a huge amount of fun nowadays. Despite how outdated and dirty the visuals may seem by today’s standards, the levels are still tight and well-paced, and the characters still feel fresh and lifelike.
9. Beyond Good & Evil
Beyond Good & Evil is another Ubisoft game that can’t accept the sales it deserved. A new and daring adventure that ought to have been far more well-known at the time was produced by putting oneself in Jade’s shoes and exploring an unusual world.
Although a sequel was previously announced, we are still awaiting additional information about the next title and its release. Given how fantastic the first Beyond Good & Evil game was, fans can’t wait to see what the sequel has in store for them.
10. Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time
The Sands of Time trilogy is without a doubt the franchise’s pinnacle. The Prince of Persia series has had its ups and downs. Due to its distinctive graphic design, great combat, and captivating narrative, the first game in the series was unquestionably the most memorable of the bunch.
The innovative gameplay of The Sands of Time is proof that Ubisoft wasn’t afraid to take risks with its games during this time period. It’s never boring to see the Prince go from a boisterous brat to a truly likable person.
11. Max Payne
It would be hard to discuss classic games that gave rise to epic franchises without including one of Remedy’s best works. Neo-noir crime thriller Max Payne stunned audiences when it was first released.
One of the best action games ever created, this title’s superb gameplay and story both shine. Although many people believe that Max Payne 2 is the superior game, most beginners will still find the original to be enjoyable.
12. Hitman: Codename 47
One of the most famous stealth game series of all time is Hitman. Long-time viewers of the series found it fascinating to see how this program changed with the times and grew into its own.
The first game in this series, Hitman: Codename 47, is still incredibly playable today. The gameplay may not have held up over time, but the older Hitman games have a certain charm that is really evident in this game.
13. Counter-Strike
The introduction of Half-Life paved the way for a plethora of early 2000s computer games that have all been significant in their own right. It was quite interesting to see how these games utilized the versatile Source engine.
Counter-Strike was one of the best squad-based multiplayer shooters that was made using this engine. The game quickly made a name for itself as one of the most tactical multiplayer games available, and it gave rise to a series that is still active.
14. Fable: The Lost Chapters
Before the reveal of a new game shook the Xbox fans, the venerable Fable brand had been dormant for the longest period. It’s the ideal opportunity to look back on this franchise’s heyday, with the first game being a logical place to start.
The Lost Chapters significantly increased the number of material in the already excellent game Fable, which was a good game in and of itself. The Lost Chapters was the finest way to play the original Fable for the longest time, even if Fable: Anniversary remains the best way to play this great game.
15. Halo: Combat Evolved
One of the most well-known video game series is Halo. Thus, it seemed inevitable that the release of the first game for the PC would be a turning point for the platform.
Playing through the first Halo game is a blast and a fantastic way to start the series. Combat Evolved has a fascination of its own that is difficult to ignore, even though other games in the franchise may have enhanced some of the technical aspects of the series.
Conclusion
As we come to the end of our review of the 15 best PC Games of the Early 2000s, it’s clear that these works are cultural icons rather than just video games. Their influence endures through time, affecting everything from current games to storylines. Now go through your digital archives or dust off your old disks; the early 2000s’ brilliance is waiting to enthrall a new generation.
FAQs About PC Games Of The Early 2000s
Many questions arise while choosing the best PC games of the early 2000s; some of the more commonly used ones are answered below.
Q. Are these games still playable on modern systems?
Find methods to play these oldies on modern gaming systems to bring back the memories.
Q. Which game had the most significant cultural impact?
Discover the game that had a profound impact on popular culture and influenced fashions outside of the gaming industry.
Q. Any hidden Easter eggs or secrets in these games?
Take part in a virtual treasure hunt as we uncover some of these classics’ best-kept secrets and Easter eggs.
Q. How have modern games been influenced by these early 2000s classics?
Examine how modern gaming reflects the influences of the past, emphasizing how these timeless games continue to influence new releases.
Q. Can I introduce these games to a new generation of gamers?
Learn how to bridge the gaming age divide by offering these timeless masterpieces to a younger audience.
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