3 Games That Aged Poorly but Are Still Worth Playing

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There’s a unique appeal to going back to older games. It could be the fond memories they evoke, a chance to try something you missed, or experiencing a truly influential title like Final Fantasy VII. While these games might feel a bit awkward or outdated compared to modern titles – even if they were once visually stunning and groundbreaking – they’re still worth playing. Revisiting them lets you appreciate how much gaming has evolved, and see that even with imperfections, the core experiences can still be amazing.

There’s something special about playing older games – they show you where modern gaming came from. It’s fun to see developers trying new things, taking risks, and sometimes making mistakes along the way. These early experiments often laid the groundwork for the games we love today, and you can see the origins of entire genres. Plus, it’s amazing to appreciate how ambitious developers were, even when the technology couldn’t quite keep up. We’ve picked out three classic games that might feel a little dated, but are still worth playing at least once.

3) The Witcher

CD Projekt Red’s first game, The Witcher, launched in 2007 as a bold attempt to recreate Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy world. However, the game was built on an older, modified engine originally used for Neverwinter Nights, which caused issues. By the time The Witcher came out, the engine felt outdated, resulting in stiff animations, clumsy camera work, and awkward combat. This made it difficult for players, especially those familiar with the polished experience of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, to fully enjoy the first installment.

The combat system is a major point of contention. Instead of the fast-paced sword fighting you might expect from Geralt, the game uses a system of timed mouse clicks. While it has a certain appeal, it hasn’t aged well and isn’t very enjoyable by today’s standards. Adding to the issues are a clunky inventory, lengthy loading screens, and an outdated interface.

What truly makes The Witcher worth playing again is its story. It’s a remarkably complex and ambitious RPG for its time, featuring shades of gray in its morality, choices that genuinely matter, and a compelling main character with their own established personality. The writing is still excellent today – the characters feel realistic and flawed, the world is immersive, and your decisions have meaningful consequences. It’s clear how this game paved the way for The Witcher 3, and it remains worth experiencing now. When the remake is released, it will finally give this game the recognition it deserves.

2) Planescape: Torment

Few role-playing games are as highly regarded as Planescape: Torment. Originally released in 1999, this beloved classic explored a unique and often forgotten world within the Dungeons & Dragons universe. It’s still considered one of Black Isle Studios’ most creatively daring stories, known for its unforgettable atmosphere, tone, and thought-provoking themes. However, the game is showing its age. Built using the same Infinity Engine as the 1998 game Baldur’s Gate, it feels quite dated by today’s standards.

The game uses simple, older-style graphics, an outdated interface, and awkward combat. Moving around can be frustrating due to unreliable pathfinding, and the menus feel complicated. While the 2017 Enhanced Edition from Beamdog improved some of these problems, the game still shows its age. However, players willing to overlook the old-fashioned graphics and gameplay will find a compelling story.

Even with its flaws, Planescape: Torment is still considered one of the most meaningful games ever created. What truly sets it apart is its writing, which feels more like a classic novel than a typical video game. The game features in-depth philosophical discussions within its conversations, and every character – from the world-weary succubus Fall-From-Grace to the floating skull Morte – is incredibly well-developed. You play as The Nameless One, an immortal who has lived many lives but has no memories of them. The game’s core question – “What can change a person?” – remains powerfully relevant even after twenty years.

1) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

It might be unpopular to say, but The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time doesn’t feel as good as it used to. While it was incredibly important and successful when it came out, it feels dated now and doesn’t control as smoothly as modern games. It definitely pioneered 3D game design and adventure games, but its peak has passed. Playing it today really shows you how much gaming has improved over the years.

Okay, so jumping back into this game is…rough. The controls just feel really dated, honestly. I’m constantly wrestling with the camera, and combat is pretty basic – nothing like the stuff we’re used to now. That targeting system that was cool back in the day? It’s just clunky now. Even moving around feels stiff and makes it hard to be precise. And yeah, the graphics are iconic, but after playing something like Breath of the Wild, they’re definitely a bit jarring. You can really feel the limitations of the Nintendo 64 even after just a few minutes of playing.

Despite its age, Ocarina of Time remains a truly exceptional game. It essentially defined the 3D adventure genre, and many of its innovative features were completely new at the time. Its impact on gaming, both for the Zelda series and the industry as a whole, is immense. Those who experienced it when it first released consider it a perfect example of game design, and it’s still worth playing today, even if it doesn’t look as modern as newer titles.

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2025-10-30 00:12