5 LucasArts Games You Forgot Were Awesome

by

LucasArts, now known as Lucasfilm Games, has a long history of creativity in the video game industry. Founded by George Lucas in 1982, the studio has seen changes in name and personnel, but has consistently been at the forefront of gaming innovation, delivering numerous successful titles. While many of its classic adventure games from the 80s and 90s, and especially those based on Star Wars, remain popular, some of the studio’s most excellent creations have become less well-known over time.

Here are five LucasArts games you probably forgot are incredible.

5) The Dig

In 1995, LucasArts had recently released two highly acclaimed adventure games, Day of the Tentacle and Sam & Max Hit the Road. That May, they continued their success with Full Throttle, proving their expertise in the genre. Six months later, The Dig also launched and performed well in sales.

Despite its ambitious scope, The Dig faced significant development challenges. Created in collaboration with Steven Spielberg, it was LucasArts’ most expensive project up to that time. The team struggled to realize Spielberg’s vision and had to essentially begin the game again when Brian Moriarty became the new director. Originally planned for a 1992 release, The Dig ultimately launched in 1995.

The game ended up costing too much, making it a disappointment for LucasArts, and it never gained the dedicated fanbase of many of their other titles from that era. However, it’s still worth playing. While most of The Dig isn’t particularly groundbreaking, it does feature a creative and original story.

4) Zombies Ate My Neighbors

Man, I loved—and struggled with—Zombies Ate My Neighbor! Konami really made a tough game for the Super Nintendo and Genesis. I remember playing it as a kid, getting about halfway through, and then having to return it to Blockbuster because it was just so hard. Seriously, that game was a real challenge!

I kept renting this game over and over, and for good reason! Even though it was tough, Zombies looked amazing back then. For me, it was the perfect first horror game as a kid in the ’90s – it really got me hooked on the genre. It wasn’t a huge hit, but it did well enough to get a sequel, Ghoul Patrol. I personally didn’t enjoy that one as much, but hey, different strokes for different folks!

3) Maniac Mansion

While The Day of the Tentacle is often considered the stronger game and rightfully so, the original Maniac Mansion shouldn’t be overlooked. For many players, it was their first adventure game and introduced them to the humor of Ron Gilbert. That initial impact alone makes it a game worth remembering and appreciating.

Maniac Mansion wasn’t a critical failure – reviewers generally liked it, and players enjoyed it. However, it doesn’t often receive the same level of praise as other classic LucasArts adventure games. Regardless, it played a key role in launching the career of Ron Gilbert, and for that, we’re grateful for the game.

2) Outlaws

The game Outlaws was built using an updated version of the same technology that powered Star Wars: Dark Forces. While Dark Forces is well-known, Outlaws is another excellent game from LucasArts. It took the fast-paced shooting style of that game and applied it to the often-overlooked setting of the Wild West.

It’s surprising we don’t see more video games in the spaghetti western genre. While Red Dead Redemption dominates, other developers should explore it. Outlaws, though a bit dated when it came out, is a fantastic, cinematic experience. It was quickly surpassed by games like Quake, but a remake is long overdue. We need more great spaghetti western games, and Lucasfilm Games should definitely consider bringing Outlaws back.

1) Star Wars Galaxies

Star Wars Galaxies allowed players to immerse themselves in the Star Wars universe and live out their fantasies. At launch, the game featured ten planets to explore and included iconic characters like Luke Skywalker, Boba Fett, and Admiral Ackbar. A unique aspect of the game was that becoming a Jedi wasn’t guaranteed; it was a rare achievement, limited by chance and server capacity, making it a significant goal for dedicated players.

Initially, LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment presented a unique idea: incredibly powerful Jedi characters in the game’s vast universe. They later adjusted this approach, but it was an interesting way to introduce such a powerful force. Players who didn’t become Jedi could still choose from a variety of professions and contribute to the game’s economy. More than most online games, Galaxies felt truly alive, with players pursuing their own objectives and shaping the world around them.

Sadly, the official servers for Galaxies went offline in 2011, and the game has largely been forgotten by those who didn’t play it. While some private servers still exist, they can’t recapture the experience of first playing LucasArts’ unique MMO.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/list/10-best-lucasarts-star-wars-games-ranked/embed/#

Read More

2025-12-24 00:18