After a smash hit like Gears of War, it's difficult to feel bad for Epic. And, truth be told, I don't. But the lukewarm reception - both critically and commercially - of Unreal Tournament 3 have me feeling a bit sad inside; if not for Epic, then for the classic Unreal Tournament series itself. YouGamers' forum hounds saw fit to vote the original Unreal Tournament into the overall Top 10, and this is more notable due to the absence of the game's nemesis from the multiplayer-will-rule-the-world era, Quake III Arena. Unreal Tournament was FPS deathmatch done right, with the right mix of weapons and speed. Coupled with inventive level design and bot AI by the bot master himself, Steve Polge, UT remains the only deathmatch game in which completing the single-player ladder is actually fun. Its popularity is unquestionable, and it's a telling fact that id software all but abandoned multiplayer gaming after Q3A as Epic went on to develop multiple sequels. While Unreal Tournament 3 may be more of a "fading away" than a "burning out" for the series, the original Unreal Tournament has cemented its reputation as the king of deathmatch.
The original Unreal Tournament is still one of the best deathmatch games
Unreal Engine has come a long ways since Unreal Tournament, but Gear of War multiplayer isn't nearly as fun
#6: Starcraft (1998)
Along with Company of Heroes, another RTS garnered the necessary votes to smash the FPS monopoly on this Top 10 list (and you thought it would be World of Warcraft, didn't you?). Have comfort in the fact that Blizzard Entertainment (now of Activision Blizzard fame) made the list with Starcraft. The current national pastime of South Korea - multiplayer Starcraft - was once popular in the U.S. as well. Upon its release in 1998, Starcraft games quickly surpassed Quake and Quake 2 deathmatch as the geek pastime-du-jour in college dorm rooms and dark basements everywhere. Gameplay is simple, fast and follows a relatively distinct pattern for each of the game's three playable species, but the learning curve was gentle and games were short enough to play on a lunch break. What made Starcraft so attractive was Blizzard's free Battle.net online system, which was already in place for Diablo. Battle.net's ability to maintain a worldwide leader board was no doubt a factor in Starcraft's initial popularity, but that the game is still popular today speaks to the value of simple-but-addictive gameplay. It comes as no surprise that Starcraft 2 is currently in development, and the beautiful irony is that the upcoming game's strongest competition will be its decade-old predecessor.
Unlike RTS, management in Starcraft was both enjoyable and complex
The simple graphics and interface belie fiercely addictive gameplay
#5: System Shock 2 (1999)
When I said that this Top 10 list had only two non-FPS titles, I may have been fibbing a bit (or a lot, depending on your point of view). See, Looking Glass Studios' System Shock 2 is an FPS dressed up in RPG clothing (or vice-versa - again, your interpretation may vary). Regardless of whether you label System Shock 2 an FPS, RPG, Action RPG or simply "A Game", Ken Levine's sci-fi thriller is at the top of many gamers' must-have lists (and, incidentally, at the top of YouGamers' Top 10 Scariest PC Games). Levine's latest brainchild, Bioshock, didn't quite make this Top 10 list, but System Shock 2 is arguably a more seminal title. With atmosphere enhanced by the Dark graphics engine (initially designed for Thief: The Dark Project), System Shock 2 managed to combine - gasp! - a well-developed story with engaging FPS and RPG mechanics. The results was a successful blend of different genres into edge-of-your-seat gameplay with a number of truly frightening moments (you did play with the lights off, right?). System Shock 2 is a one-of-a-kind experience, and given the nature of video game publishing, we're unlikely to see another game with a similar sense of style and innovation any time soon (though I welcome Fallout 3 to give it the old college try).
Computers - don't trust them one bit!
Wait! That's a Big Daddy! Oh sorry, wrong era...
Six games down, four to go. Take a break, refill your coffee mug or grab another sugar-rich energy drink, and place your final bets on the Top Four Must-Have PC games. And before you ask, no, Daikatana didn't make the list. Take a second to wipe the tears from your eyes, then hit the next page...
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