Games age, ideas don’t. When a classic proves unplayable or has no sequels and you want more, you can usually find a spiritual successor to satiate your hunger. These games that aim to faithfully recreate the gameplay and / or the feel of their older counterparts.
We’ve already shown you some amazing spritual successors in New games like old games you love. Here’s another batch.
You liked: Duke Nukem 3D
You’re going to love: Ion Maiden
Spiritual successors usually take the core idea and recreate it with modern technology, but Ion Maiden doesn’t do just that. It’s a new game created by Duke Nukem’s original designers… in the exact same engine they used in 1996. Expect pixelated 2D sprites and charming blocky 3D environments. Also: tons and tons of action mixed with exploration.
This is the best thing ever for anyone who liked the original Duke, Shadow Warrior or Blood.
Get Ion Maiden or Duke Nukem 3D
You liked: Syndicate Wars
You’re going to love: Satellite Reign
In case of Syndicate Wars, a simple idea combined with an amazing setting was enough to provide an unforgettable experience. The game is basically Amiga’s Cannon Fodder in a sci-fi setting: a game where you control four little guys in a series of assault missions that require fast reactions and a bit of tactics. Light RPG elements were added to the mix and voila – a timeless classic.
Satellite Reign takes the basics of Syndicate Wars (and its much simpler predecessor Syndicate) and not so much recreates them as reforges them for the modern audiences. While levels in Syndicate Wars were big and open, the new game takes place in an open world. There’s more to do, more tactical options to choose from, but it’s still the beloved classic at heart.
It’s ironic that a completely different game channels the spirit of Syndicate Wars better than its true sequel / remake / reboot / reimagining Syndicate.
Get Satellite Reign
You liked: Total Annihilation
You’re going to love: Supreme Commander 1 & 2
In 1997 Total Annihilation brought some fresh ideas to the RTS table, namely large scale battles, terrain affecting combat effectiveness, and a twist on resource mining, where you need to constantly supply your units with energy. It was more tactical than anything before it, and the Supreme Commander series tried to take it to a new level. It’s not perfect, and some argue that the A.I. in Total Annihilation is better, but the spiritual successor is still fun, and its scope is simply amazing. How about leading hundreds of units on a 81km-by-81km map?
There’s also Planetary Annihilation, which is, funnily enough, more of a spiritual successor to Supreme Commander than Total Annihilation. It’s a bit underwhelming and has an indie feel you might not like very much, but it’s an alright game nonetheless.
You liked: Illusion of Gaia, Alundra or other 2D action JRPGs
You’re going to love: CrossCode
2D pixelated graphics, top-down view, anime vibe, epic story, exploration, real time combat, simple RPG mechanics and cheesy dialogue. It’s all here, and while the overall gameplay has been sped up compared to good old SNES RPGs, it manages to recreate the feel of the classics.
Get CrossCode
You liked: System Shock 2
You’re going to love: Prey (2017)
System Shock 2 was a unique mix of RPG, shooter and sci-fi horror: you traversed a spaceship overrun by the creations of a rogue A.I., scavenging whatever items you could find and levelling up skills.
Prey, while having a completely different plot and setting, still keeps all the other elements. It’s not unlike Bioshock, also considered a spiritual successor to System Shock, but contrary to that game, it’s more realistic and grounded in hardcore science-fiction instead of a heavily stylized science-fantasy.
Get Prey or System Shock (1 or 2)
You liked: Theme Hospital
You’re going to love: Two Point Hospital
Who would’ve though that running a hospital can be such a fun challenge? Bullfrog has – when they created Theme Hospital and now, when some members of the original team pretty much remade and improved it in glorious 3D. In Two Point Hospital you need to build a clinic from scratch: hire doctors, place equimpent, ensure safety, funding and good workflow. Even placing a single bench is important and can change the attitude of your patients.
The light-hearted atmosphere of the game, nice graphics and the fact that your old hospitals keep running even when you progress to a new mission make Two Point Hospital immensely playable.
Do you know any other new games like old games you love? Share your picks in the comments.
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