At what point does a game become a classic? Simple: when everyone agrees it is one. The following 10 recent and not-so-recent games all received superb ratings of at least a 9.0 out of 10 from GameSpot's tough critics--but these aren't just critics' darlings. Countless fans around the world consider these some of the best games of the last five years, and each new game that's released is now measured against the high standards that these games helped establish. Any of the following would make an excellent addition to your game collection, and most are now available for cheap.
Diablo (1996)
Street Price: $12
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Blizzard's original action RPG was a huge hit thanks to its spectacular graphics and its addictive gameplay. Diablo also featured an excellent multiplayer mode and ushered in Blizzard's popular Battle.net online play service, making for a complete gameplay experience that had players enthralled not just for months but for years. Diablo is more than five years old, but still highly playable today.
Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven (1998)
Street Price: $7
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Most fans agree that Might and Magic VI was the last truly outstanding installment in the long-running series. Might and Magic VI is a simple game at heart: You create a party of characters and explore a huge 3D world, solving quests and fighting countless monsters along the way. The size and scope of the game make it impressive and enjoyable, and it's still highly playable today and bargain priced to boot.
Planescape: Torment (1999)
Street Price: $9
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Though it was quietly released at the end of 1999, anyone who played Torment back in its heyday knew then and there that it would go down in history as one of the greatest computer role-playing games. That's because the quality and creativity of Torment's story is one-of-a-kind. Featuring a memorable cast of characters and plenty of replay value, Planescape: Torment belongs in every RPG fan's collection.
FreeSpace 2 (1999)
Street Price: $17
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FreeSpace 2 is arguably the greatest space combat simulation ever made, easily ranking up there with heavyweights like Wing Commander and TIE Fighter. For various reasons, the game wasn't a commercial success--but just about everyone who played FreeSpace 2 was floored by its incredible graphics and its excellent action and storyline. FreeSpace 2 is a rare find at this point, so consider getting it while you still can.
Age of Empires II Gold Edition (1999-2000)
Street Price: $39
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Age of Empires II is by no means new at this point, and yet it's still vastly superior to just about every real-time strategy game that's been released since it came out. And in fact, most new real-time strategy games are clearly influenced by Ensemble's groundbreaking Age of Empires II. The Gold Edition of the game also includes The Conquerors, Age II's excellent expansion pack.
The Longest Journey (1999-2000)
Street Price: $19
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Some people were so stunned by the production values and the thought-provoking story of this graphical adventure game that they felt calling it a game was a disservice--they felt that The Longest Journey was a true work of art. Whether that's the case or not is debatable, but there's no denying that The Longest Journey and its memorable cast of characters makes for a truly great gaming experience.
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (2000)
Street Price: $34
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Still the definitive computer role-playing game, Baldur's Gate II is probably the single best adaptation of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing system to the PC. This massive game takes you on an epic journey in which you'll find yourself literally fighting to save your soul. Among many other great qualities, Baldur's Gate II boasts a complex, strategic combat system.
NHL 2002 (2001)
Street Price: $39
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It's safe to call NHL 2002 the single greatest simulation of ice hockey ever made. EA Sports had already refined the NHL series to a near-perfect blend of simulation and pure sports action with NHL 2001. So the following year, the developer added in a slew of exciting extra features and effects, making NHL 2002 as impressive to watch as it is to play. If you're remotely interested in hockey, this is your game.
IL-2 Sturmovik (2001)
Street Price: $39
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The best combat flight simulation of last year and also one of the best combat flight sims ever made, IL-2 Sturmovik is an amazingly authentic re-creation of World War II-era air combat. Though it's by all accounts a hard-core flight simulation, IL-2 Sturmovik does such a good job at creating an authentic atmosphere that anyone interested in the material should check it out.
Max Payne (2001)
Street Price: $39
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Max Payne was selected by GameSpot's readers as Game of the Year 2001. This hard-boiled run-and-gun shooter has a simple sensibility, but is extremely well executed. The much-vaunted bullet time feature allows Max to fight his numerous foes in dramatic slow motion, an effect that's both visually striking and also central to Max Payne's tense and exciting gameplay.
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