Video games in the 1990s were full of evolving at a fast rate, as new genres, platforms, and technologies emerged. One of the game developers that led the way in this decade wasElectronic Arts (EA), which created and published some of the most acclaimedand successful games of the ’90s, covering a wide range of genres, such as sports, simulation, strategy, action, and role-playing.
But which of these games was the best, in the eyes of the critics, each year? To answer this question, scores, wider reviews, and feedback on these games were used as a criterion of quality and popularity. Some of the games listed stand out as classics to this day and others have unfortunately become forgotten with the passing of time.
The scope of this list has been expanded to feature games both published and developed by Electronic Arts and games that have otherwise had EA involved in their development.
10Centurion: Defender of Rome (1990)
An Obvious Predecessor To Total War
Letting players experience the rise of the Roman Empire, as they play from a humble centurion to a powerful Caesar, is the basic premise ofCenturion: Defender of Rome. Users can conquer neighboring lands, manage their provinces, and engage in various activities such as gladiator fights, chariot races, and naval battles.
The game combines turn-based and real-time elements, with an isometric view of the world map and a side view of the combat scenes, comparable to whatTotal Wargames offer today. Featuring historical and fictional scenarios, such as the Punic Wars, the invasion of Britain, and the seduction of Cleopatra,Centurion: Defender of Romeacts as a good bridge between fictional fun and historical learning.
Road Rashcombined racing and combat uniquely, which had not been addressed before within the video game world. The player controls a motorcycle racer who has to compete with other bikers on a variety of roads while avoiding obstacles and police. Whilst there is minimal control, beyond side scrolling on the road, the true challenge comes from combat gameplay. The player can use punches, kicks, and weapons to knock down the opponents and gain an advantage in these fast races.
This game became one of EA’s most profitable titles in the early 1990s, being the first game of its genre, and it spawned a series of sequels and inspired other games such asRoad RedemptionandRoad Fighterin more recent years.
InUltima 7: The Black Gate,the player assumes the role of the Avatar, a hero who has to save Britannia from the evil Guardian and his cult. Whilst not developed by EA, they were heavily involved in its publication as it was released, and all rights are now owned by Electronic Arts. It is definitely worthy of appearing on this list as it offered a vast amount of player freedom, which had often been restricted by older arcade games and RPG text adventures.
The game featured a mouse-driven interface, perfect for the rise of PC players in the ’90s, and a non-linear storyline withmultiple choices and consequences.This style of gaming was refreshing for many gamers of the early ’90s, looking to explore a wider world and interact with hundreds of locations, characters, and items. This game definitely paved the way for the Role-Playing Games players enjoy today.
7Syndicate (1993)
A Strategically Inventive Game
Influencingcontemporary games likeX-COMandDeus Ex, Syndicatecombines real-time tactics and squad management with possible cybernetic enhancements to improve your team. This game immerses players in a dark and gritty future, where the team of agents you control offers a high degree of customization - akin to RPGs that had come before it.
Whilst not being an RPG and instead a strategy-based game, the creative freedom enabled a high degree of replayability, which was incredibly important in ’90s video game sales. Being a true challenge for gamers,Syndicateoffered a grueling campaign that would keep players gripped for hours as they developed their own personalized squads.
6FIFA Soccer 95 (1994)
Classic Game That Paved The Way
Revolutionizing the world of sports games and especially football simulation,FIFA Soccer 95was the first game to feature real teams and players from different leagues and countries, as well as ‘realistic’ animations and physics. Everyone could log in to this game and find their favorite team to compete against their friends with on the couch coop mode. The game also introduced features such as the ability to edit teams and players, create custom tournaments, and play in different weather conditions.
FIFA Soccer 95set the standard for future games in the series and influenced other football games as well. There are still many elements found in contemporary football games, like FC24, such as camera angles and developed customization options.
5Immercenary (1995)
Despite Its Cheesiness, A Shooter That Contributed To The Genre
This video game, like many found in the ’90s, merged ‘new’ 3D graphics with cutscenes of live-action actors. Playing these games now feels incredibly cheesy and distracting.Immercenarycontinued to build on the growing enthusiasm for first-person shooters, and being on the 3DO meant it was multiplayer compatible.
The player had to roam around a huge and immersive city, battling and assimilating other rithms (virtual beings) to boost their rank and stats. The game also had a responsive soundtrack that adapted to the player’s actions and location - something that contemporary games now utilize all the time, an important note in storytelling.
4Soviet Strike (1996)
Strategic Warfare In 32-bit With Impressive Graphics
Changing the way helicopter-based shootersand strategy gameswere played,Soviet Strikehad impressive 3D graphics, a modified overhead view, and a smarter enemy artificial intelligence than its prequels. It also had a story element, with full-motion video scenes and voice acting that definitely made the player feel part of the game.
The player controlled an Apache helicopter and had to complete various missions in a fictional post-Soviet setting while taking care of the fuel, ammo, and armor of the craft.Soviet Strikeinspired the creation of later strategy games that used a controller, such asCommand & Conquer: Red Alert RetaliationandSyndicate Wars.
Instead of playing as a noble adventurer, the player inDungeon Keepertook the role of an evil dungeon master, who had to build and manage a dungeon of their own, attract and train various creatures, and fend off the invading heroes. While this style of game has massively increased in popularity with the release of mobile phones, in the form of tower defense or PC gameslikeOrcs Must Die,it was a really fresh perspective to provide gamers and clearly built upon the God game aspects ofPopulous.
The game combines elements of strategy, simulation, and action, allowing the player to switch between a top-down view and a first-person perspective - again, a feature that offers players a fresh perspective. The game also had a dark and humorous tone, with witty narration, funny sound effects, and amusing interactions.
2Small Soldiers (1998)
One Of The Earlier Successful Examples Of Films Adapted Into Games
Based on the film of the same name,Small Soldiersallowed the player to control a squad of either Gorgonites or Commandos, the two factions of living toys that were at war with each other. The game featured objective-based scenarios, where the player had to complete various tasks such as destroying enemy bases, rescuing allies, or collecting items. The game also had a design mode, where the player could create their own custom soldiers using different parts and weapons. Customization was important in the ’90s for many games and was a feature that could draw fans in.
The game was praised for capturing the spirit and humor of the movie, as well as offering a multiplayer mode with up to four players. The game was one of the early examples of a successful film adaptation, as it expanded on the movie’s story and characters, rather than simply copying them.
Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauriperfectly summarizes the technological advancement of the ’90s, as it used 3D graphics and internet multiplayer again to draw in player replayability. It also reflected the themes and challenges of the decade, such as environmentalism, globalization, and ethics - which must have appealed to fans.
This game massively built on the successof theCivilizationseries. It was set on an alien planet where seven human factions compete for supremacy, while also dealing with the mysterious native life and the secrets of the ancient Progenitors. The game offered a deep and complex technological tree, which allowed players to, again, customize their game.
