Point and click games have come a long way since the days of moon logic and baffling puzzles that only the most dedicated players could solve. However, while some of the older titles certainly deserve the criticism they get, there are still plenty of amazing point and click games from the past few decades.
However, perhaps one of the best decades for point and click games was the 90s. Classics such as Full Throttle and Grim Fandango came out within those golden years and paved the way for future games in the genre. However, while there was certainly a plethora of amazing point and click games in the 90s, there are a few that stood out above the rest and that still hold up today.
9 Full Throttle (1995)
Full Throttle is a legendary point and click game from Tim Schafer that is still regarded as one of the very best. Featuring an all-star cast including Mark Hamill and Roy Conrad, this LucasArts extravaganza featured a compelling narrative, innovative and refined gameplay and an incredibly memorable protagonist.
While a lot of point and click games at the time tended to have complicated puzzles that detracted from the narrative, Full Throttle still manages to be a mostly accessible game. Fortunately, with the dedicated support of fans and guides, anyone who is stuck needs only search it up online. However, even without guides Full Throttle is still an amazing point and click game that's absolutely still worth playing today.
8 Beneath A Steel Sky (1994)
Beneath A Steel Sky is a legendary cyberpunk adventure that is well regarded as one of the best point and click games by fans of the genre. Its story and characters are memorable and endearing and its setting is so rich with detail that it immerses you from the moment you start.
Beneath A Steel Sky also features art direction from the truly iconic comic book artist Dave Gibbons who is most famously known for his work on the Watchmen graphic novel. Its place in the genre's history will not go unnoticed, and due to it being free on Steam there isn't really a reason why you shouldn't still play it now.
7 Tex Murphy: Under A Killing Moon (1994)
The Tex Murphy games are a renowned detective noir point and click series that blended over the top narratives told through FMVs with engaging and innovative gameplay. Under A Killing Moon is the third entry into the series and it brought with it a number of changes including the ability to move freely around certain 3D environments.
However, while Tex Murphy: Under A Killing Moon's puzzles are coherent and fun, it is its sci-fi detective narrative that steals the show. This is absolutely a game worth checking out if only to engross yourself in a truly fun and intriguing mystery story.
6 Blade Runner (1997)
The original Blade Runner film from 1982 is widely considered one of the best pieces of cyberpunk media. It has been referenced and used as an influence for future cyberpunk-themed media for decades since its release and despite its modest success on release has gone on to become a cult classic. However, what is perhaps equally as captivating and immersive, but significantly less remembered, is the 1997 point and click pseudo-sequel, Blade Runner.
This point and click adventure is absolutely stunning and its visuals arguably still hold up today. Impressive lighting and gorgeous 3D locations truly bring to life the world envisioned by Phillip K. Dick and subsequently Ridley Scott. Its story is as captivating as the original film and its gameplay mechanics felt innovative and fresh for the time. Its memorable cyberpunk world, narrative, and characters have paved the way for dozens of incredible point and click titles such as the heartfelt Encodya.
5 The Longest Journey (1999)
The Longest Journey launched on the very cusp of the 21st century and yet still feels as groundbreaking now as it did then. Its gorgeous blend of fantasy and sci-fi led to the creation of one of gaming's most unique worlds. Its captivating story and compelling characters combined with its vast number of locations made it a lengthy experience well worth playing.
While there is certainly some level of moon logic involved in a number of its puzzles, for the majority of your experience The Longest Journey makes sense. However, despite this, it is still a game worth playing through for the worlds and story alone, even if you have to have a guide ready and waiting.
4 Pajama Sam: No Need To Hide When Its Dark (1996)
Pajama Sam and other Humungous Entertainment properties served as the child-friendly and educational point and click games of the 90s and early 2000s. However, perhaps one of the best Humungous Entertainment games was Pajama Sam: No Need To Hide When Its Dark. This children's point and click adventure game was an incredibly fun and memorable experience and it still manages to hold up today.
While it isn't as long as other point and click games, and its puzzles and themes are more aimed at children, its stunning art, wonderful soundtrack, bubbly characters and overall charm make it a title well worth revisiting.
3 Grim Fandango (1998)
Not much is needed to be said about the quality of the classic 1998 point and click adventure game Grim Fandango. Its fantastical setting, colourful cast of eccentric and memorable characters and amazing protagonist made it one of the greatest - if not the greatest - point and click games ever made.
This is easily one of the most replayable point and click games from the 90s partially due to remasters, but also down to its phenomenal gameplay. Suffice to say there is a reason that it is widely considered to be one of the very best point and click games ever made.
2 Day Of The Tentacle (1993)
Day of the Tentacle is one of LucasArts best point and click games. Made as a sequel to the beloved 1983 Maniac Mansion, Day of the Tentacle is as mind-bogglingly bizarre as it sounds. Its central cast of characters and delightfully brilliant villain are what ultimately carry this beautiful point and click game.
Like with most of LucasArts point and click games, the majority of the puzzles still hold up today. While there is certainly some odd pieces of logic you'll need to get over here and there, for the most part, this is absolutely a game that holds up today. Thanks to remasters, the game looks better than ever before, so there really isn't an excuse not to try it.
1 Sam & Max Hit The Road (1993)
Sam & Max Hit the Road is an unbelievably enjoyable point and click game full of humour and fun mini-games that is widely regarded as one of the best in the genre. Its story, just like the rest of the Sam & Max games, is as brilliantly quirky as it is fun to watch and its gameplay was certainly innovative for the time. It introduced a lot of new features that would then go on to be used in later point and click games.
Sam & Max Hit the Road is still a lot of fun to play today due to its endearing characters and well-paced story. Its gameplay is never too convoluted and its impact on the point and click genre, and video games in general, is undeniable. There is a reason this series remains so beloved to this day.