Sometimes games just don't get the love they deserve at launch. However, fun stories, entertaining game mechanics, and a strong cast of characters can keep players coming back to these games even years after release.
Game publishers have also remastered most of the games on this list, allowing older players to experience beloved games all over again, while new players are introduced to these cult classics for the first time. In this list, we'll take a look at some of the cult classic games available on Steam. In each entry, we've noted whether or not the game has been remastered.
10 Impossible Creatures
Impossible Creatures was initially released on PC in 2003 by Relic Entertainment and Microsoft Studios. In this 3D RTS, players create genetically altered mutant animals to fight an evil villain and save the world.
THQ Nordic released the Steam version in 2015, including all patches and expansions and additional features like cloud saving. The developers have updated Impossible Creatures to run on modern systems, so little needs to be done to get it to work. You can play the game in either single-player or multiplayer modes.
9 Turok: The Dinosaur Hunter
Acclaim Entertainment released Turok on the Nintendo 64 in 1997 after gaining the rights when it purchased Valiant Comics in 1994. They released it to highly positive critical reviews which praised its graphics, level design, and gameplay mechanics.
In this first-person shooter, players take control of a Native American protagonist named Tal’Set, charged with protecting the Lost Land from a villain called The Campaigner. The Campaigner wants to use the Chronoscepter, whose power can break the barriers separating Earth and the Lost Land, to rule the universe.
8 Blood
Blood was popular because of its level designs, over-the-top violence, gore, and many pop culture references to famous horror movies. The game takes place in 1928, where you take on the role of gunslinger Caleb, a high-level member of a cult called The Cabal. Caleb is betrayed by Tchernobog, the cult’s god, and rises to take his revenge.
Blood: Fresh Supply is a remaster of the original Monolith Productions game. The remaster includes all four episodes from the original campaign plus two expansions and support for fan-made add-ons. It is also fully functional using modern systems.
7 SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle For Bikini Bottom
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle For Bikini Bottom is a 3D platformer where you play as SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy to defeat Plankton and his army of robots before he can take over and rule Bikini Bottom. The original game featured most of the original voice actors (minus Clancy Brown and Ernest Borgnine).
It kept the show’s humor, which set it apart from many other platformers. The remastered version brings updated graphics, previously cut content, and a brand-new multiplayer mode that you can play online or split-screen co-op.
6 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind was the best-rated RPG game well after Bethesda released it in 2002 because of its fantastic writing, soundtrack, and RPG mechanics. It features a highly well-written story, humor, and arguably the best antagonist in the series that hooks you for a wild amount of game time.
The Game of the Year Edition on Steam allows you to import your characters and save game data and adds 80 additional hours of gameplay and additional creatures for you to fight. Whether you are an existing player or new to The Elder Scrolls, the Game of the Year version makes a journey to Vvardenfell well worth the trip.
5 Killer7
Killer7 has a unique premise where you play Harman Smith, who manifests the personalities of seven different assassins. Legendary developers Goichi Suda, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, and Shinji Mikami team together to bring you an extremely engaging storyline where Harman Smith’s goal is stopping villain Kun Lan and his deadly crew called Heaven Smile.
Each assassin has a unique look, play style, and abilities you can use at any point in the game based on your current scenario. The game features first-person and third-person shooting mechanics and a challenging but fun puzzle system.
4 The Curse Of Monkey Island
The Curse of Monkey Island is a point-and-click adventure game made by LucasArts in 1997. It was the twelfth and last game to use the Script Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion (SCUMM) engine. Multiple critical platforms named Curse of Monkey Island, the best adventure game of 1997, and nominated for many awards for gameplay and design. As the first series entry released on CD, the game was renowned for its amazing musical score, voice acting, and fully animated cut scenes.
3 Day Of The Tentacle
Day of the Tentacle is another point-and-click adventure game released by LucasArts in 1993. It was a sequel to Ron Gilbert’s Maniac Mansion five years later. In it, players take on the role of three friends who team up to stop a mutated purple tentacle trying to take over the world.
The remastered version features remastered sound effects, audio, and music. It also features brand-new high-resolution and hand-drawn artwork. A fun new feature of the remastered version is the ability to swap back and forth between the classic game and the remastered game, depending on how nostalgic you're feeling at any given moment.
2 Psychonauts
Psychonauts is an action-adventure platformer released in 2005 by Double Fine Productions. Take on the role of Razputin, whose dream is to join an elite team called the Psychonauts. He breaks into the Whispering Rock Psychic Summer Camp, hoping to join the team when an evil villain steals the brains of the other campers.
Using many fun psychic powers like Levitation and Telekinesis, you will traverse the inner mind, fight mental demons, and stop those brains from being used for evil. The colorful cast of supporting characters adds a ton of personality to the game.
1 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a visual novel and adventure hybrid game where you take on the role of the titular rookie defense attorney. As Phoenix, you investigate the crimes your clients have been charged with in hopes of proving their innocence. You visit crime scenes, cross-examine witnesses, and speak with those involved in the case against your clients.
A solid supporting cast will get you invested in your cases and have you coming back for more! The Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy includes all 14 episodes from the first three games in the series.