During the '90s, PC gamers were blessed with the magic of point-and-click adventures. These games had a simple mechanic and gameplay, but they were able to create unique artworks, creative puzzles, and tell rich and engaging stories that were often missing from other genres at that time.Nowadays, with the rising popularity of indie games, and the nostalgic experience of replaying classic video games, the point-and-click genre is going through a resurgence. While many new games are being published in the genre, one wonders which of the classic titles can still stand out in today's modern gaming scene.Updated by Nima Dabirian on February 11, 2022: There are so many memorable titles from the golden age of the point-and-click genre that it's impossible to highlight only a few. Fans still hope to experience these nostalgic games again, and while playing some of them requires the original floppy disk and an old computer, or an emulator, many publishers are remastering and releasing these classic titles on modern platforms.
15 Indiana Jones And The Fate Of Atlantis
Indiana Jones was a pop culture phenomenon during the 1980s, and LucasArts Games took advantage of the rise of popularity in video games by releasing this popular title in 1992. A year later, the game was re-released with full voice acting and sound effects and became one of the most iconic point-and-click adventure games of the time.
- Designed by Hal Barwood and Noah Falstein
- Originally released in 1992, and digitally distributed in 2009
- Available on Steam
The game follows the story of everyone's favorite archeology professor, as he investigates the mythical city of Atlantis. The game's puzzles are very innovative, and most of them have more than just one solution, making the game highly replayable with different approaches and outcomes. If you're a fan of the Indiana Jones franchise, you should give this game a try.
14 Blade Runner
Video game adaptations of popular movies have always been a controversial topic, but the point-and-click game Blade Runner by Westwood Studios, tells an original and intriguing story in the franchise's universe.
- Designed by Jim Walls and David Leary
- Originally released in 1997, and digitally distributed in 2019
- Available on GOG.com, and an Enhanced Edition is in development for major platforms
The game follows the story of an original character, Ray McCoy, as he investigates a series of animal murders related to suspected replicants. The Blade Runner's futuristic theme works great with the narrative and gameplay mechanics of the point-and-click genre, making this game a memorable experience that you can still enjoy.
13 King's Quest 6: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow
If you've had nightmares of an old man repeatedly yelling "Old lamps for new...", then you've spent a lot of time enjoying and getting stuck in King's Quest 6. But with all of its quirkiness, the sixth installment of the King's Quest series from Sierra On-Line is always regarded as one of the best point-and-click games of the '90s.
- Originally Released in 1992
- Designed by Roberta Williams and Jane Jensen
- Available only through DOS emulators
While full of nostalgia for those who played this classic title before, it still offers an engaging story, challenging puzzles, and a beautiful art style that will attract even new players to the genre.
12 The Neverhood
The Neverhood, is such an iconic part of video games history, that we often forget that it was another point-and-click adventure game in the genre's golden age. But instead, it's remembered for its engaging and fun story, unique world design, innovative puzzles, and the fact it was all created using claymation.
- Originally released in 1996
- Designed by Doug TenNapel and Mark Lorenzen
- Available for PCs and Android
If you played video games during the '90s, there's a good chance that you played this game, and for you, playing it today will be a wonderfully nostalgic experience. But if you've never played the Neverhood, then you have the chance to play through a timeless masterpiece for the first time.
11 Sam & Max Hit The Road
Based on Steve Purcell's comic series, Sam & Max Hit the Road is another LucasArts game that stood the test of time. The game was first published in 1993 and rose in popularity with its cartoonish art style and funny characters.
- Originally released in 1993 and digitally distributed in 2014
- Designed by Steve Purcell, Sean Clark, Michael Stemmle, and Collette Michaud
- Available on Steam
If you haven't experienced the strange universe of Sam & Max then playing this game and living through the stories of these two freelance police officers as they try to discover the mystery of the missing bigfoot, can be a lot of fun. Nowadays, HappyGiant studios are keeping Sam & Max franchise alive with remasters and even a new VR game.
10 Loom
By the mid-90s, LucasArts had pretty much solved the formula for successful adventure games. Most of their point-and-click games released later in the decade felt very similar in their core design. But earlier releases, like Loom, had more innovative and unproven elements. That's why Loom is still a significant part of the genre's history.
- Originally released in 1990 and digitally distributed in 2009
- Designed by Brian Moriarty
- Available on Steam
In most point-and-click games, puzzles are solved by collecting random objects in your inventory and using them in the correct location. But Loom had a different approach to puzzles. Every puzzle in the game was solved using the unique distaff and its magical abilities. This meant the puzzles had more logical solutions and made the game easier to finish compared to other point-and-click games.
9 Full Throttle
Looking back at the best point-and-click games by LucasArts, most of them have one name in common; Tim Schafer. Full Throttle was one of the most memorable games from this designer, with a complex story and world design that many believe was years ahead of its time.
- Originally released in 1995 and remastered in 2017
- Designed by Tim Schafer
- Available on Steam and Playstation 4
Full Throttle still has a lot to offer to both new and old players of the genre. A unique dystopian future, well-written characters, engaging plot, and top-quality voice acting by stars such as Mark Hamil, make this game a work of art that can be enjoyed for many years.
8 Grim Fandango
Another LucasArts game designed by Tim Schafer, Grim Fandango, with its unique 3D art style and its surreal and amusing interpretation of the afterlife, managed to become one of the best video games of the late 90s.
- Originally released in 1998 and remastered in 2015
- Designed by Tim Schafer and Bret Mogilefsky
- Available on Steam, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android
With a recent remaster by Tim Schafer's studio, Double Fine Productions, Grim Fandango looks better than ever. Whether you want to replay an old classic, or you want to experience it for the first time, Grim Fandango won't let you down.
7 Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge
Whenever the subject is point-and-click adventure games from the 90s, LucasArts and Tim Schafer are gonna be mentioned a lot. But the highlight of this era and collaboration is the 1991 game, Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge.
- Originally released in 1991, Special Edition released in 2010
- Designed by Ron Gilbert, Dave Grossman, and Tim Schafer
- Available on Steam
The game follows the story of Guybrush Threepwood, the thrill-seeking pirate, after the events of the first game. Discovering the mysteries of the Monkey island throughout the series is the height of point-and-click games, and the second game is by far the best of them.
6 Myst
The indie game scene wasn't as common and as popular in the '90s as it is today. But while LucasArts mostly dominated the point-and-click genre, there was one indie game that rose above the competition and revolutionized the genre forever.
- Originally released in 1993 and a remake released in 2021
- Designed by Rand Miller, and Robyn Miller
- Available on Steam
Myst, developed by Cyan Inc is an adventure game filled with mysterious locations, breathtaking scenes, and innovative puzzles. The success of the original Myst paved the way for multiple sequels and other successful original titles such as Riven.
5 Day Of The Tentacle
The sequel to the 1987 Maniac Mansion, Day of the Tentacle is another memorable LucasArts point & click adventure. This was the first project co-designed by Tim Schafer and Dave Grossman who later became known for his part at Telltale Games.
- Originally released in 1993, and remastered in 2016
- Designed by Tim Schafer and Dave Grossman
- Available on Steam, Playstation 4, Xbox One, and iOS
The game follows the story of protagonists Bernard Bernoulli, Laverne, and Hoagie, as they are trying to stop the purple tentacle monsters created by the mad scientist, Dr. Fred Edison who plans on world domination. If you are a fan of LucasArts and Tim Schafer's creations, you should not miss the Day of the Tentacle.
4 Broken Sword: The Shadow Of The Templars
Broken Sword: The Shadow Of The Templars, developed by the British studio Revolution Software, popularized the Broken Sword series that spawned four sequels and early plans for a feature film that ultimately was canceled.
- Originally released in 1993, the director's cut was released in 2009
- Designed by Charles Cecil, Dave Cummins, and Jonathan Howard
- Available on Steam and iOS
The game follows the story of American tourist George Stobbart in Paris, as he witnesses an assassination and teams up with a photojournalist to investigate the matter. The investigation leads them to real and fictional locations across Europe and the Middle East as they uncover clues about the ancient Knight Templar organization.
3 Sanitarium
Sanitarium was one of the first games that successfully implemented the horror setting into the point & click genre. The game was developed by DreamForge Intertainment and released for Windows in the late 90s.
- Originally released in 1998, and ported to phone devices on 2015
- Designed by Michael Nicholson
- Available on Steam, iOS, and Android
The game was a critical success and even tied for the Computer Gaming World's 1998 "Best Adventure" award with Grim Fandango. The game tells an intriguing psychological horror story that follows the protagonist Max who finds himself in a mysterious asylum after a car accident.
2 Beneath A Steel Sky
Beneath a Steel Sky is another creation of Revolution Software and Charles Cecil in collaboration with the comic book artist Dave Gibbons. The game became a cult classic, and a sequel to the original title, Beyond a Steel Sky, was released in 2020.
- Originally released in 1994, and remastered in 2009
- Designed by Charles Cecil, Dave Gibbons, Tony Warriner, Dave Cummins, and Daniel Merchant
- Available on Steam and iOS
The game tells an engaging story surrounding the protagonist Robert Foster, and the political struggles and corruptions of the dystopian future. If you enjoyed Beyond the Steel Sky and haven't played the original game, it's a worthwhile experience.
1 The Longest Journey
The Longest Journey was an artistic point & click adventure developed by the Norwegian studio Funcom. The game follows the adventures of the 18-year-old art student April Ryan in the magical multi-dimensional world of Arcadia.
- Originally released in 1999
- Designed by Ragnar Tørnquist and Didrik Tollefsen
- Available on Steam
The game has an engaging and serious plot depicted in a beautiful and magical realist world. The Longest Journey offers a unique experience for the fans of point & click adventures.