I love horror games, and Waxwork really nails the "horror adventure" theme. However, this game will seem very unforgiving to most modern players. A lot of trial and error is needed, and navigating very samey-environments is the order of the day. If you are not the type that likes drawing maps on paper, you may want to skip this.
Bloodlines is an RPG that is actually much more fun to play these days than on release, and that is mostly due to the rabid fanbase and their incredible efforts at fixing the game while assuring its playability on modern computers. The GOG version of this game uses Wesp's basic patch, the full version of which looks to be finally completed after more than a decade of work. At it's core, the game is a well-written and voiced companion to the tabletop RPG, and is thoroughly accessible even to beginners. As long as you don't neglect to put a few points into combat here and there, your experience with this game is likely to be a good one.
This game has amassed quite a reputation, and I must say that it is entirely deserved. The game's subject matter is too small and insignificant-seeming compared to the lofty heights that AAA RPG's usually struggle to attain. There is much more of a focus on simply making friends, for example, than killing God. What really sells it is the writing, which is spot on. Doesn't hurt that the music is also incredible. Can't be beat for the price.
Thief 3 is not a bad game by any means, unfortunately it struggles to run on modern PCs. However, with the right mods (I use the sneaky upgrade) it is perfectly playable. The game was made by many of the same staff as the previous games, and retains much of the same feel, with a notable graphical overhaul. Thief 3 is notable for having more of an open-world feel and less of a level-based structure. This is fine, however, the levels themselves vary wildly in terms of quality. There is also an alignment system, which is better in theory than in practice. These are quibbles mostly; taken as a whole, Thief Deadly Shadows is likely still one of the better stealth games out there.
Thief is a classic stealth game which was much improved upon by its sequel. In particular, there are certain levels in this game which actually do emphasize combat, which is incredibly unforgiving. However, the original Thief does benefit from a more grounded story than its sequels, which struggled to add lore to what was a somewhat thin premise. If you love Thief 2 and need more, you should have plenty of fun with this one as well.
Simply put, if you want to play a stealth game that actually prioritizes the stealth aspect in gameplay, this is the game that you should be playing. Tenchu and MGS are better action games, but Thief 2 has never been topped as a pure-stealth experience. Do try and not rely overmuch on quicksaving for a better experience, but expect a challenge regardless. Also, as the story isn't really of particular importance, playing the original Thief first is not strictly necessary.
I love unique games, and Ice-pick's other game, Pathalogic, is a favorite of mine. However, I simply cannot play this game, because the "drawing" does not work reliably. I had the same problem in Arx Fatalis, so your own mileage may vary.
There was such a glut of adventure games on DOS and early windows back in the day; if you are anything like me, you occasionally want something a bit different. The visual style of the game sets it apart immediately. I love rotoscoped animation, and I find this game a joy to look at. I also appreciate the in-depth and rich world. Even though the whole game takes place on one train, the sheer amount of stuff to do and see is very impressive. The same cannot be said for the gameplay. Adventure games are at their worst when the player has no idea what they're supposed to be doing from moment to moment. The Last Express compounds this issue by placing a hard time limit to every correct action. Fail, and you may die right away, if you're lucky. Otherwise be prepared to experience the dreaded "dead man walking" situation, where your failure in the game is inevitable hours from now, only you won't realize it before it's too late. Even with a walk-through, some of the puzzles are simply too obtuse to solve as quickly as the game wants you to. Unfortunately, this game is probably best experienced by watching a playthrough from an experienced player, rather than actually playing it.
Syndicate was a game I always wanted to play, but man, what a letdown. I love the world and the concept that this game takes place in, but simply put, the moment-to-moment gameplay just isn't much fun. I can only recommend it to people for whom the game is a source of nostalgia.
I love classic horror games, but you have to admit the genre has so much more potential nowadays. It is no longer necessary to purposely handicap the player in order to create a "scary" situation, nor is it as necessary to sacrifice gameplay for the sake of performance on an early 3D console. That is why it is so disheartening to see many modern horror games rely mostly on jumpscares and graphical trickery at the expense of everything else. You also tend to see the same sort of plots over and over; if anything, horror game designers seem to view plot and characterization as a hindrance to horror, and tend to dispense with them whenever possible. That is why a game like SOMA is so refreshing. Simply put, it has the best story and writing of any horror game, superior even to vaunted classics like Silent Hill 2. Like that game, SOMA understands the concept of subtlety, and rather than over the top scares, what you have instead is the ever-present feeling of dread. This makes the eventual payoff even more effective than just throwing spooky stuff at the screen constantly. Technically, the game is also an improvement over its predecessors in the genre. Camera and player control is mostly seamless and doesn't hinder the fun, and the level exploration is satisfying. Puzzles don't get too crazy, but more than get the job done. Despite the fact that its a linear adventure with nothing in the way of "extras," I've replayed it simply because the core game is so satisfying. I cannot recommend this game highly enough.
