I'm not one of those who consider computer games only as the commercial products that you spend your money and time on. On the contrary, with the graphic models, music/audio, design, artificial intelligence, interactivity etc. and the computational mastery that blends these components all together, I believe that every computer game is a work of art -- with good and bad examples. Thanks to the nice memories they evoke in me, some of those products have a very special place in my heart. Here you can take a look at the computer game CDs, DVDs and Floppy Disks that make up my collection.
By the way, I want to mention as a footnote that I collect the European versions by default, since that's most of the time the only option to get a game in English (which is mandatory for my collection) plus several other languages in the same CD officially. Another note I want to mention is that I don't like "Limited Edition", "Collector's Edition" or any kind of "Edition" at all. I find the business logic of selling the same product over and over again with only minor additions quite lame, hence only the initial releases take place in my collection. The versions such as "Remake", "Remaster" etc. that come with technical upgrades are exceptions.
CDs are sorted as Main Series, Spin-offs, Remakes, Add-ons, Test Versions, Soundtrack Albums, Visual Albums.
Age of Empires is always at the top for me, not only in alphabetical order but also in terms of its value. I love every single title in this page differently, but Age of Empires, along with its spin-off, Age of Mythology, has always been more special. I met AoE the first time in a promotional CD as a Trial Version, and then got its original full-version, and that's how I started collecting CDs. The combination of history and real-time strategy has never been so entertaining. Thank you for such a masterpiece you brought to our lives, Ensemble Studios.
Age of EmpiresWith its anarchistic dystopian world and creepy atmosphere, BioShock deeply impressed me the moment I saw it. As a spiritual prequel, System Shock was also an awesome game back then. Although the System Shock series was discontinued many years ago, I love how this universe is brought to live again with the BioShock series.
BioShockWe all Blood fans suffer from the same affliction: Never being satisfied with the amount of bloody scenes anywhere anymore... Kidding aside, I really don't know if there's any other game that combines blood and violence better than this one. No need to mention about its impressive graphics for its time, brilliant soundtrack and awesome scenario. Blood 2: The Chosen is my favourite.
BloodNice sense of humor, non-stop action, endless ways of violence, and extremely enjoyable multiplayer mode. Even though the initial game that released in 2011 still doesn't look outdated -thanks to the Unreal Engine-, developers made a remaster in 2017. If you haven't already, you must try it and convince your buddy to join you in the multiplayer mode.
BulletstormI believe that Commandos is the best game ever that does justice to the tactical strategy genre. Especially the first games of the series were quite challenging ones that push your stealth, tactics, timing, foresight, calculation etc. skills to the fullest. Although most of the fans hate Commandos: Strike Force, what I actually don't like about it is that it's the last Commandos game. Alas...
Commandos: Behind Enemy LinesCompany of Heroes is for the World War II theme what Age of Empires is for the Ancient/Medieval real-time strategy category. Especially the first game is literally flawless. I really loved the second one as well -- before I saw that they sell tank skins and stuff in the store...
Company of Heroes (CD Version) (Disc 1)Darksiders has been my savior when I was desperately looking for a good hack and slash game on PC around 2010s. Was it as successful on PC as God of War was on Playstation? Definitely no, but in many aspects it met my expectations from a hack and slash game, and managed to lure me into its unique world since the beginning. No, I don't want to hear about its alternatives on PC. I'm quite happy with Darksiders!
Darksiders (Disc 1)There's not much to say about Diablo. You may rarely come across a gamer who doesn't like this game, but you may not find another game that makes a gamer so much addicted. Whether you like the newer ones or not, the fact is that the Diablo series is a legend... Diablo 2? Well, it's beyond words.
DiabloAs being one and only sports game here, FIFA really has an important position in my collection. I have extremely precious memories with FIFA 99, FIFA 2000 and also FIFA 07... However, with apology to the hardcore fans, I want to say that I hate the fact that FIFA comes up as a "new game" every single year with minor additions. I'm looking forward to the day when either this commercial choice will change its shape, or the FIFA series will finally retire in peace with good memories.
FIFA International Soccer (FD Version) (Disc 1)It's hard to believe that Freedom Fighters has received neither a sequel nor a remaster. It might be a forgotten game, but I will always remember how much I enjoyed it. Leading a resistance and rising through the ranks sounded so cool in a third-person game at the time. It's soundtrack was also amazing.
Freedom FightersCan a video game series surprise you with its greatness even more with each new sequel? GTA does it all the time. I really cannot decide which one of the series I love the most. Each and every one of them gave me a very enjoyable time with its story line, open world, gameplay, musics and all the rest. Btw, I don't wanna trigger anyone, but I've never had any difficulty to pass RC helicopter mission in Vice City, haha.
Grand Theft AutoWhenever I think of a description to introduce Grim Fandango to other people, ART is always the first word that comes to mind. Grim Fandango is an absolute masterpiece with its world, storyline, graphics, musics, dialogues, humor... simply everything. If you wonder about the cultural background of a proud gamer, simply ask their opinion about this game. This is a method that never fails.
Grim Fandango (Disc 1)That long train ride at the beginning was one of our important childhood tests. Anyone who has managed to complete it with patience is likely to be a Half-Life fan now. It's really difficult to imagine what the FPS genre would be like today without what Half-Life and its spin-offs have contributed to it. I love each and every one of them differently. Btw, I need to mention the fact that in the category of games where everyone is proud to be the best in its multiplayer mode, Half-Life stands out for me.
Half-LifeI believe most of computer-using kids of 1990s remember Jazz Jackrabbit. I have always considered myself lucky to be one of those who know how priceless it was to play Jazz Jackrabbit on split-screen with childhood friends. I'm simply glad they didn't make an official remaster or a modern sequel for this one. Some games are much more valuable when they remain in the past, and Jazz Jackrabbit is definitely one of them.
Jazz Jackrabbit (FD Version)I've never been someone who enjoys the space concept in computer games. The space itself and the infinity behind it excites me a lot, but in computer games I never was able to get along well with this genre -- until Mass Effect. The story, locations, characters, musics, and voice acting are all awesome. I wish Andromeda was also as successful as the previous ones, but in any case, it will not change the fact that Mass Effect is really a great franchise.
Mass Effect (Disc 1)Putting yourself in the shoes of a man who has nothing to lose, dispensing your own justice from one pattern to another in the world of crime, having the taste of vengeance to the fullest. That is a good enough expression for this game. If you remember the opening scene that marked the beginning of the end for Max Payne, no further explanation is needed. I love the story, I love the tension, I love bullet time!
Max PayneAlthough Mortal Kombat is often remembered with its extreme violence, it's much more than that. For me, Mortal Kombat is actually the most satisfying form of martial arts in computer games with its own style, rules, lore and of course, fatalities. I played first 3 games in order, and loved them. Then MK4 released, and I became a fan. And when MK9 came out for PC after a long delay, I simply fall in love with it... Newer ones also seem great, but to be honest, I'm still questioning the logic behind having an elder god killed by a teen in MKX (!)
Mortal Kombat (FD Version) (Disc 1)Here's a game that almost no one knows, no one cares about, and that probably no one is a fan of -- but me. I simply love this game. Despite its unpopularity, bugs, and better alternatives out there, MTV Skateboarding will always remain very special for me. Just so.
MTV SkateboardingMyst represents the first-person point-and-click adventure puzzle genre in my collection. I played Myst the first time when I was a child, and to be honest, I didn't like it at all. In order to realize that it's more than some kind of an interactive picture gallery, and understand the unique story and deep puzzle mechanics behind it, I needed to grow up a little. With its impressive graphics, scenario, puzzles and musics, Myst will always be remembered as an adventure classic.
MystWhen I met Need for Speed franchise the first time, NFS2 had just been released. When I look at where NFS is now, the difference is really admirable. I've never been a person who's into motorsports, but racing your way with the most impressive cars that you can't see in everyday life excites me all the same. That's what NFS does so well since the first game: Giving you the feeling of a real racing atmosphere! There are many failure NFS games as well in the series. For example, if I compare the fun I got from NFS2 or NFS3, all the rest are actually huge failures to me. Nevertheless, I love the big picture I see when I look at this franchise. I love NFS!
The Need for SpeedNeverwinter Nights is one of the best adaptations of D&D ruleset in computer games. Ever since it first came out, NWN has always given me the impression of a huge fairy tale with its mystic atmosphere. I can't forget how it blew my mind when I played it the first time. I like its long and satisfactory campaign, solid character development, 3D textures, artworks and soundtrack. Although the sequel is not as polished as the first one for many gamers, I can say almost the same things for it too.
Neverwinter Nights (Disc 1)I believe, Painkiller is a bit misunderstood game. It is not an FPS to play for its story, characters, plot etc. -- because that's not the concept in this game, really. When I look at Painkiller, I see a stress reliever shooter with highly satisfying weapons, enemies dying to die at your hands, impressive gothic graphics and great headbanging musics. The fact that it meets my "empty the mind" need is enough for me to love Painkiller.
Painkiller (Disc 1)Prince of Persia is one of the most valuable games in my collection, as well as the oldest. I met this franchise the first time with PoP2, which I found by chance on my neighbor's computer as a little child, far before I had my own PC. There is not much to say to describe this PC game classic. I love every single title in the series individually, without exception.
Prince of Persia (FD Version) (5.25) (Disc 1)Project IGI is unfortunately an abandoned PC game since 2003. It is a great tactical FPS for its time that combines both of action and stealth elements. I didn't play the second game so much, but I simply love the first one. It was an awesome taste to make your own way from one objective to the other one with your own tactics in an endless terrain. This was the game that made me realize how much I actually enjoy the tactical stealth genre.
Project IGI: I'm Going InThere are a couple of major FPS games that has defined this genre in the gaming history forever, and Quake is one of the most important ones. Quake is a cult, and I believe all the games in this franchise are masterpieces. Quake has also the honour of being the first game I've ever played on PC.
QuakeFrankly, horror is not a genre that excites me very much in computer games. For some reasons, whenever I think of this kind, most of the time the dark environmental design, creepy sounds, and jumpscare moments come to my mind. There are very limited games that could expand this formula professionally, and only a few of them have proven themselves with long-term success. At this point, the game that stands out for my collection is Resident Evil. With its good and bad examples, RE has been one of the best games that have dominated the survival horror genre for decades.
Resident EvilAs a stealth fan, I enjoy most of the popular tactical stealth games released on PC, but Splinter Cell is definitely my number one. Sam Fisher is an iconic field-agent who gives so much fun to play as a protagonist. His story, character, operations, and mission completion methods are all amazing since the first game till the last. I only don't like Double Agent, but must admit that even that one had memorable parts.
Splinter Cell (Disc 1)I can't describe The Elder Scrolls series with only a couple of sentences. I only can say that I've never played a game with so much detail and such a big world. If you want to shut yourself off for a while and go out to explore a completely different world, I would say that The Elder Scrolls is the best video game experience ever.
The Elder Scrolls: Arena (FD Version) (Disc 1)The Neverhood is a stop-motion classic. It has a different place in the gaming industry that no other game has come close to since 1996. With its original world, cute graphics, mind blowing puzzles, and amusing soundtrack, The Neverhood is a unique adventure that the kids in '90s can't easily forget. It may not feel like the first one, but Armikrog, the spiritual successor made in 2015, was also very beautiful game. Both of their CDs are extremely rare today, and we must admit as the gamers that the guilt is ours why they don't make these kind of games more often.
The NeverhoodPlanescape: Torment might be the best RPG ever made! It feels like an interactive novel with one of the deepest stories and excellent storytelling. Characters, history, game mechanics... Everything is perfectly balanced. It is impossible not to like Torment series for one who enjoys dialogue-based role-playing games.
Planescape: Torment (CD Version) (Disc 1)Here stands Worms, a turn-based strategy classic, most of our favourite childhood games, and the epilogue of my PC Game CD collection. When you put an original concept, sweet graphics, great sense of humor, cutthroat competition, and an ingenious map generation algorithm all together; you get Worms. I started playing this game with the second generation that consists of W2, Armageddon, and World Party, which are still the first games come to mind when one says Worms. And then 3D generation has come with rather less successful games, and then back to the side view format again now. Seeing Worms in different styles is cool, as long as the basics what make up Worms are not forgotten.
Worms (FD Version) (Disc 1)