I feel the same way about Diablo. The sequel was an excellent game in its own right, but lacked that same entrancing quantity that the first game had. The first Diablo oozes style.

X-Wing was a fantastic game. I loved TIE Fighter also, but would be hesitant to put them on the same level. I tryed to get into later incarnations (including, but not limited to X-Wng vs. TIE Fighter), but they never got me hooked.

One game I would include, if I were to construct such a list (a task that I would find challenging) is Dune. That’s the 1991 Adventure game by Cryo, not the RTS games on the same license (Although I did enjoy Dune II and Emperor: Battle for Dune). This is one game that I have never gotten tired of. Every couple of years I’ll pick it up again and play it from start to finish and remain captivated all the way through. I have always felt that Dune was a masterpiece. Maybe its nostalgia, but despite its pixelated graphics and simpistic gameplay, I can still play it today and enjoy it as much as I did all those years ago. That’s rare.

I think PS:T actually became more interesting towards the end of the game, but there was a dull “leveling up cos there’s nothing else to do” part in there somewhere.. but I’m happy I got past that and finished it (3 times now!).

If it were me, I’d be adding Fallout.. I’d list Fallout as my favorite full RPG. I’d also have to add Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. I think I enjoyed Day of the Tentacle more, and Sam N Max, but Fate of Atlantis was the one that really grabbed me and started me chasing down the SCUMM graphical adventure games.

One last one, COMBOTS on the C64.. turn based robot warfare (a bit of a ripoff of battletech, but had some ideas of it’s own).. the number of mech games I’ve played since playing that one, and none of them really match it =)

I know there are a lot more games that influenced me in my gaming choices, and a lot more games that inspire me when I’m designing.. but they’re those ones that pop into your head when you’re brainstorming, and not the ones that spring to mind when you’re trying hard to remember heh.

And One can play it online at http://www.ifiction.org/games/index.php?cat=44