Discover 7 underrated old PC games that were ahead of their time — cult classics you can still enjoy in 2025 on modern systems.
-Robin Bhuyan
Today, gamers and developers are obsessed with photorealistic graphics and big bloated open-world maps. But let us remember that sometimes the most exciting gaming experiences come from the past — games that didn’t need powerful GPUs and huge storage space on your systems, to blow your mind. Some of these old underrated PC games may not have got the attention they deserved at release, but in 2025, they still stand tall as some of the boldest, most creative, and most repayable old games still worth playing on your PC.
Here are 7 forgotten PC gems that weren’t just good — these are games way ahead of their time. (Sadly, some of these games are so old that they are not even available on Steam).
Red Faction (2001) – Destruction Before It Was Cool
In this sci-fi first-person shooter, you play as a disgruntled miner on Mars who sparks a full-blown rebellion against a corrupt mega-corporation exploiting the colony. Before Battlefield let you topple skyscrapers, it was Red Faction that introduced a fully destructible environment system that let you blast tunnels through solid rock or punch holes through walls to flank enemies. In 2001, this was nothing short of revolutionary.
While the gunplay feels a bit stiff by modern standards, the atmosphere, the Mars-set rebellion plot, and the environmental freedom make it one of the games that aged well, especially for fans of tactical shooters and old-school sci-fi. It’s a reminder that innovation doesn’t need ray tracing — just bold design.
Red Faction is available to buy on Steam
Project IGI 2: Covert Strike (2003) – The Thinking Man’s Shooter
In Project IGI 2, You’re David Jones, an ex-SAS agent working for the Institute of Geo-tactical Intelligence (IGI) on a covert mission to prevent stolen EMP tech from triggering an international war. For those who preferred brains along with their bullets, Project IGI 2 offered massive open-ended missions where sometimes a single mistake could blow your entire cover. You aren’t a super soldier — just an elite operative with limited ammo, and enemies who could actually shoot straight.
Stealth wasn’t optional — it was the heart of the game. In an age before sandbox stealth-FPS hybrids became mainstream, IGI 2 laid the groundwork for player-driven infiltration gameplay. Today, it’s one of those forgotten PC gems that once had a cult following, and deservedly so. If you like tension, planning, and challenge, this one still holds up.
Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix (2002)
As a mercenary for hire, you’re tasked with stopping a global bioterrorist threat that spans continents and conspiracies. As things get worse and worse, you are not even sure who to trust. This game isn’t your average military shooter. Soldier of Fortune II brought gritty realism to a level rarely seen at the time. What set it apart? The damage system, which let you shoot enemies with terrifying anatomical precision. It was graphic, yes — but it also gave the game a visceral, tactical edge that made each fight feel weighty and brutal.
Its detailed weapons, stealth missions, and varied global environments made it one of those old underrated PC games still worth playing, even if it flew under the radar of more mainstream military FPS titles. In 2025, it plays like a dark counterpoint to today’s overly sanitized shooters.
Jade Empire (2005) – The Forgotten Bioware Masterpiece
In Jade Empire, you play as a martial arts warrior in a search of his mentor. Meanwhile, you come across various unique individuals and uncover ancient secrets along the way and must eventually choose between restoring balance or seizing control. Before Mass Effect and Dragon Age became household names, Bioware had given us Jade Empire, a martial arts RPG set in a fantasy medieval version of ancient China. This game blended real-time combat, philosophical choices, and a beautifully written story that explored fate, balance, and moral ambiguity. The combat was a unique mix of styles, allowing you to switch between stances mid-fight — from drunken master to lightning-fast swordsman.
Despite its brilliance and massive replay value, Jade Empire probably never quite got the recognition it deserved, making it one of those forgotten PC gems. It is one of those old underrated PC games still worth playing in 2025. Its world is distinct, its storytelling is mature, and its gameplay still engaging — especially for anyone tired of Western RPG tropes.
Jade Empire is available to buy on Steam
Freedom Fighters (2003) – The Revolution Simulator We Forgot About
Imagine a third-person shooter where you lead a squad of rebels through an alternate history where the Soviet Union invades the USA. That’s Freedom Fighters — and it’s still brilliant and one of a kind. With a simple charisma-based squad command system, intense firefights, and a dynamic resistance narrative, it gave you the feeling of leading a real uprising. We can call it a revolution simulator with a strong narrative, but unfortunately, we never saw any such game again.
Its gritty depiction of urban warfare, memorable soundtrack, and clever mission structure make it one of those underrated old PC games that feel surprisingly modern even in 2025. Sadly, it never got a proper sequel — but it definitely will be remembered as one of the old PC games way ahead of their time.
Freedom Fighters is available on Steam
Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) – The Comic Game That Changed Everything
While the Arkham series became a household name, the first game — Batman: Arkham Asylum — was a gamble. A superhero game with Metroidvania structure? With stealth, detective mechanics, and no open world? In 2009, it was a bold pivot from generic movie tie-ins.
And yet, it worked — brilliantly. The tight level design, psychological themes, and balanced combat made it an instant classic. Trapped inside the infamous asylum, Batman must stop the Joker’s sinister plan while also surviving the chaos unleashed by Gotham’s worst criminals. In 2025, it’s one of the games that aged well, and some argue it is better than many superhero games released much later on. Despite not being a horror game, the game also gives you a creepy and mysterious vibe. If you’re looking for scary old underrated PC games still worth playing, this one’s a masterclass in atmosphere and pacing.
Batman Arkham Asylum is available on Steam
XIII (2003) – A Comic Book FPS That Was Too Cool for Its Time
You wake up as an amnesiac unaware of who you are. You soon realize that you are framed for the assassination of the US President William Sheridan. Now to clear your name you must unravel a deadly plot by a sinister organization attempting to overthrow the government. Few games have embraced style like XIII. With its cel-shaded comic book visuals, split-screen action panels, and over-the-top spy-thriller story better than many Hollywood action films, the game looks like a graphic novel just exploded into your monitor.
Despite its originality, XIII struggled commercially and became one of the most criminally old underrated PC games of its generation. It is one of those games way ahead of their time. Thankfully, the original version is still available on PC, along with the 2020 remake and it runs great. It remains one of those old PC games still worth playing — especially for fans of conspiracy thrillers and visual flair.
XIII is available on Steam
You can choose to play the XIII remake as well, because though the game was released with lots of bugs, the issues has been fixed through patches.
These Games Deserve a Second Life
Did you like our list of old underrated PC games? There are obviously many more old underrated PC games that were way ahead of their time. But you can consider playing these seven games because they didn’t really get the recognition they deserved, at least during the time of their release. These aren’t just forgotten PC gems — they’re blueprints, rebels, and pioneers.
