Online games come in many forms and genres for players to experience. Therefore, it can be said that during that time, there was no shortage of games for people to play; what’s important is that many games have become legendary and are still praised today as icons. However, there are also some very noteworthy names that have now faded into obscurity, much to the regret of the 8x generation. So today, I want to share with you a few notable titles from the golden age of online gaming that today’s gamers are likely unaware of. Let’s take a look at this list.
SPEED TEAM
Alongside Crossfire, Speed Team was the second FPS game favored by the youth back then. The players of Speed Team were often those who loved uniqueness and did not want to follow the crowd, so they chose this game. Compared to Crossfire, Speed Team emphasized realism in both gameplay and character design. Personally, I think Speed Team embodied the quality of a premium game, despite its somewhat outdated graphics, you know what I mean. That’s just my personal opinion, but it’s certain that Speed Team was once a formidable opponent to Crossfire, yet nowadays, hardly anyone knows about this game that once dominated internet cafes.
GUNBOUND
If I’m not mistaken, Gunbound was the first coordinate shooting game on PC to be introduced in Vietnam. Playing Gunbound back in those days was incredibly addictive. While many games available at the time did not emphasize graphics, Gunbound made a significant investment in its design. The dazzling graphics and engaging gameplay made it thrilling, and the feeling of hitting your target was as satisfying as leveling up. However, at some point, the game faded into the past to make way for younger talents. A few years later, Gunny emerged, and while it was still very good, it could never replace Gunbound for me.
SILK ROAD
The first martial arts game on this list, and you can expect a few more to come, because during that time, martial arts games were definitely the most loved and influential genre. Silk Road, also known as Con Đường Tơ Lụa, was one of the first third-person martial arts games. With a skill system that required more precision and skill than conventional martial arts games, Silk Road quickly became popular among many gamers. Although it cannot be compared to legends like Võ Lâm or Kiếm Thế, it remains a game that evokes nostalgia for the 8x generation whenever mentioned.
MAPLE STORY
Maple Story is one of the classic online games, possessing all the essentials that gamers at that time needed, including grinding and item effects. Back then, simply creating a game with impressive item effects and engaging grind mechanics was already a success. Maple Story probably needs no introduction for the 8x and 9x generations, but for today’s youth, it may struggle to capture their attention due to its somewhat childish graphics and outdated gameplay. Nevertheless, people will remember Maple Story as a game that, while seemingly not great, was surprisingly enjoyable, making those school-skipping days more frequent.
HEAVENLY DRAGON EIGHT PARTS
Actually, I think it’s not entirely accurate to say that today’s youth don’t know about Heavenly Dragon Eight Parts, because this game can be considered on par with Kiếm Thế in its heyday, but Kiếm Thế has had much better updates later on, causing Heavenly Dragon to fade a bit. However, compared to the general popularity of martial arts games at that time, Heavenly Dragon Eight Parts is among the best games with detailed character classes, impressive skill effects, and a clear and engaging storyline. Later, new games with new mechanics were released. Although Heavenly Dragon has lost its position, it still has a loyal player base even today.
TS ONLINE
Although I haven’t played this game because it was popular during the 8x era, I’ve still heard that it is one of the pioneers of online gaming in Vietnam. This game features turn-based combat and has a strong pay-to-win aspect common at the time. However, it was notable because it provided the first experience of in-game purchases for many Vietnamese gamers. Despite facing social opposition, the game thrived until it “went out of style” and also sparked a trend of buying game cards that later became an indispensable part of gaming culture, especially for those who love grinding games.
GUNZ
While I was compiling this list, I almost forgot about this game because I couldn’t remember its name. GunZ may not be among the most popular during its peak, but in terms of gameplay and the freshness it brought to the online gaming world at the time, it certainly deserves recognition. GunZ introduced a gameplay pace never seen before in online games released in Vietnam, featuring fast-paced acrobatics combined with shooting, and had beautiful graphics. Generally, it was innovative. When playing in internet cafes, everyone would ask what game it was, and I’m still not clear why GunZ didn’t stand out in Vietnam, but it is definitely one of the best online games I’ve ever experienced.
CABAL ONLINE
If you know about MU, then Cabal is like a well-developed online version with a more robust system. MU is certainly still more appealing due to its grind mechanics and outstanding item effects, but Cabal Online was also very well-designed, featuring different gameplay and perspectives compared to MU while still maintaining a similar feel. Players of this era were often older gamers who had a better understanding of games. Since it also falls under the grinding category, Cabal was well-received for a time and gradually became popular; unfortunately, the flashy effects of Võ Lâm were more favored by players at that time.
SPACE FIGHTERS
Also known as Phi Đội, this was the first online airplane shooting game in Vietnam, bringing extremely fresh experiences and a new wind in the dominance of FPS and martial arts games. The game boasted superior graphics at the time, but gameplay was what prevented it from truly achieving legendary status in online gaming. The gameplay of Phi Đội was developed in a way that you could play if you could, but if not, then that was it, as it was fundamentally difficult to get accustomed to and master. However, once you mastered flying the planes in this game, you would have an experience that was both captivating and grand, unlike any other online game in the early 2000s.
WORMS ONLINE
Another game that seems unimpressive but is surprisingly fun, it belongs to the coordinate shooting genre like Gunbound but is less detailed. However, it has a very goofy look and is quite engaging to play. The amount of gameplay in Worms is also greater, and the variety in movement is an advantage. Of course, its graphics and effects cannot compare to Gunbound, and it certainly isn’t as famous. However, I feel that when Worms was released, it was already a very new and appealing game for gamers at that time, as there weren’t many other choices available.
These were the top online games from the past that today’s gamer generation may not know much about. Of course, there are still timeless legends that I haven’t been able to list in a single list. So, feel free to comment below with the game you love for us to check out!