EDIT: Thanks for all the replies, people. Make sure you check the links at the end of this post for games already mentioned, and if you want a new game or additional info added to those lists, make sure to state concrete reasons why, preferably in a bullet point format.

I couldn't find a recent topic like this. Which games do you think are worth mentioning, and why?

The term can be interpreted in a couple of different ways, and either is fine for this topic. For example, a game that was successful and set a new standard for a genre, or one that was unappreciated at the time but from which traces can be seen in much later games, whether there's a direct influence or not.

A WIP 80s western PCs (=no PC-88/98 or X68000) releases list that I've started making:
http://minirevver.weebly.com/pc-games-ahead-of-their-time-80s-western.html

A WIP 90s western PCs list:
minirevver.weebly.com/pc-games-ahead-of-their-time-90s.html

Terra Nova: Strike Force Centauri

I remember, when game was published. Many game critics praised the game. Unfortunately game wasn´t popular among the players and sold about 100 000 units.

I liked gameplay and story of game.

I still have original CD and manual for the game.

ET the Extra-Terrestrial on the Atari

Followed by ET the Extra-Testicle which came later (Free on the cover of Readers wives)

All the best

I would name Nomad Soul, Omikron.. Streaming this much content of a map, and that sense of "real lfie" was really fresh.

EDIT: Oh; and Shenmue!!

System Shock. Audio logs? Variety of weapons + different ammo for each weapon? The UI? Cyberspace? The cool gadgets? All of that in an fps back in 94? Hell, it even has a good story, something that no FPS had up until that point! Every fps I know from that era had either a nonexistent or decorative plot. I sincerely believe that people that played SS back then, saw a glimpse of the future.

From what I have read, Ultima 9. Apparently, its over-the-shoulder camera hadn't been done before, and even the system requirements were ahead of its time (which, of course, makes the game inaccessible to many players).

Of course, being ahead of its time doesn't actually make the game good, but then again, I haven't played it (the lack of a female Avatar option in Ultimas 8 and 9 is a dealbreaker for me).

No Man's S... screw it, I can't even finish the joke.

I'd say Populous in 1989. A revolutionary game that nobody quite understood on release, only to spawn a hugely popular genre of its own in the following years.

EDIT: Dammit, forgot about the "PC" part.

I have to admit that whole world blew my mind at the time, despite its countless flaws. I could, however, run it quite well.

I hate this game but I need to give credit where credit is due:

DESCENT

This is pure speculation but I'd say Shadow of Mordor because of the nemesis system, didn't much appreciate anything else in it but that feature is something I think will be picked up by games in future. Kinda goes into definition 1 I suppose.

1) Bradley Games' "CYBERMAGE". THE, definition, of a game that was ahead of its time.
2) Thief the Dark Project
3) Grand Theft Auto (the original!)

fuck you

Are you going to follow me around and do that to all of my posts?

only when needed LIKE NOW.
:)

OH! So you were telling me off for my opinion of the game!

Oh thank god! cool. :D

That's fine because I realize I'm part of the .000000000001 % that didn't like the original Descent.