A time to buy games... your input!

[Rosacrux redux]

Hello lads and lasse

Due to extreme RL complications (actually, I got married last Xmas and that was a bitch, the time before and after as well, then I started looking to buy a home, changed job - twice - bought that home, moved, have had very, very limited free time and so on) I am practically inactive as a gamer for almost a year now.

The last game I bought off a store was RTW and after that I only got Mount&Blade and that was a download.

I am looking forward an Autumn with a bit more leisure time and so I think I am going to buy myself a couple of games.

Only problem is I have very, very little idea of what games are out right now and how good or bad they are. Don't buy any gaming magazines, don't visit any gaming sites, even here I don't come all too often.

So, I thought why not ask my mates at the .Org, they have proved quite helpfull over time.

Please, suggest some games I might consider purchasing.

To get an idea of what I am playing:

- In the past year I've only played RTW, Mount&Blade, and a little Vicky, Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis 2, Civ3.

- Figures that I am a strategy fan, but I also like Role playing games (my all time favorite is the Baldur's Gate series)

So, please suggest a strategy (no clickfest-RTS type) or RPG. If you can provide some data and/or a link, I would highly appreciate it.

Thank you!

[Dutch_guy]

Well since you've played Vicky, EU and CK, you should try Hearts of Iron 2.
A WWII strategy game, if you liked Vicky, CK, and CK you'll like HOI2 a lot.

[Sjakihata]

I guess the latest FPS is battlefield 2: http://www.eagames.com/official/batt...home.jsp?ncc=1

also, a free multiplayer only fps is america's army, it's old, but it's getting updated constantly (curtesy of the american taxpayers): www.americasarmy.com you can download it directly from here: http://aaotracker.4players.de/downloaddb.php?file=116

Half life 2 is also a good game, except the steam thingy. For me, however, it worked flawless, but I understand people had problems with it. http://www.sierra.com/product.do?gamePlatformId=470


Did you know that an expansion is coming for rome? Called Babarian Invasion.

[Efrem]

VTM: Bloodlines is a must buy, I'd link you, but it gets mentioned in like every second thread in the arena. You'll prob be able to get it in the bargain bin alread. [Damned] disgrace the way this game was treated by the gaming media, they killed a classic.

[econ21]

First off, if you haven't already done so, download Rome Total Realism v6.0. It is brilliant. It slows down the RTW combat to MTW levels, gets rid of fantasy units, adds a lot of new "realistic" units and strengthens some non-Roman factions. Personally, I think RTR is better than either vanilla STW or MTW. Beware, it will suck up a lot of your time - it's the only TW product where I want to persist through to the end game.

I'd second Effrem's comment about Vampires. The setting and glitzy FPS engine might distract you, but at heart it's an old school CRPG with lots of stats, vividly realised NPCs and interesting side-quests.

The other recent game I enjoyed was KOTOR2. It's got most of KOTOR1's virtues (although it is easier and rushed at the end), but adds some welcome darkness and muddies the waters between the black and white of Star Wars morality. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Mongoose]

Alpha centuri! it's civ with out all that "Pikemen>tanks" c**P.


It's very cheap. Bought it recently for less then a dollar

[Tricon]

Knights of Honor is a more than decent strategy game that sucked quite a bit of time from me.

As for RPG'.. I have to admit to finally playing Morrowind (hey, I was bored, and it was only 10 bucks). It's a blast. After the initial "getting used to phase" , which took me about an hour and a half.
Fairly low end specs, for todays standards, with great eye candy to boot.

[ToranagaSama]

Hello,

You didn't rule out FPS, so if that category is a consideration, I would suggest what is the most advanced game to date: Far Cry.

Here's a link to an excellent review by an excellent reviewer: Far Cry Review

The truly revolutionizing quality is that it is the first truly non-linear FPS. For example, unlike the Quake and Doom series which are extremely linear; as well as the Half Life series, which is though less linear than the former two, the game still *guides* you along.

Far Cry, on the other hand, is completely "Open". You are put onto a level and given a goal to achieve. *How* you go about achieving the goal is up to you. The game does not guid you in this.

OH! Did I mention that the levels are the largest of any game ever created, as yet. Including HL2.

The one caveate is that you'll need a fairly decent system with a gig of memory to get the most out of it. Even then prepare to become intimately involved with your hardware. There is no game on the market that will stress your system more. Not Doom3 nor HL2.

Also, if you have a 64 bit system, there is a 64 bit version of the game.

[Taurus]

Hello,

You didn't rule out FPS, so if that category is a consideration, I would suggest what is the most advanced game to date: Far Cry.

Here's a link to an excellent review by an excellent reviewer: Far Cry Review

The truly revolutionizing quality is that it is the first truly non-linear FPS. For example, unlike the Quake and Doom series which are extremely linear; as well as the Half Life series, which is though less linear than the former two, the game still *guides* you along.

Far Cry, on the other hand, is completely "Open". You are put onto a level and given a goal to achieve. *How* you go about achieving the goal is up to you. The game does not guid you in this.

OH! Did I mention that the levels are the largest of any game ever created, as yet. Including HL2.

The one caveate is that you'll need a fairly decent system with a gig of memory to get the most out of it. Even then prepare to become intimately involved with your hardware. There is no game on the market that will stress your system more. Not Doom3 nor HL2.

Also, if you have a 64 bit system, there is a 64 bit version of the game.

I was also going to suggest this as FarCry is my favourite FPS ever. 98% imo and a few suprises in the later levels.


@ ToranagaSama, do you play multiplayer?

[Bartix]

First off, if you haven't already done so, download Rome Total Realism v6.0. It is brilliant. It slows down the RTW combat to MTW levels, gets rid of fantasy units, adds a lot of new "realistic" units and strengthens some non-Roman factions. Personally, I think RTR is better than either vanilla STW or MTW. Beware, it will suck up a lot of your time - it's the only TW product where I want to persist through to the end game.

Agreeing!
But must also have Draknar mod collection, to fix bugs, and general "augmentation" of experience!!
Surprising much fun!!
(But no playing Bartix or whatever called!! They have boring armies and sucky land.)

To take up too much time also Morrowind with both expanding packs is very cheap now. I spend too much time, and then got stuck because of bug, and patch would ruin save game

[phred]

Civil War: Bull Run is an great strategy game at a bargain price.

here's the website.
http://www.madminutegames.com/

[Geoffrey S]

Alpha centuri! it's civ with out all that "Pikemen>tanks" c**P.

It's very cheap. Bought it recently for less then a dollar

Seconded. One of my favourite games of all time, as good as turn-based strategy gets. Very involving.

A couple of other recommended favourites that seem to fit into your style: Knights of the Old Republic 1 & 2: some of the best RPGs to turn up recently. Great stories, interesting characters, and all-round enjoyable games. Part 2 is a bit rushed towards the end, but the rest is on par with it's prequel and frequently slightly better.
Outcast: it's getting on a bit, but this is my favourite adventure game this side of consoles. It's big, deep, and thoroughly engrossing. And it's got a real nice visual style despite dated graphics.
Half Life 2: loved every minute of it. Very well paced, but beware of Steam; I never had any trouble (and find it an excellent system in fact), but there seem to be plenty of users who did.
Prince of Persia Sands of Time or Prince of Persia Warrior Within: great games with fantastic style. Personally I prefer the second game as it's somewhat more polished, but quite a few players were turned off by the more violent and darker atmosphere. Played both on the GameCube, so the PC games may differ.

And I just have to add Psychonauts to the list. I haven't actually played the full game, only the demo, but there were more original ideas packed into this demo than in many a full game. Extremely funny and fun to play, I'll be ordering this when I get the chance.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Freedom Fighters is AWESOME! A bit short, but GREAT while it lasts. UNBELIEVABLE, great graphics, storyline, fun missons, and the list goes on.

[BDC]

World of Warcraft. It will eat your life.

[LeftEyeNine]

Yes, Freedom Fighters was an unexpected impact in the industry. However it's gettin old, isn't it ? I remember an expansion or a sequel was released, I am not sure though.

Rosacrux, great news here. That's a recent one. Civ 4 has been scheduled for an earlier time - in 2005 rather than it was told to be in 2006. I am a Civ-philiac. I am getting quite eager to get it.

The Fall, a Mad Max-like RPG is on the way, beta yet. I am a true Fallout fan. And until Bethesda releases next Fallout, The Fall may be a good choice of post-apocalyptic theme based RPG.

However if you prefer classical RPG style. Dungeon Siege 2 has just been released. But I doubt if a die hard Baldur's Gate fan may like a hack'n slash style RPG. If you can get along with hack'n slash RPG, I strongly recommend my favorite , Sacred and its expansion Sacred Underworld as well.

As other friends said, if you like CK, Vicky and Europa Universalis, you must be a fan of Paradox Games. So I think, as well, that you should try WW2 based Hearts Of Iron 2.

For a dizzy-speed-vent off-no-stress game; I heard high recommendations for the recent XBox ported arcade racing game Powerdrome.

If you are interested in adventure style somehow, Runaway 2 is scheduled for a very soon release. Keep an eye over that comic-style rendered nueron-exhauster pack of fun.

Psychonauts is a platform game that is rated very well although I did not have to chance to try it.

Charisma-blended Prince Of Persia is coming with his 3rd adventure POP : Kindred Blades. I always favor the action and the story of the hero created by a true video games legend man - Jordan Mechner. Ubisoft has done a good job revitalizing the prince.

Football Manager 06 (my beloved one), PES5 (king of soccer simulaitons) and FIFA 2006 (this time they seriously plan to compete Konami's PES5) are soccer games you may give a try.

And my last recommendation is Warhammer 40K's expansion Winter Assault, its production is over and waiting to be copied and distributed. The game has full elements of RPG and RTS. I highly suggest you playing it. (You need Warhammer 40K : Dawn Of War first)

[GoreBag]

I thought Freedom Fighters was mediocre...

Lately, I've been playing Dungeon Keeper 2, some multiplayer Baldur's Gate 2 and I recently bought Killer 7. I'd be able to let you all in on more of it if my memory cards hadn't been taken...

[Steppe Merc]

I suggest waiting and getting Oblivion. That's what I'm doing... haven't gotten a PC game since RTW.

(But no playing Bartix or whatever called!! They have boring armies and sucky land.)

It's Baktria. Bartix is an incrediblly confusing mispronsiation of it by Abosakee.

[Geoffrey S]

I just played the Fahrenheit demo, and wow! If the rest of the game is as good it's a must buy as far as I'm concerned.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Yes, Freedom Fighters was an unexpected impact in the industry. However it's gettin old, isn't it ? I remember an expansion or a sequel was released, I am not sure though.

Not yet. I'm hoping for one soon though. Maybe the Chinese or Cubans invade Canada, that would be hilarious. Or invade Britain, Germany, or FRANCE! lol

[doc_bean]

I just played the Fahrenheit demo, and wow! If the rest of the game is as good it's a must buy as far as I'm concerned.

The atmosphere in the demo was great. I don't know about the gameplay, the use of the mouse to perform functions is original but somewhat limited imho and there really was only one way to finish the demo (get to the cab), whatever you do beforehand.

[Boohugh]

World of Warcraft. It will eat your life.

Totally agree. I've lost far too much of my life to this game, but its so good i don't care . I've made lots of friends around Europe playing this game and it has become a real part of my social life now.

[Geoffrey S]

The atmosphere in the demo was great. I don't know about the gameplay, the use of the mouse to perform functions is original but somewhat limited imho and there really was only one way to finish the demo (get to the cab), whatever you do beforehand.

You can also go by metro. Apparently in the full game choosing going by cab means the detectives later on have an easier time finding the murderer, so it most certainly does make a difference.

[Zalmoxis]

Since I don't wanna start a new topic, does anyone know any good PS2 games that have come out recently or will be coming out soon?

[LeftEyeNine]

Go with "God Of War". Although, I'm not a PS2 owner, its review and recommendations were really favorable.. I guess it was a July release..

[dessa14]

if you want a good rpg, go out and buy the game of the year pack for morrowwind, one of the best rpgs around...

[Zalmoxis]

There's a supposedly fixed version called Subsistence or something coming out, could I just get that?

[The_Mark]

OH! Did I mention that the levels are the largest of any game ever created, as yet. Including HL2.

Largest ever? Even compared to Operation Flashpoint? I haven't played FC, but how large would that island be, in square km, as a standard OFP isle is around 100 square km.

If you're into realistic games and you'd like try a FPS, OFP is a must. It's the most realistic military squad-combat FPS ever made (Well, except for the Virtual Battlefield System, or VBS. Bohemia Interactive decided to make some serious buck out of their OFP and turned it into a military training simulator). Even if the graphics are ugly on modern standards, it's still one of the most immersive games I've ever seen. There's nothing like the sound of a Russian T-80 rolling besides you when hiding in a bush, and you know that the tank is looking for you

[Rosacrux redux]

Wow, great input lads. Thanks for all the suggestions (even those suggesting FPSs which I frankly hate and never play) I'll try out some of those and see what I'll like. In the meanwhile, Civ4 and HOMM5 are coming out before Xmas so maybe I'll just wait for a while...