What to play next?
John Carey
As an avid gamer without enough free time, I tend to build up a backlog of
games I would like to play. With thanksgiving weekend coming up, I figure I
might buy a game, so I'm looking for advice on what to pick up. Here's the
list of games I'm considering, roughly in the order they were released, with
my comments on why I'm interested in them (to give you some idea of my
gaming preferences).
The nominees are:
Grim Fandango
I'm not usually a big adventure gamer (I tend to become frustrated when
blocked), but I enjoyed Sanitarium, and the subject matter and style of GF
intrigued me. It also got sensational reviews.
Thief
One of the few demos I've played that actually made me want to buy the game.
Looked really cool, but I've heard that the game play style changes in some
later episodes with zombies.
Fallout 2
I played the original and thought it was great--the best RPG I've played
since the Ultima Underworld games--I thought Baldur's Gate was way
overrated. I held off originally because of the bugs, but I assume the
patch sorted that out?
Heroes of Might & Magic 3
I found HOMM2 more addictive than any other I've ever played. They ought to
put warning labels on it--this game will have deleterious effects on your
work, relationships and personal hygiene. Do I dare pick up the sequel?
System Shock 2
I've heard great things about this game, though I never played the original.
I'm not a big shooter fan--Half-life was terrific, but no other game in that
genre has really grabbed me since Doom. SS2 sounds like it will have great
atmosphere and storyline.
So there are my chief contenders. Suggestions?
Thanks,
John
DavidW
John Carey <maxe...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:80mnuo$pnu$1...@nntp5.atl.mindspring.net...
Patrick Andersson
DavidW wrote:
> Gabriel Knight 3!
>
> John Carey <maxe...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
> news:80mnuo$pnu$1...@nntp5.atl.mindspring.net...
> > Hi
> >
> > As an avid gamer without enough free time, I tend to build up a backlog of
> > games I would like to play. With thanksgiving weekend coming up, I figure
> I
> > might buy a game, so I'm looking for advice on what to pick up. Here's
> the
> > list of games I'm considering, roughly in the order they were released,
> with
> > my comments on why I'm interested in them (to give you some idea of my
> > gaming preferences).
> >
> > The nominees are:
> >
> > Thief
I enjoyed it for a while but some levels are sooooooo boring so you just wanna
give up after a while.. It's no Ultima Underworld exactly...
> > Fallout 2
Great game, better than the first one. A must!
> > Heroes of Might & Magic 3
It's exactly like HOMM2 except for a few additional features. Gets boring pretty
quick if you've played HOMM2 a lot.
> > System Shock 2
> >
> > I've heard great things about this game, though I never played the
> > original. I'm not a big shooter fan--Half-life was terrific, but no other
> game in
> > that genre has really grabbed me since Doom. SS2 sounds like it will have
> > great atmosphere and storyline.
I think the storyline was kinda weak, the levels are extremly boring(but how
good can it get? Your just running around on a spaceship...) and the gameplay is
extremly repeative; find keycard, find find door, kill monster, repeat. IMO, HL
is better because it has better level and monster design. If you want atmosphere
get Alien vs Predator, way scarier than SS2.. SS1 was kinda cool when it came
out though..
> > So there are my chief contenders. Suggestions?
FO2, no doubt.
ere...@my-deja.com
"John Carey" <maxe...@mindspring.com> wrote:
Fallout 2 is wonderful. I like the fallout series far better than BG,
and I really like BG... FO2's main problem on release was not the game,
but the bugs. However, the bugs have been patched.
If you liked HOMM2, you'll like HOMM3. More of the same great game.
I have system shock 2, haven't got into it yet. I seem to have a
problem with first person RPG's... I have a hard time taking them
seriously since I've been conditioned since Castle Wolfenstein 3D to
equate 1st person to equal action.
One game you should seriously consider putting on your list is Jagged
Alliance 2. Great blend of RPG and strategy!
> Hi
>
> As an avid gamer without enough free time, I tend to build up a
backlog of
> games I would like to play. With thanksgiving weekend coming up, I
figure I
> might buy a game, so I'm looking for advice on what to pick up.
Here's the
> list of games I'm considering, roughly in the order they were
released, with
> my comments on why I'm interested in them (to give you some idea of my
> gaming preferences).
>
> The nominees are:
>
> Grim Fandango
>
> I'm not usually a big adventure gamer (I tend to become frustrated
when
> blocked), but I enjoyed Sanitarium, and the subject matter and style
of GF
> intrigued me. It also got sensational reviews.
>
> Thief
>
> One of the few demos I've played that actually made me want to buy
the game.
> Looked really cool, but I've heard that the game play style changes
in some
> later episodes with zombies.
>
> Fallout 2
>
> I played the original and thought it was great--the best RPG I've
played
> since the Ultima Underworld games--I thought Baldur's Gate was way
> overrated. I held off originally because of the bugs, but I assume
the
> patch sorted that out?
>
> Heroes of Might & Magic 3
>
> I found HOMM2 more addictive than any other I've ever played. They
ought to
> put warning labels on it--this game will have deleterious effects on
your
> work, relationships and personal hygiene. Do I dare pick up the
sequel?
>
> System Shock 2
>
> I've heard great things about this game, though I never played the
original.
> I'm not a big shooter fan--Half-life was terrific, but no other game
in that
> genre has really grabbed me since Doom. SS2 sounds like it will have
great
> atmosphere and storyline.
>
> So there are my chief contenders. Suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>
>
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Alfred Pum
John Carey <maxe...@mindspring.com> schrieb in im Newsbeitrag:
80mnuo$pnu$1...@nntp5.atl.mindspring.net...
Christoph Nahr
<maxe...@mindspring.com> wrote:
Just commenting on those that I played...
>Thief
>
>One of the few demos I've played that actually made me want to buy the game.
>Looked really cool, but I've heard that the game play style changes in some
>later episodes with zombies.
Unfortunately this is true. But if you buy Thief Gold (available now)
you get three additional missions without zombies or monsters.
Zombies or not, the game is a must-have. Beware of the insanely high
difficulty level, though. Better grab a walkthrough to keep your
sanity (Gamespot has one, for instance).
>Heroes of Might & Magic 3
>
>I found HOMM2 more addictive than any other I've ever played. They ought to
>put warning labels on it--this game will have deleterious effects on your
>work, relationships and personal hygiene. Do I dare pick up the sequel?
Graphics (now rendered -- blech) and music are not *quite* as
attractive as in HoMM2 but otherwise it's full of small & big
improvements, and the best fantasy strategy game available. Make sure
you also grab the "Armageddon's Blade" add-on, it gives you a good
random-map generator and additional campaigns. Also visit my Manual
Addenda page (URL in my signature). :-)
>System Shock 2
>
>I've heard great things about this game, though I never played the original.
>I'm not a big shooter fan--Half-life was terrific, but no other game in that
>genre has really grabbed me since Doom. SS2 sounds like it will have great
>atmosphere and storyline.
It does. It's more role-playish than Half-Life, and not as
fast-paced. Read Desslock's review of the game (also on Gamespot) on
character creation, to prevent some needless frustration. (In a
nutshell, game difficulty varies strongly depending on which character
class you choose. Navy is easiest, Marine and OSI are tougher.) As
with Thief, the game can be quite challenging at times.
Althoug the game is very good I'd have to say that the other two I
commented on are in fact better. I'd say you should buy Thief first,
then relax a bit with HoMM3, then buy System Shock 2.
--
Chris Nahr (christo...@uumail.xxde, remove xx to reply by e-mail)
Please reply either on Usenet or by e-mail but not both!
Visit http://uuhome.de/christoph.nahr/ for Might & Magic information
and Star Chess, a strategy game with source code and AI documentation
Trent
> Fallout 2
>
> I played the original and thought it was great--the best RPG I've played
> since the Ultima Underworld games--I thought Baldur's Gate was way
> overrated. I held off originally because of the bugs, but I assume the
> patch sorted that out?
It's a very good game, but you may want to spend your valuable time with
something more original. FO2 is very similar to the first one. But FO2
is still light years ahead of Baldur's Gate, in my opinion. It just may
take you awhile to see how it differs from FO1.
>
> Heroes of Might & Magic 3
>
> I found HOMM2 more addictive than any other I've ever played. They ought to
> put warning labels on it--this game will have deleterious effects on your
> work, relationships and personal hygiene. Do I dare pick up the sequel?
Another good game. I played it for a week straight and really enjoyed
it. But I burnt myself out with it. I'll probably go back to it
sometime, though. It comes with a map editor and several campaigns.
There are also tons of user created maps on the net. So, you have lots
of replayability.
>
> System Shock 2
>
> I've heard great things about this game, though I never played the original.
> I'm not a big shooter fan--Half-life was terrific, but no other game in that
> genre has really grabbed me since Doom. SS2 sounds like it will have great
> atmosphere and storyline.
>
I haven't played this one either, but I think it's high time I did.
This is probably the game I'm going to spend my Thanksgiving vacation
with :)
> So there are my chief contenders. Suggestions?
>
Have you played Rollercoaster Tycoon? That's a really great little game
that was released earlier this year. The expansion pack was just
released. Worms:Armageddon is also a very addictive game. Both of
these titles have great demos which you should check out.
-----> Trent
Joe62
>Grim Fandango
>Thief
>System Shock 2
These are all great games. Though despite rumors ro the contrary, Grim
Fandango does suffer from the IPD (Illogical Puzzle Disease) that
plagues most adventure games.
Joe
"In a mad world, to think oneself to be free of madness is itself a form of madness."
Brian Robinson
> Grim Fandango
> Thief
>
These two might be your best choice but only because you said you
don't have a lot of time for gaming. I haven't played more than the demo
for GF, but that was quite impressive and I remember hearing the game is
quite excellent and not too long, so you might be able to finish it over a
long weekend.
Theif is also a great game, and its mission based structure will
allow you to play it in parts.
> Fallout 2
> Heroes of Might & Magic 3
>
These two are both great games but will eat up huge amounts of
your time.
> System Shock 2
>
Don't know much about this one...
Another suggestion would be to pick up one of Hasbro's email
games. They're pretty cheap, usually around $15 and with a $10 rebate in
some cases. They don't take long to play and are fun. The X-Com and
Nascar games are both pretty good. If you want to check out the idea,
you can download Upwords from the email games site; the full game is free
and will let you get an idea of how it works:
You can also get a taste of the games by signing up at this
website which has a player match up service. Its free, and you can sample
each game because the 2nd player does not need to own the game. Check it
out here:
http://pages.prodigy.net/n2netsurfn/pbem/
--
Brian Robinson
brob...@ist.ucf.edu
Institute for Simulation and Training
Quatoria, er, BrotherGrimm, er, Nevermind...
>On Sun, 14 Nov 1999 11:29:10 -0500, "John Carey"
><maxe...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>>Hi
>>
>>As an avid gamer without enough free time, I tend to build up a backlog of
>>games I would like to play. With thanksgiving weekend coming up, I figure I
>>might buy a game, so I'm looking for advice on what to pick up. Here's the
>>list of games I'm considering, roughly in the order they were released, with
>>my comments on why I'm interested in them (to give you some idea of my
>>gaming preferences).
>
>If you want to a game that you will start playing at the beginning of
>the weekend, and then suddenly look up and realize that it's 3am on
>Monday monring, pick up Pharaoh.
>
>I would also heartily endorse GK3, having had a chance to play it some
>over the last few months, while it was in development. All my
>weaseling aside, this one is going to bring adventure gaming back.
>
>I enjoyed Theif tremendously, but it's a slow-paced game, and if
>you're just learning how to play it, and are hoping to get through it
>all over the weekend, keep a walkthrough or some cheats handy. Getting
>through the whole story is quite worth it, though, IMNSHO. :)
>
>And, you've played JA2, right?
>
>Don't forget Pharaoh. :)
>
>- Weasel
>
>
>
>T R U S T T H E W E A S E L
>
>Marketing Weasel, Impressions Games
> (posting from home)
> http://www.impressionsgames.com
>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>Pharaoh - Now available, from the makers of Caesar III.
> http://www.pharaoh1.com
This is another example of why we like people like weasel, while
repeatedly flaming people like "DocDoom". Even when weasel isn't
strictly endorsing his game, just mentioning it as one he likes, he
makes it quite clear that he's an employee of Impressions, instead of
pulling the "I'm just your average John Doe Gamer who loves this
game!" crap.
Quatoria
--
In the pursuit of knowledge,
every day something is added.
In the practice of Tao,
every day something is dropped.
Less and less do you need to force things,
until finally you arrive at non-action.
When nothing is done,
nothing is left un-done.
-Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Michael Zier
On Sun, 14 Nov 1999 11:29:10 -0500, "John Carey"
<maxe...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>Hi
>
>As an avid gamer without enough free time, I tend to build up a backlog of
>games I would like to play. With thanksgiving weekend coming up, I figure I
>might buy a game, so I'm looking for advice on what to pick up. Here's the
>list of games I'm considering, roughly in the order they were released, with
>my comments on why I'm interested in them (to give you some idea of my
>gaming preferences).
>
>The nominees are:
>
>Grim Fandango
>
>I'm not usually a big adventure gamer (I tend to become frustrated when
>blocked), but I enjoyed Sanitarium, and the subject matter and style of GF
>intrigued me. It also got sensational reviews.
I'd vote GF, but mainly because I'm an adventure gamer at heart -- but
seriously, the reason you liked Sanitarium is the same reason you'll
like Grim -- the well written characters, the sense of humor...
Grim has nowhere near the amount of gore (in fact, there is no such
thing as blood in the game), so if that was one of the reasons you
liked Sanitarium, you may be disappointed -- these people are already
dead. :)
Michael
---
Michael Zier <mic...@gt-adventure.com> http://www.gt-adventure.com
Editor, Adventure Central -- it's where you go for adventure game stuff.
413.383.6200
914.206.3572 fax
KaiserZo
the ones you picked.........
> Grim Fandango
>
I loved this game because it was so off-beat, the music and graphics were
very immersive in a somewhat-surreal world, and there was a lot of humor.
BUT, the puzzles in some parts were rather weak.
> Thief
>
The first few levels of this game blew me away, but you'll get bored.
Guarenteed.
> Fallout 2
>
I too played the original, and liked it very much. Can't speak for FO2, but
I CAN speak for a game in the same vein that took me by surprise (I got it
because of all the attention I found it garnered in C.S.I.P.G.S) and that
game is JAGGED ALLIANCE 2. Great game, very addicting; giving what I
thought was a nice balance of loooonnnnggg game length and good
replayability. I never got bored of this one, and am playing it through
for the 3rd time. This one gets my vote, and you'll probably find it
cheap.....
> Heroes of Might & Magic 3
After awhile I got extremely bored with this one, and it went back after a
few days of a LOT of playing. Can't give my endorsement to this one.
> System Shock 2
This is a pretty good game, but not 'great'. There are better out there
waiting for you.
And if adventure is what you are jonesing for......Pick up GABRIEL KNIGHT 3
this wednesday (November 17th, when my local EB has it). This promises to
be the best of the bunch (for someone geared toward a 'GOOD' adventure
game).
Good Luck
KaiserZo
jamestr
>
> I've heard great things about this game, though I never played the original.
> I'm not a big shooter fan--Half-life was terrific, but no other game in that
> genre has really grabbed me since Doom. SS2 sounds like it will have great
> atmosphere and storyline.
good atmosphere and storyline. extensive use of in-game voices, which I
love. Good AI, these buggers will hunt you down. play as the guy with
psychic powers and the shooter aspect is reduced.
>
> So there are my chief contenders. Suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>
>
>
Ed Kloskowski
it combines so many things I liked about warlords, and HOMM - plus it thwos
in some nice city management and research to boot kind of like a CIV style
game ( I never played MOM)
ed
John Carey <maxe...@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:80mnuo$pnu$1...@nntp5.atl.mindspring.net...
> Hi
>
> As an avid gamer without enough free time, I tend to build up a backlog of
> games I would like to play. With thanksgiving weekend coming up, I figure
I
> might buy a game, so I'm looking for advice on what to pick up. Here's
the
> list of games I'm considering, roughly in the order they were released,
with
> my comments on why I'm interested in them (to give you some idea of my
> gaming preferences).
>
> The nominees are:
>
> Grim Fandango
>
> I'm not usually a big adventure gamer (I tend to become frustrated when
> blocked), but I enjoyed Sanitarium, and the subject matter and style of GF
> intrigued me. It also got sensational reviews.
>
> Thief
>
> One of the few demos I've played that actually made me want to buy the
game.
> Looked really cool, but I've heard that the game play style changes in
some
> later episodes with zombies.
>
> Fallout 2
>
> I played the original and thought it was great--the best RPG I've played
> since the Ultima Underworld games--I thought Baldur's Gate was way
> overrated. I held off originally because of the bugs, but I assume the
> patch sorted that out?
>
> Heroes of Might & Magic 3
>
> I found HOMM2 more addictive than any other I've ever played. They ought
to
> put warning labels on it--this game will have deleterious effects on your
> work, relationships and personal hygiene. Do I dare pick up the sequel?
>
> System Shock 2
>
> I've heard great things about this game, though I never played the
original.
> I'm not a big shooter fan--Half-life was terrific, but no other game in
that
> genre has really grabbed me since Doom. SS2 sounds like it will have grea
t
> atmosphere and storyline.
>
Sultan of America
L.J. Wischik
>Thief
>One of the few demos I've played that actually made me want to buy the game.
>Looked really cool, but I've heard that the game play style changes in some
>later episodes with zombies.
The (almost) universal consensus is that people didn't like the zombies at
first, but upon replaying and getting further into the game they realised
that zombies were essential and interesting and worth keeping. The game
play style does change, but it's a good change, and the story gets very
enthralling.
--
Lucian Wischik, Queens' College, Cambridge CB3 9ET. www.wischik.com/lu
Charybdis
> first, but upon replaying and getting further into the game they realised
> that zombies were essential and interesting and worth keeping. The game
> play style does change, but it's a good change, and the story gets very
> enthralling.
I disagree. I've completed Thief and I hated the zombies throughout. The
initial burglary missions were excellent, but once you got into "Infiltrate
ghost filled hellhole" missions the whole style began to suck. And the very
last level was awful!
- Richard
Bean
like relaxing go with a turn based such as HOMM (although my favorite now is
Jagged Alliance2). I found System Shock to be the new "king of immersion". If you
have a good system, turn the lights down low, fire up a fatty, and immerse
yourself in this spooky game. (fatties are optional).
Krynoid
>
Superior game. The tension and atmosphere is out of this world. Its kinda
hard though. The zombies can be somewhat annoying, but you get used to them
after a while. Actually, one of the most hated levels, Bonehoard, is my
favorite. You descend into a series of old tombs and caverns and the
leveldesign is amongst the best I've seen.
>Fallout 2
The first Fallout is much better, but its still an awesome game. Its
huuuuuuuuge. Hundred of quests to perform.... The patch solves quite a few
bugs, though I belive there are still a few left. (So they say. I've
finished it twice and havent had any problems but for one or two desktop
crashes......)
>System Shock 2
This is the one you should play!! The storyline and atmosphere are both out
of this world. I've finished it 4 times now......... :)
Just the voices makes the game worth playing.....
Krynoid
jamestr
says...
Shodan and delacroix are done by the same person, if you can belive it.
"I have a small treat for fans of Shodan. I bet you all wonder what the
actress who plays her looks like, eh? Well I have what you're looking for
then. Oh no, but it's not that easy. This is the type of thing that only
people who really want to see should be able to see! I have a zip file,
about 4 megs, with a small clip taken from the 'Behind the Scenes of
Thief 2' movie that came with Thief Gold. Terri Brosius, aka Shodan,
Viktoria, and Delacroix, is a level designer for Thief Gold and Thief 2,
and so she had an appearance in the video"
>
>
> Krynoid
>
>
>
Charybdis
Yes - I recognised the voice and checked the credits - but I do think that
she's a good actress!
- Richard
Torrey Peacock
maxe...@mindspring.com says...
> Heroes of Might & Magic 3
>
> I found HOMM2 more addictive than any other I've ever played. They ought to
> put warning labels on it--this game will have deleterious effects on your
> work, relationships and personal hygiene. Do I dare pick up the sequel?
If you were a fan of the earlier Heroes games, you simply must get HOMM3.
Its basically the same game, but with MORE of everything - more Heroes,
more creatures, more town types, more spells and artifacts. and much
larger maps to explore. Not everyone likes the new graphics, but I think
they are much improved. The campaign game has a more narrative
structure, brought over from the Might and Magic games, and role-playing
elements (quests) play a signifigant role.
The Armageddon's Blade expansion pack is worth picking up, too. You
won't get much sleep over the holidays, but you'll have alot of good
gaming. And did I mention multi-player? :)
Torrey
Werebat
fixes most bugs, although I personally played through the first time with
no patch at all and only suffered minor annoyances with the car). Easily
one of the best 3 CRPGs ever made, with Fallout and Star Control II also
on that list.
After that, Grim Fandango (which I am currently playing) is also an
excellent game, although some puzzle solutions are a little obscure and
may have you running to online help!
- Ron ^*^
--
邢 唷��
bottled water
personally go with Fallout 2. Then after you've finished that game and
still want more Fallout stuff then go With Jagged Alliance 2. That's what I
did :)
John Carey wrote in message <80mnuo$pnu$1...@nntp5.atl.mindspring.net>...
>Hi
>
>As an avid gamer without enough free time, I tend to build up a backlog of
>games I would like to play. With thanksgiving weekend coming up, I figure
I
>might buy a game, so I'm looking for advice on what to pick up. Here's the
>list of games I'm considering, roughly in the order they were released,
with
>my comments on why I'm interested in them (to give you some idea of my
>gaming preferences).
>
>The nominees are:
>
>Grim Fandango
>
>I'm not usually a big adventure gamer (I tend to become frustrated when
>blocked), but I enjoyed Sanitarium, and the subject matter and style of GF
>intrigued me. It also got sensational reviews.
>
>Thief
>
>One of the few demos I've played that actually made me want to buy the
game.
>Looked really cool, but I've heard that the game play style changes in some
>later episodes with zombies.
>
>Fallout 2
>
>I played the original and thought it was great--the best RPG I've played
>since the Ultima Underworld games--I thought Baldur's Gate was way
>overrated. I held off originally because of the bugs, but I assume the
>patch sorted that out?
>
>Heroes of Might & Magic 3
>
>I found HOMM2 more addictive than any other I've ever played. They ought
to
>put warning labels on it--this game will have deleterious effects on your
>work, relationships and personal hygiene. Do I dare pick up the sequel?
>