what should i buy next (old games)

[lord of the mark]

well I may get the new PC before I finish PST, esp given how long PST is taking.

But lets assume I finish PST first and want another old game (one that can run on P2-266, 48 Meg IE pre-2000)

Im RPGed out after BG1 and PST. Im ready to go back to strategy (broadly defined) after dabbling in other genres.

Possibilities
1. TBS - I own Civ, SMAC, and Imp. Im thinking an interstellar scifi 4X - probably MOO2 which seems to be something of a classic, and has the advantage of a forum here for discussions.
2. RTS - only have AOE. Im thinking Warcraft 2, another classic in the genre.

Both of above are widely available in bargain bins.

3. A wargame - I have SMG,SMA, CWG, and PG2. Im thinking TOAW.

[DrSpike]

MOO2 is a key step in your gaming development. For RTS I'd play through Starcraft, which has better SP campaigns than WC2. If you haven't tried it the original Combat Mission (or indeed the sequel) is a great TBS/RTS/wargame hybrid I'd be willing to bet you'd love.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by DrSpike
MOO2 is a key step in your gaming development. For RTS I'd play through Starcraft, which has better SP campaigns than WC2. If you haven't tried it the original Combat Mission (or indeed the sequel) is a great TBS/RTS/wargame hybrid I'd be willing to bet you'd love.

yeah, I think you may be right, MOO2 is the way to go.

Does SC capture all thats in WC? I guess with all the hype for WC3, WoW, id like to know a little better what everyones talking about.

Combat Mission may actually strain my PC specs . In any case after PG2 im not sure i want another WW2 tactical game, even though i understand CM was tremendously different.

[DrSpike]

I played CM ok on my P2-400 a few years back. It's very different from the turn-based PG style, so might be worth checking out.

As for RTS SC is a better game than WC2, but if its the WC universe you wanted to explore then you'd have to play that. It's a very fleshed out world if you are into fantasy stuff, which is a factor in why I think WoW is going to be truly massive in the MMORPG sphere........well that and the fact millions play Blizzard's games online because they are so good MP. That's a nice little fan base.

For you I'd think carefully about either game though, though I may misrepresent your preferences. You seem to like AOE2, but there is no historical content in Blizzard's games, and I'm not sure if you are a fantasy buff.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by DrSpike
I played CM ok on my P2-400 a few years back. It's very different from the turn-based PG style, so might be worth checking out.

As for RTS SC is a better game than WC2, but if its the WC universe you wanted to explore then you'd have to play that. It's a very fleshed out world if you are into fantasy stuff, which is a factor in why I think WoW is going to be truly massive in the MMORPG sphere........well that and the fact millions play Blizzard's games online because they are so good MP. That's a nice little fan base.

For you I'd think carefully about either game though, though I may misrepresent your preferences. You seem to like AOE2, but there is no historical content in Blizzard's games, and I'm not sure if you are a fantasy buff.

Check out my nick, dude

I like Tolkien. Ive played BG1 and PST. Im not wild about fantasy as a game setting, i think like in fiction (other than Tolkien) its a warrant for no particular authorial limits, which make it too easy to be incoherent - i prefer history and scifi, in that order - but I can live with fantasy in an otherwise good game. Even I can see that gameplay sometimes trumps setting. I wouldnt be interested in a fantasy RTS if it werent so central to the gaming world.

[Arnelos]

Of the games you've listed as one's you're considering:

Master of Orion II

As for less old games:

After that, I think Warcraft III is an excellent game, but some lame brains around here who have never played through its main campaign like to trash it.

Another good game would be Rise of Nations, which is suprisingly good (or at least I found it so).

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Arnelos
Of the games you've listed as one's you're considering:

Master of Orion II

As for less old games:

After that, I think Warcraft III is an excellent game, but some lame brains around here who have never played through its main campaign like to trash it.

Another good game would be Rise of Nations, which is suprisingly good (or at least I found it so).

I dont need recommendations for less old games. Once Ive got the new computer I wont eat or sleep till ive acquired EU2.

[Jamski]

MoO2 - its really an incredable game.

-Jam

[DrSpike]

So much so, that Jamski has lost the ability to spell.

Tbh LotM if setting doesn't bother you you should play SC as well. It's even more iconic than MOO2 in it's sphere. True it's revered primarily for its MP greatness (still 100,000s of players as well the odd TV channel in Korea years after release) but the SP campaign was a landmark also for the variety within the races in the game.

From the WC series wait till you get your new machine then check out WC3.

[vmxa1]

Many good ideas. Moo1 or Moo2. I have always liked Starcraft and Warcraft I or II were great. Yes I like III, but not as much.

Even some of the C&C offerings are fun.

One thing about Moo1 is only found on the web. Stars if you could find it.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by DrSpike
So much so, that Jamski has lost the ability to spell.

Tbh LotM if setting doesn't bother you you should play SC. It's even more iconic than MOO2 in it's sphere. True it's revered primarily for its MP greatness (still 100,000s of players as well the odd TV channel in Korea years after release) but the SP campaign was a landmark also for the variety within the races in the game.

From the WC series wait till you get your new machine then check out WC3.

New machine > EU2. The Sims (for POTM, but i'll check it out if only for the spam value here ). Civ3, now that its more or less complete. RoN, maybe. Victoria and/or CK. Combat Mission, I suppose. Simcity4, i think. One or more of the more recent Impressions City builders. So it will be a LONG time before I buy WC3.

[DrSpike]

Yeah, especially if you only play on Sundays.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by DrSpike
Yeah, especially if you only play on Sundays.

seriously, i usually only play a few hours a week.

Civ2 was really well over a year of gameplay for me, including the time i spent on scenarios - if EU2 is any less I'll be disappointed. Any game i really get into can easily hold me for several months. So I think we're talking about at least two years of gameplay from the history games and sim games i mentioned, plus some months for MOO2 and any old wargames I get. And I'll probably go back and get another RPG at some point.

[child of Thor]

Originally posted by lord of the mark

I dont need recommendations for less old games. Once Ive got the new computer I wont eat or sleep till ive acquired EU2.

i've just tried running it(EU2) on my pc(older than what you got) - so far so good, which was quite surprising - and i never had a problem on it with my pc's at work(PII 300's +).

And Moo2 is much fun, although i'd like to play Moo1 sometime

[Spaced Cowboy]

MoO2 and STARS!, the later can be found at the unmentionalble place.