The games of 2005

[DarkCloud]

) I don't like free-form RPGs either. Here's a plan, play others. KotOR and NWN are games I've enjoyed. You say NWN looks bad, though it wasn't terrible for when it came out (ok the expansions look a bit dated) but I'd argue it's the gameplay that should be your focus.

I was complaining on the fact that the 3D looks bad- I would have preferred the game in 2D- I find 3D hard to look at and navigate around in.

Beyond that, I can't comment much on the gameplay- even with the patches and info provided by Jamski and other helpful souls here, I can barely get the game to stabilize longer than the first 2 levels.

Honestly, the reason I purchased the game was for the Aurora toolset- but that crashes too often for me to make good use of it.

That's my 2nd complaint about NWN.

Furthermore, more games have multiple balanced races and decent SP campaigns that in absolute terms put C&C and co to shame, as indeed they should.

Hmm... didn't know about that. I thought that new games' campaigns were pretty vapid from what I've seen when friends' have played them (the new Command and Conquer games being the examples). Any in particular that you were thinking about?

Though, I will concede your point about "me changing" in regards to RTSes... I've probably played too many to enjoy new ones that aren't radically different.
-
I still don't think I've changed in regards to RPG's though. It's the market that's changed.

Obviously graphics are much better these days

I disagree. I consider 2D to be superior to 3D for RTS, RPG and TBS games.

I will, however cede that 3D is good for FPSes. and some adventures- though I still prefer old 2Ds. (they're just easier to look at and navigate in)

3D technology just... isn't there yet.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by DarkCloud

I was complaining on the fact that the 3D looks bad- I would have preferred the game in 2D- I find 3D hard to look at and navigate around in.

Beyond that, I can't comment much on the gameplay- even with the patches and info provided by Jamski and other helpful souls here, I can barely get the game to stabilize longer than the first 2 levels.

I sympathise with your technical problems, but that's not a game flaw. If you were able to play it you'd get used to the graphics, which I prefer to BG2 style, as do most I'd say.

Again you make the comment it's hard for you to navigate; put some effort in at adapting and I think you can still enjoy these games.

KotOR in particular has more modern FPS style graphics and in conjunction with the sound it makes the game much more immersive. I really recommend you go in with an open mind and try it.

Originally posted by DarkCloud

Hmm... didn't know about that. I thought that new games' campaigns were pretty vapid from what I've seen when friends' have played them (the new Command and Conquer games being the examples). Any in particular that you were thinking about?

Though, I will concede your point about "me changing" in regards to RTSes... I've probably played too many to enjoy new ones that aren't radically different.

Well popular games include Rise of Nations, Age of Mythology, Warcraft3. I'm not a big fan of SP RTS so I can't actually really sell them (though WC3 MP is awesome), but they are undeniably better in story and unit depth terms than the earlier games. Of course they should be. I'd suggest you try RoN, it would suit you.

For TBS I can empathise a bit.

I also would agree that there are examples of games where graphics crowd out gameplay. However, it's important to provide a balanced view - there have always been crap games, it's just you remember the best of the past.

Not all modern games are good, but there are plenty of examples in any genre that get both graphics and gameplay right. I'll help you find games to prove it.

[child of Thor]

you can pick up a Geforce2 MX400 with 64MB for about £20-30 if you shop around - it will be ok for all but the most recent 3D heavy games(so ones made in the last 2years or so). I'm considering getting one to replace the on-board piece of s**t on my best pc.

But yes games like Civ(1-3)/Xcom/F19 stealth fighter/Elite(1-3)/SMAC/ etc show that it really isnt the graphics that make a game great - its something else. I've always liked great graphics though, and if they happen to combine with great gameplay/FactorX, then i'm a happy bunny

[alva]

If you're going to use a Geforce2 MX400 to play recent games, you're in for some disappointment, mate.

That card is just as bad as my Geforce1 or a Geforce4 MX.

[child of Thor]

well i need it just for Medieval-Total War and Theif2 at the momment. There's nothing thats come out in the last few years(except Rome Total War) that i might need some real 3D power for..........for my pc(PIII533) i think the geforce2(might get a 4 if its about the same price)MX400 should be enough?

Mostly i was making a point to Darkcloud that its possible for relatively little cost to increase your game playing base with some of the newish titles in the strat/good game genre - my journey into the murky depths of console gaming has shown me(a previous 3D basher) - that its possible to combine 3D and a good game, its just a very rare combination, especialy in any strat title imho

unless you want to run Doom3 in more resolution than i've ever used

[DrSpike]

You can get a Radeon 9600 Pro for around £75. Personally if I wanted a budget card I'd go with that or something similar.

[child of Thor]

Cheers sounds good(about the max i'd consider paying)......not too powerfull for my PC?
(bare in mind my most powerful pc is not powerfull enough to play Master of Orion3........if i wanted to......ok i want to a little bit...maybe in a year or two ).

ok i'm sorry i've high-jacked this thread

erm i'm kinda warming to Fable now for my 2005(well late 2004 i guess) game, and its definately 3Dish

nothing else to add to my first list..............

[thinkingamer]

You are welcome Spike! I just started IWD2 and so far, it has too much little tasks to do, which is tedious for me. Most of the people that I know likes IWD1 over the second one, and its main flaw is the lack of subclasses. Btw, IDW uses 2nd edition D&D rules, and if u add the expansion How (Heart of winter) and Totlm (trials of the Luremaster) It actually becomes "2.15 edition rules" since it gives so much options to druids and bards. Similarly like you, I tried BG1 but i could not pass CH4; I spent hours and hours trying to reach the next chapter, but it simply took forever, and I had to put it down. And BG2....someday i will finish it...I really like the 2.5 rules with the nice kits/sub-classes, its simply AWSOME! Yet, too bad you can only create one character per game...what a waste!

I recall when i tried to figure out how to kill the Summoner with a thief w/o interrupting the main force in ch 2 level 4.

By the way, it is not hard to kill the summoner with a thief w/o interrupting the main force, but it is hard to do that AND return all your party members safely, specially in Heart of Fury mode.

[Dis]

Originally posted by Alex
- dreamfall - the longest journey - i'll keep an eye on this game despite the fact that i haven't played the original

the movies - it could be an interesting tycoon game...

- dungeon siege II - well, i liked the first one, a very underestimated game in my opinion

-desperados 2 - cooper's revenge - mostly because i liked the first one

- fallout 3 - i don't need to explain, do i?

two comical highlights:

A Hello Kitty game! And it is a MMORPG!
Come on, a game called Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse cannot be bad, can it?

I didn't like the first dungeon seige, but I still have a little hope I might like the second

[Dis]

I'm not sure if some of these games will come out this year... but here it goes.

Civ4: 'nuff said

Fallout 3: I'm cautiously optimistic

KOTOR 2: for the PC.

TES 4: I'm not a huge Morrowind fan, but I would like to check this out

[Dis]

Originally posted by DarkCloud
Alpha Centauri should have taught the world that you don't need 3D to have good graphics.

Civ IV, hopefully, will not waste resources on 3D and graphics to a detriment of playability- though considering what "the market" likes, I fear that willbe the case

I'm frankly not looking forward to many games. I'm pretty satisfied with the ones I have.

All I wish is that bioware/black isle would have made a Baldur's Gate type game that could be modded with top-down adventures and ability to create dialogue trees (sort of like a simplified version of neverwinter nights) because my 3D card won't play NWN- and I hate 3D.

Games today aren't focused on game- they're focused on presentation.

The newest game I own is from 2002- Icewind Dale II- the last great top-down RPG. and the last RTS I own is from 2001- Kohan.

*sigh*

I've heard reports that civ4 will be kept simple as well. Such as civ3. But I've heard that civ4 will be very moddable.

this seems like it could work. Keep it simple enough so the general population likes it and it sells well. But put in enough modability for hardcore gamers to appreciate the game.

[Dis]

Originally posted by DarkCloud

I was complaining on the fact that the 3D looks bad- I would have preferred the game in 2D- I find 3D hard to look at and navigate around in.

Beyond that, I can't comment much on the gameplay- even with the patches and info provided by Jamski and other helpful souls here, I can barely get the game to stabilize longer than the first 2 levels.

Honestly, the reason I purchased the game was for the Aurora toolset- but that crashes too often for me to make good use of it.

That's my 2nd complaint about NWN.



Hmm... didn't know about that. I thought that new games' campaigns were pretty vapid from what I've seen when friends' have played them (the new Command and Conquer games being the examples). Any in particular that you were thinking about?

Though, I will concede your point about "me changing" in regards to RTSes... I've probably played too many to enjoy new ones that aren't radically different.
-
I still don't think I've changed in regards to RPG's though. It's the market that's changed.


I disagree. I consider 2D to be superior to 3D for RTS, RPG and TBS games.

I will, however cede that 3D is good for FPSes. and some adventures- though I still prefer old 2Ds. (they're just easier to look at and navigate in)

3D technology just... isn't there yet.

speaking of 3D games and navigating.

I have no trouble doing it provided I have a good map. It was quite easy in Morrowind. It took a little while to get used to though.

But in Everquest 2 in dungeons they don't even provide you with a map!! WTF is up with that. One of many reasons why I no longer play everquest 2.

[Dis]

Originally posted by alva
If you're going to use a Geforce2 MX400 to play recent games, you're in for some disappointment, mate.

That card is just as bad as my Geforce1 or a Geforce4 MX.

actually I used to have the same exact card.

I was able to play Morrowind and KOTOR with no problems at all. And Diablo2 (though that game has primitive graphics by today's standards)

[Dis]

Originally posted by thinkingamer
You are welcome Dr.! I just started IWD2 and so far, it has too much little tasks to do, which is not good for me. Most of the people that I know likes IWD1 over the second one, and its main flaw is the lack of subclasses. Btw, IDW uses 2nd edition D&D rules, and if u add the expansion How (Heart of winter) and Totlm (trials of the Luremaster) It actually becomes "2.15 edition rules" since it gives so much options to druids and bards. Similarly like you, I tried BG1 but i could not pass CH4; I spent hours and hours trying to reach the next chapter, but it simply took forever, and I had to put it down. And BG2....someday i will finish it...I really like the 2.5 rules with the nice kits/sub-classes, its simply AWSOME! Yet, too bad you can only create one character per game...what a waste!



By the way, it is not hard to kill the summoner with a thief w/o interrupting the main force, but it is hard to do that AND return all your party members safely, specially in Heart of Fury mode.

You can create the entire party yourself in Baldur's Gate 1 or 2. I've seen 2 compaints about this.

It requires a couple of different techniques. The easiest creating a multiplayer game and then manually transferring the save file to the single player save game folder.

[Tassadar500]

I'm quite excited about the mounts in TES IV.