Games with overwhelming gameplay and underwhelming graphics

[Solver]

SMAC. The graphics weren't technically bad by 1999 standards, but the choice of the color scheme, the occasional issues with the size of some stuff, etc., made it hard on the eyes for many people, and made it a right pain to understand what's going on sometimes.

Daggerfall - the graphics were certainly below-par for its time. The game came out in 1996, it looked remarkably similar to 1991 graphics.

You could also name the Europa Universalis/Hearts of Irons games here. The gameplay is big and complex, the graphics are certainly very simple.

[quantum_mechani]

Originally posted by DrSpike
Methinks the Dominions brigade will come down on you like a tonne of bricks for pointing that out.

Pointing that out? Have you played it? [/tonne of bricks]

Honestly I don't know what's meant by 'not a lot of game'. For me, a good strategy game means having a lot of replay value, and that means not running into the same situations over and over again that have the same answer... and I have yet to find a game with larger variety of strategic situations to consider than dominions.

Gameplay wise, the only thing I can think of that dominions doesn't have that other games do is the build-lots-of-buildings system that people (probably especially the civ community) are used to. But that only sets dominions apart in my opinion. It's supposed to be an apocalyptic world, there is no time for economic development, only raising armies and seeking ancient magic powerful enough to win you godhood.

[DrSpike]

Come down on him not me.

I actually want to like Dominions (2, didn't play the first game), but I didn't play it that much. I'm inherently suspicious of SP games with too many gameplay elements, given that this usually means the AI has problems. I'm sure it makes a great MP game, but in SP how well balanced is it?

[quantum_mechani]

Originally posted by DrSpike
Come down on him not me.

I actually want to like Dominions (2, didn't play the first game), but I didn't play it that much. I'm inherently suspicious of SP games with too many gameplay elements, given that this usually means the AI has problems. I'm sure it makes a great MP game, but in SP how well balanced is it?

Well, that much is true, it certainly shines a lot more in MP than SP.

[Skanky Burns]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Not bad? I thought this was a game released in 2000 (which would be ok for back then), not 2006!

The game is still in development, so needs to be on par with games released today to meet the OP's requirements. Actually, it needs to beat Oblivion's graphics to meet the requirements.

[El_Cid]

Originally posted by Vesayen
Not as good as oblivion. Still, not bad.

Well that screenshot of Oblivion is misleading - Its one that was used at E3. You cant have a drawn weapon while on horseback in the real Oblivion - neither can you fight from horseback. Oblivions graphics are very good, but not as really good in-game as that screenshot makes out

Besides it had pretty disapointing gameplay imho. Oblivion is the opposite of what this thread asks for

How about games like these:

Joust
Geof crammonds Formula 1(the origonal game)
Mercenry series(early 3D vector sci-fi adventure game)
The Guild(i think a sequel is coming?)
Jet Set Willy
Speedball2(maybe not - the graphics are still pretty good)
Starglider
Gunship 2000
Net hack
Championship Manager - the early games
Atic Attack
The Last Ninja 2
Revenge of the Mutant Lamas
Silkworm
Uridium

Good times!

[Addled Platypus]

Originally posted by Sandman
Stars! is/was quite nice.

great game

need to install it again !

thanks for the reminder



hearts of Iron can be very detailed

oh the choices in research and developement

[Addled Platypus]

who remembers V for Victory ?

[General Ludd]

Originally posted by quantum_mechani

Gameplay wise, the only thing I can think of that dominions doesn't have that other games do is the build-lots-of-buildings system that people (probably especially the civ community) are used to. But that only sets dominions apart in my opinion. It's supposed to be an apocalyptic world, there is no time for economic development, only raising armies and seeking ancient magic powerful enough to win you godhood.

I don't necisarily want a building system. Just something... more. Some level of diplomacy, perhaps, or some sort of questing / heroic element to the game, where units can become legendary fighters, or a variety of world events that can be dealt with in different ways, ect...

[Maquiladora]

Sensible Soccer

[Vesayen]

I always found researching up the magic tree, creating heros and armies and properly equipping them to be alot of fun, something no other game really has.

[El_Cid]

Originally posted by Platypus Rex
who remembers V for Victory ?

http://www.mobygames.com/game/v-for-victory-d-day-utah-beach

Nope - i missed it. Still its a Hex based war game right? 1991 - so yeh i can imagine the graphics were poorish. Still wargames make me sad - cant we have 'love' games instead? would you say this is one of the better/best Hex based wargames? I might look into getting it if so - its good to try new(ish) things.

Originally posted by Maquiladora
Sensible Soccer

They did a remake recently - not a great one either from what i've read about. I think i always prefered SWOS the most - i loved the management. But yes the whole series definately do qualify in this thread.

more entries:

The Red Baron(flight sim)
Bandit kings of Ancient China
Zork series(if text games can be said to have bad graphics!)
Silent ServiceI+II

[Hueij]

Originally posted by El_Cid
RGP's: Arena,Daggerfall,RoA,Darklands

Sci-Fi: X-wing,TieFighter,AnotherWorld,Exile,Elite

Hist/tbs: Colonistation,Ceasar2,Castles(1+2),Lords of the Realm.

I had Wing Commander on my Amiga. For a game that moved at about a max of 15fps it was still pretty mindblowing

Elite?? Maybe on the PC but when I first saw it on the C64 in '85 the graphics were mindblowing.

[Zero]

almost all 2D fighting games

overwhelming gameplay and no success because of graphic issues

[El_Cid]

Originally posted by Hueij

Elite?? Maybe on the PC but when I first saw it on the C64 in '85 the graphics were mindblowing.

Are you sure? they are just white lines on a black screen.......not that great even then. What was impressive about them was what they communicated to the player - a whole galaxy to explore like it was real.