Topic: PC Gaming

[SailorRipley]

Do any of you actually play PC Games? I can't say that I'm much into gaming, but recently I've become interested in this whole thing again. I used to play some RPG games years ago but all the new generation games rather confuse me, there are so many of them out there and I never know which one is good.

Recently, after reading a review in one of the many gaming sites, I bought an RPG called Oblivion. My thoughts? Heavens, is this a cool game or what? I'm just amazed at the freedom you get as a character, and the world is literally HUGE. You can go your way being kind to everybody and completing your quests in a timely manner or you can become a tough son of a bitch, hacking and killing everything in sight. I don't think I've ever seen something this complex and mind-numbingly addicting! It must have been a nightamre of programming.

I think the one single thing that amazes me most than anything else in this game, besides the numerous dungeons, caves, and towers to explore, the whole magnitude of the game and the freedom of action, is the fact that you can find literally hundreds of books that you can actually pick-up and read. That is just crazy, the books are well written and range from just humorous, to didactic, to literary jewels. Very very nice. I'm just dumbfounded thinking of who actually sat down to write all these books. A few months ago I was offered to write for an RPG game, but since it seemed like a titanic task and the pay really sucked, I didn't take it. But with this game I have found how good these guys are. Too bad they have to conform to lousy paychecks. I tip my hat off to them.

So, what about you all? Do you play at all? If so, anything good you might recommend?

[Touti]

I used to play PC games a long time ago but I don't anymore.  I feel most games in the few years were shooting games and I'm not a big advocate of promoting blood baths.

[RossRoy]

I used to play games on the PC a lot, but when the Xbox arrived, I stopped. Lately I only play console (Xbox, X360 and Wii).

The last I really thouroughly enjoyed on the PC is Sacrifice (mixture of RPG and RTS elements).

About Oblivion: I don't particularly enjoy RPG where you are too free. I actually end up feeling completely lost in the world and lose interest.

I prefer something with a tight story: Knights of the Old Republic and Fable are two great examples of the kind of RPG I like. They don't leave you out in the middle of nowhere not knowing what to do, but they don't hand feed you completely either (à-la Final Fantasy).

[DJ Doena]

I played PC games until about 6 years ago. Then I lost the time for it because I have been spending more and more time watching DVDs.

I was never an extended player, though. A few rounds of arcade racing (Need for Speed) here and there or some Orc slaying in WarCraft, yes; but never hours and hours of play.

[Najemikon]

I agree, Sailor, games like Oblivion are astonishing in their scope and very suited to the PC. I can't get on with consoles anyway.

That said, I'm too keen on games like RPGs that have a convoluted control system. This is a self-criticism, by the way, and no reflection on the games! I prefer games that flow; forward, backward, stand still, SHOOT THE DAMN GUN! LOOK A ZOMBIE! SHOOT IT! DAAAAMMMMNNN! Sorry. Got carried away there.

I think the absolute best game ever is Half Life 2. The original was about as good as gaming got, but the sequel. Wow. Technology wise, it's a simple FPS. Not much free-roaming, with your path clearly marked. It's the story, the characters and the atmosphere that make it. Those are better than a lot of movies, I'm sorry to say. A few years ago I don't think I could have condoned saying that an interactive computer game had more heart and invention than any sci-fi film of the past decade, but it's true. I don't mean sci-fi like A.I. or Contact, but genre films. The scope is massive. One section you're trying to take out clone soldiers and fighting off helicopters, the next you're trapped in a village of zombies aided by a mad priest with a rifle.

I think you would appreciate how all three main Half-Life games are written (there's a Half-Life 2 Episode One now as well, with Episode Two due out later this year. I hope!). Bearing in mind its basic gameplay (go through the door that isn't locked and shoot what ever's on the other side), it so cleverly sucks you in. And Alyx the Episode One sidekick? You definitely would.   

      

My other favourite FPSs are Jedi Academy, Call of Duty (very tough WWII sim), Far Cry and F.E.A.R. The last rips off every J-horror film you can think of and loses the atmosphere a little to basic action, but it's great fun. There are some quite scary bits too. No One Lives Forever 2 is great as well, based on 60s spy stories, but it's a bit dated now.

[Kathy]

I don't play PC games except the ones posted here.

[lovemunkey187]

Not played for a while but the only 2 PC games I've got are Age Of Empires and Return To Castle Wolfenstein.

Most of my games are played on the 360(registered with LIVE but not hooked up yet), loving Call Of DutyIII, Burnout Revenge, Rainbow Six: Vegas. 
I've got Gears Of War and Oblivion as well but not started playing them yet
Had a quick bash at Lego Star Wars II, but reserving judgement


Really want the to rerelease **RTCW, but for the 360 as the pc version and me don't get on at all

[Achim]

I don't really play many PC games anymore.

The ones I loved was the Monkey Island series. Great fun. Although, the riddles were occasionally so difficult that a run-though was needed to cheat

The other one I liked, just to get my mind off of the daily troubles, is Duke Nukem 3D. By today's standards it's rather crude, but it's still a lot of fun when in need to just "run around and kill monsters".

[Touti]

I used to be a big player of "Leizure Suit Larry", then I became a real fan of Myst and all the sequels.  I also played with many Formula 1 racing games, including "Grand Prix Legends" which makes you drive F1 cars from the 60's and was the most difficult I have ever tried.

I haven't played any PC games since I sold my house 4 years ago.  Surprisingly, I would find time to play when I owned a house and now that I should have more free time I just can't find some for computer games.

[Najemikon]

I used to be a big player of "Leizure Suit Larry"

Oh, I bet you were! 

[Lithurge]

If you liked Oblivion then I recommend you try and get hold of Morrowind and it's expansion packs. Should be available on the cheapie labels as it was the RPG Bethesda released before Oblivion (although it's not a prequel). It's a slightly 'purer' (for want of a better word) RPG experience and doesn't have the creatures levelling up alongside your character, so you get much more of a sense of achievement when you return to an area you couldn't survive in before. (If you do buy Morrowind a tip is don't install the expansions until you've levelled you're character a bit, otherwise you'll make it very hard at the start).

Sticking with the RPG theme you may also want to try Gothic III, I couldn't get into the first two, but this one has kept me coming back. There should be a demo of this floating round the web somewhere.

There's also Neverwinter Nights 2, which is a more traditional D&D affair.

Otherwise on a more shooter based style I second Half Life 2, which is much about the story as the gameplay. I'm also enjoying Stalker Shadows of Chernobyl.

For a different take on the adventure theme Dreamfall and Farenheit are two more cerebral games I've enjoyed.

You may also want to take a look at the reviews for Bioshock which is coming soon. This is on my to buy on day of release list.

Edit

Probably should point out that Bioshock apparently needs a dual core CPU as a minimum though. Luckily for me it's being released at the time I was getting my new PC.

[Najemikon]

Probably should point out that Bioshock apparently needs a dual core CPU as a minimum though. Luckily for me it's being released at the time I was getting my new PC.

Bugger!

You see, Kathy? My two year old, high end PC, has just been rendered useless by my small gaming problem! 

[RossRoy]

You see, Kathy? My two year old, high end PC, has just been rendered useless by my small gaming problem! 

Just get yourself a 360 and be done with it. That's why I hate PC gaming now. At least with a console, you know it'll be fine for whatever comes out.

[Najemikon]

You see, Kathy? My two year old, high end PC, has just been rendered useless by my small gaming problem! 

Just get yourself a 360 and be done with it. That's why I hate PC gaming now. At least with a console, you know it'll be fine for whatever comes out.

Oooh, no. Sorry, I am a die-hard PC gamer. I can't bear playing FPS on a console. WASD and a mouse beats any console! 

[RossRoy]

I can't bear playing FPS on a console.

Well I can't bear playing FPS at all (except Halo, for some reason ), so no problem for me!