Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

For explosive nostalgia, I recently installed Xscorch on my Gentoo set-up. It's one of many clones of Wendell Hicken's "Scorched Earth", one of the first and more well-known of the 'artillery' games. :D

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Scorched earth was awesome... although the guidance systems killed it a little, it was much more satisyfing to land your heavy napalm just thru angle and power.

For the Civ IV players out there, try the Fall from Heaven 2 user mod. That was my staple for months before finding Dom3. Still the same combat system, but it is a very rich fantasy setting, huge differentiation between civs and religions, plus lots of magic :) All while maintaing pretty decent balance. It is supported amazingly well by the development team.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

I do remember the game, but it wasn't the best game ever bit for bit.

A loooooong time ago, there was a competition to make the shortest game ever.

The winning entry was a one line program that used self altering code. It was a screen racing game. It was only OK as games go, but as it was one line... it was cool.

Of course assembler or mc probably has that beat...

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

My favourites:

Fallout (1 & 2)
Planescape: Torment
Wizards & Warriors

Not a fan of newer games, but I've recently been playing Bioshock, and find it quite to my liking, it's simplier than System Shock 2, but with better graphics and the same atmosphere. And, The Witcher. That one has made a lot of noise here in Russia, and to my taste, is a very decent game.

Also, waiting and hoping for Fallout 3.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

chrispederson: There's a lot of definitions for 'Best': How many of those games has a world-wide cult following 25 years later? Or inspired one of the most popular and long-lasting genres in the gaming industry (Dungeons of Daggorath is considered the grandfather of all first person 3D shooters, and for that matter, isn't very dissimilar to the original 'Doom' or 'Diablo'), or had so many innovations in sound, graphics, and atmosphere?

For that matter, how many of those games would I, personally, enjoy playing 25 years after they were made (I don't need the best graphics in the world to enjoy a game, but I have my limit as to what I can stand, and DoD doesn't trip that limit)-or having played them 25 years ago, had so many fond memories of?

And it's a game I can validly bring to these forums, in the expectation that others here might reasonably feel the same way about. It's impressive that your racing game was build with only 1 line of code, and I congratulate whoever built it on their success, but as you yourself say, it's just an average racing game.

8 kilobytes might actually be a lot, compared to however many it took to make that game, but it gives back a lot for those 8 kilobytes.

Yes, it's my 'personal opinion' that Dungeons of Daggorath is the best, but it's an educated opinion, and I'm a fanatic, so good luck convincing me otherwise :)

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

That "Not MoM" label might have to do with my irate rebuttal on another forum where somebody created an "oh look, this is gonna be MoM 2" thread. And I don't think any company would have interest in developing a real clone of the game. They'll make something inspired by it, but we all know from Hollywood how well it can work out if something new is made based on something popular.

I do look forward towards whatever fantasy TBS they're going to release in the end.

Yeah, I've played it and it's indeed very very good, particularly because they spent a lot on the ingame lore. They even won a $25k price for "best mod" for it and donated it to Unicef, like all the other money they receive.

The good, it has all the nice stuff: Mages, spells, summons, mana nodes, different factions with three alignments (Good, Neutral, Evil) and so on. The gameplay is pretty awesome for a Civ setting. The bad: In SP, the AI is not really up to the task to make use of the things offered to it, it's like a lobotomized Civ4 AI that can't make any real use of the spells. So you can actually play about 2-3 AI levels higher than you use to do under normal Civ4. Maybe that's because some game mechanics can be exploited too much by a human player, too. But worse is that MP gaming isn't really possible at the moment, because you'll get out of sync errors whenever an event occurs, which is a main storyline device in FFH. Like in Dom3, events may occur randomly, but even when you rob a graveyard, for example. In case they ever get to fix the MP issue, it'd be an interesting choice.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

I have no problem whatsoever with saying DoD was a *much* better game. I agree with you .. of course.. I also remember when they added *color* to games. = P

Laughin' it was just when you said Kb for kb (or something similiar that I had to chime in.

If ya say the fun score of Dod was 100.. and the fun score of racer game was 20

100/8092 << 20/.25

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Color hell, my first gaming platform (a generic version of Pong) came in a wooden box the size of a coffee table :p

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

You're spot on, the two main issues with FFH2 are in ability of the AI to cope with all the added complexity, and out of sync errors in MP.

That said, when i stopped playing a few months back they were really starting to work on the AI andit as imrpving. I wonder how much it has improved since? Likewise they were trying to sort out the OOS problems, but they did drive menuts and were a main driver for looking for another game - hence I found Dom3

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

You reckon that racing game was a quarter of a byte, i.e. two bits? That's some skilled programming then!

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Allegiance!

www.freeallegiance.org

When I don't scheme for ascension, I fly in the most awesome space game ever with my friends and rivals. If you ever liked game like Wing Commander (or Elite, for us old timers), you need to check it out.

Published by Microsoft in 2000 they gave up the source code, and us fans run and develop it as a free game. There still hasn't been anything like it.

http://users.utu.fi/mikrin/Adeptbanner.jpg

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

A few screenshos for good measure

http://www.freeallegiance.org/screen...oreCapping.jpg

http://www.freeallegiance.org/screen...aFigBoosts.jpg

http://www.freeallegiance.org/screen...nFormation.jpg

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Yeah I played a bit of Alliegance back in the day. It was pretty cool. There definitely hasnt been anything like it, since, but I found that Battlefield2 was similar and superior in a lot of ways. In particular, if you had a poor commander at the helm it was just bad, instead of totally crippling, as in Alliegance.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Vga Planets?

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

How long ago? You should come back and check the new Community Core.

The absolute need for teamplay is one of the key elements for me. No matter how heroic a pilot you are, you need others to work with you.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

A fine family game we've discovered is "Bookworm".

http://www.popcap.com/games/bookworm...FQxsGgodEB01ew

It's a combination of scrabble, mythology and rock 'em sock 'em. Free trail at Popcap games. Strangely addicting.

-SSJ

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Just got Hinterland yesterday, quite the entertaining title.

http://www.tiltedmill.com/hinterland/

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Heroes 5
Gal. Civ
Icewind Dale (Finally finishing a old game)

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Alright, this is my absolutely favorite game in the world and I am sad there may not be a future one, but I think many Dom3 players would love it.

Populous 3: The Beginning

It's actually available for download: http://www.populousrevolution.strate...ads/games.html
-I own the game so I am not sure what all the download entails. The company that created the game was Bullfrog Productions. They split apart some time ago and so the game went out of production. I would think it would be possible to download without a problem.

Here is some more information about the game:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populous:_The_Beginning

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

I recently borrowed Fallout 3 from my housemate - it's addictive but a bit disappointing unfortunately. It lacks the humour of the previous versions, and I find most of my time is spent micromanaging equipment, tediously looking for loot to constantly sell or use to repair items. My housemate tells me this is true of all RPGs, I don't normally play them so can't comment really, but it is infuriating how much time is actually spent on interesting gameplay. Also, despite supposedly being designed so that you can play it any number of ways (combatty, stealthy, charismatic, etc), it seems fairly limited in that it mostly ends up all about combat.

Are there any good rpg's out there that aren't all about the looting?

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

The term "rpg" doesn't mean a lot these days, when first-person shooters can have better detailed plots and more developed characters than many "action role-playing" games, where action is grinding and role-playing means you can choose your race.

If you like platformers, here are some good freeware ones. Cave Story is awesome platformer with great plot, and Iji is decent platformer with a not-exactly-great plot but some interesting characters. Out of these, Cave Story is definitely better, and as it has old-school pixel graphics, challenging difficulty level, several plot twists and hard boss fights it might be close to what you want from an RPG.

Also, if you haven't played it yet, there's a Dungeon Siege 1 conversion that lets you play Ultima V with modern graphics: the Lazarus project. It'll be the next not-old RPG I'll try, after I finish Chrono Trigger and Aquaria. And perhaps Myst, if I can get it to work. And play some MP Dominions, and finish my Dom modding projects. And perhaps, even, finish the secret-and-disgustingly-hard Sacred Grounds level in Cave Story.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

It's been mentioned by others, but I've been playing Star Chamber so obsessively that I almost forgot about Dom 3.

Well worth a look but watch out - you will be tempted to spend more money than you should!

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Sounds like Mass Effect would be more your speed.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

I don't think anybody mentioned Tropico, but if you haven't tried it, it's a fun little game. Let's you play a 4th world island dictator on a tropical island, so you can oppress the populace *and* get a tan at the same time. Not to mention, brew your own brand of rum. The game comes with pretty decent music too, which is a plus for me.

The main reason I mention it, though, is that they're apparently coming out with a Tropico3, so I'm pretty excited about that. Hopefully, it'll be an improvement over the original, rather than a completely different game (as was Tropico 2, which was about pirates (not at all a bad thing, but pirates aren't known for smoking cuban cigars, and thus nullify my desire to be Dictator for Life over a tiny island paradise--it's just not the same without a fine cuban cigar.))

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Lords of Magic deserves mention also. Reminds me of Dominions 3 in some respects. Of course, there are quite a few differences.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Well even the best RPG's usually are somewhat about looting since loot is cash and cash is better equip.. and that usually helps you surviving.. to be honest in BG 2 and even planescape I was more looting than in fallout 3.. I actually don't need more cash in my game now.. just need to be able to carry stuff I think is special (which it's obviously not since it's always there in all games playes but I'm a collector and what everything that seems special to me in my house.) if I stopped doing that I'd probably just take some weapons, bullets and cash... most stuff in fallout 3 is just post nuclear junk you shouldn't pick up :D

I love fall out 3 really... but I'm not playing now due to my son just being born and I'm pretty far in the game and I'm playing on lowest of lowest graphs and the rest I'll play on my new (mid price) comp (will order within 1-2 weeks) so I can finish it on 1920x1200 on my new 26" screen :D

PS I loved populous 3 too :D

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Actually, I really like games that fit into the god-genre. I would consider Dom 3 a part of that genre as well as all the Populous games, Black and White, and Sacrifice. If anyone could recommend other games in the god-genre I would appreciate it.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Best

RTS

Ever.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Lords of Magic Special Edition is one of the best rts games ever. The only things I wish were a little better is the overall modding engine, specifically item creation, which I don't think it has, and the game itself was a little too easy, even on max difficulty. Still, an absolutely beautiful, fun game.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

I'm glad to see others have similar tastes :-). Both games were certainly spectacular and I am always on the lookout for more like them!

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

While we're on the subject of RTSs, I may as well mention Warcraft III. I've lost half a decade, maybe even closer to a full one, of my life to this game. I played it and only it (before discovering Dominions, obviously). I've never been good at real-time strategy (or any games really), but what kept me was the incredible editor. This one game can let you play a first-person shooter, an adventure game, a puzzler, or even turn-based maps. The editor is fairly simple--even I, in all of my under-10-years-old glory, dabbled at creating maps.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

I thought that was one of the games where the map editor could be used for us? I really have to dig thru my old game discs one day and look for map editors with cool icons.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Can anyone give me the rundown on their experience with The Witcher Enhanced bought digitally? The producer seems to have made an odd deal with distributors, making it impossible for me to purchase it digitally from Stardock in Germany. That leaves direct-to-disc, and I have heard that there are big problems with that version. Anyone have good results, and enjoy that RPG?

Otherwise (to abuse a poorly-made allusion to the much-confused distinction of Aristotle's), I'm still enjoying StarChamber as fun "dramatic" compliment to the "epic" giganticness of Dominions.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Right now, I've got icons for the following on my desktop:

Hinterland (action/rpg/sim city hybrid)
King's Bounty: The Legend (funny RPG with some strategy elements)
Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space (just try it :) )
Left4Dead (in this game, you can actually be rewarded for licking people you don't know)

oh, and for those who were looking for a good MMO, ever try City of Heroes? Really well done game with tonnes of free updates. The gameplay actually makes you feel like a superhero in the comics, too - 1 guy can beat the living crap out of a dozen minions :)

Re: Current other active game software
 

Any chance you can remember what this game is called? Sounds quite intriguing. Didn't get far on X-com but it was a seriously well crafted game. Also, is it just me or has Home of the Underdogs been essentially 'down' (all the downloads I look at seem to be out of order) for several months now? Tis a shame if so.

As far as games I'm playing now go:
Full Throttle - Randomly found this gem in a store near me. Awesome old school adventure game, and bonus points for being extremely METAL :envy:

The new Sam and Max series from Telltale - Sadly I'm too young to have experienced Hit the Road but damn if these aren't the best adventure games I've ever played. I'd also recommend the Strongbad series if you like that style of humour.

Pox Nora - Seriously. You need to pump some money into this game (maybe as much as you'd pay for a regular commercial game) but it is insanely addictive and has incredible depth. The strategic range of a collectible card game combined with the tactical skills required in a turn based strategy.

City of Heroes/Villains - The most fun MMO ever. I can't berate my WoW playing friends for their capitalistic, pig dog ways anymore since the game got an economy but the combat is still the most 3 dimensional and entertaining your likely to find in an MMO just now. Aerial combat in an MMO? Yes we can!

Fallout 2 - Fallout 3 was awesome, but it left me hungry for something with more depth and a more interesting and well realized world. Can't get much better than this for PC rpgs except for Baldurs Gate(s). Kilgore's Restoration Project is required ;p

Battle for Wesnoth - It's been mentioned a fair few times but I have to say it's the greatest (and biggest) purely free game I've ever played. Try it. It won't cost you anything except a few weeks of your life..

Spellforce 2 (and expansion) - Not the greatest of games, but 3 player with friends in the co-op campaign you can overlook it's more obvious faults and enjoy the diablo-esque hero building and the incredibly simplified RTS combo.

Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance - For multiplayer RTS's the spiritual successor to Total Annihilation is the greatest I've found, infinitely better than WC3, Sins of a Solar Empire, etc.

Ogre Battle 64 - Whee! From one of the oldest of schools of semi-turn-based strategy games comes a surprisingly engaging, deep and lengthy romp from the nintendy 64. Large scale, tactical, squad based combat using units that can level up into a huge variety of different and unique classes.

Re: Current other active game software
 

I REALLY enjoyed the first one, these are by JoWood studios, who did the Gothic series, and their dialogue translations and voice acting just -kill- me. In a good way. They murder me with giggles, and it keeps me more interested in the game.

However, Spellforce2 used StarForce "protection", and I refuse to cooperate with such fascist and invasive DRM. I can overlook a lot, but that just goes wayyyyyy over the line, in my book. A shame, I had been looking forward to SF2.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Ruminant: You can get a totally free (open source) version of X-COM, it's called UFO: Alien Invasion. Pretty cool.

http://ufoai.sourceforge.net/

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Oh, how did I forget this game: Nox.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Ooooh, I remember stumbling onto that a few months ago. It looked like an awesome concept but incredibly buggy and unfinished so I didn't bother with it but if your giving it a good review I might check it out..

Jim, I've got the Gold version of Spellforce 2 and I don't think it has Starforce.. Could be different for different regions or perhaps they got rid of it for the gold version.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Oh really? I'll look into that. It's entirely possible, I know of a few games that released with StarForce (or other horrid DRM), and then rereleased a different edition without it.

(Odd, just looked it up, and apparently only the Euro and Russian releases supposedly had StarForce, US version uses TAGES, which is simply not as invasive.)

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

AFAIK that's still the case. It's quite extraordinary what they came up with so far, but it still doesn't make it a game.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

I've been playing some POXNORA lately.
And revived Oblivion for the xbox 360.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

I like to keep an eye on places like SourceForge. It seems as if you can go there and type in just about any game you have ever liked in order to see someone trying to recreate it or do a sequel. I particularly like to keep an eye on some of my favorites (Master of Magic, Magic Realms, Stars!) to talk to them about coming over to Shrapnel when they get a beta version going.

If I was more of a programmer, or an artist, or sound tech, or writer then Id be signing on with many of htem to help their project along.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

I ran into a list of wargames that might be of interest (some broken links), and kudos to everyone who enjoys playing games that make you think.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

AGEOD: American Civil War
Paradox: Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis III

Also subscribing various MMO's on and off depending on my mood (during the past half a year has included WAR, EVE, WoW, LOTRO, AoC, AO).

Empires in Arms the table-top game as PBeM :)

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Have we all checked the Shrapnel roster lately. Some very interesting games are getting attention. Space, historical war games, and some just plain weird ones. But (no offense intended) they all tend to fall into the "not really latest greatest graphics and sound". If an independent game that puts effort into areas other than eye and ear candy (we are here arent we?) then we should all do them the favor of at least checking out the demos for hosting this wonderful forum.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

I won't buy any more games from Shrapnel after the whole advertising debacle.

In other news - has anyone played UFO:Afterlight? Its the third in the UFO series which is basically an XCOM clone. I was trying out the demo last night and it seems pretty fun. I do worry that the AI may not be aggressive or dangerous enough. Has anyone else played it more thoroughly?

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

Anyone?

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

The entire UFO: After_____ series is basically bad. If you love xcom, JA2 etc then you can wring a few moments of false happiness out of the titles before you realise the combat isn't tactical /at all/ and the strategy side of things is a joke. Oh and the AI, balancing and pacing are all buggy and of generally low quality.

Re: What other games complement your Dominions 3?
 

There's another recent X-Com clone that I've heard is much closer to the originals: UFO Extraterrestrials. Wikipedia article contains a summary of an article a Finnish game magazing ran about it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFO:_Extraterrestrials