OT: Recommendations?

Pillin · #1 March 13th, 2004, 01:55 AM

Hey! I resent that!

Cainehill · #2 March 13th, 2004, 04:28 AM

[quote]Originally posted by fahdiz:
I guess what I'm looking for (and I suppose I should have been clearer, since I've gotten a lot of these types of responses) is not so much old classics (as I've been a computer/board/pen-and-paper gamer for a long time) but more the "relatively recently-released, unknown/unsung, unjustly ignored" types of games. I do thank you for the suggestion, though. [...]

I've seen people mention Nethack in this thread, but no one mentioning the Angband derivatives. (Also note: my first post here, I have no idea how quotes / Posts get formatted, so...) Nethack is a classic, with 99 ways to die just with the kitchen sink. I'm not always so sure this is a plus.

But the Angband derivatives.... Text only (meaning the graphics are only _slightly_ inferior to Dominions 2 (this is meant as a bad joke )), but the magic, weapon, monster, crypt systems... Some of the derivatives suck - for my tastes. Some of the same ones rule - for people with slightly different tastes. There's one's loosely based on Zelazny's Amber (Zangband), on McCaffrey's Pern, etc.

Some have graphics, some don't, some are infuriatingly difficult, others are more difficult *grin* and a few have settings that make things easy. Most have "Ironman" settings, to eliminate any sense of easy, and reduce a game to a matter of hours instead of weeks.

Current games - I've been disappointed in most. But the Dominions 2 demo drew me in enough that even unemployment didn't keep me from ordering it.

Past games? Master of Magic. If it weren't for the mid-to-end-game bugs (ethereal flying ships, etc), I'd still be playing it. Warlords 1 (the original map and race layout was classic / superb). Age of Wonders 2, Shadow Magic? Not so sure about that one, as you get locked into certain magic paths, which gets old.

Anyways - any new Dom2 games starting up soon? I hope to have my full copy tomorrow. (Then again, I hoped to have it Wednesday.)

Rome wasn't burnt in a day,
Cainehill

Teraswaerto · #3 March 13th, 2004, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Arryn:

quote:
Originally posted by Teraswaerto:
Myth II is the best RTS (or RTT), hands down.

Myth II was very good, but I still have a soft spot for Starcraft.

I may be biased, since Myth II is the only RTS I've ever been any good at.

Still, the lack of resource gathering & unit production makes for a different, IMO much better experience. It's not about who can build new units the fastest, as games like Starcraft tend to be.

Norfleet · #4 March 13th, 2004, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cainehill:
Nethack is a classic, with 99 ways to die just with the kitchen sink. I'm not always so sure this is a plus.

See, that kind of deadliness is exactly what I aspire to when creating my own game. Already I can lay claim to the fact that back when it was actually in service as a game, we had more ways to die than any other game of that type.

Clearly, I need more ways to die. Particularly stupid ways, because watching people die stupidly is a national pasttime over on my site.

mivayan · #5 March 13th, 2004, 06:54 PM

Sometimes I died in nethack from choking to death trying to eat a fortune cookie when really stuffed. Nethack is great

Endoperez · #6 March 13th, 2004, 08:23 PM

As opposed to Nethack, ADOM! It's a hard game, though, and not an easy one to get hold of. But believe me, once you learn the ASCII you can read through the game! For some reason I can't stand the graphics of older Ultimas but I have no problems playing ADOM. BTW, in ADOM you can't choose to play Ironman. It is the norm, and the only possibility programmed in the game...

Wonderful game, anyway. BTW, Illwinter links to ADOM, Dungeon Crawl AND Slash'em. I have thought I should try Crawl too. Has anyone here tried it? How it compares to ADOM?

E. Albright · #7 March 13th, 2004, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fahdiz:
I guess what I'm looking for (and I suppose I should have been clearer, since I've gotten a lot of these types of responses) is not so much old classics (as I've been a computer/board/pen-and-paper gamer for a long time) but more the "relatively recently-released, unknown/unsung, unjustly ignored" types of games.

H'm. What do you mean by recent? I feel compelled to put in a good word for Emperor of the Fading Suns, but it's about eight (?) years old now. This seems recent to me, but my standards may be warped. Anyway, it's a lovely little Machevellian sci-fi TBS. The AI leaves a great deal to be desired (it's probably best for PBEM), and the game feels slightly unfinished (some of the intended functionality looks so wonderful that I want to cry), but what it does deliver is very, very solid. I've never found another game (well, except Merchant Prince) that allows for as much conniving political interaction. Which of course only makes me all the more mournful that it wasn't adequetely supported and/or finished. Oh, and the combat model is almost perfect. Routed units aren't quite handled right (IMO), but combined arms are done nicely.

Anyway, shortcomings aside, I'll finish my (qualified) gushing endorsement by pointing out that, despite all of its shortcomings, it's been continuously installed since I bought it...

[ March 13, 2004, 21:33: Message edited by: E. Albright ]