OT: any other games?

[PvK]

I find that 98SE runs faster than XP and with fewer annoyances, IF I don't install too many annoying programs that fight each other, fill the registry with crud, etc. By carefully avoiding such nonsense, I end up much preferring 98SE.

PvK

[Fyron]

2000 runs as fast as 98, and does not have all the XP baggage, AND can run nearly all DOS games without problems. There are also some patches on MS' web site to make 2000 able to run some 300-400 games that have had problems for some people under 2000.

[Mind Elemental]

*bump* Thought I'd resurrect this thread...

Some other great games?

Civilization series, including Alpha Centauri -- these games let me tell a story of empires and armies and technology and heroic leaders, over the grand sweep of history -- and turn-based, too. Swoon.

A stack of console RPGs (Final Fantasy series, especially Final Fantasy Tactics, Chrono series, Xenogears, Valkyrie Profile) -- properly done, these have a very immersive story and engaging characters, especially FFT -- more than enough to make up for their linearity compared to PC RPGs.

A stack of PC RPGs, too -- mostly the ones that are able to immerse me into their world, characters, and/or plot (though PC RPGs generally aren't strong on plot). Fallout, Fallout 2, Planescape: Torment, Baldur's Gate 2, Neverwinter Nights.

Adventure games such as Grim Fandango and Gabriel Knight -- it's the writing that I enjoy, because I'm horrible at problem-solving.

Heroes of Might and Magic series, but especially III -- a very different fantasy strategy game from Dominions, but one I love all the same. Crawling across random maps or campaign maps is boring as heck, but there are some AWESOME custom maps with stories and roleplaying elements for Heroes3.

Space Empires IV -- the best "conventional" 4X game out there, with more depth than MOO2 (even though its tactical combat is inferior).

Emperor of the Fading Suns -- a very flawed but nonetheless very fun 4X game, that actually places a LOT more emphasis on individual planets (because there are 40 of them, each with a Civilization-like world map of its own) and that has an awesome setting.

[Keir Maxwell]

People might want to try Chariots of War as the battle system, IMO, is very nice and somewhat similar to Dominions. Some of the features, like greater unit integrity for drilled spearmen, would repay looking at in relation to improving the Dom battle engine. The way LI work through scouting is brilliant but by its nature doesn't work for PBEM. On the down side Archers have the same exagerated ranges and ease of targeting as Dom and as they are more accurate than in Dom they are rather devestating.

Chariots of War is made by one of the top ranked British ancients gamers (DBM) and is an interesting reflection of a competition gamers view of how much control generals should have over a battle - not much. The matchups reflect the creators depth of understanding of ancients warfare but unfortunately the Chariot era is not one of his pets so alot of the historical stuff is weaker than it might have been.

cheers

Keir