The games thread: What's shit and what's good?

[Cymro]

As you know, my PC went haywire the other day. It's fixed now, though I'm stuck with Vista and it's "fantastic" security nag screens. But anyway, it means that I've lost my COD 4 install and I can't get the disc cause my friend has it and he's in France.

So instead, I started playing a game I borrowed of that very same friend: F.E.A.R., and you know what? Contrary to the opinion of most professionals, it's fuckin' shit. It suffers from the same "perpetual darkness that doesn't really scare anyone but just pisses them off" dynamic as Doom 3, the storytelling is also the same as Doom 3 as there are barely any cutscenes and most of the info is gleaned from Answering machines and simple text-based mission outlines. The graphics are decent for a PS2 era game, but look crappy compared to HL2, even though they take up more resources. There's no 1280x1024 option (I mean COME ON!). The sound effects sound like they come from a Megadrive game, it's repetitive and relies on the same "Lone wolf wanders aimlessly" mechanic as most 90s shooters did.

Anywhoo, I figured we could have a nice thread where we tell eachother what games to get or avoid.

So I recommend avoiding FEAR and DOOM 3.

[Space Goat]

I recommend checking out this site for tips on how to improve your FEAR experience. (For starters, you can play in 1280 x 1024 by following some advice from the guide.)

I actually loved FEAR; whereas Doom 3 came off as clumsy and heavy-handed with its scare tactics, I thought FEAR came off as intelligent and measured. The game was no Half-Life 2, but we can't expect almost godlike-perfection from all games.

As for other games I liked:

• BioShock. The game deftly immerses you in a vintage 1940's undersea city gone to mad genetically engineered hell. Plus, it offers a gameplay experience refreshingly different from conventional shooters (even if it's not as radically variant as it could have been). Also, Armin Shimmerman voices the game's villain. (Demo.)
• Half-Life 2: Episode Two. No explanation necessary; just play it.
• Company of Heroes. I'm not a big RTS fan, but this game drew me in with its more personalized gameplay and sensible interface that lets you focus on controlling your soldiers instead of stupid crap like resource gathering. (Demo.)

[Cymro]

I actually loved FEAR; whereas Doom 3 came off as clumsy and heavy-handed with its scare tactics, I thought FEAR came off as intelligent and measured. The game was no Half-Life 2, but we can't expect almost godlike-perfection from all games.

Well, it's the style of storytelling that REALLY bothers me, as well has the occasional one dimentional jumping puzzle.

I'm also insulted by the fact that I'm supposedly a member of an intelligence agency, but I have no info on the layout of these buildings.

[Bean]

My piece of shit PC can't run any of these games

[Space Goat]

Bean stopped drinking long enough to mumble

My piece of shit PC can't run any of these games

You might want to check into getting an XBox 360. It wouldn't be nearly as expensive as a new state-of-the-art PC, but it will still let you run many of the A-list titles out for PC, as well as some the PC won't see for a while or ever.

[Cymro]

Like GTA4...

[Brikar]

I'm much more of a console gamer these days, and even then much more of a casual gamer. I've pretty much stopped playing most of my games, save for "Rock Band" and the various "Guitar Hero" games, though I'm still doing "Burnout" and James Bond titles.

I never finished "Half-Life 2" because I got frustrated and bored with the later levels where it strips you of your weapons. I hate when games do that.

[Cymro]

I never finished "Half-Life 2" because I got frustrated and bored with the later levels where it strips you of your weapons. I hate when games do that.

Yeah, I find it goes downhill then picks up when you get back into City 17. What I always loved was that rather than make the last level super-difficult, they just sorta decided that you should be able to kick ass effortlessly, so they give you the super gravity gun.

Episode 1 was kinda meh, Episode 2 is as good as the original game, and I've said before how much I love Portal.

But as far as FPS games go, I really dig the "Tactical Shooter" variety, and I'm kinda bored with the traditional "Gun and Run" dynamic, which is why I like the Brothers In Arms games so much. Seriously, I'm gagging for the next one.

[Brikar]

I can't really get into the super technical ones like the Tom Clancy games because I'm not good enough to survive more than one or two hits.

[Cymro]

I can't really get into the super technical ones like the Tom Clancy games because I'm not good enough to survive more than one or two hits.

Some of them are better than others, but I think the whole staying behind cover thing takes a little getting used to, but I guess I just like the tactical aspect a whole lot. It's also why I adore the "Total War" games, where the standard RTS fare of brute force becomes way less effective and you really have to think about where to put your soldiers.