Which Game Are You Starting With in 2011?

[ElementMK]

Which game is or will be the first one you play this year? I'm choosing the dullest option: The Sims 3.

[Oaktree]

I played Icewind Dale a little before and a little after midnight tonight, breaking for the countdown, of course. I had just installed it on my new system, so I decided to give it a run, even though I'm heavily ensconced in Dragon Age: Origins right now. IWD got me hooked for a few hours, just like it always used to. :D

[kiwi_tea]

Hubby and I aren't really gamers most of the time, but we're both currently hooked on Starcraft II. The cut scenes are so... ...camp.

[unalisaa]

Probably Fallout 3. TS2 keeps crashing on me, and the storyline of Fallout is getting interesting.

What do you mean, this isn't the 2008/2009 new year?

[Rawra]

I already began with playing TS2 and the next'll probably be Alter Ego (the point-and-click game, not the simulation one).

[Shoosh Malooka]

I've just finished Dragon Age: Origins and felt good about it. I've been told that Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer has a better story and slightly improved tactics. I'm interested, but partly held by my want of acquaintance with the D&D system. Five years ago I enjoyed Neverwinter Nights 1 and Hoardes of the Underdark. HotU was hell because I didn't understand the system, so I was constantly healing rather than using proper tactics. I missed the sale on Steam for NWN2 Platinum $9.99. Now it is $17.99, and I am still interested.

But I have plenty of unopened games: Half Life 2, Civilization 4, Doom 3, Painkiller, X3, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix, and Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne.

[TheGuySim]

Sims 3, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and me and my brother are playing Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition together (For our new Playstation Move)

[itsnotozzyitsozzy]

Black And White 2 :)

[NerdyUnknownMusic]

Well, I already stared playing it on Christmas break but, Sim City 4

[Oaktree]

I've just finished Dragon Age: Origins and felt good about it. I've been told that Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer has a better story and slightly improved tactics. I'm interested, but partly held by my want of acquaintance with the D&D system. Five years ago I enjoyed Neverwinter Nights 1 and Hoardes of the Underdark. HotU was hell because I didn't understand the system, so I was constantly healing rather than using proper tactics. I missed the sale on Steam for NWN2 Platinum $9.99. Now it is $17.99, and I am still interested.

I actually find that NWN 2 doesn't hook me as much as the original game, though I probably just haven't gotten far enough to get hooked. Part of my problem with it is that they tried to improve the graphics over the first NWN and just ended up with slightly more realistic, but butt-ugly people. Story is what I really look for in a game, though, so I plan to give it a shot again once I get around to installing it on my new system.

HotU was simply a difficult expansion. I'm very familiar with 3rd edition D&D rules (though I wouldn't call myself a power gamer) and I had a hard time with that one.

[ElPresidente]

NWN2 does have a good story (something you can generally be assured of when Chris Avellone is involved) but it doesn't really get going until the mid game on. The pacing is terrible with one of the most mind numbingly slow starts to an RPG I've ever had the experience of playing. But upon completion you'll have enjoyed the ride.

Mask of the Betrayer, on the other hand, is excellent from go to whoa. The game starts off with the action already turned up to 11 and the plot advancements come thick and fast, making for a much more enjoyable NWN2 experience.

Is it better than Dragon Age? The plotting is better but the characterisation and development of NPCs in Dragon Age makes it the better game for me personally than MotB.

For folks who enjoyed or are interested in the original Neverwinter Nights and have access to a newsstand that sells Australian magazines then pick up the latest issue of PC Powerplay. Inside you'll find a retrospective piece from yours truly including interviews with the original designers and Ossian studios who made the first premium module for the game way back when. </plug> :P

[Slipperman]

I've been playing Sims 3 as well...but I've also been playing the DS game Etrian Odyssey 3 lately, too...

Tim (aka the Slipperman)

[Drinkme]

Legend of Zelda Master Sword when it comes out^ ^ ...and Sims2 :P :bunny:

[Randir]

Mass Effect 2. The improvements of part 2 seem to be great and I hope the story is larger than the one from Mass Effect 1,

[VampireSim]

I bought a Wii to get my fat ass in motion.
One of my good intents for the new year.
I think, I will play Wii Sports or Wii Sport Resort.
Next day i'll throw it through the window.
:rofl:

[maxon]

I was playing Mass Effect 2 (2nd complete playthrough) on 31st December and rolled over into the morning. However, I'm looking forward to some great releases this year: The Witcher 2, Dragon Age 2 and ME3. Can't wait. I have the first two pre-ordered.

HotU was simply a difficult expansion. I'm very familiar with 3rd edition D&D rules (though I wouldn't call myself a power gamer) and I had a hard time with that one.
Really, you think so? I played it through three times - loved that expansion. I play on hardcore too as a general rule. I guess people have different experiences with different stuff. I thought MoTB was the best thing about NWN2 - great story. The OC was long-winded and occasionally dull though there were some good parts. I liked my castle.

[101ita]

Golden Sun Dark Dawn (sequel to one of my favourite games ever) & Donkey Kong Country Returns (playing it with my husband).

Both great games so far. I've had so much fun with Donkey Kong, it's really great to play it with someone!

[Oaktree]

Really, you think so? I played it through three times - loved that expansion. I play on hardcore too as a general rule. I guess people have different experiences with different stuff.

Well, then it's probably because I'm not a power-gamer. My favorite class is druid, but druids are kind of jacks-of-all-trades - they are passable at lots of things, but not especially good at much of anything. I like druids for their roleplaying potential and because I have something of a jack-of-all-trades philosophy, but I find that when I play through a game as a druid, it is much harder than when I later play through as, say, a rogue or a fighter.

[maxon]

Well, then it's probably because I'm not a power-gamer. My favorite class is druid, but druids are kind of jacks-of-all-trades - they are passable at lots of things, but not especially good at much of anything. I like druids for their roleplaying potential and because I have something of a jack-of-all-trades philosophy, but I find that when I play through a game as a druid, it is much harder than when I later play through as, say, a rogue or a fighter.

I'm not a power gamer either - I usually play as a wizard myself but often went for the arcane archer builds in NWN which is also another jack-of-all-trades. I'd guess it's more to do with whether the game suits you and makes sense - the first NWN was almost a perfect match for me as a computer game. I loved HoTU, I really did. I can still remember the excitement I felt when I went down into Undermountain for the first time. It might also help that I played D&D when I was younger and all the preceding games: Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale (loved BG, especially the second one, but IWD was a bit 'meh' for me - lack of characterful NPCs was the main problem). Deekin is still one of my favourite NPCs of all time.

[Oaktree]

It might also help that I played D&D when I was younger and all the preceding games: Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale (loved BG, especially the second one, but IWD was a bit 'meh' for me - lack of characterful NPCs was the main problem). Deekin is still one of my favourite NPCs of all time.

Oh, I did too. I began reading AD&D books shortly before 3rd edition was released, when I was 9, going on 10. I was a little walking encyclopedia of 3rd edition rules as a child (well, really, I still am :P ), and I played Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Planescape: Torment (though I never finished this one; I've been meaning to go back and play it again), and some of the earlier games, like Eye of the Beholder. In my early teen years, I took up collecting Forgotten Realms novels. I'm very much a D&D geek. I didn't say that I didn't like HotU, I just said that it wasn't the easiest game I've played. :)

I agree with you about IWD not having strong characterization. I don't mind it too much, though, as I like that I can design my whole party. I come up with personalities and backstories for my own characters, rather than having prebuilt characters like Baldur's Gate (don't get me wrong, though; Baldur's Gate is a friggin' awesome game). I think it's the environment of the game that appeals most to me. The music is fantastic, the storytelling is enjoyable, and the areas that you explore in the game are a lot of fun. I particularly liked the Severed Hand for the elven history it puts in the game. All of these things are what beckoned to me on New Year's Eve. :D

[ElPresidente]

When playing IWD it is important to recognise it is nothing more than a dungeon crawler made for those who loved the tactical combat of the Infinity Engine but weren't interested in the role playing aspects.

Great game for its stated aims but won't overly thrill those who want something a bit more focused on role playing like Baldur's Gate.

[cappyboy]

For me it's been Civ 4 which I just got back for Christmas after my old disks for it had disappeared. And Ghost Master, one of several I got on Christmas night during the GOG holiday sale. We were expecting a big snow storm next day and I was having an issue with Civ that has since been resolved. Been really loving both.

Oh and please don't mention Civ 5 to me. I know that it's out and I could have gone forward instead of back with the series. But I'm just very distrustful of major PC releases these days. I know in my head it exists but my heart refuses to accept it.

[ElPresidente]

You are only hurting yourself with that attitude.

[Oaktree]

Frankly, I've been holding off on Civ V. I've heard that a lot of the recent Civ stuff has been pretty bad. I liked Civ IV, but Civ III wasn't any good, and I've heard some of the side stuff they've put out hasn't been any good. So I'm waiting to get a decent picture of the reviews before I think about getting Civ V.

[cappyboy]

You are only hurting yourself with that attitude.

Maybe so. But I never got enough play done with Civ 4 before my original disks vanished on me. So I have the time to let other gamers I know and trust find out and bring me around when the time is right.

[ElPresidente]

Civ V is brilliant and a better game than Civlization IV however it is not better than Civ IV when Civ IV is running the Beyond the Sword expansion.

Assuming Firaxis release a similar expansion for Civ V that will be the ultimate version of Civ to date. *fingers crossed*

By the way, the hurting yourself with that attitude remark was in relation to your distrust of modern PC games.

2010 was an amazing year for PC releases both from the independent scene and from the bigger publishers.

Make sure you're not missing out on the good stuff. :)

[cappyboy]

By the way, the hurting yourself with that attitude remark was in relation to your distrust of modern PC games.


Well, I have no truck with the indy guys. I love the Popcaps and Grey Dogs and Wolverine Studios of the world. It's the big boys I'm leery of. And with all the gems I either need to revisit or finally play for the first time at GOG, I don't feel like I'm going to be all hurting for quality gaming for a good long stretch to come.

Some of the stuff I have waiting in my account for me to have the right rainy day include Arcanum, Arx Fatalis, Tropico, the first two Patricians, Duke Nukem and Evil Genius. If finally catching up on games like that and my currently beloved Ghost Master over current big names is hurting myself, then I'm just gonna have to suffer. Neither my wallet or my computer are going to be complaining.

[ElPresidente]

I won't bother you any further, if only because you mentioned Arcanum and that's kind of a free pass with me. :P

*best game ever*

[perihelion]

Warcraft 3: Frozen Throne and of course, a rather unhealthy dose of Sims 2 with a bit of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on the side.
I'd like to get back into these ones as well:
Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction
Celtic Kings: Rage Of War
Might and Magic 9

I'd love to get Starcraft 2, if my computer could handle it.

[ElPresidente]

What are your system specs?

Starcraft 2 is extremely forgiving on older systems.

[HelloNurse]

I'mma start Deadrising 2 sometime soon, that is if I'm not loaded with college homework. -p-

[maxon]

Planescape: Torment
How could I forget that one!

(though I never finished this one; I've been meaning to go back and play it again)
You really, really should - great story.

I agree with you about IWD not having strong characterization. I don't mind it too much, though, as I like that I can design my whole party. I come up with personalities and backstories for my own characters, rather than having prebuilt characters like Baldur's Gate (don't get me wrong, though; Baldur's Gate is a friggin' awesome game). I think it's the environment of the game that appeals most to me. The music is fantastic, the storytelling is enjoyable, and the areas that you explore in the game are a lot of fun. I particularly liked the Severed Hand for the elven history it puts in the game. All of these things are what beckoned to me on New Year's Eve. :D

Oh agreed about some of the settings and music (the hand was such a nice touch). I really like RPG games as stories though and I think El Presidente is right about IWD - it didn't appeal to me because it lacked the characterisation of BG2. I wasn't too keen on SoZ (NWN2) for the same sort of reason. Did you play The Witcher? Great game, if you didn't.

[ElPresidente]

The Witcher is brilliant. My original review scored it 9/10 while a latter review for the same magazine (different writer though) gave the enhanced version 10/10.

Now to wait for The Witcher 2 to arrive. *drool*

[Oaktree]

Oh agreed about some of the settings and music (the hand was such a nice touch). I really like RPG games as stories though and I think El Presidente is right about IWD - it didn't appeal to me because it lacked the characterisation of BG2. I wasn't too keen on SoZ (NWN2) for the same sort of reason. Did you play The Witcher? Great game, if you didn't.

I actually haven't gotten very far into the first campaign of NWN 2, so I haven't played SoZ yet. I prefer story-driven games, but I can go for a good dungeon crawl every now and then, so whenever I get around to playing NWN 2 again, I'll probably play the expansion anyway.

I've heard The Witcher mentioned in passing, but I don't really know anything about it. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to look into it. :)

[maxon]

I've heard The Witcher mentioned in passing, but I don't really know anything about it. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to look into it. :)

The MoTB expansion of NWN2 is the best story for that game though the OC campaign is enjoyable too.

The Witcher is based on a set of fantasy stories by a polish guy: Andrzej Sapkowski (had to look that up). I've read some of the books (in English translation of course) and they're pretty good - I don't really go for fantasy (in my reading) as a rule. He managed to create an interesting and vibrant world that is distinct from the usual sort of thing. The game is an effective rendering of the books and is very enjoyable, very strong on story, some of the best in-game graphics and renderings I have seen (it looks fabulous and still looks fabulous at three years old) and pretty good on action and character buidling. All your favourite characters are there except for Geralt's girlfriend (who I didn't like anyway so I don't miss her). I think it's a superior game to NWN2 and I'm a NWN fan. I actually read the books because I liked the game so much - I think that's a fair indication of it's quality. I not only don't read fantasy as a general rule but I don't often read genre fiction at all and to get me to buy something like that is impressive. If you like RPG games, it's hard to think of one I recommend more (and that includes ME which is my current favourite and a huge critical success).

[Oaktree]

@maxon: Sounds interesting. I haven't read fantasy in a little while, but I still pick it up every now and then, so I'll have to find it, as well as trying out the game. :)

[perihelion]

What are your system specs?

Starcraft 2 is extremely forgiving on older systems.

Cally:
IBM ThinkPad R52
Intel Pentium M 1.73ghz processor
502mb SDRAM
Intel 910GML Express chipset with 128mb graphics memory

You know, on second thought, she probably could handle Starcraft 2...

[FauxFaye]

Kind of slowly started working my way through Castlevania -Lords of Shadow- for PS3 and being Feb now.... I had played (quite manically I may add) Heavy Rain for PS3 and finished my first playthrough within two days of purchasing it. Gamestop had this awesome buy 2 used get 1 free sale over the holidays and I got it then. Castlevania I got new though since at the time it was so hard to find used in my area.

[TUN3R]

I'm skeptical about games this year but I'm hyped with Mass Effect 3, Batman Arkham City and The Sims Medieval...

And, sure, that roid' junkie Duke Nukem Forever.

As for purchases uhh... last game I got was NFS Hot Pahsuit 2010, and sold it a few months ago for half the price... didn't even get the Limited Edition cars for pre-ordering, corporate pricks.