Help me pick a new game?

It's been five years or so since I've bought a new game. Well, I think I bought one game, Kings Bounty, in that time. Before that, I think the last game I bought was Oblivion. Since that time, I've been playing some Civ4, EQ2, and lately Titan Quest. I made a New Years resolution to get back into gaming (in addition to stop smoking (crack), lose weight, quit drinking, call my mother etc.). I haven't been following gaming much but I did put together a new system this past summer (i5-2500k, Radeon 7850, 8 gigs ram, Win7 64). I've got an itch to put a new game on it!

My favorite games are Daggerfall, Civ4, MOO2, Everquest. I like RPG's and Strategy games best.

I don't like DRM. Having to put a disc in doesn't bother me. But things like phone home, always online, limited activations, third party software etc bug me.

I checked out Good Old Games this week. Not a fan of digital distribution, but they had a sale going on that ended this morning so I caved and picked up The Witcher 1 and 2. Legend of Grimrock (?) looked interesting too, I might try that.

So, if you're so inclined, what are a couple of the great games over the last few years that I might start with?

-Cota

While Steam may not be your thing due to it being 3rd party software, you *really* need Skyrim with your list of favorites.

I love those PS3 titles! Sooo goofy!

Anyways - since I just (re)bought Skyrim for the Xbox with all the DLC , nothing else for the next 150 gaminghours or so.

I love this show! And like NCIS, its not something I watch for the incredible plots, but for the characters.

As I remarked when we got Season 9 (Of NCIS, that is) on DVD to my GF, its "Like coming home" watching the new seasons.

Guys, sometimes a turd is just a turd,and not a piece of art.

As for the violence vs sex thing, thats a specific US trait. You guys really don't like sex, and really love violence as a nation.
I assume that as a mainstream site, you want to reach out and grab the mainstream crowd? At least, that's what you have been aiming at so far.

That means, that porn games like the one mentioned isn't interesting to you. If you are looking for a healthy debate instead though, I'd much rather you do something that is of interest to every gamer out there, and which frankly is something that is necessary to have a debate about once in a while, take up violence in videogames. RPS and several other game sites have been doing so lately, since its a debate that is also taking place in various government agencies right now, and is rearing its ugly head more and more.
While its a sore subject since its what the enemies of our hobby usually do, I also tend to think its something that is vital to discuss.

I'd frankly welcome something like that on GT, since the frontpage is void of any kind of personality right now, as I've stated somewhere else in a thread dealing with the site as well.

Just so you know, they don't say Comrade.

oh, they do....they really do..!

Perhaps a regional thing then - a friend of mine grew up in Russia (including the requisite time in the army) during the cold war era. He begs to differ.

Ah well, I meant the evil socialists say this! I got a letter from a union I was member of briefly as a kid (First job, and said union was VERY Socialist and had during the cold-war era imbibed a lot of Soviet propaganda.

The letter started with "Dear Comrade".. The next day I resigned from that particular union - Not because I don't like socialists but because they were totally clueless and we certainly weren't comrades in ANY sense of the word.

I don't use it that often but here is my page.

You need to tell me if the Forge of Darkness is as good as his previous books! I LOVE the Book of the fallen series, but hated the flashbacks to Darkness.

Just so you know, they don't say Comrade.

oh, they do....they really do..!

The Elder Scrolls Online has awesome writing already

The population of the proud feline Khajiit has dwindled in recent years following a devastating outbreak of Knahaten Flu.

sigh...

http://elderscrollsonline.com/en/game-guide/alliances/aldmeri-dominion

Yeah, you need to move past that bit :-)

Its actually made by a guy who frequents the Qt3 boards, Jim Crawford as well.

I'm curious, guys - I know you take the right to carry guns seriously, but humor me and lets play make-believe for a second

What would happen, if guns were no longer allowed? Both to you personally, and to society?

I actually kinda like the phrase someone I should remember who is said "An armed society is a polite society", but I think guns are perhaps a bit too efficient for it to work. Why not allow people to wear swords instead, and ban guns?

You would have your personal weapon freedom (although restricted), can defend yourself, but the ability to cause others harm have been minimized.

I also think it would look immensely cool...

The NRA are really scared this time, eh?

This is something I've been thinking about for a while. Not as much about the movie site, but about Gaming Trend as a whole, and of course by extension, any Movie site.
You need some edge. Something that people can identify you with - Right now, I have no clue what Gamingtrend stands for - Do they back costumers? Companies? Are they mostly interested in Console games? Do they have an opinion about something?

I don't see much investigative journalism here, something sites like RPS do very well. I think I know RPS rather well by now, but I still have no clue who Ron is, or what his beliefs (regarding games) is, or even if he is a real person or 5 of them (I do know, but I have no identity connected to the persona)

The last time I took a look at all your reveiws, you unfortunately fell in the new 7-10 categori, and I think thats a damn shame. It *looks* like pampering to distributing companies to get review companies, but I have no idea - again, because I have no real feel for the identity of the site and the people here.

I hope people understand what I mean by the 7-10 category. Its that many sites use the 1-10 (or, 1-100)scale, but actually only uses 7-10 in reality. I think here at GT there was *one* game that was below a 7 last time I checked.

Now, all of the above may be completely wrong, but that isn't really the point. The point is, that you have readers (at least two that I know off) that feels this way, and that is perhaps something you may want look into.

Honestly, I have no idea what the plans are for the site, or whether its a full-time job for you guys, so all of the above may be way off tangent, but it seems the last year or so you guys have gotten serious, so I thought I'd give a reply that wasn't just a pad on the back and my opinion on what I like to read on a movie site.

Eurogamer has decided to take down the ads for War Z now, and RPS is rather critical of them as well.

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/12/19/the-war-z-apologises-after-misleading-steam-customers/#more-135980

Very much - Stay away from it.

They blatantly lie on the Steam store page as well, claiming a lot of stuff that simply isn't true. Like 100 players per server, its 50, like 100-400 square kilometers - its 70, friends lists and skill trees - neither are in.

This thing is out today on Steam.

I'm surprised there isn't more talk about it?   Does it epic suck or something?

Dont buy it

I did - and its a giant moneysink - I'm close to calling it a scam, actually. They are riding on Dayz wave, to draw people in, and get them to pay for practically nothing.

Do..NOT...buy

Nothing, thanks god!

Way too many games these days!

Is there an GT/OO guild?

I doubt it, but one thing to bear in mind, is that it really doesnt matter what server you choose, since chat is cross-server, and you can always team up with other people, even if they are on another server :-)

[Rift MMO hit hard by layoffs at Trion]

Natural evolution? Eh...

Rift MMO hit hard by layoffs at Trion
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/183304/Rift_MMO_hit_hard_by_layoffs_at_Trion.php#.UMicPh19K2W

An affected source tells us that the number of developers out of work today -- developers spanning several disciplines, including artists and designers -- numbers somewhere in the neighborhood of 40.

The company confirmed that there were layoffs today "in response to market conditions, product timelines and the natural evolution of our company," though refused to confirm either the number affected or whether it was the Rift team specifically.

I've started to say the only time you want to be working for an MMO dev not named Blizzard is just before launch. It's like a paper airplane. Exciting until launch, and then eventually a decay back to earth is inevitable...

They are making a game called End of Days as well, which they recently took entirely inhouse. That game has been rumoured to be redesigned completely, and still not working, so it *could* also be because of that.

Seems like it will become subscription less soon, according to their latest video, where the new game director says the game should be without subsription, to let everyone try it out before the world ends.

autoloot has always been there :-) Its an option.

I only played MGS4 and loved it - its one of my favorite games ever - What a journey!

That said, I didn't understand a single thing about the various snakes, and why there are so many of them, and in various corporal forms?

Very excited about this!

just picked this up for $5.25 from Green Man Gaming; is there any life still in this?

Depends on what you mean? Its basically a singleplayer game with a few multiplayer dungeons sprinkled in. Its one of the finest singleplayer games out there, though , with strong emphasis on story and exploration.

since this is something I've been waiting for for years!

You know there already is a game that was basically Total War in Warhammer universe - Warhammer: Mark of Chaos.

Aye, I played that a LOT!

Its just not a very well aged game today.

Awesome - Thanks! I did not know that!

There are so many places to go with Games workshop that I get dizzy just thinking about it. One of my favorite games from way back was actually Space Hulk,where you had 4 cameras to control 4 space marines, and even a Psyker as far as I remember - LOVED that game.

For some reason in my opinion, Games workshop have some of the most atmospheric licenses out there, in that every license oozes style and atmosphere.

And yeah, it could be anything - I just find it to be highly likely that its a Total War style game, due to who the developer is, but who knows.

Yeah, or something close by.

CA is now officially partnered with Games Workshop about this... Makes me VERY excited, since this is something I've been waiting for for years!

SEGA and Creative Assembly Announce Partnership with Games Workshop to Create Warhammer Games

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON – 11AM GMT, December 6, 2012 – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. today announced that Creative Assembly™, award-winning creator of the Total War™ series, and SEGA® Group have entered into a multi-title licensing deal with Games Workshop® to create videogames based in the Warhammer® universe of fantasy battles.
A new high-calibre development team has been set up at Creative Assembly’s UK studio to work alongside the existing Total War, Alien™ IP and Mobile teams on the first Warhammer title in the deal, scheduled to launch from beyond 2013.
“With this year being our 25th anniversary”, said Tim Heaton, Studio Director at Creative Assembly, “it seems fitting for us to embark on such a dream project with such a well-established partner. The incredibly rich and detailed Warhammer world is something we grew up with, and has left an indelible imprint on us as both designers and gamers.”
“We’ll be doing the Warhammer universe justice in a way that has never been attempted before. We’re bringing those 25 years of experience and expertise in extremely high-scoring games to bear, delivering a Warhammer experience that videogamers will absolutely love.”
“We have enormous respect for SEGA and Creative Assembly and have felt for a long time that the combination of the enormously rich setting of the Warhammer world, and their stunning development talent is a match with huge potential,” said Jon Gillard, Games Workshop’s Head of Licensing. “Now that we’ve managed to bring these two giants of gaming together it is safe to say that some truly amazing products are going to be unleashed as a result. We are excited at the possibilities, and are enthusiastically working with the team at Creative Assembly already.”
This first Warhammer game joins the eagerly-awaited Total War™: Rome II and the untitled Alien IP as one of five projects currently in production at Creative Assembly, now one of the largest developers in Europe.

http://www.creative-assembly.com/sega-and-creative-assembly-announce-partnership-with-games-workshop-to-create-warhammer-games/

He is, unfortunately getting rather old - I've seen a few recent interviews with him, and he comes off as somewhat slower than in the movies. I know he's old, but he's Harrison Ford dammit! He can beat old age!!

I'm torn about this movie - The author is a complete moron (Don't go to his blog...you'll never be able to read anything by him again) and not someone I want to support in any way...On the other hand, good scifi movies are far between,and Harris Ford IS one of my favorite actors ever....

sooo conflicted....

[Dragon's Dogma]

Dragon's Dogma

Good call - I'd forgotten about that, but its a clear contender

I can't wait for christmas - I'm going to be make a new runthrough of this wonderfull, wonderful game! Its a shame that a second playthrough is way to easy, so hopefully this will make it harder and better.

Its one of those weird games, that is actually skill based, which works very well the first time through.

Yeah - the site just disappears at times and won't load at all.

While I personally am not in any way offended by literally anything in this thread (very thick skin), I do understand that some of you feel fairly strongly about some pictures posted here lately.   I will back up Farley that being offended doesn't mean you get to go on the offensive, however.   I've removed the images as requested - let's go back to remembering that there isn't anything in this world that isn't funny in the right light.   The thread is meant to brighten your day, and if you come across something that rubs you the other way, well move to the next post - there will be something funny there to greet you. 

 

Racism and sexual discrimination is fun in the right light? I'd take a moment to think about that if I were you.

I hesitate to say this, but once again, the pirates win regarding Ubisofts Copy Protection. Its amazing they don't learn.

I've played about an hour of this, and wow - This is Skyrim with guns, but in a very very good way! Things seems to just work and systems are complimenting each other, and not just fillers like in AC3.

[Planetside 2]

The two games that by all rights should have been on my GOTY list, unfortunately isn't there - Assassins Creed 3 and Mass Effect 3.

I'd actually have to say Planetside 2 so far, and Guild Wars 2 sadly.

I've spent more time playing Mount & Blade Warband mods and Lord of the Rings Online than any of those though.

Yeah, I understood that after a while - Its just a weird way of representing the storyline. I think the whole Animus part actually is detrimental to what they want to do here, especially in instances like this.

At the time, I had no idea what or who this Benedict was, and it confused me mightily.

I've actually stopped playing the game after this, because on top of all the other issues I didn't have any fun playing the game at all.

As MO said, I think I'm done with the series - They seem to be milking it now, and the story makes absolutely no sense, Connor (The spanish named guy..sigh) is a twat with zero likeability - I find myself rooting for the Templars, which surely cannot be the intent?

I'll be looking at reviews for the Baldurs Gate thingie - If it pans out, awesome - I'm in day one, but I'm concerned its not better than Bigmod for the original.

Don't worry about your K/D - its not the least bit important. What IS important that you help out take objectives and contribute the good of the Vanu, which is the as for the good all!

Dont be afraid to take vehicles either - You arent stealing them from anyone since everyone gets their own vehicle points to dispose of all the time.  Its actually a pretty damn fine system, one that deftly avoids the old teamkillers that want your vehicle problem as well.

performance was unplayable during beta, has it changed much since then?

I think its very individual - As I wrote, the game runs fine on my laptop which isn't very powerful, and yeah, lots of optimizations. But I also see a ton of people complaining about FPS drops on the forums. I'm just not hit by them myself.

Then again, the last 2 weeks of beta when I played, the game was fine for me as well, so results may vary.

Also- This is EXACTLY the kind of game you are usually very annoying in, so I thought you'd be there day one ;-)

Guys - You need to play this. Its probably the finest massive combat simulator out there right now, and while it has its quirks, its very very fun to play.

Hey, its even free to try out, so come on! Join an Empire and roll out in style in a Tank, or a Helicopter, or a Magrider, or run like the wind as infantry, and suit up in giant robot suits and pretend you are Robocop!

This is a really, really good looking game as well, and runs pretty well on my I5, 5850m 4Gb ram laptop as well.