New Game Selection Advice

Japher · January 13, 2004, 22:57

I need help... seriously. I am ashamed to say it, but CIV has bored me once again. I have loved every CIV game since CIVII (never plaved the first one), and now I am at ends on what to buy next.

To help with suggestions here are some of what I have liked (besides civ):

- Master of Magic; but since I can't get it to work on my OS I am screwed.
- Total Annilation
- Command and Conquer (bored of it too, liked it more for MP play)
- Sim City (also bored of it), didn't like any other Sim game or Tycoon game
- Privateer and another game I forget the name of that had you as an old frigate and set up trade lanes, up grade boats, etc.
- Ceaser, all of them
- Master of Orion 2, I bought the 3rd one expecting it to fill the void, but it sucks.
- Master of Might and Magic, but better as MP

That's about it. I would like a single player game with lots of micromanagement and a good "feel"... I like the games to have lots of play time so that you can't start the same but compose the game yourself differently.

If there are any suggestions, please reply.

Thanks.

Sharpe · January 14, 2004, 00:07

Adequate replacements for Master of Magic would be Heroes of Might and Magic 3 Complete and Age of Wonders Shadow Magic

C&C Generals is ok - though I think I preferred Red Alert 2

Freelancer is somewhat similar to Privateer but is fairly short

Galactic Civilizations is ok , but doesn't surpass MOO2

If you like lots of micromanagement, the Paradox games (Europa Universalis 2, or the more recent Victoria) have plenty of that

Zero · January 14, 2004, 00:20

get RA2 + yuri for cheap $$$

or get warcraft3 + frozen throne.

Sarxis · January 14, 2004, 01:28

Freelancer is nice. Lots of mods for it, and there's online play that let's you cruise the whole sector and play with or against other players.

Age of Wonders is nice also.

DrSpike · January 14, 2004, 07:52

If you go RTS another vote for Frozen Throne. But from your choices I think you might like different TBS games like Warlords4 and Age of Wonders 2.

Japher · January 14, 2004, 13:16

Thanks

I have several of the Heroes of Might and Magic, use to play hot seat all the time, I should load it up again.

Age of Wonders and Warlords were recommended to me by my bro-in-law, so I guess I really should check those out.

DrSpike · January 14, 2004, 13:18

If you liked the HoMM series those TBS games I suggested are definitely worth checking out.

Japher · January 14, 2004, 13:42

I just went and read reviews and checked out screen shots of Age of Wonders 2, Warlords 4, and Victoria... They all look great

, problem I have now is what to get first!!!

Thanks again.

SpencerH · January 14, 2004, 13:47

The total war games are good. Medieval total war has more complex strategies than the original 'Shogun'. Rome total war is due out in 2004 and the concept is awesome.

Although it's RTS, I liked WC3.

Japher · January 14, 2004, 13:50

As can be seen, I use to like RTS games, but now I have responsibilities that take me away from the computer at random times, so TBS works better. Since saying "one more turn" is more of a standard than "one more frag."

Sharpe · January 14, 2004, 13:52

Regarding Age of Wonders 2:

There is Age of Wonders 2: The Wizard's Throne
and its successor / Expansion Shadow Magic (it is standalone so it doesn't need AOW2: Wizards Throne though)

Wizard's Throne is fairly cheap now, however, Shadow Magic adds many features , including a good random map generator.

I don't have Wizard's Throne, only Shadow Magic, but ZargonX has both and he told me that once you have Shadow Magic, its extra features made Wizard's Throne not necessary anymore.

DrSpike · January 14, 2004, 13:54

Yes Shadow Magic is definitely the way to go if you are buying new. AOW was easy, and they compensated by making AOW2 a pig. AOW2: SM is the Goldilocksian happy medium.

Japher · January 14, 2004, 13:56

Quote:

ZargonX has both and he told me that once you have Shadow Magic, its extra features made Wizard's Throne not necessary anymore.

Thanks for clearing that. I saw both, and got that it was "stand alone" but didn't know if was "the same yet different" in an inclusive way.

General Ludd · January 14, 2004, 13:59

I'll second AoW: Shadow Magic.

SpencerH · January 14, 2004, 13:59

Total war is turn-based.

General Ludd · January 14, 2004, 14:03

Quote:

Originally posted by SpencerH
Total war is turn-based.

The turnbased (strategic) part of the game is pretty crappy, though. It's the realtime (tactical combat) that makes it.

Anyways, I'd wait untill Rome: Total War. That must be almost done by now... I should check on it's progress.

SpencerH · January 14, 2004, 14:18

I'm finding that MTW to have much more strategic depth than Shogun TW. I'm on my fourth campaign and each has been different. It's kinda like EU2 in that you can add the depth by the choices you make.

DrSpike · January 14, 2004, 14:19

I really like the Total War series.........Rome TW should be great.

Japher · January 14, 2004, 14:21

Total War looks intimidating

What's with the cards?

SpencerH · January 14, 2004, 14:53

Cards?

Stuie · January 14, 2004, 15:04

If you're talking about the bottom of the screen, those aren't cards, that's your different units' status.

quantum_mechani · January 14, 2004, 15:36

Quote:

- Master of Magic

If you liked Master of Magic you might like Dominions II, one of the few games that comes close in complexity. You can find the demo at Shrapnel Games .

EDIT: Now that I think about it your probably better of trying the Dominions I demo first if you're interested, since the other demo dosn't have a manual. The Dominions I demo can be found here .

Japher · January 14, 2004, 17:14

Thanks Quantum, that game looks awesome

I'll give it a shot.

I just ran out and bought Age of Wonders:SM, looks fun. The only thing I think it might be lacking is lack of complexity in initial character generation. One thing I liked about MoM was the many ways you could start out the game, just by allocating points. Still, this game looks promising, I'll give it a shot this evening.

Japher · January 14, 2004, 17:49

Is the only way to get Dominions II to order it? From what I am seeing it is hard to find.

Japher · January 14, 2004, 18:34

I just skipped the demo and ordered the game...

If it sucks I am going to put quantum on ignore

Jon Miller · January 14, 2004, 19:17

played dominions 2 some

decent concept and application, but has some ballancing issues

Jon Miller

quantum_mechani · January 14, 2004, 23:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Japher
I just skipped the demo and ordered the game...

In that case be sure to check out the FAQs on the shrapnel games forums after you read the manual. They can really help the high learning curve.

Japher · January 15, 2004, 12:52

I like games with a high learning curve

I check out the faqs, I also saw a patch...

I played Age of Wonders last night. Didn't have a lot of time to play, but I got through the first few tutorials. My first impressions is that while it appears to be alot like Heroes of Might and Magic, there is a lot more there that can be done... That it allows you to use your imagination... I think I will have fun with this game

Sharpe · January 15, 2004, 19:57

By the way, just picked up a February 2004 issue of PC Gamer and they have the 60MB demo of Dominions 2 on it (along with Deus Ex 2, Uru Beyond Myst and Silent Storm Demos).