If there is one thing I like - it's computer games. I play them constantly, Turn-based and Real-time strategy, First person shooters, Computer RPGs, Space and Combat simulations. I've played them by the dozen. There are some old favorites for which I hold fond memories of hours spent solving devilish puzzles and defeating hordes of enemies. There are also some current favorites of mine - especially in the multi-player genre which lets me play with and against my friends. Below you will find a listing with brief descriptions of some of my favorite games, and links to the companies that made them.
The AD&D Gold Box Series -
SSI
Put out in the late 80's thru early 90's by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI),
the Gold Box series were the first step of the great D&D game into the
encoded halls of computer gaming. Despite graphics which would now be considered
simplistic and cheesy - they were a solid game, with a great interface and
twisted, deeply involving plotlines. Games like Pool of Radiance, Gateway
to the Savage Frontier and Champions of Krynn drew you into their worlds
and stunned you with their simple, solid playability. They can still be found
in "Best of..." collections on CD-ROM, and are a strangely wonderful trip
into nostalgia for those who enjoy CRPGs.
X-Com UFO Defense -
MicroProse
Simply the best turn based tactical squad game ever made. X-Com was a incredibly
challenging, money management, troop training, base building, lead the elites
into the fray simulation of how to kick alien butt. None of its sequels could
match its elegance of gameplay nor its balanced yet terrifying combats. For
the ultimate in squad command against a strange and intelligent foe - X-Com
rules. And its such a rush to take out a scout ship of Chrysalids with a
guided Fusion Bomb! I hate Chrysalids!
Leisure Suit Larry Series -
Sierra
Well, if it ain't Larry Laffer - the ultimate lost in the 70's freak. The
Leisure Suit Larry games were a light adult romp interspersed with excessive
innuendo, oddball but constantly improving graphics, strange commands and
cutscenes, and poppy goofball music all driving toward a single goal - to
get the ultimate geek laid. The games held onto a seriously demented form
of humor thanks to it creator, and pushed forward with the concept of what
games should be - just having fun. Playing a Leisure Suit Larry game was
always anything but serious, and that was the great part.
The AD&D Legend Series -
SSI and
WestWood Studios
The Legend Series was the next evolution in computerized D&D - it was
a fully first-person perspective - engaging the player in puzzle-solving
and combat from a head on view rather than the more common bird's eye view
of most CRPGs. And it was great, especially Eye of the Beholder and The Temple
of Darkmoon - the first two in the series. With dozens of levels, a wide
variety of quests, incredible puzzles and vicious villians all displayed
in gorgeous graphics for its day - the Legend Series was a great way to play
D&D.
Civilization -
MicroProse
Ahh, Civilaization. Sid Meier's finest achievement - its a testament to its
solid design that so many turn-based world builder strategy games almost
exactly copied its design and interface scheme. And a pity. Civilization
was a great game despite simple graphics with aggressive and unique computer
opponents and a complex technology tree which and a random world generator
which made every game unique. In its wake came game after game after game
that used its basic design and implementation. Unfortunately, after a while,
no matter how many face lifts or odd scenarios you add, its the same old
game. Capable of keeping me glued to a computer for 16 hours straight with
nary a pee break, it shall always be remembered fondly.
Wing Commander - Origin,
Inc.
The first space combat sim to use rendered bitmaps with dynamic lighting
rather than colored polygons as its ships - Wing Commander was a visual feast
for the Space Combat Simulation enthusiasts. The fact that it ran perfectly
on a 12 Mhz 286 was stunning! But the reason it was a hit was because of
its excellent flight engine, engrossing storyline and its highly personalized
characters who drew the player into a universe where humanity was fighting
for its survival among the stars. Wing Commander - bar none - will ALWAYS
be my Favorite computer game. It spawned a series which is still selling
today - and if that doesn't say something for its appeal, I don't know what
will. Thank you Chris Roberts.
Baldur's Gate - Interplay
and BioWare
WOW! The finest implementation of D&D on a computer ever seen, with an
immense world map, intriguing character, involved quests and a magnificent
storyline with the cutscene movies to make it live. I was stunned and addicted
to Baldur's Gate - thrilled with the simplicity of the game engine and ecstatic
with the great plotline which dragged me by the nose unable to stop playing
until the next major clue was found. If you like CRPGs - GET IT! It's a
winner.
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn -
Interplay and
BioWare
An absolutely grand sequel, with combat, romance, mystery, and a villain
you quickly and deeply love to HATE. The scenery is extraordinary, the quests
diabolical, the gameplay streamlined since the first game, and capable of
higher resolution graphics for even more stunning detail. And the end movie,
well, it makes it all worth it!
Planescape: Torment -
Interplay and
BioWare
Using a modified version of the game engine from Baldur's Gate, Torment takes
you into a magical, mechanical, spiritual universe populated by myriad species
beyond just humanity, hellish fiends and the homes of the gods. You are the
Nameless One - an immortal who loses some of his memory with each death -
someone keeps killing you - can you find out who and why? Can you find the
secret to your immortality and your amnesia? Can you get the girl? (hubba
hubba) This game drew me in with its fantastic artwork and locales, hideous
beasts, and twisting story - along with some of the most interesting computer
controlled companions an adventurer ever had.
MechWarrior 3 and MW3: Pirate's Moon -
MicroProse
When you want to strap on a 100 tons of steel and blast your enemies to molten
slag - these are the games for you. While the single player missions are
a nice bit of fun to hone one's skills - these two games really shine with
their multiplayer deathmatch and team combat modes - whether over the internet
or a home network, there's nothing quite so much fun as slamming your friends
with 20 pack long range missiles or burning them with your pulse lasers.
Fight on, MechWarrior!
Rogue Spear - RedStorm
Entertainment
The sequel to RainBow Six, the first person anti-terrorist squad game based
on the novels by Tom Clancy - this game rocks the house. The graphics are
intense, the realism stunning, the terrorists are deadly and the guns are
magnificent! But what makes this game in my book is the fact that while you
can play death match against your friends over the network, much cooler is
the ability to work together as a team to complete the (normally) single
player missions - bringing a cooperative team aspect to multi-player gaming
that is often so lacking. Just remember these words - 'Tango down!"
HomeWorld - Sierra
and Relic
And then there was...a rippling blast as my destroyer vaporized in real time
before me - and I commanded my wing of defender fighters guard my other destroyer
as my frigates closed in on the offending heavy cruiser! A fully 3D, rotatable
view, real-time space-fleet command game. I was stunned. The graphics were
beautiful. The game interface amazingly simple. The combats brutal. The need
for strategy - a must. The game is one of the finest examples of 3D gaming
I have ever seen. To top it off, it has an engrossing single player mission
path with a detailed and page-turning history, as well as excellent multiplayer
capabilities.
UnReal Tournament - EPIC
Games
And with a pelvic thrust and a call of, "Oh, I'm Sorry, Did I blow your head
off?" the she-bitch commando fragged me. But vengeance would be mine, up
the tower I climbed, got the sniper rifle, and from my hidden vantage picked
her off again and again. Unreal Tournament is a fast paced, cleanly rendered
first person deathmatch battlefest. With a set of wild and deadly weapons,
the ability to add additional player models, skins and voices, and maps that
make the mind boggle with a half a dozen different styles of gameplay - Unreal
Tournament is one of the best first person shooters for multiplay on the
market.
When my fingers aren't as cramped I will add to this page - regaling you with more tales of the new and the old. Till then...May your Gaming be Grand!