Anyone else given up on new releases?

[Heretic Apostate]

Ascendancy. Black & White. Masters of Orion 3. M.A.X 2. The Sims. Zoo Tycoon. And several others.

A bunch of games I bought based on the hype. And which I couldn't stand to play...

Gawd, why can't I find an addictive game, one which is relatively bug-free? It's getting to the point where I don't buy anything new. It'll either be over-hyped, in which case it isn't as fun to play, or it'll be so buggy that it'll take months before it's actually playable (if ever; a lot of games I've bought just stopped receiving support--see M.A.X. 2, above).

On the plus side, I've not got DSL, so I can download demos.


(Note: I'm not saying all the games I listed above are universally bad. Some are good for other people, they just don't fit my taste. And I'm getting sick of popping out $40 - $50 apiece for these games... And I'm not about to try Kazaa...)

 

[Aeolius]

You just aren't playing Zoo Tycoon right.

Build four cages, one with lions, one with bears, one with tigers, and one with a carnivore of your choice. Once there is a crowd around the animals surround those cages with a larger cage, before dismantling the smaller cages. Great Fun! Alternately, build a display, name it "xanadu", then watch what you can adopt. Before building cages, it helps to hold down the "$" key for about 5 minutes...trust me.

If you have the marine mania expansion, drop a mermaid statue into an aquarium. Also, dropping spectators in with tiger sharks or hammerheads is quite therapeutic. I love their little screams.

 

[Maraxle]

Ascendancy. Black & White. Masters of Orion 3. M.A.X 2. The Sims. Zoo Tycoon. And several others.

A bunch of games I bought based on the hype. And which I couldn't stand to play...

Gawd, why can't I find an addictive game, one which is relatively bug-free? It's getting to the point where I don't buy anything new. It'll either be over-hyped, in which case it isn't as fun to play, or it'll be so buggy that it'll take months before it's actually playable (if ever; a lot of games I've bought just stopped receiving support--see M.A.X. 2, above).

On the plus side, I've not got DSL, so I can download demos.


(Note: I'm not saying all the games I listed above are universally bad. Some are good for other people, they just don't fit my taste. And I'm getting sick of popping out $40 - $50 apiece for these games... And I'm not about to try Kazaa...)

I'm with ya man. After having been an avid computer gamer since the TI-99/4a (1982 or so), now at age 25, the last new PC-based game I bought was Neverwinter Nights. I tend to use my PC for other things like video editing, programming, and general messing around. For example, I built a GUI the other day that provides a keyboard and mouse-free front end for all of my ripped CDs and various classic games for use on my TV. I also spend time working on my JH NameGen product.

I've been thinking about it lately, and the reason I am turned off by most of the new games is the fun factor. I remember the joy of playing the original Super Mario Brothers, Frogger, or even the early 90's X-Men video game. I find that the new games don't recapture that feeling. For that reason, I have been strongly considering writing a classic-style game or two, if only for my own amusement - complete with fully 2d side-scrolling action, cartoony graphics, and only 2 or 3 buttons to worry about.

 

[Aeolius]

I remember the joy of playing the original Super Mario Brothers, Frogger, or even the early 90's X-Men video game. I find that the new games don't recapture that feeling.

give this a try, then:
http://www.starroms.com

 

[ergeheilalt]

I have to agree with the sentiment that PCgames today are not what they used to be. I miss the Sierra Quest for Glory series as well as the old platformers. What I wouldn't give for a supped-up, modernized Commander Keen .

I am looking forward to a few games:

Star Trek: Shattered Universe : Basically a glorified flyer game, this one takes place in the Star Trek universe and places the player under the command of Captain Sulu. The graphics looks good and each mission is set up in the trek-style episodic form.

Half-life 2: You could not keep me away from this title if there were a swarm of angry elephants running at me. I loved halflife - I personally believe it to be one of the best shooters out there. Morgan Freeman returns after the collapse of the Black Mesa project in City 17; however the Theoretical Physics front is no longer quiet and strange things are happening. Good to great graphics, exceptional game "physics", new weapons, more dynamic characters and the ability to pilot vehicles make this game look like it will surpass the original in every way possible.

Doom 3: Another title that relies on the memories of older gamers; this game is not going to be a shooter like the first two doom games. Doom 3 has elements that are meant to scare you to the point of screaming. The Doom preview shown at E3 set my teeth on edge and my hair on end. Doom 3 has outstanding graphics, a great ambiance, and what looks like great game play.

You can expect to see Half-life 2 and Doom 3 in stores in April/May of 2004 as problems with hackers and deadlines have hampered the ability of both companies. ST:SU is supposed to be released in December. If you are looking for information on games you might like, I would suggest watching TechTV's "X play" or going to their website at: http://www.techtv.com/xplay/index.html . I think their reviews tend to be a little on the nit-picky side, but they tend to look at every major release for multiple platforms.

Erge

 

[Heretic Apostate]

You just aren't playing Zoo Tycoon right.

Build four cages, one with lions, one with bears, one with tigers, and one with a carnivore of your choice. Once there is a crowd around the animals surround those cages with a larger cage, before dismantling the smaller cages. Great Fun! Alternately, build a display, name it "xanadu", then watch what you can adopt. Before building cages, it helps to hold down the "$" key for about 5 minutes...trust me.

If you have the marine mania expansion, drop a mermaid statue into an aquarium. Also, dropping spectators in with tiger sharks or hammerheads is quite therapeutic. I love their little screams.

Yeah, I know the cheats. I like using the FreeForm Unlock (basically, you can build anything and adopt whatever animals you want), as well as a number of other hacks (stronger fences, fewer shows for the performers, and so on).

I suggest you try putting a Spinosaurus and a T Rex in the same cage. From what I've heard, it can be rather... amusing...

But it just isn't fun.

Maybe I'm just not a Sim type of person. And I don't seem to be an RTS type person any more, either (didn't like Civ 3 all that much, for instance). I hate FPS games (sorry, poor coordination... now, if the objective was to shoot the wall next to the monster, I'd be a pro! ). And even though I have Neverwinter Nights, Pool of Radiance, and Baldur's Gate 2, I'm not that deep into CRPGs.

Basically, the only game I play often is Minesweeper... (Best time, Expert level, is about 2 minutes...)