No time to really get into it right now.
Good turn-based game that spring to mind: Civilisation IV (I trust you are familiar with the mechanics of that one), Hearts of Iron II.
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No time to really get into it right now.
Good turn-based game that spring to mind: Civilisation IV (I trust you are familiar with the mechanics of that one), Hearts of Iron II.
Even though these aren't strictly RTS, have a look at Victoria 2, Europa Universalis 3: Chronicles, and the upcoming Crusader Kings 2. Paradox's website should have plenty about any of them. They each certainly require you to balance a lot of factors and optimize, and are far more realistic than just about any turn-based strategy game. I used to play the likes of Civilization and Ages of Empire, but they're incredibly backward compared to Victoria and EU3.
I'll second the suggestion for Paradox's stable of games. They're not TBS, but they might as well be. I'd suggest starting with EU3. That one's got plenty of depth for you to play with without drowning in it.
Dominions 3 :p
Skyrim :)
Not sure if Paradox's games are the best suggestion if wiggin is sick of micro-management. They're great games but ones that are much more rewarding the more you get under the hood.
I'd recommend the Total War franchise perhaps?
I've heard of EU3 before, don't know much about it (obviously I've heard of the Civ series and heard some comparisons, but I'm afraid my knowledge of Paradox's games is more cursory). I'll have to give it a shot. One question: these games seem to be based off of historical scenarios to a large extent; will they be annoying in either their adherence or lack thereof to the historical narrative?
Nessie - I've never heard of Dominions 3, is it good or was that smilie there for a reason?
nowandthen - I assume you're joking, but just to be clear, I have no interest in RPGs whatsoever.
Thanks for the suggestions, and keep them coming!
edit: RB, thanks for the thoughts. I'm okay with some amounts of micromanagement if they're not of the stupid variety - i.e. I'm happy to try crafting the best tax code for a given situation provided the interface tools are good enough and I don't have to add the full level of complexity on a first run through the game. My comment on microing was really to do with the greater and greater emphasis on controlling small numbers of units in modern RTS games; I simply have no interest in learning every keyboard shortcut to be able to do X actions per second and effectively beat an opponent. I'd prefer a more cerebral game. That's why I figured something turn-based or similar wouldn't have that same 'gamer skill' level requirements.
That being said, I have seen on reviews that Paradox's games often have a VERY steep learning curve. Will this be an issue for me?
It's...Well. It's interesting. It can devolve into micro-managing hell, hence my smiley. And it's only really worth-while if you play against human opponents. But the usual play style is one turn a day, or one turn three days, or something like that. The game has incredible variety due to the insane amount of different options the game mechanics throw at you, and it looks like an interesting take on the 4X genre. But: it's indie as shit, the game devs themselves have stated they have no idea how certain mechanics work by now due to spaghetti code, and the interface was coded by horned devils. The game was too complex for me to bother to learn, but I spend most of my spare time intoxicated, so this last bit doesn't necessarily apply to you.Quote:
Originally Posted by wiggin
But if you ever wanted to destroy an empire of illithid led by Lovecraftian horrors from the Void, tag-teaming with a bunch of man eating giants and Aztecs, while playing as an undead Rome, this is the game for you!
Are there any mainstream games out there that have a worse AI than the Total War series?Quote:
Originally Posted by RandBlade
The games are far from deterministic, but the outcomes do reflect history somewhat. There are usually a few pre-programmed events for each country that reflect the choices the country really faced at the time (i.e. you can unite Germany or Italy, or get a casus belli on Mexican California with the US), and of course the objective situation of the country limits what you can do (i.e. you can't play Prussia the same way you play Lucca due to your population, ethnic makeup, geography, level of industrialization, neighbors, etc.), but a vast majority of the decisions you face are ahistorical.Quote:
Originally Posted by wiggin
I'm playing Capitalopoly.
</shameless plug>
The starting scenario adheres closely to history, but after that you're free to diverge as much as you'd like. Like Loki said, there are events drawn from history to reflect the problems/opportunities that countries in that time period faced, but you won't be forced to rigidly adhere to history.Quote:
Originally Posted by wiggin
He might also just be answering the original topic of the thread.Quote:
nowandthen - I assume you're joking, but just to be clear, I have no interest in RPGs whatsoever.
Start with EU3. The learning curve is the simplest of the bunch, it has the least micromanagment, and learning it wil give you a great head start for learning any other Paradox game. There is some complexity in EU3, but I don't think the learning curve is really that bad. I think a lot of complaints about it come from the fact that their games are very unlike other games, being neither FPSs nor RTSs. Your knowledge of real-word history, economics, and politics will probably help you out. I really think you'll handle it all well, and enjoy the games greatly. Just don't try to start with something like Victoria - that game will eat you alive.Quote:
edit: RB, thanks for the thoughts. I'm okay with some amounts of micromanagement if they're not of the stupid variety - i.e. I'm happy to try crafting the best tax code for a given situation provided the interface tools are good enough and I don't have to add the full level of complexity on a first run through the game. My comment on microing was really to do with the greater and greater emphasis on controlling small numbers of units in modern RTS games; I simply have no interest in learning every keyboard shortcut to be able to do X actions per second and effectively beat an opponent. I'd prefer a more cerebral game. That's why I figured something turn-based or similar wouldn't have that same 'gamer skill' level requirements.
That being said, I have seen on reviews that Paradox's games often have a VERY steep learning curve. Will this be an issue for me?
I'm really not as fond of the Total War games as most people seem to be. I like the strategic portions, but the tactical parts become dull and repetitive, and the tactical parts are a huge portion of the game that can't really be skipped without screwing yourself. The AI is terrible, the performance is awful, and the games don't seem to get much support from the developers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loki
The strategic portion is fun only as long as you don't interact with the computer. The second you do, you realize just how idiotic it is. It either attacks you for no reason (including when it can't hope to win), or lets you wipe it out by misplacing its armies.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wraith
Used my last $5 amazon credit to pick up Sonic Generations yesterday. Brandy loves sonic and she has been without a new game for a while. Likely need to pick up a cheap USB pad, or sitdown and figure out the PS3 computer driver before she can enjoy it however.
I'm still running around Skyrim. Killed my first dragon, got ice in one hand and fire in the other. Stealing every book I can without getting caught. Gonna need a house soon. Beyond that, no idea what I'm doing. Haven't touch the smithing or mixing tables yet (beyond what the quests tried to teach me so far).
If you use both hands to cast the same spell, there's a nice lil perk that makes that deal more damage. Another perk is that both handed-attacks stun an opponent. Very handy to interrupt attacks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer
For the mixing stuff tables. Eat one item of your ingredients to identify the first effect. When you've done that mix a lot of random potions and sell them to make easy money.
For a house you need 5000, preferably more so you can furnish it a little.
So, I thought I'd have a go at the Kingdom of Amalur demo on EA's Origin.
Turns out that EA is of the solid opinion that our youth protection laws forbid the download of this game during the hours between 0600 and 2300...
... what did their lawyers drink in order to misunderstand our laws so completely and utterly?
I looked this up, and German 'youth protection laws' are ...wow.Quote:
Originally Posted by Khendraja'aro
Anyways, if this is accurate, EA is right, and doing that keeps them in compliance with the newest laws.
Good news, though! I think this puts German gamers in solid competition with Australian ones for the most sympathetic gamer's plight.
WTF?
Well, if they think they're applying to some kind of law, then they should think again:
a) it's of course completely impossible for children to be awake before 0600.
b) schemes like, for example, our new ID card which can be used online to verify age and identity are completely non-existant as well.
c) Also, credit cards are issued to everyone, regardless of age.
Not to mention that even our TV only blocks such content until 2200h... well, it's what I've come to expect of EA: Being complete morons, unable to think for 5 meters of a farm lane.
Your criticisms are valid (how often are anti-video games things really sensible anyways?), but nonetheless, it seems that they're just doing it to remain compliant with the law while giving the demo away for free. As much as I enjoy a good EA bashing, I think in this case your ire is misaimed. It does sound like this is a temporary thing, until some sort of web filtering scheme is implemented.
edit: On Kingdom of Amalur, I got the demo myself yesterday. It was very consolish. I wasn't impressed.
So, it's just another way to keep the little guy down...
Jumping through legal hoops is what huge companies do best... but if I were to make a game for the German market, I'd have to implement that crap myself. That's time and/or money.
It looks like there's an out if you don't also distribute the software physically. You are also currently outside the reach of the German government.
Is that Reckoning you're talking about? Seen that for the PS3 coming out soon, was thinking of getting it. Would you recommend against? Looks like a Skyrim style of game.
Download the demo and decide for yourself. Honestly, I think I rushed through the demo a bit, and didn't explore its features very well. I just didn't really like the control scheme and combat that I saw.
Well, if they actually included some information on their site? But, no, there's no information about this anywhere.
According to slashdot, parts of the single player game at locked behind an online pass. Considering the complete lack of giving a fuck I've gotten from EA so far concerning their bad passes for Medal of Honor, this new game is of no interest to me.
So, I don't have the time or mental energy to play most games anymore :( Haven't even started Skyrim like I was planning (but hover over hubby's shoulder to watch him take down dragons and stuff).
However, one game I have been able to play while the kid is awake is LEGO Rockband. I'm really enjoying the game, and it's my favorite "career mode" Rockband (I have all of them except the Beatles one). Maybe because it's slightly easier than the others, and the storyline is funny and LEGO characters are just awesome to begin with. This is the first game in forever I've been able to unlock PS3 trophies. And, because it's music the kid likes to dance around and I can actually play up to 30 minutes without her freaking out!
One day, maybe, I will be able to get back into some of the dozen other PS3 titles collecting dust :(
Amanda got me World of Warcraft today. Started playing it and as soon as I did there seems to be some sort of big glitch playing it on my Laptop. As soon as I turned around the graphics got corrupted and there are big green lines (like from the green field) across the screen. No idea what's wrong, well past minimum system specs.
Graphics drivers up to date?Quote:
Originally Posted by RandBlade
Could also be some kind of 3D related hardware failure ;)
Sort of. Fixed it now though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Timbuk2
AMD recommend getting the latest driver not from themselves but from the Laptop manufacturer. HP haven't released an updated driver since 2010 so it was upto date through that.
Downloaded the latest AMD-released one direct, that fixed it.
You may want to check out some 3rd party drivers. There are a lot of stupid little Mobile settings that AMD kinda glasses over with their general drivers. I remember OmegaDrivers being good to me with previous laptops, but I think he recently stopped working on them
Still playing The Old Republic.
Have capped my Bounty Hunter Mercenary at 50. Tried my first PvP warzone on Alderaan - best described as chaotic panic. :)
My PC had serious performance issues in the warzone though, need a job so I can upgrade it. :sour:
It's generally fine in normal PvE though.
Otherwise, have an Assassin at 25, a Sith Marauder at 18, and a Sith Sorcerer at 13. Having most fun with the Imperial Agent gone Operative at 26 though. The most satisfying to play so far.
Had a good guild, but they've abandoned ship and rerolled on another server, due to low population on ours (and many others), so endgame is rather dead.
I've invested too much time on this server to reroll though, and it seems like the population is increasing, so for the first time in any MMO, I set up my own guild yesterday; The Imperial March, which is hopefully going to grow. :)
Today is Mewtwo's birthday :o
Lmao? I coincidentally completed the Pokemon League in Black today. :D
Skyrim is 33% till midday Thursday on Steam. I also have a 25% coupon that stacks, so if anyone wants skyrim for $29.99 let me know.
They also released the high resolution texture pack, as well as the Steam workshop (and Valve already ported the Space Core from Portal 2 into Skyrim :haha:)
Just advertise you're going to run the litle 5-mans or 4-mans and you'll get recruits. I don't play SW but from what I've heard it can be hard to find groups for end-game and even mid-game group/flashpoint content. Have fun, and GL.Quote:
I've invested too much time on this server to reroll though, and it seems like the population is increasing, so for the first time in any MMO, I set up my own guild yesterday; The Imperial March, which is hopefully going to grow. :smile:
Though my all in all recommendation is don't play games likes SW or WoW.
Yes most new recruits I get to the guild are indeed those who have joined me on Heroic 2 or 4 man runs.
Pimping the guild in General chat on the first few planets doesn't attract too many people. It still works though, and I still pimp the guild daily.
>30 members now.
This reminds me - from the latest Humble Bundle (the Android/Mac/PC one), I've still got one Steam key for World of Goo left.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer
Anyone interested?
The talk with wiggin recommending TBSs without much micro got me playing SE5 again. It's odd how that worked.
wiggin - Do not get SE5 expecting low micromanagement.