Recommendations Thread!

[Reddyne]

Just as it says, recommend some of your favorite games to your fellow MotK'ers and feel free to put in a request for recommendations for a certain console, genre, or whatever it may be that you are looking for.

I'm getting a brand new, low-carb, strawberry flavored Dell XPS 8100 soon and have missed out on PC games since 2005. I'd like to hit some of the high points of what's been release since Half-Life 2. I prefer RPG's and shooters of all varieties, but anything goes so long as it's good. Any suggestions for someone who's been out of the loop for over 5 years?

Speaking of which, I plan on getting a 1792 meg graphics card (Nvidia) as opposed to a 1 gig counterpart. I do plan on using the new PC for about 8 years or so (same as my current PC) but would it still be worth the investment? Dumb question, maybe, but my computer knowledge suffers from lack of experience when it comes to graphics cards.

Meanwhile, I've busied myself with the best-of-the-best older games. Here's a short list for those interested:
1.Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 - Hands-down the best RTS game I've ever played. Fun missions, great units, and definitely a general blast to play. Veterans will have extra fun dissecting the wide variety of ways to take out their foes, too. ENGINEER RUSH!
2. Vagrant Story - One of my fave PSX games. Engrossing story and characters, unique and engaging battle system, plus more weapon and armor customization than should've been legal back in 2000. One of my favorite games by Square and the music is done by the same guy who now does the music for Final Fantasy games. Now where's the sequel with our favorite Inquisitor as the MC?
3. Seiken Densetsu 3 - Once again, back when Square was good, they made this sequel to Secret of Mana. The real key point for this game is the amount of replay value it has. You choose 3 character from 6, each of whom have 4 final classes. Each character and class is unique, with different spells, skills, special attack, and stats. With 3 huge final dungeons, the replay value is astounding and I've never played a game from start to finish so many times as this one.

[Third Eye Lem]

Mass Effect would be right up your alley, but I'm personally waiting and hoping they make a trilogy collection so I can play all three games at once. I have ME1, but my computer can't run it very well, and I'm afraid that playing on the 360 might ruin the experience for me due to the limited controls. Still, it's something to look into. Bioshock (both games) are also good options, and there's Left 4 Dead and Modern Warfare if you want some decent multiplayer action. I'd also suggest Zeno Clash, but that's an odd one...It's a first person brawler, and while I never played it, a friend of mine has, so that's something to look into.

[Tamer Anode/Cathode]

Will second the RA2 recommendation.

More PC recomendattions:

1. X-Com: UFO Defense/UFO: Enemy Unknown - If RA2 is one of the best real-time strategy games, X-COM/UFO is one of the best turn-based strategy/tactics games. Great scifi/horror atmosphere, wonderful variety of weapon and tactical options, and fairly challenging missions.

2. Simcity 4 Deluxe: While my nostalgia favors 3000, I will acknowledge 4 as the best currently-available modern citybuilder out there, if only for the huge amount of fan mods and customization options.

3. Transport Tycoon Deluxe/OpenTTD: If you love business sims in the style of Rollercoaster Tycoon, you'll probably enjoy this.

[theshirn]

I suppose I have to recommend Fallout 3.  Time sink.

Dragon Age is good if you liked older RPGs like Baldur's Gate and the like.

[KomeijiKoishi]

If you like puzzles, then Portal is your game. You have to get Steam, though, but it's for free recently.

[Third Eye Lem]

I suppose I have to recommend Fallout 3.  Time sink.

If you like puzzles, then Portal is your game. You have to get Steam, though, but it's for free recently.

Seconded on both accounts. And both have sequels coming out down the line (well, sorta, the new Fallout game takes place in Las Vegas and is produced by a different company, but so far they're doing a good job).

[Bananamatic]

Get Steam. Then get Team Fortress 2.

Also, I'd recommend God Hand to anyone who has a PS2.
Hard yet fair, full of references and jokes, amazing OST and a great combat system.

[Rikter]

Speaking of PS2 can anyone reccoment some good RPG's that aren't Final Fantasy and anyother "Mold Breaking" Titles like Shadow of the Colosus and Okami?

[Bananamatic]

Speaking of PS2 can anyone reccoment some good RPG's that aren't Final Fantasy and anyother "Mold Breaking" Titles like Shadow of the Colosus and Okami?

Star Ocean 3. Fast battle system, 4 difficulties, lots of postgame content and extra bosses.
Oh and skip scene.

Also Valkyrie Profile 2 - not that long, but it has an amazing combat system with lots of replay value.

And some Tales games, but only for NTSC regions.

[Helion]

I recommend Sacrifice, if you like mold breaking titles and art styles. It's from 2001, and available on GOG for about 9$, I believe. I had my copy original, though. Still, this is an RTS, in 3rd person, with very little resource management, mainly map control and a surreal art style. The single player alone is worth it, because of the amazing voice acting. This exemplifies a lot of it.

[theshirn]

Speaking of PS2 can anyone reccoment some good RPG's that aren't Final Fantasy and anyother "Mold Breaking" Titles like Shadow of the Colosus and Okami?

Persona 4.

We're done.

I guess you could play 3 as well, but play it before 4 if you do.

[Bananamatic]

Persona games have one weakness though - you won't want to play through them again.

The first time it's an amazing game, but once you know the story already...it just becomes tedious and way too long.

[theshirn]

Persona games have one weakness though - you won't want to play through them again.

The first time it's an amazing game, but once you know the story already...it just becomes tedious and way too long.

Speak for yourself, I'm playing P4 again and I still love it.

[Bananamatic]

Speak for yourself, I'm playing P4 again and I still love it.

I played both twice. Not feeling like touching them again anytime soon.

[PeachAndAPair]

I'm going to recommend older games, such as Super Castlevania 4, Super Ghost and Ghouls, Final Fantasy Tactics, and any game of the Fire Emblem series (specifically the GBA series, not DS)

Should anyone else have already recommended these, I'm backing them up on it.

[orinrin]

Pools of Radiance, Temple of Elemental Evil, Neverwinter Nights, etc.


You can see where I'm going with this.  I have always been an RPG fan and I highly recommend checking some these out.  Might be slightly outdated though.  Just slightly.