Wanna Pick Five for benji?

[benjipwns]

bore help

I've played some of these and their sequels before but all of them have been at least a few years, since shortly after release probably, and some of these I just spotted as I fast scrolled through.

Guess I'll also take suggestions if you really don't want anything in the above? Especially since I didn't put anything from my console piles. If you wanna lean towards Wii/GCN (or PS2) then I can fiddle around with Dolphin (or PSCX2) in the process on that generation of games.

I dunno.

Maybe I'll come back and comment on 'em or something. Or quote other people about them for pages.

If you want, you can also take the list and order them. That'd be funny. Especially if you included all the Hitmans, Call of Duties, and Ultimas.

I just came across SWAT 4's discs the other days in what I thought was a TV show case, I don't know if it'll work on Windows 10. I haven't tried it yet. Actually, I probably haven't tried most of these on 10.

I can't even keep this kind of OP or its poll concise. I am so shameful in front of Wrath-senpai.

[archnemesis]

You have plenty of good games there, although some of the older ones probably don't hold up that well. Remember that you can play through several FPS campaigns in the same time that it would take you to play a RPG or another round of Civ6.

I suggest you start with Chronicles of Riddick. Both it and The Escape from Butcher Bay are great.

[thisismyusername]

Go with Dark Athena. You should be able to beat that within 24 hours. If you haven't played Butcher Bay, play the remake that is attached to Dark Athena first.

[benjipwns]

I played Riddick back on Xbox but I doubt I finished it, I rarely finished Xbox games. I had assumed it was a tied through campaign like another one I forget that did something like that.

Remember that you can play through several FPS campaigns in the same time that it would take you to play a RPG or another round of Civ6.

Yeah, that's one reason I said for like the Call of Duties you could name six or so because they were getting infinitely shorter even with the last one I played but didn't finish (MW2), same for BF. Though I read Hardline has some more optional tactics to it so I didn't really think to put BF3 and 4 with it but I probably could.

I was just noticing that I had them all but haven't touched SP since then, and 2 is actually the last one I played (for the third time) and some people were touting IW's campaign as solid.

I know those Half-Life expansions are like three-four hours long maybe-ish. Probably even if I added in the fan ones, Before and Uplink that'd still be less than a Civ game.

Quake's not long, even if I played it and all of II's expansions that come with it on Steam. I listed it because somebody else is playing Quake.

I actually have zero clue how long Anachronox is. I remember Giants being longer than I thought because it bogs down near the end of each race. I almost put Armed and Dangerous up there but I played through more than half of that on Xbox over a decade ago and it had so much filler.

Anyway, I shouldn't ramble too much as I don't really mind how the list comes out. On the series if you have a particular pick or two feel free to mention it in the thread.

[benjipwns]

crap i forgot to put garshasp and marlow briggs up there, but that's like an obvious three extra slots

[thisismyusername]

CoD4's campaign is sort-of-worth-playing. It's very set-piece-y but was a good runthrough. Only problem is on higher difficulties you have respawning enemies until you cross a certain invisible line. So uh... play on lower difficulties so you don't run into that or frustration.

The sequels to that: Not so much.

[tiesto]

I voted the Ultima series and Anachronox. I only played a little of Anachronox but it seemed more interesting than the usual western RPG, I'm a sucker for anything cyberpunk. And if you have Dolphin and haven't played them: Xenoblade, Baten Kaitos: Origins, and Sin and Punishment 2.

[Joe Molotov]

Clicker Heroes
Campaign Clicker
Sakura Clicker
Clicker Guild
Civilization VI Clicker

[Positive Touch]

make sure you get the quake soundtracks working for maximum awesomeness

[benjipwns]

Civilization VI Clicker

[Great Rumbler]

Make sure you play Anacharnox, the Western Chrono Trigger.

[Rufus]

Anachronox
Giants: Citizen Kabuto
I don't think they're all that interesting as games, but if the humour is doing it for you, these are worthwhile.

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
The elevator is the only bad/annoying bit in the entire game. Plays wonderfully still. One of the better and better told stories in games. Just a really nice, complete package.

Thief II: The Metal Age
If you're only playing one, make it this one. Longer, more stealthy. Read a plot synopsis of the first. Ideally, play the first (some great moments in it), then the second.

Far Cry 2
Use the explosive crossbow bolts for patrols. Grenade launcher works too, but it can be harder to aim. Try out the mortar on checkpoints. Keep moving, especially if you snipe a lot. They home in on the noise.  If you don't want your weapons jamming, pick up fresh gear every other mission. New guns last a lot longer. The flare gun can be surprisingly useful. Malaria attacks aren't as random as it seems, they are somewhat tied to plot progression, though I forget exactly how. That mission on the boat is difficult, bring a sniper rifle and a grenade launcher. Don't immediately reload if you have a buddy, give them a chance to save you.

Quake's not long, even if I played it and all of II's expansions that come with it on Steam. I listed it because somebody else is playing Quake.

Aww.
It really is short. I've already dug into Arcane Dimensions and have a couple other maps picked out. Very fun still. Adding it to my podcast rotation.

make sure you get the quake soundtracks working for maximum awesomeness

Yes. There's a guide on Steam.

[Joe Molotov]

The one thing I remember about Giants: Citizen Kabuto is that I owned about 10 copies of it at one point because it came free in every videocard/soundcard/NIC/PC Gamer magazine/Chex cereal box that I purchased between the years of 2001 and 2002.

[Rufus]

I think that's where I had my disc from, too. Or one of those game collections. I definitely remember the blue chick being on the cover somewhere, because of course she would be.

[Great Rumbler]

I remember being mega peeved that the NA version of Giants made the blue chick wear a bikini top.

[CatsCatsCats]

Interstate 76? Now there's a name I've not heard in a long time. Kinda doubt it holds up but it was pretty fun

[CatsCatsCats]

Oh I know, why don't you get Redneck Rampage goin?

[a slime appears]

Anachronox better win.

[chronovore]

Anachronox better win.

(Image removed from quote.)

You so crazy.

[VomKriege]

I liked Far Cry 2 quite a bit despite its flaws but the game stretches for wayyyyyy too long.

[benjipwns]

Sorted the list to see what's winning and as it seems likely to make it in, I'm going to assume the Hitman votes are mainly for the new game?

I never played Blood Money (I don't think) or Absolution. I should fire up the first one anyway, I remember it being delicious jank that would often put itself into no-win states because like the target fell through the floor or got stuck in a wall or something. Or things just wouldn't spawn.

[demi]

get a job

[benjipwns]

NO! You don't know what it's like out there! I've worked in the private sector. They expect results.

[Syph]

Red Faction 1 is a fun game and was groundbreaking at the time but not sure if it aged well. Cool story though.

Which CODs are you considering playing? I can comment on any of them.

[benjipwns]

Feel free to suggest any of them. I do own all the games sadly, though almost none of the DLC and have never bothered with the Zombies/etc. stuff. I haven't really truly played any of the single player campaigns past part of MW2 way back.

I mean, I've played ones since then, they were just 2 and MW a couple years ago.

If there's a single one I'm interested in that's not IW, it's probably World at War, I only recently ever played any of it when I played some multiplayer last year. I remember when propagating flames was a huge thing, and it, Merc's 2 and Far Cry 2 were all touting it. Have played the latter two games. I also read it's a bit more open than MW became.

One of my great disappointments with CoD was the increasing linearization of an already linear series. The maps of UO and 2* loop around back to places you started and already fought through in organic ways, let you tackle objectives in different orders, etc. You can really see it start in MW where everything is blocked off and nothing even happens at times, not even the endless spawning, until you cross the trigger.

That kind of even limited openness started to fade away in "real world" FPSes in general after Bad Company 2 and Medal of Honor (both of which have missions you can effectively "sequence break") respectively followed up MW's design choices.

Red Faction being in this discussion is kinda funny because it was supposed to be the ultimate type of that blow through everything game, "take out this bridge and never have a fight because everyone is stuck" or whatever but just exposed itself, then 2 barely even has the Geo-Mod setpieces in it, you can fire cannons at walls and it just dents them. Then Guerrilla came along and went the other way but the tech wasn't quite there so everything is cobbled together sorta and more stuff is oddly invincible. And yet they never implemented it into Saints Row though 2 seems to employ some kind of damage model that holds parts of the world together that you can break if you cheat to access firepower you're not supposed to have.

*Even 2 on the Xbox/PS2 consoles, Big Red One (by Treyarch and Grey Matter) does some of this. I think 3 (also Treyarch) has some of it as well but like, fuck that game for not being on PC amirite.

[Syph]

WaW: Sounds like you're already interested, so I won't say too much, other than I really enjoyed the campaign. Grenades are deadly in this game though.

MW3: If you've already played the previous two, it makes sense to finish the trilogy. MW3 is more of MW2, with all the Michael Bay-esque huge set-pieces and explosions. It's worth pointing out here that a lot of the criticism COD gets is unwarranted. People need to adjust their expectations. Some people have this idea that COD is supposed to be realistic or something and that's why it gets shit on on GAF (trust me, there are other flaws that could be focused on instead). Know what you're getting into. If you enjoyed MW & MW2, play MW3. If you didn't like the linearity then perhaps pass.

BO: THE NUMBERS MASON. Memorable campaign and a series favorite of many fans. Guns feel a bit plastic-y to me (see: Famas) but that's my only minor complaint.

BO2: Another sequel; decent campaign to begin with, but it ends very abruptly. You're better off just playing the first Black Ops.
BO3: Continuing the trend in BO2, this campaign is batshit insane. Difficult to follow. Skip.

AW: This really started to push the boost-jumping that has become a staple of COD in recent iterations for better or worse. While the multiplayer grew stale (fuck me for buying the season pass eh?), the campaign switched things up and remained engaging. Also, Kevin Spacey is one of the main characters.

Ghosts: Criminally overlooked. Another memorable campaign and goddamn does it deserve a sequel.

IW: I actually haven't finished the campaign yet, but the premise is good so far, and the set pieces are great (space, planets, etc). It's also the first COD to have optional side missions, if that's your thing. I've heard good things about the rest of the campaign.


I tried to keep my descriptions decently vague so as not to ruin or spoil anything.
But basically, you won't go wrong if you play the one you were leaning towards (World at War), and if you like closure and the classic formula, MW3 is solid.
If you haven't played it, Black Ops 1 is highly recommended, while its sequels get a pass from me.
Ghosts had lots of twists and turns that kept me engaged, and AW made me not hate boost-jumping (you will know quickly if that's your thing or not).


If you want multiplayer rundowns, I can give those too, but if you don't like linearization you may not enjoy them. CODs now strictly adhere to the "lanes" trend in shooters, whereby maps are really 3 lanes or funnel points where all the action happens. It may not be apparent at first, but it's one of those things that once you're aware of it, you notice it constantly. (that being said I do still enjoy COD multiplayer; the real problem nowadays is the monetization, but i'll leave that rant for another time)
From your poll though if you have Titanfall 2 you may want to stick to that for multiplayer (I haven't played it myself but I hear good things). Respawn Entertainment was of course spawned by former COD-gurus who headed Infinity Ward, who left after MW2.

Oh, and I don't play too much zombies but it's best played with friends, and it's a part of COD that gets better every year, to the point where the last few CODs have actual backstory to the zombie mode.


And yea "geo-mod engine" is a phrase I used to be enamored with growing up haha and while it impressed me then in a limited capacity, it probably isn't that stunning now.

[benjipwns]

I've played the multiplayers, I would generally get them during a big price cut and put some hours in and then like BOIII had the $15 version. Titanfall ruined AW and BOIII's for me really. IW's is actually not as bad as it could be, they've patched up some of the weirder aspects.

Titanfall 2 is fancy but most of the maps aren't vertical enough for me in comparison to how they could be utilized in 1. That's something I actually like about a couple of IW's maps, the asian downtown one has a much higher skybox than usually so you can run diagonally on the walls easier. And you stick better than in BOIII so you can have firefights while running along them.

I liked Ghosts MP fairly well actually, it had some very neatly designed maps. And the "events" like the one that flooded, making levels impassable, then the waters receded and opened up lower paths, or the building that was falling over was a fun little thing. I think one had a bridge drop out and onto half the map leaving a big cliff on one side of the map. Like everything else about it was close to crap though, bad scorestreaks, odd weapons, useless gadgets, though the abilities/perk thing was an interesting take on trying to let you balance out with a bunch of low stuff or pay for big advantages though now it's all Pick 10/13/X.

My real problem with MP is that nobody plays anything but TDM really. BOII had nukejacked which was the only way to ever play 90% of the modes. Sadly it's the same in Titanfall 2 so far. The first game had a better spread I thought. Now it seems like it's all Attrition.

Hopefully the DLC fixes that and puts FRONTIER DEFENSE back in.

[demi]

IW campaign sucks. BO3 shits on it

[benjipwns]

Is it BOIII that has the sort of "arena-like" battles where you get into a fairly open area and battle a bunch of stuff rather than just a lot of dudes taking cover in a hallway/alley?

[demi]

Yes, and it has smoke monsters

[Syph]

IW campaign sucks. BO3 shits on it

BO3 campaign is so confusing though
The gameplay itself was good though just the story being so all over the place threw me off

[benjipwns]

TIES OH NO WHAT WILL I EVER DO

Code: [Select]

Anachronox 8 (7.9%)
Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena 8 (7.9%)
Finish Borderlands 2 + DLC 7 (6.9%)
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time 7 (6.9%)
Something from Hitman series 6 (5.9%)
Red Faction 6 (5.9%)
Tomb Raider: Legend 6 (5.9%)

Giants: Citizen Kabuto 5 (5%)
Interstate '76 5 (5%)
installed riddick earlier today

[PlayDat]

Poll is closed but here's what I would have gone with.

• Borderlands 2.  I proabably put over 300 hours into Borderlands 1, 2, and their associated DLC.  They make for great podcast games.
• Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena.  Butcher Bay was better (still held up very well in 09 when I first played it), but the sequel is decent.  The gameplay differs enough in Dark Athena that I was able to jump in right after the first game without getting bored.  There's a moment about 4 hours in where I thought the game was ending, but it's barely halfway through.
• Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.  One of my favorite platformers.
• Red Faction Guerilla.  Those demolitions master challenges were a lot of fun.  Multiplayer was surprisingly good, though I doubt you'll find anyone online these days.
• Quadrilateral Cowboy.  I haven't played it, but I love the concept.
• Interstate '76.  Never played or even heard of this one before.  Looked at the Wikipedia and Giant Bomb pages.  It seems neat.

[benjipwns]

I'll use your picks for tie-breaking!

I've done ~180ish hours of Borderlands + DLC + 2, I just stopped at some point for some reason in 2, like 3/4ths of the way through the non-DLC campaign. Maybe something else came out like Saints Row IV that I could just plow through or whatever. I did the first game with everyone but Roland at least up to the Salt Flats, in part because I had a friend who wanted to start and then gave up on playing it co-op three times so I just solo'd for a bit since he bailed out two of the times right before the world really opens up.

Dark Athena contains Butcher Bay (which is why they didn't re-release it on GOG) so will be doing both essentially. I think I have the Xbox version somewhere if I really was committed.

Interstate '76 is probably known more to people through its companion series from the same universe: Vigilante 8. Even though I think in the end the only thing they had in common was being set in the Western U.S. in a semi-fictional 1970s.

[benjipwns]

also lol at SWAT 4 going up on GOG after I made this thread, fuck you discs back to the basement you go!