I Finally Upgraded!

[BortiiS, The]

BAH!

I was at the computer store today looking at games, and saw a good number that I could still run okay on my old PIII 550/128mb/GF2MX, etc.

But, then I saw a couple games that looked really interesting, and realized, they required something with a cpu of about 800mhz.

NOW, there are some games that require about that much, that I can run okay on my old system, but then I thought of having to tweak these games, and then, well, what if I couldn't.

It got the point, or rather I got to the point, where my "F"-switch clicked in my head.
I walked over to the computer section and just outright bought a new PC, and monitor as well, and then about five games.

And, that's what happens.
The "F" switch.
Use your colorful imagination.

So, I got a AMD Athlon XP (2600), 512mb, 120gig HD, DVD-rom/CD-writer, GF4 MX, and a nice flat-screen monitor (HP Pavilion f1503).

YEAH, now there was another system, that was faster, for about $400 more, but I wanted to get a new monitor instead.

YEAH, now I'll be able to play Morrowind faster now, I guess.

The games I got:
Oddly, I got older ones, that I could never find--yet, they were popular games!
DON'T ASK! For some reason, I couldn't find these in the big stores until today, I saw them on the shelf, re-released, I suppose:

-Neverwinter Nights
-Medal of Honor: Allied Assault

And, I got and older one:
-Jetfighter IV

The newer ones, I decided to be "crazy", and just picked up stuff without reading the reviews on them. Yes, dumb, but I do that sometimes:

-War and Peace (1796-1815)
-Mistmare

Most of the games you need a fast system for, I already had!:
-Morrowind
-Operation:Flashpoint
-Gothic

Couldn't find GOTHIC 2!
ARGH!

The other games I sort of wanted, I didn't want bad enough, they were:
-Enclave
-Battlefield 1942
-Morrowind expansions
-GTA 3/Vice City

BTW, I have the Battlefield 1942 demo, and there is a single-player, bot-like mode.
Is this in the full game as well?
I assume it is, but on the game's box and all that, it doesn't mention this.
Just curious.

OH, btw, I had a real ***** getting onto these forums, cuz of the switch-over.
My fricken name was all messed up, and all this junk: why did it have to be so difficult?
Thumbs down.

[DBS]

Well you should be set and gaming will be more enjoyable. Gothic 2 is not out yet in the US and it looks like Oct for the release of it. Gogamer is selling it though so don't ask me. I will wait as I have a few to complete anyhow. I went to Best Buy today with a gift card and spent an hour looking over the titles. Bad part is I found nothing to pick up and had a few in hand at one time or another. Just nothing called out to me this time. Really strange stuff for me as I used to gamble more ...and these would of been at a great big discount too ! Oh well..I am getting ready to finish IWD 2 and load up Wizardry 8 anyhow. Here was a funny move as well...I had Divine Divinity but had trouble getting into it. Sold it and after thinking about the game recently I picked it back up off ebay to try again. I am one sick puppy huh.... I really want to like the game and felt I didn't give it a fair shake.

[Suicides-by-Steve]

<div class=\"smallfont\">

-Neverwinter Nights


BTW, I have the Battlefield 1942 demo, and there is a single-player, bot-like mode.
Is this in the full game as well?
I assume it is, but on the game's box and all that, it doesn't mention this.
Just curious.
</div>

For NWN you should have picked up the expansion as well. The included single-player game is wicked, but the OC leaves much to be desired, plus it adds new character classes such as Arcane Archer and Assassin/Blackguards.

Here's (http://nwvault.ign.com/Files/modules/) a list of FM modules that can be downloaded for free, and sorted by various options, including votes... very handy for finding the best.

If you want a list of great servers to play on (this is a must- it makes the purchase of the game entirely worthwhile), just ask... I have a few great servers, and a couple others here have their favs as well.

As for BF 1942, the bots are included in the main game, and every map can be played with them... you can create as many as 64 on the map at any one time... Try doing this on the Omaha Beach Landing map, for great machine gun target practice.

Finally we'll now be able to see all your Morrowind pics in higher resolution... Try cranking everything now, and with the pixel shaded water, and you'll swear you were playing a new game. I'm waiting for the Morrowind w/ all expansions included before I start buying anymore MW products.

You seem to play alot of RPG's. Do you have Dungeon Odyssey perchance? Perhaps we could trade games, for say Gothic 2 maybe? :)

[BortiiS, The]

So, I pretty much got the system set up the way I want.
I took the HD out of my old system and hooked it up in a very raw way, and transferred all the crap I wanted off of it, over to my new system's HD.
Saved me the trouble of having to go downloading all the custom stuff again.


QUESTION ON THE PIXEL SHADING, I just realized, that my GF4, is the GF4 MX.
I see no pixel-shading feature!
I put in Morrowind and go into the game, and yes, all the detail is amped up, but the water looks the same!

NOOOOOOOOOO!
Unacceptable!
Oh well, crap, I'm still happy with what I got, although, that was quite a "YOU! YOU! YOU!" *shaking fist*.


As for Gothic 2...ARGH! I can't wait!
TO TIDE YOU OVER, CHECK OUT A GAME CALLED "MISTMARE".
It feels kinda rough around the edges, and the default settings (like for the mouse---wayyyy to jerky!) are a bit weak and you'll need to tweak them a bit, but in any case, it reminds me of Gothic!

I'm not that far into it, but apparently, it's some "alternate-reality"-type setting.
The art and immersion-factor remind me alot of Gothic, I mean, if they called it "Gothic 2", it would be somewhat convincing.
Apparently, it has day/night FX, and all that, roaming NPCs and dialogue, and stuff. The control system is a bit rough, but it has three modes (some kind of NWN-type mode, some FPS-mode, and some 3rd-person Rune/Alice-type mode, all zoomable, of course).

It's very interesting, in that it seems events or "plot developments" occur in a real-time fashion (at least so far, I'm still very, very, early in the game), in that they don't wait for you to do something, to happen, they just sort of "happen" as time goes by.
At least that's the impression I get so far, so we'll see.

As I said, it feel a bit "rough" on the edges, but from what I've seen so far, it's still impressive, with some of the small things they put in so you don't feel your in a "cheap" game.
Very interesting.

NWN--I'll get the expansion later. Too bad I can't take Jetfighter IV back, that fricken game won't run, I'll have to figure out a way to get it to, but it's good I only paid $10 for it.


AH, on the other hand, I recommend you Shogun/Empire Earth/Cossacks/Rise of Nations-lovers check out this game:
WAR and PEACE.

MY GOODNESS!
THIS IS THE KIND OF GAME I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO PLAY!

It's like Shogun: Total War meets Cossacks.
Or Kohan meets Empire Earth.

In Shogun, as you know, each territory goes into its own "3d map"-mode for battles.

Well, in War and Peace, there is only one 3D map for battles...THAT'S THE SIZE OF THE ENTIRE WORLD!

Not kidding you!
You can build an army in a city, like say, Paris, for example (and it's a 3D city).
THEN, you can actually march your army, all in 3D, all the way to the Middle East or to China, if you wanted to, to attack some city over there.
ALL IN 3D.
The graphics for the terrain are excellent, cuz they vary, and the geographical different regions blend very well.
ALSO, I have to mention the sound.
The environmental sounds in this game are superior.
The nature effects are very good too (except the sky, which moves way too fast).
The ocean, well, is like a real ocean, with water you can actually see through to the ocean floor and such.
Lots of different ships, and they are all in 3D.

There is a 2D map of sorts, that works in a way that reminds me of the old PC "Command HQ".
But the game is played in 3D.
Units are sprites, and it all reminds me of Shogun.
The cities are not "realistic", in the sense, that they are massive, but they are still "cities" and in 3D, complete with streets, houses, parks, etc. The cities all seem to be walled.
When you build things, you just click on the type of building to build, and the game automatically builds them wherever.
It kinds reminds me of SimCity, for some reason.

Combat is pretty nifty, when you attack another city, you'll see them lobbing cannon balls out at you, so its fairly detailed.

DIPLOMACY: This is great, finally, a game like this, with a detailed diplomacy element!
You'll get letters from other leaders and even the Pope, asking for various things, to trade things, etc.
What is cool, is that this is done in a "formal" manner.
Instead of the usual, terse diplomacy conversations in most games, you'll actually get what looks like a letter, that sounds all formal and eloquent to a degree, that you actually FEEL like you're a leader, and are getting the respect you deserve.
ABOUT TIME!
I just about got tired of games, where I was emperor of half a planet, and some piss-ant kingdom messages me:"Give us 30 credits, or else!"
or "We have no time for your useless chatter!"
EXCUSE ME, I rule half the planet, show me respect!

ANYWAYS, I'm still early in the game, but I thought what I've seen so far with the diplomacy was cool.

The game also has campaigns, random-generated scenarios, custom ones (you know, for skirmish stuff), and a pleasing selection of bells and whistles in those catagories.
Like the game Superpower, you can choose some of your "objectives", like "conquer (this) number of cities" or "conquer the entire world", or whatever. So that was cool.

I heard of Rise of Nations, but someone told me it sucked, that it was "limiting", so I got this game.
In War and Peace, there are NO "territories" on a 2d map you fight over in different 3D maps, but rather, the game takes place on a 3D map, the size of the entire world.
Kick-arse!
OH, lastly, though, that despite the power of my new machine, the game runs sluggish!
BAAHHHH!

I suppose, that's cuz I super-amped the detail.
But when I lowered it (don't fear, there are alot of nice graphical options to turn on/off, such as moving sky, swaying trees, ocean waves, etc.), the game ran ALOT faster.
Plus, I remembered, I had my video card settings all the way to the highest-quality.
I fixed that, but haven't been in the game again since, so I trust it will run even faster (maybe I can turn some graphic-stuff back on/up).
IN ANYCASE, be on the safe side with this game, and make sure you got a system that's above the specs. I don't think there was any way I'd be able to get this thing to run on my old system, really. This game, was one of the reasons for getting a new system.


NWN is okay so far, but I hate the beginning in the training area.
Isn't there a way to skip that? Gosh, I fear the rest of the game will be this annoying linear. But, I'll definitely check out the add-on stuff. I got game partially for that. In looking up Morrowind stuff, I kept running into sites that had plethoras of Neverwinter Nights stuff, and that piqued my interest.

I don't play too many RPGs, to be honest, I'm very picky about them.
I like non-linear ones (NWN may be a bit linear, but the customability, the make-yer-own-stuff tools/editor makes it an exception), and ones with some kind of big-world/scope/customability.
Favorite RPGS that come to mind:
Morrowind, Daggerfall, Fallout2, hmmm, and Gothic and Might and Magic IX are nice.
Baldur's Gate games are okay.
RPG/Strategy hybrids, like Age of Wonders and Tzar:Burden of the Crown are kick-arse.

[BortiiS, The]

YEAH, DARN, I just checked, and the GF4 MX doesn't support Pixel Shading.
OH WELL. Whatever, for now.
Morrowind still looks alot better...but the water...so...annoying.

Seriously, I mean, even older games had better water than this crud.
Just look at all the Unreal/UT-engine, or Quake3-engine games.
I mean, that's some nice water.
Even, Blade of Darkness, had reflective, realistic-looking water, and that games is old.
I'm surprised no one has created their own "water" for Morrowind that looks better than the default water.
Ahh, whatever.

[Suicides-by-Steve]

If I was you, if you'd already spent a whack of cash on a new comp, it'd be worth while to go out and drop a couple hundred more on a better card... but to each their own... you'll also be missing out on the pixel shaded water in NWN as well, not to mention the boatload of games that now use the feature.

When you play NWN for the first time, I think you get the choice to play the Prelude, or Chapter 1. Selecting Chapter 1 skips the training, but for the first time playing it, I would stick it through... even though it seems to take a while. I suppose the game is rather linear, but considering I've played it through twice, the second time was much better than the first, and I found that indeed there are a LOAD of subquests. Shadows Of Undrentide is way better, as are most of the FM missions, and the best is being online.

War and Peace I'll definitely check it out, but Gothic 2 is eating up way too much time right now... that and Freelancer.

[moya]

Yeah, I'd agree with SbS, drop that GF4 MX and pick up a GF4200Ti or something. They're not too expensive and you'll get to see that lovely water in Morrowind. I recently got one and was very impressed with the lovely shimmery new water...

[DBS]

I know we have discussed this before but the GeForce 4 mx is a GeForce 2 card buffed up. The core tech is the same and it is not a true G4 card. The GeForce 3 supports pixel shading and any G4 and G5 card with the exception of the mx verson. That is the budget card, although still a good card, you are missing out. Before you knock Morrowind's water remember you are not seeing what we are. Still, glad you got a great new system as you can always add a killer card later when we are closer to HL2, Doom 3 time ................

[BortiiS, The]

Dude, I already know all of that.

NAH, cuz the developers of Operation:Flashpoint decided to put the Cd-key on their stupid manual, I had to RE-BUY the game cuz I lost/tossed mine a year or two ago.
I got the GOTY edition.

I went ahead and bought Grand Theft Auto III and Battlefield 1942.
I'll get the video card later, I just want to game my arse off right now.
Muahahahha.

[Aku]

<div class=\"smallfont\">BAH!
...to the computer section and just outright bought a new PC, and monitor as well, and then about five games.</div>

Welcome to the club! I've been up and running on my new machine for almost three weeks now I innaugurated it with Mafia, a game my old machine would have choked on.

Aku
Shapeshifting Master of Dobian

[atmosphere]

Congrats on the new machine Bortiis.
My machine is running really sluggisly so I may have to get a new one soon.

[BortiiS, The]

I am considering creating a small, home LAN, with my old computer, which is still good for a number of games.

Here is some more info on the games I got:

-Grand Theft Auto III--WOW! Now, if they only made it more non-linear! I feel kinda dumb for not getting Mafia, I had my hands full lately. But, this game, has such SUPERIOR graphics, DETAIL, SOUND, PHYSICS, etc.
My only complaint, is some of the missions, a lack of interactivity with people/buildings, and the "respawn"-thing which happens too quickly and too close to you---I mean, you can look both ways and see nothing, and look back the other way again, and see a giant truck right upon you---LAME! Oh, and the controls are weak, but you get used to them.

Anyways, I have ALL the detail up, as high as I can get it...and the game runs LIGHTNING FAST!
I love the weather FX too! And the models look good, I love the seamlessness of the city, and the action is great. Even the water, has "waves" to it.

NOW, if they only made a "Operation:Flashpoint"-type game using this engine!!!!!!


-Mistmare----UGH, this game is part "cheapy" and part "hmmm". It has alot of neat ideas and ambition, but it feels like they didn't have enough time to finish adding everything they wanted into it. It reminds me of Gothic meets Summoner, for some reason.
The sound is inconsistent, in that some dialogue is full dialogue, and other dialogue, is just a bunch of text...lots of it.
You can't choose what to say and sometimes, a entire conversation will appear already when you go to talkt to someone---which I thought was cheap, but I guess they were rushed in making the game.
A very interesting alternate-reality storyline. The graphics are not GREAT, but they are decent enough, the art design and ambition, its all there.
Plus, I'm still early in the game, and apparently, there's still ALOT more to come.
Right now, I'm in Rome, and yeah, it's a pretty big 3D city from what I've seen.
Lots of NPCs roaming around, some who come to you asking for your help (like in the BG games).
With more polish, this game could be alot better, of course, it's too bad it has the rough edges it does, yet, it's still intriguing, and I admire some of its ambition.
The game needs more in-game music, it plays one song, then goes off for about 10 minutes, then comes back on, or comes on when something triggers, it seems. GOOD day/night effects, though.

-MEDAL OF HONOR: ALLIED ASSAULT--very fun, well-made action game.
I like FPS that are ACTION, with some degree of "realism", like Soldier of Fortune, with actual "SHOOT-OUTS", and none of that "run-and-gun" Quake-like fighting. I like how the enemies take cover, and how the 3D models make facial expression and all that.
The weapons kick butt, the sound is great, but I was bothered by the lack of blood, which make you curious as to why they put all the realism in, in other things, but no blood! I got a plethora of good blood-fixes and have finally settled with one I like the most so far.
The missions are kinda unrealistic, in that you are in the middle of enemy territory, and accomplish a mission, and get a letter telling you your next mission...when you're actually continuing then next mission from where you just left off!
HUH?! Pointless!
Somebody at EA was smoking crack. More "combat operation" missions, like the D-Day one would have been better, instead of the "commando/agent"-type missions.

The only real gripe I have, however, is that I can't reload some weapons when I want to, and that when I run out of ammo, the game has my character reload automatically!
This sucks in a firefight, because maybe I want to wait a second before reloading, or maybe I want to quickly switch to another weapon.
It's unrealistic and obnoxious, and inconvenient.
I want to control when I can reload.

And firing off my rifle down to the last two rounds in the bandolier/clip, and not being able to change it out with a new one when I'm about to storm into an enemy house, is not my idea of fun. In fact, it's stupid.

-Jetfighter IV--still haven't got it to run.
-War and Peace--busy playing other games.
-Neverwinter Nights--busy with the other games.
-Battlefield:1942---Good, but I would like more customability with the single-player missions, such as the ability to eliminate vehicles and have all-infantry fights, or something like that.
Seriously, you can't accomplish jack in this game without controlling a tank or vehicle.
Like I was playing the Berlin map, and it was pointless, cuz the computer just rolls over you if you're just an infantry guy, and your bazooka only has a few rounds.
Imagine having a giant infantry-fight in that ruined urban setting, or in other maps.
Instead, we get loads of infantry getting torn up by endless tanks.
And it sucks when all your dudes take the vehicles before you do.
Either put in more vehicles/tanks, or lower the vehicle respawn time: the game lets you do neither, and that's no good = no fun.

Firing your machine gun, the game feels rough in that area, where the flash doesn't match the firing, and in fact, it feels very pooly done.





GOT A NEW GAME:
-Forbidden Forest---I got this, cuz I used to play this on my old C64K!!!
This game, is a remake of it, in 3D, of course.
It is a very "arcadish", roam-and-shoot-type of game.
Cheapish, but that's the point.
It's just for nostaglia, really, it's completely brainless.
I personally, liked Forbidden Forest II, it was superior to Forbidden Forest I, because it actually had some kind of "3D" system, which was ahead of its time. FB2 was VERY GORY, perhaps, the goriest computer game until Quake-FPS-type games came out...maybe.

This remake, has a very cool intro and menu, which is VERY RETRO, like the old Commodore 64-game menu look and everything. HILARIOUS!
The actual game plays like an arcadish Deer Hunter Challenge-type game, where you run around a 3D wilderness with a trusty bow and arrow, picking up coins, and blasting monsters that spawn.

You can roam the map and go anywhere you choose, to find secret locations or just sight-see. The 3D graphics have a slightly retro-feel, yet, they look pretty good, the engine is pretty fluid.
The game actually has day/night (and weather FX, if I recall), that are very well done.

The game isn't TOO gory, at least not so far, like FB2 was.
The action aspect of the game, is like "Gauntlet-mode" in sim games, where there is like a "Level 1" and you get attacked by a giant spider.
Then comes "Level 2", and now you get attacked by two spiders.
And this goes on, increasingly with new baddies and more creatures.

I could go on, but this is really a retro-styled game, which isn't bad, for those wanting some nostalgia to the days when one played video games for "points" and to get the "highest score".

However, the game crashed, only once so far, when I was playing it.
This was disconcerting considering the simplicity of the game.
Still, it was fun.
However, (again), personally, I would have liked to see them remake FB2, which actually had a small story/quest to it.