Looking for a good, older computer RPG [Archive]

Windwalker

08-13-2008, 01:38 AM

I'm in the mood for a new RPG, but my computer can't really handle any of the new-fangled programs coming out (even Morrowind can't run on it).

PC RPGs that I've played and liked over the years, in rough order of preference:

Fallout I & II
Baldurs Gate I & II
Planescape: Torment
Arcanum
Icewind Dale I & II
Divine Divinity & Beyond Divinity
Diablo II

I'm looking for a game that's not just a pure hack & slash like Diablo. Ideally, it would have a good combat system AND good non-combat gameplay.

Any suggestions?

appleciders

08-13-2008, 01:58 AM

Knights of the Old Republic wasn't bad, and I seem to remember hearing reasonable things about the sequel. The combat system is a somewhat disguised turn-based system, which gives you a fair amount of tactical plotting.

cckerberos

08-13-2008, 02:06 AM

If he can't run Morrowind, he's not going to be able to run KOTOR.

Orbifold

08-13-2008, 02:48 AM

You seem to have already played most of the Bioware and Black Isle library. What about the original Neverwinter Knights, does that fall within your system specs?

Septima

08-13-2008, 03:36 AM

Dungeon Siege? It's a pretty fun combat system. Granted, the story isn't much, but it should get you by until you find something better.

Hoopy Frood

08-13-2008, 06:49 AM

Deus Ex

The only two words you'll ever need to know. (Since you've already played the Fallouts.)

Oh, and Wasteland for real old-school (c. 1987), though, you'll have to search around to find a copy of it either standalone (emulation?) or one of the anthologies it was later packaged in.

Just Some Guy

08-13-2008, 07:41 AM

It doesn't matter if you play a role, it's not a role-playing game. By your definition any game short of Tetris is a role-playing game.

Hmm? Oh, sorry. That post is about twelve hours early. Copy and paste it when you need to.

As for a recommendation, you haven't touched the Ultima series. 6 through 7 (which actually encompasses five games and two expansion packs) are the peak of the games while 8 and 9 are to be avoided.

Erasmus Darwin

08-13-2008, 08:18 AM

Oh, and Wasteland for real old-school (c. 1987), though, you'll have to search around to find a copy of it either standalone (emulation?) or one of the anthologies it was later packaged in.

Underdogs has it: http://www.the-underdogs.info/game.php?gameid=2425

Make sure you grab the manual since lengthier portions of in-game text are replaced with notes telling you to read specific paragraphs in the book.

Also, keep in mind that it hasn't aged the best. It's still an all-time classic, but someone who doesn't have the nostalgia of playing it originally might not be as understanding. Even so, it's worth checking out as it's the game that helped spawn the Fallout series.

Just Some Guy

08-13-2008, 08:24 AM

Bah. Who needs the paragraphs book? Everyone should have it memorize.

I'm not the only one who has it memorized, right?

tanstaafl

08-13-2008, 09:22 AM

Bah. Who needs the paragraphs book? Everyone should have it memorize.

I'm not the only one who has it memorized, right?
I only memorized the parts with the Martians... ;)

Kinthalis

08-13-2008, 09:27 AM

I'll second the original Neverwinter Nights. It's been optimized over the last 60 + patches so that it should run on a machine that can't handle morrowind. I remember being able to playing NWN1 with most setting turned on, and running morrowind at like 10 FPS. It would help to know your system specs, however.

NWN also just got it's last patch and the compilation version (I think it's called NWN diamond) offers you some 200+ hours of gaming. The 200+ top rated (there are thousands actually but just sticking to the top few hundred) community created adventure mods should extend than pretty much indefinitely, or at least until you get sick and tired of the game. All this for under $20: http://www.amazon.com/Neverwinter-Nights-Diamond-Compilation-DVD-ROM-Pc/dp/B000B8K7RC/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1218637907&sr=8-1

Really Not All That Bright

08-13-2008, 09:49 AM

What are your system specs? I can run KOTORs I & II and my machine is relatively ancient- six years old- and wasn't even top-of-the line when I built it (Athlon 2600+; I think they'd just hit some number in the mid-thirties).

glee

08-13-2008, 12:48 PM

Temple of Elemental Evil (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Atari-Temple-of-Elemental-Evil/dp/B0000AHOA5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1218649616&sr=1-1) runs under Windows 98.

Miller

08-13-2008, 03:47 PM

Temple of Elemental Evil (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Atari-Temple-of-Elemental-Evil/dp/B0000AHOA5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1218649616&sr=1-1) runs under Windows 98.

Temple of Elemental Evil doesn't run under any operating system. Buggiest piece of shit I've played since Daggerfall. Even with the patches. Even with the fan-made patches, after the developer dropped it like a hot potato. Stay the hell away from this one.

Instead, check out Eschalon: Book 1 (http://www.playgreenhouse.com/featuredGame). It's a new game, but done in a traditional isometric perspective, with graphics that are very processor friendly. It's a very cool game, and cheap, to boot. The demo is pretty extensive, and gives you a good idea of what the full game is like.

Crowbar of Irony +3

08-13-2008, 03:49 PM

The Quest for Glory Anthology, and Quest for Glory V, if you can still find them, is the best adventure/RPG combination ever.

I second the first Knights of the Old Republic, and the second one too, if the Sith Lord Restoration project ever comes out of beta.

Titan Quest is a good filler while you wait for Diablo 3. Getting it with Immortal Throne is a must - the Dream Mastery is worth it as it allows you to create enjoyable builds (FYI: You choose 2 'classes' for a character build. Some build are useless, some are overpowered - but darned fun). You can get it off Steam. There are fan patch and mods for it too.

The demo of Sacred was fun for me. Somehow I never did get the game; think my PC was too slow for it back then.

bouv

08-13-2008, 04:04 PM

The Quest for Glory Anthology, and Quest for Glory V, if you can still find them, is the best adventure/RPG combination ever.

There is no way you'd be able to run these unless you also install DOSBox and run them under that (it's a DOS system emulator.) The graphics and sound get way too messed up and crash the game under even Windows 98, let alone XP/2000 or Vista.

Well...I guess QFG V will run under Windows, but I never played it. It was a huge departure from the rest of the series. I tried the demo that came with the QFG Anthology and it was not my cup of tea.

QFG IV is one of my favorite games of all time. It has a great dark atmosphere to it, and with three classes (four if you import someone from an earlier game and play as a Paladin,) you have good replay value since a lot of puzzles are different.

ETA: I should also add that these are adventure/RPGs, not straight RPGs. You have stats like strength, agility, etc... that go up as you adventure, but not "levels," and you don't really upgrade equipment or anything.

Really Not All That Bright

08-13-2008, 04:31 PM

There is no way you'd be able to run these unless you also install DOSBox and run them under that (it's a DOS system emulator.) The graphics and sound get way too messed up and crash the game under even Windows 98, let alone XP/2000 or Vista.
Gametap, man.

Malacandra

08-13-2008, 04:42 PM

glee

08-13-2008, 04:43 PM

Temple of Elemental Evil doesn't run under any operating system. Buggiest piece of shit I've played since Daggerfall. Even with the patches. Even with the fan-made patches, after the developer dropped it like a hot potato. Stay the hell away from this one.

:confused:
I've run it successfully under Windows 98, Windows NT and Vista.
Yes, it needed a patch - but so do other games (e.g. Civ 4).

Johnny Angel

08-13-2008, 05:29 PM

Fallout I & II
Baldurs Gate I & II
Planescape: Torment
Arcanum
Icewind Dale I & II
Divine Divinity & Beyond Divinity
Diablo II

Well, most of the games you've cited are on my "Don't bother to ask what to play next if you haven't played these" list. But there are some good items on my Also Ran list.

First of all, have you played The Ur-Quan Masters? It's only not an RPG by the technicality that you're building a space ship rather than a person. But the story, the interaction with NPCs, and the exploration and combat all feel like a damn good RPG. It has been released in freeware:

http://sc2.sourceforge.net/

Have you played System Shock 2? It's a 3D shooter-style RPG, and overall not like any of the ones on your list, but it is immersive, atmospheric and it's a classic that should not be missed.

Hoopy Frood mentioned Deus Ex. It's also fps-style, but built with a world that gives you a lot of options on how to achieve mission goals. It's being given away for free on GameTap, apparently. I have no idea with the catch is:

http://www.gametap.com/play/gameDetails/000459050

Anachronox is a JRPG-style game that is basically a parody of computer games. It has been woefully underappreciated.

Really Not All That Bright

08-13-2008, 05:53 PM

The catch with GameTap is that you have to install their loader thingy (which is big- 'bout 800 meg) and that to play most of their good games you have to pay the $9.96 monthly fee.

IMHO, it's well worth it. I've sung the praises of GameTap here before, and I'll continue to do so.

Probably half of the PC games they offer are available as freeware (GTA1 & 2, for example) but most are the sort you find for $10 in unboxed CDs at Wal-Mart. They just got Fallout and I think Fallout 2 and FO: Tactics are coming soon.

Windwalker

08-14-2008, 01:28 AM

Might & Magic VI has an excellent character development system, a large world that you can explore without being in the least bit railroaded (many places are just too durn dangerous, but that's your lookout) and a combat system that allows you to play either turn-based or real-time at your discretion. The plot is quite good and there is lots to do. I have a Vista machine that it runs perfectly well on, a little to my surprise as it's about Windows 98 vintage. Graphics are what you'd expect for a late 1990s game, viewpoint is first-person and you control a party of four, each chosen from six character classes with lots of room for customisation. (You can also recruit a couple of henchman but they don't do anything for the most part, just bias the dice-rolls a bit.)

Sounds interesting. Is it mostly a dungeon crawler or is there significant (good) gameplay outside of combat?

Deus Ex

The only two words you'll ever need to know. (Since you've already played the Fallouts.)

I've heard so much about this game and System Shock II, I should probably give them a try.

What are your system specs? I can run KOTORs I & II and my machine is relatively ancient- six years old- and wasn't even top-of-the line when I built it (Athlon 2600+; I think they'd just hit some number in the mid-thirties).

I tried installing KOTOR off my friend's copy, and it would install, but I couldn't get it to run (error message that I forget).

As for a recommendation, you haven't touched the Ultima series. 6 through 7 (which actually encompasses five games and two expansion packs) are the peak of the games while 8 and 9 are to be avoided.

Totally forgot about the Ultima games. I've heard that they're pretty free-form in what you can do, so I should probably give it a go. Thanks.

Thanks for the suggestions, folks, keep'em coming!

Malacandra

08-14-2008, 09:43 AM

{Might & Magic VI} Sounds interesting. Is it mostly a dungeon crawler or is there significant (good) gameplay outside of combat?

There's a lot of travelling around and talking to people and finding stuff out - for instance, at one key point in the plot one of the NPCs is supposed to vote for you in council, under orders from his Lord, and when he refuses to do so you need to speak to his Lord who gives you a quest to go and investigate somewhere to find out what the matter is. If you say the wrong thing to the wrong Prince at the wrong time then you will have to run him to earth possibly several months later before the plot can progress - and at one point you have to choke down your natural reluctance and set a notorious villain free, as it's the only way to keep from blowing up the world.

There's a lot of dungeon crawling, admittedly, but there is a major story arc behind all of it.

bouv

08-14-2008, 02:21 PM

:confused:
I've run it successfully under Windows 98, Windows NT and Vista.
Yes, it needed a patch - but so do other games (e.g. Civ 4).

Yeah, but Civ4 doesn't delete your entire hardrive when you uninstall it if you don't download the patch. :eek:

And I heard the gameplay was pretty bad, especially compared to the really good D&D games like Baldur's Gate I and II, and Neverwinter Nights. But it's worth giving a shot, since it can be had for pretty cheap, but for the LOVE of God don't think the patch is optional, cause it ain't.

Really Not All That Bright

08-14-2008, 02:31 PM

I don't think you'll be able to run System Shock 2 if you can't run KOTOR.

Talon Karrde

08-15-2008, 07:55 PM

NWN also just got it's last patch and the compilation version (I think it's called NWN diamond) offers you some 200+ hours of gaming. The 200+ top rated (there are thousands actually but just sticking to the top few hundred) community created adventure mods should extend than pretty much indefinitely, or at least until you get sick and tired of the game. All this for under $20: http://www.amazon.com/Neverwinter-Nights-Diamond-Compilation-DVD-ROM-Pc/dp/B000B8K7RC/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1218637907&sr=8-1
I would recommend NWN as well if you can run it. The main campaign sucks, but there are a ton of good mods.

Spider Software (http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/)'s games are known for being well written and designed but having poor graphics and interfaces. I've never played one myself.

I don't think you'll be able to run System Shock 2 if you can't run KOTOR.
I'm not so sure about that. It's worth trying the demo and seeing anyway. Here (http://www.download.com/System-Shock-2-demo/3000-7539_4-10031250.html)'s one link, others are easy to find via google.

thelurkinghorror

08-15-2008, 10:10 PM

I don't think you'll be able to run System Shock 2 if you can't run KOTOR.
???? KOTOR came out four years later.

Cuckoorex

08-15-2008, 11:47 PM

I've enjoyed the games the OP listed quite a bit, but I also have a soft spot for the older RPGs; my favorites from days gone by...

The Bard's Tale 1, 2, and 3
Wizardry series (especially 7, Crusaders of the Dark Savant)
Realms of Arkania series (you can buy the trilogy together in one package if you're lucky enough to find one available; got mine through ebay.)
Dragon Wars (another that uses the "read paragraph 35" method to advance the story)

DeadlyAccurate

08-15-2008, 11:53 PM

Instead, check out Eschalon: Book 1 (http://www.playgreenhouse.com/featuredGame). It's a new game, but done in a traditional isometric perspective, with graphics that are very processor friendly. It's a very cool game, and cheap, to boot. The demo is pretty extensive, and gives you a good idea of what the full game is like.

Eschalon was great. About 30 hours in length, so a decent gaming experience. Also, I absolute love the Geneforge series by Spiderweb Software.

Captain_C

08-15-2008, 11:59 PM

Ah yes, don't forget the Exile games. Actually, pretty much anything by Spiderweb Software (http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/) is going to be a good suggestion. All their games have free demos.

Miller

08-16-2008, 02:41 AM

:confused:
I've run it successfully under Windows 98, Windows NT and Vista.
Yes, it needed a patch - but so do other games (e.g. Civ 4).

I've got it to run. I've never got it to run well.

Really Not All That Bright

08-16-2008, 11:04 AM

???? KOTOR came out four years later.
!

I thought it was much newer than that. I'm trying the demo now... :D

Hoopy Frood

08-18-2008, 09:27 AM

There's a lot of travelling around and talking to people and finding stuff out - for instance, at one key point in the plot one of the NPCs is supposed to vote for you in council, under orders from his Lord, and when he refuses to do so you need to speak to his Lord who gives you a quest to go and investigate somewhere to find out what the matter is. If you say the wrong thing to the wrong Prince at the wrong time then you will have to run him to earth possibly several months later before the plot can progress - and at one point you have to choke down your natural reluctance and set a notorious villain free, as it's the only way to keep from blowing up the world.

There's a lot of dungeon crawling, admittedly, but there is a major story arc behind all of it.

Interesting story arc and wonderful idea with the classes. (I recommend three druids and a mage for your party, personally. Especially if you work on the class advancement quests in the beginning of the game. Granted, to pull this off you either need a FAQ or intimate knowledge of the game, but it greatly reduces a lot of the grind you'd normally have to go through.)

Speaking of grind, that's what annoyed me about this game. There are typically 3 levels of the same monster, distinguished by the color of their name. And each board is crawling with them. And all monsters have the same AI, which is to take the shortest path to get to the party as quickly as possible unless you are very hurt in which case run away from them as quckly as possible. The monsters are unaware of each other's existence, except when it would come to two pieces of matter occupying the same point in space. The only thing that exists is your party. And they keep coming. You will find yourself litterally taking one step, then slaughtering a handful of monsters. Then taking another step, and slaughering another handful of monsters. Repeat seemingly ad infinitum. After you've killed the 200th religious cultist and realize there are still another 500 to go on that map before you get to where you need to go, it gets kind of old.

pentadent

08-18-2008, 01:30 PM

Instead, check out Eschalon: Book 1 (http://www.playgreenhouse.com/featuredGame). It's a new game, but done in a traditional isometric perspective, with graphics that are very processor friendly. It's a very cool game, and cheap, to boot. The demo is pretty extensive, and gives you a good idea of what the full game is like.
I just downloaded this and I'll give it try tonight - thanks.

pentadent

08-18-2008, 02:33 PM

Just played the demo for 30 mins or so - great game - I'm buying.

Goes to prove you don't need cutting edge graphics to make a good game.

Apocalypso

08-18-2008, 10:55 PM

I bought the Might and Magic collection on ebay, has the last 4-5 games in the series. However my comp is too new to run it (it doesn't like XP). The box says Win 95, so I'm not sure if it'll work with 98 or ME. I have my old comp with ME on it, but I've been playing Roller Coaster Tycoon and UFO Extraterrestrials and haven't had time to dig the machine out and hook it up.

Try Betrayal at Krondor, that was a decent game similar to Baldurs Gate, and it came out around the same time so you should be able to run it.

Apocalypso

08-18-2008, 11:03 PM

[Edit prev post - board is lagging and 5 mins are up] It's actually called Might & Magic Millenium Edition. There's also a Wizardry Collection that has all of the games except Wiz 8, and it'll run on newer or older versions of Windows (although I couldn't get the last 2 games to work at all on XP :mad: ).

Captain_C

08-18-2008, 11:06 PM

I have to say thank you for the suggestion of Eschalon. It reminds me of an Ultima game without all the glurge that Richard Garrott seemed intent on cramming into the games. I'm going to have to buy this when I get the funding, I've already played through the demo twice.

Windwalker

08-18-2008, 11:41 PM

Ah yes, don't forget the Exile games. Actually, pretty much anything by Spiderweb Software (http://www.spiderwebsoftware.com/) is going to be a good suggestion. All their games have free demos.

Well, in the last few days, I tried re-installing and picking up Diablo II from where I left off (I only got to Act III before I got bored before), and then I downloaded the Avernum 1 demo. Guess which one I'm having much more fun in?

It's amazing, really. Avernum's download is only 7.5 MB, and it's kicking the crap out of Diablo's massive 4 CD, 1.5-2GB ass! I think I'm gonna end up uninstalling Diablo II before I even finish Act III, yet again.

I know Avernum is a bit lacking in polish; I'd really love to be able to write my OWN notes in-game, since there's 1000 different characters who are impossible to keep track of and reach when I want to report back on a quest or something. And the combat is a bit clunky. And I'm not sure if there are actually multiple paths through completing things. But, it really feels like a huge, consistent, and explorable game world with a ton of character customizability, so I'm willing to forgive the other things. And it hits hard (I've died 3 times already)!

Thanks!

Captain_C

08-18-2008, 11:51 PM

The later games allow notes and multiple paths I believe. I played the Exile games (Avernum is a remake of Exile, angled view instead of top-down) and I know at least Exile 3 allowed these.

Paladud

08-18-2008, 11:56 PM

Avernum seems iffy. Geneforge titles (from the same company) are quite excellent though.

Windwalker

08-19-2008, 01:26 AM

Avernum seems iffy. Geneforge titles (from the same company) are quite excellent though.

So there's another series of games that I can play after the Avernum set, that you consider even better?

:head explodes:

So essentially, Spiderweb Software has provided me with all the computer gaming I need for the next couple of years.

SWEET!

clairobscur

08-20-2008, 12:51 AM

Does someone remember the name of some computer RPG where you begin the game in a spacecraft that crashes on a fantasy-style planet, where you're welcomed by friendly bipedal big cats? I remember having quite enjoyed it.

And what about this other oldie I barely remember now where you begin escorting a prisoner, tracked down by assassins? Does it ring a bell to somebody?

As for Might and Magic VI, IMO, it was an acceptably good RPG but not outstanding. Quite a lot of dungeon crawling, a lot of critters to kill every time you move, and the storyline wasn't particularly impressive. The funniest part IMO was mixing stuff at random to prepare potions that would explode at your face half the time.

Might and Magic VII was pretty similar, especially the storyline. Maybe slightly better because you owned this castle and, IIRC, could pick up a side when events were unfolding.

Since I played both to the end, I can't tell they are bad, just so-so. But on the other hand the OP already played all the RPGs I really liked, so it's not like I could give a better advice.

thelurkinghorror

08-20-2008, 02:56 AM

And what about this other oldie I barely remember now where you begin escorting a prisoner, tracked down by assassins? Does it ring a bell to somebody?Betrayal at Krondor? I guess it could be a lot of things, but that seems to apply. The prisoner is freed after the first attempt and becomes a party member.

Leah M

08-20-2008, 04:03 AM

I'd recommend Heroes of Might & Magic 2-5 (different than regular Might & Magic), or Albion.

Albion is a fairly older game that's a little quirky and sci-fi/fantasy-ish, but I enjoyed it.

Wiki info for Albion. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albion_%28computer_game%29) Not sure how easy it is to find, and I can't for the life of me remember where I originally procured it, though.

Leah M

08-20-2008, 04:05 AM

Does someone remember the name of some computer RPG where you begin the game in a spacecraft that crashes on a fantasy-style planet, where you're welcomed by friendly bipedal big cats? I remember having quite enjoyed it.

I didn't see your post before I mentioned it, but it's 'Albion'. :)

I just mentioned in in the post above this one.

Hoopy Frood

08-20-2008, 06:56 AM