Well, exams are over so I have time to indulge in a bit of gaming until September rolls along and rears it’s ugly head. The trouble is I can’t decide which game to buy, I don’t have a specific genre of game i’m looking for, I enjoy well-made games of any description. So, what games would you recommend to a Doper looking to while away some lazy hazy summer afternoons?
P.S. I should say it’s P.C. games i’m talking about, not console.
The easiest games to reccomend for general-purpose enjoyment are the ones you recently enjoyed (‘you’ being the reccomender of course)
So I’d reccomend any splinter-cell game (there are three. I’d go in order - Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow, and Splinter Cell Chaos Theory)
And Empire Earth II (assuming you have the patience to learn a complicated game like this)
The Hitman games. Oooh, yeah.
Demonstone for PC - D&D meets Golden Axe
Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich - As good as the first one. Surprisngly easy to get a hand on, but each mission has an unique challenge that gets you thinking.
Knights of the Old Repubic I/II - Easily accessible role-playing. Can be finished in 48 hours if you play straight.
Freelancer - Yeah, I know its old, but there are a few games like it any more.
GTA: San Andreas is coming out for PC in a few days.
I’ve been having fun with Jedi Knight III: Jedi Academy. If you’re more into strategy than first person shooters, there’s Rise of Nations, which is real-time, and Master of Orion (1 or 2, but not 3), which is turn-based.
How about getting yourself a job instead? Or go travelling?
Get America’s Army. It’s the official game of the U.S. Army, and it’s free! Damn fine game, too.
There’s always one that comes out with something like this 
I will be getting a job but won’t be working 24/7, I will have free time in which to socialise and relax and simply wanted some advice on the best games around at the moment so I don’t waste my money on a game that I will complete in 6 hours and won’t enjoy.
Thanks for the advice so far, some games I have already got and some others I will definitely look into to see if they are my sort of style.
Fallout 2. One of the best RPG’s ever. You can probably get it bundled with Fallout 1 for ten bucks in the discount bin.
I thoroughly enjoyed City of Heroes (if you’re up for a pay-per-month game.) I’ve also just started Guild Wars but can’t yet comment on it beyond that the graphics are quite impressive.
In reply to the OP: Well, what other games (of any genre) have you enjoyed? Do you have any general preferences at all? Fast-paced, good story, good graphics, action-oriented, strategic… anything?
You could always read reviews and try demos. Personally, I think demos tell you more than any review or person ever could.
I like a range of games really, if I had to pick a favourite genre I would have to say RPGs, I really enjoyed the Baldur’s Gate series and Neverwinter Nights, i’m also a big fan of the KOTOR games. Apart from RPGs I also like First Person Shooters such as HL2 and Doom III. Recently I borrowed LOTR:BFME off a friend and loved playing that, I think I preferred that to other RTS games because it focused more on troop strategy than resources management.
If you’re looking for some fun, easy to pickup & play type games, then check out the Popcap ones available through Yahoo (or other sites.) Some of them are pretty addictive…I think it’s $19.99 for the full version after you’ve tried the free version.
My favorites so far are:
Diner Dash
Insaniquarium
Chuzzle
Zuma
Heavy Weapon
and
Typer Shark
There are a ton available so there’s something for everyone I think.
My wife and I have been VERY into World of Warcraft since the day after launch, about 6 months ago. It’s a very accessible massively multiplayer online role-playing game - swords and sorcery, all that kind of thing. It DOES have a monthly fee, from 12 to 15 dollars, but if you can afford 50 cents a day in addition to the initial purchase price, it’s a ton o’ fun…
George
Rome: Total War
There is something just satisfying about having your cavalry crash into the side of the enemy’s phalanx. And as they run away, you release the war dogs.
If you’re into flight sims, some good ones are:
Crimson Skies- Set during the 1930’s in an alternate universe where the depression balkanized the USA, Zepplins and air pirates now roam the skies, spurring innovation. Not particulary realistic, but very fun and very reciminsnt of the old Pulp adventure serials.
They use Zepplins as battleships and aircraft carriers. What’s not to love?
If you can find it,Tie Fighter- You play a pilot who has joined the imperial navy just after the battle of Hoth. Fly Imperial ships and rid the galaxy of Rebel Scum. Excellant storyline and great cutscenes. Quite long too.
Suggestions by genre:
Driving
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
Need for Speed: Underground
Need for Speed: Underground 2 (? - It’s supposed to be out for PC but I haven’t seen it)
Empire Building/Construction
The Settlers: Heritage of Kings
Civilization III: Complete
Chris Sawyer’s Locomotion
Railroad Tycoon 3
Rollercoaster Tycoon 2
Rollercoaster Tycoon 3
MMORPG
City of Heroes
Action/RPG
Guild Wars (It’s an RPG but only MMO in certain places).
Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich
Sid Meier’s Pirates!
Silent Storm
FPS
Call of Duty
Call of Duty: United Offensive
Or take a look at what I own and see if anything strikes your fancy.
Hi there! Let me know if you want to join the CeCL guild.
They want you to register.
Does a recruiter show up at your door?
Nope. At least not for me, and I played the game for a week or so before getting bored with it(I’m not a big muti-player fan. It usally tends to bore me because after a while it becomes nothing more then level building).