What game to buy

[hwttdz]

I didn't know where to post this and as it does not fit into another forum I came here. I'm debating amongst some older games which to buy, by older I mean anything not a new release. I was wondering if maybe I could get some opinions on what are the better games and where to find demo's. I loved the Baldur's Gate series and Icewind Dale to give people an idea but I really haven't played any RPG's outside of those. I played a demo of Diablo II and it was just too incoherent there was no driving story or any reason to do anything. I played a demo of Pool of Radiance and I really didn't like it but I don't know if it was just because I couldn't get it to work right and because there was too much missing from the full version. The main games I'm considering are Fallout II and Arcanum. So any advice or places to find demos would be helpful. Thanks everybody.

[C Elegans]

Hello Hwttdz (what a strange username) and welcome here! I am sure this is a good forum to post in, many people here have a lot of gaming experience. I am however not one of those, but a game I really recommend if you like story driven games, is Planescape: Torment. It was made by the same company that made the Baldurs Gate and Icewind dale series. You can't play multiplayer, you play one character, and you meet several NPC:s you can pick up. This game IMO has the best storyline of any game I have ever played. There is a forum for Planescape here on Gamebanshee, so if you wish more information about this game you might want to check out threads regarding the game there. Be careful though, since many spoiler threads is around too.

[fable]

I strongly recommend Planscape: Torment. It's certainly one of the best CRPGs ever devised, and rather inexpensive at the moment. If you need details, just do a search on Planescape across the board, and you'll find quite a bit.

[hwttdz]

In PS:T there are only 3 character classes Fighter, Mage and Thief, correct? Is it as similar to BG as IWD was or does it deviate more from this formula? The setting to fallout turns me off, I like the fantasy stuff. I'm reading some reviews of arcanum and supposedly it has a very restrictive/cumbersome interface can anyone back this up? I'm waiting for IWD II but need something to kill time during the summer.

I can't get any downloads of the Arcanum demo because they require a subscription (fileplanet) or don't work (gamesmania). Can anyone with kazaa hook me up? If you can e-mail me or something of the sort.

Are there anyother RPG's that I'm failing to even take into account here?

[C Elegans]

You are right there are only 3 classes in P:T, however, you can play all three classes with your one character. You just choose freely what class you wish to "activate" at the moment.

P:T deviates a bit more than IWD from the BG formula, the interface for instance is more different from BG than IWD. The NPC interaction is more similar to BG2 though - only better. It is less combat intense than IWD, if you wish, you can play P:T with almost no combat at all, or you can play with about the same degree of combat as the BG-series. It all depends of your playing style and your stats.

[Bloodstalker]

I bought Arcanum, and have never really gotten into it. I'll finish it eventually, but the interface is annoying. PS:T is a very good game, although the mood is a somewhat darker than the BG series. But the story line is great, and the game has that addictive quality to it. And it only runs about 10 bucks.

I like the Might & Magic series, but I wouldn't really classify it as RPG, more a hack n slash. An older game I still play from time to time is Betrayal in Antarra, it has a lot of running to and fro, but I still like the game.

[Mr Flibble]

PS:T is a truly wonderful game. Definitely the best CRPG story I've ever seen. Dungeon Siege is fun for a bit of hack 'n' slash and is certainly better than Diablo.

@BS there's a sequel to Betrayal at Ankara (at least I think it's the sequel) called Return to Krondor. It's starting to show it's age (doesn't even require a high end 3D display card ) but still looks quite good.

[Bloodstalker]

Yeah, I have been looking for it, but living at the end of nowhere, well we don't get a lot to choose from. (Morrowind still isn't in Harlan ) I prefer games with ancient graphics.....my current card sucks. You pay $99, what can you expect?

[Mr Flibble]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bloodstalker Yeah, I have been looking for it, but living at the end of nowhere, well we don't get a lot to choose from.

I know that only too well. NZ kinda sucks for old games.

There's always places like this

[Bloodstalker]

Unfortunatly, I don't have a CC, so I seldom look around online anymore. Usually wait till I take a trip to Knoxeville or somewhere. Which won't be long, I HAVE t get a new video card. I have a hercules Prophet 4500, but as far as I can tell, EA hates the thing. and I NEED my Madden.

[The Z]

PS:T is one of the greatest, deepest, most original RPG's I've ever had the pleasure of playing....I'm still trying to decipher little bits of the plot.

@Bloodstalker
Compared to the computers advertised nowadays, my entire rig seems a little *old-fashioned*. Heh, ToB lags and sputters on me Comp.....

[Aegis]

Quote:

Originally posted by hwttdz I can't get any downloads of the Arcanum demo because they require a subscription (fileplanet) or don't work (gamesmania). Can anyone with kazaa hook me up? If you can e-mail me or something of the sort.

Just for future reference, please try not to endorse Kazaa or other file sharing programs, as we at Gamebanshee do not endorse their use, as it is viewed as illeagal in most of the world.

Now, onto the fun stuff. Morrowind. Thats about all I can say. It is one of the best RPG's out there (Next to Torment, of course). Check out the review of it on the site. Go to the main page, and hit the reviews link.

[Rob-hin]

PS:T is just a bit too old and boring for me. But you were looking for older games. Fallout 2 looks moor interesting too me, though I've never played it. The character evolution is supposed to be very well done with the s.p.e.c.i.a.l. rules. I'd like to try it myself someday.

Morrowind looks great, but is also a bit booring...

[Weasel]

Quote:

Originally posted by fable I strongly recommend Planscape: Torment. It's certainly one of the best CRPGs ever devised, and rather inexpensive at the moment. If you need details, just do a search on Planescape across the board, and you'll find quite a bit.

I agree. I over looked it for a long time and I'm sorry I did so now.

[Robnark]

if you like wonderful plots and excellent dialogue, get PS:T, it's my second favourite RPG ever. fallout 2 is fun and very open-ended, but the combat's rubbish, and so is the main plot really, apart from one or two twists.