The penguin seeks advice.

[gridlore]

Now that we have the shiny new computer up and running, I've encountered a rather serious problem. Vista simply will not allow Nethack to run in full screen mode.

bother.

But I was thinking that it might be time to expand my options a bit. I'm going to get Madden '08 (the current version does not allow for playing in coach mode) but am looking for other experiences.

Here's what I like:

• strategic games


• historical simulations


• opportunities beyond combat


• world building

Here's what I don't like:

• first person shooters


• games requiring fast reflexes or excellent keyboard/mouse skills


• anything with overly graphic graphics (PTSD, y'know.)


• games that railroad options

So, any suggestions?

• Athlon 64 X2 (W) 5200+ 2.6 GHz processor with 2000 MT/s (mega transfers/second) and socket AM2
• GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 chipset
• 2GB PC2-4200 MB/sec 240 pin, DDR2 SDRAM, upgradeable to 4GB (32-bit OS) or 8GB (64-bit OS)
• 500 GB SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec), 7200 rpm hard drive
• 16X DVD (±)R/RW 12X RAM (±)R DL LightScribe SATA drive
• Integrated 10/100 Base-T networking interface with 56K bps data/fax modem
• High Definition 7.1 audio with ALC 888 chipset
• Integrated 15-in-1 (4 slot) memory card reader
• 6 USB 2.0 ports, 2 in the front and 4 in the back
• Windows Vista Home Premium with Windows Media Center

Comments

[pauldrye.livejournal.com]

Europa Universalis III, or possibly Victoria by the same publishers.

As a baseball fan, you might like Baseball Mogul.

[pompe.livejournal.com]

I second EUIII - it can't cost more than a few USD nowadays, and I doubt you'll find better historical simulation games around. See if you can find the In Nomine version which is the most extensive.

I like semi-shooters, though, so brainier RPGs like Fallout (III) and Mass Effect are my main passion these days. Not sure how they work with your graphics card, though - I prefer to run actionish stuff on the console and use the PC for strategy and 3rd-person isowhatever.

[(Anonymous)]

There is also "Hearts of iron II - Armagedon", same concept but between 1936-1964 or so. A cool feature is that if you get the right versions you can import save games and use all five games from Paradox (Europa Universalis:Rome, Crusader Kings, Europa Universalis, Victoria and Hearts of iron) and play from 280 BCE to 1964. Haven't tried it as it looks like an alt-history geeks kind of crack and I don't have the time.

Patrik (TML-lurker) Holmström

[pauldrye.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, if you're any good at the game at all, you've already conquered the world by the end of EU3, so Victoria and Hearts of Iron are kind of moot in that chain.