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

[caraig.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing a Diablo clone is Right Out. ;) Diablo, Diablo 2, Sacred, Sacred 2, all are fairly open-ended (Sacred2 the most of the bunch) but there IS a linear game in there. Ditto with Morrowind and Oblivion, which are a little more restrictive in their game world.

Something more Nethack/Roguelike is Vulture's Eye, a 3D isometric (but not 3D graphics) version of Nethack. https://launchpad.net/vultures (https://launchpad.net/vultures)

You might like Mass Effect, but the lack of any downloadable content kind of leaves me 'meh' towards it. If you can deal with flight-type sims, X3 by Egosoft would be a good choice: massive universe, forging your own way, charging forth to do battle, trade, or Other; very open-ended.

Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword is always good crack. =D

You might like Galactic Civilizations II. Actually, Space Empires V is a really crunchy game, light on the graphics but holy shamolie does it let you get under the hood and tweak things!

You might like Darwinia; it's a fairly lightweight game, but very purty, with elements of RTS. It is, though, a touch linear. For something less linear, take a peak at Uplink if you're interested at all in hacker-type games.


Thinking about it, for replay value (for the times I've seen Nethack posts here =) ) I would say Space Empires V, or X3: Terran Conflict. Most RPG-style games these days are linear to some extent. These two games are extremely open-ended. Thinking about it, there's no game currently out there that's as complex, configurable, and open-ended as NetHack. That's... rather a shame.

[jarlsberg71.livejournal.com]

I know. I'm still addicted to Diablo II... Can't wait for Diablo III... III is supposed to be less linear.

[omimouse.livejournal.com]

Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword is always good crack. =D

Especially if you get into the mods that the fanbase makes for it. http://www.civfanatics.com is a really good resource for those. I highly recommend the "Fall From Heaven II" mod set.

That mod, the Belseraph civ, and Perpantarch as the leader is a really fun combination for a Civ veteran that wants a challenge. :)

[fangedfaerie.livejournal.com]

Space Empires V is a really crunchy game, light on the graphics but holy shamolie does it let you get under the hood and tweak things!

Amen on both counts. We love that one.

There are, of course, Age of Empires, (Empire Earth can be pretty bloody, but the cavemen are hilarious), Warcraft and Starcraft.