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

[clinkerbuilt.livejournal.com]

Well, there's Galactic Civ, that someone mentioned already. There's Sim City - Societies, of course, as well as Spore...Both of which are fun, but will rot the brain.

For something different, you might try Activision's "The Movies" - in the campaign mode, you can stat in he 20's and go forward...It also allows you to make your own movies.

Although the newer versions seem to all be FPS's, take a look at an older version of "Close Combat"; it is more platoon-level TDG than FPS. Don't know if that works or not for you, though.....

Hope that helps...

[cmdr-zoom.livejournal.com]

The problem I had with SPORE is that the endgame is a cunning trap. There's not much point in building a vast empire when all it gets you is more planets and more neighbors who all demand that you come running Right Now and put out their fires, because apparently no one else is capable. You can't really build an economy or an industrial base, and pretty soon you can't even explore, because you're spending all of your time fending off pirates or Grox or dealing with other disasters.

[caraig.livejournal.com]

The Movies is a lot of fun! It's one of those games I keep installed because *eventually* I get back to it when I'm not, y'know, distracted. =D