Indoctrination into PC Gaming

[DirkGently]

So, I'm getting a PC for Christmas. However, since I'm building it myself I wasn't sure if it would come with a manual for becoming a member of the PC gaming master race, if I'd have to buy one or find something online. So I figured I'd turn to the Escapist's own collection of PC gamers to help. So, what games will I need to play before I can join the PC gaming nobility, and stop being a dirty console playing peasant?

 

[GammaChris]

You forgot Portal.

Actually, just get the whole Orange Box off of Steam. And while you're at it, get Audiosurf, too.

 

[Librarian Mike]

The path to PC glory goes straight through FPS City. There is no substitute for a keyboard/mouse.

 

[Bratzzzzzz]

Jagged alliance 2 <---- Solid turned based strategy
Fallout 3 <-------- Just Because, Deathclaws.
Red Alert 3 <--------is fun because it is sexist
Flatout 2 <------- Best driving/derby game EVAR
Dawn of War: Series <-------- BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD

Also, you might want to state what genre you like/ prefer, since i could now list you 100 games you need if you play everything, like i do.

 

[Dommyboy]

Unfortunately the main problem a keyboard/mouse setup fails in is driving and flying games like GTA. Flight school in GTA: San Andreas is utter hell. Heres a good list of games you should play. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Games_for_Windows_titles Now get cracking!

 

[Zac_Dai]

Don't forget mods!

If you don't play mods you can't be part of the true nobility.

 

[cainx10a]

Ah, the 'elite' pc gamer jerk circle ... just kidding ... but go for those unique and pc-only games that are really worth your money, and time.

Strategy games:
Sins of a solar empire - This is a hybrid game, mixing 4X (eXplore/eXpand/eXploit/eXterminate) and RTS (real-time strategy)

Company of Heroes - This one too can fall into the hybrid category, with RTS and Tactics genre involved

World in Conflict - More tactics than RTS.

RPG
For Action-RPGs:
Titan-Quest Bundled Pack

For cRPGs:
Neverwinter Nights 2 + Expansion packs

P2P MMOs
1. Warhammer Online - If you want those massive battles with 100 of players charging at you with nothing more than their spell books, while you poke them with your puny dagger of penetration, this game is for you.

2. World of Warcraft - Give the trial version a try, and judge for yourself whether people who hate this game are in the right.

Action games and FPS
The Orange Box - nuff said

 

[Eldritch Warlord]

There's many humorous and somewhat insulting perhaps flamewar igniting things I could say in this thread.

Instead I offer a list [http://www.metacritic.com/games/pc/scores/].

 

[Dommyboy]

Don't forget the Fallout games! They are awesome with all the mods from NMA.

 

[CoverYourHead]

Just gonna mention one no one else said that I actually really like, Spore, sure it's casual-gamer-ish but I find it to be a lot of fun.

 

[CmdrGoob]

Don't forget that now, finally, you can play RTSes as god intended. Try Warcraft 3, Red Alert 3 and Company of Heroes. Grab that sweet, sweet mouse and get the uber micro flowing.

Or grab any good recent FPS that's missing from your collection and feel the fast, precise mousey goodness.

 

[TaborMallory]

The first halo game was pretty good (and free online play!) and it's extremely fun to mod.
Also, Starcraft and the Age of Empires series are the best RTS games ever.

 

[DirkGently]

There's many humorous and somewhat insulting perhaps flamewar igniting things I could say in this thread.

Instead I offer a list [http://www.metacritic.com/games/pc/scores/].

That's quite a list. But thanks for it, and thanks to everyone.

Carl, don't worry, I still bring myself down to Xbox level because otherwise I won't be able to play Gears 2 until it gets ported the PC.

 

[PersianLlama]

Everything developed by Valve.
Warcraft I/II/III
Starcraft
Dawn of War series
World of Goo
Audiosurf
Diablo I/II
Bioshock
Stalker

It's what I suggest starting on. (Though you may have completed Bioshock/World of Goo/Orange box/L4D on console)

 

[Eldritch Warlord]

That's quite a list. But thanks for it, and thanks to everyone.

Carl, don't worry, I still bring myself down to Xbox level because otherwise I won't be able to play Gears 2 until it gets ported the PC.

Eh, it's just Metacritic's PC games arranged by score.

And if CliffyB is to be believed that will never happen. At least until a decent 360 emulator for the PC comes out.

 

[DirkGently]

That's quite a list. But thanks for it, and thanks to everyone.

Carl, don't worry, I still bring myself down to Xbox level because otherwise I won't be able to play Gears 2 until it gets ported the PC.

Eh, it's just Metacritic's PC games arranged by score.

And if CliffyB is to be believed that will never happen. At least until a decent 360 emulator for the PC comes out.

Still, you went and did something I was too lazy to go and do. And it'll be useful to consult when I run out of games that I've heard of being good and had intent to play before I posted this, Half Life, Fallout, and such.

Also, what the hell does Cliffy B have against the PC? Was he touched by one in his bathsuit area when he was a young boy or something?

 

[Eldritch Warlord]

Also, what the hell does Cliffy B have against the PC? Was he touched by one in his bathsuit area when he was a young boy or something?

I guess in a cost/reward assessment Epic considered porting Gears 2 not worth it. That series is heavily designed for consoles anyway.

Although I believe that the reason they gave to the public was "piracy." That or "Epic is now a more console focused company that still supports the PC." Probably both.

 

[Hevoo]

Anything Blizzard or Valve makes your golden.
But there is a ton of other games you should try.
COD
WoW
Total War(Rome, Medieval 2)
Age of Empires 1,2 (stay away from 3 it kinda sucks)
Left 4 Dead(really good valve game)
Team Fortress 2(another good valve game) <-- get the orange box
If you really want to do some history get Doom, and Doom 2.

 

[DirkGently]

I guess in a cost/reward assessment Epic considered porting Gears 2 not worth it. That series is heavily designed for consoles anyway.

Although I believe that the reason they gave to the public was "piracy." That or "Epic is now a more console focused company that still supports the PC." Probably both.

That makes more sense, though it's less funny. Atleast PC gaming is far less expensive than console gaming. It's a godsend that most of the classic games I'm interested in are, in fact, classic and therefore far less costly to buy, if they aren't free already.

 

[Shellsh0cker]

You and Auro70392 [a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.79937]should start a club[/a].