Play...I've always enjoyed strategy games: competition without the chance of getting really hurt I also like puzzles and role-playing so I've been playing those games more. I list demos that I have taken the time to download and play, but I will have to find more time to write about those.
Vampire: The Eternal Struggle�Currently playing via e-mail with friend Rictus in Idaho this card game based on The Masquerade, a vampire themed role-playing system by White Wolf Games. Probably the best "card/combat" game I've ever played. Those people playing Magic don't know what they are missing.
Computer Games
Zork: Nemesis�I picked this one up used for eight bucks. What a bargain, very reminiscent of the old Infocom games but better, with pictures and music. Interesting references to hermeticism. There are two more titles like this that I will definitely have to play.
Sid Meyer's Civilization�Yes, the old DOS version. I have played the newer version but I have to admit I still like the older version even though I purchased Civilization II recently.
Sid Meyer's Railroad Tycoon�Same story here, DOS version still works fine. The new version looks very cool but why buy new when the old one still works?
Temujin�The best thing about this are the complex and often-absurd characterizations of the people in this supernatural "thriller" puzzle adventure. But don't waste your time on this if you don't like adventure type games and poorly thought out interfaces.
Blade Runner�They sure have captured the atmosphere of the Ridley Scott movie by the same name. Unfortunately the added storylines, rather than paying homage to Phillip K. Dick, the author of the book the movie was based on, simply extrapolate on the characters presented in the movie. Hiring too few voice actors to depict the stock characters leave them flat. Good overall presentation that is hindered by slow game play.
Riven�Those guys from Cyan have done it again. An elegant and intricate if not always logical puzzle adventure between the pages of "linking" books.
Toonstruck�For some reason I am stuck early on in the game and I think it�s a glitch in the game engine. I'll try to finish it when I get Windows98 up and running on my machine. Christopher Lloyd and Tim Curry keep this simple adventure puzzle from being too annoying.
Circle of Blood & Smoking Mirror�This "historical" farce begins very well but looses steam throughout the later part of the game. Lots of well rendered graphics, some interesting if not entirely logical puzzles, a bit too much "juvenile" stereotyping and sexism in the characters.
Demos
Caesar III�Very enjoyable but so close to Civilization and Ages of Empires that I wonder if I'd play it once I owned it. Anyone want to give me a copy to find out?
Deadlock�Downloaded this strategy game demo a while ago and I still have it on my drive. Here's a case of the demo being almost too good. I will definitely buy this someday, the question is when?
Hexplore�Not a bad RPG, I just don't know who would pay money to play this so-so game. Lots of repetitive journeys back to health sites so you can keep the characters alive just like Ultima. People! We can do better game design, can't we?
Vampire: The Eternal Struggle�Currently playing via e-mail with friend Rictus in Idaho this card game based on The Masquerade, a vampire themed role-playing system by White Wolf Games. Probably the best "card/combat" game I've ever played. Those people playing Magic don't know what they are missing.
Computer Games
Zork: Nemesis�I picked this one up used for eight bucks. What a bargain, very reminiscent of the old Infocom games but better, with pictures and music. Interesting references to hermeticism. There are two more titles like this that I will definitely have to play.
Sid Meyer's Civilization�Yes, the old DOS version. I have played the newer version but I have to admit I still like the older version even though I purchased Civilization II recently.
Sid Meyer's Railroad Tycoon�Same story here, DOS version still works fine. The new version looks very cool but why buy new when the old one still works?
Temujin�The best thing about this are the complex and often-absurd characterizations of the people in this supernatural "thriller" puzzle adventure. But don't waste your time on this if you don't like adventure type games and poorly thought out interfaces.
Blade Runner�They sure have captured the atmosphere of the Ridley Scott movie by the same name. Unfortunately the added storylines, rather than paying homage to Phillip K. Dick, the author of the book the movie was based on, simply extrapolate on the characters presented in the movie. Hiring too few voice actors to depict the stock characters leave them flat. Good overall presentation that is hindered by slow game play.
Riven�Those guys from Cyan have done it again. An elegant and intricate if not always logical puzzle adventure between the pages of "linking" books.
Toonstruck�For some reason I am stuck early on in the game and I think it�s a glitch in the game engine. I'll try to finish it when I get Windows98 up and running on my machine. Christopher Lloyd and Tim Curry keep this simple adventure puzzle from being too annoying.
Circle of Blood & Smoking Mirror�This "historical" farce begins very well but looses steam throughout the later part of the game. Lots of well rendered graphics, some interesting if not entirely logical puzzles, a bit too much "juvenile" stereotyping and sexism in the characters.
Demos
Caesar III�Very enjoyable but so close to Civilization and Ages of Empires that I wonder if I'd play it once I owned it. Anyone want to give me a copy to find out?
Deadlock�Downloaded this strategy game demo a while ago and I still have it on my drive. Here's a case of the demo being almost too good. I will definitely buy this someday, the question is when?
Hexplore�Not a bad RPG, I just don't know who would pay money to play this so-so game. Lots of repetitive journeys back to health sites so you can keep the characters alive just like Ultima. People! We can do better game design, can't we?