Favorite Games out now... [Archive]

fishcube

08-22-2004, 12:57 PM

Intrepid Homoludens

08-22-2004, 01:13 PM

It seemed alot of the games I saw listed in other threads were very old.

*D Doesn't that tell you a lot?

Anyway, the only AG I'm currently playing now is Uru, and I'm taking my time with it. I'm focusing more on the exploration and just the 'sightseeing' angle - beautiful, beautiful world, it is. I'm cheating a bit on the puzzles by using UHS (universal hint system) because I'm more interested in running around and discovering stuff. I'm looking forward to The Case Of The Silver Earring. I'm savouring the demo right now, and I like how the game is structured. Very dry, logical, etc.

SamNMax

08-22-2004, 01:28 PM

Well, I'm playing King's Quest III right now and it seems pretty... oh.

Sirus

08-22-2004, 02:18 PM

Monkey Island Series (http://www.lucasarts.com/companystore/specials/monkey_bundle.htm) and Grim Fandango. (http://www.lucasarts.com/companystore/grim/)

bigjko

08-22-2004, 02:23 PM

Day of the Tentacle, Sam & Max: Hit the Road. Both available at LucasArts' store. And various retailers, as well.

Captain Blondebeard

08-22-2004, 02:25 PM

You can find any of the broken sword series anywhere.

Intrepid Homoludens

08-22-2004, 03:15 PM

*D Guys, she was asking you what your favourite games are that are current or recent!

bigjko

08-22-2004, 03:21 PM

I'd love to know your favorites or just ones that were very good, that can be found in stores now or at least ordered online.

Ahem. :shifty:

nordic_guy

08-22-2004, 09:26 PM

Well, Broken Sword III was pretty recent, and I liked it a lot. Sure, it has some annoying crate-puzzles, but overall, it's a good game.

Glenn Epic

08-22-2004, 09:44 PM

If your after recent adventure games I'd recommend Syberia 1 and 2

Phantom

08-22-2004, 11:50 PM

I'd start with Broken Sword 3 as it's more accessible then Syberia and if you like it, try Syberia 1/2.

Intrepid Homoludens

08-22-2004, 11:57 PM

Ahem. :shifty:

Okay, I've read through some old threads with Top 10 and such games... but, I'd love to know your favorites or just ones that were very good, that can be found in stores now or at least ordered online. It seemed alot of the games I saw listed in other threads were very old.

Ahem. :shifty:

Maybe fishcube herself can specify.

Ninth

08-23-2004, 12:33 AM

Okay, I've read through some old threads with Top 10 and such games... but, I'd love to know your favorites or just ones that were very good, that can be found in stores now or at least ordered online. It seemed alot of the games I saw listed in other threads were very old.

I'm new to adventure gaming and would love to start making a list that I can take into a store and know I'm buying a decent game.

Sharonkay

One recent game I'd suggest is The Black Mirror. It's a "2D inventory-based third person point and click" (;)) game with horror settings, a compelling story, very nice graphics, an obnoxious main character (but I like this), and varied puzzles, some good, some bad, some "Myst-like", some "open-door" like, some dialog based like...
Now if you like Myst clones (mechanic puzzles, 1st person, no dialogs), there are many games in the market that could satisfy you (like Exile, Schizm, ...), but if you'd rather play inventory and dialog based 3rd person games, oldies are what you want, and they usually can be bought as budget games, or online...

fishcube

08-23-2004, 03:50 AM

fishcube

08-23-2004, 06:01 AM

I also forgot to add that I bought Broken Mirror a couple days ago. Look forward to playing it. Glad to hear its one that's recommended :)

now...waiting for the laptop to arrive so I can play them...

Ninth

08-23-2004, 06:05 AM

Thanks :)

I'm looking for your favorites or that you would recommend, that came out recently, plus any that can be bought now, either in stores/internet and any that actually work with XP.

Sharonkay

You can get any old Lucas Arts game to work on XP (with SCUMMVM, a very simple program), and they also are (IMO) the best AGs ever made, so if you stumbled upon any of the following games, my advice is: buy them. If you don't mind outdated graphics, that is... Do you?

Lucas games (I was going to mis-type Lucas gems... :eek: ):
Grim Fandango
Indiana Jones and the fate of Atlantis
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (older and not as good)
All the Monkey Island games (but beware of the 4th, which many people hate)
Day of the Tentacle
The Dig
Full Throttle (there's a very tiny bit of action here, but nothing dire)
Loom

Them there are the Gabriel Knight games (all three are very good, although very different from each other).

EDIT: I read your post about having bought Black Mirror a few minutes after suggesting you to try it. :rolleyes:

edlglide

08-23-2004, 04:14 PM

You can also go to www.agdinteractive.com (http://www.agdinteractive.com) and download remakes of King's Quest 1 and 2 for free, which are both solid games. King's Quest 1 is fairly simple, but it was also the first graphical adventure game ever released. The remake of King's Quest 2 is phenomenal with improved storyline and puzzles and such. I'd definitely recommend getting and playing King's Quest 2 if you enjoy adventure games, since it should run on your computer and it's free to download.

Glenn Epic

08-23-2004, 04:25 PM

I'd start with Broken Sword 3 as it's more accessible then Syberia and if you like it, try Syberia 1/2.

your drunk

crabapple

08-23-2004, 07:37 PM

I'd start with Broken Sword 3 as it's more accessible then Syberia and if you like it, try Syberia 1/2.

your drunk

Hmmph...

I can't say as I see much resemblance there either.
Someone could easily like Syberia and dislike BS3 - or vice versa.

As for the original question -
I liked Schizm 2 (aka Mysterious Journey 2), but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless I knew they enjoyed puzzles - and unless I knew their computer could play it. It needs a video card with 64MB of video RAM that's capable of hardware T&L. I think BS3 does too.

Fishcube, if you don't know what this means and don't know what your video card is, the first thing you should do is find out. It's no good buying a game if your computer can't play it.

Captain Blondebeard

08-23-2004, 07:55 PM

I personally am not a fan of the newer adventure games like syberia and TLJ. I like all the LA games including Monkey Island 4. Im looking forward to Tony Tough. Runaway was a blast from the past. It depends what kind of adventures you like. As you can tell I like 3rd person point and clck. Im also a sucker for comedy and cartoonish graphics.

fishcube

08-24-2004, 04:35 AM

crabapple.

I do know what my video card is, and its in my signature. :) I don't believe I'll have any trouble with any games. At least for another year or so.

I've not played many adventure games, and most I've just watched others play. I like point and click interface though.

I have at the moment I have these adventure games, that I'm waiting to play:

Syberia
The Longest Journey
Black Mirror

Plan to buy the Myst DVD 10th anniversary edition this coming weekend. I have played Myst and part of Riven before with my DH. We both enjoyed them.

Sharonkay

Ninth

08-24-2004, 04:57 AM

Plan to buy the Myst DVD 10th anniversary edition this coming weekend.

Good plan. ;)
I hope you'll keep us informed as to wether or not you liked those games you're about to play...

Intrepid Homoludens

08-24-2004, 05:05 AM

What exactly does the Myst DVD 10th anniversary edition include?

ConcreteRancor

08-24-2004, 05:11 AM

What exactly does the Myst DVD 10th anniversary edition include?
I believe it includes all three Myst games on DVD, plus some "Making Of" stuff. I've heard mixed reviews about the first two games on it though, saying the DVD versions are very buggy. (Especially Riven.)

fishcube, let me know what your experiences are with it when you get it. I'm considering buying it myself.

Ninth

08-24-2004, 05:16 AM

I believe it includes all three Myst games on DVD, plus some "Making Of" stuff. I've heard mixed reviews about the first two games on it though, saying the DVD versions are very buggy. (Especially Riven.)

fishcube, let me know what your experiences are with it when you get it. I'm considering buying it myself.

I know only about the Riven DVD version, which ran smoothly (after I got another copy from the store :( ) and without any bugs.

ConcreteRancor

08-24-2004, 05:19 AM

I know only about the Riven DVD version, which ran smoothly (after I got another copy from the store :( ) and without any bugs.
Ah, so you did have SOME problems with one copy. I really would rather buy the DVD version though, so I wouldn't have to be swapping disks around.

Ninth

08-24-2004, 05:21 AM

Ah, so you did have SOME problems with one copy. I really would rather buy the DVD version though, so I wouldn't have to be swapping disks around.

I had some problem, indeed, because on the first copy, QTime for Windows refused to install properly, and this version is required to run Riven. The second copy installed well enough though, and, more important, I never encountered any bugs during the game.
And not swapping disk is great, really. (I vividly remember Schizm 1 disk swapping nightmare)

Fienepien

08-24-2004, 07:05 AM

I believe it includes all three Myst games on DVD,

Myst Masterpieces, Riven, Exile. Not the original Myst, not RealMyst.

I've heard mixed reviews about the first two games on it though, saying the DVD versions are very buggy. (Especially Riven.)

Just what I need... another buggy game. :r
(I ordered it a couple of days ago.)

Ninth

08-24-2004, 07:16 AM

Myst Masterpieces, Riven, Exile. Not the original Myst, not RealMyst.

Which means?

Just what I need... another buggy game. :r
(I ordered it a couple of days ago.)

Didn't find it buggy myself... could you keep us informed?

Fienepien

08-24-2004, 09:08 AM

Which means?

Eh.... not much. I thought people might think they'd get the original Myst or RealMyst, because they are included in other bundles.

Didn't find it buggy myself... could you keep us informed?

OK.

Ninth

08-24-2004, 09:20 AM

Eh.... not much. I thought people might think they'd get the original Myst or RealMyst, because they are included in other bundles.

I still don't get it: what's "Myst Masterpieces"? Is that another name for Riven+Exile, an improved version of Myst, or... whatever?

maladroid

08-24-2004, 09:47 AM

I know it is not a true adventure (maybe not even close for some people) but I strongly recommend you don't let Beyond Good and Evil escape your attention.
It is unarguably the most entertaining game I played in the last 2 or 3 years and although rather short I believe it more than pays off for its price (witch has btw dropped conciderably). A great bargain IMO.

If you insist on trying a true adventure no matter what, I recommend Syberia for it is a good game and suitable for the inexperienced adventurer. I liked In Memoriam (Missing:Since January for the US market) a lot but i admit it is not for everyone and can't be easily recommended to the newcomer.

Also welcome to the forum and enjoy your selected game(s)!

Fienepien

08-24-2004, 10:31 AM

I still don't get it: what's "Myst Masterpieces"? Is that another name for Riven+Exile, an improved version of Myst, or... whatever?

An improved version of Myst.

fishcube

08-24-2004, 10:45 AM

Actually from what I've read, the 10th Anniversary DVD version includes, Myst Masterpiece, Riven, and Myst III Exile, re-engineered to be fully XP compatible.

Sharonkay

fov

08-24-2004, 12:28 PM

Myst, Riven, and Exile were XP compatible already, you just had to do some tweaking to get them to install (like installing old versions of QuickTime, putting installers in compatibility mode, etc.) I'd expect on the DVD they made them easier to install in XP. But I haven't bothered trying to install the DVD (do have it on my shelf, along with stand-alone copies of all the games on it AND the original Myst AND RealMyst... why do I do this to myself?!) so I don't actually know. Oh, IMO if you've never played Myst (or even if you have) you might as well get your hands on RealMyst instead. It's the same game only better.

To answer the original question, there's a big difference between recommending recent games because they're my favorites, and recommending recent games just because they're pretty good and they can be bought in stores. :D I've pretty much given up on retail stores because they're often hit-or-miss even with newly released adventures. If I buy new, it's usually through Amazon.

That said, recent games that I have enjoyed were Shadow of Destiny (VERY good!), Runaway, and the Law & Order games.

-emily

fishcube

08-24-2004, 12:34 PM

The set is basically made to work right out of the box with XP and they are DVD's not the usual 4-5 CD's. I'd prefer to buy this set, instead of buying them seperately.

As for what I was asking for. I will be buying most of my games in stores, mostly because I want them now :). but, I was asking about any recommended games that can be bought now (online and/or instore) that will work with XP.

I've read alot of good things about Runaway, I may have to look for that one.

crabapple

08-24-2004, 12:44 PM

fov

08-24-2004, 12:57 PM

Do you think they made them so they'd all work with the most recent version of QuickTime?
That would be a help to some people.

I doubt it. But I don't actually know. Maybe someone who's played them does?

-emily

Fienepien

08-24-2004, 01:38 PM

if you've never played Myst (or even if you have) you might as well get your hands on RealMyst instead. It's the same game only better.

Played the demo and hated it. Made me wonder for the umpteenth time what people see in real-time 3D.

Zack

08-24-2004, 05:50 PM

I'm going to have to say that most of the games I've played this year are action games, but right now I'm playing Syberia I and then after that, I'll be playing Syberia II.

I got Beyond Good and Evil for my birthday, and I definitely have to recommend this game to you. It was a very fun game, with possibly the best voice acting that I've heard in quite a while (even better than Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time). It's challenging at times, and there's also a few levels where you have to do some stealth, but other than that, the story is entertaining, and the characters were memorable too. If you want another incentive, the game is almost like an adventure game because you have to solve some puzzles, too.

Also, if you have a taste for Mystery games, I suggest you try the Nancy Drew Games which are made by a company called Her Interactive. The games have won numerous awards, and they are really fun to play. A few of the games I've played like Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake have really intriguing Storylines (or the word "plots" to put it another way).

fishcube

08-24-2004, 07:42 PM

Thanks. I've been wondering about the Nancy Drew's and may just have to pick one up eventually.

Sharonkay

Ninth

08-24-2004, 11:40 PM

I've read alot of good things about Runaway, I may have to look for that one.

For your information, a lot of people also didn't like Runaway (suprinsingly, I'm one of them :) ). It's flaws were: awfully flat and non-charistmatic characters, an uncontrolled pace, a lot of pixel hunting, some idiotic puzzles.

Ninth

08-24-2004, 11:44 PM

An improved version of Myst.

Ok, so... improved how?

By the way, I love RealMyst. The graphics might be a little less gorgeous, but the feeling of freedom is a blessing after being constricted by the node to node mode for so long.

Fienepien

08-25-2004, 01:53 AM

Ok, so... improved how?

Maps and hints added, 24-bit graphics, new sound effects, updated for new Windows versions... or so the reviews say, I don't have it yet.

By the way, I love RealMyst. The graphics might be a little less gorgeous, but the feeling of freedom is a blessing after being constricted by the node to node mode for so long.

It always boils down to individual preferences, doesn't it. As I said before, I'll play any interesting and enjoyable adventure. I loved the Tex Murphy games, in spite of the awful 3D and awkward navigation.

I don't like real-time 3D for two reasons: it's usually very ugly (yes, it's getting a little better) and it forces me to concentrate on moving around (no, I'm not getting better at it). I do appreciate the feeling of freedom, but only when there's an interesting environment to explore. I played Uru for a bit. Running around in an empty 3D desert is not my idea of fun. Seen one grain of sand, seen them all.

Ninth

08-25-2004, 04:55 AM

Maps and hints added, 24-bit graphics, new sound effects, updated for new Windows versions... or so the reviews say, I don't have it yet.

Ok, thanks.

It always boils down to individual preferences, doesn't it. As I said before, I'll play any interesting and enjoyable adventure. I loved the Tex Murphy games, in spite of the awful 3D and awkward navigation.

I don't like real-time 3D for two reasons: it's usually very ugly (yes, it's getting a little better) and it forces me to concentrate on moving around (no, I'm not getting better at it). I do appreciate the feeling of freedom, but only when there's an interesting environment to explore. I played Uru for a bit. Running around in an empty 3D desert is not my idea of fun. Seen one grain of sand, seen them all.

Well, I see where you're coming from with Uru (lots of painful running around, and few puzzles), but the moving around in RealMyst is really easy and user-friendly, IMO. Oh well... :)

fov

08-25-2004, 08:22 AM

Intrepid Homoludens

08-25-2004, 08:35 AM

Interestingly I didn't care for the slideshow format of the original Myst. I had bought that game and immediately got bored with it: *click* "Ooh, nice postcard.." *click* "Puzzle." *click* "Ooh, nice scenic view..." *click* "Puzzle..l" *click* "Pretty..." *yaawwnn...click* "niiiicce...." .... :Z

And then realMyst came out. Oh SWEETBABYJEEZUS, I was in heaven! I couldn't stop gawking at everything! The Myst world wrapped itself around me - I was inside it! In the Channelwood Age I was mesmerized, there were frogs hopping on those platforms to look at, and the sound of wildlife all around me as I turned left or right. It was magical. When I finally finished the game proper and entered the bonus Age of Rime, I nearly wept. I was literally gazing at everything. None of this would have moved me if the game had stayed in 2D - no real time day/night cycles, no positional environmental ambient sounds, no real sense of scale and distance that only a 3D experience can give. Magical, man.

The Miller brothers did say that realMyst is the real Myst they had originally wanted to do back then if only the technology allowed it. It was worth the wait. I was enthralled.

fov

08-25-2004, 08:49 AM

In the Channelwood Age I was mesmerized, there were frogs hopping on those platforms to look at

Really? I didn't see any frogs. *pout*

But I rushed through Channelwood because that's the age that was making me feel most seasick. Prolly all that water. :)

-emily

Intrepid Homoludens

08-25-2004, 08:54 AM

:eek: Yes, frogs! You weren't looking. Frogs, birds, weird marine life, lifelike water, thunderstorms, day and night cycles.....

fov

08-25-2004, 10:21 AM

:eek: Yes, frogs! You weren't looking. Frogs, birds, weird marine life, lifelike water, thunderstorms, day and night cycles.....

Guess I'll have to go back then. :D

I do remember some bats in another age that gave me a bit of a fright...

-emily

Intrepid Homoludens

08-25-2004, 10:33 AM

Study those fishies in the Stoneship Age. They are really cool looking!

Ninth

08-25-2004, 11:10 PM

Funny, I am bad at navigating in 3D worlds but didn't have any trouble with RealMyst. Maybe because I was familiar with the Myst world already (from the original game) so I sort of knew my way around.

Or maybe the interface was just good? :)
I wasn't familiar with the original (or not much apart from the first age) when I played it, and I'm not that good with 3d worlds myself, but I thought RealMyst interface was a walk in the park.

fov

08-26-2004, 08:15 AM

Or maybe the interface was just good?

Well it wasn't keyboard controlled, for one thing...

Yes, I think the interface was pretty good. Intuitive for me, at least.

Intrepid Homoludens

08-26-2004, 07:27 PM

fovsie, you may want to check out my review of realMyst (http://forums.adventuregamers.com/showthread.php?t=180&highlight=realMyst) I wrote a few years ago and posted here.

As per your motion sickness, does that typically happen whenever you play 3D games, or was it specifically from realMyst? I've read of other people's similar reactions, I'm thinking it may have to do with their system not being able to handle the demanding requirements - low, chugging framerates can make you sick. Sometimes it's the lack of any visual and persistant stationary points of reference (permanent cursor, etc.).

Captain Blondebeard

08-26-2004, 10:26 PM

I'm enjoying my chicken selects.

I'm lovin it.

Ninth

08-26-2004, 11:31 PM

Well it wasn't keyboard controlled, for one thing...

It wasn't? :confused: You mean it was keyboard and mouse controlled, right?
I remember clearly moving around using my keyboard keys, in a FPS fashion.

Intrepid Homoludens

08-27-2004, 02:28 AM

IIRC, there were keyboard options for moving around. I stuck with the mouse, though.

Ninth

08-27-2004, 03:07 AM

IIRC, there were keyboard options for moving around. I stuck with the mouse, though.

Oh. In this case I probably used the keyboard and mouse like in a FPS, up to go forward, down to step back, left and right to side step, and the mouse lo look around and to set the direction.

EDIT: And I've been meaning to ask for a long time; what's IIRC? Insofar as I recall, or something?