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Games for the Christmas Season


Prelude76

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To give a little Christmas shopping help to everyone here, I'm going to be posting weekly game releases from now thru to Christmas, every friday or so.I'm only listing PC games and only good games (they must be getting at least 7.5/10 in preliminary reviews). I'll post this weekend a list of recent big games that were released in the last few weeks as well (most notably "Call of Duty"). And dont ask me which in this list I recommend, since i'll probably only get 2 or 3 of these games this christmas. <_<---------------------------------------Week of Nov. 16 - New PC ReleasesSECRET WEAPONS OVER NORMANDYCategory: Action Flight ShooterDeveloper: LucasArtsRated: TeenSecret Weapons Over Normandy will feature more than 30 air-to-air and ground-attack missions in 15 theaters of operations, including Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. 914639_20031010_thumb007.jpgLOCK ON: MODERN AIR COMBATCategory: Flight SimulatorDeveloper: UbisoftRated: EveryoneLock On is a combat flight simulation that lets you fly modern fighter craft. Eight different aircraft from the US and Russian military are available to choose from. (note: I heard really good stuff about this fligh sim)lockon_thumb001.jpgKOREAN WAR: FORGOTTEN CONFLICTCategory: Real Time Strategy WargameDeveloper: Plastic RealityRated: TeenThis action strategy game will put players in command of a team of military specialists during the Korean War.589479_20031009_thumb004.jpgBROKEN SWORD: THE SLEEPING DRAGONCategory: AdventureDeveloper: Revolution SoftwareRated: TeenThe latest installment in the Broken Sword adventure game series series will move away from the point-and-click style of the previous games.473507_20030721_thumb002.jpgSILENT HILL 3Category: Horror AdventureDeveloper: KonamiRated: MatureThe PC version of the next game in the Silent Hill survival horror series.silent_thumb008.jpgSTAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF OLD REPUBLICCategory: Role-Playing; Third PersonDeveloper: LucasArts / BioWareRated: TeenThis ambitious role-playing game from the makers of Baldur's Gate takes place 4,000 years before the Star Wars movies. (note: this looks like it will be a huge hit)516675_20031010_thumb001.jpgNEED FOR SPEED UNDERGROUNDCategory: Street RacingDeveloper: Electronic ArtsRated: EveryoneBuy custom kits and trick out your cars using cash earned by winning street racing events in the latest Need for Speed game.914766_20031103_thumb005.jpgMAGIC: THE GATHERING - BATTLEGROUNDSCategory: StrategyDeveloper: AtariRated: TeenMagic: The Gathering gets action-packed in this title from Atari.magicbattle_thumb004.jpgBEYOND GOOD AND EVILCategory: AdventureDeveloper: UbisoftRated: TeenThis is the next game from Michel Ancel, the creator of the colorful Rayman platform-action game series.beyondgande_thumb002.jpg

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Recent Releases - Oct 28th to Nov. 15 - New PC ReleasesCIVILIZATIONS 3: CONQUESTCategory: Turn Based StrategyDeveloper: AtariRated: EveryoneBetween its entertaining and engaging scenarios, the improvements and enhancements to the regular epic game, and the functional multiplayer, it's an excellent expansion pack.civ_thumb001.jpgFIFA SOCCER 2004Category: SportsDeveloper: EA CanadaRated: EveryoneThe latest installment in EA Sports' series of soccer games features more than 350 teams from all over the world.914856_20030827_thumb001.jpgPIRATE HUNTERCategory: Naval StrategyDeveloper: AscaronRated: Everyone(note: I played this game personally at my friends' house and its amazing! if you remember the old 286-era game "Pirates", it's pretty much same style but with the latest graphics. argh, maytee! <_< )pirate_thumb001.jpgLOTR: RETURN OF THE KINGCategory: ActionDeveloper: Electronic ArtsRated: TeenIt's a relatively simple action game at heart, but a solid combat system and some extremely intense and cinematic levels make The Return of the King deserving of its name.lotk_thumb003.jpgTRAINZ RAILROAD SIMULATOR2004Category: Train SimulatorDeveloper: AuranRated: EveryoneA follow-up to Trainz, a miniature train simulator, that will feature new locomotive options and much more custom content.train_thumb001.jpgCALL OF DUTYCategory: First-Person Action ShooterDeveloper: Infinty Ward / ActivisionRated: TeenMost anyone who plays games would more than likely be very impressed with Call of Duty's authentic presentation, well designed and often very intense single-player missions, and fast-paced, entertaining multiplayer modes. (note: Mark my words folks; this game will become Game of the Year 2003)call_thumb002.jpgFINAL FANTASY XICategory: Role-PlayingDeveloper: Square EnixRated: TeenFinal Fantasy XI is an online RPG that manages to break the mold, if just barely--but, actually, that's no mean feat.final_thumb001.jpg

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Guest ThunderRiver

Call of Duty is very intense shooting game, and if you are a serious shooting gamer, you should get that game. Otherwise, I highly recommend "The Simpson's Hit and Run" Very much like grand theft auto III without the blood and killing.. that's for sure.

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Call of Duty is very intense shooting game, and if you are a serious shooting gamer, you should get that game. Otherwise, I highly recommend "The Simpson's Hit and Run" Very much like grand theft auto III without the blood and killing.. that's for sure.
Played the Simpson's Hit and Run (for GameCube). Very entertaining game, especially if you watch the show. I don't know if it would be quite as fun if you've never seen the show or don't like it...but overall it was a fun time B)
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I had originally downloaded the demo of Call of Duty. And once I played it I was hooked. I got the game as soon as it came out. Very intense and great graphics. B) Game of the Year - it has my vote!

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I had originally downloaded the demo of Call of Duty. And once I played it I was hooked. I got the game as soon as it came out. Very intense and great graphics.  :) Game of the Year - it has my vote!
let me know if you want to join a private server game. we have 4 regulars now. 6 to 8 would be ideal, go 4 vs 4 search&destroy missions or something. B)
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Thanks Prelude76 - appreciate the offer.I'm currently in a 4 x 4 group on a private server with family & friends. I'm having trouble trying to meet this commitment as it is. B)

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I'm wanting to get Doom 3 and Half-life 2 when I get a good video card (I already have $120 saved for an ATI 9600)
this is for christmas 2003, not 2006. B)
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Guest genaldar

I've thought about giving call of duty a try, but to be honest I'm really tired of WWII. The history channel spends 90% of its time covering it (there are other events in the 7,000 years or so of known human history). Then in the past 2 years we've gotten the entire Medal of Honor series (2 pc games + add ons and 3 console games), RTCW, RTCW:ET, DOD, Battlefield and WWII online. And those are just the fps! There have been probably nearly as many flight sims.

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Guest ThunderRiver
I've thought about giving call of duty a try, but to be honest I'm really tired of WWII.  The history channel spends 90% of its time covering it (there are other events in the 7,000 years or so of known human history).  Then in the past 2 years we've gotten the entire Medal of Honor series (2 pc games + add ons and 3 console games), RTCW, RTCW:ET, DOD, Battlefield and WWII online.  And those are just the fps!  There have been probably nearly as many flight sims.
Call of Duty is different though even though it is based on the same old story starting from D-Day.What you must realize is that the AI engine in Call of Duty is truly state of art. These AI can cover fires for you, and you certainly have to cover fires for them to get certain tasks done. That's only just for single player experience. If you go for multiplayer, it is quite intense. The game is truly designed so that you must work with a partner side-by-side on multiplayer part; otherwise, you can get sniped or shot in a matter of seconds. I guess that's what the true simulation is about right? Too intense to me though.On the other hand, Call of Duty has some real nice background music, and that's something that you will enjoy through out the game. The game does play an important part of history because it truly brings you to the atmosphere where you feel like you are at war and you are part of it. You get to play American, and then British, and then Russian. When you get to the role of Russian, you can clearly see how rough the war was back then. Russian didn't have enough equipments to fight, and all their soldiers basically were sent to death, not to win the war. You of course have to manage make it happen, and defeat Hitler of course :)Please keep in mind that demo of "Call of Duty" is not as intense as the real game.P.S. Did someone forget Max Payne 2?
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The game does play an important part of history because it truly brings you to the atmosphere where you feel like you are at war and you are part of it.
Great description. It really does make you feel you are part of the action, not just a pawn moving through static scenes. <_<
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Remedy Entertainment has finally released the promised demo for Max Payne 2: the Fall of Max Payne, allowing you to try out this recent film-noir action thriller. The demo offers the first three scenes from the full game, plus an extra level (in Dead Man Walking mode) that can be unlocked. Be sure to check out our review of the full game.Download - 246 MBsAs expected, Sierra has now released the single-player demo for Contract Jack, giving you another opportunity to try out this imminent action game prequel by Monolith Productions. The demo offers two playable missions (Chapters 2 & 4). Contract Jack went gold last week and will be in stores Tuesday, November 11th. If you haven't grabbed it yet, the multiplayer demo is still available for download Here.Download - 129.2 Mbs

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Guest ThunderRiver

Another great game if you are a basketball fan..NBA Live 2004 from EA Sports.I have it on my PC, but boy, it is really hard to play. There is no training program and the game basically assumes that you know everything about basketball. Once again, it does have some nice background music, but the game play experience is certainly degraded when you don't even know what you are doing.If you buy it for PS2, I think the experience will be better because you can utilize the analog stick more whereas mouse and keyboards don't really play major roles in this game.

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i'm not forgetting games. im just listing games released from october 31st to christmas, and max payne 2 was released earlier. and also, i thought i'd keep it to well reviewed games, 75% of better rating. Contract Jack is getting 56% in reader reviews. i tried it myself, its absolutely horrendous. worst FPS i've ever played, even worse than Postal 2. It shames the great legacy of No One Lives Forever.and about WWII, i too think WWII is overdone theme, but Call of Duty is in a field all its own. It shows the Russian side in a way no other FPS has shown. Besides, what else can FPS be? we already have enough alien/monster shooting games (Halo, Alien vs Predator, Unreal, Quake, Doom, Half-Life). There's also a couple of good vietnam shooters (Vietcong, Line of Sight). And there's plenty of counter-terrorist style shooters too. so there you have it, FPS basically falls into 3 categories. historical battles, using vintage weapons; current battles, with current weapons; and future battles, with laser guns and such. perhaps a WWI shooter FPS would work, but i think the weapons they had back then were horrendous and wouldnt be a big hit for gamers.

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Guest ThunderRiver

Atari is developing Terminator 3: War of Machine with settings taking place after skynet was fully up and running..perhaps interseting enough to play on your computer.

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I tried a couple of demo's over the weekend.Secret Weapons Over Normandy - It was OK. But the graphics could be improved. :shifty: MaxPayne 2 - Not bad. I liked it. I would consider buying this game. :teehee:

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Guest genaldar

Max Payne 2 was great. They removed all the crappy level designs from the first one. I'm of course refering to the "dream" levels where you had to guess the right path through a dream to get through the level. All the while the board is waving out on you. There are similar levels in 2, but there is no guess work, but path is very clear. And you don't die. Which is great because that dream level in the first one going through the house took way too much of my time, thanks to dying. I almost stopped playing because of it.Sadly 2 is too short. I beat it in a couple intense days of playing (but I have been plowing through games lately, I just beat dungeon siege in 6 days). There also doesn't really seem to be any replay value to it. Except for beating it on the hardest difficulty to see an alternet ending (I cheated through it to see the alternate ending and I still had to load saves on a couple of boards).

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it's a slow week for new releases, but here's the list anyways:Recent Releases - Week of Nov 23rd - New PC ReleasesDISCIPLES II: RISE OF THE ELVESCategory: Turn Based StrategyDeveloper: Strategy FirstRated: TeenThis standalone expansion introduces a new playable race, the elves, with 35 new units and more than 20 new spells.918958_20030917_thumb001.jpgMYSTERIOUS JOURNEY II: CHAMELEONCategory: AdventureDeveloper: Adventure CompanyRated: EveryoneThis first-person, puzzle-oriented adventure is the sequel to Schizm.589580_20030929_thumb003.jpgUNIVERSAL COMBATCategory: Sci Fi SimulationDeveloper: 3000AD Inc.Rated: TeenFormerly known as Battlecruiser Generations, this stand-alone follow-up to Battlecruiser Millennium will include more than 50 new features and enhancements.561677_20031030_thumb007.jpg

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There was a write-up on this in the December issue of Discover magazine (not online yet). It's a game that uses bio-feedback to help you learn to control yourself better. Was quite an interesting article...Wild Divine

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Recent Releases - Week of Nov 30th - New PC ReleasesGreat week for new games! some 1st person shooters, Prince of Persia comeback, and huge sequels. ARMED & DANGEROUSCategory: 3rd Person Sci-Fi ShooterDeveloper: Planet Moon / LucasArtsRated: TeenThis over-the-top action game is being developed by the creator of Giants: Citizen Kabuto.armed_thumb002.jpgDEUS EX: INVSIBLE WARCategory: Sci-Fi ActionDeveloper: Ion Storm / EidosRated: MatureIon Storm's sequel to Deus Ex promises revolutionary gameplay and graphics. [caution: it's not 1st person shooter like the first Deux Ex. It's more of RPG adventure game.]528588_20031125_thumb003.jpgNEVERWINTER NIGHTS: HORDES OF UNDERDARKCategory: Role-Playing GameDeveloper: Bioware / AtariRated: TeenThe second expansion pack for Neverwinter Nights was developed internally at BioWare. [i know i said 'no expansion packs in my list', but everyone loves and wants more of NWN. ;) ]563552_20031124_thumb002.jpgPRINCE OF PERSIA: SANDS OF TIMECategory: Action AdventureDeveloper: UbisoftRated: TeenUbi Soft's Montreal studio is working on a brand-new Prince of Persia game alongside the creator of the series.589718_20031014_thumb006.jpgTERMINATOR 3: WAR OF MACHINESCategory: 1st person shooterDeveloper: AtariRated: TeenThis movie-inspired first-person shooter will feature online support for up to 32 players.915258_20031125_thumb002.jpgX2: THE THREATCategory: Sci-Fi SimulatorDeveloper: EgosoftRated: TeenSpace trading game, along the lines of Microsoft's Freelancer.x2_thumb011.jpg

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Guest ThunderRiver
Max Payne 2 was great.  They removed all the crappy level designs from the first one.  I'm of course refering to the "dream" levels where you had to guess the right path through a dream to get through the level.  All the while the board is waving out on you.  There are similar levels in 2, but there is no guess work, but path is very clear.  And you don't die.  Which is great because that dream level in the first one going through the house took way too much of my time, thanks to dying.  I almost stopped playing because of it.Sadly 2 is too short.  I beat it in a couple intense days of playing (but I have been plowing through games lately, I just beat dungeon siege in 6 days).  There also doesn't really seem to be any replay value to it.  Except for beating it on the hardest difficulty to see an alternet ending (I cheated through it to see the alternate ending and I still had to load saves on a couple of boards).
There is a very high value to replay Dungeon Siege, especially the latest release. The online gaming is awesome
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