So, Tom, I guess you want a game where a customer creates an onscreen character and then, if he "dies" in the first five minutes of battle (which I'm sure happens all the time in real life) then you can't play the game ever again because, well, you're dead. Or, maybe you only get "wounded" and your games locks up for 12-14 months while you heal. Is THAT what you're looking for? If so, count me out. But, be my guest in trying to develop, market, sell and PROFIT from such a game. These people are in the business of selling enertainment and making money. I would suggest if you built the game you want then you'd be the only one playing it. Personally, I still get a great sense of what our soldiers go through from playing these games despite the regenerating health and re-spawns. And, from what I can tell, many of our armed services men and women enjoy these games as well. Why not let them speak for themselves? I don't hear any complaints from real Tier 1 Operatives calling the game "sickening" and "shamefull". After all, they were integral in the game's development. And, I'm guessing you've never strapped on anything deadlier than a backpack full of books. I don't think they need the likes of you "defending" them.
And, by the way, I've played Red Orchestra and Arma and Operation Flashpoint. All terrific games. I find them all FUN!!! If they weren't, I wouldn't play them. I have to ask, if they're not "fun" why the hell are YOU playing them?! All games, no matter how frustrating they can be at times, are designed for the sole purpose of providing FUN and ENTERTAINMENT.
Hell, I was choked up at the end of Saving Private Ryan, but the movie was still "fun" and it gave me a great respect for what my father's generation endured.
I've got MLB2K8 for the 360 and I can't believe how bad these MLB2K8 pics look. Frickin' awful. But, for the most part, I tend not to notice it too much while playing the game. But, woah, 2K did a horrible job with these likenesses.
I just bought NHL 07 for the PC and I'm quite happy with it. I am, however, a bit disappointed that the Skill Stick doesn't allow for shooting, only passing. Otherwise, I can see this game returning to it's former glory. The pace of the game is good, not too fast, and the AI seems to play smarter than in previous versions of the game. My only other complaint is that EA has taken away many of the slider options that were available just a few short years ago. I like the variety of scoring in NHL07. No more reliance on the one-timer as in previous years. Also, I wish EA would encourage the creation of custom team logos and uniforms like they do in the Madden series as opposed to just picking from a rather lame selection of artwork and ready-made uniforms. I enjoy creating my own helmet and field art for Madden and I would like for EA to add this feature to their hockey series as well. I don't have NHL2K7 yet, but I plan to buy it for my PS2 when it comes out. I still think NHL2K5 was the best hockey game I've ever played (and it's the first NHL2K game I ever bought). I'm hoping the PS2 version of the game is at least as solid as that game is. I was just a bit disappointed with commentary in NHL2K6 as it was nowhere near as good as the 2K5 version of the game.
Call of Duty: United Offensive is a great game that won't heavily tax an older system. The multi-player portion of the game is especially fun and there are tons of servers available. I'd also place a vote for the original Ghost Recon series and if you like space sims then I'd highly recommend Freespace 2 which, with all due respect to the X-Wing/Tie Fighter series, might just be the best space combat sim of all time.
If you're into air combat sims, I'd recommend Strike Fighters: Project 1, Wings Over Vietnam or the newly released Wings Over Europe as terrific games that run well on lower end PCs.
Call of Duty: United Offensive X-Wing Collector's Series (w/Tie Fighter) MLB06 The Show Madden 06 NHL2K5 But, I'd be a lot happier if I could take 10 games. Then I'd add: NCAA Football 05 Links 2003 Freespace 2 Mechwarrior 2 Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast And if I could take 15 or 20 I'd be even happier!
Leems' comments