Looking for the game that I cannot find...

[AntonyF]

I often get a gaming urge, but I find that I just can't quite get the game that scratches my itch.

I love three types of gameplay:

• Sim-style building. Building civlilisations, micro-managing, balancing investment, growth etc.
• Sim-style business/finance. Anything involving numbers, finances etc. Business sims basically.
• Political intrigue. Power games, espionage etc.

The trouble is, I've gone through so many games and I find they don't give me the depth they need. Or the novelty wears off. or I've played them to death.

I love Capitalism II, Tropico, Birth of the Federation etc. I've enjoyed games such as Caesar IV, Sim City (but only in bits... no depth). Civ IV is okay, but somethign is off.

But I find I keep looking for games of this ilk, and coming up empty handed.

Are there any I'm missing?

 

[Rii]

Tropico 3 will be out soon, although whether there's actually a game underneath all the FMV and artwork is an as yet unaddressed question.

Another upcoming title that you may want to keep an eye on is Cities XL. Think SimCity, but as an MMO.

 

[Canadave]

You DEFINITELY need to give Europa Universalis III a try.

Essentially, it's a grand-scale historical strategy game that lets you take control of any country that existed between 1399 and 1819. It's a hell of a lot of fun, and there's tons of depth to its various aspects (military, economic, diplomatic, etc). Okay, well, if you're looking for an impressive tactical military simulation, you won't find that, but if you don't mind fighting wars on a strategic level instead, then it sounds like it may be exactly what you're looking for.

 

[clint g]

Maybe Galactic Civlizations II? You can also try the total war games, with Rome Total War being my particular favorite

 

[Rincewiend]

The anno series...
And maybe the Empire Earth series...

 

[AntonyF]

Tropico 3 will be out soon, although whether there's actually a game underneath all the FMV and artwork is an as yet unaddressed question.

Another upcoming title that you may want to keep an eye on is Cities XL. Think SimCity, but as an MMO.

Tropico 3?! Didn't know there was one. I shall investigate. Tropico 2, done by a different group of people, was pants.

Cities XL I asked for beta but didn't get it. I want to play it NOW!!

The anno series...
And maybe the Empire Earth series...

Tried one of the Anno games, didn't really seem impressed. Empire Earth looks really good, but more RTS. I do love RTS when the mood takes me, but don't feel it stratches my tycoon itch enough.

Maybe Galactic Civlizations II? You can also try the total war games, with Rome Total War being my particular favorite

Galactic Civilizations II I find has lovely presentation and crap gameplay. Total War fits a bit moer with what I said about Empire Earth... more RTS, and I like RTS, but not quite my current mood.

You DEFINITELY need to give Europa Universalis III a try.

Christian recommended that to me, but I never got into it. I think I have #2... I will definitely dig it out and try this one again. Because in theory it's certainly along the lines of what I want

 

[AntonyF]

Then the other thing that annoys me is the lack of online purchasing at decent prices. WHen I'm in the mood, I want a game now. Medieval II: Total War has got me interested. So I can buy it on DVD and wait days, or pay just DOUBLE the price to download it now. I hate this shit.

Edit: not double, quadruple.

 

[Rincewiend]

Ah, Civcity : Rome then maybe?!?
And offcourse The Settlers: Rise Of A Nation...
Both are more city builder games with a little bit of combat thrown in...

 

[Canadave]

You DEFINITELY need to give Europa Universalis III a try.

Christian recommended that to me, but I never got into it. I think I have #2... I will definitely dig it out and try this one again. Because in theory it's certainly along the lines of what I want

It requires some time and patience to learn how to play well, but once you get the mechanics of it down it becomes incredibly satisfying. Your best bet is to play your first game as a major power (Austria and Castille are usually good bets) so that you have some margin for error if (when) you screw up. After that you can start taking on bigger challenges, like carving out an empire while playing as Brandenburg or Morocco.

The official forum has tons of helpful users who are good with dispensing advice, and there's also a fairly extensive Wiki which has a lot of help on game mechanics and strategies.

 

[AntonyF]

Thanks for the info.

I actually have Medieval II: Total War now... it was a reasonable price at my local supermarket. Will see how I get on.

 

[ATimson]

Then the other thing that annoys me is the lack of online purchasing at decent prices. WHen I'm in the mood, I want a game now. Medieval II: Total War has got me interested. So I can buy it on DVD and wait days, or pay just DOUBLE the price to download it now. I hate this shit.

Edit: not double, quadruple.

I forget where you live, but at least in the US, on Steam Medieval II: Total War Gold is "only" 33% more than Amazon's price.

The problem with digital distribution is that--so far, at least--the "retailers" generally don't undercut the MSRP at all. This is probably at the publishers' request, because they still feel the need to kowtow to GameStop (why, when they're ticked about used game sales, I don't understand...). It does need to change.

And there are occasionally sales where you can get stuff cheaper, which is probably where half my Steam account has come from.

 

[AntonyF]

Well today it was £4.99 online on DVD, £19.99 on download. I bought it in the shop for £5.99.

 

[Kirk's_Tights]

There was this awesome game I played for PC ages ago and I can't remember the name of it. There were vampires and...ugh, I can't remember it but it was a cool game and I think you were a warrior or something.


I know that is so vague but I can't remember much else. You walked around and then when you came to an enemy, it was like FF when you use magic and such against the enemies.

If I think of anything more, I will post it, but I am frustrated because I forget the name of it!

 

[darthraidr]

Vampire: The masquerade?

how long ago is "ages ago"?

 

[Kirk's_Tights]

Early 90's. All I remember is the map and one part was a castle where you could fight Nosferatu and bats and another part that was a village and another area with a fountain of youth, I think it was.

I know that probably describes about a zillion PC games but I want to play it again and the name is driving me nuts. I'll have to look at all the PC titles on GameFaqs and hope I see something familiar.

 

[Rincewiend]

There was this awesome game I played for PC ages ago and I can't remember the name of it. There were vampires and...ugh, I can't remember it but it was a cool game and I think you were a warrior or something.


I know that is so vague but I can't remember much else. You walked around and then when you came to an enemy, it was like FF when you use magic and such against the enemies.

If I think of anything more, I will post it, but I am frustrated because I forget the name of it!

Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain maybe...

 

[Canadave]

Thanks for the info.

I actually have Medieval II: Total War now... it was a reasonable price at my local supermarket. Will see how I get on.

If you're still interested, check out the Paradox thread Iasius posted. All of their games are discounted until July 26.

 

[Anthony Sabre]

One game I always thought was ahead of its time was Wall Street Kid on the old NES system. You had to manage a multi-million dollar empire and make sure you didn't neglect your girlfriend, to the point of marrying her if i recall.