Just Adventure News : Addon: Legacy of Romulus Expansion to Star Trek Online Launches Game: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment wishes gamers Good Night, Good Luck in Dying Light Beta: Second Phase of Eldevin Closed Beta Begins News: Video Games: The Movie Press Release: Indie Narrative / Strategy Game 7 Grand Steps Will Release June 7 for PC and Mac Gold: The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing Demo: Jack Haunt: Old Haunting Grounds Alpha Demo Released Game: Might And Delight Presents "Shelter" Early Gameplay Footage Press Release: Legendary Monsters Are Invading Age of Conan Press Release: New Settler and Scientist Path content for WildStar
Home - Forum Home
Welcome Guest, please Login or Register!
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register or login before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Topic: Need a Recommendation

    Page 1

27 JUN 2005 at 3:32pm

saeton27

Intergalactic Janitor
Intergalactic Janitor



Posts : 9
Joined: 27 JUN 2005

Status : Online
I bought "Still Life" (just finished, um... ending...? what?) and "Moment of Silence" (haven't started) last week and re-remembered how much I love adventure games. Across my years I've played a number of them... some I don't know how (or why) I finished... *cough cough, Temujin, cough, Black Dahlia* and some I've just absolutely loved and am trying to run on my computer.

So I'm looking for some recommendations on what games to try... I'm looking for something:

-That works or will work with a little effort on windows XP (i'm pretty good with computers)

-Something kind of dark and murder-mystery-like, like Still Life but maybe 1st person and in that same modern style (early/mid 20th century or later "time" in the game)

-Something 1st person, 3rd person is okay too but I miss the ol' 1st person adventures

-Good story, believable characters (to a degree), not entirely linear, and good music is a plus

-Doesn't have to be completely realistic, but not looking for total out-there fantasy realm game

-Generally difficult puzzles

-Action sequences or interactive timed puzzles are not a problem, could be cool too

On a different note, I'm also looking for a really funny game to play and a really scary game to play, too.

Here is a semi-complete list of games I've played so you already know where I'm coming from:

Myst 1-4 (working on 3 and 4 still)
Journeyman Project Trilogy
Zork Grand Inquisitor
Zork Nemesis
Return to Zork
Rama
The Lighthouse
King's Quests 1, 6, 7, 8
Laura Bow 1/2 (really liked these, I thought the 1st one is pretty tough too)
Shivers 2
Maniac Mansion

Thanks for the input =)

Profile Search


27 JUN 2005 at 4:00pm

Dona

Journeyman
Journeyman



Posts : 801
Joined: 19 MAR 2005

Status : Offline
Oh, then Post Mortem is just what you need
I don't know how much you are informed, but Still Life is a 'sequel' to it. Actually, the only thing they have in common is the main character - Gus MacPherson. You play as him in Paris, in 1920s I think. Remember that painting of his [in the living room] in Still Life? Yep. Paris. THAT case. It's one of my favourite games... hmm, let's see.

. It should work on XP... i'm not intarely sure, though. I still use good ol' 98


. It's dark, it's mystery, it's Still Life character AND it's 1st person ^_^

. Story is good, characters are... well, believable, I guess? It's not entirely linear (you can 'switch' to similar puzzles and you can skip some... things... AND it has three different endings). I loved the music


. It has *some* non-realistic elements, but it's not fantasy

. Puzzles are.. well... remember the cookie puzzle? There's one similar to that one, but you DO get some clues
Nah, you'd like the puzzles

. No timed/action sequences


If you play Post Mortem, you'll definitely find some similarities with Still Life. I think I found three or four puzzles that were similar (but definitely not the same) and there's some reference in SL about PM. Yeah.

I hope this helps!

Profile Search
27 JUN 2005 at 4:12pm

saeton27

Intergalactic Janitor
Intergalactic Janitor



Posts : 9
Joined: 27 JUN 2005

Status : Online
Awesome and thanks, I'll add it to the list... more recommendations are appreciated too.

Dark Side of the Moon seemed odd when I saw pictures, but the ratings are pretty decent (tho a little older)... any input on that one as well to my other questions.

A good fast-response not-rude form is hard to find =)

Profile Search
27 JUN 2005 at 5:51pm

Crapstorm

Journeyman
Journeyman



Posts : 829
Joined: 18 FEB 2004

Status : Online
AGON meets most of your criteria, I think. Also, Morpheus should suit you. And the two Dark Fall games are commendable 1st person mysteries, however they're not so polished, and the puzzles are sub-par.

Profile Search
27 JUN 2005 at 6:22pm

TechnoSpike

Private Detective
Private Detective



Posts : 581
Joined: 26 APR 2005
Location: PT

Status : Offline
If you haven't played the Gabriel Knight series, you haven't lived!
....oh, and you don't have the right to call yourself an adventure gamer!
  Ok...lets see....

You could also try Sanitarium, Jack the Ripper, 7th guest and 11th hour (although these last 3 are all FP).

Profile Search
27 JUN 2005 at 7:07pm

Dona

Journeyman
Journeyman



Posts : 801
Joined: 19 MAR 2005

Status : Offline
Originally Posted By Crapstorm (27 JUN 2005 5:51pm)
And the two Dark Fall games are commendable 1st person mysteries, however they're not so polished, and the puzzles are sub-par.


I played the second Dark Fall and found it pretty boring... heh. It doesn't make much sense to me, but that's just my opinion


Profile Search
27 JUN 2005 at 8:03pm
Deleted User
Originally Posted By saeton27 (27 JUN 2005 4:11pm)
Dark Side of the Moon seemed odd when I saw pictures, but the ratings are pretty decent (tho a little older)... any input on that one as well to my other questions.

Dark Side of the Moon is one of my favourite adventure games. A great story, fun puzzles, lots of FMV sequences- who could ask for anything more?  
Some decent music, too, which I particularily appreciate.

I would also recommend you to play The Last Express. It's mysterious, it's first-person, it has believable characters, it's very non-linear, and it has great music (three cheers for César Franck!). Especially if action sequences don't bother you, you have no excuse not to play The Last Express.

27 JUN 2005 at 11:28pm

billy7777

Intergalactic Janitor
Intergalactic Janitor



Posts : 39
Joined: 5 AUG 2004

Status : Online
really scary game to play

Something 1st person

not entirely linear


*Shameless plug*

You may enjoy...
Last Half of Darkness: Shadows of the Servants

http://www.lasthalfofdarkness.com/newlasthalf.htm

Bill
http://www.lasthalfofdarkness.com/beyond

Profile Search
28 JUN 2005 at 3:31am

jalex

Schattenjger
Schattenjger



Posts : 2503
Joined: 5 MAR 2003

Status : Offline
The Gk Series are definatly #1 but they might be a little hard to get running on Xp.  I thought Post Mortam was better than Still life, myself.
The Cameron Files Pharoah's Curse
and Secret of Locness are also both very good detective type games.


Profile Search
28 JUN 2005 at 5:11am

Susan

Guild Master
Guild Master



Posts : 5485
Joined: 13 OCT 2002
Location: 0

Status : Offline
Originally Posted By saeton27 (27 JUN 2005 3:32pm)
So I'm looking for some recommendations on what games to try... I'm looking for something:
*Susan rubs her hands together while a sly smile appears on her face.  Saeton27 moves in closer, curious as to what she's about to say.  The JA members sigh a loud sigh and turn away, as they know EXACTLY what she's about to say.*

You're looking for game recommendations, huh?  Let me tell you about a series known as Nancy Drew.

-That works or will work with a little effort on windows XP (i'm pretty good with computers)
All of the games have been released in the past 5 years and work fantastic with WinXP.  Just install and play.

-Something kind of dark and murder-mystery-like, like Still Life but maybe 1st person and in that same modern style (early/mid 20th century or later "time" in the game)
All Nancy Drew games are mysteries.  The first was a bit of a murder mystery, but others have their own qualities, too.  For something scary, consider playing Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake or Message in a Haunted Mansion.  All of the existing games take place during the present time.  Secret of the Old Clock (to be released in July!) will be set in 1930.

-Something 1st person, 3rd person is okay too but I miss the ol' 1st person adventures
1st person, all the way.

-Good story, believable characters (to a degree), not entirely linear, and good music is a plus
I think the stories are good.  The games are based on existing Nancy Drew books of the same (or similar) title.  But the game is not the same as the book, as characters, places, and the way Nancy goes about solving the mystery is different.  Some linerarity, but some freedom; moreso in the games that were released more recently.  And the music fits the theme of the game: Treasure in the Royal Tower has baroque style music, Secret of the Scarlet Hand's music has a latin feel to it, The Haunted Carousel has light-hearted theme park/carousel tunes, and Secret of Shadow Ranch has country-western tunes (as examples).

-Doesn't have to be completely realistic, but not looking for total out-there fantasy realm game
The "hauntings" are ... well ... I'll leave it to you and Nancy to figure out if they are real or fantasy.  


-Generally difficult puzzles
Curse of Blackmoor Manor has the hardest puzzles of the entire series.  All of the games feature and Junior and Senior Detective setting.  Senior Detective has harder versions of the existing puzzles and less hints available to you, the player.

-Action sequences or interactive timed puzzles are not a problem, could be cool too
It's pretty much a given that each game has at least one timed puzzle thrown in somewhere.  They're not that bad.



I would also like to mention that the games can be found in stores such as Best Buy, Target, CompUSA, Wal-Mart, GameStop, EB Games, and wherever fine computer games are sold.  Check in both the jewelcases section and the Educational/Children's Games section.  
Yes, you might actually learn something when playing a ND game!)

All are priced at anywhere from $9.99 - $19.99 and some of the earlier games are bundled at 2 (or even 4!) games for $19.99.  I regularly post updates in the Adventure Deals of the Week forum, so check there.


All of the games have been reviewed here on JA, so read up if you don't know which one to pick.  

I miss my Bubba: 1986 - 2006.


Profile Search
28 JUN 2005 at 10:29pm

Dona

Journeyman
Journeyman



Posts : 801
Joined: 19 MAR 2005

Status : Offline
Originally Posted By jalex (28 JUN 2005 3:30am)
I thought Post Mortam was better than Still life, myself.


I prefer Post Mortem because a. IT'S GUS OMG (I have a quazi-crush on him @_@ ack, don't tell my mom!
) b. it doesn't have that annoying Laser puzzle (although the Painting puzzle is quite a rival..)

^.^

Profile Search


29 JUN 2005 at 2:14am

bdecked

Schattenjger
Schattenjger



Posts : 1620
Joined: 14 OCT 2011

Status : Online
Definitely head to a store and buy Post Mortem... you'll LOVE it.  I'm playing it right now.

Broken Sword - Sleeping Dragon was great - although there's some debate on the forum about that.  I *loved* it, and even the timed parts weren't that much of a problem for me.  Puzzles were medium.

Dark Fall is fine... if a bit lonely.  The first one gave me nightmares.. yikes!  Puzzles were harder.

Maybe try Grim Fandango... macabre (if not morbid) and funny (if not ha-ha all the time) and the puzzles are great.  That is *definitely* fantasy, however it's still considered one of the best games out there.

Sanitarium is a very cool game.. very macabre, and the puzzles are challenging.  *Should* run fine on XP (although a random few people have reported some issues, myself included.)   I *loved* it and it ranks in my top 5 of all time.

Have you played any of the Monkey Island series?  Funny, funny games...

-------
(edit:  as noted by a poster below, these are all 3rd person, except for Dark Fall.  But I'll still leave them in because I really liked them.  
)

Profile Search
29 JUN 2005 at 2:17am

Crapstorm

Journeyman
Journeyman



Posts : 829
Joined: 18 FEB 2004

Status : Online
So I guess the whole 1st person thing is no longer important.

Profile Search
29 JUN 2005 at 3:22am

Terry Penrod

Grand Inquisitor
Grand Inquisitor



Posts : 6693
Joined: 16 OCT 2004
Location: US, Texas

Status : Offline
.

Originally Posted By Crapstorm (29 JUN 2005 2:17am)
 

So I guess the whole 1st person thing is no longer important.  

 

Well the original poster did say that third person would also be okay. And in that area there are some really good games listed above, in addition to several good first person titles. Some are dark and spooky and a few are just plain funny.

I'll also add Runaway: A Road Adventure as another better than average third person PC AG that plays very well on WinXP. While not on a par with the great Monkey Island series, it shares the same colorful Disney style cartoon look and has some memorable characters with a decent story and a little humor. The puzzles are not very hard though but it still has enough positives to recommend it.

Of course I'll always second a recommendation for Jane Jensen's all-time great Gabriel Knight series for high quality mystery with supernatural overtones, as well as both Grim Fandango for wonderful humor and Sanitarium for a more macabre but very polished psychological mystery.

Somewhere in between (but in first person) I might also suggest Dracula: Resurrection as a nice bargain binner that also plays well on WinXP and has very good artwork along with the classic horror story and spooky setting. Again, the puzzles are not very hard and the sequel (Dracula: The Last Sanctuary) was not as good... plus it had a some rather pointless action sequences unlike the original.

Cheers,  Terry  




Profile Search
29 JUN 2005 at 3:31pm

bdecked

Schattenjger
Schattenjger



Posts : 1620
Joined: 14 OCT 2011

Status : Online
Originally Posted By Crapstorm (29 JUN 2005 2:17am)
So I guess the whole 1st person thing is no longer important.
(Ooops, sorry... didn't read that part before making my recommendations...  will edit my post now)


Profile Search
29 JUN 2005 at 6:49pm

Helen

Guild Master
Guild Master



Posts : 3436
Joined: 12 OCT 2002
Location: US

Status : Offline
If you enjoyed Shivers 2, you'll love Shivers 1, its SO much better than the second one.
Oh, And the all time BEST detective pc games is most definately Tex Murphy.  
Of course thats just my opinion.  
and since you havent played them you are in for a treat.  

I second the GK series too, but I still rate those a notch below Tex.  


Profile Search
30 JUN 2005 at 6:11am

jalex

Schattenjger
Schattenjger



Posts : 2503
Joined: 5 MAR 2003

Status : Offline
Originally Posted By Helen (29 JUN 2005 6:49pm)
If you enjoyed Shivers 2, you'll love Shivers 1, its SO much better than the second one.
Oh, And the all time BEST detective pc games is most definately Tex Murphy.  
Of course thats just my opinion.  
and since you havent played them you are in for a treat.  

I second the GK series too, but I still rate those a notch below Tex.  


Very true on Tex Mrphy. I keep my old 200 around just so I don't have a hastle when I want to play them.  I have played them on my new 3.4 gig with no problems  but it has 98 on it too.




Profile Search

    Page 1

Jump to:
0 Members Subscribed To This Topic