What games would I love?
February 17, 2013 3:30 PM Subscribe
PC game suggestions only, please. I'm a stay at home mom, and my laptop is pretty much glued to my side.
Civ IV is my all-time favorite game. I usually play the Rise of Mankind/A New Dawn mods. I'm not great at it, as I find it hard to beat on Noble level, but I can consistently beat it on Warlord level.
So what else would I love? I like turn-based games because I have little kids. I need to be able to drop my game whenever and come back to it as I left it. I've always enjoyed the exploration aspect of Civ, and I've liked playing Sim City in the past.
Fire away!
Well there's always Civ V. It's quite different from Civ IV, but I think it's superior in many ways. A lot less micromanagement, for one thing. Stats are now mostly handled on the civilization level rather than the city level--happiness, maintenance, etc.--and the Gods & Kings expansion implements religion in a really interesting way. Civ VI is rumored, but most likely several years away.
You might also think about XCOM. It's not a 4X game by any stretch of the word--it's a turn-based tactical strategy game, a remake of the classic 1990s game of the same name--but it's made by Firaxis, the same studio that does Civ.
In terms of 4X, MOO2 is a perennial favorite, though you may find the interface. . . dated, if you're used to Civ IV. MOO3 is kind of a disaster, in that it's not balanced very well and buggy as crap, and there hasn't really been an heir to that particular throne. Galactic Civilizations (I and II) come about as close as you get to that one, and they're pretty fun.
Have you thought about RPGs? You might get a kick out of some of the earlier Bioware D&D games, i.e., Baldur's Gate (enhanced version just released), Neverwinter Nights, etc. They're not turn based, but you can always pause them at any time, so they may as well be. You can always put them down at a moment's notice. Their newer games, like the Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect series, work the same way, but they're more action oriented. Also, you periodically find yourself in the middle of a ten minute series of cutscenes which you can't easily pause, so that could be problematic when the kiddos are trying to light the cat on fire or something.
posted by valkyryn at 3:48 PM on February 17, 2013
You might also think about XCOM. It's not a 4X game by any stretch of the word--it's a turn-based tactical strategy game, a remake of the classic 1990s game of the same name--but it's made by Firaxis, the same studio that does Civ.
In terms of 4X, MOO2 is a perennial favorite, though you may find the interface. . . dated, if you're used to Civ IV. MOO3 is kind of a disaster, in that it's not balanced very well and buggy as crap, and there hasn't really been an heir to that particular throne. Galactic Civilizations (I and II) come about as close as you get to that one, and they're pretty fun.
Have you thought about RPGs? You might get a kick out of some of the earlier Bioware D&D games, i.e., Baldur's Gate (enhanced version just released), Neverwinter Nights, etc. They're not turn based, but you can always pause them at any time, so they may as well be. You can always put them down at a moment's notice. Their newer games, like the Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect series, work the same way, but they're more action oriented. Also, you periodically find yourself in the middle of a ten minute series of cutscenes which you can't easily pause, so that could be problematic when the kiddos are trying to light the cat on fire or something.
posted by valkyryn at 3:48 PM on February 17, 2013
If you'll accept online Flash games as sufficiently PC-based, I would suggest checking out Kongregate, in particular their strategy/defense game section.
You can find a variety of RTS games like Civ, or if you've never tried one (and myself an old-school fan of RTS), I personally recommend checking out the Tower Defense genre. I've wasted hundreds of hours on the likes of Bloons and Gemcraft. :)
As for the new Sim City (and as a long-time Maxis fan who will not buy this one) - Watch out for the DRM in that one. Requires an always-on internet connection just so it can spy on you to make sure you don't... Hmm, I really don't know - Make sure you don't switch your legit copy to a pirated one mid game?
posted by pla at 4:00 PM on February 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
You can find a variety of RTS games like Civ, or if you've never tried one (and myself an old-school fan of RTS), I personally recommend checking out the Tower Defense genre. I've wasted hundreds of hours on the likes of Bloons and Gemcraft. :)
As for the new Sim City (and as a long-time Maxis fan who will not buy this one) - Watch out for the DRM in that one. Requires an always-on internet connection just so it can spy on you to make sure you don't... Hmm, I really don't know - Make sure you don't switch your legit copy to a pirated one mid game?
posted by pla at 4:00 PM on February 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
You might browse around GOG and pick up some older strategy titles like Alpha Centauri.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:02 PM on February 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:02 PM on February 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
You might also think about XCOM.
For that matter, consider XCOM: Enemy Unknown (1994). It's available on Steam for something like $5. The graphics are dated, but that doesn't matter as much in a turn based game. As a strategy game it holds up very well, and still deserves its reputation as quite possibly the best game ever in its genre.
Warning: it's mercilessly difficult. It's easy to bankrupt yourself building bases if you don't keep track of your expenses and income. Don't get too attached to your soldiers. You're likely to lose a scout or two even on a mission that's gone fairly well, especially if you're fighting at night by flare-light. On a mission that goes badly, well, be prepared to retreat the last of your shell-shocked soldiers to the transport plane before you lose that too.
One time I started a mission with 14 soldiers. The battle spiraled out of control when a couple of my troops were mind controlled and starting throwing grenades at their teammates. My last soldier ran out of ammo and was frequently losing turns due to being paralyzed by fear but somehow managed to polish off the last of her heavily armored enemies with a lucky hit from her sidearm.
You'll get you $5 worth.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 4:31 PM on February 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
For that matter, consider XCOM: Enemy Unknown (1994). It's available on Steam for something like $5. The graphics are dated, but that doesn't matter as much in a turn based game. As a strategy game it holds up very well, and still deserves its reputation as quite possibly the best game ever in its genre.
Warning: it's mercilessly difficult. It's easy to bankrupt yourself building bases if you don't keep track of your expenses and income. Don't get too attached to your soldiers. You're likely to lose a scout or two even on a mission that's gone fairly well, especially if you're fighting at night by flare-light. On a mission that goes badly, well, be prepared to retreat the last of your shell-shocked soldiers to the transport plane before you lose that too.
One time I started a mission with 14 soldiers. The battle spiraled out of control when a couple of my troops were mind controlled and starting throwing grenades at their teammates. My last soldier ran out of ammo and was frequently losing turns due to being paralyzed by fear but somehow managed to polish off the last of her heavily armored enemies with a lucky hit from her sidearm.
You'll get you $5 worth.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 4:31 PM on February 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
Master of Magic.
Think of it as "Civilization" except that you're a wizard and most of the world is non-human.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 4:55 PM on February 17, 2013
Think of it as "Civilization" except that you're a wizard and most of the world is non-human.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 4:55 PM on February 17, 2013
I am a rabid fan of the Civ series and turn-based stuff. I also find that tower defense games tend to scratch that same itch. Defense Grid is probably the best of this genre (and there are 4 expansions now, including an excellent Portal-themed one). With the ability to pause and rewind the game, I suspect it will be very mommy-friendly.
If you're looking for something to play from start to finish during a 15 min break, may I suggest Weird Worlds. It's a space exploration game (with a bit of combat) that can literally be completed during a coffee break.
posted by Wossname at 4:57 PM on February 17, 2013 [3 favorites]
If you're looking for something to play from start to finish during a 15 min break, may I suggest Weird Worlds. It's a space exploration game (with a bit of combat) that can literally be completed during a coffee break.
posted by Wossname at 4:57 PM on February 17, 2013 [3 favorites]
If you do find that RPGs work for you (and I like both genres), You may want to look into Spiderweb Software's games. They're shareware, so you can see if you like them and the genre before you actually cough up the dough.
posted by Mad_Carew at 5:01 PM on February 17, 2013
posted by Mad_Carew at 5:01 PM on February 17, 2013
Civ V is terrific and different enough from Civ IV to be worth your time. Get the new Gold edition which includes the Gods & Kings expansion.
Have you ever played any Roguelike games? They have a similar exploration, turn based vibe. There's a huge world of these games but I suggest Dungeons of Dredmor for a good introduction.
posted by Nelson at 5:05 PM on February 17, 2013
Have you ever played any Roguelike games? They have a similar exploration, turn based vibe. There's a huge world of these games but I suggest Dungeons of Dredmor for a good introduction.
posted by Nelson at 5:05 PM on February 17, 2013
I haven't played this version (just Caesar III, seven or so years ago,) but Caesar IV might be worth a look if you're into cities.
posted by jetlagaddict at 6:36 PM on February 17, 2013
posted by jetlagaddict at 6:36 PM on February 17, 2013
Way back when I found Caesar II clunky enough that I abandoned the series. What's good about III and IV?
A quirky option: Trade Empires. Not my favorite game of all time but the gameplay is different from anything I've tried. It superficially resembles a 4x game, but you're not building a nation state. The goal is resource management to develop income streams.
Thanks for the thread. I'm off to try Alpha Centauri.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 6:51 PM on February 17, 2013
A quirky option: Trade Empires. Not my favorite game of all time but the gameplay is different from anything I've tried. It superficially resembles a 4x game, but you're not building a nation state. The goal is resource management to develop income streams.
Thanks for the thread. I'm off to try Alpha Centauri.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 6:51 PM on February 17, 2013
You might enjoy Elemental: Fallen Enchantress. If you haven't tried it before you might like the Fall From Heaven 2 mod for Civ 4 (wiki)
posted by squinty at 7:07 PM on February 17, 2013
posted by squinty at 7:07 PM on February 17, 2013
Red Rogue was a lot of fun.
It's a free sidescrolling rougelike game, which can be played in either a live or turnwise way.
(Think: Supermario brothers, but noir.)
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:23 PM on February 17, 2013
It's a free sidescrolling rougelike game, which can be played in either a live or turnwise way.
(Think: Supermario brothers, but noir.)
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:23 PM on February 17, 2013
You might like Crusader Kings 2 (which happens to be on sale on Steam right now, for $10!). It's kind of turn based strategy, though it does lack the exploration aspect. However, what it adds is the idea of dynasty-building - marrying for politics, dealing with ambitious children (and other nobles), etc. It's a lot of fun (excellent review here). If anything in that review pings for you at all, I highly recommend picking it up. If you do, here's a basic guide to get you started.
posted by ashirys at 8:02 AM on February 18, 2013
posted by ashirys at 8:02 AM on February 18, 2013
Side note about CK2: it's not explicitly turn-based, but the speed of time is easily variable and you can pause at any time.
posted by ashirys at 8:04 AM on February 18, 2013
posted by ashirys at 8:04 AM on February 18, 2013
Seconding Heroes of Might and Magic 3. None of the other versions are as good, and I love it so much. If you can, get it with both expansions because they add campaigns, which is what it sounds like you'd be playing. It's turn-based strategy and definitely has the fun exploration aspect to it. I always play the dungeon because I'm a fan of ranged attacks and I also like how the creatures look - the graphics of the game are certainly dated, but I find them beautiful. You can also play hot-seat multiplayer, so when your kids get a bit older you could play against them, or possibly your partner as well. I know I have fun playing cooperative games with my partner. The competitive games got bitter because I get too attached to my troops. For reference, I enjoyed the Sims games and like watching my partner play XCOM (I'm too bad at it to play myself).
posted by Devika at 9:11 AM on February 18, 2013
posted by Devika at 9:11 AM on February 18, 2013
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posted by InsanePenguin at 3:43 PM on February 17, 2013