Freedom for five days! Gaming suggestions!?

My wife and my oldest son are going away to visit her sister for five days. I'm staying home with our baby, but he sleeps more than he's awake (a welcome addition, considering our oldest seemed like he never slept). Aside from the handful of "honey-do" chores while she's gone, submitting resumes as I'm unemployed at the moment, I should have a large amount of free time, at least compared to what I'm used to

That being said, I own pretty much every decent game imaginable out there (ok, I'm a major PC game geek), although haven't played through many of them. It's too bad Empire Total War won't be out until March 5, otherwise I'd love to sink my teeth into that.

That being said, here's some games that I own that I haven't really played much of yet. Also looking for other suggestions. I'd like to feel like I'm engrossed and accomplishing things during gameplay, so don't want a mindless shooter, and not something so hard or complicated that I'll waste more time replaying levels than actually moving forward.

Two recent games that I loved and engrossed me were Bioshock and Call of Duty 4. I'm mainly an FPS and RTS or TBS guy, but also enjoy combat aircraft (and other vehicle - tank, sub) simulations.

(1) Fallout 3 (only played a couple hours, seems kinda slow)
(2) Dead Space
(3) Far Cry 2
(4) F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin
(5) Tomb Raider Underworld
(6) Dawn of War II (don't own yet but may, not convinced by reviews yet)
(7) Command and Conquer Red Alert 3
(8) Witcher Enhanced Edition - EDIT ADDED!

Thanks, and appreciate justification for your response!

 

Can I say as also a guy who doesn't have a TON of free time also, and who doesn't finish every game he has... Fallout 3 kept me going until the very end. Once you get into it it's definitely an awesome game, with so much content it's hard to see it all. That's my vote. Kept me playing until the end.

 

Fallout 3 starts slow but once you get going and get into it you'll be hooked. I played through it on PC and 360 and I still have stuff to do. Highly recommend it that you give it a shot.

Can't really say anything else because I haven't played any of the other listed games, I've been playing a lot of 360 since I picked one up again!

Edit: haha, same-time post + same general thoughts. Now you have to give Fallout a chance =P

 

fear 2 isn't that good.
i have fallout 3 for my ps3 and it's amazing
dead space is fun on my 360 as well
far cry 2 is boring. there's too much traveling in it

those are all that i've played
i'd recommend fallout 3 if you like rpgs and want to kill a lot of time
dead space is fun at night with the lights off, etc

 

I echo votes for Fallout 3.

 

See I disagree, I disliked fallout 3 significantly. I felt it to be far too repetitive of a game to be played in a marathon like the OP wants to do. It might be a nice game to pick up for maybe an hour or two a night like other rpgs but I hated the combat system and the general playing of the game. Decent story though, but nothing spectacular...I guess I should say I think the game is good but is quite overhyped for what it is. It's a semi-fps-ish rpg that can be turn based-ish for moments when you aim but overall it's just a typical rpg from a first person view.

Out of that list, I recommend farcry 2. Good story, lots to do, fun to just explore, fun to hunt diamonds, fun to kill people, fun to stealth kill people, fun to set up a very artistic kill using whatever's at hand...yeah it's just a fun game.

But my true recommendation is Left 4 Dead! Kill zombies! Be a super zombie and kill humans online! Invite friends over and kill zombies with friends! It's only good when played online though. It might seem a little mindless and true there is no end goal other than survival but each playthrough is different and survival is a true challenge of your skill, your wits, and your luck.

But that's just my 2 cents. I think you'd really like Left 4 Dead but if you don't think it'll engage you enough by not having a true story or objectives then I'd say farcry 2.

 

Fallout 3 for sure

Like everyone said, really gets good once it gets going. But don't rush through the main quest (pretty short), explore and do the side quests. One of my all time favorite games already.

Listen to the Pipboy radio while exploring!, it's actually pretty awesome lol.

 

I'm not really that interested in "killing time" as I am in having fun and having an exciting gaming experience. Since I don't get a lot of time to play, I don't want to feel like I'm wasting my time.

 

As you have already given fallout 3 a chance, I say go for far cry 2 and fear 2 as you can beat those two and still have time for the others in less time than it would take to beat fallout 3.

 

Good point novablade. I hear FEAR 2 isn't real long. Perhaps I'll make Fallout 3 my longterm game to play whenever I get an hour or so free time and again.

 

numbers 1, 6, and 7 will DEFINITELY last longer then 2 weeks go with those

 

I have to say fear 2! Loved it!!! One amazing game.

 

Thumbs down to FEAR 2; as I said in another thread, it's a generic shooter with a disconnected feel and a crap story. Not engaging/immersive at all. Compared to the first, it is a disappointment. Also, it's short and has no replay value. You might get 6 - 8 hours out of it. Its multiplayer is lackluster/not worth playing.

Dawn of War II single player is alright, not that great - the multiplayer is where it's at. It is worth the money if you're going to play the multiplayer.

I'm considering buying Dead Space - according to reviews, it's quite different and has great graphics.

 

I personally didn't like Fallout 3 after about 2.5 hours of gameplay. It was too slow and difficult for my taste. I say FEAR 2 or Far Cry 2.

 

Fallout 3 my friend, I finished the game while i was in amsterdam on my xps. I discovered all the locations, everything. It was at a rate of 13 hours a day. With alot of enhancers

 

I say fallout 3...
I started oblivian a while ago... couldn't get into it.
a friend gave me a few pointers and tips, i made a new character, and i'm hooked! (but it's been a good week or so because i have been busy)

 

fallout 3 is too repetitive and i used to get simulator sickness after 2 hours( walking walking walking). the game would be better with vehicles.

Farcry 2 is amazing. i have played it for over a week.

RA3 deserves to be the worst game .

 

Fallout 3 for sure ! L4D is awesome, doesn't take too long to beat and its fun!

 

You should do that

Also, Dead Space is a great game but you can finish in ~12-13 hours (total game time)

it's a great game. It does look good, and I like the various unique gameplay points, like sefering limbs, zero gravity, parts when you are in a vacuum
Zero gravity areas are particularly fun
But it's not the longest game

I haven't played Fallout 3, but I'm saving it for summer because I don't have much free time ATM

 

+1 for Fallout 3

^What he said^

 

For a very time-consuming RTS Sins of a Solar Empire will eat up your free 5 days and then some depending on what size map you play.

I've ordered Galactic Civilizations 2 and it reads so far like a 4X game with much in common with Civilization 4. It's also published by Stardock and has lots of replayability thanks to the number of options you can edit at the start of each play session.

 

Ok, looks like Fallout 3 is the predominant choice so far. I will probably go for FEAR 2 first, just because it sounds like I can finish it in a relatively short amount of time, and I loved the first FEAR games.

That being said, for Fallout 3 can people give me pointers on how to best configure my character and what items to keep, where to go, etc?

I find it frustrating when you should have upgraded one thing but you did another that ends up being useless. Or save items that are useless, or throw out something that turns out to be valuable or useful later, and then you have to remember where you left it.

 

I forgot to add Witcher Enhanced Edition to the mix!? How could I have forgotten!?

 

Just play FEAR2. it is awesome!!!

 

Fallout 3 should be your main choice by MILES.


When you get into the game, try to grab the unique weapons first. It will give you a whole lot of leverage whenever you come up against something unexpected. The Fallout 3 wiki is brilliant for locations.


I'd say you should definately grab the Vengeance Gatling Laser as soon as you can, followed by the Lincoln Repeater, the Xuanlong Assault rifle, and the Blackhawk.


Maximise your repair skills as soon as possible, it's absolutely invaluable in a wasteland where everything (weapons/armour/etc) is falling apart. Will get you loads of money too.


Most of all, have fun! It's a big wasteland out there, and don't feed the Deathclaws!!

 

The key is Repair. Pick up armor and weapons and repair them as high as possible. Saves you weight and you can sell them for a lot more. Makes the game a lot easier.

 

You know what im going to say to this.

But i've bought L4D and I have to say its pretty amazing. Not worth $50 but despite the limited content what you get is ammmmmmmaaaaazzzzzzzzziiiiiiinnnnnnnngggg.

 

I just started playing through Crysis. I recommend it if your comp can handle it.

I never played Far Cry so I'm really enjoying the sneaky play style.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I've played through Crysis and Crysis Warhead. Great games both of them. Short, but fun. I have Left 4 Dead, but just wasn't that impressed.

 

My vote also goes to Fallout 3. It will keep you occupied and you're likely not to know where the time has gone.

Also, I don't think it's on your list, but Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri may be old but can really draw you in (well, it did with me anyway). It's a turn based strategy game - one of my favorite games of all time.

 

im gonna suggest mass effect. not on the list, but its marvelous. so much in fact i actually used that retarded word.

 

I'd play fear 2 the demo kicked !

 

Thanks, I tried Mass Effect. Was fun for a bit, then got frustrating running around all the time not being able to figure out where I was going or what I really needed to do next.

 

I voted for Dead Space. It's a great game to play at night when you're alone in the house

 

Fallout 3 all the way. I haven't really been able to sit down and play a single game for an extended amount of time very often over the last few years and when I got Fallout 3 I played for hours on end every day until I beat it. Awesome game!

Just read a bit more and want to note the last game that had me like Fallout 3 was Mass Effect when it was first released on the PC. Played it so hard it was ridiculous.

Played on the comp BTW.

 

With the lights off and surround sound

BUT it still can't beat D00M 3 in the scary department
Dead Space made me tense
D00M 3 scared the crap outta me, I've never played more than 2 levels of it
This summer hopefully

I also voted Dead Space

I was never really into RPGs they last forever
However I plan on playing some in the summer

 

Yeah Doom 3 scared the living crap outta me. I thought people who said that before I played it were woosies. I was right!

I played with headphones on, lights out, at night, and holy crap. The sound is what made that game so great.

 

IMO the sound in Dead Space is better

the reason it was MORE scary than Dead space was the lighting

From what I remember playing, it was really dark, and enemies jumped out at you from the darkness
In dead space you can actually see things
Which is why i think it just keeps you on edge and doesnt scare the crap out of you
maybe why I played it so much

 

i have not played Doom 3 as i heard it was crap.
played Quake though.

any comparison?

 

While I agree that the sounds in Dead Space are far better, I disagree that Doom 3 is scarier

Once you get halfway through Doom 3, everything becomes quite predictable. Moving around in Doom 3 is also much easier since it's using standard FPS controls. Part of what makes Dead Space scary as well, is the 3rd person controls. Your limited movement coupled with enemies that can come from all directions, really makes the game a lot scarier than normal.

 

The eingine is basically the same, but Quake 4 is more fast paced, more of a run and gun (with big guns) while D00M 3 not as much

LOL
Maybe that's why, I only played two levels from when everyone became a zombie

Yea the 3rd person aspect is great, along with the combat and the zero gravity areas

 

i know the engine thingy..and game pace.
but i wanted to know about player experience..

 

Doom 3 wasn't crap. I was expecting a "run and gun" kind of shooter with monsters jumping out on occasion. But if you let yourself get immersed, and you need good surround sound or good pair of headphones, you will enjoy it and guarantee get the crap scared out of you.

I don't know if it will have the same effect now considering the graphics are from a five or six year old engine. Kind of like going back and playing the original doom with 320x240 8-bit graphics, well maybe not that bad.

The first half of the game is scare tactics, while the last half of the game is more fast paced shooter, and IMHO the last 1/4 gets annoying, except for the final boss, which is fun. It probably took me twice as long to get through the first half of the game than the last half because of being so cautious of that next surprise. Once they come at you consistently, you just go.

I didn't get very far in Quake 4. Too much generic shooter for me.

 

Still looks good

Especially when you increase the res. past 1024x768 to your native res.

I'm installing it again as I speak

 

Wouldn't you know it. First full day of freedom today, and I sliced open the four fingers on my left hand (not thumb), so gaming, at least for today, is not possible. Oh the irony.

Guess I'll have to watch a couple movies this evening, wrap my fingers up nice and tight with some neosporin. And hope they're in good enough shape for tomorrow!

 

What happened! That's a bad omen, especially when you need all of your digits for gaming! For some recommendations, I liked COD: WaW. It was a great game with good adventure, and was one of my favorite FPS's. Battlefield 2 was also a good game, but that's based around teamwork.

 

Dang, hate to hear about your fingers ha! That Sucks!, Heal em up! And, I voted for FEAR 2 cause I've really enjoyed that, but I also saw you mentioned The Witcher, and I've been having a GREAT time with that lately... AWESOME game! So, i'd have voted for that if I could have, if you've got it, definately worth diving into, and i've enjoyed that MUCH more than Fallout3.

Fallout 3 is fun, but i got bored as well.... dunno, guess I'm the odd man out

 

Sounds like you should play World of Goo if you haven't already, you only need your right hand for that. Plus it's a great game.

 

LOL. Thanks. I cut all my fingers while moving our stupid stove away from our island to clean the crud out from underneath it. I guess the edges are awfully sharp because I didn't realize it, and was getting mad wondering where all this red stuff was coming from, until I looked at my hand and realized they were all bleeding. Looked much worse than it was. Hardly felt it, but it bled like an SOB. Now its a little sore, more annoying than anything.

I'm a seasoned BF2 player, and want to do something different. Kind of burned out on it at the moment. Of course that game is like digital crack, I keep coming back for more then can't leave it for months at a time.

Maybe I'll give Witcher a spin. I installed it, started it, and never came back because I think I got distracted with another game, and forgot about it!

Yeah, I played some Hearts, and Peggle, will have to revisit Goo too, forgot about that one.

 

That's harsh man

hope your hand is better so you can game during the rest of your freedom

Have a swift recovery, dude