CalgaryBaller's Classic PC Game Reviews

[calgaryballer]

With the advent of services like Steam and GoodOldGames (GoG), I've found myself playing more and more classic PC games as I wait for price drops on all the new releases. Save for Leaf, I'm not really familiar with a lot of guys on here who are big PC game enthusiasts, and hopefully this will encourage some of you guys to give these a go. Most will run on older PC's (some back to Pentium processors if you're that old school). It's also a fun way for me to go back and some games I loved, and missed, from the 'old' days.

First up, and the inspiration for this series, PC Gamers Top Game of All Time, Deus Ex

[riley420]

You need to do King's Quest 3, Space Quest, and Tie Fighter.

[calgaryballer]

Deus Ex

Release Date - June 22, 2000
Publisher - Eidos
Developer - ION Storm
Requirements - Minimum: 300 MHz Pentium II or equlivalent, Windows 95/98, 64 MB RAM, DirectX 7.0a compliant 3D accelerated video card 16MB VRAM, Direct X 7.0a compliant sound card, Direct X 7.0a or higher (included), 150MB uncompressed hard drive space, Keyboard and Mouse

$9.99 on Steam - http://store.steampowered.com/app/6910/

It's impressive how well this game has held up over the decade. While the graphics are dated, the core gameplay remains impressive. Before games like Oblivion or Fallout 3 were allowing you to make decisions as to how you wanted to approach a problem, Deus Ex made that its central tenent. Trigger finger to slow for an action gamer? Devise a devious trap to bring the bad guys to you and let your explosives do the work. This extends beyond just how you want to approach a singular objective, but also gives you numerous paths if you want to go around the objective entirely.

These decisions, both the ones you make regarding your character and the environment, have long lasting impacts. Deus Ex is one of the first games I remember (well, FPS wise) where my choices would have a long last effect. Make the wrong one, and a friend who could have made a later battle a whole lot easier ends up bleeding on the floor.

The biggest problem with this game now is, obviously, the graphics. Even when the game was released people thought they were too dark and blocky. Compared to today's games, they look even worse. The key point though, is they are functional. Deus Ex is a game where graphics aren't everything. And since you will be spending so much time in the world of Deus Ex, this is something you are going to have to accept.

The story is vast. I think it took my around 20 hours to finish my first time, and while I have shrunk the playtime with experience, I've still found new things to do, and new ways to approach problems. Essentially, it's your typically alternate future conspiracy story, but it sucks me in. I've seen some say its a little overcomplicated, but I have to disagree. When playing, I feel like the main character in a show like Alias, constantly finding new layers to what I thought was a simple coverup.

Overall, I'd have to disagree with PC Gamer calling it the best PC Game ever (I'll review my pick some other time). But I think if console players are tired of the same kind of shooter, this is a great alternative to pick up cheap and play the hell out of.

Rating - 9.5/10

Other reviews from the era

Adrenaline Vault - 'The title has a great storyline, full of intrigue, back-stabbing, secret agendas, political struggles, and social commentary that is so powerful that it will surely overpower the free time of its players. It doesn't matter what style of game you prefer Ă¢â‚¬â€� action, RPG, or tactical combat Ă¢â‚¬â€� since Deus Ex has enough of each of those to please even the most prejudiced user.'

[calgaryballer]

You need to do King's Quest 3, Space Quest, and Tie Fighter.

Oh man, that is really classic. I have the Sierra Kings Quest Collection, but I don't know if I still have discs for Space Quest. Tie Fighter, I'll have to dig in the boxes. I know I have X-Wing Alliance. I also don't have a joystick anymore, and thats the way to play those games

[leaffan]

System Shock 1 or 2 please. Although its going to take you a while to play through it.

If you've never played either one you'll see why I call BioShock a piece of shit compared to them.

I got a bitch ton of games you could try but its going to take you a long time to play through a lot of them.

[tigstah]

i dont think i played either system shock game. i may have to check it out.

[calgaryballer]

System Shock 1 or 2 please. Although its going to take you a while to play through it.

If you've never played either one you'll see why I call BioShock a piece of shit compared to them.

I got a bitch ton of games you could try but its going to take you a long time to play through a lot of them.

System Shock 2 terrified me as a kid. I've never actually seen a copy of System Shock 1 anywhere

[leaffan]

System Shock 2 terrified me as a kid. I've never actually seen a copy of System Shock 1 anywhere

System Shock 2 was pretty messed up. I remember a guy telling me how messed up it was when I was in high school and he was right.

[riley420]

Oh man, that is really classic. I have the Sierra Kings Quest Collection, but I don't know if I still have discs for Space Quest. Tie Fighter, I'll have to dig in the boxes. I know I have X-Wing Alliance. I also don't have a joystick anymore, and thats the way to play those games

I used to play TIE Fighter on my roommates computer back at UF. We would sit for HOURS at his computer passing the stick back and forth. I remember the first time I got to fly a TIE Defender, and it was the best thing ever.

"Secret Objectives complete...The Emperor will be pleased."

I played Space Quest again a few months back, and while the graphics are obviously dated, the story and mechanic of typing your intention (Pick up knife...fuck...Pick up axe...dammit...Pick up machete...AHA) still make for a good experience.

How much did you pay for the KQ collection? I would LOVE to play them again. Some of my favorite gaming memories from super early on involve me getting all excited at the part in KQ3 when you are making the potions. That was awesome....

[calgaryballer]

I used to play TIE Fighter on my roommates computer back at UF. We would sit for HOURS at his computer passing the stick back and forth. I remember the first time I got to fly a TIE Defender, and it was the best thing ever.

"Secret Objectives complete...The Emperor will be pleased."

I played Space Quest again a few months back, and while the graphics are obviously dated, the story and mechanic of typing your intention (Pick up knife...fuck...Pick up axe...dammit...Pick up machete...AHA) still make for a good experience.

How much did you pay for the KQ collection? I would LOVE to play them again. Some of my favorite gaming memories from super early on involve me getting all excited at the part in KQ3 when you are making the potions. That was awesome....

When I bought it, Sierra was re-releasing all their classics in boxset format (Police, Space, Kings) for around $29. I have the Police (which I may have to review, I love PQ1 HVGA version and PQ3) and Kings Quest collections.

FYI, Space Quest collection is $20 on Steam.

[Diivox]

system shock 2 was a scary, scary game and should definitely be checked out by anyone with a buck or two to spare on it

[stevsta]

i know kotor was on xbox but it shined on pc both games were awesome

[calgaryballer]

i know kotor was on xbox but it shined on pc both games were awesome

I am actually replaying Jedi Knight 2. PC Gamer said it wasn't really replayable anymore, but I'm still having fun. Wish I could recapture the epic multiplayer games I had on the MSN Gaming Zone