PC game suggestions for a noob...

DJ...

DJ...

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Decided I want to give this whole gaming thing a shot. I think the only games I've ever really played have been Fifa, GTA, racing games and Larry The Lounge Lizard.

So what are some game suggestions for someone like me, looking at trying out gaming on a PC? Would be great to try it out before buying as well.

Here's what I know I enjoy:

Racing games (I even own a steering wheel I've never used)
Sports games (wish there were decent rugby and cricket games)
GTA
Never played Call Of Duty or similar big title games. Ever. I don't know if I'd enjoy them. Might have to try it out.
Splinter Cell (I played this once before and it was pretty cool)

I'd like a game to have impressive graphics, to have a story that keeps one engaged, and doesn't involve buying a heap of crap all of the time to continue playing.

Online or offline I don't mind, but I've never actually played an online game before in my life...
 
DJ... said:
Decided I want to give this whole gaming thing a shot. I think the only games I've ever really played have been Fifa, GTA, racing games and Larry The Lounge Lizard.

So what are some game suggestions for someone like me, looking at trying out gaming on a PC? Would be great to try it out before buying as well.

Here's what I know I enjoy:

Racing games (I even own a steering wheel I've never used)
Sports games (wish there were decent rugby and cricket games)
GTA
Never played Call Of Duty or similar big title games. Ever. I don't know if I'd enjoy them. Might have to try it out.
Splinter Cell (I played this once before and it was pretty cool)

I'd like a game to have impressive graphics, to have a story that keeps one engaged, and doesn't involve buying a heap of crap all of the time to continue playing.

Online or offline I don't mind, but I've never actually played an online game before in my life...
Click to expand...

Start with this:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/203160/

and I am currently enjoying this:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/220240/
 
Only ask me when you are interested in point & click adventure or any other general puzzle and adventure games.

So I have nada to suggest...
 
The Mass Effect trilogy should be going pretty cheap by now.

Also if you like GTA, then check out Sleeping Dogs. It's a brilliant game that didn't get as much attention as it should have. It's basically GTA with a triad theme.
 
https://www.pathofexile.com/

It has basically none of the attributes you are looking for.

It is, however, free, and one of the best games ever made.

It's highly complex, in a very good way.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/pc-game-of-the-year-2013-winner/1100-6416467/

Who would have thought that Blizzard Entertainment, the uber-successful creator of the world's most revered action role-playing games, would be out-Diablo'd? A year after Diablo III was released, developer Grinding Gear Games created a dark and oppressive clickfest that seemingly rose from the ashes of Diablo II. After a notably long beta period, Path of Exile was released to great acclaim in 2013--yet, somehow, doesn't cost a penny to download, play, and love.

So yes, it's a wonder that Path of Exile is free, though you can certainly toss some cash the developer’s way by buying unnecessary cosmetic enhancements. But Path of Exile’s greatness has little to do with its price, or lack thereof, but is instead a result of its ridiculously complex skill tree, exciting action, and moody atmosphere. At first, the adventure hews closely to its obvious inspiration, but this familiarity is merely a stepping stone that allows Path of Exile to find its footing. Once it's clear you are on rock-solid ground, the game establishes an identity all its own--an identity that makes Path of Exile a worthy winner of GameSpot's award for 2013 PC game of the year.
Click to expand...
 
Can you remember which Splinter Cell game it was that you played? Some of the newer ones play a bit differently to the older ones. Blacklist (the latest one) was pretty good either way.
 
Generally one would wait for a steam sale...generally means 75%+ savings. If you're not too price sensitive then I'd suggest grabbing this:
http://store.steampowered.com/sub/31292/

Its vaguely similar to splintercell except a bit more steampunk / dystopian.

You say you've not played online....get the steam client and install TeamFortress 2...its free to play and can give you a fairly harmless first interact with a fast paced online FPS server.

You mention splintercell. The pack is currently 35% off:
http://store.steampowered.com/sub/4158/

As is most of the Ubisoft catalog (for 2 more hours)
http://store.steampowered.com/app/214250/

Most of it 35% which is considered somewhat mediocre for a special, but its better than nothing.

tbh I don't think you'd enjoy the big shooter titles (Call of Duty, Battlefield etc). The servers are full of 16 year old kids with lightning fast reflexes and a tendency to insult each other's mothers.

And finally Portal 1 and Portal 2 is generally considered an absolute must. (First person perspective but kind semi-puzzle-based...excellent vibe). As is the Half-Life series (Story line driven first person shooter).

If you want something a bit more gritty then the Bioshock series.

tbh the list of possible games is very long - so we're all kinda taking potshots here at what you might like. Here is the all-time metacritic listing.
http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/all/pc?view=condensed&sort=desc

I'd also suggest sticking purely to Steam - it makes life 10x easier. Though for specific titles (Battlefield) EA's competitor distribution platform Origin is a necessary evil. Some/most steam games have a demo button on the right.

DJ... said:
and doesn't involve buying a heap of crap all of the time to continue playing.
Click to expand...
Most games have "complete" editions available that include all the add-ons. Sometimes called "Game of the Year (GOTY)" or season pass or legendary edition etc. These are generally released about a year after initial release (they first want to coin it with the base game + expansions) so the newer games won't have complete editions.

Or you can buy the base game and all the add-ons ("DLCs") separately.

Games like World of Warcraft are subscription based, meaning monthly payment. Doubt thats what you want...
 
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Thanks gents, appreciate the effort. BTW, I have tried Portal but found it to be one of the most boring things I'd ever done. Open a door, jump, move a box, open a door, jump, move a box, jump on a box, move a box, jump, open a door, snore...
 
DJ... said:
Decided I want to give this whole gaming thing a shot. I think the only games I've ever really played have been Fifa, GTA, racing games and Larry The Lounge Lizard.

So what are some game suggestions for someone like me, looking at trying out gaming on a PC? Would be great to try it out before buying as well.

Here's what I know I enjoy:

Racing games (I even own a steering wheel I've never used)
Sports games (wish there were decent rugby and cricket games)
GTA
Never played Call Of Duty or similar big title games. Ever. I don't know if I'd enjoy them. Might have to try it out.
Splinter Cell (I played this once before and it was pretty cool)

I'd like a game to have impressive graphics, to have a story that keeps one engaged, and doesn't involve buying a heap of crap all of the time to continue playing.

Online or offline I don't mind, but I've never actually played an online game before in my life...
Click to expand...

Post your specs so we dont recommend a game that will not run so well on your system.
 
A bit old, but the Knights Of The Old Republic was brilliant (very good story). Second the Half Life recommendation and think you can still get Black Mesa (the HD original remake) on steam for free. Also, the new XCom was very good.
 
As far as racing games are concerned, give Trackmania Nations a shot. It's free, but if you enjoy it there are many other games in the Trackmania series that you can buy through steam.

http://trackmaniaforever.com/

(the link you want is "Free TM1 Download", the TM2 is only a demo)

What I enjoy about TM, and this may actually be a deal breaker for some, is that other cars can't crash into you (or you into them), you can't upgrade or tune your vehicle or do anything that will give you an advantage before the race starts. This is a game 100% about picking the best racing lines and being able to stick to it under pressure.

There is a single player mode, but the most fun is racing online. You will be be ranked on your times in your region, country and the world.

If you want realism, look elsewhere. But if you want to test your skill and don't want a race result influenced by luck or a guy beating you only because he bought a magic muffler, this is the game for you.
 
DJ... said:
I might if I find myself enjoying something. I might do a swap for a Note 10.1 tablet in the classified if I can...
Click to expand...
Not sure about a swap, but maybe sell it and use it as part-payment towards a next-gen console later in the year. That'll keep you going for the next 8 years or so, and there's no need to keep track of whether you need to upgrade or not.
 
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