So my computer's pretty bad...

[AaronSofaer]

And I need some game recommendations.

I'm using a Gateway 7330, which has an integrated graphics chip (as in, 32 MB on the chip, 32MB from RAM) and a gig and a half of RAM, and that's maxed out including the expansion port.

I've not noticed a significant change in performance (for the better, it couldn't get worse!) changing whether Hyperthreading is enabled or disabled, and this isn't about making my laptop faster.

This is about games! Recommend me some games that will actually run worth a damn on my laptop.

I have GalCiv II and Dark Avatar, but that definitely does not run well; it's laggy and slow even when I'm pointedly staring at empty space with the graphical settings set to lowest. I fear that Sins would be even worse. And other than that, I just don't know what games would be any good, and figured this is as good a place for me to ask as any.

[Enidigm]

Dominions 3!

Europa Universalis... 2! EU3 might run, worth a shot w/ the demo.

Possibly Crusader Kings as well.

Crysis!

[AaronSofaer]

Crysis!


You, sir.

You are making a funny.

[Alan Friesen]

Armageddon Empires should work fine with that setup.

[Omniscia]

Freespace and Freespace 2 should run well on that system. If you happened to miss them the first time around, Good Old Games has got the hook-up.

Granted, they're not exactly recent, but they're still well worth it. It's about time I got around to replaying them.

[shift6]

Planescape: Torment

[frank austin]

Jagged Alliance 2! Go go gog!

[AaronSofaer]

I'm not really looking for the good-oldies that I've missed. I actually replayed recently (as in, last week) Planescape: Torment, and I spent some time fiddling around with Privateer and Wing Commander.

I am getting the itch to play newer games, ones you generally pay money for, but ones that would run on my computer. After all, I need something to spend my munificent part-time salary on! ;)

[malkav11]

You may not have much luck with that. New games are generally targeting more system than you've got.

[AaronSofaer]

I know. Still, there's a difference between "Below the minimum stats" and "Unplayable".

For example, World of Warcraft complained when I installed it, but it still runs (albeit at <10 FPS, <5 in raids, but it runs). Guild Wars likewise; I may have set a record for worst computer to do competitive GvG/HA with, but it ran.

5 FPS for an RPG or TBS is playable, at least in my opinion. And RTS games seem to be targeted at less of a graphics-powered computer.

I mean, it has a good CPU (3.2 GHz, I think) and 1.5 gigs of RAM is -something-. It's just the video card that's bad.

[gordonrumble]

Diablo 2
Starcraft
Warcraft 3
Baldur's Gate 2
Alpha Centauri
Civilization 3
Max Payne 2 w/ Cinema Mod 2.0
Freelancer
SimGolf

That's the default installation on any new computer I get. I go from there, but they should always be around for backup; they're all very good. You'll have to go for older games though, since new games almost without exception will target a better computer than that.

[Brendan]

I've been playing Warlords 2 via DosBOX this weekend and it's a pleasant little diversion

[AaronSofaer]

Max Payne 2?

What is this game that you speak of? I shall go look it up.

[Papageno]

How about the two Freedom Force games?

[Sebmojo]

AOW: Shadow Magic.

Ooh - Sacrifice.

[nabeel]

Peggle
Puzzle Quest
World of Goo

[Funkula]

MoO2!

[red guy]

Your Gateway 7330 appears to have Intel Extreme Graphics 2 - which means no hardware support for DirectX 8.1 or 9, and really flaky support for DirectX 8. NOLF2, from late 2002, is one of the first games you're definitely not able to run on that machine.

The Half-Life 2 engine might scale down for your system. I tried HL2 once, on my IEG2 laptop. It crashed a lot. But it might be possible for you to play Portal.

[Kadath]

Fallout 2

[AaronSofaer]

AOW: Shadow Magic.

I never got the love for Shadow Magic. To me, it took everything good with Age of Wonders, and did away with it.


Ooh - Sacrifice.

Another game I hadn't heard of, this is good.


Your Gateway 7330 appears to have Intel Extreme Graphics 2 - which means no hardware support for DirectX 8.1 or 9, and really flaky support for DirectX 8. NOLF2, from late 2002, is one of the first games you're definitely not able to run on that machine.

The Half-Life 2 engine might scale down for your system. I tried HL2 once, on my IEG2 laptop. It crashed a lot. But it might be possible for you to play Portal.

HL2 runs, as does Portal, which I greatly enjoyed. Do you think TF2 would run? I didn't think so.


How about the two Freedom Force games?

I don't know, how about the two Freedom Force games?

[unbongwah]

You might have better luck with indie games, which tend to have lower system reqs than major releases. I'd scope out some reviews on GameTunnel (http://www.gametunnel.com/), see if you can find anything of interest (e.g., World of Goo, Depths of Peril). If you don't mind being online while playing, you could also try out Gametap (www.gametap.com).

[RSofaer]

Sacrifice is a really cool game. Your choice of mission is also your choice of new abilities, just to warn you.

[Brendan]

I don't know, how about the two Freedom Force games?

I've only played the first one, but it is more fun than a barrel of puppies and will fly like a whippet with a bum full of TNT on your laptop.

You might need to download a patch to get it to run on XP though.

[Eric Majkut]

Dwarf Fortress :)

[AaronSofaer]

Dwarf Fortress :)


Can't stand the UI, sorry. :)

[KaoFloppy]

Is this like a weird retro thread on older 3D games? <System Shock 2> <Thief> <Homeworld>

Also, <Disciples 2>, since someone brought up AoW.

And, one suggestion: turn down the game resolution, and let the video card stretch it out on your laptop screen. Advantage: lower resolution == faster 3D. Disadvantage: everything looks fuzzy (this is an advantage for Disciples 2...)

[wisefool]

Imperialism 2. Trackpad friendly.