(this post will also be found at my new blog, IntelligentReviewer)
First, you'll notice Dune 2 isn't on this list, so here's some background.
First, you'll notice Dune 2 isn't on this list, so here's some background.
As much as I loved Dune 2 (and I did, believe me), it had a lot of flaws that frustrated me. After playing it for a few weeks I wrote a letter to Westwood studios, detailing all the improvements I thought could go into the game. Much to my astonishment, a week later I received a letter in response from Joe Bostic himself! I think I was 13 at the time so you can imagine how I felt; I actually framed his letter. He was very kind and said that many of my suggestions were already scheduled to be incorporated into the next game, which would be released in about six months. I was ecstatic to hear all of this, but then devastated later when I learned the next game would not be Dune 3. So, in my mind, Dune 2 will always be the "one that got away", that could have been perfect but just never was. And thus, my need to create D2TGP was born. I still consider it the best $40 I ever spent, but I'll never play the original game again.
I've always loved games with a great atmosphere and intelligent writing. The more immersive the better, and if it also has a great interface and gameplay, I'll never forget my experience with it. The great thing for you is, many of these games can be found freely on the web as abandonware. I urge you not to underestimate any of these greats. To this day, I could pick up and play any one of them.
Counting down to number 1 (that being the best)...
Multi-Player:
10. Starcraft
9. Rainbow Six
8. Shogun: Total War
7. Conquest: Frontier Wars
6. Total Annihilation
5. Viet Cong
4. Dawn of War
3. Ghost Recon
2. Unreal Tournament (with my custom voice packs and skins)
1. Serious Sam: Second Encounter
Single Player:
20. Commandos 2
19. Darwinia
18. Master of Orion
17. Warcraft 3
16. Majesty
15. Tron 2.0
14. Final Liberation
13. Planescape: Torment
12. Mechcommander
11. Axis & Allies (1998 and 2006)
10. The Secret of Monkey Island (1990)
9. Bionic Commando: Rearmed
8. Dark Omen
7. Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate
6. Master of Magic
5. Space Hulk (1993)
4. Outwars
3. Homeworld
2. X-com
1. Fallout 2
Honorable mention:
Postal (1997), for intensely satisfying my anger issues. The sequel was too malevolent for me to be interested but the first game felt very direct and focused on anger at stupid people, of which I had a lot.
