Which Game Would You Buy?

[Chief Rum]

I have thought of making a purchase of a strategy or fantasy game, but have struggled to determine which one. And I know a bunch of you have bought or played many or all of them. So here's a poll. Which one should I buy?

I would likely buy available expansion packs, too, so consider their value in your answers, too.

The choices I am pondering:

EU3
Civ 4
Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
Medieval War II
Crusader Kings II

Thanks! (and feel free to share your thoughts on all said games or others of similar ilk I might be interested in).

[Antmeister]

I am huge roleplaying fan and based it off that. Can't go wrong with Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. Amazing game, with the only negative that you may not like the fact that the world around you levels as your character does. If that is not your thing, there are mods to remedy that. Amazing graphics, a buttload of mods available and expansion packs.

I haven't played Civ 4, but I hear that is also a great choice, especially since you mentioned strategy. However I can't give you much more detail than that.

[Barkeep49]

Owning all of the games on the list except for Medieval War II, I would first point out that there is no Crusader Kings II, yet. Only CK with expansion pack. With that said I have found Oblivion to be far more enjoyable than I expected (just picked it up to have something to play over Thanksgiving) but think that Civ IV or EU3 is the way to go. I voted EU3 because I like Paradox.

[Barkeep49]

Originally Posted by Antmeister

I am huge roleplaying fan and based it off that. Can't go wrong with Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. Amazing game, with the only negative that you may not like the fact that the world around you levels as your character does. If that is not your thing, there are mods to remedy that. Amazing graphics, a buttload of mods available and expansion packs.

I would just add that I've played with a mod to not have the world level up with me and now that I'm up to level 4 it's nice being able to already beat the crap out of some stuff that used to nearly kill me before, while also being forced to not just march through any set of missions (whether it's a guild or the main game story).

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Barkeep49

Owning all of the games on the list except for Medieval War II, I would first point out that there is no Crusader Kings II, yet. Only CK with expansion pack. With that said I have found Oblivion to be far more enjoyable than I expected (just picked it up to have something to play over Thanksgiving) but think that Civ IV or EU3 is the way to go. I voted EU3 because I like Paradox.

Whoops, that's what I meant (with CK). Of all the above series, it's the one I know least about but have thought about trying.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Barkeep49

I would just add that I've played with a mod to not have the world level up with me and now that I'm up to level 4 it's nice being able to already beat the crap out of some stuff that used to nearly kill me before, while also being forced to not just march through any set of missions (whether it's a guild or the main game story).

Wouldn't the game get too easy, though, after a short while?

[Atocep]

Oblivion probably has the most replay value simply because of the open endedness and the number of mods out there for it. Btw, Oblivion is only average out of the box. It can become fantastic when moded, however, its a bit too open ended for my taste.

The thing with oblivion is, you can knock areas in the game, but I'll guarantee there's a mod out there to fix that particular thing to your liking.

I've played EU3 and Civ4. Between those two it probably comes down to which of the previous games you liked. Both are significant upgrades, but are still essentially the same game in terms of determining which you'd prefer.

[Barkeep49]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Wouldn't the game get too easy, though, after a short while?

From what I know, no, because there are plenty of high level quests to keep you occupied and shivering isles is meant for higher level characters as well (haven't even stepped foot in there yet).

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Wouldn't the game get too easy, though, after a short while?

Not at all because with the original game, everything scales down to your level too. Therefore, tough mobs like vampires are too easy to kill with the default game. With the mod, Vampires and other tough mobs will kick your butt if you encounter them too early because they will be much higher level than your character. I voted for Civ 4 as it is a great game and I prefer it slightly to Oblivion, but Oblivion would be my close 2nd choice.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Oblivion probably has the most replay value simply because of the open endedness and the number of mods out there for it. Btw, Oblivion is only average out of the box. It can become fantastic when moded, however, its a bit too open ended for my taste.

The thing with oblivion is, you can knock areas in the game, but I'll guarantee there's a mod out there to fix that particular thing to your liking.

I've played EU3 and Civ4. Between those two it probably comes down to which of the previous games you liked. Both are significant upgrades, but are still essentially the same game in terms of determining which you'd prefer.

Oblivion is one of two games on my list for Christmas for the 360 I'm getting (also CH2k8).

These mods are available for the 360 too?

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by wade moore

Oblivion is one of two games on my list for Christmas for the 360 I'm getting (also CH2k8).

These mods are available for the 360 too?

They have official mods (which are generally in the $2.00 range) and are very, very good. But you can't download community mods.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Atocep

They have official mods (which are generally in the $2.00 range) and are very, very good. But you can't download community mods.

Gotcha...

People should feel free to share recommendations on good official mods

[WSUCougar]

Lots of different gaming avenues there, CR. All good options, IMO. I think it depends on what style of game you prefer.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Lots of different gaming avenues there, CR. All good options, IMO. I think it depends on what style of game you prefer.

Well, here's my take on things.

I am leaning away from Civ 4 (for now) and CK for separate reasons. For CK, I just don't have much of a basis to know what to expect from it yet. With some great options, it runs behind a bit in my interest. Civ is a terrific series, but I find I tend to buy it, give it a good run and then it disappears. It's one I probably will buy eventually, but not sure it's the buy for now.

I have never actually played any EU game, but between the great dynasties that have run for it, and knowing somewhat how it plays toward my interest, particularly in that time period, it is a very intriguing option for me.

Oblivion is the early favorite in the poll, and I was a big fan of Daggerfall and Morrowind. I love those sorts of games, but wonder if it will be too time consuming. Still, great series, and I am encouraged by what I have read here.

The one I really have a soft spot for is MW II, as anyone who read my old MW dynasty thread will likely know. It doesn't get much better than real time battles with bows and swords and cavalry. But I have heard scuttlebutt that Bethesda messed up with this one a bit, maybe too buggy. And I'm the type of gamer who can be turned off from this sort of game if there's a gamebreaking bug in there. So I would be interested in feedback on it, especially as it compares to MW and Rome (also solid, but a bit more buggy with less replay ability than MW).

[Alan T]

I own all of the games except Oblivion.. My favorite in order is: Civ4 -> EU3 -> CK -> M2...

I love the Civ series and find they have alot of replayability for me.. I also liked EU3 alot too and miss playing multiplayer games with BK.

[Chief Rum]

All right...

I bought Oblivion and EU III, but I am having a problem installing the update for EU III.

I DL'd the game from GamerGate, and it seems to have installed just fine. But when I went to update it (it's one of those update applications that you download and it updates the game for you), it says EU III is not installed on my computer. Huh?

Anyone else had an issue like this when trying to update this game?

If it matters, I installed it on my external hard drive. It shouldn't, though.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

All right...

I bought Oblivion and EU III, but I am having a problem installing the update for EU III.

I DL'd the game from GamerGate, and it seems to have installed just fine. But when I went to update it (it's one of those update applications that you download and it updates the game for you), it says EU III is not installed on my computer. Huh?

Anyone else had an issue like this when trying to update this game?

If it matters, I installed it on my external hard drive. It shouldn't, though.

I had that problem before. I uninstalled the game and reinstalled and then it worked fine. Don't know what the problem was. Are you on Vista? I am and it might have had something to do with that.

[spleen1015]

Civ IV is the best in the series and the best on your list.

Whoever said Oblivion gets the nod for replay value is crazy. The replay value of Civ IV is unmatched.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

Civ IV is the best in the series and the best on your list.

Whoever said Oblivion gets the nod for replay value is crazy. The replay value of Civ IV is unmatched.

While you may not need a spleen to live, he's got the right of it here. Civ IV has amazing replay value, especially with the number of spectacular mods available (not to mention the expansion packs).

I got Civ IV when it came out in 2005 and it's really been the only game I've played consistently - other than EHM - since then.

Sorry I missed this thread until now. I would have strongly pushed for Civ IV and perhaps made a Bertuzzi comment or two. (Bertuzzi will never stay healthy.)