Steam...and Looking for a Game

[terpkristin]

So, I have a pretty middle-of-the-road for being 3 years old laptop, and I'm looking for something to play. I've heard a lot of good things about Steam but don't really know how it works. How does it work? Are there any games on it my computer could run? I'm looking for either adventure-type games (akin to the Monkey Island games) or an RPG-type game that could be played without a mouse (or, with the touchpad on my laptop). Is there any other service that might suit me better? My computer, as I said, is fairly ho-hum:
NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
Intel Core2 Duo T7500 @2.20 GHz, 2.00 GB RAM
84 GB free on my hard drive

I'm getting an injection for my herniated disc on Monday and am trying to lay low til then, and right now my XBOX and Pokemon just aren't doing it for me.

/tk

[Young Drachma]

Football Manager 2010? Ok, you said adventure. Well, FM can be an adventure? Good luck with your injection.

As far as how it works, you just download the client onto your machine and then when you buy games, they'll be accessible via Steam. You don't have to be online to use them, either. It's worked great, I was leery when a few games required it, but it's nicer than elicense because I don't have to worry if I switch machines or don't play a game for ages where I put the license or whether I unlicensed or whatever.

[JPhillips]

Every game gives system requirements, so it shouldn't be hard to find something that works for your machine.

[Peregrine]

If you haven't tried it, try Plants vs Zombies - should be low system requirements and it is fun as hell.

[Cringer]

They are working on Steam for Linux....I can't wait. They need to get the Mac version out of the way in May and hopefully Linux comes within a year (trying to be optimistic about it).

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

If you haven't tried it, try Plants vs Zombies - should be low system requirements and it is fun as hell.

That's a great game, I've got it on my iPod Touch and my computer.

Looking right now more for something where I can kill an orc or something, but maybe I should just go try to beat Bejeweled 2 like that dude did.

/tk

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Every game gives system requirements, so it shouldn't be hard to find something that works for your machine.

Yeah, but that assumes I know what they mean..specifically related to graphics. RAM and hard drive space, I'm good with. Graphics, not so much.

Which is why I ask for recs.

/tk

[JPhillips]

Torchlight is a fun Diablo clone, but watch for sales as it sells for cheap every couple of weeks.

You'll probably have to turn the graphics down, but the new King's Bounty games are fun.

The Freedom Force games are cheap and would work.

Pirates! and Space Rangers 2 aren't killing orcs, but would work.

[jeff061]

The Longest Journey, if you haven't played it yet. The last great adventure game for $10.

I only say this cause I just bought it from Steam, even though I have the original release and all it's CDs.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

Yeah, but that assumes I know what they mean..specifically related to graphics. RAM and hard drive space, I'm good with. Graphics, not so much.

Can you run it? - http://cyri.systemrequirementslab.com/CYRI/intro.aspx

(I've had to run it in IE, not Firefox.)

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Torchlight is a fun Diablo clone, but watch for sales as it sells for cheap every couple of weeks.

You'll probably have to turn the graphics down, but the new King's Bounty games are fun.

The Freedom Force games are cheap and would work.

Pirates! and Space Rangers 2 aren't killing orcs, but would work.

TK, my desktop PC is now three years and while I upgraded my video card this Winter, before the holidays, it was still running with a cheapo integrated video card.

I was able to run Torchlight easily and I highly recommend it if you want a cartoony hack and slash type game where you get to kill tons of creatures with some quests to do. There's a demo for Torchlight on Steam btw.

King's Bounty I was also able to run back then, but it was a bit choppy. KB is a nice blend of a game with real time movement but battles are done on a turn based system, the choppiness then never took away from my enjoyment of the game. It was just more beautiful with the new graphics card.

I also have both Freedom Force games but have not played them yet. They are older games with a superheroes feel to it. They certainly should work with your setup, given how old the games are.

Hope this helps.

FM

[sterlingice]

I have KOTOR, Freedom Force, and the X-Com collection on Steam (total cost: $9!?! during a couple of specials). KOTOR runs just fine on my laptop but I haven't tried the others yet.

SI

[FrogMan]

one I forgot and that you might be able to play is Titan Quest, with its expansion. Was reminded of it when I saw that it is on sale ad D2D:
http://www.direct2drive.com/177/3304...undle-Download

$4.95 for the game and its expansion is a GREAT deal. Lots of fun, cool storyline, and you get to kill mythological type of creatures.

I know I was able to play it reasonably well before upgrading my graphics card

FM

[JPhillips]

If you are still looking Steam has Torchlight on sale for 9.99

[tyketime]

Is there a current PC game that is equivalent to the Age of Empires/Empire Earth titles from a few years back?