Anyone remember that Batman movie where they computer generated the security camera to make it look like the guy ran out the window?
Alls we need is to have the cameras going on without us knowing about it... and the use of video recordings for evidence is now out the window (if it isnt already); until then, I cant wait how this gets abused under the Patriot Act.
Ok. My favorite was the Descent series. The first and second were similar, the latter a little nicer looking, but similar gameplay.
I did a little research, and discovered that the Macintosh release of Descent 1 had much nicer graphics AND awesome redbook audio on the CD, which the Win/Dos release did not. I had a couple powermacs at the time, a 5215 and a 5300. And a printer cable, which doubled as a serial cable for multiplayer. So, of course, I had my friends over (During the latter part of my elementry school years) and had duels. Again. And again. Our favorite was level 3 and 5 of the Total Chaos from Descent1 and level 27 (or 25, I forget. The one where you start off in a trapezoid hallway and theres round rooms at either end.) Later on, my dad had a 100 MHz 486. Still not nearly as powerful as the 75 MHz Macs, but it ran windows. More specifically, it had a floppy drive and could run the level editor that came with Descent 2: Vertigo. I assembled the two levels and floppied them over.
I have to measure our time playing in years, not months or days. Every other weekday, every weekend (except for family occasions and whatnot).
Then, I moved to Florida for 6th grade. Nobody here could play it. Or even knew it existed! bah.
So I then borrowed my mom's 28.8 modem (28.8! wow, that was fast!) and went to Kali via AOL (yes, I know it was slow). That was fun. Minerva and Earthshaker Pro maps all the way, too. The people with 56k modems were God - it had the same effect as someone being on a Cable modem to a 56k'er today. Later on, for a Christmas present, I got a Teleport/Global Village 56k modem - but still on AOL. I played for quite a bit, but then our comp's were getting old...
We got AMD K6-2 350's, and switched from AOL to a local provider. Unfortunately, they made sure that nobody with a Mac could connect to them. Thus that ended that era.
I have the third Descent, and it looks much, much nicer with several add-ins that we all wished for - but the combat essential was changed. The old ones were large robots in small tunnels, with a few caverns, maybe. In the new one, everything was big. And all tiny robots. I felt like I was fly swapping rather than tunnelling. Great feeling about being in a closed space - and only one way out.
Descent 2: Vertigo - Scare-the-crap-out-of-you sounds. Especially after playing the tame Descent 3, this made me jump.
The other genre - Master of Orion 2.
I know by heart every little feature of the game. I know what each tech does, looks like, and sounds like. Even the small numbers for them. (Hyper-X Capacitators + High Energy Focus + Time Warp Facilitator + Achilles Targeting System + Heavy Plasma Cannons = Massive death)
I still play it every now and again. I now have MoO3, but I havent played it enough to give it a fair judgement.
Other games that are best in category:
Best rocket launcher in a first person shooter:
Red Faction (Fusion Rocket, not the dinky one)
Best Holy-Crap-were-doomed feeling:
Freespace 1 (by Volition for those unaquainted)
Best feeling of accomplishment when you beat game:
Homeworld
Perfect balance of three different teams (RTS):
Starcraft BW
Best RPG (for Macs only - but the sequel to this is emerging for PC):
Escape Velocity: Override (www.ambrosiasw.com)
Best involving and done flight sim (gives Freespace a close second):
Wing Commander III - The Heart of the Tiger
(WCIV was ok, but not the same)
Best giver of the 'Bow before me for I am l337' feel:
Command and Conquer
(park 50 stealth tanks at the back of your opponents base. Wait till they bump into it- and half their screen shivers!)
Other seal-of-coolness winners:
Halo
Marathon, Marathon 2: Durandal, and Marathon Infinity
KKND2 (although a minor team balance flaw)
MechWarrior2
Civ2
Myst3
Unr
Ive read the three books based upon the Descent universe, and yes, they are done well. Although the author stretched a few technical details, like physical size of things, it was a very nice read. (by Peter Telep, who also seems to write books based on other games as well)
If you see Outpost 2 (Sierra) on the bargain rack, its a good get. The gameplay isnt as fast paced, but it is difficult. And each mission, you get a decent section from the storyline book. Very nice integration. If nothing else, go buy it for the story.
Yes, I loved Marathon, Durandal, and Infinity. I think my old PowerMac 5215 will occasionally boot if I ask it. Also, the fact that Bungie made Halo boosted my expectations. (Yes, I love Halo. No, I havent read the book(s) )
Slashdot Mirror
Anyone remember that Batman movie where they computer generated the security camera to make it look like the guy ran out the window?
Alls we need is to have the cameras going on without us knowing about it... and the use of video recordings for evidence is now out the window (if it isnt already); until then, I cant wait how this gets abused under the Patriot Act.
Ok. My favorite was the Descent series. The first and second were similar, the latter a little nicer looking, but similar gameplay.
I did a little research, and discovered that the Macintosh release of Descent 1 had much nicer graphics AND awesome redbook audio on the CD, which the Win/Dos release did not. I had a couple powermacs at the time, a 5215 and a 5300. And a printer cable, which doubled as a serial cable for multiplayer. So, of course, I had my friends over (During the latter part of my elementry school years) and had duels. Again. And again. Our favorite was level 3 and 5 of the Total Chaos from Descent1 and level 27 (or 25, I forget. The one where you start off in a trapezoid hallway and theres round rooms at either end.) Later on, my dad had a 100 MHz 486. Still not nearly as powerful as the 75 MHz Macs, but it ran windows. More specifically, it had a floppy drive and could run the level editor that came with Descent 2: Vertigo. I assembled the two levels and floppied them over.
I have to measure our time playing in years, not months or days. Every other weekday, every weekend (except for family occasions and whatnot).
Then, I moved to Florida for 6th grade. Nobody here could play it. Or even knew it existed! bah.
So I then borrowed my mom's 28.8 modem (28.8! wow, that was fast!) and went to Kali via AOL (yes, I know it was slow). That was fun. Minerva and Earthshaker Pro maps all the way, too. The people with 56k modems were God - it had the same effect as someone being on a Cable modem to a 56k'er today. Later on, for a Christmas present, I got a Teleport/Global Village 56k modem - but still on AOL. I played for quite a bit, but then our comp's were getting old...
We got AMD K6-2 350's, and switched from AOL to a local provider. Unfortunately, they made sure that nobody with a Mac could connect to them. Thus that ended that era.
I have the third Descent, and it looks much, much nicer with several add-ins that we all wished for - but the combat essential was changed. The old ones were large robots in small tunnels, with a few caverns, maybe. In the new one, everything was big. And all tiny robots. I felt like I was fly swapping rather than tunnelling.
Great feeling about being in a closed space - and only one way out.
Descent 2: Vertigo - Scare-the-crap-out-of-you sounds. Especially after playing the tame Descent 3, this made me jump.
The other genre - Master of Orion 2.
I know by heart every little feature of the game. I know what each tech does, looks like, and sounds like. Even the small numbers for them. (Hyper-X Capacitators + High Energy Focus + Time Warp Facilitator + Achilles Targeting System + Heavy Plasma Cannons = Massive death)
I still play it every now and again. I now have MoO3, but I havent played it enough to give it a fair judgement.
Other games that are best in category:
Best rocket launcher in a first person shooter:
Red Faction (Fusion Rocket, not the dinky one)
Best Holy-Crap-were-doomed feeling:
Freespace 1 (by Volition for those unaquainted)
Best feeling of accomplishment when you beat game:
Homeworld
Perfect balance of three different teams (RTS):
Starcraft BW
Best RPG (for Macs only - but the sequel to this is emerging for PC):
Escape Velocity: Override (www.ambrosiasw.com)
Best involving and done flight sim (gives Freespace a close second):
Wing Commander III - The Heart of the Tiger
(WCIV was ok, but not the same)
Best giver of the 'Bow before me for I am l337' feel:
Command and Conquer
(park 50 stealth tanks at the back of your opponents base. Wait till they bump into it- and half their screen shivers!)
Other seal-of-coolness winners:
Halo
Marathon, Marathon 2: Durandal, and Marathon Infinity
KKND2 (although a minor team balance flaw)
MechWarrior2
Civ2
Myst3
Unr
Ive read the three books based upon the Descent universe, and yes, they are done well. Although the author stretched a few technical details, like physical size of things, it was a very nice read. (by Peter Telep, who also seems to write books based on other games as well)
If you see Outpost 2 (Sierra) on the bargain rack, its a good get. The gameplay isnt as fast paced, but it is difficult. And each mission, you get a decent section from the storyline book. Very nice integration. If nothing else, go buy it for the story.
Yes, I loved Marathon, Durandal, and Infinity. I think my old PowerMac 5215 will occasionally boot if I ask it. Also, the fact that Bungie made Halo boosted my expectations. (Yes, I love Halo. No, I havent read the book(s) )
I want one!
Look at the size of that thing. How do you carry it around?
and only for a mere US $39,999!
Could this have a use (once price drops) for light shows?
Actually, in the Sierra-marketed game Outpost 2, this is exactly how they transmit power.
Another Sci-Fi wish come true?
I have noticed an identical problem on my machine.
However, switching from onboard sound card to a PCI card (a Sound Blaster Ensoniq) gives me perfect silence.
Just my 1 1/2 cents.