showing 11 games

namepublisher(developer)year arrow_downwarddescription
Independence Day  Fox Interactive;Electronic Arts (Radical Entertainment)1997 labelminimizeminimize
Half-Life 2  Vivendi Universal Games;Valve Corporation (Valve)2004Uno de los mejores juegos de todos los tiempos, la mejor comunidad modder del mundo y predecesor de juegos como el Portal 2 y el TF2.

9 de 10.***[code]하프라이프[/code] literally reads [code]hapeu raipeu[/code] which is presumably transliteration of English "half-life".***It's commonly pointed out by various people (also by the [url=http://hlcomic.com/index.php?date=2005-06-22]Concerned HL2 comic[/url]) that you can't sprint when your flashlight runs out of power and this doesn't make sense (to them). However, they fail to realize a simple fact: default movement mode is already [i]running[/i] (this is fairly obvious, which makes me wonder how people manage to miss it). The thing they think is running is literally [i]sprinting[/i] largely accomplished by the aid of the HEV suit (a type of utility power armor) Gordon is wearing. So the sprint expends the same suit energy your flashlight uses. However there is obvious discrepancy in the amount of energy used.***[b]Minimum:[/b]
* Windows 2000 or XP
* 1.2 GHz CPU
* 256 MB RAM

[b]Recommended:[/b]
* 2.4 GHz CPU
* 512 MB RAM***Half-Life2: Game of the Year Edition was also published in Israel. While the packaging is in English, the manual and game itself are in Hebrew

Valve Software/Vivendi Universal Gameswon the 5th annual (2005) Game developers Choice Awards - Best Writing. Marc Laidlaw was designated in the nomination.

From the official site:
By taking the suspense, challenge and visceral charge of the original, and adding startling new realism and responsiveness, Half-Life 2 opens the door to a world where the player's presence affects everything around him, from the physical environment to the behaviors -- even the emotions -- of both friends and enemies.

The player again picks up the crowbar of research scientist Gordon Freeman, who finds himself on an alien-infested Earth being picked to the bone, its resources depleted, its populace dwindling. Freeman is thrust into the unenviable role of rescuing the world from the wrong he unleashed back at Black Mesa. And a lot of people -- people he cares about -- are counting on him.
[Zerothis]
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Half-Life 2: Episode One  Sierra (Valve)2006Aunque es el más flojo de la pseudotetralogía de HL2, añade algunos retos interesantes y es imprescindible para jugar al genial Episodio 2. Algo breve pero muy interesante.

7 de 10***The story continues in [game=#157905]Episode Two[/game], and should later end with Episode Three when Valve manages to make it. Effectively this is the first part of the stand-alone expansion/sequel Half-Life 2 Episodic trilogy.***Half-Life 2: Episode One is the first in a series of new adventures created by Valve that extend the [game=Half-Life 2]Half-Life 2[/game] single player experience. It details the aftermath of Half Life 2 and launches a journey beyond City 17.

Stepping into the hazard suit of Dr. Gordon Freeman, you face the immediate repercussions of your actions in City 17 and the Citadel. Rejoin Alyx Vance and her robot, Dog, to once again aid the human resistance in their desperate battle against the totalitarian alien menace of the Combine.

Episode One exposes Alyx's combat skills and knowledge of City 17. Battle side-by-side with her through Valve's first episodic game, a four-to-six hour adventure of greater density and detail than non-episodic releases.
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Prey  2K Games (Human Head Studios)20063D Realms functioned as producer, not as publisher or developer.***cpremoved - with patch 1.3 the SecuROM v7 copy protection was removed.***Minimum:
* Windows 2000 or XP
* Pentium IV 2 Ghz or Athlon XP 2000+ CPU
* 512 MB RAM
* 64MB VRAM
* 2.2 GB free HD space

Recommended:
* Pentium IV 2.5 Ghz or Athlon XP 2500+ CPU or better
* 1 GB RAM
* Radeon X800 series or better video card
* Sound Blaster X-Fi series sound card
* Broadband internet connection or LAN for multiplayer***1995: Announced - Tom Hall produced number of designs
1996: Tom Hall left - Paul Schuytema brought in - very first versions of portal technology used
1997&1998: Portal tecnology shown at E3
1998: Team disbanded
1998-11: Corrinne Yu brought in as engine programmer
1999: Development stopped/put on hold - Corinne Yu left - was not cancelled contrary to popular belief
2001: Development of a new version started, 3D Realms licensed id Tech 4 (Doom 3 engine) - Human Head Studios were commissioned to continue development based on earlier work.
2002: Rumors of the new project leaked to public
2005: Cryptic clue given about Prey's release: "Keep your eyes open for the unveiling of our next game very soon. ;)"
2005-04-26: Prey officially announced
2006-06-22: PC demo released
2006-06-28: Gone gold
2006-06-30: Xbox demo released
-: Released***Earth's savior doesn't want the job.

Tommy is a down-on-his-luck garage mechanic, stuck in the middle on who-knows-where on some forgotten reservation, where Native Americans are tucked away out of sight, out of mind.

And then the unthinkable happens! Earth becomes prey to the galaxy's largest predator, a space bound Texas-sized alien that's looking to satiate its hunger with the organic goodness that most populates Earth: Us. And the first course is a certain forgotten reservation.

A Spiritual Awakening

Tommy and his girlfriend have become prey, his grandfather killed, and hundreds of his tribal nation have been abducted through space-warping portals. Freeing himself, all Tommy cares about is saving Jenny. But the spirit of his grandfather beckons him to embrace his heritage, accept the ancient teachings, and prepare to battle the menace that threatens to destroy all the planet's
life. It's a choice between love and responsibility. It's a choice that cannot be made easily.

Innovative Gameplay

* Built on an enhanced Doom 3 engine, the most impressive 3D engine used in a released game.
* Portal technology adds a new dimension to gameplay, allowing enemies to appear out of thin air and create new and completely original puzzles and gameplay styles.
* Several never-before-seen gameplay elements such as Spirit Walking, Wall Walking, and Deathwalk.
* Highly organic, living environment that itself can attack Tommy.
* Tommy has a sidekick, a spiritual hawk that can help him fight enemies and decipher the alien language of the living ship.
* Multiplayer game support that takes advantage of the unique gameplay styles in Prey.
[3D Realms]
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Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars  Electronic Arts (EA Los Angeles)2007CnC3 is probably the hardest strategy game I know, and not because the AI is that good, but because it cheats so much. Even on the so called easy difficulty the game is frustratingly hard to even barely win (later) missions. Besides that I still like it, especially the revised GDI and the all new Scrin faction. As a game I would not recommend this to anyone but the masochistic players or diehard Tiberium series fans.***Latest version: 1.09 (as of ?)***March, 2047. A massive nuclear fireball explodes high in the night sky, marking the dramatic beginning to the Third Tiberium War and long-awaited return of the most groundbreaking Real-time Strategy franchise (RTS) of all time.

The critically-acclaimed Command & Conquer (C&C) series returns with Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars (C&C 3). Setting the standard for the future of RTS gaming once more, C&C 3 takes you back to where it all began—the Tiberium Universe.

In 2047, Tiberium has blanketed the Earth, which is now divided into zones based on the level of Tiberium infestation. Pristine Blue Zones represent 20% of the planet's surface and are the last refuge of the civilized world. Partially habitable Yellow Zones make up 50% of the planet's surface; most of the world's population lives in these war-torn and ecologically ravaged areas. The remaining 30% of the planet is uninhabitable, a Tiberium wasteland swept by violent Ion Storms. Red Zones are like the surface of an Alien planet.

The infamous Kane has returned to lead the Brotherhood of Nod in a massive global assault on the Global Defense Initiative and the few remaining Blue zones left on the planet. Only you can stop him. The fate of humanity – and the planet – is in your hands.

Featuring state-of-the-art, next-generation graphics, an epic story with live action, full-motion video sequences, and the classic fast-paced C&C style of play, C&C 3 sets the standard for the single player RTS experience.

When you decide to test your skills online, a suite of truly innovative features, such as the ability to transform online battles into a spectator sport, unfold.

Welcome back, Commander.

KEY FEATURES
* [b]Fast, Fluid, Fun[/b]: The ultra-responsive, smooth-as-silk gameplay C&C invented is now better than ever, intuitively placing your entire arsenal at your fingertips.
* [b]Over 30 Single Player Missions[/b]: In a vast open-world 'theatre of war' where each decision you make matters, you'll experience one cohesive, epic story told from the unique perspective of all three warring factions.
* [b]RTS as a Sport - Battlecast [/b]: Observe, broadcast, and compete in thrilling online battles with innovations including all-new interactive spectator modes, VoIP communication, player commentary, and more.
* [b]Story Like You've Never Seen[/b]: High-definition, live action video sequences that seamlessly tie the game's epic story together featuring an unparalleled, diverse cast.
* [b]Adaptive AI[/b]: The game AI matches your style of play - choose from distinct AI playing styles such as 'rushing', 'turtling', and more, or level the battlefield and let the AI use its own tactics to give you the highest level of challenge.
* [b]New Ways to Attack[/b]: Keep your opponent guessing by building flying battleships, wielding the power of terrifying Ion Storms, and combining units to form powerful never-before-seen super-units.
* [b]Technology Makes the World Come Alive[/b]: Lose yourself in reflected sunlight and scream in sheer joy as you blow chunks off of enemy tanks, structures, and anything else you can launch a rocket at. The game world gains a new dimension and the battlefield comes to life as the atmosphere fills with smoke, fire, haze, tracers, explosions, and state-of-the-art weather effects.
* [b]Intuitive and Evolved Interface[/b]: Fully evolved side-bar interface that allows you to fully manage your base operations while never leaving the action.
* [b]Battle the Best Online[/b]: With multiple online game modes, all-new multiplayer maps, and a fully featured content editor, go online to see how you stack up in RTS' ultimate forum.
[Electronic Arts]
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Half-Life 2: Episode Two  Sierra (Valve)2007Brutal comienzo, geniales enemigos, complicados asaltos de los Combine, mesmerizante argumento y, sobretodo, gnomos de jardín con elevadas ambiciones.

Imprescindible, tan bueno o mejor que el original HL2. Genial en todos los aspectos.

9 de 10***[b]suicide bombers[/b] - some Combine zombies pull up a live grenade and run up to you.***Half-Life 2: Episode Two is the second in a trilogy of new games created by Valve that extends the award-winning and best-selling Half-Life adventure.

As Dr. Gordon Freeman, you were last seen exiting City 17 with Alyx Vance as the Citadel erupted amidst a storm of unknown proportions. In Episode Two, you must battle and race against Combine forces as you traverse the White Forest to deliver a crucial information packet stolen from the Citadel to an enclave of fellow resistance scientists.

Episode Two extends the award-winning Half-Life gameplay with unique weapons, vehicles, and newly-spawned creatures.
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Universe at War: Earth Assault  Sega (Petroglyph Games)2007[b]Minimum:[/b]
* Windows XP or Vista
* 2.8 GHz CPU
* 1 GB RAM
* Radeon X800 or Geforce 7600 GPU
* 6 GB HD space***Apparently the game has no Human faction despite the story taking place on Earth. Peculiarly enough the prelude/tutorial is with human troops.

The game is supposed to be the first part of a series, with the next game or games not set on earth and humans possibly gaining their own faction, signaling some form of profound leaps in their technological level, presumably from studying the salvaged wrecks of the three alien races or being aided by either Novus or the Masari. This remains to be seen, though.***Universe at War: Earth Assault is the next sci-fi real-time strategy game from Petroglyph, the award-winning studio comprised of team members that developed the original Command & Conquer and C&C: Red Alert. The latest strategy game from these RTS pioneers features unprecedented levels of customization and an epic storyline set on near-future Earth.

Powerful forces from across the universe have brought war to our planet. In Universe at War, you take command of several unique factions with awesome powers and spectacular units. Control massive-scale alien war machines that are fully customizable. With "Tactical Dynamics," Universe at War's on-the-fly customization system, you can dynamically swap out weaponry, rework your tech tree, and retrain units in the middle of combat to thwart your foe and seize the advantage.

Universe at War features large-scale environmental destruction in a persistent world - level a city and when you come back, the area will still be a smoking ruin. Here, though, the environments you fight for are close to home, as you wage war across familiar Earth cities and landmarks.

Universe at War also introduces numerous innovative new multiplayer features inspired by today's top MMOs and competitive online games, giving players achievements, rewards, and medals in a balanced environment with intelligent matchmaking.

Features:
* Unprecedented unit and faction customization give players the ability to change units and research in the middle of combat to overcome any challenge
* Unique multiplayer achievements that improve players' online avatars
* Unique multiplayer game modes
* Environmental destruction and manipulation in a persistent world
* Dual-layered gameplay featuring intense tactical battles and a strategic global mode where players manage resources, consolidate territories, and maneuver armies
* Real-world, modern-day environments
* Three unique factions with different play styles and abilities
* Special hero units with unique abilities
* Massive-scale units that dwarf conventional RTS units
* On-demand UI that doesn't clutter your view of the battle
[Sega of America]
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Sins of a Solar Empire  Stardock Entertainment (Ironclad Games)2008Most call the game simply "[i]Sins[/i]", leaving large portion of the title out.***Latest version: 1.17 (as of 2009-06-11)***[b]Minimum requirements:[/b]
* Windows XP SP2 or Vista
* 1.8 GHz single-core CPU
* 512 MB RAM (1 GB RAM for Vista)
* 128 MB VRAM (Radeon 9600 or Geforce FX 6600 or better)
* 3 GB free HD space
* LAN or broadband internet connection for multiplayer

[b]Recommended:[/b]
* 2.2 GHz multi-core CPU
* 1 GB RAM (2 GB for Vista)
* 256 MB VRAM (Radeon X1600 or Geforce 7600 or better)***Take control of one of three space-faring races as you work to establish your dominance of the galaxy in Sins of a Solar Empire. Through a combination of diplomacy, economic savvy, the spread of culture and of course sheer brute force and victory on the battlefield you will establish order over your corner of the galaxy.

Explore the Epic Scale of a Dynamic Galaxy

Explore and conquer neighboring planets and distant solar systems in a massively scaled, fully 3D galaxy featuring orbiting planets, clusters of asteroids, rare comets and radiant stars.

Customize and Improve Powerful Units

As battle hardened capital ships advance in level, their core offensive and defensive systems are improved and their unique abilities are unlocked. Try out the devastating Raze Planet, the tactical Clairvoyance, and the hull ravaging Phase Missile Swarm.

Take on Multiple Roles

Transition between the roles of emperor and fleet commander as you zoom-in seamlessly to direct a crucial battle while managing the rest of your empire effortlessly on the same screen.

Extensive Diplomatic and Economic Strategies

Diplomatic and economic strategists can exercise a variety of options including forging and breaking alliances, trading resources, placing bounties on backstabbing ex-allies and over-powered tyrants, blockading enemy planets, establishing trade routes, and manipulating the commodities market.

Technical Features

Multiplayer Gameins of a Solar Empire is powered by the Iron Engine - a brand new, advanced graphics engine from developer Ironclad Games that was built specifically for Sins. Using the latest in DirectX 9 technology, Sins is able to deliver a massive, detailed galaxy for the player to explore, expand into, exploit and ultimately conquer in real-time, all while being able to perform well on a range of systems and hardware.
Here are a few of the major features of the Iron Engine that you'll see in Sins of a Solar Empire:

* Can support thousands of planets and solar systems, the only limitation is the player's system.
* Massive, detailed textures on ships, planets and orbital structures.
* Hundreds of ships on-screen at once, engaged in epic battle.
* Up to 10,000 particles (explosions, missiles, laser blasts etc.) on the screen at once in full-out combat.
* Seamless zoom-in and zoom-out from looking at a one-man space fighter, to viewing your entire empire spanning billions of kilometers of space.
* The Iron Engine is designed to perform well on systems ranging from middle-of-the-road hardware, to the biggest, most powerful machines on the market today. Effects, number of ships, planets etc. are only limited by how powerful your machine is. There are no hard-coded limits.

Under the Hood...

Beyond what you'll specifically be seeing in Sins of a Solar Empire, the Iron Engine packs a number of advanced features that take advantage of the most powerful graphics cards on the market. These features ensure that the engine, and games built with it, will easily scale with future hardware.

Here are just a few of the technical features of the Iron Engine:

* Per-Pixel Specular Lighting
* Dynamic Fractal Generation
* Post Process Bloom Filtering
* High Resolution Compressed Textures
* Environment Mapping
* Custom Pixel and Vertex Shaders For All Meshes and Effects
* An Advanced Particle System
[Ironclad / Stardock]
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Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath  Electronic Arts (EA Los Angeles)2008Far more enjoyable to play than the base CnC3 in my experience, and the difficulty options actually work properly in this. In terms of story, Kane's Wrath is sort of a filler, covering things between second and third tiberium wars, clarifying some events of third tiberium war and shows part of the events leading to CnC4. If anyone is ever interested in CnC3, then this is the only reason to get it, besides following the story of Kane (Tiberium series) if you're into that sort of thing. Thisis also very much focused on mutliplayer experience as the story only allows you to play with Nod and its sub-factions and only cursorily demonstrating the new sub-factions for GDI and Scrin.***In the name of Kane! The Command & Conquer™ series continues to thrive with Command & Conquer™ 3: Kane’s Wrath. As the expansion pack to the critically-acclaimed and fan favorite, Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™, this Real-time Strategy (RTS) game returns to the Tiberium Universe with Kane at the center of an epic new single player campaign spanning 20 years – from the rebirth of the Brotherhood of Nod after the Second Tiberium War through the dramatic events of the Third Tiberium War and beyond. This story will be told through a new set of high-definition, live action video sequences starring a celebrity cast including Joe Kucan, playing the megalomaniac leader of the Brotherhood of Nod, alongside new talent Natasha Henstridge and Carl Lumbly. With your help, Commander, the Dark Messiah may rise again!

* [b]Unprecedented Multi-decade Campaign[/b] – Kane returns as the centerpiece of an epic new single-player campaign. Experience a new story that spans 20 years – from the rebirth of the Brotherhood of Nod after the Second Tiberium War through the dramatic events of the Third Tiberium War and beyond. Facilitate the rise of the Brotherhood leading up to and beyond the events of Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars.
* [b]Global Conquest[/b] – Fight the Third Tiberium War your way. Take command in an all new global conquest mode. Position your forces on a strategic level and then wage conflict in the fast, fluid, furious, tactical gameplay that Command & Conquer pioneered. Map out your strategies on the planetary level and wage all-out war on the ground.
* [b]Live Action Videos are back[/b]! – Witness the rise of the Brotherhood first hand through intense live action video sequences starring Joe Kucan, the actor who originated the role of Kane in the Command & Conquer series in addition to a new celebrity cast of characters.
* [b]Introduction of new Epic-Units[/b] – Devastate the battlefield with the immense firepower of all-new Epic-units. Customize your Epic-Units mid-battle via garrisoning and upgrades. Position these units in the strategic, global conquest mode then lay siege to your enemy at the tactical, battle level.
* [b]Take Command of a Whole New Army[/b] – With the introduction of new units, structures, and abilities to each of the three factions, the Tiberium Wars will never be the same. Conquer your enemies with new units on both land and air.
* [b]Specialized Sub-factions[/b] – Play to your strengths with six unique sub-factions, each equipped with their own exclusive units, powers, and upgrades. Utilize the sub-faction of your choice to fully take advantage and compliment your play style.
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Dawn of War II  THQ (Relic Entertainment)2009It’s the 41st Millennium in the Sub-Sector Aurelia – a cluster of worlds on the edge of the galaxy – where a battle of epic proportions is about to commence. Ancient races will clash across the planets that dot this sector of space, battling for the greatest of stakes – not only for control of Sub-Sector Aurelia – but the fate of each race.

With a focus on fast-action RTS gameplay, Dawn of War II brings to life the science fiction universe of Warhammer 40,000 like never before. Experience the intimate brutality of battle as you play through your chosen race’s epic campaign. Clash with the enemies on battlefield ablaze with visceral melee and ranged combat. Lead and develop your squads from raw recruits into the most battle hardened veterans in the galaxy. Also included is The Last Stand, a co-operative game mode featuring user controlled heroes fighting waves of enemies.***Deviating a lot from the first Dawn of War, this RTS plays more like a tactical-action (Commandos) than a strategy game (even with is touches of Command and Conquer)

Pros:
-Great controls, even to seem easy to use many units in the field.
-Equipment and leveling up: brings some roleplay elements in the development of your team.
-Tyranids.
-3 game modes: campaign (Space Marines cleansing places), coop defense (pick your hero and prepare to withstands waves of enemies) and multiplayer (a mix between a hero RTS and a MOBA)

Cons:
-Too many times soldiers adopt stupid covers (like being in the two sides of a trench)

6 of 10***DoW2 is perhaps best defined as tactical RPG than strategy RPG, with RPG elements mostly covering only how good your characters are doing their stuff and the otherwise equipment based system. There's no role-playing to speak of, though.***Tagline: "Your slavery to the False Emperor ends today!"***Latest version: 2.2.0 (as of 2010-04-??)

Version history:
* 1.3.2 (2009-05-14)***Although the devs/publishers touted a lot about new approach to RTS with the title, the only thing I noticed to be truly new (for the type of RTS DoW2 is) was that your troops couldn't be killed for real. Few units (4 squads total in this case) to somewhat non-linear tactical missions have been done before, although none before in my experience are so lenient on the matter. Your squads can't be killed since only the squad leader is actually important and he can only be knocked unconscious. If all squads become unconscious, emergency evac is pulled and the squads and their leaders are back to full strength as if nothing happened. You lose the turn in the overworld meta-game with a lost battle, but that's hardly anything new. The squad leaders gain experience and level up occasioally, which can be spent on very few areas of interest, and they can be given new equipment which most of the time just makes them more powerful, resilient and generally more efficient.

Each map has several teleport beacons scattered around where squads can be re-inforced, 2 secondary objectives which can be completed, and the primary objective. These are invariably(?) placed at the 4 corners of the tactical map. You can perform multiple attacks on single turn if you perform sufficiently well in a battle, but this is usually unlikely on harder difficulty settings. Each map also holds a boss at the primary objective location who usually has 200 times (and more) as much health as the more regular units from the tougher end. On harder difficulty settings these become rather dreary as you spend most of the time resuscitating unconscious squad leaders and doing round-trips to teleport beacons for re-inforcements than actually fighting the bosses.

In conclusion, the base tactical gameplay is interesting like in any other tactical game, but all value is lost from the fact that you can practically never lose and success in missions is purely based on how well you manage to keep at least one squad conscious long enough to get the others back up, beyond that, all your great tactical plans are pointless except to reduce the number of times you need to get the squads back up.***2009-01-19 gone gold
2009-01-21 closed beta with Soulstorm owners started
2009-01-28 public beta
2009-04-15 single-player demo released

The betas are used to produce a day 1 patch if necessary for the actual release slated for 2009-02-19.***[b]Minimum:[/b]
* Windows XP SP2 or Vista SP1
* Pentium IV 3.2 GHz CPU or any Dual Core CPU
* 1 GB RAM (1.5 GB for Vista)
* 128 MB VRAM
* GeForce 6600 GT or Radeon X1600 GPU
* 5.5 GB HD space
* 1.5 GB swap file

[b]Recommended:[/b]
* Athlon 64 X2 4400+ or any Core 2 Duo CPU
* 2 GB RAM
* 256 MB VRAM
* GeForce 7800 GT or Radeon X1900 GPU***[b]Factions:[/b]
* Space Marines
* Orks
* Eldar
* Tyranids
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Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment Stardock Entertainment (Ironclad Games)2009Latest version: 1.03 (as of 2009-06-11) labelimageminimize
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