Nox is like Diablo in that it's an action RPG. Ignore everyone who says it's a clone or a rip off, because the fact that genres are the same is all they have in common. The setting, characters, story, weapons, quests, etc. are very different. It's a campy game with great humor and excellent gameplay mechanics. The story is nothing to write home about, but it could be good if you're in the mood for it. Jack is the main hero, and you can customize the colour of his hair, skin and clothes (which is irrelevant when you start getting armor) but not his sex or appearance. There are three different classes to pick for him (Warrior, Conjurer, Wizard), each with their own separate starting areas. Multiplayer was fun but it's nonexistent now. Luckily the single player stands out on its own. The game is challenging but never unfair. The skills and spells you get throughout useful and fun to use, even right at the beginning of the game. Nox is a fantastic game, but one that no-one really paid attention to when it first came out. I found it in the bargain bin of a Blockbuster a year after the game came out. It came shrink wrapped with a Goosebumps point and click adventure game that was more terrible than you could ever imagine. I bought the "bundle" because it was only $10 for two games and I thought Nox looked pretty cool. I also noticed it was developed by Westwood Studios, and I was going through a mad Red Alert 2 phase at the time. I was right to buy the game. I liked the controls, liked the graphics (which still look great for a 2D isometric game), and how well the game flowed from area to area. I don't think I can stres enough how great this game is, even now. If you can play Diablo, you can play this gem. If you need to get your action rpg fix, get this game. It's great, it's cheap, it's fast, it's fun, it's funny - go for it!
Enclave is a hack and slash title that mixes intuitive controls with a good deal of challenge and depth. You start out as as a good knight but you end up unlocking other character classes, weapons and armor as you progress through the story. Eventually you're able to play as one of the bad guys. Each mission lets you choose which class you'd like to play as before you start, making sure that you never get bored or start a new game because you don't like the character you chose at the beginning. My favourite part of the game are the missions. If you are the type of person who doesn't have that much time in a day to play games, the short, challenging missions are a godsend. For those of you who do and are looking for a more immersive experience, there's that too. Each mission environment is a natural progression from the one that came before it, and it's all very coherent for the most part. The only reason it's not a 5 for me is because there are few but bothersome glitches that are not game breaking in any way, but I did have to load up my game once. Also, the fact that you have to unlock the character classes as you progress through the game (including the ability to play as the bad guys) is annoying if you come from playing more traditional action/rpgs like Diablo and Divine Divinity. But you get over it because, in the end, the game invites you in and keeps you addicted thanks to its simple but challenging gameplay, variety of classes, solid story, and the ability to play in short bursts.
The Witcher will appeal to role playing game fans and hardcore gamers first thanks to its complex systems, but it tries to appeal to a broad audience of gamers by allowing the player to customize their experience in many ways. It's an RPG with with an action focused combat system, which is deep, rewarding and challenging without all number crunching found in other classic RPGs. It's fast paced and intense, but you can pause the game mid skirmish when things get a little too hectic. It's a dark fantasy story heavy on the sexy and the gory. There's magic and alchemy too, both of which you'll have to master if you want to get through this very long and epic adventure. The music is great, the game is very detailed, the art direction is spot on, the gameplay is rewarding and challenging, the adventure is long, the story is great and mature, you get to choose your own adventure through the decisions you make throughout the game (including sleeping with the plenty of women who may have you... or not) and best of all, it's DRM free. GOG's packed this one with excellent extras. If you like RPGs then you need to do yourself a favor and spend the $10 already.
I've been waiting for this game to be on GoG for a while, and finally... finally.... I spent way too much time as an 11 year old playing this game. You can seriously create any theme park and any roller coaster you want. Defy the laws of physics, create rides that end abruptly, killing everyone inside; or take the game seriously and scroll back to watch your perfectly oiled machine take care of itself. The amount of depth involved in the gameplay is outstanding, but it never overwhelms you. Again, I was 11 years old when I first dedicated weeks of my life to this game. The art style is very colourful, scenarios within the game can be extremely hilarious (I loved making rides that made everyone puke when they got off), and there's fun to be had for as long as you want because the game never ends. You just create until you can't create no more. And for all that and more, it deserves the title of Good Old Game. Give it a shot!
Buying Fallout from GoG and playing it for the first time a few days ago was a great experience. It made me love RPGs again because it does so much right. You can define your character any way you want thanks to the depth of the S.P.E.C.I.A.L system; so many characters, even the very minor ones, have so much personality; the writing is witty and often very darkly funny, and the combat is intuitive and involving. There's no best way to overcome any challenge in the game, meaning you can pretty much create yourself, upgrade your characters stats to reflect your real life abilities and try to make it out in this harsh environment. You truly feel immersed because so much of what happens to your character during the game depends on how you defined it. That's what an RPG should do. Immerse you. Fallout is truly a post-apocalyptic simulator, and if you can give its setting and super slow (if you're not used to turn based games) gameplay, you'll be amused, surprised and delighted for weeks, possibly months.
