10 Games Best Played on the PC
2011 has been a particularly good year for PC gaming and it looks like that trend is going to continue till the time January 01 2012 rolls in. The year kicked in with big games such as The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, Crysis 2, DC Universe Online, Shogun 2: Total War, Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Portal 2 launching exclusively on the PC or with a focus on the PC during development. By the time 2011 ends, we'll have other huge games such as Battlefield 3, Diablo III and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim launching on this venerable platform.
The slew of new quality titles ensures that this is a great time to get-started with PC gaming. And if you're new to PC gaming and have instead been brought up on a steady diet of Uncharted, God of War, Gears of War and Halo, here are 10 games that epitomize all that the PC has to offer to you:
1. Fallout 3
Fallout 3 is the prime example of why open-world games are best played on the PC. With gorgeous locales and mind-numbing freedom, Fallout 3 is still one of the most unique looking games on the PC. Not only does the game offer tense action but also balances that with choices that actually matter within the context of the game.
If you're a fan of layered experiences in games and like spending hours and hours in a virtual environment, Fallout 3 is the game for you.
2. Deus Ex
Back when Y2K was causing panic, the PC was, by far, the game platform of choice and saw revolutionary games that shaped the way games of the future would be made. Deus Ex is one such game that relied on an intelligent story and open gameplay choices. In a time when FPS games were gathering momentum, Deus Ex instead focused on stealth, tactics and the ability to complete the game without killing anyone.
Add to that a well-plotted story with memorable characters and tons of dialogues and texts that fleshed out the world, Deus Ex provided one of the most immersive experiences that impresses even today.
3. Diablo II
Diablo II is probably responsible for many a broken mouse and RSI diagnoses. It is also single-handedly responsible for the popularity of an entire genre (Hack & Slash RPGs) and is looked up as "the" seminal game of the genre. In fact Diablo II is so idolized that even now when a new hack & slash game comes out, it's referred to as a "Diablo clone."
Although it's been more a decade since its launch, Diablo II still manages to remain an excellent game thanks to addictive gameplay backed by a strong story. Also, its available only on the PC (and the Mac).
4. Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins represents another type of RPG that's very popular on the PC- RPGs that offer more tactical gameplay where you control a team rather than just one character. Dragon Age was the spiritual successor to older games such as Icewind Dale and Baldur's Gate. DA:O was also bolstered by one of the strongest writing seen in games and a game world that was exhaustively detailed and fleshed out.
The PC version of the game allowed for more sophisticated gameplay and included an overhead tactical camera. Also, the game was supplemented with plenty of additional content all of which is now available in the Ultimate Edition copy.
5. Doom 3
2004 marked the year when PC gaming graphics became "next-gen" and Doom 3 was almost solely responsible for that shift. The iD Tech 4 engine that powered Doom 3 was able to produce stunning visuals. It also helped that the game itself was a lot of fun to play and the game world was an interesting place to explore.
Doom 3's mix of science fiction and horror also led to games such as F.E.A.R., S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Prey finding an audience.
6. Half-Life 2
2004 is also remembered as the year that Half-Life 2 clashed with Doom 3. While the latter focused on graphics and gore, Half-Life 2 is remembered for its story, its large environments and its clever, clever weapons and the way used the physics engine. Half-Life 2 was also the first game launched on Valve's Steam digital distribution service that is now the most widely used service to buy PC games.
Half-Life 2's Source engine was also immensely modd-able and even now is responsible for new games designed solely by fans. I don't think you need any more reasons to pick up Half-Life 2, a game that still finds it way to #1 on most lists that deal with the best games.
7. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
The most recent game on the list, DXHR will be remembered as a classic in the years to come. While it may not offer the same amount of freedom and an epic plot as the original game, DXHR comes as a breath of fresh air in a time when most shooters eagerly abuse linearity. DXHR offers choice in terms of gameplay and characterization both and also boasts of cool art direction and good story.
If you have a suitably powerful PC, then Deus Ex: Human Revolution is one game that you shouldn't miss out on.
8. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Although beloved by many, Star Wars had never had a game with a story that was as massive in scope as the movies. Bioware changed that with KOTOR, a game that married the gameplay of pure-RPGs such as Neverwinter Nights with the sci-fi mythology of Star Wars.
In fact, the marriage worked so well that Bioware decided to make their own sci-fi RPG resulting in the excellent Mass Effect games. If you are a fan of Commander Shepherd's adventures, then Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is one PC game that you must play.
9. Clive Barker's Undying
I never thought a game on the computer could really scare me like movies did but then I played Clive Barker's Undying. Undying was a game that relied on eerie environments and killer sound design to scare the pants of PC gamers. Although it was an FPS game, Undying had cool magic weapons and also let you duel-wield magic spells in one hand and a gun in the other.
While the graphics don't look so great now, if you play Undying even today with the lights out and headphones plugged in, it does enough to scare you.
10. Bioshock
I think everyone who has played Bioshock remembers the first time they reached its climax. I felt cheated at first and then after thinking about it for a while, recognized it for the excellent story-writing that it represented.
However, you don't need to wait for the climax to enjoy Bioshock. Even hours before nearing the end of the game, Bioshock's beautifully designed environments and thought-provoking story will do enough to keep you going.
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