Defrag your hard drive, it really helps performance!
You can never have too much memory!
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Current Version Steam: ***1/2
Borderlands Current Version Steam: ***3/4
Mix of FPS and RPG themes makes for something like Oblivion with guns. Missions get repetitive toward the end, but the story is strong enough to be held together with the humor. Multiplayer can be fun with up to four (ala L4D) and the DLC add some nice additional plot points.
Medal of Honor Current Version 76: ***
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare with slightly better graphics in the Unreal Engine. Same basic gameplay, but with the control flaws of Unreal and some annoying scripting bugs thrown in! Story was intriguing, but without a pay-off it was harder to overlook the only four hours of play when compared to Modern Warfare...
Killing Floor Current Version Steam: *
Sucks. After playing L4D, this Unreal driven mutant shooter feels like playing Pong.
Singularity Current Version Steam: ***
There is resource management in this game just like Bioshock. In fact, the graphics, gameplay, and story events, play out just like Bioshock. Game is a direct port from consoles, even has the typical warning "do not turn off machine" while saving. Story is decent with three possible extremely short endings based on one decision at the end of the game. Was an interesting diversion for about 5 hours!
Left 4 Dead 2 Current Version Steam: ***3/4
Visual and fire effects are major highlights to the fast paced, zombie killing action. Only downer is some of the bot actions... otherwise, highly enjoyable!
Left 4 Dead Current Version Steam: ****
Less lighting than the new one, but less specials as well. Overall a more balanced experience befitting the zombie apocalypse genre. Only downer is some of the bot actions... otherwise, highly enjoyable!
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Current Version Steam: **
Lack of LAN multiplayer pretty much kills this title for me. Campaign took all of six hours to complete... :-(
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin Current Version Steam: ***
How am I disappointed in thee, let me count the ways. Adds gameplay with a story running roughly parallel with the original, but largely tacked on and convoluted. A couple of areas of "What do I do now?" syndrome and lots of distraction with the visor graphics and letterbox view. Plus, major aggravation from the shift to console style save points... Just barely worth the $45 sale price tag, mainly for those who have not played the other games... Reborn DLC is not even worth the $5 price tag as it is just four levels of extra combat. :-(
Far Cry 2 Current Version 1.1: "Best Action Game of 2008" ***3/4
Mercenary storyline with open world gameplay. Feels like Oblivion without being the clone that Fallout is! Looks great and runs smooth at high settings (another difference from Fallout). Vehicles and fire effects are major highlights to the fast paced action. Only downer is having to pop malaria pills (and find refills) all the time... otherwise, highly enjoyable!
Fallout 3 Current Version 1.6: *1/2
Started out with cute premise. Felt like an Oblivion clone and was following the exact flow of that game when... CRASH! Must use default key bindings to leave the Vault or the game crashes every time in the same place. I want my $50 back! Ended up giving my copy to a friend as I had lost interest in this retread, laggy, craptastic game...
Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway Current Version 1.0.0: **1/2
Emphasis on storyline, but somewhat flawed execution. Now they have a "Dig In" command where you "Take Cover"... well, if they couldn't get the name right, what do you expect the implementation is like? So aggravating!!!! Using the Unreal Warfare engine with lots of motion blur and focal distance makes for a disorientating experience... I want my $50 back!
Bioshock Current Version Steam: ***3/4
Key is resource management in this game. Game is a direct port from Xbox 360, even has the warning "do not turn off machine" while saving. Story is decent with two possible extremely short endings. Was nudged out of being GOTY by having no Multiplayer whatsoever!
Crysis Current Version 1.2.1: In WinXP *** - In Win7 *3/4
First cracked copy ran on my 8800GTS at 1280x1024 with high settings under Windows XP at about 24fps. Now running a legal Steam copy with Windows 7 and a GTX275... or should I say, not running! Constant sound glitches and lockups... scripting errors forcing restarts from last checkpoint. Basically... CRAP!
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Current Version 1.7.568: "Best Action Game of 2007" ****
Call of Duty with better graphics in a modern setting. Same basic gameplay, but with a unique twist in a couple places that breaks up the monotony nicely. Runs on my 8800GTS at 1280x1024 with medium settings about 60fps. Multiplayer is cool except for the fact that some of the perks are like having a Quad Damage or Megahealth throughout the entire game!
Company of Heroes / CoH: Opposing Fronts / CoH: Tales of Valor Current Version Steam: ****
Warcraft and Battle for Middle Earth combined in a World War II theme. Great visuals and good gameplay, classic combination.
Titan Quest Current Version 1.30 / Titan Quest: Immortal Throne Current Version 1.1: ***1/4
On the same order as Diablo and Sacred, but set in times of Greek mythology. Plays very linear and uses skills and energy instead of spells and mana. Fun for multiplayer with current patch that seemed to have removed most of the crash bugs. The replay factor is non-existent though... for some reason Diablo 2 is still the king! Expansion adds one new mastery and another Act, reminiscent of Lord of Destruction. In fact, a lot of the helpful things added to Diablo 2 way back then, are added now to Titan Quest! I don't know, but hasn't Diablo been out for almost 10 years....
F.E.A.R. Perseus Mandate Current Version 1.0: **1/2
Adds almost five hours of gameplay with a story running parallel with the original and Extraction Point. A couple of areas come right out of the expansion and this has a much better ending... none. Just barely worth the $20 sale price tag...
F.E.A.R. Extraction Point Current Version 1.07: *1/4
Added three hours of gameplay with low difficulty equaling hard in the original. A couple new weapons and a terrible ending... major disappointment. Not worth the $30 price tag.
F.E.A.R. Current Version 1.08: ***3/4
Outstanding pace and neat effects... story has a Far Cry feel with a horror/paranormal overtone... clone guard enemies have somewhat decent AI with quotes ripped verbatim out of the original Half-Life. Particle/smoke effects add to the realism of the battles, which are interlaced with horrific images of ghosts and other paranormal events, and capped with a lot of 'R' rated language... wish I could say something good about the multiplayer though.
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Current Version 1.20: "Best Action Game of 2006" ****
Serious Sam 2 Sam Version 2.070: ***
Should have came first... the pace of the game beginning is real juvenile and arcadish (even more so than the original). The graphics are the only saving grace... and maybe the soundtrack... doesn't ramp up to typical SS stuff until mid-game.
Quake 4 Current Version 1.3: *1/2
Basically Quake 2 with Doom 3 graphics and engine. Oh, and the gameplay... where's a freakin' compass! ...glad I didn't have to pay for this copy.
Call of Duty 2 Current Version 1.3: ***1/4
Call of Duty with better graphics. Same gameplay, same repeating comments yelled out during combat... I can take "Die you Fascist" only SO many times. Runs on my x800Pro just as well as the first one did on my 9800Pro. Multiplayer is good, but where are the tanks!
Dungeon Siege 2 Current Version 2.2: ****
Great update from the original Dungeon Siege. The only complaint is that multiplayer is limited to 3 clients. There are still some small aggravating bugs, but with the graphics, pets, powers, and skill trees, it deserves the high rating.
Battlefield 2 Current Version 1.50: "Best Action Game of 2005" ****
Modern warfare at its finest. Still has some prediction issues and sniper rifles are way too lame, but overall a blast to play!
Brothers In Arms: Road to Hill 30 Current Version 1.11: ***3/4
Tanks are uberhard to kill - Panzerfaust at pointblank range to rear or tracks only barely damages in easy skill. AI leaves some wanting... will look other way and say "Can't see him, Sarge!" American tank will sometimes not follow orders... a few chapters required Rambo tactics. Great visuals and storyline, but somewhat flawed execution.
Brothers In Arms: Earned in Blood Current Version 1.03: ***
Great visuals and storyline, but somewhat flawed execution. Changed the Situational Awareness so it actually works (sometimes), but locked you in place during learning dialogue (allowing you to be sitting duck)... WTF. Added some very good multiplayer options which is how they can get away with story rehash... oh, and AI still "Can't see him, Sarge!" -- Well move two feet to the right, idiot! So aggravating!!!!
Half-Life 2 Current Version Steam: "Best Action Game of 2004" ****3/4
Graphics - WOW... Story - WOW... Action - WOW... More Half-Life goodness - Game of the Year!
Ravenholm &
Shorepoint-
CS: Condition Zero Current Version Steam: ***1/2
Lets you play Counter-Strike with bots... Bots are competent, but are still bots and do stupid things at the most inopportune moment. All official maps changed a little and some new ones thrown in. Be warned, however, the "Deleted Scenes" part of this game - SUCKS. Single player ala Soldier of Fortune with CS weapons... and BOSSES - WTF?
Sacred Gold Current Version 2.28: **1/2
Outstanding graphics and neat effects... typically a Diablo clone. A lot of added things that Diablo doesn't have... including the tendency to lock or hang on a regular basis. I think it averages one crash for every 4-5 hours of play... totally unacceptable for a game that has gone through so many patches. Would have rated a helluva lot higher but for that fact alone! UPDATE: With the Gold version you now get the Underworld continuation and therefore the complete game. The crashes are now limited to the multiplayer, which is somewhat of an improvement... provided you didn't want to play with anybody :-(
Doom 3 Current Version 1.3: ***1/2
Outstanding graphics and neat effects... Very linear and your typical blastfest with a horror type overtone... only thing going for it is the graphics (which you can't see 'cause it's so dark), as a game it pales in comparison to Far Cry.
Painkiller Current Version 1.64: ***3/4
Classic shoot 'em up in the tradition of Quake and Serious Sam with better graphics and neat effects/physics... you just HAVE to love the last level of the game!
Far Cry Current Version 1.4: ****
Outstanding graphics and neat effects/physics... could have been less frustrating if they hadn't gone with save points like console games! Easily four and half stars if it weren't for that important flaw...
Unreal Tournament 2004 Current Version 3369: ****1/2
Call of Duty Current Version 1.41: "Best Action Game of 2003" ****
Most of the bad stuff of MoH:AA has been toned down, but not removed. Great beginning... could have been longer - however, it's clearly the best WWII game so far!
Call of Duty: United Offensive Current Version 1.51: **3/4
Single Player missions are insane with infinitely spawning Germans. Brought back with a vengeance some of the frustrations of the MoHAA... glad I only paid $25 for this copy. Multiplayer additions were the best so far...
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Breakthrough Current Version 2.40b: *1/2
Looked promising... except the game starts in a dust storm! Makes "Snipertown" from the first one look like a cakewalk. Luckily they toned things down so that in Easy skill you can make it through. Levels are pretty linear so there's less wandering around, that's good... then you get to the "fortress" and they give you a rifle and four grenades. Not bad if you could pick up enough ammo and it didn't take 3-4 hits in the chest to take someone down! Typical frustrating MOH:AA gameplay... can't wait to try Call of Duty...
Halo Current Version 1.031: 0
Looked promising... first game I've come across that won't let you use ENTER as a control key! Hope this does not become a habit for game designers. As you can see, this prevented me from playing and it was quickly uninstalled... better luck next time Microsoft!
Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield Current Version 1.60: ****
Command & Conquer: Generals Current Version 1.8: **3/4
Pretty and intriguing... but not as intuitive as Warcraft 3. I've been disappointed with EA Games lately. There seems to be a hurried/unfinished feel coming from their games...
Dungeon Siege & Legends of Aranna Current Version 1.50: ****
Three dimensional Diablo with up to eight people in your party (and a mule). The only complaint is that it's extremely linear. But with the multiplayer content and the wonderful experience system, it warrants a high rating. Graphics are nothing to sneeze at either...
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Spearhead Current Version 2.15: **3/4
Should have been a downloadable Multiplayer Expansion. Single Player missions are short and scripted to the hilt. Brought back with a vengeance are some of the frustrations of the initial MoHAA. Overall, not worth the price... wholeheartedly glad I didn't PAY for this copy.
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Current Version 1.01: **1/2
Beautiful + Realistic = Bloody HARD. Also crashes to desktop & BSOD on my computer...
Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast Current Version 1.04: ***3/4
Very frustrating with too much hidden/puzzle stuff. Graphics and multiplayer keep you coming back to finish the game... Good game that could have been great with a few more user-friendly changes!
Neverwinter Nights Current Version 1.68: ***
Unreal Tournament 2003 Current Version 2225: ***1/2
Age of Mythology Current Version 1.08: ***3/4 Warcraft 3 Clone.
No One Lives Forever GOTY Version: ***
If I had played this before trying Spy in HARM's Way, I never would have picked NOLF2 up. Extremely more difficult than its sequel and not as much fun, either...
No One Lives Forever 2 Current Version 1.3: "Best Action Game of 2002" ****1/2
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Current Version 1.11: ***3/4
Battlefield 1942 Current Version 1.61: ***
Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos Current Version 1.24b: ****
Warcraft 3: Frozen Throne Current Version 1.24b: ***
Not quite as good as the original... adds a few cool features to multiplayer. Glad I got the Battle Chest and didn't pay full price for this... which is essentially a upgrade patch.
Serious Sam: Second Encounter Sam Version 1.07: ***3/4
Return to Castle Wolfenstein Current Version 1.41: ***3/4
Everyone seems to praise the Multiplayer over the SP experience. However, I found the MP component to have a very confusing interface, linear and overall poor maps, and basically didn't even live up to the SP experience at all. My rating is for the overall game. If I were to rate the Multiplayer side only, it wouldn't even get a full three stars!
Serious Sam Current Version 1.05: "Best Action Game of 2001" ****1/2
Half-Life 
Current Version Steam:
"Best Action Game of
1998" *****
Opposing Force Current Version Steam: ****1/2
Counter-Strike Current Version Steam: "Best Action Game of 2000" ****1/2
Unreal Final Version 2.26: ****
Mission Pack 1: Return to Na Pali: ****
Unreal Tournament Current Version 4.36: "Best Action Game of 1999" ****1/2
Quake 3: Arena
Current Version
1.32:
****
Soldier of Fortune Current Version 1.07f: ****
After playing at 1024x768 with all the effects of my GeForce 2 Ultra, I found a lot more to the game... almost enough to raise the rating!
Diablo II / Lord of Destruction Current Version 1.13c: ****1/2
Before I forget, there are a couple of negatives which will affect quite a few people but don't detract from the game itself. First, all those with a Kenwood CD (True-X) need to have another drive handy as the game will not run! Also, it's a real memory hog! Anything less than 256MB will slow you down.
Mortyr: ***
Redneck Rampage: *** Route66: ****
Daikatana 44MB patch released which I never bothered to d/l: *1/2
Half star as courtesy for the effort only. Also causes system crashes on my computer...
South Park: *
It was funny & cute for the first 15 minutes or so... after that it became a complete waste of time!
Rogue Squadron 3D: ***1/2
Close Combat III Current Version 3.0b: ****
Close Combat IV Current Version 4.02: ***1/2
Worms 2: ****
Old school turn based fun!