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    The PC (Personal Computer) is a highly configurable and upgradable gaming platform that, among home systems, sports the widest variety of control methods, largest library of games, and cutting edge graphics and sound capabilities.

    Must Have PC Games for a Newcomer

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    RadioFlyer

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    #1  Edited By RadioFlyer

    Well, I finally built a pc, and it's awesome. Over the course of the steam winter sale, I picked up a bunch of great games too. (Witcher Series, Civ 5, Tropico 4, Stalker series, etc)

    I was wondering what other games I should be on the lookout for. I'm not talking Far Cry 3 or Skyrim, those are obvious. What're some good PC ass PC games?

    Thanks a bunch!

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    csl316

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    #2  Edited By csl316

    Starcraft II. Even if you don't care about multiplayer, the campaign is well designed and a lot of fun. Though the story is disappointing (imo!)

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    tourgen

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    #3  Edited By tourgen

    Big Rigs is a must.

    To appreciate the best you must first travel to the very depths of what the PC has to offer. I have good recommendations of asian free to play MMOs too if you need.

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    Terramagi

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    #4  Edited By Terramagi

    If you're not opposed to complete classics that came out 12 years ago and predicted 9/11, I recommend Deus Ex.

    Game of the Year, all years, forever.

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    Oscar__Explosion

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    #5  Edited By Oscar__Explosion

    All of them

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    granderojo

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    #7  Edited By granderojo

    Endless Space is a good strategy game that you may not of heard of. It looks really pretty but isn't very taxing on PCs. Sleeping Dogs has a lot of great PC ass PC options.

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    Zomgfruitbunnies

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    #8  Edited By Zomgfruitbunnies

    Team Fortress 2, because hats.

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    thebunnyhunter

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    #9  Edited By thebunnyhunter

    No One Lives Forever is one of my favorites, pretty damn good is that game.

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    spykereightsix

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    #10  Edited By spykereightsix

    Although it sounds like you're mostly into RPGs and strategy games, I'd recommend Sleeping Dogs. Easily one of the best looking games all year (on PC).

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    butano

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    #11  Edited By butano

    Crusader Kings 2, Company of Heroes, Metro 2033, Mount & Blade: Warband

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    Nikoran

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    #12  Edited By Nikoran

    I'd say TF2, CS:S, Crysis + Warhead, Mount & Blade: Warband + Napoleonic Wars DLC, Company of Heroes, Garry's Mod, Terraria, Killing Floor, Torchlight, Natural Selection 2 and Total War: Shogun II.

    I would go on and on but I'd end up naming every game on my steamlist almost.

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    bucifer

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    #13  Edited By bucifer

    Neverwinter Nights 2, KOTOR, Dragon Age, FTL, Gothic, Risen 2, Sacred 2, Fallout, Two Worlds 2, Baldur's Gate 2, Planescape Torment, Sanitarium, Diablo... just take a look at the latest I Love Mondays for more ideas

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    Aetheldod

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    #14  Edited By Aetheldod

    Shameless proponent of Half Life 2 :D!!!!!!

    The ID software bundle at steam is a great way to enjoy many games for a good price .... Portal 1/2 , and classic RPGs like the Fallout games at gog.com , freespace 2 (awesome mods it has)

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    deactivated-5a00c029ab7c1

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    BF2

    F.E.A.R.

    Crysis

    Mirrors Edge,Looks incredible on PC still to this day highly underrated game.

    GTA4,mods

    Max Payne series

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    JerichoBlyth

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    #16  Edited By JerichoBlyth

    Basically all the games you have played before on console only with mods. This is all the PC is good for these days I am afraid, as there are fuck all exclusives to brag about.

    ...and nobody say ARMA II: Day Z, that is boring as hell.

    The best console game on PC that you can actively mod in recent times is easily The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It also has faster loading times and is generally far more enjoyable that its console counterpart if that helps at all.

    You'll need to travel back in time and lower your expectations slightly in order to the get the best out of PC exclusives. I highly recommend Deus Ex Directors Cut, Half Life 1&2, Left 4 Dead 2, X-Com UFO Defense and Starcraft 1&2...

    Apart from the games mentioned, most people just upgrade to PC to get a better experience out of playing games that are readily available on console. Or y'know - they waste away playing MMO's.

    You made the right choice.

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    newhaap

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    #18  Edited By newhaap

    Guild Wars 2 is one really good PC ass PC game

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    charlie_victor_bravo

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    xMrSunshine

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    #20  Edited By xMrSunshine

    Listing a couple of games on the PC that are "must have" is a crazy idea. It's not like a console that has a set library of games that are more or less equal looking and playing in a general sense at least inside certain genres. There's a so many games that it would be stupid to start listing a selected few that you should play. All of these games would be spread across the last couple of decades and so much of the experiences vary on so many things.

    Might as well start with something like Zork. I think that's a must play just for history sake if nothing else. Then you should probably dabble in some Infinity Engine games. Start with Baldur's Gate series probably. Then try some Fallouts, 1 and 2 mostly. Planescape Torment is something a person should probably check out. Diablo 2, Deus Ex, Grim Fandango, System Shock 2, some sort of proper MOBA game maybe not the original Dota but Dota 2 or LoL, some of the more obscure games developed in eastern Europe like STALKER, Metro 2033, Cryostasis. You should also probably check out some flight sims or something similar like Freespace, Tie Fighter, perhaps some more HC sims if you're into that kidn of stuff (you sure as hell won't ever experience anything like the DCS games on a console). In the HC sim line there's also Arma and older Operation Flashpoint games but don't even try those unless they sound like heaven to you right at the start (seriously, you already know if you'll like them). Half-Life games, Team Fortress 2, Quake, Unreal Tournament, TES: Morrowind, newer Fallout and TES games with mods, Civ games, some of the Sims games (Simgolf, Simcity, Sims...). From RTS games you should definitely check out something Starcraft related, Supreme Commander, Company of Heroes, Warhammer 40k Dawn of War (2 at least), World in Conflict, Wargame: European Escalation. Crysis just to know what it's about (it's also a really good game if you "play it right" look for nanosuitninja on YT for examples). Newer smaller games I'd say FTL, Hotline Miami, Binding of Isaac. Some version of Counter Strike is also a good idea to try out just to see what it's about. Max Payne games. Mafia, Red Alert 2, KOTOR (2 especially with the restored content), Doom, Some MMOs (WoW, Guild Wars, perhaps even EVE). Dragon Age Origins (/w mods).

    But like I said. You shouldn't be looking at a list to pick out games to play just because some idiot somewhere says it's a must play. If this is truly your first time with a PC then just take stuff as it comes. There's too much to get at at once. It'll just be overwhelming.

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    Justin258

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    #21  Edited By Justin258
    • Dragon Age Origins
    • Half-Life
    • all the Doom games
    • all the Quake games
    • ... in fact, just get every id game
    • Torchlight 1 and 2
    • all the Crysis games
    • Mass Effect
    • Counter Strike
    • Sleeping Dogs
    • Deus Ex and Human Revolution
    • Metro 2033
    • Morrowind and Oblivion - I know you've already mentioned Skyrim but those are still great games too
    • Fallout 3 and New Vegas
    • Borderlands 2
    • Batman Arkham Asylum and City
    • Darksiders
    • Dark Souls (it's not the best of ports but it seems fine)
    • FEAR 1 and 2
    • Metro 2033
    • Planetside 2
    • Team Fortress 2
    • Portal 1 and 2
    • Rayman Origins
    • S.T.A.L.K.E.R. (I have Shadow of Chernobyl but a lot of people say Call of Pripyat is the best, I think.)
    • Terraria
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    AlexW00d

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    #22  Edited By AlexW00d

    Wargame: European Escalation, every Paradox Development Studio grand strategy game, Men of War (the first 1 and Assault Squad) world in conflict, serious sam, metro 2033, everything by ice pick lodge, both witcher games.
    @believer258 SoC is the better game, but CoP is the better Game if you get what i mean...

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    Ducksworth

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    #23  Edited By Ducksworth

    Roller Coaster Tycoon 2

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    Kidavenger

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    Fallen189

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    #25  Edited By Fallen189

    QWOP

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    tunaburn

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    #26  Edited By tunaburn

    PORN

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    Ravenlight

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    #27  Edited By Ravenlight
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    morkaithewolf

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    #28  Edited By morkaithewolf
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    RadioFlyer

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    #29  Edited By RadioFlyer

    Wow thanks for the responses guys. As for what I'm into genre wise, pretty much anything. I'm just mainly looking for experiences I can't get on a console. Again, thanks a bunch!

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    BeachThunder

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    #30  Edited By BeachThunder

    Too many to mention, so, let's pick one game from each letter of the alphabet (only games that are legally available):

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    deactivated-57d4cf64585b7

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    T EFF 2. Seriously dude. That is still one of my favorite games of all time. The loot dude, so much phat loot.

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    SexyToad

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    #32  Edited By SexyToad

    Well it seems the other duders have you cover. I'll recommend most of what they said. But I'll just throw in Don't Starve and Minecraft. Not hardcore PC games, but fun ones.

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    Armoes

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    #33  Edited By Armoes

    I play a lot of Company of Heroes (multiplayer). Can be hard to win though.

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    zrais

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    #34  Edited By zrais

    @BeachThunder said:

    Too many to mention, so, let's pick one game from each letter of the alphabet (only games that are legally available):

    Just go down this list. You won't be disappointed.

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    mikeeegeee

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    #35  Edited By mikeeegeee

    @RadioFlyer: My soul recommendation is Chivalry: Medieval Warfare. If you are joining a group of friends who have competent setups, get a four pack and have a blast. It's fucking nuts. Sure, there's a fair amount of jank, but the bugs are usually endearing and often hilarious. I think Drew said something about this game feeling like a shitty Half-Life mod, but in all the right ways. Having LANed a fair amount back when everyone swapped HL mods, I can attest to this being the case. I haven't had as much fun with friends in a multiplayer game in a long time.

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    cruxking

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    #36  Edited By cruxking

    Mount And Blade Warband.

    it's janky. but its from the eastern bloc so of course it is. honestly amazing if you can get past the ugly exterior.

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    mellotronrules

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    #37  Edited By mellotronrules

    @thabigred said:

    Endless Space is a good strategy game that you may not of heard of. It looks really pretty but isn't very taxing on PCs. Sleeping Dogs has a lot of great PC ass PC options.

    +1 to 'endless space.' it's like BSG meets civ.

    relic's strategy games are also good fun- i'd say have a look at 'dawn of war 2' or 'company of heroes.'

    if you want to put your pc through it's paces and see what the future-past looks like, fire up OG 'crysis.'

    and if you're looking for light, abbreviated entertainment with fantastic visual style and audio design, have a look at the amanita design games ('machinarium,' 'botanicula') and 'the binding of isaac.'

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    xMEGADETHxSLY

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    #38  Edited By xMEGADETHxSLY

    Team fortress 2. free

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    TheFreepie

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    #39  Edited By TheFreepie

    @thebunnyhunter: Oh hell yes I love that game. Played it a few months back for nostalgiac purposes.

    I suppose "Must have pc games" means you're looking for the PC-only experience, in which I'd recommend:

    Planetside 2 - Free to play, large scale combat FPS that would never work on a console - did I mention it's free?

    Garry's Mod - I recommended this to some friends, some of them only touched it once. I, on the other hand have spent over a week playing (Really, there's an achievement!) purely because this game has so many different gamemodes. Did I mention I bought it for a fiver? That's value for money right there. (Not for everyone by any means)

    League of Legends/Dota 2/HoN - Look up some clips and see if they seem like your kind of game. Just be warned that these games ARE intense and will make you feel like a terrible waste of space.

    *Insert MMORPG* - Try out the WoW trial or if you're willing to invest buy Guild Wars 2. Point is, MMO's are another thing that can never be experienced by console users!

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    pr1mus

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    #40  Edited By pr1mus

    You picked Civ 5 which is a wise choice. If you like that you can follow up by exploring other strategy games. The Total War series is good and you can ask to tell you why Crusader Kings II is a game you should play.

    If you enjoy Tropico 4 you should look into other sim games. The new SimCity is coming out soon and SimCity 4 is always worth going back too as well as RollerCoaster Tycoon 1 and 2.

    And then you have tons of RTS and ARPG to look out for. Check out Path of Exile. The open beta starts soon.

    Also if you've never played the original Half-Life and don't want to play an old ass game like that you should check Black Mesa. A fan made remake done in the source engine which is every bit as well made as you'd expect from a professional team and stops just before the part where the original game became shit.

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    hwy_61

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    #41  Edited By hwy_61

    I would definitely wait for an Elder Scrolls sale, then pick up Skyrim/Oblivion and ALL the mods!

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    SirOptimusPrime

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    #42  Edited By SirOptimusPrime

    May as well throw my rec's. Not exactly benchmarking games, but these are some of the top of the top for PC exclusives - to me, of course.

    Planescape: Torment - while it ranges between dully forgettable to a tedious slog in the combat portions, the setting and characters are some of the best gaming has ever had. The plot in itself is pretty good, but it's the unique setting and the character interactions that make the game what it is. Oh, and lots of text so know that.

    Crusader Kings II - uhh, just buy it. If you want to try an intricate 4X game, then this is a great start. The other Paradox games are a bit more technical and Civilization is really - like, brain dead simple - to break, which can sort of ruin the experience. CKII has some exploitable stuff, but it usually amounts to manipulating the systems or playing as the HRE rather than outmaneuvering the AI every step of the way.

    Legend of Grimrock - I'd recommend some older first-person cRPG's over this one, but to tell you to try something like Champions of Krynn or Pool of Radiance (even though they are top-down TB games... I guess I was tired when I wrote this?) would be a bit much. LoG has some real goofy shit in it, but that kind of epitomizes the awkward niche indie style. Also, it streamlines a lot of what can make those old games a fucking chore.

    Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - the singleplayer is a great combination of WCIII style tactics and loot lust, and the multiplayer is the Relic standard point-capture style of RTS. I never touched the MP, but had a blast playing the singleplayer and that is totally worth it.

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    deactivated-5c072a2b922a9

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    you gotta play the mass effect trilogy...my favorite series to date

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    colourful_hippie

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    #44  Edited By colourful_hippie

    Witcher 2

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    mcbonjon

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    #45  Edited By mcbonjon
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    paulwade1984

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    #46  Edited By paulwade1984

    Stalker. gotta push through the slow opening tho.

    Torchlight 2.

    Starcraft 2.

    Grim Fandango.

    Civilization 4 or 5.

    Dawn of war 2.

    company of heroes.

    FTL

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    PizzaSauce

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    #47  Edited By PizzaSauce

    The Myst games are pretty awesome

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    OldManLight

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    #48  Edited By OldManLight

    company of heroes, starcraft 2, torchlight, diablo 3, battlefield 3, civ 5, just cause 2 ( i know it's a console game but it looks beautiful on the pc)

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    HeyImPhoenix

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    #49  Edited By HeyImPhoenix

    No specific genre? XCOM, Mount and blade, The sims 3? you are better off researching a specific genre you are interested in.

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    jjm494

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    #50  Edited By jjm494

    Lots of good recommendations here, especially in the last post. Follow Mr. Sunshine's advice and play what you fin interesting as you go along. Here are some more recommendations that haven't been mentioned yet:

    • Atom Zombie Smasher
    • Aliens Vs. Predator ( the older ones by Rebellion and Monolith, not the one recently released by Sega)
    • Blood (the first one that uses the build engine. It can be found over at Good Old Games)
    • Dungeons
    • Dungeon Keeper 2
    • Freedom Force Series
    • Heretic and Hexen Series
    • Mass Effect 1 and 2
    • The monkey island series
    • The Puzzle Agent Series
    • Serious Sam Series
    • Rock of Ages
    • Zeno Clash
    • Scribblenauts Unlimited
    • The Trine Series

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