Computer

• Diablo has to be one of best games I've played on the PC. Published by Blizzard entertainment, who also produced Warcraft (I and II) and Starcraft. Good news! Diablo has come out for the playstation, and despite some minor inconvienances of having only 1 screen to work with, it is pretty good!  It didn't take long to become addicted to Starcraft! In addition to being able to play three different races (Human, Zerg and Protoss) in single player mode, multi-player works over the internet or local LAN.
  Soon after I got comfortable with Starcraft Blizzard released Diablo II, another big hit! The game really comes alive with the expansion pack which adds two new character classes and numerous additional spells. Probably the most useful additions are an expanded personal stash and the ability to arm and armor your hirelings.
  No word yet on any possible release of Diablo II for the console market.
  More information is available on Blizzard's Website

  My passion in computers these days is Linux. I have installed a local intranet at home with a linux server at the heart of it all. You might wonder why this is under entertainment.... after all there isn't anything entertaining about Unix... or is there?

  Would it surprise you to learn there are tons of GAMES available for linux? Don't get me wrong, linux is a powerful and serious operating system. Comparisons to Unix and Windows NT generate heated debates on many message boards and news groups. Check out the link above and I think you will find linux is a good gaming platform, especially for multi-player games. Since linux plays nicely with Windows machines in a network environment many people have a linux box acting as a network server for games such as tribes and quake. Linux is not limited to a server role, with a mature graphical environment like the X Window System linux is ready to play games in a desktop computer role. That is not to say portable users are left out, there is support for USB, PCMCIA, Wireless LAN etc.

  Linux is freely distributed under the Free Software Federation's GPL.
  Distributions are available for download from numerous places. I use RedHat on my systems but there are many distributions tailored to suit just about any environment. If you are looking to get off the WinTel upgrade train consider linux.

  Console Games

  • Top dog in my book is the SonyPlaystation and PS2, hours and hours (if ya got'em) of quality multi-media gaming. I know I've spent lots of time (too much if you ask Amy) playing Gran Turismo 3. The game in enhanced greatly with the steering wheel and pedals available from Logitech

    We have a Nintindo 64, but honestly the games are more geared towards the kids, and I don't play with it much.

  • The latest game rage in our house was over Tomb Raider, must be the best game all around that I've ever played! With the recent crop of 1st person shooters this game was a nice change of pace. Elaborate puzzles and "physical" challenges are the meat of this game with combat playing a supporting (and important) role in the game. Check it out if you have a Playstation.

  
  

  • Well as I am sure you have guessed by now, we've played Tomb Raider II, and it was every bit as good as we had hoped from the sequel to what I called "the best game all around tht I've ever played!". TR II made some refinements and improvements to make it the new "best" on my list!
    TR III and many others in the TR franchise have come out, but none has hooked amy as much as the first one did. The later ones are good, perhaps even better than the original, but Amy just doesn't have the leisure time in large enough blocks to play these games effectively. It does take some concentration and long enough stretches of uninterrupted time to figure the puzzles out.
  • Need for Speed (I and II) are great if you like driving games. Need for Speed gives you the choice of realistically modeled sports cars that you drive on various tracks. You can race against your best time or go head-to-head with a second player and/or "the pack" of AI controlled cars.
    Well, as I mentioned there is a new racing game in my life! I have not picked up the disc for NFS since I got GT3, the difference is like night and day... anyone want a slightly used copy of Need for Speed?
  • Gex has to take the cake for side-scrolling (with some 3d elements) action games. You control a gecko who can do some pretty amazing things (hang upside down from the ceiling, climb walls, shoot flaming balls from his tongue!) as you make your way from level to level retrieving video remote controls to gain his freedom from the TV zone!
  • Update 7/98, word is Gex 3 is due out soon! Looking for the next installment to be as challenging and fun as the first!

  
  

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  Game Links

  Eidos Interactive

  Aklaim

  Sony Playstation

  E-Mail to Electronic Gaming Monthly

  GT Interactive (Duke Nukem)

  Intensor (Sensory Chair)

  Konami

  Psygnosis

  Westwood Studios (Command & Conquer, Lands of Lore etc)

  Shiny Entertainment (Earthworm Jim, Aladdin, and MDK) 1-800-INTERPLAY

  Nintendo (okay, I'm not a nintindo fan, but I have to admit their importance in gaming)

  Lucas Arts

  Quest 64 (For Nintendo 64)

  Acclaim Sports

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