Games Beaten 2015

[Stark]

LOL ... what the heck.

[Exhuminator]

I think I'm gonna continue on to Quake 4 for TR next. I'm guessing that's a bit more modern in design? Probably more akin to HL2?

It will look and feel fairly modern because it used id Tech 4. Game design wise it's a bit simpler than something as forward reaching as Half-Life 2 was. Now I am saying that based on reviews I've read. I do own Quake 4 but it is one of the few FPS games of that 1995-2005 I actually have not played (but intend to).

Since I couldn't help much with that, here are five older PC FPS games that I would recommend:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldier_o ... eo_game%29 *
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Opera ... es_Forever *
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medal_of_ ... ed_Assault
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek ... lite_Force
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Faction *

I'm sure you already know about Deus Ex, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., and System Shock 2, though I consider all of those RPGs as much as FPS. And IMO the original Half-Life is much better than its sequel. You absolutely owe it to yourself to experience the original PC version of Half-Life.

*Stay away from these games' sequels however.

[MrPopo]

If you're willing to go older you can give the original System Shock a try, which doesn't really have any RPG elements; it's pretty close to Bioshock in that regards. If you do give it a try make sure you snag the System Shock Portable release as that includes a variety of mods to make it easier to control (such as mouselook).

And then there's Terra Nova: Strike Force Centauri, which came out in '96 and is harder to control thanks to it's early-era controls (no mouse look since your mouse is used as a pointing device for the interface and being able to shoot anywhere in your viewport) but it feels like taking the concepts of the Mobile Infantry in the Starship Troopers book and making a game out of it. It also features squadmates which are helpful but don't do the level for you, which is an extremely tricky balance to maintain.

[noiseredux]

@Ex: I have not played any of those you linked.

I have actually beaten Half-Life... on Dreamcast... with a controller. I'm serious.

@Po: I have been tempted to play the System Shock games. Someday...

[Ack]

Noise, it is time to play Serious Sam.

[Hobie-wan]

1- Gradius 3 - SNES

Used a game genie for infinite lives and used a turbo fire controller.

I know you're joking, but in shmups you're heading off to save the planet/galaxy all by yourself in a ship that already has infinite ammo, the least they can do is spend 5 cents for a circuit that will autofire for you. So I don't consider autofire a cheat. Even better in games where a tap will give you a short burst so you don't have to tap as often and holding activates a different fire mode. Best of both worlds.

[Hobie-wan]

But thinking about more modern games, like Borderlands for instance - now I've got to learn a whole new control method for also squatting, alternate-shots, running, and perhaps most importantly (to me) sniping.

You have a mouse with some thumb buttons? Thumb to crouch and you can make it a toggle so you don't have to hold it, just tap to switch stance. Right mouse for alternate shots/zooming for snipes. Running is a touch toggle. If you're moving you only need to tap Shift and you'll run until you stop moving. That's nicer than having to hold Shift constantly while moving. Though some other games you can always run and hold shift to walk/sneak instead.

[Exhuminator]

I have actually beaten Half-Life... on Dreamcast... with a controller. I'm serious.

Well at least you can still play its expansions Blue Shift and Opposing Force on PC.

[dsheinem]

Noise, it is time to play Serious Sam.

good seriously good call

[Stark]

Indeed, but what I don't understand is how you can go back to playing with mittens on after experiencing m+kb.

Because the tactile feeling of playing with a controller feels better to me (especially in "couch gaming" scenarios) and is preferable if precision isn't needed.