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- sghod1212, on 11/05/2009, -2/+24#6: Audiosurf
#7: Peggle
#8: Eufloria - Shawn4168, on 11/05/2009, -1/+19Plants vs. Zombies is a fantastic game with a ton of replay value, and at $10, it's a no-brainer (no pun intended). Braid and World of Goo are both amazing as well, both of them go on sale occasionally though, so it might be worth waiting for. Haven't tried Machinarium or Trine yet, but they both sound good.
I would also add Torchlight to the mix, it's a Diablo clone, that was actually created by a few guys from Diablo and Diablo II's development team. It doesn't have multiplayer, but it might be enough to tide you over until Diablo 3. It's also $20 but there's a free demo up on Steam too. - BrownieMix, on 11/05/2009, -0/+17Team Fortress 2 is another good one. Just received it as a Steam gift a few days ago.
- BullBearMS, on 11/05/2009, -0/+13Torchlight.
It's from a new studio founded by some of the Diablo and Diablo II designers.
If you like Diablo at all you will find it to be well worth $20. Modern graphics, modern monitor resolutions, new twists, but still very like the gameplay in Diablo.
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/07/pax-2009-pixar-d ... - Steev0, on 11/05/2009, -0/+12Orange Box would make a great gift for those who don't have it.
- Frankzulla, on 11/05/2009, -1/+13Plants Vs. Zombies is great fun. It has more depth than what the demo would show as well. I think it just starts too slow to acclimate more casual players.
- crazyhorse13, on 11/05/2009, -0/+10#9: TF2 (for anyone who doesn't have it yet)
#10: Torchlight - hoodedrobin, on 11/05/2009, -2/+11Couterstrike: Source
BOOM HEADSHOT! - Lane, on 11/05/2009, -0/+9Come on, let little timmy play L4D2. The family that slays together, stays together!
- mmd1080, on 11/05/2009, -7/+16Braid. Singular. And if you didn't like it, you aren't allowed to talk about video games anymore.
- SONYDVDR, on 11/05/2009, -2/+11Dugg for Steam!
- picor96, on 11/05/2009, -3/+10Dugg for World of Goo
- 9lbTaco, on 11/05/2009, -0/+7Make sure to do some research before purchasing any games through Steam.
I made the mistake of not doing that and purchased Need for Speed: Undercover -- only to later find out that when bought through steam, any patches released for the game (by EA in this case) are 100% incompatible with the Steam version.
One important patch that came out at the beginning of 2009 (for everyone else) can't be applied to the Steam version, leaving it completely *unplayable* online since Steam hasn't released an update for the game (only updated versions of the game can connect to EA servers). The issue has been noted on the steam forums and I've made several unsuccessful attempts at contacting both Steam and EA -- either company blames the other and there will be no fix (especially since that game is now succeeded by NFS: Shift). Really sucks, because online play can be a lot of fun with these games, and one would assume that since Steam is internet based, you'll be guaranteed to have access to online play if it's a built in feature of the game.
Of course this isn't the case for all games, but there are other games in the Steam store that have similar shortcomings. - Junkyarddawg, on 11/05/2009, -0/+5Hmm... this list is a bit too far on the cutesy/casual side for my tastes.
- Shitokki, on 11/05/2009, -2/+7My 's' key is happy today. Never said I didn't like it. Said it was very very challenging.
- DarthVolta, on 11/05/2009, -0/+4If you can find a decent server without too many ***** add-ons, it's still great.
Although I do have to admit that the gun-game mod is pretty fun in small amounts. - chadsexingtime, on 11/05/2009, -2/+6give them the gift of unending frustration - get them DoD:S
- mrseb, on 11/05/2009, -0/+4I almost included Torchlight in the list... it was a close one :) But truth be told, I haven't finished playing through it yet -- but I've heard a lot of good reports about it!
Also, it's perhaps not the best 'intro game' for kids or loved ones, which is kind of what I was aiming for with this list :) - daxter241, on 11/05/2009, -1/+5Dugg for Plants vs. Zombies. i recently just got it and damn, they weren't kidding when they said it was addicting. when i play the game i almost end up loosing track of time because the game is so interactive and rarely boring. i love the notes the zombies leave right before the game changes the mode up which will have you doing things like playing a bowling match where the zombies are the pins or protecting your house from the zombies during a lightning storm and having the screen constantly flash light for a few seconds before the screen goes completely dark for up to 5 seconds.....(now that i mention it, that was the only mini-game like mode i got annoyed of...)
Either way it a great game and for 10 bucks, its more than worth it. World of goo is also another good game but i only played the demo of that so i cant say too much.
edit: One game they should have added to this list is Audiosurf. Its another amazing game but i'd rather not make this any longer than it already is..... - sghod1212, on 11/05/2009, -0/+4Good game, but too bad the community sucks...
- str1fe, on 11/05/2009, -0/+4The game does have some good communities, but the community at large is pretty *****. Just have to find the right servers.
- crazyhorse13, on 11/05/2009, -0/+4Also, it's designed to work on low-power machines.
Played the demo, and I'm quite tempted to buy the full version. - ironrex, on 11/05/2009, -0/+4Steam used to be the biggest pos -get out of my way I just want to play counterstrike- application. I'm glad they turned it around. Steam rocks now!
- rrc589, on 11/05/2009, -0/+3*oink*
- Infowarsdotcom, on 11/05/2009, -2/+5If you're not familiar with Steam...
You can buy games as "gifts" for anyone. http://seriousnerd.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/mor ... - YumYumTruck, on 11/05/2009, -0/+3I haven't played Eufloria, but I did download Dyson a while back. Is Eufloria really that much of a step up? Just curious, because while playing Dyson, I honestly didn't think there was much missing from it.
Also, since were adding things, I guess
#11: Portal
Although maybe its a bit old now. - Dereliction, on 11/05/2009, -0/+3I would argue (as perhaps would Counterplex) that DRM is not even primarily intended to combat piracy. That in fact companies who employ it recognize that piracy will be quite successful no matter the measures employed.
Instead, many use DRM--including Steam--to control secondary markets and to ensure additional first market purchases that would otherwise not occur. That is, products that use limited install DRM and methods (e.g., you can only install 3 times) recognize that additional product will be sold in the primary market due to artificial limitations on the product's use.
In the end, DRM is not just so content providers can get paid. It is so they can get paid more and more often from legitimate customers. I'd remark on the existence of "title monopolies" in the game and software marketplaces, due to the current copyright laws around much of the world, but this reply will likely be long as it is. That they exist, alongside copyright and lobbying efforts, is a central reason that we see black market reactions like we do.
Anyhow, all DRM is bad because it is inherently an inconvenience to legitimate customers, sometimes horrifically so (e.g., Sony's rootkit fiasco, etc.). These sort of measures create black markets and free-for-all piracy which are legitimate market reactions to these sort of producer impositions. Ultimately, markets will arrive at their desired consumption pattern and what we see here is just a very visible instance of both provider and consumer engaging in a market where some consumers have an advantage over providers while some do not--the former frequently turn to piracy while the latter are simply not educated or skilled enough, in many cases, to accomplish the task.
Am I implying that all people who could, would become or are pirates? No, not by any means. Some impose real or artificial limitations on themselves--moral, fiscal, etc. But they do so because it fulfills their consumption pattern, exactly what we expect to see in a marketplace. :)
Imagine for a moment that cheese of any kind were outlawed. Would people stop buying and making cheese? Well no, we would expect to see an immediate and fairly vast black market in cheese arise. Basically, laws--including copyright--are artificial limitations on the market (sometimes on producer and sometimes on consumer, or both). Black markets are natural reactions all the same. Producers don't follow the rules either. Take Sony's rootkit as an example where we find so-called "wrong doing" from the other side of the fence.
From a consumer perspective, DRM is bad even in concept. Even if a specific consumer is not affected by any particular instance, or is not affected negatively enough to alter his or her consumption of the product, supporting companies who employ DRM is also indirectly supporting DRM--and companies will continue to abuse this ability until they can, indeed, limit consumer options to what they (the provider) want, and not the other way around. And by this I mean limit consumers technically so that they cannot usurp the *producers* desired means of their consumption for the products in any segment of the marketplace.
So yes, I see DRM as bad, both by your definition and one involving an analysis of market interactions between all the parties involved. But I guess most people are just willing consumers, which is also in the nature of most marketplaces. But these days some are more educated consumers, something obviously upsetting to content producers. They would much rather have us be unwitting and incapable, or simply willing altogether. That goes for perceivable or imperceivable costs alike.
Sorry for the length--I suppose Digg is by nature not very conducive to these sort of discussions. - Shawn4168, on 11/05/2009, -0/+3I noticed that there's a "Netbook Mode" option in the game settings, I wonder how well it actually works?
- contradictator, on 11/05/2009, -1/+4Steam is kinda awesome.
- Katana314, on 11/06/2009, -0/+3EA doesn't support their games and Need for Speed sucks.
No offense to you personally, but it's certainly nothing new. =p - selrahc, on 11/05/2009, -0/+3Penumbra
- brianmitchell, on 11/05/2009, -0/+2There's nothing wrong with DRM, as a concept. People who create content and want to be paid for that have a right to take steps to ensure they are paid. The problem is BAD DRM, that punishes(/inconveniences) legitimate users and fails to stop piracy. Most DRM has been bad, and maybe that's why you've mistakenly assumed DRM is synonymous with bad. It's not.
You show me how Steam is inconvenient/burdensome, and I'll admit you have a point. I don't think you do. I believe they've added convenience at no perceivable cost to their customers. - mrseb, on 11/05/2009, -1/+3I desperately wanted to include L4D2.
But it costs a bit too much to fall into the 'cheap gift' category.
And maybe a bit too noisy and gory for Christmas morning. - mrseb, on 11/05/2009, -0/+2Audiosurf almost made the list... but I have to admit I didn't like it as much as I thought I would (I was all hyped up before it was released, like everyone else!)
Almost though. I guess I would've put it at #6 or #7 :) - BullBearMS, on 11/05/2009, -1/+3Unfortunately, buying gifts at Walmart involves going to Walmart. :oP
- darkeagle5601, on 11/05/2009, -0/+2And it will play on any pc out there. Even netbooks.
Edit: Crazyhorse got it in before I did. lol - BullBearMS, on 11/05/2009, -0/+2I'm playing it on an old Compaq laptop with an AMD Sempron CPU and low end Radeon Xpress 200 mobile graphics. With everything enabled it plays just fine. I'm pretty sure a modern netbook would have better specs than this poor old laptop.
- Dereliction, on 11/05/2009, -0/+2I wouldn't argue against the benefits that Steam, as a digital software provider offers. But none of that is DRM. They just have an increased value over traditional methods of product delivery and offering. Take away the DRM aspects and you've really got something fantastic, in my opinion.
And yes, I *totally* agree with your view on Steam limiting secondary market sales of the games--couldn't agree more, in fact. As far as that goes, Steam is perhaps the more acceptable form of DRM someone might point out, but I'm cynical and feel quite sure a demon lurks under all this acceptance of it. :) - Andrwmorph, on 11/06/2009, -0/+2I can't stand the waiting in CS anymore. Quick respawns have spoiled me :(
- antdude, on 11/06/2009, -0/+2Someone give me free gifts. ;)
- magus_melchior, on 11/05/2009, -0/+2Much of Valve's recent offerings would be great gifts, really.
- Valyn, on 11/06/2009, -0/+2You sound a lot like this:
http://www.dklevine.com/general/intellectual/again ...
Nice write up. - Infowarsdotcom, on 11/05/2009, -0/+1I bought the entire collection for $5 :D
Why those games aren't more acclaimed blows my mind. - Katana314, on 11/06/2009, -2/+3Do not bury this man.
DO. NOT. - brb1031, on 11/06/2009, -0/+1Interview with the creators of torchlight:
http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread ...
(Audio link at end of first post, gets down to business @ 4min) - chadsexingtime, on 11/05/2009, -0/+1I've played dods for several years now, and so far, its the only one I keep going back to.
Unfortunately, it gives me all the more insight on just how broken a game it actually is. - winmywii, on 11/05/2009, -0/+1There is so much to that simple game. I was addicted to it. Had to beat it.
- VonBargenJL, on 11/16/2009, -0/+1article states its from old WC3 'tower defense' but we all know Defense games came from Starcraft...
- Triplastic, on 11/05/2009, -0/+1Plants vs. Zombies is a great game. I bought it when it was on sale one day and it was definitely worth it. There are a lot of different strategies you can try and it's pretty fun from start to finish.
- counterplex, on 11/05/2009, -1/+2Dereliction, it _is_ a form of DRM and a very effective one at that. You'll notice Steam seems to do a lot of things right - games are available quickly, priced reasonably half the time, stays out of your way when playing but can also integrate the social aspect of Steam into the mix if you so choose. It's certainly not destructive to the system when it installs and in fact gives the benefit of never having to keep discs around - just re-download your game from Steam after re-imaging your machine.
My only beef with it is the fact that I can't sell my games. If anyone can implement selling games it's Steam - it can electronically remove my entitlement completely and give my license key to the person I sold it to - not sure why they haven't done that yet. -
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