What is the definitive way to play certain games?
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There are a host of open source remakes of old game engines that fix bugs and update them for modern systems as well as add support for higher resolutions and widescreen aspect ratios. Here's a few off the top of my head:
- OpenMW for The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. This is probably the most famous one.
- Daggerfall Unity for The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall.
- OpenRA for Red Alert, Tiberian Dawn, Dune 2000, and (in pre-alpha form) Tiberian Sun and Red Alert 2 (the latter requiring extra fiddling with Github repositories).
- KeeperFX for Dungeon Keeper.
- OpenRCT2 for Roller Coaster Tycoon 2.
- OpenTTD for Transport Tycoon Deluxe.
- OpenJKDF2 for Dark Forces 2 and its standalone Mysteries of the Sith expansion.
- Arx Libertatis for Arx Fatalis, though IIRC the version sold now integrates an older build of it; one without the fixes for glyph drawing - it's worth upgrading for that alone as spellcasting is a nightmare without the fix.
- TRX for Tomb Raider I and II.
- Tfix, T2Fix, and the Sneaky Upgrade for Thief 1/2/3 respectively. These are mods, not wholesale engine replacements, but serve the same purpose.
These are just the ones I know of. There are probably loads more.
Edit: the Ur-Quan Masters for Star Control II. I can't believe I forgot about this! Star Control II is one of the best and most influential games that most people have never heard about.
Really nice list. One can spend many hours on these games.
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To clarify, if I was introducing someone to the Diablo series for the first time and told them they'd have to start on the first one. I wouldn't want them playing the bare vanilla version. There is a Bezelbub mod out there that gives the game lots of QoL improvements, you'd be thinking you're playing a build of Diablo 2 before its final version.
So, if I had to tell anyone what the best way to play that game would be, it is the Bezelbub mod. That was how I've beaten the first game anyways.
The first Kingdom Come: Deliverance was a great game and I think it should be played first, but I understand it's old clunky and unoptimized. These days it should be played with certain QoL mods like unlimited saving, instant herb picking (no animation), richer merchants, and trough washing deluxe/clean Henry (honestly I don't want to spend all my time going to the baths or looking shite). There are others, probably about 7-8 total, that I recommend but you get the idea.
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In the time since Quake released, common rendering systems and resolution options on monitors have changed. ID's solution to put it back on Steam was some gargantuan monolith wrapper that might've used Unity or something, and ties to an online ID, so that it could release on consoles. The open source community's solution was to take the original, open-source engine release, and port it upwards. Playing through the recent Quake Brutalist Jam 3, a map pack using a set of reinvented weapons and altered enemies, they recommend you use the "ironwail" source port, which even has a native Linux build.
I'm playing QBJ3 via Linux version of Ironwail right now, can confirm it works flawlessly. I think it's something like 70 hours long? According to Vinesauce anyways. I've barely begun lol.
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For League of Legends the definitive way to play is to not start. I swear I do not know of any other game that has such addictive properties while being so absolutely fucking awful. You don’t stop playing this game, You take extended breaks.
Friends don’t let friends play LeagueI found it incredibly easy to walk away from. Whatever it is that is supposed to be addicting about it it just didn't fire on me at all.
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I found it incredibly easy to walk away from. Whatever it is that is supposed to be addicting about it it just didn't fire on me at all.
The chosen one!
Keep your talent hidden lest everyone side-eye you like this
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The chosen one!
Keep your talent hidden lest everyone side-eye you like thisHahaha I'm also the kind of person who has never bought a single cosmetic in a video game. I think I just don't have an addictive personality generally.
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To clarify, if I was introducing someone to the Diablo series for the first time and told them they'd have to start on the first one. I wouldn't want them playing the bare vanilla version. There is a Bezelbub mod out there that gives the game lots of QoL improvements, you'd be thinking you're playing a build of Diablo 2 before its final version.
So, if I had to tell anyone what the best way to play that game would be, it is the Bezelbub mod. That was how I've beaten the first game anyways.
Duke3D - would recommend eduke32 port. The High-Resolution Pack is quite nice, butperhaps some prefer the retro feel of sprites.
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To clarify, if I was introducing someone to the Diablo series for the first time and told them they'd have to start on the first one. I wouldn't want them playing the bare vanilla version. There is a Bezelbub mod out there that gives the game lots of QoL improvements, you'd be thinking you're playing a build of Diablo 2 before its final version.
So, if I had to tell anyone what the best way to play that game would be, it is the Bezelbub mod. That was how I've beaten the first game anyways.
Mgs on a ps. With a memory card with konami saves on it. Iykyk
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Hahaha I'm also the kind of person who has never bought a single cosmetic in a video game. I think I just don't have an addictive personality generally.
OK well that just makes sense. Cosmetics are so dumb. $25 to look different? Do you know how many games I can buy with that?
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To clarify, if I was introducing someone to the Diablo series for the first time and told them they'd have to start on the first one. I wouldn't want them playing the bare vanilla version. There is a Bezelbub mod out there that gives the game lots of QoL improvements, you'd be thinking you're playing a build of Diablo 2 before its final version.
So, if I had to tell anyone what the best way to play that game would be, it is the Bezelbub mod. That was how I've beaten the first game anyways.
Quite niche, but sim racing, I will pick Assetto Corsa Rally as an example.
The definitive way to play is with a proper rig. 9nm+ Direct Drive wheel base, round wheel, a sequential shifter, handbrake and decent load cell pedals. Put it up on a nice ultrawide or triple screen and have an amazing time sliding through the forest. You can also do VR, for complete immersion as well.
Buuut that's also the expensive way, you can also have a load of fun with a controller or cheaper wheel on a desk.
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Mgs on a ps. With a memory card with konami saves on it. Iykyk
Also with a rumble enabled controller, but you need to wipe your memory of that feature so the magic becomes real.
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The first Kingdom Come: Deliverance was a great game and I think it should be played first, but I understand it's old clunky and unoptimized. These days it should be played with certain QoL mods like unlimited saving, instant herb picking (no animation), richer merchants, and trough washing deluxe/clean Henry (honestly I don't want to spend all my time going to the baths or looking shite). There are others, probably about 7-8 total, that I recommend but you get the idea.
Or you could embrace the vision, play on Hardcore with no map marker or compass, accept that travelling through war-torn lands is dangerous, feel the rush of galloping through the woods knowing a Cuman ambush could set you back 30 minutes, accepting that quests can fail, accepting that people will react to you stinking like blood and horse.
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Factorio. It doesn't matter how you are playing it, you are doing something wrong and that invalidates your whole base.
I finally properly started space age 2 days ago and feel like I know nothing again and have been cooking up spaghetti since
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To clarify, if I was introducing someone to the Diablo series for the first time and told them they'd have to start on the first one. I wouldn't want them playing the bare vanilla version. There is a Bezelbub mod out there that gives the game lots of QoL improvements, you'd be thinking you're playing a build of Diablo 2 before its final version.
So, if I had to tell anyone what the best way to play that game would be, it is the Bezelbub mod. That was how I've beaten the first game anyways.
I prefer devilutionX for D1. If we're talking about essential patches like this, killapps restoration patch for fallout 2 is also a thing to experience.
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I found it incredibly easy to walk away from. Whatever it is that is supposed to be addicting about it it just didn't fire on me at all.
I was the same way. Got about 20 hours in and just couldn't get into it. I played with friends, bot matches, ranked, a variety of characters, and just never got the appeal. I really don't have a competitive spirit, so maybe that's the draw I'm not getting.
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OpenJazz is okay, but even after all these years still doesn't quite feel right
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I'd like to add a bit to this.
FALLOUT ET TU (Fallout 1in2) - Fallout 1 converted to Fallout 2 engine
Fallout 2 Restoration Project, updated - Bug fixes, QoL and more for Fallout 2
Fallout 2 Unofficial Patch, updated - Bug fixes only
I'd like to add a further bit to this
Fallout Community Edition, a reverse-engineered open-source reimplementation of the original engine. There's also a version for FO2. It specifically says Fallout Et Tu is unsupported, but there's no real reason it shouldn't work, so... best of both worlds!
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Silent Hill - alone, in the dark.
Alone in the Dark - on a hill, silently
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I found it incredibly easy to walk away from. Whatever it is that is supposed to be addicting about it it just didn't fire on me at all.
Try Dota while you're at it. More or less identical game I was glued to for years.
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OpenJazz is okay, but even after all these years still doesn't quite feel right
Ah, too bad. I tried it briefly a few years ago, but ended up playing the GOG original version
