Since you (the OP) asked, I'm gonna point this one as overrated. It's a good game, but since you'll be playing it for the first time in 2019 (just like I did), it won't make much of an impression on you. There's a lot of people branding it as a masterpiece and/or best game ever, which it probably was back in 2004. Now, it's nothing spectacular. I'm not saying that you should skip it, but you don't have to prioritize it either. I'd even dare to say that the AI of your allies is terrible comparing to the modern games - they will constantly get in your way, which is really, really frustrating.
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Interesting. How do you feel it compared to the first game? I played that like 3 or 4 years ago, and I enjoyed it, but it didn't blow me away or anything.
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Half-Life did a lot of things that had never been done before, and every FPS after it included those innovations. HL two was an improvement on the first game, and it also came with some innovations. Every FPS after it has included those innovations. If you have played an FPS recently, you are already familiar with what a modern-day FPS "should be like," so it will not surprise you. (DonutSlayer88 pointed out some of the weakness of the AI, for example, but when the game was released, the AI was ahead of its time.)
I suggest you approach it as "an old game" and just try to enjoy it for what it is.
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I liked the first Half-Life better, but this is my subjective opinion. Just like Khalaq noted, the gameplay was improved comparing to the first game, but the setting and general vibe is different.
In the first Half-Life you had a science experiment gone wrong, which resulted in an alien invasion - you've had a variety of enemies and locations (including Xen, which was a completely different world). There wasn't much of a story, but everything quite made sense - you were a simple (though very capable) scientist in the middle of a madness, trying to survive.
In the second Half-Life you're thrown into a dystopian future, where humanity is controlled by aliens in a form of a police state. I don't remember more than four types of enemies and three original locations. From the beginning of the game you are the enemy of the government and the last hope of the people, because the game says so - it's not really explained (also, you're just going with the flow and doing whatever you're told to).
I'm not gonna elaborate it, as I want to aviod spoilers, but the most distinctive differences include:
- proper story (there are some plot holes between HL1 and HL2)
- proper dialogues (I like to refer to HL2 as "Gordon Freeman! It that really you?" - the game)
- better enemy AI (pew-pew-pew intensifies)
- better physics, including vehicle driving (which was frustrating for me, but I suck major balls at driving in games)
- more or less helpful allies (including a high and mighty sidekick)
To sum up, it depends what you look for. I'm a casual who likes different genres, so I felt like the game was aimed more at FPS lovers who don't mind if most of the gameplay consists of running through the buildings and getting shoot by exactly identical soldiers and the story being forced without a proper explanation. If the first Half-Life hasn't blown you away, the second one won't either. I don't regret playing, though. There were some parts of the game that I especially enjoyed (like Ravenholm) and now I can complain about the hype on the internet forums :P
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Thanks for the thorough response and welcome to my whitelist!
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Isn't there a mod out there for Ravenholm that is supposed to be very good (and even quite creepy/scary)? I read an article about it in a recent PC Gamer magazine. Have you tried it?
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To the Moon is a fun play and the music is beautiful!! Also bonus: immersive story
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If you want something shorter:
Brothers is quite great, there is nothing quite like it mechanically out there -- it makes incredible use of the controller.
If you do not mind something longer:
Hollow Knight is amazing (the soundtrack is INCREDIBLE, and a sense of discovery pervades the whole thing)... It is also veeery long, so prepare yourself. Try not to read any walkthroughs, if you can (you might get lost here and there, but I thought that part of the game's magic).
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Can you explain how Brothers makes incredible use of the controller?
I just looked up Hollow Knight on How Long to Beat, and the play times are almost as long as Borderlands. I think I might play something shorter first.
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Hm, I do not want to enter into spoiler territory before you play the game, but... Well, ok:
The game is about two characters, and the control scheme is setup so each joystick corresponds to one character. Most of the game is light puzzles around the idea of this "dual control". It is quite clever, let me know if you play it and I can try to say why I think it is so clever.
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After playing a couple shorter games first (Refunct and Firewatch), I started playing Hollow Knight, and I'm really liking it so far. I'll probably play Brothers afterwards. Thanks for the recommendations! Have a blue heart!
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Oh, thank you!
So... You playing Hollow Knight...?
Well... see you in a few months.... :D :D :D
It is a fantastic game! Let us know how you are feeeling about it! :D
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I really enjoyed being lost in this world...
Let me see where you are... Ooooooohhhh, you managed to get past Hornet?!? That was one of the very tough spots for me, the one that made me go -- "ok, pay attention, you have to get better at this game!"... :D
Keep us updated, if you wish! :D
P.S.: And the music, isn't it just the best?
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Hornet was such a giant PITA! It easily took me 20+ tries with me repeatedly shouting obscenities at the game. I do like how I have to observe a new enemy's attack style or get my ass kicked, but Hornet was a bit much.
I just gained the ability to jump off walls and acquired my 4th mask piece, so I'm taking a break.
Yes, the music's great.
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Spec Ops: The Line if you want something quick for a few days but thought provoking.
or
Half-Life 2 for fun because I can't believe you didn't played it already
or
Deus Ex: Human Revolution if you want a good long RPG and something thought provoking.
or
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition to keep the save and later play part 2 and 3.
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+1 for Witcher EE, just add controller support to the game via a mod
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Where is the best place to get said mod, and how easy is it to install/use?
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In general, I've found NexusMods to be a good place for mods, and they have several mods for enabling Xbox 360 controllers on the Witcher EE (it won't let me link the search results, so you'll have to type in "controller" in the query box to see them). Several people on Reddit say that the Steam Controller works really well with the game -- seems like there's little setup involved for the most part, though I've never owned a Steam controller. I played with keyboard & mouse though, but since OP prefers games with controller support (and since Witcher is such an awesome series :), just wanted to contribute the controller mod idea to put the game back into the running. Hope this helps!
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Good recommendations.
Keep in mind 'The witcher' has aged pretty badly.
I would add 'Brother, tale of two sons' to the list. I'ts a little gem, pretty, sad, beautiful... and a great platformer.
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bump for ddeus ex.
2 most beloved soundtracks in my entire life.
silent hill and deus ex..
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i recommend Dishonored or Deus ex:human revolution,both games are amazing.
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Hitman: Absolution
Had a blast playing this game, it's fun to complete the missions in different ways. I probably play the first mission like 20 times, before continuing to the second one. :D
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- Life is Strange
- Dishonored
- Shadow of Mordor
- Sleeping Dogs
- Saints Row
you listed alot of really good games but this is probably the top 5 i would recommend :)
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Refunct I hear is extremely short, so I'd play that first.
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Deus Ex is a classic and is a fun game to boot :-)
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Lots of nice games in your list; I'd say go with Half Life 2, if for no other reason that it's a pillar of 'modern' pc gaming, and maybe the oldest in your list (assuming Shadow Warrior is the new-ish reboot).
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1 Hollow Knight (Tough, but so rewarding ;)
2 Rakuen (Short, but the feelings stays with you ;)
Depends on what you feel like playing. I like to balance dark games with light games sometimes. ^&^
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well, that's a bunch of great titles (at least, the ones I know), it's hard to recommend what to play
it depends on what you feel like playing at the moment, how much time you have to invest, etc..
I suggest to randomize your list and pick the top10; randomize again, pick top5; randomize one last time and play what comes first
this is how I usually deal with my backlog when I really have no ispiration on what to play :D
also, have a bump ;)
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Half Life 2 or Dishonored. Two of the best games I've ever played, especially Dishonored, don't miss out on that one :)
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If you want to play a small one, Firewatch. Great game.
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Maybe it's not the best one, but I'd highly recommend Spec Ops: The Line.
The story is very engaging and deep, not your ordinary third person shooter at all. Highly underrated gem.
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sorting them by gameplay time. i'm only recommending these because i didn't play the rest (or i didn't like them).
short:
Firewatch
average:
Half-Life 2
Life is Strange
long:
Hollow Knight
Batman: Arkham City
XXL:
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Dishonored
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition
trash to avoid:
Saints Row: The Third
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Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut
Dishonored
Spec Ops: The Line
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Recommending five games I had great fun with:
Dishonored
Life is Strange
Spec Ops: The Line
The Stanley Parable
To the Moon
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I just finished playing Borderlands 1 (just in time for the remaster 🙄). Now I’m looking to play something else before jumping into Borderlands 2, but I have so many games in my backlog I want to play that I can’t make a decision. That’s why I’m looking for your recommendations.
I’ve pulled out some a mix of the highest rated and most rated games on Steam from my backlog. What should I play next? Why?
Feel free to recommend multiple games and even rank them if you want. Bonus points to games that have great gameplay, an engaging story, and controller support. Also, let me know if any of these games is overrated and I should skip it.
I was going to do a poll, but I had too many for a poll, so I just listed them below.
Update: Thanks to all your responses so far! I just played Refunct and Firewatch and started Hollow Knight based on your suggestions. I added a few more games to the list, so please do keep making recommendations for what to play next.
The Games
Apotheon
Batman: Arkham City
Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons
Call of Juarez Gunslinger
Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut (never played a Deus Ex game)
Dishonored
Distraint
Firewatch(played)Guacamelee! Gold Edition
Half-Life 2 (I know, I know. I should've played this already, but I jump around a lot between types and series of games.)
Hitman: Absolution (never played a Hitman game)
Hollow Knight (playing now)
Hyper Light Drifter
Infinifactory
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
Life is Strange
The Messenger
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Mirror's Edge
Out There Somewhere
Overlord
Portal Stories: Mel
Psychonauts
Rakuen
Refunct(played)Resident Evil 5
Saints Row: The Third (never played a Saints Row game)
Shadow Warrior (2013)
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
Slime Rancher
Spec Ops: The Line (never played a Spec Ops game)
The Stanley Parable
Subnautica
Superflight
The Swapper
To the Moon
Trine 2: Complete Story
Valley
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition
Oh, and here’s a choo choo for your two cents.
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