Just got Steam - Which 3 games to buy?

[WOPR]

So, I've just recently got myself a PC that can actually play games and now I'm left wondering what to buy.

I'm completley new to PC gaming but I want to give it a good try. I enjoy most genres, but I'm looking for longevity in any game I buy, so that's either an ability to play online, or an infintely changing campaign.

I have £50($70) to spend and I want to get 3 games, or there abouts.

So what you reccomend? What are the staples of any PC gamers library?

So far I've heard good things about CS:S, COD:4 and Starcraft 2.

I already have Rome and Empire Total War.

If I were you I would get the orange box (6 games $30)
and with the left over $40, get whatever interests you

StarCraft 2 is AMAZING but sadly it's $60
CS:S can be a bit buggy and be prepared to get headshot... a LOT
CoD4, pass, unless you want really mundane repetitive over-hyped shooters

Gary's Mod I would suggest if you like sandboxing things, and if you want CS:S there's a combo pack for the two

I would also HIGHLY suggest Beat Hazard ($10) if you have music you like on your computer
I would suggest Amnesia ($10) if you're not a pussy and you'll actually play it after you buy it (it's scary)
and if you want a shooter that's out and out FUN but pretty much single player only; get PainKiller ($10)

Hope this helps

If you have any questions just PM me

EDIT: Also before I forget

Killing Floor ($20) is pretty good and comes with Defense Alliance 2 for free

and for people who suggest Torchlight...
Play the demo, and start on Hard because Hard is Normal, Normal is Easy, Easy is Godmode

if you enjoy it, and I mean REALLY enjoy it, then buy it, because it's really repetitive, I had fun with it for the first 3 levels then got really bored and tried out each class, I keep telling myself to play it some more but I never do (same with the 2 KotOR games I have... *cough*)

 

[gee666]

If you have steam make sure and verify your email address with them
Don't give passwords to anyone in chat Steam reps will never NEVER contact you that way sure fire way to get your account jacked
Don't follow links to free games that are in chat windows, the only one would be if a friend has bought you a game but that will come with a message when you start steam and will show in your library

OT

Battle Field BC2 is a very good FPS
Amnesia Dark decent
killing floor is fun
Mass effect 1 & 2

 

[Deadlock Radium]

Non Steam: Starcraft II
Steam: The Orange Box, Super Meat Boy is supposed to be awesome and Audiosurf's cheap methinks.

 

[joshthor]

seeing as there are no specials right now i am just gonna recommend some must have games (imo)

orange box, counter strike source, left 4 dead (though i would wait for specials. they go on sale ALL the time)

others that i reccomend if you decide to wait for a sale on the above:

super meat boy (platformer)
amnesia: the dark decent (horror)
battlefield: bad company 2 (fps)
company of heroes (rts)
dragon age: origins (rpg)

i own all the games i listed (dragon age is retail, not steam though ... ) and they are all amazing.

if you want an extra oddball game:

AAAAAAaaaAAaaaAAAAAAAaaaaaaaa: A reckless disregard for gravity.

 

[WOPR]

Non Steam: Starcraft II
Steam: The Orange Box, Super Meat Boy is supposed to be awesome and Audiosurf's cheap methinks.

I forgot about Super Meat Boy

It's best on computer but only if you have a gamepad (surprisingly it plays better with a pad)

As for Audiosurf, I still suggest Beat Hazard, over it... actually I suggest Beat Hazard over all 5 of the Music games there are right now (not to mention the upcoming expansion pack DLC "Beat Hazard ULTRA" which adds more modes, bosses, enemies, power ups, and online multiplayer)

if you want music games though try out Frets on Fire and Stepmania

 

[Appleshampoo]

The orange box is a good bet considering the amount you get for what you pay.

Mass Effect 1/2/Dragon Age: Origins is good for the RPGs. Dragon Age does have some mods.

Crysis is awesome and looks soooo pretty. Get it.

I've never seen the fun of Garry's mod myself. Too much effort for...what? The G-man grinning with Balloons on his arm? Totally worth 4 hours of my time to get that smile just right!

Plants VS Zombies is awesome.

Company of Heroes is a nice RTS too.

But non steam get Starcraft 2 hands down. Amazing game.

Or just screw all of these and get World of Warcraft and say good-bye to your life.

 

[WOPR]

Get Amnesia: The Dark Descent. You'll crap your pants in fear.

All my friends bought it

and were too pussy to play it

I played the demo, wasn't scared a bit but absolutely LOVED IT (mainly because of how my friends were freaking out and I was playing it up)

...yeah I wish I had it, it was a really fun game... my friends are pansies...

 

[Tron-tonian]

The Orange Box is an obvious buy, as others have said.

I would also take a browse around and see what else leaps out at you - Steam does a good job of sorting the games, and tags them (when it can) with the Metacritic score.

Also - watch for BIG sales during holiday times. You can score some truly great deals on stuff.

 

[Starke]

Did I mention Bully?

No, you should have remembered that.

Also on the shooter options, I'd suggest Saints Row 2. It takes a bit of fiddling to get it running right on the PC, but it is flat out one of the best GTA clones out there, and depending on your preferences, superior to GTA4.

 

[Wayneguard]

Team Fortress 2 is good fun.

 

[Corpse XxX]

Team Fortress 2, played if for 1200 hours now still loving it.. valve always keep it fresh with new updates.

Portal, yeah, the game is short, but an experiense like no other.

Machinarium, the cutest indie puzzle game you could ever imagine.

Flatout; ultimate carnage. Cheap destruction derby car game that is loads a fun.


So to sum up, buy orange box, you get the two first games and half life.

 

[Owlslayer]

The Orange box is good.
Left 4 dead 1 or 2 or both.
And you aren't into portals and Half life, then just Team Fortress 2.

 

[Blindswordmaster]

-> Team Fortress 2
--> Torchlight
---> Left 4 Dead

Seconded!

 

[CCountZero]

I have £50($70) to spend and I want to get 3 games, or there abouts.

So what you reccomend?

A few recommendations. I advise you read a Wikipedia entry or seek other in-depth information about each before you decide.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl
This is awesomeness incernate in the survival shooter department. I'm not even bothering to say anything here. This is EPIC (when you mod it with "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Complete 2009" (Comes with an optional module that increases damage factors, with all that such entails in gameplay terms))
If I had to choose one of three games, this would be on the list

Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
Dark Athena is a decent game in itself, but it comes with Escape from Butcher Bay included, which is an ABSOLUTE MUST if you like Vin Diesels Riddick personification. It's an AMAZING game

Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Psychological horror. The title is somewhat revealing. It differs from other horror games in that you have no way to engage and combat your tormentor, and thus is left with only the options of running and/or hiding

Batman: Arkham Asylum
Beautiful game, successfully incorporating multiple Batman villains into it's story without it seeming artificial. Great stealth/combat gameplay; the fistfights being especially well done
If I had to choose three games, this would be on the list.

Assassin's Creed II
Brotherhood isn't on PC yet, so you're left with this. Not to say that "this" isn't great in itself. 'Cus it is.

Fallout: New Vegas
Great game in itself, made even better by the massive following of capable and talented mod'ers. There's already a host of great mods out, and there's gonna be loads more.

Half-Life series
This is probably something you already know whether or not you want.
If you do want it, please, for the love of all that's good, take them chronological order.

Just Cause 2
This game has what might factor on the top 100 most shitty storylines of all time.
But it makes up for ALL its faults in pure "sandbox" go-crazy fun-time awesomeness.
If you've had a hard day and just need to F around and destoy stuff, this is the shiz.

Metro 2033
First, this game can be MEAN to your hardware.
Second, it's worth it, and then some.
This is easily one of the 10th most atmospheric games I've ever played (and I've played a lot).
Graphics are bloody beautiful. Smoke effects after explosions, it's amazing.
If I had to choose one of three games off Steam, this would be on the list

Mirror's Edge
This is a love it or hate it type of deal.
I can't really do it justice in a few short paragraphs, so I won't try.
Just watch some gameplay vids / wiki entries.

Portal
You must have heard about this already.
It's fairly short, but the time it does give you is epic.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Look to the future:

Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Honestly, I could swear this game was delayed...
But Steam says Feb, so keep an eye out just in case.



EDIT: Just noticed, given my choices, I have a very dark personality...

 

[8-Bit Grin]

Yes, I was recommended CS:S + Garys Mod package. What does it actually consist of though? I'm not all that creative, and from what I can see it simpley allows for creation of levels, games modes etc

It's honestly just something that's really fun to fool around in.

Think of it as a toybox, with a lot of toys to play with and many different tools that allow you to tinker with them.

Example:
Toy - NPC
Toy - Explosive
Toy - Balloons
Tool: Attach

Let it fly, spawn yourself a gun, and play 'moving target'.

 

[snakeakaossi]

If you want to try something different to blow off Steam*, try:

- Sin ($10)(complete pack with original, multiplayer and episodes). It's a massively underrated old shooter combined with its follow up in the source engine. Not the heaviest of all, but definitely worth a try. Studio has been bought out, so don't get addicted nor expect a sequal.
- Deus Ex ($10) A massively overrated RPG. Not that it's bad, it's awesome in fact, but if you go in with too much expectations you'll be likely taken aback by the ugly levels. Go in neutral and have a ton of fun.
- Amnesia: Dark descent ($20 or less), because that's what everybody is playing.

Spend the remaining money on food, because food is good

*pun intended

 

[8-Bit Grin]

No, you should have remembered that.

Also on the shooter options, I'd suggest Saints Row 2.

(I want to first apologize for posting again so quickly, I should have scanned a bit more).

I second Saints Row 2.

It's honestly some of the most fun I've had this generation.

GTAIV is fantastic for atmosphere and story, with some excellent gunplay.

Saints Row 2 is pretty much a game designed to be a blast to play in, with little to no focus on story.

The developers themselves have said they are 'competing' with juggernaut GTA by making the style of game Rockstar left behind:

Ridiculous and Over the Top.

Think of it as the spiritual sequel to San Andreas (The last classic GTA), if you want.

 

[Nixzilla]

Dead Space only 6$ right now
Portal 15$
Garys Mod 10$
Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic 10$
Civ 5 50$