Top 5 PC Picks
Half-Life 2
Publisher: Vivendi Universal Games – Rated: Mature
Half-Life 2 is a must have for PC gamers. Sure, everything that has a shadow wants to kill you, but you can handle it with your MIT degree in Breaking Things And Then Shooting Stuff. Plus, it's fun. Recently added via the Steam client is a new multiplayer aspect that allows for Half-Life 2 deathmatches. Why is this important? Because it adds one of the best aspects of the single player experience to the multiplayer: the gravity gun. You can now rip sinks out of walls and hurl them at online opponents. Half-Life 2 has it all: drop-dead gorgeous graphics, alien headcrabs, zombies, an eerily intelligent Artificial Intelligence and characters who entice you.
Everquest 2
Publisher: Sony – Rated: Teen
With over 120 hours of recorded vocals, a new graphics engine and a new world to explore, EQ2 sets to prove once and for all that they dominate the Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) genre. Everquest, dubbed 'Ever Crack' by its beloved fans introduced the gaming world to the idea of gaming together via an online community. Sony has pulled out all the stops to ensure that EQ2 will only further immerse its players in the magical world of Norrath providing them with lush environments, multiple player classes, and Quests to challenge its player base.
Syberia 2
Publisher: XS Games – Rated: Teen
A beautifully crafted adventure game places you in search of a mythical legend while trying to keep your wits and comrades safe. Budget pricing means an easy stocking stuffer, but this game isn't just a cheap throw away, it's a work of art. Embarking on a desperate search for Hans Voralberg, Kate Walker crosses Europe from West to East. She has left behind all her worldly possessions with the express purpose of joining the heir of the Voralberg family on his journey. Together, through mystical and enchanting lands, they will find their way to the mythical Syberia, land of the forgotten mammoths.
World Of Warcraft
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment – Rated: Teen
Not to be outdone by Sony, Blizzard's MMORPG is breaking records of its own. Bringing the real time strategy based game to life as a MMORPG has been a monumental undertaking, but one well worth playing. Four years have passed since the events of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, and a great tension smolders throughout the ravaged world of Azeroth. As the battle-worn races begin to rebuild their shattered kingdoms, new threats, both ancient and ominous, arise to plague the world once again. Players from around the globe can choose any race and class they wish, then go at it online.
Sid Meier's Pirates!
Publisher: Atari – Rated: Everyone
Yarr! Be the feared pirate of the Spanish Main. Daring feats, acrobatic skills, expert ship piloting and swashbuckling action will keep you entertained for hours. Pirates! carries on with the great gameplay and design simplicity tradition of the original while adding more challenging and exciting battle options, and a deeper and more varied role-playing experience. In the leading role as a Pirate Captain in the 17th century Caribbean, you explore high seas and exotic ports, overtake enemies in fierce naval battles, engage in duels and try to seize valuable booty in an attempt to become the most revered and feared pirate in history. Seize the booty!
By William Vitka
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