I have a great CD of Solitaire Master that is a lot of fun--dozens of different card games. Another CD computer game I like is Trophy Bass LOL! but as for online games, I used to adore Bespelled (on MSN) until it quit loading for me :( MSN has some great online games you can play for free.

And I can't forget plain ol' Microsoft Hearts & Freecell!!!

If you have never gamed before and want to walk into another world start out with the "World of Harry Potter".

"World" is four discs for about 16.00 and they won't tax your computer. Play them on a 800X600 res. These are older games and even though EA has tried to update them, 800X600 is where you should be to move around Hogwarts and discover secret rooms. The Quidditch is really not a computer game, its adapted from the XBOX, and that one needs a fancy dandy controller. The other 3 are all built for PC's from the ground up, and basically require a mouse and arrow keys from the keyboard. Its a good intro into 3-D games. Your camera moves around with your mouse. To walk/Run use the up or W key with your left hand while navigating direction with your mouse with your right (unless you are a south paw).

Aim with your mouse and hold the left mouse button down and release to cast a spell to open locked chests, doors, or stun creatures. Click the right mouse button to jump. Run around and collect your treats and wizard cards to win the games. Laser mice need to be set very low, almost on off.


http://www.amazon.com/The-World-of-Harry-Potter/dp/B0009W8QB4/sr=1-17/qid=1167768791/ref=sr_1_17/103-9355026-2543017?ie=UTF8&s=videogames


Some of my screens are up. Its a cute game and great for starters to get a basic feel for the controls.

After you get a feel for the games, there are several really good games that you will really enjoy.

Morrowind takes a while to get going. Its very complicated if you don't what you are doing. But its worth the effort. It is a 2002 game that comes with a construction set and a modding community to completely redesign the whole game to your taste. It plays nicely on older computers...such as mine with a 64 MB GPU. Huge game. Minimum 400 hours of play time. I can't figure out how they fit it all on one disc.
The Morrowind GOTY PC sells at Amazon for about 18.00.


http://www.amazon.com/Elder-Scrolls-Morrowind-Game-Year/dp/B0000CNUUP/sr=1-11/qid=1167769182/ref=sr_1_11/103-9355026-2543017?ie=UTF8&s=videogames


This is a much more complicated game. More complicated controls. Something called a "game pad" comes in handy with this game. Its not a controller. It is like a keyboard to fit your left hand. Wolf king, Snipa are a couple I can think of. Merc pad...don't get the keyboard.

What's really neat about Morrowind is that it looks ugly as sin, but the mods you can download make it look absolutely stunning. It is a hoot! One of my favorite houses I've downloaded for my characters is Ravenloft. Check out the gallery section to see what it looks like:


http://bantari.net/morrowind/ravenloft/index.html


Its so much fun to have your own mansion.

As far as arcade type games. Bejeweled 2 Deluxe and Zuma Deluxe are constant favorites, get the CD's. Don't buy them online, you can't save a copy if you need to reinstall XP or get a new hard drive.

A big arcade hit with the kids is an old Jo Wood Favorite called the "Neighbors from Hell" it still might be around from GoGamer.com.

I didn't care too much for Myst. For some odd reason it is hard on computers. Its a QVR slide show with brain teasers and puzzles. While stunning looking slides, it left me cold and bored...and I used to be a math major. All my fans worked overtime and the load times were long. I gave the game away. Same with the Nancy Drew's. They are short point and click adventures which means...slide shows with puzzles. They are maybe four hours long ...maybe 12 hours if you have never played before. Again hard on the computer...why? I can't figure.

If you have a VISTA ready computer and at least a 256MB super duper graphics card...well welcome to the litmus test of your computer...Morrowind's sequel...Oblivion. The most gorgeous looking game on the planet. Believe it or not, Morrowind is tougher to play and a better game...but Oblivion is jaw dropping awe-inspiring...and I can't play it.


http://elderscrolls.com/art/obliv_pc_screens_01.htm


A good reference is always "Guilded Lilies Grown Women Who Game":


http://ninthwavedesigns.typepad.com/guilded_lilies/




The greatest games ever built for PC are almost unplayable because SP2 separates and excludes most 2000 games with XP OS, compatibility mode or not. Grim Fandango is probably the greatest game ever made and now next to impossible to play.

With any PC game always check the Starforce list. This is copy protection that will ruin your computer by installing hidden drivers...that aren't removed with the game. Many games are on the list. Children's games are even on list. Its real...I lost my hard drive from the stuff.

Game On!

marf

Here is a link that might be useful: Boycott Starforce Gamelist

What I meant by not buying games online was not to buy the download. Buy the PC-CD ROMs either online at Amazon or at your local game suppling store.

Both Zuma Deluxe and Bejeweled 2 Deluxe look and play completely different and better than their free trials at places like MSN GAMES. The purchase download is the same as the discs ... but you are stuck with them on your harddrive ... because if you uninstall them, you can't get them back very easily at all.

With the discs you can install and uninstall as to your playing whim. You don't have to keep them bogging down your hard drive 24/7 365 days a year.

marf

I can't recommend any games
cause I aint no lady!

Well, I am a (female) gamer, and I play things like World of Warcraft, Neverwinter Nights 2, Oblivion, Civilization 4...but I suspect those may be too hardcore for someone not used to playing computer games.

I always liked the Sims -- it's nice and simple, and if you like playing God, or playing with dollhouses, it might be for you. Rollercoaster Tycoon is another fun game (you own an amusement park, and build rides, etc).

On the other hand, if you just want some fast, small addictive games, take a look at http://www.popcap.com/ -- I highly recommend Bookworm, and Bejeweled.

There are some more games at http://www.pogo.com -- my favorite is Word Whomp.

Riv...I'm envious. Would I love to play Oblivion.

Gaming is a great escape...and we all need that. Life just gets to be too much. Some need to escape more than others...what's new?

Back to Starforce. Watch out for those bargin jewel-cased games. Alot of them are Starforced.

Two companies that are heavy users are DreamCatcher Interactive and UBI-Soft. UBI held a press conference saying that they are no longer using Starforce...but their Starforced games are still for sale, and some of the games are great games ... don't play em'.

DreamCatcher Interactive which is also known as The Adventure Company, uses the junk sporadically on their often stale point and click "Adventure Games". If there ever were a bunch of games that didn't need copy protection, they are in that category, and yet they use the harshest and most punishing copy protection available.

I don't know how point and click QVR puzzle and brain teaser games became known as 'Adventure Games' but they are ... even though the majority of them aren't very adventuresome. My review of the game based on the Agatha Christie novel (by DreamCatcher's The Adventure Company) "And Then There Were None" was that no one was left because every one was bored to death. It was just awful.

Just because a game can be downloaded from the internet doesn't mean it is Starforce free. Several games available from internet download are Starforced...always check the list.

Yeah...gaming is worth the hassle.

marf

I love, love, love my Hoyle Puzzle & Board Games software!!!

Here's a sampling of what the 2-CD software contains:

Anagrams
Backgammon
Crosswords
Checkers
Chess
Dominoes
Hangman
Mahjongg
Pachisi
Pool
Reversi
Solitaire
Chinese Checkers
Word Yacht
Memory Tiles
Word Searches
Rummy Squares
Panic

There are over 40 different classic games. There are in-game tutorials to help you improve your skills. You can test your skills against other players (off-line) or up to 10 animated computer opponents. There is a Facemaker, where you can personalize your own character with hundreds of options, from hairstyle to facial features. You earn virtual money while you play & use it to unlock new content, music Facemaker items, etc.

Did I mention that I love this software? LOL

I don't know anything about those "serious' games. LOL

I'm hooked on Bookworm, and I bought the CD at WalMart for $10. It is much better than the freebie at Yahoo.com.

I just happened on to this a few minutes ago and went back and copied the URL in case you are interested. I have never played Bejeweled, but I know a lot of people do.

HTH

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Bejeweled

Unlike my username, I am a lady. I enjoy playing "Monopoly". In fact I prefer playing on my laptop than I do on a normal board game. I paid 9.99 British pounds from Shockwave.com and I think it's great value for money. I also love online jigsaws too.

I loved the "Myst" games. However, I played them on our old Windows 95 and Windows 98 computers. I enjoy figuring out clues in order to progress in a game. And, yes, "Grim Fandango" was another great one.

I play Big Kahuna 1 and 2, Moraff Morejongg, Kyodai, Snood, Bejeweled, Atlantis quest, and Fortuna 2 and a few others. Looks around Big Fish games, or Gamehouse. Lots of good games there. There are also some free to download games from http://kewlbox.com/. One I enjoy quite a bit from there is called Celebrations.

Have fun. :-)Cat

Lots of good Sudoku puzzles available online, too.

My wife is absolutely hooked on Jewel Quest II. I catch her up in the wee hours of the morning sneaking a game... she says it's very addicting...

freebies I enjoy are Spider Solitaire and JT"s Blocks. Just me and I can exit out without interrupting anyone else.