Need Advice from Avid Gamers please

AirCooledHeaven

Hi

I'd like to by my son a PC game for Christmas but would prefer it to be a surprise if possible, so need recommendations from people who can understand what he's into. His current favourite game is Battlefield 3, his least favourite is Call of Duty. I asked why, he told me he likes the collaborative play which is better in BF3, he's very much into multiplayer. Is there anything else in this genre that he'd like based on these preferences? Sorry it's not much to go on...

szam_

How old is your son?

If you're not too bothered about those types of games, Arma 2 has some very good communities and the realism in it is quite incredible at times.

AirCooledHeaven

szam_ wrote: »

How old is your son?

If you're not too bothered about those types of games, Arma 2 has some very good communities and the realism in it is quite incredible at times.

He's 15, I'm Ok with him having 18 rated.

szam_

Arma 2 is a maybe then.

There are some specific communities out there for that game who genuinely act like its a battlefront, with maybe 100 people playing in a game at each time, either against other players or against bots. I haven't played it myself, but i watch videos of a community called ShackTac all the time, really interesting gameplay and teamwork, like watching a real army sometimes.

I believe there are games called PlanetSide 2 (i think) too, similar but more fast paced, more similar to Battlefield 2 however more futuristic based, but i'd check with him first as these games are generally gameplay based, not intense graphics like BF3 and Call of Duty, and some people like to have the graphics as well as the gameplay.

There isn't really much else out there of Battlefield 3's quality as far as i know. The whole market is generally consumed by BF3 and CoD games, so decent communties are hard to come by, however do exist.

OlliesDad

szam_ wrote: »

Arma 2 is a maybe then.

There are some specific communities out there for that game who genuinely act like its a battlefront, with maybe 100 people playing in a game at each time, either against other players or against bots. I haven't played it myself, but i watch videos of a community called ShackTac all the time, really interesting gameplay and teamwork, like watching a real army sometimes.

I believe there are games called PlanetSide 2 (i think) too, similar but more fast paced, more similar to Battlefield 2 however more futuristic based, but i'd check with him first as these games are generally gameplay based, not intense graphics like BF3 and Call of Duty, and some people like to have the graphics as well as the gameplay.

There isn't really much else out there of Battlefield 3's quality as far as i know. The whole market is generally consumed by BF3 and CoD games, so decent communties are hard to come by, however do exist.

To be honest, from someone who has received many games that i wasnt into, if he hasn't asked for it don't buy it for him.

Why don't you buy something to enhance the gameplay on the games he currently likes to play. something like a good headset or a gaming mouse/keyboard?

Lokolo

Yes a nice gaming mouse and headset will go down a treat.

http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/gaming

-TangleFoot-

AirCooledHeaven wrote: »

His current favourite game is Battlefield 3, his least favourite is Call of Duty.

Any other pointers? To the untrained observer the blockbusters of yesteryear are virtually indistinguishable. :undecided

For the broadening of horizons:

• Rock, Paper, Shotgun
• Zero Punctuation

For the acquisition of games:

• Steam
• GOG.com
• SavyGamer

Suggestions:

• Unreal Tournament (and any variations thereof)
• Hawken

Recommendations:

• Aquaria
• Deus Ex: Human Revolution
• Half-Life 2
• Portal 2
• The Witcher

Hardware:

• CM Storm QuickFire Rapid

szam_

OlliesDad wrote: »

To be honest, from someone who has received many games that i wasnt into, if he hasn't asked for it don't buy it for him.

Why don't you buy something to enhance the gameplay on the games he currently likes to play. something like a good headset or a gaming mouse/keyboard?

I agree with this, while i can advise on similar games i know of, they won't be everyones cup of tea and it's always a risk, especially with this genre.

OlliesDad

Also, if you really really want to buy him a game, try not to get him anything too similar to a game that he currently loves.. it will only draw comparisons between the game, and quite often (particularly for teenage gamers) there is an element of fanboy-ism and he won't enjoy an alternative.

paddytehpyro

Arma2 is the closest thing the BF3's scale other than Planetside 2. Although Arma2 is a completely different pacing so who knows if he'll like it. And Planetside 2 is free 2 play so buying it for him won't mean too much.

As other folks have said a headset is nice. Look at some reviews (I really like my Creative Fatal1ty headset and it's lasted about four years now). I find mice something I'd rather handle physically before buying.

Another idea may be a steam wallet gift card from GAME. Although I don't see them on their website, they do them in shops. Or at least I'm told they are. If he's really into PC gaming then chances are (in my opinion) he already has a steam account so it'll be easy to use.

*afterthought*
Does he have the downloadable extras for Battlefield 3? They contain additional maps and game modes to play on. If not then they may be good buys. You would have to ask him directly about it though.

AirCooledHeaven

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Any other pointers? To the untrained observer the blockbusters of yesteryear are virtually indistinguishable. :undecided

Thanks. All I can really say is he prefers collaborative multiplayer, rather than playing on his own, gameplay is more important than the latest graphics, maybe something to challenge the mind as much as the trigger finger? He also enjoys minecraft, which I don't really get, Dawn of war (used to be heavily into warhammer but grown out of it somewhat now).