Budget games are mostly excellent, right? All kinds of classics from several years ago, that set you back only a modest amount and run decently even on outdated hardware. In fact, they’re as important a part of our archives as the older abandonware generations.
Still, I was reflecting lately on a point Rik once brought up (I think in the “general articles” section that’s been largely superseded by this blog). There’s a few kinds of game out there that I’m often tempted by, but probably shouldn’t spend money on. Like flight sims. Or the Total War series. Beacause I know I’m rubbish at them, won’t get anywhere, will give up in frustration and the game will end up sat on a shelf collecting dust for years.
Now, as long as the game commands £30 I’m safe; a sum that high acts as a shield against rash purchases. But once we’re down to say £10 then the temptation sets in. “Hey, maybe this time I’ll enjoy it and make some progress”. Except, I won’t. And thus £10 is wasted.
So that’s why I’m telling myself absolutely no Need For Speed games until I’ve at least played some demos and satisfied myself I can actually win a race.
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When it gets to £5 (or even cheaper on eBay) then you start telling yourself that it’s virtually free. I think I’m getting better at not buying stuff I’ll never play – but then I found myself examining a cheap copy of Republic: The Revolution, which I understand is fairly tricky even for strategy fans (feel free to correct me if this is wrong and I’ll go straight out and buy it).
Still, I think there’s something to be said for buying and hoarding. Older games don’t take long to disappear from the shelves altogether, and though eBay/Amazon is always worth a look for second hand stuff, you can find yourself paying over the odds. I’m a terrible one for buying too many games, but I do get around to them all eventually. Well, most of them.
Demos are a good way of checking out games without taking the plunge – they’re pretty hefty downloads these days though, unless you happen to subscribe to a PC mag and have a big stack of demo DVDs lying around.
Oh, and most recent NFS games (from, Underground to Carbon) share a certain appealing obnoxiousness. Ever wanted to drive a Chrysler Neon with a paint job that makes it look like a tiger on wheels? Well, now you can.
June 17, 2008 @ 2:23 pm