I hate the idea of missing out on any great games. However, I didn't use to be as hardcore a gamer as I am now (or maybe I just didn't have the money necessary to be one). There were quite a few games that passed me by. I generally do not have much trouble tracking down and enjoying old classics, but occasionally I run across titles that just don't stand the test of time (in my unforgiving and admittedly harsh opinion).

Medal of Honor: Underground



I have memories of playing the original Medal of Honor religiously like it was the PS1's Goldeneye (albeit only 2-player). I also had a great time with other title's in the series such as Frontline (PS2) and Allied Assault (PC). It wasn't until later that I realized I had missed a title before the series started sucking. I picked up Medal of Honor: Underground, was briefly excited about being a part of the French resistance, and told myself I would get to it eventually.

Fast forward 3-4 years. I started to play MOH:U and my first instinct was to turn up the brightness on my television. Unfortunately, I realized that this would not help as the game was simply not drawing these dark areas due to limited processing power. It also didn't help that the enemies could see further than I can. Not that it matters, as the game is frustratingly easy. The artificial intelligence (which seemed to good in its time) was appalling. Enemies would get stuck and run back and forth in an area trying to find an exit. Unfortunately, changing the difficulty level only changes whether your health meter refills between missions. Lame.

I was also quite annoyed with the objective structure. You have several very specific objectives that you must complete before reaching the end of the mission. However, some of these are difficult to locate in the dark murky world that is MOH: U. As an added bonus, one mission failed me for missing one of three machine guns. It seems that it might have been a better design decision to tell me to go back and find it, as opposed to starting the entire level over.

However, the game does receive high marks for sound design and overall presentation (you've got to love old war footage and gravelly voice overs). Unfortunately, It receives an additional low mark for inducing nausea on par with Durandal


In addition to Dramamine, you will need a steady diet of Vitamin E and corrective lenses to play this game.

Thief II: The Metal Age



I am a huge fan of the stealth genre, so the Thief series seemed like a perfect addition to my collection. I arbitrarily decided to start with Thief II.

After binding the control to a setting that suited me, I struck out to begin thieving and bumping baddies on the back of the head.

I don't know how to explain my problem with this game. It simply had a dated quality to it I cannot quantify, yet cannot stand. The artificial intelligence was, of course, laughable (especially that of friendlies), and I just couldn't get any satisfaction out of outsmarting an enemy that couldn't outsmart our president. I didn't feel so much that I was interacting with the game as that I was acting on the game by taking advantage of its flaws in order to achieve victory.

Basso does a mating dance to woo his precious Jenivere

System Shock 2



I feel I must apologize to Looking Glass for placing a second one of their games on the list. First, I just want to say that I am a huge fan of Deus Ex and a minor fan of Deus Ex 2 (I'm sure you understand). From a gameplay perspective, it seemed System Shock II would be right up my alley.

I started the game and I was again frustrated. The game seemed interesting and aesthetically pleasing. The "choose your own attributes" system promised a diverse and individualized gameplay experience. However, I just couldn't get myself past the constricting feeling of the environments or the seeming endless respawn of enemies in areas already cleared.

At this point I feel like I'm taking a very Seinfieldian approach in that I'm locating a minor, specific flaw and using it to avoid any further involvement. Perhaps I am being too harsh as an excuse to pass games up due to the sheer number I still wish to give a try.


I should like this game, I really should.


And so concludes volume II of the ranting of a jaded and picky gamer. On a related note, should I try Thief: Deadly Shadows, or will I be disappointed?