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General discussionOldster Seeks Advice on Gaming(34 posts)solved(34 posts)solved
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This is my favourite topic
Posted January 05, 2021
high rated
I discovered GOG on Boxing Day 2020, and was very impressed as I can download the games themselves for a single user. I've bought a bunch of budget games (typical stated minimum spec around 1GHz processer, 256Mb RAM, DX 9, no special graphics card) highly discounted. I'm using an old 2.8GHz 2 core duo with 4Gb RAM running Windows 10. A used 1Gb 128 bit graphics card of similar vintage (c.2010) is on order, for about £14, although the games I bought may not need it. A games controller is on order. I like to download any stuff as a file, on my online PC, then transfer it to the hard drive on the above PC which is kept offline. One is free of interruptions and the privacy is satisfying.

Hope I'm not rambling too much; I'm a pensioner and this is practically the first post I've ever done on a forum. I've downloaded and played legal free games such as Match 3's, basic Arcade, etc, but the games I bought from GOG are far more sophisticated and interesting. I'm not a gamer as I have no real experience. The heavily discounted (average 70% off) games I bought from GOG are the kind I hope to enjoy. I have some Star Wars X Wing games, Wing Commander games, Quake, Painkiller Black, Sea Dogs, Unreal Tournament, Heroes of Might and Magic, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Trine, Apache Longbow and others. I can't wait to get stuck in!

Is there a quick bit of advice anyone can offer to get started on these complex games, or is it a matter of patience and trial and error? One thing I may need to do is to write down what actions all the buttons do and have the paper in front of me. Also, are there any tips anyone can give me on using a "standard" game controller as I've never used one before? I've tried web searches, but can't find answers to my questions, which I hope are not too inane.
Post edited January 05, 2021 by eando52
This question / problem has been solved by Sachysimage
Posted January 05, 2021
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eando52: Is there a quick bit of advice anyone can offer to get started on these complex games, or is it a matter of patience and trial and error?
Read the manual if it comes with one - a fair few of the games you listed are old enough that there wont be much (if any) in game tutorial.
Also if you find yourself getting frustrated, try an easier difficulty level or just try another game.
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eando52: One thing I may need to do is to write down what actions all the buttons do and have the paper in front of me.
Again, the manual (assuming it comes with one) is handy here - you could print the specific page, or, if you have a tablet or smartphone, load it up on there.
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eando52: Also, are there any tips anyone can give me on using a "standard" game controller as I've never used one before? I've tried web searches, but can't find answers to my questions, which I hope are not too inane.
Newer games will be pretty much "plug and play" in most cases. With older games you may want to use a third party software (such as joy to key) to interpret the controller input to the keybindings in the games.
In Dosbox games theres a means to do that internally, but I forget how (hopefully somebody more versed than me can elaborate / clarify that for you).

Welcome to GOG! :)

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From the OP:
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eando52: I would like to offer my thanks for the amazing and helpful responses to my original post. The advice received will save me a lot of grief. I'm unsure of forum protocol, and marked one reply as SOLVED. This may have been a mistake as I planned to click SOLVED on all the replies as they were all helpful, but can only click one reply. This may have limited the response to my original post. This is practically my first experience of using a forum.
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Post edited January 07, 2021 by Sachys
Posted January 05, 2021
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eando52: I discovered GOG on Boxing Day 2020, and was very impressed as I can download the games themselves for a single user. I've bought a bunch of budget games (typical stated minimum spec around 1GHz processer, 256Mb RAM, DX 9, no special graphics card) highly discounted. I'm using an old 2.8GHz 2 core duo with 4Gb RAM running Windows 10. A used 1Gb 128 bit graphics card of similar vintage (c.2010) is on order, for about £14, although the games I bought may not need it. A games controller is on order. I like to download any stuff as a file, on my online PC, then transfer it to the hard drive on the above PC which is kept offline. One is free of interruptions and the privacy is satisfying.

Hope I'm not rambling too much; I'm a pensioner and this is practically the first post I've ever done on a forum. I've downloaded and played legal free games such as Match 3's, basic Arcade, etc, but the games I bought from GOG are far more sophisticated and interesting. I'm not a gamer as I have no real experience. The heavily discounted (average 70% off) games I bought from GOG are the kind I hope to enjoy. I have some Star Wars X Wing games, Wing Commander games, Quake, Painkiller Black, Sea Dogs, Unreal Tournament, Heroes of Might and Magic, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Trine, Apache Longbow and others. I can't wait to get stuck in!

Is there a quick bit of advice anyone can offer to get started on these complex games, or is it a matter of patience and trial and error? One thing I may need to do is to write down what actions all the buttons do and have the paper in front of me. Also, are there any tips anyone can give me on using a "standard" game controller as I've never used one before? I've tried web searches, but can't find answers to my questions, which I hope are not too inane.
Hi Eando

A pensioner myself, though probably with more gaming experience.

It looks as though you have just started to dip into "more complex" games than before.

Firstly, Don't be afraid to try "easy mode" if the chance is there.
Second, there is usually a manual available as an "extra" but they can also be found in the main directory of many older games. Usually a PDF file.
Third, if you are looking for "what to expect" Youtube is your friend. There are reviews, gameplay, tips etc on pretty well any game. As a pensioner you probably have the time to find and view some of these. Both for current and potential purposes.

Can't help with the controller side. I have always used Mouse / keyboard, though some joystick for flight sims in the past when I was sharper.

Let me know if you want deeper info or more on another aspect.
Posted January 05, 2021
I've seen this right before going to bed, so I'll add more later on. Or people will give you answers.

Trial and error/patience is definitely the game. Especially if you're going to use a controller mainly. I've been gaming for so long I can't remember the last time a controller felt foreign in my hands.

Having said that, some of the games you've listed seem to be FPS (First Person Shooter) games. I think most would agree that using a keyboard and mouse would be more intuitive for these games. Mainly because you use the mouse to move your vision around. You may need to tweak some settings to your liking to avoid motion sickness if you are prone to that, especially with some older games.

I believe for Heroes of Might and Magic you really only need a mouse.

I can't say much about the dogfighting games.

Not to overwhelm you with information, but Into the Breach is a very good game that requires very little in terms of PC power. It is also a very straight forward game, as it shows you everything that is going on and is easy to parse.
I also recommend A Short Hike as it is very relaxing.

I hope you have fun, welcome to PC gaming.
Posted January 05, 2021
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eando52: I discovered GOG on Boxing Day 2020, and was very impressed as I can download the games themselves for a single user. I've bought a bunch of budget games (typical stated minimum spec around 1GHz processer, 256Mb RAM, DX 9, no special graphics card) highly discounted. I'm using an old 2.8GHz 2 core duo with 4Gb RAM running Windows 10. A used 1Gb 128 bit graphics card of similar vintage (c.2010) is on order, for about £14, although the games I bought may not need it. A games controller is on order. I like to download any stuff as a file, on my online PC, then transfer it to the hard drive on the above PC which is kept offline. One is free of interruptions and the privacy is satisfying.

Hope I'm not rambling too much; I'm a pensioner and this is practically the first post I've ever done on a forum. I've downloaded and played legal free games such as Match 3's, basic Arcade, etc, but the games I bought from GOG are far more sophisticated and interesting. I'm not a gamer as I have no real experience. The heavily discounted (average 70% off) games I bought from GOG are the kind I hope to enjoy. I have some Star Wars X Wing games, Wing Commander games, Quake, Painkiller Black, Sea Dogs, Unreal Tournament, Heroes of Might and Magic, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Trine, Apache Longbow and others. I can't wait to get stuck in!

Is there a quick bit of advice anyone can offer to get started on these complex games, or is it a matter of patience and trial and error? One thing I may need to do is to write down what actions all the buttons do and have the paper in front of me. Also, are there any tips anyone can give me on using a "standard" game controller as I've never used one before? I've tried web searches, but can't find answers to my questions, which I hope are not too inane.
Alot fo these complex games require some degree of trying to see the world through the eyes of the character. The more fantasy oriented, the more you have to entertain in your mind to see how it works. For example, if you play morrowind, if they say to make a left at the tree with scratch marks, you're gonna have to figure out what "scratch marks" might look like in comparison to the other trees there, and you're gonna have to understand the characters address you for your character, not you personally. Something like Huniepop, however, is a bit more shallow and doesn't require as much. Perhaps if you told us what purchases you've made, or considered, it would be easier to cater the advice.
Posted January 05, 2021
only one advice: just enjoy your games! play 'em the way YOU like. and have fun.
also, I'm by no means an expert but don't games you've listed go well with just mouse and keyboard?

aaand welcome!
Posted January 05, 2021
Start on a lower difficulty, a large number of games will allow you to increase the difficulty as you go, should you feel the need to do so. Older games are, in my experience, more difficult than newer or modern ones.

Most older games don't have particularily good controller support in my opinion, some are even quite difficult to get working well, or downright bad with a controller. So I would also invest in a really good and comfortable mouse and keyboard set.

Someone already mentioned the manuals. Most older games, pre-2005 or so, will require you to read a manual in order understand what to do and how to play it, depending on the genre to some extent.
Posted January 05, 2021
Hey man, welcome to the site. That's a nice little selection you've put together, and there is quite a bit of diversity on technical complexity and the overall feel of gameplay.

Everyone plays the games differently. It's first and foremost your personal experience and how you chose to do it is completely up to you. Some go in gun-ho and try their best without much preparations, but others like a more methodical approach and study and prepare of it. Having a "cheet sheet" or notebook hady is actually a very common way to play, especially if a game is older since there wasn't as much in game help and tutorials as there are today.

For most of your games you won't actually need a game controller, as they can be, or might have only been intended to play with a mouse and keyboard. Heroes of might and magic for instance is a strategy game where you can do everything with a mouse and would be tedious to play with anything else.

Do note that as much as people today might try, getting really old games to work on new hardware is rarely as straightforward and almost never without issues. Some may not work very well or have sound issues, or the controller might not be detected at all. The latter is unfortunately almost to be expected since a lot of older games were meant to be played with a joystick or even just a keyboard. But today there are many ways to make things work, you only need patience and a desire to learn new things.

We can definitely help you if you get stuck with anything, so go ahead and ask. Again, welcome!
Posted January 05, 2021
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eando52: Heroes of Might and Magic
I would skip the first title in the series and start off with Heroes of Might and Magic II. It's still a game I very much enjoy playing to this day and occasionally revisit. It's part of an amazing series that polishes on what was a relatively rough start with the first game.

My recommendation with this, and any other game for that matter, is to try it out yourself first, see what you can figure out and what you can't, and then, if you feel the need to, watch someone else play it on youtube or a similar site, with the accompanying "Oh, so that's what that was!" and "Oooooh, I see now!". We all go through it at some point, especially with some games that can be as challenging/complex as a full time job, or when exploring a new genre.

And above all else, have fun!
Posted January 05, 2021
Many thanks for the generous advice offered so far. I'll do my best to follow up on your suggestions; there's a fair amount to absorb here. I will read the manual first even though I normally don't for most software. One or two of the games I bought didn't have manuals with them, but I was able to search online for and download them, or at least get some helpful info. I'll definitely try Youtube. It also seems that I'm better off using mouse and/or keyboard for most games I have; it's often not clear until you get into a game what peripherals it supports or which are best for that game.

There has been mention of configuration settings, and I don't know whether this is within the game itself, or altering/adding commands (?). I've noticed amongst the installed files there are editable .txt files for configuration (and Dosbox, I think). On forums I've seen people alter them. Is there anywhere I can learn about these, on the understanding that caution is needed and perhaps to back up the original file first? I have done very minor Windows registry edits and very simple command line stuff.
Posted January 05, 2021
avatar
eando52: I discovered GOG on Boxing Day 2020, and was very impressed as I can download the games themselves for a single user. I've bought a bunch of budget games (typical stated minimum spec around 1GHz processer, 256Mb RAM, DX 9, no special graphics card) highly discounted. I'm using an old 2.8GHz 2 core duo with 4Gb RAM running Windows 10. A used 1Gb 128 bit graphics card of similar vintage (c.2010) is on order, for about £14, although the games I bought may not need it. A games controller is on order. I like to download any stuff as a file, on my online PC, then transfer it to the hard drive on the above PC which is kept offline. One is free of interruptions and the privacy is satisfying.

Hope I'm not rambling too much; I'm a pensioner and this is practically the first post I've ever done on a forum. I've downloaded and played legal free games such as Match 3's, basic Arcade, etc, but the games I bought from GOG are far more sophisticated and interesting. I'm not a gamer as I have no real experience. The heavily discounted (average 70% off) games I bought from GOG are the kind I hope to enjoy. I have some Star Wars X Wing games, Wing Commander games, Quake, Painkiller Black, Sea Dogs, Unreal Tournament, Heroes of Might and Magic, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Trine, Apache Longbow and others. I can't wait to get stuck in!

Is there a quick bit of advice anyone can offer to get started on these complex games, or is it a matter of patience and trial and error? One thing I may need to do is to write down what actions all the buttons do and have the paper in front of me. Also, are there any tips anyone can give me on using a "standard" game controller as I've never used one before? I've tried web searches, but can't find answers to my questions, which I hope are not too inane.
Oh wow, somehow i skimmed over you post too much.

Wing Commander games aren't too complex, mostly focusing on your ability to make decisions in the thick of things. These decisions (including failing to complete your mission) can impact how the game plays out in a branching storyline. However, it's still a matter of "putting the thing on the thing."

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, well, the game goes into how you play it. Approach it as if you're Kirk. It's supposed to be an immersive simulation, so it's going to get rough with you and be unforgiving. The others, i haven't played so much.

Both games, as far as i'm aware, will assume you've read the manual. I would like to recommend morrowind or oblivion to you. Oblivion is a bit more forgiving with "quest markers" that tell you where to go, but morrowind is quite viable if you read the manual, as it's not really that complex of a game to get into (it has alot of freedom and complexity, but really easy to get your foot in the door, unlike the others you've mentioned that i'm familiar with).
Post edited January 05, 2021 by kohlrak
Posted January 05, 2021
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eando52: Is there anywhere I can learn about these, on the understanding that caution is needed and perhaps to back up the original file first? I have done very minor Windows registry edits and very simple command line stuff.
Definitely keep a backup of the original DOSBox config files. It's probably best to use the defaults at first and only adjust things like windowed/fullscreen behavior if you really feel the standard doesn't fit what you are looking for.

That being said, if you feel like tinkering, there's a very descriptive (and scary) wiki about what every line in a config file is, here: https://www.dosbox.com/wiki/Dosbox.conf

Ultimately it's not the end of the world even if you do somehow break something, since you could always uninstall then reinstall the affected game, which would reset everything.
Posted January 05, 2021
avatar
eando52: There has been mention of configuration settings, and I don't know whether this is within the game itself, or altering/adding commands (?). I've noticed amongst the installed files there are editable .txt files for configuration (and Dosbox, I think). On forums I've seen people alter them. Is there anywhere I can learn about these, on the understanding that caution is needed and perhaps to back up the original file first? I have done very minor Windows registry edits and very simple command line stuff.
In general the games are already configured to play at least somewhat good, but Dosbox is an emulator that has a lot of variables that can be edited to tweak the gameplay, make it faster or slower, play in a window or full screen and so on. Generaly configuration changes are isolated to that specific game (and even to a specific session, i.e. it resets) and shouldn't affect other games. You can read more about how to use Dosbox here.
Posted January 05, 2021
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eando52: snip
Welcome to GOG!
And don't miss all the free games.

https://www.gog.com/games?page=1&sort=popularity&price=free&hide=dlc
Posted January 05, 2021
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eando52:
Don't forget a flight stick while you're ordering. I'm pretty sure some of those old flight sims won't even start without a flightstick (though I guess maybe you can "fake" it with something like Joy2Key or some such program? - I'd ask someone with more experience if that would work).

Also, those flight sims are AWESOME - and don't feel bad for jotting down keystrokes ;) There's a reason they came with button reference maps! Heck, I kept stick it notes when I played them in my "gaming prime" - nevermind when I was older. Keep in mind, especially the Star Wars series - they are very much reflex / hand eye coordination games - something that tends to fade when you're older. And they were tough back in the day - try not to get frustrated - they are AMAZING games, but if ends up being too much don't sweat it too much - they're tough on all of us ;)

Heroes of Might and Magic might be your best bet to start off with. It's an fantastic game you can play over and over - it's got a great pace and really lets you pore over your turns... or just jump in and start messing around to see how it all works.

It's a great one to sort of kindle the gamer in you. And like I said, it lends itself nicely to acclimating to PC games at your own pace.
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This is my favourite topic
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General discussionOldster Seeks Advice on Gaming(34 posts)solved(34 posts)solved
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