Posted August 31, 2013

I'm not going to recommend you anything like Deus Ex, HoMM 3, Jagged Alliance 2, Arcanum or even Temple of Elemental Evil. Not because I don't think they are great games, but because everyone knows they are great. Here are a few that I've enjoyed that don't get as much love as they probably should.
Incubation is a nice turn based tactical with puzzle elements to it. Success isn't just getting a big gun and charging the Scay'ger. Your weapons can overheat or some foes can only be attacked from the rear. It can take a lot of consideration of the environment and enemies as to how to approach any given mission.
SWAT 2 is real time tactics game that I absolutely hated the first time I played. That was before I read the manual. It really did set the framework for the sequels and plays somewhat similarly. Further, you have two campaigns: one for SWAT and one for the terrorist organization.
and [url=http://www.gog.com/game/stronghold_crusader]Stronghold Crusader RTS meets econo-sim. Fun games for fans of either genre. Siege and be sieged. Create a bread empire. Bring out the trebuchets! Fun times, man. Fun times.
SotS: The Pit A fun roguelike. I definitely preferred this to Dungeons of Dredmor. I haven't bought the DLC yet. In fact, I may wait until both are on sale and buy them on GOG since I currently have it on Steam.
Tropico My favorite city builder/econo-sim. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe its the edicts, or the election rigging, or the setting, or the music... I just don't know. I can only tell you that it is fun. Tropico 2 is a very hit and miss game. Some like it, some dont'. Tropico 3 is essentially a 3d remake with a few new additions. I'd recommend trying the first, and if you enjoy it, then pick up 3 on sale.
An interesting hacking game. Change school records, hack bank accounts, discover shadowy plots. Give it a shot. I remember the feds were freaking out that "OMG it's a hacking sim!!!" Yeah... If you give it a go, I would recommend [url=http://guide.modlink.net/]this site in addition to the manual.
Are these "must plays?" Perhaps not. But I feel it would be a shame not to give them a try eventually.
I signed up to GOG for Caesar III and also Patrician III. So far I've only purchases Caesar and its just like I remembered, only faster, which is awesome :) basically a sim/city builder in Rome, Caesar gives you missions and you need to build up towns.