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| Stay up until 2:00 playing Mac computer games
A guide by Ian Beck, Mac Computer Game Playing Veteran
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People claim that the Mac platform doesn't have any games. My PC-using friends scoff at the mere idea of games on a Mac. This is because they are still living in the early '90s, when the Macintosh operating system was pure crap, and you had to search high and low for a game that supported the Macintosh.
Before I get more in-depth, I would first like to point out the three games that are currently the pinnacles of addiction. If you want to be up until the wee hours playing games, then these three are the ones you need to take a serious look at.
The first is 'Neverwinter Nights (Mac)'. With the expansion packs on the way to the Mac (although you can also play them unsupported by buying the PC versions and heading over to http://openknights.sourceforge.net for the installer) it is something to truly eat away at your spare time. Neverwinter Nights is a one-of-a-kind experience that should not be missed if you have any love for RPG's. This is particularly true since there are literally hundreds of downloadable maps and scenarios that are constantly expanding this game.
The second game is of course 'Warcraft III Battle Chest'. Whether you enjoy single player or a huge amount of multiplayer opportunity on Battle.net, this is a game for you. RTS games are not for everyone, but if you want to be in on the gaming scene for both Macs and PCs this is it. Blizzard is one of the companies that has consistently released Mac versions of their games at the exact same time as the PC versions, and their dedication to great gaming across platforms shows.
The third essential game was tougher for me to choose, since there are two that could fit the bill. However, after much thought, I must go with 'Unreal Tournament 2004 (Mac)' because it is huge and absolutely wonderful. This first-person shooter is one of the first to really successfully implement vehicles into gaming, and the multiplayer is truly fantastic. If you have the hardware to play it and like a good first-person shooter, it is your civic duty to own this game.
Since they don't really fit into any of the categories that I have created below, I would also like to note that 'The Sims (Mac)' and all of its various expansions (such as 'The Sims Expansion: Hot Date (Mac)', 'The Sims: Vacation Expansion Pack (Mac)', 'The Sims: Unleashed (Mac)', and many more) are all available on the Mac. Many people find these games horribly addicting, so knock yourself out.
Role-Playing Games
There's nothing quite like a good RPG. These are really some of the few games that have stories that are actually worthwhile. Besides 'Neverwinter Nights (Mac)', another excellent RPG is 'Dungeon Siege (Mac)'. Or, if you are interested in slightly older, but still excellent games, you may want to look into 'Baldur's Gate 2: Shadow Of Amn (Mac)', it's expansion pack 'Baldur's Gate 2 Expansion: Throne Of Bhaal (Mac)', and the classic that started it all 'Baldur's Gate (Mac)' (and its expansion pack 'Baldur's Gate Expansion: Tales of the Sword Coast (Mac)'). In the same vein as these games is also 'Icewind Dale (Mac)', which focuses more on hack-and-slash. All of these games can easily suck you into their worlds for hours at a time. The multiplayer options for the Baldur's Gate series and Icewind Dale are nowhere near Neverwinter Nights, but as they are older games the price is quite reasonable for a single-player campaign, which is essentially all that you are getting.
Strategy, Real Time and Otherwise
If games in the vein of 'Warcraft III Battle Chest' are more your thing, then there are several worthwhile games to look into. First off, although it’s getting older, you really must get 'StarCraft Battle Chest'. This game is better than WarCraft III for all its age, and the online community is still very strong. If you like RTS games, and you haven't played StarCraft, you are missing out. A more recent must-have is 'Age Of Empires 2 Gold Edition (Mac)'. Very similarly (and even more recent) is 'Age of Mythology (Mac)'. If you are looking for slightly older and much cheaper (with, admittedly, gameplay that isn't as good) there is also 'Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds (Mac)', or older still 'Civilization 3 (Mac)'. Whatever your fancy, there are many strategy options open for the Mac gamer who has a little too much time on his or her hands.
First Person Shooters
The close runner-up to 'Unreal Tournament 2004 (Mac)' that I mentioned above is, perhaps predictably, 'Halo (Mac)'. This game is incredible, and everyone who has a computer that can run it and likes FPS's really needs to own it. The multiplayer is great, the single player nothing short of amazing, and all in all it's a stupendous game. I only give Unreal 2004 pride of place because of Unreal's superior scope and, by and large, better implementation of vehicles (although Halo vehicles are in many ways superior if you have enough people playing). Both of these games are ones that are far too much fun both single and multiplayer, however, and it was truly difficult showcasing Unreal first.
Other excellent games for the FPS gamer on a Mac are the very recently released 'XIII (Mac)', 'Call of Duty (Mac) (DVD Rom)', and 'Medal of Honor Allied Assault: Deluxe Edition (Mac)'. There seems to be a recent theme of WWII related games coming out, as can be seen from those just mentioned, and if you're into that sort of thing then there is also 'Return to Castle Wolfenstein (Mac)', which has been out much longer but still has a dedicated crowd playing online. Another recent release that you may enjoy is 'Tron 2.0 (Mac)'.
Classics
The games mentioned above may well keep you up far into the night, but there are some games that just never seem to age. Check these out, because although some of the ones up above are good, they don't have the proven lasting power of these gems.
'Aliens Versus Predator Gold (Mac)' is one of the greatest games I have ever played. The sequel (also out for Mac) has nothing on this. Although you cannot play against your PC friends with this game, there is a healthy amount of online activity still going on via GameRanger at http://www.gameranger.com.
'Heroes of Might & Magic 3 Complete (Mac)' is a game that I can't even describe. It is so incredibly good. Do not get Heroes IV, for it is horrible compared to this classic. This game is a must-have for almost everyone, although it doesn't run on OS X.
'Myth: The Total Codex', containing Myth I and Myth II (and a million third party extras), is incredibly old, but these games may well never die. There is a very strong online gaming presence, and so many conversion of Myth II that you will never tire of this game. This is RTS gaming at its best, taking you straight to the front lines without having to worry about gathering resources and all the other clutter of other RTS games. The best part? Works on OS X.
Straight-up deathmatch of 'Quake 3: Gold Edition Bundle', the hack and slash of 'Diablo Battle Chest', and vintage 'Star Wars Episode 1: Racer' (assuming you can find a copy; if not there's always 'Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast (Mac)' and 'Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (Mac)' to fill your Star Wars needs) are all available for Mac as well.
It can't get much better than this. |
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