Recommendations for an older multiplayer game to play with friends, older computers

[benbaked]

Hi, some buddies were asking me if I knew of a game that we could play over the Net that would run on their computers.

They're thinking of an RTS game, more then a FPS (I suggested CS but was denied). One of their computers is an XP 2000+ with a Radeon 8500 and 512MB or RAM, and the other has two systems, one is a Sempron with a Radeon 9800 and 1 GB of RAM and the other is an X2 3800+ with a GF 5950 and 1 GB of RAM. (Dirtydawg, correct me if I'm wrong about the RAM amounts in your systems.) I'll be using the system in my sig.

What are some good RTS games that would be able to run on these systems? I suggested BFME II however they aren't sure their systems will be able to handle that game. They are not fans of Starcraft or Warcraft, unfortunately. Also, how would C&C Generals run over the Net? Can these games even be played over an internet connection with or without random players (just us, or possibly all of us against random computer or human players)? We all have Comcast.

Thanks.

[Caust1c]

Not fans of Warcraft or Starcraft? They FAIL! How can you like RTS games without liking those games? Command and Conquer and Empire Earth would be my next two picks.

[seadave77]

Rise of Nations? It ran fine on my XP 2000+ with integrated video. I'm pretty sure it was multiplayer.

[Hardin]

BFME II probably wont run on those comps. The first one will though and that isn't a bad game. Generals is pretty good, and Total Annihilation has great multiplayer. Age of Empires II is another classic rpg to play.

[Adragontattoo]

SW:EAW
SOTS

[Godfather1138]

I would suggest an early version (1 or 2) of Age of Empires or Rise of Nations.

[hUMANbEATbOX]

And when you get tired of RTS', Quake3 is ALWAYS fun.

[Leviathan41]

Rise of Nations? It ran fine on my XP 2000+ with integrated video. I'm pretty sure it was multiplayer.
Yeah, my first thought was Rise of Nations also. I always had a blast playing it on the LAN, I'm sure playing online with friends would be great fun.

[usp8riot]

I'd suggest Wolfenstein: ET. It's free, runs good on older PC's, and they might get to liking it. It's an FPS though. I don't know of a good RTS since I don't play them, wish I did.

[KillrBuckeye]

Not fans of Warcraft or Starcraft? They FAIL! How can you like RTS games without liking those games? LOL, I agree completely.

I'd suggest Wolfenstein: ET. It's free, runs good on older PC's, and they might get to liking it. It's an FPS though. I don't know of a good RTS since I don't play them, wish I did. I second this recommendation. Wolf:ET is still my favorite multiplayer FPS game of all time. There's just something about its class-based gameplay and simplicity that make it fun to play for hours on end. I've tried other newer online FPS games, including the new ETQW, and none appeal to me like Wolf:ET.

[Shelnutt2]

Hello, Any of the command and conquer before Generals will run fine. I'd say Red Alert 2 :).


Also for FPS, try open arena, or Tremulous. (Both are free, open source and fun!)

[Jas]

+1 for AOE 1 or 2

There is also a Star wars RTs based on the AOE2 engine who's name escapes me ATM.

[Goateh]

I can't say I ran into issues like yours, although my box is currently at stock. I just found that the game didn't grab me enough.. stopped playing after about 4hrs of game play.. :(

[Enablingwolf]

I know it is not a RTS. DiabloII was and is always a favorite of mine to make Baal runs with friends on LAN. You do not need a fast computer to play it. Plus you can dupe things to get some good items. The teamwork is fun to me.

Bieng a fan of AOE. That is another fun one. Actually any of the AOE are fun to me. I did like RoN. Did AoM have multi?

For shooters. Two games have held my interest over time ET and UT.

[SteveLord]

Diablo 2 can be run across all the computers with 1 copy for LAN play. Involved copying the mpq files to the hard drive if I remember correctly. You need the disc to boot the game up for each one.

There use to be several older games where this trick would work. And the game was only using the cd for music usually.


Oh, add Serious Sam games to the list.

[cornbread]

Another vote for Diablo 2, just thinking about it makes me want to install it again.

[Springbok]

Quake 2 or 3, and Alien vs Predator.

[usp8riot]

I second this recommendation. Wolf:ET is still my favorite multiplayer FPS game of all time. There's just something about its class-based gameplay and simplicity that make it fun to play for hours on end. I've tried other newer online FPS games, including the new ETQW, and none appeal to me like Wolf:ET.


Same here, oddly enough. I own Quake Wars, Crysis, Orange Box, and other recent games but just can't get into them like I do with ET. I don't play online as much these days but still, it's my favorite game to play when I want to play online. It's the Quake-style fast action plus the teamwork I love about it. All other games just seem so slow in comparison with their play pace.

[Enablingwolf]

Another vote for Diablo 2, just thinking about it makes me want to install it again.


Makes me want to install and give my IP. It is easy to play over TCIP LAN It is super fun, but I even played it over dial.. Lag sucked, but least I knew the party is there. ..somewhere in lag land.. doing their thing. Looking out for me if they can. D2 is LAN crack.. Playing offline to forage for more.

[Godfather1138]

Did AoM have multi?

AoM Titans was my preferred MP RTS for several years. Only reason I didn't suggest it was that I don't know how well it would run on those rigs. Should be fine though, and definitely worth a shot.

[Ben333]

Unreal Tournament 348 demo or Unreal Tournament 436 Full :) You can own this game with a P3 and a TNT 2 :D

[Enablingwolf]

Unreal Tournament 348 demo or Unreal Tournament 436 Full :) You can own this game with a P3 and a TNT 2 :D


I was thinking UT99 or so.

[deRusett]

Not fans of Warcraft or Starcraft? They FAIL! How can you like RTS games without liking those games? Command and Conquer and Empire Earth would be my next two picks.

I half agree

I hated StarCraft, Loved WarCraft, Star craft became too little about changing strategy and more about number crunched fast clicking. very few attacks / defenses / counter attacks, raids.


It really depends on how much time you guys plan to spend playing.

if you are looking for 1 maybe 2 hours

Pick up Age of Empires 2, Gold Edition, One of my most played games, it is booted atleast 3 times a week on one of the PC's in my home, by someone.

Cossacks: Art of War, VERY fun, Large Battles, but, takes many hours, played for 16 hours once with a friend in University, this game ran pretty good on Sub 1Ghz systems with less then 512 Ram,

Stronghold Crusader: 30 min - 3 hours, lots of fun, if It had a better online network I probably would have played it much longer, the AI easy to figure out.

those are my 3 suggestions, ALL will run on systems with sub 1Ghz so your friends systems will be easy


For a FPS game, Delta Force is a lot of fun in co op mode, lots of "quests" to work together to finish, played it a lot back in 2000/2001,

[SteveLord]

Raibow 6 games all have coop to them.

Splinter Cell PT and CT.

[Godfather1138]

Well if we are straying off from what he originally wanted I'd have to throw SWAT/2 into the hat. Runs great on older systems and bags of fun for LAN coop.

[pdehn]

Homeworld 1/2? Awesome game on its own, some cool mods were coming out last I checked as well.

[Blankfile]

System Shock 2 coop? this game is DA bomb.

[Red_LightRanger]

Pretty sure that generals will run ok on those systems.. but Ive had horrible experiences with cnc generals and lan (havent played too much on the net). Me and two of my friends try and play a 3v3 skirm vs the computers and it almost always crashes.
Once we fill the screen up with units it really starts to bug out even though our comps could easily handle it.
I also like age of empires which plays well on the net.

[benbaked]

Excellent, thanks for the suggestions guys! :thup:

[Omsion]

D2
AOE2

Hmmm...there should be plenty more out there. Another ARPG that should run on those is Sacred.

[splat]

and if you are thinking Diablo II, you could go even further with Dungeon Siege (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/dungeonsiege/index.html?tag=result;title;0)

[xb1az3x]

Grand Theft Auto 2, the summer after my brothers first year in college he brought this back and we played over the LAN all the time. It was a blast.

[ratbuddy]

I know they're a little old, but I've had some darn fun times playing Soldat and Scorch3D on older hardware. The gameplay is solid, and both are pretty much designed for multiplayer.

[Omsion]

I know they're a little old, but I've had some darn fun times playing Soldat and Scorch3D on older hardware. The gameplay is solid, and both are pretty much designed for multiplayer.Oh yeah. Soldat is a goodie as well.

[=ACID RAIN=]

My entire clan loved return to castle wolfenstein. We originated in that game, and no game has matched it since, for us at least.

[-_{MoW}_-Assasi]

Iv been playing a lot of Starcraft lately :D

yay for my zergling rush :D

wave after wave
each one getting slaughtered until i throw so much at em that they destroy themselves


Its also fun to watch them explode in blood :D

[dlk289]

another for aoe2 gold edition, my favorite game ever.

Wish ensemble studios would make em like that used to.

[Mustanley]

Another vote for Stronghold Crusader.

Carmegeddon (or the sequels) may be older than you're looking for but i always had a blast playing against my buds over a LAN, smashing them to pieces with the "Solid Granite Car" powerup

[Enablingwolf]

A game that came to mind. It is old and can be buggy, but wotth the fun it gives.

Dungeon Keeper 2

It's good to be bad.

[Godfather1138]

All this talk of AoE2 sparked me to go pick it up again. Got the Gold so I can play with a buddy that is still stuck on an older box too. I'll looking forward to playing this again as it has been a good 6 or more years.

[Endup]

another vote for rise of nations. I loved AOE2, but after playing RON, AOE2 is just too slow of paced. Or just get an N64 and smash brothers and mario party

[ps2cho]

Dota! (warcraft III custom game)

Its not like warcraft III and its very fun to play! Complicated at first because there are so many items but its quick to pick it up and you can play for hours on end.

All my friends own War3 for Dota. They don't even play war3, they just do the custom dota games with me.

[Chixofnix]

Dota! (warcraft III custom game)

Its not like warcraft III and its very fun to play! Complicated at first because there are so many items but its quick to pick it up and you can play for hours on end.

All my friends own War3 for Dota. They don't even play war3, they just do the custom dota games with me.

2nded! (and i'm not one of ps2cho's buddies either ^_^)

DOTA is really the only game I can get my friends to play anymore at the LAN parties I host. It's so perfect in that complete gaming idiots can still have fun playing this game alongside the diehards (like myself) who can't get enough of this game - at a LAN or not!

I played a friend's copy of WC3/FT just to try out the single player campaigns - they were kinda cool. I went out and BOUGHT the battlechest set to play DOTA.

Try it at a LAN, you may never play another game at your LANs again though! ^_~

[Ben333]

I was thinking UT99 or so.

UT 99 full = ut 400
ut 99 full & updated = ut436 ;)

[MasterCraft]

I can't believe dark reign wasn't mentioned in this thread.

Check it out, it's an rts with a huge strategy element, great storyline, and very multiplayer friendly.

I like it better than starcraft O_o

[PhysX]

cs 1.6 ftw :)

[Daleon]

Serious Sam, AvP2, Red Alert 2, Homeworld, Dungeon Siege, Dungeon Keeper, etc.

[Droban]

They might like Battlefield 1942 with or without the Desert Combat mod.

That game was a lot of fun over LAN. Especially having one person stand on a jeep and everyone throwing nades under it to see how high they fly.

Also basejumping was awesome in that game.

[Godfather1138]

AvP2

Forgot about that one. Great fun for lans.

[Elluzion]

Ultimate Tournament

[SteveLord]

I can't believe dark reign wasn't mentioned in this thread.

Check it out, it's an rts with a huge strategy element, great storyline, and very multiplayer friendly.

I like it better than starcraft O_o

WOW I forgot I had owned this game at one point. I didn't play it for very long though. I played a similar game called Dark Colony more.

[benbaked]

Awesome thread guys, thanks for the all of the helpful responses, keep em' coming! I think we're going to play C&C Generals for starters. My friend was telling me they have a Red Alert First Decade pack that you can buy for $25 that has a whole bunch of games included with it.

I loved Generals back in the day, I'm looking to kick some dirtydawg ass with the Chinese. :D

[Enablingwolf]

I loved Generals back in the day, I'm looking to kick some dirtydawg ass with the Chinese. :D

Proper smacktalk term is pwn sum n00b.. good luck.

[Remove]

A game that came to mind. It is old and can be buggy, but wotth the fun it gives.

Dungeon Keeper 2

It's good to be bad.


Now that was a GREAT game! Just recently let it go in a big batch of games I gave to my nephew.

[Enablingwolf]

Your bad giving it to your nephew. Now he gets to protect against the forces of good. It is good to be bad when it comes to that game.
:bday:

As fun as the single was. The multi was not to shabby. Tearing up someone's hatchery was the best.