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It's not too often that I get very excited about a game these days. It's not so much that I'm 'growing out of it', but rather just a reflection of my changing priorities in life and personal tastes. And when I do have the free time to game, I prefer to play games that reward me with an experience where I don't feel the time was wasted. I guess that's why much of my time is spent now with titles like Flight Sim X, Conquest of the Aegean, or Battleground Europe (also simply BE), where there is either a real-world connection, a sense of intellectual accomplishment, or a feeling of fulfillment that I can't otherwise get 'in real life'. With BE in particular, it has been an on again, off again, love affair that has persisted since 2001. And as any gamer knows, that's a hella-long time to be devoted to any one title.

So why am I bringing up BE now, almost ten years after the fact?

Because with the very recent release of game version 1.31, WWII Online (referred to as WWII Online: Battleground Europe, or simply BE, after a 2006 rebranding) has finally attained a level of maturity that makes many fans and players of the game, me included, quite proud of.

When this game first released in June of 2001, I thought it was divine providence that the game I had been waiting my whole life for, specifically a massively multiplayer re-creation of the Battle of France in 1940, was released so close to my birthday and during a time when I was pretty-much single and able to do a lot of gaming. But the initial release was marred by the fact that at release, the game was quite literally unplayable, and required a large patch to even get it close to a somewhat useable state. Many of the game's more anticipated features, like the rank system, were either non-existent or not fully functional.

But despite these early problems that would have killed further development of most games, development continued and a loyal player base grew to support the game. And over the years, the dev team has managed to radically improve the graphical quality and gameplay mechanics while adding new equipment and player roles to keep things fresh and exciting. And with the 1.31 update, this tough gem of a game finally gets the 'under the hood' update it so very much needed and deserved.

The main change comes in the form of a core engine upgrade (to Unity 1.5), which allows the game to make use of newer tech like Shader Model 3.0, SSE2 instructions, and improved physics and particle effects engines. These changes enable the devs to give the game a much-needed facelift, and also make use of cool tidbits like ragdoll effects, improved muzzle flashes, and more realistic explosions.

The other two huge changes come in the form of dynamic weather patterns and capture mechanics. In the case of capping structures, gone are the hated tables and radios. Now, capping is a matter of being in the building. And the more people you have, the faster you cap! Finally, players are rewarded less for Rambo-esque lone wolf runs and more for teamwork, planning and cooperation. There are other changes to the mechanics of capping too, but the other big one of note is the fact that you can now defend yourself in a capture location without resetting the capture timer. This alone makes the update awesome in my book.

By adding weather effects to the game, players will now be treated to a truly dynamic gameplay environment that alternates between clear, cloudy and rainy weather, which includes occasional thunder! While this probably isn't a huge addition for some, for me (as a former US Army infantryman), this effect adds a much-needed level of immersion and realism that takes the experience further from game and more towards simulation. Case in point, just last night I boarded a C-47 for an airborne mission. What was formerly ordinary was made dramatic in 1.31, as the daytime skies were ominously dark and menacing, as if giving me a grim preview of the drop to come. And as our pilot got us over the drop zone, we all jumped on the objective in a rainstorm. And once I was on the ground and in the fight, it only got better with the improved graphics, animations, and gameplay mechanics. This particular mission in 1.31 was both a highly-cinematic and memorable gaming experience, and one that I think serves to give a tiny bit of insight into both the strengths of this game and the far ranging impact of this important update.

So if you're looking for a new online gaming experience that is rich, deep, and rewarding, look no further. And while I admit that the initial learning curve is a bit steep for new players, the game has an amazingly supportive community and a host of tools that will have you going from green recruit to grognard in no time flat.

Seriously though, this is one of those rare things that comes along very few times in one's life. If you consider yourself a gamer at all, or have at least some interest in the second world war, then you owe it to yourself to try it out (or even come back to try on the new diggs). I promise you, it will be time and money well spent.

Oh, and don't forget to look me up if you're on the Allied side. I go by Jackal2124...

WWIIOL:BE Homepage

Link: http://vimeo.com/3365942

I've always been intrigued by the posibilities offered by virtual reality and virtual world simulations such as Second Life, and to a lesser extent, games like The Sims. I think for me the holodeck on the Enterprise 'D' was one of the most fascinating depictions of the common use of VR technology (albeit a few hundred years in the future, even in a fictional universe). While persistent online multiplayer games like World of Warcraft or A Tale in the Desert offer an alternate means to interact with people socially, they are still just games that are structured exercises for the user.

Of all the VR games/sims that have ever existed, only Second Life really seems to even touch on the grand possibilities offered by this technology, and elements of that promising simulation can be seen in the fantastic and very moving video below by Bruce Branit:

World Builder from Bruce Branit on Vimeo.

--Drumroll--

And now, the second part of my list of the top ten games I've been playing lately! So without further ado, heeeeeeere's NUMBER FIVE!

Number 5:
Advanced Wars: Days of Ruin (DS)

In terms of total time played, I've probably played the games in the Advanced Wars series for the GBA-SP and NDS more than almost every other game I've played combined. Usually, this is because its my go-to to alleviate boredom during otherwise not-so-useful downtime like lunch hours. That combined with the fact that this game is so addictive that you want to get your hands on it every second you can...

To those that haven't played any of them, you SUCK! But seriously, these are addictive strategy games with simple to play yet difficult to master mechanics that will keep your nose buried in them for hours on end. While the campaign of the latest game, Days of Ruin, is pretty fun, it's only the tip of an iceberg that also includes quick battle modes and custom map creation tools. (among other goodies)

Number 4:

Rock Band 2 (360)

It's funny, because this game comes damn close to sliding into my top 3 (which is kind of a big deal) and I don't even own the game...

But our friends Jon and Brooke do, and whenever we go over to their place to hand out, have dinner or party, Rock Band 2 is always involved at one point or another. In fact, the game has become such an entertainment fixture at their house that entire parties have centered around it, as I'm sure has happened in many other households throughout the country. And lets be honest, you know something is a really big deal when South Park does an episode about you!

Well, to be precise the episode was about Guitar Hero, but close enough in my book...

What is awesome about the game is it's eerily Wii-like mass appeal, which means that nearly anybody of any gaming experience can basically pick it up and act like a freaking rock star. For Cate and I, the game is all the more fun because we like to sing too, and I've even found myself singing songs like When We Were Young while playing guitar!

The bottom line is that this is probably one of the greatest 'social interaction' games ever, and certainly a fantastic game in its own right.

If only I could play any Metallica song on expert...

Number 3:

Grand Theft Auto IV (360)

Love or hate it, there is something special (or repulsive, depending on your point of view) about the GTA series of games. There have been numerous reviews, discussions, complaints, etc, about this game enough as it is, so I won't try to even go there.

I simply want to say that for me, there hasn't really been a game that presented such a truly living, detailed and immersive world like GTA4 does. End of story. And its not just the scope or attention to detail that I adore, its also the story that seems to suck you in and actually care about the survival of your in-game ego, Niko Bellic.

From my first auto theft to snuffing out eastern-European thugs living in the States, this game is a highly addictive and satisfying thrill ride of a win for me.

Well done, Rockstar...

Number 2:

Ace Combat 6 (360)

AC6 (unlike AC360) marks the second flight sim in my top 10 list of games, which is not surprising considering just how much of an aviation junkie I am... But whereas my aviation tastes usually lean towards the 1917 to 1945 period, this game is set in the post-modern era of around 2012 with modern (and near-future) aircraft.

Although the gameplay is definitely more on the arcade-ish side and I tend to be a flight sim authenticity whore, the game looks amazing and plays too damn well for me to gripe at all about it. And did I say how amazing the planes look? Try photorealistic. And for me, it doesn't get much better than flying in a photorealistic A-10 Warthog or Sukhoi Su-47.

So if you're at all remotely interested in air combat and have a 360, spend the $30 or so to pick a copy up!

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And finally, the numero uno on my gaming list, and the one I seem to be playing the most lately is... --drumroll again--

Galactic Civilizations 2: Twilight of the Arnor (PC)

The top spot goes to one of the greatest PC strategy games of all time: GalCiv 2. This game is amazing because it offers one of the most bell-balanced, immersive and playable 4X experiences since Master of Orion 2 burst on the scene back in 1996.

What makes this space strategy game all the more amazing is the company behind it, Stardock. These are in mind mind the gold standard by which all other game development houses should be measured: Excellend product support after launch, listening to fan input & ideas, and putting out quality, feature-packed expansions that don't break the bank for what you get.

For any fan of strategy games and/or scifi stuff, this is it right here. To give an example of why I love it so much, I'll tell you a quick story: During one recent game of GalCiv2, about mid-game part of my empire seemed to be a bit further away from the 'mother country' than I liked, and I thought to myself "if I were those colonies, I'd band together and declare independence! The main part of the empire is far away and their military couldn't do a thing about it right now!"

Sure enough, about a dozen turns later they did just that. And what ensued was a bloody and protracted civil war that turned into a proxy war between myself and a couple of the other major powers. Yeah...

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So that's my full list, hope you enjoyed reading and be sure to check some of these titles out if you live in a cave and have never touched them before!

Once again, I'd like to throw out another High Fidelity-inspired list for all of you that still check out my blog from time to time! Now, I know that to be a true High Fidelity list it needs to be limited to five items, but I'm going to have to break this cardinal rule in order to fit in all the cool stuff I've been playing over the last year or so!

So, without further ado...

Jonathan's Top 10 Games He's Been Playing Lately, Part 1!

Number 10:

Hearts of Iron 2: Doomsday (PC)

First and foremost, I consider myself more of a wargamer than a gamer. I make this distinction because I have a strong love for everything military history, and have been an avid player of war-related games since I was in my early teens. Of course, I also grew up in an arcade that my grandfather owed in the mid-1980s in Daytona Beach which was amazing, so I'm no stranger to 'mainsteam' video games.

But alas, my heart will always be primarily with wargames, and my #10 pick of Hearts of Iron 2: Doomsday (known as HOI to its fans) is a direct reflection of this love for everything wargaming. In a nutshell, HOI is a strategic-level simulation of the WW2 era. Players act as the absolute ruler of their nations, directing everything from military operations and political intrigues to production planning and research priorities.

Amazingly rich and complex, though not without its faults... But the strengths outweigh any weaknesses and the result is a deep, complex and satisfying simulation of the WW2 experience that is not to be missed and will surely remain on your hard drive for some time.

Number 9:

Day of Defeat: Source (PC)

I've been playing the first Day of Defeat (or DoD) on and off since it was first a Half-Life mod back in 2000, and since then DoD has grown into a gaming phenomenon eclipsed only by the likes of Counter-Strike. Although there are tons of PC shooters out there worth playing, DODS as it is now known in its Source engine-based sequel, features solid net code, well-balanced maps and a strong user community.

Although the WW2 genre is turning into a tired one now and the DOD/DODS community seems to be showing signs of an eroding player base that is no doubt finally moving on to newer things, I still find myself firing it up every few weeks to get some kills in on a fast-paced orange map...

Number 8:

Microsoft Flight Simulator X (PC)

This is one of those franchises that truly offers more than just a casual gaming experience, and with this latest version, Microsoft Flight Simulator jumps ahead in terms of realism and features with resulting mass-appeal for real-life pilots and the diehard flight simming crowd alike.

What I truly love about this game is the immersion factor. I can fire it up and do some quick aerobatics or take a short flight between familiar airports, or I can join a virtual airline like Eastern Virtual (my pilot ID is VEA 1774) and fly the virtual skies via VATSIM with other flesh and blood pilots and air traffic controllers! Not to mention the unreal 3rd party support for the product that ensures a steady supply of new aircraft from places like Surclaro for you to use and modified terrain to fly over and into. The sky is truly the limit!

Number 7:

Halo 3 (360)

I'm certainly not a console or 360 junkie, having only recently joined the 2000s by acquiring a new Xbox 360 as a Christmas gift this past year. Yep, I've only had a 360 for about 2 months. Before that I think my last true 'console' was a stripped-down N64 that my friend Josh handed down to me that would shock you if you touched it when the power was on.

Yeah, sad...

So now that I've finally joined the 2000s, it's only natural that I get with the gaming sensation that is HALO, right? Right.

I have to say that I do love this game, which to me is remniscent of James Cameron's Aliens mixed with Pitch Black or Battlefield Earth. (sorry if that link offends you) But as a CAL-level PC FPS gamer, my major obstacle has been adjusting from a very precise and flexible mouse/keyboard control scheme to the cumbersome and awkward 360 controller. That aside though, its been a blast finally experiencing what many console gamers have already been raving about for years.

Number 6:

Left4Dead (PC)

Holy crap. Who doesn't want to play a game that involves the zombie apocalypse!?!?

Valve seems to currently have that midas touch when it comes to PC-based FPS games, and L4D is just another example of their can't-do-wrong business and design decisions. I say this because L4D is one of the most straight-forward and simple games compared to some other, much more involved shooters, but it manages to hit the gameplay target right on the money every time.

One of the best features of the game is the ability to slay zombies cooperatively OR play a 4v4 game with the zombie players taking on the role of higher-powered zombies with special abilities. What is coller than that?

All I have to say is ALL HAIL THE BOOMER!

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So that would be numbers 10-6, stay tuned for the next post in which I announce my top 5!