Amazon.com Product Description

Plunge into a world unlike any dreamt possible before. From the makers of the original Myst and Riven, this groundbreaking adventure beckons players to uncover the elusive secrets of the ancient D'ni civilization. Follow Yeesha, eccentric daughter of Atrus, to discover Linking Books, encounter descendants, and solve puzzles as you venture through visually stunning environments.

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Uru: Ages Beyond Myst is the next chapter of the Myst franchise and the most immersive and ambitious Myst experience ever created. The game is bigger, better, and more innovative than any of the previous Myst adventures. Players can move at their own pace, spending hours discovering visually stunning, real-time 3D worlds, solving a large variety of mind-challenging puzzles, and following an epic storyline. Players can continue to discover new areas of D'ni by downloading new maps, worlds, and puzzles.

The Story of Uru

The story of the D'ni civilization began when they established their underground empire on Earth some 10,000 years ago. While living beneath the Earth's surface, the D'ni practiced what they called the "Art of Writing," which enabled them to create links to incredible, alternate worlds of fantastic variety called "Ages," to which they could travel through "Linking Books."

The D'ni people thrived for thousands of years, but later met with a great catastrophe that all but ended their civilization. Their vast cavern was left uninhabited, and their Linking Books and Ages seemed lost forever.

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Then, in the late 1980s, a few humans from the surface discovered that cavern. One of these humans was Elias Zandi. He devoted the rest of his life to exploring and, eventually, restoring that ancient city in the D'ni cavern, preparing to one day reveal their discovery to those who were suddenly feeling irresistibly drawn to the cavern.

When he passed away in 1996, his legacy was divided between a foundation that he set up and his only son, Jeff Zandi. The foundation came to be known as the DRC (D'ni Restoration Council). As their name implies, they took on the task of physically restoring the ruins of the D'ni cavern. If you choose to visit the cavern at some point, you're sure to run into them.

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Jeff Zandi, on the other hand, was interested in learning why the D'ni civilization fell in the first place. He continued studying the teachings of Yeesha, by far the most talented of all the D'ni writers, and daughter of Atrus and Catherine. After years of learning, the younger Zandi is finally comfortable bringing others to an uru (a D'ni word meaning "large gathering" or "grand community").

On your way to the cavern, if you decide to join us, it might be a good idea for you to learn some of the great teachings of Yeesha. Experience the adventure of a lifetime, Uru: Ages Beyond Myst.

Game Features

• Experience a new freedom of movement, a first for the Myst franchise: Explore each unique age in real-time 3D, moving your character effortlessly through the world without pointing and clicking.
• Create a realistic character: Choosing from a wide variety of facial and clothing features, you will be able to create a male or female avatar that you will use to explore the world. The range of character options allows you to appear the way you look, or the way you want to look.
• Explore the mysterious and graphically intense world of Uru. Uru's work-of-art style graphics will immerse and captivate you like never before.

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• Follow an epic storyline: At the request of Yeesha, the eccentric daughter of Atrus, you'll journey through a variety of different ages, and discover the lost civilization of the D'ni people. As the story unfolds, you'll be drawn deeper into the D'ni civilization, and if you choose to download new content, the journey expands even further. You can explore new ages and areas of the D'ni civilization, unravel new mysteries, and adventure in a world that continually changes and expands. Exciting new content will be downloaded regularly, providing an adventure experience that is fresh and ever-changing.

Features

• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Adventure/Puzzle
• Mission:?Single-players?move at their own pace, spending hours discovering visually stunning, real-time 3D worlds, solving a large variety of mind-challenging puzzles, and following an epic storyline.
• Platform:?Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP

Reviews (237)

A major disappointment
When I heard that the makers of Myst had created yet another adventure game, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Taking into account that I had thoroughly enjoyed all of the other Myst games, I expected that Uru would be no letdown. Wrong!!! As it turned out, Uru did not even work on my computer; the game merely allowed me to view the introduction before requiring some advanced graphics card and stopping dead in its tracks. This game was such a disappointment! I had been so fond of the Myst series until this little party pooper came around. I had basically exchanged 50 dollars for Uru's cover art and a fruitless 30-minute installation! Anyway, if you plan on buying this game, be aware that it requires a computer that was probably invented seconds before the game's completion.

Brilliant & Appreciated
i felt this game had enough challenge & atmosphere to credit the team that worked so hard to build it..(!) i dont understand why this game was knit-picked so badly. i thought the moving objects were really interesting especially with the way they mimicked actual objects. i've played games with stick-figues for graphics that took *hours & dozens of tries* to position. Having a little effigy of yourself running around on the screen is adorable. All the different camera features with total surround was brilliant. The only reason this game didnt get 5 stars was because it does need a patch to run on XP.

It doesn't stand out
When I first heard that Uru would allow the user to make their own character and place him/her into this world, I was very excited. However, once I got my hands on the game itself and learned how troublesome it was to simply move this person around the worlds, I was very disappointed. My father and I have been playing these games since Riven and have loved them immensely. Every year, right after Christmas we begin to play them and usually continue nonstop till we have beat it. However, it has been about a year since Uru has first come out and it is just now that we are actually beginning to go through it again and finish.

The past games had problems that could have been solved by using clues spread throughout the world. But I find with Uru that you just have to play guess and check a lot which I have never found to be the way when it came to Myst.

Now I am usually a patient person but the loading time between worlds is unbelievable. This game requires a lot of linking I have found and some of the problems are timed (I am thinking of the Paths of the Shell expansion pack on this comment), so you really start panicking when your computer takes a good 5 minutes before something actually shows up. And then to actually get the player moving without being all jolty, it takes another minute to load. Sigh. Very disheartening.

I have found that with Uru and even Exile the quality has come down. Riven seems to be their own real achievement currently but hopefully Myst IV will redeem them... if only I could get it to load on my computer. Sigh. These games have it in for me and my computer, I tell you.

SO disappointed...
I was a bit suspicious of this game at first.Wasn't the Myst Trilogy supposed to stop with three games?I was rightfully cautious.It's been about a year since I've had this game, and I finally figured out that I don't play it because it is no fun!I had the problems with system requirements too, but after updating my graphics driver, things finally started working.I had been stuck in the desert you get dumped into first because whenever I approached a certain journey cloth, the game crashed.The driver update solved that.However, once I could go to any of the worlds in the game, I noticed how bad the game was.

My first complaint is that MYST DOES NOT NEED AVATARS!I enjoyed being able to click and proceed to the next screen.I DON'T NEED TO WATCH SOMEONE WALK AROUND.If I wanted to do that, I would be a stalker!Like other reviewers have said, the slideshow was so much better.

Second, the controls of the other games were SO MUCH EASIER!Clicking, moving mouse, clicking again.There is elegance in simplicity.None of this <insert bad language here> that is thrown into Uru.If it can't be done by clicking the mouse and using your head (Ubisoft - please don't take that literally - I've heard the horror stories of kicking rocks), it shouldn't be in a Myst game.

Third, I am not interested in a Myst online game.Games like Myst, Riven, and Exile do not belong in an online environment.I admit that I haven't tried Uru online, but I have no desire to do so.If the game comes out, it should be GOOD ENOUGH to make me want to play it online.

In short, this game is not well developed.I prefer DOS games to this!It overworks my computer and it is NO FUN TO PLAY.Cyan and Ubisoft, please do not try anything like this again.Myst fans, stick with Myst, Riven, and Exile, the real Myst trilogy.

URU:Too much hype
This age of myst was one the really dissappointed me. Upon getting the game, it wouldnt play on my system because of the video card, so i had to buy a new card to play it. But the game itself is really boring, you spend all your time searching every inch of the screen to find things. All the other myst series had it alot easier to see when you had something to look at or click on, but not this game. If you are not in the exact right spot, you will miss something that you need to continue the game. I never finished playing URU because you are not sure what you are looking for, also you almost need a PHd to solve a few of the puzzles. This game was a big waste of my money, and i hope that they go back to the drawing board on the next installment they make. Get back to some of the old myst, newer isnt always better! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Toga party, anyone? Now your Sims can do that and more withThe Sims: House Party Expansion Pack, which makes it easier thanever for characters from The Sims to make friends and quicklyrise to the top ranks of their professions.

They'll need all the extra money they make from promotions to pay forall the cool goodies included in this expansion. Party themes rangefrom Wild West campfire cookouts to Hawaiian luaus and room-shakingraves, with plenty of objects provided to keep guests entertained.There's a costume trunk to guarantee everyone will be dressed for theoccasion, and it's even possible to hire a caterer to keep the food anddrink flowing. If you're really lucky, a famous star may pop in for aguest appearance. Every party is packed with surprises, and theinclusion of extra neighborhoods ensures there's always a bash to plan.This is one expansion that no fan of The Sims should be without.--T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• More than 100 new objects and characters
• Guaranteed social interactions can really help a Sim's career
• Great music and fun themes
• Plenty of surprises

• Takes time away from real parties

Features

• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Genre: Strategy
• Mission: Party hard with your Sims using a dance cage, mechanical bull, and hookah
• Platform: Windows 95/98/Me/XP

Reviews (197)

Having a big bash!!!
It's cool to have parties when a lot of people come.I have a huge party room where people dance and be the D.J. It's fun when you get a big cake and hire a male or female dancer and they pop out of the cake and do a dance,but watch out because sometimes they come up to you and make out with you or flirt with you.If you don't have this game you should buy it.

House Party!
The Sims House Party is one of the few expansion packs that I can't do without apart from Hot Date and Livin' Large (And to some extent Vacation, and Superstar). It truly enhances Sims' lives by inviting each other for costume or themed parties, but it has it's disadvantages as well.

You want to make sure that your Sims really know the people around you for the party to go well or the dreaded Mime'll arrive. He doesn't do much apart from get in the way and annoy people. While on the other hand, if your party's a success you get a surprise visit from a celebrity! It's never happened to me yet, but then again I've done the sad mistake of signing up with the Talent Agency too quickly.

Also, if your Sim isn't on good terms with any other Sim in the neighborhood, using the phone to declare a house party'll automatically invite them as well. This can get nasty sometimes. In cases like these, it'd be "safer" to use the phone and manually select who you want to invite over. Then of course, you can always buy the turkey and the Christmas tree.

Parties are even divided into adult or kiddy parties, with dance entertainers popping out of cakes for the former but a purple gorilla usually stuns the kids for the latter. Some of the additional items that come along with this expansion pack are DJs, Caterers and costume wardrobes!

Recommended.

Great New Stuff!!!
Want some new skins, objects, walls, and floors for your Sims?Look no further than House Party!There is some great having-fun-potential here!!!Whether you want an entertainer to pop out of a cake or you want to sit around a campfire to sing songs and roast marshmallows (this is so cute... when they sing around the campfire, someone pulls out a guitar and they all sing real melodies but with Sim lyrics), House Party is for anybody!
Don't stay up too late! And go easy on the alcohol! ;)

One of the best expansion packs.
If you love the Sims you'll love this expansion pack. If you want all the Sims expansion packs make sure you purchase Livin' Large first so you don't have to uninstall House Party and any other expansion packs. House Party is the third one in the series. This game is GREAT. It allows you to have a party. Depending on if your party is good or not you may get a visitor. If you party is bad you will get a clown who will not leave you alone but it is fun to slap him. If your party is good than certain celebrities will visit you. I have had Drew Carey visit. The game gives you more options and more neighborhoods. Enjoy the game!

Funest toy ever
It is very fun because you can make people that are fanous,make people that look like you, or just make a stranger. You can also make your dream house or you can marry your crush!
... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Grand Prix Legends is a racing simulation based on the drivers, teams, tracks, and cars of the 1967 Grand Prix Season--a season known as the most dangerous in racing history. The game features fast unstable cars, historical racetracks, and some of the world's most famous drivers. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Updateable to current standards in 2005
Although the out of box product may appear somewhat dated, please note that the Papyrus design team have released a "GPL 2004 demo" as freeware, and this is in effect a complete upgrade to this product, produced with the co-operation of many modders/designers.There are new car graphics, sounds and force-feedback effects.Combine this product with the freeware "demo" and you have a state of the art historic F1 simulation which is still a bear to drive.The out of pocket expense is ridiculously low, given the price of new sims, and I would recommend this (with the upgrade--find it yourself) without reservation.But be warned: this is an uncompromising simulation, and hardly suitable for a casual gamer.

Classic is best..!
Thank you..!

Which is precisely why I prefer an old classic road car such as my humble 1500cc, 1971 VW Beetle, as opposed to a modern day all bells ringing, singing and dancing, clinical, spiritless non-DIY friendly modern day high performance vehicle.

Creature comforts aside, you don't have to break the speed limit nor the bank to experience the physical limitations of such cars.

Need I say anymore?

Case rested. For those who don't know now. You'll never know. Your loss is my gain.

Of course if you're of adequate means the above isn't an issue. Simply pay your fee and enjoy your track day etc. :)

Well done Sierra for enlightening the previously unfamiliar..!

Sonicpixy

This simulation is not 6 years old .
I think there is unanimity about the quality of this simulation . I just want to highlight the fact that, as soon as you install it as a 1998 graphically obsolete software, you have just put the foot in the door. In the next hour(s), through free downloads from the web, you will polish it into what I think is still the best road circuit simulation in 2004 : photo quality graphics, hundreds of circuits sometimes better than the originals ( you'll find the old Monza with the oval, Ile of Man TT, Limerock Park, Oulton Park, Le Mans, Laguna Seca ....) . Someone provides force feedback, someone else a Nurburgring tutorial ... it never stops. There are online leagues everywhere from Brazil to Sweden and you get all that stuff, legally, for less than $10 . Come on in !

A classic
Fond memories of this one.This game was way ahead of its time.I think it came out around 1997, and plenty of people still play it as of late 2003 from what I hear.It had/has very good graphics, outstanding engine sounds, and an excellent physics model.These '60's Gran Prix F1 cars are very difficult to keep on the track.And rightly so, because like their real world counterparts, they have very skinny tires and no wings for downforce.A must have for racing enthusiasts.

Grand PrixLegends
This game must be experienced to understand, very simply it is the best. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Beautiful scenery, haunting sounds, clever puzzles, and a dramatic story secured Myst's place in the top-seller charts for years. Myst was a real phenomenon, the Pok&eacute;mon of its day, and Myst spinoffs such as books, calendars, and T-shirts popped up everywhere. There were even rumors of a movie. Riven: The Sequel to Myst was also a success and expanded the story of the world-writing D'ni and the convoluted family history of Atrus, the old man from Myst. However, aside from a 3-D remake, the years since Riven have been Mystless. That's about to change.

Myst III: Exile is almost complete and is ready to challenge the sales records of its forebears. The story takes place 10 years after the events in Riven. Atrus and Catherine, the danger-prone victims in the first two games, are now living in their new home called Tomahna. They have a baby daughter named Yeesha, and all seems well until the appearance of a new villain, played by actor Brad Dourif. Dourif's as-yet-unnamed character is seeking revenge. Atrus's mad sons destroyed his world and now it's payback time. The game will feature five new ages to explore, and they will be filled with beautiful graphics and mind-numbing puzzles. A new interface and more up-to-date technology round out the advances you'll see when you next enter the enchanting world of Myst.

The limited, individually numbered Collector's Edition copies contain Prima's official strategy guide, the journal of Atrus, a pewter Myst III animal, and a CD-ROM with the game's trailers and a "Making of Myst III" feature. --Andrew S. Bub

Check out our Myst Store,which has more info on Myst III, the complete line of Mystgames, and a selection of Myst clothing, soundtracks, andbooks. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Careful with Windows XP
I didn't carefully review the system requirements before ordering this game. I run Windows XP (home edition), and at first I thought I was not going to be able to get it to work at all. The game seemed to install OK, but it would not run after the installation. However, I was able to get it up and running by downloading the patch (available at ubisoft), and by adjusting the compatibilty after right-clicking on the executable file.

If the above tinkering makes no sense to you, it might be better to not order this edition. But it *was* actually easy to do, following instructions available online.

The game speaks for itself. It's another Myst! And that is good.

Board Games?!?!?!
Well, what can I say. THis game has great acting, good graphics, emursive worlds, and overall good gameplay. The only thing I don't like about it is that the buzzles are to descrete. Its almost as if they were meant to look like they were meant to be puzzles. It can't be something like myst where the puzzles are there for a logical reason, and it can't be like Uru where the puzzles were blended in with the enviroment so the game was harmonic, and it can't be like riven where the puzzles are not puzzles, but problems you had to face that required some brain power. THese puzzles, even though they go with the suroundings, they still are too descrite. I mean, its almost like they were ment for you. THings here aren't what they used to be. The puzzles themselves are quite impresive, but the way that they blend in with the age is like sticking srawberries in orange juice. For one thing, yet another puzzle is actually a puzzle age in itself. Its all puzzle and really seems like it was meant for your presance, not like it had any real fuction outside your enjoyment. Even the plant age has that. Lense flowers that focus the sun's light on large bulbs that hold electic fish and power plant machines. Even thier idea of a balaced enviroment is even more descrete. THe lense flower couldn't've just grown there without there being a purpouse. I mean really, how deep do you want me to get.

Wow!
Exile was wonderful, great puzzles and beautiful worlds.The graphics were great and the puzzles were hard but not too difficult.

can't compare to Riven
I liked Exile but it cannot compare to Riven. Exile has music that was too much like the Middle East and, I'm sorry, I mean no one any harm,BUTI'm just not in the mood for middle eastern stuff right now. The mechanics of the game -Exile- also were just not up to par with Exile's predacessorRiven. It was simply not as mysterious nor as moody as Riven ( especially the music ). While I was in the tree trunk, I did not know where in the heck I was at most of the time and I don't really find that confusion to be fun. Same for the puzzles. Somehow Riven was great and Exile was just O.K.

Myst III is the BEST YET!!!
The dramatic sequel to Myst and Riven is a sure-winner with all REAL gamers. Incredible soundtrack created by Jack Wall, amazing sound affects, and, of course, graphics. I love the 360 degree movement system, allowing gamers to look all around in very realistic worlds. The story is fantastic, introducing Saavedro, a bitter exile, who has been awaiting his chance to gain revenge against Atrus for twenty years, waiting on the Age of J'nanin, the "Lesson Age" that Atrus once meant to use to teach his sons the Art of writing links to other worlds through books. Works great with Win ME. With the collector's edition, you get the amazing soundtrack on CD, Prima's strategy guide, a little "Squee" figure, the making of Exile, plus two desktop themes, the game trailer, the TV commercial trailer, and the theatre trailer.

Gamers have been waiting for Myst III for years. They will not be disappointed. Thank you, Presto Studios! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

i love warcraft 2 almost as much as warcraft 3
i love this game is really really good

here is my resuilts
overall -8
-graficks err whatever-4 really outdated
gameplay online-10 computer-3
controls -10 really easy love it
overall im sorry it is not that good im not good at writing reviews but hey i still play it and it is 2005 i really love it almost as much as warcraft 3 i am not a kid but i did not fealll like putting my name in...

Build Armies and defeat your enemies
Warcraft Two is a strategy and battle game.Not turn based, timing is of the essence in gameplay, building your farms, barracks, training soldiers and pesants to mine gold and chop lumber faster than your enemy in order to build your armies defeat the enemy.

However, I've found that computer opponents tend to be predictable, and so easy to beat.I've become practiced at playing the same scenario with one, two, three, four, and even five opponents.Because the computer generated opponents are fairly simple, they don't have much sense, and will get "stuck" at an obstacle, or rush blindly into traps.Still, with enough opponents the custom scenarios can be challenging and have you scrambling to keep up production of soldiers, catapults, dragons or gryphon flying fighters, and building walls of farms and cannon towers in defense of the onslaught.

Depending on wether or not you're playing as Orc or Human there are a few slightly different ways the individual charachters move or fight, and there are some entertaning speech recordings on all the charachters, just keep clicking them and they'll react with annoyance, or seasickness, or the secret of the sheep flock!

A classic game, and one which is still fun to play, and is often much more reasonable in price than many of the newer games out on the market today.Watch out when using cheat codes, as many of them will give the same benefit to your enemy as they do to you. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With more than 10 million copies sold throughout the world, the Myst series has become the benchmark for all adventures to come. Now, for the first time, the three volumes of this mythic saga are assembled in one astounding collection. Gather your cunning and summon your imagination--for every enigma you unravel binds you closer to the unforgettable realm of Myst. Myst Trilogy includes Myst Masterpiece, Riven, and Myst III: Exile.

Myst Trilogy includes:
Myst Masterpiece The remastered version of Myst. In this acclaimed first adventure, embark on an intrepid journey into a strange world and its mysteries--a world wracked by intrigue, betrayal, and inexplicable distortions of time and space. Join Atrus as you discover the secrets of the D'ni civilization, where books are portals into other worlds, and lessons of the past shape your future.
Riven: The Sequel to Myst Riven plunges you deeper into a world cursed by bewildering rifts in time. Every shadow hides a secret, and appearances are never what they seem. Atrus needs you once again; help him free his wife, Catherine, and untangle the daunting mysteries of Riven.
Myst III: Exile A decade has transpired since Riven. Now Atrus and Catherine's efforts to rebuild the D'ni civilization are jeopardized by a new enemy. Saavedro, bent on avenging his ruined existence, has emerged from exile to claim vengeance upon Atrus's two sons. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

XP Compatibility
I have all three Myst Trilogy games working perfectly under Windows XP Pro (SP2) OS on my PC.It has an Nvidia GeForce FX 5600 video card with 256 mb RAM, which is recommended by Ubisoft for this product.

Captivating Time Waster
If you have the time to immerse yourself in a 40-60 hour puzzle, these are the games for you. Great graphics, wonderful puzzles. Not for the dim-witted....

This game is really cool!!
Myst is a wonderful game full of puzzles, fun, and it takes a LOT of brain power.I enjoyed playing Myst, although for children, I would recommend adult help (some puzzles are REALLY tricky)I would say though, that this game probably shouldn't be played by children under 12.Again, very tricky.There is a little bit of a kind of spooky atmosphere (not terribly spooky), but kids might not like it.Myst is a big puzzle.There are no directions, you're just dropped on an island, all alone.You have to find special books that take you to different islands, and at every island, lies more and more puzzles.I think this game is best played in a group or with a friend.Together you can use your different skills to solve the puzzles.
I would recommend this Myst Trilogy pack to anyone that enjoyed the game, or is interested.Also, the price is wonderful.If you like puzzles, thinking, and teamwork, buy this Myst Trilogy pack!

???Help Me???
I've read some reviews from people that say they got it to run on XP. How? I have run the compatibility wizard--more like a compatibility trickster--and it still doesn't work. What I've SEEN of it is excellent (artistry is stunning; plot, so far, is great), but it quits when I get to the part where the player goes to another age. I loaded it onto the dinosaur of a computer that has Windows 98 on it, and it worked, except the computer is so ancient it's too slow to keep the graphics up with the sound and it gets stuck.
Somebody help me? If you've got a suggestion (a solution would be nice), pleeeeease e-mail me at: sindar_gloriel@mailpuppy.com And this is the new version of the original Myst, if that makes any sense. I looked for patches--couldn't find any. I've heard some horror stories about tech support from UBI software, too.

Noooo....puede ser...
No puede ser semejante juego tan malo....No soy aficionado a los juegos de aventura pero Syberia y Grim Fandango me parecen geniales...Pero este....en trilogia si dejenme decirle que es una farsa...Ni se les ocurra comprar este juego... Necesita quicktime...y consiste en hacer click sobre imagenes y estan van cambiando...acercandose, no hay sensación de movimiento...aunque dice que tiene vision 360 grados...pero esto no es un juego. Las imagenes son buenas pero es simplemente la superposicion de imagenen al hacer click....noooo que desilución tan gigante. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Better
I enjoy Hoyle Board Games 2004 better than previous versions.Would recommend it to anyone (if you can find this version anymore).

Rigged games
The programmers for Sierra Entertainment which produced this game, have a warped sense of "sadistic" humor. Many of the games are rigged, especially the backgammon game. The dice does not generate "random" numbers, but is coded to ensure the computer "opponent" always wins under certain configurations. My advice: Look elsewhere. DO NOT BUY THIS PIECE OF JUNK.

Fun to the last piece
Overall I've been very amused by this game. Games included were chess, checkers, chinese checkers, pachsi, dominoes, backgammon, mancala, snakes & ladders, zen bones, reversi, line 'em up, plane racer, and battling ships (AKA battleship with awesome screen effects). Some characters were annoying but I liked the T-Rex a lot. The ability levels were pretty good. Great screen effects and nice background music.

Awesome and lots of fun
I just got the game today and my 8 yr old son and I are having a ball.This is exactly what I was looking for.Had I known about it sooner, I would've ordered it.The main reason I bought this was because members of my family (up to 4 people) can play the games against each other instead of always playing against the computer like other board games cd-roms.Of course you still have the option of playing against the computer too.I don't know if Hoyle Table Games 2004 has the same capability.The graphics are sensational. They really look like the real board games. My son got a kick out of the noises it makes.Before purchasing, I tried desperately to find out exactly what games were on it and couldn't. So for those interested some of the games it has are Backgammon, Battling Ships, Checkers, Chess, Chinese Checkers, Dominoes, Double Cross, Mahjong, Mancala, Pachisi, Reversi, Rummy Squares, and Yacht, all are my favorites.Installation is simple and the Face Creator is so cool.No regrets here.

Delivered as Promised
Received in mint condition & delivered on time! Thanks ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Orcs and humans have waged fierce battles across the scarred earth of Azeroth for many moons, with never an end in sight. In a move sure to make peons whimper and paladins pray, Blizzard is extending the carnage with WarCraft II: Battle.Net Edition.

Given WarCraftII's status and dedicated fan base, it's no surprise that the single-player game is untouched. The excellent Beyond the Dark Portal expansion set is included with the original Tides of Darkness, creating four campaigns and 70 missions that remain fun despite their age. The Orc and Human armies obviously have nearly identical strengths and weaknesses, but as in the past, the art and sound cues make them feel worlds apart.

The real selling point is the vastly improved multiplayer experience. Aligning WarCraft II with Blizzard's other titles, more than one hundred multiplayer maps now let you take the struggle for Azeroth to the free "battle.net" service. Setting up games is simple enough for an Orc to figure out, and you can play against (or with) up to eight human or computer opponents. No AI can match the challenge of a human player's unpredictability, and thanks to the worldwide ladder, you can fight tooth and claw for rank against players spanning the globe. --Jack Gardiner ... Read more

Reviews (68)

One of my all time favorite RTS games ever
Although Warcraft 3 and its expansion have come out within the last few years, I still prefer Warcraft 2 a bit more. Yes the game looks kinda dated now, but it is still a blast to play. The game was fun in that it never got too complicated or anything so that newcomers could always have a good time. The map editor was easy to use and the online play in the Battle.net edition will keep you busy for a while. Anyways, if you've only played Warcraft 3 then it might be difficult for you to enjoy this game since it is so old, but if your willing to look past the graphics then you'll find a real gem.

Oops
Great game.It looks like amazon actually posted a screenshot of warcraft I: Orcs and Humans, instead of a picture from this game.

Aging but still good
This game has definitely been around for awhile, but there's a reason it's still played.It's fun!The interface is easy to use, and the 'tech tree' aspect is fairly simple so that even people who haven't played other rts games should have to trouble learning it.

There are a couple of downsides to this game, though in my opinion they aren't much of an issue.One is of course that the graphics are definitely aging and nothing spectacular.It's nice to be able to quickly recognize your units so that you can make the best use of them (high detail can get in the way of that) but don't expect the graphics to wow you.Also, this game runs on a 2D engine, rather than the 3D engine that more recent games are using.

Secondly is that I wasn't incredibly impressed by the campaigns.They tend to get a little repetitive, so most of the time I find myself just playing a custom game.

Another similar game I might recommend instead of this one would be Starcraft.The graphics are slightly better, and the game is just as interesting.Then of course there is Warcraft III out now, which has a 3D engine and a couple of additional races besides human and orc.Aside from the things I mentioned, this game really is very good.I've been playing it for years and haven't gotten tired of it yet!

Best Game Ever- period!
Warcraft2 is an awesome game that has been around a lomg time...a classic. While some say that its graphics are aging, I love the undetailed, squat Orcs, among other things. Welcme to the World of Warcraft!!!

RTS legend.
This game is the first RTS game that I have played along with Starcraft and Lords of the Realm 2. But Lords of the Realm 2 (Starcraft is a whole diffrent stoty) didn't have what Warcraft had. The easy to get used to gameplay with great graphics in terms of running smooth, the very low system requirement, and the satisfaction of the Battle.net. I have not played this game since 2000 (Because my dad broke my CD. Read my Starcraft Battle Chest review.) so I don't know if anyone plays online now but all I know is that I had the most fun playing this game back in 2000. I remember the satisfaction that I had with my friends after beating the opponent with my ogres and the dragons. This game ran fine when I used to have Intel Celeron 400MHZ, 64mb ram, and 56k modem. So if you get this game right now, you shouldn't have any technical problems. Also this game is very easy to get used to with easy gameplay and great graphics for an outdated game. This game is definitly a must have if you are a RTS fan. You should know that Warcraft started it all. It started the great RTS gaming genre. ... Read more

Features

• Create your own unique Sim and make new friends
• Random behavior of characters adds comedic mischief and unpredictability
• Create your dream home, build your business, or throw outrageous parties
• All-new, fun-filled, job experiences with entertaining mini-games
• Secure trading; manage a casino; or die a whimsical, morbid death

Reviews (37)

Don't buy if you're only into killing things...
...but if you have an active imagination and love getting goofy with people you've never met before, then this game is definitely for you!Just one word of warning:Be prepared to shell out $9.95 per month, because you WILL be addicted!Even so, considering the price of the average MMORPG subscription is well over $14 per month, The Sims Online is an absolute bargain you'll never be able to put down!

Ten dollars a month FORGET IT
I'm truly a sims lover. I have every expantion pack and sims 2. I just recently got this game because I didn't have it and I saw advertisment on the back of some Sims games. It looked cool that you can talk to other people online and that you can make friends. Also you can share a house with a husband or a best friend. Yeah, that sounds like a lot of fun right?? Well I got the game thinking that it was a lot of fun. When I opened it up and discovered something that was not said in the advertisements. If I wanted to play this game it would be ten dollars a month. That is just as much money as it costs to buy this game. I told my parents that it was 10 dollars a month and the first month free. My parents said no. Listen to me and don't waste the money buying this game in the first place.

An Amazing Game
TSO (as referred to in the actual game) is one of the best games ever.

You might've heard rumors about mafias and other people who aren't nice in the game, but through my experience, that isn't true. If you are just beginning the game and want to meet nice people, start out in Jolly Pines. Everyone helped me when I was new, and all of them became my good friends.

Just try this out. I think they are still offering your first month free, and you will quickly know if you like it or not. So give it a try, and see how you like it.

I sure did.

Kick @$$ Game!!
I LOVE the sims online...It's very addicting and not to hard to get the hang of. There are tons of people willing to help, especially at Newbies Job-Skill Center in Mount Fuji (A city you can choose to live in in the game). I HIGHLY Recommend it...and if you get on and are in Mount Fuji, and need help drop me (Megan-Beth) a message and I'll be more than willing to answer your questions!

Good Concept, but Falls Short
At first, TSO sounded like a great game. After I bought and played the game, however, it seems a little...well...pointless. You go around to other properties and make "money" by playing mini-games (that are strange, time consuming and not fun). Then you use the money to buy clothes, furninshings and building materials for a house. And then...not much happens after that. I wouldn't even categorize this as a game. There isn't really an obejct to it.
If you're considering buying the game to make friends and meet people, use AIM. TSO is the same concept except you see a fictional image of the person you're talking to. Not too exciting there. And all the interactions get really old after a few days...heck, the whole game gets old after a few days. Not to mention the monthly fee you have to pay to play. Definetly not worth it...
... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Larry Laffer is one wild and crazy guy, especially around the ladies. For more than a decade, Sierra has published Leisure Suit Larry titles, selling upwards of 3 million copies of the lowbrow adventure games. Now all the gorgeous gals and hilarious hijinks are available in one CD-ROM with Leisure Suit Larry's Ultimate Pleasure Pack. It includes both the CGA and VGA versions of the title that got the party started: Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards and Leisure Suit Larry Goes Looking for Love (in Several Wrong Places). Leisure Suit Larry 3: Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals lets the player experience life as both Larry and Patti, making it the first computer adventure that offers a sex change. Al Lowe, Larry's creator, promised after volume three that there wouldn't be a volume four, which takes us to Leisure Suit Larry 5: Passionate Patti Does a Little Undercover Work, with the innovative Grope-'n'-Click interface and the now famous Bodily Function Keys. Leisure Suit Larry 6: Shape Up or Slip Out! contains all the pathetic pickup lines, scathing comebacks, and '70s mood music Leisure Suit Larry connoisseurs have come to expect. Lastly, there is Leisure Suit Larry 7: Love for Sail!, which includes scratch-'n'-sniff smells and a feature that allows you to include your voice and face in the game (don't ask). As an added bonus, play five Vegas-style games while chatting over the Internet in Leisure Suit Larry's Casino.

Warning: the Leisure Suit Larry games are for mature audiences; they contain adult humor, sexual innuendo, risqu&eacute; implications, and mature situations. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

These games are great
I grew up playing these games, and personally, I think that Leisure Suit Larry 1 the remake, 6, and 7 are the best, I just wish they wouldn't have scrapped the project on Larry 8.Al Lowe is great when it comes to these games!

Years of fun
I have owned these games for a long time and it is probably the only series that I replay again and again every few years (OK I do the same with the King's Quest series).Lots of laughs.

Entertaining
I recommend this collection of Larry games. They are very addicting and really fun to play.I only wish that they continued making these games.Anyways, this is a sure hit.

larry laffer the swinger of all swingers
ok if you liked the first leisure suit larry in the land of the lounge lizards then youll love this i meen its all of them xcept #4 since al lowe couldnt come up with an idea for the game after #3 cuz he pretty much tied a bow around it after larry and patti live happily ever after and what not but anywayz now that i bought this i have doubles of a couple of them but thats ok cuz leisure suit larry was the first game and best game i ever played on a pc and for only 39.99 come on now you cant beat it its a great deal for really good games.

A Great Classic
Well if you have ever played any of the Leisure Suit Larry games you know what to expect. Includes all the games except the 4th because for some reason they had to take it off the shelfs. Includes the original game which is just text, no pics, and the remake of the first one. A great game for larry fans and anyone that likes a more mature stratage game. Hours of fun. ... Read more

Product Description

Trial and error game, which encourages personalized solutions to problems. ... Read more

Features

• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Genre: Role Playing
• Mission: Micromanage the lives of a family of virtual people

Reviews (40)

GREAT Game!!!!!!
This game is great one of the best ive played its entertaining and will keep you going for hours i once stayedup for 7 hours playing there are so many items and it never gets old i would highly recommend this game!!!

NOT
Get Sims Bustin Out. It's the same thing but has better graphics and places to go. This version gets old fast. The censorship is one rediculous huge square that covers most of their entire body. The graphics and skins are poor.
Get Bustin' Out instead.

Awesome Game!
I thought this game was awesome. I have never played the PC version, but from what I have heard of it this one is just as addicting and amusing. I have not yet purchased htis game but I have rented it and every time I am glued to the game all day until it is time to take it back. I found cheats online that can unlock all of the special features and give you unlimited money so I don't really have a problem with not being able to use some things. Overall this game is very fun and very addictive. I really enjoy it. You should all purchase it.

The Best
The game is the best simulation game ever.If you love simulation games this is the game you should get.

addictive and fun
Warning: highly addictive...
I bought this game awhile ago...and it's highly addictive..I've had oodles of fun playing this game. While it's not perfect (what game is?) I liked it. The game looks quite simple, but after a few hours of gameplay..you begin to figure out that this is not the case. One has to juggle their personal needs with building up their stats (logic, fitness, etc.), having personal relationships, their jobs and their health.
I having said there are a few issues with the game. This world has you working 7 days a work, 8 hours a day. You do the math. It would be very nice if the game allowed you 2 days off in a row without the risk of losing your job. You are allowed to miss 1 day, but if you miss more than one consecutive day, you get fired and have to start your career all over again. Needess to say, this can be rather difficult..
All in all, this is a fun game...but it's not for everyone... ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The fourth volume of the award-winning party game tests your trivia knowledge through an onscreen game show. You Don't Know Jack allows one, two, or three players to battle wits, and Volume 4: The Ride includes 800 new questions and four new question types. (Ages 13 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (16)

dont buy this game
This game was so vulgar.Very inappropriate.I thought it was a trivia game but all they do is call you names and say bad words.Don't waste your money.

YDKJ, Revemped.
Some people thought that this would be the same Jack Game as all the others, one host and categories.But they were dead wrong.This YDKJ changed the entire universe of the game forever.New Question types include Roadkill, Jack Bingo, and a new way to screw your neighbor called FlakJack.Nate, Guy, Cookie, and Schmitty all host it at some point.Buzz is limited to being sent to the bottom countless times.Every game starts off with a Moral Dilemma question that whisked you to different episode "floors" in some Jack-topian high-rise.It's about as tall as the Empire State Building.The Jack Trivia Buiding, who ever thought of that?

Instead of just choosing a category, you now choose the VALUE, that's right, you heard correctly, of the question.It's the best jack ever!Ever!

I wish I could give this six stars
Man, this is the best YDKJ game ever!I own vols. 1-3, YDKJ TV, Movies, and YDKJ Netshow and needless to say, The Ride beats em' all!I love the new features such as "Roadkill" and "Bingo."Hosts Cookie and Schmitty are my faves!The game's hilarity ensues further when Buzz (host of YDKJ vol.2) tries to make his way to the top to host the show.I'm looking forward to more YDKJ products in the future.

Fast-Paced Awesome Game!
This Game Is GREAT! This Fast-Paced Game Has New Features Like B-I-N-G-O, Road Kill And More. Has Hosts The Can Take Over The Game In The Beginning (Every Like 16 Games). You've Gotta Play This Game!

Fast-Paced Awesome Game!
This Game Is GREAT! This Fast-Paced Game Has New Features Like B-I-N-G-O, Road Kill And More. Has Hosts The Can Take Over The Game In The Beginning (Every Like 16 Games). You've Gotta Play This Game! ... Read more

Product Description

Players can live their fantasies of fame and fortune as they pursue the dream of being a Rock Star, Movie Star, or a Supermodel, live the lifestyle of a celebrity, and even mingle with the rich and famous. In order to gain popularity, characters must sign with an agent and then move to Studio Town, a new fully customizable location which houses television and movie lots, recording studios, fashion outlets, and spas. Players follow their Sims to work to schmooze and name-drop their way to superstardom. Popularity is measured with the Fame Score for each character in the game. If the player achieves a high Fame Score, they will be able to enjoy a more comfortable life than ever before with luxury services and objects including satellite dishes, skydiving simulators, art and furniture collections, steam baths, mud treatments, massages, and even an oxygen bar. Players are able to hire staff including a butler, domestic staff, a sushi chef, and a masseuse. Of course, being a celebrity has a downside too. While working hard to increase fame and popularity and perhaps even win a coveted Simmy award, celebrities will gather the attention of obsessed fans, groupies and the paparazzi.

• New Studio Town location-dazzle directors, rock the recording studio, or light up the fashion runway.
• 150+ New Items!
• Get a satellite dish and add four new channels to your TV lineup.
• Get on the Karaoke Stage and sing to the beat of your favorite tunes.
• Visit the Oxygen Bar, breathe deep and relax in style!
• Use the Skydiving Simulator and fly high while staying low.
• Visit the music studio and record the hit that everyone's talking about!

Features

• Expansion to Sims universe of games allows players to become a celebrity
• New Studio Town location--dazzle directors, rock the recording studio, or light up the fashion runway.
• 150+ New Items to collect
• Get a satellite dish and add four new channels to your TV lineup
• For 1 player

Reviews (8)

A really cool expansion pack!!!
I got this expansion pack for Christmas and so far it has given me now problems at all! I love this expansion pack and visiting studio town is awsome!!! I would recomend this game to any sims fan! I liked this one so much i am going to buy the sims unleashed next. This is a great game and i hope you enjoy it.

not this one
I agree with the previous reviews. When it works it's fun but getting it to work is hard! My game only works with just the original houses, objects and sims. Any downloaded stuff and the fame career track shuts down. So I have one neighborhood with fame track and the rest where you can't only visit. Don't buy this one. Stay with Vacation and Unleashed - they aren't nearly so much trouble.

Fun, as long as you don't go to the Studio Town
I purchased this game about two weeks ago.I was having a lot of fun with it until the game started throwing me to the desktop ( just as another person mentioned in their review).I continue to play, but I do not go to studio town anymore, which does eliminate a lot of the fun.I would like to be able to play in the Studio Town, so if anyone has a solution to this problem, please email me asap at : Liz@Hallmanstudio.com

Superstar = Betastar
Was this a beta release we had to PAY for as Mac people? Studio town goes crash, crash, crash even without any objects or skins installed from 3rd party download sites. I am on a Powerbook G4 1.25 ghz with 512 MB ram and an 80 gig hard drive so Iclearly I have enough computer resources for the game. However, whenever I try to use many of the fame objects I crash which makes it frustating to nearly impossible to raise star status. Aspyr needs to do some major big-time updates for this expansion pack to work properly because it is a big let-down at this time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If they would fix the problems it would be a fun game. Meanwhile, I am sorely disappointed with this expansion pack as a result. I cannot recommend this piece of software until Aspyr releases updates to fix some of the problems so that it is at least playable! Therefore, I have to give this expansion pack a poor rating for fun because it is no fun to have to restart, restart, restart superstar just to crash, crash and crash again.

Fun for a while
When I got this game I played it for a while but now I'm too sick of it. I think this is another one of Aspyrs attempts to make money off of yet another Expansion Pack.

This game is similar to Vacation. Its like; "Cool, Superstars, now what?"

So... You may choose whether or not you want to be influenced by me. If you want it, buy it! But now you've been warned. ... Read more

Product Description

Before J. R. R. Tolkien's epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, there was The Hobbit. Join Bilbo Baggins in his journey though Middle-earth. ... Read more

Features

• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Action/Adventure
• Mission: Lead Bilbo Baggins through Middle-earth in his first big adventure
• Platform: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

Reviews (32)

An enjoyble game
From Hobbiton to Mirkwood,this game is really fun. The graphics are great,the music is great, and the quests are outstanding. However, the game doesn't follow the story all the time. The wepons you get are Sting,Stick, and rocks. The enviroments are amazing.

Happy Playing!

luv this game
I love this game.the only problems are that you can only save at specific points, and those points are not well placed.for instance, when you are fighting the spiders, when you get to the only save point, there is a giant spider about to kill you.also, the cutscenes get annoying after a while, and there are only 2 or 3 that you can skip. it takes a while to get used to fighting, but once you do, you can get past anything.what i really didn't like, though, was that the Ring has a meter, and once the meter runs out, you have to take the Ring off and wait for it to charge.when you are in the elven palace, it gets really annoying.overall, it is an awesome game, and i highly reccomend it.

Merely a Poor Console Conversion to make a buck
What the company did here is paid big bucks to get the movie name and rights to the characters, then no follow through.Not trusting the company is the reason for a demo.More demo's please.Recall the game, "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"?Is was a beta for this game.Now they have better rendering on the characters, but they forgot to put color on the ground and walls.Everything is black.Super annoying.One player. "How do I get up there?"If you hate jumping games, you'll hate jumping games more that they don't finish making.Keyboard - Extra long jump Left-Ctrl key+direction key+jump key+you can't see because they didn't render the ground or the walls in act 2...it's black.Major design flaw (act1) with invisible barriers - If you push the butter churn to the fence near the hay stacks, standing on it to jump over, you can't jump back.You can physcially jump higher than the fence, but they never thought you'd do that and were using an invisible vertical barrier, so you couldn't get there in the first place.If you liked the book, don't purchase this game or you'll even find the book frustrating.

Good for kids... with some help
I've been playing this game with my six-year-old son.He loves it.He does need a little help sometimes.First, some of the puzzles are impossible for a child to figure out (and even adults, if you're not an experienced gamer.) Second, it can be difficult to know what to do at each level to get through it.What I did was to search the Web for a "walkthrough" -- a step-by-step guide for playing the game.Cheating?Maybe, but my son enjoys it more this way -- we get to be able to finish the game, and he can concentrate on the parts he can do well.

Not a PC game fanatic- but I loved this!
WOW!I am in no way a big PC game person.I prefer to play solitaire or go on cartoonnetwork.com.But when my younger brothers brought this home, I was definitely intrigued by the things you had to do in the game.

As soon as I got to play it, I was immediatly hooked.As an amateur, my brothers had to help me at several points, but I was able to figure most of it out on my own.I'm not a Tolkein freak, I just enjoyed the movies, so I can't complain about the storyline, because there definitely is one in this game.There is no bad language nor is there blood, which was a plus for me, as I am a female and I just don't enjoy those things.Of course you have to defeat villians, but it's not gross.

The graphics are awesome, too.There are excellent details and lots of movement.The look and feel of the levels all vary thus far, which makes it so the game doesn't get boring.

I highly recommend this game to anyone- even if you don't like PC games. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Bad Software
Couldn't get to load on my XP-Pro System. Crashed my computer every time I tried something to get it to load.When I called the number for tech support, I was told that the free tech support expired and I'd have to pay for help. NEVERMIND! I returned software for refund.

GREAT FOR THE KIDS
I got a new computer, and the old games didn't work with it, so bought this.My granddaughter loves to play Go Fish when she comes over,and she was ticked to death to see I bought it for the new computer. I enjoy playing Euchre myself, so these games get a lot of use.

Hoyle Card Games 2003
Euchre:
I basically play euchre when my phone line is tied up.Otherwise I play on Yahoo!

Overall, Hoyle isn't too bad, but I find that even on the "advanced" setting, your partner is too timid, mostly by failing to lead trump on your call or order.However, they often order up from first with 2 bowers and no support, when they could have had 3 or 4 trump by passing for "next".

Also, 1st chair never donates.

Unrealistic loners, the computer often takes trick 1 with trump or off Ace, and properly leads the Right, but then leads offsuit to give the opps a chance to stop the loner.Even when holding JJ9, AK.

Pinochle:

In viewing the meld, you gain additional information that can be used later in the gameplay.The computer never makes use of this.Say your P in double-deck has 3 aces of diamonds (which you only know after the fact) and you make diamonds trump with a run (so the computer should know you have the 4th ace).You lead the Qd.Your P should play the 10 of diamonds and lead back at least 2 ace of diamonds before playing other suits.

Also, in the bidding, if you are in a game to 3550 and both teams have around 3000, you cannot count on your P to bid even if you have no marriage yourself.This is very frustrating because you now have to bid a lot more.I think it is so the player can have the glory, but I want the computer to play with the understanding that you must bid to win.

Canasta, Go Fish, Old Maid, You Name It!
The Hoyle Card Games are really great! There are many characters you can play against in the different games, with different personalities. The facemaker isn't as great as some other Hoyle Games, but I got used to the difference quickly. The only other negative is that only one person can play the gamesat a time, because otherwise you could see each other's cards. This is a really great game, though! I give it a thumbs up!

Hoyle Card Games 2003
I am satisfied with most games except for Bridge, the main reason I made the purchase. The players take far too long to respond and even longer to play their cards. It is so bad that I never even play bridge!
In hearts, the players make inappropriate comments when playing the queen of spades.
In gin rummy, you don't get a good look at the cards when the game is over.
Overall, the older versions are better for both the games and the characters. I look forward to reviews for the 2004 version to see if there is any improvement before I think of buying it! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

This combo pack offers more strategy than you can shake a stick at. In one package you get the original Command & Conquer, the granddaddy of real-time combat/strategy games; the Covert Operations expansion pack that adds 15 missions and 10 multiplayer maps; Command & Conquer: Red Alert, the next series installment, which considers a hot war between Soviet and Western powers; Aftermath, a Red Alert expansion with more maps, missions, and tactics; and another Red Alert expansion, Counterstrike, which adds still more maps and units, and even nuclear technology. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Excellent Game
This is an extremly good collection of games. I was having trouble locating most of these games and expansions in stores but this puts all of them into one. This collection has well over 100 missions. Some of you might have seen the graphics of the origional command and conquer before your computer became too good to run it. This includes Command and Conquer gold! It is the same as the origional except for two reasons. The graphics are much much better and it works with higher OS's such as Windows 95,98, and ME. This is an extreamly good package for a good price. Definatly worth getting.

This game package rocks!!
This game package is the coolest because if you buy these items seperatly you would come out to be paying $75.00- $90.00.It may not have good graphics ether but you get cooler wepons , missions, and solos.Plus if you think it might have good graphics, in a scence you're right!! But don't get your hopes up to much because it wont be as graphical as any Playstation games or something.But trust me.It's an awsome deal!!!

What a waste of money
This game is a waste of money, sure you get a lot of stuff but thats not the point. I bought this game thinking the graphics were good and there not, everything is small and not very detailed. The game runs slow and sometimes it freezes. I gave it 2 stars because it did come with a lot of stuffand if you are an true blue C&C fan then you can look past everything.

Command and Conquer: The Works!
This is a great package deal!If you like strategy games, this will blow you away.You get two full games, 3 expansion paks, 115 solo missions, and over 230 multiplayer maps!Plus you can create your own Red Alert mapswith the included editor.That is a GREAT deal.More specifically youget:

Command and Conquer: Gold, Command and Conquer: Covert Ops*, Commandand Conquer: Red Alert, Command and Conquer: Counterstrike*, Command andConquer: The Aftermath*

* Expansion Pack including levels, missions, andunits.

RTS Never looked so Good
What do you get when you mix Risk with pure action?Command and Conquer!C&C revolutionized the Real Time Strategy world when it debuted in 1995.Later Red Alert came packing even more heat.Now get all of theC&C series in one single pack for a great deal!Get two complete gameswith three expansion packs.If you love this, you will really loveC&C: Tiberium Sun. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Despite the Red Baron, the Sopwith Camel, zeppelins, and otherfamous reminders of the oft romanticized aerial battles of World War I,the conflict has been grossly underrepresented in the gaming world.That's a shame, because when a game as fun as Red Baron 3-Dcomes along it only leaves us wanting more. This upgraded version ofRed Baron 2 is vastly better than the game that preceded it,from the improved 3-D graphics (if you have a 3-D accelerator thatsupports the Glide API) to the new flight models.

Flight simulator fans used to screaming around the sky at mach 2 willbe in for a bit of a shock. Few of the planes exceed 150 mph, and mostof your time will be spent at double-digit speeds. However, the slowspeeds do not make for a boring game. Thanks to a handy timecompression feature, climbing to a reasonable altitude doesn't take toolong, and the inherent instability of these crates means activehandling is required at all times.

Many of the 22 flyable planes in the game are extremely fragile. Youcan actually hear the wing spars creak and groan as you pull tightturns, often followed by a sickening "snap!" when novices are at thecontrols. Players can fly a variety of single scenarios or participatein complete campaigns, but the real fun of Red Baron 3-D is theonline play. No matter how good you are at the single-player game, anexperienced human player will pull off moves that make your head spin.Fortunately this is one of those games where practicing is actuallyfun, and the game's low price (and free multiplayer component) onlyadds to the appeal. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Much improved flight model
• Graphics look great (if you have a Glide-compatible 3-D videoaccelerator)
• Online multiplayer battles are a blast

• Players without a Glide-compatible video card will have to make dowith older graphics
• Fragility of aircraft and lack of radar and advanced weapons makethe game difficult for beginners

Reviews (26)

Best All Around WW1 Combat Flight Sim
Yes it is true! Dispite being released way back in, what was it, 1998? Red Baron 3D remains among the top of tier of combat flight sims.

If you are looking for this classic sim the bad news is that all origional published copies are sold out. The good news is that used copies are not hard to find. Shop around and try to get the actual Red Baron 3D game and not the upgradable Red Baron 2. Also, try and find a copy that includes the Red Baron 3D manual. This manual is chock full of everything you need to know about every aspect of the sim. There is a large section devoted to the pilots and aircraft of the period covered in the sim and lots of period photos. It resembles a paperback novel more than manuals found with PC games these days.

Other good news is that although the game/sim is old it has been lovingly modded and kept up to date by a large community of artists and programers. The game in its current state of modification hardly resembles the game as it was origionally shipped.

The Campaign in RB3D remains to this day the standard to which all others are held. Really, there is nothing else in the world of 3D flight sims that can compare to it. It is the key reason why so many have been flying and modding this sim over the years. Very little about the campaign is scripted. Once you take off from your aerodome how events unfold from then on depends largely on the decisions you make while in the air. While flying a mission there is a real sense of a war going on all around you. Looking off into the distance dogfights and ground fire that have nothing to do with your mission can be seen unfolding. I have seen planes little more than spects in the distance spinning out of control towards theearth shot down out of the sky, trailing smoke.

The game was programed to run on the now extinct 3dfx Voodoocards and Glide graphics. The game can be run in Direct Draw with modern video cards but it looks [...]. In order to run the game in Glide with a Nvidia or ATI card a Glide wrapper or simulator is used. The latest is called dgVoodoo and works great!

Anyway, I wanted to write up this review because the sim is still in use and message boards with enthuiastic modders and simmers from all over the world are currently active and they are a great place to getstarted and ask Qs about anything having to do withRed Baron 3D or any of its many mods and patches.

Here is a good place to start if you are ready to take the plunge!http://forums.delphiforums.com/swwisa/start

Huge five stars for this awsome game!
A huge five stars: Still my favorite game after five years and three upgrades, Red Baron 3D continues to be addictive in 2004. Unfortunately, the company that made the game is defunct, but there is a huge online community keeping the game alive with lots of awesome upgrades and options.I hope some rich guy, or perhaps a savvy game company resurrects this awesome game someday. I'm a huge fan of combat flight simulators, so I routinely buy all the new games. Nothing comes close to Red Baron for the sheer joy of dog fighting, the thrill of the hunt, and the fear of flaming death. The campaigns are virtually unlimited in their variety. The missions vary from routine to absolutely terrifying, requiring you to `bug out' or die plummeting in a flaming wreck. Even at the height of your skill, the lifespan of your pilots can be very short, or perhaps you will survive the war captured in a POW camp, maimed in a hospital, or victorious with a chest full of medals. A player has to be cunning and skilled to play this game and survive, but with some training, a bit of practice and some luck, you can become a canvas falcon and rule the skies as the Ace of Aces!

Red Baron 3D, More Than Just a Flight Simulator
Red Baron 3D is not your ordinary flight simulator program.Red Baron 3D is a highly interactive WWI flight simulation where you can immerse yourself in honorable combat in the skies above France.Red Baron 3D can be played in a wide variety of ways.You can choose your aircraft and fly against any one of many enemy aircraft flown by an AI pilot in whats called the "Fly Now" mode.You can create a pilot and fly from the beginning of WWI, flying realistic computer generated missions in the "Campain Mode".As your pilot gains experience and as the War progresses, your pilot will advance in rank and responsibility. In "Single Mission" mode, you can fly your choice of a number of missions that will test your skills as a WWI fighter ace.You can even generate your own missions to fly, such asbomber escort or intercept, offensive patrols, even balloon busting.You can also play via the internet and pit your skills against other players in real time from all over the world.To play via the internet, you will need to download and install an official Sierra patch called RB3D1078.EXE.This patch will allow you to see and play in the many game servers devoted to Red Baron 3D since WON.NET no longer supports internet play.There are numerous Web Sites devoted to Red Baron 3D where you can get information on how to play the game.

Regards;
JGS4SparksJ79bCO
Commanding Officer JGS4 Jasta79b, Red Baron 3D On-line squadron

Red Baron 3-D
I purchased this game via Amazon.com after playing Red Baron-2. Installed it and had nothing but problems. My system met the requirements to run it but the Campaign portion of the game refused to work. I contacted Sold Out for tech assistance but they were unable to solve the problem. They requested I return the game so they could check it for flaws. I plan to return the game to them(at my cost)and see what they come up with.
I was able to play Red Baron-2,by Sierra, and really liked it. This version is less than I expected and unless the flaws can be addressed, I wont purchase another game via Sold Out.

3-D not much improvement to an already great game.
Red Baron is easily the most challenging game i've ever played. It continues to confound me after years of play. I've never been able to get the online version to work, but that's OK because the "campaign" level is great. You must master the controls and be able to look off into one direction, while flying in another. You will build your pilot up while fighting in the Great War. If you see a red Fokker triplane come after you and you're flying for the French or British, get outta there! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

BE WARE!
I bought The Arsenal pack for 10 bucks.I loved playing the red alert games and i always loved the original.But when i went to install I was disapointed that it would not work on my XP operating system. I thought Xp was pretty compatable with everything but i guess not this game.This is the first time i ever said this.But make sure ur OS (operating system) is below windows 98!

Unbelievable; 'nuff said
Could this be the most addictive game of all time?It certainly feels like it, and it has that office space feel to it that really sets the atmosphere for such an epic game.
Command & Conquer 1 was a revolutionary game, and this game continues the legacy.Red Alert's story is engrossing in and of itself (start playing and find out), but the strategy and various battle mechanisms that really make this game a treat.
In Red Alert, you are playing against an enemy but against the clock.The game is a frenetic quest to build up your units before the other side decides to attack, and the multiplayer mode only increases the the urgency.
The Arsenal Pack is well-designed in and of itself - it includes the regular game plus an additional mission disc called The Aftermath, which also gives you 150 additional multiplayer maps.I strongly suggest the Arsenal Pack now that The Domination Pack (which also included the Counterstrike mission disc) is no longer in stock.

It's a classic
This game is a classic. Myself I spent hours behind the computer triyng new strategies.m If a spy infiltrates your base and you don't have the ferocious Russian attack dogs...

Still the best of its genre?
If you don't play games on the internet, this review is pretty much useless, but if you do, please read on, since I have some (maybe you didn't know before) inside scoop on Red Alert with the great expansion back Aftermath.

Ok, you may ask yourself what I am thinking for writing the headline. But ask yourself this. What combat strategy games do we have today?
Yes, StarCraft is a great game, and surpasses this game in the mere fact that you have more options there. But, then again, the Westwood Tournament System is a delight, and free of charge. I have never really gotten Blizzards tournament system to work, and have found it complicated to get to grips with.

The follow up to Red Alert (2) is of course a lot better graphic-wise. The music in my opinion, is actually a step backwards since I think much of the music in that game is pretty annoying in the long-run.

BUT, that is just me mumbling about the cons, and odds of each of the games. WHAT MAKES RED ALERT SO MUCH BETTER? Well for starters, it is so well balanced. The Soviets have their might and power, while the Allies have their speed and agility. Have you tried this game on the internet? What a treat it is! If you haven't experienced it, you should. It really wakes a new adrenaline hormone inside the body, you know.. I've played the game on the internet for about two years, and never really gotten bored with it. Using the Q button to control tanks while shooting is a real must-learn if you want to get good at it, since using the X button really doesn't help much since all the tanks do is scatter instead of shoot. I am mentioning this, because they removed the fun Q button option in the second game, something I think is a bummer. Because then it's really just about building the biggest army, and attacking. Nothing about skill in the mouse control department: No dodging shots, like in the original beautiful Red Alert.

Oh, before I let you off, there is one more thing you SHOULD know. Aftermath is the expansion pack to Red Alert, and if you want to try it out on the internet, you really shouldn't be without it. It adds some nice new music to Red Alert, some great new units, and some more tweaking of the weapons and armour, balancing out the two sides even more!
THE ALLIES
* Gets a great Chrono Tank which can blow out any building within three to four shots.
* The field Mechanic repairs units!! So you don't have to drive your units to the repair bay each time. He also can take a few hits, but protect him just in case.
* Probably most importantly, the allied guns now do double the damage of what they did before.

THE SOVIETS
* Gets a Tesla Tank. These are really the teslas you are used to, but a little less powerful version on wheels. Pretty neat.
* Tesla Troopers, has an even smaller version of the same tech. Have many of these, and start a grill party.
* The Missile Sub is probably the most talked about addition since it makes the Soviets more capable on waters. Some say it ruins the balance of the game somewhat. I don't think so, but its up to you to decide for yourself on that subject.
* And last but not least the M.A.D tank. This one carries a shock wave dispenser which when activated does 1/3 damage to everything around it (on-screen.) This means, that if you have three of them, and activate them all at once. Whoops.. 100% (3/3) devastation man!

Plus, there are tons of new maps to use on the internet here too.

That was about it I had to say about Red Alert (with Aftermath.) I really can't recommend it enough. It truly is an amazing game! I play on the Westwood Tournament System as "Xanitra" so if you see me on the ladder, why not play me:) If you say you bought the game because you did read my review of the game here on amazon.com, I might just go easy on you, or even let you win:D hehehehe.. Well, why is Red Alert so much better internet-wise than all the other new ones I've played? The answer probably is; they don't make em like they used to I guess..Well, good luck with your choice in games.
Have fun

Great value...!!!
Except for the $10 jewel case for total annililation and maybe starcraft there is no better value in gaming. Red alert alone is a great game with solid balanced units and structures and fun entertaining and challenging missions. Add aftermath and counterstrike and you have hours of great game play. While this is a an older game you really don't think much about it. The graphics still are decent and the game play is smooth. Certainly this game doesn't need much computer or video card to function well and still there are hundreds of players ready to take you on at either westwood.com or mplayer .

In red alert ore is the heart of your strategy. Controlling and dominating the ore on the map is the key. This might be a shock to age of empires or total annililation fans who are used to producing vast amount of resource in camp. No in red alert you send out defenseless ore trucks to harvest and protecting them becomes harder as the game progresses and the trucks have to go further away from the confines of your camp. While you can eventually build an mcv and start a second camp you have nowhere the flexability or mobility you have in those other games. The worst is when you start a second camp only to have it destroyed and all that money was wasted because it is very difficult to protect more than one camp so try and conceal it if you can.

The units while not as numerous or interesting as TA are more than adequate. The soviets(russia or ukraine) have the bigger tanks and the better air force while the allies(england,france,germany) have smaller quicker tanks with the superior navy. The concept is cold war not WW2 as some have said. Germany is an ally while the soviets are the enemy.

Now i don't actually own this package rather i have owned the components for years. My question for those who actually own this package is whether it all comes on one disc or not. I have counter strike and aftermath but i don't have access to both at the same time. If all of those units and missions are available on the same disc it only makes the package an even better value.

...................socks ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

SimCity 3000 is back, and it's bigger than ever! Maxis pulled out all the stops for this new version of the bestselling game, adding enough new customized graphics to re-create cities from around the world. The new European and Asian building sets serve up hundreds of new buildings that match the architecture of these diverse environments. From the Great Wall to the Berlin Wall, it's in there. Of course, you can still mix and match--freedom to run a city as you choose has always been the name of this game.

No addition to the SimCity family would be complete without some new methods for destroying your creations, and SimCity 3000 Unlimited has four more devastating disasters than the old version. You can re-create the movie Armageddon by unleashing large chunks of flaming space debris, smite your populace with a buzzing swarm of locusts, destroy seaports and coastal developments with a whirlpool, or uncork some toxic clouds.

The Building Architect, formerly available as a free download, is now packed on the CD-ROM. This 3-D architectural program lets users create the buildings of their dreams, from dilapidated outhouses to towering skyscrapers to works of modern art that are intended for pure decoration. Don't worry if you don't feel like using this powerful tool to create things yourself--the game comes with dozens of new ways to make your cities unique, and you can always head to the SimCity Exchange to download imaginative add-ons created by other users. The infinite expandability and infinite replayability of this game should keep would-be mayors completely occupied until they move to the suburbs of The Sims. ... Read more

Features

• All-new Asian and European building sets with hundreds of new buildings to choose from
• 13 challenging scenarios or create your own custom, goal-based adventure
• 4 new disasters to inflict: plague of locusts, toxic cloud, space junk, and a whirlpool
• 23 new landmarks: Helsinki Cathedral, Japan's Himeji Castle, and more
• Customizable terrain with scores of new options, such as snow, rolling hills, and a desert

Reviews (124)

Very Addictive
I find this game very addictive, and considerably better than 2000. I really like the News Ticker, which gives you great advice on how to run your city. It does take up a lot of memory, though, so it's a good thing my computer has so much. I've heard that it tends to destroy your computer, so if you don't want that to happen, here's my advice: Don't take out the CD until the program is done being exited, don't install it if your computer can't handle it, and when you do take out the CD, be sure to press Ctrl, alt, and Delete and close all tasks that sound anything like "SimCity."

My only complaints are this: it makes your computer run slowly, and when locusts hit your town, the sound effects don't ever go away.

Happy playing!

Great game in its day; rather old now.
This was a great game back in its day. However, it is old and dated now. It was a vast improvement over SimCity 2000 and the original SimCity, offering larger cities and maps and improved graphics and other details.

For all the reviewers who are being so negative, look at the system requirements. This game was designed for Windows 95 and 98, not 2000 or XP. Most games like that will not run properly under 2000 or XP (if at all). For those of you with 2000 or XP, I recommend SimCity 4 (Rush Hour or Deluxe Edition) instead.

Technology marches on, and it is critical to verify that your system meets the requirements of the software programs (and understanding that old programs may no longer work on newer PCs and operating systems).

4 stars for win 98, 0 for others
Like other reviewers, I've had problems with this game on both Win 2k and Windows XP. On 2k, the game installs and loads, but stalls on the first screen. On XP, the game installs but does not load.
I originally bought this in China (legally) and thought that this may be the reason. I used to play it on a Windows 98 machine until that machine crashed, and I had to upgrade to 2k, and have not played it since.
I also contacted EA Tech Support who insisted that this game is/was designed for Windows 98. They suggested I run the compatibility wizard but this was a failure.
Why they're still selling this game escapes me. Maybe they've corrected things on later versions though.
If you can get it to run, this really is a fun game. There are plenty of improvements from Sim City 2000 that I enjoyed, especially the more logical traffic and crime patterns, and the huge increase in map size.
All in all though, don't buy this.

simy 3000
this game is a city.you build roads etc.How is it that no one likes this game anymore?duh!the next one.It is sad that this game is not enough for people anymore.it should be.

Computer Problems
Do not buy this game. I was really, really excited when I bought it, but when my dad and I tried to install it, it didn't work. It just, instead, sort-of-ruined our computer. That made me and my sister not able to buy any more Sims games, which really stinks. Do not buy this computer-breaking game! I'm hoping that this reveiw will save your computer from Sim City 3000 Unlimited's horrible software (when I say horrible software, I mean horrible software). ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Myst arrived just in time to take advantage of brand-newCD-ROM technology, and quickly became the number-one reason to buy anew computer. Myst and its sequel, Riven, featuredbeautiful and lonely landscapes, a strong and fascinating sense ofpervading mystery, and puzzles both fiendish and clever. Playersnavigated through the games by clicking on points of interest, andsolved puzzles by paying careful attention to the lush graphics andhaunting sounds of the environment. Myst III: Exile proudlycontinues and even advances that tradition.

Myst's ongoing story line is as convoluted as it is fantastic.Central to the story is the mysterious civilization of the D'ni, whichcreates entire worlds by writing books. Other books are used to linkthe D'ni worlds together. Myst trapped the player in a series ofinterconnected worlds, and challenged the player to puzzle through theramblings of two mad brothers in order to free Atrus, their imprisonedfather. Riven revealed more of the history of the D'ni, and sentthe player to the unstable world of Riven in order to rescue Atrus'swife.

Myst III: Exile concerns Atrus's earnest attempt at creating anew world. He hopes this world will mark the rebirth of the D'ni, butbefore he finishes his book, a thief (portrayed in the game by actorBrad Dourif) breaks into his laboratory and mucks things up. You haveto track this thief through worlds written by Atrus in his earlieryears. Within each world you must right the wrongs the thief hascreated, all the while uncovering a deeper mystery surrounding hisrelationship to Atrus and his troublesome children. Prior experiencewith Myst and Riven isn't necessary for this thirdexcursion, but familiarity with Myst's point-and-click gameplayand its often infuriating puzzle logic helps.

New to the game is a full 3-D landscape, which replaces the staticprerendered artwork of the previous games. The gorgeous new graphicsallow you to quickly pan and scan your way through an area, looking forpuzzles and action spots with the hand cursor. The puzzles have beenimproved so that you can now see changes to the environment immediatelyafter you solve one, rather than simply moving on to the next picture.Still, the puzzles are often wickedly difficult and may provefrustrating to new players.

The environment is the true star of the game, and is sure to enchantplayers of all stripes. As before, the music and artwork are topnotchand immersing, and the experience is not easily forgotten. Mystfans of old will be delighted with this new installment, and those newto the series will be enchanted, provided they are willing to spendtime on the puzzles, enjoy the scenery, and let the game carry themaway. --Andrew S. Bub

Pros:

• A strong continuation of the series
• Brilliant new artwork and music

• Puzzles can be confusing
• Not for impatient gamers

Features

• Free-look movement system allows players to pan a full 360 at any location, fully immersing them in the world.
• 5 entirely new ages to explore.
• Dramatic storyline extends the Myst mythology by focusing on a pivotal new character.
• Puzzle solving, revealing mystery & intrigue.
• Original soundtrack.

Reviews (336)

Visions of this will follow you while youfall asleep...
I leave it to the other posters for the specifics. Just an emotional response here.
A must for anyone who can use a computer and find a walkthrough or 4 to finish this game. It isn't the easiest game but one of the most beautiful and memorable!
It has such beauty, you'd regret not having played it.
Schizm I, and the Beyond Atlantis series also show such beauty.
All can be found here.
Please, please, play this game! The visions you will encounter will fill your mind and blot away life's problems as you fall asleep. Hey! This is a series. There's more! Yep!
Check them out!

Wonderful and challanging third installment in the MYST saga
If I was able to be personally with Catherine, I'd probably be spending much more time complimenting her hair (because it's so long, almost as long as Crystal Gayle's), than talking of the Releeshan.

OK, so Catherine is just a fictitional character, but of course I'm sure they needed a real person to do the acting.

I am new to Myst, already trying the Masterpiece Edition (which was basically the original MYST with some improvements), and Riven. With Myst III, one huge improvement found here you can't find on the previous two is you can look around 360 degrees so you can see if there's anything missing on your journey. The drawback is, if you're not familiar with the game, you can easily get dizzy.

In this game, you're supposed to retrieve a book called the Releeshan, which was stolen. On the way, you get to solve lots of puzzles, collect pages, and visit different worlds. There is lot of trippy music, some of it sounding pretty sinister sounding, as you go through some very dreamy landscapes. Admittedly this isn't an easy game to win, but like on the previous MYST installments, you must be sure to write things on paper to solve the puzzles. Many of these puzzles give you access to new passages you need to make to reach the end of each world. The animation is great as well. I can't believe how advanced in graphics games have became, I've been playing games since the old days of Pac-Man and Donkey Kong, and it never fails me how newer games have stunningly realistic graphics, as demonstrated on MYST III.

A truly wonderful game for those enjoy adventure games!

The Very Best Myst of All!!!
I wasn't so sure about buying this game, because i was so disappointed by Riven, but i was amazed by the new 360° freelook interface in Exile, the quality of the video and rendering of the worlds is incredible, even the storyline is very exciting.

A must have for every Myst fan out there!

The best Myst
Myst III: Exile isn't as dark as Myst or Riven. I think it's better that way, actually. This game has some of the best visuals and scenery in the series so far. The new 360 degree free-look is awesome. The story is the deepest I've seen in the series so far. The puzzles are a little silly and out of place, but they are still fun and challenging. Myst III: Exile is certainly, so far the best in the series.

Beautiful, immersive, scary, and even a little moving...
I loved Myst, but found Riven a little flat despite the beauty of its environments.

I was therefore pleasantly surprised to love Myst 3: Exile best of all.The game is a perfect combination of the dreamlike world of Myst, with the attention to detail offered by Riven, and with a really exciting storyline, gorgeously rendered environments, and a lush immersive world to boot.

Add to all this some superb acting from Brad Dourif as a villain who's as sympathetic as he is frightening, and you have the makings of a great game. While I'd always liked him as a character actor, Dourif really impressed me here -- the drama of the game really lives or dies on his shoulders, and he brings terror and poignance to the game in equal measure.

I reveled in almost all the worlds Myst 3 presented (the first and last best of all), and the puzzles are seamless and beautifully integrated into the game. (Like some others, I did find the plant world to be a bit tedious and confusing to navigate through, but it was also a lot of fun to conquer in the end.)

I recommend Myst 3 for Myst and Riven lovers both -- but it's also just as much fun for gamers new to the Myst worlds, and may be the perfect introduction.The game even offers the possibility of several different endings, depending on how you solve the final quandaries of the game.A superb game -- one of the best I've ever played.

Note: I'm running on the XP platform and after updating with the latest patch, the game performed flawlessly for me. ... Read more