2008 Darkside game recommendations

Hi all,
Here tis as promised.
Plenty of people dabble in the darkside, me included, but need help about what to play. Its a dark scary world over here, and some guidance is welcomed.
So, the object of this thread, like its light side sibling,is to recommend to other boomers non-adventure games that you believe worthy of playing in this day and age. The games may be your all time favourites, but they need not be. I loved Quake at the time but I wouldn't recommend it today.
We then compile a final list as a resource for other players.
The rules are fairly simple.

1. Subject to the devilchilli special offer (see below) you can recommend a maximum of 13 games, but you don't have to, and can recommend less.
2. You can't list a series, unless you use single votes for each game.
3. Expansion packs will be considered seperate games, on the basis that the original might be ordinary but an expansion pack superb.
4. Any game that is not pure adventure can be listed, irrespective of genre.
5. You don't have to indicate the type or genre, and you are not limited to any specific number of games in any genre. Go ahead and list 13 rpg's if you choose.
6. It is essentially a pc list, but given that many players have consoles as well, if you want to list games for the console go right ahead.

Special offer - to assist with counting, anyone who lists in reverse alphabetical order (z-a) can list 14 games

Please use full titles where possible as I am not as familiar with titles and series over here. Add ons and expansions might confuse me but I will shout if help is needed.
We will keep the list open for 13 days and with help from a nickie of two, the list will be categorised for genre, at least down as far as games with multiple recommendations.
So who is first??

Thanks Flotsam

Looks like I'm first.

Zanzarah
Sacred Plus
Prey
Heretic Kingdoms: The Inquisition
FEAR Perseus Mandate
Fable
Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, The
Drakan: Order of the Flame
Divine Divinity
Diablo II
Clive Barkers Undying
Bioshock
Beyond Divinity
American McGees Alice

Ana

Well, since I made both my lists at the same time expecting this one I'll go ahead and list them.
Witcher
Two Worlds
Tomb Raider 3
Sacred
Outcast
Oblivion
Morrowind
KOTOR II
KOTOR I
Dungeon Siege 2
Divine Divinity
Diablo
BloodRayne
Betrayal In Antara

Doing it aphabetically in reverse puts my favorite RPG in the number 1 position and the first RPG I played in the last position. Doesn't mean anything but I thought it was interesting.

The Witcher has bumped Morrowind down to second of my favorite RPG's.

Zanzarah
Witcher
Sacred Plus (should count the same as Sacred I think)
Quest for Glory 4
Morrowind
Might and Magic VI
Indigo Prophecy (aka Fahrenheit)
Heretic Kingdoms: The Inquisition (aka Kult)
Ghost Master
Dungeon Siege 2
Dragonriders of Pern
Divine Divinity
Beyond Divinity
Anachronox

Thief 2
System Shock 2
Stalker
Portal
Planescape Torment
Outcast
Oblivion
Mafia
Half Life 2
Gothic 2
Fallout
Deus Ex
Bioshock
Anachronox

The Witcher
Super Mario Galaxy
Psychonauts
Overlord
Okami
Mass Effect
The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past
Katamari Damacy
Half Life 2
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Chrono Trigger
BioShock
Beyond Good & Evil
American McGee's Alice

Some of the best games in my list came out this year. Always a good sign.

Hi flotsam

Here's mine .... And thanks

Vampire The Masquerade : Redemption
The Witcher
The Elder Scrolls III : Morrowind
Return to Krondor
Planescape Torment
Neverwinter Nights
Might & Magic VI
Knights of the Old republic II
Knights of the Old Republic
Fate
Divine Divinity
Diablo
Betrayal in Antara
Baldur’s Gate


Cheers.

Mad

Aiken's Artifact - Sanity
Alone in the Dark - The New Nightmare
Barnyard
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Morrowind
Oblivion
Star Wars - Jedi Knight - Jedi Academy
Star Wars - Knights of the Old Republic
Vampire the Masquerade - Bloodlines

(The) Witcher
Sacred Plus
Quest for Glory I
Planescape Torment
Outcast
Oblivion
Morrowind
Might & Magic VI
Knights of the Old Republic II (KOTOR II)
Knights of the Old Republic I (KOTOR I)
Gothic II
Gothic I
Divine Divinity
Anachronox

Man thinking in reverse hurt my brain

Star Wars: Republic Commando
Prey
PlaneScape Torment
Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark
Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer
Mass Effect
Knights of the Old Republic 1
Halo 1
Fall-Out 1
Deus Ex
Civilization Chronicles (Full Release of all Current Expansions)
Baldur's Gate 2
Arcanum of Steamworks and Magick Ubscura
Advent Rising


If it doesn't seem to fit in with the voting requirements because it is more of an anthology of games, Civilization Chronicles can be removed as it is my "Devil Chilli" pick. I just had to put it in this year, because it is such a great deal on a huge amount of good game playing....Well...for those of us who enjoy being ruler of the Universe

The Witcher
ZanZarah
Diablo II Lords of Destruction (an expansion pack)
American Magee's Alice
Clive Barker's Undying
Prey
Half-Life
Fable The Lost Chapters
Avencast
The Hobbit

Voice le vote, oh this isn't the vote the Eurovision song Contest. Sorry about that...

Anyway, here's my vote for the darkside list 2008

Arcanum: Of steamworks and magick
Baldur's Gate (the orginal)
Bioshock
Fallout 1
Gothic 3
Halo: Combat Evolved (aka Halo 1)
Mass Effect
NWN2: Mask of the Betrayer
Planescape: Torment
Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl
Temple of Elemental Evil
The Witcher

It is only 12 games, but it is the 12 best ones, imo...

1. Vampire the Masquerade-Redemption
2. Vampire the Masquerade-Bloodlines
3. Might & Magic 7
4. Clive Barker's Undying
5. Gothic I
6. Gothic II
7. Lands of Lore
8. Call of Cthulhu - DCOTE
9. Indiana Jones & the Infernal Machine
10. Silent Hill 2
11. Silent Hill 3
12. Wizardry 7 - Crusaders of the Dark Savant
13. Bioshock

Thanks for putting together all our DarkSide lists, flotsom!

1. Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines
2. Thief: Deadly Shadows
3. The Witcher
4. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
5. Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
6. Psychonauts
7. Planescape: Torment
8. Okami [Wii]
9. No One Lives Forever
10. Mass Effect
11. Knights of the Old Republic
12. Jade Empire: Special Edition
13. Gothic II
14. Bioshock

For series (Gothic, KotOR, and so on) I restricted myself to just one. For the Thief series, it was a tough call. I like the eariler games better for the most part, but areas like The Shalebridge Cradle tipped me to the third.

Wow, this is really difficult...

14. Thief: The Dark Project
13. System Shock 2
12. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
11. Realms of the Haunting
10. Planescape: Torment
9. Jade Empire
8. Half-Life 2
7. Half-Life
6. Freelancer
5. Fallout 2
4. Fallout
3. Divine Divinity
2. Deus Ex
1. Arcanum

Once again, thanks for offering to do the compilation duties, flotsam!

MetzO'Magic

Nice start people.
I am actually looking forward to having some rpgs on my own list this year!!

Yakuza (ps2)
The Witcher
The sims 2: Seasons
The sims 2: Night life
The sims 2: Castway (psp)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Tekken 5: Dark resurrection (psp)
SWAT: Target Liberty (psp)
Splinter Cell: Double agent (ps2)(totally different ver. from PC)
Silent Hill: Origins (psp)
Shadow of the colossus (ps2)
Manhunt 2 (psp)
Kane and Lynch
Bully (ps2)

I guess buyin psp this year has made me play a lot of games on it than PC
pq couldn't make it to top 14.

Oblivion: The Elder Scrolls IV
Neverwinter Nights 1
Neverwinter Nights 2:Mask of the Betrayer
Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark
Morrowind:The Elder Scrolls III
Knights of the Old Republic 1
Diablo II: Lords of Destruction
Baldur's Gate 2:Throne of Bhaal (Expansion)
Baldur's Gate 2
Arcanum of Steamworks and Magick

Two Worlds
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Bloodmoon (Morrowind expansion)
Gothic 1
Gothic 2
Gothic 3
Divine Divinity
Baldur's Gate I
Tales of the Sword Coast (BG 1 expansion)
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Baldur's Gate II: The Throne of Bhaal

Sorry, I gave up on alphabetical order because, for example, some people are listing Morrowind under M, some under E for Elder Scrolls, etc.

Zanzarah
The Witcher
Oblivion
Fable - The Lost Chapters
Fate
Beyond Good and Evil

Thanks Flotsam!

1. Morrowind:The Elder Scrolls III
2. Might and Magic IX
3. Might and Magic VIII
4. Might and Magic VII
5. Lands of Lore II
6. Heroes of Might and Magic III
7. Halo
8. F.E.A.R
9. Baldur's Gate II: The Throne of Bhaal
10. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

Halfway people and its tight.
Oblivion and The Witcher are tied for most popular, with Oblivion perhaps having an advantage in the run home as it has been out longer so more people might have played it. But we will see.
KOTOR is doing well, as is Planescape Torment, Morrowind and Divine Divinity.
Plenty of games too that I for one have never heard of.
To clarify, Sacred and Sacred Plus are indeed treated as one game, as are Thief and Thief Gold - same as last year and it hasn't been an issue yet.
Ditto Jade Empire and its special ed - as far as I know they are the pc and xbox versions of the same game.

1. Baldur's Gate 2
2. Realms of the Haunting
3. Zanzarah
4. Divine Divinity
5. The Witcher
6. Anvil of Dawn
7. Ultima Underworld
8. Quest for Glory 4: Shadows of Darkness
9. Might and Magic World of Xeen
10. Might and Magic 6
11. Ghost Master
12. Dragonriders of Pern
13. Anachronox

1. Thief
2. Psychonauts
3. Planescape: Torment
4. No One Lives Forever
5. Neverwinter Nights
6. Knights of the Old Republic
7. Jedi Knight: Jedi Outcast
8. Jade Empire
9. Half Life
10. Deus Ex
11. Baldur's Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal
12. Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn
13. Baldur's Gate 1

1. The Witcher
2. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
3. Silent Hill 3
4. Prey
5. Neverwinter nights II
6. Jade Empire: Special Edition
7. Gothic II
8. Dungeon Siege II
9. Condemned: Criminal Origins
10. Avencast: Rise of the Mage

Since this is a recommendation list to play today I didn't include one of my favorites, Baldur's Gate, because I think it would look outdated now. Also I would like to warn that 3 ad 9 are not for people easily scared or dislike "gorish" games.

1. Morrowind

Daylight

2. Gothic 2
3. Gothic 1
4. The Witcher
5. Divine Divinity
6. Arx Fatalis
7. Baldur's Gate 2
8. Boiling Point - still playing this one.
9. Jade Empire

ok, we are in the 13 hour home stretch.
I will be away for a day and will post final results when I get back. In the meantime my modest (though not so rpg challenged this time) list follows

Witcher
Twinsun's Odyssey
Thief
Realms of the Haunting
Portal
Outcast
Oblivion
Indigo Prophecy
Ico
Half LIfe 2
Gothic
FEAR
Divine Divinity
Bioshock

Hi all,
Its a new number 1 this year, and I for one, even with my limited rpg experience, am not surprised. From the opening sequence it grabbed me and hasn't let go.
Lots of new games for me to play, if ever I find the time, and new worlds to conquer and bludgeon into submission. Perhaps one day I will even graduate to a more gentle approach.
A few more console games listed this year, and given the number of different consoles out there now it probably isn't surprising.
Two lists follow as usual, and also as usual all errors are mine.
Thanks all

14 The Witcher
12 Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
10 Divine Divinity
10 Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
10 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
8 Planescape Torment
7 Bioshock
7 Gothic 2
5 Gothic
5 Jade Empire
5 Zanzarah
4 Anachronox
4 Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magic Obscura
4 Baldur’s Gate
4 Baldur’s Gate 2
4 Baldurs Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal
4 Deus Ex
4 Fallout
4 Half Life 2
4 Mass Effect
4 Might and Magic 6: The Mandate of Heaven
4 Outcast
4 Prey
3 American Magee’s Alice
3 Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn
3 Clive Barker’s Undying
3 Fable: The Lost Chapters
3 Half Life
3 Halo
3 Neverwinter Nights
3 Neverwinter Nights 2: mask of the Betrayer
3 Psychonauts
3 Realms of the Haunting
3 Sacred/Sacred Plus
3 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 – Sith Lords
3 Thief: The Dark Project/Thief Gold
3 Vampire Masquerade: Redemption

2 Avencast: Rise of the Mage, Betrayal at Antara, Beyond Divinity, Beyond Good and Evil, Diablo, Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction, Dragon Riders: Chronicles of Pern, Dungeon Seige 2, Fate, F.E.A.R, Ghost Master, Gothic 3, Heretic Kingdoms: The Inquisition/Kult: Heretic Kingdoms, Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit, Might and Magic 7: For Blood and Honour, Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark, No One Lives Forever, Portal, Quest for Glory 4: Shadows of Darkness, Silent Hill 3, Stalker, System Shock 2, Vampire Masquerade: Bloodlines

1 Advent Rising, Aikens Artifact, Alone in the Dark 4: A New Nightmare, Anvil of Dawn, Arx Fatalis, Baldurs Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast, Barnyard, Bloodrayne, Boiling Point, Bully, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, Chrono Trigger, Civilization Chronicles, Condemned: Criminal Origins, Diablo 2, Drakan: Order of the Flame, Dungeon Siege, Elder Scrolls 3: Blood Moon, Fallout 2, F.E.A.R: Perseus Mandate, Freelancer, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Heroes of Might and Magic 3: The Restoration of Erathia, The Hobbit, Ico, Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, Katamari Damacy, Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos, Lands of Lore 2: Guardians of Destiny, Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Mafia, Manhunt 2, Might and Magic 8: Day of the Destroyer, Might and Magic 9, Might and Magic: World of Xeen, Neverwinter Nights 2, Okami, Overlord, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, Quest for Glory 1: So You Want to Be a Hero, Return to Krondor, Shadow of the Colossus, Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams, Silent Hill: Origins, Sims 2: Seasons, Sims 2: Castaway, Sims 2: Night Life, Splinter Cell: Double Agent, Star Wars: Republic Commando, Star Wars: Jedi Knight, Star Wars: Jedi Outcast, Super Mario Galaxy, SWAT: Target Liberty, Tekken 5, Thief 2: The Metal Age, Thief 3: Deadly Shadows, Tomb Raider 3: The Lost Artifact, Twinsuns Odyssey, Two Worlds, Ultima Underworld, Wizardry 7, Yakuza

1 Advent Rising
1 Aikens Artifact
3 American Magee’s Alice
1 Alone in the Dark 4: A New Nightmare
4 Anachronox
1 Anvil of Dawn
4 Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magic Obscura
1 Arx Fatalis
2 Avencast: Rise of the Mage
4 Baldur’s Gate
1 Baldurs Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast
4 Baldur’s Gate 2
4 Baldurs Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal
3 Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn
1 Barnyard
2 Betrayal at Antara
2 Beyond Divinity
2 Beyond Good and Evil
7 Bioshock
1 Bloodrayne
1 Boiling Point
1 Bully
1 Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth
1 Chrono Trigger
1 Civilization Chronicles
3 Clive Barker’s Undying
1 Condemned: Criminal Origins
4 Deus Ex
2 Diablo
1 Diablo 2
2 Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction
10 Divine Divinity
2 Dragon Riders: Chronicles of Pern
1 Drakan: Order of the Flame
1 Dungeon Siege
2 Dungeon Seige 2
1 Elder Scrolls 3: Blood Moon
10 Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
12 Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
3 Fable: The Lost Chapters
4 Fallout
1 Fallout 2
2 Fate
2 F.E.A.R.
1 F.E.A.R: Perseus Mandate
1 Freelancer
2 Ghost Master
5 Gothic
7 Gothic 2
2 Gothic 3
3 Half Life
4 Half Life 2
3 Halo
1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
1 Heroes of Might and Magic 3: The Restoration of Erathia
2 Heretic Kingdoms: The Inquisition/Kult: Heretic Kingdoms
1 Hobbit, The
1 Ico
1 Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine
2 Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit
5 Jade Empire
1 Katamari Damacy
1 Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos
1 Lands of Lore 2: Guardians of Destiny
1 Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
1 Mafia
1 Manhunt 2
4 Mass Effect
4 Might and Magic 6: The Mandate of Heaven
2 Might and Magic 7: For Blood and Honour
1 Might and Magic 8: Day of the Destroyer
1 Might and Magic 9
1 Might and Magic: World of Xeen
3 Neverwinter Nights
2 Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark
1 Neverwinter Nights 2
3 Neverwinter Nights 2: mask of the Betrayer
2 No One Lives Forever
1 Okami
1 Overlord
4 Outcast
8 Planescape Torment
2 Portal
4 Prey
3 Psychonauts
1 Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
1 Quest for Glory 1: So You Want to Be a Hero
2 Quest for Glory 4: Shadows of Darkness
3 Realms of the Haunting
1 Return to Krondor
3 Sacred/Sacred Plus
1 Shadow of the Colossus
1 Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams
2 Silent Hill 3
1 Silent Hill: Origins
1 Sims 2: Seasons
1 Sims 2: Castaway
1 Sims 2: Night Life
1 Splinter Cell: Double Agent
2 Stalker
10 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
3 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 – Sith Lords
1 Star Wars: Republic Commando
1 Star Wars: Jedi Knight
1 Star Wars: Jedi Outcast
1 Super Mario Galaxy
1 SWAT: Target Liberty
2 System Shock 2
1 Tekken 5
3 Thief: The Dark Project/Thief Gold
1 Thief 2: The Metal Age
1 Thief 3: Deadly Shadows
1 Tomb Raider 3: The Lost Artifact
1 Twinsuns Odyssey
1 Two Worlds
1 Ultima Underworld
3 Vampire Masquerade: Redemption
2 Vampire Masquerade: Bloodlines
14 Witcher, The
1 Wizardry 7
1 Yakuza
5 Zanzarah

Thank you again, flotsam. It is wonderful that we have this data you compile yearly. A lot of member owes you.

Hi flotsam

Brilliant stuff and MUCH appreciated !!
[And no surprises at all about the No 1 spot ]

A huge thanks to you

Cheers.

Mad

Thank you again, flotsam, for all your hard work It is deeplu appreciated

In my mind, there was no doubt that The Witcher deserves to be number 1 Having only (until now) played parts of the demo,I, too, could that this game was a true gem.

A great big thanks from me as well for your kindness in making this list for everyone, Flotsam!
Most of the list isn't surprising, although I was surprised to see Jade Empire as a well placed new entry, and that Sacred Plus didn't get more votes. The list is always something to look forward to!

I always use these lists to see what I need to BAAG and eventually play

Outstanding, flotsam! I too also reference this list for my new Darkside adventures.

Me too draclvr!!!
Thanks everyone

Thank you for taking the time to compile this list for us again this year,Flotsam. I've been thinking of giving The Witcher a try and this confirms it. All of your hard work is very much appreciated.

thanks from me too, flotsam. It was fun listin fav's for recommendations [sorry for spelling]

WOW! Thanks flotsam, what an awesome job. Really appreciate all the time you spend putting this together!

Oh, this I can do most certainly. Are we allowed to include descriptions of the games also? I do hope so...

Anyway, here we go:

Baldur's Gate 1 - One of the modern milestones of Role Playing Games. Can be somewhat slow in the beginning, but the farther into it you get, the more addictive it gets. Necessary for anyone wanting an introduction into the world of Dungeons & Dragons and the marvellous sequel (which is better, but you should not start with it due to missing the game plot).

Baldur's Gate 2 - Starts off where BG1 left off. An immersive storyline, rememberable characters, superb voice acting, beautiful game design and one of the most loyal modding communities ever make this a must-have.

Planescape: Torment - Universally accepted as one of the best RPGs ever. It is more like reading a very exciting book. Deep story, tons of quests and one of the first games that can be played in several different ways, depending on how the player develops his or her character.

Deus Ex - First person/RPG hybrid. A must-have for anyone who likes conspiracy theories and men in black coats. A classic.

Fallout - The first Fallout game has a post-apocalyptic atmosphere that few games even today has beaten. A desolate and brutal world in which we were first introduced to the Vault Dweller and a post-apocalyptic California.

Fallout 2 - The second Fallout game was bigger, better and badder than Fallout. A huge game world, many ways to complete different tasks, and also one of the few games that doesn't require you to be "good" and "save the world". Of course, you'll still be saving the world, but this can be for any number of reasons.

Arcanum - Imagine a mix of 19th century technology and magic, where imagination sets the limit. This is the world of Arcanum, where nothing is as it seems. Basically an epic adventure in a fascinating world with a thoughtful story behind it, and a massive repertoire of quests to solve and things to discover.

Realms of the Haunting - A haunted mansion in the English country side carrying a dark secret with it... the typical setting for a scary game, and this is a real classic. A hybrid of action and puzzle game with a dark mood to fit, it was an accomplishment back in 96 when it was released and is still a fascinating tale.

Jagged Alliance 2 - A hybrid of RTS and RPG, this game is set in a fictional country with the goal of overthrowing it's dictator. Humorous elements, very tense action mixed with strategy and resource handling are what makes this an interesting game.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - The best Star Wars game ever (possibly Tie Fighter excepted). It had all the typical elements of a good game, a great story with a twist, romance, slick gameplay and worlds to explore.

Thief II - The Metal Age - Despite the third game having better graphics and the first one being the innovator, the second game is the best of them all. Become Garrett, master thief in a steam-punk universe and ply your trade amongst it's inhabitants.

The Elder Scrolls III - The best game in this series. A massive world, filled with wonders both magical and otherwise. In this game, the storyline is more mature than it's "dumbed down" sequel Oblivion. Elements of morality, racism, political tensions and rivalry make themselves known and are tied neatly together with the main story.

Aliens vs. Predator 1 - For fans of the movies, this is a must-have. Creepy action that can give anyone a real scare. The one element that makes it's truly worthwhile: The motion tracker.

Edit: Oh, it was over already? I didn't know...

Yes, but lovely nonetheless. Since this thread is always specially archived, I'm going to put a lock on it to keep it shorter though. Anyone is welcome to start a thread if you want to talk about the choices for the list.