🚀 go-pugleaf

I just got a new PC (P4 1.6 GHZ), 512 Megs DDR RAM with a GeForce 4
Ti-4600(?) in it.  As a test of the machines prowless, I install
Ultima 9 on it to see how it would run on it.  And yes, golly gee, it
runs at 1027 by 768(whatever) in 32 bit mode with a decent frame rate.
 I am afraid to crank it up even further, out of concern I would get
too low of frame rate.

Anyhow, I notice this bizarre shift in PC game buying behavior
whenever I get a new computer.  Rather than look for the game to be
good, I look to see if it will eat machines a live by being a kludge
and demanding obscene specs to run.  Of course, ideally, I want to
payoff to be real good image quality.  BUT, the key here is that my
machine CAN produce real good image quality because it is has so much
horsepower behind it.  I guess that is why I keep Ultima 9 around.  I
guess also, thank heavens for 3D Mark.  Now I can focus on getting
better and better benchmarks :-).  I was hoping Tresspasser would cut
the mustard in this regard, but I can't crank it up further so all my
extra horsepower is useless for it.  I hear Dungeon Siege is a bit
problematic, so I will try that maxed out and see what happens.  Black
and White REALLY disappoints me.  The 3D engine was written well
enough, it doesn't meet my Kludge code machismo desirability (never
mind the game IS questionable in quality though).

Well, when sanity sets back in, I will likely return to Warlords:
Battlecry 2.

Any comments or recommendation for titles or games here?  In keeping
with this theme, I will likely play through Metal of Honor: Allied
Assault so I can get to the Omaha Beach (?) level just to see if my
machine chokes on it.  At least I got AquaNox for $10.  Can only run
it in deathmatch mode, because the game craps out in other sections.

Now let me go and hide.  I hate sounding like I am gloating that I got
a new machine...

- Richard Hutnik