Help me rejuvenate my LANs

[Cheesetogo]

For the past 6 years or so, my group of about 6 friends has been having LANs on a regular basis. We started early in high school, and now most of us are Juniors/Seniors in college.

Initially we started out with CS:S, then later moved onto CoD2, followed by Modern Warfare, and in the past 6 months or so, MW2. In addition to these shooters, we've played WC3 pretty consistently (mostly TDs & DotA). Other games that we've also put a fair amount of time into include UT2004, Age II/III, and the C&C games. We've also played LFD, Killing Floor, Serious Sam, RoN, TF2, and probably a whole bunch of others that I can't recall at the moment.

For the past few years (and especially the last year), our LANs have been declining in fun. The primary reason for this is that we're bored of our game lineup (half the time we're not even gaming anymore) -- and it feels like nothing new has really come out since Modern Warfare.

I think we're going to try playing World in Conflict at our next LAN, which we've never tried. Given the excellent reviews, I think it stands a chance at being a solid game for us. I'm also looking at Sins of a Solar Empire and Company of Heroes.

However, these are all RTS games. Historically, we've had some of the most fun with fairly simple, silly mods for WC3, CSS, and UT2004.

In short: I'm looking for some new games to freshen up my LAN parties. I feel like we've been playing the same games for years, and despite looking quite hard, we really haven't been able to find many new games that are worth much playtime. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[Texashiker]

For the past few years (and especially the last year), our LANs have been declining in fun. The primary reason for this is that we're bored of our game lineup (half the time we're not even gaming anymore) -- and it feels like nothing new has really come out since Modern Warfare.

Your not the only ones that feels that way.

A few months ago I started a thread on this same exact topic - http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2180487

The new games seem to be downright boring. It seems that developers are focusing on eye candy, and less on quality gameplay.

 

[Cheesetogo]

Your not the only ones that feels that way.

A few months ago I started a thread on this same exact topic - http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2180487

The new games seem to be downright boring. It seems that developers are focusing on eye candy, and less on quality gameplay.

Yeah. Most of my friends have expressed that they've become bored with most single player games that have come out recently as well. The only game I've really enjoyed from the past couple years has been Mass Effect 2. I have high hopes for Deus Ex given the reviews though.

 

[Stringjam]

Crysis Wars

$20

You guys seem to like MP FPS quite a bit, and I prefer this game to any of the ones you listed. Very active community over at CryMod means you'll always have new / interesting maps to play.

Or you can spend a little time with the CryEngine2 editor (included) and make any kind of map / environment you want.

 

[Cheesetogo]

Crysis Wars

$20

You guys seem to like MP FPS quite a bit, and I prefer this game to any of the ones you listed. Very active community over at CryMod means you'll always have new / interesting maps to play.

Or you can spend a little time with the CryEngine2 editor (included) and make any kind of map / environment you want.

Thanks for the suggestion, I hadn't thought of that one. If you have any ideas for non-FPS games, I'd like to hear those too though!

 

[KidNiki1]

If you want fun, silly multi-player games, I recommend Magicka or Borderlands. Plus, Borderlands is on sale.

 

[Nebor]

If you want fun, silly multi-player games, I recommend Magicka or Borderlands. Plus, Borderlands is on sale.

Magicka is a button masher. You have to push 4 fucking buttons, aim and fire to shoot a fireball. All it shows me is that kids are way, way better at video games than I ever was.

 

[KidNiki1]

Magicka is a LOT of fun playing with other people. Friendly fire is always on, and half the time, you end up killing each other on accident (or on purpose ). I didn't say it was difficult, nor a challenge. But for playing with other friends, you can have a hell of a good time. I wouldn't find it nearly as entertaining just playing on my own.

 

[Cheesetogo]

The only problem with Magicka and Borerlands is that they only support 4 people. Two of our group are currently living in other states though, so we'll have to try it. Thanks!

 

[Texashiker]

The only problem with Magicka and Borerlands is that they only support 4 people. Two of our group are currently living in other states though, so we'll have to try it. Thanks!

Boderlands game of the year on sale for $7.49 - that is an awesome deal.

 

[Nebor]

Magicka is a LOT of fun playing with other people. Friendly fire is always on, and half the time, you end up killing each other on accident (or on purpose ). I didn't say it was difficult, nor a challenge. But for playing with other friends, you can have a hell of a good time. I wouldn't find it nearly as entertaining just playing on my own.

I was saying it's too challenging and difficult because of the controls. And they're somehow even worse on the xbox 360 controller.

 

[Specop 007]

If you want fun, silly multi-player games, I recommend Magicka or Borderlands. Plus, Borderlands is on sale.

Both of these are great. I have both and play them frequently with my kids.

 

[KidNiki1]

I was saying it's too challenging and difficult because of the controls. And they're somehow even worse on the xbox 360 controller.

Ahh, I misunderstood. I just try to figure out a few combos and use those a lot. When I get a little more used to those, i try out a few more. For me, trying to learn all the various combos and messing up and accidentally killing your buddies was hilarious.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

My game list for LANs is pretty much the same.

AOE2
COD4
CS:S
C&C3
Starcraft
ut2004
WC3
World in Conflict
L4D2
TF2

Really it feels like developers do not care about LAN gaming when in reality some of THE BEST gaming I have ever experienced is in the LAN party setting. I still remember a game of L4D2 where we had 4v4 and one team won by 10 points overall. The stress, the screaming, the adrenaline, so much win. I was on the team that won

Word on World in Conflict. It is a pretty unique setup, the whole point and role system. It takes a bit to wrap your head around. It is a great game to play once people figure it out.

 

[Jodell88]

Urban Terror

 

[ChenH]

Alien Vs Predator, the old and new ones

 

[modestninja]

Urban Terror

Hey someone else that still plays.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Yeah I just picked up borderlands GOTY since it was on sale. I had heard lots of good things about it, just never picked it up.

 

[Kudro]

Company of Heroes is a must.

Borderlands will be great for 4 of you.

I would also suggest:

Mount & Blade: Warband (can be played LAN and cooperatively against the AI and with AI. Also has a ton of great mods, like cRPG.)
Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword (captain coop mode)
Rainbox Six Vegas
Rainbox Six Vegas 2
Age of Empires Online

 

[videogames101]

Age of Wonders 2!

 

[darkewaffle]

You can't play it strictly LAN but Bloodline Champions (3v3 for you) is fantastic as far as I'm concerned. Balanced, fluid, very well designed for pure PVP.

Could try some of the NWN campaigns, I dunno what/how many would suit a 6 person group though.

 

[NavJitsU4]

Magicka is a LOT of fun playing with other people. Friendly fire is always on, and half the time, you end up killing each other on accident (or on purpose ). I didn't say it was difficult, nor a challenge. But for playing with other friends, you can have a hell of a good time. I wouldn't find it nearly as entertaining just playing on my own.

I just purchased Magicka, I can see how this game can be fun on LAN!

I can't figure out how to start a lan game, can someone help me?