Originally posted by: Soviet
Originally posted by: Maleficus
There are currently no MP games with active communities worth playing.
Company of heros + the expansion is AMAZING online. I really mean that, ive played every single strategy game worth mentioning recently with the exception of universe at war (i dont like the engine and the reviews dont impress me), and company of heros is great fun online. Every game you play is different, it unfolds differently, i dont mean minor differences either, sometimes you will have to deal with a blob of enemy infantry other times its tanks or maybe even a turtle. The 4 sides are also radically different, the US and Wehrmacht have more in common with eachother than brits or panzer elite but theyre nowhere near the same.
Also gameplay aside the online interface is amazing, im used to basic stuff like starcraft or what c&c usually tries to pass off as a modern interface but in company of heros its a lot more streamlined, you can click on anyones name anywhere and msg them see their stats etc, invite friends to a game, chat while you wait for the game to fill up (in the main room not just with the sorry souls that join your game). Its a very well thought out system. I got bored with company of heros vanill quickly but the new expansion adds a lot to the game with the two new very different sides. Your 8600 will handle it well, im playing it on highish settings with my DDR2 laptop version 8600.
Other good games mentioned you should look into (not as good as company of heros imo but there ya go):
1. World in conflict (runs poorly on my 8600, you may have better luck, fun game)
2. Sins of a solar empire (great little game, i will definately get the expansion as the expansion includes a full campaign)
3. The Orange box (portal is a lot of fun, every gamer should have the orange box in his collection)