Posted: December 6, 2000, 2000
Written by: Dan "Tweak Monkey" Kennedy

Introduction

Every once in a while, a PC game comes along that is different than the rest. The game isn't necessarily better, more fun, or superior to other games, but it has one quality that makes it stand out -- it is friggin addicting! I think just about every gamer out there can recall at least a few games to which they were undeniably addicted. These are the games that cause you to lose sleep, miss school or work (sometimes on purpose), or that you spend literally hundreds of hours playing.

This article contains a list of the ten most addicting PC games. No, these are not representive of all gamers, and no, these are not the only addicting PC games. For the most part, these are games that I have been addicted to at one time or another, or that were brought to my attention during a recent poll in our forums. I know several games were excluded that could have been included, but again, this is only a list of ten games, and I think all of the games on the list belong on it.

Anyway, read through this article and enjoy it... I'm sure it will bring back some memories...

#10: Roller Coaster Tycoon



What is it? - Roller Coaster Tycoon is a simulation game in which you create and operate your own theme park. RCT has sold tons upon tons of copies, and still remains near the top of the best seller list. It's easy enough for anyone to figure out, yet it takes skill and time to master. You have to constantly monitor the condition of your theme park, the prices of the rides, food, etc., and just about every aspect you would have to watch in real life. You have to hire security guards to keep the baddies at rest, costumed bears to entertain the children, and engineers to check the rides. Don't forget to make plenty of bathrooms to help the visitors with those overpriced cheeseburgers and pizzas, and while you're at it, hire plenty of janitors to clean up the vomit (which will be EVERYWHERE if you're not careful). You can build pre-made rides or you can design your own... some that go so furiously fast that they fly off the tracks and kill people... oops.


One nice thing about RCT was you could build above or below ground.

The Verdict - If you have $25 or so to blow and you want to find a good fun and clean game to keep you (and your family) entertained for massive amounts of time, check out RCT. Be warned though -- if it wasn't addicting, it wouldn't have made the list.

Download the RCT demo here.





#9: Starsiege Tribes



What is it? - Tribes combines a totally new style of action/combat with classic capture the flag. It features many innovations that up until it was released, were basically never seen in a shooter of this type. These innovations include vehicles, large futuristic bases, and the ability to buy all kinds of upgrades. It is sort of like Starship Troopers meets Team Fortress. No wait, it's not really like that... It's hard to explain! Tribes is a hit, and it certainly is addicting. The crowd out there playing Tribes today may not be quite as large as it once was, but its fans are true to the game. And judging from the turn-out at its E3 booth back in May, everyone is anticipating its super-sweet looking sequel.


Screenshot from Planet Starsiege.

The Verdict - Tribes can be found in stores for very cheap these days -- maybe even as low as $10. If you are ever in the mood for some decent online gaming that will certainly kill some time, check it out.

Download the Tribes demo here.

#8: Diablo (series)



What is it? - Diablo is an RPG/adventure game that's very similar to... Diablo! It seems like Diablo was among the most innovative of those click-and-kill RPG games that you remember so much, and I'm willing to bet it's probably the best selling. Diablo was a massive hit for Blizzard, and Diablo 2 is no let-down (by any means), as it still leads the charts. In almost every sales report I've seen since its release, it has grabbed the #1 spot for PC games. Diablo and Diablo II have given gamers something to keep them occupied for at least a lifetime. Gamers can build their characters up to whip the game's ass, or they can go online and whip someone else's ass, or they can join as a team to once again whip the computer's ass. Doesn't this sound fun? Once you've played through Diablo or Diablo II, it's very likely that you'll start playing through it again. The name says it all. Diablo. Anything relating to the devil has to be cool, right?


The Secret Cow Level. MOO!

The Verdict - If you are looking for a neat demonic game to fill the family with joy for the holidays, Diablo or Diablo II should definitely be considered.

Download the Diablo demo here.
There is no Diablo 2 demo at this time.





#7: Quake (series)



What is it? - You're kidding, right? Quake is the big daddy of first person shooters. This is id's evil gem, the one game that has basically given birth to hundreds of clones and wannabes. Remember, this is a list of the most addicting PC games, not the best. Quake is a damn good game. So is Quake 2, and Quake 3. But they aren't necessarily more addicting than some of the other games on this list...

We've probably all had our Quake playing moments. I remember playing Quake 2 for months when it first came out, despite the fact I had a lowly Cyrix PR166 processor and an S3 Virge video card. I even tried playing GLQuake on that same setup -- bad idea. By the time Quake 3 rolled around, I was lucky enough to have a much faster system so I could enjoy the game. Anyway, my Quake-addiction started when I began playing Quake 2 deathmatches. Yeah, I was a little late to the game... but I was addicted just like you probably were. ;)


Oh my! GLQuake on my Riva 128 back in 1998 (using the tweaks that basically started this site).

The Verdict - The Quake series is a legend. It's too bad Doom didn't make this list. It was close, but I thought Quake was more addicting. If you can find Quake in stores, buy it. I believe it's very hard to find, as I haven't seen a copy in stores for quite some time. Quake 2 is more common and is pretty darn cheap. Quake 3 is of course, everywhere right now... and goes for about $30-$40US.

Quake demo
Quake 2 demo (downloaded 3.4 million times from Download.com!)
Quake 3 Arena demo

#6: Starcraft



What is it? - Starcraft (which I almost included with Warcraft) has made an enormous impact on the world of real time strategy. Choose your species: Terran, Protoss, and Zerg. Fight! The depth of Starcraft is simply put, "insane". Sure there are only a small number of units compared to some other games like Total Annilation, but with Starcraft, it's just perfect. No two games seem to ever be alike, and with large online games, things only get more interesting. People have given up years of their lives to Starcraft. Last I heard, it was going to become an Olympic event.


Finally, a RTS where your characters don't get stuck against walls!

The Verdict - This is one of the better RTS out there. Many would argue it's the best... but is it the most addicting? Well, I don't know. As you'll see in the next couple pages, other games do compare. Either way, Starcraft is well worth the (usually slim) pricetag.

Download the Starcraft demo here.





#5: Warcraft (series)



What is it? - If you're a real time strategy addict, there's a good chance you were once addicted to Warcraft or Warcraft 2 -- perhaps you still are. What made Warcraft so great? Perhaps it was that instead of just having to build and train an army, you had to set up a little society. You had to supply or search for resources: mine gold, search for food, and chop down trees. Yeah, it's quite similar to Starcraft (for obvious reasons ;)), but Warcraft has been around longer and has made an even larger impact. It's not surprising that even today, Warcraft and Warcraft 2 are played by huge audiences over Internet game services like Kali and Battle.net. Humans vs. Orcs in a battle to extinction... sounds good, right?


Warcraft 2, the greatly anticipated sequel, combined new game play and strategy elements.

The Verdict - Warcraft and Warcraft 2 are both solid games that should be a part of your gaming heritage. Multiplayer is top notch, and nothing quite beats those single player late-night Warcraft sessions. If you find a Warcraft game in stores, buy it!

Download the Warcraft demo.
Download the Warcraft 2 demo.

#4: Subspace



What is it? - Subspace was (for me, at least) one of the most addicting games ever. It's such a simple little game, but the game play is incredible. The graphics suck, the controls are a bit tricky, and there are more crap-talking 12 year olds than any game in existence, but it's Subspace, and that's that. The game is an overhead shooter with eight different types of ships. You fly around and blow each other up, using almost purely bullets and bombs. The game's slogan "Meet people from all over the world -- and kill them" really fits in nicely with its game play. Anyway, each of the eight ships has its own special attitributes or abilities that make it different than the rest. Some features include bouncing bombs, emp (stun) bombs, cloaking abilities, double-barrel guns, and more.

So what happened to Subspace? I guess I'll explain the story as far as I remember it. Subspace thrived in beta stages. I remember joining zones with well over 200 people in them back when there were only two ships to choose from. The problem with the game was that the beta was open to anyone and everyone, and it was very popular. Players got used to the beta status (which lasted over a year if my memory serves me correctly), and the players were heavily addicted to the game. I remember going a couple days without leaving the house... and putting in a good 40 hours to Subspace a week (okay, so that didn't last too long). Subspace almost died after going retail, though, because everyone was used to playing for free. "Pay for Subspace? Ha!" Despite the fact that the game only cost $20 at its initial launch, the piracy rate was something like 90%. Within months of going retail, VIE pulled the project and the game basically withered away.

However, because this game was SO addicting and so popular in its prime, it still remains a classic. There are still quite a few SS players out there, and many newer zones are still active. Although I'm not sure about its status, the full game can be downloaded from a number of sites, and nobody has ever stepped in to say it's illegal. After all, the company abandoned the project.


I would've used a larger image, but the game exits when you try to take a
screenshot, even with an external program. Thanks, SubspaceHQ for the pic.

The Verdict - Subspace was among the most addicting games to ever grace the PC platform. If the game was better known or still played by a large audience, I would've definitely considered bumping it to #3 or even #2. Anyway, if you want to see why this game was so addictive, download it, play for two hours, then try to quit.

Download Subspace v1.35 here.





#3: Command & Conquer / Red Alert (series)



What is it? - I could've just written this article as "the most addicting C&C games of all time" or something, because there are so many add-ons and sequels to this game it's not even funny. But anyway, the ones that I can relate closest to are the original Command & Conquer and the original Red Alert. I mean, sheesh, where to start? C&C is by far one of the best war games of all time. The concept is so simple... you create a little base and as you make it bigger and more advanced, you can create better units and weaponry. While you build up your base, your opponents are doing the same. Eventually there is a clash -- the bases either grow into each other or the units discover the enemy. Then it's war -- just like you had always pictured it. The tanks are running over infantry men who don't hide or run away, the grenadiers are being eaten by giant vicious dogs, and citizens with guns (Texans?) move around so quick that it gives you a headache.

Okay, that's just some of the weird things about the game. Other than those weird things that seem to annoy the hell out of you (or entertain you, in some cases), C&C and Red Alert are just awesome. This game is probably so addicting because the strategy it involves. You have to really think carefully when you build your base and deploy your troops. If you build too many buildings without enough power stations, your base runs out of power and everything slows down. You have to account for airplanes and helicopters by building AA guns, and you have to build a navy or something to keep the battleships and *gasp* cruisers from obliterating your precious battle station.


"Look at the cute little doggies... AHAERHAGH!"
(that's the sound of a grenadier being eaten by a 700 lb. German Shepard)

The Verdict - Any Command & Conquer / Red Alert game is sure to kill serious amounts of time... maybe even too much time in some cases. Either way, it's a great series and will most likely always be in the top 10 addicting games list.

Download the C&C, Red Alert, and Tiberian Sun demos here.

#2 Counter-Strike



What is it? - Counter-Strike is a mod for Half-Life that takes terrorists and counter-terrorists and pits them against each other, with different tasks for each team. Teamplay is key, and objectives are usually more important than simply killing the other team. CS has to be the most popular mod of all time. It started as a little mod for Half-Life and has grown to incredible levels since, and recently it was put on store shelves as a stand-alone game. I still remember playing an unofficial beta that someone leaked to me. There were only two guns if I remember correctly, and the only hostages were the scientists from Half-Life. I think the only map at the time was Mansion. I lost a whole summer to Counter-Strike, playing the nights away with the Gamers.com/FiringSquad guys on the Gamers.com server.

I'd definitely say Counter-Strike is addicting and time consuming. It's probably because of the realism. How many other games have all real weapons, realistic looking models (for the most part), and similar physics? Every model is a human that bleeds and dies when shot or stabbed. I suppose the game isn't for the weak stomached, but it's all in good fun.

Also, having the best players on your team doesn't necessarily mean you'll win. After all, the terrorists could prevent you from saving the hostages, or they could still set a bomb which when exploded causes the CTs (counter-terrorists) to lose. Often times there are instances where you have to 'take one for the team' -- die to protect the bomb which will cause your team to win, or hang out with a hostage and a grenade so if the enemies come to take the hostage away, you can toss the grenade and (hopefully) kill everyone.


Who said CTs can't win at Assault? [T3D] clan rockin' the Gamers.com server.

The Verdict - I am proud to admit that I quit Counter-Strike cold turkey. It was very difficult... I hope the Gamers.com/FS guys that we used to play with have managed to quit as well. It's an awesome game and I'm sure it'll stay with us for quite some time. If you have the self discipline to quit when it gets too time consuming, go buy a copy for $30 or so at your local retailer, or download it if you already own Half-Life.

Counter-Strike's home page.





#1: EverQuest



What is it? - EverQuest is one of the few massively multi-player online-only RPGs. Set in enormous 3D worlds, with several choices for character class and type, the game has many options to keep users hooked. Given its street name, "EverCrack", the game boasts character building like most RPGs. The process of building up a character's level means staying up all night, skipping work the next day, and staying up the next night; just to bring your character up some levels and to get new abilities. You pick on little monsters at first, and start moving toward more powerful monsters. This process seems to repeat indefinitely. You'd think that after a couple hours of this, people would call it quits, right? Nope, they are still playing -- days... months... and even years later.

Last time I went to Nvidia's Sunnyvale-based office, I noticed that plenty of the PCs in the software area had EverQuest shortcuts on their desktop. The next time Nvidia delays its drivers, check to see if something new is happening in the EQ world.


Some monster things attack some other monster thing.
Sorry, I was too weak-minded to play EQ. I knew if I started I wouldn't be able to quit.

The Verdict - I'm guessing no EverQuest fans are even reading this article. Why do I assume that? Because if they're like the majority of EQ players, they are so hooked that they don't have time to read silly articles like this. For the sake of your family, friends, employer, classmates, pets, car, and just about anything else that needs attention at some time or other: Don't buy EverQuest! Please?

There is no EverQuest demo. 989/Verant has done enough damage already.

Conclusion

Here's quick re-cap of the ten most addicting PC games:

#10: Roller Coaster Tycoon
#9: Tribes
#8: Diablo (series)
#7: Quake (series)
#6: Starcraft
#5: Warcraft (series)
#4: Subspace
#3: Command & Conquer / Red Alert (series)
#2: Counter-Strike
#1: Everquest

This list was compiled from taking polls and from the staff's experiences. Some games were excluded that you probably thought should have been included. Since we decided to make this list "the ten most addicting games", it was a bit difficult to select them. Some games that were excluded included Tanarus, Civilization, X-Wing, Doom, and Tetris -- all of which narrowly missed the list. Civilization was the closest to #10. Tetris was excluded simply because there are way too many versions or varieties out there. Just about everyone has played it, but not many people play it anymore, at least, for long periods of time.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading my article and hopefully it brought back some [good] memories. If you have a top 10 list you'd like to contribute, please do so in our forums, or stop by #tweak3d on Undernet.

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All Content Copyright ©Dan Kennedy; 1998-2000