Good gaming websites, and good multiplayer games

[Nebben]

I've been stuck playing older games for a long while and now I have a new system and I don't know what's out, or where to find games to play. What are some good gaming websites that have reviews and such? I used to browse Bluesnews and Shacknews a looooong time ago but I can't find a solid site to find good multiplayer games now.

What are some of your favorite post-2000 multiplayer games? Some favorites of my friends and I:

Quake 1/Quakeworld (Hands down the most enjoyable multiplayer game ever made, but after 10 years of playing it you need something else to mix in )

Soldat -- recently discovered via the thread on this forum, this game is a blast on a LAN!

Quake3, HL2, UT2004 and other misc. FPS games.


We don't play a lot of RTS games, really. Just WC3 and Total Annihilation.


What are some games that have innovative gameplay, or games that are simply a blast to play with 4-8 friends? We really don't need another run of the mill Quake-clone.

What's the best out of the Counterstrike/Rainbow6 genre these days? I have never really played those games much.

 

[Malak]

I would definitely pick up HL2 first. The source engine adds some new elements to FPS gaming that is neat, like shooting people through objects, the physics, and even the overall graphics. HL2 and CS:S are good fun. You can get some HL2 mods for fun with friends, like co-op mods.

As far as gaming sites go, I don't tend to trust reviews at all from the sites I go to, but Gamespy is a good source for straight info. Their reviews tend to be hit and miss though. It's not always their fault, or any reviewers fault for that matter. Some games are awesome for the first week and then you realize just how much the game actually sucks. Or the opposite, the game seems to suck hardcore from the start, but turns out to be really good. You have to really pick apart a review to see if the reviewer has really played it much(often just a few days in before they review) and if their review is more opinion than fact. Some games get bad reviews and are still loved by their fans. Some games get good reviews that really aren't great games if you know games.