Hey everybody,

I just recently bought a new PC after several years out of PC gaming. I was hoping some of you who are more current could give me recommendations of games that I might have missed and/or are coming out soon that I should pick up.

I have a Wii and an Xbox360, so what I'm really looking for are games that are better on PCs.

Here are a couple of genres that I am interested in:

FPS: I'm definitely looking to get some version of CS. What version are people playing the most now? Source? (I have CoD4 on Xbox360)

RTS: I have AoE III, looking at the most recent Settlers, obviously I will pick up Starcraft 2 when it comes out

TBS: I have Civ 4, any other good ones out there I need? I used to love RoTK.

Historical Strategy: I used to love the Panzer General series, are there any games of similar quality these days?

Combat Flight Sim: Would love a realistic, technical fighter game, any era.

Others: I never played SimCity 4, is it worth it? Any other random recommendations you guys have?

P.S., if you couldn't tell from the above, I care more about gameplay than graphics. 

FPS: FEAR 1. FEAR 2 is coming out this year as well
RTS: C&C3, Warhammer 40K, Company of Heroes
TBS: Heroes of Might & Magic 5
Others: Portal, Audiosurf, Sins of the Solar Empire

If you want games that are better on PC, don't skip CoD4 even though you already have it on 360. It's signifficantly better on PC. Between the tighter controls and the 50-man server cap it's basically a whole new game, and easily worth coughing up for again. Other stuff...

Shooters:

-CS: Source is good.
-The Orange Box is a must buy. Covers basically all the best shooters ever in one great package.
-The Unreal Deal Pack on Steam will get you all Unreal games for $60.
-Bioshock plays great on PC and looks even better than the 360 version ($30 on Steam).

RTS:

-Warcraft 3 and The Frozen Throne expansion
-Sins of a Solar Empire
-Supreme Commander (though it's not really to my tastes many like it)
-Company of Heroes (WWII RTS game if this counts as historical to you)
-Rise of Legends

 
TBS:

-Heroes of Might and Magic V

RPGs:

-Baldur's Gate 2
-Diablo 2
-Fallout 2
-KOTOR
-Deus Ex

Others:

-Audiosurf on Steam is awesome fun for $10
-Sam & Max is great.

Future games:

-Starcraft 2
-Spore
-Left 4 Dead
-A bunch of stuff I can't remember off the top of my head.

CS 1.6 and Source are both heavily played still.

UT3 is awesome.

Half-Life is recommended.

AudioSurf is fun

The Blob is recommended and FREE.

Warcraft 3 + expansion is oldish but still fun

Starcraft 2 will be out soon

C&C3 is ok

C&C Red Alert 3 will be amazing but wont be out till the Fall.

Spore will be an amazing MMO Evolution RPG/RTS thing when released.


Go with Naz's list as it seems most of my list is the same as his

Wait for the Wii version of de Blob. It's got better graphics, much upgraded paint effects, an awesome custom soundtrack, and the ability to jump around skyscrapers and such (in the PC one you just roll around, kinda dull).

 What he said.

For RTS you would be wise to check out Warhammer 40,000:Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, you don't need the originla, it has easy going system requirements and you don't need to be a fan of warhammer to play it.

You might want to check out some of the classic RTSs as well...a lot of the C&Cs are still great fun, you can pick up most of them in a pack for $20.

Try Command & Conquer 3:Tiberium Wars as well.

Rome Total War is amazing
Company of Heroes and World in Conflict are also excellent RTSs