From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action
On 3/21/2024 10:08 AM, Justisaur wrote:
On 3/21/2024 8:51 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
Hello again! I won't bore you with an overlong introduction; it's
Thursday and we all know what this post is about. Today we get two
free games. You know what to do.
* Call of the Wild: The Angler
https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/call-of-the-wild-the-angler
"Call of the Wild: The Hunter" is an open-world hunting
game that presented huge, gorgeous maps and a reasonable
hunting simulation. "The Angler", made by the same
developers, essentially uses the same tech as a basis
for a fishing game, but I found it a lot less convincing.
In part, because the graphics that wowed us in 2017 are
looking a lot less impressive in 2024 (especially with
regards to the water), and also because the base game is
just a lot less interesting and complete. This is a game
that demands you buy its expansions if you want to have
any fun with it. And the core gameplay - the fishing -
isn't even much fun; it poorly simulates the real-life
hobby and is extremely grindy. Being able to wander the
wilds to find the perfect fishing spot, and then wade
into deep water to cast your line sounds like it could
be a lot of fun, but the game fails to capture that
experience. I'd love to be able to recommend this game,
if only because modern computer fishing games are such
a rare breed. But even if you love the genre, this
game is probably not worth your time.
Note: There are several free DLC packs (two winter cosmetics, and a
tackle pack) so if you do grab the game don't forget to claim the DLC
too,
Blech, grindy and Epic, pass.
* Invincible Presents: Atom Eve
https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/atom-eve-ff090d
Essentially, a Telltale Games-style adventure where you
take on the role of a super-hero. But it's more visual
novel than adventure. Apparently its based on some comic
book. There's a mix of combat and relationship
management, and the whole thing has a very comic-book
aesthetic. A must-get for fans of the Invincible comic,
or even if you just enjoy visual-novel style games.
Otherwise? You can probably pass. It's not a bad game
at all, but it is targeted at a very narrow niche.
Weird, this also showed up on Amazon Prime Games just after you posted
last week. I only tried one Telltale game (a batman game) and didn't
care for it, so probably won't like it, but I really enjoy the
Invincible cartoon on Amazon Prime. I'm not bothering getting it on
Epic as I already have it on Prime and Epic is a hassle.
I guess it was free through prime, but actually on Epic.
I got around to trying it, it's fairly short, I finished it in under 8
hours. I found it much better than the Telltale games I've tried. I
had no issues getting through puzzles (I dare to perhaps say it didn't
even have any puzzles.) It had at least half JRPG style turn-based
fights Vs. the role-play sections which kept it balanced enough I didn't
get bored. The fights were with the only the one main character on your
side (mostly, there's a couple points another super throws rocks from
off screen at the enemies.) It also has a skill tree.
I found it engaging and not a slog without the large party to go through
turns for. I'm almost tempted to play it again to try different skill
trees, and RP options. I had watched and enjoyed Invincible on Prime,
so I may have enjoyed it more than those without the background. On the
other hand I tended to go for RP options that were similar to the show,
so maybe being too familiar hurts.
I know Invincible is yet another take on DC where the characters are
more gray (at best) to downright evil (what if superman were evil.)
There's getting to be too many of those. I had to look up which DC
super Atom Eve is based off of and it looks like it's Firestorm, I don't
think I've ever even heard of Firestorm.
Thoroughly enjoyed, recommend.
--
-Justisaur
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