From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action


Still keeping up with that schedule! Let's see what we have this
fortnight...

It's quite the list!


* Marvels Guardians of the Galaxy (via EPIC)
A surprisingly good action-adventure. Although not
directly based on the movies, its tone is very much
reminiscent of them, so if you didn't like the humor
and banter of the films, you probably won't engage with
this game. The gameplay itself - a mix of adventuring and
combat-- is fairly average; it plays second fiddle to the
setting and characters. It's not bad but probably the
least memorable part of the game.


* Death's Door (via EPIC)
An isometric action game; take on the role of the grim
reaper and search for lost souls. Fight past monsters
and dodge traps. It's not quite as hectic as "Hades" but
has a similar feel. A good game, just not one really to
my taste.


* Killing Floor 2 (via EPIC)
A fairly forgettable co-op zombie shooter.


* Stasis: Bone Totem (via EPIC)
I haven't played this one, but if it's anything like its
predecessor -- which I did play-- it's a good looking but
not very engaging action/adventure with lots of dull
exploration and uninteresting story.


* Morbid: The Seven Acolytes (via EPIC)
A top-down action shooter with retro-graphics; sort of
a "Commando" with a fantasy/horror vibe. Reviews are mixed,
with many pointing out its shallowness and the flaws of its
gameplay, while others are more forgiving.


* Mafia: Definitive Edition (via GOG)
The original "Mafia" was a classic; it had excellent
atmosphere, beautiful visuals, a fantastic soundtrack, and
solid (if flawed) gameplay. The remake is... okay. It's
strengths are all the bits of the original it didn't
change. But a lot of the new stuff --the soundtrack, the
voice-acting, etc.-- just aren't as good. Dated as it is,
I still prefer the 2002 version


* A Plague Tale: Innocence (via GOG)
The relationship between the kids is cute, the visuals
are nice, and the rat-hordes are neat. Everything else
about the game -its story, its puzzles- is rather humdrum.
The best I can say about this game is that it's far, far
better than its sequel.


* Scorn (via GOG)
A first-person action/puzzle game. Its main hook is its
Gigerian body-horror fetish. If you just love that aesthetic,
this is the game for you, but as far as story or mechanics?
It's just not that enjoyable.


* Coromon (via GOG)
An off-brand Pokemon game. Find various monsters, capture
them, and then throw them into battle with one another. I
never got the appeal of Pokemon (I was too old when the
originals were released) so this one is definitely not for
me. But if you like enslaving innocent creatures and forcing
them into ruthless gladiatorial combat for your amusement,
Coromon is waiting for you.


* Monster Train (via GOG)
I'll just leave you with this: it's a deck-building game.
I don't think I have to say anything beyond that.


* Pumpkin Jack (via GOG)
A 3D action/platformer; sort of a kiddified "God of War"
with less sophisticated combat mechanics. Lots of jumping
and whacking at monsters, but nothing that really stands
out and shouts, "this is a game worth playing!"


* The Gunk (via GOG)
A third-person action adventure; explore a weird planet
looking for resources and end up platforming and
fighting space-monsters. Fairly typical example of the
genre.


* Scarf (via Amazon)
A third-person platformer/puzzler. You've a magical scarf
and need to bounce your way through a magical world. Not
very challenging, and just a bit too cutesy for my taste.


* Disney's Gargoyle's Remaster (via Amazon)
A remake of the 1995 platformer for the Sega based on a
Disney cartoon. I've never played the original game and
only vaguely remember the show (didn't it feature all the
cast of Star Trek TNG as its voice-actors?) so this game
doesn't excite me. But if you've nostalgia for the
original, this game is probably a welcome remix.


* Zombies Ate My Neighbors / Ghoul Patrol (via Amazon)
More remakes of classic console games. Again, I've no real
connection to the originals, so these hold little
attraction to me.


* Haunted Hotel: Personal Nightmare (via Amazon)
It wouldn't be a Prime Gaming give-away without a hidden-
object game!


* Mystery Box: Hidden Secrets (via Luna)
Or two hidden-object games, for that matter.




So, not really much in the way of great games, and the collection is
eclectic enough that you're unlikely to like all of them, but you can
probably find one or two that are interesting enough that you might
want to add them to your library. Amazon seems to be focusing on
quantity over quality these days. Ehn, I won't complain. The Number
must go up, after all.


--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 02/11/2024 15:23, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

So, not really much in the way of great games, and the collection is
eclectic enough that you're unlikely to like all of them, but you can probably find one or two that are interesting enough that you might
want to add them to your library. Amazon seems to be focusing on
quantity over quality these days. Ehn, I won't complain. The Number
must go up, after all.

That's not a bad selection especially when compared to what they've been shovelling for several months. There's three games (Mafia DE, A Plague
Tale and Scorn) that are on my mental buy at the right price list, free
meets that criteria!
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 11/2/2024 8:23 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

Still keeping up with that schedule! Let's see what we have this
fortnight...

It's quite the list!

* Marvels Guardians of the Galaxy (via EPIC)

I already have this on Steam, If anyone asks I can get you the code.

* Death's Door (via EPIC)

OOh, up my alley. Less hectic sounds good. I need to get back to Hades
and try 'story mode' some time.

* Killing Floor 2 (via EPIC)

I enjoy a good zombie shooter on occasion.

* Coromon (via GOG)
An off-brand Pokemon game. Find various monsters, capture
them, and then throw them into battle with one another. I
never got the appeal of Pokemon (I was too old when the
originals were released) so this one is definitely not for
me. But if you like enslaving innocent creatures and forcing
them into ruthless gladiatorial combat for your amusement,
Coromon is waiting for you.

Too late here too. It's a genre I probably should like as I always
enjoyed Summon Monster & Charm spells in AD&D, playing an Enchanter in Everquest, and Mind Control and Masterminds in CoH, Dungeon Keeper,
Populous, and Master of Magic all which let your minions fight for you
to some extent. You still can fight (possibly very well) in all those. Perhaps that's the difference, or it could be the cartoon kiddie
aesthetic which I don't enjoy in games.

* Monster Train (via GOG)

Very tempting to give a try, maybe just the name as it's originally (I
think) from Adventure Time the cartoon (of which there's numerous games,
I've played at a couple, and I wasn't impressed.)

* Pumpkin Jack (via GOG)
* The Gunk (via GOG)
* Scarf (via Amazon)

All sound possibly interesting, but I'm a bit off platforming currently.

* Disney's Gargoyle's Remaster (via Amazon)

I watched a few episodes recently, it's much better than the old
70's-80's cartoons I loved so much which I got on DVD and ruined my
childhood watching a few episodes and seeing just how bad they were with
my adult eyes. Almost all the newer cartoons are so much better.

There's only one actor from ST TNG's Jonathan Frakes (Riker)
--
-Justisaur

ø-ø
(\_/)\
`-'\ `--.___,
¶¬'\( ,_.-'
\\
^'
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Fri, 8 Nov 2024 04:36:14 -0800, Justisaur <justisaur@gmail.com>
wrote:

On 11/2/2024 8:23 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

* Coromon (via GOG)
An off-brand Pokemon game. Find various monsters, capture
them, and then throw them into battle with one another. I
never got the appeal of Pokemon (I was too old when the
originals were released) so this one is definitely not for
me. But if you like enslaving innocent creatures and forcing
them into ruthless gladiatorial combat for your amusement,
Coromon is waiting for you.

Too late here too. It's a genre I probably should like as I always
enjoyed Summon Monster & Charm spells in AD&D, playing an Enchanter in >Everquest, and Mind Control and Masterminds in CoH, Dungeon Keeper, >Populous, and Master of Magic all which let your minions fight for you
to some extent. You still can fight (possibly very well) in all those. >Perhaps that's the difference, or it could be the cartoon kiddie
aesthetic which I don't enjoy in games.

I always objected to Pokemon for more meta reasons. Sure, the
kiddie-themed characters weren't my cup of tea, but it was the 'gotta
catch them all!' branding that really turned me off. It was such
crass, blatant commercialism aimed at small kids that it made the
whole IP anethama to me. I mean, sure marketing had always exploited
the kiddies (especially in the 80s) but Pokemon was so openly,
nauseautingly obvious about it: 'you won't enjoy this game until you
buy everything!". Blech.

(It didn't help that the franchise also featured a collectible card
game. I still hadn't gotten over how Magic The Gathering had taken
over the tabletop hobby from RPGs, and anything card-related was an
instant no-sale from me. Still is; old grudges die hard ;-)

* Monster Train (via GOG)

Very tempting to give a try, maybe just the name as it's originally (I >think) from Adventure Time the cartoon (of which there's numerous games, >I've played at a couple, and I wasn't impressed.)

* Pumpkin Jack (via GOG)
* The Gunk (via GOG)
* Scarf (via Amazon)

All sound possibly interesting, but I'm a bit off platforming currently.

* Disney's Gargoyle's Remaster (via Amazon)

I watched a few episodes recently, it's much better than the old
70's-80's cartoons I loved so much which I got on DVD and ruined my >childhood watching a few episodes and seeing just how bad they were with
my adult eyes. Almost all the newer cartoons are so much better.

There's only one actor from ST TNG's Jonathan Frakes (Riker)

<nerd mode on (see what you made me do?)>

Au contraire. Research shows that Troi, Riker, Worf, LaForge, Data and
Miles O'Brien (or their voice-actors, anyway) all had roles in the
cartoon(Troi and Riker were both main characters, the others had
occassional roles). The actors who played Janeway, Sisko and Uhura
(not TNG but Star Trek) also made appearances. Of the main TNG cast,
only Picard and Crusher didn't make a showing.

<nerd mode off.>

;-)

--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote at 01:18 this Saturday (GMT):

On Fri, 8 Nov 2024 04:36:14 -0800, Justisaur <justisaur@gmail.com>
wrote:

On 11/2/2024 8:23 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

* Coromon (via GOG)
An off-brand Pokemon game. Find various monsters, capture
them, and then throw them into battle with one another. I
never got the appeal of Pokemon (I was too old when the
originals were released) so this one is definitely not for
me. But if you like enslaving innocent creatures and forcing
them into ruthless gladiatorial combat for your amusement,
Coromon is waiting for you.

Too late here too. It's a genre I probably should like as I always >>enjoyed Summon Monster & Charm spells in AD&D, playing an Enchanter in >>Everquest, and Mind Control and Masterminds in CoH, Dungeon Keeper, >>Populous, and Master of Magic all which let your minions fight for you
to some extent. You still can fight (possibly very well) in all those. >>Perhaps that's the difference, or it could be the cartoon kiddie
aesthetic which I don't enjoy in games.

I always objected to Pokemon for more meta reasons. Sure, the
kiddie-themed characters weren't my cup of tea, but it was the 'gotta
catch them all!' branding that really turned me off. It was such
crass, blatant commercialism aimed at small kids that it made the
whole IP anethama to me. I mean, sure marketing had always exploited
the kiddies (especially in the 80s) but Pokemon was so openly,
nauseautingly obvious about it: 'you won't enjoy this game until you
buy everything!". Blech.

(It didn't help that the franchise also featured a collectible card
game. I still hadn't gotten over how Magic The Gathering had taken
over the tabletop hobby from RPGs, and anything card-related was an
instant no-sale from me. Still is; old grudges die hard ;-)

* Monster Train (via GOG)

Very tempting to give a try, maybe just the name as it's originally (I >>think) from Adventure Time the cartoon (of which there's numerous games, >>I've played at a couple, and I wasn't impressed.)

* Pumpkin Jack (via GOG)
* The Gunk (via GOG)
* Scarf (via Amazon)

All sound possibly interesting, but I'm a bit off platforming currently.

* Disney's Gargoyle's Remaster (via Amazon)

I watched a few episodes recently, it's much better than the old
70's-80's cartoons I loved so much which I got on DVD and ruined my >>childhood watching a few episodes and seeing just how bad they were with >>my adult eyes. Almost all the newer cartoons are so much better.

There's only one actor from ST TNG's Jonathan Frakes (Riker)

<nerd mode on (see what you made me do?)>

Au contraire. Research shows that Troi, Riker, Worf, LaForge, Data and
Miles O'Brien (or their voice-actors, anyway) all had roles in the cartoon(Troi and Riker were both main characters, the others had
occassional roles). The actors who played Janeway, Sisko and Uhura
(not TNG but Star Trek) also made appearances. Of the main TNG cast,
only Picard and Crusher didn't make a showing.

<nerd mode off.>

;-)

I just don't like the mainline games :) The mons themself are super cute
tho and I draw them a lot.
--
user <candycane> is generated from /dev/urandom
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

I have Dishonored Definitive Edition & Close To The Sun to give away: Join https://steamcommunity.com/groups/CSPIGA or post an email somehow and one or both are yours!

rms

--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Fri, 8 Nov 2024 20:57:51 -0700, "rms" <rsquiresMOO@MOOflashMOO.net>
wrote:

I have Dishonored Definitive Edition & Close To The Sun to give away: Join >https://steamcommunity.com/groups/CSPIGA or post an email somehow and one or >both are yours!

rms

Ahh, good old steam-cspiga*, the forgotten sibling of Usenet CSIPGA.
It's good to see it gets SOME use, although I personally prefer the
raw textiness of Usenet to Steam's forummy goodness.

Every now and again I get reminded of it, go "oh right, that's a
thing," pop in to look around, and then quickly leave, feeling a bit
naughty and dirty for visiting a web forum. Good times. ;-)





* yes, we KNOW its mispelled.** It's... ummm.. it's intentional to
keep away the rabble! Yeah, that's it! ;-)


--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

Still keeping up with that schedule! Let's see what we have this fortnight...

It's quite the list!

I just saw a few extra games, but the one that caught my eye was Chasm:
The Rift.

I saw that game in an article about the next generation of games coming
after Quake and Quake II. Duke Nukem Forever, Prey, NAM... and right at
the end Chasm: The Rift, which had the selling point of not requiring a
3D accelerator card and being able to run in any hardware.

This should be interesting. Crossing my fingers that I can copy the GOG
game files to my retro PC and it will run (that's not the norm, sadly).
--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Fri, 15 Nov 2024 14:53:30 +0100, H1M3M <wipnoah@gmail.com> wrote:

Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

Still keeping up with that schedule! Let's see what we have this
fortnight...

It's quite the list!

I just saw a few extra games, but the one that caught my eye was Chasm:
The Rift.

I saw that game in an article about the next generation of games coming
after Quake and Quake II. Duke Nukem Forever, Prey, NAM... and right at
the end Chasm: The Rift, which had the selling point of not requiring a
3D accelerator card and being able to run in any hardware.

This should be interesting. Crossing my fingers that I can copy the GOG
game files to my retro PC and it will run (that's not the norm, sadly).

I enjoyed "Chasm", and yes it definitely sold on its not requiring a
3D accelerator! It actually ran pretty well too; I think I played it
on my 486/33! It certainly ran better than Quake did on that machine!


IIRC, it used a 'traditional' (for the time) ray-casting engine, like
Doom, but used polygonal monsters and threw in a few polygonal
constructs here and there... enough to give the ILLUSION of being a
full-3D game. Certainly it fooled me, back in the day.

The gameplay was fairly average for a 'doom-clone' of its time.
Compared to what we're used to now, it's awful, but there were A LOT
of terrible FPS games in that era.

[Most of them published by Capcom ;-P]

Against that backdrop, "Chasm" wasn't that bad. But it lacked the
spark that made games like "Doom" or "Dark Forces" such classics. It
featured the usual dull-looking mazes filled with unexcitingly (and
often unfairly) placed monsters guarding the requisite keycard needed
to progress. It wasn't the worst of the bunch but it wasn't anywhere
near the best. It's biggest selling point was that it looked and felt
enough like Quake that those of us with lesser machines could pretend
we were playing the same game as those cool kids.

It was store-brand Quake.

It's not a game I'd recommend anyone seek out. I enjoy it for its
historical curiousity and for nostalgia (I'm not immune!) but it's
been largely forgotten by gamers for a reason.



--- Synchronet 3.20a-Linux NewsLink 1.114