From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action
Well, we're at the start of another month, so let's all wander on over
to Amazon Prime and see what goodies have fallen out of the chute
since last time we've visited, shall we?
[Here's where I mumble my usual something about URLs being
informational only so don't follow them hoping to get
a free game]
* Technotopia (via Amazon)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2825110/Technotopia/
This is some sort of city-builder; as the name implies,
it's a bit more sci-fi than usual. Reviews are good, but
it does seem to use deck-building mechanics (which as many
of you know, I intrinsically dislike). It seems to be as
much puzzle game as strategy builder. If it wasn't for that
damn card motif, I might enjoy it.
* Elderborn (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/elderborn
A first-person melee-combat game with (of course) the
usual Souls-like difficulty. Some reviewers also compare it
to "Dark Messiah of Might & Magic". Me, I'm less impressed;
the whole thing looks a bit too try-hard with its edginess,
and I've never found a game with satisfactory first-person
melee combat and this one doesn't look any better. I'm not
saying it's bad... just that I don't have high expectations
from it.
* Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/alqadim_the_genies_curse
One of the last top-down CRPGs from SSI utilizing the D&D
license, the developers tried something different from this
one. Most obviously, it used the Al Qadim 'Arabian
Adventures' setting, but also the game was far more
action-oriented than many CRPGs of the time. It was sort of
a proto-Diablo, minus the loot and interesting level design.
Straying so far from the usual norms of the genre, it wasn't
well-received on release, but these days its stripped-down
mechanics probably would be more palatable... if it weren't
for its age. Mostly of interest only to die-hard D&D and
DOS gamers.
* Harold Halibut (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/harold_halibut
Let's start with the most important: this is a walking
simulator. That's not a genre that appeals to many, so if not,
keep walking. That said, "Harold" seems to be a bit different
from the usual games in the genre; for one thing, this one
utilizes a third-person perspective, and there are numerous
NPCs to interact with (most walking sims are first-person and
devoid of NPCs). It's set in a surreal city-spaceship and is
mostly about the emotional journey and exploration. I myself
enjoy the genre, so even if the title is a bit weird, I think
I'll give it a try.
* D&D Stronghold: Kingdom Simulator (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/dd_stronghold_kingdom_simulator
I've talked about this one before; it's a game I think as
a hidden gem. A strategy/city-builder, it uses the D&D
license (the BECMI rules, to be precise). From a unique
first-person perspective, you build up your city, which
attracts heroes who explore the world and fight off monsters
for you. Although lacking a strong end-game, I found the
city-building to be, for lack of a better, word, 'cozy'.
It's sort of a prototype of the "Majesty" games that came
out a decade later. Good, not great, but still fun.
Not a bad selection of games this time around. Not great, no, but not
bad. I am somewhat concerned about the lack of any hidden-object
titles. Have we finally collected them all?
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