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


I know, it seems like just last week that we last did a post like
this. But I'll have you know it was last week and a few days! All
because I messed up the scheduling last time. But we're back on track
now. So let's see what Jeff Bezos has for us this time.

As usual, links below are merely informational; to actually claim
these game go to https://gaming.amazon.com



* X-COM Enemy Unknown Complete Pack (via GOG) https://www.gog.com/en/game/xcom_enemy_unknown_complete_pack
XCOM needs no introduction, whether we're talking the
original or reboot. The complete pack includes the original
game and the two expansions that were released with it.
Really nothing more needs be said; grab the game and go
shoot some sectoids already!


* Phantasie Memorial Set (via GOG) https://www.gog.com/en/game/phantasie_memorial_set
The classic Phantasie series of CRPGs may not have the
same renown and nostalgia attached to them as, say, the
Gold Box games, but they were decent enough for their time.
But these games haven't aged well, and this collection
doesn't show the games at their best, using the sub-par
DOS version for "Phantasie I", and a badly emulated Apple ][
version for the second game (the DOS version of "Phantisie III
was probably the best version released). But this
collection is really for aficionados of the series only.
The harsh visuals and sound really make it hard to get into
these games today.


* Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties (via EPIC) https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/total-war-pharaoh-dynasties-f6a34c
More Total War gaming. It's a good enough game, but it's
hard to tell these games apart from another beyond their
outward skin. This one takes place in ancient Egypt.
Otherwise, it's more of the same. Great if you love the
franchise (or love the idea of building pyramids and razing
bronze-age kingdoms) but hard to recommend if you've played
any of the other games in the series already.


* Total War: Three Kingdoms (via EPIC) https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/total-war-three-kingdoms-d3bb7a
Everything I said about "Pharaoh" above applies here too,
except obviously this one takes place in ancient China and
not Egypt. It's a good game; just know what you're getting.


* Deep Sky Derelicts (via Amazon) https://store.steampowered.com/app/698640/Deep_Sky_Derelicts/
A stylish turn-based dungeon-crawler, except it's all
sci-fi and the dungeons are wrecked spaceships. It uses
card-based combat, and has a very graphic-novel style to
its visuals. Raid procedurally generated dungeons, grab
the loot to upgrade your party, rinse and repeat. Standard
rogue-like stuff. I guess it's a good game if you like
the style; me, I'm not a fan of battling RNG and raiding
procedurally generated dungeons for the sake of raiding
them bores me.


* Chimp Quest: Spirit Isle (via Legacy) https://store.steampowered.com/app/2463700/Chimp_Quest_Spirit_Isle/
Umm... I don't know. I guess it has something to do with
chimpanzees. The game calls itself a 'time management' game
but I've no idea what the actual gameplay is all about. Is
it good? I've no idea. Well, it's on Legacy, meaning it's
not something I'd be grabbing anyway, so no loss either way.


Quite a variety in quality this time around. Well, I'm not too upset
with the selection (more XCOM is always good, as far as I'm
concerned). Are any of the games on tap of interest to you? If not,
maybe we'll see some better games in two weeks. Until then!



--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

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

On 4/4/2026 4:23 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

I know, it seems like just last week that we last did a post like
this. But I'll have you know it was last week and a few days! All
because I messed up the scheduling last time. But we're back on track
now. So let's see what Jeff Bezos has for us this time.

As usual, links below are merely informational; to actually claim
these game go to https://gaming.amazon.com

* X-COM Enemy Unknown Complete Pack (via GOG) https://www.gog.com/en/game/xcom_enemy_unknown_complete_pack
XCOM needs no introduction, whether we're talking the
original or reboot. The complete pack includes the original
game and the two expansions that were released with it.
Really nothing more needs be said; grab the game and go
shoot some sectoids already!

This isn't the original, it is the reboot. The write-up makes it sound
like the original.
--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

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

On Sun, 5 Apr 2026 08:25:45 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
<dtravel@sonic.net> said this thing:

On 4/4/2026 4:23 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

I know, it seems like just last week that we last did a post like
this. But I'll have you know it was last week and a few days! All
because I messed up the scheduling last time. But we're back on track
now. So let's see what Jeff Bezos has for us this time.

As usual, links below are merely informational; to actually claim
these game go to https://gaming.amazon.com



* X-COM Enemy Unknown Complete Pack (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/xcom_enemy_unknown_complete_pack
XCOM needs no introduction, whether we're talking the
original or reboot. The complete pack includes the original
game and the two expansions that were released with it.
Really nothing more needs be said; grab the game and go
shoot some sectoids already!

This isn't the original, it is the reboot. The write-up makes it sound
like the original.

Sorry, yeah. When I wrote "complete pack includes the original game" I
meant 'original' as in 'the first game of the rebooted series' but
probably should have been more clear.

Although actually, "XCOM" is the rebooted series. But the name of the
games released by Microprose in the 90s is actually "X-COM", with a
hypen. So technically I was correct.* ;-)



















* Thank gog for technicalities or I'd never get anything right.

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

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

On 4/5/2026 11:16 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

On Sun, 5 Apr 2026 08:25:45 -0700, Dimensional Traveler
<dtravel@sonic.net> said this thing:

On 4/4/2026 4:23 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

I know, it seems like just last week that we last did a post like
this. But I'll have you know it was last week and a few days! All
because I messed up the scheduling last time. But we're back on track
now. So let's see what Jeff Bezos has for us this time.

As usual, links below are merely informational; to actually claim
these game go to https://gaming.amazon.com



* X-COM Enemy Unknown Complete Pack (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/xcom_enemy_unknown_complete_pack
XCOM needs no introduction, whether we're talking the
original or reboot. The complete pack includes the original
game and the two expansions that were released with it.
Really nothing more needs be said; grab the game and go
shoot some sectoids already!

This isn't the original, it is the reboot. The write-up makes it sound
like the original.

Sorry, yeah. When I wrote "complete pack includes the original game" I
meant 'original' as in 'the first game of the rebooted series' but
probably should have been more clear.

Although actually, "XCOM" is the rebooted series. But the name of the
games released by Microprose in the 90s is actually "X-COM", with a
hypen. So technically I was correct.* ;-)

* Thank gog for technicalities or I'd never get anything right.

If this wasn't Usenet I'd apply an 8-bit slap picture here.
--
I've done good in this world. Now I'm tired and just want to be a cranky
dirty old man.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

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

On 4/4/2026 4:23 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

I know, it seems like just last week that we last did a post like
this. But I'll have you know it was last week and a few days! All
because I messed up the scheduling last time. But we're back on track
now. So let's see what Jeff Bezos has for us this time.

As usual, links below are merely informational; to actually claim
these game go to https://gaming.amazon.com

* X-COM Enemy Unknown Complete Pack (via GOG) https://www.gog.com/en/game/xcom_enemy_unknown_complete_pack

I might have this on Steam already, but I'll pick them up anyway, not a
bad idea to have it on a different service.

* Phantasie Memorial Set (via GOG) https://www.gog.com/en/game/phantasie_memorial_set
The classic Phantasie series of CRPGs may not have the
same renown and nostalgia attached to them as, say, the
Gold Box games, but they were decent enough for their time.
But these games haven't aged well, and this collection
doesn't show the games at their best, using the sub-par
DOS version for "Phantasie I", and a badly emulated Apple ][
version for the second game (the DOS version of "Phantisie III
was probably the best version released). But this
collection is really for aficionados of the series only.
The harsh visuals and sound really make it hard to get into
these games today.

I rather enjoyed I & II I think it was, but yeah last time I tried even
the gold box games they didn't hold up well. Still I loved having a
troll and pixie in my party. I don't remember if I actually bought them
on GOG yet, but they were at least in my wishlist.

* Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties (via EPIC) https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/total-war-pharaoh-dynasties-f6a34c
More Total War gaming. It's a good enough game, but it's
hard to tell these games apart from another beyond their
outward skin.

It's been a LOOOONG time since I played the original. I haven't have
thoughts of trying to others, this one tickles my fancy.

* Deep Sky Derelicts (via Amazon) https://store.steampowered.com/app/698640/Deep_Sky_Derelicts/
A stylish turn-based dungeon-crawler, except it's all
sci-fi and the dungeons are wrecked spaceships. It uses
card-based combat

Maybe o.k. I might give it a try. I'll pick it up at least.

Legacy

Not touching these.

Quite a variety in quality this time around. Well, I'm not too upset
with the selection (more XCOM is always good, as far as I'm
concerned). Are any of the games on tap of interest to you? If not,
maybe we'll see some better games in two weeks. Until then!

Better than the usual Epic junk of late at least.
--
-Justisaur

ø-ø
(\_/)\
`-'\ `--.___,
¶¬'\( ,_.-'
\\
^'
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