From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action
Well, rms may have stolen some of my thunder with their earlier random
post... but I won't let that stop me. I'm going to do my biweekly
'Prime Gaming' post anyway. Hear me thunder as I talk about all the
games rms already mentioned in an earlier thread!!!
It's the start of a whole new month, so we have A LOT of games to get
through this time.
#
* CyClones (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/cyclones
A DOS-era 'Doom-clone' developed by Raven Games...
but don't get your hopes up. Fairly average when
released back in 1994, it did offer some 'firsts'
for the genre (including an in-game tutorial level,
and mixing stealth with run-n-gun combat). But novel
as these ideas may have been, their implementations
weren't that great. There are a lot better games to
play out there; this one is notable only for
boomer-shooter fanatics and gaming historians.
* Between Time: Escape Room (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/between_time_escape_room
Yet-Another-Escape-Room game. All the ones being given
away by Amazon recently aren't even from the same
developer; it's a whole genre now. The overarching
story in this one is that you have a time-machine
and are raiding the past for treasures; solve the
logic puzzles to escape. Meh.
* Sugardew Island (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/sugardew_island
Another indie Harvest Valley clone. Reviews are
positive but the saccharine sweetness of these
titles always drives me off.
* Space Grunts 2 (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/space_grunts_2
A rogue-like with card-battling mechanics and a pixel-art
graphics style. A perfect trifecta of things I don't
really like.
* Wargame Construction Set 3: Age of Rifles (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/wargame_construction_set_iii_age_of_rifles_18461905_campaigns
On the one hand, it's a classic DOS-era wargame from
SSI. It's also the best of the Wargame Construction Set
series (at least in my opinion). But on the other hand...
it's a classic DOS-era wargame, with all that implies.
Even when it was released back in 1996, it already felt
dated and behind the curve. It hasn't aged that well
since. For the groggiest of grognards only.
* LoneStar (via EPIC)
https://store.epicgames.com/p/lonestar-83f143
"There's only one man who would dare give me the
raspberry: Lone Star!" No, this game has nothing
to do with "Spaceballs", but c'mon, that's probably
the first thing that came to mind when you saw
this was a sci-fi game with that name (unless
you're from Texas). Anyway, this game is a
'strategic rogue-like spaceship deckbuilder'...
and I've already lost interest. Good reviews, but
just not a style of game for me.
* Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga (via EPIC)
https://store.epicgames.com/p/symphony-of-war-60a76e
A turn-based action strategy game. Visually it seems
to borrow from classic JRPG games, and its gameplay
is similar to a SNES title like Fire Emblem. Sadly,
those were never the sort of games I really enjoyed.
* Space Grunts: Chrono Shard (via EPIC)
https://store.epicgames.com/p/space-grunts-chrono-shard-3d4893
See Space Grunts 2 above. This one has a time-loop
mechanic that lets you leave gear and upgrades behind to
use in future battles. Neat. Other than that? Meh.
* Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch (via Amazon)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2530490/Lost_Eidolons_Veil_of_the_Witch/
A turn-based RPG/rogue-lite. Move your units across the
battlefield , and build up the survivors in between battles.
It's got some nice art, but reviews indicate the gameplay
loop is unpolished, needing better balance, variety and
explanations on how the systems worked. It's not bad, but earns
its free price.
* Terraforming Mars (via Amazon)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/800270/Terraforming_Mars/
The game sounds a lot neater than it is. You'd think it might
be a full-on simulation where you transform a planet so it has
a livable biome, but really it's more of a board-game on a
computer. Each turn you get cards that you can use to
manipulate the planet. Heavily RNG based and the results
aren't very reactive to your actions. And its buggy to boot.
I'm not a fan.
* Please, Touch the Artwork (via Legacy)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1097100/Please_Touch_The_Artwork/
A 'casual' adventure/logic-puzzle game. Manipulate various
pieces of abstract art in a variety of fairly standard
puzzle-types. I think I'd enjoy this more if I liked the art
being used. Abstract was never a style that spoke to me.
#
Eleven games; quite a haul. Sadly, the quality doesn't quite match the quantity, but then again, quantity has worth all its own (at least
that's what The Number keeps whispering in my ear). And while there
aren't any real GREATS in the bunch, there may be a few games that are
still worth playing. Anyway, they're free(-ish) so I won't complain
too loudly.
Mark your calendars; we'll be back in two weeks to see what new games
await us. Even if rms tries to pre-empt me again. ;-)
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