So I scouted it out today, taking a peek outside of my doomsday bunker, and I'm pretty sure the world didn't end yesterday. I saw no signs of raptors, zombies, meteor showers, flooding, or new earth quake faults, so I think I'm safe now returning to my home, and more importantly my computer with it's nice, large, keyboard.
So far this sale has been okay, at least in my humble opinion. I've picked up a DLC or two, as well as a few games. Unfortunately, prior to the sale, I poured a fair amount of time into a couple of different games that I heard were coming out with Christmas achievements, in anticipation of a contest similiar to the last few years. Alas, no dice, thanks to a few individuals of questionable moral fortitude who ripped off the Humble Bundle of the time to create tons of steam accounts, then proceed to complete the free-to-play achievements each day to accumulate massive amounts of entries for the "win everything on steam contest." While I do miss the experience of picking up a few new games everyday, and learning about things that I might otherwise pass on (which, you may have noticed, is how I stumbled upon several different games I've reviewed), my wallet has so far appreciated the relatively light beating it has taken.
Still, the two sets of twice daily flash sales and community choice is a poor substitute for the systems of the past, but at least I don't have to check my computer/phone every two hours like during the Summer Sale.
Main Sale:
Dead Island - I am actually torn on this one, taking into account that I've heard mixed feelings about the game, and partly because I was hoping it would edge down to 75% off (it was the same price during a flash sale in the autumn sale). Given that I've got enough to keep me occupied for now, I figure I can hold off until the second game is released and this one dips a bit more, hopefully during a random weekend sale. Otherwise it's $6.79 today.
Train Simulator 2013 - $13.74.
Dawn of War Franchise - As with many of the franchise sales so far, you can get the games individually, but unless you have all but one or two in the series, that is the dumb idea. That's because you can pick up the original Dawn of War titles, Dawn of War II and it's sequel, the return to the RTS version in retribution, and tons of DLC, all for only $9.99. I've only played Dawn of War II, and really loved that game, and based on that alone I would highly recommend this pack. The only thing it looks like you're missing is Space Marine.
DOTA 2 - So this one is a little different, because DOTA 2 isn't out yet, and it's Free to Play. What you're actually buying is early access to the game, as well as some in game items. I don't know about this one, despite that fact that I apparently already own the game, so I guess it's going to depend if you're into this genre or not (I'm not). $14.99 for the next several hours.
Blood Bowl Franchise - The legendary edition is $4.99, and the Chaos edition (which is 2 years newer) is $14.99.
Dungeon Defenders - Reviewed! This game is constantly coming up for the $3.74 it is today, but if you really want to get more out of the game (mostly new characters, but missions too), you should get the collection, which includes 24 items for a sum of $12.49. Or, there is an alternative, in the form of Humble Bundle 7, which, if you beat the average (which you always should, because you are getting a ton of games, and even if you have some of them, just donate more to charity) includes this game with DLC (from the looks of it, you're getting that same DD Collection). It's a thought, but just please don't abuse the Humble Bundles, for reasons outlined at the top of this post, as well as plenty of others I could get into if I ever delved into opinion pieces.
Flash Sales:
Condemned: Criminal Origins - $5.09
Limbo (Reviewed!) - $2.49
Quantum Conundrum (Reviewed!) - $3.74
Of Orcs and Men - $19.99
Dear Esther - $2.49
Total War Franchise - All over the place, with full and partial collections on sale.
Community Choice:
Ace of Spades - $4.99
I haven't been terribly impressed by the sales, no contests or achievement hunts this time around, half as many daily deals as last year, far fewer publisher packs etc.
ReplyDeleteCan't complain too much, but it's not one of Valve's better sales.
I was surprised by the lack of publisher packs as well. No Rockstar, 1C, etc. Just the big guys. Though that indie pack is a great deal, because it works out to $2.50 per game for 30 games.
DeleteI enjoyed the achievement contests the last few years, particularly last year for a couple of reasons: it was something fun to do when it was so cold outside I could only work out there for a few hours a day; there was the chance I could win every game on steam; there was the chance I could win a couple of different games or coupons (but those turned out to be useless for other reasons); ultimately, it lead me to look closer at many games I might otherwise never have considered, and all of the following games are ones I've reviewed that I picked up because they were part of the contest: AAAAA!!! - for the Awesome, Anomaly Warzone Earth, Bastion, Dungeon Defenders, Hard Reset, Renegade Ops, Sequence, SpaceChem, and Swords and Soldiers HD. Several of those are games I wouldn't have otherwise picked up (no name recognition, or if not featured as a daily deal so I actually knew about it), such as Sequence, or SpaceChem, but have turned out to be some of my favorite games. There are plenty more I haven't gotten around to yet, but that's more an issue of time and how I like to rotate through the genres so I don't get burned out on any one thing.
Ultimately, the lack of exciting new games I might otherwise never knew about is what I miss the most.