Steam Winter Sale 12-28-13

Only a few more days left in this sale. Hopefully you've seen the title you want by now, though there have been a large number of smaller indie and early access games that have been featured, so there is the possibility you may have not yet.

You should of course check out Amazon, Green Man Gaming, Gamers Gate, and The Humble Store for some other deals as well to see if something you really want is on discount there.

Main Sale

Torchlight - Reviewed!Picked up this fun ARPG just over a year ago now, and found it to be an excellent game. The almost comic visuals make for some truly spectacular scenes, particularly when you use a massive fire damage ability and watch the whole screen lite up. I took my about 20 hours to make it through the first play through, and then I went through again just to level up so more. The game has changed some since I played it, but that's largely due to mod support, since you can worth through steam for some mods, such as one that resets your talent points, a feature that was sorely lacking original. It's a must buy at $4.99.

Sim City 4 -Let's see, this would be the last good Sim City, right? Well, it's $4.99 today.

Saints Row IV -The comic over the top GTA like franchise's latest incarnation. I haven't tried this one out yet, mostly because it's still $19.99, but it does look like a pretty funny game.

Dust An Elysian Tail -I just picked this up a few weeks ago (either at the beginning of this sale or during the last one), so I haven't given it a shot yet. Still, it's supposed to have a pretty dark story, which contrasts with the Disney's Bambi like visuals. It's currently tied for the all time low of $3.74.

Deadpool -Another comically irreverent game to go along with Saints Row. It's $19.99 today.

Garry's Mod - One of those eternally on sale games, and also one that owuld fall into the comical category. It's basically a sandbox where you can mess around with models from various valve games, rig up cameras to fly through levels that you'll use to make a movie later, etc. It's the usual $2.49 today.

Sins of a Solar Empire Rebellion -This one is supposed to be pretty good, as it expands on Trinity (the previous game) bad adding 3 new factions. While it's $9.99, if you're really favoring some strategy games, you might want to try the Stardock pack for $44.99, since that has plenty of options in it.

Godus - An early access god game that's $9.99 today. While it does look somewhat interesting, kind of like a 3D version of Reus, I'll be holding off until it's actually done.

Brothers  -Alright, this one looks pretty cool. You do need a controller because, if I understand it correctly, you control two characters at the same time. It's been highly rated elsewhere, mostly by others that I have a slight amount of faith in, which is to say, much more than Massive Reviewers Inc. (is that a real thing? I might have just committed slander there if it is...). It's $4.49 today.



Flash Sale

Rage - Reviewed! The short story is don't buy this game. Just don't. Even at $4.99, this game suffers from a large amount of problems, ranging from technical issues that plagued the game from launch (and weren't repaired by the time I played it a year later), to the lack luster game play and the overwhelming feeling that you're playing maybe half of a game. Unless you're absolutely desperate, just skip this one.

Evoland - It's a little game about the evolution of the adventure game. Not really a normal game, but only $2.49.

Gunpoint  - I tried the demo for this back when it was released, and I was impressed for a couple of reasons. First, the simple gameplay was enjoyable, as you try to overcome obstacles by thinking of things like turning out the lights, the connecting that switch to an outlet right next to it, so that when the guard walks in and flips the switch, he electrocutes himself too. Second, the humor, found in the quality of the writing, was very good, and I'm a sucker for anything that leads to a good time. My only concern is the game is a bit short, as the demo took you through 4/20 levels. There is user created content, but I'm a bit iffy on that one. At $3.39 it's not a bad buy, but I'd really like to see it hit $2.49 some day.

Shelter -So this game is a little bit different. It's kind of a survival game, but that's because you're a mother badger that is trying to protect and feed your young. It is supposed to be short, coming in at under 2 hours. Heck, at $2.49, maybe I'll get this one and then review it really quickly. It'll actually take more time to write about it than it takes to play.

You may have missed Guacamelee for $3.74, Castle Storm for $3.39, Metro Last Light for $13.59, Doom 3 for $4.99, Dirt 3 for $6.24, Adventure Time for $27.99, Magicka for $2.49, and Giana Sisters Twisted Dreams for $1.79.



Community's Choice

Snow - Since this is an early access title, you'll see that it comes in a variety of packages, from $11.24 for the Starter Pack, to $44.99 for the Founders pack. It's $7.50.

Past winners were Civilization V for $12.49 and World of Goo for $0.99.

***

Okay, so not too much today. Torchlight is the one game that's a must buy, but I'm pretty confident in Dust, Gunpoint, and Brothers as games that could turn out really well.