Steam Summer Sale 6-25-14

While I haven’t talked about it before, except to lament the fact that I didn’t benefit from it, there has been a contest of sorts going on for the duration of this sale. You probably know this by now, how however is divided into teams, and completing badges grants your team points, with 30 people from the winning team for each day awarded the top 3 games on their wishlist.  It’s nice to see Valve finally doing something fun again, sine that was back in 2011 when they had the massive achievement contest where you might win games, coupons, or coal (each piece of coal was an entry into a drawing to win every game on Steam), even if I do have issues with it. Anyways, the big news is that now it’s not just a single team that wins. If your team is in the top 3, you could potentially get some free games. Specifically, 30 people from the first place team get lucky, followed by 20 from the 2^nd place team, and 10 from the 3^rd place team. Considering there are something like 5 million concurrent users signed in, I doubt you should get your hopes up (I know I’m not, but that might be because my team is in dead last), but it’s nice to think that your odds, as terrible as they might be, have just doubled. So, yay silver linings?

Main Sale

Bioshock – I’ve played 2/3rds of the series. The first game was fantastic, partly because of the newness of it, but also because it’s got some really interesting gameplay, memorable moments, and yes, a fun story, even if people do have issues with the twist. The second game isn’t as good as the first, but still worth playing. There were major improvements to abilities and weapons, such as being able to have both an ability (such as dropping a decoy, setting someone on fire, shocking them with lightning, attacking them with bees, etc.) equipped at the same time as a weapon, which really opened up a much smoother experience. I haven’t yet gotten around to the third one, but undoubtedly will when it drops just a little lower. You see, while the third title is $7.49 today, it’s season pass content , which includes 2 massive DLCs set in the environment of the first game, bring the complete pack to $14.99. Yes, I know I’ll love the game, but yes, I am a cheap jerk with enough games to tide me over until it hits $9.99, maybe this fall. Also, the previous games are available for $4.99 each (if you really want them, I have some extra Steam keys to trade :) )

Kerbel Space Program – An early access space sim title. You build spacecraft, carefully constructing them from different parts. Will you make a multistage rocket, or attempt to do it all in one go? Are you looking to achieve orbit, or just make it into space? It is one of those games that has an incredible amount of depth to it, and a surprising amount of educational value. I haven’t done too much, as a fried picked it up for me a while back, but I definitely like the way it’s going, and think this is one I’ll really enjoy “when it’s done.” It’s $16.19 to get in it today.

Child of Light – Alright, so this looks kind of awesome. Somewhat a cross between Braid and Dust visually. While I would like to give it a try (there is at least a demo for that much), the 25% off and $11.24 is more of a bitter pill to swallow.

Company of Heroes – The whole franchise is on sale, but the biggest discounts are for the latest title. I played the originals, and quickly fell in love with Relic’s take on this WWII RTS. Moving troops around the ruined streets of France, only to be attacked by some German swine machine gunners or snipers hiding in buildings (since that is something you can actually do), is terrifying. However, destroying the building with your enemies still inside it because, you know, tanks aren’t as vulnerable to gunfire, is satisfying. Similarly, dropping in on an anti tank group, stealing their cannon, and then moving that to the road , and then using that to take out incoming cavalry made for a surprisingly good time. Basically, if you like RTS games and you haven’t tried one of these yet, you absolutely must get it. Unfortunately, you’d be paying $4.99 or $9.99 for the older titles, and $9.99 for the new one, which is the only reason I’ll be waiting.

Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn – This is that FF MMO that was so unpopular they had to shut it down and reboot it. In addition to that, it’s a game I want to stay away from because of my tendency to get addicted to these types of titles. It’s $14.99 today.

Counter Strike GO – Honestly, I’m a bit baffled by this one. No, not the game (everyone should know about the basic principles of CS, what with the 1 life per round, using cash to buy weapons and the whole terrorist vs. counter terrorist thing), but rather the price and terrible discount. It’s only 50% off, making it $7.49, when in the past it has been much less.

Batman Arkham – Reviewed! The three titles in this series are $4.99, $4.99, and $7.49, respectively. So far I’ve only gotten around to the first one, which is a solid action/stealth game that I think you should pick up at this price, no questions asked. The only one I have any concerns about, actually, is the third title, which I’ve heard isn’t quite so good, so I’ll probably wait until it’s lower and I get around to beating the second one.

Endless Space – It’s been quite a long time since I last played this one, and I believe they’ve added enough content that my experiences are no longer the most relevant. However, it’s a massive space based 4X strategy game, similar to Civ, though, frankly, it’s better. Partly that’s due to the talent tree that determines how your people evolve, and things like terraforming planets to create resources and other things. I’d say it’s a good game if you’re in to 4X titles, and that the $7.49 isn’t a bad amount to pay for it.

The Banner Saga – Will I get this game? Absolutely. However, that’s one of those “in time” purchases, since it’s still $12.49.

**Sorry, got back from work late and I'm up against the clock, so in the interest of getting this published before all the following games expire, here are your choices, sans details. **

Flash Sales

Next Car Game – It’s $17,99

The Testament of Sherlock Holmes – This one is $3.99

The Secret World – It’s $11.99

Infested Planet – This one is $7.49

Community Choice

They Bleed Pixels – Today it hits a $1.99 low.

Tomb Raider – Just in case you missed it the other day, it’s back for the same $4.99 for the base version. Everything still applies from the last time I covered it.

Mirror’s Edge – Another title comes back up. Also $4.99 today.

Giana Sisters Twisted Dreams – Another game that I picked up, because this platformer does look so good, but haven’t gotten around to it. It’s a record low $2.99 today.

And in case you missed it: Star Wars Battlefront II for $3.39, Call of Juarez Gunslinger for $3.74, Serious Sam The Complete Pack for $14.99, Killing Floor for $4.99, Bastion for $2.24, World of Goo for $0.99, Rayman Legends for $9.99, Awesomenauts for $0.99, Kingdom Rush for $2.49, Castle Crashers for $1.49, King Arthur's gold for $4.99, Magicka for $2.49, Super Amazing Wagon Adventure for $1.01, Noir Syndrome for $2.37, Pixel Piracy for $7.49, Delver for $2.39.