Bargain Thread 2011 Edition

Marcin · 2011-11-30T12:03:27.000Z

“Freelancer done right” makes no sense. :P

Hmm, now I’m curious if I can track down a copy somewhere. I long to hear those words again:

“We don’t run this place, but we have an understanding with those who do.”

James_Johnson · 2011-11-30T12:05:26.000Z

Brian Rubin:

Hey, if y’all wanna play a lame ripoff of Freelancer with only one ship, be my guest. ;)

If you want an open-ended space game thingy that’s fairly accessible and modern, yet on the good side, try Evochron Mercenary. DS1 was just…blech…

I did not care for Evochron. I found it to be just as impenetrable as the X series but uglier to boot.

I thought I’d heard Darkstar was like Freelancer, but I wasn’t 100% and I knew Brian was watching.

BrianRubin · 2011-11-30T12:11:57.000Z

Feh, the Evochron games are WAAAAAAAY more accessible than the X games, IMHO. Regardless, I hope you enjoy DS1 more than I did. ;)

And yes, I’m always watching. ;)

And wait, what? “Freelancer Done Right”!? WTF? Freelancer WAS done right in many ways. The only way it WASN’T done right is the lack of a sequel. :/

WarrenD · 2011-11-30T12:27:11.000Z

Brian Rubin:

Feh, the Evochron games are WAAAAAAAY more accessible than the X games, IMHO. Regardless, I hope you enjoy DS1 more than I did. ;)

And yes, I’m always watching. ;)

And wait, what? “Freelancer Done Right”!? WTF? Freelancer WAS done right in many ways. The only way it WASN’T done right is the lack of a sequel. :/

Although I’ve been a computer gamer for 25+ years, I’m such a babe in the woods when it comes to “space games”. Seems I went right from Tie Fighter to Space Rangers 2.
Yeah the “Freelancer Done Right” comment on the box is from the developers so I’m taking that with a grain of salt.

And Evochron Mercenary looks really cool actually, an open world space sim sounds like fun and if it’s accessible enough to a space newb like me, well Gamersgate has it digitally for sale…

BrianRubin · 2011-11-30T12:41:20.000Z

Warren, EM has interactive and voiced tutorials. You can try the demo first, too.

Also, this article was kinda made for you - http://www.spacegamejunkie.com/1087/starting-in-space-games-where-to-begin

WarrenD · 2011-11-30T13:12:03.000Z

Brian Rubin:

Warren, EM has interactive and voiced tutorials. You can try the demo first, too.

Also, this article was kinda made for you - http://www.spacegamejunkie.com/1087/starting-in-space-games-where-to-begin

Thanks a lot Brian, excellent article, it will help.

The one category I didn’t really see you cover is the RPGish space games like Freelancer/DarkStar, wondering if there are anymore in that style I might be missing.

Going to download the EM demo right now.

Vesper · 2011-11-30T13:16:19.000Z

EM is great. Brian- have you tried Starwraith’s new game yet?

BrianRubin · 2011-11-30T13:19:23.000Z

Vesper:

EM is great. Brian- have you tried Starwraith’s new game yet?

Yup, I’ve already begun covering it on my blog. :-)

BrianRubin · 2011-11-30T13:20:20.000Z

WarrenD:

Thanks a lot Brian, excellent article, it will help.

The one category I didn’t really see you cover is the RPGish space games like Freelancer/DarkStar, wondering if there are anymore in that style I might be missing.

Going to download the EM demo right now.

Glad to help, and good call on the RPG angle, I should do a follow up. :-)

divedivedive · 2011-11-30T13:22:40.000Z

I liked Darkstar One. It was goofy.

BrianRubin · 2011-11-30T13:33:19.000Z

Pogue Mahone:

I liked Darkstar One. It was goofy.

Goofy as in horrible? ;-)

divedivedive · 2011-11-30T13:39:32.000Z

Brian Rubin:

Goofy as in horrible? ;-)

Naw man, goofy as in it skis with its right foot forward.

Rock8man · 2011-12-01T05:53:55.000Z

I have no opinion on Darkstar One yet. I love space sims, so I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. At least it isn’t as impenetrable as the X games (after X-tension). And at least it supports joysticks, so I have a chance of liking the core game, unlike Freelancer’s clickity click click click boredom (the rest of the game was great and I did finish it, but 99% of the game was clicky click, so that doesn’t leave much room for much else).

Giaddon · 2011-12-01T06:13:11.000Z

Today is “PC Games Day” for Amazon Black Friday deals, which doesn’t mean much, apparently. Highlights:

“Mystery Adventure Bundle” - $18. Contains Black Mirrors 2 & 3, Alter Ego, and Gray Matter. Worth it for the Black Mirrors and Gray Matter. And obviously only if you like slow, dopey adventure games.
The Witcher 2 - $16Dead Island - $20
Dungeon Siege 3 - $20
L.A. Noire - $30
Deus Ex: HR - $20

Bahimiron · 2011-12-01T06:15:44.000Z

The mystery adventure bundle and Witcher 2 have been that price since their holiday sale started a couple of weeks ago.

$20 for DE:HR seems like a good price, though.

kerzain · 2011-12-01T08:10:30.000Z

Giaddon:

Today is “PC Games Day” for Amazon Black Friday deals, which doesn’t mean much, apparently. Highlights:

“Mystery Adventure Bundle” - $18. Contains Black Mirrors 2 & 3, Alter Ego, and Gray Matter. Worth it for the Black Mirrors and Gray Matter. And obviously only if you like slow, dopey adventure games.
The Witcher 2 - $16Dead Island - $20
Dungeon Siege 3 - $20
L.A. Noire - $30
Deus Ex: HR - $20

There’s also a promo running on top of this for a couple of these titles:

Amazon:

Order this product between now and 12/31/2011 and receive a $5 promotional credit good towards any of the 2011 bestselling Video Game Download like “Battlefield 3” or “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” in the month of January 2012. You will receive an email with your promotional code and redemption instructions. Qualifying codes for this promotion may only be used one at a time. Here’s how (restrictions apply)

Too bad I don’t want to fiddle with Amazon’s attempt at being a digital game retailer. Nice prices, but until they’re that price on Steam or D2D I’m holding off.

Giaddon · 2011-12-01T08:15:50.000Z

Dead Island, Dungeon Siege 3, and Deus Ex all register on steam. Amazon will give you a code which you can give Steam to download the game.

Jag · 2011-12-01T08:16:00.000Z

kerzain:

Too bad I don’t want to fiddle with Amazon’s attempt at being a digital game retailer. Nice prices, but until they’re that price on Steam or D2D I’m holding off.

Most of what I’ve bought from Amazon I register on Steam.

Edit: Too slow!

Bahimiron · 2011-12-01T08:18:00.000Z

The Amazon stuff has worked fine for me so far. Trying to work with Origin was more of a hassle. The only issue I’ve had with Amazon is that it downloads a downloader, you use the downloader and it downloads all the install files to a directory on your desktop, you use the installer and it installs the files. At no step does anything do any sort of cleanup or bother to let you know, hey, fucker, we’re leaving a bunch of shit just sort of laying around.

So far I’ve only gotten Gray Matter, Crysis 2 and Metro 2033 through Amazon. C2 and Gray Matter were no problem (though seriously, 6 gigs for an adventure game? wtf?) with the minor exception of what I describe above. Metro 2033 actually pinged off of Steam and then Steam handled all the DLs and stuff.

kerzain · 2011-12-01T08:19:00.000Z

Giaddon:

Dead Island, Dungeon Siege 3, and Deus Ex all register on steam. Amazon will give you a code which you can give Steam to download the game.

Jag:

Most of what I’ve bought from Amazon I register on Steam.

Edit: Too slow!

I guess I should have been a little more specific, I’m whining and crying about Witcher 2. I’ve been told I can’t register it at Steam unless it’s purchased there, so I haven’t tried.