Bargain Thread 2013

Paladin · 2013-12-13T10:01:17.000Z

Papageno:

BTW, does CoH2 use Steamworks? In other words, if I buy from Gamefly, am I dependent on them for something other than getting a key? OK, never mind, I see it does.

2nd question: do I really need a bunch of DLC to enjoy the game, or am I good with just the base game?

I can’t answer the second question but you get a Steam key for CoH2.

Papageno · 2013-12-13T10:14:55.000Z

Paladin:

I can’t answer the second question but you get a Steam key for CoH2.

Thanks for the reply, but I was too slow off the mark and missed it again, d’oh!

KaoFloppy · 2013-12-13T11:37:43.000Z

Steam today: The Bureau: XCOM Declassified $12.49 -75%. All DLCs -75%.

pretty light pickings today. Quick, to the backlog!

scharmers · 2013-12-13T11:41:28.000Z

KaoFloppy:

Steam today: The Bureau: XCOM Declassified $12.49 -75%. All DLCs -75%.

pretty light pickings today. Quick, to the backlog!

So, is this worth $13 if you’re OK with a bog-standard Mass Effect-y kind of shooter, or is it more dire than that?

Dan_Theman · 2013-12-13T13:17:17.000Z

scharmers:

So, is this worth $13 if you’re OK with a bog-standard Mass Effect-y kind of shooter, or is it more dire than that?

I was wondering the exact same thing. It got bashed in early reviews, but I wonder if it wound up becoming a solid game.

KaoFloppy · 2013-12-13T13:17:39.000Z

scharmers:

So, is this worth $13 if you’re OK with a bog-standard Mass Effect-y kind of shooter, or is it more dire than that?

Need further research. Metacritic scores are depressing for both critics and users. However, if you go look at the user comments, there’s a lot of defenders saying that it has many fresh ideas, but things were poorly executed. It’s also not a bog-standard FPS, nor is it XCOM in first person view.

A QT3 thread. Read the final post, Giaddon likes it! There was an older thread with more discussion, but I can’t find it.

Intrigued?

Giaddon · 2013-12-13T14:20:51.000Z

I will say that it (XCOM shooter) has one of the weirdest twists I’ve ever experienced in a game. And that it’s a bit too long.

legowarrior · 2013-12-13T17:22:24.000Z

Skyrim Legendary for a little over 20 dollars on Amazon. I’m debating it. My backlog is pretty large.

BrianRubin · 2013-12-13T17:37:41.000Z

legowarrior:

Skyrim Legendary for a little over 20 dollars on Amazon. I’m debating it. My backlog is pretty large.

Doesn’t matter, get it. Get it now!

Gordon_Bleu · 2013-12-13T17:49:51.000Z

legowarrior:

Skyrim Legendary for a little over 20 dollars on Amazon. I’m debating it. My backlog is pretty large.

Set aside your backlog and play Skyrim. It’s a glorious game.

Congregard · 2013-12-13T18:49:58.000Z

Agreed… I got the Legendary Edition for 36 bucks a few months ago, and I don’t regret it one bit.

legowarrior · 2013-12-13T20:09:15.000Z

Okay, I got it.

Murbella · 2013-12-13T20:22:19.000Z

scharmers:

So, is this worth $13 if you’re OK with a bog-standard Mass Effect-y kind of shooter, or is it more dire than that?

Yes, it was a good game in its own right. It does feel heavily like mass effect though and is not as good. If you liked mass effect and are ok with a more shooter focused version (ie less rpg elements, but still a decent focus on narrative), you will enjoy this game. This is a fine example of story based shooter with rpg elements.

Oh and you have to not be an xcom puritan. I’ve played basically every xcom game except intercept, most multiple times, so i’m a big fan of the series, but you have to be able to accept that this is not a strategy game and it does take some twists on the “xcom lore.” Xcom doesn’t really have a ton of hard lore though as it seems to change a lot in each game, but Bureau changes things A LOT.

I’ll probably get bashed for it, but i felt it was the better recent xcom adaption. Yes, it was a mass effect wannabe, but it also wasn’t afraid to do some unique stuff and try to step out of the previous games’ shadows. Firaxis does not attempt to do this and just makes a safe sequel similar to any other number of knockoffs (doing a rather good job at it i will admit). When i think of the ending of firaxas’ xcom where they try to be serious but it ends up being comical unintentionally like a campy sci fi movie and i compare it to the actually good ending in Bureau… well, i prefer Bureau.

WarrenD · 2013-12-14T07:44:00.000Z

Murbella:

I’ll probably get bashed for it, but i felt it was the better recent xcom adaption. Yes, it was a mass effect wannabe, but it also wasn’t afraid to do some unique stuff and try to step out of the previous games’ shadows. Firaxis does not attempt to do this and just makes a safe sequel similar to any other number of knockoffs (doing a rather good job at it i will admit). When i think of the ending of firaxas’ xcom where they try to be serious but it ends up being comical unintentionally like a campy sci fi movie and i compare it to the actually good ending in Bureau… well, i prefer Bureau.

I absolutely love XCOM Unknown/Within but I’m not going to bash you, I’m actually intrigued by your post.
I haven’t heard much at all about The Bureau either way, as much as I love XCOM Enemy Within I do agree the ending has been the weakest part of the game for me.

But yeah thanks for the post it put it on my radar, going to give it a shot now.

Gigglemoo · 2013-12-14T08:01:14.000Z

Amazon has Spectromancer at 90% off. Most of the expansions included for $2.

Fun card game without deckbuilding/grinding if you enjoyed things like Magic the Gathering (same designer iirc) and Duel of Champions. Has both a lengthy single player campaign with challenging levels and multiplayer.

Duel of Champions is also offering 10 packs for new players again,
http://na.alienwarearena.com/giveaways/might-magic-duel-of-champions-starter-box

New uPlay accounts only, code must be entered immediately. That game is fun for the first 15 hours or so, but their matchmaking system becomes terrible afterwards.

They’ve also got something for new World of Tanks accounts:
http://na.alienwarearena.com/giveaways/world-of-tanks-starter-pack-giveaway-for-new-players-2

ineffablebob · 2013-12-14T09:31:37.000Z

Gigglemoo:

Amazon has Spectromancer at 90% off. Most of the expansions included for $2.

Snagged! Haven’t played Spectromancer in years. Thanks for pointing it out.

KaoFloppy · 2013-12-14T10:48:43.000Z

Steam today: Grand Theft Auto IV + San Andreas special pack $8.74 -75%.
Both are base game only. Nothing else in the franchise is on sale. What an odd special.

Chris_Nahr · 2013-12-14T10:48:51.000Z

Already played the hell out of Spectromancer on iPad but it’s definitely a classic worth buying.

Murbella · 2013-12-14T11:24:44.000Z

WarrenD:

I absolutely love XCOM Unknown/Within but I’m not going to bash you, I’m actually intrigued by your post.
I haven’t heard much at all about The Bureau either way, as much as I love XCOM Enemy Within I do agree the ending has been the weakest part of the game for me.

But yeah thanks for the post it put it on my radar, going to give it a shot now.

I liked xcom unknown as well for what it is worth, but was disappointed in a number of aspects.

Profanicus · 2013-12-14T13:46:47.000Z

Gigglemoo:

Amazon has Spectromancer at 90% off. Most of the expansions included for $2.

Fun card game without deckbuilding/grinding if you enjoyed things like Magic the Gathering (same designer iirc) and Duel of Champions. Has both a lengthy single player campaign with challenging levels and multiplayer.

Great game but something to be wary of with the Amazon version:

Beware though, as this game has DRM in the form of a proprietary hardware-based activation system, with a limit of 5 machines (4 reinstalls/hardware changes etc). This is tied to your CD-key and you will have to email the company’s support (if the company is still around) once you run out, to get additional activations.