Ack. It's already such a busy start to the month I actually missed the
initial release of this month's HumbleChoice. But I am sure you all
will forgive me for being a day late... right?
For some reason, this month we get NINE games on offer instead of the
usual eight. <shrug> I'm not going to look a gift-game in the mouth!
* The Invincible
https://store.steampowered.com/app/731040/The_Invincible/ I pretty much don't know anything about this month's
games, and "The Invincible" is no exception. It takes
place on Mars: that much I know. It self-describes as
"action adventure". It has pretty graphics. But as to
what the gameplay is like? I've no idea. I think I want
to find out, though.
* Inkulinati
https://store.steampowered.com/app/957960/Inkulinati/ I've had my eye on this one, largely because of my love
of marginalia, those funny little cartoons scribbled
in the corners and sides of medieval manuscripts that
forms the basis of this game's aesthetic. I'm not
entirely sure how that transforms into an actual game
though and -I worry- the answer is 'not very well' (which
is why I never actually got around to BUYING this game).
But even if I just play the game for a while to enjoy
the art, that's probably worth it.
* Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1353230/Bomb_Rush_Cyberfunk/ Even watching the trailer videos I'm not entirely sure
what to make of this game. It sort of looks like a modern
take on JetSet Radio (JetGrind Radio), which isn't entirely
a bad thing. I never really cared for the gameplay of that
old classic, but its art-style was intriguing enough that
I kept at it regardless. Will Cyberfunk be the same?
* Old World
https://store.steampowered.com/app/597180/Old_World/ It looks like a 4X strategy game in the style of
"Europa Universalis" or "Crusader Kings"... except crossed
with a bit of "Civilization" too. I dunno; it seems a bit
too kitchen-sinky (e.g., too many ideas tossed into the mix
willy-nilly, just to say you have them rather than creating
a tasty mixture) to me, but it's probably worth at least
giving it a look.
* Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1230530/Atlas_Fallen_Reign_Of_Sand/ Another game that I'd never heard of until today. It looks
like a fairly average example of the 'open world hacker/
slasher', in the mode of "Horizon Zero Dawn" or "God of
War". Nothing about it screams 'play me' but neither does
it look particularly bad; a solid B-list game for when you
can't think of anything else to play. The only worry is
that many reviews indicate that the combat doesn't really
get fun until you power up significantly; I'm already
wary of investing in the time-sink that is an open world
game without wondering if three quarters of that time
will be tedious and grindy.
* Moonstone Island
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1658150/Moonstone_Island/ A "creature collecting life sim". Basically "Pokemon"
crossed with "Harvest Moon", neither of which game I'm
particularly fond. There are many games where I think,
"Well maybe play just to see what it's like, maybe I'll
like it." "Moonstone Island" is not one of those games
* Venba
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1491670/Venba/ A 'narrative cooking game'. See my conclusions about
"Moonstone Island" above. It's pretty much the same for
this game.
* Monster Prom 3: Monster Roadtrip
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1665190/Monster_Prom_3_Monster_Roadtrip/ A visual/novel dating sim. Go two games up. Read my
thoughts on that game. Apply here.
* Crime Boss: Rockay City
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2933080/Crime_Boss_Rockay_City/ As far as I can tell, this game is basically a "Payday" clone.
Or is it? Its not really clear from the trailers. It's a
first-person shooter anyway, and it involves criminal heists.
Not my favorite genre (the criminal heists bit, I mean; I'm
fond the FPS games) but it appeals to me more than the last
three games anyway.
So, yeah; this month we get a bunch of B-lister games almost none of
which I've heard of. Some might be good; others I've not a jot of
interest in, but generally nothing really screams "play me", much less
"buy me". I gotta say, I am a bit disappointed with this selection.
I'm not sure I think that --even at the low, low price of $12 USD for
9 games-- I'd be getting my moneys worth. I might just skip this
month's games again.
Ah well. You may find something interesting and worth the price and as
for me, well, there's always next month. So until then, ciao!
HumbleChoice December 2024