by "If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
Published 05/22/2017 at 19:03
by "If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
Published 05/22/2017 at 19:03
Tags: video games
STARS: 1
These are eight less well known but very good games I wanted to share with you all. They’re all under $20 on Steam and most probably didn’t get a ton of fanfare or publicity when released. They’re all still fantastic and you should check them out if you have some time and money to spare.*
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Ms. Splosion Man (2013, $9.99 on Steam)
Zany and beautifully polished, this is the classic case of a sequel being better than the original. The wackiness and constant pop culture references will keep you laughing, even the tutorial videos are hilarious. It’s platforming done right.
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Shatter (2009,$9.99 on Steam)
This isn’t your average brick breaker game. A wealth of creative mechanics, great boss battles, and an absolutely bangin’ soundtrack keep Shatter fun and infinitely replayable.
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Quantum Conundrum (2012, $8.99 on Steam)
A platformer in the vein of Portal, this game involves switching dimensions to solve puzzles and make your way through an infinitely large mansion to find your lost mad scientist uncle. Some great narration by John De Lancie adds a touch of hilarity.
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ABZÛ (2016, $19.99 on Steam)
This game is all about the visuals and boy are they gorgeous. Explore the ocean and solve some light puzzles as you gaze at some of the most stunning setpieces I’ve ever seen. There is a story, but it’s largely inconsequential to the experience. Just relax and become one with the fishes.
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INSIDE (2016, $19.99 on Steam)
Probably the most well known game on the list, INSIDE is exhilarating and unsettling in a way that makes it hard to put it down. I can’t say too much more about it (spoilers!) but it deserves a spot on everyone’s “Must Play” list.
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Rogue Legacy (2013, $14.99 on Steam)
Procedurally generated 16-bit action platforming? Hells yeah! Be warned - This game is tough and you are expected to die a lot . The procedural generation and an interesting genealogy mechanic keep things from being repetitive.
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Jazzpunk (2014, $14.99 on Steam)
This spy-movie spoof game is a mega dose of WTF with a heaping side of drug-inspired visuals. A lifetime’s worth of funny references and absurd easter eggs will keep you laughing for hours. You really must explore every nook and cranny.
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Gunpoint (2013, $9.99 on Steam)
Ever wanted to feel like a secret agent? Now’s your chance. Slink through the levels and hack electrical systems as you conduct corporate espionage and investigate a conspiracy. Nice Noir visuals, great writing, and a slick soundtrack make Gunpoint immensely satisfying to play.
*EssExTee received absolutely no money for writing these glowing reviews. The opinions expressed therein are not indicative of the general game playing populace. Your enjoyment may vary.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
05/22/2017 at 19:20, STARS: 0
What was that first screenshot - before the edit - from? That looked worth looking into
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
05/22/2017 at 19:22, STARS: 0
Every game since Deus Ex is trash
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
05/22/2017 at 19:23, STARS: 0
That was just some fan artwork for Gunpoint. I changed it because it was misleading as to what the game was like.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
05/22/2017 at 19:24, STARS: 3
Deus Ex was trash.
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
05/22/2017 at 19:24, STARS: 0
wow wrong
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
05/22/2017 at 19:30, STARS: 0
Ah. Too bad because I woulda played the fuck outta dat
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
05/22/2017 at 19:32, STARS: 1
Deus Ex was meh.
"CB" (jrcb)
05/22/2017 at 19:39, STARS: 1
Gunpoint was an awesome game.
I’ll also give a shoutout to Receiver because when it goes on sale for $1.74, it’s a great deal. Basically, a simple shooter where you’re in charge of everything on the gun. Safety, reloading mags, everything.
"facw" (facw)
05/22/2017 at 20:45, STARS: 0
I’m not that big into indie games (I generally am not fond of the pixel art approach), but here’s a list of indie games in steam I’ve logged a bunch of hours on:
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Fun tower defense game. Your formerly human companion is wonderfully written and acted. It’s sequel is still fun, but not as good.
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Strong turned based 4x game in the style of Master of Orion. Some balance issues, but more compelling to play than bigger efforts at this genre. Definitely shows its lack of resources in places. Sequel was just released last week.
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Manage a store ripping off adventurers and townfolk in an RPG type setting. Do some dungeon crawling of your own to acquire new and interesting items.
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Battle it out against space pirates and space zombies in fast paced combat. Lots of fun, though if you build your ship wrong (or just get unlucky with the parts you find), it can turn into a grind where you are too weak to fight enemies strong enough to give you any XP.
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Slick space rougelike where you fight your way across the galaxy to escape an overwhelming enemy fleet. This is a very good game.
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Not sure I’d really count this as an indy, given its high production values (it was originally published by Dutch indie publisher Iceberg, but Sega now owns the distribution rights), but it is on Steam’s list so I’ll list it here. This is a very good turn based strategy game, that attempts to integrate story elements in a way not really done since Alpha Centauri.
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City building RTS (probably closest to the Caesar games) about building a town in the northeast of colonial North America.
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Build bad rockets, and maybe don’t crash them! My Jeb is currently trapped in orbit after he didn’t have enough fuel to make it home.
Anyway, I’m sure there are some good narrative driven ones in my library that don’t have as many hours because they are short, but these are ones that have sucked me in.
"feather-throttle-not-hair" (feather-throttle-not-hair)
05/22/2017 at 21:24, STARS: 0
Gunpoint is really good though.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
05/22/2017 at 22:04, STARS: 0
I find that for years now the big blockbuster games have just been formulaic money farms. It’s up to indie developers to prove that games can still be art, can still tell a story.
I’ve never been big into RPGs , RTSs, or MMOs. The draw for those is supposed to be the “exciting” gameplay, but then you get down to it and the gameplay is just a bunch of tedium and repetitive tasks. Grind for credits. Slay that horde of baddies. Collect resources. Rinse, lather, repeat.
I want to be taken in by a game. It should be a memorable experience.
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
05/23/2017 at 00:25, STARS: 0
I love Gunpoint! Perfectly balanced and truly fun.