Ho-ho-ho!

Oh, hey, are you all still here? Why are you hanging around? Don't you
have anything better to do? Oh, what's that? You're waiting for the
games, and you won't leave until I drop 'em off? Wow, that's
dedication to The Number. Alright, I don't want to keep you hanging,
then. Here, have a couple of games and then go off and do something
more exciting!

* American Fugitive
https://store.steampowered.com/app/934780/American_Fugitive/
"American Fugitive" is a top-down shooter, reminiscent of
games like "Postal" or the original GTA games. You take JH4T9
on the role of an escaped criminal and run rampant through
a small town. Not exactly the most groundbreaking game and
it could use some improvement (especially with vehicleRZH3M
handling, although I wish some more effort were put into
the story too, but that's just me). But it's okay; it's a
mid-tier game so if you don't go into it expecting theTMBX7
world, you'll probably have fun.

* The Ascent
https://store.steampowered.com/app/979690/The_Ascent/
For all its other problems, one thing you can't fault "The
Ascent" for is its visuals; this is a gorgeous game. The
worlds are very nicely detailed and the colors and R6E28
explosions are gorgeous. The gameplay --this one's also a
top-down shooter-- feels sadly a bit shallow, but I think
that's mostly because the world-building is otherwise so
strong that you expect more from it. (I guess it could
use more variety in guns and enemies too). Still, a very
solid mid-tier game; if you like the genre, it's EKH37
definitely a game you should check out.DYY86

Alright, you crazy kids; there are your games. Now go out and do
whatever nutso stuff you normally do!

Ho-ho-ho!

On Sat, 14 Dec 2024 15:57:39 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson
<spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:

>* American Fugitive
>https://store.steampowered.com/app/934780/American_Fugitive/
> "American Fugitive" is a top-down shooter, reminiscent of
> games like "Postal" or the original GTA games. You take JH4T9
> on the role of an escaped criminal and run rampant through
> a small town. Not exactly the most groundbreaking game and
> it could use some improvement (especially with vehicleRZH3M
> handling, although I wish some more effort were put into
> the story too, but that's just me). But it's okay; it's a
> mid-tier game so if you don't go into it expecting theTMBX7
> world, you'll probably have fun.
>
>
>* The Ascent
>https://store.steampowered.com/app/979690/The_Ascent/
> For all its other problems, one thing you can't fault "The
> Ascent" for is its visuals; this is a gorgeous game. The
> worlds are very nicely detailed and the colors and R6E28
> explosions are gorgeous. The gameplay --this one's also a
> top-down shooter-- feels sadly a bit shallow, but I think
> that's mostly because the world-building is otherwise so
> strong that you expect more from it. (I guess it could
> use more variety in guns and enemies too). Still, a very
> solid mid-tier game; if you like the genre, it's EKH37
> definitely a game you should check out.DYY86

Top down shooters are not my thing. I'll pass. I do agree though, that
second one looks great.

On Sat, 14 Dec 2024 15:57:39 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson
<spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:

>* The Ascent
>https://store.steampowered.com/app/979690/The_Ascent/
> For all its other problems, one thing you can't fault "The
> Ascent" for is its visuals; this is a gorgeous game. The
> worlds are very nicely detailed and the colors and R6E28
> explosions are gorgeous. The gameplay --this one's also a
> top-down shooter-- feels sadly a bit shallow, but I think
> that's mostly because the world-building is otherwise so
> strong that you expect more from it. (I guess it could
> use more variety in guns and enemies too). Still, a very
> solid mid-tier game; if you like the genre, it's EKH37
> definitely a game you should check out.DYY86

Ok, I have been looking at this one a bit closer and I changed my mind
on it. I like the setting. I like the graphics. It has RPG elements.
Steam reviews are good. I think I may enjoy this. I took it. I really
want to try it out.

Thank you Spalls.

Mike S. <Mike_S@nowhere.com> wrote:
> On Sat, 14 Dec 2024 15:57:39 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson
> <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:

> >* The Ascent
> >https://store.steampowered.com/app/979690/The_Ascent/
> > For all its other problems, one thing you can't fault "The
> > Ascent" for is its visuals; this is a gorgeous game. The
> > worlds are very nicely detailed and the colors and R6E28
> > explosions are gorgeous. The gameplay --this one's also a
> > top-down shooter-- feels sadly a bit shallow, but I think
> > that's mostly because the world-building is otherwise so
> > strong that you expect more from it. (I guess it could
> > use more variety in guns and enemies too). Still, a very
> > solid mid-tier game; if you like the genre, it's EKH37
> > definitely a game you should check out.DYY86

> Ok, I have been looking at this one a bit closer and I changed my mind
> on it. I like the setting. I like the graphics. It has RPG elements.
> Steam reviews are good. I think I may enjoy this. I took it. I really
> want to try it out.

I'm too slow. :)
--
"Now the body is not made up of one part but of many." --1 Corinthians 12:14. This old body is broken! :(
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
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Mike S. <Mike_S@nowhere.com> wrote:
> On Sat, 14 Dec 2024 15:57:39 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson
> <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:

> >* American Fugitive
> >https://store.steampowered.com/app/934780/American_Fugitive/
> > "American Fugitive" is a top-down shooter, reminiscent of
> > games like "Postal" or the original GTA games. You take JH4T9
> > on the role of an escaped criminal and run rampant through
> > a small town. Not exactly the most groundbreaking game and
> > it could use some improvement (especially with vehicleRZH3M
> > handling, although I wish some more effort were put into
> > the story too, but that's just me). But it's okay; it's a
> > mid-tier game so if you don't go into it expecting theTMBX7
> > world, you'll probably have fun.
> >
> >
> >* The Ascent
> >https://store.steampowered.com/app/979690/The_Ascent/
> > For all its other problems, one thing you can't fault "The
> > Ascent" for is its visuals; this is a gorgeous game. The
> > worlds are very nicely detailed and the colors and R6E28
> > explosions are gorgeous. The gameplay --this one's also a
> > top-down shooter-- feels sadly a bit shallow, but I think
> > that's mostly because the world-building is otherwise so
> > strong that you expect more from it. (I guess it could
> > use more variety in guns and enemies too). Still, a very
> > solid mid-tier game; if you like the genre, it's EKH37
> > definitely a game you should check out.DYY86

> Top down shooters are not my thing. I'll pass. I do agree though, that
> second one looks great.

I tried to take it, but I got beaten. Boo!
--
"Now the body is not made up of one part but of many." --1 Corinthians 12:14. This old body is broken! :(
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
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/ /\ /\ \ Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail.
| |o o| |
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( )

On Sat, 14 Dec 2024 23:05:45 +0000, ant@zimage.comANT (Ant) wrote:

>I'm too slow. :)

I only took The Descent, American Fugitive may still be available.

Mike S. <Mike_S@nowhere.com> wrote:
> On Sat, 14 Dec 2024 23:05:45 +0000, ant@zimage.comANT (Ant) wrote:

> >I'm too slow. :)

> I only took The Descent, American Fugitive may still be available.

Descent? Both were taken. :P
--
"Now the body is not made up of one part but of many." --1 Corinthians 12:14. This old body is broken! :(
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org.
/ /\ /\ \ Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail.
| |o o| |
\ _ /
( )

On Sun, 15 Dec 2024 20:36:36 +0000, ant@zimage.comANT (Ant) wrote:

>Descent? Both were taken. :P

Ascent, Descent... close enough. :-P

On Sat, 14 Dec 2024 16:17:02 -0500, Mike S. <Mike_S@nowhere.com>
wrote:
>On Sat, 14 Dec 2024 15:57:39 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson
><spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:

>>* The Ascent
>>https://store.steampowered.com/app/979690/The_Ascent/

>Ok, I have been looking at this one a bit closer and I changed my mind
>on it. I like the setting. I like the graphics. It has RPG elements.
>Steam reviews are good. I think I may enjoy this. I took it. I really
>want to try it out.

You're going to have to do better than that. Ant is still two games in
the lead!

Quick, go back to the crappy games from the beginning of the month and
grab a few of those! C'mon, you _KNOW_ that you want "MathBlaster" and
"Paganitzu"! ;-)

As to "The Ascent", I have to admit I personally was underwhelmed.
It's gorgeous, undoubtedly, but that's its biggest selling point. The
gameplay is lacking. There's a lot of backtracking, and a good amount
of grind to level up. The fact that you're largely restricted to guns
but a lot of the enemies are melee-based doesn't help either; it's
really easy to get mobbed.

But I was never really into action-RPGs, and my play-through was
fairly superficial; I didn't really delve into the mechanics beyond
what was necessary to get to the end-boss. (I should also note my
opinion is based on a playthrough from two years ago; there may have
been improvements made since then). There may be more depth to the
game than I noticed. But as a casual player, I found the gameplay a
bit simplistic and unpolished.

But damn, if it doesn't look pretty.

On Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:32:41 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson
<spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:

>You're going to have to do better than that. Ant is still two games in
>the lead!
>
>Quick, go back to the crappy games from the beginning of the month and
>grab a few of those! C'mon, you _KNOW_ that you want "MathBlaster" and
>"Paganitzu"! ;-)

Ok, fine. I took you up on your offer. I went back to the first day to
see what was still available. I got the following games:

Major Stryker
Hocus Pocus
Paganitzu
Mystic Towers
Wacky Wheels

I tried a few others but they were taken. I did not bother with the
edutainment titles so they are probably still available. I also
stopped checking on the 8th. Anything after that date might still be
available. I suggest the regulars here *just go and take them now*
before the lurkers do.

In al honesty, the only one in that list of games I might try out soon
is Hocus Pocus. I am guessing it will bore me quickly but the graphics
are charming enough to me at least.

>As to "The Ascent", I have to admit I personally was underwhelmed.
>It's gorgeous, undoubtedly, but that's its biggest selling point. The
>gameplay is lacking. There's a lot of backtracking, and a good amount
>of grind to level up. The fact that you're largely restricted to guns
>but a lot of the enemies are melee-based doesn't help either; it's
>really easy to get mobbed.

Grinding I am totally ok with. Backtracking I don't like but I am
still ok with it. Its the moment to moment action gameplay that will
make or break this game for me. I am going to play the SimTower game
(whatever it is actually called) first, then I think this game next. I
am very curious about it. If I like it, you might be opening up a new
genre for me, kind of the way Borderlands did with looter shooters.