From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action


I mean, I don't really have to preface these threads anymore, do I?
It's the first Tuesday of the month, I've already mentioned this post
is about the latest Humble Choice collection. You know what I'm going
to talk about. All you _really_ care about is what games are on offer.
So let's just get to those games.

[URLs are informational only. To actually claim the games,
go to https://www.humblebundle.com/membership (and have
your CC at the ready :-)]


* Nine Sols
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1809540/Nine_Sols/
A side view action/platformer. Vaguely eastern fantasy
in motif (with a touch of sci-fi mixed in) your primary
abilities are to jump, climb, and bounce enemies attack
back at them when you block. It's leans more towards the
challenging side of the genre, and the narrative is
--supposedly-- fairly good, but I can't say I see anything
about this game that makes me want to play it. I'm just
not a fan of the genre.


* Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name https://store.steampowered.com/app/2375550/Like_a_Dragon_Gaiden_The_Man_Who_Erased_His_Name/
A spin-off of the Yakuza games, this game is primarily
focused on the brawling, although it still has plenty of
side-content and mini-games. It's got a bit less appeal
to me, though, as it was the larger, opener worlds of the
main series that I found most interesting. This one's not
bad, just not quite what I want from the game.


* Streets of Rage 4 https://store.steampowered.com/app/985890/Streets_of_Rage_4/
I mean, it's a Streets of Rage game; you know what it's
all about from the title alone. There's nothing really
wrong with it; it's just that side-scrolling brawlers
aren't my favorite games. Still better than something
like Street Fighter, though.


* Lost Skies
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1931180/Lost_Skies/
This game is sort of a cross between that old strategy
game, "Stratosphere" and modern survival/crafting games.
Build and fly your fantasy air-ship looking for new
resources so you can survive to explore more of the
world. The setting is interesting, but I am completely
burnt out on the survival genre, and the game itself
is reportedly very buggy. So... meh.


* Intravenous II
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2608270/Intravenous_2/
Sequel to Intravenous (as if you couldn't guess by
the title), it's a top-down action-strategy game; sort
of a stealthier (and less weird) take on "Hotline Miami".
Okay, but I'm not a fan of the top-down viewpoint
anymore.


* Dungeon Tycoon
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2400770/Dungeon_Tycoon/
Think "Theme Hospital" except with a dungeon skin, and
blockier visuals. The twenty-year old "Dungeon Keeper"
did it better.


* Beholder: Conductor https://store.steampowered.com/app/2825530/Beholder_Conductor/
A spin-off of the "Beholder" games that had you monitoring
residents for an Orwellian government. This game is basically
the same, except this time your on a train. If you like the
"Beholder" games, I guess this one is good; personally, I've
never had that degree of voyeurism in me, so the whole game
just feels a bit too creepy for my taste.


* Godlike Burger
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1432910/Godlike_Burger/
A top-down business management sim (think something along
the lines of "Theme Hospital") except the twist is that
your customers are (secretly) also your primary ingredients.
Oh, and their aliens too. But beyond that, it's a pretty
typical example of the genre.



Credit to Humble; none of these games are _bad_ games (even if they do
feel a bit like Indie fluff titles). In fact, pretty much all the
games are deservedly well reviewed. But they've managed this month to
pick a collection of games that at best I've only /barely/ any
interest in, and many in genres I just don't care for at all. They're
all good games. I just don't like them.

Still, The Number is a demanding mistress, so I think you all know
what I'm going to end up doing. Whether you also blindly follow The
Numbers demands is something you'll have to decide on your own.


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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On 12/2/2025 2:55 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

* Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name https://store.steampowered.com/app/2375550/Like_a_Dragon_Gaiden_The_Man_Who_Erased_His_Name/
A spin-off of the Yakuza games, this game is primarily
focused on the brawling, although it still has plenty of
side-content and mini-games. It's got a bit less appeal
to me, though, as it was the larger, opener worlds of the
main series that I found most interesting. This one's not
bad, just not quite what I want from the game.

You? Like open worlds?! That's part of what I don't like about the
series, seems far too long, haven't completed one yet, though I've
played a few. Perhaps this one is for me.

Oh wait, this is one I played and quit for dragging on too long.

* Streets of Rage 4

I didn't know they were up to 4 of these?! New Double Dragon. Meh.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/985890/Streets_of_Rage_4/
I mean, it's a Streets of Rage game; you know what it's
all about from the title alone. There's nothing really
wrong with it; it's just that side-scrolling brawlers
aren't my favorite games. Still better than something
like Street Fighter, though.

You picked the one fighting game I actually liked, to shit on! How dare
your, Sir!

\\\\\FIGHT!/////

Kaitenteki Kakukyakushu!

\\\\\YOU WIN/////

...modern survival/crafting...

Don't like. Too many of these. Both on this list and in general.

* Dungeon Tycoon
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2400770/Dungeon_Tycoon/
Think "Theme Hospital" except with a dungeon skin, and
blockier visuals. The twenty-year old "Dungeon Keeper"
did it better.

There's been so many pretenders, but nothing ever came close to the
original. Same with Master of Magic.

...If you like the "Beholder" games...

Nope

Nothing on the list again for me.
--
-Justisaur

ø-ø
(\_/)\
`-'\ `--.___,
¶¬'\( ,_.-'
\\
^'
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From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Wed, 3 Dec 2025 08:11:37 -0800, Justisaur <justisaur@yahoo.com>
wrote:

On 12/2/2025 2:55 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

* Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2375550/Like_a_Dragon_Gaiden_The_Man_Who_Erased_His_Name/
A spin-off of the Yakuza games, this game is primarily
focused on the brawling, although it still has plenty of
side-content and mini-games. It's got a bit less appeal
to me, though, as it was the larger, opener worlds of the
main series that I found most interesting. This one's not
bad, just not quite what I want from the game.

You? Like open worlds?!

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not. ;-)

But yes, I like the open-worlds of games. I don't like what many games
DO with those open-worlds (which is fill them up with grindy and
repetitive side-content) but the worlds themselves? I like wandering
through their vastness and exploring the nooks and crannies.

But, contrariwise , I don't START a lot of open-world games because
they're such time-sinks, and instead choose to play more linear
experiences instead. I have to bulk out my "what have you been
playing" list /somehow/ ;-)

I mean, it's a Streets of Rage game; you know what it's
all about from the title alone. There's nothing really
wrong with it; it's just that side-scrolling brawlers
aren't my favorite games. Still better than something
like Street Fighter, though.

You picked the one fighting game I actually liked, to shit on! How dare >your, Sir!
\\\\\FIGHT!/////
Kaitenteki Kakukyakushu!
\\\\\YOU WIN/////

This is probably a very clever joke that completely sails over my head
because I'm not immersed in Street Fighter lore. ;-)

I was never the biggest fan of tournament fighters (or brawlers in
general, but if I did something like Streets of Rage was more
appealing). When I did play, I was more of a "Mortal Kombat" fan (what
can I say, I liked the gore!;-).

My overall impression of "Street Fighter" was one of annoyance. Partly
it was because of how it seemed to dominate the conversation amongst
tournament games, even though it seemed fairly average... but mostly
it was how Capcom sold the game, with (seemingly) hundreds of
variations. It just seemed so greedy and rapacious that it left a sour
taste in my mouth that had little to do with the game itself. Sadly,
nothing Capcom has done in the year since has redeemed the franchise
in my eyes.

(Actually, of all the tournament fighters, the flawed and forgotten
"FX Fighter" was probably my favorite, although I've a soft spot for
the "Soul Caliber" series that "FX Fighter" was so unsuccessfully
aping).




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