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


It's the start of a new month; let's look at that "things I gotta
write articles about" checklist: "What have you been playing"? Done.
New "Prime Gaming" releases? Done. Talk about HumbleChoice? Not yet...
but that's what we're here for, right?


* * * *


* Resident Evil: Village https://store.steampowered.com/app/1196590/Resident_Evil_Village/
I'm not the biggest fan of the Resident Evil games, even
if I do (mostly) appreciate the direction the franchise has
been going recently. Still, I managed to play --if only in
part for some-- all of the mainline games so far... except
for "Village". I know almost nothing about this game, and
while I wasn't eager to go out and buy it, I am happy to
have it added to my collection. I figure I'll get to it...
eventually.


* Date Everything
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2201320/Date_Everything/
Alas, not a game where I try to figure out the historical
origins of everyday objects, but rather a dating simulator...
I genre I have even less interest in than sports games. This
is not a game I'll play... eventually or otherwise.


* Core Keeper
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1621690/Core_Keeper/
An action/survival/crafting game with retro-graphics and a
top-down interface, "Core Keeper" is "Terraria" as seen
from a different camera angle. Conceptually an okay game,
it doesn't really add anything to the genre and lacks a
certain polish that makes it worth playing over any of
its competitors.


* Starvaders
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2097570/StarVaders/
A grid-based tactical strategy game featuring mechs
with deck-building mechanics. Guess which two words of
the above sentence turned me off from playing this
game forever?


* Squirrel with a Gun https://store.steampowered.com/app/2067050/Squirrel_with_a_Gun/
The title tells you pretty much everything you need to
know about the game. It's an FPS featuring an armed
Sciuridae. Basically, it's a joke-game along the same type
as Goat Simulator, except with a bit more focus on shooting.
Sure, it's a funny concept... but it's not really enough
to build a whole game around. Ten minutes in and
you're done.


* Steamworld Build
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2134770/SteamWorld_Build/
A fairly average city-builder set in the Steamworld franchise,
with tower/defense and mine-building as side features. Not
really anything I was looking for out a game, but I suppose
if you like the IP you may get something out of it.


* Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop https://store.steampowered.com/app/976590/Bus_Simulator_21_Next_Stop/
Another in a long-line of shoddily-designed 'workplace
simulators' (think "Supermarket Simulator" or "Rental Store"
simulator. Not quite a quick asset flip, it's unoptimized
and lacks polish. It /could/ have been a good game, but
poorly designed maps, AI and a shedload of bugs make for
an unpleasant experience. It's these sorts of games that
give the genre a bad name... which is a shame because,
properly done, I really could see myself enjoying this title.


* Big Helmet Heroes https://store.steampowered.com/app/2397250/Big_Helmet_Heroes/
A fairly generic and uninteresting 3D brawler. Well,
okay, the chibi-style big-headed critters have an almost
unique look, but the gameplay bores me. I'll pass.


* * * *


Alright, it's obvious most of this month's HumbleChoice game's budget
went into acquiring "Resident Evil: Village", with everything else
being low-quality filler. Whether it's worth claiming it this month
really depends on how much you want that game. If you've interest,
well... $15USD is a better price than Village's current $40USD price.
But if "Resident Evil: Village" isn't the sort of thing you'd ever
play, then none of the other games are going to make up for the entry
fee.

Me, I wanted "Village" so I'll grab the Choice games this month... but
I do wish there were a better selection overall. Still, after the
lackluster selections of the previous months, even having ONE game I
actually want is better than usual.

Who knows, maybe next month we'll get TWO good games. A person can
dream, can't they?



--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

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

On 2/3/2026 3:57 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

* Core Keeper
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1621690/Core_Keeper/
An action/survival/crafting game with retro-graphics and a
top-down interface, "Core Keeper" is "Terraria" as seen
from a different camera angle. Conceptually an okay game,
it doesn't really add anything to the genre and lacks a
certain polish that makes it worth playing over any of
its competitors.

Lost me at survival crafting.

* Starvaders
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2097570/StarVaders/
A grid-based tactical strategy game featuring mechs
with deck-building mechanics. Guess which two words of
the above sentence turned me off from playing this
game forever?

Deck-building!

* Squirrel with a Gun https://store.steampowered.com/app/2067050/Squirrel_with_a_Gun/
The title tells you pretty much everything you need to
know about the game. It's an FPS featuring an armed
Sciuridae. Basically, it's a joke-game along the same type
as Goat Simulator, except with a bit more focus on shooting.
Sure, it's a funny concept... but it's not really enough
to build a whole game around. Ten minutes in and
you're done.

I got a few hours of fun out of goat sim, well worth the (free?) price I
paid. Sounds possibly fun, which is more than I can say about anything
else on the list, but not enough to actually buy it.
--
-Justisaur

ø-ø
(\_/)\
`-'\ `--.___,
¶¬'\( ,_.-'
\\
^'
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

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

On Thu, 5 Feb 2026 10:24:49 -0800, Justisaur <justisaur@yahoo.com>
wrote:

I got a few hours of fun out of goat sim, well worth the (free?) price I >paid. Sounds possibly fun, which is more than I can say about anything
else on the list, but not enough to actually buy it.

None of it really is, anymore. HumbleChoice used to be a worthwhile
investment; while there were always a number of 'cruft' titles, there
were usually two or three 'real' games each month, and at least one of
which might have been something you wanted. And even the filler-games
didn't look too bad. But these days? You're lucky if you get one
AA-quality game, and that might not be anything your interested in.
Plus, they jacked up the price by 25%.

Despite these monthly posts, I just don't recommend HumbleChoice any
more. It's not worth the price.

In fairness to Humble, they're sort of caught in a bind. $16USD for 8
games doesn't leave much margin for profit, even before you factor in
rising costs and inflation. Worse, they've already gone through all
the good, affordable games. Sure, they /could/ start rehashing games
they gave away years ago... but that would probably cost them as many
existing customers as they'd gain new ones.

Then again... almost all the HumbleChoice games were for Steam. Even
if they duplicated some titles, I wouldn't be that offended if they
were being made available to me on GOG. No DRM and stand-alone
installers have value to me, even if I already have access to the
title on Valve's platform.

Maybe I should email the company and suggest that. ;-)

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2