Best Steam Summer Sale Deals: Day 9
And on the 9th day Ben said "oh wow it's still going"
What are the best Steam Summer Sale deals? Each day for the duration of the sale, we'll be offering our picks - based on price, what we like, and what we think more people should play. Read on for the five best deals from day 9 of the sale.
I have just moved house. What comes after the box years, the unpacking era and the really very nice long sleep indeed? Why, the sneezing, of course. The endless allergic reactions to everything from new soap to the particular way the glass in my windows was smelted. And carrying things endlessly up stairs to find new spots for them to sit and gather dust until I next move. So I can sneeze when that dust goes up my nose.
What I'm trying to say here is if you buy games when they aren't at their cheapest (daily deals and such), you'll be in an even worse spot - poor and leaking fluid from every hold in your face. Don't let it happen to you!
Today, on World of Dealscraft:
5. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
60% off: $15.99 / £6.39 / €7.99, Store page
Closer to the tenth game in the series, Black Flag was something of a surprise in the positive reaction it inspired out of many who thought they were done with the franchise. Coming only with the unfortunate caveat of having to be referred to as "AssFlag," the addition of ship-based combat and an entire Caribbean seascape to pillage proved a boon to the series' formula. Alec made appreciable noises at everything except uPlay upon release and then followed it up with more later.
4. Just Cause 2
80% off: $2.99 / £1.99 / €2.99, Store page
The now five year old explosion simulator is still the most fun it's possible to have with a grappling hook and two passenger airlines. With the sequel incoming and looking at least as destructive, air-drop yourself into Rico Rodriguez's last regime-toppling murder spree. In the name of freedom, of course. Graham had a look at the multiplayer mod in its early stages, and here's John not looking at explosions.
3. Resident Evil 4
66% off: $6.79 / £5.09 / €6.79, Store page
The series' highest moment, shortly followed by some of its lowest. It's far more action orientated than its origins though manages to keep the sense of threat through masses of enemies and the odd terrifying snake-headed cultist. The HD edition improved over the previous attempt to port the game to PC and, for example, makes using a mouse and keyboard actually possible - though it's recommended more awkward pad-aiming is used as it's part of the atmosphere of panic. Rich Stanton gave it the full love when it released last year.
2. Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition
50% off: $6.79 / £4.99 / €6.79, Store page
Recommending the "and DLC" version of Obsidian's Fallout 3 spin-off here because most of the mods seem to require them, particularly those that improve general play experience. Whether this or the also-on-deal base game is your best bet for a good time is entirely up to your preference - people will vehemently attack or defend both in equal measure. Richard Cobbett covered the best of the DLCs in his review.
1. The Stanley Parable
75% off: $3.74 / £2.49 / €2.99, Store page
Straight up one of the best games ever made and unlike almost anything else out there. A triumph of performance by narrator Kevan Brighting as much as it is one of game and narrative design. You play Stanley, a worker at an unnamed company who one day decides to escape/sit at his desk forever/jump out the window/play Minecraft. Depending on what you'd like him to do, of course. Here's Nathan's wonderful in-theme review and John's interview with the pair of developers after their sudden thrust into stardom. It's also recommended you play the demo which is an entirely different story told in the same way.
From the comments yesterday, there was some noise around Age of Wonders 3 at 75% off. It's a fantasy 4X in the style of Endless Legend - think elves, goblins and dragons on top of the usual city building and empire managing - but with an RPG slant. Unfortunately it's complete collection which includes DLC and some other goodies is discounted 'only' 50%. Adam loved it on initial release and it has been patched significantly since then.
Anno 2070 also turned a few heads at 75% off. With its follow-up recently announced this is a good time to get into the futuristic city-builder. Worried about that mixed rating on the Steam reviews? Most of the negative ones are taking issue with the required use of uPlay, on which your mileage may vary. Personally I've had more issues with Steam crashing and/or hard-locking my PC, but have also used Steam approximately 100,000% more. It also has further 3rd party DRM TAGES, which by all accounts is a bit nastier than we're used to here in the second half of the decade. There's a demo if Jim's positive review isn't enough.
That's your lot. Tomorrow: the best offerings from the final day of GOG's summer sale, plus the usual roundup from Steam. Also, I'll have to come up with something else to talk about in the intro. Maybe Batman.