Winter is coming. (STEAM SALE THREAD Q4 2011)

[Sky]

I think I might just be done with CRPGs.

You've got nice tits, though. We'll still talk to you.

Just don't expect eye contact from here on out.

[Yoru]

Has anyone tried crafting Coal into something?
If so, is it just a random re-draw, like you've completed another objective?
Or is there more control, turning Coal into a more specific thing from the pile?

I've done it twice thus far. Crafting coal is just like getting another draw from the pile, but you're guaranteed that the draw won't be coal; i.e. it will be either a game or a coupon.

The first time, I got a copy of Counter-Strike: Source (which I, and the rest of the planet, already own) and the second time I got a terrible coupon.

[Mrbloodworth]

I am not going to look at steam for a while. They have taken my money, and I now have way to many games ill never get around to playing. They can't make me look any more.

Can they?

[Paelos]

I am not going to look at steam for a while. They have taken my money, and I now have way to many games ill never get around to playing. They can't make me look any more.

Can they?

Only if they offer coupons for looking. AND THEY MIGHT!

[Rendakor]

Picked up Sequence since it looked interesting and was only $1. I'm still debating buying Magicka; it's only $4 or $10 with all the DLC. Is it worth it?

[Mrbloodworth]

Magica can be really fun with friends, the story is light and makes you smile ( If a bit corny at times ). YMMV.

[luckton]

Both Dead Space games for $10 is a good deal.

[Sky]

Tempted to pick up AC2 and Brotherhood. Or maybe Two Worlds 2 tu-tu and it's expansion.

My experience with Dead Space on the PC makes me not want Dead Space 2 on the PC.

If you have nvidia 3d vision, get Tomb Raider: Underworld; it's amazing in 3d.

[luckton]

My experience with Dead Space on the PC makes me not want Dead Space 2 on the PC.

I somewhat get this sediment, but I think DS2 does improve a bit in the areas I thought were lacking in the first.

What's your beef with DS1, if I may ask?

[Lucas]

Out of curiosity, I purchased Sequence; also, at long last, Assassin's Creed 1 (gotta start somewhere :P).

[Lantyssa]

I somewhat get this sediment, but I think DS2 does improve a bit in the areas I thought were lacking in the first.

Are you settling for only okay gameplay?

[Trippy]

Out of curiosity, I purchased Sequence; also, at long last, Assassin's Creed 1 (gotta start somewhere :P).

I has issues. II is much better.

[Samwise]

My experience with Dead Space on the PC makes me not want Dead Space 2 on the PC.

I somewhat get this sediment, but I think DS2 does improve a bit in the areas I thought were lacking in the first.

What's your beef with DS1, if I may ask?

I'm guessing he had the same problem I had where the mouse did not fucking work.

[Sky]

I'm not going to get all sandy vag about it, but the controls and poor 3d implementation eroded my will to play. I did like the gritty atmosphere, though.

[luckton]

I somewhat get this sediment, but I think DS2 does improve a bit in the areas I thought were lacking in the first.

Are you settling for only okay gameplay?

[Rokal]

Amazon has been really competitive about matching or beating steam sales each day. Most of the time the games are steamworks as well. You can pick up Guardian of Light on Amazon for $2.50 vs Steam's daily deal of $3.75, etc. Dungeon Siege 3 for $5 randomly as well. Worth checking every day while the steam sales are running.

I've crafted 21 coal so far and ended up with Golden Axe 2 and two useless coupons. Currently have 9 coupons that I doubt I'll ever use. Honestly, I'd have appreciated more 'golden coupons' that offered much smaller discounts but could have been used during the sale. For example, I got a coupon for Nuclear Dawn that, like almost all of the coupons, could only be used after January 2nd. Nuclear Dawn was on sale for 75% off ($5) on Dec 25th, and is 40% off ($14) now. If my coupon had been for 20% off instead of 50% off, but could be used during the sale, I actually would have been tempted to buy the game while it was on sale just to take advantage of that 'one time only' opportunity to pick it up for $4. As it is, the coupon doesn't even serve as a 'rainy day' offer, since they aren't even matching the sale price.

Basically, the coupons feel like a failure. Same sort of situation as the Portal 2 ARG where the concept was really cool, but Valve didn't quite pull it off in a satisfying way. I'd have liked the sale more without them. You could have still had the chance to craft coal for a chance at free games, but instead of getting nothing most of the time you could have just gotten ~4 "used coal" back. These would enter you in the drawing at the end of the sale but could not be used to craft again.

[Ginaz]

Today's sales:

Dead Space 1 and 2 $4.99 each, 75% off
Assassin's Creed franchise 25%-75% off
Homefront $7.49, 75% off
Tomb Raider franchise 75%
Revenge of the Titans $2.49, 75% off
Hearts of Iron 3 75% off
Dungeon Defenders $3.74, 75% off
Section 8: Prejudice $3.74, 75% off
Serious Sam franchise 50%-90% off
Two Worlds franchise 66% off
Machinarium $2.49, 75% off
Space Pirates and Zombies $2.49, 75% off

Dungeon Defenders is a great deal for $3.74.  I'm thinking of getting Homefront, one of the Serious Sam games and maybe Dead Space 2.

[Segoris]

Homefront + DLC + Dungeon Defenders DLC that I didn't have for ~$15, not bad.

[Thrawn]

Screw the Bunch or Heroes achievement, cripes that's difficult.  If a group of people want to hit me up and do it at 4 I'm sure we could take it, but as solo finding random dudes online I've only gotten close once.

[Reborne]

I'm glad that I didn't try crafting the coal.
The way I see it, I'm losing 1 chance at a 1 game for 7 chances at all the games on Steam.

Besides, I've got plenty more objectives to try for.

Screw the Bunch or Heroes achievement, cripes that's difficult.  If a group of people want to hit me up and do it at 4 I'm sure we could take it, but as solo finding random dudes online I've only gotten close once.

I haven't tried the Bunch of Heroes objective.
I'll add you when I get home and if you're playing when I can then I'd be up for trying with you.

[Rasix]

Broke the seal!  Couldn't pass up Dead Space 2 at that price, especially with how much I loved the first.

[HaemishM]

Amazon has EA games for download up to 75% off today.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_359496922_2?ie=UTF8&docId=1000746611&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0QECJFTKC3XDVVBJDZ6G&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1341540062&pf_rd_i=979455011

Dragon Age 1 Ultimate Edition for $8.99, Dragon Age 2 for $5.99 and a bunch of others. They don't activate using Steam unfortunately, but if you've been looking for something cheap from them, here's another avenue.

[Thrawn]

So is DA2 worth the $5.99?  Heard mostly negative stuff about it...

[Paelos]

Shogun 2 went on sale with all the DLC. I think I can get the whole thing for like $14. WIN!

That's 2 for 2 on what I wanted from this sale, Skyrim and Shogun 2.

[Ingmar]

Enjoy the load times. The game was fun but I just couldn't stomach those - although I upgraded the PC since the last time I played it, I should reinstall and try on the new hardware I guess.

[HaemishM]

So is DA2 worth the $5.99?  Heard mostly negative stuff about it...

That's why I haven't immediately jumped on it - I haven't heard great things about it. Anyone have any thoughts (and I do mean besides "GET SKYRIM!!!" - Yes, I fucking know).

[Hawkbit]

DA2 is like reading a choose-your-own-adventure book, only all the choices lead back to the same outcome.  There's willy-nilly differences in choice, but overall it is just an on-rails fantasy story.  I didn't make it more that four hours in before quitting. 

[Ingmar]

The characterization, acting, and dialogue is great and probably worth $6 by itself. The combat is a matter of taste (I personally like it, other people do not), the reuse of maps will annoy you, but hey, it's only 6 bucks.

EDIT: It is fair to say that the first parts of the game are the weakest really. In particular the demo/intro section is kind of  and so unfortunately the game doesn't really put its best foot forward from the start.

[Reg]

I don't see how you can go wrong at 5.99 - although I admit to being a Bioware fanboy who paid full price with no regrets. It does suffer from an almost criminal lack of Arnold Shwarzenegger soundalikes however.

[Thrawn]

If it was only $6 and on Steam I probably would of gotten it already.  Just not sure since I need to get it through Amazon/Origins/whatever.  

I think I have a problem.

[Segoris]

So is DA2 worth the $5.99?  Heard mostly negative stuff about it...

As someone who forced myself to play a little bit each week just to finish it I still think that is a good price. I felt it was total ass due to awful combat (seriously, it was really bad), re-using of maps, really bad companion equipment overhaul from DA1, a not so great story, and the added crappiness with being pissed about DA2 being the beginning of EA attempting to force Origins up their customers pee-holes and not putting it on Steam. I'd say it is a good buy between $5-$10.

Edit: Clarity

[Trippy]

So is DA2 worth the $5.99?  Heard mostly negative stuff about it...

I may get it just so I can play with Felicia Day

[JWIV]

I went ahead and snagged Medieval Total war for like $2.50.  I've heard very good things about Shogun, but I'm not particularly interested in feudal Japan, so I'm torn. 

[Paelos]

I went ahead and snagged Medieval Total war for like $2.50.  I've heard very good things about Shogun, but I'm not particularly interested in feudal Japan, so I'm torn. 

I'm not really either, but I'm a TW slut.

[HaemishM]

If it was only $6 and on Steam I probably would of gotten it already.  Just not sure since I need to get it through Amazon/Origins/whatever.  

I think I have a problem.

Meh, it's $6. I went ahead and splurged.