Comment on pricing:
This game's one that has avoided the "bargain basement prices always on sale" issue, like some others (I know Shovel Knight* was one for a long time). For years, 10% was the max discount the base game ever saw. Once a couple expansions came out (and that's what they are -- very much classic style expansions, not "just DLCs"), they raised their sale threshold to 20% for the base game.
"$100 for everything" is asking for a 33% discount -- higher than any individual discount ever done on any item. You're basically asking for two of the larger expansions (like the new one) to be free.
And the base game has TONS of content itself, even without any of the expansions. And the base game regularly gets updates too, and some content added to it here and there too. Each expansion can be played and enjoyed together or separately of the others as well. None obsolete, overlap, or include (or preclude) others. This is
nothing like the Paradox or Stardock model of overpriced trickle.
This game is a sandbox game like a city builder or strategy/4x game... It's not one you play once and are done with; it's one that's there for replay. Any story is emergent from the interplay of systems and events and what you bring with it. It's not a gargantuan narrative game that you need it all at once to even get started (I know the feeling, I avoid playing those at all until I know they're
done and
complete.) This is one you can get just the base game and play it (and play it a lot) to see how much you like it or not and pick things up as you go. The new stuff will be there when you start up the next base.
* Shovel Knight is actually an apt comparison... When that developer eventually "finished", they did do an all-in-one bundle game (Treasure Trove), that's $5 (9%) off. Ludeon might do that that eventually, but I'd be surprised if they do because it'd be a big sticker shock.
Niggles: Been eyeballing the original for a longtime - plan to get the base game, but, which of the DLC are worth it?. Looks quite pricey for expansions..
See my previous reply... Try out just the base game. Then get the expansions, if any, that expand the parts or flavor of the game you like the most. There are tons of posts of people compare/contrasting them. I'd typically recommend Ideology or Biotech first and Royalty last. (I haven't played Odyssey yet since it just came out.)
Shmacky-McNuts: The other problem is not having a better way to access mods. As most are on steaming pile.....I know how. I just should not have to jump through hoops to do it.
I did want to highlight this. You are right here. But a lot off the best mod makers do release their mods elsewhere. Any of them I've ever actually wanted (I'm a minimal modder; mostly QOL+UI bits) have been available outside of Scam Sweatshop.
