The skeleton of the game is already worth the money. This game is incredibly fun to play. I don't mean to beat levels and progress, I mean to literally function and use the mechanics. If you've ever wanted a turn-based naval game that used realistic physics to plot shots and (especially) have realistic damage models, you've found it. I have a screenshot on my computer of two merchant ships I've sunk. They're sinking epically but differently in the same frame. Why? Different shots. One was sunk with a torpedo that (it appears) blew up the aft fuel reservoir while the first had a number of deck fires that spread to the internal parts. The damage models just FEEL right in the way I've never seen before in a naval game. At one point I was plotting (very slowly) to shoot a ship, which is ostensibly a turn-based thing. But ships take on water and damage in real time it seems and it blew up before I got my shot off. Epic, surprising, and fun. The game is so inexpensive if what I said intrigues you - buy it.
For what it is, M.A.X. is phenomenal. It is a pure, core, chess-piece turn based strategy game. Each team starts with some different bonuses but always the exact same units. The depth is in upgrading those units and using them like chess pieces to counter others. For example, having a bunch of infiltrators disable gun turrets for your tanks and missile (not rocket, those are different!) launchers to take them out. Also, there's a great upgrading system - in fact two of them. Research is slow, done usually in several linked research centers, but gives all your units permanent boosts including in one trait that cannot be researched by gold: cost. The AI is also fantastic. Even on the 2nd lowest of 5 settings it can analyze you're moving dangerous units close and move them away. It will analyze the weak spots in your defense and move in to nail your production units. Heck, I've never played above the middle difficulty and I've owned the game for 20 years. I cringe to see what it could do. It is; however, a 90's release meant for the hardcore. The music is ambient and dark, but nothing memorable. There is one top-down view but you can zoom in and out (though it looks like crap unless you're zoomed in on the closest setting). One thing I do like is "simultaneous moves". Still turn based, but saves time since you and your opponents move all at the same time.
I've always been fascinated by Chernoybl and urban exploration and this game is the closest thing to scratching that itch for me. The atmosphere (sometimes literally!) is great - storm clouds, oppressive rain, fantastic ambient soundtrack (look up "STALKER Call of Pripyat theme of Zaton Day" on YouTube) and you're surrounded not just by decaying and brown vegetation but the feeling of disaster that Chernoybl should. Wrecked boats on a now-drained bay...Rusted power substations, crashed HIND helicopters. There's so much to explore and discover. But within that death the game somehow has created a living, breathing world. The NPCs are lively and have their own agendas that seem realistic and your choices have consequences. I remember I cleared out an area of tough NPCs in an epic gunfight and while hiding in a tunnel during an "emission" storm, some bandits moved in to the building - only to leave after they say I stripped it clean. Many of these games have repetitive side quests but I felt the ones here were not only engaging and showed excellent effort in their design, but were actually more interesting than the main storyline. And that means a lot in a game like this. As a newbie to the series, it gave me no tutorial - dropped me in a forest with a vague mission guideline and told me to go. That was amazing as I started to figure things out on my own. Also, the game has the right balance of combat and exploration to feel like a "realistic" game world vs. a shoot-em-up. But to call it a walking simulator is very wrong. Highly recommended for FPS RPG fans or anyone interested in urban exploration or Chernobyl itself.
Layers of Fear is for those that enjoy psychological horror. The game is quite linear, built upon exploring the creepiest of mansions with excellent sound and music (they tell you to wear headphones, and they are correct in suggesting that). The game tells you nothing at the start, forcing you to explore and piece together what is going on. Some of the reviews speak of how it "got boring". I think that depends on the person. People looking for a quick climax or action will be disappointed. Again, if you like slow burn, creepy, psychological horror (with plenty of jump scares) then I recommend this game wholeheartedly.
This is in my top two PC games of all time - ecstatic to see it on GOG. When it came out it got mediocre reviews. Why? I'll never know. Most of the spite seemed to be due to "micromanagement" required, but that's misleading. There is so much you can do here, so many strategies that, yes, the learning curve is high. But you can slow turns down and you really don't feel limited. For example, don't have the ships to counter an enemy fleet directly? Send a cheap sabotage mission vs their Star Destroyer. Opponent holding a system only through force? Send an incite uprising mission. Each game is different and it makes for intense multiplayer. Buy it.
This game was a breath of fresh air. A huge galaxy to explore, a story that keeps you intrigued yet lets you explore at your own pace. Maybe it's because I'm a casual guy (and playing my game on the lowest difficulty) but I enjoy just slowly leveling up and exploring new star systems - and the games lets you do that. Combat is fun and intuitive. You can customize a ton, though it takes many hours until you have a good stable of ships and equipment to play around with. I also liked some of their ambient radio chatter. The one about the pirate that finds a derelict ship and a certain 'something' growing on the walls is classic. My only gripes are minor. I found the "popularity" mechanic kind of lame. Not popular? Hand over slaves ("goons") and be loved again in 2-3 clicks. I also didn't like a bunch of the ship designs. It's just aesthetics...So many look very alien and asymmetrical. I like symmetry...Or at least a bubble cockpit now and then. Overall a great experience that is addictive and fun. Recommended, though I'm glad I bought it on sale.
FTL represents more than just a great, GOG 5-Star rated game, enough reviews have discussed that (and I agree 100%) FTL represents the end of the gaming world as it's known through public fundraising efforts. FTL's success means that large corporations run by individuals disconnected with what the customer actually wants, no longer get to call the shots. Now, as long as gamers put their money where their mouth is, any great idea by passionate people such as the creators of FTL, has a chance to survive and thrive. Platforms like GOG will help make this possible. Worth 3x the amount it charges, this is a great game, a representation of gaming in it's purest form: people making something FUN for the sole reason of being FUN, and sharing that with like-minded others.
The best promotion I can give for this game is that I already own it, and it's special features disc, and it's player's guide (in paper) and fully functional on my old computer and I'm STILL willing to shell out the money to buy it on GOG for my newer computer. Back in the '90's as you know, everyone tried to make "interactive movies" they were a way to use CDs and real video in combination with gameplay to make an immersive, movie-like experience. Most failed, Wing Commander 3 did not. It is an absolute classic, where the video is well-used and the gameplay/story is great. If you like flying sims where the story comes first download it now. Sell anything, sell the clothes off your back. It's a borderline spiritual experience trying to defeat the Kilrathi, and I can't wait for this download to finish so I can do it again. And again, and...
