I played the shareware version of this to death back when it was new. That table, Darkside, was only one of the four great tables included in Balls of Steel. Although there was a Duke Nukem tie-in, they really should have advertised this game more for its good physics, sharp graphics, deep gameplay, and fun sounds and music. The tables are Barbarian, a fantasy themed table with a citadel ball-cage, a fire-breathing dragon, and elemental themed missions. Darkside, a bug-hunt-in-space game like Aliens, with simple play and great special effects. Duke Nukem is probably the least entertaining table design, with lots of big loops and an open middle. And finally Firestorm, a police-versus-mad-bomber table, which has a second playfield at the top of the table, and some cool car-chase modes with toy cars driving around the table. This beats Pinball Fantasies as my favourite 2D pinball game on GOG, and even tops Worms Pinball for fun and flavor. It's a steal at this price.
Here's a review from a die-hard Sam & Max fan: the game isn't perfect, but what in this world is? Pros: Great writing, great voice acting, good music, often hilarious scenes and characters, manageable interface, classic adventure gaming fun in the LucasArts style. Cons: Environments and characters get re-used a lot in early episodes, the first two antagonists are pretty annoying, and the writing isn't always at its laugh-a-minute highs. I still heartily recommend this to anyone who has liked Sam & Max or LucasArts adventure games, especially if you can find the whole season for $20 or less. I bought the DVD at full price ($39) when it was new, and felt a little shortchanged. I'd say these episodes are worth $4 a pop easy, though.
If you just watched Blood Diamond, Lord of War, and The Constant Gardener and want to take a safe month-long vacation in the middle of a hopeless warzone in the most beautiful place in the world, I invite you to pick up Far Cry 2. Pros: +The game is beautiful- most of the time, I play it just to enjoy the gorgeous day/night cycle, weather effects, and stunning scenery. + The game has variety. There are dozens of weapons and vehicles to try, or modify, and they really make an impact on how you approach combat. + The game fakes realism. I liked having to take malaria medication, remember where to find ammo caches, fix broken weapons and cars, and use fire sparingly. I like that my map is actually a scrap of paper I hold in my hands while driving, not a HUD. + Did I mention fire? You can burn the whole country down if you're not careful. The fire in this game is *alive* and amazing. + The game is huge. I've been playing for hundreds of hours and still don't feel like I've walked/swam/boated/or driven every part of it. + You have allies. It's cool to have someone come rescue you if you get in a tight spot. I do far less save/reload repetition, because getting wounded in battle is just as entertaining as making it through unscratched. + The game lets you set the pace. Sometimes I get in and just do a few missions and advance the plot, other times I play just to wander and make my own sandboxy story. + They removed the silly science-fiction elements that were in the first game. Cons: - Taking out an enemy checkpoint feels like a major accomplishment early in the game, but you soon discover that destroyed enemy areas will eventually restore themselves (and their inhabitants). There are no "cleared" parts of the map, with the exception of the safe houses you acquire for yourself. This bothered me a lot at first because I felt like I couldn't really make a difference. Now I don't mind, because if everything I killed stayed dead, this would be a pretty lonely game. Enemies make it interesting, but this aspect won't please everyone. - The game's economy is based on a big hidden-object-quest. I had fun finding the diamonds because it usually makes you explore a new area and see things from a new vantage point. BUT it stops being as fun when you are broke, and *need* to go find the diamonds because you're one short of what you want to buy. - Voice acting. It's excellent for main characters, but random enemies all say their lines way too fast. They have their AI conversations ("barking") in a way that feels tacked on. - Size. The game is huge, and 90% of the time I love that. But once in awhile, I'll get a mission that takes me to the far side of the map, and unless I take a bus (teleport) I know I'll be spending 20 minutes just getting to the starting line. As you'll find from other reviews here, the game is not one that will please everybody. But I feel that negative reviewers are far too harsh with it, and hold the game to unrealistic expectations. This is the biggest, prettiest, most immersive FPS I have ever played. I would gladly buy it over again, and over again once more. Four stars, give it a try especially if it's on sale!
This is a great deal for $5.99, as each title is easily worth this much alone. I prefer Throne of Chaos because the sequel forces you to play as a certain type of person, and is too full of FMV distractions. The combination of photos and 3D navigation is not as attractive as the hand-drawn look of the first title. But don't let these minor complains about Guardians of Destiny deter you from picking up this fantastic light RPG bundle today!
I don't feel like writing a whole novel about it, so I'll just sum up: Pros: + Gorgeous scenery, weather, and day & night cycles. + Fun combat (if repetitive) + Really unique story and characters + A sense that your actions have grander consequences + Interesting character progression options Cons: - Limited character models. Even some important named characters get hand-me-down generic models. - So-so voice acting. A lot of it really isn't that bad, but the game's a horrible mish-mash of "fantasy" accents. Gerald of Rivia sounds like he's sleepwalking most of the time. - Cumbersome inventory system, especially in a game with so many fetch quests - So many fetch quests - Sex Card quest. I get it that Gerald is an insatiable and sterile Don Juan, but this got to be just gratuitous. Nothing wrong with romance and sex in a game, but use Mass Effect and Dragon Age as your model, not Leisure Suit Larry and Japanese dating-sims. I give the game a solid B (80%), but all the extras and goodies Projekt Red throws in (2 soundtracks, art book, guide book, story book, map, etc) bring it up to an A minus (88%?). I spend 160hrs playing The Witcher EE. If you get it for $10, you'll certainly get your money's worth. I just hope the sequel is more mature in some regards.
