An Adventure in Economical Gaming

Greetings, my name is Thomas, I am a newly acquired contributor to this Web Log. My friends know me by the name Tom, you may call me Sir Thomas. Now, I am here to discuss how to best utilise your finances in our current economic crisis.

If, occasionally, you find yourself in a dilemma where you are currently having a rather dry spot with your finances, you are repeatedly being denied a fresh loan until you pay off your currents ones, and you suffer from that intemperate itch that demands you divulge in some top quality video games, you may think all is hopeless.

Now, I advise you not to fret friend, as there are certain groups of people in the world who acknowledge the outrageous prices of even mediocre games on the current gaming platforms.
They have made it their task to bring happiness to the masses, flying in the face of convention to bring you high quality products for a minimal price. Their goal, to allow anyone with a computer, whether Mac or PC, to obtain games for a fraction of the normal amount.

These people are, of course, internet pirates.

As a gentleman however I must refrain from conversing with the shadier side of the law, even when suffering from the worst gaming drought I had ever experienced. It is perhaps fortunate then that I stumbled across a website that has similar ideals and methods of the internet pirates, without all that unfortunate business of it all being illegal.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, The Humble Indie Bundle.

The Humble Bundle is a marvellous idea. Currently in the fifth instalment, the Humble Bundle is a charitable organisation that sells a collection of games for a greatly reduced cost. These deals only last for a certain amount of time however, the current one only for another two days, so do hurry up and buy it. The website allows you to pay a personalised amount, whether that be thousands of pounds or a single penny, and in return you gain up to eight games.

Of course, as incentive, you get less games for giving less money. If you pay below the average amount you are only capable of unlocking four out of the current eight games, which is still a simply incredible deal if you consider that you could be purchasing four games for less than the cheapest of bargain bin wines

For beating the average price, which even at the time of writing this article, with 537,404 copies of the Bundle sold, is still only $8.40, you can obtain all eight games, their soundtracks, and a comfortable warm sensation inside that you are donating the charity through these actions.

Now, I believe the best thing to do at this very moment would be to examine what games they have to offer.

Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP

I am uncertain if I've ever seen a game that can contrast graphics with atmosphere as Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP can. Not to say the graphics are in any way bad, they are basic, which can be used to great effect, but the pixelated style gives nothing away of the true power of the game. Every detail was included to make this game old fashioned, yet completely immersive. Storytelling is the focus of the game, with wonderful detail put into the auditory atmosphere, and a unique choice in graphics.

LIMBO

I find it ill-advised for people who suffer from paranoia or arachnophobia to play this game, mostly because everything is trying to kill you in a variety of different rather disgusting ways. If I was asked to describe the game LIMBO in one dramatic word, I would have to say 'dark', with perhaps more emphasis on the 'DARK' part. Though short, the puzzle platformer has a certain appeal that raises it above the rest. A must try, though it is perfectly understandable if you have to occasionally stop and lay down after a fit of hysterics.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent

As we were already discussing fits of hysteria, I believe this is the best game to present next on this list. Amnesia is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most terrifying games of recent history. Shambling monstrosities, murders, mystery, and the disquieting fact that the settings occasionally look like my summer house, this game is probably already on any survival horror fan's list. I strongly advise you get it, even if you are not a fan of survival horror. Playing even a few moments of it is... an experience.

Psychonauts

Have you ever had the desire to explore the mental state of the completely deranged? Napoleon complexes? Delusional Paranoia? Anger issues? How about a giant mutated fish? Or even a bubbly party girl? Well you can visit all these and more in Double Fine's adventure game epic. With sprawling landscapes filled with amusing and quite literally insane characters, a ludicrous but driving story, and a summer camp for the psychic, this game is getting on in years, but is considered a classic for a reason.

Now we are exploring into the games that you need to pay that little bit extra for. But I'm certain even the greatest misers in the world could produce enough to beat the Humble Bundle's average.

Bastion

What makes art art? That is a philosophical question that has been pondered on for centuries, and has been asked more in the recent displays of the so called 'art'. The common opinion at the moment is that a piece of work is considered art by lots of people, and thus the opinion makes it art. Well, if that is true, I suggest you purchase the bundle at just above average and obtain this wonderful piece of art. The narration, a master piece, the graphics, a sight to behold. Perhaps, when you cut right down to it, it is still an adventure game, but it is so refined, so different, that you will play it just for the sake of playing.

Lone Survivor

Horror. A theme to this Bundle seems to be horror. This game is a spiritual successor to the original Silent Hill franchise. By that I mean that you are trapped in an apartment complex that seems to slip into another realm, possibly hell itself, where all manner of god-less creatures are trying to tear you to shreds for their own enjoyment. A fine example of survival horror done effectively in a very basic way, it captures what it is really like to survive any kind of terrible monster or zombie invasion. This might be very useful information to obtain, should the rumours about Florida prove true. I suggest picking it up, if not just for the horror then the life saving value.

Braid

Braid was one of the first Indie games to come out that really showed the power of small developers. With nothing but interesting ideas, some intuitive mechanics and some wonderful art style, Braid helped kick the Indie circuit into the spotlight. While there are complaints that the story and the gameplay are kept in two completely different areas, and the story is at best complex and at worse completely incomprehensible, there is a reason this game caused such a raucous over simply existing. A fine example of a game, if not the best.

Super Meat Boy

Boy made of meat loves girl who is a physical representation of a bandage, only to have the girl stolen away by an evil foetus who wears a monocle and a top-hat. It's an age old story, told again and again, and again, and again, depending on what level you play on. One of the hardest platformers around, and one of the longest as well, Super Meat Boy is a simple premise of getting the little red cube over to the little pink cube, but is handled in such a ridiculously over the top way that you can forgive any shortcomings of the game. While certainly infuriating at times, the game leaves you always wanting more. One more level, one more bandage, one more A+ rating. If you love to complete your games 100%, I suggest you try to resist that urge with this game, because the difficulty can and will destroy you.

That is all for today. It was a rather long submission in the end, but I hope everyone enjoyed it. I shall be covering the Humble Indie Bundle when it is released again in a sixth instalment, informing you of the games available and my opinions of them.

Good day, my friends.