From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action


What's that sound? It's the sound of new games! Quick, everybody;
let's run to Prime Gaming to grab the latest (sorta) freebies!!!!

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* XCOM Chimera Squad (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/xcom_chimera_squad
After the XCOM reboot and its sequel, the developers tried
to spice up the formula with Chimera Squad, with hero-
characters that each had special abilities as opposed to
the generic soldier units of the earlier games. It's
interesting but the core gameplay loop -though fun- feels a
bit stale. It's a game really for XCOM diehards who can't
get enough of the franchise but want something slightly new;
for everyone else, it's probably not worth the bother.


* Palindrome Syndrome: Escape Room (via GOG) https://www.gog.com/en/game/palindrome_syndrome_escape_room
It's an escape-room adventure set in a space-ship. It's fine,
if short, but nothing really exceptional. There are better
games, there are worse games.


* Space Grunts (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/space_grunts
A turn-based action/RPG; its got the usual turn-by-turn
gameplay but its intended to be played fast, almost like an
arcade game. It's okay, but a RNG-heavy rogue-like with
pixel-graphics? That's a hard sell for me.


* Hot Brass (via GOG)
https://www.gog.com/en/game/hot_brass
Police the streets like an American cop! Guns are always
the solution! A minimalist top-down action/strategy game
where you take on the role of a SWAT team member. It's
reminiscent in gameplay to "Hotline Miami", except perhaps
a bit slower and a hell of a lot less gory. Meh.


* Tomb Raider IV-V-VI Remastered (via EPIC) https://store.epicgames.com/p/tomb-raider-ivvi-remastered-0be789?lang=en-US
A year ago we got the remastered versions of Tomb Raider #1-3;
now the series is complete. And sure, the visuals are a bit
spruced up and the gameplay slightly improved... but the simple
fact is that episodes #4-6 of the franchise were tired back in
the 90s, and they haven't really improved any with the remaster.
If you really want to play ancient Tomb Raider, stick with the
first remaster; the games (although still old and aging poorly)
are a lot better than these.


* Moon Mystery (via EPIC) https://store.epicgames.com/p/moon-mystery-9028e8?lang=en-US
A weird mix of RPG, shooter, puzzle, platformer, and survival.
The developers really need to focus. The visuals aren't too bad
and the setting looks interesting, but reviews indicate a
general lack of polish.


* Pro Basketball Manager 2026 (via Amazon) https://store.steampowered.com/app/3585230/Pro_Basketball_Manager_2026/
Manage a basketball team. Maybe you can prevent the unholy
result of letting the Knicks getting to the playoffs that
will surely doom mankind (how the fuck that happen? We've
spent billions trying to prevent that!). Meh. I'm not a fan of
sports games in general, and sports management games bore me
even more. But I know some people enjoy them, and this one seems
as good as any other, if that's your thing.


* Nordic Storm Solitaire (via Legacy) https://store.steampowered.com/app/1203050/Nordic_Storm_Solitaire/
I don't want to shock you too much... but this is a solitaire
card game with a background story involving Nordic storm gods.
I know, who would have guessed? Not really that interesting for
its gameplay or story. Just play the free games that came with
Windows.


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Not a great mix of games, but they're not totally terrible and
free(-ish), so I won't complain too much. It's not like I'm being
asked to pay $16 for the privilege of adding a bunch of mediocre games
to my library, right HumbleChoice?

See you in a couple of weeks for the next bunch of games!


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