Initial scrolling of the Steam Summer Sale seems pretty lackluster, but digging through the comments sections in other threads, a few gems have stood out, and it doesn’t appear we have a thread dedicated to this yet, so post what you think are the best deals here!

Not mandatory ofc, but it’d be helpful if…

  • One game per top level post, so comments stemming from it are focused on on just it.

  • Hyperlink the game title to its Store Page

  • Include both the normal and sale price / %off

  • Include a short blurb about the game - if it’s one you’ve played before, what did you like about it? If you’re diving in blind, what grabbed your attention?

Good hunt’n!

  • Sterile_Technique@lemmy.worldOP
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    5 months ago

    The Witcher 3 - Wild Hunt $39.99 $3.99 (90% off)

    If you’ve somehow managed to avoid Witcher until now, it’s a dark medieval fantasy, 3rd person, open world RPG based on Norse Slavic mythology. Lots of political intrigue, choices that actually impact outcomes in game. Fantastic voice acting, story, soundtrack, and combat/gameplay mechanics. This is one of the best games on the market - if you don’t already have it, now’s the time! There are also two DLCs that are each the size and scope of an entire standalone game - don’t miss those!

    Also available DRM free on GOG for the same price.

    (shoutout to @Klystron@sh.itjust.works for GOG intel)

    • Mr_Wobble@lemm.ee
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      5 months ago

      I started replaying Witcher 3 a week or so ago. It really is an amazing game. But I will admit that the combat is just ok. It’s not awful, but it sure as heck isn’t great. The magic and other mechanics, I’d also call them just OK, maybe even occasionally bordering on less-than-good. Geralt’s movement, even just traversing or trying to loot things, can often be slippy and weird.

      Thing is, all of the other parts that are important for a great RPG and narrative just shine SO much more brighter that they really make up for the very mediocre gameplay aspects. It really is more than the sum of its parts.

      • GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml
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        5 months ago

        It was never a strong combat game imo. It’s a fantastic game despite the combat, not because of the combat.

      • Sterile_Technique@lemmy.worldOP
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        5 months ago

        Once you get a hold on dodging/parrying/etc, you’ll feel like a damn ninja, especially on harder difficulties; but leading up to that, yeah combat is… OK. Also don’t miss out of experimenting with different builds - one of my favorites optimized using bombs, which later into it makes you a walking B-52 - fun build if you enjoy clearing trash via a wave of pure chaos, then mopping up the stronger guys by way of the sword.

        And yeah, the whole package is what counts here: Witcher 3 is a fantastic all around game. It isn’t without it’s imperfections, but they are barely noticeable amidst the tsunami of ridiculously high quality you’ll be hit with from all the other features.

        • Mr_Wobble@lemm.ee
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          5 months ago

          For sure! And as much negative I said about the combat, it’s punchy, never drags on, and the enemies you fight are usually all set up well as part of the story. They’re not just random mobs, so even the fighting has good narrative weight even if it’s not the mechanically deepest ever.

          This time through, I’ve been making different choices and stopping to explore more and take in more of the world. First time I played it, I had NO IDEA that if you stopped and listened to some npc convos you can pick up quests that way! Doesn’t even really feel like I’m playing it over again, or retreading the same stuff. There’s SO much in it.

    • WhyAUsername_1@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      Good fish! I will download it right away.

      Just one question, I have never played any of The Witcher series game. Would I be okay in jumping directly into the 3rd part?

      • Sterile_Technique@lemmy.worldOP
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        5 months ago

        Witcher 2’s controls are a bit janky, but it’s a solid game in and of itself for the story alone; if you can stomach some pretty bad mechanics to enjoy an otherwise decent product, I’d say start at #2.

        Witcher 1 is… so bad it’s kinda comical. I’d just pull up a story summary of Witcher 1 on youtube and call it a day. If you’re a masochist, go ahead and give the actual game a whirl; but I’d recommend modding the snot out of it to at least make your character OP as fuck, allowing you to mostly skip the god-awful combat. But even then, the only selling point is the story, which again you can just pull up on YouTube.

        That said, you can dive into 3 with zero knowledge of the previous two and be just fine. There are things that will go over your head, but nothing significant.

      • storcholus@feddit.org
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        5 months ago

        It helps if you know the lore, because at the beginning there is a scene where someone asks you about decisions you made in the first two parts. But I didn’t know anything and just guessed. But after that you don’t really need to know what happens before

        • Signfeld@lemm.ee
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          5 months ago

          This is optional and only happens if you check “Simulate Witcher 2 Save” when creating a new game I believe. Just choose no.

          • storcholus@feddit.org
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            5 months ago

            Sadly no, it’s been a long time. My guess would be as good as yours. But like Singfeld said, you can skip that option

      • Blackmist@feddit.uk
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        5 months ago

        Yes, tbh. Most missing backstory tends to be from the books rather than the games, and anyone with half a brain can infer what’s going on.