Humble Monthly Bundle - April 2019- Review and Discussion Thread . Full Unlock 4/5/19

[RanceJustice]

It's that time again, the next Humble Monthly Bundle is about to arrive! For those unaware of Humble Monthly Bundles, please see my more in-depth introduction here during my first thread from April 2017 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humble-monthly-april-review-and-discussion-thread.1929347 - I'll just get right into it again!

For those interested, here are all my back Humble Monthly reviews..

May - https://hardforum.com/threads/humble-monthly-bundle-may-review-and-discussion-thread.1931795/
June - (Missed writing one)
July - https://hardforum.com/threads/humble-monthly-bundle-july-2017-review-and-discussion-thread.1939318/
August - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...st-2017-review-and-discussion-thread.1941294/
September - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...er-2017-review-and-discussion-thread.1943055/
October - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...er-2017-review-and-discussion-thread.1945470/
November - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...er-2017-review-and-discussion-thread.1947730/
December - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...er-2017-review-and-discussion-thread.1949477/
Jan2018 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...ry-2018-review-and-discussion-thread.1951895/
Feb2018 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...ry-2018-review-and-discussion-thread.1953943/
March 2018 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humble-monthly-bundle-march-2018-review-and-discussion-thread.1956171/
April 2018 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...-release-date-4-6-18.1957941/#post-1043572129
May 2018 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...iscussion-thread-release-date-5-4-18.1959906/
June 2018 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...iscussion-thread-release-date-6-1-18.1961480/
July 2018 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...iscussion-thread-release-date-7-6-18.1963715/
August 2018 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...iscussion-thread-release-date-8-3-18.1965425/
September 2018 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...iscussion-thread-release-date-9-7-18.1966820/
October 2018 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...scussion-thread-release-date-10-5-18.1969171/
November 2018 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...scussion-thread-full-unlock-11-02-18.1970520/
December 2018 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...iscussion-thread-full-unlock-12-6-18.1974264/
January 2019 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...scussion-thread-full-unlock-01-04-19.1975165/
February 2019 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...d-full-unlock-2-1-19.1976661/#post-1044065542
March 2019 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...-discussion-thread-full-unlock-3-1-19.1977810

April Early Unlocks

Northgard ($30, Win/Mac/Linux ) - April may be the first full month of spring, but your tribe will need to persevere through the bitter cold of Northgard and beyond! Half city builder and half real time strategy, Northgard is a Viking themed management sim. Players must lead their Clan as they settle upon the shores of Northgard, establishing a home and working to survive against the dangers they face on this new expanse. From exploring to find new resources, assigning tasks and cultivating assets within the tribe, building and upgrading structures, to war parties and diplomacy there are many play dynamics all infused with a heavy influence of Nordic lore. Its noteworthy that different victory conditions - Conquest, Fame, Lore, Trading etc.. - make different styles of play possible and like some of the better strategy titles out there, victory isn't exclusively about combat superiority (though that can certainly be one path!). Players can choose from varying Clans, each with their own exclusive bonuses, playstyles, and aesthetic elements which add further depth to the title. There are multiple game modes available from a Campaign of significant length and narrative focus to matches vs AI or vs other Players, including a persistent ranking system. Multiplayer is available across various play modes allowing both co-op and competitive play to preference.

Known for such titles as the Evoland series (very worth playing for fans of JRPGs), developer Shiro Games has a good reputation for supporting Mac and Linux gamers and thankfully Northgard is no exception! The title has been updated with new content patches significantly since its full launch on Steam ( previous time in Early Access honed the title well and provided solid proof of its evolution), but it also offers a handful of DLC. Reasonably priced and content focused, the two DLC packs "Svafnir, Clan of the Snake" and "Nidhogg, Clan of the Dragon" each offer a new Clan with its own mechanics, aesthetic, and playstyle which isn't too bad for $5 (and less on sale!). Some may be a bit wary of Northgard's price when it comes to an indie strategy-sim, but its competent all around presentation and support have won it great acclaim among reviewers and players alike, making April's Humble Monthly an even better value! Ready the longships and set sail for Northgard!



Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden ($35, Windows) - The ruined world looks weird in Mutant Year Zero! This post-apocalyptic adventure is an attempt by veteran developers to build on the turn-based tactical combat found in the more recent XCOM titles mixed with real-time stealth positioning. XCOM-style management, upgrades, and a significant amount of loot to be found and equipped further increase progression. The majority of the game is campaign focused and is based on the Mutant Year Zero pen-and-paper tabletop RPG world, set in a universe where a calamity obliterated most of humanity and human society several hundred years ago. This calamity also gave rise to intelligent mutants of all shapes and sizes, leading to a creative cast of characters including Dux (a 4-foot tall anthropomorphic duck with a crossbow and ability to sprout bat-wings) and Bormin (who is a bulky man with the head of a wild boar) , and Selma (a humanoid female who appears pretty close to baseline, aside from a craggy skin condition and ability to spawn vines). These characters and others will be your party as they venture out into the wastes to collect relics of the old world, hoping to find clues to the past as well as resources for day to day survival. A central city hub provides your location for upgrades, management, plot strings, and other focal activities before heading out into the dangerous world again. Published by Nordic juggernaut Funcom, it is worth noting that the gameworld is set in the remnants of a Northern European city, an homage by the developers to their local area which is somewhat unique compared to most post-apocalyptic titles settinge

While the title is solely available for Windows, there is a strong movement to bring the title to Linux so a port may be in the future; for now, Proton is probably the best resource. Mutant Year Zero has been well supported with free updates including content patches such as The Stalker Trials, adding new game modes and features to extend play. This June the first DLC expansion will launch, telling an entirely new story and adding many new features so that will be something to which to look forward for new owners. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden provides fans of "Shadow Tactics: Blade of the Shogun" stealth and/or "XCOM" style tactical combat/management more to enjoy, set in a inventive setting! Get going and find a new top hat for your duck!




Absolver ($30, Windows) - Mysterious martial arts madness this spring! Absolver, developed by newcomer Sloclap is, like many of the titles published by idiosyncratic indie publisher Devolver Digital, unique. Players find themselves awakening into a society formed in the ruins of the Adal Empire, with few memories beyond a ceremony and the mask that is now affixed to their face. This gift bestowed by the esoteric Guides who run the society, marks them as a Prospect that must earn their way into the elite Absolver corps and starts them on their journey. At its core, Absolver is a martial arts combat fighting game, where players must learn and master differing strikes, skills, stances and other aspects in order to form their combat "deck". One major risk the game takes is that it offers bother free-form PVP and PVE combat and, though it can be played offline for the PVE modes, you'll miss out on certain aspects of the game were you not engaged in PVP at least at some times. Players wander through the zones and run into both players and NPCs and, though there is no conversation, tension rises as both parties decide if they will attack or allow the other to pass unscathed. Likewise, when finishing combat decisions to finish off or help the enemy up can help to build persistent stories allowing for both honorable sparring bouts between friendly rivals and forging an enemy attack. Both the PVE and PVP elements of the game have their own progression, and it will be necessary to learn from/fight against other players in order to learn all of the varying martial arts moves from the varying schools that can make up your "deck". Players who progress far enough down the PVP path can even open their own "school" and teach what they know to others! The PVE path - which can be a variety of solo and co-op endeavors, as well as some expansion content - has both a story mode (far more in depth than it may appear, once other elements are met) as well as procedural generated areas that provide currency for one kind of advancement, cosmetics, items and the like. Be it PVP or PVE, combat is fluid and focused on technical countering, the right ability for the right time, in a unique sort of fighting game that doesn't depend on your ability to pull off a a hadoken or dragon-punch, but still manages to inspire the "badlands kung-fu" experience that many will recall from films and other works past.

Absolver is currently only for Windows and at the moment has a single paid DLC pack - "Adalian Forest Pack" for $3. This includes 2 7-piece outfits of equipment, a sword, and 5 new emotes, adding some additional flair. The game has been updated with new content patches such as the largest Downfall free expansion which added new PVE challenges, an entirely new fighting style to learn/collect, and new School challenges. It is commendable for them to offer large amounts of content this way as not to split the player base; I look forward to future expansions. Absolver takes a lot of chances in its attempt to forge a unique fighting game and though there may be some bumps along the road, it should be lauded for its ambition as there isn't anything quite like it out there! The influx of new players since April's Humble Monthly should be very helpful for the game's community and overall bolster the experience. I would suggest newcomers less open to working through the mysteries on their own check out the Steam Guides section for the game, where existing players have written about various content and mechanics. Meditate and get your gloves up, know when to strike and when to offer a hand in friendship!



Minit ($10, Win/Mac/Linux ) - Its said that a game that is shorter or limited but high quality trumps a larger title that is mostly just bland filling ; Minit certainly adheres to this principle! This monochrome indie title is reminiscent of an overhead Zelda style adventure with the central conceit being the land is cursed for each day to end after just one (real world) minute. Players must strive to make as much progress as they can during this time with their little hero, helping various denizens, puzzling , and taking on various challenges before the minute is up. Of course, there is some degree of progression despite the rewind which allows for certain elements to be kept for future minutes of adventure. Minit no doubt inspires comparisons to "The Legend of Zelda: Major's Mask" in this way, which is certainly favorable.

Minit offers support not just for Windows but also for Mac and Linux, which is always nice to see especially in a smaller indie title. The game may not be the longest and has no DLC to speak of, but the developer has added additional content including a NewGame+ mode, alternate player characters, speed-run-centric features, and others post launch. This charming black and white adventure knows exactly what kind of game it wants to be and crafts a cohesive experience around its central elements with the results winning great acclaim. Get moving!

 

[RanceJustice]

The remainder of the bundle unlocks April 5th, 2019!

So be sure to lock in your purchase to get all of the Early Unlocks immediately and the remainder on that date!

April 2019 Humble Monthly Titles

Tannenberg ($20, Win/Mac/Linux) - Get ready to dive into history with Tannenberg! The second in Blackmill Games series of World War 1 shooters seeking historical accuracy, Tannenberg is named after the famous 1914 battle. While the previous title, "Verdun", focuses on the Western Front, Tannenberg takes on the less popularly discussed Eastern Front conflict and aims to bring the same lauded historical accuracy and gameplay dynamics over. While WW2 has become one of the most popular settings for gaming, World War 1 takes somewhat of a backseat for a number of reason, but Blackmill attempts to give it its due, illustrating the very different sort of warfare taking place at a pivotal point of history; the last gasp of old style European warfare common for hundreds of the years and the advent of new technologies just on the precipice. The game is primarily multiplayer focused with up to 64 players on a server, better to simulate the trench warfare and massive charges of the era. Squad based combat and tactics are important, be they with fellow players or the AI bots that can help bolster the numbers. Realism is the name of the game affecting everything from the maps and terrain, technologies and weapons, to the accurate uniform progression of the various "classes/jobs" for Imperial Russian, Romanian, German, Austro-Hungarian, and Bulgarian armies present. Multiple game modes and a degree of progression keep play expanding over a long time.

The developers have gone all in on creating a series of World War 1 games, with their attention to detail and ongoing support for the whole project appreciated. Like Verdun, Tannenberg offers support not just for Windows but also for Mac and especially Linux, which is fantastic to see. Having only left Steam Early Access in Feb 2019, there are likely updates and content patches to come if Verdun is any example. At the moment there is only a single DLC available, the "Supporter's Edition Upgrade" for $5. Besides soundtracks and artwork, it offers in-game cosmetics including a medal, a score badge icon, and some bonus career progression points to help you unlock things a little faster - a nice little bonus for supporting the title. This studio's WW1 project is clearly inspired by more than a passing fancy and I look forward to the support for current and release of future titles (rumor suggests an aerial combat title is in the works!). Back to the trenches, men!




She Remembered Caterpillars ($12, Windows/Mac) - Surreal puzzling awaits in this unique title! She Remembered Caterpillars is the kind of indie title that some embrace while others roll their eyes seeking something more traditional. A surreal world deemed "fungalpunk" by its developer invites comparison to such indie darlings as the "Samorost" series and "Botanicula", as well as a little of the buggy aesthetic of "Hollow Knight". Players control Gammies, brightly colored little creatures that can interact with the world around them based on their coloration. The puzzles in each level are in regard to getting whatever Gammies there are to "finish" tiles, with color as a core mechanic. There will be living architecture such as caterpillar-inspired bridges and gates that, depending on their particular color, will allow a Gammie to either pass or be impeded. Players have to figure out which combination and order of moves will allow all the Gammie to get where they need to go.

The game's story is kept somewhat up in the air, with hints of a meta-narrative about a loving scientist in search of a cure for their ailing father, with revelations likely to come on how the puzzles are related to this storyline. Indie developer Jumpsuit Entertainment brings She Remembered Caterpillars to Windows and Mac, but alas (according to a Steam Forums post) could not afford to bring the title to Linux, natively. There is no DLC to speak of on this first foray into the indie scene, but the core game is the sort of artistic experience that would likely be followed up in another title, rather than expansions. For those who are open to a heartfelt story and/or a colorful puzzler check out She Remembered Caterpillars!



Steel Rats ($20, Win/Mac/Linux) - Gun those engines and get ready to ride in Steel Rats! From indie dev Tate Multimedia comes a follow up to their motocross adventure "Urban Trial Playground", with Steel Rats! Set in the alternate 1940s, invading alien Junkbots threaten to dominate the human population and its up to the Steel Rats motorcycle gang to save the city! At its core a 2.5D adventure platformer, it also infuses its motorcycle DNA into the gameplay significantly to really set it aside from other titles. Almost always on their tricked out cycles, players will need to use speed, momentum, and physics as well as an assortment of weaponry and tools like chains, wheel spikes and more in order to handle puzzles and combat alike. Taking down a smaller bot may be a matter of wheelie-ing into its face and deploying your tire spikes, but a larger bot may have to be put off balance after an acrobatic chase (including driving vertically or upside down!), with a chained harpoon allowing users to tie up its legs and topple it! This leads to all sorts of fun, with additional exploration encouraged thanks to the inclusion of secrets spread around each level for those interested in unlocking everything. Each of the 4 main playable characters has their own bikes and specialty abilities/weapons, so there should be a type of play for most everyone.

While the title originally launched on Windows in Nov 2018, I am very pleased to see that as of March 2019 they brought it to Mac and Linux as promised; praise for doing so well deserved! There is at the moment no paid DLC, but there is a free "Sylish Mayhem - Skins DLC" which provides a new skin for each character and their bike - I personally hope to see a homage to "Kaneda's Bike" from anime legend "Akira"! The developers of Steel Rats take their motocross/motorcycle game experience and find a way to help develop it into a new type of title, a fresh take on the 2.5D platform genre; I wasn't aware of this one at its launch, but I'm certainly glad to see it in April's Humble Monthly!



Dandara ($15, Win/Mac/Linux) - Explore and liberate a directionless world in Dandara! This Metroidvania type platformer has a number of the central features of the genre - backtracking, upgrades, boss battles, and other puzzles/features/collectibles of increasing complexity all of which it does well. Mechanically, what sets it apart from others is the method of movement - where most platformer adventures of the sort allow the player to run, jump, and occasionally use more unusual techniques in order to traverse certain challenges, Dandara takes place in a world with no gravity. With an ever changing sense of direction, the heroine can only jump diagonally from place to place at different angles, coming to rest on a variety of surfaces to plot her next jump. This mechanic was designed in such a way to make the game both playable via controller and touch screen use, though many seem to feel the controller is more accurate from what I've read. The combination of movement with the shifting perspective adds a unique twist to the solid Metroidvania play wrapped in a charming visual style.

Showcased in well animated and detailed pixel art, Dandara tells a minimalist story of the world of Salt coming under autocratic rule of an oppressive dictator, bringing forth the titular heroine to strike back. Brazilian studio Long Hat House use multiple inspirations to make the world of Salt and the denizens within its somewhat minimalist told story unique, to great success. This includes (I am told) some Brazilian cultural tropes and fables that inspire certain character design which further evidence of how lesser-seen mythologies in gaming can be quite worthwhile. I should mention that because of the heroine's name and design (a real world Dandara was a 17th century Afro-Brazillian capoeira master and rebel who fought against enslavement by colonial powers) the game is somehow "politically correct/SJW" but I don't believe this to be accurate so don't let it dissuade you. Long Hat House went out of their way to offer not just Windows but Mac and Linux support, which is a very welcome feature indeed. Dandara provides an interesting, mobility-focused take on the Metroidvania experience and is a welcome addition to this Monthly!



A Short Hike ($?? , Windows/Mac , Humble Original) - This month's Original is a relaxing trip through nature in A Short Hike! Set off for Hawk Peak Provincial Park in this cell-shaded wilderness adventure. Set in a world of anthropomorphic animals, the player is some sort of crow/raven enjoying their day in the park. Players can stay to marked trails, meet other hikers, or head out for other activities like finding buried treasure or soaring on currents of air. A variety of mountainous landscapes give opportunities for many sorts of outdoor pursuits in differing environments. While the title appears freeform, could there be more lurking beneath the surface! Humble Monthly owners get A Short Hike first, but the title is soon to come to Steam ; it is not yet clear if we'll be getting Steam keys or if the Humble Original version is only a "sneak peek/demo" compared to the later released Steam version. This, among other questions are in the recently available Steam Discussion forum (such as Linux support), but for now enjoy your time in the mountains!





Don't forget that aside from each month's games, you also are granted a global 10% discount (that even stacks with other discounts!) in the Humble Store , access to the Humble Trove of downloadable titles , and extras like discount coupon If you enjoyed any of this and wish to subscribe , feel free to use my Recruit-A-Friend link and discount/credit-sharing code to lock in the savings - https://www.humblebundle.com/monthly?refc=02L8o8 . There is also another coupon that can be used for 10% off everything on Humble Store for a month, but unlike the RAF it can only be used once per month - PM if you're interested in that (note: I do not think it stacks with Humble Monthly Discounts; its a new program version after all) Don't forget you can always "pause" your subscription for a month too before the unlock day, if you don't think you'll want what's upcoming. Enjoy!

 

[RanceJustice]

Bump for last day, gentlemen. If you want to get in on April, be sure to have purchased prior to tomorrow's unlock!

Which of your Early Unlocks have you been enjoying?