Humble Monthly Bundle - October 2019 - Review and Discussion Thread

[RanceJustice]

Sorry guys, a bit late this time I was experimenting with posting to multiple locations at once and the script failed! Still wanted to provide an overview!

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 overviews..

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 2019 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...discussion-thread-full-unlock-4-5-19.1979767/
May 2019 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...discussion-thread-full-unlock-5-3-19.1980924/
June 2019 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...discussion-thread-full-unlock-6-7-19.1982600/
July 2019 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...discussion-thread-full-unlock-7-5-19.1983786/
August 2019 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...discussion-thread-full-unlock-8-2-19.1984757/
September 2019 - https://hardforum.com/threads/humbl...discussion-thread-full-unlock-9-6-19.1986632/

October Early Unlocks

Battletech ($40, Win/Mac/Linux) + Flashpoint DLC ($20) and Shadow Hawk Pack ($4) - One of the leading titles this month comes from the venerable Battletech franchise. In the earliest days of this mecha combat series, it was focused upon tabletop gaming, rendering hulking walking tanks as immaculately painted miniatures on a grid of hexes. Much like its tabletop contemporaries in the Warhammer universe, Battletech also transitioned to electronic / PC gaming in myriad forms over the years. This most recent incarnation shies away from the simulated piloting experience and returns to its tactical gaming roots. Set in a future full of strife, the game focuses on a managing a mercenary company against the backdrop of an interstellar civil war.

Much like the famed XCOM series, the game requires players handle both management and tactical combat in order to progress. There are multiple game modes including a core story campaign as well as online multiplayer and offline skirmish modes. Players select both the Mechs themselves - walking battle tanks in the Western style , as well as the MechWarriors that pilot them, which all have their own stats and skills. Mechs can be customized significantly, from core components and weaponry to aesthetic paintjobs and emblems, as feature giving a nod to the tabletop games and storied, feudal-esc lore that the franchise has developed over the years. In the campaign, you'll start off with little more than a base in shambles, but restoring it will enable better developments in the tech sector as well as training for your mercs, as each department has its own properties.. Taking contracts with various Clans will set you up for battles and provide much needed income. Sometimes you'll need to handle disputes between your mercs and decide where to go, what contracts to take, who to support and more - all of which provide branching paths in your adventure. Travel takes time and resources, so smart planning wins the day not just in your loadout, but in a more strategic sense as well. When it is time for battle, players select a squad (or Lance) of Mechs, ideally with complimentary characteristics (ie varied weight classes, weapons and the like meant to work together) and deploy planetside for the encounter. Battles play out in the turn based tactical schema genre veterans will recognize with ease; Developer Harebrained Schemes has great experience in this style of title having crafted some of the more recent "Shadowrun" titles. Planning in your movement and attacks, managing heat (generated by using weapons and some other demanding systems), and deciding how to approach your enemy are all part of the encounter. Battle is rendered with great energy blasts, missile salvos, a hail of bullets, or perhaps even a metal-crunching melee attack , with damage and stress to a given Mech available in granular detail. This tabletop legacy feature means Mechs can lose the use of certain weapons, or even entire limbs due to attackers' damage, overheating, and other dangers A well executed battle feels great, with the spoil of victory to come.

Credit must be given to developers Harebrained Schemes and publisher Paradox for offering MacOSX and especially Linux support - a much appreciated element. There is a modest amount of DLC for Battletech, some of which comes with this month's bundle. The "Shadow Hawk Pack" ($4) offers a legacy skin , changing the appearance of that particular Mech. However, "Flashpoint" ($20) is the game's first expansion and adds over 30 hours of new content, including biomes, mechs, mission types, and all new game systems. While the aforementioned are included this Humble Monthly, there are other major expansions, such as the currently available "Urban Warfare" ($20) and the upcoming "Heavy Metal" ($20) scheduled for November release, both heavy with new mechanics, content, campaigns and more. There is also a Season Pass ($50) that grants access to all 3 major expansions, but given Humble Monthly players already own one, it will probably not be worthwhile without a discount. Thankfully, it seems there are significant discounts available so picking the rest of the season up on the cheap is an alluring prospect. Battletech's universe of conflict has a long history on both tabletop and electronic gaming, with this most recent entry a solid offering for fans of tactical management titles!



Sonic Mania ($20, Windows) - Those who grew up with the Sega Genesis likely remember Sonic the Hedgehog, the most famous and perhaps best example of the oh-so-90's trope of "animals with attitude" starring in platform games. Positioned as a mascot for Sega and a foil to Mario, Sonic's claim to fame was rushing around at breakneck speed, giving gamers a sense of velocity rarely seen at the time (coined "Blast Processing", as a way to compete against Nintendo's SNES pseudo-3D "Mode7" rendering effect eye candy). Over the years Sonic has branched out into its own universe with varying games across more than a few genres, but Sonic Mania brings it back from the more recent 3D excursions to its (primarily) 2D platforming roots.

Sonic Mania takes the aesthetics and platforming form of the classic Sonic titles in a loving homage, but allows modern technology to push the envelope even farther. Rendered in crisp, nostalgic pixel art, Sonic again takes to high velocity platforming, collecting the many rings, blasting through loops and bouncing off springs, before going up against nemesis Dr. Eggman's massive boss machines. Even the fondly remembered bonus stages have been returned and revamped. Players can choose between three characters from the series' heyday, Sonic himself , his sidekick Tails (a twin-tailed fox who can use them to fly) , and anti-hero Knuckles (who can scale surfaces with his knuckle spikes) ; each character plays slightly differently thanks to these mechanics. Local co-op play is supported as it was in the old days, with both characters navigating through each level as partners. There are many secrets to unlock as players progress and conditions are met, including special abilities from older Sonic titles, special levels, and even the opportunity to play as Sonic's bright yellow Super Sonic form.

The main game has a good bit of content, especially if you like exploring levels to find all their secrets, but there has also been a single DLC released thus far. "Encore DLC" ($5) grants new levels and variants in "Encore Mode", two new playable characters - Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel - each with their own special mechanics, and expands the competitive party-game Competition Mode to support up to 4 players! A nice bit of new content for an affordable price. Fans of Sonic from the early days or just those looking for a retro platformer that keeps the classic soul with just enough newness to keep things fresh will both find enjoyment in Sonic Mania! Sonic Boom!

 

[RanceJustice]

October Humble Monthly

Spiral Scouts ($10, Win/Mac) - Those looking for a colorful adventure look to Spiral Scouts! In this single player title, players control Remae , young member of the eponymous Spiral Scouts who finds the founders of the organization held in various realms, keeping them from coming together to perform the important Spiral Ceremony. Remae mus travel to those realms and earn enough Spiral Scout badges to enable her to break the seal on the imprisoned founder there.

The game world is rendered in a bright, colorful near papercraft / pop-up-book aesthetic, but if you look a little closer you'll realize this is not a family friendly wholesome adventure! On the contrary, there is a significant amount of adult content in humorous form from the rather tame (ie fruits shaped like butts) to, verbal vulgarity, those that are far weirder and raunchier (collectible pubes unlock a secret?). This impacts the gameplay as well, which lacks any real combat one might expect from the adventure game perspective, but instead goes all in on the puzzles. These run the gamut from "collect and put the right thing in the right place" puzzles to more intricate things that require your character to "take drugs" to get the perspective correct. Its worth noting that the game is a partnership including the developer of the (in)famous "Huniepop" titles, so some adult oriented humor is to be expected!

While many may initially overlook the title due to the cute aesthetic and seemingly simple/young premise, it appears that just beneath the surface there is more to see, from risque and satirical humor to a surprisingly complex and in-depth puzzle adventure. Give it a try!



Planet Alpha ($20, Windows) - Otherworldly survival takes on a new face! In Planet Alpha, the player finds themselves marooned on a strange alien planet. Set up as a 2.5D action platformer, the player must be aware of the dangers in the environment - both foreground and background, that follow. Using agility, stealth, and eventually the ability to control the day/night cycle of the planet, the marooned astronaut must find a way to survive an unravel the mysteries of the planet, its natural lifeforms as well as the mysterious robotic/constructed pursuers. Planet Alpha does a great job storytelling in the "show don't tell" methodology, as the tale of the planet is unveiled in observed set-pieces as you traverse the various levels; from majestic alien landscapes/creatures to dangerous constructs rampant destruction, to glimpses of a sad a troubled history, there is clear attention to crafting the narrative to convey to the player. For those interested in a different sort of survival adventure, check out Planet Alpha!



Override: Mech City Brawl ($30, Windows) - Where Battletech provided a Western style mech strategy, Override: Mech City Brawl takes things a different way. As its name suggests, it follows the tradition of big kaiju (aka city destroying monster) movies and games, along with a host of Japanese mecha anime. In general, this is an "arena- style fighting game" where players select their giant robot avatars and do battle in an open cityscape, surely causing collateral damage along the way. Players can pick from a wide variety of giant robots touching on genre tropes such as a "Mecha Godzilla" type, sleek "Gundam" inspired types, retro sci-fi bots, and even some fun and unusual designs such as what can only be described as a bipedal Incan Robo-Llama. Each character has some of their own unique skills and attacks, leading them to play differently. Their aesthetic can further be tweaked by unlockable accessories and skins, applied as you like.

There are several modes of play including a campaign mode, both local and online co-op or competitive play for up to 4 players and perhaps most interesting of all a "Team up" mode where, in the best tradition of anime like "Voltron/ Go-Lion", multiple players work together to control a single mecha, each in command a a component part of it like the right arm or left leg , leading successful teamwork or at least a humorous failure! There are several DLC packs at current, most of which include entirely new playable mechas, each with their own abilities and skins, for $4 per character. There is also the "Super Charged Skin Pack" ($9) which grants new costumes/accessories for each of the a 16 currently available playable characters. There is also a Season Pass ($15) which will grant access to all the above content for a considerable discount ; likely even more so if on sale. For those seeking some of the old school city-smashing arena battling of "King of Monsters", check out Override: Mech City Brawl for a high action good time!



PUSS! ($10, Windows/Mac/Linux*) - When a game advertises an epilepsy warning prior to anything else, be ready! PUSS! is brightly colored, flashing light heavy, and filled to the brim with cat memes! Taking the role a cute little pixel cat who has fallen into another dimension, players must escape from the varying puzzle-based levels without touching the sides or obstacles. Perhaps some of the most interesting elements are the level design, which take inspiration from both "Japanese weirdness" titles like "LSD" and "Ka", along with a helping of retro 90s computing and Internet culture a la "Quadrilateral Cowboy" or "Hypnospace Outlaw". Boss fights and major encounters are more of a danmaku bullet hell playstyle, and there are also secrets to unlock, including skins for your cat-avatar and friends to help on your quest. There's also something...unsettling in the game's design and music, so fans of titles like "Pony Island" and "Glittermitten Grove" may find there's more going on here than meets the eye.

The developers should be lauded for their support of OSX and Linux in addition to Windows, but it is worth noting that on Steam at least it is not officially marked as a Linux title and as of writing I'm unsure as to why, given that launch vids for the game showcase the Tux emblem. It may be available as a beta via Steam, or perhaps a direct download . In any event, if you're up for a psychedelic feline journey, check out PUSS!



Avernum 3: Ruined World ($20, Win/Mac ) - Classic, retro CRPG adventure comes along this month with Avernum 3: Ruined World. Indie developer Spiderweb Software is known for their incredibly in-depth, old school RPGs, with the "Avadon" and "Avernum" series being some of the most popular (and remade/updated most recently). By all reports, playing "Avernum: Escape from the Pit" and "Avernum 2: Crystal Souls" are beneficial for those interested, but the third game in the series is stand-alone and a fine place for newcomers to join, as reported by the dev themselves.

In Avernum 3 players emerge from a massive underground prison to find the surface world in peril! Collecting a party of adventurers, there is a wide open world to explore both in the underworld and surface alike. Sticklers for graphics may not embrace the simplistic though clean retro graphical style, but those who recall the CRPGs of yesteryear will be delighted. Regardless, the graphics allow for an incredibly active and in-depth game world to be rendered on just about any modern PC. Citing at least 60 hours of adventure in the core campaign alone , 100+ side quest chains, multiple spells/skills/ and avenues for character progression, Avernum 3 offers an open world system with many potential side quests and endeavors from home/property ownership to bounty hunting, to running a shop! One hallmark factor is the game world is dynamic, regardless of the player's involvement or not. Time progresses and events may happen without your intervention ; nobody is standing and waiting in perpetuity for the heroes to arrive! Whole villages may be raised and others may be wiped out without you noticing, which impacts what characters you'll meet, the state of the world, and more, leading to replay value and increased depth. Gird thyself for battle and harken back to a classic CRPG adventure with Avernum 3: Ruined World!



Roman Sands ($??, Win/Mac, Humble Original) - This month's Humble Original describes itself as a Visual Novel set at the end of the world! The player finds themselves at the titular resort with a host of other patrons. The low-poly rendering of the majority of the 3D gameworld in first person gives it an artistic vibe, not to mention elements such as the incredibly bright and domineering sun when outside. This is a focal point of the game as the sun is said to be growing closer, ready to consume everything in a few short weeks, while the denizens of the resort live out their last days in as much comfort as possible. Talking to other characters adds to the mysteries and as the in-game days pass, sometimes their recollections don't seem to be accurate. Branching conversation trees combine with other sorts of puzzles - such as finding out how to get through a locked door, so even for a "walking sim/visual novel" there's some degree of gamification here aside from simply advancing dialog. This curious world unveils itself day by day and episode by episode, so perhaps its worth checking out Roman Sands if you're feeling inquisitive!

(Note: can't find a suitable video trailer on YT or Steam. There are some full Lets Plays for those interested).

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Don't forget that aside from each month's games, you also are granted a global 20% 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!

 

[Comixbooks]

You work for Humble monthly or just doing charity work?

 

[polonyc2]

The Humble Monthly bundle is on the way out, and will soon be replaced by a new service called Humble Choice, which will be more expensive to everyone except existing subscribers...Currently, the monthly bundle costs $12 for a handful of mystery games, including a couple of early unlocks that are usually better-known titles...under Humble Choice, you'll be able to choose the games you keep from a wide selection: you'll keep three games if you sign up to the $15/month basic plan, or nine games if you pay $20 a month for the premium subscription..the company hasn't said how big the selection of games you'll pick from will be

If you're already signed up to the Humble Monthly bundle before the services switch over, which will happen "later this year", then you don't need to worry: you'll keep paying $12 monthly on a "classic" subscription plan, and you'll keep 10 games per month...

https://www.pcgamer.com/humbles-mon...expensive-but-youll-get-to-choose-your-games/

 

[RanceJustice]

You work for Humble monthly or just doing charity work?

Nah, I've just been doing these overviews for quite some time, as you can see. Its not much different than some of the people who do video reviews (and I have considered format shifting) but I'm told by a couple of readers they enjoy the content as is. I don't get paid for it, save for a few unsolicited donations from readers which are greatly appreciated.

The Humble Monthly bundle is on the way out, and will soon be replaced by a new service called Humble Choice, which will be more expensive to everyone except existing subscribers...Currently, the monthly bundle costs $12 for a handful of mystery games, including a couple of early unlocks that are usually better-known titles...under Humble Choice, you'll be able to choose the games you keep from a wide selection: you'll keep three games if you sign up to the $15/month basic plan, or nine games if you pay $20 a month for the premium subscription..the company hasn't said how big the selection of games you'll pick from will be

If you're already signed up to the Humble Monthly bundle before the services switch over, which will happen "later this year", then you don't need to worry: you'll keep paying $12 monthly on a "classic" subscription plan, and you'll keep 10 games per month...

https://www.pcgamer.com/humbles-mon...expensive-but-youll-get-to-choose-your-games/

This is a potentially exciting new development, but it will depend on how it is executed. Revealing the entire selection up front and allowing people to choose from there is another way to go about it and I can't say how successful or difficult it will be. We don't yet know how many titles there will be to choose from (ie will the 9 / 10 games per month be all of the month's selections?), but the choice aspect could have major ramifications on the service. For instance, indie developers who may have added keys to Humble Monthly to be part of a given bundle may be more hesitant to do so, concerned that users may not pick their specific game . The new choice model means that the vast majority of members will likely choose the biggest/best value etc... titles, be it for personal enjoyment or to be traded down the line with other players. I do find it interesting they're (for newcomers) changing the base price up from $12 to $15 , for only 3 games - essentially for the cost of those big name "Early Unlocks" - suggests they're very confident in their offerings' value every month. On the other hand, perhaps they're figuring that Lite and Basic will only be there to provide stepping-stones/comparison to Premium, which for $5 additional grants triple the games each month plus additional benefits and that is their targeted/intended subscription price. On average, each current Monthly is about 10 keys/entries, so to up the ante to $20, it suggests they'll need to do the same with the content of each month's offerings. I also wonder how they'll "count" things like DLC and whatnot - its always nice to see DLC included as a bonus where possible, but unless it is a major expansion pack type current Season Pass I can't see justification for it being its own "item".

I'm cautiously optimistic that they'll continue to deliver a good value, but the undeniable fact is that those who lock in Classic subscriptions are going to get the best deal of all! Some of the recent changes to Humble Monthly, such as upping the average Store discount to 20% (which stacks!) has really been a great opportunity, sometimes beating out the discount I'd find from other sites like GMG and the like; a factor which rarely happened in the past. Hopefully the changeover to Humble Choice will be another benefit to make them more competitive, but we should be cautious that it doesn't focus on "mainstreaming" the content to the point that interesting content from indie and lesser known sources loses its inclusion.