This week we are sitting 69% un-played (up from 68%, I did do the bundle thing again, and got some gifts. ) 1267 games total.

Thanks to Mandrill, this will be my format until I am tired of it.

I am still playing random games for a few hours to sort them and battle the “Never Played” part of the chart. Anywhere from 2 – 4 hours seems to do the trick.

Won games	Thoughts beforehand
	To start off the week, I won another HOG! This one is rated very positively, but I have not had the chance to play it yet. As usual, the steam video looks a little silly (but better then usual) and it seems to have more puzzles, which I really enjoy.
	So a used to be mostly positive, but now mixed game. I am not usually a fan of shooters, but I am hoping the unique aspects live up to their potential. (I am doubting this) Unfortunately, it seems to have been given up by developers, and most users say the fun only lasts a few hours.
	Point and click and horror, things I like. But like Contagion, used to be mostly positive and now mixed. The negative reviews seem to be complaints about the difficulty and lack of porting to other OS though, so it might not be an issue. If you don’t know already, my roommate is easily scared, and prefers to watch me play horror games with their eyes covered half the time. Usually they cover their eyes before it even gets “scary”. It’s fun for me.

Played Games Stores	Thoughts
	If you had asked me my opinion on my first day or two playing it, I would have hands down said yes, buy this and play this. It’s an atmospheric strategy simulation, its got a decent story, and the cut scenes (although there are a lot) are enjoyable. I got my half million (your characters goal) in about half the time the game gives you. The game doesn’t end there, but I wanted to see what other options did. There are some big decisions that change parts of the game. But when I went back and started it up again, I felt uneasy about the racist, homophobic, and misogynistic themes that I feel weren’t addressed. This is a game about police, albeit set in a former time. But, because it is this day and age, this political climate, it could have been so much more, but it didn’t try to be. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. A lot of gamers won’t notice and/or care. That’s fine. But for me, it brought my opinion of the game a little lower. I still recommend it if you like these kinds of games. It’s still enjoyable, I am stilling playing it through to the end.
	On a completely different note, I also recommend this game! It’s a pixel graphic RPG where you fight against zombies. The RNG can be cruel, there are a lot of random events (some are pretty strange, but I don’t want to spoil you!) You can even make your friends in the game and stumble upon them randomly. They might get you killed though. The music is fantastic, maybe not what you’d expect for this time of game though. I have not made it to Canada yet, but I have gotten to the last day twice. There is local co-op, but haven’t tried it yet. Also there are no achievements (or cards), but I hope they add them.
	Another completely different game, this is in early access. I would not suggest buying it right now, and the reviews on steam are mixed. I appreciated the simplicity of this game, it made it very easy to manage and enjoy. Chat is very nice, at least from what I have encountered, but it seems like a better game if you have someone else to play with maybe. Oddly enough, it seems like there are not restrictions on attacks. Fighters can use the same spells as mages (which is what I play), but one review says that I level up faster then a fighter who uses magic. It is grindy, I don’t mind that. But right now it feels more like a mediocre test of what the Devs can do. Since it is Early Access, I am only judging them on what they have now, vs what they promise. I’ll play again when there is a big update.
	Another game with mixed reviews, and mine is mixed/do not buy unless it’s in a bundle you want. It is painfully obvious it is a mobile port. And as far as tower defense go (a genre of game I love to play when I have extra time) it kind of sucks. You can upgrade everything long before the end stages, which I haven’t reached yet. I don’t know if there will be a challenge, or if it will be too easy. Also in the two different times I played this, I experienced different bugs that were mentioned in other reviews. 1. The enemies were invisible, but luckily the turrets could still see them and attack. 2. Stats don’t seem to be applied to the character you upgrade. 3. Character wouldn’t move to the correct spot/disappear. Some people really like the game though, so maybe I am just being grumpy.
	I bought all 5 Labours of Hercules during the summer sale, and just started them this week. I really enjoyed the first one, but I found it way too easy, even on the difficult setting. Mostly, it felt like a clicker, with some strategy thrown in. But I didn’t find it unenjoyable, and the easy 100% made me a bit happy to add to my completed part of the pie chart. I had wished it was a but longer, and maybe the cut scenes a bit more fleshed out.
	After finishing one, I went on to two. It added some new mechanics, such as thieves and puzzle pieces (I am only on the first chapter). I don’t really mind the new mechanics, but they feel a little lazy to me. I will have to see how they work later in the game. I still enjoy the game, recommend it. It still feels too easy, but we will see. I think I will take a break after completing this one before going onto three though.
	Lastly, I am playing this on mobile (have a 3 hour round trip on train to my second job) This is weird, but also amazing. The music gets stuck in my head, there is no game over, very simple mechanics, and a lot of upgrades are available. I am not sure how far I am in the game, but I imagine close ish to the end as I have gotten a bigger boat several times. I also have 10,000,000 downloaded, but haven’t started it yet. It looks very similar though.

GIFTS/RECEIVED FOR FREE

More Thoughts
Since I don’t want to make my post too long, I only highlight a few games I played during the last week. As usual, some will continue to be played, but others might go to the “Will Not Play” pile.

I did play several other games this week though – Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1, Chronology, Binding of Issac – Rebirth, Garry’s Mod, Spelunky, and Sid Meyer’s Star Ships

How do I choose my games? I prefer to prioritize gifts and GAs, but sometimes it is whatever strikes my fancy. Usually however, I pick 20 – 25 games, and put them in a randomizer to pick 7 or so. This week, it wanted me to play The Magical Silence, but I heard about the ending and vetoed it for the police. Not really in the mood for that.

Bundles
There were a few. Some featured;

August Monthly – I didn’t think it was that bad, though RAM was not expected or wanted.

1C Bundle – Or Eleven legacy

Dharker Bundle o.O – AKA the “research” bundle, maybe a train will be incoming soon.