B8's 11th Annual Steam Secret Santa

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Board 8 » B8's 11th Annual Steam Secret Santa
Received ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights, Astalon: Tears of the Earth, and Afterimage from azuarc!

Three Metroidvanias I've had my eye on for awhile and it seems like he was able to get me what he wanted without too much trouble with regional stuff, so that worked out well. All three come highly recommended by azuarc who's taste in Metroidvanias I trust, so I'm really excited to try all three of these out! Thank you!
I think the regional price difference issue is someone with the weaker currency buying for someone with the stronger currency, aka our Canadian and Japanese users buying for the US users. Maybe over the next four years, the currencies will get closer in strength.
KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
Johnbobb aka CheddarBBQ has bestowed upon me Octodad: Dadliest Catch, Indivisible, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Spark the Electric Jester and Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice. Thank you, cheesy saucy Santa.
Azuarc is my favorite arc of the Game of the Decade 2020 anime.
MZero posted...
Received ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights, Astalon: Tears of the Earth, and Afterimage from azuarc!

Three Metroidvanias I've had my eye on for awhile and it seems like he was able to get me what he wanted without too much trouble with regional stuff, so that worked out well. All three come highly recommended by azuarc who's taste in Metroidvanias I trust, so I'm really excited to try all three of these out! Thank you!

As soon as your most recent play history on Steam was 80+ hours in Hollow Knight (granted this was months ago, so I guess you game elsewhere or on private,) I was excited at the chance to share Afterimage with someone. And then it was on your wishlist. Alongside like 6 other metroidvanias.

I didn't have to get a third game, but I wanted to because I wanted to share. Those three are all a bit different, but they're all excellent. Even if you don't like all three, I promise you'll love at least one.

For the benefit of anyone else:
Afterimage -- incredibly large world, (technically) ten endings, movement as smooth as HK, beautifully vivid art...and a story that will make absolutely no sense or seem downright bad until you get all ten of those endings.
Ender Lilies -- slightly more methodical movement. I wouldn't call it a souls-like, but it's the closest to being souls-like. Bleak yet exquisite art. A game carried by its progression systems and by doing you the service of telling you what you have left. People meme on the map, but I love it.
Astalon -- this one came recommended by other B8'ers a couple years ago, and I didn't thank them enthusiastically enough then. Great NES vibe while having art, sound, and gameplay superior to anything the NES could muster and a dynamic system with three characters and a progression system borrowed from rogue-lites. Also has a pretty darn big map with tons of secrets.
Only the exceptions can be exceptional.
KCF0107 posted...
I think the regional price difference issue is someone with the weaker currency buying for someone with the stronger currency, aka our Canadian and Japanese users buying for the US users. Maybe over the next four years, the currencies will get closer in strength.

True, but I remember aga had some trouble last year finding stuff, so I'm glad it didn't happen again

azuarc posted...
As soon as your most recent play history on Steam was 80+ hours in Hollow Knight (granted this was months ago, so I guess you game elsewhere or on private,) I was excited at the chance to share Afterimage with someone. And then it was on your wishlist. Alongside like 6 other metroidvanias.

I didn't have to get a third game, but I wanted to because I wanted to share. Those three are all a bit different, but they're all excellent. Even if you don't like all three, I promise you'll love at least one.

Yeah I've been playing PS5 and Switch more recently. That 80 hours is almost all randomizers, but I also have over 100 hours and the platinum on Playstation and it's in my top 5, so it was a good call to go for similar games!
Yooooo Bitto got me SaGa Scarlet Grace and MuvLuv, both of which come highly hyped :3 Thank you <3
New name, new gender, same great Bolo flavor!
She is messy, but she's kind; she is lonely, most of the time
Just sent out my gifts!

Also, I got gifts from JONA! Thank you so much!

I've always wanted to give Planet Coaster a shot since I need an upgraded Rollercoaster Tycoon.

Balatro was always on my radar, so I'm excited to give this weird little card game a shot.

And Mouthwashing. I know nothing about it aside from that it's definitely something I'll vibe with incredibly well, so thank you for getting me that too!
I stream sometimes. Check it out!
www.twitch.tv/heroicbiz/
Oof that is some good stuff I received from PrivateBiscuit.

Lost Judgment & Tales of Arise

Although I'm no longer on top of the latest RGG games, I do think I played a small part in hyping the series up on this board before Yakuza 0 came out. Played the original PS2 games back in the day too!

Beat Tales of Symphonia, Tales of the Abyss, Tales of Graces F, Tales of Xillia, Tales of Zestiria and Tales of Berseria, so a great fit there!
It's your shooting star, your diamond in the rough! Idol VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei! Sui-chan is~ also cute today~!!
sented
https://imgur.com/a/LEqiW
https://imgur.com/iXHxhET
gifts sent.

(be sure to read the message for some bonus humble keys I had left over)
The only certain death in the universe is Mother Hitton's Littul Kittons.
Not changing this line until I beat Seven Heroes (2/24/07) - Fulfilled 2/20/18
As it turns out, I got a dm earlier today saying one of my gifts that I said weren't getting set till Christmas Eve got sent early (my recipient got it early) so I sent the other one just now. I'm sure they will get it and my reply here to know that it was an oops and I just didn't want them to have to wait on it.

Since my gifts are officially sent early, I'm going to open my gifts now instead of waiting. Fool Fantastic sent me Dishonored, Donut Country, Journey and Hades. All games I knew I'd enjoy and especially one that has been the game I've most wanted to play for the past month. Thank you!~
I'll just go back to gifs. Not like the winner was gonna click my topic.
https://i.imgur.com/SXyi7uX.gifv
Santa -> Giftee reveals thus far:

KCF -> Johnbobb
swirl -> azuarc
FoolFantastic -> Wicklebee
ArkOfTurus -> ESY
Bitto -> AriaOfBolo
psaltery -> greengravy
RikkuAlmighty -> psaltery
AriaOfBolo -> RikkuAlmighty
Johnbobb -> swirl
voltch -> ArkOfTurus
ESY -> Mr_Crispy
PrivateBiscuit -> voltch
azuarc -> MZero
mccheyne -> FoolFantastic
JONA -> PrivateBiscuit
MZero -> Bitto
Mr_Crispy -> JONA
Punnyz -> LiquidOshawott/VI

There are still nine pairings to be revealed in the coming days
KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
WickIebee posted...
Dishonored

I played 2 and thought it was phenomenal. After playing 2, I tried to go back and give 1 a try and I couldn't do it. But Dishonored isn't really in my wheelhouse and it won awards from a ton of places when it came out. So I guess what I'm saying is that if you like 1, absolutely give 2 a shot. Or Death of the Outsider, I guess. (I started that one day and then never continued for some reason.)
Only the exceptions can be exceptional.
azuarc posted...
I played 2 and thought it was phenomenal. After playing 2, I tried to go back and give 1 a try and I couldn't do it. But Dishonored isn't really in my wheelhouse and it won awards from a ton of places when it came out. So I guess what I'm saying is that if you like 1, absolutely give 2 a shot. Or Death of the Outsider, I guess. (I started that one day and then never continued for some reason.)

Oh I plan to try 2 at some point, just didn't want to go ahead to it without the first one and seems I was a bit right about it if it's harder to go backwards.
I'll just go back to gifs. Not like the winner was gonna click my topic.
https://i.imgur.com/SXyi7uX.gifv
Mr_Crispy posted...
gifts sent.

(be sure to read the message for some bonus humble keys I had left over)

Wow! Thank you so much!

Received Void Stranger, Spectacular Sparky, Death and Taxes, Prodigal, VA-11 HALL-A, Murasaki and LiEat.

The Humble keys I got were Luck Be a Landlord, Beat Cop and Jack Move.
Congrats to azuarc who beat me by 1 point!
azuarc posted...
Swirldude got me ... Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane.

4/5 cases beat. I'm not an AA aficionado, but Tyrion's exceeded my expectations so far.
Only the exceptions can be exceptional.
WickIebee posted...
As it turns out, I got a dm earlier today saying one of my gifts that I said weren't getting set till Christmas Eve got sent early (my recipient got it early) so I sent the other one just now. I'm sure they will get it and my reply here to know that it was an oops and I just didn't want them to have to wait on it.

Very much all good! :)

Wicklebee sent me Dungeons of Hinterberg and Persona 4 Golden! I have never played any of the Persona games, but I have heard wonderful things and have always wanted to try one of them. Dungeons of Hinterberg looked super fun as well, and has gotten rave reviews from a few of my friends that have played it already.

Thank you very much!!

Not changing this sig until the Winnipeg Blue Bombers win the grey cup. Started Aug. 16/04
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS 2019 AND 2021 GREY CUP CHAMPIONS!!
I haven't played any of the "heavy hitters" this year, but Dungeons of Hinterberg is among the best games 2024 games that I have played.
KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
azuarc posted...
4/5 cases beat. I'm not an AA aficionado, but Tyrion's exceeded my expectations so far.

And beat. That last case was...well, huh. It was certainly something.
Only the exceptions can be exceptional.
Santa TheRock came to visit me and left me

UFO 50
Mini Motorways
Minishoot' Adventures
Veritus

Thank you very much! I'm looking forward to playing all of these and will download them now so I don't forget to play some on Christmas Day.
KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
VeryInsane got me Civilization VI (after hearing me discuss it in the Wrestling Discord), along with Hades and The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe Edition.

Thank you for the great Krimmus gifts!
TheRock ~ I had a name, my father called me Blues.
I can't believe Civ VII is about to come out. I remember going to a friend's house when I was 10 or 11 and being obsessed with Civ III. It ended up being my first non-Valve purchase on Steam. I later bought IV, V, and VI, and I NEVER PLAYED THEM.
KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
I can't believe Civ is only on game 7, considering how long ago it was that Civ 1 released, and that the series is still going strong. More to the point, I can't believe there hasn't been a decent competitor for it. Other 4X games are usually way too damn complicated or not the least bit successful, with maybe Endless Legend coming the closest.
Only the exceptions can be exceptional.
I caught a nasty stomach bug and lost the last two days, but my gifts are sent!

Also, I received Last Train Home from Gravy, thanks dude!
Phantom Dust.
"I'll just wait for time to prove me right again." - Vlado
Isquen, you are amazing!

They sent me No More Heroes 2, Travis Strikes Again, and No More Heroes 3 which I've wanted since they got their steam releases! I will get to playing them pretty much after Christmas I think!

Also, I loved your messages!

My gifts were accidently sent a few days ago because I forgot to change the date
~Abacus' Alt~
We went off course and I got some games not on my wishlist lol

Chaostony got me the following:

Chained Echoes and Snacktimeactiongame

THEN he gave me codes for:
Sifu
Midnight Fight Express
Hifi Rush
and Yakuza: Like a dragon!

I'm not actually positive I can run that last one lol but it will be ages til I get around the Yakuza series (been collecting them on PS4) so maybe I'll have something better by the time I get to Like a Dragon lol

and I can see what Hifi is about

Thank you very much man!

https://i.imgur.com/qBpLe47.png
http://i.imgur.com/25MHSn1.gif
Xirsca got me Transistor, Notch: The Innocent Luna, Finding Paradise, Icey, Tokyo Dark, Cross Channel, and Ballex. All games that have been sitting on my wishlist for a good chunk of time, so thank you for finally pulling the trigger for me!
Save in the name of true love
Yeah sorry Pun, you had a pretty small wishlist, but I know the kinda stuff you like lol.

And you had Sea of Stars on there, but Chained Echoes is just...better. If you don't love 2/3rds of those games, I will legit buy you any game you want, but I know you will.

Merry Christmas, dude!
Phantom Dust.
"I'll just wait for time to prove me right again." - Vlado
Somehow, despite my tiny wishlist, Xtlm has knocked it out of the park with a mix of on-wishlist and off-wishlist, gifting me Hexcells Infinite and Touhou Artificial Dream in Arcadia, which I'm reading is basically "Touhou Shin Megami Tensei" from not-on-the-list and Void Stranger, Sephonie, and Risk of Rain Returns from on-wishlist. A huge thank you (and well done for hitting me right in my tastes, I know I didn't give you much to work with!)
[Rock and Stone] <o/
azuarc posted...
I can't believe Civ is only on game 7, considering how long ago it was that Civ 1 released, and that the series is still going strong.
A big reason for this is that the Civ developers have always preferred sticking with the same game after each game's original release to add more features into each game in the form of DLC, expansions and/or an updated version of the game with the new features. So they basically keep developing and supporting an installment over the next several years until they're ready to start with a fresh installment.

Civ 3, for example, had the base game, then two expansions in Play the World and Conquests. Same with Civ 4 and its expansions (Warlords and Beyond the Sword). Civ 5 had standalone DLC packs to add new content in for up to a year after the intial launch before its expansions (Gods & Kings and Brave New World). Then there's Civ 6, which had the base game, up to a year's wroth of DLC packs, Rise and Fall expansion, Gathering Storm expansion, New Frontiers pass (which was pretty much a third expansion), and finally a leader's pass (which just added some extra leaders/alt skins). I'm pretty certain Civ 2 had a rerelease, too. And that's not getting into the spinoff games including Civ Rev and Beyond Earth.

So yeah, if all the expansions were their own game, we would now probably be on something like Civ 19 (or some dumb name like Civ2025). Instead of doing that, Firaxis prefer to keep building on the same installment for several years. They're doing the same thing with Civ 7.
PaulG235 | Finished in the Top 2 of GotD2010's Second Chance Bracket
Sadly, there are no second chances in the Guru, azuarc doesn't need one.
Hope everyone had a good and Merry Christmas!

HBJ Dubs sent me Time Spinner, Mighty Gunvolt, Castlevania Dominus Collection, and Blue Revolver!
I'd Rather Be A Savage Little Elephant, than be a big Bald Bull
"I claim one line in your sig" = TheKnightOfNee
And with that, all users who signed up this year should have sent, received, and accepted gifts this year.

Here were our final matches this year, in order of when they signed up (Santa on the left):
1. KCF -> Johnbobb
2. swirl -> azuarc
3. FoolFantastic -> Wicklebee
4. ArkOfTurus -> ESY
5. Bitto -> AriaOfBolo
6. ChaosTony -> Punnyz
7. psaltery -> greengravy
8. RikkuAlmighty -> psaltery
9. greengravy -> ChaosTony
10. AriaOfBolo -> RikkuAlmighty
11. Johnbobb -> swirl
12. TheRock -> KCF
13. voltch -> ArkOfTurus
14. ESY -> Mr_Crispy
15. PrivateBiscuit -> voltch
16. azuarc -> MZero
17. Isquen -> ViolentAbacus/Xirsca
18. Wicklebee -> mccheyne
19. mccheyne -> FoolFantastic
20. ViolentAbacus/Xirsca -> HBJDubs
21. HBJDubs -> Xtlm
22. JONA -> PrivateBiscuit
23. MZero -> Bitto
24. Mr_Crispy -> JONA
25. Punnyz -> LiquidOshawott/VI
26. LiquidOshawott/VI -> TheRock
27. Xtlm -> Isquen
KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
A total of 94 gifts were sent out (over 100 if we include bonus Steam keys).

90 different games were sent out this year with releases ranging from 1995 (The Dig) to just last month (SnackTimeActionGame)

The three games that were given out multiple times were Hades (2), Void Stranger (2), and our most gifted game this year, UFO 50 (3).

Hades has now been given out nine times, and while my collective records only go back to 2018, I feel confident in saying that has been the most gifted game in our 11 years by a decent margin.

I hope everyone enjoys their gifts!
KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
Thanks for running this again! Only my 2nd year participating but it's already become an annual tradition i look forward to
Khal Kirby , warlord of the Super Star Khalasar
PSN/Steam: CheddarBBQ https://goo.gl/Diw2hs
paulg235 posted...
A big reason for this is that the Civ developers have always preferred sticking with the same game after each game's original release to add more features into each game

I'm well aware. But the games were typically about five years apart, and then we have 6->7, which is a gap of nine years. Even by that argument, we should at least be on Civ 8 by now.
Only the exceptions can be exceptional.
Oh, and see everyone for this next year!
KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
Thank you for running it!
Our eyes were removed
For our own safety
Thanks KCF! It's legit one of my favorite things of the year, feels good to share games with friends.
Phantom Dust.
"I'll just wait for time to prove me right again." - Vlado
I played Balatro for a while. Damn, it's addicting and tons of fun.
I stream sometimes. Check it out!
www.twitch.tv/heroicbiz/
Thanks for running this and thanks again for helping out with the region issues! I look forward to this every year
I beat Mighty Gunvolt and Timespinners already. They were a lot of fun lol
I'd Rather Be A Savage Little Elephant, than be a big Bald Bull
"I claim one line in your sig" = TheKnightOfNee
I haven't 100%'d it yet but I've gotten some mileage out of Hexcells Infinite, I do love logic puzzles (though it claims everything can be figured out without guessing, I am coming across a fair amount of situations where it's "cut your losses and guess" 3/4s of the way through certain puzzles.)

The rest are gonna be put on hiatus, I have the video game equivalence of a book club and we are doing Triangle Strategy this month.
[Rock and Stone] <o/
I started playing Ender Lilies because apparently the sequel is coming out this month and I'm enjoying it so far!
MZero posted...
I started playing Ender Lilies because apparently the sequel is coming out this month and I'm enjoying it so far!

Nice!

One of the things I regret is not playing around more with the different spirit combinations. I found something I liked early and married myself to it.
Only the exceptions can be exceptional.
I've put like 40 hours into Last Train Home, I'm hooked
Phantom Dust.
"I'll just wait for time to prove me right again." - Vlado
azuarc posted...
Nice!

One of the things I regret is not playing around more with the different spirit combinations. I found something I liked early and married myself to it.

my one complaint so far would be the map. Each area is just a rectangle with no details, which not only makes it hard to tell where you're going and what you've missed, but also robs you of the satisfaction of filling it in as you go. Changing color when you've completed a section is a good touch though and provides a similar dopamine rush, but would prefer something more like Hollow Knight's map
Given that it's a series of interconnected rooms and not one contiguous region, I actually like Ender Lilies's map. It's clear and easy to analyze, and shows you exactly how many exits there are. It is, however, a common complaint.

If you want a map that uncovers as you go, give Afterimage a shot....you'll have a lot of map to uncover. =p
Only the exceptions can be exceptional.
Board 8 » B8's 11th Annual Steam Secret Santa
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