Board 8 > August Game of the Month Club ft. Half-Life 2, Deus Ex, and Scott Pilgrim

(+) Yeah! (+)

Augusts Games:
Half-Life 2 (PC/360/PS3/Xbox/Android)
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (PC/XB1/PS4)
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game (PC/Switch/XB1/PS4/360/PS3/Luna)

Games of the Month of the Year:
Mass Effect (PC/XB1/PS4/360/PS3)
Mass Effect 2 (PC/XB1/PS4/360/PS3)
Mass Effect 3 (PC/XB1/PS4/360/PS3/Wii U)

What is Game of the Month Club?
Game of the Month is a community project open to all B8ers where users share, discover, play and/or discuss a select few games every month. The games featured each month are chosen by YOU the users (and Lady Luck)

The Basics
- Each month will usually feature three games that were chosen via a random drawing from a pool of games that users nominated
- For each game you beat, you get a cool point on our just-for-fun standings as well as a nomination for next month's randomized drawing
- In order to receive the point and nomination, you must beat said game within the calendar month
- If you beat one of the current month's games in the previous month, you can apply for a "recently beaten waiver," but you will only receive a point and no nomination should you do so
- Drawing for next month's games is usually on the 25th
- If you periodically keep us posted on your progress and/or talk about different aspects of the games, then everyone will obviously think you are super awesome!

Nomination Rules
- You get one nomination automatically each month
- You receive additional nominations each month for every featured game that you beat
- Each game you nominate has to be unique from all other nominations and cannot include a game that has already been selected for GotM
- Each game must be a standalone game that can be acquired and played on its own (aka cannot be DLC/expansion that requires the base game)
- Nominations only carry over if you beat a featured game after the drawing for next month's games but before the end of the month
- You have 9 supports you can use throughout the year. Your only limitations are that you can't support your own nomination, and you can only use one support per game per month

Just-for-Fun Top 20 Standings
KCF - 172
gameking - 116
ArkOfTurus - 103
Mr Crispy - 101
Lolo Guru - 70
Cody - 59
KnightOfNee - 35
ViolentAbacus - 29
MegamanX - 28
Seanchan - 28
Wickle - 27
Arti - 23
FakeAccount - 23
scarletspeed - 23
darkx - 18
GreatPaul - 18
MZero - 17
Fenny - 16
Suprak the Stud - 16
JONALEON - 14
tazzyboy - 14

Spreadsheet with history
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1X8E8oqzES42W4S82j7WTfNnzNa8c3uXdSE1rnqYG7WM/edit?usp=sharing

Additional noms this month
Abacus - 1
Cody - 1
Crispy - 1
Wickle - 1

Deus Ex: MD and Scott Pilgrim are available on PS+ Extra

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is $4.50 USD on Playstation
https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP0082-CUSA01799_00-DXMANKINDIVIDED0

Scott Pilgrim is $5 USD on Xbox
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world-the-game-complete-edition/9nfjbw6b6d78

Ubisoft+, which includes Scott Pilgrim, is having a $1 for 1 month deal that ends in about a week
https://store.ubisoft.com/us/ubisoftplus#discoverLandingOffers

There's an option for PC or Multi-Access for Ubisoft+, with the latter including Xbox and Amazon Luna

I have a Steam Gift of HL2 if someone wants to play it but somehow doesn't own it already. Obviously don't ask if you're not planning on playing it this month. Just need to PM me your email address.

Tag for Scott Pilgrim

Seanchan posted...

I have a Steam Gift of HL2 if someone wants to play it but somehow doesn't own it already. Obviously don't ask if you're not planning on playing it this month. Just need to PM me your email address.

I have it through the Orange Box on 360, but not on PC. I would play the PC version this month, but not the 360 version. Dunno if that's a good enough reason to justify sending it to me, but I'll send you my email in case it is.

I'll give it a day or two, in case someone else wants to stake a claim. Someone will get it for this weekend though. That gift has been sitting in my inventory for...at least a decade now and probably much longer.

Okay, so I started Scott Pilgrim, and, uh, hmm. The controls seem kind of finicky, which is really not good for a beat 'em up. Weapon usage is pretty critical in this game, or it seemed so from the start, and you have to be in specific, tiny window in order to pick it up, which seems mindboggling for a game from what, 2010 or so? I'm also not a fan of how the start of seemingly every encounter has some opponent be super aggresive, the high rate of knockdown and slow recovery not helping.

I'm going to try a new character next to see if maybe I just need to find the right character for me to be better able to accept these issues I have. I was the redheaded girl first. Maybe I will try the tired-looking dude on the second level.

Did the prologue mission in Deus Ex last night.

is a bit funny how they have a pretty reasonable in plot excuse for losing all your upgrades from HR, but then start you out at full power anyway in the prologue and then have another plot excuse to take away all your upgrades and abilities (but isn't apparently important enough to stop and actually get maintenance/repairs immediately).

I made it up to World 4 of Scott Pilgrim before failing. It was also here that I discovered that each character has non-health stats, and you can upgrade them! I never did change characters, and now that I know about stats, I guess it would just add a lot of time for me to beat it, so I'm sticking with Kim. Apparently she is super weak, so I bought some stuff to increase her strength and defense. Leveling up doesn't increase those kind of stats, so I'm probably going to be making frequent trips to previously places to upgrade those stats when I reach a wall.

Overall, my impression of the game is a little better. First world is definitely not a good start. The second level has been my favorite. Third level is fine, but since my character was weak, I could not break down the walls quickly enough just before the final boss fight, so I always lost a life there. This game clearly had co-op (as I assume most beat 'em ups do) in mind and should have balanced it some to account for solo play.

Recieved Half-Life 2. Thanks again, Seanchan!

Gonna play it and Deus Ex, this month.

Nearing the end in Cassette Beasts. Around level 49, all 8 archangels down, 10/12 captains (not sure I need to beat all them for endgame), and a decent chunk of side quests.

I'm about ready for it to be over. Glad I lowered the difficulty as I just don't need to be grinding all these battles. Plus the archangel and other boss fights still tend to be tough. Finally time to use some of those level up potions before endgame!

I'm definitely understanding the power (and/or annoyance) of status effects, especially for the boss fights. I don't have any really that my 2 "mains" use but one of my reserve tapes is a defense/status monster that suddenly becomes very useful. Honestly, the best sticker for bosses seems to be the one that sets a bomb. It goes off if the character with it doesn't use melee, and shreds like 350 HP, absolutely wrecking most bosses, who tend to use a lot of status effect attacks.

The game has pretty good music too, at least once I turned off the vocals. I've heard the battle theme about a billion times and it hasn't gotten on my nerves yet, which is a good sign.

Finished Cassette Beasts!

The random nature of the song was kind of neat. Final boss wasn't very difficult, but that's because Fusion was OP. I had a power that did 200 damage and 3 turns of regen. I basically just cast wall and nurse until that was ready and shredded things.

KCF has beaten Scott Pilgrim

The game definitely improves as it goes on (well in terms of combat at least), but, and I don't want to pressure people, but I think that I would suggest playing this in co-op if there are multiple people intending to play it for Playstation where it is part of PS+ Extra.

I chose Kim, and I found out that each character has their own stage progression so I couldn't just swap them out whenever I wanted. She's apparently pretty weak to start off. I would assume though that every character is quite weak, so by playing solo, you will be failing and grinding until you get the money to start upgrading your character. A fully leveled and fully upgraded Kim was pretty great. Leveling only increases HP and GP. Other stats can only be increased by buying certain shop items, and they don't tell you what shop items do to a character until after you buy it, and even then you have to remember what they do as that info isnt' saved.

All in all, I have mixed feelings about this game. Great presentation and style, but it is slow out of the gate, and just a lot of it is kind of scatterbrained and a mess. I feel like there was a lot of room for improvement and some glaring flaws hold it back, but I'm satisified with my $5 purchase.

For my first two noms this month, I'm going with

Pentiment
Pyre

Oh, it is already the 10th, and I havent begun my replay of HL2 or restarted MD

I've been playing through Half Life 2. I think it's been over a decade since I last played it!

Got a fancy new PC with an ultrawide OLED monitor and I was actually getting a little nausea during the hovercraft part. I'm gonna blame it on something about that section though, as I've not experienced an issue anywhere else (thankfully).

I'm about half-ish way through. Up to the bit where you're keeping off the sand.

ArkOfTurus has beaten Half-Life 2

Thanks again, Seanchan. Still a fantastic game, still holds up on replays, still not sure when I'll decide to play any of the episodes after it. Was always waiting for it to be finished, but, well, you know. I'll probably still play them some time this year. As for Alyx... Maybe if VR is ever financially reasonable. I'm not counting on it.

Haven't started Mankind Divided yet, but I do still plan to.

This is not an official nomination (yet) but I was planning on putting up Episode 1 next. It's a step back but Episode 2 is really great and you've obviously got to play them in order. I already got Portal and Portal 2 covered via Replay club. Oh, and OG Half Life (okay Black Mesa...) a few months back.

Not sure I'm capable of Alyx. I've got the PC for it now but I don't have a headset. Also I'm not sure me and moving in VR are compatible, so it's a lot of money to spend on something that may be a complete waste.

Half Life 2 beated!

Does it hold up? Yes for the most part and certainly better than the original/Black Mesa. There's just a lot of fun characters (Dr Grigori, Dog, etc.) and moments (shooting buzz saws, using the Ant Lions, super gravity gun). The weapons feel good (aside from the assault rifle). You feel like you go on a journey, I enjoyed the story telling, there's a good amount of variety, and enough changes of pace to keep things interesting. Is it as good as I remember.......no, probably not, but then again what truly is.

Drawing in a week.

I won't be able to do both Half Life and Deus Ex now, so I'm going to prioritize the latter

KCF0107 posted...

Okay, so I started Scott Pilgrim, and, uh, hmm. The controls seem kind of finicky, which is really not good for a beat 'em up. Weapon usage is pretty critical in this game, or it seemed so from the start, and you have to be in specific, tiny window in order to pick it up, which seems mindboggling for a game from what, 2010 or so? I'm also not a fan of how the start of seemingly every encounter has some opponent be super aggresive, the high rate of knockdown and slow recovery not helping.

Yep, this pretty much sums up my first impression too.

I looked up some info online for the shops because I had no idea wtf the money was supposed to be used for. Also, fuck that noise about not showing you what each item does! Basically I need to get to $505 to be able to buy decent stat upgrades. Ugh...

I got to level 2 and died at the boss (had no extra guys) and then I continued and now I have full lives again but will have to do Stage 2 again. And that's when I shut the game off because I'm really not sure I want to grind away on a mediocre brawler. Still some time left in the month but...I dunno.

Nominate:
Half Life 2: Episode 1
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

I have just been doing a bunch of side missions in Deus Ex. It has been like a decade since I last played Human Revolution, but they seem to be longer than side stuff from there? I always try to act stealthy if I can, so I'm sure that I could have done these in minutes had I gone guns blazing

Haven't felt like playing Mankind Divided, for whatever reason (mostly other games.) Might still get around to it, but for now

Nominate Citizen Sleeper and Pseudoregalia

Support Half-Life: Episode 1

I probably procrastinated a bit too much (since I'm trying to keep reasonably up to date on like 50 series on jnovel lol) so I hope I still have enough time to beat Deus Ex.

Though last night I only made it up to the bookstore.

I exist, therefore I nominate.

Remi Lore ~Lost Girl in the Lands of Lore~

Nominate Mystery Tower and Magical Drop 2

Monthly Progress
Half - Ark, Sean
Deus -
Scott - KCF

Nominations
Ark - Citizen Sleeper, Pseudoregalia
Crispy - Mystery Tower, Magical Drop 2
KCF - Pentiment, Pyre
Mauron - Remi Lore
Sean - Half-Life 2: EP1, Wolfenstein II

Supports
Ark - Half-Life

Drawing is tomorrow for those in most timezones

Never found someone to play Scott Pilgrim with, so unfortunately didn't get to any this month.

Nominate Tchia

Nominate Alba: A Wildlife Adventure and ABZU

I've been so busy lately I nearly forgot.

Last call for noms, changes, and supports

Everything is closed. I will draw soon

And your September Games of the Month are...

Half-Life 2: Episode One (PC/360/PS3/Android)
ABZ (PC/XB1/PS4/Switch/Luna)
Magical Drop II (PC/XB1/PS4/Switch/Saturn/Neo Geo/other older platforms)

Congrats to Sean, Cody, and Crispy for having their games selected!

I have a spare Steam key for ABZU that I'm willing to give away if someone will make a concerted effort to beat the game in September (It is like 2 hours long, so you better!).

If one were to do every game in September, it should take them less than 10 hours.

I will definitely do ABZU. I actually own it on four platforms, and it has been around five years since I last played it. I won't be beating Half-Life 2 this month, but I might get around to beating it next month and go through EP1.

Oh, and I forgot to look around for these, but...

ABZU is on PS+ Extra
Magical Drop II is on Nintendo Switch Online I think. I'm pretty sure that I played it there.

Prob nothing for me but ABZU and HL2:E1 are both great and worth playing for anyone who hasn't already

Definitely in for HL2:E1, and I apparently picked up ABZU on the EGS at some point, so why not? Might as well give Magical Drop 2 a shot if it's on NSO, too.

I have a Steam Gift for Episode 1 if someone is in need.

Abzu is pretty short so I might replay that again too.

Might play Magical Drop as well!

Seanchan posted...

I have a Steam Gift for Episode 1 if someone is in need.

I haven't bought it yet, so I'd very much appreciate it, but if anyone else is interested, they should definitely get it.

KCF0107 posted...

Magical Drop II (PC/XB1/PS4/Switch/Saturn/Neo Geo/other older platforms)

It's on the Evercade as well so here's my chance to get a game in from that, nice.

I'd take the Abzu key, if no one else takes you up on it KCF.

Also will try Magical Drop II.

I'd also be interested in the Abzu key.

will probably play Magical Drop II.

Mauron posted...

I'd also be interested in the Abzu key.

will probably play Magical Drop II.

I say give it to Mauron. I took the last key or two.

Seanchan posted...

I have a Steam Gift for Episode 1 if someone is in need.

Abzu is pretty short so I might replay that again too.

Might play Magical Drop as well!

Thanks again!!!

TheArkOfTurus posted...

I haven't bought it yet, so I'd very much appreciate it, but if anyone else is interested, they should definitely get it.

Code sent!

You're on your own for Episode 2 though, I've no more decade old gifts left!

I'm still making progress in Deus Ex, though I doubt I'd be able to finish it in time since I didn't get to play as much as I wanted to this weekend.

So far I've just done side quests.