The Steam Deal Thread V2 - Dig into those holiday games. V3 thread coming soon!

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Welcome to the Steam Deal Thread V2! You can find the V1 thread (2010-July 2011) here. Read post #2 of this thread for Steam FAQs and more.

This is a Wiki post. Please read this
We appreciate you helping keep this thread up to date. The sales change virtually every day so no one person has the time to update them all. If you notice a game is no longer on sale, feel free to delete its line from the sale list. Of course, if you see a game is on sale, add it to the list. Make sure your changes match the thread's format! For example, every game that's on sale is part of an unordered list. When adding a game to the list, copy an existing line and update the link, title, and prices. That way, the format stays correct. Do not list percentages off! We list the original price and the sale price here. If you have any suggestions for major changes to the post/thread, PM me (EastX) about them.
for instructions on updating the thread.

Steam Games and DLC on Sale - Updated 2/12

Preorder Deals - Updated 2/12

Group Buys - Updated 07/23

Several multiplayer Steam games are available in 2-packs or 4-packs. These packs offer a discount over buying multiple copies of a game separately. We also maintain group buy trade threads for several games, so please use those threads if you're interested in setting up a group buy.

Free Stuff


There are several free games and mods on Steam. These are a few choice ones; you can find a full list here. Note that free games are not permanently attached to your Steam account like actual purchases would be. You'll need to manually download a game again from the website if you uninstall it.
Past Special Sales


Visit www.steamgamesales.com to check previous sale prices on Steam games. We do keep track of some older sales here though:
Steam Retail Key List

What is a CD key and where can I find it?

The CD Key is a serial number with a combination of 13, 18, or 25 letters and numbers - it can be found on a sticker inside your game's case or printed on the game's quick reference card.
The CD Key acts as your proof of purchase for the game - Steam Support may ask for it if you need to establish your ownership of an account. It is recommended that you keep your CD Key in a safe place to ensure the security of your account.

Which retail CD Keys are accepted on Steam?





All retail Valve games and a number of third-party games can be registered to your Steam account. All of the following games can be registered through Steam:
  • Valve CD Keys in this format: ####-#####-####
  • Valve CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Valve CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • AI War CD Keys in various formats
  • Aliens vs. Predator (2010 Release) CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Alpha Prime CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Audiosurf CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • BRINK CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is not accepted on Steam
  • Cities in Motion CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Civilization V CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Commander: Conquest of the Americas CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Cricket Revolution CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Dark Messiah CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Dark Messiah Multiplayer CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Dark Messiah CD Keys may also have been printed incorrectly, please see the Dark Messiah article
  • Darksiders CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Note: The number 2 and letter Z may look very similar.
  • Dawn of War II CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Dawn of War II - Retribution CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • Defense Grid CD Keys in this format (Direct2Drive only): 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Duke Nukem Forever CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Dungeons and Dragons: Daggerdale in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • Empire: Total War CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-DDEFGH3-IJK4L-MNOPQ-RST56
  • F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • F.E.A.R. 3 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • Fallout: New Vegas CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Football Manager 2009 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2CD3FGH456I7JK8LMNOP9Q
  • Football Manager 2010 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2CD3FGH456I7JK8LMNOP9Q
  • Football Manager 2011 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Front Mission Evolved CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Global Agenda CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Note: Keys purchased directly from the Global Agenda website cannot be registered on Steam.
  • GTI Racing CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • GTR Evolution CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Homefront CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • Humble Indie Bundle in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Humble Indie Bundle 2 in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Humble Indie Bundle 3 in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Just Cause 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Note: Please input all O's and 0's as Q's for Just Cause 2
  • Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Killing Floor CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • King Arthur - The Role-playing Wargame CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Lara Croft Guardian of Light CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • The Last Remnant CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Lionheart: Kings' Crusade CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Lost Planet: Extreme Condition CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Lost Planet: Colonies Edition CD Keys are not accepted on Steam
  • Mafia 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Magicka CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Metro 2033 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • MLB Front Office Manager CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Mount & Blade CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Mount & Blade: Warband CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Mount & Blade: With Fire and Sword CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7
  • NBA 2K9 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Napoleon: Total War CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Order of War CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Prey CD Keys in this format: AAB1BB2C345CDD6E E7
  • R.U.S.E. CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Note: R.U.S.E. keys from Ubisoft's Digital River service are not accepted on Steam
  • RACE - the WTCC Game CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • RACE 07 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Ragdoll Kung Fu CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Railworks CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Red Orchestra CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Rogue Warrior CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • SiN Episodes: Emergence CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Saint's Row 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Serious Sam HD CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Shattered Horizon CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • The Ship CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Ship Simulator Extremes CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Silent Hill Homecoming CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Sniper: Ghost Warrior CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Space Trader CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Speedball 2 - Tournament in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Star Trek: D-A-C CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • STCC - The Game CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Super Meat Boy CD keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Supreme Commander 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Torchlight CD Keys in this format: 1ABC-D3FG-4567-JK8L
  • Note: Only keys purchased directly from Runic Games or Perfect World prior to May 19th, 2010 can be registered on Steam.
  • Total War: SHOGUN 2 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Unreal Tournament 3 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2-3FGH-456I-K8LM
  • Velvet Assassin CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings in this format: AB-1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM
  • Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009 CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
  • X3: Terran Conflict CD Keys in this format: 1ABC-D3FG-4567-JK8L
  • Zeno Clash CD Keys in this format: 1AB2C-D3FGH-456I7-JK8LM-NOP9Q
Opposing Force CD-keys cannot be registered through Steam. Opposing Force was included in a retail Half-Life package. The Half-Life CD-key included in the package will unlock all of the games in that package, including Opposing Force.
Note: Only the retail games listed above can be registered through Steam. No other retail games can be registered and downloaded using Steam.

Other Keys that can be redeemed on Steam (CAG tested & verified)
5.gif

The Ball (bought @D2D and tested by voken)
 
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[quote name='utopianmachine']No one is posting their winnings today? Are none of us doing the achievements? I know I haven't. Toki Tori looks especially annoying.[/QUOTE]

Just three more coals for me. This year I'm staying away from sub-$5 bargains just to get the cheeves.* I ended up with a lot of games last year that I still haven't played since.

*For now... >:D
 
So far I've received:
6 coal
50% off Valve title
50% off Gemini Rue
50% off Borderlands GotY
33% off Red Orchestra 2

The Borderlands coupon isn't too bad, but almost everybody I know and myself already have it.
 
[quote name='Tsel']Defcon achievement netted me even more coal. Bummer man. I haven't won a single game.[/QUOTE]

Still many more days to come... I've already won Dota 2 and Jamestown Deluxe, keep your hopes up. ;)
 
[quote name='TheLongshot']You seem to have missed that I do have HL2.



Don't have a Orange box for trade. I do have L4D1, tho. :D[/QUOTE]

I saw it, but INCyr didn't have any of the three. The reply was more to both of you so I included you both.

Also to JustYourAverageJoe. It's been at least a few years since I played them so I can't give you anything specific now. I just remember having to think through things more than a standard FPS. I remember it having quite a bit of puzzle solving and much of it not just for the sake of having a puzzle but integrated in the gameplay where you were logically doing things because it made sense and not because you hit a dead end and you had to open up a journal.

Also I think its HL EP2 that has the best achievement ever where you have to carry a Garden Gnome through almost the entire game and send him into space with a rocket.
 
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[quote name='pROvIs']I saw it, but INCyr didn't have any of the three. The reply was more to both of you so I included you both.

Also to JustYourAverageJoe. It's been at least a few years since I played them so I can't give you anything specific now. I just remember having to think through things more than a standard FPS. I remember it having quite a bit of puzzle solving and much of it not just for the sake of having a puzzle but integrated in the gameplay where you were logically doing things because it made sense and not because you hit a dead end and you had to open up a journal.

Also I think its HL EP1 that has the best achievement ever where you have to carry a Garden Gnome through almost the entire game and send him into space with a rocket.[/QUOTE]
Gothca. And agreed about the gnome, but wasn't that Ep. 2?
 
[quote name='Tsel']So what happens if you earn the achievements ahead of time?[/QUOTE]

You get the prizes for them as soon as they become daily cheevos. ;)
 
I was hoping to see a better deal on Red Orchestra 2. I know it is still new, but based on reviews and screen shots (and even videos), I can't see myself paying more than $15 for it.
 
[quote name='atreyuevr']You get the prizes for them as soon as they become daily cheevos. ;)[/QUOTE]

Awesome. I'm gonna be a good student and work ahead. :D
 
[quote name='mokmoof']Gothca. And agreed about the gnome, but wasn't that Ep. 2?[/QUOTE]

Yes, I just googled it and you are right.
 
That was one of the hardest things I ever did. I didn't know you could stash the little bugger in
the room with Alyx and the aliens (Vorgonauts?), so I carried that little fucker through the entire grub section. That includes when you have to run away from the queen.

I had to get really inventive with the gravity gun to finish that part.
 
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[quote name='Killbomb'] Any opinions on the Alien Breed trilogy?[/QUOTE]

It's a fun arcade shooting game. You can buy/pickup items, upgrade weapons/items, etc. I picked up the first episode when it launched & got the 2nd episode free during the Steam Summer promo.

I'd really suggest downloading the demo and giving it a shot.
 
Did the DEFCON achievement - got another piece of coal. Which brings me to 6 coals, HL2: Deathmatch (Owned), 25% Valve game (Own them all), and a 33% of Skyrim (huge Elder Scrolls fan, but my poor compy can't give it the graphics it deserves.

Part of my wants to load up Rise of Immortals, but instead I think I'll play some League of Legends. Getting coal for playing a bleh game vs. getting IP for playing a good game.
 
Im a new gamer on the pc and need a little help, my cpu I bought in like last year, no really amazing ti was like $400, but this SHerlock Holmes game that just went on sale is messing up bigtime, what should I do to the options?

Also what are some good smaller title games like puzzle games, hoarding games, and scary ones?
 
[quote name='Buzzman']Im a new gamer on the pc and need a little help, my cpu I bought in like last year, no really amazing ti was like $400, but this SHerlock Holmes game that just went on sale is messing up bigtime, what should I do to the options?

Also what are some good smaller title games like puzzle games, hoarding games, and scary ones?[/QUOTE]

Puzzle Quest, and Amnesia: The Dark Descent. ;)
 
[quote name='atreyuevr']Puzzle Quest, and Amnesia: The Dark Descent. ;)[/QUOTE]

I downloaded the demo for that and it doesnt even load up I keep getting an error.
 
[quote name='Tsel']Defcon achievement netted me even more coal. Bummer man. I haven't won a single game.[/QUOTE]

What do you expect after nuking Santa Claus, you heartless murderer?
 
[quote name='Buzzman']Im a new gamer on the pc and need a little help, my cpu I bought in like last year, no really amazing ti was like $400, but this SHerlock Holmes game that just went on sale is messing up bigtime, what should I do to the options?

Also what are some good smaller title games like puzzle games, hoarding games, and scary ones?[/QUOTE]

If the games are messing up, it could be that your video card drivers aren't up to date. If you have have an ATI card or your CPU is an AMD brand with a built in video card, you can download a program from AMD's website that you run and it will automatically update your drivers. For Nvidia cards or Intel CPUs with built in graphics, you'll have to download those from that company's respective website.

For the future, a great site that figures out if you can run a game well, and if not what's holding it back ist http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/intro.aspx They have a pretty big list of games, so just select one and then run the plugin and it should do the rest.
 
Got another piece of coal for completing the Toki Tori achievement the other day.

I'll give the Defcon one a shot tomorrow night to see if anything else good comes of it.
 
[quote name='Buzzman']http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/383/boomf.png

That is the error I get when I try and play the Amnesia demo. Can anyone help me out?[/QUOTE]

If your drivers are up to date, this error most likely looks like your card isn't powerful enough to run the game (I'm guessing this based on your screenshot which looks like it's from a laptop, and I'm not aware of any HP laptops that have a discrete graphics card).

Check my link above (or google Can I Run It?) and run the Amnesia test from the dropdown. It will tell you if your card isn't powerful enough to run it. Good luck!
 
Chewbacca's Abortion;9226360 said:
They still sell PC games in physical form?
Click to expand...

There's a Half Price Books here with a computer game aisle that looks like a Steam warehouse. Rows and rows of games I never suspected had boxed editions! Get Everyday Genius on DVD-ROM! Sam and Max seasons as far as the eye can see! Red Orchestra! Trine in a box!

I actually bought boxed defcon just because I was impressed it exists, and I already have boxed Uplink.
...I don't think it's steamworks though.
 
Woohoo, I have done 23 objectives so far (and I am downloading Space Marine) and I FINALLY got a game for the Toki Tori one: Lightfish, which I will probably end up paying for at some point in the future when it gets in an Indie Bundle. Wooooooooooooo.
 
[quote name='macschwag14']If your drivers are up to date, this error most likely looks like your card isn't powerful enough to run the game (I'm guessing this based on your screenshot which looks like it's from a laptop, and I'm not aware of any HP laptops that have a discrete graphics card).
[/QUOTE]
The HP ENVY series does though, AFAIK.
 
Would anyone want to do the Rise of Immortals achievement with me? It would be easier than doing it with random people. And I really want to spend as little amount of time as possible in this game because I can't stand MOBAs.
 
[quote name='Killbomb']Any opinions on the Alien Breed trilogy?[/QUOTE]

I got it in the summer ticket booth and don't like it very much. IMO you're much better off with the free Alien Swarm game from valve.

In other news, I just reinstalled Polynomial, got some coal, and uninstalled Polynomial.
 
[quote name='Kaltic']A game that isn't Diablo with Diablo like multiplayer? Titan Quest

A game that is Diablo, but not Diablo 2? Diablo 3

I also think the devs of Titan Quest are making another game similar to it (although they are under a new name if I'm not mistaken).[/QUOTE]

[quote name='mkaliaz']Torchlight 2 will have multiplayer (coming out soon for very low price). Also, you might consider Titan Quest (gold edition) if you want a Diablo 2 type of game with multiplayer. Its very good.[/QUOTE]

Well said, I endorse TQ, too. The Sacred series also has MP, but I don't like it as much as TQ.

Kaltic, the new game from the Titan Quest devs is called "Grim Dawn". Google it, they have lots of screenshots.
 
[quote name='JustYourAverageJoe']What makes it more cerebral than other FPSs? I've played through HL2 and the episodes, and while I really liked the episodes, HL2 never did anything for me. The atmosphere and world-building were great, but I was never compelled by the gameplay (nor found the story to be any better than most science fiction -- if anything, it was weakened by non-existent characterization of Freeman.) I know I'm a minority, but I've just never felt nor understood the love the HL series gets.[/QUOTE]

[quote name='pROvIs']
Also to JustYourAverageJoe. It's been at least a few years since I played them so I can't give you anything specific now. I just remember having to think through things more than a standard FPS. I remember it having quite a bit of puzzle solving and much of it not just for the sake of having a puzzle but integrated in the gameplay where you were logically doing things because it made sense and not because you hit a dead end and you had to open up a journal.
[/QUOTE]

It's worth remembering that HL2 came out in 2004.

HL2 earned the title "First Person Puzzler" long before Portal came out. There was shooting, yes, but there were a lot of "stop and play with the physics engine" puzzles along the way. the Source engine introduced real-world physics in a way that no FPS had before, which opened up a world of new puzzle ideas. Plus, there was a lot of "walk around, soak up the scenery, solve the puzzle" time, which made the game a very mature and cerebral endeavor compared to other games of the same era. And the gravity gun... ooh the gravity gun.

Of course, now, every FPS has realistic physics, and intersperse puzzles with the shooting. And Portal happened, which takes the idea of "First Person Puzzler" to new heights.

Going back to 1998, HL1 gave us immersive gameplay not seen in an FPS before. Moving between levels without the game stopping every 3 minutes for a scoring update and to announce the level change was new, then. It featured challenging puzzles, a minimal UI, a realistic atmosphere, and competent AI. It set the bar for years to come. If you want to see how much of a leap forward HL1 was in 1998, load up "SiN" some day. SiN and HL1 were released a week apart. They are like night and day. And SiN wasn't a completely miserable game or anything, it just came out against a juggernaut.

Point is, the HL games were groundbreaking in their time, and yes, they were considered more cerebral than their same-day counterparts. By 2011 standards, they remain very playable, but certainly not revolutionary.
 
[quote name='gcorlett']Well said, I endorse TQ, too. The Sacred series also has MP, but I don't like it as much as TQ.

Kaltic, the new game from the Titan Quest devs is called "Grim Dawn". Google it, they have lots of screenshots.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, Titan Quest is my #2 ARPG only slightly behind Diablo 2. I'm more excited for Grim Dawn than Torchlight 2.

It would be nice if they would make some of these holiday achievements a little easier to obtain. I mean, a lot of people are buying games just for the achievement so why not make it something that can be done within 10 minutes. They already have our money and the majority of the gifts are coal or worthless coupons.

Thanks for the opinions on Alien Breed. Think I'll hold off on it since I've already bought 3 other games today.
 
UGH, I hate Flight Control HD. I'm 200 landings short of unlocking the windy level for the achievement but I can't bring myself to unlock it. Must... go... on...
 
[quote name='gcorlett']It's worth remembering that HL2 came out in 2004.

HL2 earned the title "First Person Puzzler" long before Portal came out. There was shooting, yes, but there were a lot of "stop and play with the physics engine" puzzles along the way. the Source engine introduced real-world physics in a way that no FPS had before, which opened up a world of new puzzle ideas. Plus, there was a lot of "walk around, soak up the scenery, solve the puzzle" time, which made the game a very mature and cerebral endeavor compared to other games of the same era. And the gravity gun... ooh the gravity gun.

Of course, now, every FPS has realistic physics, and intersperse puzzles with the shooting. And Portal happened, which takes the idea of "First Person Puzzler" to new heights.

Going back to 1998, HL1 gave us immersive gameplay not seen in an FPS before. Moving between levels without the game stopping every 3 minutes for a scoring update and to announce the level change was new, then. It featured challenging puzzles, a minimal UI, a realistic atmosphere, and competent AI. It set the bar for years to come. If you want to see how much of a leap forward HL1 was in 1998, load up "SiN" some day. SiN and HL1 were released a week apart. They are like night and day. And SiN wasn't a completely miserable game or anything, it just came out against a juggernaut.

Point is, the HL games were groundbreaking in their time, and yes, they were considered more cerebral than their same-day counterparts. By 2011 standards, they remain very playable, but certainly not revolutionary.[/QUOTE]

I have never in my life heard someone call Half-Life a first person puzzler nor should it be called one. Story driven FPS? A deep single player FPS? A technologically advanced FPS? All that, yes, but the emphasis is NOT more on puzzles than shooting. The puzzles in Half-Life 2 aren't even hard. In Portal, the puzzles are able to stand on their own. In Half-Life 2, they're an intimate part of the brilliant set that makes Half-Life 2 but just a part.
 
Well having bought Torchlight after the endorsements I got here, I've played an hour of it. Man that game is fun XD thanks for the recommendations, well worth the daily deal price.
 
Did the Red Orchestra and Anomaly things and joined the Steam group and got three pieces of coal for my trouble. I don't have the skills for the Defcon and Defense Grid ones. Other than the 25% off a Valve game and 50% off L.A. Noire, I'm having a lame time this year. None of the sales have enticed me either.
 
[quote name='DirkBelig']Did the Red Orchestra and Anomaly things and joined the Steam group and got three pieces of coal for my trouble. I don't have the skills for the Defcon and Defense Grid ones. Other than the 25% off a Valve game and 50% off L.A. Noire, I'm having a lame time this year. None of the sales have enticed me either.[/QUOTE]

defcon achievement does not require skill. look at the wiki and follow the directions there and you'll have it in ~5 minutes!
 
I have much love for HL2 but I still think it is inferior to HL1. I played HL2 Ep2 recently and it was a waste of time. Awful, awful pacing, unskippable tedious dialogue out the ass. Maybe HL2 was just as bad but meh.
 
[quote name='gcorlett']It's worth remembering that HL2 came out in 2004.

HL2 earned the title "First Person Puzzler" long before Portal came out. There was shooting, yes, but there were a lot of "stop and play with the physics engine" puzzles along the way. the Source engine introduced real-world physics in a way that no FPS had before, which opened up a world of new puzzle ideas. Plus, there was a lot of "walk around, soak up the scenery, solve the puzzle" time, which made the game a very mature and cerebral endeavor compared to other games of the same era. And the gravity gun... ooh the gravity gun.[/QUOTE]
Maybe I just don't remember the puzzles you're talking about, but I remember a lot of crate/cinderblock/barrel stacking, some switch-flipping, and that's about it. But honestly, none of that felt organic or necessary. It wasn't cerebral, it just killed the tension and pacing. I remember driving around the canals and having to stop to do a long sequence that amounted to flipping a switch and then continuing. That's not cerebral, that's just padding.

[quote name='gcorlett']Going back to 1998, HL1 gave us immersive gameplay not seen in an FPS before. Moving between levels without the game stopping every 3 minutes for a scoring update and to announce the level change was new, then. It featured challenging puzzles, a minimal UI, a realistic atmosphere, and competent AI. It set the bar for years to come. If you want to see how much of a leap forward HL1 was in 1998, load up "SiN" some day. SiN and HL1 were released a week apart. They are like night and day. And SiN wasn't a completely miserable game or anything, it just came out against a juggernaut.[/QUOTE]
See, here is, I think, the problem. People consider Half-Life a good game for what revolutionary things it did, but that doesn't make it a great game overall. I know this is a hard point to properly articulate, but basically, removing nostalgia and the effects it had on the genre, is the core game itself actually fun, well-designed, etc.? I don't know that I'd say yes. If I'm bored to tears within a few levels and I can't follow what's going on because there are three or four total character models (but a few are supposed to be distinguishable, important people), I dunno. Coming from a fresh perspective, it just wasn't compelling. I don't doubt they were revolutionary, or did cool new things with the genre. But a lot of that stuff didn't make the core game any better, and I think that's why it hasn't, in my opinion, aged that well. HL2's physics tech blew my mind when I played it at the time it came out (I wanna say like '04/'05?). Now, I see past that wow and realize I hate the pacing, the story's bland but told well (the way it handles cutscenes is meh, though), and large patches of the game are completely unmemorable.

To better articulate why revolutionary != good, I'd point to Trespasser. Horrible gameplay, but it did things ages before Valve did it to greater success (physics simulation, FPS exploration/puzzle solving, semi-seamless level structure, no cutscenes, minimalist HUD, ragdoll, etc.)
 
That was weak. I had E.Y.E. in my cart and I was double checking to make sure I didn't want anything else before I checked out. By the time I got back to my cart, it jumped in price from 2.50 to 4.99. Guess I will hold off until it drops back down again.
 
[quote name='cycophuk']That was weak. I had E.Y.E. in my cart and I was double checking to make sure I didn't want anything else before I checked out. By the time I got back to my cart, it jumped in price from 2.50 to 4.99. Guess I will hold off until it drops back down again.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, the individual copy is back to only holiday sale price, but the 4-pack is still discounted @DD price.
 
[quote name='dfg']Yeah, the individual copy is back to only holiday sale price, but the 4-pack is still discounted @DD price.[/QUOTE]

Wish it had a timer on it, so I would have known. Just randomly ending it sucks.
 
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