Steam Sale Writer’s Picks – August 22nd

100 selling games

Aloha. It’s Monday again, but this week can’t go fast enough… Summerslam was a disappointment, the Minecraft workshop was an utter shambles, and I have two more 4.30am wake up calls before Thursday.

You can get 33& off Grand Theft Auto V. That’s it. You’ve probably already got it, so why am I bothering to tell you?

Nah, in all seriousness, this article is titled “Writer’s Picks”, and I’m picking this game. The new update, calling itself ‘Cunning Stunts’, is still fresh, and the level creator tools and objects are being used to great effect for online players in races and challenges. The new items and vehicles have taken on board the ideas and creations of people online, who had to settle for placing shipping containers in the sky to get some stunt action on the go previous to this update. Now, races resemble more of Mario Kart teamed with NASCAR. No doubt it’s fun, and makes for some great content online, if that’s your bag.

Speaking of content creation, The Narrator is a DICK had me chuckling when I watched some gameplay of it the other day. It’s an indie platformer, which is infuriatingly hard, but with a dry British humour to make up for it. The protagonist is narrated through his journey, by a guy and his cruddy microphone, but the catch is that the narrator becomes increasingly disappointed in your exploits, the more you mess up. It can get repetitive, but it’s a real laugh for you and a buddy, and as the title hints, it’s not for kiddies. Grab it now for a third off.

Want an indie RPG, Anime, Comedy-Drama, Sci-Fi Dating Sim? No? I do. They are all of my favourite categories, so I’m getting Ace Academy for a third off this week. Set in a world where mechs have become so commonplace in everyday life that they are used in sporting events, the protagonist you play as must find his way around a new school, famed for its education in mech design and application. You are awkward, and don’t quite fit in. It’s a cliche, but you seem to get loads of girlfriends. The girls love an interesting outsider.

The game is fully voiced, and is full of humour and charm. It’s cheesy, sure, but knows it is, and that makes it brilliant.

Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee is 75% off the usual price this week. I talked about Stranger’s Wrath a couple of weeks ago, so this week I’m going back to where it all began. Abe is a creature of big heart and sensitivity. Finding out that his enslaved species is actually being used for something a lot more than housekeeping, the little mudokon sets about freeing his compadres, and putting an end to the evil plans of his masters.

It’s a platformer from the middle age of Sony’s first PlayStation console. The art style is timeless, pre-rendered backgrounds and cartoon-like animation complimenting the great storyline and voice work. It’s a must for any gamer, so if you haven’t played it yet, grab it for a few pennies.

Last but not least, Nyan Cat: Lost in Space is half price. Go on, you know you wanna.

Next week’s picks might be a bit later than usual, as I’m off to Insomnia Gaming Festival on Thursday through to Monday. That’s right, it’s finally here! I can’t sleep I’m so excited. Hopefully I’ll have some tales to tell upon my return. Until then, have a good last week of summer!