The Weekly Roundup: Games You Can Buy Without Wearing Pants

Too lazy to get off of the couch today?  Or any day for that matter?  Well there is no problems here, you can still get great games without ever having to put pants on.  Not only that, you can spend less than $20 to get any of them.  Now before you jump to conclusions and assume that if it wasn't good enough to be a full retail release that it isn't worth buying, you need to take a closer look at the DLC game business.  I have provided 4 prime examples to support the claim that DLC exclusive games are worthy of our money and our time.




Awesomenauts (xbla/psn $10 (free for PS+):

Awesomenauts is a fun direction for the MOBA/DOTA game type that has become so popular due to titles like League of Legends and Heroes of Newerth.  Now of course the game isn't exactly on scale with games like that, but it has a different set of talents to offer. 


First off, the game is played in a 2D environment. An odd way to go when thinking of a MOBA title, but not unheard of.  I think the multi-tiered environments filled with platforms, bushes to hide in, and environmental hazards makes it a fun and new pace for the game type.  There are 2 teams of 3 players in an environment filled with baddies that must be defeated before your opposing team succeeds in the same.  As it's inspiration i'm sure, it plays heavily off of the RTS fundamentals despite being controlled in one-for-one real time like any other platformer.


Their are 6 characters to start with before DLC, it's definitely a small number for a game like this.  But fortunately the characters are diverse and full with cartoony goodness.  There seems to be a clear balance issue between some of the characters in this title, but as more are released and patches handled we might see some of that remedied. 

Now I can agree that the game may not sound like much, but I can assure you that this title is fun, and for only $10 on either xbla or psn (free for ps+ members), it certainly isn't asking much of you to try it out.  When you get bored with Diablo III and you have nothing better to do with $10, come on over to the DLC bargain bin and check this guy out. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.  This is technically a review and not a sales pitch though, as a score I award it an 81%.  I has what it takes to be a good and fun experience, but lacks the diversity to be truly great, especially when it has to compete with other (easily argued better) free-to-play giants like LoL.  But if you don't have a PC or you just want to try something new, this is certainly a game that will appeal to the awesomeness you'll desire.  Plus with DLC expansions, this game might just become a new pastime.




Fez (xbla $10):

Here is a fun and interesting title that was released for the xbla exclusively not too long ago.  I for one thought this was an amazing title that was overlooked by many people who judge DLC titles far too quickly.  This game is a supremely pixelated 2D platformer game that utilizes a unique dimensional switch to change perspectives.  Many would consider it similar to the super paper mario game released on the wii a ways back, but it has it's own unique charm to it that separates it from the other greats in the genre.  


Enter Gomez, the fez wearing hero of this pixel painted world.  Gomez is charmed with the ability to perceive the 3rd dimension thanks to his magic fez and is tasked with collecting the scattered pieces of the golden monolith (well previously a monolith anyhow).  It certainly is a different story, but not much of one when you break it down.  Even still, this title offers much more than a lame story.  The world changes with every turn of the axis, background scenery becomes the path to a new stage and nooks, ladders, and footholds lie in hiding right in front of your eyes.  It is a superbly impressive layout that shows how much can be utilized with even a minimalist design. 


The gameplay is fun, inviting, and quaintly challenging.  The scope of this game is surprisingly large for players willing to go the distance and there is so much waiting to be discovered in this super stylized world.  This game does so much more than appeal to our inner gamer, it tries to nest itself in our hearts and minds with it's amazing charm and wit, and it succeeded.  Platform based puzzle games rarely succeed to the level of this game and the effort made by the development team shows the vision set forth. It receives a 93% from me.  Don't mistake my one-sided infatuation with bias (of course there is bias, but that isn't what I mean), this game is not perfect.  But since many full retail priced games have failed miserably in comparison, it's modest price tag of $10 is what makes this the little game that could.




Closure (psn $15):

Closure is a ridiculously innovative game that relies heavily on your own mental prowess if you wish to bask in the light of victory.  This is the only of the DLC titles i am listing today that i myself haven't actually played, at least, not on the ps3.  That's right, some of you might have recognized but this used to be a flash game that was free to play.  A lot like alien hominid or 'N', it was once free but has since received some sort of retail embodiment.  Even still, this game is very much so a gem and deserves it's time in the spotlight (ironic if you've played the game).


Although not the first light based platform game i have ever played, it is certainly the most unique.  The game has an extremely heavy focus on light.  In fact, anything that doesn't exist in the light, doesn't exist at all.  That is essentially the punchline of this title.  As the ground progresses, anything you cannot see, is no longer there.  It can make for a frustrating experience sometimes when you swear the tiniest sliver of black wasn't there, until you fall to your death.  By design, a lot of the game is meant to be explored, and anyone willing to go through the effort will be pleasantly rewarded by a rich artistic design and a wonderfully brilliant world design level after level.  

It can sometimes be hard to justify paying for a game that you can get a similar taste for free on the PC somewhere, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't.  Supporting game devs is important for multiple reasons.  It's common fair in the industry to want to support good games so good games keep getting made.  But you know, that is a topic for another day, time for the review score.  86% is the numbers here, it's a solid game, and an extremely liquid and free-form design.  You won't be disappointed by playing this title, it's whether or not it's worth $15 to you personally that will define it's place in your heart.

Skullgirls (xbla/psn $15):

Not to necessarily say that I left the best for last, I simply left the fighting game for last.  If you are familiar with the fighting game scene, then you already know a lot about Skullgirls.  It has received a massive amount of hype and attention from all of the tournament gamers and those among the powers that be to see this game played at a high level.  But that doesn't mean that non-fighting game players should turn a blind eye to this crazy cool and super stylized all girl fighter.

As of now (though there is promised DLC) there are 8 characters.  Each one is extremely unique and tries to hold a particular place in the fighting game character type staples.  The grappler, the rushdown, the shoto, the zoner, they are all present, accounted for plus more, and female.  It is clearly created with the intention of being a team based fighting game like mvc or cvs, but the game still provides options.  You can choose to go solo with one super powered character, or split the burden between 2 or 3 characters to gain access to assist attacks and regenerating health while on the sidelines.  One of the coolest aspects in my opinion the game offers is the custom assist attack.  Limited by preference and meter, you can make almost any attack available to the character an assist.  Simply input the move you want during the character selection screen using the in game inputs (it's really cool to me).  

This game's visual style is clearly "exploitative" of animated breasts and panty shots...but i don't see the problem with that.  The cartoon feel of each character is exaggerated and fun to watch.  The game does lack vision in other areas unfortunately.  The online multiplayer is a simple match making system that runs on the infamous GGPO netcode (sf3: 3rd strike OE runs on GGPO as well).  Offline the training mode is lacking the modern day staples of a recordable dummy.  Not only can you not record the dummy, you cannot set them in any state what-so-ever, no crouching, no jumping, no nothing.  For a fighting game that relies so heavily on these states I'm quite surprised.  You cannot access a human control from training either, you have to start versus and enter "sparring mode". A minor inconvenience, but the load times can get arduous.

Even still, this does not equate to a bad game by any stretch.  It simply holds it down from greatness.  It still gets an 87% for what it is now.  I see good things in the future for this title and anyone who wished to take part simply needs to drop $15 on your respective DLC market.  We do have confirmed DLC and they might even fix some of the issues players have with the title as is.  Given that, it could become the most affordable tournament worthy fighting game released in recent months.  




Well there you have it, 4 titles that you can pick up while sitting on the couch nude and drinking.  2 multiplayer, 2 trippy, 2 available on either DLC market, and all for under $20.  The DLC game trend isn't exactly a bad one if your willing to explore.  Not to mention you can buy some classics you already know are good without having to hunt in stores or pay for shipping costs.  If your in a gaming mood and need something new, why not take the browser for a spin, who knows what you'll find.