Despite having not played Overture, I was aware of its existence and how well the original game was received. Still, I was totally blindsided by Black Plague's awesome presentation. The puzzles in the game are smart with spine chilling moments throughout. For a short game that's almost completely comprised of atmospheric elements, it certainly holds its own among many of today's more prominent titles. For a measly ten bucks, Penumbra: Black Plague gets my full recommendation.

To conclude, I hope you've enjoyed the first round in this soon-to-be series of articles. As the holiday season approaches, there'll be no shortage of the more big name titles on the market. I anticipate the second round of bargain bin games to happen sometime next year when things calm down a bit - perhaps giving us all a chance to pick up some of the less-hyped games that slipped through the cracks during the mad holiday rush. In the meantime, if there's a particular game you'd like me to consider for the next article, please let me know. I'm just an email away!

Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is.
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  • lunarx3dfx - Tuesday, September 2, 2008 - link

    Great article, but in the last game review, you forgot to mention one very important title seeing as it was the predecessor to freelancer. You forgot about Allegiance. If you haven't heard about it, I suggest you take a look. It's still played today.

    Also, the literary quotes were cool. Thanks.
  • insurgent - Monday, September 1, 2008 - link

    An enjoyable read and I haven't played most of the games here, I'll keep my eyes open when I go to the mall :D
  • Nfarce - Monday, September 1, 2008 - link

    As someone who travels for work on occasion and is really not up for lugging both a laptop and a PS3 for after hours hotel entertainment away from home, some of these games look pretty cool! As a plus, they appear to be easy on the CPU and graphics cards of today's mid-range laptops like mine.

    Thanks for this. Even though most games probably wouldn't score a 5.0 on IGN, I'll seriously consider picking up two or three of these, two being shooters.

    Thanks guys, and again as I stated on your Grid review from several weeks ago, don't let the naysayers here poor mouth and sway you from changing things up around here from time to time!
  • DirtMcGirt - Monday, September 1, 2008 - link

    Nice feature, keeping them coming!
  • Leirith - Monday, September 1, 2008 - link

    The Incredible Machine! That game was awesome. I'll definitely have to check out these Crazy Machines games!
  • Woodchuck2000 - Monday, September 1, 2008 - link

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revue">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revue
  • EddieTurner - Monday, September 1, 2008 - link

    I chose 'revue' as it represents a multi-part extravaganza. Multiple games, multiple rounds. I think it's fitting.
  • tviceman - Monday, September 1, 2008 - link

    I didn't know Penumbra Overture was released as a free title last year, as I paid $15 for it. But I don't mind, it was well worth it. Black Plague is even better, and I'm having a blast with the newly released Penumbra: Requiem!

    For anyone who enjoyed Portal, Requiem is right in the same vein. Instead of a game you traverse through, Requiem is set in Penumbra's atmosphere and you go through levels of the game, figuring out how to get to the exit (only w/o a portal gun).

    All three games are great and are well worth checking out!
  • cordas - Monday, September 1, 2008 - link

    Great article, it would have been nice to have the game titles listed as page headings, just so that when i come back to check the game names before going game hunting they are easier to find.

    I also think it would be great if you added more to the conclusions page, maybe a 2 or 3 line summary of each game, strenghs and weaknesses and if you feel like it give them a fun rating.

    Can't wait for more of these articles, I am sick of spending big bundles of cash on new "big name" games that disappoint.... I tend to run shy from the bargin games as there is a reason why many of them are there and its cos they are naff.
  • nubie - Monday, September 1, 2008 - link

    Neato on the Novint, haptic is cool.

    Don't forget on Penumbra you need to wiggle side to side for stuck drawers.

    I like this article, I was afraid there would be EA crap with price at $10 (or worse a 2-pack for $10), good job overturning my fears.

    The only two that seem attractive to me so far are Penumbra and definitely Contraptions/whatever it is called now. (Yes, TIM as we called him was a favorite game of mine)

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