Epic Games Store free game: “The Escapists”

Epic Games Store‘s new free game of the week is Mouldy Toof Studios and Team17‘s prison simulation The Escapists.

The Escapists was already given away for free on the digital store two years ago (see Epic Games Store free games: “The Wolf Among Us” and “The Escapists”), but for those who’ve missed it, this might be a good opportunity to find out what all the fuss was about. One plans to escape from prison by any means necessary, so silently digging a tunnel or starting a violent riot are viable options. Of course before the big breakout starts, one has to keep a low profile and don’t raise suspicion by abiding by the prison laws while still working on the escape plan.

The game can be added to the Epic Games Store account for free until September 30, 2021, at 5:00 PM.

Official website

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GOG release: “HITMAN – Game of The Year Edition”

IO Interactive‘s action/stealth adventure game HITMAN arrives on GOG in its Game of the Year Edition.

While most of the classic and newer Hitman titles are already available on GOG in DRM-free form, with the latest entries being the GOG releases of “Hitman: Blood Money” and “Hitman: Absolution”, the most recent titles haven’t made their way to the platform, like HITMAN – Game of the Year Edition. I briefly discussed the base game in the Epic Games Store free games: “HITMAN” and “Shadowrun Collection” article, so I’ll just focus on the GOTY aspects.

As assassin Agent 47, one takes on missions around the world that involve killing people in the most creative and silent ways, although brutal force can also be used. The game includes all 6 episodes of the first season, in addition to the Patient Zero bonus campaign, 3 new escalation contracts, outfits, and weapons. However, one should have an internet connection to play the Escalation missions, Elusive Targets or user-created Contracts, with only the Story and bonus missions ready to be played offline.

HITMAN – Game of the Year Edition was originally released in March 2016 and is now available DRM-free on GOG with a 70% launch discount that lasts until September 29, 2021, at 1 PM UTC. There’s also a promo sale with the other Hitman titles having 75% discounts.

Official website

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Using the GOG links and buying the products also helps ;).

Game release: “The Plane Effect” (PC, PS5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch)

Innovina Interactive, Studio Kiku and PQube Limited‘s adventure game The Plane Effect provides an unsual look at a dystopian future.

Adventure games dealing with a dystopian future are usually full of exposition to explain to the player how the system works, resulting in overlong dialogues. In The Plane Effect, it seems that there aren’t any conversations, with most of the storytelling being of a visual nature. Playing as office worker Solo, the only objective is to return home to one’s family, but it seems that the world around him is slowly falling apart because of a cosmic anomaly.

Time and place become out of order, as the environments change and distances aren’t what they used to be. It’s obviously all very surreal, which also means that one should expect other gameplay styles in addition to point-and-click puzzles, although if combat and platforming segments are a good thing remains to be seen. At least it looks and feels like a journey worth taking.

The game is out now on PC, PS5, Xbox One Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch with a 10% launch discount that lasts until September 29, 2021, at 7 AM UTC.

Buy the game for PC on
GOG
Steam

Buy the game for PS5 on
the PSN store

Buy the game for Xbox Series X/S on
the Xbox store

Buy the game for Nintendo Switch on
the Nintendo eShop

Official website

If you liked reading this article, make sure to LIKE it or comment on it on EMR’s Facebook page :). Or FOLLOW the blog on EMR’s Twitter page.
Using the GOG link and buying the product also helps ;).

Game release: “Guild of Ascension” (PC)

WhileOne Productions and Plug In Digital‘s tactical action-RPG Guild of Ascension makes quick decisions essential for survival.

Action-RPGs and tactical combat usually don’t go hand in hand, with the former being a rather hectic and the latter a more time-consuming affair. In this game, one only has 10 seconds to perform an action, though, forcing the player to be quick about his strategy. The title already gives away the main goal: climbing the tower with only two characters as a party and defeating enemies along the way without dying.

While doing so, one crafts weapons and masters new skills which require money and materials provided by the Tower after being successful in battle or looting. With its cartoon-like graphics, this might be more appealing to a broader audience, but looks can be deceiving, as the rogue-lite nature of the game seems to make it a tough challenge to beat.

The game is out now on PC with a 10% launch discount that lasts until September 28, 2021, at 2 PM UTC.

Buy the game for PC on
GOG
Steam

Official website

If you liked reading this article, make sure to LIKE it or comment on it on EMR’s Facebook page :). Or FOLLOW the blog on EMR’s Twitter page.
Using the GOG link and buying the product also helps ;).

Game release: “Severed Steel” (PC)

Greylock Studio and Digerati‘s FPS Severed Steel is as stylish as it is fast-paced.

With so many modern FPS relying on long cutscenes, it’s somehow good to know that there are still developers who focus on the heart of the genre: blowing stuff up and shooting at countless targets while trying to stay alive. The unique twist is that one plays as one-armed woman Steel out for revenge.

It’s all reminiscent of various games: Mirror’s Edge with its acrobatics, enemy design similar to F.E.A.R., and the destruction the protagonist leaves behind with bullet time moments looking as cool as in Max Payne. With no reloading and simply taking weapons from enemies, streamlined shooting has never felt this satisfying and fluid, and as it’s also possible to build one’s own levels, the fun never seems to end.

The game is out now on PC with a 10% launch discount that lasts until September 24, 2021, at 5 PM UTC. It’s also available as a deluxe edition which includes the soundtrack and artbook.

Buy the standard edition for PC on
GOG
Steam

Buy the deluxe edition for PC on
GOG
Steam

Official website

If you liked reading this article, make sure to LIKE it or comment on it on EMR’s Facebook page :). Or FOLLOW the blog on EMR’s Twitter page.
Using the GOG links and buying the products also helps ;).