Gaming

Time to shill!

Let's start with Shantae series. They are cute platformers with metroidvania powerups, wonderful art, fun characters, plenty of humor and bopping music. A little on the short and easy side but still offers a good time. Technically none except the latest title are on steam sale (and I haven't played the new one yet) BUT all of the games are on sale on GOG - 50% off too.

• Shantae: Risky's Revenge - second game in the series (first one is a Gamboy Color title despite releasing in 2002). Interconnected world, magical transformations, usually (citation needed) second favorite game in the franchise.
• Shantae and the Pirate's Curse - third game in the series, often mentioned as the best one. Interconnected world replaced with level select screen, magic transformations - with pirate gear. Even better music. Also the best soundtrack in my opinion.
• Shantae: Half-Genie Hero - one step forward, one (?) step back. Game replaced it's usual pixel art with controversial at the time, but still pretty nice, 2.5D presentation. Game is... fine, good even. - not as good as two previous titles but it still provides plenty of fun (some people aren't happy with the need to replay levels for 100% completion though). It's also a bit easier and can be completely broken with magic. Gameplay wise we have three different options: magical transformation for the main campaign, pirate gadgets for Risky Boots playthrough and unique powers for Shantae's friends. Unfortunately all the campaigns are played on the same levels as the main one which is... a choice. There's also a "classic" mode which is supposedly more difficult but I didn't have time to try it out yet.
• Shantae and the Seven Sirens - haven't played this one so no idea how good it is. Interconnected world & magic transformations are back. Presentation also returned to pure 2D and is as pretty as ever. This one had a new composer I believe but I don't know how their music compares to Jake Kaufman's work.

Now let's move to the steam sale proper.

• Umihara Kawase [80% off] - another old platformer. This time you play as a young girl wondering through bizarre levels trying to avoid and/or catch various sea creatures (fish, snails, crabs etc). Platforming is primarily done by swinging using a physics based fishing-line. Branching stages, timer for those interested in speed-running and strangely realistic fish sprites... First part of a trilogy.If you decide to try out this one check the sound levels - audio was muted for me by default.
• Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 [65% off] - turned based JRPG based around gaming industry (main characters are pretty much consoles personified). Lots of nods to various industry events and elements. Not the best game in this genre but personally I found the writing to be fun enough to carry a playthrough.
• Muse Dash [base/"demo": 85%, full unlock: 35% off] - very fun rhythm game with simple controls and lots of music. Base version unlocks ~60 songs, full purchase bumps it up to over 400 (also no further purchase needed, all future updates are included). With regular updates still going it's a pretty ridiculous package.
• Rakuen [50% off] - a bittersweet story about a hospitalized boy and his mom traveling through fantasy land and helping other hospital patients. Great writing, great soundtrack. Well worth it.
• Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale [80% off] - CAPITALISM HO! You're a young girl forced to pay off your father's debt by running a store. Don't let the cute art style fool you, game WILL NOT go easy on you. There are two types of gameplay: running your shop (you get to customize the place, negotiate prices, take orders etc) and dungeons (good way to gather new items to sell). Hard but addictive.