Meanwhile, the first bonus has been unlocked. Next one is Larva Mortus (at 3000 sales).

YAY! ~runs to check my games list~

Wow, 27 to select from.. Well, i have some so my deal is about getting a few from Robin Hood, Nikopol, Deadly 30, Rhiannon and the Chosen.

I'll read feedback here and decide a pruchase depending on bonuses later, taking advices also about those Stalin games as well.

So I have now tried The Chosen a little bit, and got some initial impressions.

1) First of all, if this game is to be compared to any it would be Dungeon Siege 3 or Avencast: Rise of the mage.

2) Overall approach seem to be very linear, though you can search a bit for secrets on the maps, they are very linear with little scope for choice or exploration

3) Graphically it is dated. It can be described as "functional" more than "gorgeous"

4) The skill tree and character progression is a bit disappointing. I am trying the ranged hunter first, and so far all I can do is level up some passive skills. You can have only three active skills at a time (offensive, defensive, other). So for example for offensive you can put your skill point in for example Power Attack (increased crit chance) and later on Convert (chance on hit for mob to fight for you for a short time) but you can not have both active. What makes it not work is that for each level you get 1 skill point, and most skills are locked and only opens up on later levels. This means that in the beginning you have very little choice about where you dump your skillpoints, and later on they become irrelevant as you want better skills, but then the point is "lost" (if it makes any sense...) It is easy to change skills on the fly, though, but the system do not quite work and I am not sure how they came up with it.

5) The companions seems to be working nicely, and you can dump skill points into improving them to make them a force to reckon with, however this is on the cost of having a weaker char (only 1 skill point per level...) This seems fine to me, and it is an interesting tradeoff. You can focus on having a good char or make use of good companions.

6) The camera takes a little bit to get used to, it is controlled by WASD by default (but all keys can be configured) and the char is moved by using mouse. I would not mind having movements with WASD and camera with mouse (as in a FPS), but this seems not to be possible. Other than that, the camera works fine when you get used to it. However, clutter on the screen can obstruct your view. I do like that the mobs are sometimes hiding behind things and jump at you when you walk past :)

First conclusions
At this point in time I will say that the score is "mediocre".

It is a very adequate hack'n'slash, I have no complaints, apart from the skill system. I do not regret getting it, and overall I am enjoying it so far. There is a lot better hack'n'slash games out there, but there are also a lot worse. First impression is generally a little bit bland, so if you are on the fence and are not really into the genre, then this will not change your mind and you may as well skip it. If you are into it, I think it can give you a blast. But so far, I can not recommend this over games like Kiwi's Underworld, Greed: Black Border or Avencast: Rise of the Mage.

Edit - bear in mind I have just tried a couple of hours so far

I never thought I'd buy a Meridian 4 game again, but Rhiannon sounds interesting. Still not buying because I have no idea what else to buy. Good thing it doesn't end soon, so I'll have enough time to think about it once I get back from my vacation.

First bonus unlocked.

Next @ 3000 - Larva Mortus. This is a top-down arena shooter, it has a good pick-up-and-play appeal, but it is getting a bit long in the tooth now, and tends to become a bit repetitive. But it is a neat little time waster now and then.

It has a demo on the Steam page if you are interested.

Robin Hood is a great game in the style of Commandos or Desperados (but not as difficult). Personally I liked it even better, because of the scenario. Would definitely recommend this one.

Deadly 30 on the other hand isn't that good. It gets quite repetitive after a short while (you search for ressources during the day and defend your camp by night) and the overall quality isn't very high. Not much more than an average flash game.

I own all these games on Steam/Desura including the bonuses thus far. If the bonuses pick up and there are some things I don't already have I might pitch in just for the bonuses.

Browsed a little through the list and with the games, didn't see any I particularly want. Maybe next time.

Just a small correction, if I may.

Wasteland Angel is not DRM-free on Gamersgate - it uses Steamworks.
And Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood on GOG is not by Meridian4.

But it is puzzling as to why they don't offer the DRM-free versions.
It's actually their very first bundle on Groupees to offer DRM-free standalone installers for any game.

Thank-you for the correction on Wasteland Angel. I was absolutely certain when I looked that Wasteland Angel said DRM free. Oh well, to screw up is only English.

As for Robin Hood, apart from a change of publisher is their any difference. Is there added content on one or the other does someone know?

Sorry, no idea about any potential differences with Robin Hood. I pointed out that the GOG release is by a different publisher because Meridian4 is its publisher only for Steam, i.e. maybe no DRM-free Robin Hood at all by Merdian4?

I am disappointed that there can't be GOG keys when applicable but my respect for them is enriched to see some integrity; base price of $0.33 a game is sort of a silly arrangement that makes it hard for anyone involved to be taken seriously.

In for:
Scratches
Robin Hood
Trapped Dead
Tank Universal

I don't have any of those games, lol.

Cool, im going to get:

The Chosen: Well of Souls
Deadly 30
Rhianon