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General discussion (archive)Where do you draw the line with blind purchases?(37 posts)(37 posts)
(37 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted December 07, 2011
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carnival73: Say there's a digital game you want to try but doesn't have a demo - what prereqs or rules do you set to justify a blind purchase?

I came to the conclusion that I pay five dollars or less for it, it isn't much of a loss but the new game "Fall of the Gods" on GG not only did not work but the serial authentication process sprung open endless copies of Google Chrome at a rapid pace. I had to hard shut down and when I reloaded all my Chrome settings and bookmarks had been deleted.

So I've gone from not busting a vein if five or under to now spending five for a game that reacts like a virus.
I will blind purchase something if it is less than 10 euro and looks really good. :)
Posted December 07, 2011
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olnorton: This site had 200 people giving Witcher 2, 5 stars before it was even released.
The Witcher 2 isn't on offer for $5 bucks anywhere that I'm aware of. Once it is, I'm pretty sure it would be easy to find reviews that actually mean something, especially since I don't rely on reviews from a single site.

*edit* Oh, and you'll note that I said 'from people that actually played the game', which those ones you're referencing obviously didn't.
Post edited December 07, 2011 by Coelocanth
Posted December 07, 2011
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Coelocanth: *edit* Oh, and you'll note that I said 'from people that actually played the game', which those ones you're referencing obviously didn't.
Yes it was because you added "from people that actually played the game" that made me write. I just thought it was funny that so many "reviewed" that game before they ever played it.

But back on topic, if a game costs less than $10 & you don't like it, it's not the end of the world.
Posted December 07, 2011
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olnorton: Yes it was because you added "from people that actually played the game" that made me write. I just thought it was funny that so many "reviewed" that game before they ever played it.

But back on topic, if a game costs less than $10 & you don't like it, it's not the end of the world.
Ah, I didn't catch the intent there. Apologies.
Posted December 07, 2011
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DukeNukemForever: Funny, the same question I ask myself at the moment. I'm highly interested in Oddworld Stranger's Wrath, but my research shows that it will not run on my old desktop and not very likely on my notebook (known problems with Intel HD Graphics). At the end of the month the game will be re-released as a HD-Version for the console and three months later for the pc, maybe this update will fix some problems for HD graphics cards. Should I wait if GOG will release it or maybe update the current version (it seems the Oddbox versions get a free update)? Should I give the actual version a try or should I wait for a sale after also the last missing game from the Oddbox is released here? We are talking about a 5$ and it's a good chance to clear my wishlist (used this week to clear it and keep only highly wanted games).

So many questions and hard decision. Unfortunately I know myself and at the end of sale I will buy for the godsake of wishlist clearance and as a challenge to get it runable on my system.
I got it run on a
AMD 2400+ Single Core
1 Gig RAM
nVidia GeoForce 7300GT 512 MB
Win XP SP3 32 bit

You're going to have to play around with a video option because one of the options that seems like you should be able to use makes the textures too rich and thick and the game will slow down to a crawl.

I forget which switch I flipped but when I found the right one the game ran perfectly on my system.

I have the Steam version.
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DukeNukemForever: Funny, the same question I ask myself at the moment. I'm highly interested in Oddworld Stranger's Wrath, but my research shows that it will not run on my old desktop and not very likely on my notebook (known problems with Intel HD Graphics).
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Leroux: I took the gamble and got the Oddboxx for 3 or 4 euros on Steam when it was on sale recently, with the intention to buy the DRM-free version from GOG in case it worked and in case I liked it. That was a price I was willing to accept for a blind purchase, especially since it would also allow me to test the performance of Munch's Oddysse. I guess with 5 euros or more for one game I'd already be very disappointed if it didn't work. I'd rather watch a disappointing movie for that price. Then at least I can discuss what I payed for with other spectators. ;)

Anyway, regarding Stranger's Wrath, even if I run it at the lowest resolution (ugly 640x480) it doesn't really run smooth yet on my machine. It's playable but not much fun, so I'll skip it unti I get a new graphic card or computer somewhen in the future. My PC is from 2007 with an AMD Athlon64 dual-core processor 2,1 GHz, 4 GB RAM and an integrated GeForce 7300LE video card, if that's of any use to you.
Yup, keep playing with the video options.
Is an LE stronger than a GT?
Post edited December 07, 2011 by carnival73
Posted December 07, 2011
Bought E.Y.E on Steam, never again will I buy a digi d/l without a few reviews, its nice to have a retail copy I can return to a retail store if it sucks.
Posted December 07, 2011
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carnival73: Is an LE stronger than a GT?
No.
Posted December 07, 2011
I never purchase anything blind. I always read reviews, ask people, do my research...even if it's just a $1 game.

I figure there's no use in buying it unless its something I'm actually going to play.
Posted December 07, 2011
Under 5 is not too much of a disaster but this game deleted all of my bookmarks...I can understand a lot of game might not work but geesh.

Most of it is pretty much give and take nowadays - you find some good and functional pre 2007 games for free - turn around and spend $10 on a clunker but then the next day get a bundle of games for a buck.
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F1ach: Bought E.Y.E on Steam, never again will I buy a digi d/l without a few reviews, its nice to have a retail copy I can return to a retail store if it sucks.
That game runs ok on my system with everything turned down but the whole stealth and hacking thing seems useless because the second you step into a level everyone knows your there and keeps coming for you.
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carnival73: Is an LE stronger than a GT?
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Coelocanth: No.
This seems to be the only forum on the webs where I'm not the person with the oldest computer. XD
Post edited December 07, 2011 by carnival73
Posted December 07, 2011
3 dollars or less for me.
Posted December 07, 2011
If I have disposable income, I probably won't hesitate if it's less than 5 bucks and there's a bit of interest in the games. For new releases that are $40+, I try to limit myself to once a year. If the game turns out bad I probably won't buy anything from that developer any more, and if the support after the game is bad, then I won't buy any new titles from the publisher. This year I got hosed by Homefront so no more money from me to THQ.

I don't think reviews and demos will matter in some situations either. For instance,I purchased Shogun 2 because I wanted to play the mp campaign with my friend so I tried out the demo and it worked. When I bought it and we played, we ran into the desynch bug that makes us unable to complete a campaign. It's been broken since the game launched and now TCA aren't even replying to any users on their forum about the issue after their last big patch failed to fix it.
Posted December 07, 2011
I'm among those who never purchase blindly. I always look at reviews (both professional and from other players. IGN and Gamespot are usually enough), watch some gameplay on youtube, etc..

I used to be less criterious, but with the backlog I've built, even the slightest doubt is enough for me to skip a game now. I could have paid whatever I wanted for Indie Gala, but didn't just because the games were not interesting enough.

Also, save for very rare and few exceptions, I'm not buying anything over $5.
Post edited December 07, 2011 by Dragobr
Posted December 07, 2011
Never (not not even if it's 50p) without checking Youtube for gameplay demos.
Youtube demos are probably the only factor that I take into account, unless it's from a favourite developer or so.

edit: oh and I never trust reviews. Don't care who the review is by. The game reviewing industry is a bunch of crap.
Post edited December 07, 2011 by FraterPerdurabo
Posted December 07, 2011
I'm in the same boat as you guys. Unless the game is cheap enough, I rarely buy a game blindly. This is especially the case if it is for the PC for obvious reasons :\

I am going to be making an exception for Guild Wars 2 when it comes out. But only because I enjoyed the first game and ANet seems to be putting a lot of effort into making it a decent game from what I've seen on their blog.

@FraterPerdurabo: I agree with you on reviewing. That is why I go to multiple sources when I'm looking up reviews. I agree with Adam Sessler that giving numbers just does not do a work of art justice. I think you'll like this video: http://www.g4tv.com/videos/55954/sesslers-soapbox-i-hate-numbers/
Post edited December 07, 2011 by Thunderstone
Posted December 08, 2011
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F1ach: Bought E.Y.E on Steam, never again will I buy a digi d/l without a few reviews, its nice to have a retail copy I can return to a retail store if it sucks.
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carnival73: [i]
That game runs ok on my system with everything turned down but the whole stealth and hacking thing seems useless because the second you step into a level everyone knows your there and keeps coming for you.
[/i]
Yes the game runs fine, its just what you said, psychic enemies and constant respawns were really aggravating. :)
Post edited December 08, 2011 by F1ach
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)Where do you draw the line with blind purchases?(37 posts)(37 posts)
(37 posts)