Handsome & Humble: July Issue
Handsome & Humble is an ongoing series from Handsome Phantom about the games in the Humble Monthly Bundle. Humble Monthly is subscription service ($12 per month) from Humble that give subscribers a bundle of PC games each month. There are always some AAA titles, as well as a handful of indie games. The bundles are usually worth somewhere around $200, so we think it is an awesome value for what subscribers pay.
Subscribers also have the option to pay for the next month’s bundle early, in order to get the “early unlock,” which is typically two or three of the games from the next month’s bundle. Handsome and Humble is the monthly series where we look at what you’ll get in the early unlock as well as a quick overview of the games from the last bundle.
This month, if you pay for July’s early unlock, you’ll receive a copy of Hearts of Iron IV, Blackwake, and Portal Knights.
Hearts of Iron IV
Hearts of Iron IV is the most recent installment of the incredibly extensive world war grand strategy game. If the civilization games had a baby with the Axis and Allies board game, this game would be the result. Even though this game has a fairly steep learning curve, the possibilities for customization through research and development trees, political and economic direction, and the variety of playable nations.
One of the most interesting features of this game is its time-advancement system. Hearts of Iron IV uses a blend of real-time and something like turn-based strategy. In order to do research, train troops, develop equipment, and tons of other actions, a specific number of days has to pass in order to complete that task. Time only passes in real time (with variable speed), but can be paused at any time in order to do make whatever moves the players need to make.
Hearts of Iron IV is a really interesting game with a lot of replayability and is definitely worth playing
Blackwake
Blackwake is a first person shooter that is currently in alpha on steam. The game is set on the high seas, with teams of pirates and British Navy (up to 54 total players) pitted against each other in naval combat. Each player assumes the role of a crewmember who can load and fire cannons, bilge water and repair damage to the ship, and board other ships to engage in close combat. Currently, the game is fairly simple, having only open water and fortress combat.
Since this game only has a 2-man development team, we’ll see how quickly it evolves into the fully developed gameplay of a game like Sea of Thieves.
Portal Knights
Portal Knights is a survival/crafting/action RPG that takes place in a shattered world of “islands” connected by portals. Players can explore and build in a cube-based world as one of three classes, all while leveling up, building, and hunting various monsters. This game was published by 505 Games, the same company that brought us Terarria, so they know a thing or two about sandbox games.
Portal Knights is a really fun, intuitive game that you can play alone or with up to 4 friends that feels like a souped-up version of Minecraft, so jump in and try it out!
And many more!
Each monthly bundle contains a handful of other titles as well, some that are well known, some that are not so well known. Since we can’t tell you about any of the other titles that will be in May’s bundle, here’s a quick overview of the games in last month’s bundle!
Acceleration of Sugari 2 – Another crazy Japanese game! This fast-paced, duel style, bullet hell game is sure to be a favorite of anime fans everywhere
Bear With Me – An episodic adventure game where players assume the role of Amber, who wakes up in the middle of the night to find her brother Flint is missing
Cook, Serve, Delicious 2 – Time to get your Gordon Ramsey on! In this restaurant sim, players journey from being the humble owner of a tiny restaurant to being the best chef in the world
Destiny 2 – The sequel to Bungie’s online first person shooter where players work to defeat the Cabal villian called Dominus Ghaul
Ken Follet’s The Pillars of the Earth – Based on Ken Follet’s bestselling book The Pillars of the Earth, this artful adventure game set in 12 century england asks players to make some pretty difficult decisions to shape the lives and fates of the characters they meet.
Styx: Shard of Darkness – Styx is back! And he’s even more dangerous, creative, and sarcastic than ever! Players explore the dark elven city of Körangar in this stealth game
Yooka-Laylee – Players take control of the dynamic pair and embark on a mission to collect the golden pages of a special book from the evil boss who is stealing all the books in the world.
Check out the Humble Monthly subscription, an incredible value for PC gamers everywhere!
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