Daerphen
Challenge me! Monthly Edition
(15.07.2019 - 15.08.2019)
previous
Half way done through the year. How was it so far, beaten a lot or still in need of some inspiration. Get 5 picks from your fellow assassins.
As usually we try to keep close to the current monthly theme, so if your challenger has a game featuring programming, algorithm, machines, androids or robots, please pick one of those games.
If you have issues, please post on the first comment or contact another admin/mod.

For Pickers. Just copy paste and complete the data :)

* [GAME#1](http://store.steampowered.com/app/GAME#1-ID/) - HLTB Time: GAME#1-HLTBTIME
* [GAME#2](http://store.steampowered.com/app/GAME#2-ID/) - HLTB Time: GAME#2-HLTBTIME
* [GAME#3](http://store.steampowered.com/app/GAME#3-ID/) - HLTB Time: GAME#3-HLTBTIME
* [GAME#4](http://store.steampowered.com/app/GAME#4-ID/) - HLTB Time: GAME#4-HLTBTIME
* [GAME#5](http://store.steampowered.com/app/GAME#5-ID/) - HLTB Time: GAME#5-HLTBTIME

  • Please make sure your games are sorted by completion before applying.
  • If you so desire and you have at least 5 unplayed SG wins, the 5 games can be picked out of your SG wins (instead of only 2/5). Just note it in your application comment.
  • Note in your post if you're ok playing multiplayer only games.
  • Same for Early Access (I know some people want to wait for release).
  • When you finish one (or more) of the games picked for you, please post an update by replying to your picker's comment.
  • If the game has achievements, you can link to either the Steam or Astats page corresponding to your progress.
  • If the game doesn't have achievements, please post a screenshot showing your completion.
  • Finally, if you have completed all the games that were assigned to you but want another go at it, feel free to post another application.
  • You can pick for/challenge up to 2 fellow assassins, please refrain to pick more so everybody who wants get a chance at it.
  • You can pick for anybody who has applied and hasn't been given a list yet, unless they specified otherwise (see next point). It is recommended to signal with a "reserved" comment that you're currently picking for that person. This way it'll avoid the situation where you spend time picking games just to come back to somebody's comment 2 minutes prior.
  • Please use the following criteria when picking a list for somebody.
  • Pick exactly 5 games
  • Length-wise: at least 2 short games (under 10h to beat) and 2 medium (under 15-20h). You can use HLTB to check the time, or more conveniently the Enhanced Steam browser extension (it shows the HLTB time directly on the game's steam page). That rule can be overridden by the bottom (i.e. pick 5 short games) but not the other way around, as not everybody has the same time to dedicate to gaming.
  • Pick two SG wins unless the person specified SG wins only, in which case pick only in the applicant's SG wins list.
  • Quality-wise: at least 3 of the 5 games should have a positive (or above) rating. You can use this site to quickly sort games in a user's library by ratings (thanks to JaffaCaffa for the suggestion).
  • Please, respect the applicant's choice regarding multiplayer-only and Early access games, as well as other requests (exclusion of certain genre etc.).
  • Please use the code below to post your comment, it's already formatted, you just have to copy/paste & complete the data.

Do I have to participate in this event?
No, this is an event to help you reduce your backlog. If you already have a plan and don't want anyone to pick games for you, you're free to ignore it.

What happens if I don’t participate in the event?
Absolutely nothing.

What happens if I play all the games picked for me this month?
Still nothing. (You might get a shiny profile badge at some later date. And you can come back for another batch.)

What if I don’t have time to play 5 games?
Don’t worry, one is enough, we’re just asking the pickers to select 5 to give the player a little choice.

One of the game picked for me won’t run on my computer for X or Y reason, what do I do?
If this happens, please notify the picker by replying his comment and ask them to pick a replacement. If the original picker don’t give you an answer within 24h, don’t panic, just leave a comment and we’ll pick one for you. Meanwhile, you could try one of the other picked games if you haven't played them all yet.

I played all 5 games that were picked for me and I want more!
If you have completed all 5 games and reported your completion to the original comment, you can make a new request for another list.

When picking for other people, can I only pick “never played” games?
Not necessarily, you can also pick games that seem to have been abandoned but haven’t been categorized as “won’t play”. No beaten or completed games, or games being currently played obviously.

Why are there so many rules for picking the games? I can’t be bothered!
We’re trying to make this enjoyable for everyone so if you decide to pick games for others, please read and follow the rules. I’ve tried to make it as easy as possible for the pickers too, but if it’s bothering you too much, remember you don’t need to pick games for others to join the challenge.

I’m new here, can I join the challenge?
Yes of course (and welcome to BLAEO). Please just be sure to have your games sorted by progress before signing up for the challenge, to make it easier for your picker.

Daerphen

Reply here, if you have any issues

Blue Ϟ Lightning

Challenge me :3 Treat gifts the same as wins. Please don’t pick anything I’ve been challenged before and ignore the list “not for me/mine”

Aquilla
  • Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - HLTB Time: 24 H. I think this is your only gift with which you haven’t been challenged here or in Pay or Play. So here it is.
  • Sundered: Eldritch Edition - HLTB Time: 12.5 H. I love this game. I simply love it. Go on, play it. It’s awesome.
  • 60 Parsecs! - HLTB Time:2 H. Let’s be honest - I have this game on wishlist and I’m not sure if I really want it. So you can tell me if it’s good :) .
  • Moonlighter - HLTB Time: 13.5 H. It looks fun. I like this kind of games.
  • The Coma: Recut - HLTB Time: 5 H. I think you like VN because you have special category for them. I know nothing about VN, so I just picked random one.
Blue Ϟ Lightning

thank you! its a fine selection

Blue Ϟ Lightning

Sundered is pretty good. (better than alot of games/I love metroidvainas and roguelites but not as good as some of my favorites dead cells hollow knight etc)
and Moonlighter is real good also (basically I was intrested in it and thought it looked fun but it was even better than I thought)

Aquilla

I’m very happy about it. I haven’t play dead cells or hollow knight. Basically when someone says “it’s fun because it’s so hard” I’m passing.

Blue Ϟ Lightning

Dead cells is fun because of its variety of weapons and areas and incredibly well done procedural generation that doesn’t make bland feeling dungeons…along with how it rewards you for progressing so if you die it doesn’t feel like a waste.

And hollow knight is fun because of the lore and characters and sprawling world that you can explore through…

Honestly if you like sundered I’d recommend them wholeheartedly theres a difference between how difficult they are and say punishingly difficult games (super meat boy, They bleed pixels, Wings of Vi etc) (also sundred is reasonably difficult and has the difficult tag so idk)

Aquilla

Both are lying on my wishlist for a time I would want a challenge, but you know - backlog… :) Maybe someday…

Wintermute

Here I am, I would accept a challenge!
Last month was great!
As always, my humble requests here below:

  • If possible, I would like my picker choosing one or two recently released games (if I have any left and I should!) from my backlog.
  • Additionally, if possible, I would like to have a variety of genres picked.
  • Finally, as others have written, please, treat unfished games (which I often start just to take a quick bite at them) as unplayed.

Thanks since now!

Aquilla

I assume last year is counted as “Recently”

  • HITMAN 2 - HLTB Time: 9.5 H. It’s a new game, and praised one.
  • Frostpunk - HLTB Time: 10 H. Steamgift win. Something I need to play myself.
  • Dust: An Elysian Tail - HLTB Time: 10 H. I finished it recently. Pure beauty, it’s awesome.
  • Submerged - HLTB Time: 2.5 H. Steamgift win. I really liked it although I perfectly understand why people are complaining. You need to check yourself.
  • TIMEframe - HLTB Time: 1 H. This game is just weird. But it’s an experience, I can say that.
Wintermute

Thanks indeed for the challenge, a!

samwise84

Well challenge me please. Please again pick games on the shorter side, from either of the following lists

under 8 h
8-15h
no HLBT

Maybe I am more lucky this time around. Last month I only finished one game.

Minamimoto
  • Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice - HLTB Time: 7-9h - won on steamgifts - storydriven action adventure - I liked this game pretty much but opinions diverge and I’d like to hear yours!
  • 7 Wonders: Treasures of Seven - HLTB Time: 7-9h - won on steamgifts - puzzle - one of the last ones with less than 15 hours. Can’t say much about it but you already finished the other games, so it’s time to finish this one too! ;3
  • Stormworks: Build and Rescue - HLTB Time: no time - sandbox - it’s still EA but I thought a sandbox game for now and then won’t hurt :^)
  • Lethe - Episode One - HLTB Time: about 5h - horror - it’s got a pretty good rating so I got interested. Also I didn’t found anyone bragging about an open end with no Episode 2 yet, so I guess it’s good to go?
  • Tooth and Tail - HLTB Time: 9-11h - strategy - I only hear good things about this, so maybe you’d like it too :)

Tell me if you want me to swap something! I tried to choose games with a pool of different genres so hopefully there will be something you’d like to play :)

samwise84

Sounds good. But can you switch Deadlight? I’ve already beaten that one and I don’t feel like playing it on hard just for the last achievement. Was hard enough in some parts without the increase in difficulty ;)

Minamimoto

Done! :)

samwise84

All are downloading at the moment. Thanks for the picks. I’ll try to finish as many as posssible.

samwise84

I’ve beaten or decided not to pursue further 3 out of 5. So that’s not too bad.
For some short reviews
Review for 7 Wonders will follow this weekend.

Aquilla

Last month I finished 2 games from this challenge. And I wants more! Challenge me please! A couple of requests:

  1. You can choose from my Never played and Unfinished list. Please avoid “Currently played” games - for obvious reason.
  2. If I have couple of games in the serie, please pick the first one (I like to do series in order)
  3. Please choose different genres. I would like to have a choice of genre of the game :)
samwise84

I’ll pick for you.

  • Hitman: Absolution - HLTB Time: 12 1/2-20h - SG Win, no robots as far as I’m aware off, but it’s red and therefore should also fit the monthly theme
  • Mass Effect 2 - HLTB Time: 24 1/2-34 1/2h, SG Win with lots of robots, one of my all time favourite games and the best in the trilogy in my opinion, if you rather want to play the first one first, feel free to do so.
  • OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood - HLTB Time: 3-5 h - Another SG win
  • Evoland Legendary Edition - HLTB Time: 20h - Heard good things about that one
  • Grapple - HLTB Time: 8h - one from your unfinished pile, a puzzle platformer

Tried to pick games from different genres. If you need repicks, please say so.

Aquilla

I think I will change Mass Effect 2 to Mass Effect. I want to play this in order and I don’t think I’ll be able to finish both in month. The rest I will gladly try. Thank you

samwise84

As I said before you are welcome to do that. The whole trilogy is worth playing.

Aquilla

A little update. Well… I tried both Grapple and OlliOlli I beat 4 of 5 worlds in Olli, and 76 out of 90 levels in Grapple. And I’m stuck. Completely. I think I’m gonna give up, this games are killing me.

I also tried Evoland, and actually finished the first game. It was awesome. I will finish second too, but right now I need a little brake :) .

samwise84

I hate that myself. Getting stuck in a game near the end. But sometimes giving the game a break and coming back to it after some time can help :)

Minamimoto

Challenge me please! :3 Treat unfinished games the same as never played \o/ No multiplayer please, everything else should be fine~

samwise84

I’ll pick for you.

Tried to pick games from different genres. If you need repicks, please say so.

Minamimoto

Thank you for picking! I wasn’t aware that I still own shooter games as I really don’t like those. May I ask you to swap Binary Domain for something else? Also I don’t own Company of Heroes anymore and forgot to delete it on BLAEO, sorry! I will swap Data Hacker: Corruption to Initiation because that’s the first one :3

samwise84

Sure. I’ll take a look once I get home from work. Concerning Data hacker I thought I checked that… Well I blame the late hour I did this 🤪

samwise84

I’ll exchanged the games for Bastion and Niche. Hope those are better fits for you :)

Minamimoto

Thanks a ton! :)

86maylin

One done last month, although I have started 2064 read only memory.

Please choose shorter titles.
No multiplayer games.
Fine with early access.
No horror which overly uses jumpscares. I’m bad at horror so please pick light ones.
For easier picking, look at To Play and ABC plan lists. :3
As always, thanks for digging through my huge backlog. x3

Traqie

Tried to pick 1-2 more from short games but I didn’t seen anything good that you haven’t finished/played already :( If you want something repicked, let me know

86maylin

Thanks for picking! My lists aren’t even near completed yet. xP Have too many games and it takes a long time to categorize them. :3

Spamlynguist

Challenge me please! I have no idea what to play lately.

JaffaCaffa

Lemme know if you’d like me to swap anything out. :) Tried to pick a decent variety.

Spamlynguist

Oh that sounds nice! I’ve been meaning to start playing Little Nightmares for the longest time.

Could you swap Don’t Starve for something a little shorter (~20 hours) though?

JaffaCaffa

Sure, how bout Darksiders?

Spamlynguist

That sounds alright!

banikanani

Please challenge me. I’m fine with unfinished games too.

Tristar

reserved :3 finished

Event[0] 3h
Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna) 4h
Z 7h
eden* 12h
Tales of Zestiria 50h

Z is one of my favorite strategy game from back in the days, but it is also quite challenging.
As always can switch things which don’t fit ^^

Traqie

Ahh screw it, someone please challenge me! >:D Just don’t pick Costume Quest, Beyond Good & Evil or Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor as I have these chosen for PoP

Tristar

I choose Costume Quest, Beyond Good & Evil and Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor for you (`ᴗ´)

just joking ^^

but when I’m already at it, reserved :3 finished

KARAKARA 2h
INSIDE 4h
Kingdom: Classic 7h
Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance 15h
The Talos Principle 15h

Inside an absolute must play, one of my favorites, just like Kingdom.
Supreme Commander best strategy game hands down, I’ve chosen FA as it’s an SG win but you can also start with the first part instead.
And with Talos on the SG list, I just cannot not choose it ;-)

Traqie

Thanks for the picks! I’ll start with INSIDE and after that, we’ll see! :P

That1BIGDude

challange me pls
no horror please

Daerphen

This round ended today. Maybe you want to join the next cycle: https://www.backlog-assassins.net/posts/6lvqde7