Video Game Deals Catch-All

These grey market keys have been around on sites for awhile. Always make me nervous. But I've bought game keys off of ebay for cheap that I knew were included as vid card pack ins, so I guess it's all up to the buyer.

I would not call them exactly "legit" according to the publisher's view, but they are probably valid keys most of the time.

$25 actually sounds a bit pricier than I've often seen, though.

For those of you that bought a game on Amazon the last couple weeks, here's the Editor's Choice list, that you can use the $5 credit on starting today.

Doesn't look like Amalur is on there.

Best deal is probably Dark Souls for $18 ($13 with credit) or Hotline Miami $7.50 ($2.50).

I'd expect them to be valid keys - for another region. Grey marketeering is taking advantage of the price differences for the same product between regions, digital makes it really easy to 'import' things between regions when the thing to be imported is a bunch of letters and numbers.

Whether they work and continue to work outside of that region is down to company policy, with geo IP recognition publishers have the tools to enforce those regions too, if they want to.

Stele wrote:

Kingdoms of Amalur Complete is $15 on Amazon. Requires Origin.

It's been cheaper, $12 or so last month. Was hoping to use $5 credit on it but it doesn't seem to be on the list. Still, $15 isn't bad if you've been waiting for it.

I read reports on CAG this morning saying that the $5 credit is working on Amalur despite it not being listed as an Editor's Choice title.

i play rpgs on easy difficulty because i want the story and no frustration so why am i intrigued by Dark Souls? Will it lead to my pulling what little hair i have left out in frustration?

Markly wrote:

i play rpgs on easy difficulty because i want the story and no frustration so why am i intrigued by Dark Souls? Will it lead to my pulling what little hair i have left out in frustration?

The sparse and obscure story is not the draw of Dark Souls, fwiw - although adherents love it. It's about exploration of a fascinating world, and triumphing over difficult obstacles.

And it's amazing.

Markly wrote:

i play rpgs on easy difficulty because i want the story and no frustration so why am i intrigued by Dark Souls? Will it lead to my pulling what little hair i have left out in frustration?

The story is minimal and the frustration is high.

Still it's a fantastic game. And when you die, it's always your fault. The game is fair. It presents you with enemies with predictable patterns, and various weapons, magic, pyromancy, and faith spells to deal with them. It's up to you to learn to use the tools provided and improve your skill to beat the game. It's very rewarding. Leveling up doesn't even matter really. You can't brute force your way through enemies by farming and getting stronger than them. You just have to learn the patterns, and get better at the game and you will win. It's a very satisfying feeling.

Demiurge wrote:

A site called intkeys.com has Far Cry 3 for $25. This is a Uplay key, not Steam. I haven't purchased, but my brother did and everything was kosher.

I gave it a shot. Also got Assassin's Creed 3 for $25.

UPDATE: Got both keys.

Some warning if you're going to do this: The keys sent to me appear to be pictures taken off of a Russian retail box. They might work, I don't know. What I do know is that they do not work in steam and I now have to download images of the games to install them in order to enter the key (uplay doesn't allow you to download games with only a key). Full on gray market stuff right here.

So, fair warning. I wish I had looked into this more. This may all be on the up and up but it all feels a bit hinky and I really wish I had bought these on steam. I have serious concerns that any of my money is making it back to the developers.

Update 2: I'm an idiot. If I had actually checked the page for the games on intkeys, I would have noticed that there was a link to the ubi downloader. No using pirated copies of (hopefully) legit games for me, thankfully. I still don't know where my money is going, but I feel a little better using the service now. If these do work, they have a steam key for sleepy dogs for $15.

Elycion wrote:
Stele wrote:

Kingdoms of Amalur Complete is $15 on Amazon. Requires Origin.

It's been cheaper, $12 or so last month. Was hoping to use $5 credit on it but it doesn't seem to be on the list. Still, $15 isn't bad if you've been waiting for it.

I read reports on CAG this morning saying that the $5 credit is working on Amalur despite it not being listed as an Editor's Choice title.

Huh yeah seeing the same thing. Guess I'll grab it.

I was just worried because it says "buy and download" and I was afraid to click to see if it applied the credit or not.

EDIT: It worked. And I did get a confirmation page after clicking the buy link that showed one of my promotional credits being used. Hm, now what to do with the other one?

Markly wrote:

i play rpgs on easy difficulty because i want the story and no frustration so why am i intrigued by Dark Souls? Will it lead to my pulling what little hair i have left out in frustration?

Nope. I just started it. Just go into it with the mindset that your ARE going to get to kill a few dudes in satisfying ways each time. You may not progress all that much, but it's worth giving it a shot. I don't really like hard games. This one is sort of different. I don't know if I'll finish it, but I'll probably dump a fair amount of time into it.

I'm so bad at parrying. I watched a tutorial video after practicing fairly poorly last night. I suppose less beer might have helpled too. I guess you have to tap it right after they they start the forward motion. Maybe that'll help me with the timing. Also, it's good to know that with the spear dudes you have to be in very close.

I need to get my parry/riposte skillz down so that I can get the black knight in Undead Burg. So, should I get the Taurus Demon right after that with someone's help? I initially had the idea to try and climb up that tower and shoot him from above... then he jumped up. After that, I looked up what some of the strategies were.

So, when I get around to it, should I go for it on my own? I'm a warrior, so it'll be melee combat. I'm kind of wondering if it's meant to be a pretty specific rite of passage for new players. I know I'll want help all the time in the future, but I feel like I need to get a little ways into the game before doing so.

Kingdoms of Amalur Complete is $15 on Amazon. Requires Origin.

It's been cheaper, $12 or so last month. Was hoping to use $5 credit on it but it doesn't seem to be on the list. Still, $15 isn't bad if you've been waiting for it.

EDIT: Corrected below, it does work, just isn't on the EC list right now. $10, cheapest price yet!

tuffalobuffalo wrote:
Markly wrote:

i play rpgs on easy difficulty because i want the story and no frustration so why am i intrigued by Dark Souls? Will it lead to my pulling what little hair i have left out in frustration?

Nope. I just started it. Just go into it with the mindset that your ARE going to get to kill a few dudes in satisfying ways each time. You may not progress all that much, but it's worth giving it a shot. I don't really like hard games. This one is sort of different. I don't know if I'll finish it, but I'll probably dump a fair amount of time into it.

I'm so bad at parrying. I watched a tutorial video after practicing fairly poorly last night. I suppose less beer might have helpled too. I guess you have to tap it right after they they start the forward motion. Maybe that'll help me with the timing. Also, it's good to know that with the spear dudes you have to be in very close.

I need to get my parry/riposte skillz down so that I can get the black knight in Undead Burg. So, should I get the Taurus Demon right after that with someone's help? I initially had the idea to try and climb up that tower and shoot him from above... then he jumped up. After that, I looked up what some of the strategies were.

So, when I get around to it, should I go for it on my own? I'm a warrior, so it'll be melee combat. I'm kind of wondering if it's meant to be a pretty specific rite of passage for new players. I know I'll want help all the time in the future, but I feel like I need to get a little ways into the game before doing so.

It is not too bad on your own really, I'm also not sure how many summons you can get for that boss because you would have to be pretty low level for it I would think.

Also, my advice is to skip the Black Knight for now if you want to, probably the most important thing he does for you is in what he drops which you won't really need for a bit. I believe you end up coming back around to that bonfire again very soon as well, so at that point you should have better equipment and levels and can go show him the what for.

tuffalobuffalo wrote:
Markly wrote:

i play rpgs on easy difficulty because i want the story and no frustration so why am i intrigued by Dark Souls? Will it lead to my pulling what little hair i have left out in frustration?

I'm so bad at parrying. I watched a tutorial video after practicing fairly poorly last night. I suppose less beer might have helpled too. I guess you have to tap it right after they they start the forward motion. Maybe that'll help me with the timing. Also, it's good to know that with the spear dudes you have to be in very close.

I need to get my parry/riposte skillz down so that I can get the black knight in Undead Burg. So, should I get the Taurus Demon right after that with someone's help? I initially had the idea to try and climb up that tower and shoot him from above... then he jumped up. After that, I looked up what some of the strategies were.

Well, this is the deals thread. I'll answer here, but the DkS thread is probably the right spot.

1. Parrying is high-risk, meh-reward. I find it's usually better to block/dodge a flurry and follow up with a 2-3 hit combo and retreat safely. Enemies have consistent attack patterns and trial and error is the only way to really help you figure those out. Smaller shields have a more forgiving parry window.

2. Summoning a phantom could help against the Taurus Demon. Spoiler for subtle tips for black knight/Taurus Demon.

Spoiler:

Not all enemies can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Patience goes a long way against the black knights, guerilla tactics after a hard attack has worked well for me. Sometimes the safest zone to be in against a boss is as close as possible. 'sword -> taint'

Ha! That's what I get for leaving the computer and then coming back to it. I initially was using that method you mention in number 1 instead of parrying. I got very comfortable with it. The reason I was concerned about learning how to parry was that I don't want to develop bad habits. Maybe I'll start working more on parry once I get a parry knife and go with the more comfortable tactics for now.

Sorry for the accidental derail. Thanks for the advice everyone!

Yeah Dark Souls thread is still very active.

Agree that parry isn't worth it though. Block and counter or dodge and counter is much safer, and still pretty effective.

I'm thinking of using my $5 Amazon credit on Mass Effect 3. Is it worth spending the extra $5 for the digital deluxe edition? That is, will I end up wanting all of the DLC that is part of that edition anyway?

Regardless of which version I get, is there any DLC that I should absolutely plan on getting for ME3? I have only played a little bit of ME1 so far, but already own ME2 and am looking to round out the set.

Finandir wrote:

I'm thinking of using my $5 Amazon credit on Mass Effect 3. Is it worth spending the extra $5 for the digital deluxe edition? That is, will I end up wanting all of the DLC that is part of that edition anyway?

Regardless of which version I get, is there any DLC that I should absolutely plan on getting for ME3? I have only played a little bit of ME1 so far, but already own ME2 and am looking to round out the set.

You'll want to get From Ashes and Leviathan.

From Ashes and Leviathan are the DLCs you want to play during your main ME3 playthrough. I don't know what comes with the deluxe version but if it's one of those, yes.

Finandir wrote:

I'm thinking of using my $5 Amazon credit on Mass Effect 3. Is it worth spending the extra $5 for the digital deluxe edition? That is, will I end up wanting all of the DLC that is part of that edition anyway?

I want to do the exact same thing. How did you redeem your $5? I actually have two of them available. But I can't figure out how to redeem this. I have two emails from amazon with links to the games, but no actual code. Any help would be really appreciated.

maverickz wrote:
Finandir wrote:

I'm thinking of using my $5 Amazon credit on Mass Effect 3. Is it worth spending the extra $5 for the digital deluxe edition? That is, will I end up wanting all of the DLC that is part of that edition anyway?

I want to do the exact same thing. How did you redeem your $5? I actually have two of them available. But I can't figure out how to redeem this. I have two emails from amazon with links to the games, but no actual code. Any help would be really appreciated.

My understanding is that it will just automatically show up at check out if eligible for this.

So, according to Blind Evil, we want the From Ashes DLC that comes with this, but should still buy Leviathan.

Does anyone know the prices of these 2 pieces of DLC individually? I don't really care about costumes, extra weapons and such that are in the deluxe edition, so I'm just trying to figure out what comes out to the best deal - basic version for $10 and buy DLC or deluxe version for $15 and buy Leviathan?

Finandir wrote:
maverickz wrote:
Finandir wrote:

I'm thinking of using my $5 Amazon credit on Mass Effect 3. Is it worth spending the extra $5 for the digital deluxe edition? That is, will I end up wanting all of the DLC that is part of that edition anyway?

I want to do the exact same thing. How did you redeem your $5? I actually have two of them available. But I can't figure out how to redeem this. I have two emails from amazon with links to the games, but no actual code. Any help would be really appreciated.

My understanding is that it will just automatically show up at check out if eligible for this.

Oh, I see it, thank you.

Yeah it just shows up at checkout.

None of the ME2 or ME3 "deluxe" come with any of the story (aka "good") DLC.

Not even the ME Trilogy pack includes the good DLC. Just the basic Cerberus Network free stuff.

Stele wrote:

None of the ME2 or ME3 "deluxe" come with any of the story (aka "good") DLC

ME3 Deluxe comes with From Ashes according to Amazon, and I think that's essential. The game'd be fine without it, but knowing what I know now about both From Ashes and Leviathan I wouldn't want to play without them.

Anyway, they're $10 apiece, so you'd be saving $5 with the Digital Deluxe edition.

Regarding ME2, I strongly recommend Overlord and Lair of the Shadow Broker, to a lesser extent. I haven't played the last piece of ME2 DLC, nor do I remember what it's called.

Arrival was my favorite ME2 DLC.

I thought Arrival sucked. It's just Shep alone with no party. And the story is completely out of your hands. No matter your choice the same result happens. It's pointless.

There's plenty more discussion in the ME2 thread, the appropriate place. General consensus was "save your money".

Stele wrote:

Kingdoms of Amalur Complete is $15 on Amazon. Requires Origin.

It's been cheaper, $12 or so last month. Was hoping to use $5 credit on it but it doesn't seem to be on the list. Still, $15 isn't bad if you've been waiting for it.

EDIT: Corrected below, it does work, just isn't on the EC list right now. $10, cheapest price yet!

I just jumped on this. Good deal, thanks Stele!

Watched Angry Joe review on KOA. Looks fun so I got it.

Blind_Evil wrote:

Regarding ME2, I strongly recommend Overlord and Lair of the Shadow Broker, to a lesser extent. I haven't played the last piece of ME2 DLC, nor do I remember what it's called.

"Arrival", and it sets up the situation at the beginning of ME3, although how much your decisions in it affect the rest of the third game I don't know. I would recommend picking it up.

EDIT: And I forgot, Kasumi: Stolen Memory gets you her character and a nicely different loyalty mission.

Stele wrote:

I thought Arrival sucked.

Yes. It sucked hard. Look up the minimal story beats that are there. Save the cash.

Overlord and Shadow Broker are all you need for ME2, though I liked Kasumi a lot as a character, so consider her DLC too.

I thought Overlord was crappy actually. I would go Kasumi and Lair of the Shadow Broker as the only "essential" DLC for ME2.