# Steam (and other) black friday sales **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 23, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-and-other-black-friday-sales/603879 "2011-11-23T16:32:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-and-other-black-friday-sales/603879/81 "2011-11-27T23:14:01Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I’ve played EU since it came out and the latter expansions add a lot to the game. So much so that I’d never play the game without them. Oh, good! I feel better about that, then. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-and-other-black-friday-sales/603879/82 "2011-11-28T00:25:41Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > You know, I’ve played EU games before and been underwhelmed. Maybe I’ll grab a cheap one and see what I think. I really value the tactical map in Total War games at least as much as the strategy map, and the EU game I played (II or III, I think) didn’t have it at all. EU2 is over ten years old and is entirely 2D of course. EU3 is about 5 years old and 3D (although in the latest expansion they’ve made the main map 2D again as it’s much more atmospheric). In current incarnations of EU3 there is a kinda tactical map, in that you see the regiments in combat in two ranks, with flanks and centre, etc. But you have no control over the deployment or progress of the fight, aside from being able to retreat at any point. The game is about running a nation over a 400 year timespan, not generalling specific battles. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-and-other-black-friday-sales/603879/83 "2011-11-28T00:27:54Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I’ve played EU since it came out and the latter expansions add a lot to the game. So much so that I’d never play the game without them. > [@appleciders](#): > > Oh, good! I feel better about that, then. Yes, it’s pretty universal that at least the first three expansions (NA, IN, HttT) are required to get the game at its best. The latest (and probably last) expansion **Divine Wind** has not been universally hailed as an improvement over HttT in gameplay terms, although the extra features and map IMO make it hugely worthwhile. You certainly need the 5.1 patch for it. ---
**Author:** ![Claptree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Claptree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claptree)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-and-other-black-friday-sales/603879/84 "2011-11-28T04:43:34Z")
> [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](#): > > Bought Red Faction Guerrilla for 3,39e and after a few hours with it I can recommend it to anybody who likes open world shooter/destruction thing. Haven’t seen many other games where you can actually blow up structures and see them collapse after you’ve managed to take out enough supporting beams. Glorious mayhem ensues. 😃 I loved it too. Lots of fun, and lots of stuff to do. Just don’t expect more of the same from RF:Armageddon. That was a disappointment. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-and-other-black-friday-sales/603879/85 "2011-12-01T18:58:55Z")
Terraria is $2.50 today and if you only visit the game’s store page, you’re entered into the “Win 10 games” contest, so you may as well look. I normally hate these creative-builder games, but Terraria is awesome because it combines that and actual gameplay. If you can organize it, it’s possible to get the 4-pack for only $7.50. Oops. This isn’t the regular Steam deals thread. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-and-other-black-friday-sales/603879/86 "2011-12-01T22:11:32Z")
The last thing I bought during the sale was The Witcher. I am thinking it was a mistake, or I am really missing something. Is it just me or is it next to impossible to hit anyone with your sword? I am literally fighting bad guys numbers 3 and 4 and for the love of god I can’t do any damage. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-and-other-black-friday-sales/603879/87 "2011-12-01T23:55:21Z")
I remember that problem with The Witcher. I think an explanation for combat flashes on the screen very quickly, and it’s easy to ignore because it comes up right as you’re trying to pay attention to the critter attacking you. Combat in the game is really weird, but once you get used to its rhythm, it’s kind of cool. Edit: [reading this guide](http://witcher.wikia.com/wiki/Combat_in_The_Witcher), I think the key is only to left-click when there’s a flaming sword icon. If you click any other time, it resets the combat timer. Rather than being a twitch-click game, it’s more like a Guitar Hero game, where you have to click in rhythm with the combat. ---
**Author:** ![Toffe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e19adc/32.png) [@Toffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toffe)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-and-other-black-friday-sales/603879/88 "2011-12-02T04:47:26Z")
Yes, combat in the Witcher is rhythm-based - left-click when the mouse icon changes from a sword to a flaming sword. I think the timing is less sensitive if you play on a lower difficulty setting. Sword styles (strong, fast, group - z, x, c are the keyboard shortcuts, IIRC?) are also important, and that could also be your problem. Faster enemies will almost always dodge strong attacks. Strong (i.e. big and slower) enemies won’t dodge fast attacks, but then they won’t take much damage from them either. The group style is for when you’re being mobbed by weaker enemies - I like it for clearing “drowners”, for example. So, if you think you’re doing things right but still aren’t hitting anything or doing significant damage, try a different sword style. Finally, later in the game you’ll have two swords - steel, and silver. Use steel for humans/elves/dwarves. Silver for everything else. This might seem complicated now, but I found it quick to get the hang of, and then very enjoyable. Once you get used to/past the combat, it’s a fantastic game. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-and-other-black-friday-sales/603879/89 "2011-12-02T05:06:01Z")
Thanks for the input I look forward to trying it again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steam-and-other-black-friday-sales/603879.md?page=4)