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$5 Metro 2033 kicks off THQ week on Steam
As part of THQ Week, Steam has thrown a very hefty discount on one of 2010's hidden gems, Metro 2033. The post-apocalyptic Russian shooter is currently on sale for $5, as in five bucks, as in less than a greasy, unhealthy combo meal. Steam is also offering the THQ Hit Collection for $50, half the usual price. The Hit Collection includes favorites like Darksiders, Red Faction: Guerrilla, Saints Row 2 and ... others like Homefront and Red Faction: Armageddon. Finally, the whole THQ catalog (minus Saints Row: The Third and Space Marine) is 33 percent off this week, with more discounts coming in the days ahead. Finally, in other Steam news, Ninjabee's Ancients of Ooga is today's daily deal, available for $5.
Metro 2033 only $5 on OnLive today
Today only, as part of it's "$5 Fridays" promotion, OnLive is currently offering Metro 2033 for only five bucks. We rather enjoyed the apocalyptic title and, with Metro 2033: Last Light on the way, the deal provides a good opportunity to catch up. Just don't forget your gas mask. [Thanks, Marco!]
See two minutes of Metro: Last Light's E3 demo
We know that not all of you have played Metro 2033, which, despite its problems, is still one of last year's best games. We get it. There are absolutely some janky flies in that otherwise delicious soup, and some of you just don't have a strong enough stomach. It's fine. But after watching the above two minutes of pre-alpha gameplay (the first in a three-part series) from follow-up Metro: Last Light, it looks like this may be a stew that you won't be able to resist slurping down. Just look at the physics when Artyom shoots the pot! You can practically feel the soup sloshing out of it! In closing, who's ready for lunch?
THQ confirms 'Metro: Last Light' as Metro 2033 sequel
Speaking this evening during an investor conference call, THQ CEO Brian Farrell confirmed that "Metro: Last Light" will be the title of the sequel to last year's gritty FPS Metro 2033. Last month, domain registrations for "Metro2033LastLight.com," "MetroLastLight.com" and "LastLightGame.com" served as evidence of an upcoming game under some permutation of that title, but THQ had yet to offer anything official about that title -- and it wasn't clear whether that related to a sequel (which has previously been known as "Metro 2034") or some kind of spinoff. The important thing, of course, is that it hasn't been titled "Unreleased FPS Project." In fact, this game will be the focus of a "first-class marketing campaign," THQ core games CEO Danny Bilson told us earlier this year.
Steam weekend deal: Metro 2033 for $10
There's never been a better time to explore the dilapidated, mutant-infested subway tunnels of Russia's future, as Valve has knocked the price of Metro 2033 down to a measly $10 for the weekend. With savings like that, you could pick up an extra gas mask and some radiation meds.
THQ registers domains for 'Metro 2033 Last Light'
The in-development sequel to Metro 2033 might not be called "Metro 2034," as we'd previously heard. Superannuation has found some domain registrations by THQ referring to something called "Metro 2033 Last Light." Though THQ does have a predilection toward "transmedia" adaptations of its game properties (and the Metro one, of course, is already adapted from the books), it seems safe to guess this title is being used for a game, since one of the registrations is "lastlightgame.com." The others include metro2033lastlight.com and metrolastlight.com. It seems most likely that the "Metro 2033 Last Light" title refers to the sequel, but there are other possibilities. Perhaps THQ is planning to use it for a downloadable Metro companion game on the order of Red Faction: Battlegrounds -- hopefully not one exactly like Red Faction: Battlegrounds.
OnLive offering free MicroConsole with Homefront game purchase
Considering nabbing a $99 OnLive Game System to connect your TV to the company's game streaming cloud? Here's another thought -- pre-order THQ's Homefront on OnLive instead for $50, and get a voucher for a free MicroConsole (and a free game) in the bargain. That's the deal OnLive announced the other day, which runs through March 14th, though the fine print says supplies are limited, shipping costs extra, and you won't actually receive the hardware until after the deal expires no matter when you pre-order the game. We're not sure what it says for OnLive's ongoing viability that the company finds itself having to give hardware away for less than half its worth, but we won't look a gift horse in the mouth!
OnLive giving away free MicroConsole, Metro 2033 with Homefront pre-orders
"This is a watershed event: It's the first time a game system has ever been given away with the purchase of a game." That's how OnLive CEO Steve Perlman describes his company's announcement that ("while supplies last") anyone who pre-orders THQ's Homefront via the cloud gaming service for $50 will receive its MicroConsole hardware and immediate access to another THQ title, Metro 2033, free of charge. In a blog post, John Spinale, OnLive's VP of games and media provided further details, confirming that Homefront will be available to users of the service on March 15 at midnight. He also noted that the console hardware, while "free," isn't free from sales tax or shipping charges. The promotion is running from today, February 25 through March 15. Spinale cheekily quipped that people should "get in on this before our Finance department finds out what we're doing!," but we sort of have to wonder if he's only joking a little. This is definitely the most gung-ho play for new users we've ever seen.
THQ puts PC games on sale, including Metro 2033, Darksiders, more
The official THQ online store (which has the new logo that's look like it's asking, "THQ?") is sporting some spiffy sales this weekend, offering some pretty great games for just a few bucks. The highlight of the sale is probably Metro 2033, which for the PC is only $10. But you can also find Company of Heroes: Gold Edition for only $7.50, the underrated (I said it) Darksiders for $10, and Red Faction: Guerilla and Titan Quest: Gold Edition for only $5 a piece. They're not all winners (hey there, World of Zoo), but if you need to catch up on some PC titles, THQ (?) has you covered.
THQ's Bilson: Metro 2033 'wasn't properly nurtured,' sequel to address issues
Last March, Metro 2033 snuck up on our reviewer radar and went on to earn respectable Metacritic scores of 77 on Xbox 360 and 81 on PC among critics at large. Though THQ CEO Brian Farrell characterized the title as "very profitable" for the publisher, it wasn't exactly burning up the sales charts. Speaking with the company's VP of Core Games, Danny Bilson, this week, we asked about Metro 2033 falling short of its potential. "I'll give you the straight answer: It wasn't properly supported in all areas," Bilson said frankly. "It was a cool deal," he explained of the publishing agreement with developer 4A Games, "where it was inexpensive and they were doing their stuff." "Did the game need polish in certain areas? Yes." he admitted. "So when I say it wasn't fully supported, it was product development and marketing that didn't support it the way it should've been." Bilson described Metro 2033 as "an orphan stepchild," saying that "a great marketer picked it up with four months to go and did what he could with four months to go, but it wasn't properly nurtured by marketing." The absence of polish, Bilson assured, won't be an issue for Metro 2034, the in-development sequel. "The new one doesn't have any of those issues," Bilson said. "I green-lit the sequel before [the first] one shipped, because I know what [4A Games is] capable of -- I knew how cool it was."
Thrifty Nerd crams yet a few more gaming deals into 2010
The price-conscious folks over at Thrifty Nerd have picked up on a few more solid end-of-the-year gaming deals. If you somehow still haven't bought enough games to last you through 2011 (or at least until Dead Space 2 hits on January 25), here are a few more great titles to get on the cheap: Amazon's got that WoW deal back on again: Buy the original World of Warcraft and get Burning Crusade for free. Amazon also has Halo: Reach for just $39, Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY for $20 and Dance Central for $39. Newegg has NBA Jam for just $30 on PS3 and Xbox 360. Buy.com is selling arcade racer Blur for just over $17. And finally, Walmart has underrated shooter Metro 2033 for under $20. There. Are you happy? Have enough games now? Sheesh!
Best of the Rest: Justin's Picks for 2010
Metro 2033 I'm just going to tell myself that my esteemed Joystiq colleagues didn't play this moody, flawed FPS, because I hate the idea that I'm the only one with whom it resonated. With a single trek through a post-apocalyptic Russian underground, Ukrainian developer 4A became one of the developers I'd follow anywhere. It's got problems, specifically with a pretty lackluster combat system, but there's also nothing else like it.
THQ asks for 'patience' as it tries to solve Metro 2033 DLC Achievement issue
When THQ's Metro 2033 was patched to support the "Ranger Pack" DLC something went wrong with the game's Achievements. The problem was first acknowledged on August 3 and noted as potentially an issue on Microsoft's end as of August 5. A couple weeks back the publisher told Joystiq it was still "investigating." THQ has sent us over an updated statement on the issue: "We understand some people are still experiencing issues with achievements unlocking in the Metro 2033 Ranger Pack DLC. We are currently working with Microsoft to ascertain whether this is due to a code related issue with the DLC itself, or an error in the Marketplace process whereby the DLC was added to Xbox LIVE Marketplace before the new achievement data was added - this exact issue has happened to other games in the past, but we need to be sure that this is what's happening here. We realize this is frustrating for those of you who have been waiting to enjoy the Ranger Pack DLC, and we ask for your patience as we try to pinpoint the exact issue and solution." In the meantime, it's probably best not to download the expansion pack until the problem is resolved. It appears the normal game still works fine. We'll be sure to update once a fix for the problem goes live. Now, remind us, what's the point of Microsoft certification again? %Gallery-77153%
Metro 2033 update preventing Achievements, THQ 'investigating'
THQ's sleeper subway hit, Metro 2033, was patched recently in support of the "Ranger Pack" DLC, but it appears the update clashed with how the game tracks Achievements. Conflicted reports suggest the patch prevents all Achievements in the game, or simply the ones from the Ranger Pack -- either way, it's still a problem in need of a correction. According to the official Metro 2033 Twitter account, the publisher has been aware of the problem since August 3, most recently acknowledging the situation on August 5 as something on Microsoft's end. In a statement to Joystiq, a THQ representative said, "We are aware of some users experiencing issues with achievements for Metro 2033's Ranger Pack DLC. We are currently investigating this issue with Microsoft and expect to have a resolution shortly." The representative added that the company should have something more concrete to share in "the coming days." %Gallery-77153% [Thanks, Wayne]
Metro 2033 'Ranger Pack' DLC coming to Steam and XBLM next week
THQ and 4A Games have announced Metro 2033's minimalistic DLC, the "Ranger Pack," will launch on Xbox Live Marketplace and Steam next Tuesday, August 3. The update will allow players to traverse the game in Ranger Mode, which "dramatically" reduces the amount of ammo you'll stumble upon but increases the damage dealt by players and enemies alike. It also adds a "Ranger Hardcore" mode, which does the same thing, but completely does away with the player's HUD, meaning you'll be able to see all those things that are killing you with unparalleled clarity. The pack, which also adds new weapons and Achievements to the game, will arrive as a free update for Steam users -- though Xbox 360 players will have to purchase it from the Marketplace for 240 Microsoft Points ($3).
THQ's summer sale dropping 75% off select PC titles
If you're anything like us, you'd much rather explore the future wasteland of Metro 2033 and Mars' wartorn settlements in Red Faction: Guerrilla than run around outside under that giant boiling sphere in the sky. It's trying to kill us all, you know, right? Anyway, you'll be glad to hear (like we were) that THQ is making our collective choice to stay inside that much easier by dropping up to 75 percent off of a mess of titles over on its website -- the two aforementioned titles are only $12.50 and $5, respectively. Perhaps you'd rather shoot feces onto surrounding buildings while wearing "bigass chains?" Saint's Row 2 is also only five bucks! The rest of THQ's stable is similarly on sale in a dramatic way, but the sale only lasts until Monday (and is only for US residents -- sorry!), so we'd suggest getting on that. The full list of 75 percent off titles can be found just beyond the break.
Metro 2033 'Ranger Pack' DLC coming to XBLM and Steam soon
If you've scoured every corner and looted every corpse littering Metro 2033's post-apocalyptic train terrain, you've already demonstrated a remarkable will to survive. Developer 4A Games has chosen to expand on that lonely experience with the game's upcoming DLC, the "Ranger Pack." As 4A previously stated, there won't be any added narrative nor awkwardly tacked-on multiplayer. Instead, you'll gain access to "Ranger Mode," a game modifier that reduces ammo "dramatically" while increasing damage of all attacks, including yours and those of your enemies. In addition, "Ranger Hardcore" will remove the already-sparse HUD entirely, and completing it will likely unlock some of the new Achievements (for a total of 250 Gamerscore). That's a fairly minimal addition -- a subtraction even -- for DLC, but you'll also have to weigh the benefits of the new Heavy Automatic Shotgun, which is being introduced alongside the Volt Drive, "Miller's signature gun." (Not even pens survived the nukes?) 4A and THQ aren't ready to sign off on a release date yet, but it's due on Steam and Xbox Live Marketplace "in the very near future." Pricing is currently the more delicate issue, even if the "Ranger Pack" is clearly aimed at the game's biggest proponents. And it's especially delicate if you're in the crowd that's really into multicolored kung-fu teenagers with attitude.
Metro 2033 DLC 'almost done,' reveal coming this week
Metro 2033 developer 4A Games is set to unveil plans for the future -- as in next week, not post apocalypse. The game's official Twitter account stated yesterday: "Like a fine single malt, the DLC is almost done ... we hope to be able to take the wraps off it this week." We don't know what items will be added to the atmospheric foreign-person shooter, only what won't be included: nothing multiplayer ("not possible") and "it won't be new SP [single-player] narrative content, 'missing levels' or anything like that." In fact, the DLC only began production back in March. We'll be sure to let you know more as soon as we hear it, seemingly later this week. [Via IncGamers]
Metro 2033 has been 'very profitable' for THQ, CEO says
Metro 2033 was released at the tail end of publisher THQ's last fiscal year, which ended March 31. With only two weeks of sales before the close of the fiscal fourth quarter, the 4A Games-developed title was not a huge factor in THQ's trumpeted turnaround. Still, THQ CEO Brain Farrell took a few moments during the company's earnings call today to highlight the game's sales to date, which contributed to fourth quarter sales growth for the publisher and could be a standout figure in its first quarter of the new fiscal year. "It's a very profitable title for us," Farrell said, without disclosing a number. Farrell did reveal that Europe has accounted for roughly two-thirds of Metro 2033 sales, as forecast by the publisher, with North America buying up the remaining units sold. "A lot of the sales were done on PC," he added, "and a lot of the sales were also done through digital mechanisms that don't get captured by any service." The CEO attributed profits to the game's low-cost development model, "so when we get to even pretty modest levels of sales, we're still making good money." (First-time, Eastern European studios make cheap games, apparently.) "And we like that model going forward," Farrell noted, when it produces a high-quality game. After all, first-time, Eastern European studios can make good, cheap games, too. (Apparently.)
Final Fantasy XIII, Bayonetta, Modern Warfare 2, more for $30 each at Kmart
Kmart isn't a name we turn to often for game deals, but the retailer has made a pretty strong case for our continued attention, with a bunch of limited-time deals that are, frankly, a little ridiculous. How about paying for just the good half of Final Fantasy XIII? At $30, that's essentially what Kmart is offering. Time-release RPGs not for you? How about Bayonetta, Metro 2033, or Modern Warfare 2 for $30 each? Even Nier's been marked down to $44.99, though that game is ridiculous on its own merits. These deals are only available through May 10, and can be found both online and in-store. See the full list of weekly discounts after the break. [Via Slickdeals]
