Penumbra - A replacement game giveaway for this weekend

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Penumbra - A replacement game giveaway for this weekend

(40 posts) (22 voices)

Started 16 years ago by Whiterabbit-uk
Latest reply from delenn13

12 Next »

Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

As there appears to be no game giveaway again, I’ve taken one of the better games that I have waiting to be posted. It’s called Penumbra. I apologize to those on dial up as it is quite a large download. Thankfully you’re not constrained by the giveaway projects 24 hour download and install limitation, so it should be possible to download it overnight (that's if you don't mind leaving your computer on unattended for so long). There are some video’s of the game for you to decide whether the game is for you or not. It’s a first person horror mystery. I've added some images, at least one of which I think may be from Penumbra Overture. If anyone thinks that some of the images are innappropriate fort his site I'll happily remove them.

The first video is over 7 minutes in length. It starts off very slowly, going thought the introduction to the game, so please bear with it.

Penumbra (156Mb)

Penumbra is a free, first-person horror adventure game that uses the latest graphics technologies and physics to create an immersive game world. The protagonist finds himself in an underground base searching for his lost father. It's dark, scary, and dangerous.

Version 1.1 adds multilanguage support, extended support for older video cards, extended configuration options for video cards, a new installer, and minor additions and fixes.

The best games keep you on the edge of your seat, and this first-person shooter does the job nicely. With a 3D engine built from the ground up by the game's developers, you'll feel the tension as you skulk down dark hallways in search of your father with your flashlight drawn, wondering what will jump out at you next. Penumbra's excellent physics make items react and move in a realistic way. We also like the great sound effects and eerie music, which add to the overall creepy factor as we search the vast maze of underground tunnels and hallways. On our initial run the game crashed once, but we were able to get up and running after that. First-person-shooter addicts and anyone who enjoys a scare factor in their games will definitely like Penumbra.

Download Link:

You can download the free prequel to the series HERE

Video

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gMffho0hv9I

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vBNt1VGQgdE

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YaXDvR2sw-4

For those interested in further adventures from this interactive first person horror title; the original free game spawned a series of three commercial titles called:

Penubra Overture, Penumbra: Black Plague and Penumbra: Requiem which can be purchased cheaply from the developers site. They do have half price sales on over the holiday periods. There's one on at the moment and you can get all three of the commercial versions for only $10, plus their latest game Amnesia: The Dark Descent is now available. all their games play well with the Novint Falcon a devive that takes the place of your mouse and gives force feedback to all your actions. when you open a drawer in one of the Penumbra games or open a door it feels like your really doing it. :)

The developers site can be found HERE

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Posted 16 years ago #
smtatertot13
Member

thanks for the post - downloading as i type :)

as always, your input is greatly appreciated!

Posted 16 years ago #
Deserthead47
Member

Looks like it could be interesting,will download now and check it out later,
Thanks again.

Posted 16 years ago #
DaletonaDave
Member

I'm not much for this genre, but I'll get this one for the wife. Thanks Stephen! :)

I really liked the Driving Speed 2 game the other day. Racing games are my favorite.

P.S. - As for you posting on the software comments page:

If I were you, I'd keep doing it. Your posts are no worse than at least 60% of the rest of the posts there.

At least yours serves a purpose. IMHO

Dave

Posted 16 years ago #
beldin
Member

Thanks Stephen. I'm downloading it now. I love first person shooters. My all-time favorite is System Shock 2 with Descent 2 a close second. It's going to hard to top those two. I tried Bioshock and was very disappointed. I'll let you know once I try this one out.

Bel

Posted 16 years ago #
jappy100
Member

Thanks Stephen. I have not downloaded anything you offered so far, but it doesn't mean I don't appreciate them, let alone consider your posting as a nuisance or spam. I would appreciate an RPG game though, should you happen to have any of this genre. You are special, most of us think that way anyway. Right guys?....

Posted 16 years ago #
OldandSlo
Member

Riiiiiiiight......!!

I also appreciate the time and effort that you spend on all the things that you do for the people here at this website. (And I would think elsewhere, also, from the type of person you seem to be.) I don't always DL what you have offered - older computer with system constraints, or personal preferences, but I DO appreciate them. Your efforts give us something more to look forward to when we come to this site as you seem to be able to supply us with a DL, or more, every day.

Keep up the good work and don't let a few ingrates keep you from doing what you enjoy and what most of us truly do appreciate!!

Have a great day and be well. (Or as well as you can be!! - from what I have gathered from past posts.)

Terry

Posted 16 years ago #
Mem
Member

Good morning Stephen,

Today's game looks great. Can't wait to get stuck in. Thanks for filling the gap that having no GGOTD has left today.

I agree with jappy100, an RPG would be the icing on the cake!!

Hope all is well with your health today and not too much pain. Have a great Saturday.

Mem

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Check out the following thread started by FranckW. There's a full version game (1.3Gb in size) that has recently been made abandonware:

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3928#post-42295

(thank's FranckW)

regards

Stephen

Posted 16 years ago #
jazagod
Member

Sounds like a good game. Actually for this kind of game, im surprised its this small of a download. Thanks for the heads up!
I find downloading from cnet painfully slow so I grabbed the same game , same version from here http://www.gamershell.com/download_14553.shtml

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Yeah, Gamershell is a lot faster. I didn't think to check to see if there was a download from them. There are a couple of games I may be using for the weekday thread from them. I downloaded a 1.3 GB mod for Oblivion from Gamershell yesterday and it was downloading at 1Mb a second, which for my broadband connection is actually really good. I normally only get download speeds of around 300Kb per second, so was surprised when I saw the download speed reaching the maximum that the Gamershell servers allow (though they do have a couple of 2Mb ones in Australia apparently.

Thanks for your kind comments folks.

As for my health; I've recently been to see another spinal surgeon, who contradicts the last consultant I saw (who also just so happens to be a colleague of the other surgeon). He says that surgery is possible on the four vertebrae that are badly damaged, so I've now got to re-consider the possibility again; though the risks are pretty dire. Other than that I'm ticking over and okay at the moment. :) Thank you.

Posted 16 years ago #
jazagod
Member

Whiterabbit, Im glad you didnt find my post offensive, kind of mowing your lawn so to speak!(on a better link) I check your games regularly. Its so easy to miss out on the freeware games out there, because there is just no advertising for them. So it's nice that people like you are posting them so more people can play some of these great games, and what a better place than here as it shows up on google's top 5 for free programs/games.
I visit GAOTD daily, and was quite surprised at yesterdays comments toward your post. Most of us see you doing everyone a favor, as well as the admins(pretty sure). So please don't let the odd ungrateful one stop what your doing!
I too have seen some great speeds out of Gamershell. Although I am big Guild Wars fan, I too play Oblivion.....I never thought to look for a Ob Mod there...Thanks again!
It doesn't seem I can PM you personally here or I would for a few ideas. I'm gonna wait a bit to see if you can PM me. Jappy100 asked for a good RPG. I know of one(actually several) But I believe you deserve to make the post! If needed, I give permission for the admins to give my email to you, as obviously I wont post here.
On another note, I wish for your health and glad your ticking :)
J

Posted 16 years ago #
brookehigh
Member

Stephen:
I always read your posts and find them quite interesting. Your reviews of the giveaways are always useful, as I am not a computer geek, just an avid user. I don't have a lot of hard drive and so must be discriminating about the programs I download and you always have wonderful feedback. I don't play many of your games, since I mostly like "lets be braindead for awhile" games like match 3 or tripeaks or yahtzee when I'm not working on a project. Please continue to provide them though, because it is obvious to me that though there are rude and ignorant people out there, many others very much appreciate them. You seem thoughtful and sensitive, so don't let the negative ones get to you. You have many fans. I shall be praying for your health issues. Keep up the faith!!!
Dr. Brooke Highlander

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Hi jazagod, there's no question of me taking the credit for games you've found. If I was to do as you suggest I would of course give you all the credit. However, it seems silly for us both to go to so much trouble when you can just as easily post the games you know of here. May I suggest that if there isn't a game tomorrow that you post the RPG links as the Sunday game. That would be brilliant. There hasn't been any announcement, but I doubt there's going to be an official game tomorrow.

As for mowing my lawn - lol - I don't have exclusive rights to posting games. I would please me no end if there were a few others who posted regular links; just like I was really pleased when community members such as Lockett started to post game reviews as it took the pressure off me.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy doing what I do, but sometimes it is hard to concentrate with the drugs and the pain; sometimes it helps to take my mind off the pain and discomfort, and at other times, it’s the other way around (does that make sense?) – So, please do post the games yourself. After devoting myself almost exclusively to FPS games since around 2005 (apart from Oblivion, and several racing games and one submarine sim) I’ve just started to re-discover the delights of other genres. I’ve just purchased Two Worlds, and the collected mods for Oblivion (Knights of the Nine), as well as several strategy games including …. Well, let’s say I spend far too much money (that I really shouldn’t) on games, lol.

Thank you

Warm regards

Stephen

p.s.
Brookehigh, and everyone else that's been kind enough to show there support (too many to name here). I must admit my initial response to the posts yesterday was to resolve not to bother posting anything here ever again, (typical childish reaction, lol) but after reading some of the comments posted over here in the comments section as well as comments from people like Fubar, I soon changed my mind. :) Anyway, let's get on wth enjoying life. There's too much negativeness in the world already to start worrying about a few people who have differing opinions to my own. :)

Posted 16 years ago #
kb999999
Member

Thank you so much for posting free games ... We (hubby and I) truly appreciate all the hard work you do! I have been out of town and sure missed all the 'hoo-haa' on this site ... not really sure what all the issues were about ???

Anyway, if it was not for you, there would be no free games - what is happening to GGAOTD ??? Glad that 'they' still allow you to post because it would be a huge mistake if they didn't.

Thank you, Stephen! As for your condition ... please think long and hard before making any surgical decision. Take care : )

Posted 16 years ago #
Big Phil
Member

Hi Stephen,
Thanks for Penumbra! what a fantastically atmospheric game!
I'm sure to lose a few hours trying to crack this one.
Ignore the rubbish comments mate, Your a hero and we need you to keep posting games!

Best Regards
Phil

Posted 16 years ago #
Bigun
Member

The screen shots of "Preumbra" look very much like "Half-Life", a game that I enjoyed playing over the two years that it took me to finish it. I am about ready to go back to it - I will try "Preumbra" first.

I have one or two questions concerning Preumbra. In the screen movie on "YouTube" all the scenes appear very dark to me a (lack of light-not emotion). I have never been on the YouTube website before and wonder if all the movies on the website have the same dark appearance. Is this a common complaint?

Please define "RPG". I have seen the term used any number of times, usually in the company of the word "shooter".

Stephen, thank for the game reviews.

Posted 16 years ago #
tatonkawoman
Member

I have had this game since the developers first released the demo version. It is great, and does a very good job at what the developers wanted it to do. I'm not sure if "I" would classify this as a first person shooter game, as there isn't as much shooting as I would expect. I would call this a RPG game.

Navigating takes a little getting used to as it is physics based. That is: if you want to open a door, you don't click on the door and expect it to open. You have to point, click and DRAG the door to open it. Once you get used to that it is really a fun game.

The game is intentionally dark in most places to increase the scare value, so you might have to do a little adjusting of your monitor to get things "just right".

The first time my grandson played this game, he did it in the dark. At one point, he was so taken by surprise that he fell backwards out of his chair...LOL!

I hope everyone enjoys this game as much as I have.

TatonkaWoman (TW)

Posted 16 years ago #
tatonkawoman
Member

Oops! Almost forgot...many thanks to WhiteRabbit for all his hard work!!

TW

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Hi Bigun, RPG stands for Role Playing Game. Generally it’s a game where you select a character and define him/her by several attributes such as strength intelligence as well as choosing a career path and maybe even a specific place in society. I've got several RPG's the best of which are Oblivion and Morrowmind both of which are from the Elder scrolls series, Wizardry 8, and Hard to be a God. There are loads of them about. I wouldn't class Penumbra as an RPG though because you've no control over your character apart from movement. In an RPG, the character develops over time. You can create some many variations just by doing specific tasks. For example, when playing the elder scrolls, if I sneak up behind an enemy, a specific attribute (forgotten what it's called)is increased permanently, so next time I sneak up on someone, I do it better. After using a bow for a specific time, my character becomes more adept and accurate when using it Everything is adjustable. Some RPG’s even include ageing. It's what makes RPG's so attractive to me. The difference between a first person shooter and an RPG is simply that you cannot adjust the characteristics of your character. (Well there are some exceptions to the rule, such as the Rainbow Six Vega games (I & II) and the third person Conflict games (Conflict Desert Storm I & II, Conflict Vietnam, Conflict Global Storm, and Conflict Denied Op’s), where your skills are upgraded, but they do not come under the banner of an RPG. My explanation is very basic though. There's so much more to an RPG when comparing them to a first person shooter (or third).

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Oh yeah forgot to mention.... again.... don't forget the game that FranckW posted called 'The Suffering' If you like Penumbra, you will definitely like The Suffering. As mentioned previously, it is add supported, but I've really not founfd it that invasive after playing it three or four times today.

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3928

It is a very large download though (1.3Gb), so I'd do it overnight if you have a slow connection.

regards

Stephen

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

I know this is a little late in the day, but the following game is one of the first of this type of horror game, Called Alone in the Dark 2. The graphics are a lot more basic than todays game,but it's still a vey good game. I had the original version, but never bought the second one.:

http://www.gamesforyou.ic.cz/hry/alone2.html

(There's a couple of games I'll be posting from this site over the next few weeks).

Posted 16 years ago #
Rustywing
Member

Hi Stephen
I've just watched the Youtube video of Penumbra and it looks to be a very challenging game and one that must be played after dark :) Once again thank you for your continuing effort in finding and reviewing these games, it is very much appreciated. As a sufferer of chronic back pain for many years I wish you all the best.

Posted 16 years ago #
my_name_is_brad
Member

penumbra seems to be a decent game...I've played it for a few hours today, and it is interesting.

Just to add my 2 cents to the RPG vs FPS question. This falls more into the Survival Horror genre, along with games like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and The Suffering.

FPS focuses more on weapons and gear, RPG on the character, and Survival Horror has a focus on the mood of the game with some elements of FPS, RTS, and RPG depending on the game.

The game is good, but the physics engine is a bit cumbersome when it comes to opening doors, or opening drawers. It does take some getting used to. For some reason I have to bring up the task manager to close it since it just freezes on the close screen when I try to end the game.

Posted 16 years ago #
Victorianne
Member

i keep trying to download this, but as soon as i try to open it, it says that the file is corrupted, try again. Now i'm on my 3rd try! What am i doing wrong?
Thank you!!

Posted 16 years ago #
BlingBlitz
Member

Whiterabbit, I am so glad to hear that you will continue with all of your followers and just ignore the very few that aren't. You just can't please everyone but you sure please the majority. :-)) I read a while back and also today about your back problems, the pain and the meds. I am confined much to bed with back pain and meds too. I had back surgery in 2001 and would never go thru that again. It was a living hell and was not worth it. L4 & L5 were fused. I've had back problems since the age of 13 and it's has continued to get worse with time. I live in Missouri USA. I will look forward to reading your posts here. Take care of yourself.

Posted 16 years ago #
Violet4714
Member

hi, Victorianne...

the first things that come to mind are:

1) is the .zip getting downloaded without interruption?...EX: in Internet Explorer if the download is interrupted (stopped/cut off), the .zip will be wherever you downloaded to, but of a smaller (incomplete) size...check the download size to be sure you get it all...

i don't use a download manager, but if you'd like to try one, there is plenty of information on them here in the forums...it would help with that problem...i think Firefox has an extension you can use for that purpose...

2) are you extracting the contents of the file, or trying to run from the .zip without extracting first?...you have to extract the contents of a .zip file first...

sorry for the basic suggestions...it's all i have... : (

good luck, & post again if you can't get it...lots of knowledgeable folks here that can help you more than me!...

Posted 16 years ago #
RunesageMagik
Member

Wabbit, while I'm sure you know my sentiments and that it should go without saying that there are a ton of members and visitors who appreciate the yeoman work you do, I'll weigh in with a big pat on your back. Volunteering is always a labor of love and (often) a thankless task. You gotta ignore the retards (YES, speech police, I said RETARDS) who flap their gums and denigrate your contributions.

BTW- Curse you for posting Penumbra. That's all I need while trying to meet a tax deadline! :-) Got the glowstick, took the box off the shelf but haven't opened it, decided to brave the locked room without whatever's inside the box, and am now in the dark and feeling vewy vewy scared. Wishing the bottle on the floor had been full of vodka, I bid you adieu!

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Lol, Runesage - wait till you've tried FranckW's posting:

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/3928

It's even better - though you may not want it due to the in game advertising? Still, it's a step up from Penumbra. Though Penumbra isn't to be sniffed at.

Darn - now I've got to think of another premium game for the weekdays - I've got a few good ones, but want to space them out a little, otherwise the 'lowlier' games may get community members riled (only kidding of course). I was going to post Penumbra this coming Wednesday, but the lack of a game giveaway this weekend forced my hand.

Thanks for the pat. :)

Regards

Stephen

Posted 16 years ago #
Bigun
Member

Well I did it again. I thought that I could get by this time just typing my comment in comment box. Gone! It contained some nice comments directed at a few of you. I am too angry to reproduce any of them now. I will make my plea very short.

Please add a section to your game posts where you comment on the game controller used. A detailed description would be appreciated oh, so much.

Bigun

Posted 16 years ago #