Who’s feeling charitable? Tim Schafer and Double Fine Productions have gotten on board with the Humble Bundle collections, and are making some of their best and quirkiest games available for the benefit of various charities. Called the Humble Double Fine Bundle, the titles on display this time are Psychonauts, Stacking, Brütal Legend, Costume Quest and Double Fine’s Kickstarter project, Broken Age. All the games on this list will be playable DRM-free on PC, Mac and Linux systems.
As always, those interested in purchasing these bundles may pay any amount they choose. Those who go above and beyond the donation average will receive additional rewards. Those who are feeling particularly heartless, however, may donate as little as a penny to the cause and still receive a modest reward.
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Psychonauts
Originally released in 2005, Psychonauts is the first title to be created by Double Fine. Set in a summer camp for psychic children, the game follows the adventures of gifted psychic, Raz, as he tries to prove his worth to his peers and the camp’s counselors before his father comes to take him back home. Along the way, Raz develops his psychic powers, gaining new abilities such as telekinesis, levitation, and pyrokinesis, to name just a few. Raz also discovers a nefarious plot to exploit the minds of his fellow campers, and must work to set things right in the very limited time he has.
Costume Quest
Released in 2010, Costume Quest is one of Double Fine’s lesser-known games. Players assume the role of either Reynold or Wren, a pair of fraternal twins, as they go trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Whichever twin the player chooses not to control will be kidnapped by a monster, and it becomes the player’s job to rescue their sibling. Gameplay is divided between fights with monsters, and an exploration portion where players search the neighborhood for candy, costume parts and allies to aid them in their quest. Battles against monsters are played out in a turn-based setting, with players becoming powered up versions of their costume to fight their foes.
Stacking
Stacking is Double Fine’s most recent release included in the Humble Bundle, having been put out in 2011. An incredibly unique game, Stacking takes place in a world where all the characters are Russian stacking Matryoshka dolls. Players control the small doll, Charlie Blackmore, as he tries to save his family from the forced labor of the evil Baron. This is accomplished by sneaking up behind other characters in the world and stacking inside of them. Players can then temporarily control these characters, and use their unique abilities to solve various puzzles.
Brütal Legend
One of Double Fine’s most ambitious titles, Brütal Legend features an all-star voice cast including Jack Black, Tim Curry and Ozzy Osbourne. Inspired by the artwork of heavy metal album covers, Brütal Legend puts players in the role of Eddie Riggs, a roadie who is transported to the Brütal Land after an accident during a rock show. The game has two main gameplay features; third-person action sequences where players fight waves of enemies, and real-time strategy sections called “Stage Battles” in which players are tasked with defending a main hub while creating various units to complete objectives.
Broken Age
The only game that purchasers will not immediately be able to play, Broken Age is still in development. Funded through Kickstarter, Broken Age is a point-and-click adventure game where players control a girl and a boy who both seek change in their lives. The girl has been chosen as a sacrifice to a monster terrorizing her village, but she wishes to fight back against this. The boy, on the other hand, lives alone in outer space, with only a “motherly computer” as company. Seeming to follow Double Fine’s tradition of surreal and unique settings, Broken Age promises to be another memorable title from the imaginative company.
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Proceeds from this bundle will benefit both the Child’s Play charity and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. There is a catch to all of this, however. Those who give below the average donating amount will only receive Psychonauts, Costume Quest and Stacking. While still a great deal, those who wish to fully take advantage of the Humble Double Fine Bundle will need to reach a little deeper in their pockets. If customers want to include Brütal Legend in their bundle, they will have to donate more than the average donating amount. Those who wish to receive Broken Age when it is released will need to go even further and commit at least $35 to the Bundle. If you’re feeling particularly generous, however, donating $70 or more will net you a limited edition t-shirt honoring the Humble Double Fine Bundle. This bundle is only available until May 21, so act while you can.
A hilarious video starring Tim Schafer was also produced, detailing all of the rewards in the Humble Double Fine Bundle:
Well, what do you think? Who wants to play some great games and help the needy all in one fell swoop?
