A big welcome back to all Loot Happens subscribers. Loot Happens is a weekly newsletter that is emailed and also gets posted to LootHappens.com.
It's important to note that for premium subscribers, game offerings and in-game content, every week is different. Sometimes it's in-game codes, Steam keys, and giveaways, but premium members will always get something special every mailing. We also occasionally get mind-blowing early access or premium games that pay for an entire year's subscription.
Each newsletter is generally structured as Premium Loot > Free Sub Giveaways > Game Feature > Game discounts.
Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers: Random Steam Key
This week, we're adding some mystery to the giveaway for our premium subscribers. This time we have a group of random games, but with some major titles sprinkled in. By following the link below, you can claim one of the best free games we have in the database.
It can be anything, from an awesome indie game, an old reboot, or an AAA project like Helldivers 2 or Horizon Zero Dawn.
Stellaris: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers
Prepare yourself for an interstellar adventure! In Stellaris, you’ll explore, discover, and interact with countless species as you journey through the cosmos. Build your galactic empire by dispatching science ships to survey and explore, while construction ships establish stations around newly discovered planets. Uncover buried treasures and galactic wonders, guiding your society’s direction and shaping the evolution of your explorers. Form alliances, declare wars, and navigate the complexities of space diplomacy.
If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'stellaris'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 24 hours.
Death Road to Canada: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers
Embark on an epic adventure through the cosmos with Death Road to Canada. Manage science ships to survey and explore, while construction ships build stations around newly discovered planets. The game is designed for endless replayability, with randomly generated discoveries and events ensuring a fresh experience every time you play. As you progress, you can form alliances, declare wars, and navigate the complex world of space diplomacy. Uncover buried treasures and galactic wonders, shaping the evolution of your society and guiding its direction. The dynamic story evolves with your decisions, set in a vast universe that offers limitless possibilities.
If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'death'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 24 hours.
Historically Low Prices
This Loot Happens section on our website keeps a record of past discounts on games, as well as current ones available in the gaming industry. Our web crawlers work tirelessly daily to find the best deals across the gaming landscape.
These games are not just any games, but titles we truly love and highly respect. You can purchase them at prices we have never seen before!
Days Gone [Steam]
Step into the dirt-flecked shoes of a former outlaw biker.
$̶5̶3̶.5̶8̶ $10.93
Planet Coaster [Steam]
Surprise, delight and thrill crowds as you build the theme park of your dreams.
$̶4̶0̶.7̶2̶ $5.55
Lords of the Fallen [Steam]
Journey across two expansive, parallel worlds in your epic quest to overthrow Adyr.
$̶6̶4̶.3̶0̶ $28.05
Disney Dreamlight Valley [PS5 & PS4]
Bring back the magic to Dreamlight Valley!$3̶9̶.99 $29.99
Hogwarts Legacy: Digital Deluxe Edition [PS5 & PS4]
Experience Hogwarts in the 1800s.$7̶9̶.99 $35.99
Descenders [Xbox]
Will you lead your team to glory and become the next legendary Descender?$2̶4̶.9̶9̶ $6.24
Featured Game Review: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree [PS5 & PS4, PC, Xbox Series X & S, Xbox One]
Two years ago, Elden Ring shattered the mold, redefining the open-world genre with its emphasis on player-driven exploration, insatiable curiosity rewards, and an arsenal of builds so diverse it felt like a playground for warriors. It was, undeniably, a masterpiece. Now, FromSoftware returns, not to reinvent the wheel, but to supercharge it. Shadow of the Erdtree isn't a radical shift, but a meticulously crafted distillation of that Elden Ring magic. It throws open the gates to a vast, unexpected realm overflowing with secrets, nightmarish new foes, and boss battles that'll humble even the most battle-scarred Tarnished.
Shadow of the Erdtree is a brutal gauntlet designed to test the mettle of even the most prepared adventurers. FromSoftware masterfully walks a tightrope between challenging and unfair, especially with some of the later boss designs that push the boundaries without ever tipping over. This delicate balance, coupled with truly inspired boss encounters, results in some of the most thrilling and rewarding battles not just in Elden Ring, but in the entire Soulsborne legacy. Prepare to be humbled, and tarnished. Prepare to be amazed. Prepare to lose yourself once more in the world of Elden Ring
Weapon choice is impressive
The weapon choice in the new Elden Ring DLC is impressive. While the Realm of Shadow may not have delivered a jaw-dropping moment like discovering the Siofra River, the exploration and rewards make up for it. The DLC introduces eight brand-new weapon types, including throwing knives, beast claws, and giant Odachi samurai swords. My favourite is the light greatsword, the Milady. It has a regal moveset with combos that are both hard-hitting and relatively fast, making it a sweet spot for a Strength/Dexterity-focused build.
We found great success with the Milady, even swapping out my powerful dual Bandit Curved Sword bleed build to use it. The new weapon types offer a lot of fun and variety. There are ample opportunities to collect Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones, both standard and Somber, allowing for extensive experimentation. Despite the strength of the new weapons, we often reverted to our trusted bleed build from the base game for the tougher challenges, but the fresh arsenal still brought a delightful new dimension to the gameplay.
Freedom makes the game joyful
The freedom in the new Elden Ring DLC is what makes the game truly joyful. Much like The Lands Between, this area is divided into regions, allowing you to choose your path right from the start. You could head to the first major "legacy dungeon," Belurat, and face new scorpion foes, cross a bridge to the east and tackle Castle Ensis' tough boss, or bypass both and go straight to Scadu Altus, the central hub of the Realm of Shadow. This level of freedom is exhilarating, providing a liberating sense of exploration and choice that matches the base game’s design, albeit on a smaller scale.
The DLC introduces a unique power-scaling system within the Realm of Shadow. Scattered throughout are Scadutree Fragments, which you can collect and turn in at Sites of Grace to boost your damage and resistance. Additionally, Revered Spirit Ash blessings enhance your Spirit Ash Summons. These additions provide vital progression and rewards for exploration, preserving the balance of the original endgame while offering a flexible and rewarding journey.
Bottom Line
FromSoftware has declared Shadow of the Erdtree as Elden Ring's sole expansion and with good reason. It's hard to imagine a more satisfying send-off, though it might leave those craving radical reinvention a tad disappointed. This DLC lovingly condenses everything players adored about the base game into a remarkably dense package – one so substantial it rivals standalone titles, and feels "small" only in comparison to the sprawling Lands Between.
Erdtree overflows with hidden treasures, secrets yearning to be unearthed, and nightmarish foes unlike any encountered before. Beyond the thrill of combat, the expansion delves into fascinating lore revelations, all while maintaining the series' signature stunning visuals and epic music that perfectly complements its larger-than-life boss battles. Shadow of the Erdtree is a strong contender for one of the finest DLCs ever crafted, a true love letter to Elden Ring and its dedicated fanbase.
Next Week
Lots to look forward to in every newsletter and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!
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