Get real-time strategy game Planetary Annihilation for free

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Put your wallets away, cheeps! Today's deal won't cost you a penny.

One of my all-time favorite PC games was Total Annihilation (1997). It was real-time strategy at its finest, though also maddening proof that I'm terrible at multi-tasking.

A sequel of sorts, Supreme Commander, followed in 2007. Then, in 2012, another spiritual successor arrived -- but this time on Kickstarter. That game was Planetary Annihilation, and it went from crowdfunded hopeful to finished product on September 5, 2014.

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Flash-forward to today. Bundle Stars is offering Planetary Annihilation (for Windows, Mac and Linux) for free when you complete four fairly simple steps. Specifically, you'll receive a key to unlock the game on Steam, where it would otherwise cost you $29.99.

Update: Aaargh...sorry, cheeps. I updated the post early today to reflect the unfortunate expiration of this deal, but it didn't seem to take. So, apologies once again: Bundle Stars ran out of giveaway licenses early this morning.

Here's what you need to do:

• Sign up for the Bundle Stars newsletter.
• Join the Bundle Stars group on Steam.
• Click through to a deal on stand-alone Planetary Annihilation expansion, Titans (currently $11.99, FYI, versus $39.99 on Steam).
• Click through to view other game deals.

Pretty easy stuff, if you ask me. And in case it's not clear, you perform all those steps by clicking the link above.

Now, about the game itself -- if you check the user reviews on Steam, you'll see they're decidedly "mixed." Look closely, though, and you'll see that's the result of many disgruntled Kickstarter backers. (Funny, I see those three words a lot these days.)

To get a better sense of the merits of the game itself, start with GameSpot's review, then head over to MetaCritic for more scores. They're still mixed, but the consensus seems to be that if you like real-time strategy and are willing to battle the tutorial-less learning curve, you'll have fun here.

And did I mention the price? If you end up not liking the game, uninstall it and unsubscribe from Bundle Stars. No harm done. (And yet I feel like, somehow, someone will find a way to complain about this freebie. Let's see what happens.)

I wish I could add my $0.02 about the game, but I only just got the code. If you've played it, share your thoughts in the comments!

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The DCX-4U features two 2.4-amp ports (think: tablets), two 1-amp ports (phones, e-readers) and a folding wall plug that makes for easier travel. The reviews are mostly positive, and Orico backs the gizmo with an 18-month warranty (and has an admirably visible presence within the user-reviews section).

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