All posts by josechurape

video game reviews

Movierooms Review: Managing Cinema History

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Movierooms – Cinema Management to review for my blog. The game is still in early access and I will do my best to be a bit more lenient. That said, I won’t let this sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Movierooms – Cinema Management?

Movierooms is a management where you try to save the history of cinema by running your own successful movie theater. The game is currently on Steam Early Access. Make sure you check out the demo, and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

Travel through the important era’s of cinema as you build and manage your own successful movie theater in a way that will ship the future. hire your workers, build out the amenaties, and pick the movies that will draw in the biggest crowds. Shaping the history of cinema will not be easy. Things will break, workers can be lazy, and not every movie is going to be a hit. Luckily, you will meet important historical figures to help you along the way. Can you build up to the modern megaplex that will rule the present day of cinema, or will your movie theater crash and burn before the fad starts to take hold?

Gameplay

Players will go through different periods in cinema history and try building a successful movie theater. Players start with a budget that they can use to hire workers, build amenities, run adverts, and rent movies. Occasionally, things around the theater will need to be cleaned and repaired. Players must manage the overall client satisfaction, the theater’s cleanliness, and worker’s happiness. Each epoch will have its unique challenges. Players will also meet important historical figures who will help players out if the player can unlock them. Historical figures are unlocked after completing their quests. Once a epochs quests have been completed, players can move to the next or keep playing the sandbox.

Review

If you are a movie buff and appreciate the history of cinema, you will appreciate how hard this game works to capture it. Each era is carefully crafted to create an accurate feel. The management aspect is okay, but there is some clunckiness that is expected for a game in early access. Overall, if you are looking for a management game to add to your collection, you might want to keep Movierooms – Cinema Management on your radar. At the very least, keep it on your watchlist.

Aesthetic

The game feels like an old school Sims game, but that gives the game its charm. I liked how the technology changes between eras, but everything sort of feels the same. Sure the NPCs are dressed in era appropriate outfits and the decorations change just enough to give the era some flavor, but it doesn’t feel different enough. I am also not very creative when it comes to designing my own bases, so this might be a personal issue.

History

My favorite aspect of the game is how much love they put into capturing the history of cinema. I love the idea of going through each genre and watching how the movie theater changed from the early Nickelodeons to what we have now. I really like meeting different important figures of history and learning a bit about them. What I love most is choosing the different movies you run in your theater. They make some really cool references, and I even got a list of movies I need to rewatch. It is a great game to play if you enjoy classic movies.

Gameplay

The game is a relaxing game, if you enjoy the management genre. The game will start slow, and ramp up but it never feels overwhelming. You can pause the game and set the speed, giving players the ability to adjust the difficulty. The game does get a little repetitive as you have to wait for things to happen, but that is the nature of these types of games. What really makes the game unique is its dedication to the history of cinema.

Now there is some challenge as you try to keep from running your theater to the ground. Choosing the right employees to keep your theater running, the right movies to draw the crowd, and making sure everything runs smoothly can be a challenge. The challenge keeps the game engaging, but the performance doesn’t always do the same.

Performance

The game runs fine for the most part, but the AI needs work. I get that they are trying to make the game feel like a chaotic theater with real people, but sometimes the AI will screw you over. Sometimes your workers will not do what is expected, lowering your score and bricking your run. I had a run where the workers didn’t want to fix my plants and I had to watch them die. It doesn’t always happen, but when it does, it is frustrating when it does. There is also a mechanic where you have to drag rats out of your theater. That doesn’t always work and it just feels like annoying busy work.

Conclusion

Movierooms is a management game where you get to build, design, and run your own theater. If you are a fan cinema history and don’t mind helping improve an Early Access game, Movierooms is in a good enough space where it is worth supporting. If you are even a little bit indifferent, I would wait till the game is officially out. The game is fine, but there isn’t anything particularly exciting about it unless you enjoy its gimmick.

You can pick up Movierooms – Cinema Management on Steam Early Access.

Trailer

Pokemon TCG

My Experience at the Pokemon Perfect Order Prerelease

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Table of Contents

Intro

Pokemon’s newest set, Perfect Order, releases on March 27. That means you are probably not getting any sealed product unless you have bots ready to scoop up that next Walmart drop. I wouldn’t be too worried however because singles are very available. If you aren’t going after the pumped products, you’re doing just fine. This is how I’ve been rebuilding my collection, and regret nothing. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to crack a pack and be able to go into Target to pick up an ETB at MSRP. I also understand, I am not that lucky and wouldn’t pull the cards I need. Instead of ending up with more bulk than I need, I’ll probably keep buying singles. I will however shell out the money to open packs at a prerelease.

What is Prerelease

Prerelease for the uninitiated is an event that occurs up to two weeks before the official launch of a new Pokemon set that isn’t a special set. The event gives players a chance to play with cards from set, open packs, and even buy product early. These events are very beginner friendly and the best way to wet your feet as a new player. The event runs three rounds of best of one matches where players use decks they build from their Build and Battle box. Prizing varies between stores. The one I went to handed out a pack per round, others might support based on wins.

What is a Build & Battle Box?

Build & Battle Boxes include:

  • 1 of 4 Special Stamped Promo
  • 1 of 4 40-card Themed decks from the current set
  • 4 x Booster packs of the current set

For Perfect Order, the decks are Serperior, Barbacle, Tyrantum, and Douablade. Bulbpedia has the set list for those curious. Tyrantum seems to be the most valuable with four copies of Poke Pad, and Serperior seems the least valuable with none. I would argue since you can open Poke Pads from packs, you’ll be okay with whatever you chose. I don’t think Poke Pad will be that scarce as people start to open more product.

Why I do Prerelease

This is my second ever Prerelease event because the first one I went to was a magical experience I wanted again. I play a lot of Pokemon TCG on PTCG live because I don’t have the time to go play in real life. I’ve actually did build a standard deck I have been so excited to play, but my daughter’s gymnastics class is at the same time, and I rather be there for my daughter. Prerelease however happens around my schedule and I will do my best to make time. Some people will do prerelease to buy product early, others for a chance to crack some packs, but I was there because I wanted to play some Pokemon and make some new friends.

Why you should do prerelease

If you haven’t made it out to locals because you are intimidated misguided expectations, don’t be. Sure there will be a few people who will talk down to you (or not at all), but a majority of the people in the community have been incredibly nice and welcoming. Prerelease is a special beast with a more casual vibe that is better suited for beginners. You don’t even need to know how to play (although it is recommended you at least try to pick up the basics).

Depending on the store and community, someone will sit down and help you build your decks, sort your cards, explain the rules, and even teach you how to play. Because this is a more casual event, players are more understanding and will take the time to teach you the game. Sure there might be a few people that take the game too seriously, but most people are there to have fun and play some Pokemon. Prerelease is a great way to learn the game, get some product, and even make some new friends.

My Perfect Order

I went into this event with the intention of coming out with Serperiour because I love grass pokemon and the promo is so pretty. Everyone around me was so quick to give me their condolences when I pulled my pretty green snake, but I was jumping out of my seat with joy. I even got 2 Poke Pads to sweeten the deal.

All of my opponents were amazing. Friendly and patient as I did my best to keep my ADHD in check. I even won a raffle for a prize pack where I pulled a card I needed for the Sharpedo deck I’ll never get to play. Although I only won 1 of my three matches, I have never had more fun losing. To end an already perfect day, I pulled the IR Clafairy I didn’t know I wanted. I definitely used up all my luck for the rest of the year, but I don’t care because the card is so cute!

Conclusion

If you want to get into Pokemon and have a chance to join a prerelease, head to your LGS and do it. It is one of the best things you can do as a new player, even if you’ve never played the game in your life. If you are reading this after the fact, the next one is in May.

Board Games and TCGs

Discover TableTone: The Ultimate Soundboard for Game Masters

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Disclaimer

I was sent full access to the TableTone app to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Table of contents

What is Tabletone?

TableTone is a helpful tool for any Game Master looking to enhance the quality of their next campaign with a little bit a music, and a few immersive sound effects. TableTone is an app packed with carefully curated music and sounds that makes it easy for Game Masters to make their next adventure a little more epic. The app gives Game Masters access to over 400 unique sounds from epic battle music, mood setting ambiance, and everything in between. Sure you can tinker your own sound board and juggle around YouTube videos, but none of that will be as easy or streamlined as what TableTone has to offer. Go try Tabletone today!

Sounds

TableTone offers over 400 sounds from music to sound effects. Access includes:

  • Over 80 location themed sounds
  • 30 ambiance sounds
  • and over 300 action, monster, and other sounds to add a little flavor to your world. (I am a huge fan of the dragon roar and weapon sounds)

Is it Free?

TableTone offers a trial with a few sounds for GMs to try for free. Once users are hooked, TableTone has a $9 subscription that grants access to the app’s growing library of sounds. With new sounds releasing each month, the subscription is an attractive way to test for the sounds you need in your next campaign. Note that the subscription will not be available for apple devices in the future. More importantly, users can out right buy the sounds they like and keep them forever. There is even a package to buy it all at a discounted price.

Review

I’ve tried running campaigns with music and even dabbled in creating my own sound board back when I was an overly ambitious DM, but found the process too distracting. It was something I slowly fazed out because it was too cumbersome and a little distracting. TableTone fixes this issue by giving me everything I need (and sounds I didn’t know I needed) in an easy to use package that I can take everywhere. If you are looking for a soundboard, or just some epic music for your fight scenes, TableTone is a powerful tool that should be at every one of your next campaigns.

Ease of Use

TableTone is the easiest way to run a soundboard or play music during your most pivotal story beats without distracting from the story telling. All you have to do is click through the library of sounds, and the app does the rest. Everything is categorized by worlds, settings, and even mood. There are even sliders that help customize the sounds, ambiance, and music to perfectly fit the tone of your campaign.

Quality

TableTone delivers high quality sounds at a press of a button. I went through as many of the sounds as I could, and while I found some awkward ones that I will never touch, the app had a lot of sounds that will be recurring. The app has a selection of good music, cool sounds, and the ambiance is well created. I really like the background tavern noise or the leaking sounds that echo in the darkness when exploring caves. The problem I have with using YouTube is that I have to do the research and find the high quality sounds to play for my campaign, but TableTone already does that for me. That means I have more time to plan the campaign.

Performance

I used the Windows app during my testing and it worked great. Everything was snappy and worked as intended. I was able to flip through TableTone’s sizable library with ease. Everything played as intended, and I didn’t hit any crashes during my tests. I had no issues running the app through my IOS device either.

Impact

I ran the most random session of D&D using TableTone because I wanted to test as many of the sounds as I could. I was not ready for much better a campaign could be by just adding a little bit of music. The App lets users customize the music by mood. Each location has a relaxed, suspense, and action setting. The first time I transitioned from relaxed to action for that first encounter is a high I will chase for the rest of my life. My players loved that shift and the music. It sort of made them murder hobos because they wanted to keep hearing the combat music, but I am not mad because it was a silly one shot and I got to test a lot more of the sounds.

My only complaint

TableTone is a fantastic app for running inperson games. You can play the music from your phone or your favorite Bluetooth speaker with minimal setup. Unfortunately, I only run online games. The issue was finding a way to use the app over Discord. My solution was to screenshare. I have two monitors. One monitor runs TableTone while the other ran my campaign. It worked very well. My players could hear the music, but they could also see the buttons. I believe they started making choices that would get me push certain buttons, but I think they were just tying to help me test as much as possible.

There is planned Foundry VTT support, and as someone who love Foundry, I am very excited!

Conclusion

I love TableTone, and found it to be a nifty little tool for running tabletop rpgs. It has a wide range of sounds to fit a number of locations and genres. Most importantly, it is very easy to use. I wouldn’t call it a mandatory tool, but it is nice to have when you want to add a little flavor to your campaign. I recommend starting with the trial. While limited, it does give users a proper taste of the apps functionality. I would then graduate into the subscription to test out TableTone’s library, and then slowly buying into packs you like. You can do everything this app does for free, but its nice to support the people who work hard to bring you these sounds.

Now GMs who have been running games for a long time will have their curated playlists, and won’t find the app as useful. This is meant for a the GM who doesn’t want the added task of finding the perfect sound or song, or the newer GM who is starting with nothing. Like I’ve said before, TableTone isn’t something you need to get, but it something that is nice to have when you need it. It is worth trying out once, but you might have trouble stopping after. Go check out TableTone today.

Quickstart Guide

video game reviews

Gameplay Impressions of Corner Quest Demo

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Corner Quest demo to review for my blog. I understand the game isn’t finished yet, so I will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest impressions.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Corner Quest?

Corner Quest is an idle autobattler coming to Steam at the end of the year. Go check out the demo and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

Sit your wizard on the corner of your screen as you watch her blast away at endless waves of enemies. Earn XP, upgrade your spells, and beat as many waves as you can before dying and starting over. How far will the power of your magic take you?

Gameplay

Corner Quest is meant to be a game you let run while you do work or do other things. The loop is simple, you buy spells and upgrades and watch as your mage fights through waves of enemies. Enemies drop currency that can be used to spend on permanent upgrades that stick around after death. Death in Corner Quest is not permanent. Instead, players restart from the last checkpoint retaining all of the purchased upgrades. It is a very low profile game that promises enough depth without being too distracting.

Impressions

Corner Quest is for those players who want to play a game, but not be invested in it. This is an idle game that you can run in the background while you go on with your life. It has a fun retro vibe, but the demo has limited build paths. I would need to see what other spells the mage can learn and how it impacts the grind.

Aesthetic

I have a soft spot for pixel art games, and Corner Quest has a solid artstyle. The animations are neat, the monsters are interesting, and the mage is cool. It reminds me of or the retro RPGs I used to play in my youth many moons ago, but with a lot less effort.

Gameplay

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4254260/Corner_Quest/ is fine for what it is, an idle game you set behind your screen while you work. Unlike other idle games I’ve played, the timers don’t feel oppressive or predatory because there is no monetization. This game will be a buy to own game, and it is low profile enough to run in the background for most of your tasks. I like that I could step away for a while and still grind levels, although it does feel slower than actively playing. Occasionally, you will earn enough currency to buy upgrades and adjust your build. The game may be solvable, but I did fine building what I thought was cool. This might have meant that I wasn’t progressing as fast as I could, but it doesn’t matter. I wanted to play the game.

Builds

Players will unlock different spells as they progress through the waves. By default, the mage can have four spells but you can unlock more as you grow. The demo doesn’t have many spells, and it does feel very limited. I would have liked to have a lot more options in the beginning, but it does create some nice flavor. As your mage grows in combat, so should the amount of magic she knows. I would like access to more spells so that I am forced to make some difficult decisions throughout my run. At the moment, there doesn’t feel like there are any consequences and it feels like you can get away with beating the demo by buying random upgrades.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Corner Quest works great on the Steam Deck, it you’re using your Steam Deck like a tablet. The controller inputs feel a little too slow and clunky compared to the touch controls. This makes the game feel like a phone game, which isn’t bad, but might not be what people are looking for.

Conclusion

I have always enjoyed a good tower defense, and don’t mind the idle grind. I did enjoy this game a lot more than I thought I would. The game requires enough inputs for there to be some engagement, but ultimately, it feels like the game plays itself. Its fine for what it is, but it isn’t going to be for everyone. Corner Quest is for the gamer who doesn’t have time for game, or just needs something to alt tab to and feel like they’re gaming. It isn’t a bad game, but it does have its niche. By the end of the demo, I didn’t really feel like I wanted to play more of the game, but I don’t this game was meant to be your next main game. This is a game that you use as a supplement while you’re waiting on a load screen or just want to feel busy. It will earn its home in some libraries, but it is going to be a hard sell with at least a bit more complexity. Having some sort of consequence or a bigger pool of resources do take away the casual nature of this game, but it also gives it a longer shelf life.

I would like it if there was some sort of leaderboard where players can race to get the farthest. There can even be seasons that introduce new gimmicks or bosses to the game to mix things up. As the game stands, this is a game you play for a couple hours before you shelve it and forget you ever own it. There isn’t enough intensive to keep climbing, or even finish the demo (even though I did). If you don’t believe me, you can check out the Steam demo for yourself.

Trailer

video game reviews

Ladies, Don’t Tempt My Immortality Review: A Cheesy Dating Sim

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Ladies, Don’t Tempt My Immortality to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Ladies, Don’t Tempt My Immortality?

Ladies, Don’t Tempt My Immortality is a dating sim FMV out now on Steam. The game deals with some adult themes, so viewer discretion is advised.

Hook

You are a promising diciple of the Crane sect, destined for immortality. But the path to immortality won’t be easy. You are surrounded by beautiful women and enough temptation to lead you astray. Can you stay focused, master your teqnique and ascend to the heavens, or will temptation keep you on this mortal plane? You will need to play to find out.

Gameplay

The game plays like interactive fiction. Players watch through different scenes and are presented with choices that affect the ending. Take the time to learn about your favorite girl, gain her favor, and maybe even become a god along the way. The game does let players redo choices, go back to completed chapters, and skip through watched scenes. This makes collecting different endings easy. One thing to note, skipping around changes the path of the story and can potentially remove favor you’ve earned with the girls. Make sure are choosing the correct path for the ending you want and not just completing nodes.

Review

Ladies, Don’t Tempt My Immortality is a fun little story with a solid cast of actors and solid production. Now I don’t speak the language, but it seems fine to me. Now this isn’t my favorite FMV, but I had fun playing through the story. The story itself is very cheesy and isn’t going to be for everyone. If you enjoy those cheese harem animes, you’ll have fun with this game. Just note that there is no real gameplay loop aside from a few quicktime events, you are essentially just collecting girlfriends.

Disclaimer

This FMV is not going to be for everyone. There is a good amount of fan service that goes into this game. There is no nudity or explicit scenes (at least from what I was able to unlock), but the jokes and suggestive situations are not subtle. If you find sexual innuendos offensive, this is your content warning.

Gameplay

Aside from a few inconsequencial quicktime events, the gameplay loop is just sitting back and watching the different scenes. This is more of an interactive fiction game where you collect girls and try to unlock all the endings. I do like that you can go back at anytime during your journey to change your choices and affect the ending you get. This makes collecting all the endings easy, as long as you remember to stay on the correct path. I spent five hours unlocking a few of the endings before I lost interest. You’ll get your money’s worth if you find the girls attractive and appreciate the humor.

Performance

Ladies, Don’t Tempt My Immortality works well for the most part. There were scenes that would freeze, but continue to play. The subtitles and audio still plays, but the video would freeze. It was only an issue once where I failed the quicktime event, but I was able to go back and complete it without issue. This bug never made me miss any important information, but I was always able to go back to replay the few seconds lost in this way. Unfortunately, the game does not launch on the Steam Deck for those who prefer the convenience of playing on the console.

Story

The story isn’t going to be for everyone. The game is full of innuendos that are not subtle. A lot of the main plot points revolve around these jokes. While I enjoyed the story for how cheesy and silly it gets about getting the girl, not everyone else is. The meta story is about the main character trying to achieve immortality to fulfill his destiny, but a lot of that plot takes a back seat to the romance. At the end of the day, you are playing a game where you are collecting scenes with cute girls.

Conclusion

I love FMVs, and Ladies, Don’t Tempt My Immortality did little to sway my love away from the genre. I love watching cheesy bad movies, and felt the story was a lot of fun. While it may not be a ground breaking FMV or my favorite while we’re at it, I enjoyed every minute of it. I have a soft spot for cheesy harem stories, and this scratches that itch. If you enjoy the genre, the game will earn its paycheck, but if you’re looking for something more serious, you are better off looking elsewhere.

You can pick up Ladies, Don’t Tempt My Immortality on Steam. If you are looking for other cheesy fun dating sim FMVs, check out Love Too Easily and The Fame Game.

Trailer

Tech Reviews, Uncategorized

Unboxing the RK C98 Magnetic Gaming Keyboard: An Honest Review

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Disclaimer

RK Gaming sent me the Royal Kludge C98 Hall Effect Magnetic switch keyboard to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you click it before buying anything!

Table of contents

What’s in the Box?

  • C98 HE Magnetic Keyboard
  • 4 Additional Switches
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • Keycap/Swtich Puller
  • Dust Cover
  • USer Manual

Unboxing

Features

The RK C98 HE Magnetic Keyboard promises to be the only option for serious gamers. If you are delving into the deepest dungeons for the rarest of loot or trying to top the leader board with your unrivaled KD ratio, you are going to want to keep the C98 on your radar.

Aesthetic

The C98 is a 96% keyboard. That means you’re getting a numbpad and a function row to maximize your workflow. The cherry profile switches give it that classic clean feel, but the well machined gasket give its modern flare. All 98 keys are lit with soft, customizable RGB to emphasize the fact that the C98 is made for gaming. The keyboard comes in a green and white color scheme that is ready to pop against any modern setup.

Comfort

The C98 features a three layer, sound dampening gasket. It dampens the sound just enough to give players that satisfying imput sound without getting too distracting. The layout has been designed to fit most hands for comfortable, long gaming sessions. The switch sensitivity can be easily customized to reduce that dreaded finger strain.

Performance

The C98 comes with the features all gamers need in their arsenal. This is a wired keyboard that promises to deliver the lowest latency experience. All switches are customizable and remapable with some cool added features to take your game to the next level. The C98 has a rapid fire trigger, DKS, MPT, Mt, TGL, and SOCD functions. Note that some games don’t allow these features, so use them wisely. As an added bonus, you can customize the imput sensitivity for a truly personalized experience. All these features can be easily managed through the web-based software.

Sound Test

Review

As far as magnetic keyboards go, the RK C98 is pretty mid. The keyboard isn’t terrible, but when you compare to something like the Epomaker HE75, it falls a little flat. The keyboard looks cool and has solid performance, but there is a cheapness that ultimately makes it hard to recommend.

Aesthetic

The C98 is a very cool looking keyboard. The colors cheme is fun, withe the perfect spash of color to make it pop. The machining looks clean, and the key caps look like they will survive some intense gaming. If you are looking for a cool looking keyboard, you might want to consider the C98, but it isn’t the best feeling keyboard you’ll get at this price point.

Comfort

It took me a bit of time to get used to the keyboard. The keycaps are cheap, and they feel it. Every press felt like I was tapping against cheap brittle plastic. Something about the switches and the position of the keys triggered my repetative stress injury almost instantly. It went away after a couple of days, but I still felt some soreness after long sessions. Now this is a very personal problem. My condition requires specific ergonomics, and the C98 doesn’t have enough of it. It is not unusable by any means, but I am on my computer for too long where I can’t ignore this flaw. This shouldn’t be a problem for people who game or work on their computer a normal/healthy amount. If you are looking for better ergonomics, I would skip to something like a split keyboard, but everyone else should be fine.

The Sound

The typing sound is another issue I have with the C98. As far as keyboards go, the C98 has one of the worst sounds I’ve come accross. This keyboard produces a loud cheap sound that is hard to ignore. I prefer a more thacky sound, and would have preferred this keyboard be silent. My wife was definitely not a fan either, but she also doesn’t like any typing sound to be fair. If you’re interested in getting a keyboard for the typing ASMR, the C98 is not the move.

Gaming

The C98’s gaming features are arguably what makes this keyboard an attractive option. I like that customization software is web based and that I didn’t have to download another program to manage my devices. The C98 offers some decent customization options. I was able to program some useful macros that helped speed up my workflow, and I like how I can customize the actuation to fit my hand a little better. I don’t believe the C98 gave me an unfair advantage, but I did feel like I was doing better at hitting my skill rotation.

The C98 also supports programs like rapid fire trigger, DKS, MPT, Mt, TGL, and SOCD functions. I didn’t mess around too much with these features because I live on the more casual side of the scene, but it is nice to have for those who need it. Setting up these features is super easy.

Performance

The C98 performed a lot better than I expected. After the initial shock of the feel wore, and I got used to the keyboard, I felt like it handled my gaming better. Out of the box, without any customization, the C98 feels very snappy and reliable. I was hitting all my jumps in platformers, my skills in mmos, and pulled off some sweet combos in the one fighting game I keep around for testing.It wasn’t a life changing improvement, but that might just be a skill issue. I don’t care for the added wire clutter or the fact that I can’t switch easily between devices without moving plugs, I understand the need for the wire connection. For the lowest imput latency, you want a wired connection. During my testing, the connection felt fast, and the keyboard worked as intended.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a solid gaming keyboard with a good amount of features, the C98 is a solid upgrade. I wouldn’t get this keyboard if you’re trying to get better ergonomics, but most people would do fine with the C98. I would probably get better keycaps for a better typing feel, but it will do the job in a pinch.

You can pick up the RK C98 HE magnetic keyboard on the official RK Gaming site, or on Amazon using my Affiliate link.

Universus

King of Fighters Challenger Deck Review: Casual Insights

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Disclaimer

UVS games sent me the two King of Fighters Challenger Series decks to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. I have both team hero and team rival decklists up. I’ll also be using my TCG player affiliate link where possible. Always support your LGS, but it really helps me out if you use it for product your LGS doesn’t carry.

Table of Contents

What is Universus TCG?

I’ve written about Universus in a past post where I go into detail about the game and how to play. The short version: Universus is a fighting game turned into TCG. Players will use thier resources to land powerful attacks, block oncoming damage, and use abilities that will turn the tide in seconds. The game users a unique resource system that is more RNG reliant than your typical TCG, and it uses established IPs like those from fighting games, anime, or my favorite of all time, Heroes of Exandria. It is my favorite TCG that no one seems to be playing, for now.

Challenger Series Decks

Universus releases two types of sealed constructed products: challenger and starter decks. Starter decks are striped down versions of the TCG that are meant for people who have never touched a TCG in their life. The game includes some unique art cards, but the decks are pretty much useless except for giving players the most basic understanding of the game. I don’t follow the competitive scene, but have played enough card games to understand that the starter decks (as of writing this) don’t have the cohesion and percentage to give players a full version of the TCG. Starter decks are not bad products, I love my Heroes of Exandria starter decks, but the challenger series decks are a lot more fun.

Challenger series on the other hand, are a bit more complex. They aren’t going to win you many games at locals or worlds for that matter, but they provide a more honest experience. If you are trying to teach someone who has never played a TCG, the starter decks are cool until you outgrow the decks. If you want to try out the game to see if its for you and have the chance of building into something more competative, pick up a challenger deck from your favorite series.

My Perspective

I am coming at this from a casual perspective. I don’t follow the meta and can’t speak on how the King of Fighter decks match up against it. I have cannibalized some of the other decks I’ve received to build some strange decks I have fun with. I like Universus and am sad there isn’t a local scene. That said, I understand why. The game isn’t fun to collect. Universus has some of the most beautiful secret rare and unique art based on your favorite characters from your favorite IP, but the rest of the cards are screen grabs. Some sets are fine and look fine in the binder, but other sets are just not interesting to collect. For customers going into the store and seeing all these fun shinny unique cards, Universus gets overshadowed.

The art shouldn’t be a problem when the gameplay is good. The game has unique mechanics, a cool resource system, and a solid loop. The problem is that if I am not familiar with a particular IP, the common cards aren’t very memorable. This will change when they drop their newly announced Rebel Frontier. The art for the teasers look sick and I can’t wait to see what goes into it! More on Rebel Frontier when the information becomes available.

Review

I have mixed feelings about the King of Fighter challenger decks. On one hand, I appropriate the new mechanics and the ammount of flavor that goes into them. Universus is very good at making uniquely flavored decks. The problem I have with the decks is the art, I am not a fan. They may not be the worst cards I’ve gotten, but they aren’t very impressive. At least they’re fun to play.

The Art

The art for the heros is fine, but when you compare it to the street fighter decks, they are a little underwhelming. At least you get three heroes. The heroes feel fine with a good amount of power, but I am not crazy about the art. Personally, Shun’ei was my favorite not because of power, but because his abilities vibed better with my playstyle. The common cards that aren’t in the anime style are ugly. It’s not as bad as the Tekken Decks, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to collect them. Luckily the mechanics are fun.

Gameplay

I like how the decks change enough of the game to keep it interesting. Now I only play casualy once in a while so it always feels fresh, but there are decks I like more than others. I don’t think I would pick these over the street fighter decks, but I would pick them up in addition. The art doesn’t matter when the game is fun, and the games I played with the King of Figher challenger decks were fun. I don’t know how they hold up to the rest of the meta, but they seemed pretty balanced to us. I play with TCG veterans who only play Universus when I ask them to help me test.

Conclusion

If you like the King of Fighters games, pick up these challenger decks. The decks are fun, and you might appreciate the art more than I did. I never got into King of Fighters and couldn’t form the same connection I had with a series like Heroes of Exandria. I think the decks are fun and will pull keep pulling them out, but I wouldn’t pick these up as a collector. If you want cards that look good with solid mechanics, get the Street Fighter decks.

video game reviews

Exploring the Chaos of Goblins of Elderstone Gameplay

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Goblins of Elderstone to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Table of Contents

What is Goblins of Elderstone?

Goblins of Elderstone is a challenging new village builder out now on Steam.

Hook

Help build a mighty goblin empire as you brave the elements, gather resources, and build the next great civilization. But this is no easy task. Goblins are a chaotic race that tends to be a bit unruly. While you may set your orders, it won’t always get done. There are also dangers that hunt the goblins down if you aren’t careful. Can you master the chaos, or will the chaos become overwhelming and brick your run?

Gameplay

Players take control of a small group of goblin settlers as they work towards building a mighty goblin empire. Players command goblins to gather materials, build structures, or do combat. This is pretty much your standard village builder, but the Goblins tend to do their own thing from time to time. Some times, goblins will go on their own adventure, eat, fight enemies, or huddle by the fire for warmth. It is a bit of an unpredictable twist to the genre, but one that can find its niche in the genre.

Review

I have mixed feelings about Goblins of Elderstone. One one hand, I appreciate the attempt at rejuvenating the genre with a fresh take. On the other, this game is a little broken.

Aesthetic

Goblins of Elderstone has a quirky, boxy aesthetic that gives it its cozy vibe. The more I played the game, the more bland the setting looked. The RNG for map generation needs work. Some maps look fun to explore, and others feel barren with very little in between. I don’t think there was much visually that drew me to this game, especially when you compare it to games like Steam World Build or The Wandering Village.

Gameplay

The game is a little buggy. Pathing for some of the characters doesn’t always work. There are a few bugs, but the devs seem to be working hard on ironing them out. The main draw for this game is the difficulty. Unlike other village builders, Goblins of Elderstone is meant to be hard. I recommend checking out a guide because being inefficient in this game will brick your run. I usually get a couple into a run before I have to reset and follow a guide, but for this game, it was almost instant. Some of the difficulty can be the poor RNG that seems to pollute some of the seeds. Sometimes you get super unlucky and get stuck with a base that has nothing around it. Some people might enjoy the challenge, but I just want to sit back and watch my little goblins work.

Conclusion

I have a hard time recomending Goblins of Elderstone because of the difficulty. After looking up guides and planning my builds a little better, my experience improved, but I still have a hard time picking this over something like Reus 2. The game isn’t bad, it just isn’t my style. The game is meant for people who like a more realistic and chaotic approach to village building. As calculated as you want to be, sometimes your goblins want to do something else and you have to just work around it. Not to mention that you can brick your run early if you aren’t paying attention. I prefer a cozy village builder that lets me sit back and relax. I don’t want to have to have a city planning degree. While I wouldn’t say it is as realistic as City Skylines, the chaos within its code gives the game its charm. It just wasn’t enough to charm me.

If you fancy yourself a more serious village builder and don’t a bit of RNG to shake things up, Goblin of Elderstone is in a good enough spot to earn its MSRP. There are some bugs, but you’ll apprecaite the challenge. If you are here for the cozier side of village builders, check out Fabledom.

You can pick up Globlins of Elderstone on Steam.

Trailer

Tech Reviews

S10 Lite Review: The Ultimate Budget Wireless Gamepad

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Disclaimer

EasySMX sent me the S10Lite to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you check out my reviews for the EasySMX X05 Pro and the S10 controllers.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • S10 Lite Gamepad
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • User Manual

Unboxing

Features

The S10 Lite is the budget controller you need to pick up for all your wireless needs. Whether you need a new controller for that fresh Pokemon Pokopia playthrough, or something to carry you through your Mobile gaming journey, the S10 Lite has the features you can rely on.

Aesthethic

The S10 Lite has a clean adorable design and is available in three colors that make it ideal for most gaming setups. The gamepad comes in three colors: blue, pink, and black. I got mine in pint and it looks a lot cuter in person.

For added flare, the magnetic faceplate can be removed and personalized to fit your aesthetic. Whether you are slapping stickers on it or getting creative with a sharpie, the S10 Lite gives users the freedom to create a truly unique gaming accessory.

Switch 2

The S10 Lite comes with incredible Switch 2 compatibility. The gamepad supports 9-Axis Gyroscope for impressive motion control capability. It features one button wake up and a dedicated button for voice chat. The gamepad can go between Nintendo and your other gaming consoles with just a flick of a switch. If you are looking for your next Switch 2 accesory, you might want to take advantage of the value that is the EasySMX S10 Lite.

Performance

The S10 Lite promises to be the only controller you need during those crucial, extra sweaty team fights. The hall effect sticks eliminate the risk of pesky stick drift. The low polling rate and high speed on Bluetooth makes it idea for the gamer who wants less cables, but there boasts virtually no latency on a wired connection. The customizable additional buttons on the bottom of the gamepad give it added utility. The 1000mAh battery means you don’t have to worry about S10 Lite when you need it the most. Whether you are just playing a cozy game to unwind or competing for top rank in your favorite shooter, the S10 Lite is here for you.

Review

The S10 Lite is the budget controller that should be in everyone’s arsenal. Whether you are looking for your new main controller or a beater to take on the road, the S10 Lite is a fantastic option and a fantastic price.

Quality

I asked for the pink controller because it is the cutest option. I wasn’t ready for how cute this controller actually is. Pictures do not do it justice. The gamepad is well machined with plastic that doesn’t feel cheap. The controller is light without feeling cheap, which I didn’t realize was ideal for my old crippled hands. I used to prefer a heavier control until I got my hands on the S10 Lite. My box came a little beat up and the parts had shifted around, but there was no damage to the controller (which should speak on the gamepad’s quality). I’ve tested cheap controllers at this price point before, and none of them come close to how good the S10 Lite feels in my hands.

Comfort

I am a big fan of the design of the S10 Lite. It feels like an official Nintendo controller at a more reasonable price point. The bottom of the gamepad is textured to support my grip, especially through those extra sweaty sessions. The sticks feel glide extremely smooth and the texture feels excellent under my thumbs. The buttons are all easy to reach, for a very comfortable session and efficient session. The only issue this controller may have is the clicky buttons. The controller is loud which is wonderful if you like that button mashing ASMR, but it is a sound some might find annoying. Check out the EasySMX X05 Pro if you want a silent controller.

Performance

The gamepad needed an update, but it offered solid performance. I tried across all my devices from my phone to Switch, and it was able to switch between devices without issue. I noticed no latency or imput lag, but I play pretty casual games. It handled some intense platforming in Monairons without issue, and I got a respectable grind in Borderlands 4. I suck at PVP, but I didn’t see a dip in my performance so there is that. I wasn’t able to test out the battery life because I had to plug the gamepad in when playing on my PC. The additional buttons are a nice touch for when I need a little extra support. They are easy to remap and even easier to press.

Conclusion

EasySMX once again proves that it is a strong contender in the gaming accessory space by manufacturing a high quality gamepad with the features you need to level up your gameplay. The S10 Lite is a good looking controller that comes at a very reasonable price with the quality that will carry you through the rest of your gaming adventures. Whether you are playing the new hottest extraction shooter or just messing around in a puzzle game, the S10 Lite should be a staple in all gaming arsenals. I love it, and it will be my main controller moving forward.

You can pick up the S10 Lite from the official EasySMX site.

Tech Reviews

Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite Review: Solid Keyboard or Just Average?

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Disclaimer

MechLands sent me the Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Mechlands Vibe108 and Vibe99 mechanical key boards.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Galaxy 100 Lite
  • Wireless Dongle
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • 2 Additional Switches
  • Mac Keycaps
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Guide

Unboxing

Features

The Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite promises to be the only mechanical keyboard you need. Whether you need a work horse to carry you through that 9 to 9 grind or a reliable tool to get you through the next raid, this keyboard is ready for any task.

Aesthetic

The Galaxy100 lite is a full sized keyboard available in two colors: Yellow and Black. I have it in yellow, and it has a classic feel for those that like the aesthetic, but the black is a stylish little upgrade for any aesthetic.

The keyboard has 100 keys and knob. The keys are all lit with dynamic and customizable RGB to make it a true gaming keyboard. Its aluminum frame makes it sturdy, but gives it its classy feel. If you are looking for a keyboard that is simple and gets the job done, the Galaxy100 Lite is a strong contender.

Comfort

The Galaxy100 promises comfort with its ergonomic design and soft mechanical switches. The typing angle is fixed at 7 degrees, but this is fine for most users. The 5 layer gasket mount muffles enough of the noise to keep the neighbors happy without taking away from any of that thacky goodness. Enjoy comfortable typing sessions with a stable, sturdy keyboard that feels good to the touch.,

Performance

The Galaxy100 lite is ready for any workflow. Whether you are looking at high level competitive play or just need something to type out your next novel, the Galaxy100 Lite does it all. With a low latency connection in both wireless and Bluetooth connections, users can enjoy high performance without any of the wire clutter. The impressive 8000mAh battery promises 39 hours of use with all the lights one. That means you don’t have to worry about your keyboard dying when you need it the most. But for those who want enjoy the lowest latency, the high quality braided cable is ready to deliver the performance you need.

Sound Test

Review

The Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite is an average full sized keyboard. While you can definately do worse at this price point, you can certainly do better. If you need a full sized keyboard, you’re better off with the Vibe108.

Quality

The Galaxy100 Lite looks good out of the box. The aluminum frame is well machine and gives it the sturdy heft that will keep the keyboard from sliding all over your desk. The keycaps are clean and feel good to the touch. The lettering is legible and it doesn’t feel like it will wear off. The keyboard looks like a more expensive, albeit retro looking keyboard. However, the aesthetic is a bit of an acquired taste.

Aesthetic

The Galaxy has a classic feel, and the yellow scheme makes it look like a thrifted keyboard with a bit of a modern flare. The problem with the aesthetic, it isn’t going to fit in every setup. The keycaps and switches are easily swapable, but might as well buy a full sized keyboard with a scheme you like. I wasn’t too crazy about the look, and even less crazy about the typing experience.

Comfort

The typing experience is average at best. I got my keyboard with the Marble White switches, and I can honestly say I prefer the Wisteria switches. The switches feel heavy and left a bit of fatigue after each extended use. The sound is also a bit too crunchy. If you are getting this keyboard, I recommend starting with the Wisteria switches. The Wisterias are awesome. Otherwise, the typing angle is fine and I never felt like it destroyed my hands, but I did need to take breaks. Note that I do have a repetitive stress injury that flares when I don’t have the right ergonomics, and this keyboard just didn’t have enough. Get the Vibe108.

Performance

The keyboard’s performance is the only thing saving it from a bad review. The keyboard works as intended. I could handle my casual level of gaming and MMO grind without performance issue. There was some fatigue, but not enough to make me stop. The impressive battery life gave me about the advertised 40 hours of use on a single charge, and that is nothing to scoff at. If you like the aesthetic and want something that will work, the Galaxy100 Lite is a solid choice.

Conclusion

Honestly, if this was the first full sized mechanical keyboard I ever used, I wouldn’t noticed the issues. Having used better keyboards like the Mechlands Vibe108, it gets hard to recommend. It all comes down to whether or not you like the aesthetic. If you like the retro feel of the keyboard and the yellowed color scheme, the keyboard works well enough and is comfortable enough to be worth the price tag. However, if you are looking for a good full sized budget keyboard, you have better options. Check out the Mechlands Vibe108.

You can pick up the Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite from the official Mechlands store, or AliExpress.