All posts by josechurape

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Blightstone: A Promising Roguelike Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Blightstone to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. 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 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 Blightstone?

Blightstone is a turn-based strategy roguelike out on Steam Early access. If you like Darkest Dungeon vibes in your roguelike strategy grind, this game should be in your watchlist.

Hook

The powerful demon overlord Korghul spreads his reign of terror relentlessly across this land. You command the heroes who are destined to end it, but this is no easy task. The path to salvation is full of death and despair. Fight against waves of the demon lords army, loot as much as you can, and use the landscape for to your advantage. Can you overcome death, keep the Earthglass Christal safe, and rid the world of this powerful evil, or will you be another one of Korghul’s victims.

Gameplay

Players take command of three mighty heros: a warrior, a mage, and a hunter and his canine companion. Make your way through a map full of enemies, events, and a few shops to boost your companions. Can you make it to the end before death or the blight consumes your characters?

Combat

Combat is a turn-based strategy combat. Each character has 2 action points that they can use to move, attack, or use an ability. Players can spend these actions in any order. For example, you can attack with the mage, attack with the hunter, and go back to the mage to finish his turn. Terrain affects combat. Players and NPCs can use the map to gain advantage through effective use of the cover and line of sight mechanic. Characters can heal at the campfire at the end of the day, but they cannot be revived. Once a character dies, it is gone forever.

Loot

Like most roguelikes, players can choose from a selection of random items after certain events. These items can be equipped to boost a parties power level. Items can be equipped before any encounter.

Events

As of writing this, events seem to only be additional combat or skipping additional combat. Choosing an extra encounter has a chance for an additional reward, but it is not always guaranteed. It helps to roll for map information at a campfires.

Campfire

The party sets up camp at the end of each day. A day passes after two event nodes on a map. These can be combat, shopping, or a random encounter. While at a campfire, players can spend camp points to heal their characters, activate buffs, or gain map information. Gaining map information reveals a reward on the map to help players plan their progression.

Progression

Stage progression is tied to meta progression. Players are given general quests to complete in order to move to the next map, simply clearing the stages isn’t always enough.

Review

Blightstone has a good amount of potential, but it doesn’t have enough content to make it worth it. If you want to support a game that is trying innovate the genre with a few interesting mechanics, it is worth checking out at least once. Fortunately, the devs seem to be active enough to inspire some hope, but the lack of content is a tricky sell.

Aesthetic

Blightstone has fantastic art. I love the grimdark vibe and the comicbook feel of the world. The characters look very good, and the animation is solid. It also has a solid soundtrack to get you in the mood for epic combat. Aesthetic alone should spark interest in gamers looking for something new to try.

Combat

Combat is a lot of fun. I love the gridless maps and the action economy system makes it feel like a tabletop RPG. I am very bad at strategy games, so the difficulty seems high, but that is by design. I wouldn’t call it a frustrating experience, but basic understanding of the game’s mechanics helps with the grind. There is a grind, and it does get repetitive. Some of it is due to lack of content, the rest is by design.

Blightstone doesn’t take the traditional turn-based strategy rout. The RNG upgrades make each run feel fresh, and it feels for the most part. The line of sight and friendly fire mechanic give combat its depth. I love that I can use the map to gain an advantage, it it sucks when the NPCs do the same. The NPC AI is intellegent enough to make things interesting. Having to keep the Earthglass Crystal safe also affects you move your units. I wish there was a bit more variety on the type of units so the grind doesn’t feel as repetitive, but repetition is part of the roguelike experience.

Content

At the moment, there seems to be enough content for many three hours of gameplay. The game is fun for those three hours, but it is up to you if is worth the $16. After the first couple of runs, the game starts to feel repetitive because the encounters start to repeat. There needs to be a lot more events rather than just having an extra encounter. I wish I could make a deal with a devil or encounter or random merchant, anything to add a little more choice to my playthough. I don’t mind repetition in my roguelikes, I play a lot of Encounters, but here it feels like I finish the content too quickly.

Conclusion

Blightstone is a cool game that attempts some very interesting mechanics in an oversaturated genre. The game looks good, plays well, but it needs a bit more content. It definitely needs more attention, and should be in your watchlist. Just know that at this stage in its development, you are paying to support a good demo for a game that might be good in the future.

You can pick up Blightstone on Steam Early Access. If you are looking for other cool roguelikes to add to your collection, check out Talystro.

Tech Reviews

Why the K745 Pro is Your Next Budget-Friendly Mechanical Keyboard

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Disclaimer

Redragon sent me the Antonium K745 Pro mechanical 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 be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you click it before you buy anything.

Table of contents

What’s in the box?

  • K745 Pro Mechanical Keyboard
  • Wireless Receiver
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • Stickers
  • 4 Extra Switches
  • User Manual
  • Key/Switch Puller

Features

The K745 Pro is a the affordable fullsized keyboard that is loaded with the features gamers need. This good looking keyboard comes in two beautiful color shemes: Purple and Blue. I got my keyboard in purple because it is my favorite color. I got the wireless keyboard, but you can also opt for the wired version if you want to prioritize performance.

Design

The K745 Pro comes with 108 keys, and an additional four useful macros for additional utility. Each key lights up with programmable southfacing RGB leds. The specialized gasket design gives the keyboard enough sound dampening to allow a healthy amount of typing ASMR. The K745 is built with quality, with enough features to make it a strong contender for your next setup.

Comfort

While other cheap keyboards skimp on quality for affordability, Redragon innovates the space with affordability that won’t destroy your hands. The custom Mint Mambo switches boast the perfect blend of performance and comfort, while the keyboards natural typing angle is perfect for most users. Those who prefer a steeper angle like I do will appreciate the two additional height adjustments. This is an ergonomic keyboard with the performance to back it up.

Utility

Users will appreciate the high speed wireless connections with the peace of mind that the 4000 mAh battery gives them. The included high quality USB-C cable is ready to support players with an even faster connection. Each of the keys can be easily rebound or programed with useful macros to upgrade your productivity. While the keyboard is incredibly easy to remap, the K745 comes with four useful macro keys out of the box.

Included macros:

  • Mute
  • Launch Calculator
  • Minimize/Maximize all Windows
  • Lock Computer

Keyboard sound

Review

If you are looking for an affordable full-sized keyboard for gaming, it doesn’t get much better than the Redragon K745 Pro. This is easily one of the best affordable keyboards I’ve gotten to try. This keyboard is comfortable, with enough quality and performance to make it worth the money.

Quality

I was impressed by the look of the keyboard out of the box. At this price point, you always run the risk of pulling a cheap, toy looking keyboard, but the K745 has solid construction. It is light, so it makes it nice to move around, but I wouldn’t call it portable. The legs swivel nicely and the typing sound is very good. My only complaint is that the lettering already looks faded. It looks like it will rub off after a bit of use, although none of it did during my testing.

Design

I love the purple scheme of the keyboard. Purple is my favorite color, so I am very happy with my choice. I am a little disappointed by the lettering. The letters looks faded and it feels like they will rub off with a bit of use. None of it did during my testing, but I am not a fan. The font is also a bit hard to read. This might be a personal issue, but the font is not good for my dyslexia. It isn’t unusable, but I’d probably swap them out for different keycaps if it became my main keyboard.

Comfort

I was very surprised by how comfortable the K745 is. The keys have enough spacing for my big hands, and the switches are soft enough to avoid any fatigue. I’ve tried other keyboards at this price point that have destroyed my hands, but I had no issues with the K745. I had a few intense gaming sessions and not only did the K745 meet my expectations, they didn’t tire me out. The default typing angle is solid, but I like that it supports my preferred angle. I like my keyboards a little high. As an added bonus, the keyboard has a fantastic typing sound without being disruptive. I could use this next to my sleeping wife and baby without issue.

Performance

I did not do any reprogramming, but it is very easy to do with the official software. Everything connected easily and quickly, and I had no issues after initial setup. All the keys were responsive without any noticeable latency. The battery was very good and I got a good 8 hours of continuous work with the RGB on. My favorite aspect of this keyboard is the included macros. I usually forget about a keyboard’s gimmicks shortly after opening, but I had a lot of use for the included macros. They were very handy for my workflow, but they can be reprogrammed to maximize utility.

Conclusion

The Redragon K745 Pro is a fantastic affordable keyboard for the gamer that needs to perform at their next important team fight, but needs to be conscious of their budget. I am very satisfied with how good this keyboard is, especially at $60. I recomend it to anyone looking for a full sized keyboard.

You can pick up your Redragon K745 from the official Redragon store, or through Amazon using my Affiliate link.

Universus

Guilty Gear Strive Blitz Box Review: A Collector’s Perspective

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Disclaimer

UVS sent me the a Guilty Gear Strive Blitz Box 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. 2026 is going to be an exciting year for Universus TCG, so make sure you check out the road map! I am super excited for some Fairy Tail cards. Also check out my reviews for other universus products like Attack on Titan and my favorite set so far, Heroes of Exandria. I’ll also be using my TCG Player affiliate link where possible. It helps me out if you use it before buying anything.

Table of Contents

The Set

The Guilty Gear Strive set came out on November 28, so I am a little behind on the draw. Holidays have been a little busy for me. While the new King of Fighers comes out soon, I think it is still worth looking back at a fantastic set. Guilty Gear Strive released with a new type of product, the Blitz Box, which is a 12 pack booster at a much more attainable price point. The game features unique art and foils that you are going to want in your collection, especially if you’re a fan of the fighting game. If you haven’t played Universus, it is a fantastic unique game that I have fun playing everything time I get product. I’ve talk in more detail about the game in other posts, so make sure you check that out.

Character Cards

The Guilty Gear Strive character cards are some of my favorite since I’ve started playing the game. If you are unfamiliar with the game, Universus usually uses screen grabs for most of their artwork except for a handful of alt cards and character cards where the art is unique. I have never played a Guilty Gear game, but I kind of want to now because the characters looks so cool. The character cards are all vibrant, with cool looking characters that are going to be fun to collect. Here are a few of my favorites:

Token cards

Non-alt character cards in this set are tokens. Instead of the normal backs, the backs have a few rule explanations. While it may take away from the TCG aesthetic, it does offer a different back for easy orginization. As a casual player, I appreciate the easy reminder of rules I would otherwise have to look up. It is a handy tool for newer players. While I understand that it stops being useful the more to have, it is handy.

Token Back

Chrome rares

While some might be upset that their character cards have been made tokens, there are some nice chrome rare versions available for those who want to bling out their deck. I like the more cartoonish, oversaturated look of the art. You know it is going to look fantastic on the table. While I didn’t pull any of the chromes for my collection, I can sit hit and look at them longingly:

Alt cards

The real reason I love this game is how much effort is put into the alt cards. The alt cards in this set are all fantastic. I was lucky enough to pull a few of the alt cards and I am so happy with my pulls. If you are a fan of the series, you are going to want to try to pull some of these cards, at least for your collection. It is very hard to choose just a few cards, so here is as many as I could fit in no particular order:

Review

I am writing this as a collector. I love this game, but I play it very casually. I can’t speak on the power it adds to the game nor how it is shaping the meta. I can say that this has been the most fun set to open (aside from the the Heroes of Exandira). Guilty Gear Strive has the best quality of any set I’ve pulled from, and the best looking art.

Quality

Guilty Gear Strive, at least the box I pulled, has some of the best quality I’ve seen from this game. The foils still curve, but that is an unavoidable truth in the TCG space. Regardless of that fact, none of them had that annoying print line that seems to plague previous sets. Coming from the Riftbound cards I pulled, the quality is night and day. If they can keep this level of quality for future releases, and even spread it to Riftbound, I can see this game surviving at least another year.

The Art

My biggest issue with Universus as a collector is that most of the cards are screen grabs. While the special treatment cards are always fun to open and collect, most of the time I am collecting screenshots of IPs I don’t always care about. With the exception of Heroes of Exandria, most of the sets have been disappointing to open. Riftbound, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Street Fighter (the worst in my opinion) were all boring. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fairs a little better because of nostalgia, but not enough to buy into.

The screenshots used for Guilty Gear Strive are a lot better than the previous sets. While I am still not a fan of the screenshot cards, they do look nice in a binder. I liked Guilty Gear Strive a lot more than the Street Fighter ones, and I can only hope they can carry a similar vibe with the King of Fighters IP. I am sure fans of the Guilty Gear series will appreciate the cards more than I did, but I had fun pulling them. I’ll probably only collect special treatment cards.

Conclusion

If you are thinking of getting into Universus, Guilty Gear Strive is a solid entry point. It has cool art, some solid mechanics, and the set is fun to open. I can’t speak on how it holds up against the current meta or how much return on investment you’ll get, but as a collector, I am very happy with this set and am tempted to pick up a bit more. You can pick up

video game reviews

Talystro: A Fun Deckbuilding Game with Math Mechanics

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Disclaimer

I was asked to cover the Talystro playtest for my blog. I understand the game is not finished, so I will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest opinions of the game.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108 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 Talystro?

Talystro is a a unique dice based deckbuilding game coming to Steam. The game features adorable mouses and require a bit of math to defeat your enemies.

Hook

The evil Necrodicer has started the forgiben ritual of Talystro, unleashing waves of evil numbers to disrupt the worlds peace and tranquility. All hope rests in the hands of Math Mouse and his proficiency in simple arithmatic. With the help of many dice rolls and well placed attacks, Math Mouse must fight through these evil numbers and put an end to the Talystro. Will his math skills be enough to save the world? Will RNG be in his favor? You will need to play to find out.

Gameplay

Players must fight their way through many waves of ruthless monsters with only the help of a deck they build along the way. Unlike most deckbuilders, Talystro has players build their attacks from a pool of dice rolls.

Casting

Players roll 6 dice at the start of each round to play the five cards they draw to their hand. Each card has a slot or a series of slots in an equation. To cast a card, players fill these slots with the numbers from their dice pool results. Cards will do damage equal to the total of the card after all required slots are filled. For example, if a user has a card with a slot _ + _ and they fill it with the numbers 1 and 2, the card will do three damage.

Combat

Players can attack as many times per turn as they have available dice, assuming they can get to the correct number. The monsters in this game are numbers. Unlike other deckbuilders where players need to slowly chip away at an enemies health, players need to reach the exact number of the monster they are fighting. For example, if the monster they are fighting is a 7, players must combine their dice and cards to deal out 7 damage and destroy the monster. You can play multiple cards per turn, so mix and match accordingly.

Monsters

Monsters carry attack die. Any monster left with an attack die at the end of the turn does one point of damage to Math Mouse. Players progress to the next stage if they kill off all the numbers. The game ends if the Math Mouse’s health drops to zero.

Abilities

The game has a few abilities to give combat its depth. Players start with three abilities: block, reroll, and adjust. Players all start with one charge of each ability. These abilities can be recharged by playing a card that has a recharge ability.

Block

Monsters get an attack die with the result visible to the player. Players can break these attack dice by stacking a dice with the same result. For example, if a monster has a 4 attack dice, stacking another four negates the attack.

Reroll

Reroll is self explanatory. Players use this ability to reroll their available pool of dice and hope for better numbers. Reroll only affects dice you have left in play. If you have three dice, you only reroll three.

Adjust

This ability allows players to adjust a dice by one value. For example, if you only have a three and need a four or a two, you use the adjust ability to get the number you need.

Impressions

I am a little bummed that this game is only a playtest because it is already an addiction. I did not know I could have so much fun with math, but then again, I played a lot of Math Blaster growing up.

Aesthetic

Talystro has fantastic art. I love the cartoon style art and the world that goes around it. The game has an old school aesthetic, but with gameplay that makes it incredibly addicting.

Gameplay

I am a little bummed it doesn’t work on the Steam deck because this would be a fantastic hand held game. It isn’t resource intensive, and the game is casual enough to enjoy on the go. However, this game is so much fun. I like that it breaks away from the same tired deck builder formula with mechanics that make combat a lot more engaging. I liked that I was always trying to figure out something and it made the grind a lot of fun. Every round was a cool puzzle I needed to solve, even if it involved a lot of math.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a different kind of deckbuilder that isn’t afraid to be different, you need to keep an eye out on Talystro. This is the most fun I’ve ever had doing math, and I am not a huge math person. The game has fun flavor and solid mechanics to keep things engaging. This is a very successful playtest, and I can’t wait to see what else in store. You can still try to get into the playtest. Don’t forget to wishlist!

Tech Reviews

QK108 Mechanical Keyboard: Features and Flaws

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Disclaimer

Epomaker sent me the QK108 mechanical 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. Make sure you also check out my review for the TH33 keypad and the G84 Pro keyboard. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you shop for anything.

Table of contents

What’s in the box?

  • QK108 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • 2.4 Ghz Wireless Dongle
  • 3 Mac Keycaps
  • 2 Extra Switches
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Manual

Unboxing

Features

The Epomaker QK108 is the fullsized keyboard that promises to be the only keyboard a gamer needs to upgrade their arsenal.

Design

The QK108 is a classic looking keyboard with a bit of a modern flare. It only comes in one color, but it is a very classy green, white, and green scheme. All 104 cherry profile keycaps are hot swappable and sit on your choice of the Epomaker Wisteria Linear or Sea Salt Silent switches. The Wisterias are those who are looking for that thacky mechanical keyboard sound, and the silent ones are self explanatory.

Each key is illuminated with soft sout-facing rgb for visabililty, but they can be easily turned off with the dedicated onboard button. The onboard volume and media controls bring this keybaord to a modern audience. What sets the QK108 apart the customizable screen that displays important information like date, time, and battery life.

Comfort

The QK108 features a padded, five layer gasket so that the sound of your typing never becomes a noise violation. The default typing angle should satisfy most users, but the added adjustable height makes the keyboard perfect for all users. The stands also store the wireless dongle for easy storage and travel.

Utility

This fullsized keyboard is ready to take on any workflow, giving users access to a well placed function bar and numbpad for those who need it. Each of the 104 keys can be easily customized through VIA for some added utility. Users can remap, rebind, and program the maccros to get the job done.

Gamers will appreciate the boasted fast, low latency wireless connection that is ready to take on the most competitive scenarios. As an added bonus, the QK108 sports an impressive 4000mAh battery. Users can enjoy long gaming sessions without worrying about reaching for a charger mid raid boss. When the battery eventually dies, users will appreciate the high speed wired connection.

Sound Test

Review

If you are looking for a more traditional looking keyboard that will blend into the office aesthetic, the QK108 is a fine full-sized keyboard, but it falls a little short. Unfortunately, my keyboard started to malfunction shortly after unboxing. The keyboard works great until it goes to sleep. If I am using the dongle, it won’t reconnect automatically. I have to restart the keyboard. If I am on Bluetooth, the keyboard shuts off after a few seconds of sitting idle. This makes using shortcuts a pain. It works fine wired, but that sort of defeats the purpose. If I reach out, it will get replaced, but it has lost my confidence.

Quality

Out of the box, the keyboard looks fine. It is a clean keyboard that looks well machined. I like the classic feel of the keyboard and the minty green accents to give my setup a bit of color. When I started using the keyboard, the keycaps feel cheap. This is only a problem if you’ve tried better keycaps, but you should be using better keycaps if you are typing for long hours. I would rather be using the G84 pro if I am being honest, especially if you don’t really need a keypad.

Gimmick

I am pretty indifferent about keyboards with screens. They are nice for the first few moments after unboxing, but I quickly forget I have one. I guess it is handy to be able to see the battery life, but I never have use for a clock or gifs. My keyboard never showed me if I switched to mac mode. The volume and media controls are invaluable, and the nob is very nice.

Comfort

The QK108 is fine for short burst, but it did start getting uncomfortable after a while. The typing sound is fantastic, the typing angle is perfect, but I can’t get over how uncomfortable the keycaps are. They can be easily swapped for better keycaps. At $90, it is a viable solution, but I rather be using the Epomaker TH108.

Performance

Aside from the connection issue, the keyboard works fine. I didn’t notice any ghosting or latency, and I never had connection issues in game. The issue was when I let it idle and sleep, and it only affected my work. I wasn’t able to test the battery because I switched to wired when I started experiencing connection issues. As a wired keyboard, it works great, but I expect my wireless keyboard to work without wires.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fullsized keyboard, you can do better. Get the TH108. This keyboard is fine, especially if you are looking for a more classic looking keyboard, but the malfunction out of the box makes it hard to recommend. Buy at your discretion.

You can pick up the QK108 from the official Epomaker store, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

Board Games and TCGs

Review of the Alien RPG Rapture Protocol Miniature Set

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Disclaimer

Free League Publishing sent me the Alien Rapture Protocol miniature set for the Alien Role Playing Game Evolved Edition to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for Mutant Year Zero and Alient TTRPG.

Table of contents

Unboxing

What’s in the box?

  • 20 high quality miniatures
  • Skirmish rulebook
  • Tokens
  • Game Catalogue

What is it?

Free League Publishing has released a set of 20 high-quality figures to fill your next session of Alien TTRPG. The set comes with a condensed rulebook for skirmish play for players who want to enjoy some wargaming in the Alien universe. Most importantly, the miniatures are ready to fill your world whether you are following one of the prewritten adventures, like Rapture Protocol, or you are creating one of your own from one of the many high quality source books. Whether you leave them unpainted, or get a little creative with the paint, these are going to look great on any table.

What is Skirmish?

Skirmish is Alien TTRPG’s pvp mode. The game is designed for two players (or teams) as they fight for survival. Booklet includes three unique scenarios to help players get started, but there is room for some solid homebrew potential. For example, a team of humans must fight their way through a Xenomorph infested planet to retrieve keycards to help them escape. The game is over if the humans complete their objective, or the aliens kill all the humans. There are rules for army creation, combat, and even a fear mechanic to make the game very thematic. I am a huge fan of the radar mechanic because it makes the game flavorful. If you’re into Alien RPG for just combat, definitely look into the skirmish mechanics.

Thoughts on skirmish

I am not very good at wargaming, so I appreciate how easy this mode is to get into. I got destroyed the times I played, but I had a lot of fun doing so. The game mode is full of cool flavor that will make fans of the Alien series very happy. The fact that Xenomorphs start as blips of a radar until discovered is terrifying. The fact that one of them turns into a cat is fantastic.

Combat is strait forward, but engaging. I am not very good at army building, but there seems to be a good amount of options for some diversity. I am sure there might be a meta, but I had fun playing what was cool. I had a lot more fun playing the Xenomorphs, but only because I was better at it.

I love that the rulebook comes with the miniature because it makes the set a board game you can pull out when you are not running games.

Review

If you like the Alien movies, you might as well pick up this miniature set. This is a very cool set that will be a lot of fun to paint, even if you don’t end up playing the tabletop game.

Quality

I am amazed, but not surprised by how good the quality of these miniatures is. Free League Publishing consistantly produces high quality products for all their IPs, and it can be clearly seen in the amount of work that went into each sculpt. The Xenomorphs look terrifying, and the humans look like they are ready to survive the invasion. I had a lot of fun looking examining each figure and appreciating all the small features. The ripples of the muscles, the poses of the figures, and even face huggers look cool. I definitely wish I was good at painting.

Is it worth it?

Yes. If you are a fan of the series, the figures have the detail you need. Buy these, paint them, and add them to a cool scifi display.

You don’t need miniatures to run a campaign of Alien TTRPG. Before this set, I was just using coins, but it does make my players a lot more excited. The first time I pulled one of Xenomorps to attack the party is a memory I will treasure for ever. It is a very fun and useful accessory, if you have the space and need for it. I only bring these out for combat, so its nice that the set includes rules for a standalone game mode.

If you are buying this for skirmish, I think it is a fun little game mode that you can pull out when you don’t want to run a full session. Skirmish isn’t my thing, but I did have fun the times I played it. I’ll probably mostly use it for all my tabletop rpgs I run moving forward because of how good they look on the table. Now I just need to convince my wife to paint them for me.

You can pick up the Alien TTRPG Rapture Protocol miniature set on the official Free League Publishing website.

Tech Reviews

Cute Cat-Themed Meow Pudding Keycaps Review

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me a free set of the Meow Pudding Keycaps to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my review for the Moonshadow V2 mechanical keyboard and Cybrix29 keypad.

Table of contents

What’s in the box?

  • 134 Keycap set

Features

The Meow Pudding keycaps are a 134 MAO profile set of the most adorable keycaps you can install on your keyboard. The set is compatible with 60%, 65%, 75%, TKL, 96% and full-sized keyboards. The cute cat theme is unique and flavorful, and perfect for you cat lovers who are looking for a comfy aesthetic.

Design

If you love cute cats, it doesn’t get cuter than the KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycap set. Each keycap features a unique and adorable cat design. The set includes a few extra keys for some added customization. These colorful keycaps have been treated to avoid any fading or discoloration, even for those who like to mash their keys furiously. For added flare, the key caps are transparent. While they look cute out of the box, they are even cuter with the light show.

Comfort

The Meow Pudding keycaps have been designed with more than just a cute aesthetic in mind. The MAO profile caps have been engineered to reduce finger fatigue without affecting any of the accuracy. The matte finish give the caps a soft, non-slip feel that makes typing as delightful as the keycaps.

The swap

Review

The KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps are by my favorite set that I have ever received. I have never been so excited for a review product until I got this request. If you’ve seen the pictures, they really don’t do the set any justice. This is the cutest set you should always say yes to.

Quality

I can always count on KiiBOOM to deliver cute, high-quality products at a reasonable price. The Meow Pudding keycaps do not disappoint. The keycaps are well machined, each piece carefully and perfectly machined. The colors are vibrant and the images and letters are clear and legible. The plastic feels soft and smooth like candy rather than the cheap plastic that cuts you.

Design

The Meow Pudding is without a doubt the cutest KiiBOOM keycap set. The amount of work that goes into the flavor and aesthetic is astounding. I also like that there is room for some customization so I can try to be a bit more different. The only only bad thing about the design is how much my daughter loves it. She essentially stole this keyboard from me, and I have keep stealing it back to do my testing. While it will be hers in the end, I will have trouble letting this one go because it is so darn cute.

Comfort

The keycaps are smooth, with a slight texture on the face that give the keyboard its unique typing experience. The MAO profile keycaps do take some getting used to, but once I got used to them, it is going to be hard to go back. I like how they sort of hug my fingertips with each press, and my hands do feel a little less stressed as a result. The smooth matte texture also make the experience delightful. It feels like like I am plugging away at glass. As an added bonus, they gave my keyboard some added thac for some very satisfying typing ASMR.

Conclusion

If you like cute cat themes, vibrant pastells, and a unique typing experience, the KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps are fantastic. They are made with the high standards I’ve come to expect from KiiBOOM. I am a huge fan and my only complaint is that I have to give them up for my next review.

You can pick up the Meow Pudding keycaps from the official KiiBOOM store.

Tech Reviews

Best Compact Laptop Stand for Travel

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Disclaimer

HUANUO sent me the Magno ModuleMaster Laptop Stand to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my review for the Nitroglide Dual Monitor Mount. I’ll be using my Amazon Affiliate link. It really helps me out if you click on it before you buy anything.

Table of contents

What’s in the box?

  • Magnetic Tray
  • Stand
  • Phone Stand
  • Wrist Rest
  • Travel Bag

Features

The HUANUO Magno magnetic laptop stand is your next staple accesory. Whether you need something to help you work on your plane ride or need a little more height, the Magno is here to solve it all.

Design

The Magno is a light weight, high quality stand that has been design to be light enough for travel and sturdy enough to keep your devices safe. The fake leather gives it the elegant and the integrated magnets keep your devices from moving. Best of all, the Magno is loaded with utility. Whether you are using it for your laptop, tablet, or your travel work station, you can count on the Huano’s proven quality.

Travel and storage

What makes the Magno laptop stand unique is its light weight and compact design. When you are done using it, it stacks flat and neat for easy storage. This is ideal for those who do a lot of traveling, or those who like to live with very little clutter.

Stats

The Magno is designed for 10-17 inch laptops and can hold up to 11 lbs. The stand can can raise your laptop up by 8, 18, 22, and 30 degrees. This is very handy for those who like a deeper typing angle, need a bit more airflow, or just need a more ergonomic setup. The tray uses magnets to not only hold its pieces together, but it is ready to hold your devices. The magnets are strong enough to hold onto your devices. (I’ve only tested it with apple products.

Review

I didn’t know how much I needed the Magno laptop stand until I got my hands on it. If you are looking for a laptop stand, don’t waste your money on those crappy ones with the fans. Spend your money on the only laptop stand you will ever need. This has easily been my favorite product to review because of how useful and handy it has been.

Quality

This is the second HUANUO product I’ve reviewed, the first being the high quality monitor stand that I love, and I continue to be impressed by the quality of their products. The Magno looks great out of the box. The stitching is nice and the pleather looks like it can take a beating. The magnets are very strong, and all the pieces fold and work as they should. I’ve been using the stand for about two weeks and haven’t noticed any creasing and the material still looks very nice. I store it nightly and take it to work when I go to the office.

The Size

The stand’s size is a huge reason why I love the Magno so much. It folds up super thin, and the magnets help keep all the pieces together. I love that it takes up no room in my bag, and I don’t feel a difference carrying it around. I can just as easily store it on my desk without cluttering up my space and that is an invaluable feature. This thing is perfect for travel, but just as useful for the home.

Utility

I love how much utility is packed in such a compact package. It held my iPad securely for some very meaningful Genshin Impact sessions. The magnets hold all my accessories and help me keep organized. The magnets are pretty strong. They mess with the rotation of the fans, so be careful on how you place your computer.

I also used it as a lapdesk. I was just working on my lap before, but I can honestly say that this is a game changer. It kept my laptop from getting hot while giving me a more comfortable typing experience. Most importantly is its usefulness as a laptop stand. I use my laptop as a second monitor at work, and being able to have my laptop at a better viewing angle saved me some neck ache.

Personal

HUANUO seems to send me items when I need them the most. When I was moving my desk, they sent me a high quality monitor arm to help clean up my set up. When they sent this laptop stand, I got an injury that had me in bed for most of my testing. The Magno was a godsend because of how comfortable it made working from the comfort of my bed. It is part of the reason I was able to recover so quickly because I could rest while doing work.

When I finally could sit at my desk, I was very happy to have a more ergonomic setup. Having my laptop sit at a more ergonomic viewing angle is a game changer. I was using an old deckbox before the Magno laptop stand and won’t be going back.

Conclusion

If you are looking for your a high quality laptop/tablet stand, get the HUANUO Magno. This is a high quality product with all of the utility and none of the bulk. It looks great, feels great, and best of all, takes up no space. You can pick up the HUANUO Magno on Amazon through my affiliate link.

video game reviews

G84 Pro Mechanical Keyboard: Comfort Meets Performance

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Disclaimer

Epomaker sent me the G84 Pro mechanical 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. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the TH33 keypad and RT85 keyboard. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before buying anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

Someone stole my camera and I lost my box opening video for this keyboard
  • G84 Pro Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • Wireless Dongle
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • 2 Additional Switches
  • User Manual

Features

The Epomaker G84 mechanical keyboard is possibly the most unique and feature packed keyboard you can add to your setup. It has a comfortable design without sacrificing any of its performance.

Design

The G84 Pro sports a modern design that comes with the Creamy Jade Switches. This 80% keyboard compacts its 81 keys in a way that is functional, comfortable, and saves precious desk space. The soft, non-stick silicon keys give it a cozy vibe, especially when you turn on the RGB lighting effects. The on screen keyboard is customizable for those who need that extra flare. Additionally, the unique placement of the volume and media controls make the keyboard stand out while giving users easy access. Best of all, the G84 gives that soft creamy sound you’ve been craving for in a mechanical keyboard.

Comfort

The G84 Pro comes sculpted with the ideal typing angle for most users, but offers a bit of customization for those like me who prefer something a little higher. The soft silicon keycaps not only look cool, but give users a soft keystroke ideal for prolonged use. While the layout may be a bit compact, it does not feel cramped.

Performance

If you are looking for a cool looking keyboard that can take on any task, the G84 Pro goes above and beyond. The impressive 8000mah keyboard boasts up to 42 hours of uninterrupted use with both the RGB and screen on, and up to 200 hours with everything off. That means users can enjoy a fast, low latency connections when they need it the most.

Sound Test

Review

This is the coolest keyboard I’ve gotten to try, and the perfect way to start my year. The Epomaker G84 Pro is the perfect upgrade for any setup, especially for those looking to create a cool cozy aesthetic.

Quality

The G84 Pro is impressive out of the box. The build is solid and clean, and the pieces feel high quality. The keycaps are soft, but they feel sturdy enough to survive some intense button mashing. They survived some very sweaty team fights. The G84 Pro looks like a more expensive keyboard out of the box, and it is quite comfortable once you get going.

Comfort

This is by far the most comfortable mechanical keyboard I have ever tried. The default typing angle is fine out of the box, but I prefer a taller angle. The keyboard looks compact, but it has enough space where my hands don’t feel cramped. All the keys are easily in reach which makes it perfect for gaming. I did a good amount of grinding in GW2.

The keycaps and switches is what makes this keyboard perfect. The switches offer the creamiest soothing sound and the keycaps are incredibly soft. The silicon is firm enough to perform well at any task but soft enough to give your hands some much needed rest. Usually it takes me a couple of days to get used to a new keyboard, but the transition was instantaneous. I noticed no fatigue from my longer sessions, and that alone makes this keyboard worth it.

Performance

They keyboard worked well out of the box. I didn’t need to replace any parts or do any trouble shooting. I noticed no ghosting or latency, and it was able to handle my most competitive games (GW2). Switching between connections is very easy, especially since it can handle multiple Bluetooth devices. If you are looking for a cool looking keyboard that works, get the G84 Pro.

The bad

I think the silicon keycaps are an acquired taste. Without the RGB, the keyboard looks interesting and elegant. When you turn the keyboard on, the light show sort of ruins the image. It is a little too much of a rave for my taste and it clashes with my aesthetic. It isn’t a bad look, I am just not a fan of the lighting effects.

The gimmick

The G84 Pro has three gimmicks: the silicon keycaps, the screen, and the volume/media controls. I’ve already said my piece about the keycaps. Screens on keyboards are cool for the first few moments before the novelty wears off. I had fun picking a gif to customize the look of the keyboard, but I don’t look down enough at my keyboard for it to be the reason to buy the keyboard. The volume control is very cool and easily my favorite feature. It is easy to reach and I like that it doesn’t break up the aesthetic like your standard nob. Clicking the side of the keyboard to pause a video felt right. All in all, the G84 Pro wastes no space on extras. All the features feel right at home.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a cool looking keyboard and don’t mind the rubber look of the keycaps. The look isn’t all too bad especially since you can turn off the rgb or customize the effects. What I love the most is its unique and efficient design. The G84 Pro is easily my favorite keyboard because it is incredibly comfortable and it has all the keys I need to play Guild Wars 2.

‘You can pick up your very own G84 Pro from the official Epomaker store or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Discover Encounter: The Lost Cards – A Quirky Deckbuilding Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Encounter: The Lost Cards 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 latest reviews for the Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

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 with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Enconter: The Lost Cards

Encounter: The Lost Cards is a quirky roguelike deckbuilder out now on Steam Early Access with a demo available you should try. Don’t forget to wishlist.

Hook

Fate has been decided by the cards. Your journey will be filled with fated encounters, some good and some deadly. Evil will try to sway you, but you always have the choice to live your life virtuously. Fill your bag with useful items and go on a silly adventure you will never forget. Fight your way through powerful enemies, make good choices, and be prepared for some intense inventory management. How far will your choices take you?

Gameplay

A players encounters are randomly determined by a deck of tarot cards. Encounters can be combat, a curse, a shop, or a social encounter. The choices a player makes affects the loot and judgement they receive. But choice is only half the battle, the rest is inventory management. Players will need to be efficient with the limited space in their bag as they complete their run. A run is over when the player dies and fails judgement.

Loot

Items collected throughout the journey give players their actions economy. They allow players to cast magic, perform attacks, heal themselves, or cast boons during combat. Unfortunately, items will break after a set number of uses. Once an item breaks, it can no longer be used. They can be repaired in town for a cost, so make sure you are always keep your good items with enough uses to survive your adventure. You can be left stranded without weapons if you aren’t smart about your choices. It is hard to fight the boss with only your fists and no healing.

Encounters

It shouldn’t be a surprise that encounters are the core aspect of Encounter. Players will cycle through random encounters determined by a deck of tarot cards. They determine the type of encounter whether it be social or combat and the type of loot a player has access to. Choices made in past encounters affect future ones. Being sinful for example may turn some friendly and useful encounters hostile. There is an NPC that gives players useful items for free, but only if they are virtuous.

Judgement

Judgement is another big part of Encounters. Players will be tempted to sin throughout their adventure. They can steal the sword they can’t afford or overindulge in debauchery, and other actions that give useful buffs at the cost of your soul. Players who choose a virtuous run can get a free resurrection and other useful buffs on death, while those who sin find themselves at a Lilith’s mercy. Both options have their benefits and draw backs. What kind of life will you live?

Combat

Combat is turn based. Players will build a deck of useful items on their journey. This deck is limited by inventory space. The key is to be efficient.

Each player has a set number of action points they can spend per turn. This number is fixed at first, but can be increased through choices and luck based rolls. Action points can be spent to use the various items in your inventory to heal, attack, cast magic, or buff their character. Combat is over when the player or NPC dies.

Review

Encounter: The Lost Cards is still in early access. The game is not finished yet, and you can tell. It is full of bugs and I haven’t been able to connect to the server to take advantage of the wayfinder mechanic which locks me out of some choices. That said, none of the bugs are game breaking, and I haven’t been able to put the game down. Encounter is a cute and quirky game with enough depth to keep tings engaging. If you are looking for a different kind of deckbuilding roguelike and don’t mind the roughness, it is at least worth checking out the demo.

Encounters

The encounters in this game are fun for the first couple runs before they start to get repetitive. I appreciate the adult humor and the generally quirky tone of the writing. After a couple of runs though, encounters start to repeat. This is the norm for the genre so it wasn’t a big deal, but there are some encounters that will end your run. That said, the RNG in this game is mostly fair and makes each run feel different enough to keep the grind from becoming soulless.

The Grind

Encounter: The Lost Cards has its grind, especially if you want to unlock some permanent buffs that will help you go far. The game does get a little repetitive, especially if you aren’t able to make it far. Not making the right choices or taking advantage of the games nuanced mechanics can make the grind a little harder. The game doesn’t do a good job at onboarding a player, but I almost prefer having to figure things out on my own.

I find the repetitive grind soothing. Sure the RNG can kill a run, but it also kept each run feeling fresh. I always had a new strategy to try. A lot of the fun came from trying to figure out the different mechanics through trial and error. I could have looked at a guide, but I enjoyed making choices I thought were fun. It was the perfect grind for catching up on anime because it involved enough thought to keep me engaged without requiring my full undivided attention.

Aesthetic

The game looks great. I love the pixel art design and the music choice. The game has a solid retro vibe with a modern enough flare to set it apart from other similar styles. There is a bit of fan service to be aware of, but nothing I would consider too adult.

The Bad

I was only able to successfully run Encounter on my desktop once. It runs great on desktop and have no complaints, but switched to the Steam Deck to test the compatibility. Encounter is a fantastic Steam Deck game. It runs great and it is casual enough to make it the perfect game to play on the go, or in my case, in bed while I was bed ridden. Unfortunately, I was never able to connect to the server to take advantage of whatever the wayfinder boon gave me. I have no regrets. I prefer this game on handheld.

The game also doesn’t do a good job at explaining its mechanics. It sort of drops players into the game with a basic understanding of how things work and I sort of figured things out through trial and error. This wasn’t a deal breaker because that is how I usually play these sorts of games, but it did mean I was wasting some of my runs. Make sure you don’t waste your useful items on the easy encounters, and repair the items you like. I am sure you can find a guide if you rather just minmax.

Conclusion

Encounter: The Lost Cards is my current addiction. Sure there is some roughness involved, but the game works well enough to deserve its chance. It should at least be on a few more wishlists. Encounter is a unique twist on the deckbuilding roguelike with fun flavor and even better mechanics. If you are looking for a new casual game that doesn’t require too much of your attention, check out Encounter: The lost Cards on Steam Early Access.