All posts by josechurape

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.

video game reviews

First Impressions of PiPu Party: A Fun Puzzle Platformer

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Disclaimer

I was invited to cover the PiPu Party demo on my blog. I understand the game is not finished yet, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest first impressions of the game.

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 PiPu Party?

PiPu Party is a chaotic puzzle platformer. You can brave the puzzles on your own, or play with your friends. The game supports up to 8 players for those who want to get really crazy. There is a demo available you should definitely try.

Hook

Players will jump through creative puzzles in a race against time. Team up with your friends for some creative co-op solutions, or race against your crew in a wacky adventure you won’t forget. Use your inventory to control the world around you to find your way to the solution. Are you smart enough to clear the levels?

Gameplay

Players will use their character to jump across the platform puzzle without falling as they race to get the fastest clear possible. Falling means starting the level over which results in a slower clear. What makes Pipu Party unique is that players will pick up abilities they can use to manipulate the world around them. Abilities will move, rotate, or stop platforms. Players can only hold three abilities at a time, and abilities are used in order. Players will need to know when and how to use their abilities efficiently to get the solve.

The game can be played solo, or with friends in couch 2-player co-op. The inventory is shared in multiplayer. There is an up to 8 player race game that sounds fun for a party, but I do not have enough friends to test it out.

Impressions

Since I’ve starting this blog, I’ve gotten more fond of platformers. I was never a fan because I was never good at them. Having to review games of every genre, I am proud to say that I have developed enough skill to appreciate a good platformer. PiPu Party is shaping up like a good platformer, even for the people like me who don’t have enough friends to take full advantage of the game’s design.

Art

PiPu Party has a simple retro vibe that gives the game its charm. If you are a fan of classic platformers from the SNES era, you will appreciate how well these pixels are put together to create its unique world and platforming experience. The game also has a fantastic soundtrack to get you in the mood for some intense jumping puzzles.

Puzzles

The demo has a few puzzles to play through, but they give a solid grasp of what to expect from the game. They all felt creative and get challenging, without feeling impossible. This may change in the full game, but I didn’t feel too frustrated trying for a solve.

What makes the puzzles in Pipu Party unique are that they move with or without a players interaction. Sometimes, you will be dropped onto a puzzle in motion and you have to act fast to solve the puzzle. Precision and efficiency is key in solving these puzzles. Other times, you will need to move or affect the direction of the puzzle pieces to get to the goal. The experience is very memorable, and I can’t wait to see more.

Conclusion

If you are a fan of platformers, especially the more difficult ones, you should try out PiPu Party. The game has a very cute retro vibe with some puzzles that will have you only using the edge of your seat. I only tried the solo mode and liked it enough to play more, but I can see how the game’s potential for being that silly party game you bring out with your most competitive friends. Do yourself a favor, go check out the demo and don’t forget to add PiPu Party to your wishlist!

You can check out PiPu Party on Steam.

video game reviews

Kingdom of Night Review: A Retro RPG Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Kingdom of Night on Steam 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 Kingdom of Night?

Kingdom of Night is a hack and slash action RPG out now on Steam. If you’ve ever wanted to have a dungeons and dragons style adventure in the 80’s, this is the game for you.

Hook

A satanic cult has taken over the small town of Miami Arizona and summoned Baphomet and his demon army. The town is thrown into chaos and John seems to be the only one who can bring back this sleepy town’s peace. Take control of John as he navigates the streets of his sleepy home town, fending of waves of Bephomet’s demon army. Can he master his powers and defeat Bephomet before it is too late, or will this be everyone’s last night on Earth?

Gameplay

Players will take control of John, and one of of his friends if playing co-op. You get to choose from one of the five classes: Barbarian, Knight, Rogue, Necromancer, and Sorcerer. The game works like your classic hack and slash. Players explore the different bits of the town, hacking away at the endless waves of enemies as they work towards the final fight. The melee classes are pretty straight forward and more beginner friendly, but the game does introduce a unique magic system that you should try at least once.

Magic

Kingdom of Night has an involved magic system that helps it stand out from other games in the genre. To cast a spell, players will need to activate runes according to the spells order. Runes are tied buttons on the controller or keys on the keyboard. The game gives players access to their spellbook at anytime. Once the combination has been pressed, players can cast the spell as long as it is off cooldown.

Skill Tree and Gear

Along the way, players will find gear to upgrade their character. The gear is very thematic and there is a good amount of variety that allow a diverse amount of builds. Players can buy levels on their skill tree for even more customization. While the game may be solvable, it doesn’t feel like it. I enjoyed trying to find a build of the necromancer that fit my playstyle.

Review

Kingdom of Night is a the perfect fantasy adventure full of action and a solid story to keep players invested. The retro vibe and all the 80’s references help set the proper mood for an dark adventure through the sleepy town of Miami, Arizona. If you want a fun hack and slash that is guaranteed to be an instant classic, this game should be in your library.

Aesthetic

The game goes above and beyond to successfully capture the spirit of the 80’s in this dark fantasy adventure. The dialogue, the characters, and the world design are all full of 80’s flare. I liked seeing posters of terminator and other 80’s references.

I am a huge fan of the game’s artstyle. The pixel art gives the game its retro vibe, but is able to deliver the perfect amount of detail to make Kingdom of Night an epic adventure. The game has cool animations and memorable character designs. The soundtrack is also fantastic, and helps set the mood of the adventure.

Story

Kingdom of Night is a proper fantasy adventure. The story has a great hook, solid buildup, and good amount of mystery to keep things moving. The side quests are flavorful and add a good amount of world building. If you need something to tide you over as you wait for the last season of Stranger Things, Kingdom of Night can help scratch the itch.

Spellcasting

I played as the necromancer because I wanted a challenge. The spellcasters require a bit more skill, but gameplay is not impossible. I loved every minute of my necromancer journey. The spell casting is such a refreshing mechanic, and some of my favorite of any game. It does take some getting used to, but once it clicks, its going to be hard to play spell casters in other games. Activating the rune combos is so flavorful and kept the game from becoming a mindless hack and slash. I will go back to replay the game as other classes.

Character Builds

I appreciate the amount of flavor that goes into the game, especially when it comes to the loot. Players will pick up gear that is properly themed to fit the world like books or sneakers, but give stat boosts that give players some control over their build. There is some RNG involved, but it felt fair for the most part.

Players can also customize their character by upgrading their skill tree at level up. The skill tree does offer some additional customization for each class, but it is pretty strait forward. You won’t, and shouldn’t, need to look up a guide. I found success building what I thought was fun.

Combat

Combat is a lot of fun. The hack and slash aspect is engaging and the boss fights are fun and memorable. There is a grind to this game, but it isn’t too bad. You can and should start skipping some of the more mindless drones that roam the city or else it will take forever to beat the story. Aside from the few important quest lines, players have a good amount of freedom to explore the city at their own pace. The city feels huge for a small town, and exploration can take a long time if you are spending your time killing everything that gets in your way. Note that mobs respawn if you enter and exit buildings.

Other

I did not get to try couch co-op, but I like that the game has the option in case I ever have a friend to play with. Kingdom of Night works perfectly on the Steam Deck and it works perfectly! I actually preferred playing on the Steam Deck because it let me chill on the couch. The arcade style gameplay makes this game the perfect couch game, and I’ll take any excuse to be away from my computer.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fun adventure game with a good story and a cool world to explore, pick up Kingdom of Night. This is a very well made game that earns every dollar it is asking for. If you are fan of those old school cabinet games, or need a game to play locally with a friend or sibling, it doesn’t get much better than Kingdom of Night.

You can pick up Kingdom of Night on Steam.

Tech Reviews

Unboxing the Epomaker TH33: Features & Performance

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Disclaimer

Epomaker sent me the TH33 keypad for free 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 Epomaker RT85 and F75 keyboards. I will 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?

  • TH33 Wireless Keypad
  • 2.4 Ghz Wireless Dongle
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • Backspace Keycap
  • 2 Additional Switches
  • User Manual

Features

The Epomaker TH33 keypad is the keypad you need when you need a few extra keys to get the job done. Whether you need it for some serious accounting or a few extra macros, this little keycap is a promising addition to any setup.

Design

The TH33 keypad has a simple and clean design to fit most perfessional settings, but each of the 33 keys and switches are easily hotswappable to allow some personlization. The light weight design and sturdy build make it ideal for travel without feeling or looking cheap. The look wouldn’t be complete without that soft south facing RGB that gives the keypad some flare without being too distracting. It can be shutoff if you are only in it for the function.

Comfort

The TH33 boasts an ergonomic design, ready for the most serious number crunching. The native 6 degree typing angle can be adjusted to create the perfect fit and the keycaps have been contoured for the ideal typing feel. The TH33 features a gasket design the creates the perfect creamy sound for those who need a bit of typing ASMR while they work.

Performance

The TH33 houses an impressive 2000mAh battery for those long work sessions. The boasted low latency and high polling rate make it ideal for any workflow. Most importantly, the each key can be easily reprogrammed through VIA for an endless amount of utility. Whether you need an accounting tool or a dedicated macropad, the TH33 is ready for the assignment.

Review

If you are looking for a keypad with extra room for activities, you need the TH33. This light weight, handy tool can upgrade your productivity without taking up too much of your precious desktop real estate.

Quality

I was a little disappointing when I first opened the box because the keypad does look like plastic. It doesn’t look bad, but it does look like a toy. On further inspection, I was relieved to find it to be a high quality accessory. While the light weight keypad does feel like plastic, everything has been well machined. At least, it doesn’t look or feel like it will fade after a few uses.

Comfort

The TH33 is fine out the box. The default typing angle allows for the hand to sit in a more natural position, and the option to adjust the height makes it perfect for most hands. I prefer a taller angle and found it a very comfortable solution. The switches are soft and responsive. The keycaps look cheap, but feel fine. I appreciate that the have been contoured to fit the finger to make each press delightful and precise. The TH33 is a comfortable and powerful keypad.

Performance

The TH33 met my expectations for a key pad. I appreciate the long battery life. I’ve been using it for two weeks now and haven’t had to charge it, even with the RBG on. I would say for those who need it more regularly, the keyboard will get at least 10 hours of continuous use, but you can always turn off the RGB for a longer session if needed. The keypad is as responsive as needed. I didn’t notice any latency or ghosting in my two weeks.

My only issue with the keypad is that it does feel like it has a few extraneous buttons. Having volume controls is fantastic, but things like the arrow keys feel unnecessary. Unless you don’t have them on your laptop, you are getting a few extra buttons that you might not use unless you reprogram the keypad. Luckily, reprogramming the TH33 through VIA is very easy. You can easily add macros or remap keys for functions you actually need. This is the keypad you get when you either need a few extra macros or you need a d macropad that is simple and doesn’t take too much space.

Conclusion

If you need something a little bigger than your typical numbpad, the TH33 is great option. It is simple, clean, and quality enough to survive some travel. This is the keypad you get only if you need the extra keys, otherwise, you can make due with the Epomaker EK21. I like the keypad and even got some use by creating a few useful shortcuts for my data entry, but I wouldn’t call it an essential part of my kit. It does make my workflow a bit more convenient and that alone has some value.

If you need it, you can pick up the Epomaker TH33 keypad on the official Epomaker store, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

Tech Reviews

Maximize Desk Space with Huanuo Nitroglide Mount

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Disclaimer

Huanuo sent me the the Nitroglide dual monitor mount 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 I can. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.

Table of Contents

Features

The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor is the ideal solution for those needed to free up some desk real estate in a way that is functional. If you are looking for a dual monitor arm that won’t destroy your setup, check out the Nitroglide.

Specs

The Nitroglide dual monitor arm supports 13 inch to 40 inch monitors. Each arm can securely hold up to 26 lbs. The mount is compatible with 75x75mm and 100x100mm Vesa paterns, with support for both flat and curved panels. Versa patters are the distance between the four screws on the back. The rig can be held by either the dual c-clamp or grommet system. Both systems can mount a desk with the thickness of up to 3.54 inches.

Arms

The Nitroglide’s arms have a full range of motion that allows users to find the ideal height and position for their setup. The arms can rotate 360°. The monitors can swivel 90° and can tilt a maxium of 30° up or down. Whether the users wants their configuration to be side by side, vertical, or everything in between, the Nitroglide is ready to handle it all.

Gimmick

The Nitroglide has a couple of gimmicks that help it stand out against the competition. For starters, each arm features an integrated cable management system to help users reduce some of that pesky cable clutter. There are also two build in usb ports at the bottom of the base to allow for convenient charging.

Review

If you are looking for a monitor arm, the Huanuo Nitroglide is a fantastic solution. The Nitroglide is a high quality mount that is ready to upgrade your setup in a functional and secure way.

Quality

The Huanuo Nitroglide comes in a heavy package because they do not skimp in the quality. Everything is neatly and safely packaged to survive even the rowdiest of deliveries. Each piece is well machined from high quality metals. Once assembled, users will appreciate the slick design and premium feel of the arms.

Assembly and Instillation

Assembly of the Nitroglide is essentially plug and play, with a few screw tightening to secure everything together. The instructions are strait forward and easy to follow, and you only need a scew driver. The kit has everything else you need, including spacers for your curved monitor. Installation is just as easy. As far as furniture builds go, the Nitroglide will be your easiest project, even for those who aren’t very handy with tools.

Function

The Nitroglide can easily glide to the ideal position in moments notice. You will need to make a few simple adjustments with the included allen wrench, but it only takes seconds. If you find that your arms aren’t staying in the position you want, check out this video:

I love how easily I can change up the configuration of my rig. It allows me to find the perfect ergonomic position, and move it when my cat gets in the way. My cat likes to sit in front of the monitor a lot, and I like that I can easily lift it without having to bother her. I can also turn my second monitor so my daughter can watch Bluey on the second monitor while I work.

Space

You get monitor arms when you want to free up space on your desk, and I appreciate the space it allows me. My old solution was fine, but it did feel a lot more cluttered in comparison. I am still working on my final configuration, but I have a lot more room for activities. If you need a way to free up some space, get yourself the Huanuo Nitroglide.

Before
After

Gimmick Value

I didn’t get a chance to test out the cable management system. I am moving into my new office and haven’t quite figured out my final configuration. That said, I support less wire clutter.

I did get to use the built in usb hubs, and will continue to use them. The hubs are wires that you have to loop through the bottom of the base during assembly. Looping the wire is pretty simple, although they may move a bit in the process. They will need to be connected to a power source whether that be your computer or a power brick.

The power brick I use has two USB slots that I connect it to, but I can see it going to my PC for a nice extension when I use my standing desk. Eitherway, I love that this feature helps eliminate some of the wire clutter. I used to have my chargers hanging off my desk, now I can put them away when I don’t need them. While I don’t think either of the gimmicks are essential for your mounting needs, they are nice to have.

Strength

Because I have been moving, I have had to move and rearrange the arms multiple times. I never saw a dip in the glide’s performance, nor have I noticed any shakiness. I did have to adjust a few screws to keep the monitor from gliding out to place, but that is very easy to do.

I am very impressed with the strength of each arm. They can hold both monitors, fully extended and in any direction. If you don’t adjust the correct screws, the arms will lift your monitor automatically and keep it there. I did not notice any shaking on either arm, even when I was typing aggressively.

Conclusion

I have used the Huanuo Nitroglide and am happy to report that neither of my has fallen. The Nitroglide holds both my Odyssey G5 Series 27-Inch and the Samsung 27″ S3 securely. My only regret is that I wish I bought both the same monitors. This mount has not only made my setup cleaner, I can sleep easily that my setup won’t come crashing down in the middle of the night. If you are looking for a high quality monitor mount, the Huanuo Nitroglide is the way to go. You can pick your up on Amazon through my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do.

Tech Reviews

Upgrade Your Keyboard: Ydmochi Sweet Dango Keycaps

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the Ydmochi Sweet Dango Dream Keycap Set for free 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 Y2k and Sprout Picnic keycaps. I’ll be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • 142 Keys compatible with 60%, 65%, 75%, TKL, & Full-sized keyboards

Opening

Features

KiiBoom releases another adorable set, but this time its mochi flavored. These high quality keycaps are compatible with mot cherry profile switches, and are ready to upgrade your boring old aesthetic.

Quality

Milled from high quality plastic and dyed with the upmost care, these caps don’t only look good but promise to last you a lot longer than your keyboard. They have been treated to be heat and abrasion resistant to endure the sweatiest of team fights.

Comfort

The Ydmochi Dango Dreams keycap set has been design to not only cute, but for comfort. The rounded design conforms with the shape of your fingers for a more ergonomic experience. The rows have been contoured to fit the hands natural range of motion to eliminate some fatigue. The soft plastic makes each press a cozy delight.

Design

The keycap set features vibrant pastel theme that is cute without being distracting. Users get enough keys to allow some reasonable customization. The numbered/lettered keys feature a minimalist design for those who prefer that aesthetic, but the KiiBOOM includes some adorable mochi themed images for a little flavor.

Review

The KiiBOOM x Ydmochi Sweet Dango keycaps are a fantastic upgrade to any aesthetic. These high quality caps are not only adorable, they are comfortably functional. If you are aiming for a minimalist setup and are a fan of mochi, you need to do yourself a favor and buy this set.

Quality

I have yet to get bad quality products from KiiBOOM. Even the keyboard that my mailman clearly played soccer worked with minimal tinkering. If you are looking for a quality budget option for your next keyboard, you can’t go wrong with KiiBOOM. If you are looking for cute keycaps to change up your aesthetic, KiiBOOM is the way.

The Ydmochi caps are machined and dyed with the KiiBOOM quality I am familiar with. The keycaps are clean and the printing is high quality. These are not smudging or fading any time soon. Most importantly, they fit the switches perfectly. With cheaper keycaps, you risk them not fitting right or staying on properly, but I am not worried. These feel like they will last me a long time, but you might change them out for one of the other cute sets. The Doughfluff keycaps are personal favorite.

Comfort

The Ydmochi keycaps are as soft as they look. I have used cheap keycaps that feel like they cut at you with every keypress, but Ydmochi feels like you’re pressing on gummy candy. The contoured designed allows for the ideal motion to avoid any strain from prolongued use. They didn’t trigger my repetitive stress injury, but note that I also have a very ergonomic position for my keyboards.

Design

I am a huge fan of the set’s minimilistic design. The font used for the keys are fun without being detracting, and the pictures are so cute. I like that I have a few options for customization so I can make the keyboard at least a little more unique. If you like mochi and want to keep your aesthetic clean and simple, these are a fantastic set of keycaps.

Conclusion

If you are looking for keycaps, KiiBOOM has a fantastic selection of cute, high quality keycaps to upgrade any aesthetic. If you are looking for minimilist that wants a splash of color, you have to get the Ydmochi keycaps. You can pick up your set on the official KiiBOOM store or on Amazon through my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you use my link before buying anything.

video game reviews

Is Netherworld Covenant Worth Playing?

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I was sent a free copy of Netherworld Covenant 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 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 Netherworld Covenant?

Netherworld Covenant is a topdown souls-like out now on steam. If you are a fan of games like Diablo or Path of Exile but always wanted them to be a little more roguelike, you definitely need to check out the demo.

Hook

The world has ended. The demons who have caused the world ending catastrophe still roam free. You are the only survivor, and it is up to you to take them down and avenge you fallen comrades. Make your way through procedurally generated dungeons and defeat its endless waves of guardians. But you are not alone. The spirits of your fallen comrades will come to your aid in battle. Do you have what it takes to avenge everything, or will you be another lost soul in this cold unforgiving world?

Gameplay Loop

Netherworld Covenant is your typical dungeon crawler roguelike with a few souls-like mechanics to help it set it apart from the rest of the genre.

Dungeon Crawl

Players choose one of the game’s unique dungeon and jumps into the dungeon. They must clear each room to earn a reward as they build up to a floor boss. Players are rewarded after clearing each room, and get to choose the type of reward. The run ends when the player dies or beats the floor boss.

Combat

Players will have a primary attack and a few lantern abilities to help them fight off enemies. They’ll have a primary attack they can spam or a strong attack they can charge that is based on their class. For example, the mage class will shoot a volley of magic arrows or charge it for a powerful blast. The lantern will give players additional abilities. Players can summon a ghost to help them in battle or use a secondary weapon. These abilities can be customized and upgraded between runs.

Gearing and Upgrades

In between runs, players will return to a hub where they can upgrade their character. They can craft different weapons and armor and upgrade their ghost’s abilities. This costs currency that the player will earn throughout a run. Some weapons and upgrades will need to be picked up as drops from the dungeon. Players also have the chance to buy levels off their skill tree. I am sure there is a way to minmax builds, but players have a general freedom for building their characters. As simple as the game may seem, it does offer a bit of customization for a bit of variety.

Review

Netherworld Covenant attempts an interesting twist to the genre, but it didn’t really vibe with me. While the game will earn a few hours of fun, I can’t see myself picking this over Void Souls.

Aesthetic

The game is fine if you enjoy dark fantasy, but it doesn’t have enough to make it stand out against the genre. Monster and character design is decent, but the maps feel repetitive and dull. Changing to a different realm didn’t change enough to be impactful. It all felt like I was slogging through the same rooms facing off against the same wave of enemies and it got old fast.

Gameplay

The game is a little buggy. There were noticeable frame drops and combat doesn’t feel as smooth as it needs to be for the genre. The combat system is interesting for the first few minutes. Unfortunately, when the novelty wears off, it starts to feel repetitive. This makes the grind feel worse than it is.

One of the issues I have with the game is with the RNG. The procedural generated dungeons aren’t very interesting and they start to look the same after a while. In addition, the upgrades you have access can ruin a run. On the time I beat the boss, it felt like I didn’t do anything because the buffs I got made me broken. The game needs a bit of rebalancing, and a few patches for smoothness.

Combat

The combat system is a little too simple. This makes it fine for a casual souls-like, but you have better options. The idea of summoning a ghost of a fallen comrade to fight with you seems cool, but it feels a little clunky in practice. Worst of all, the meta seems solvable. It feels like there is a right answer when it comes to the class you play and the choices you make, and I felt like I figured it early on into my my playthrough. The fun bit about roguelike for me is the ability to find random dumb builds that will take me to legendhood. Here it felt like if I didn’t choose optimally, I was going to have a bad time. Bosses are kind of interesting, but if you get the right build and grind long enough, it doesn’t matter.

Conclusion

Netherworld Covenant isn’t a bad game. I respect the attempt at freshening up the genre, but there are simply better options. If you are looking for a topdown souls like, Void Souls has better combat system. Or you can try Dethbound for something more unique. If you are looking for an ARPG, checkout Striving for Light. I have a soft spot for Liberte.

I can respect the game for trying to blend all these interesting ideas together, but it just doesn’t do them well enough to justify the price. If you really want to check it out, try the demo and I would argue to wait for the sale. Especially when you have better options.

You can pick up Netherworld Covenant on Steam.

Tech Reviews

Is the Mechlands Vibe108 the Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard?

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the Vibe108 mechanical keyboard for free 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 Vibe99 and the the M75 keyboards. I’ll also be using my affiliate link where possible.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Vibe108 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A braided Cable
  • 2.4Ghz Dongle
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Manual

Features

If you are looking for your first mechanical keyboard, it might be worth looking into the The Mechlands Vibe108. The Vibe108 is loaded with the features you need, and a few you didn’t know you needed.

Aesthetic

The Vibe108 comes in white with a soft pastel blue accent to give it that cozy feel you want on your table. Each 104 key is lit up by soft south-facing RBG. It can’t be a gaming keyboard without some RGB. It comes with a few preprogrammed profiles for added customization, but you can turn it off when you don’t want to have the light show. I am a big fan of the soft strop that lights up the sides of the board.

Gimick

The Vibe108 is a full-sized keyboard with all the keys you need for your workflow. You get a number pad, a function bar, and media controls. The Vibe108 features easily accessible media buttons and a dial for volume control. You don’t know how nice it is too have media control until you have them.

Comfort

The Vibe108 mechanical keyboard comes out of the box with a comfortable typing angle, but offers adjustable heights for those who need it. I like my keyboards at the highest setting. Whether you are using the Mechlands cream mint switches for the typing asmr or the vela silent switches for a bit more stealth, you can be assured you are getting a comfortable yet satisfying typing experience.

Performance

At this price point, the Vibe108 promises peak performance at a very reasonable price. Especially for the price point.

The keyboards switches offer fast and accurate imputs with no ghosting or noticeable latency. Users can enjoy a fast connection through the supported wired, wireless, and Bluetooth connections. With an impressive 10,000mAh, users can enjoy long interrupted workflow hours without having to plug back in. Enjoy up to 200 hours of use without any of the backlights on a single charge!

Most importantly, the keyboard can be customized with the macros and rebinds you need in your life.

Sound Test

Review

Out of all the Mechlands keyboards I have tried, the Vibe108 with the silent switches has been my favorite. If you are looking for a full-sized keyboard to upgrade your current set-up, the Mechlands Vibe108 is the perfect place to start.

Quality

The quality of Mechlands keyboards tends to fluctuate, but they really stepped up their game with the Vibe 108. The gasket is well machined and light, and the keys looks like they can take a pounding. They still feel cheap if you take the time to really examine them (or know what nice keycaps feel like), but most people aren’t going to notice. Out of the box, this keyboard looks and feels like it should be worth a bit more money.

Comfort

The Vibe108 is Mechlands’ most comfortable keyboard. It is a good size that allows enough spacing for my hands to sit in a comfortable position. The typing angle out of the box is good enough for most users, and the extra height is perfect for me.

I got the silent switches. While I do like having a more thacky sound to my typing, my wife really appreciates the silence. These switches are incredibly quiet while still offering a satisfying typing experience. Each press is soft, with enough feedback to feel good without causing any fatigue. I daily drove this keyboard longer than my usual test period because of how comfortable it is to use. While it isn’t marketed as an ergonomic solution, it never triggered my repetitive stress injury and that is a huge win for me.

Performance

I got about 10 hours of use before needing to charge the keyboard, but I don’t think I ever charged it all the way. There was no noticeable latency and gaming was comfortable. I was able do a good amount of grinding in Guild Wars 2 without issue.

Conclusion

The Vibe108 is my favorite Mechlands keyboard. I will be recommending it to anyone who needs a full sized keyboard but doesn’t want to spend much money. This is a very pretty keyboard the is the perfect size for my workflow with the customization I need to make it future proof. If you are looking for a fun way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the Vibe108 mechanical keyboard.

You can pick up the Vibe108 on the official Mechlands store using my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Tingus Goose: A Surreal Idle Game Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Tingus Goose 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 Tingus Goose?

Tingus Goose is a surreal idle game where you bounce babies for money. This is the trippiest weirdest game you’ll ever play, but it might be worth trying at least once.

Hook

Help your ground goose grow tall enough to mate with the sky goose in what has to be the most laid back tower defense you’ll ever load to your computer. Bounce babies as they rain from the ground goose to earn the money to grow your goose. Unlock upgrades and buildings to help you increase your profit margin. Build a good enough structure and you can step away and watch your money grow. How many different stages of goose can you get through?

Gameplay

The goose will mate and transform into different creatures that spread across the world. While there is nothing sexual about this game, there are a few references that some might find offensive. Nothing explicit, but something to keep in mind.

The goose is born into the world from the love of their parents. In order to mate and continue to the cycle, players must help it grow. They do this buy spending money. To earn money in this game, players must bounce the babies that rain out of the ground goose. This is done by clicking on the falling babies to earn money actively, or arranging structures to do it passively.

Passive Income

As the ground goose grows, it will sprout random structures that can be used to bounce the babies. These structures are themed after the level and can be arranged along the neck of the goose. It is a very laid back tower defense game where there is no right answer or losing. You can leave the game running in the background and watch your money grow (or log off if you pick up the skill).

Skills

Players will unlock abilities as they play the game and grow their geese. Players have access to a comprehensive skill tree and a few RNG abilities that they can unlock throughout a run. These abilities help increase a players learning potential, but there is no real need to minmax (although you probably can). Buy whatever seems fun to you.

Structures

The ground goose sprouts random structures as it grows. These are randomly selected from a players pool of structures. All players start with the same limited pool, but unlock additional structures as they progress through the game. These structures will bounce, blow, suck, and manipulate a baby’s fall while earning players money. The game gets very creative and thematic with their structures, and leaves enough room for players to get creative with their Rube Goldberg machine.

Review

Tingus Goose is the weirdest adventure I’ve ever had to go on, and I am not mad about it. This game is an excellent example of creative surrealism and bundles it in a way that is digestible and relaxing. If you want to sit back and enjoy some weirdness with what little precious time you have for gaming, take it up with Tingus Goose.

Art

Tingus Goose has a fun and quirky aesthetic that gives the game its cozy atmosphere. The art is simple, but the cut scenes are wild the best possible way. I am having trouble finding the right words to describe what it is I just played, but I know I liked it. I commend the devs on how creative they get with their story telling with a style and aesthetic that definitely stands out not just against other games in the genre (if there are any) but all other games in general.

Story

The story is simple, but creative. A goose falls in love, grows, mates, and the cycle continues. There are 17 unique levels, each as creative as the next. I don’t think I fully understand what the story is about, but I needed to keep playing to find out what the next world looked like, and what structures I would get to use.

Gameplay

Tingus Goose is an idle game, but without the predatory micro-transactions you see in other games. While other games will eventually slow your play to encourage you to spend more money, Tingus Goose only asks for money once. This means players can enjoy the whole game without spending additional money.

The game itself is a soothing and simple loop that doesn’t take too much of a commitment. You can build your goose how ever you want (around the RNG) at your own pace. I am sure there is an optimal way of building and designing your goose, but I never felt the need and had fun messing around. I loved arranging my structures as they came, watching the cute animations of my machine in action, and occasionally clicking to get through the game faster. There might be a grind, but it doesn’t feel like it.

Conclusion

I enjoy a good idle game, but I hate how predatory they get. I usually can only get through the first few levels before the game will nerf my progress so that can start spending money. Looking at you League of Angles: Pact. I understand the need to make money to develop the game, but some companies get a little too greedy. Tingus Goose was fun throughout, with enough content to be worth the price tag.

I like that I can be active and design my Rube Goldberg machine to bounce babies and chose my upgrades for my goose, but I also like that I can just sit back and enjoy the general silliness. What I like most is that it never felt like there was a right answer. I could explore the games different mechanics at my own pace without the fear of messing up. In that way, Tingus Goose offers the purest gaming experience of any game in one of the most bizarre packages.

Even if you don’t like idle games, Tingus Goose is a strange trip that you need to go on once. I appreciate the devs doing something out of the box, and staying out there. I love this game, and will continue to run it in the background.

You can pick up Tingus Goose on Steam. Just be warned, this game gets wild.

video game reviews

Dungeons & Kingdoms: The Survival Game That Does Too Much

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Dungeons & Kingdoms 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 Dungeons & Kingdoms

Dungeons & Kingdoms is a survival game with village management and dungeon delving mechanics. The game is currently currently on Steam Early access. I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review because the game is not finished, but these are still my honest opinions.

The Hook

You have landed on the shores of the new world with only the shirt on your back. With the help of the few who have traveled with you, you must reform the world around you into the kingdom that will be your home. Gather resources, build your city, command its citizens, and go an adventure you will never forget. Can you forge to greatness from humble beginnings, or will the harsh environment consume you?

Gameplay

Dungeons & Kingdoms is an RPG where you build a kingdom, manage citizens, and delve dungeons. If this sounds like a lot, it is.

Survival Game

Players start their run with only the clothes on their backs. They must explore the world and gather its resources in order to discover the recipes they need to build a mighty empire. What sets Dungeons & Kingdoms apart is that players can command NPCs to help in the building effort.

Kingdom Builder/Management

One of the goals of Dungeons & Kingdoms is to build a mighty empire from scratch. Players get to command a growing population of NPCs to gather, build, craft, and send them on adventures. Like other village management games, players will need to be mindful of their citizen’s happiness. It is a very intricate game with many moving parts, but there is also a bit of dungeon delving to keep things fresh and interesting.

Dungeon Delve

Players can delve dungeons in search of treasure to fund the growth of their empire. Combat in this game is pretty simple, but requires a bit of fines to get the kills. Whatever flavor of the game you like, Dungeons & Kingdoms does a lot for its player, but is it any good?

Review

The game does a little too much, and none of it works well at this stage of development. While I like the game’s concept, you really need to be okay with the janky state the game is in. As far as Early Access games, you can do worse, but you can definitely do better. I like Core Keeper is my favorite survival game, and Pathless Woods if you want something a little more cozy.

Aesthetic

I am not a big fan of the visuals for Dungeons & Kingdoms. The world is boring, and feels a little too empty. The character and visual design is a little too pixelated and ugly. It feels like they are mashing too many styles for their assets together when they should try to go for something consistent and simple. The game is doing way too much and I can’t expect it to be realistic and perform well enough to be fun, not that it already is. They need to find a theme for their world and stick to it whether it be the weird 3D pixel art or something more realistic. I prefer a little weirdness personally.

Gameplay

I like that the game has a lot to do. The blending of genres is a very interesting idea with a good amount of potential, but all these moving parts can be overwhelming. If the game can successfully onboard players through those awkward early stages of the game, it can have its growing fandom. Unfortunately, the tutorial is boring and not very good. It doesn’t help that the performance isn’t great. While I like the idea of a survival game with all of these elements, the execution isn’t good enough to make a positive impression. If you have the patience to fight through the bugs and performance issues, your time is still better spent elsewhere. I really liked Enshrouded.

Performance

I usually give Early Access games a bit of a pass because they aren’t finished yet, but the performance issues make the game more work than its worth. There is a general wonkiness that carries over to every task. The game has bad UI that makes navigating through the many menus a chore. It got to the point where I was working too hard and wasn’t having fun. The problem is that the game is trying way too much at once. There are so many moving parts and while some may be working fine, I didn’t have it in me to get to that point. Most gamers won’t either. I am willing to try the game in a couple of updates if the performance improves, but I can’t recommend it in its current state.

Conclusion

Dungeons & Kingdoms has some cool ideas, it doesn’t do any of its parts good enough to earn a recommendation. For every genre this game mashes together, you simply have better options. Even if you want to help test a game that will most likely have a long early access, you can do so much better. I am willing to try a better version of what I got to test out, but I can’t ask people to spend their hard earned money on something that is this rough. Go play anything else and wait for a few more updates.

Dungeons & Kingdoms is currently on Steam Early Access.