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video game reviews

Myth of Empires is a Beautiful Game, but is it Worth it?

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I was sent a copy of Myth of Empires 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is Myth of Empires?

Myth of Empires is a beautiful open-world survivor sandbox game out on Steam. It gives players the absolute freedom of a sandbox with the promise of epic PvP battles. Gather your resources, build your base, work together to defend against enemy players, and build the Empire that will dominate them all.

Gameplay

Myth of Empires features massive maps filled with content. Players start the game with a blank character. Slowly, they’ll gather resources, level their character, and build their empire. The game does have a hunger mechanic, but it isn’t as punishing as something like Don’t Starve. The game gives players the freedom to enjoy the content they want by creating PvE and PvP-specific servers. I don’t really like PvP in these kinds of games, and I appreciate it when I have the option to enjoy a chill survival game.

The game offers beginner friendly settings and a tutorial to help ease new players into the game and its mechanics. Unfortunately, there is a bit of griefing that occurs, but that is to be expected with games of this genre. There are options for solo play, but you’ll need to have your own server. 

Thoughts

Myth of Empires is a beautiful game. I love all the detail that went into making this game look so good from the way the wind moves the plants to the way the sun creeps over the mountains. I dig the aesthetic of the world from the weapons and armor to the structures. The character creation has a decent amount of options, and the character design is pretty cool. This game is going to make your computer hot, but it’s going to look amazing if it can render everything. 

Unfortunately, I found the gameplay disappointing. While I did enjoy the survival aspect of the game like gathering, hunting, and crafting, the combat system in this game needs some work. The swings feel wild and clunky, and the hitboxes are weird. Fights are decided by who can land the first hit, and it is frustrating. I didn’t even try PvP because the system frustrated me so much. Maybe it isn’t so bad in more experienced hands, but Enshrouded does it better. 

Another issue I had with the game was the gathering. While it starts as a relaxing experience, the busy environment made it difficult to see what I was gathering. Eventually, I would just run around the map spamming the gather button in the hopes I was picking up materials I needed.

The biggest issue people have with this game is the griefing. I didn’t experience any when I played, but I also tried to pick empty servers to get a feel for the rest of the mechanics. If you do get into this game, bring some friends. 

Another issue people will have with this game is the grind. Myth of Empires feels slower and more grindy than other sandbox games I’ve played. I enjoyed it for the first hour, but it started to feel repetitive. Joining a more populated server might remedy this, but I rather be playing Enshrouded. 

It’s difficult to recommend this game because while it looks pretty, there are games that do this better. The only reason to get Myth of Empires is for the massive PvP battles it promises, but that doesn’t seem possible at the moment. Maybe it will get there with enough support, but I don’t have the time to wait for that future. If you like the aesthetic, have the friends to back you up, and don’t mind the grind, go for it. Otherwise, you have better options. 

You can pick up Myth of Empires on Steam for $49.99. 

video game reviews

The Viel of Shadows Demo is a Fun Retro Experience

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I was asked to cover the Viel of Shadows demo for my blog. I’ll refrain from review it too harshly because the game isn’t finished yet. That said, everyone reading this should add this demo to their rotation.  

What is Veil of Shadows?

Viel of Shadows is a retro-style action adventure roguelike coming to Steam.

Sirene wakes up in a mysterious forest without her memories. She must now venture through this strange new world and reclaim her memories. Bloodthirsty creatures lurk in the shadows, and Sirene must fight to stay alive. Can she uncover the truth and escape this nightmare?

Gameplay

Players will move between checkpoints shooting, dodging, and kiting enemies with a bow and arrow. Enemies will occasionally drop loot like potions and gear, but they are sparse so use them carefully. The biggest challenge of the game is moving efficiently to avoid attacks to stay alive. Death isn’t permanent, nor does it have a significant penalty other than resetting the level. I think the game is hard enough as it is, but maybe they’ll add harder game modes if there is demand for it.

There is a leveling system that allows players to put points into three categories: Damage, Agility, and Precision. Each level into a category provides a stat boost, but you also get a special ability for every five levels you invest in a category. This allows players to build towards their playstyle without it being overly complicated.

One thing to keep in mind is that this game, like many others in the genre, will be repetitive. You will die a lot and run through the same mobs of enemies by design. I always find this repetition soothing, but it is something to note for people unfamiliar with the genre. That said, based on the demo, Viel of Shadows doesn’t feel as grindy as other games in the genre. 

Thoughts

I’ve been enjoying the retro resurgence I’ve been going through, and Viels of Shadows is no exception. The game has a great art style, some nice flavor, and fun gameplay. The demo runs great, and while I do wish I got a boss fight, I had a lot of fun trying to get through the mobs. I like that the game offers enough of a challenge to keep things engaging without being impossible. 

Viels of Shadows supports keyboard and mouse and controller configurations, but I recommend using the controller. While neither option is objectively better, playing a retro-style game like this with a controller just feels right. 

If you’re looking for a new game, you need to check out the demo. It is a fun retro game with a lot of heart and flavor. It has a promising story hook, cool art, and a chill yet challenging gameplay loop. Whether or not you enjoy roguelikes, there is no harm in trying the demo. 

No release date has been announced yet, but they are pretty active on their Twitter and Discord. Make sure you follow to stay up to date, and make sure you add Viel of Shadows to your Wishlist!

I will be getting my review copy at launch, so stay tuned for a more detailed review. So far I am excited. If you enjoy my content, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

video game reviews

The Colorful Retro Side Scroller PopSlinger is a Solid Good Time

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I was sent PopSlinger 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 of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is PopSlinger

PopSlinger is a retro style shoot ’em up side scroller out now for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC. I got to play the Xbox version. You are a magical girl on a quest so save the world with your magic soda-pop powers. Fight your way through sinister invaders in a colorful and vibrant adventure. Do you have what it takes to get save the world and get the high score?

Gameplay

The game is a simple and colorful 2D shooter. You move through a mob-infested city and clear the world of its invaders. What gives the game its complexity is its combo system. The game rewards players for shooting four creatures of the same color by granting them temporary power-ups.
Players can get a shield, a double shot, or summon Gin to shoot at enemies randomly. Shooting eight of the same color grants players a heal, but healing comes with a point penalty.

Unless you’re trying to earn the highest scores and perfect rank, powerups are useless. Gin would often break my combo, and the other powerups didn’t affect the gameplay enough to be worth the trouble. I stopped chasing combos pretty early on, but I also got the worst scores in the game. You should play the game as intended.

Thoughts

I enjoyed PopSlinger a lot more than I thought I would. It has a loud colorful aesthetic, a fun quirky story, a fantastic soundtrack, a solid cast of voice actors, and a fun gameplay loop. 

I am a huge fan of the game’s colorful retro vibe. It is a clear nostalgic callback, and I am here for it. It has a cute and fun art style that makes it impossible to hate the game. The story isn’t filled with expansive lore, but it is fun and quirky. I loved the tone, and its cast of voice actors made listening to the cutscenes enjoyable. 

The gameplay loop is incredibly relaxing and fun. Despite how cute the game looks, there was enough of a challenge to keep me engaged. Enemies had a decent variety, and boss fights were creative and challenging. I definitely wasn’t good enough to keep the combos alive or get close to a high score, but I had a lot of fun playing through the chill side-scroller this game became. 

The game does get repetitive after a while, and trying for the combos can feel tedious after a while. This isn’t a game I could play until completion, but it is a game I’ll be returning to from time to time for its cozy change of pace and fun aesthetic. 

If you are a fan of retro arcade side scroller, PopSlinger is a solid title to add to your collection. It is a cute, fun, and relaxing time with options to make it more competitive. You can pick up your copy of PopSlinger for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC for $14.99.

video game reviews

Sega Cult Classic, Slave Zero is Back and Better Than Ever

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I was sent Slave Zero X for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions of the game. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials! 

What is Slave Zero X

Our friends at Ziggurat Interactive have brought back the 1999 classic in a modern format that fans will appreciate. Slave Zero X is a cyberpunk hack-n-slash game out now for Xbox, Playstation, and PC via Steam and GoG. The Switch version comes out sometime this year. 

In the bowls of the Megacity, Shou plots his revenge against the false god that runs it. He fuses with the Prototype Biomech Embryo X who shares his sentiment. Now they must fight their way through the city to extinguish the rot that plagues it. Will they see their retribution realized?

Gameplay

Slave Zero X is a fantastic retro-style hack-n-slash side scroller made modern. The controls feel great, the combat is challenging enough to be engaging, and the boss fights are creative. This is a game that rewards players for mastering its mechanics. Being efficient in your combos, dodges, and parries not only gets you a better score, but it means you’ll die a lot less. I never mastered the mechanics, but I had a lot of fun trying. 

Review

Slave Zero X is an awesome retro experience without the clunkiness and limitations of retro gaming. This game is beautiful, and I almost want to urge you to try it to appreciate its aesthetic. The game has a beautiful and brutal pixel art style, and the way the city comes to life in the game is simply breathtaking. I appreciate everything that went into making the Megacity feel so large such as its effective use of space and scale, the loud ambient sounds of a busy city, and the movement that made the city feel alive. 

The character design is marvelous and builds a unique and memorable world. Its soundtrack will keep you hyped, even when you’re losing to the same boss. Most importantly, Slave Zero X has a solid story with memorable characters, a solid pacing, and fantastic voice actors. 

Gameplay is where the game will earn most of its love because the game is fun, but it is challenging. If you aren’t good at your combos, you’re going to have a rough time. I’m sure it’s possible to button-mash through most of this game, but it’s a lot better if you know what you’re doing. There is a practice mode available for players who need it. 

The only real issue I had with this game was its performance. I experienced a few crashes through my runs, and the game became unstable when recording. It never got to the point where I couldn’t finish the game, but you might need to mess with the settings to avoid some of the more game-breaking issues. Other than that, I enjoyed the retro ride, and hope I can get more chances to play these kinds of games in the future. 

If you’re a fan of the original Slave Zero or the retro hack-n-slash era, this is a solid addition to your library. You can pick up your digital copy of Slave Zero X on Xbox, PlayStation 5, Steam, and GoG for $24.99. If you want a hard copy of the game, you can preorder copies for PlayStation, and Switch on Amazon using my affiliate links.  They also have copies of the Calamety edition for PS5 and Switch if you want the extra goodies. The physical release is May 17.

video game reviews

Timemelters: A Unique Tower Defense That Leaves you with Better Options

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I was sent Timemelters for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions of the game. If you enjoy these reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee. 

What is Timemelters?

Timemelters is a first-person tower defense game with puzzle elements available now on Steam.

Demons have invaded the realm and have killed everyone you loved. Fate is on your side. You have been granted the power to jump between timelines and save the universe. With the magic of the spirits around you, set traps, bend time, and stop the demons from breaking the flow of time. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

Players wield the power of the spirits, but this power is limited to charges. Players can use these charges to set traps. What makes this game unique is the time travel mechanic.

Players have the ability to create echos. These echos are recorded moves and actions that a player makes before they are overwhelmed by an enemy. Players act alongside these echoes to solve puzzles and clear stages. You only have access to two echos, so use them wisely. These limitations create the complexity of the game. Misusing charges and echoes means you’ll have to start over.

Thoughts

As far as first-person tower defense games, I’d rather be playing Orcs Must Die. Don’t get me wrong, Timemelters is a neat concept, but it didn’t do enough to capture my attention. Combat feels like a slog, the story didn’t hook me, and the puzzles were boring. 

Combat was a big issue for me because it was much too slow. There are all these moving parts that make it more complex than your traditional walking simulator, but it often felt like I was waiting around or moving too slowly through the puzzle. I love puzzles, but the ones presented in Timemelters don’t do it for me. They were challenging, but they weren’t fun. 

The story is fine, but after the first cut scene, I stopped caring. The voice acting is solid, and the writing is okay, but once I lost interest in the gameplay, I had no reason to stay invested.

Aesthetically, the game is fine. I like its quirky vibe, the music is good, but the performance can be shaky in places. The game never crashed or broke, but I did enough issues that I felt the need to mention it. 

This isn’t a bad game, but I just couldn’t get into it. My biggest issue with Timemeleters is that when you take into account the space it is trying to fill, you simply have better options. If you’re looking for a puzzle game, you have better options. If you’re looking for a first-person tower defense, go play Orcs Must Die instead.

If you’re thinking of getting this game, play the demo first! You’re either going to enjoy the slow combat and puzzles and stick with it through most of the story, or lose interest in a couple of hours and forget you ever owned it. 

You can pick up Timemelters on sale now for $14.99 (normally $19.99) until March 11. 

video game reviews

Astlibra Gaiden: The Cave of the Phantom Mist is for the Casuals

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I was sent Astlibra Gaiden: The Cave of Phantom Mist 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 of the game. 

If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow the socials, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee. 

What is Astlibra Gaiden: The Cave of Phantom Mist

Astlibra Gaiden: The Cave of Phantom Mist is the first DLC for Astlibra Revision. The game picks up after the events of the first game and introduces a new character. I’ve written my review of the base game, but if you haven’t played it yet, you need to. Astlibra is a modern Metroidvania for the fans of the old-school classics for PC and Switch, but the DLC is only available on Steam at the moment. Either way, I recommend you at least check out the Steam demo. 

After the events of the last invasion, a hero’s guild has formed to keep the realm safe from evil. All was good until one day the heroes vanished. It is now up to the baker’s daughter to venture into the Cave of the Phantom Mist and bring the heroes back. Does she have what it takes to return the piece to the land?

Gameplay

Leveling in this game requires players to grind gems to purchase stats in between runs. While this gives the game its grind, it isn’t a terrible one. At least not on Normal. I like that the game continues to give players the freedom to find their playstyle through their character’s build, but I felt like I needed less guidence this time around.

While the DLC does have a unique story, it isn’t as interesting as the base game. Where the story for the base game is deep and developed, the DLC acts more as a frame of flavor for the grind. It isn’t bad, but fans of the base game will be disappointed.

Thoughts

I enjoyed Astlibra Gaiden, but I see where it won’t be for everyone. Fans of the original who enjoyed the story and complex mechanics will be disappointed by the changes. The story isn’t as good, and the game is easier. The DLC feels like a more casual entry to the series, and that isn’t a bad thing. 

Progression in Astlibra Gaiden is more like a dungeon diver roguelike where players will have to grind through a procedurally generated dungeon to progress through the story. While the story isn’t as great as the first one, it’s good enough for the casual experience that it is. I enjoyed the repetition, but I didn’t follow the story as closely as I did with the base game. 

If you haven’t played the Astlibra base game, I recommend you go do that first. It’s an amazing game that should be in your library. If you’re a fan of Astlibra but want something more casual that isn’t a huge commitment, go get the DLC. It’s not as good as the base game, but it does scratch that casual Metroidvania itch. 

You can pick the Astlibra Gaiden: The Cave of Phantom Mist on Steam for $9.99, or save on the bundle for $31.48.

video game reviews

Play The Coolest Modern Metroidvania: Astlibra Revision

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I was sent Astlibra Revision 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow my socials, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee. 

What is Astlibra Revision

Astlibra Revision is an action RPG out now on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

Demons invaded your village. You and your long-time friend try to escape, but something catches you and leaves you unconscious. You wake up in a strange new world with a hazy memory. A talking bird comes to your aid, and together, you make a quiet life there. But your past haunts you, and every day the nightmares get worse. Something is calling you to action until you can no longer deny it.

With the help of your new companion, you must travel back to the human world and help free it of the demons that now roam it. Will you be the hero this world needs? Will you find your friend after all this time?

Gameplay

I recommend you look up guides for this game because it can be a little complicated. You shouldn’t be scared off by the game’s complexity, but there are some recipes and builds that won’t be intuitive for the casual gamer. 

You start the game off with basic attacks, and slowly build combos and learn magic. Like any game in the genre, you fight your way through mobs of monsters and face creative bosses at the end. 

The game features a liberating leveling system that allows players to build their characters to fit their playstyle. Going up a level gives players skill points to allocate against the attributes of their choosing. Monsters will drop special materials that can be spent on permanent buffs to a character. This is a very cool system, but one that can make the game difficult if you aren’t building efficiently. There is an easy way to reset a character’s allocation, but it is important to be actively thinking about your build as you play. 

I really like how the shops are run in this Astlibra Revision. Buying items requires gold and materials you farm throughout the game. This is a terrific flavor and it gives me something to work towards.

Thoughts

I absolutely love this game even though I am terrible at it. The art is beautiful, the gameplay is engaging, the soundtrack if phenomenal, and the game is fun. I recommend you check this game out just for the soundtrack. I’ll leave you with the playlist for your to get hyped!

This game is a fantastic Metroidvania, especially if you’re a fan of the classics. I struggled because I refused to use guides, but I appreciate the complexity. You’re going to obsess with your builds, farming locations, and combos so much that you might need a journal. I’ve never had such a rewarding experience with a game like I’ve had with Astlibra, nor have I ever gotten so technical. There is a grind to this game, but I didn’t notice because I was having fun. 

My favorite part of this game is the story. I was hooked from the moment I booted it up until the moment I had to put it down. It has great characters, a solid pacing, and a fantastic flavor. If you have time for a well-developed narrative and complicated mechanics, you need to pick up Astlibra Revision. It is the modern Metroidvania that you should try at least once. 

You can pick up Astlibra Revision on Steam and Switch for $24.99. It is currently on sale on the Nintendo eShop for $19.99. Everyone should at least give the Steam demo a shot. It includes the prologue and a solid sample of the end game mechanics. 

video game reviews

Clean up the City in Rough Justice ’84

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I was sent Rough Justice 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee. 

What is Rough Justice

In a city run by corruption, its citizens have banded together to create private agencies to keep their own peace. Now its time to take your city back. Lead your agency through cases as you administer the justice the police can’t. Can you clean up the city and make your agency the best there is?

Gameplay

Players start as the head of an agency. They hire freelancers and start talking cases around town. The cases get harder over time, but the freelancers you can hire also get better. Players send out their agents to cases where they are presented with skill challenges. Skill challenges are either dice roles or a timed mini-game. Mini-games are small puzzles for the players, while skill checks are dice rolls based on a character’s stats. There are items and buffs that a player can earn over time to make things easier. The goal of the game is to keep the agency running efficiently without going bankrupt.

Review

While I did enjoy the game and concept, I don’t know if it is worth $20. There are definitely better options at this price point. I loved the flavor and the music, but it doesn’t do enough to stand out. When you compare it to other games like it, you simply have better options. 

My biggest issue with the game is that after a while, gameplay started growing stale. While there is enough variety in missions to keep the game from feeling repetitive, the grind involved ruined it for me. Some of the timers felt unfair, some of the rolls were hard for no reason, and I didn’t care enough about the story to become invested. Rough Justice ’84 isn’t a bad game. If you like the flavor and don’t mind the grind or randomness, you’re going to have a better time with the title. Even if you can overlook the issues, you simply have better options. You can pick it up on Steam and the Nintendo eShop, but I would wait for a sale. 

video game reviews

The Book of Warriors: A Cute Little Roguelike for $8

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I was sent The Book of Warriors 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

What is The Book of Warriors

The Book of Warriors is a cute little fantasy roguelike RPG out now for PC. Lead your party through the dungeon as you search for power, treasure, and fame. How much of the dungeon can you clear before your adventure ends? 

Gameplay

You start each run by choosing a hero. There are nine different classes, each with unique abilities. Your run won’t end if you lose your initial hero. You then make your way through your dungeon, clearing procedurally generated rooms, unlocking upgrades, and recruiting heroes to your party. Upgrades, loot, and heroes you recruit are random, but occasionally you can choose the type of upgrade you can unlock. For the most part, the RNG is fair, but there are runs I lost because I was unlucky.

To clear a room, you either need to clear the room of enemies or lose your heroes. Maps will have hazards or cover that offer buffs and debuffs. Although not all the maps are fun, it does give combat enough complexity to keep things engaging.

Combat is simple. Heroes can move and perform one action per turn. The type of action changes as the characters level. The game feels a bit like a mobile game, but it is fine for the casual experience that it represents.

Like most games in this genre, the game is a little grindy, especially at later levels. You do unlock permanent upgrades the more you play, but enemies at later levels do feel like damage sponges. This is only a problem when you’re stuck on a bad run.

Thoughts

I enjoyed The Book of Warriors. The art is cute and the gameplay is relaxing. I enjoyed it for the change of pace that it offered, but I don’t see it being my main roguelike. While I appreciate the simplicity, the grind gets old after a while. You’ll get $8 worth of fun from this game, but it isn’t replacing anything in your current library. I would pick this up if you want a break from your current rotation but don’t want a massive commitment. If you enjoy tactical RPGs, or simply want to get into a new one, this is a solid option. You can pick up The Book of Warriors on Steam now for $7.99. It is currently on sale for $5.59 for the next 48 hours of writing this.

video game reviews

Experience the Spooky VR Narrative of Titanic: A Space Between

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I was sent Titanic: A Space Between 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

If you’re looking for accessories for your VR headset, like magnetic prescription lenses or a high-quality charging cable, get it at ZyberVR. Use discount code CHURAPE for 15% off.

What is Titanic: A Space Between?

Titanic: A Space Between is a horror VR game playable on Steam VR, Pico, and the Meta Quest 2 and 3. Play as a time traveler investigating the disappearance of a woman named Diana on the famous ship as it sinks. Solve puzzles, follow clues, and survive the most famous shipwreck in history. But there is something strange that lurks in this past. Can you solve the mystery and make it back to your own time alive?

Gameplay

This is an exploration horror game where players move through the narrative by searching for clues and solving puzzles as the ship sinks. The version I received is still in development, and was still a bit too unstable to be enjoyable.

Thoughts

The game isn’t done and this puts me in an awkward position. On the one hand, the concept is interesting, and I am invested in finding out what happened to Diana. On the other, the build of the game I received is unplayable. 

The game is buggy, and a few of the games broke the game. I tried to record a video, but that made the game more unstable. I got to a point in the game where I wasn’t able to advance because the mechanics didn’t work and I didn’t want to start over. I am willing to excuse bugs and glitches, but here it felt like I was fighting with the game more than I was enjoying it. 

Poor performance aside, Titanic: A Space Between is a cool concept for a game. It has an interesting story, it looks good, the voice acting is fantastic, and I love the flavor. The game also has some solid horror baked throughout. With a few more patches, I can see myself returning because I want to know what happened to Diana, but in its current state, I can’t recommend it. 

The game releases on the Meta App Lab on February 13th, pick it up then if you’re looking for a spooky Titanic adventure and don’t mind playing through the bugs.