I was sent the Wizard Hand demo to review for my blog. I understand that the game is still in development, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these are my honest impressions.
Wizard Hand is a roguelike solitaire game coming to Steam. Make sure you check out the demo!
Play solitair using a magical deck and try to get the required score and move to the next level. The goal of the game is to clear the table of cards while beating the required score. All players start with a basic deck that they slowly upgrade with other cards and abilities throughout a run. Finding the best combination and knowing when to use your powerful spell cards is key to success in this game. Do you have what it takes to beat the highest challenge?
Impressions
The Wizard Hand demo is incredibly addicting. I wish this were the full version because I want to see what else there is. Right off the bat, I was drawn by the game’s aesthetic. The card art is simple, but with enough elegance and flare to draw the eye. The gameplay is simple, but requires enough of a strategy to keep players engaged. Figuring out the correct sequence and combinations to maximize a score is a mellow puzzle, and I love puzzles. There does need to be more content, but it looks like the devs are hard at work at making things happen. Regardless of that, this a fantastic demo that is effective at showcasing the game’s key features in a way that is fun, engaging, and addicting. Wizard Hand is very promising, but I wish there was more. I can’t wait for a full version.
Update: Epomaker reached out and offered to send me replacements for the broken dongle soon after this review. I appreciate their prompt response and while I know my circumstance is different from the average consumer, I do appreciate a company that tries to make things right. The rest of my review remains unedited.
Disclaimer
Epomaker sent the me Luma 84 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 latest reviews for the Tide 49 and the HE 65 Mag. I’ll also be using my Amazon affiliate link where I can.
What’s in the box?
Luma 84 Keyboard
Key Switch Puller
USB-C to USB-A Cable
Key/Switch Puller
Two Extra Switches
Wireless Dongle
User Manual
Features
The Luma 75% stylish mechanical keyboard. The keyboard comes in black and white, with south facing RGB for some added flare. I got mine in white because I like the purple accent keys.
It supports high speed wireless connections with its included 2.5 GHz dongle and Bluetooth 5 support. When the 3000 mAh battery finally runs out, users can enjoy a high speed wired connection. They keys and switches are easily hot swapable for added customization, and each one of the 84 keys can be remapped on VIA. The Luma 84 is a very good looking keyboard that promises comfort, versatility, and performance, but how does it actually fare?
Sound Test
Review
The Luma 84 is a very good looking keyboard, especially for those who like the apple aesthetic of things but don’t want to pay the apple prices. Turning on the backlight makes the keyboard even prettier. I love the clean aluminum body, the little light bar on the top right corner, and the simple aesthetic. I had very high hopes, but that quickly faded when I started using the devices.
The spacebar didn’t work out of the box, but fixing it was very easy. I didn’t even need to use the included tool. The switch had come loose, possibly from shipping, and pushing it fixed the problem. I think the pad they use to dampen the sound, which gives the keyboard its satisfying thonks (see video above) might have loosened the switch. This isn’t a huge deal since Epomaker includes spare switches and the tools to fix the device, but I also expect things to work out of the box.
The biggest issue I had with the keyboard was actually using it. This is more of a personal issue, and millage will vary. I require a certain level of ergonomics to function, and the Luma 84 didn’t have it. Normal people who use their computer a normal amount shouldn’t have this problem. That said, I had to stop my tests pretty early on because of how bad my hands started to hurt. This is not the keyboard’s fault, but it is something to consider if have a repetitive stress injury that gets triggered by typing.
The biggest draw for this keyboard is its aesthetic. Despite its faults, this is a very good looking keyboard. If this fits your aesthetic and you’re not dealing any repetitive stress injuries, both colors are cool and being able to remap it easily is a huge plus.
Kiwi Ears sent me a free pair of the Aventus bluetooth gaming headphones to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest review.
What’s in the box?
Aventus Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
Carrying Case
USB-C to USB-A charging Cable
USB-C to Coax Cable
Coax to 3.5mm
User Manual
Features
The Aventus Gaming headset promises the ideal budget solution for most audio needs. This sleek black headset offers a well constructed ergonomic design. The high quality padding and adjustable positions promises user comfort for the entirety of its 82 hour battery life. The 40mm Dynamic drivers promise a wide and clear sound stage, and it is tuned to satisfy most gaming and music needs. While users can enjoy the fantastic sound through a wireless connection, the Aventus includes Coaxial drivers for users to take advantage of the included high quality cables. For those looking for a bit of peace and quite, the Aventus features a hybrid ANC designed to reduce outside noise by up to 35dB. That means you aren’t hearing anyone unless you really want to.
Now it wouldn’t be a gaming headset without RGB. The Aventus features optional preprogrammed RGB profiles for a bit of added flare.
Review
Kiwi Ears’ Avantus is a fantastic pair of budget headphones. Out of the box, I was blown away by the quality of not just the heaphones, but the accessories that come with it. The presentation of the packaging gives the Avantus its premium feel. I particularly like the included carying case. It feels high quality, it has a clip for my bag, and it has compartments for the included cables. The included cables are a very nice feature. While I planned to use the headset wireless, it is nice to have the cables to switch between devices without having to repair each time. I wish it would allow me to pair to multiple devices, but it isn’t a deal breaker.
The Headphone itself is very well constructed. The vegan leather and design make it look like a more expensive set of headphones. It has a good amount of flex and it doesn’t feel like it will be breaking anytime soon. The design is also incredibly comfortable. The padding feels incredible, and while my ears do get hot, it never gets uncomfortable. This is definitely my most comfortable pair of headphones. They do feel a little loose on my head. I worked out with them and they didn’t fall off for walks or weightlifting, but I wouldn’t run with them.
The Aventus has a solid soundstage. A lot of gaming headsets overcompensate with the bass, I think the Avantus is properly tuned for most casual use. I don’t know how well they work for DJing, but they are solid gaming and music headphones.
What I was most impressed by was the headphones battery life and noise cancellation. The KiwiEars boasts 82 hours of battery life without noise cancellation or RGB. I got about that out of the box which is an impressive feat. The battery life lasts so long, even with noise cancellation and RBG that I didn’t really get to test the battery life with everything on. I also didn’t feel the need to turn anything on. The RBG profiles are nice, but I don’t see it so there is no point. The headphones also block out a good amount of noise without having to turn on the ANC. The ANC is incredible. I don’t hear anything. I don’t live in a very noisy area, but putting them on left me deaf to the world.
If you are looking for a good, high quality pair of headphones that won’t break the bank, go check out the Kiwi Ears Aventus Headset. These things are a fantastic deal for $89.99. You can pick up your pair of Aventus from the official website.
I have been running my recent campaign with Alchemy RPG, and I have a few opinions that might prove helpful if you are in the market for a new TTRPG. I have run a DND module and am currently running Mutant RPG. I also bought both modules I’ve used to run my games, but the books were given to me by the publisher to review for my blog. That said, this will be my honest review of the virtual table top.
What is Alchemy RPG
Alchemy RPG is a VTT that aims to enhance games played through theater of the mind. It provides players with not just the rules they need to run their games, but modules with striking visuals and powerful soundscapes to set the mood. The platform has an expanding library of sounds, visuals, and systems to explore, but players have the freedom to run their games with their own media. If you only run your games online, Alchemy does have voice, text, and video chat function. This is great for those who don’t want to have another program open. There are also some nifty features for content creators who like to stream their games online.
Running a game on Alchemy RPG is free. A GM can host up to three games for free, and players can create/import up to three characters. There is a paid subscription service. $8 a month or $88 a year gets you unlimited characters, campaigns and universes. Games can be run from the many available modules that can be purchased in the shop, but there is nothing stopping a game master from programing everything by hand. While GMs can make due without modules, they grant access to resource books, pre-programmed functions and items, and tailored visuals and sounds. It also saves a lot of time.
Review
Alchemy RPG has interesting functions and unique offerings that should be considered when choosing a VTT, especially when running games through theater of the mind. While the game does offer options for battle maps and quick combat, other VTT’s handle combat and battle maps better.
It took me a couple of sessions to start enjoying Alchemy, but it was mostly because I was set in my ways. I have used a few different VTTs trying to find the right home for our games. I look for something that is easy to use, even easier to teach, and has cool features for combat. At least it was at first. As we’ve grown together, combat on a map became less and less important. I enjoy the story telling part of the hobby, and my campaigns saw the shift to theater of the mind.
I made my shift to Alchemy because I wanted a VTT that let me focus on the story telling, gave me access to the rules, but was easy for my players to learn. Alchemy does all of that, and I have the option of running combat on a map if I really want to.
Setting up a campaign in Alchemy is incredibly easy. If you use the modules, you just need the funds to do so. If you have the time, inputting all the rules, creatures, items, and visuals is easy but time consuming.
Onboarding players is incredibly easy. Not everyone at my table is tech savvy, so I always try to find solutions that is the least work. The last thing I want to do is frustrate my players before the game even starts. Character creation is both systems was very easy, especially for my less savvy players. I do like that I can edit character sheets from my end if they ever gets stuck tho.
Running the actual game is great. The moving visuals create a striking backdrop, and the UI is clean and easy to navigate. Clicking through the different menues, switching between characters, and most importantly, rolling is all easy to do. The audio is a little hard to hear, but you can always add your own and at least it isn’t distracting. Most importantly, I love how easy things are to set up, like on the fly encounters, or creating new units or items.
My only complaint is that you still need a rulebook even if you buy the module. I found some of the bock of texts hard to read and navigate, especially when running a prewritten adventure. This might be the font and my dyslexia, but it is a problem I have. It is not undoable, but searching a PDF or flipping through a book is a better experience.
Overall, I love Alchemy because it doesn’t distract from the narrative. Being easy to learns means we can start quickly. Everything being preprogrammed and working properly not only cuts my prep time, it means we spend more time playing the game. If you play tabletop RPGs to create a collective story with your friends, I don’t think there is anything better than Alchemy RPG.
Sudotack sent me the KM300 Karaoke machine and the KM03 wired microphone 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’ll be leaving my Amazon Affiliate links where possible. It really helps me out if you use them.
KM300 Unboxing
KM300
USB-C to USB-A cable
User Manual
Strap
KM03 Unboxing
Features
The KM300 is a wireless PA speaker system for those who want the Karaoke experience on the go. It features a stylish durable design and comes in three colors: white, black, pink. I got it in white, but all three colors look great.
But it doesn’t just look good. Its 30W subwoofer, 15W tweeters, and 45W speakers promises a loud, clear sound that will fill any room. The two included wireless mics are always at the ready in their built in holders. The speaker has a variety of features to adjust the sound like pitch and reverb control, so you are always sounding your best. Best of all, the KM300 supports a number of different connections to make a versatile media machine.
All of the features on the KM 300 can be enjoyed wirelessly, but users can attached two additional wired mics for those quartets. Media can be played through its easy to link Bluetooth connection, but the KM300 supports HDMI and coax connections. You can also store your music on a USB drive or SD card. Whatever you end up using, media and volume controls are easily accessible on the device for so you aren’t spending the whole party, looking at your phone.
Now it wouldn’t be a proper party without flashing lights. The KM300 has nine preset lighting profiles with adjustable brightness. You can turn this off to extend battery life, but its so pretty, you aren’t going to want to. It’s got a decent enough battery where it shouldn’t matter anyways.
Review
The KM300 is a solid budget speaker. The sound is good enough for most music, especially if you’re outdoors. You aren’t getting deep rich concert sound, but its loud enough for what you need. Trust me, you can do a lot worse at this price range.
The sleek design is clean and well manufactured, and it is light enough for travel with is a huge plus. The strap it comes with feels a little flimsy. While it will do the job, I would swap it out for something sturdier if you’re going to use it a lot. The RBG is a nice touch. The preprogramed profiles are fun, but I like that it can be turned off when needed.
My unit arrived completely dead. This isn’t a deal breaker, but users should note that the device may require an initial charge. One issue that came up is that the device wouldn’t charge no matter what I used. The KM300 does not like fast charging, so make sure you are using chargers that give 9V = 2A / 5V = 2A. Its a bit of a bummer that a charger isn’t included with the device, but its not a deal breaker either. As for the battery life, I was able to get about 6 hours on a single charge, and I didn’t charge it to full. Charging it from completely empty to about 80/90% took about 2 hours though, but you can use the speaker plugged in.
I was not expecting to use much of the Karaoke part, but it is surprisingly a fun little speaker. At least my family enjoyed using it to sing. The sound can be easily adjusted with the on board controls, and the mics have additional features for further customization. It took no tinkering to get a quality sound, and the mics are pretty good. They do feel a little flimsy, but they are light and sound great. They have a good amount of sensitive that can be adjusted. The voice changing is a fun little touch, but we didn’t use that feature much. I also like the built in stand for holding phones or tables. Its subtle and effective.
The wired KM03 microphone is just as good. The cable is a good length, and includes an adapter for versatility. I do prefer the freedom the wireless mics give, but it is nice to have a wired mic if they die or if you have more people who want to sing. You aren’t getting a studio mic at this price, but you are getting a decent and compatible mic for a fun night of karaoke.
If you’re looking for a budget PA Speaker system, this is a solid machine that will get the job done. The KM300 has a clean and simple design, and it gives a descent sound for $50.
You can pick up the KM300 and the KM03 on Amazon using my affiliate link.
I was sent an early copy of StarVaders to preview for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest impressions. I also understand the game isn’t finished, so I’ll be a bit more lenient with my criticism.
StarVaders is a scifi-themed roguelike deckbuilder coming to steam on April 30th. There is a demo available if you don’t want to wait.
Aliens have invaded Earth, and you are the only one that stands in their way. Take up arms in your mech as you fend off against endless waves of alien invaders and their powerful bosses. Travel the world to collect new attacks and abilities to build the most powerful deck. Earn upgrades and abilities that will make you the hero the world needs. Can you save the world, or will you become another pile of burning scrap heap?
Gameplay
Players will choose their mech ad pilot, and fly to the parts of the world that needs them most. Like most games in the genre, players choose between nodes of encounters that help them build up their decks for an epic final battle. What makes StarVaders unique is its movement mechanics.
StarVaders is played is played on a grid. Players must use their decks to maneuver across the grid, and complete the objectives. Players have access to attack and ability cards like other games in the genre, but they also have movement cards. Finding the right balance between the types is key. Having too many attack attack or movement cards means players are wasting a turn doing nothing.
To play a card, players have access to a limited resource system, known as heat. Cards are played by paying its heat cost. What makes this system unique is that players can spend more than their available heat resistance. Doing so ends the turn immediately and burns up the card. Burned up cards go back into the deck, and clog up the hand. This creates such a cool interaction where players need to efficiently burn up cards to maximize damage while also increasing the chances of drawing into a dead hand.
Most importantly, the game features unlockables to work towards, and a couple different pilots to change up the gameplay. If you enjoy deck builders, this StarVaders should be in your Wishlist.
Impressions
If this game out today in its current state, I would still recommend it to everyone. StarVadersis the most fun you’ll have with a deck builder this year. If it isn’t already on your Wishlist, it should be. StarVaders is a day one game, and it deserves all the attention.
The game looks great. It has a fun cartoon aesthetic and cool scifi flavor. The cards and interactions are creative, and a lot of fun. I particularly like how each deck feels unique and changes up the gameplay enough to give it variety. Best of all, it is the perfect steam deck game. The controls are works well, the aspect ration is perfect, and the game is chill enough to be enjoyed anywhere.
If you need a bit more convincing, make sure you check out the demo and get hyped for April 30. Don’t forget to Wishlist!
I received a free copy of Rosewaterto review for my blog. While I appreciate the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.
Rosewater is a point-and-click visual novel available now on PC via Steam and GOG.
Harley Lager heads west, trying to make her name as a free lance writer. Her pursuit takes her to the sleepy boarder town of Rosewater, but her stay is anything but sleepy. Her first assignment leads her on a tail end of a mystery and possibly, the story that defines her career. Her and her posse must now go on a journey full of gunfights, friends, foes, and hopefully all the fame and riches they need. What will Harley uncover along the way? You are going to have to read to find out.
Review
Rosewater is a fantastic western full of colorful characters, meaningful choices, and challenging puzzles. The game also features a fantastic cast of voice actors that help bring this story to life, and the perfect soundtrack to set the mood. I was a bit uneasy about the graphics and art choice, but it fits the aesthetic perfectly. It gives the game a rustic feel, while still being able to make the game feel cinematic.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the gameplay, but if you like puzzles, this has some good ones. Not all of the puzzles are obvious at first, but they make sense once you figure it out. You might need a guide to get through some of the trickier ones. The gameplay isn’t bad, you just need to be really in the mood to solve puzzles.
What I enjoyed most about the game is that your choices matter and affect the story. Players shape the story, and encounters are determined by previous choices. Players also have control over Harley’s personality. This made it fun to talk to everyone, and it also made me curious about her backstory. Harley is a fantastic protagonist, and the only reason why I stuck around as long as I did.
Rosewater is a solid narrative with fantastic flavor and amazing voice acting. If you enjoy westerns and don’t mind all the puzzles, this game should be in your library. If you’re not a fan of the aesthetic or puzzle games, I would skip it.
You can pick up Rosewater on Steam and GOG for $19.99. There is also a Demo availble.
I was sent a free copy of Nobody Nowhere 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.
Nobody Nowhere is a scifi visual novel out now on Steam.
The year is 2019 and the Human Science Research Corp is working on a way to transfer conciseness into empty vessels known as replicates. Julian is a replicant who unfortunately developed self-awareness. His days are numbered as the corporation plans to whip his consciousness from his body. The secret organization, the White Dove, consider Julian human and plan to set him free. But their rescue efforts fail, and what they uncover will shake their foundation. What secrets will they uncover? Can Julian ever be truly human? You will need to read to find out.
Review
I went out of my way to get a copy of Nobody Nowherebecause the synopsis got me interested, and I liked the art. I was not disappointed. Nobody Nowhere is the best visual novel I have read, and I recomend it to people who aren’t even looking into the genre. The writing is solid, the story is great, the characters are memorable, and the pacing is perfect. The game also has a very good art style and aesthetic. I like that the gameplay didn’t feel like busy work. The small moments of exploration helped with world building, the minigames were fun and engaging, and they helped break up into more manageable segments.
One complaint I do have is that there are a lot of silent moments. I would have liked there to be a bit more ambience sound here and there, but nothing that can’t be fixed with a YouTube video in the background. This is just a personal preference and nowhere near a deal breaker, especially since the music that does exist is pretty good.
My hat goes off to the solo developer who was able to create such a fantastic narrative. Its is incredibly obvious that a lot of passion went into this game when you look at all the details that went into bringing this story to life. If you’re looking for a new game, you need to get Nobody Nowhere. It is a fantastic read, and it deserves a lot more attention.
Epomaker sent me the HE68 Mag Keyboard with the Pink Magnetic to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you check out my reviews for the TH99 or the Cypher 96 if you’re looking to upgrade your style.
The HE68 Mag is a 65% keyboard which means you get no function bar or number pad, but you do get a compact usable experience if you are trying to minimize your footprint. The keyboard comes in black or white, and both look very stylish.
I chose the white version because of the purple keys. It comes with a fun little removable strap for when you’re on the go, but you probably aren’t going far since this is a wired keyboard.
Do not be discouraged by the wire only connection. The included high quality braided cable provides users a an impressive 8k polling rate, and it can be swapped out for a cable that better fits your aesthetic. The HE68 Mag boasts only 0.125ms latency, supports SOCD (Simultaneous Opposite Key Detection), and adjustable actuation hall effects making it a fantastic gaming keyboard.
All this fuctionality is good, but it wouldn’t be a gaming keyboard with out RGB. The HE68 has subtle south facing rgb with a good amount of customization, but it can be switched off if you don’t want all the lights.
Review
The HE68’s size had me a bit apprehensive. I was afraid that using it would kill my hands, and not having function bar was going to affect my gameplay. To my surprise, I can’t see myself using anything different from gaming. I was able to find the ideal typing position after adjusting the height, and the layout never triggered my repetitive stress injury. While I wouldn’t call the HE68 an ergonomic keyboard, it provides a comfortable enough experience for to get the job done.
Aesthetically, the keyboard is very pleasing. I love the simple and compact layout and use of color. I love the shinning base that peaks between the keys for the perfect accent of color. The RGB is very subtle, and I love the amount of customization that comes with it. Everything on this keyboard can be swapped out and customized, but it provides a fantastic aesthetic upgrade at the stock level. The only thing I would change is the strap. It feels like a random gimmick. Since it is a wired keyboard, I doubt it will see enough travel for the strap to be useful. It is removable and not a deal breaker, but I wish it didn’t have it.
Performance wise, this keyboard is fantastic. The keys felt comfortable, and everything is responsive. I don’t play at a competitive level, but I did notice some difference. My hands would be less fatigued after the more intense moments of game play, and I never had to worry about running out of battery. You can easily adjust the actuation to truly minmax your setup, but I felt like the stock settings were perfect for level of play.
If you’re looking for a stylish gaming keyboard that works well and don’t mind the lack of wireless connectivity, the Epomaker HE68 Mag is a fantastic choice that I wholeheartedly recommend. It has easily become my main keyboard, at least until Epomaker comes out with something better.
You can pick up the HE68 Keyboard for only $59.99 directly from the site.
I ran the Ruins of Sybaroum 5e recently at my table. It’s been a while since I’ve ran 5e and we wanted to make our return. Ruins of Symbaroum offered a different enough setting and flavor that we made our plunge and start with the Adventure Compendium. I did buy this book with my own money, and ran it using the official Alchemy RPG module (also purchased with my own money). This review will be on both the game and the module. You can pick up a copy of the Adventure Compendium on the official Free League Publishing site or your favorite game store. You can also pick it up through my Amazon Affiliate link. It really helps me out. I’ll be leaving affiliate links where I can.
What is Ruins of Sybaroum 5e: Adventure Compendium?
The adventure compendium is a 5e compatible adventure that takes players from levels 1-8. If you’re planning to run any of the other pre-written adventures in this series, or are a new DM, this is the place to start.
The Adventure Compendium is a collection of adventures that lets players not only explore the world of Symbaroum, but get a taste of the different types of adventures. There are witch hunts, murder mysteries, escort missions, and a few other neat surprises. You will need access to at least the OGL ruleset, but it doesn’t hurt to have a Gamemaster’s Guide. Things like the Ruins of Symbaroum Core Setting Book, Player’s Guide, and Beastiary are nice to have, but you can run this game with just the OGL.
The Module
Alchemy RPG is a VTT that focuses on enhancing Theater of the Mind campaigns. It can be used to run combat and it has tools to run battle maps, but the modules main job is to set the mood with its cool visuals and atmospheric soundscape.
The Adventure Compendium Module is fine, but it is incomplete. Buying other modules will make prep easier, but hombrewing what you need isn’t hard, just time consuming. If this is your first VTT, buying into it isn’t going to be a problem. It is reasonably priced with a clean UI that is simple and easy to use. As far as substance goes, the visuals for the module are cool, but not the real reason you’re buying the game. You can always supplement the module with your own content for free. I found the font too small to read, and I don’t like that you can’t move or resize any of the windows. It be nice to be able to move the notes around to move characters.
Combat in this module works fine. If you like to use maps, the experience feels a bit lacking. Resizing maps feels a bit clunky (but better than Roll20) and the maps included with the module aren’t very optimized. They work well enough if you ever need to run something quick, but Foundry VTT does it better. If you don’t care about maps, it’s great. Setting up the encounter is easy, and every chapter is neatly divided so you only get the stat blocks you need. I don’t think the included visuals and sounds did much to enhance combat, but setting up your own scenes with music and visuals is easy and quick.
Alchemy is a solid VTT for those who want to focus on the story and don’t care much about combat. It is free to try (with a few limitations), but you can start with the module if you want to support the publisher and want the convenience the module provides. You can run the game without the module, but it is a little time consuming.
The Book
If you’re a new Gamemaster with new players looking for a darker grittier adventure, the Adventure Compendium is a great place to start. The book has solid pacing and a good variety of actives to get things started.
The world of Symbaroum is very unforgiving and will wipe a careless party. GMs can always tweek and change an adventure to fit their table, but the adventure is supposed to be harsh. Monsters are supposed to be strong, resources are supposed to be scarce, and the danger is supposed to be feel real. Games like these seem to have more meaningful moments of epic heroism, but the table needs to be in the mood for it. Changing survival mechanics and re-balancing combat is always fine, but it takes away a bit of the spirit of the campaign. As it turns out, we weren’t really in the mood for a more serious campaign and we couldn’t form that connection. Lowering the difficulty to allow room for shenanigans made it not as good.
But, just because the game didn’t fit the flavor of our campaign, it doesn’t mean it won’t fit yours. The Adventure Compendium does a fantastic job at being an intro product, and with a good amount of difficulty to keep things grim. It does feel like it is geared towards newer GMs and players (it could be a lot harder) and that is perfectly fine. The stories it tells are also fine, but not a real reason to buy this book. If you want to explore the world of Symbaroum and don’t need the crutch, you can try starting with the setting book instead. I’ll be doing a full review at some point so stay tuned.
