I’ve been following Drakantos closely because I am very excited about its release. Drakantos is a free-to-play pixel art MMO coming to PC and mobile devices. The art is cute, and the bit of gameplay I’ve seen has me interested. No release date has been set yet, so make sure you join the official Discord so you are always up to date.
The October Devlog just dropped, and I recommend you check it out to share in my excitement. We got some new animations, screenshots, and some gameplay footage.
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Yura Teaser
We got a teaser for Yura, and if it doesn’t get you hyped for the game, nothing will. Combat looks so good and the voice acting is fantastic! Make sure you check out the official discord if you want to get some back story!
Mounts
An MMO needs its mounts, and Drakantos will have mounts, and characters that can transform into their own! We got a teaser of the animation, and I am satisfied:
Screenshots
We also got to see a new screenshot of the world, and I love the art! This world looks so good!
UI Preview
We also got a screenshot of the UI. It’s clean, and I dig the character art.
The new starter Digimon TCG starter decks, Wolf of Friendship and Dragon of Courage, release on October 13. These decks are a great jumping point for beginners and a great buy for collectors. Check with your LGS to see if they will be running the prerelease event so you can get your hands on the sweet promos tied to this release.
You can get these promos through by preordering the decks at a participating LGS.
The deck will include a reversible paper playsheet that you’ll either hang up or toss, memory counters that you’ll need to get started, and a playable 54-card deck.
The new starter Digimon TCG starter decks, Wolf of Friendship and Dragon of Courage, release on October 13. These decks are a great jumping point for beginners and a great buy for collectors. Check with your LGS to see if they will be running the prerelease event so you can get your hands on the sweet promos tied to this release.
MSRP for the decks is $15.99, but I had trouble finding it at that price. Always check with your LGS, but you can always pick Wolf of Friendship from TCG Player using my Affiliate Link. TCG Player has them for $13.42 which is a solid price for entry.
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The Adventure Box 2 for Digimon TCG is officially along with the newest set, Resurgence Booster[RB01]. This means we have the rest of the Memory Boost Alt cards, and they look sick. They retail for $19.99, and I wouldn’t pay more than that. Right now the only place you can find them is on TCG Player (which I am an official affiliate as of today), but they are asking way too much at $44.99. Do not buy them at this price. The first Adventure Box is still available at Target for MSRP so I don’t see why the price wouldn’t come out. While the Promo card and figure would be nice to have, the better deal is getting a booster box, which you can get for as cheap as $68 with free shipping as of writing this. A better way to get the Memory Boosters at the moment is from the Gallantmon/Ulforce Veedramon Starter Decks. You can buy the set on TCG Player for $29.
That said, if the price ever goes back to MSRP, this will make a great gift for the tamer in your life. The boxes come with four packs from the new Resurgence Booster set, a small figure you can use as a memory counter, and a unique promo card you are going to want in your collection. I wish it included multiple copies or colors, but I guess they need their money too.
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Red Memory Boost
Blue Memory Boost
Yellow Memory Boost
Green Memory Boost
Black Memory Boost
Purple Memory Boost
[Main] Reveal the top 4 cards of your deck. Add 1 purple Digimon card among them to your hand. Place the remaining cards at the bottom of your deck in any order. Then, place this card in your battle area. [Main] [Delay](Trash this card in your battle area to activate the effect below. You can’t activate this effect the turn this card enters play.) • Gain 2 memory.
Security Effect:[Security] Place this card in its owner’s battle area.
I was sent Deceit 2as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions about the game. This will be my honest review of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share them with your friends.
Deceit 2 is a unique take on the traitor-finding genre. You are trapped in a demonic ritual stuck playing a sadistic game run by a demonic game master. Together with nine other players, you must work together to escape. But two players are working against you. Can you find out who the traitors are in time to make your big escape, or are you doomed to play the game forever?
Before you consider buying this game, evaluate how comfortable you are speaking to strangers over a mic. This game’s sandbox structure both helps and hinders its longevity because what makes this game fun is its player base. The freedom the game gives you as you complete tasks and work towards the win condition is fantastic, but games aren’t fun when no one is talking. What makes games like this fun are the shenanigans they foster. I found that in the games where no one was talking, I was often waiting for the game to end. Unless you are willing to create your own fun or have friends to play with that will help you do that, there really isn’t much reason to get Deceit 2.
It is a shame I can’t recommend this game because the game looks good. It has a fantastic theme, and some cool mechanics and it runs great with a bit of tweaking. If this game were free, I would be urging everyone to try it at least once. Unfortunately, the price tag makes this game a gamble.
If you are willing to make your own fun and enjoy this genre of games, now is the best time to get it because it has a decent-sized population. Once the game fades from the public eye, it’s going to die, and no amount of content is going to revitalize it. There might be a slight uptick during free weekends and the console releases, but it’s not going to have a lasting presence in the genre.
Deceit 2 is out now on Steam, with PlayStation and Xbox releases planned for the future. I can’t recommend it because of how heavily it relies on strangers to be fun, but you can pick it up for $14.99.
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Fire
Heat Rotom
[R][R] Heat Tackle: 100 damage. This Pokémon also does 40 damage to itself.
Volcanion
[R] Dual Turbo: 20 damage. Choose up to 2 of your Benched Pokémon. For each of those Pokémon, attach a Basic [R] Energy card from your discard pile to that Pokémon.
[R][C][C][C] Heavy Impact: 120 damage.
Fuecoco
[R] Live Coal: 10 damage.
[R][R] Ram: 30 damage.
Crocalor
[R][R] Fireball Roll: 90 damage. Put an Energy attached to this Pokémon into your hand.
Water
Lapras
[C] Into the Deep: Put up to 3 Basic Energy cards from your discard pile into your hand.
[W][C] Freeze-Dry: 50 damage. Flip a coin. If heads, your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Paralyzed
Remoraid
[C] Sprinkle Water: 20 damage.
Octillery
Ability: Suction Draw When you play this Pokémon from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokémon during your turn, you may draw 3 cards.
[W][C] Smoke Bomb: 60 damage. During your opponent’s next turn, if the Defending Pokémon tries to attack, your opponent flips a coin. If tails, that attack doesn’t happen.
Mantyke
[.] Fluffy Healing: Heal 120 damage from 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
Mewtwo ex
[P] Trans Charge: Attach up to 2 Basic [P] Energy from your discard pile to your Pokémon in any way you like.
[P][P] Photon Kinesis: 10+ damage. This attack does 30 more damage for each [P] Energy attached to all of your Pokémon.
Plusle
[C][C] Damage Plus: 10+ damage. This attack does 10 more damage for each damage counter on your opponent’s Active Pokémon.
Minun
Ability: Buddy Pulse If you have Plusle in play, whenever your opponent attaches an Energy card from their hand to 1 of their Pokémon, put 2 damage counters on that Pokémon. You can’t apply more than 1 Buddy Pulse Ability at a time.
[L] Speed Ball: 20 damage.
Psychic
Exeggcute
[P] Hypnosis: Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep.
[P][C] Rolling Tackle: 30 damage.
Exeggcute
[P][C] Hypnoblast: 30 damage. Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep.
[P][P][C] Psychic Loop: 160 damage. Put 2 Energy attached to this Pokémon into your hand.
Natu
[P] Triple Jab: 10x damage. Flip 3 coins. This attack does 10 damage for each heads.
Xatu
Ability: Akashic Sense Once during your turn, you may attach a Basic [P] Energy card from your hand to 1 of your Benched Pokémon. If you attached Energy to a Pokémon in this way, draw 2 cards.
[P][C][C] Super Psy Bolt: 80 damage.
Deoxys
[P] Psypunch: 30 damage.
[P][P][P] Genome Spiral: 120 damage. Move all Energy attached to this Pokémon to your Benched Pokémon in any way you like.
Gimmighoul
[C] Call for Family: Search your deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.
[C][C] Corkscrew Punch: 20 damage.
Gimmighoul
[C] Continuous Coin Toss: 20x damage. Flip a coin until you get tails. This attack does 20 damage for each heads.
Fighting
Hoopa ex
[D][D] Energy Crush: 50x damage. This attack does 50 damage for each Energy attached to all of your opponent’s Pokémon.
[D][D][D] Scoundrel Fist: 200 damage. During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t use Scoundrel Fist.
Dark
Gastly
[C] Allure: Draw a card.
[D][C] Will-O-Wisp: 20 damage.
Haunter
[D][C] Dark Slumber: 40 damage. Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep.
Gengar
Ability: Night Gate Once during your turn, you may switch your Active Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
[D][C] Nightmare: 100 damage. Your opponent’s Active Pokémon is now Asleep.
Absol
[C] Draw Sense: You may discard any number of cards from your hand. Then, draw cards until you have 5 cards in your hand.
[C][C] Enhanced Slash: 20+ damage. If this Pokémon has a Pokémon Tool attached, this attack does 60 more damage.
Yveltal
[C][C] Cross-Cut: 30+ damage. If your opponent’s Active Pokémon is an Evolution Pokémon, this attack does 60 more damage.
[D][D][C] Dark Edge: 120 damage. Discard an Energy from this Pokémon.
Nickit
[C] Surprise Attack: 30 damage. Flip a coin. If tails, this attack does nothing.
Thievul
Ability: Bag Snatch When you play this Pokémon from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokémon during your turn, you may look at your opponent’s hand, choose 2 Energy cards you find there, and have your opponent shuffle them into their deck.
[C][C] Claw Slash: 60 damage.
Steel
Skeledirge ex
Ability: Explosive Song Once during your turn, you may discard a [R] Energy card from your hand in order to use this Ability. During this turn, your Pokémon’s attacks do 60 more damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon (before applying Weakness and Resistance).
[R][R] Raster Burn: 160 damage. This attack’s damage isn’t affected by any effects on your opponent’s Active Pokémon.
Gholdengo ex
Ability: Bonus Coin Once during your turn, you may draw a card. If this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, you may draw 2 cards instead.
[C] Gold Rush: 50x damage. Discard any number of Basic Energy cards from your hand. This attack does 50 damage for each card you discarded in this way.
Normal
Bombirdier ex
[C] Fast Carry: If you go first, you can use this attack on your first turn. Search your deck for up to 3 Basic Pokémon and put them onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.
[C][C][C] Shadow Wind: 130 damage. You may shuffle this Pokémon and all attached cards into your deck.
Trainer Cards
Ancient Booster Energy Capsule
The Ancient Pokémon this card is attached to gets +60 HP, recovers from all Special Conditions, and can’t be affected by any Special Conditions.
Gorgeous Mantle
If the Pokémon this card is attached to does not have a Rule Box, it gets +100 HP and when it is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 1 more Prize card for it. (Pokémon ex, Pokémon V have Rule Boxes.)
Parasol Lady
Shuffle your hand into your deck and draw 4 cards. If you go second and it’s your first turn, draw until you have 8 cards instead.
Shauntal
Flip a coin. If heads, switch in 1 of your opponent’s Benched Pokémon to the Active Spot. If tails, switch your Active Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.
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Preregistration for the mobile game Mobile Suit Gundam U.C. Engageis now open for Android and IOS devices. This Gotcha game brings over 200 classic characters and mobile suits to a tactical game that might be pretty cool if you are a Gundam fan. I’ve already seen a few characters I will be chasing at launch.
The game looks like an auto battler, as most Gotcha games often are, but you have control over where your Gundam are placed on the field each round. The animation isn’t the most exciting I’ve seen in a Gundam game, but I’ll take what I can get. Most of the strategy I assume will come down to what suit and pilot you have on your team, their level, and the gear have. RNG is always most of the fun for these games, and I can only hope that the pull rates aren’t predatory and the story is good. This game promises a unique story set in the universe, and it seems to have some solid voice acting. I’ll have to try the game out first, but I have seen enough to spark some interest.
I am still looking for a Gotcha game that will replace Dragalia Lost. This is coming to me at a time when I am super into Gundam. I have a couple of Gunpla kits I am working on and have been slowly making my way through The Witch From Mercury. Go check it out on YouTube if you already haven’t.
I’m excited to try out anything that will give me Gundam, especially if it is free. I’ve already registered and will be playing at launch. Stay tuned for my full review then. Mobile Suit Gundam U.C. Engage is scheduled for release on October 25th.
There is currently a preregistration event going on, so make sure you sign up to earn some pretty cool perks at launch. 100,000 preregistrations will score users with a UR Gundam and 3,000 diamonds, enough to pull 10 times from the Unit Assembly.
10,000 preregistrations: 100 diamonds
30,000 preregistrations: 200 diamonds
50,000 preregistrations: 400 diamonds
80,000 preregistrations: 800 diamonds
Based on the picture and all the promotional videos, I can assume it is the RX 78-2 Gundam is the SR unit we’ll be getting.
Mobile Suit Gundam U.C. Engage will be available on both Android and IOS devices. Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook to stay up on all the news.
Apex Legends is hitting the tabletop in a new multiplayer experience that is worth some attention. The popular hero shooter is getting its own board game in an already fully funded Kickstarter. The officially licensed board game aims to bring the highly competitive and tactical experience offline, and the conversion looks successful. There is a loot system, abilities, and gear based on the game, and you can even cast the ultimates. If you are a fan of the video game, you should at least check out the page.
The base game supports three game modes for all levels of play. It includes some beautifully sculpted unpainted minis and dioramas for Bangalore, Bloodhound, Gibraltar, and Wraith. The game comes with modular buildings for fully customizable maps that you can use for your other war games. I’ll probably be using it with my Heroclix. You can buy the game for $80 which seems reasonable for what you are getting. Backers of the Kickstarter will also get the exclusive Loba expansion for free. Higher tiers include additional expansions and collectibles for cheaper than retail and access to all the stretch goals. Future expansions will open up the game to six players and bring more of the beloved characters to the table.
Minis
1 / 13
Painted Minis
2 / 6
Dioramas
More Shots of the Game
4 / 39
If you are a fan of Apex Legends or are looking for a new wargame to play with your friends, it might be something you add to your library. You can back Apex Legends: The Board Game on Kickstarter.
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I was sent Havendock as a review code. I am very grateful for the opportunity, but this will be my honest review.
If you are looking for a fun village builder to add to your collection or need a good place to start with the genre, get Havendock. The game has great graphics, catchy music, and an addicting gameplay loop.
You wake up alone and stranded in the middle of the ocean without a single memory. To survive, you must build a base from the materials that float by. As you slowly establish your haven, you will attract other survivors who will help you grow your haven. The trick to this game is efficiency. You must juggle between building, resource management, exploration, and research.
Do not let the game’s cuteness deceive you. You will become overwhelmed by your sloppiness, but that’s part of the process. I recommend that you go in blind on your first playthrough to get the truest Havendock experience. Once you get to the point where you get stuck, look up tips and tricks. If you need more of a challenge, there are settings you can tweak.
What I like most about this game is how easily it eases players into the mechanics. All players start with a questline that does a fantastic job of teaching players the fundamentals, but it leaves enough room for error to make the game challenging. While I never thought the game was frustratingly difficult, there are enough obstacles to keep it engaging. The game is impossible if you don’t have at least a basic plan on what to research, build, or gather. Havendock will prove a tricky game to master, but it is such a satisfying and enjoyable ride. Even when my village was on the brink of collapse, I found myself humming along with the catchy music, enjoying myself.
If you are looking for a new game to get into, you should buy Havendock. It is cute, fun, and great for those who’ve never touched a resource management game. The hardest part about this game is choosing when to walk away because there is always something you need to build, research, or work towards. I loved this game, and I think you will too.
You can buy Havendock on Steam for $16.99. The game is in early access, but it doesn’t feel like it. But if you need further convincing, go try the demo.
I’ll be rewriting the novel to fix some of the awkwardness of the translation. My version comes out the Monday after the official release, but make sure you always check out the original. If you’ve been enjoying this project, make sure you like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.
Code Crackers make up a community of anonymous individuals whose goals are to create a free Digital World, one not bound by the traditional social construct. Within this group exist multiple factions, each with unique beliefs of what a free Digital World should look like. Sometimes these beliefs clash, creating a healthy amount of infighting.
Code Crackers exist on the wrong side of the law, made up of misfits with nowhere to go. Whatever goal of dream they chase now, all crackers owe their roots to the original code cracking team.
“I’m a bit hazy on the details. I got into code cracking when I was a young kid in high school. One of the seniors talked me into it. Told me there was decent money in it, and it was at first. It definitely is a good side hustle for a high school kid, but I wanted to do something more serious. I want to use my skills to make a living.”
“You can do whatever you want” the professor replies, “But code cracking isn’t a stable profession. You’re always going to be breaking the law because the government doesn’t understand the Digital World yet.”
“Yeah. The DigiPolice make things…difficult” The DigiPolice is a secret organization only known to code crackers. They’ll stop at nothing to catch all code crackers, regardless of their intentions.
“Are you also trying to forge a free Digital World?” asks the professor
Eiji shakes his head “Shallow of me right? I just want a job so I can eat, and a clean record”
“And where will that lead you? What are your goals Eiji?”
Eiji thinks for a moment. “I…I want to win” he responds sincerely.
Ryusenji is taken aback by the response “Win? What are you trying to win?”
“It’s hard to explain. I can’t really do it in real life, but online….I’d like to be something so big that it changes reality. I want to make money, evolve Digimon, and become the best Code Cracker ever. I want to have a team of my own and be a boss”
“Do you have to be a code cracker to do that?”
“Yes!” Eiji startles himself with his sudden outburst. He composes himself before continuing. “For me, the Digital World is the only place where I can make a difference” Eiji pauses for a moment as he looks over the professor. “I want to be on your level professor. I want to be able to experience the Digital World with all five senses, not just through a monitor. That’s what I want to do.”
Eiji’s words make Ryusenji smile. “The Digital World can change a person”
Eiji thinks about his life. He pictures his small cramped apartment and about his empty fridge. He’s a high school drop out without a steady job. Eiji has nothing, and as he looks onto the world’s wealthiest man, he wants more. Eiji makes up his mind. He has no intention of being a lowly code cracker anymore. He was going to learn everything he could from Professor Ryusenji, and finish training Loogamon no matter what.
Ryusenji murmurs something unintelligible.
“Professor?”
“You passed the test.”
“Again?”
The professor nods his head. “I needed to make sure you had the right intentions. If you were some run-of-the-mill code cracker kid drunk on freedom and ideology, I wouldn’t have offered you the job”
A familiar symbol flashes on the screen. It is of a gear wraps around a skull creating a radioactive halo. Under the symbol the words read “Sons of Chaos”
Illustration illustration: PLEX
Eiji lets out an involuntary sigh.
“Do you know them?” Ryusenji asks
“Of course I do. They’re a pretty infamous group of code crackers”
“What is your honest impression of them?”
Eiji takes a moment before responding “They’re on another level. They’re the best at what they do.” Eiji admired their skill, but the Sons of Chaos were right-wing extremists. They were almost militant in their organization. If you wanted to live a good and carefree life, you stayed away from them.
“They’re a group of code crackers known for using Digimon for crime,” Eiji continies. “They’ve made a name for themselves through extortion, theft, and terrorism. They’re bad news.”
The Sons of Chaos are run by the legendary Code Cracker Tartarus. No one knows Tartarus’ true identity, but he’s extremely popular on GriMM. Over the years, Tartarus has built a following of crackers who have adopted his ideology and created havoc in its name.
Ryusenji looks at Eiji “The Sons of Chaos are breaking the delicate balance between the Digital World and humanity. They are abusing Digimon and their ecosystem for personal gain and interfering with my research.” Ryusenji takes a moment to compose himself “It would be a shame if the Digital World and ours became isolated because of the misdeeds of a few punks. Wouldn’t you agree Eiji”
Eiji shrugs. “Can’t you just ask the government to help”
Rysenji shakes his head, “they don’t understand enough about Digimon yet. The Prime Minister only wants to use government resources to study them, and the police are too focused on stopping Code Crackers to care about one individual…There isn’t enough being done!” Ryusenji’s voice is filled with anger and frustration.
“Is that why you hired me?”
The professor calms down and nods his head. “You can say no. I know I’m asking for a lot”
“No, it’s not that at all. I’m here to help, whatever it takes!” The offer is too exciting to pass up. Eiji has been searching for meaning in his life. He knew he was meant for something more than simply collecting Digitama and training Digimon. This was his chance to do something real. To start winning.
“Good!” Ryusenji exclaims as he clasps his hands to gather loudly. “For this job, I want you to infiltrate the Sons of Chaos and find out what Tartaros is up to.” The professor walks over and gently places his hand on Eiji’s shoulder “This isn’t just another job Eiji off the message board. The stakes are real, and much bigger than both of us in this room. This is for the sake of all Digimon. This is for the sake of the Digital World”
Bandai has been releasing their weekly installments of Digimon Seekers, and it’s fine for what it is. There is still much room for growth, but I will sit here being hopeful.
Digimon Seekers is the companion story for their Vital Bracelet fitness tracker game. The Vital bracelet is a basic fitness tracker that lets you train and level up your favorite character from one of Bandai’s popular IPs. I will be focusing on Digimon, but you can also have characters from shows like My Hero Academia or Ultra Man.
The Digimon Vital bracelets have a vast selection you can choose from to level and take on adventures with you. You train your Digimon by staying active. Your Digimon earns XP based on the steps you take or exercises you complete. It isn’t a particularly advanced tracker like you would get with a Fitbit, but it has the added benefit of having a cute little character to motivate you to stay active. Once your Digimon is leveled up, you can transfer it to the official companion app where you can battle other players, join tournaments, or participate in special events. If you are thinking of getting a Vital Bracelet, the Vital Bracelet BE is the latest edition and the best place to start.
UPDATE: Didn’t think this was going to blow up so I wanted to amend my statement. I chose to link the VV bracelet because it comes with a dim. If you are a fan of the Ghost Game anime, this is the newest generation of the watch on the show. This version still runs BE memories, but it may be too loud for some. The Vital Be is available in Black and White as seen on top. These won’t come with BE memory chips (where the Digimon are stored). You can get some of the older dims for cheap or get them imported from a retailer that you trust. I saw a few on Amazon, but they were kind of expensive. Older chips aren’t as strong, but they’re nice if you’re starting a collection.
To sell more of this toy, Bandai has Digimon Seekersto give the toy some meaningful lore to go with it. As of writing this post, the first eight chapters of this web novel are available on the official website with a new one coming out every Sunday. So far, the story is okay. There are some syntax errors and some poor translation, but it is fine for what it is. It is written for a younger audience, so expect the language and imagery to be on the simpler side. The story does a solid job of introducing the conflicting factions, building the world, and showing off its cute mascots. There isn’t enough for a proper critique, but it is a promising start.
I am excited about this project, and I hope it gets the traction it needs to grow into something worth reading. It is too early to tell for sure, but I can be hopeful. I love the idea of different mediums collaborating to make a unique experience. Fans will be able to get the lore from the novel and videos, carry their Digimon while they go about their day, and even connect with people from around the world who also love the hobby. I am always fascinated by the idea of people from different walks of life communicating through a single hobby.
I love Digimon, so there is a clear bias. I will follow it until it isn’t worth it, but until then, I am all in. So far, I love the neo-Tokyo aesthetic and the tone the story is starting to take. Make sure you go check it out if you want some more Digimon in your life. Don’t forget to watch the trailers, and listen to the audiobook if you understand Japanese.
Edit 2: I have since started revising the published chapters. The story will be the same, I just fixed some of the issues I had with the translation to make it sound nicer. Go check it out and let me know what you think!
Images taken from the official Bandai website. I don’t own them.
