In a bit of unfortunate news, Akora TCG has shut its doors. The upcoming World Beyond set has been canceled, and those who have made their preorders will be refunded. All the alt cards will be shipped in the next few weeks.
This sad news was delivered suddenly on the official Akora discord.
The Discord is still up and populated, but all of the rooms are now locked.
It is sad to see the end of such a unique game, but it is unsurprising. While the game held onto its closely-knit and dedicated fan base, it was slow to gain traction outside of it. This isn’t from lack of trying. The community held events and actively promoted the game on social media, but people weren’t playing at the LGS. This is common in a market that is becoming increasingly saturated. People are either already invested in their favorite game, moving towards something familiar, or afraid to try something that might die in a couple of years.
I was rooting for Akora‘s success and was excited for World Beyond. I first got Akora because I wanted a cheap booster box to open. I fell in love with the cozy aesthetic and began watching the game closely. I sat on a few events and joined Discord and liked what I saw. The community was always welcoming and friendly. It felt like your close friends got together to make a TCG, and that was cool to see. They had a solid 3 years, and I’m sure the long-time fans got their money’s worth in good times and memories.
If you’ve never played Akora, it was a unique game with interesting mechanics and flavor. The game was easy to learn, and pretty intuitive once you got used to it. You’ll probably be able to pick up products for cheap soon, I recommend you pick up a couple of the theme decks and a few booster boxes to play with friends. You can still pick up Akora product on TCG Player using my affiliate link.
I wish the creator and community well. While today marks the death of Akora TCG, it will always live in our hearts.
I started following WONDRLND because the art grabbed my attention. The art is spectacular across the board, and I love the use of color. The format of the cards looks so good, and the mechanics seem interesting. Their new set, Starlight Genesis, has some promos that I need for my collection. At the moment, only Binary-Mind is on sale on their store, but we can still window shop till more product becomes available!
I was sent the Fifine AM8 Streaming microphone for free 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a fantastic gaming headset, check out my review for the Fifine H9s. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
I am pleased by the sound quality. Out of the box and without any processing, you can get a solid sound from this cool looking device. I am very impressed with how good at is at filtering background noise. There will be some bleed, but it is far better than other mics at a similar price point. With some 3rd party filtering and a better acoustic, I’m sure you can manage a better sound. It isn’t going to be studio mic quality, but good enough if you’re on a budget or are just starting out in the space. I do recommend you pick up a mic arm for the best results.
Build
The AM8 is a well-manufactured device. This mic looks fancy out of the box, with a very nice machine finish. The foam that covers the mic not only looks nice, but it is of a nice material. The RGB lighting is soft, and it looks nice. The touch controls for both the RGB settings and mute are very responsive and easy to use. The same goes for the volume controls. The nobs have a smooth glide, and being able to control the volume for the mic and headphones is a very cool feature. Most importantly, the AM8 is built sturdy. I’ve already dropped the device a few times, and haven’t noticed any damage or loss of function. I am very clumsy, so dropping the AM8 shouldn’t be an issue, even if you only use the stand it comes with.
Review
I love the AM8 streaming mic, and have made it my default setup. The sound is great for the price point, and it makes a decent DAC. You aren’t getting a professional audiophile sound stage through this setup, but it is a lot better than the onboard sound you’d get otherwise. The mic looks cool on my desk, and I love that I can turn off the RGB when I don’t need it. Most importantly, I like how easy it is to mute with a touch of a button.
When it comes to mics and headsets, you are usually paying that gaming marketing premium. You’re paying for that gamer aesthetic, buzzwords, and RGB. This isn’t the case with Fifine products. With the two products I’ve got to try out, I am impressed with how much of their promises they can deliver at the price point they exist in. If you’re looking for your start in streaming, podcasting, or content creation, grab yourself a Fifine AM8 streaming microphone. The AM8 also has an XLR port for those who need it. I didn’t get to test this feature, but it is nice to have for those who need it.
If you’re looking for a quality budget streaming mic, you can’t go wrong with the Fifine AM8. You can pick up your Fifiine AM8 Streaming microphone in Black, Pink, or White for $64.99 ($46.74 as of writing this) on Amazon using my affiliate links.
Mercurial Heart is the set that convinced me to sit down and learn to play Grand Archive. I picked up too much product from my LGS and TCG Player and built my shabby little Silvie deck. I chose Silvie because it was the deck I knew how to pilot the best, not because she is currently dominating the new format.
This weekend, I was able to carve out some time and head to my first-ever locals. It was a bit daunting since I had only learned the basic rules that day, but I wanted to play and didn’t have the friends to do so casually.
The place was pretty lively when I got there. Tables were busy with the other games the store was running, while others shopped around or waited for their event to start. I picked up a random playmat on my way to the counter, paid for the mat and my fee, and signed up for the event.
The event organizer was super nice. He asked me about my mat, but I didn’t know what game it was from (I picked it because it was on top of the stack). I told him it was my first time there, which made him really happy. Everyone was delighted to hear I was new and excited to play the game they loved. Grand Archive has some of the nicest fans who are so glad to see the game grow.
I didn’t do well in the event, but my opponents were always patient and understanding. While I feel bad that the games were probably boring for some, they never showed it. They gave me tips, explained interactions, and even let me look through their decks for ideas. I even started getting better with each match. Not good enough to make a difference, but better than the first time I pulled out the deck.
Between matches, the coordinator came to check in on me. We talked for a bit about the game, and he asked me about my interests and talked to me about the other events in the area. I appreciate that he took the time to check in on me, and made sure that my first experience was a good one.
I stayed a little after to chat with my last opponent who was a very patient guy who explained all sorts of combos, and interactions and helped me theory-craft a few decks. He was also very excited to show me his collection. It was very cool to see promos I have only seen online.
The experience was a bit overwhelming at first. I have bad social anxiety, and my ADHD made focusing in a room where too much was going on difficult. Once I started playing, it got a little easier. The fact that everyone was so friendly made things easier. I had a blast and will be going back. I have some deck ideas I want to try for next time. I don’t think I’ll be bringing the most souped-up meta deck, but I definitely will bring something better.
If you’re thinking of playing Grand Archive, I say pull the trigger. Find an LGS that runs events, buy some products, build your deck, and have some fun. You might not win the first time you show up, but it gets better as you learn the many nuances that come with the game. Grand Archive is a unique card game with creative mechanics and beautiful cards. Based on my experience, the player base is very kind and welcoming. This might vary based on the location and type of event, but my LGS is fantastic and I will be supporting them every chance I get!
The Mercurial Heart season has kicked off, and prizing has been announced. If you’re interested in the competitive scene or just want to play some Grand Archive, check with your LGS for a scene. Use the handy store locator on the Omnidex if you need a place to start! Grand Archive has some of the nicest players. Even if you’re not comfortable with your skills, you’re going to have a good time!
Store Championships
Store Championships start on July 1st and will run until September 27th, which gives you plenty of time to start brewing your competitive deck or at least earn a stamped Sabel Remnant! This season’s champion playmat is amazing! Make sure you check with your LGS to see when they’ll be running the next store championship!
Stamped Sable Remnant
You get a Sable Remnant just for showing up (while supplies last) so it might be worth trying worth checking it out. Who knows? You might get addicted to the chase!
Nationals Qualifier Invitation
Winners of the store championship will earn a special Windmill Engineer that not only looks pretty, but acts as their invitation to nationals!
Champion Playmat
The winner also gets an exclusive store champion playmat. The art is beautiful, and if I wasn’t already convinced about going for the Grand Archive, I would be going for a chance at the playmat!
Regionals
Regional season is also upon us! Players who do well at regionals will receive MRC Saphire packs with foils of cards only available in the Re:Collection decks. It might be a great chance at some valuable bling if you’re running either. Everyone attending a regional receives a cool playmat, but those who do well will earn points towards a Nationals invite and an even cooler playmat. I’m convinced to show up, even if I only get a prize for participation.
Lightweaver’s Assault
Players who do well at regionals will receive a special Lightweaver’s Assault card that comes with 3 points towards a nationals invite. This is such a cool card to chase! I like the idea of winning cards as invites. It reminds me of the old Yugioh anime, and that was such a huge part of my childhood.
Participation Playmat
Even if you don’t win, the playmat you get just for showing up is pretty cool. I’m hoping they run a regionals near me so I can get my hands on one.
Finalist Playmat
Champion
When
Some regional dates have been announced and confirmed. The list is not final, so make sure you are checking the official Grand Archive page to stay up to date. Here is what has been confirmed so far:
North America
June 23rd – 401Kollectibles (West Chicago, IL)
June 30th – True Champion Gaming (Ann Arbor, MI)
July 6th – Curio Cavern (Springfield, VA)
July 13th – Webway Games (Marlborough, MA)
July 13th – Game Kastle Greenville (Taylors, SC)
July 14th – Forest City Coins (London, ON)
July 21st – Mox Valley Games (Springfield, OR)
August 17th – The Haven Games (Casselberry, FL)
September 14th – Final Turn Gaming (Clifton, NJ)\
September 21st – The Banish Zone (Wernersville, PA)
Date TBD – Reaper Game Store (Denton, TX)
Date TBD – CoreTCG (Pasadena, CA)
Date TBD – Final Cut TCG (Gold River, CA)
Date TBD – Yeti Gaming (St. Louis, MO)
Europe
July 14th – IanTCG (Den Haag, Netherlands)
September 15th – Brood en Spelen (Sint-Niklaas, Belgium)
September 28th – Aria’s Card Shop (Budapest, Hungary)
Oceania
June 29th – Good Games Box Hill (Melbourne, AU)
July 6th – JoJo’s Hobbyhouse (Brisbane, AU)
Date TBD – Good Games Townhall (Sydney, AU)
Date TBD – Card Merchant Christchurch (Christchurch, NZ)
Date TBD – Card Merchant Nelson (Nelson, NZ)
Date TBD – Card Merchant Westcity (Auckland, NZ)
Date TBD – Card Merchant Hamilton (Hamilton, NZ)
Date TBD – Hobby Lords Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt, NZ)
Southeast Asia
July 14th – The Weatherlight Enterprise (Selangor, MY)
August 24th – Agora Hobby (Singapore)
Online
July 27th – IllusiveTCG (OCE)
July 28th – Yeti Gaming (NA)
August 25th – Yeti Gaming (NA)
September 21st – Aria’s Card Shop (EU)
Conclusion
Good luck to everyone who participates. I hope you all go far. I’ll see you out there!
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This week, I finished my campaign for The One Ring RPG. I ran it using a mixture of the starter set and a few events I made up along the way. Please note that Free League Publishing sent me free copies of the PDFs to review for my blog. While I am very grateful, this will be my honest review. If you enjoy these reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
The One Ring Roleplaying Gameis a ttrpg based in Tolkien’s iconic fantasy universe. Even though GMs can run their own stories within the world, events are meant to exist between those in The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings. This is a game that is heavily driven by narrative and roleplay. The books are lore-rich and flavorful. While an extensive knowledge of the source material isn’t necessary to enjoy this system, fans of the series will have a deeper appreciation for its level of detail.
Gameplay
While The One Ring has an interesting skill and combat system, the game is roleplay and narrative-driven. Rolls can sway the narrative and lead to some funny moments, but the focus will always be on the story and creating an epic yarn within the universe.
The most unique aspect of The One Ring is the Council. The Fellowship phase is where players talk to a council and ask for permission, jobs, favors, etc. There are also bonuses associated with building a relationship with the fellowship and patrons. This is a neat feature for players and GMs who enjoy roleplaying diplomacy with the added spontaneity of dice rolls.
The system alsofeatures a very unique combat system. There is no initiative. Players always go first, unless ambushed, and they can pick typically pick the order they go in. Mechanics like combat stances, gear, and stances allow for strategy, but it isn’t meant to be min-maxed. While I’m sure some people could break this game, combat is designed to tell a story based on how the dice roll.
My favorite aspect of The One Ring is how it handles travel. To start travel, players will come together to map out their route. The GM version of this map may include obstacles the party may encounter but are kept secret till they become relevant. The party chooses then chooses from one of the four roles: Guide, Hunter, Scout, and Lookout. Players then roll their perspective skills, and a story is made based on those rolls. There are tables in the scorebook that help create this narrative, we typically just make up our own.
What I enjoyed most about travel is the fatigue mechanic. Based on the results, the party gains fatigue through the course of the adventure. Fatigue limits the amount of gear they can carry, and can make them go down quicker in combat. The only way to reduce fatigue is in town, and typically after a quest. This mechanic made travel feel more impactful, and players would be cautious of how they mapped their adventure to avoid unnecessary fatigue.
The Starter Set
The Starter set includes everything you need to run your first One Ring campaign. The box includes:
A 24-page rulebook
Lorebook for The Shire
An adventure book with 6 prewritten adventures
8 Double-sided pre-generated character sheets
Two Large maps for The Shire and Eriador
30 Item Cards
6 Double Sided Journey Role and Combat Stance Cards
2 D12 Feat Dice
6 D6 Success Dice
While having the physical product with the special dice, maps, and cards is nice, it isn’t necessary. You can get by with the PDF, theater of the mind, and normal dice. You can pick up the PDF version of the starter set on DriveThru RPG.
The adventure in the starter set is a great way to onboard new players to RPGs. The adventure does a lot of hand-holding. Players and GMs are slowly introduced to the different mechanics of the system, GMs get terrific examples of encounters and descriptions, and there is a detailed lorebook to help fill the world. While experienced GMs and players will find the adventure a little slow, it is an invaluable asset for players who have never played an RPG. My biggest piece of advice for GMs running through the adventure is to not be afraid of going off-book. What you and your party make up will always be better.
I ran through some of the adventures, but we quickly went off-book because the pacing was too slow, and our interest shifted elsewhere. The adventures are fine, but they left a bit to be desired. Fans of The Hobbit might enjoy the adventure more. I don’t think the starter set is necessary unless you need a place to start or want the items in the box for your main campaign. I can’t speak for the quality of the items in the box, but I would start with just the core book if you already know how to run an RPG.
Review
We enjoyed The One Ring, and I am happy I got to run it. It was a very different change of pace, but we had a blast making up the store. We stripped away some of the mechanics that didn’t make sense for our table, like the council, and I recommend you do the same.
This system isn’t going to be for everyone. The game is heavily dependent on roleplay and storytelling. I would avoid this game if you’re group isn’t comfortable with either of these aspects. I was surprised at how quickly my group took to the new style because I have players who don’t do either, but we’ve been friends long enough to feed off each other’s jokes. Ultimately, the most fun we had in this game was when we went off script and created the dumbest, most insane story within The Lord of the Rings universe.
I wouldn’t be afraid that this is a Lord of the Rings game. My table went into this game with a vague understanding of the lore and had fun. The books are well-written and have all the lore you’ll need if that’s the kind of game you want to run. I feel like my players enjoyed reading the lore about monsters and races more than they did playing the game. While I am sure fans of the series will appreciate the details, it isn’t going to be a problem if you go into it as a casual. The books also have some beautiful illustrations so at worst, you have a cool-looking fantasy book to sit on your shelf.
I liked that we played the system, but it isn’t something that we would ever rush to play. The system is unique, the gameplay is fun, and I loved the stories we came up with, but I enjoyed other systems better. The game isn’t bad, it’s just personal preference. This game is made for a specific type of gamer who likes to roleplay high fantasy and enjoys The Lord of the Rings lore. If you’re looking for a new fantasy TTRPG to get into, make sure you are comfortable with roleplaying and storytelling. This is the type of game that you can run successfully with only 5 minutes of prep time if you’re good at improving, and your players are comfortable participating. If you and you’re group aren’t there yet, I would look elsewhere.
You can pick up a copy of the core book ($49.99) or starter set ($39) on Amazon through my affiliate links.
I was sent a free copy of Kid Pilotto 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 these reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a quality budget headset, check out the Fifine H9 Gaming Headset using my Amazon Affiliate link. Make sure you check out my full review. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
Kid Pilot is a unique VR experience where players fly a toy airplane using their hand and travel through creative and beautiful environments. Grab your favorite toy plane and solve puzzles, maneuver through obstacles, and occasionally fight your way through what promises to be the coziest VR experience. Do you have what it takes to put this game down?
Gameplay
Kid Pilot is not a flight simulator, but rather a play simulor. Instead of having a cockpit, players control a toy plane from a third-person view and only through the use of one of their hands. It is very reminiscent of a simpler time when we used to pretend everything could fly.
The game starts simple as it eases players into the fundamental mechanics, but eventually ramps up the difficulty to keep things fun and engaging. Players will have to do things like fly through creative courses, shoot targets, avoid hazards, and solve puzzles. It is a very simple loop, but one that is consistently kept fresh and engaging.
Review
Kid Pilotis the cutest and coziest VR experience that I can’t recommend enough. I enjoyed flying the cute toy plane through the game’s creative stages and loved the cozy environment. The game has a great aesthetic, a fantastic soundtrack, and fun gameplay. If you’re looking for a relaxing and engaging title with a bit of whimsy, you need to pick up Kid Pilot.
Kid Pilot is great for kids. The gameplay is simple enough to grasp, the concept is cool, and the game is overall inoffensive. Adults will appreciate the unforgettably cute and chill experience. I promise you’ve never played a game like Kid Pilot, and you’re going to have trouble putting it down.
Kid Pilot is available now on Steam VR for only $19.99 (currently $17.99 until June 5th).
BanG Dream! Girls fans should rejoice at Weiss Schwarz newest set BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Countdown Collection. This card has some of the best looking cards I’ve seen come from the game, and it isn’t heavy on the fan service like some of the other sets I’ve seen. Either way, there are cards in this set you’re going to want to chase as a collector and player of the game. The Countdown Collection is on sale now, so make sure you hit up your LGS and get you some product. For those where that isn’t an option, TCG Player has the Countdown Collection and other Weiss Schwarz products at a reasonable price. Make sure you use my affiliate links!
Twilight Masquerade is in stores now, and it features a couple of cards you’re going to want to chase. I didn’t think I would like the Ogerpon cards, but here I am, wanting them all. Players are going to need some of these new cards for this shifting meta, and collectors are going to want some of the beautiful art included in this set. Whatever your stake in the hobby is, you’re going to want to get yourself some Twilight Masquerade.
Always support your LGS, but you can pick up some Twilight Masquerade off of TCG Player using my affiliate link. If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
I was sent a free copy of Terra Memoria 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 these reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a quality budget headset, check out the Fifine H9 Gaming Headset using my Amazon Affiliate link. Make sure you check out my full review. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
Terra is a world of magic and magical technology. For years, innovation has been powered by magical crystals mined from the earth. But a shortage has hit Terra, and access to these crystals grows increasingly scarce by the minute. The citizens of Terra grow uneasy as the world around them begins to shut down. Luckily, Fate has willed a group together a group with the power to change everything. What secrets will they uncover? Can Terra ever be restored to what it used to be?
Gameplay
Terra Memoria is an adorable RPG with interesting mechanics that help it stand out against other titles in the genre. I particularly enjoyed how the game handles crafting, gear, and combat.
Crafting and leveling are done at campfires or inns in town. Make sure you visit them often. As you battle monsters in the field, you’ll collect materials and experience points. Getting to a rest area automatically levels your character, and I appreciate that simplicity. Crafting is what makes the rest areas an interesting mechanic.
Crafting armor and cooking is done during a party’s rest, provided you have the right amount of materials. This is not only flavorful, but it means you don’t have to keep running back to town for upgrades if you plan accordingly. Cooking is done through a simple rhythm mini-game that you can fail if you’re not paying attention. Failing a recipe means you lose the materials, and materials can be scarce in the beginning. Cooking permanently raises your party’s HP, so eat often. This is the only way to raise your HP, and tougher enemies will wipe your party if you haven’t been easy. I appreciate that cooking isn’t just a gimmick, and I didn’t mind the mini-game.
Crafting weapons is just a press of a button. Unlike most games, gear in Terra Memoria comes in the form of stickers. This is such a cute idea, and I wanted to craft them all. Stickers grant buffs to the elements a character can use. Each attaching character can only carry three stickers at a time, and these stickers make a difference.
Terra Memoria’s combat system is the reason why you should play this game. When combat starts, characters and enemies are placed in a space on the timeline. When a character uses an attack, they are moved several spaces on the timeline based on the attack. For example, casting a punch attack will move a character four spaces in the timeline.
Characters have access to fast and slow actions. Fast actions are weaker, but they cost less spaces. Slow actions are more powerful, but move your character to the end of the order. Landing in an occupied space means you go after. The key to combat in Terra Memoria is taking advantage of the action economy, enemy weaknesses, and shield breaks. Breaking an enemy’s shield moves them to the end of the combat round, so try to do so often.
What makes combat exciting is the RNG. The party is made up of three main attackers and three characters to support them as pairs. While the three main attackers are always the same, the pairs are chosen randomly at the start of each combat. You can restrict the pairs you don’t want, but you can never choose your pairs. Each support character has a unique ability that changes how the main character attacks. This gives the party a very diverse move pool, but it also means you’re going to get pairings that don’t feel optimal. Make sure you restrict your choices as soon as the option is available.
Some abilities are stagnant, but Opals is also driven by RNG. Sometimes you’ll pull the exact pairings with the correct elements, and others you’ll have to deal with what you are given. I never felt like the RNG was unfair, and it always felt amazing when the stars aligned perfectly.
There is a grind to this game, as there typical for the genre, but it doesn’t feel soul-crushing. The RNG kept things interesting, and there was always a chance I would mess up and have to start over.
Review
I loved Terra Memoria. If you’re looking for a new RPG, this game should be on your list. This game is cute, quirky, and a whole lot of fun. The story for this game is well written. It is a little on the silly side, but I appreciate the dedication to its tone and theme. It made the game feel like a wholesome good time.
If it wasn’t clear, I enjoyed the game’s mechanics immensely. Combat was engaging and fun, crafting didn’t feel like busy work, and collecting the cute stickers became an obsession. I didn’t even mind the grind. You can over-level, so be mindful. The bosses always seemed to offer a decent challenge, so it wasn’t a huge issue.
Puzzles in this game are creative, and challenging, but don’t require a guide. There is a building mechanic. I don’t care much for building, but it is cute and is sure to eat away at your life. My only complaint is that I would get lost a lot, but I am famously bad at directions. If you’re a fan of classic RPGs without waypoints, this game is for you.
I loved Terra Memoria, and I think you will do. It is cute, fun, and very addicting.
