Tag Archives: action

gaming news, video game reviews

System Shock is Back!

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System Shock has gotten a remaster, and it looks sick. The classic FPS has officially come to modern PCs with better graphics, updated controls, a new UI, and some much-needed quality-of-life changes. If you’ve played the original, you aren’t getting the same game you played way back when. The reboot promises never before seen enemies, a revamped hacking system, and new ways to combat enemies, like a brutal dismemberment system. While a few changes have been made, the developers have worked closely with members of the original team to make sure they keep the spirit of the original the same in this reboot. 

As the Hacker, players must fight through armies of mutated creatures controlled by the evil ai, SHODAN. Players will avoid traps, solve puzzles, and hack their way through Citadel Station. What secrets will you uncover on your journey?

I never had the means to play the original System Shock growing up. I played a bit in college and would watch my friends play it here and there, but I never had the opportunity to get deep enough exposure to it. I love that these older games are getting a second chance for new and old audiences, especially those like me who missed the train entirely. I am still working on getting a review code for this, so fingers crossed I get one soon.

System Shock is available on PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games for 39.99. A demo is available on Steam and Epic Games if you want to try it out first. Console editions of System Shock are planned for the future, but no details are available yet.

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Movie Reviews

Movie Review: The Super Mario Bros. Movie

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I wasn’t going to write about The Super Mario Bros. Movie, but I needed to talk about something that bothered me about the movie. It’s not a bad kids’ movie. If you have to sit through this with your kids, you’ve probably already sat through it, and it wasn’t too bad. If you haven’t and can stream it later, you won’t hate it. It’s colorful, there are a lot of fun references to the games, and the soundtrack is amazing. The plot is simple and could use better character development, but it is a kids’ movie. It certainly isn’t the worst video game movie to date.

My issue with this movie is with the choice of voice actors. I have nothing against Pratt or the rest of the cast, but I couldn’t help but feel disappointed by the performances. Most of the characters sounded like the actors talking through the script. Scenes with Bowser are especially jarring because while Jack Black is giving a fantastic performance, the rest of the cast wasn’t. They should have hired real voice actors. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is full of amazing talent, but unfortunately, that talent didn’t translate into the voice acting. 

I am getting tired of these kinds of miscasting and movies written around named brand actors. I hate that the business has turned into tricking people into watching mediocre and lazy movies because of who is in them. I wish that instead, the focus would be on better writing and actors that fit the role. It is a lot to ask for, especially with the writer’s strike going on, but it shouldn’t be unreasonable. I sit through a lot of garbage and will continue to do so, but the homogony wears on me, and we deserve better.

Anyways, if you haven’t watched this movie, I would wait till you can stream it or watch it for free. If you have kids, it’s a great movie to throw on. You will zone out, but it isn’t terrible. If you are trying to watch a good animated movie, I suggest you look elsewhere. I suggest throwing this movie on in the background because the soundtrack has some bangers, but the rest is pretty mediocre. 

By Universal, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68810546https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnGl01FkMMo&ab_channel=Illumination

video game reviews

Starship Troopers: Extermination Early Access Review

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I was sent Starship Troopers: Extermination as a review code. I am very grateful for the opportunity, but this will be an honest review.

Starship Trooper: Extermination is a fast-paced 16-player co-op FPS that you should consider getting if you are a fan of games like Vermintide or the movie this game is based on. As part of the Deep Space Vanguard, you must reclaim the planet from the Archnic threat. Build a base and defend it against the seemingly endless wave of bloodthirsty bugs. Will you live long enough to earn your citizenship, or are you destined to be Archid food?

I love Starship Troopers, and I was excited to receive this title. The game is actually pretty solid, with a healthy enough population to make the game fun. I never waited more than a minute to get into a match and enjoyed every match I played. The game has three classes you can level: a healer, a tank, and DPS. As you level, each class gains access to additional weapons and abilities. This gives players something to work towards and allows them to customize their gameplay. Each match is supposed to have randomized objectives, but the missions started to feel repetitive after a while. While I still had fun, I can see this game losing its luster without the inclusion of more game modes and missions. What makes this game unique from others in the genre is the base-building mechanic. To end each match, players must work together to build a base they will protect from a large swarm of arachnids. Make sure you help build the base if you want to win. Base building is easy, but it is also easy to get overrun if people don’t know what to do. 

This game is still in early access and has some very notable bugs. I lost frames every time we faced a big swarm, and there were times when the swarm wasn’t properly balanced. This game never got so broken it was unplayable, but it does need further polish.

The best part of Starship Troopers: Extermination is its community. Wait times are almost nonexistent, and the players are having fun with the game. I recommend you get a mic if you play this game. Communication makes missions run more smoothly, and you will certainly find cool people to play with. I played a match where everyone started roleplaying. It was such a fun and silly time, but it was a moment that could have only existed in this game. Your experience will vary, but I was always lucky to be in games with cool and friendly players. 

If you like Starship Troopers, this is a fantastic adoption. If are a fan of the genre, this is a unique title that you should consider adding to your library. It is a bit hard to recommend the game because of the lack of polish, but if you don’t mind a few cosmetic bugs, the community makes the experience worth it.  

Starship Troopers: Extermination is available now on Steam for $24.99. Make sure you follow the socials to stay up to date on all future updates: Twitter, Facebook, and Discord. 

gaming news, video game reviews

Outerplane Now Live Globally

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I talked about Outerplane in a previous post sharing my excitement for the new turn-based gotcha game coming to us from our friends at Smilegate. The game has some great art, fantastic voice acting, and some phenomenal animations. I won’t repeat too many of my initial thoughts, so make sure you go read my original post if you’d like to know more. 

Outerplane has officially had its global launch, available now in more than 170 countries for IOS and Android devices. New players are guaranteed 80 hero pulls. Those who complete the Start Dash and Guide quest events are guaranteed a three-star hero for each event. 

To commemorate the event, the Outerplane team has released special coupons to redeem for in-game gifts. Use the codes:

PLAYOUTERPLANE1 for 500 Ether

PLAYOUTERPLANE2 for 120 Stamina + 20 Cake Slice

I am excited for this game because I am always looking for a gotcha game to fill the void Dragalia Lost left behind. This game looks very promising. I will be testing it out and be back with my first impressions once I get a bit deeper into the game. Until then, it doesn’t hurt to go start your journey now. You can download Outerplane free on the Google Play store and App Store today!

Make sure you follow the socials to stay up to date on all the news: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

video game reviews

Tamarak Trail: The Roguelike Deck-builder You Didn’t Know You Needed

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Tamarak Trail is an interesting rogue-like deck builder coming to all major consoles and PC that looks like it will redefine the genre. A corruption is spreading across the Canadian Shield, and it is up to you to find the cause and put an end to it. The journey won’t be easy, and you won’t make it on your first try. Do you have what it takes to be the hero, or will you buckle under the weight of the mysterious corruption?

Players can choose from three classes: the tracker, magician, and detective. Each class has its unique sets of skills and abilities. What makes this game unique is its deck-building mechanic. Instead of decks, you customize dice that you roll to cast abilities. You can fully customize each dice to fit your play style, although the RNG might be a limiting factor. The devs have published an informative walkthrough video that best explains the game’s mechanics. I recommend you watch it and become as excited as I am for this title.

 Tamarak Trail is looking really cool. The mechanics look like a lot of fun, and the art is beautiful. I love deck-builders, so there might be a bit of bias in my excitement. Regardless, I think this unique game deserves some love and attention. I’ll definitely be trying to get a copy to review. 

Tamarak Trail is coming to PS4, Xbox, Switch, and PC via Steam and GoG. Don’t forget to add it to your Wishlist. There is also an official wiki you should bookmark that I am sure will have lots of useful tips and tricks at launch. Make sure you join the game’s Discord and follow the official Twitter to stay up to date on all the news.

Uncategorized, video game reviews

Apex Legends: The Board Game live on Kickstarter

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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.

gaming news, video game reviews

Second Wave Spoilers and Alpha Announcement!

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I was fortunate enough to try out Second Wave at this year’s GDC and loved it. Second Wave is an anime-themed arena shooter coming to PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, IOS, and Android. The team behind was super nice, and the game is a lot of fun. I won’t be repeating too much from my initial coverage, so make sure you go read that if you need to catch up.  

Since then, Challengers Games has released a healthy amount of spoilers and teasers that have kept my excitement for the game alive. If you care about spoilers, you can stop reading here. Otherwise, I have collected everything they’ve been posting and have organized it as best I can. Make sure you follow the publisher on Discord and Twitter to keep up with all the news from this point.

Most importantly, don’t forget to sign up for the Alpha! The playtest will run from May 26 to the 28th for Steam only, so mark your calendars. This game is going to be huge. The character design is great, the skills are unique, and it’s going to be available on everything. Challengers Games is also an official Microsoft partner, so you know this won’t be another lazy cash grab. With the time I spent with Second Wave and what I’ve seen from Spoilers, it’s hard not to be excited. Now is the perfect time to get behind a game with lots of potential. I’ve already signed up for the Alpha and am impatiently waiting for a reply. Go sign up, and I hope I see you in Armantia! 

Shania Olivier

Bernard Bronzestone

Cozette Russel

Amelda Luce

Ess’el Verto

I actually got to try Ess’el when I got to demo the game and had a blast. I wasn’t good, but thankfully the girls I played against also picked her and didn’t know how to use her.

Aegis Tefnut

This might be my main. I love playing the healer/support class in everything I play and switching between light and dark is always a fun mechanic.

Michaela Seraphine Lopez

Merope Sessile

Dio Zahaman

Batu Deidara

Gameplay For Merope, Dio, and Batu!

And The Score Card!

This game is going to be a lot of fun, but I don’t want to speculate more than I already have. Make sure you add it to your Wishlist on Steam, sign up for the Alpha, and join the Discord!

video game reviews

You Should Get Super Dungeon Maker

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I was sent Super Dungeon Maker as a review code. I am very grateful for the opportunity, but I will keep my review honest.

If you like old-school RPGs or have always dreamed of making your own, you need to go buy Super Dungeon Maker. This game has fun gameplay, an expansive dungeon editor, and the cutest art. If you have kids, this is a great game to add to their collection. The game does a fantastic job of giving players a basic understanding of RPGs so they can make their own later. The dungeon editor gives kids an outlet to be creative, and the consistent stream of content gives them hours of gameplay. Adults will have the opportunity to be creative and enjoy the return to a nostalgic era of gaming and the possible satisfaction of clearing some of the more impossible levels.

I am not creative, so I didn’t spend much time in the dungeon editor. From what little I did mess around in it, it seemed pretty expansive. I felt overwhelmed by the choices, but mostly because my brain couldn’t turn the different parts into a cohesive map. That said, I was impressed by the diverse selection of levels available this early into the game’s life. 

As a player, I loved how healthy the community is. There are a lot of games to choose from, but not all of them are great. The thing about these types of games is that the fun is community driven. You need players to motivate creators, and you need creators for content. You are going into this game knowing you have to sift through the expansive library to find your fun. You don’t have to finish the maps you don’t like, but I can see people being turned off by the rough nature of the level design. 

That said, Super Dungeon Maker is a fantastic game if you are looking for a classic RPG without much commitment. You don’t have to worry about extensive lore or investing in an expansive story. Everything is self-contained, cute, and fun. Now is a great time to get into Super Dungeon Maker because there is a healthy community driving and consuming its content.

Super Dungeon Maker is available on Steam and the Nintendo Switch for $19.99. I played the Steam version and loved it, and considering getting it on the Switch. Playing some of the maps, especially the Zelda-inspired ones on the go would be perfect. As it happens, Nintendo has it on sale for $15.99 until May 25th. Regardless of which version you choose to play, I guarantee it will be lots of fun.

Images and gifs taken from the press kit

video game reviews

Game Review: Breachers

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I was sent Breachers as a review code, and while I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will keep my review honest.

Breachers is the Rainbow Six: Siege VR port you’ve been waiting for. It is a bit more simplified, there aren’t any classes, but it certainly scratches an itch. Games are 5v5 matches where you either play team death match or bomb maps. Games are played on tight quarter maps where the emphasis on victory is teamwork. 

The community for Breachers seems less toxic Seige, at least from the games I played. My general performance was average, but I never got kicked out of a game or flamed for being bad. Kids are playing this game already, so prepare yourself for some high-pitched screaming. It never got so bad that I needed to mute players, but the option is there if you need it.

I only recommend muting if it’s absolutely necessary. If you want to win games in Breachers, you need a strong understanding of the game’s mechanics and clear and effective communication with your teammates. Games where teammates communicate strategically about loadouts, traps, and enemy locations will go a lot smoother than those where the lone wolf goes for the highest kill count. I recommend unmuting your mic, but there are buttons you can press for nonverbal communication if you prefer.

Breachers are easy to pick up, but some mechanics aren’t intuitive. Make sure you complete the tutorial to gain the required foundation, and maybe do a couple of bot matches if you need some added reinforcement. I was fortunate enough to find teammates who would give me tips, but the mileage may vary. FNH8iT has a nice video on his YouTube channel if you need an additional resource. 

If you are looking for a good VR first-person shooter, buy Breachers. There is a lot to like about this game. If you care about performance, the graphics are nice, the matches run great, and the gameplay is a lot of fun. It has cool maps, interesting mechanics, and a healthy community. There are also the standard features you find in any FPS like the ability to make private matches and clans.

You can buy Breachers for $29.99 on the Meta Quest and Steam. If you like FPS games, it’s worth it for the number of hours you’re about to sink into this game.

Make sure you follow the Breachers socials to stay up to date on all the news: Discord, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok

Movie Reviews, video game reviews

Game Review: Mia and the Dragon Princess

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I was sent Mia and the Dragon Princess as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will be honest with my review.

Mia and the Dragon Princess is an interactive action movie you can play on Android, IOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic games.

Mia feels trapped in a boring job and wishes for some excitement. Her wish comes true when a mysterious woman ends up in her alley. Before Mia can find help for this mysterious woman, a group of thugs barge in and threaten her friends. What will Mia do?

Occasionally while watching this movie, viewers will be given choices that will affect the outcome. The movie has ten endings and different storylines. The timer for each choice gives this movie its urgency, and some choices will be tricky to make. By the end of your first playthrough, you are going to want to play for a different ending. You skip scenes you’ve already watched to make the experience less tedious, but they are available if you need a refresher. 

Mia and the Dragon Princess is a solid action movie.The story is a bit cheesy in parts, but it is a lot of fun. The acting is fine, the action is well-choreographed, and the stories are well done. I do have to warn you that the stories do get dark. There is death and violence in this movie, but nothing too gruesome. I loved all the small jokes sprinkled throughout, but I have a soft spot for cheesy movies. I want to keep this review a bit vague because I don’t want to spoil the story. I suggest you go as blind as possible for your first playthrough. 

I was surprised by this title because I didn’t know what to expect. I loved it, and see myself returning to the title a few more playthroughs. It was a unique experience with a solid and fun story that I recommend to everyone. That said, it is a bit of a niche title. If you are someone who enjoys b movies or cheesy ones, this is a fun title. Otherwise, I would wait for a discount. I wouldn’t call this a game because of how easily you can earn all the endings, but it is also a bit more complicated than a movie. Mia and the Dragon Princess is a cool concept with an impressive execution, and I recommend you try it at least once with friends.

You can buy Mia and the Dragon Princess for $12.99. You can play it on Android, IOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games. You can also try out the demo on Steam. Get your copy today!