The second closed beta for Taris Land: Mystery of the Hollows is coming to PC and Android devices on November 15. Make sure you head over to the official site to sign up! I’ve already signed up, so fingers crossed I get accepted.
The Beta will last about two weeks in 16 countries and will support eight languages: English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Here are the official start times per region:
North American Server: November 15, 2023 at 8:00 (UTC−4)
South American Server: November 15, 2023 at 9:00 (UTC−3)
European Server: November 15, 2023 at 14:00 (UTC+2)
Asian Server: November 16, 2023 at 9:00 (UTC+8)
Make sure you check out the official FAQ and Discord if you have any other questions about the playtest.
Taris Land: Mystery of the Hollows is an MMORPG coming to PC and mobile devices (Android and IOS). I love the aesthetic of this game, and anything that I can play on my phone is a nice plus. I know people bash mobile gaming, but sometimes, I want to be away from my desk and don’t want to have a lot of extra hardware.
I’ve written about this game before and won’t be repeating too much. I recommend you check out my previous post or go to the official page for more details.
The second playtest will include the nine original classes (Warrior, Priest, Mage, Ranger, Barbarian Fighter, Paladin, and Bard) and introduce two new ones: Shadow Swordsman and a mysterious new class.
The new class looks like a druid to me, but here’s the teaser so you can speculate:
The playtest will feature two raids, a bunch of story quests, the Dark Invasion mode, and the Inscribed Skill Stone system. There will be enough to keep players, new and old, busy for the two weeks of the playtest.
Make sure you keep an open mind going into the beta. This isn’t a finished product, and the game isn’t going to be perfect. This will be a test to make the game better, and I feel like it’s the perfect opportunity for fans to help shape a game they’re going to devote their time to. Just make sure you submit your feedback as soon as the option becomes available.
I am very excited because I love MMO’s and would love a new one to sink some time into. I just hope this game isn’t too grindy and the cash shop isn’t predatory. I’ve signed up, make sure you do too, and I hope to see you in Tarisland!
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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.
When I saw the Sorry We’re Closedtrailer on this year’s Indie Horror Showcase, I knew I needed to try the demo. Sorry We’re Closed looks like a fun and quirky homage to the classic era of survival horror, and I am here for it.
Michelle wakes up in the demon world after having been cursed by a demon. With the help of whatever she can find lying around, she must brave the horrors that roam this terrifying new world to find a way out. Do you have what it takes to set her free?
If you are looking for a spooky title to play, try this demo. The game does a terrific job of creating a spooky ambiance with its fixed cameras, music, and design. I loved the use of color, its edgy tones, and the gameplay. Exploration feels good, and combat feels even better. If you are a fan of the original Resident Evil game, this game should be on your wishlist.
I don’t normally do horror games, but I had to make this the exception. I’m hoping to grab a copy on release. Until then, make sure you play the demo, and add Sorry We’re Closed to your wishlist.
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Shiren returns to the West in an all-new roguelike dungeon crawler for the Nintendo Switch, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island. After receiving a vision of a mysterious girl held captive by a terrible monster, Shiren and his ferret companion race fight their way to Serpentcoil Island to find her. Do you have what it takes to rescue her?
The game features procedurally generated, promising hours of gameplay and replayability. The art is so cute! I never played any of the Shiren games, so the mechanics seem unique and interesting. I am definitely adding this to the list of games I need to try.
There are so many games featured in the Steam Next Fest that it can be a bit overwhelming. If you are looking for a game to try, I recommend you check out the Enshrouded demo. Enshrouded is an open-world survival game coming soon to PC. The demo is only available until the 22nd, so I suggest you download it now!
I dabble in survival games from time to time, but I am by no means an expert. I enjoy them as casual experiences, but I am sure there will be guides available for efficient survival. The demo has a multiplayer mode option, but I stuck with solo play because I keep strange hours. My impressions will be on the solo experience. Feel free to try the multiplayer, I hope there isn’t much griefing.
The demo runs great. I rarely encountered bugs, but there is an easy-to-use report feature available if you encounter any. The game plays like any other survival game with a few unique gimmicks. Farming is relaxing, crafting is simple, and combat is fun. I liked that with minimal crafting I was able to test out different weapons and find one that worked best for me. I loved using making the wand and blasting my enemies with magic. The combat is smooth, and dodging was really fun.
The tutorial and starting missions do a fantastic job of getting players set up. New players can learn the game’s fundamentals, but veterans have the freedom to do whatever is within the limitations of the demo. The world feels big with lots to do and explore. This can be overwhelming at times, but there are available quests if you need some direction. I spent a lot of time running around without focus because I was having fun trying out the different systems.
What is unique about this game are the shrouded areas. These are areas on the map that are afflicted by a mysterious curse. Your character can only exist within these zones, so travel carefully. Other than that, it is exactly what I would expect and want from a survival game.
If you are in the market for a new survival game, Enshroudedmight be for you. There is no release date set, but you can try the robust demo in the mean time.
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The Monolith: Requiem of the AncientsPCdemo is out and part of the Steam Next Fest happening now. This adorable little action RPG is sure to win some hearts over with its fun combat mechanics, and interesting narrative. Dark forces threaten Gliese, and it is up to a lone hero and his sword to rescue it. What secrets will you uncover? What challenges await?
I’ve been excited about this game since it was first announced. It gives off some strong Zelda vibes, which I totally appreciate, and it has an adorable art style I can get behind. Combat is fun and intuitive, and the soundtrack is phenomenal. I love the magic and upgrade system, but need to see more. The demo is a bit rough. The sound mixing needs work, and I encountered some stuttering and frame drops. None of the bugs I encountered were game-breaking, but there were enough of them present that I couldn’t ignore them. That said, the demo is playable. If you’ve been curious about this title or enjoy the Zelda games, it doesn’t hurt to try it out.
It is too early to judge the game harshly, so I’ll wait till I get my hands on a full version to get more in-depth. Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients will be released for PC, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox sometime next year, but no date has been announced yet. Until then, go try it out and see for yourself!
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I know I am a little behind on releases. Work has been hectic, and I haven’t had much time to work on these. Thank you for your patience and continued support. I’ll do my best to catch up! I think I’ll start posting updates on Mastodon if that’s an easier way to stay updated, but let me know if there are better options. Make sure you always support the official release, and don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share these with your friends!
Character design/illustration illustrator: malo
Onminomon floats over the two Digimon. Its armor glows from the energy gathering at the tip of the cannon. Omnimon aims it at Helloogarmon, who continues to wriggle in pain. The metallic wolf at the end of the cannon glistens preciously as arcs of energy spill out of its mouth. Omnimon releases the beam. It comes crashing down, engulfing Helloogarmon in a blinding white spotlight of frozen energy before vanishing in the same instant.
Hellogarmon lays motionless, its body and flames left frozen by the blast. Inside the Digicore, Eiji writhes in agony. He vaguely remembers the ice beam washing over them as he slowly loses consciousness. His body burns with unbearable pain. He feels his life slowly fading as he desperately tries to hold onto consciousness.
Eiji’s vision blurs and darkens, but he can still make out the outline of the holy knight as it moves towards them. He struggles to concentrate, but he can make out the menacing blade thirsting for their lives. In his struggle with consciousness, Eiji can make out his own name written in the strange runes that decorate the face of the blade.
“Delete all!” Omnimon’s words fall onto Eiji with a soothing calm. As Omnimon readies for his final blow, Eiji becomes at peace with death. Eiji welcomes the darkness.
CRACK
Omnimon stumbles from a blow to its back.
“Loogamon!” an unseen voice shouts.
Pulsemon?…the familiar voice pulls Eiji back from the darkness. His vision clears as he watches Kazuchimon crash into Omnimon, sending both Digimon flying.
The force of the vortex picks up the flying Digimon and pulls it towards its center. Omnimon struggles to pry Kazuchimon off, but Kazuchimon holds on tightly. Omnimon brings down heavy blows that leave Kazuchimon bruised and bloodied, but Kazuchimon remains unfazed. The vortex continues to pull them closer and closer to its pit.
“Eiji” Leon’s voice crackles from the distance. His voice is barely audible.
“Let go Leon…You have to let go. The vortex is sucking you up!” Eiji shouts back helplessly.
“This…Knight…the last…” Leon’s message comes in gargled with static.
Eiji tries to move but finds himself frozen in the darkness. His body still aches from the bast. His eyes swell with tears, “LEON!!” Eiji watches as his friend is pulled farther and farther away.
“I’m sorry Eiji. I don’t know if you can still hear me. This whole thing is fucked. I tried to save you…I just didn’t know what else to…” his message cuts off. Eiji sits in the silent darkness of the Digicore.
With one sharp elbow, Omnimon frees itself from Kazhuchimon’s grip and turns its attention to Eiji.
Shido Ittetsu!
Before Omnimon can make its escape, an electromagnetic barrier forms around the two Digimon.
“You aren’t getting away!” Leon shouts. Around him, alarms blare loudly as Leon uses the last of his mindlink energy to seal Omnimon. Kazuchimon grapples Omnimon. Omnimon struggles as its limbs become locked in the hold. It turns its head to glare at Kazuchimon. Leon stares back at the angry eyes. “For as long as I’ve got left, you’re not going anywhere.”
Eiji continues to watch as Kazuchimon and Omnimon inch closer to the core.
“They’re nearly through…” Eiji says to himself.
Suddenly, the Digicore around him springs to life. Monitors start to fill with data and status updates. Eiji’s commands begin to register. He fights through the pain and begins typing furiously.
Helloogarmon rises slowly. It shakes off the last bits of frost. Its few lingering flames go out, leaving a charged werewolf skeleton. Hellogarmon splashes through black dirty puddles as it stumbles to its feet. It begins to glow and shrink as it turns back into Loogamon. It takes another step before falling back to the ground.
“Loogamon!” Eiji shouts excitedly, as he appears suddenly next to his fallen friend. He kneels beside Loogamon, “Hang in there buddy.”
“…Eiji…What’s…going on?” Loogamon makes out weakly.
“I’ll tell you later.” Eiji lets out a sigh of relief, forgetting for a moment about the danger around him. But reality hits him suddenly. Eiji looks toward his disappearing friend and shouts, “Leon! Get out of there! You win Leon, I’ll quit! Just get out of there!” The whirl of the vortex drowns out his words.
Eiji watches as Kazuchimon and Omnimon disappear into the Vortex. A moment later, it disappears. The sky fills with an eerie peacefulness. Around him, the world goes silent. Eiji begins tending Loogamon’s wounds. Tears fall down his cheek as the realization hits him. There was nothing more he could do.
I was sent Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society as a review code. I am very grateful for this opportunity because this game has been on my Wishlist since it was announced for the Switch. That said, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.
Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society is a retro-feeling dungeon crawler available now for the PlayStation, Switch, and PC via Steam. Eureka has been hired by Madame Marta to search the mysterious Labyrinth of Galleria for the nine mysterious Curios d’art. With the help of puppet warriors, you must delve into the labyrinth and uncover its secrets. What will your adventure hold?
This game is cute, but it feels unfinished. The deeper I got into the game, the harder it was to finish. The story was fine, but the gameplay loop started to feel repetitive. I enjoyed this game in small bursts. The exploration and combat were soothing, and I enjoyed the story. The problem is that there wasn’t enough to keep me engaged. Labyrinth of Galleria isn’t a bad game. I enjoyed it, but it doesn’t do enough to be worth $50. If you like retro dungeon crawlers and don’t mind how heavily it falls onto anime tropes, the game is fine. It has a pleasing art style, terrific voice actors, and a solid story. If you don’t, maybe wait for a good sale.
The gameplay loop is simple. You move through the dungeon in a first-person view one square at a time, and fight monsters with dolls you collect. Combat runs like a traditional RPG and unlocks new dolls and abilities the deeper you get into the game.
The problem I have with this game lies with the gameplay. The game is fun until the grind gets stale. There are settings you can mess with to make the grind manageable, but it got harder to keep playing the longer I sat with it. This is a game that is tricky to recommend because of how niche it is.
You can pick up Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society for PlayStation, Switch, and Steam for $49.99. Steam currently has it on sale for $39.99 for their NIS publisher sale, but unless you like retro dungeon crawlers, there are better titles you can look at. The sale ends on October 16th.
I’ve been excited about Drakantossince learning about it at GDC. Drakantos is a free-to-play pixel art MMO coming to PC and mobile devices. Instead of classes, players can choose from a roster of 21 unique characters to set off on their adventure. I love the art, the voice acting sounds amazing, and what I’ve seen of the story has me curious. I’ve written about the game in previous posts. Make sure you check those out if you want more details. If you’ve enjoyed these updates, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends!
Well, developers just dropped a gameplay trailer, and I can’t help but stay excited for the release. If you are a fan of early-era Runescape, this game may be for you. The gameplay looks relaxing, but there seems to be enough challenge involved to keep it engaging. The boss fights to look like a ton of fun, and it looks like there is an emphasis on party play. I am always in favor of a game that helps foster a strong community. It is too early to tell from the images and video how good this game will be, but I am interested. Hopefully, we get a demo soon. I’ll be following Drakanto’s development closely to report on any major updates, but you should join the official Discord so you are always up to date. Don’t forget to add Drakantos to your wishlist!
Voting for the 2023 Golden Joystick Awards has started, and two games I’ve covered this year have been nominated, Viewfinder and Planet of Lana. I loved these games so much that I felt they were worth revisiting, at least for your consideration. Make sure you check out the original reviews, but please vote for whatever feels right.
Voting closes on October 20, and winners will be announced on November 10 during the ceremony. Make sure you head over to the official site to vote and show your favorite games some love.
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Viewfinder
Viewfinder is up for two awards this year, Best Visual Design and Best Indie Game. These nominations are spot on. This game was one of the most visually striking and innovative puzzle games I’ve ever played. Everything about this game is so much fun. The visuals are beautiful, the music is fantastic, and the puzzles are so much fun. If you haven’t played this game yet, you need to! Make sure you check out my full review and go play Viewfinder on Playstation or Steam! The game is currently $24.99 on both platforms and worth every penny.
Planet of Lana
Planet of Lana is up for Xbox Game of the Year, and I can’t think of a game more deserving. This is easily one of my favorite games of the year. it had a beautiful art style with a fantastic world, a wonderful story, and great mechanics. It also has one of the best sound tracks you will ever get to sit through. If you are looking for a fun and relaxing puzzle adventure game, you need Planet of Lana. Make sure you check out my full review. You can pick up Planet of Lana on Steam or Xbox for $19.99, or free if you have Game Pass.
