Tag Archives: anime

Why You Should Play Trials of Proelium Remastered

August 23, 2025 josechurape Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Trials of Proelium Remastered 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.

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone Syste m and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. If you’re looking for a VPN for some added protection, check out NordVPN through my affiliate link. You can also always buy me coffee!

What is Trials of Proelium?

Trials of Proelium is an RPG out now on Steam.

The emperor of Proelium will step down, and only one of the lands masters can take his place. Play as Latha as she travels across the realm searching for the other masters and fighting anything that gets in her way. Go on various quests as you and your companions become stronger. What will her journey uncover? Does she have what it takes to become the next emperor of Proelium?

Review

Trials of Proelium has its quirks, but it is the quirks that give the game its charms. I love the awkward artstyle and sloppy map design, and I love the awkwardness of the writing. The game does have a slow start as it sets up its story, but it is well worth the wait. The writing may be awkward, but the story is good. It has interesting characters that I wanted to know more about and an world I wanted to learn more about. There is clearly a lot of passion put into this game, and it pays off greatly.

The game also has a solid loop. I love that it runs flawlessly on the Steam Deck because playing this game as a handheld just feels right. It does run great on the PC as well, but I like that I can take this game anywhere. The gameplay loop is what you would expect from your typical turn-based RPG. Players pick their moves, use up their resources, and try not to die. I like that encounters can be turned off, difficulty can be adjusted, and combat can be automated. There is a grind, but it honestly doesn’t feel bad because there are ways to adjust the experience. I particularly like how each character had multiple jobs and access to different move pools and the versatility that gave me with my strategy.

Most importantly, the world was a lot of fun to explore. The monsters were unique, the regions to explore felt diverse, and the bosses were fun. As flawed and awkward some of the bits of this game may seem at first glance, there is a decent and flavorful fantasy to explore. I recommend anyone play this game once, especially if you enjoy a good RPG.

You can pick up Trials of Proelium Remastered on Steam for only $9.99, and I think its worth that much.

video game reviews

Is Our World is Ended Worth the $40 Price Tag?

August 14, 2025 josechurape Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Our World Is Ended. on Steam 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.

Shameless Self-Promotion

What is Our World is Ended?

Our World is Ended is a visual novel out now on Steam.

A team of young developers is on the verge of a breakthrough with AR technology that will revolutionize the space. As they get busy with the development of their new game, they find that the line between the fantasy they’ve created through their games and reality has been skewed. Characters from their past games have invaded the real world and threaten its stability. It is up to the young developers to find out what is going on and put an end to it. Will they be able to save the world before it is too late?

Review

Our World is Ended is a niche title that isn’t for everyone. The novel has some cool art and a solid cast of voice acting, but the writing will make or break the story. I was not a fan of the perverted humor or overall tone of the story because it took away from a lot the more serious moments of the story. Characters are also poorly written. They aren’t deep and are very forgettable, unless they are the main source of humor. The main character is a very generic edgy anime main character which you will either find comforting or entirely grating. I found it hard to care about much of what he had to say because he isn’t interesting.

If you don’t mind the perverted humor and the edgy main character, the story is fine. You’ll enjoy some cool art and and the story is okay. Personally, there isn’t enough to this game or story for it to be worth $40. I would wait for a sale even if you enjoy this type of anime, and even then, you have better options.

Other TCGs

Universus TCG – Challenger Series Deck List: Ryu & Luke

August 4, 2025 josechurape Leave a comment

Universus just released the Street Fighter 6 challenger series decks, and I have a copy of each. Always support your LGS, but you can pick up the Ryu challenger deck on TCG Player using my affiliate link. Here is the Ryu deck list for those who need it:

The List

Champion

Ru, World Warrior
Luke Sullivan, Gym Coach

Deck

Avenger: Impaler x 2
Hashogeki x2
Pale Rider x 2
Rising Upercut x 2
Shin Hashogeki x 2
The Unending Path x 2
Burnout x 4
Crouching Medium Kick x 3
Luke’s Sweep x 3
Sand Blast x 3
Solar Plexus Strike x 3
Battle Holds The Answer x 4
Endless Doting x 4
Excessively Buff Forearms x 4
First of the Ages x 3
My Firsts Solve My Problems x 4
Not Now, I’m Gaming x 4
Strength in Diligence x 4
Vagrant Truthseeker x 4

The Cards

Champion

Deck

Grand Archive TCG, Uncategorized

Exciting Updates for Grand Archive Fans in 2026

July 1, 2025 josechurape Leave a comment

Introduction

Weebs of the Shore made a few announcements over the weekend that should get fans, new and old, excited for the future of the game. If you’re looking for Grand Archive product, always support your LGS, but if you pick up product on TCG Player using my affiliate link, it really helps me out. You can also check out my newest sponsor NordVPN if you’re looking for the service.

Competitive Schedule

With 2025 worlds behind us, it is time to start grinding for 2026. Next year worlds will be in Singapore, so make sure you start planning your Acents. There are a few new countries on the list which means the game is growing and I am here for it. We also got a couple sets teased, Phantom Monarchs in December and a capstone set in March. A capstone set is meant to celebrate the entire history of Grand Archive so far, and I am very excited to see what this means. I am going to be so broke…

Revel Fest Promo

If you haven’t played all season, now is a fantastic time to hop in and grind a few events for that sweet sweet promo. Abyssal Heaven’s promo is Fire Resonance Bauble, and this card looks so good. Good luck!

Store Champ Promo

It is also time to get good to get a copy of that store champ promo. The promo for Distorted Reflections and Surviel the Winds and this is peak GA design.

Regional Top Qualifier Promo

If you needed a reason to grind out the competitive then you got it with the Distorted Reflections promo, Smoke Bombs. This art looks so good!

Ascent Top Qualifier Promo

It is really the best time to get good at this game. This card is not only a solid add to your deck, you know its going to look amazing in real life.

Sandbox Announced

Getting good is going to require a lot of practice, more than you can get at locals. Luckily, Weebs of the Shore is working on a Sandbox that will allow players a clean and hopefully automated way to play Grand Archive from the comfort of their home. I can only hope this lets me enjoy random matches, and I would appreciate a ranked mode. Not much is known yet. I assume it will be PC at launch based on the UI, but if these leads to an a phone app, Weebs of the Shore is about to take all my money.

Pantheon

Now if you don’t want to play competitively, or just want a break, Weebs of the Shore is cooking up a new casual format Pantheon. Will it be a singleton format like commander? A multiplayer game mode? PVE? Pauper? Personally, I think it will be something like commander based on the name, but we will have to wait and see.

Phantom Monarchs

Last but not least, Phantom Monarchs is dropping in December. We weren’t giving much other than a name, but we can assume it is an expansion set based on the release schedule we’ve gotten so far. Either way, I am always excited to see more grand archive.

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive TCG: All Distorted Reflection Spoilers so Far

June 30, 2025 josechurape Leave a comment

UPDATE: The complete card list has been revealed on the official Grand Archive Site

We are officially in Distorted Reflections spoiler season! This is a very good looking set and I can’t wait to see what is in store. As always, I will be collecting all spoilers in one convenient space, updated daily at the end of my day, pacific standard time.

Distorted Reflections comes out on July 25, so make sure you put in preorders if you still can. Always support your LGS, but you can always help me out and buy from TCG Player through my affiliate links. You can also support me by signing up with my newest sponsor, NordVPN (if you happen to need the service).

The Official Trailer

Spoilers

Grand Archive TCG

The Start of Distorted Reflection Spoiler Season

June 30, 2025 josechurape Leave a comment

Intro

We are officially in Distorted Reflection spoiler season, and this set looks so good! The mechanics look sound, but as a collector, I am a huge fan of the style and world building. I will be following and collection spoilers as they release, so stay tuned for that!

The set comes out on July 25, so make sure you put in preorders if you still can. Always support your LGS, but you can always help me out and buy from TCG Player through my affiliate links. You can also support me by signing up with my newest sponsor, NordVPN (if you happen to need the service). Without further ado, here are the spoilers:

Spoilers

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive TCG: Ciel, Mirage’s Grave Starter Deck List

June 28, 2025 josechurape Leave a comment

With Distorted Reflection just around the corner, lets check out the starter decks. Let’s take a look at our boy, Ciel, Mirage’s Grave, the Fire/Umbra Guardian deck! The deck releases on July 25th with an MSRP of $14.99. Make sure you always support your LGS, but you can always grab your Ciel, Mirage’s Grave Starter Deck on TCG Player through my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do.

The List

Material Deck
Spirit of Fire x 1
Ciel, Loyal Valet x 1
Ciel, Omenbringer x 1
Ciel, Mirage’s Grave x 1
Bauble of Abundance x 1
Grande Aiguille x 1
Bulwark Sword x 1
Leporine Masque x 1
Life Essence Amulet x 1
Tariff Ring x 1
Manxome Armoire x 1
Grande Sonnerie

Main Deck
Coy Bauclier x 3
Sablier Guard x 3
Stalwart Shielmate x 4
Vigil Rampart x 3
Whimsy’s Warden x 4
Conflagrant Sentinel x 4
Torch Marshal x 3
Heavy Swing x 4
Lamentation’s Toll x 2
Flamme Sorcel x 4
Tempered Steel x 3
Idle Thoughts x 4
Martial Guard x 2
Overpowering Defense x 2
Ombreux Chavalier x 4
Sinistre Stab x 3
Umbra Sight x 3
Reverse Affliction x 2
Nocturne’s Oblivion x 2
Devotion’s Price x 1

Visual Deck List

Main Deck

Main Deck

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive TCG: Diana, Moonpiercer Starter Deck List

June 28, 2025 josechurape Leave a comment

Intro

With Distorted Reflection just around the corner, lets check out the starter decks. First up is Diana, Moonpiercer, the Water/Astra Ranger deck! The deck releases on July 25th with an MSRP of $14.99. Make sure you always support your LGS, but you can always grab your Diana, Moonpiercer Starter Deck on TCG Player through my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do.

The List

Material Deck
Spirit of Water x 1
Diana, Aether Dilettante x 1
Diana, Judgment’s Arrow x 1
Diana, Moon Piercer x 1
Bauble of Abundance x 1
Foresight Lens x 1
Ranger Boots x 1
Refluxal Ribbon x 1
Seeker’s Aetherwing x 1
Tariff Ring x 1
Aquamirage Whisper x 1
Pleiades, Celestial Genesis x 1

Main Deck
Aetheric Calibration x 4
Backstep x 4
Charge the Soul x 4
Idle Thoughts x 3
Prudent Nock x 4
Reposition x 4
Stalwart Shieldmate x 4
Corsair Captain x 3
Dissuading Aether x 4
Drown in Aether x 4
Undercurrent Vantage x 3
Astra Sight x 3
Constellation’s Blessing x 4
Guided Starlight x 2
Meteoric Volley x 2
Poised Occlusion x3
Sidereal Spellshot x 3
Starbirth x 2

Visual Deck List

Material Deck

Main Deck

Other TCGs

Universus – Attack on Titan: Apocalypse First Impressions

May 17, 2025 josechurape Leave a comment

Disclaimer

Universus sent me a few packs and a playmat to cover their game. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let sway my opinions. I will be doing pack opening and a review of the playmat so stay tuned for that. I will also be using my TCG Player affiliate links throughout the article, but always support your LGS first.

Attack on Titan: Apocalypse

Universus has just released their newest expansion, Attack on Titan: Apocalypse, and I already see a few cards I want for my collection. If you haven’t had chance to play Universus, it is definitely worth trying once. The game has a unique flow and flavor, and it includes some very recognizable IPs. I recommend picking up a couple clash decks to get a feel for what to expect. I had a lot of fun with the Solo Leveling deck, but you can always pick your flavor.

Apocalypse is introducing 180 new cards to finish off the Attack on Titan saga. Players are going to want to chase the six serialized chrome cards with special art from the creator of the anime, but there are some neat cards I wouldn’t mind cracking.

Chrome Rares

The serialized chrome rares, and I am sad I will never get to see one in real life. The art on these look so good, and you know there are going to shine on the table (even the flimsy plastic ones). I can only hope they don’t have the foil lines that seems to be common issue across the thread. I don’t mind it too much on regular foils, but I would expect the serialized cards to be perfect. Either way, good luck finding your copy! I’m aiming for Erin, but will settle for any.

Ultra Rares

The problem with the attack on titan set, at least from a collectors perspective, is the manga art doesn’t grab the attention like other games. At least the common ones anyway. After seeing them in my binder and seeing the whole story, the game grew on me. What this game does have going for it are its ultra rares and alt arts. The unique art for the Attack on Titan cards are incredible, especially in person. Some have a very nice texture to them. I am a huge fan of the use of color. Here are some of my favorites from the Apocalypse set:

Ultra Rare Alt Arts

It is a shame that the images for the alt art cards do not do them justice. I have pulled a couple from the Attack on Titan alt art cards, and they are amazing. I am a huge fan of the texture and the hand drawn feel. They are definitely worth chasing. Here are my favorites from Apocalypse, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go hunting for everything else!

Character Alt Art

This is where the set disappointing a bit. While there are some alt cards I wouldn’t mind pulling, there are some that I would be sad if I did. Maybe they look better in person, but I prefer the Heroes of Exandria alt cards better. That said, here are my favorites Apocalypse alt art cards:

Secret Rares

The secret rare design is my absolute favorite part of the Attack on Titan cards. They have such a unique style and presentation, and they look so good in person. I do have a couple, and while they aren’t going to buy me a house, they are my favorite parts of my collection. I don’t think Apocalypse has the strongest collection of secret rares, but it does have a few pieces I want for my collection.

Impressions

I only play casually and mostly just collect. I do get the cards for free, but I don’t let that sway my opinion. Apocalypse doesn’t excite me as much as Heroes of Exandria did, at least the art doesn’t. I think the manga art is fine, but it doesn’t have the same pop the comic book style of Heroes of Exandria. As a casual player, there are some cards I want to add to a couple of my decks. That said, I need to open a few more packs and watch how the meta shifts to form a better idea on the set.

If you want to pick up Universus Attack on Titan: Apocalypse, always ask your LGS, but TCG Player has what you need if that isn’t an option.

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive: All the Mercurial Heart Alter Edition Spoilers So Far

May 2, 2025 josechurape Leave a comment

Grand Archive has officially turned two, and we got a fun and informative stream to get us hyped for the games growth. Make sure to check it out. The most exciting news were the Mercurial Heart Alter Edition spoilers! The Alter Edition is a reprint with a few new cards you’re going to want to add to your collection. It is also a fantastic place to start your collection. The set will be reprintable for up to three years, which is great news for those just getting into the hobby. Make sure you always support your LGS, but you can always buy Grand Archive product from TCG Player using my affiliate links. It really helps me out.