Tag Archives: art

Discover Songs of Silence: The Casual 4X Strategy Game

November 27, 2024 josechurape 1 Comment

I was sent a free copy of Songs of Silence 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.

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What is Songs of Silence?

Songs of Silence is a casual yet engaging turn-based 4X strategy game out now on steam.

Lead one of three unique factions through victory as you claim land, upgrade settlements, and strengthen your empire. The world is unforgiving, but you are the brilliant strategist that will lead your people to victory. Do you have what it takes to cement your place in history as your people’s greatest hero, or will your story be lost to time?

Gameplay

Players take turns moving their units, conquering camps, building their ranks, and fighting over territory. Combat is automatic, but certain factors like terrain, the placement of units, and types of units affect the outcome. What makes Songs of Silence unique is its deck-building mechanic. Each commander and clan has a unique set of abilities they can cast on a cool down. These cards can cast abilities like healing or attack spells, or send commands to their units for powerful attacks.

Players can enjoy the rich, story-driven campaign at their own pace. The story is well written and does a fantastic job at setting the tone for the game. Players can also enjoy endless amount of fun playing against the well scripted AI as they try to conquer randomly generated maps. There is also an active discord community and online matchmaking for those who prefer to play PVP.

Review

I have been excited about Songs of Silence since I tried the first alpha, and I was not disappointed. This game has some beautiful art and incredible flavor. The story is okay. It was enough to hook me, but not the reason you should be rushing to play this game. Instead, you should be looking at this game for its unique and interesting take on the 4X genre.

Songs of Silence has the most relaxing, engaging, and accessible solo experience of any strategy game I have ever played. Its unique card mechanic keeps the auto battles from being boring, and the game demands enough strategy to be engaging without becoming too sweaty. I enjoyed playing through the campaign, but I loved playing scrimmage. I had a lot of fun exploring the different factions, champions, and units. I didn’t always win, but I had a lot of fun trying.

I did try a couple of online matches, but they aren’t my thing. I always found matches easily, but the game felt too slow sometimes, especially when I was losing. If you’re looking for a strategy game with a good competitive scene, I am not sure Songs of Silence is the place. The game has a growing active community, but I can’t speak on how good of a multiplayer game this is because I didn’t enjoy the experience. I like playing this game at my own pace.

If you’re looking for a strategy game that is unique, fun, and Steam Deck compatible, pick up Songs of Silence on Steam, just make sure you wait for the Steam Fall sale (Nov 27 – Dec 4) just in case, but you can pick up Songs of Silence and its amazing soundtrack on Steam.

video game reviews

Voidwrought is a Beautiful Game, but It didn’t Leave an Impression

October 29, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Voidwrought 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.

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What is Voidwrought?

Voidwrought is a beautiful 2D hand-drawn Metroidvania out now on Steam and Nintendo Switch

You have been tasked with collecting the blood of the gods. Fight your way through the depths and fend off against Eldritch horrors. Uncover secrets, learn new techniques, and find the playstyle that works best for you. How deep can you make it before the darkness consumes you? What secrets will you uncover?

Gameplay

Players crawl through a large 2D dungeon, fighting monsters and bosses and collecting resources. Players start with a limited selection of skills but can unlock more through exploration and an extensive skill tree. There is some freedom in how a player can approach this game, but there is an optimal build. At the end of the day, Voidwrought is just another Metroidvania. If you enjoy the genre, it might be worth considering.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

You can’t go wrong with Metroidvania games on the Steam Deck, and Voidwrought is no exception. Everyhthing looks good at native, and the game runs well enough. Whether or not it is worth getting depends on how much you enjoy the genre. Please read blow.

Review

Voidwrought is a beautiful game with a fantastic hand-drawn art style. Unfortunately, the game does little do leave an impression. It isn’t a bad game, but I am going to forget I ever played it.

My biggest issue with the game is with the performance. The game feels clunky. Combat and platforming look cool, but it isn’t as smooth as it needs to be. While the game demands a good amount of skill, I felt the difficulty came from the game’s lack of polish. It isn’t a bad game, but when compared to other games in the genre, it doesn’t do enough to set itself apart. Unless you love the genre and want to collect all of them, there is no real reason to choose Voidwrought over other better titles in the genre.

You can pick up Voidwrought on Steam and Nintendo Switch for $19.99, but I would wait for a sale.

Board Games and TCGs, Series Reviews

Baranger’s Illustration of Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror is Amazing!

December 15, 2023 josechurape Leave a comment

I was sent a copy of H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror illustrated by Baranger to cover on my blog. I am very grateful for the opportunity, but these will be my honest impressions. If you enjoy my content, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends! You can also always buy me coffee.

Impressions of the Book

Our friends at Free League Publishing have a series of Lovecraft books they’ve been releasing works of Lovecraft illustrated by Baranger, and if you’re a fan of Lovecraftian horror, you need to get yourself some copies. As of writing this, you can pick up The Call of Cthulhu, The Dunwich Horror, and At the Mountains of Madness Vol 1 & Vol 2 for $33.87 each. You can pick up both volules of At the Mountains of Madness for $52.53. If the quality and detail of my copy of The Dunwich Horror is anything to go by, you can’t go wrong with any of these books.

The book turns Lovecraft’s classics into a unique storybook that you’ll need to hold to appreciate. This is a massive book, it does not fit on your traditional shelf. It was designed to fit the story without compromising Baranger’s illustrations, and it works. The illustrations are beautiful and full of rich detail and imagination. I love the style and attention to detail. The way the scenes he chooses to illustrate and the way they interact with the narrative give this classic new life. I love seeing how art inspires art, and this book is a wonderful example of that.

The quality of the book is exceptional. The binding is great, and the work is printed on high-quality paper. I felt guilty flipping through the pages, even though the book is going to outlive me.

If you’re a fan of Lovecraft, the Baranger-illustrated versions are a wonderful addition to your collection. I recommend you get them all, but The Dunwich Horror is a good place to start.

Impressions of the Story

I love H.P. Lovecraft’s clinical and calculated voice. The way he crafts his images describes the sleepy town and contrasts it against the peculiarity of this family creating this decaying image of society. You have this sleepy town of Dunwich that exists isolated outside of industrialized America. Despite the town existing in the middle of all this natural beauty, the isolation sets up the horror. Readers get the sense that whatever happens in Dunwich is inescapable because of how removed it is from the rest of the world.

What’s more terrifying are these ancient evils that exist around mankind. All the institutions, science, and discoveries that have come into existence throughout are meaningless against the might of a single failed ritual. They are meaningless against the might of this other terrifying world. Ultimately, it’s these ancient magics that somehow have seeped into the world that save humanity for the time being, but the danger still exists, and next time it might be successful.

I love how Lovecraft is able to create all this magic, world, and lore in such a small amount of space. The way he uses language, existing works of literature, and even dialect helps create such an authentic experience that the terror comes from the tale’s possibility.

Mostly, I enjoyed the tragedy of The Dunwich Horror. You have a man who spends his whole life trying to complete this ritual, but he dies before he can see it through. You get a mother who only wants to love her child, but her child hates her and becomes a monster. You have Wilbur who spends his entire existence being hated. Whose only reason to live is to complete this ritual, but he’s never strong enough. Finally, you have the horror who spends his existence alone and in agony, spending his final moments calling for a father who is never there for it.

I liked the book, and am glad I got to read it. While the Baranger Illustrated copy is a fantastic way to enjoy this book, a copy from your local library is just as good. And for those who don’t have the time, the Audiobook on YouTube is fantastic and free!

Board Games and TCGs, Series Reviews

Lovecraft Classic The Dunwich Horror just got a beautiful update

December 6, 2023 josechurape 3 Comments

My full review is up

Free League Publishing has just released a copy of H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror, and it looks amazing! The book is illustrated by François Baranger, and the images are terrifyingly beautiful.

Synopsis

In the remote Massachusetts village of Dunwich, lost in the depths of the inhospitable countryside with its dark, bramble-covered valleys, ancient witch stories live on and strange underground noises sometimes echo beneath the hills topped by mysterious stone circles.

On an isolated farm in the area, the simple-minded Lavinia Whateley gives birth to a child, Wilbur, whose father is unknown. Old Whateley, Lavinia’s father, raises Wilbur with the distrust of the locals, who are frightened by the child’s rapid growth and repulsive face. Rumors of witchcraft have always circulated about old Whateley, and after his death, Wilbur, as an adult, seems determined to increase the ungodly knowledge that was passed to him.

To this end, he travels to Miskatonic University in Arkham to borrow the copy of the sinister Necronomicon that resides in its famous library. Professor Armitage, understanding the malicious intentions of his visitor, refuses to grant his request. Determined to get the book, Wilbur tries to break into the library at night, triggering a series of tragic events…

The Book

The book looks amazing, and I like the concept of bringing classic stories like these into the modern lens in such a cool format. I’ve never read any Lovecraft, but I appreciate the media it has inspired. I’ll be getting my copy over the weekend, and I am excited to start on a journey that I have been putting off for some time now. Stay tuned for that!

You can pick up your special copy of The Dunwich Horror, and other special illustrated versions of classic Lovecraftian stories from the official Free League Publishing site for $33.14 each. I’ll have to get my hands on it first, but this seems like a fantastic addition to the book shelf.

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Nintendo’s Indie World Showcase Review: My Top 5 Picks

November 15, 2023 josechurape Leave a comment

Nintendo just had its Indie World Showcase, and there are a few titles to be excited for. I’ll be going over the five that stood out to me the most, not necessarily the best. Make sure you check out the full Showcase because there might be some hidden gems waiting for you.

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Howl

A curse has fallen onto the land, turning all who hear into blood-thirsty beasts. The world’s salvation falls on the hands of a deaf girl. Does she have what it takes to rid the world of this curse?

Howl is a turn-based strategy game coming to all major consoles. I fell in love with Howl the instant I saw it. Its art style has a classic fairy tale vibe that I adore, and the gameplay looks interesting. I recommend you check out the trailer to appreciate the concept.

You can pick up Howl now on Steam and Switch for $14.99. There is a demo available for both systems for those interested. Howl will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Epic Games on January 23rd, 2024. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist.

I did receive my review copy, so make sure you stick around for that. I was honestly going to pick it up regardless because this game gives me Child of Light vibes, and I love that game.

Planet of Lana

A strange force of alien robots has invaded the planet and has begun taking its inhabitants. It is up to Lana and her small cat companion Mui to brave the dangers of the wilderness and get her back. What secrets will this adventure unlock? Will Lana ever see her sister again?

I’ve reviewed Planet of Lana on my blog before, and I can’t stress how badly you need to play this game. It has beautiful art, a solid story, an amazing soundtrack, and some chill puzzle action. If you like puzzle adventure games, you need this game. Go read my full review if you want to know more.

Planet of Lana is coming to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 in the spring of next year, and trust me, it’s worth the wait. Make sure you wishlist it till then, or try the Steam demo in the meantime.

Backpack Hero

Backpack Hero is a unique inventory management roguelike that has finally come to the switch. Brave the perilous procedurally generated dungeons with only what fits in your backpack. The road is dangerous, and you will die a lot, but it will be a heck of a ride.

I’ve reviewed Backpack Hero before and loved every minute of it. The art is cute, but the gameplay is addicting. You’ll never have more fun managing your inventory. Check out my full review if you want to know more.

Backpack Hero is out now for the Switch, and it is about time. This is the perfect game to play on the handheld. It’s fun, relaxing, and not a huge commitment. Although it might become one once you get hooked. You can pick Backpack Hero on the Switch for $19.99, but it is on sale now for $16.99 until November 21. Backpack Hero is also available on Steam.

Death Trick: Double Blind

Morgan’s circus has come to town, but their star magician has gone missing, and it is up to you to find out what happened. What secrets will you uncover beneath the big top?

Death Trick: Double Blind is a unique visual novel that lets you embark on an intricate investigation and experience it from two perspectives. Choices matter, and you’ll have to come to your own conclusions, but it looks like it’s going to be a hell of a ride. The art is amazing, and I enjoy the concept. I’ve written about the game before, so make sure to check out the original post if you want to know more.

Death Trick: Double Blind comes to Steam and Switch sometime next year. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist!

Blade Chimera

Last but not least we have Blade Chimera. Monsters and spirits have flooded the city, and it is up to Shin and the Missa Association to stop keeping humanity safe. Fight your way through this cyberpunk-themed 2D metroidvania game you aren’t going to want to miss. Use your demon sword to kill enemies, solve puzzles, and save humanity.

This game looks amazing, and I feel like I am due for another Metroidvania game. The art and aesthetic are awesome, and the gameplay looks fun. I am interested to see how creative they get with the sword’s magic. I know for a fact I am not good enough to beat this game, but I’d still like to try. Blade Chimera comes to Steam and Switch Spring 2024. Make sure you add it to your wishlist.

Board Games and TCGs

Pokémon did it again, the art cards in Paradox Rift are simply breathtaking

October 5, 2023 josechurape Leave a comment

I am closing out Paradox Rift spoilers with all the secret rares. There are some pretty cards in this set that I am going to need in a binder. Paradox rift comes out on November 3rd, I’ll leave links below for those of you who want to preorder. Please use my affiliate links where possible.

Illustration Rares

Iron Moth

Plusle

Minun

Gimmighoul

Minior

Yveltal

Brute Bonnet

Aegislash

Cyclizar

Joltik

Ferrothorn

Groudon

Snorunt

Mantyke

Full Art Pokémon

Froslass ex

Garchomp ex

Tapu Koko ex

Hoopa ex

Gholdengo ex

Bombirdier ex

Full Art Supporters

Parasol Lady

Rika

Shauntal

Larry

Special Illustration Pokémon

Garchomp ex

Gholdengo ex

Tapu Koko ex

Special Illustration Supporters

Parasol Lady

Rika

Gold Cards

Garchomp ex

Beach Court

Reversal Energy

Where to Buy

If you’d like to preorder any Paradox Rift product, always check with your LGS, but I’ve collected a few options in case that isn’t an option. Use my TCG Player affiliate links when possible. Everything is in stock as of making this post, but I’ll do my best to keep them updated. And remember, with how much Pokémon overprints, it is never a good idea to pay scalper prices, especially on preorders.

The Pokémon x Van Gogh’ Art Collaboration is so cute!

September 28, 2023 josechurape Leave a comment

The Pokémon Company has partnered with the Can Gogh Museum in Amsterdam to produce some of the cutest and most unique products to come to the space. If you are a collector, or just need another excuse to go to the museum, this event is worth looking into. The exhibit will run from September 28 to January 7th, and you can access it for the price of a regular museum admission ticket.

The Exhibit

The collaboration intends to get the new generation into museums which I love to see. The museum will be hosting six pieces by an artist from The Pokémon Company where they fuse Van Goh’s iconic style with familiar Pokémon such as the Self-portrait with Grey Felt Hat (1887).

Snorlax & Munchlax inspired by The Bedroom

The museum will also be hosting a Pokémon Adventure activity for kids ages six and up. Participants will be given a leaflet to fill out that will guide them through the museum and teach them about the artist in a fun interactive activity. The leaflet will be available in both Dutch and English and completed leaflets can be exchanged for a cute Pikachu promo card you are going to want in your collection. I am hoping the museum has a good way to mitigate the scalpers or greedy collectors. It would be a shame if the target audience for this event weren’t able to participate because there were too many greedy adults. I guess it won’t be a huge deal if it drives up attendance.

The Merch

But if you aren’t able to get your hands on the promo card, you can settle for some of the adorable exclusive merch that will only be available at the Van Gogh Museum’s gift shop. There is an adorable plushy, a cool tote bag, and more while supplies last. Purchases will also come with a copy of the Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat if any are available.

Conclusion

If you are in the area, make sure you go anyway. It is always good to support the arts. Even if you’ve seen pictures of the famous paintings at an exhibit, nothing beats being in the same room and being able to examine them up close. It is so cool to see how pop culture seeps into the classical. I love this collaboration because it creates this neat retrospective of art that I hadn’t considered. It shows how eternal some ideas have become, but also how these ideas continue to inspire and evolve. I bet Van Gogh never imagined he would have a whole museum dedicated to him, but here his work is, on a Pokémon card.

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You should try the Songs of Silence Beta

September 19, 2023 josechurape Leave a comment

If you have been enjoying my content and want to support what I do make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends. You can also buy me a coffee

I’ve been playing Songs of Silence since the beta went live. Sign-ups are still open, and I suggest you try it for yourself. The game offers an interesting and unique experience that I am excited for. I recommend you join the official Discord if you want to stay up to date on all the news. I’ve also written about Songs of Silence in a previous post, so make sure you read that as well. I won’t be reviewing the game this time around because it isn’t finished yet. This will be an update based on my impressions of the beta.

Songs of Silence combines the deck builder and strategy genre and creates something I can see myself being addicted to. The game combines two of my favorite concepts and plays them against a fantastic soundtrack. It is still rough, and that roughness does create some frustration, but once I got the hang of the mechanics, it became hard to step away.

The game has a similar action economy to games like CIV. Each turn you earn your income, move your units, plan your attacks, and expand your empire. The story mode can switch up this flow based on the scenario, but the loop remains the same. What makes the game unique are the heroes that run your squad. Each hero has special abilities based on the cards you collect throughout your campaign. As your hero levels, you gain access to new cards or you can level existing abilities. The abilities you play are on a timer, so use them wisely! The size of your squad and hand are based on your hero’s level. I had a lot of fun learning the strengths and limitations of each unit and hero. I am sure there is an optimal way to build each hero and their squad, but I always went with what was fun.

The game offers you a lot of choices. You can choose where to move your character, what mobs to attack, what villages to annex or pillage, and what units to recruit. The only control over the combat you have is where your units start in the formation and when you use your abilities. It may sound a little passive, but you can easily lose a deceive battle if you aren’t playing smart or paying attention.

The beta includes a story and scrimmage mode. The story isn’t finished yet, but there was enough of it to get me curious. I spent most of my time in the scrimmage mode, and the scrimmage mode becomes addicting once you get the hang of it. There isn’t enough content available for me to no-life this game, but I can see it getting there. I will say that the RNG involved in scrimmage mode can be frustrating, but it never became a deal breaker.

If you haven’t done so already, sign up for the beta and add it to your wishlist. Songs of Silence is an interesting concept that you should try at least once. It has beautiful art, a fantastic soundtrack, and fun mechanics. It is still a little rough, but the devs are working hard to make it better.

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What is Songs of Silence?

Gameplay

Review

What is Voidwrought?

Gameplay

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Review

Impressions of the Book

Impressions of the Story

Synopsis

The Book

Howl

Planet of Lana

Backpack Hero

Death Trick: Double Blind

Blade Chimera

Illustration Rares

Iron Moth

Plusle

Minun

Gimmighoul

Minior

Yveltal

Brute Bonnet

Aegislash

Cyclizar

Joltik

Ferrothorn

Groudon

Snorunt

Mantyke

Full Art Pokémon

Froslass ex

Garchomp ex

Tapu Koko ex

Hoopa ex

Gholdengo ex

Bombirdier ex

Full Art Supporters

Parasol Lady

Rika

Shauntal

Larry

Special Illustration Pokémon

Garchomp ex

Gholdengo ex

Tapu Koko ex

Special Illustration Supporters

Parasol Lady

Rika

Gold Cards

Garchomp ex

Beach Court

Reversal Energy

Where to Buy

Elite Trainer Boxes: Random ($49.99)

Elite Trainer Box: Roaring Moon ($39)

Elite Trainer Box: Iron Valian ($39)

Elite Trainer Box [set of 2] ($78)

6 Pack Bundle ($26.94)

Blister Pack ($13.99)

Build and Battle Stadium ($59.99)

The Exhibit

Pokémon Adventure & Pikachu Promo Card

The Merch

Conclusion

Gaming News and Review