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video game reviews

Is Northwind the Next Great Roguelike Deckbuilder?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Northwind 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 System 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 Northwind?

Northwind is just another roguelike deckbuilder, but it experiments with a few mechanics that might make the game interesting, with a few tweaks. You can pick up Northwind on Steam early access.

You are a mercenary on the hunt for powerful monsters. Craft a deck of powerful attacks and abilities to take down everything that comes your way. With a bit of luck, some skillful deck-building, and the right equipment, there is nothing that can stand in your way. Do you have what it takes to take down the most powerful monsters?

Early Access

Early access gives you access to two mercenaries: The Duelist and Pyrotech. Everyone starts with the duelist and unlocks the Pyrotech by playing through a run. The Duelist is a melee class that hits hard with the right skills. The Pyrotech is good at stacking conditions to win her battles. There are 233 cards, 113 relics, 34 perks, 38 kinds of food, and 23 gems to ensure no two runs are ever the same.

There are three bioms ruled by a total of five bosses across them to keep players busy enough till the next major update. While the game may not be perfect yet, it shows a good amount of promise to at least be a blimp in your radar.

Roadmap

Northwind is not without its ambitions. While the game may promise a good amount of content in its current state, there are a few planned updates to keep fans excited. Planned updates for the next year include:

  • New shop: Monster Gear Engineer
  • 3rd Mercenary
  • Expanded Hazard Levels and Roguelite progression
  • Inspection feature
  • Controller and Steam Deck Support
  • Additional content: Relics, Gems, etc.
  • Visual and QoL upgrades

All we can do as wait for them the publishers to deliver.

Gameplay

Northwind has solid performance, but it does have basic minimal animation.

Players start each game by choosing one of the two mercenaries. I always picked the Pyrotech because I preferred the playstyle, but both seem equally capable of taking on the challenge. Players start with mostly the same deck, save three cards that are randomly generated each turn. Players then choose an encounter, be it combat, combat with a boss/miniboss, random event, or the campsite.

Combat

Combat is a tug-of-war style encounter between the player and the NPC. Each round, the NPC will spawn damage or an ability. A players must use choose the correct combination of cards to either match or beat the number the NPC spawns or take damage. The player looses if their health goes to zero. The player wins if the NPC’s health goes to zero.

To better visualize this, imagine the player encounters a goblin. In the first round, the globlin spawns five damage. The player looks at their hand and plays a number of cards that do five or more damage, provided they have mana.

The mana system is what makes Northwind unique. Mana does not regenerate like in other deck builders like Starvader. Instead, players must draw mana cards and spend or stockpile them strategically. Mana cards are interwoven into a players deck. A player can choose to pick up more along the adventure, but finding the balance between the number of mana cards and attack cards is key for a players success. Players can get mana flooded/screwed if they are not too careful. because of this mechanic, players are sometimes forced into taking the damage in order to stockpile for bigger attacks in a subsequent turn.

Leveling

Mana can be spent to cast attack cards, but they can also be used to level up. Players can level up their character up to level three anytime during each combat, provided they have enough mana. Leveling up a character makes them hit harder. All attacks do more damage when leveling, at the cost of sometimes spending a turn to power-up. This is not only thematic, but it adds a bit of complexity to the combat. Players will need to decide whether or not they want to spend a turn leveling their character or dealing damage. Knowing when to spend and save resources, especially on leveling is key for beating the harder bits of combat.

Relics and Items

Players will occasionally have find randomly generated items or relics to aid them on their journey. These items and relics give players abilities or boosts that give them an edge in combat. Players are either given these items are rewards in random events, paid for through currency or life, or dropped by monsters as treasure. Sometimes, players can choose from a collection of items. However these items find their way into a players, they can easily ruin a run if they aren’t good enough.

Encounters

Aside from the major Boss fights, players can choose not to fight. Throughout a run, players have the option to choose non-combat scenarios. These include but are not limited to shops and random events. A random event can be anything from encountering a stranger that gives a player a boon for a price (or free). The encounter can also be a difficult choice that can also result in a boon. For example, a player can choose to give up some of their health to upgrade one of their attack cards. There are also NPCs that allow players to edit their decks allowing them to buy, upgrade, or delete cards in their decks.

Rest

It wouldn’t be a roguelike deckbuilder without some kind of campfire mechanic. Players are given the occasional opportunity to heal their character. If a player doesn’t need to heal, they also have the option to upgrade cards in their deck and sometimes pick up a special boon to help them in their journey. The placement of these nodes, and knowing when to use them can make or break a run.

Permanant Upgardes

After a run ends, players earn in-game currency that they can spend on buying permanent upgrades. In theory, the game gets easier the more runs a player completes. I am sure there is a solvable way to buy upgrades, but I enjoyed choosing the upgrades that best fit my style. Earning these upgrades are a bit of a grind, but the built-in RNG promises to lessen a bit of that monotony.

Towns

A players will also get a chance to visit a town during a run where they can visit different vendors and buy foods, items, relics and upgrades with currencies they earn across their adventure. These upgrades are randomly generated, and can make or break a run.

Review

Northwind plays with a few interesting mechanics that make it a promising entry to the genre. While it does need a bit of tweaking, the game has enough substance to make it worth at least an add to the wishlist.

The Artstyle

The world of Northwind feels a little bare at the moment. The champions and a few of the monsters have cool design, but I feel like the world lacks flavor. There is not enough color or themes spread accorss the regions that give Northwind a tangible place in genre. People might be drawn in by the cool art for thew promotions, but will forget playing the game because the art isn’t very memorable. It doesn’t help that there isn’t much in terms of animation, but that is probable better for a game like this where the focus is card interactions. Improving visuals is part of the roadmap, so a few more updates may change things.

The Gameplay

Gameplay is where I am completely split on this game. On one hand, Northwind‘s unique mechanics are the breath of fresh air the genre needs, on the other, it has a glaring balancing issue.

Now the game runs great, as I would expect from a game with little animation. I didn’t experience any game breaking bugs, and I got all the frames I needed to play comfortable. The are also enough cards, relics, and items in the current Early Access build for a few fun and interesting decks. The RNG, while mostly fair, can end a run early. This is expected in the roguelike genre, and not enough to ruin the game.

What ruins game is the balancing in later fights. There are fights where you can do everything right, but still get hit with a 100 damage because the game decides its time. I am sure there are foods you can eat, upgrades you can buy, or decisions you can make to mitigate this, but it sucks. Having to spend mana on level feels bad when the boss can kill you with one hit. There are fights where you don’t even get the option to stockpile mana. These fights feel unfair and will turn away the player who isn’t trying to grind at a game that doesn’t have a cool memorable world or animation to distract them.

Final Thoughts?

Northwind needs a bit more time to bake in the oven. The game has a few good ideas that have me excited about its future, but it is kind of hard to recommend when you have games like Takara Cards or even Shogun Showdown. Don’t get me wrong, Northwind isn’t a bad game, it just isn’t ready yet. If you are looking for a new deckbuilder and don’t mind the roughness that comes with an early access game, it is a great way to support a publisher that is making an interesting attempt at the genre.

You can pick up Northwind on Steam Early Access.

Universus

2026 Universus TCG Roadmap: Exciting New Releases Ahead

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Intro

UVS Games has just announced its 2026 roadmap, and the lineup will have fans new and old excited about the future of the game. As casual collector, I definitely see a couple of sets I want to whale on. If you want to pick up Universus, always support your LGS. You can also pick up Universus on TCG Player using my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you use it.

The Road Map

What’s coming in 2026?

2026 marks a very important milestone for Universus: the system’s 20th anniversary. With this milstone comes a collecion of iconic figures from fighting games, manga, and of course, Kaiju. Whether you are new to the game, casually collecting, or trying to take the top spot in next year’s circuit, there seems to be a little bit of something for everyone.

So what is coming?

  • King of Fighters XV Challenger Series
  • Godzilla Booster Set
  • My Hero Academia Challenger Series
  • TEKKEN 8 Booster Set
  • Street Fighter 6: Part Deux Challenger Series
  • Fairy Tail Booster Set

Thoughts

While I am not too crazy about the fighting game sets, Street fighter had some very cool unique cards and the decks were a lot of fun to play. They are a solid place to start, assuming you can’t find any Godzilla. What I don’t like about the fighting game sets personally are that most of cards are screenshots. If you’re a fan of the games in questions (and the games in questions are cool), then this becomes less of an issue. As a collector, these sets don’t excite me as much. I prefer the comic stills, especially like the ones in the Heroes of Exandira set. Those look really good in a binder.

That said, what is important are the mechanics and the unique cards that make this game worth collecting. If the mechanics change the meta enough or the unique cards in the set are cool, that will be enough to excite me. I may not vibe with most of the art for the Tekken and Street Fighter cards I do own, but the decks are fun enough and the champion cards are cool enough that I would buy into them if I didn’t already own the set.

What I am very excited for is the Godzilla cards. I missed out on the initial run of Godzilla when that came out, but what I’ve seen looks very cool. Some people will argue that Godzilla is problematic because it runs the meta, but I’ve played enough card games to know that it happens everywhere. Maybe the set changes up the type of Godzilla decks you end up playing against. Either way, as a collector, I can’t wait what this set has to offer and I am more than ready to open a couple packs.

What I am most excited for is the Manga sets. I know Deku is a problem, but the cards from previous MHA sets have all been pretty good. I feel confident in my excitement for this set, and I hope it brings new people in the space. The space needs it. More importantly, I am ready to whale on the Fairy Tail set. I love this anime and the set is bound to have some cool cards. It has to for the year to end on a good note.

Until then, lets get hyped for GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- Blitz Booster landing November 28. Don’t forget to preorder yours today!

Tech Reviews

KiiBOOM x Elyxirine Pastel Y2K Keycap Set Review

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the KiiBOOM x Elyxirine Digital Dreams: Pastel Y2K Keycap Set for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Sprout Picnic Keycaps and the KiiBOOM Flick mechanical switches. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps if you use it to buy anything, not just the keycaps.

What’s in the box?

  • 144 Keycaps

Features

This adorable pastel keycap comes from the perfect collaboration between Elyxirine and KiiBOOM. This vibrant and adorably designed keycap set perfectly captures the spirit of Y2k. Whether you are trying to update your aesthetic or relive some of that nostalgia, uses will appreciate the amount of detail that went into the design. Each keycap is finely crafted with that unmatched KiiBOOM quality. Each cap is clearly printed on an expertly minted cap to produce a design that will withstand the stress of any workload. With 144 Keycaps, users can upgrade just about any sized keyboard, with a few extra keys for additional customization.

The set does come in two styles: Cherry and MOA profile keycaps. Cherry keycaps are the traditional style for those who prefer a classic styled keyboard. The MOA profile keycaps are KiiBOOMs unique bubble shaped keycaps that are not only comfortable, but give it a more adorable vibe. Which ever profile keycap you choose, you are guaranteed a high quality product compatible with most Cherry profile switches.

Review

The KiiBOOM x Elyxirine Digital Dreams: Pastel Y2K Keycap Set is by far my favorite of the KiiBOOM switches in my collection. I love the vibrant pastels and the colorful images that bring it to life. My only complaint is that it does not match the keyboard I installed them onto, but that is a personal problem. They were are a clear upgrade to the cheap keycaps the keyboard came with, and I will have a hard time using anything else. While it did take some getting used to, I love the MOA profile keycaps for both the aesthetic and comfortable typing experience they facilitate.

If you like the aesthetic in pictures, it looks better in person. This is the cutest keycap set you will ever get to you use. Users will not only appreciate the all the small details that went into creating this adorable set, but they will be impressed by the set’s high quality. These keycaps are ready to take on any workload and upgrade any setup. Whether you are building your new keyboard or just want to add a bit of color in your life, KiiBOOM x Elyxirine Digital Dreams: Pastel Y2K Keycap Set is a fantastic product worth getting.

You can pick up the KiiBOOM x Elyxirine Digital Dreams: Pastel Y2K Keycap Set on the official KiiBOOM store or on Amazon through my Affiliate link.

video game reviews

Tombstone MMO: A Cozy Western Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent sent the Farmer’s Bundle for Tombstone MMO as compensation for this review. It does include in game currency and a few items, but I did not use them throughout my playthrough. I wanted this to be my fresh and honest take on the free to play experience since it is probably how most new players will experience the game. This will not sway my opinions.

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 System 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 Tombstone MMO?

Thombstone MMO is a low-res 2D western themed MMO out now on Steam.

Travel to the 8-bit post-apocalyptic world of Tombstone, where you will need to gather, craft, and quest for survival. This barren world has lots to explore as players find their play style through its many cozy gameplay loops. With over 20 skills to train, players will find themselves busy mastering them all. So grab your favorite weapon and set off on an unforgettable adventure.

Review

I was drawn to this game by its unique and adorable style. The lofi aesthetic gives the game an undeniable cozy vibe, without losing any of the detail. There was a lot of effort put into the world building, and I appreciate every ounce of it. I love the quirky tone of the dialogue, appreciate the fantastic sound track, and love the flavor of the different regions. If you are a fan of westerns, this captures the spirit of the genre perfectly.

The community, at least the people I interacted with, were all friendly and helpful. There definitely needs to be more players, but those I encountered were nice. I would still recommend picking this up with a couple of friends, but there is nothing wrong with playing solo. I played solo and had enough fun to keep on playing even after this review.

As far as gameplay goes, it does start off a little slow. The grind feels a little steep in the beginning, and it doesn’t help that there isn’t much direction. I like that there aren’t arrows or paths moving me between quests and checkpoints because it forced me to explore the world on my own and read everything. It is a very cool world to experience. Once I started picking up on the different nuances and venturing further into the world, it became a very cozy and relaxing experience. It can be a bit repetitive, but these games tend to be. I never felt like it was my job to login every day, but instead enjoyed the journey.

The game is Free to Play, but one that you need to try at least once. This is a cozy game that is relaxing, but with enough asks and goals to keep players invested without the stress that comes with the traditional MMO. I am sure there are stressful moments to Tombstone, but not to the extent as a lot of the more grindier 3D entries to the genre.

Do you need to buy the paid DLC to enjoy the game? No. I never felt the need to use anything that came with the package. I honestly forgot about it till now. If you play the game and and enjoy it, it is a fantastic way to support the developer, and worth well worth the price tag.

If you’re looking for a new MMO, try out Tombstone MMO. It is a cute and cozy change of pace that is worth checking out at least once. Once you decide that you will be playing the game enough to justify the cost of the Save 10% on TombstoneMMO – Farmer’s Bundle on Steam, go pick it up on Steam.

Tech Reviews

KiiBOOM Flick Switch Review: Comfort & Performance

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me a a set of their Flick switches 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. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Strawberry Jello Switches and the Sprout Picnic Keycaps. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it.

What’s in the box?

  • 35 Flick Linear Mechanical Switches

Features

The Flick Switch promises to be one of KiiBOOM’s most comfortable switch with its high-accuracy yet soft actuation force. Its high quality nylon build gives it its unique creamy sound and durability. Rated up to 50 million presses, the Flick switches are ready to reliably take on any workload. If you are looking for a 5 pin system to upgrade your MXS structure ecosystem, the KiiBOOM Flick switches are a strong contender.

Sound Test

Review

Users will be impressed by the KiiBOOM Flick switch‘s high quality build. The casing looks well machined, and the presses feel smooth and soft. I accidentally bent a pin of one of the switches, but was able to fix it and haven’t noticed any dip in performance. While I wouldn’t go bending pins to test the switch’s durability, it does give me confidence in the the Flick switches quality. Regardless of the bend test, the switches perform well out of the box. There was no noticeable latency or ghosting out of the box, handling both my workload and gaming needs comfortably.

The Flick switches set is a comfortable one. They have not triggered my repetitive stress injuries, allowing me to work for long hours without issue. The presses feel soft, with a slight firmness to create that satisfying comfortable experience I’ve come to prefer. The key presses themselves give off a more muted thonking sound. It is a sound that is audible enough to create that satisfying typing ASMR we’re all craving without filling the house with unwanted noise. For what is worth, my daughter loves the sound and will steal my keyboard just to hear the sounds of the button presses. See above.

If you are looking for a key switch for your setup or are upgrading and old one, get your self a few boxes of KiiBOOM flick switches. They are a really great place to start.

You can pick up the Flick switch set on the official KiiBOOM site, or on Amazon through my affiliate link. Make sure you grab as many as you need for your keyboard.

video game reviews

Exploring Trauma in Visual No Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo 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 System 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 Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo

Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo is a visual novel that effectively explores dealing with trauma. This is your trigger warning.

A group of boys and girls find themselves in a strange world world similar to theirs, but off somehow. They have no memory of who they are or how they got there. The world around them seems to be empty except for the mindless drones that seem to be put in place to keep them trapped. The only way out of this world is to solve a series of puzzles that will have each character deal with their trauma. There are multiple endings, a few interesting mini games, and a lot of dark themes to sit through in Noise Scramble City.

Gameplay

Players will read through each characters story, making the choices that affect the endings of the story. There are multiple endings to explore for a good amount of replayability. Each character has a unique set of puzzles and mini games that are thematic with their back story. The game is split into two segments: exploration and story. In exploration, players click around each uniquely themed room for clues and puzzle pieces. The goal is to piece together bits of a characters backstory to move to the next room. Outside of these rooms, players get to see the characters interact and their relationships with each other develop. It is a lot of reading with interesting puzzles and mini-games to break things up.

Review

The game starts off with a trigger warning and immediately gets dark You’ve been warned.

Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo is a fantastic novel about facing and dealing with trauma. While the themes are dark, the game addresses its topics appropriately. Each character is unique and memorable, and the story is interesting and engaging. Unfortunately, the English translation isn’t perfect. There are a lot of grammar mistakes and noticeable typos that might take some of the immersion away from the story. As an former English Major, I had no issues because the story was good enough. I did skip over a few parts that felt slow, but I also read through this game in one sitting.

Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo is an aesthetically pleasing novel. The game has a great artstyle for a unique and flavorful world and it fills with cool colorful characters. The game also has a fantastic soundtrack to set the mood and get players immersed. What makes Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo the perfect visual novel is its balance between puzzles and all the reading. The puzzles are all very interesting. There is a guide available (with spoilers) if needed, but most of the puzzles are pretty straight forward.

I love that I got to collect all these parts of a narative, but the choices I made also meant I couldn’t get the whole story in one playthrough. I will be playing this game again soon because I need to know everything.

If you’re looking for a a good visual novel, don’t mind a few spelling errors here and there or the dark themes it deals with, pick up Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo. This is one of those games you need to read through at least once.

You can pick up Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo on Steam for $19.99.

video game reviews

Skygard Arena: A Unique Strategy Game Worth Playing

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Skygard Arena 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 System 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 Skygard Arena?

Skygard Arena is a unique strategy indie PVP game out now on Steam (Currently 35% off until October 2nd).

Skygard has been split into five unique factions, each with their own flavor and abilities. To avoid long and drawn out wars, the five factions come together to compete in the Arena. Each faction sends their collection of their best champions to duke it out in the ultimate show of power and wit. Choose your champion as you face off against other people through epic PVP matches, or see your favorite faction rise to the top in the campaign mode. Can you master your abilities and come out on top?

Gameplay

Players take turns controlling their team of three champions as they try to capture objectives and pick up resources. Players take turns controlling each of their champions as they strategize their victory. Turns are based on the character’s priority. Each character can move, use a main action and a fast action. Each character has a movement action for a bit of added mystery. Players must balance fighting off the enemy and taking objectives. The first team to take all the objectives wins. It is a game that has a bit of learning curve learned through experience. While the tutorial and the story do a good job at on-boarding players to the fundamentals of the game, there are a few nuances (like the combo system) that the player will need to pick up through experimentation and additional research.

Review

Skygard Arena is a solid PVP strategy game that ill fill its niche nicely. The game has a cool artstyle with a decent amount of flavor (I love the distinct styles of the different factions) and sound mechanics. Those who are looking for a unique strategy experience should definitely look into this game. The game runs well and it will earn its $15.

My biggest issue with the game is that the campaign isn’t very good. The voice acting is bad and the writing doesn’t do enough to capture my attention. I shouldn’t really be expecting much for a game with the focus on PvP, but that is where I would spend most of my time. I tried PvP and got wrecked, but that is more of a skill issue. The game ran fine, I am just bad. Even so, the game does need a bigger community. Make sure you join the official Discord. The people seem friendly towards beginners and casuals, and it is a great place to keep up with news and events.

The game does give players the option to play AI matches. For the most part, these are a great feature to explore different faction, combos, and strategies, but the turns can be a little long. The campaign is still a better way to learn the game, but this option is a great for casuals who aren’t ready for PvP, or those who want to explore something new without the pressure.

Honestly, the game is fine and deserves a bigger audience. I appreciate that the game tries new things in the space. Having to balance positioning, objectives, and enemy units creates enough complexity and depth to keep things engaging. I love that there aren’t 1000 different macro/micro actions to manage. Everything is pretty contained within the arena while still allowing for a good amount of strategy. The biggest barrier will be learning each character’s abilities and how they interact with others to build your team. Whether you have time for that will be up to you, but I am sure there are people in the community currently solving the meta.

Skygard Arena is going to do well in its niche if it can build its community. It needs and deserves more players. If you like strategy games and don’t mind the PvP, Skygard has a unique twist that is worth trying once.

You can buy Skygard Arena on Steam.

Tech Reviews

Upgrade Your Keyboard with KiiBOOM Dough Fluff Keycaps

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the Dough Fluff keycap set for free 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 my review, please don’t hesitate to ask. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the KiiBOOM Strawberry Jello Switches and the Jade75 Keyboard.

What’s in the box?

  • 141 Dough Fluff Keycap Set

Features

The KiiBOOM Dough Fluff Keycap Set are an adorable whimsical desert themed set for those looking for a colorful cozy aesthetic. Each key features a unique desert themed design printed into a high quality key cap. The set comes with 141 keys compatible with Cherry MX and most MX-style switches. I recommend checking out the KiiBOOM Strawberry Jellow switches if you want to stay on theme. With 141 key caps, users can upgrade anything from the most compact 60% keyboard, to the largest full sized key board. It doesn’t have to match (Mine doesn’t), but it might be better if it does. They high quality build means you can enjoy your adorable new keycaps no matter the workload.

Review

I used these keycaps to upgrade a cheap mechanical keyboard I had laying around. There was nothing wrong with the keyboard and felt it was the best way to test the quality of the KiiBOOM keycaps. I did not understand how cheap the original keyboard until I upgraded to the KiiBOOM components.

The KiiBOOM Dough Fluff Keycap Set are not only an adorable set with fun flavor, they are high quality keycaps that are ready to take on any workload. I was impressed by how well crafted each cap is. I love the design of each key, and appreciate how high quality the printing is. It definitely feels like the design isn’t fading any time soon. My only complaint is that the keycaps don’t match the keyboard I put them into, but that is more my fault than KiiBOOMs.

What I like the most is how the design feels. The keycaps feel and look like marshmallows which not only adds immersion to the theme, but makes typing a delight. I never thought keycaps made much of a difference in a build, but the Dough Fluff set proved me wrong. I am very excited to check out the other caps in my collection!

If you’re looking for a cute and fun keycap set to liven up your setup, the KiiBOOM Dough Fluff set is a great place to start. Whether you are starting a new build, updating an old one, or upgrading a cheap one, the KiiBOOM Dough Fluff keycaps will not disappoint.

You can pick up your complete set of the Dough Fluff keycaps, that’s 141 keys, KiiBOOM Dough Fluff Keycap Set store.

video game reviews

The Fame Game: A Cheesy but Fun FMV Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of The Fame Game: Welcome to Hollywood 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 System 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 The Fame Game: Welcome to Hollywood

The Fame Game is a dating sim FMV out now on Steam.

You find yourself in a leading role in a hit show. While you do your best to rise into your stardom, you find yourself the center of attention. Seven beautiful woman will compete for your attention, but only one can take the role. You will flirt, go on dates, and get to know each girl as you try as you jump start your acting career. Who will you choose? How far will you go?

Gameplay

The game is essentially a choose your own adventure game made into a movie. Players watch the story unfold and make the choices that will shape the overall story. There are multiple endings, and the game makes it easy to play for them all. The game lets players skip scenes they’ve already seen, and even rewind to a previous choice if they mess up a choice.

The game has two goals:

  1. Become a great actor
  2. Get the girl

Players must earn a certain amount of acting points by the end of the story for the great actor ending. The game offers players scenes with choices that affect how well they do in the series. The choices made during these segments determine if Jonathan’s trip to Hollywood leaves him a star, or sends him back to Ohio.

The main loop of the game is getting the girl. Each girl has a unique personality and affection meter. Players are given the opportunity to get to know each girl, and try to romance them. If players are able to fill the affection meter, they end up with the girl. The choices they make during the story affects the girls and endings they have access to by the end.

Review

The people behind The Fame Game: Welcome to Hollywood did a fantastic job at creating what is easily one of my favorite FMVs. While the game and story is incredibly cheesy, I can’t deny that I loved every minute of it.

The story is fine, but very cheesy. All the girls have an unexplainable affection for Jonathan and will chase him down, even when it feels forced. It reminds me of the cheesy harem anime’s of my youth, with almost as much fan service. If you like cheesy drama’s, this has that vibe.

The girls are each unique and memorable, but there are clearly some that are better actors. Some actors will bring their characters to life in very fun and memorable scenes, while others will leave with awkward yet passable performances. The acting doesn’t take away from the enjoyment, and honestly gives the game its charm.

The one thing to look out for is the fan service. While none it felt inappropriate, I wouldn’t play this in public for fear of being judged. Other than that, the game is a solid FMV. The story is fun, the characters are memorable, and the production is solid. If you like cheesy dramas and FMVs, this is a game you should at least play once. It is short enough to play in a sitting, and the game makes it easy to explore different narratives.

You can pick The Fame Game: Welcome to Hollywood for only $9.99 on Steam.

Tech Reviews

EasySMX S10 Controller Review: The Ultimate Gamepad for Switch 2

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Disclaimer

EasySMX sent me the S10 wireless gaming controller for free 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. Make sure you check out you also check out my review for the X15 Controller. Make sure you use my discount code Jose S10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase.

What’s in the box?

  • EasySMX S10 Gamepad
  • 2 x Magnetic Faceplates
  • 1 x Circular D-Pad
  • 1 x Cross D-Pad
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • 2 x Sticker Sheet
  • 1 x User Manual

Features

With the population of Switch 2 growing against the overall gaming landscape, so too grows the need for high quality peripherals, and EasySMX has come up with an affordable and beautiful solution. For an unbeatable price of only $59.99 (51 with my discount code), gamers can enjoy the feature-rich gamepad in either black or white:

The controller looks great in either color, but the white will be prone to smudging. Of course, this wouldn’t be a gaming peripheral without RGB, and the S10 has a beautifully lit face that acts as a subtle accent without turning your room into a rave. For a bit of added flare, the controller comes with two sheets of stickers and magnetic plats so that you can personalize your controller to fit your style.

Fortunately, the S10 is deeper than its aesthetics. The S10 is ready to upgrade your Switch gaming experience to the next level with its many optimized features. Its advanced mecha-buttons give players a very clicky sound but the precision and longevity they need to game uninterrupted. The TMR Sticks are not only precise, but promise a comfortable smooth glide. Most importantly, the high speed low latency connection for both its wired and Bluetooth modes means this controller is ready to compete in the most competitive of arenas. Couple this with its solid battery life, and you have a fantastic upgrade to any setup.

Most importantly, the S10 has been optimized for the Switch, with a lot of the features Nintendo users crave. The S10 comes with advanced motion controls, a built NFC reader for all your amiibos, and a one-tap wake-up feature for the Switch 2. But if you don’t have a Switch, you can enjoy the controller with any of your other devices.

Review

Users will open the box and appreciate how well made and pretty the S10 controller is. It is a little on the lighter side, but it certainly doesn’t feel cheap. I particularly like the textured handles that give the controller its satisfying feel. The additional faceplate and stickers are fun for those who want to customize the controllers, but I am not creative enough to take advantage of this feature. This is a very pretty controller without the need of customization. I love the RGB and how it doesn’t feel intrusive, but it can be shut off if you don’t like it. I think it gives the controller its flare.

Getting past the looks, users will be impressed by the amount of features the controller comes with. The two extra buttons on the bottom of the controller are a very useful and have become a staple in my gaming journey. My favorite feature is the circular D-Pad that made it feel like a smooth joystick. I like that I always have the option to switch to a regular cross D-Pad, but I am finding it hard to. Other than that, the control works well. The haptic controls feel good and add to the immersion, the NFC reader picks up my Amiibos, and sticks feel really good. The controller is responsive out of the box, and it was able to handle all of my gaming needs. Of course I am just a filthy casual, but there is value in it for me regardless.

As great as this controller is, I do have a couple of complaints. One of my complaints is with the sound of the switches. While I didn’t notice any imput lag in either of the connections, the clicking button pressing makes sounds cheap and can get annoying. If you like the ASMR experience that comes with mechanical keyboard switches, there is some value in the S10. I wouldn’t call the sound a deal breaker, but it is something to consider.

My biggest issue with the controller is comfort. Full disclosed, I have a repetitive stress injury that requires certain ergonomics. Controllers, especially cheaply made controllers ruin my hands. While the S10 isn’t the most comfortable or ergonomic controller, I was able to get enough meaningful gaming to keep it in my rotation. The S10 may cause some discomfort, but it is a lot more comfortable than using the joycons.

So what is my final verdict? If you have a switch and need a new controller, the EasySMX S10 is a fantastic option. The gamepad looks great, has a lot of useful features, and is an upgrade from the joycons. You can pick up your S10 gamepad from the official SMX store. Make sure you use my discount code Jose S10 to save a bit of money.