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video game reviews

Inertial Drift Review: Unique Racing Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Inertial Drift to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. 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 Inertial Drift?

Inertial Drift is a twin stick arcade racer out now on Steam.

Hop into a nostolgic future where racing is life. Get behind the wheel of your favorite car and master the drift. Take on foes, beat set course records, and become the best racer in town. When your rubber hits the concrete, will it only be headlights in the rear view mirror?

Gameplay

Inertial Drift has a story that takes you through different courses, mastering different techiniques that will make you the ultimate racer. Each course has three modes: time attack, ghost mode, and a 1v1 race to the finish. Each course has players master a new mechanic, keeping things fresh as players progress through the story. What makes Inertial Drift unique are its twin stick mechanics for drifting. It is something you need to try to understand, but it makes it a fun arcade racer.

Review

I don’t like racing games too much. I will play them and enjoy the easier levels before I lose interest and forget I have them in my library. I haven’t hit that point with Inertial Drift yet. While the game is a little hard for skill level, I am a terrible driver, I find it hard to set down.

Booting up the game, I fell in love with the vibrant neon colors and the retro aesthetic. I love the car designs, and the game has a killer sound track. The story itself isn’t anything too special, but it does give the game its flavor. The main reason I stuck around however is the gameplay.

Inertial Drift is one of the most unique arcade racers I’ve played. The controls may take some time to get used to, but once you figure out the mechanics, it has one of the most satisfying driving experiences. Everything feels fast, quick and epic. I got the feeling that I was a cool street racer even though I never got close to being good. Most importantly, it runs great on the Steam Deck. I loved being able to play this game on the go because it wasn’t a huge commitment and it was a ton of fun.

I do want to say that this game made me want to rewatch Initial D, and I’m loving every minute of it. If you are looking for a fun arcade racer with a unique twist and cool looking cars, go pick up Inertial Drift.

You can pick up Inertial Drift on Steam for $19.99.

Other TCGs

Universus TCG – Challenger Series Deck List: Chun-Li & Jamie Siu

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Universus TCG just released their Street Fighter 6 Challenger series decks, and I got my hands on one of each to share that card lists. This post will focus on the Chun-Li/Jamie deck. As always, make sure you always support your LGS, but getting the Chun-Li/Jamie on TCG Player through my affiliate link really helps me out.

The Deck List

Champions

  • Chun-Li, Marcial Arts Master
  • Jamie Siu, Peackeeping Breakdancer

The Deck

  • Aerial Kikosho x 2
  • Hundred Lightning Kicks x 2
  • Phantom Sway x 2
  • Arrow Kick x 2
  • Breakin’ x 2
  • Dance of the Pheonix x 2
  • Drive Parry x 4
  • Back Shaver x 3
  • Falling Crane x 3
  • Swagger Step x 3
  • Tensho Kicks x 3
  • Azure Kung Fu Instructor x 4
  • Elegance & Beauty x 4
  • Guardian Angel of Chinatown x 4
  • Hates Lectures x 4
  • Inherited Will x 4
  • Shifting Gears x 4
  • Street Hero x 4
  • Young Boss of Chinatown

The Card Art

Champions

The Deck

Other TCGs

Universus TCG – Challenger Series Deck List: Ryu & Luke

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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

video game reviews

Is Drakantos Worth Your Time? Beta Impressions

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Some 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!

Introduction

The wait is finally over! We got a beta for an MMO I’ve been waiting a long time for, Drakantos. If this is your first time, Drakantos is a pixel art hero MMO comming to PC and mobile. Players can jump into a fantastical world as one of its 20 unique champions as they explore the fantastical world of Eldras. There is a dark fantasy story for those who want to dive into its deep lore, pvp for those who are feeling a little scrappy, and group content for those who like to raid. I have written about Drakantos for a while now, so make sure you check out my previous posts for more details.

So What Did I think?

Drakantos fairs better than a lot of the other MMO beta’s I have tried, but I am still uncertain about my excitement. While I did enjoy my first few hours of the game, it started to get stale. A lot of the missions began to feel the same and pointless, and it didn’t help that the game was buggy. I know the game isn’t released yet and the bugs should be addressed on release, but it became hard to overlook as I lost interest in the game. A lot of the issues I had with the Beta have been addressed, and I am hopeful they will make those changes. Make sure you join the official Discord to stay up to date on all the news.

I played on the Steam deck and while it was playable, there was a level of jankiness to it that made the game harder. Movement was a little awkward. Sometimes it wouldn’t move when I wanted, the pathing was awkward, or my character would get stuck on random elements on the map. This made getting the mount incredibly annoying, but this struggle seems self inflicted. Combat had similar issues where latency and jank would mean missing skill shots or dying to latency.

The Questing system is fine. I like that there is a story to play through, and the writing seems fine. I like that you can queue up for different quests without having to leave the hub, but I also have the opportunity to explore this huge map and pick up a few crafting and gathering jobs. The problem with the queue system is that you can’t solo quests. Aside from a couple of toxic encounters, the community seems friendly enough where random queues aren’t a reason to not play, but sometimes I wanted to take my time with a quest and practice my rotation. I still want there to be the MMO side because finding a good group made the game more fun, but sometimes I don’t want to be social. It would be cool if they could implement a system where you can get better rewards for playing with others, but you can also join your own private lobbies.

Another issue with the game is that if you choose a character that doesn’t vibe with your play style, you are going to have a rough time. I don’t think the grind for this game is worse than other MMOs. There are definitely worse grinds, but the grind does feel bad when choosing a character you don’t like. Switching to a new character was easy in the Beta, and I hope they keep this system for the full release. Players need to be able to choose from a decent pool of heroes and be able to easily switch between them at launch or people are just going to quit. A lot of people like to create and customize their own characters, and choosing from preset champions is going to be a hard sell. I have no issue and would argue that there is a good amount of customization, but it is going to suck for the new player who loads into the this game who can’t choose their look and gets stuck with a character that doesn’t vibe with them. I did eventually find a character I liked after a bit of trial and error, and that journey was fine.

My main draw to the game is the art. I love the pixel art, and while it does take some inspiration from existing genres, it is able to create its own unique flare. My problem with the art is that the maps feel a little too busy. Some maps feel like they cram as many of the artifacts into a world to build their rail road, and it is a little distracting. It isn’t enough to ruin my experience, but with how buggy movement was, it made things annoying. Other than that, the monsters, champions, and bosses all look cool, and there are some cute mounts and pets you’re going to want to collect.

So how was the experience overall? I enjoyed the first few hours of the game where I was exploring and finding my way. Once the novelty wore off, I started to run out of reasons to stick around. If felt like I ran out of things to do early on. The quests started to feel repetitive, and not everyone was willing to do the side quests. The buggyness made some of the quests harder than it should be, and I wasted too much time trying to unlock the mount. Combat is fine for a mobile game, but I need to see a more polished version before I can rate it properly.

That said, I am still hopeful. This was the first beta, and it is honestly in a better place than some of the other MMOs I’ve tried from bigger developers. Sure the game is still rough, but the devs have already acknowledged a lot of the issues, and I’ve seen enough interviews with devs that I am confident the game can only get better. Until then, I will continue to follow Drakantos closely because I still hold on to the hope that this will be a good game.

Tech Reviews

Why the Phantom81 Lite is a Fun Mechanical Keyboard

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the Phantom81 Lite mechanical keyboard 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 Phantom81 V3 and the Phantom21 Numbpad. Make sure you also check out my new sponsor, NordVPN to earn an Amazon Gift card for signing up.

What’s in the Box?

  • Phantom81 Lite
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • Wireless Dongle
  • 3 Additional Switches
  • Sticker Sheet
  • Manual

Features

The Phantom81 Lite is a 75% mechanical keyboard that comes in 4 colors: white, black, green and blue.

I went with the blue because I thought it was fun and cute, but each color has its unique flare. The keyboard comes with 79 keys with hot swapable mochi switches and south facing RGB for added flare. The RGB is customizable and can be synced up with games and music for the maximum amount of flash. It comes with MOA profile keycaps which give the keyboard a more rounded linear typing experience. The adjustable typing angle is ready to give its users some added comfort. The gasket mount is designed to give the keyboard is unique marble-like sound.

Users can also enjoy the high performance wireless connections with its Bluetooth and Wireless support. With the included 4000mAh battery, users can work seamlessly with little interruption. Most importantly, it is VIA and KIA compatible, and users can remap and reprogram the keyboard for added flexibility. Users who are looking for a fun keyboard should be looking at the Phantom81 Lite.

Soundtest

Review

The Phantom81 Lite is a very good looking keyboard. If you get one of the fun flavors, which I believe is the main draw, users can appreciate the adorable aesthetic. While it does have that plastic feel, it is a well manufactured keyboard with clearly printed keycaps. The kaps are fantastic. They feel so good to the touch and look beautiful in person (assuming you got one of the fun colors). The switches and the gasket give of a very satisfying typing sound that is soft and almost therapeutic.

As far as performance, I have some notes. I had issues connecting the keyboard through Bluetooth. It bugged out the first time, flashing wildly without connecting to my device. I also wasn’t able to connect more than one Bluetooth device. A reset seems to have fixed the issue, but it is something to note. Other than that, I noticed no ghosting and it was very responsive to my imputs. Gaming on it was fine.

My only real issue with the keyboard is that it wasn’t very comfortable. This is a personal issue and won’t affect everyone. If you need special ergonomics like I do, I would pass on this. I have a repetitive stress injury that would flare after 3 hours of continuous use. If you don’t suffer from this injury and use it a normal amount, it shouldn’t be a problem. I honestly powered through the pain because the keys still felt so good to the touch and the sound was incredibly addicting.

If you are looking for a fun keyboard that works well, I think the Phantom81 Lite is a cute little keyboard that is worth looking into. I love the fun colors for the adorable keycaps, but black and white will definitely be an upgrade to any aesthetic.

You can pick up the Phantom81 Lite on the official KiiBOOM site.

Tech Reviews

Phantom 21 Keypad Review: Stylish and Functional

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Disclaimer

KiiBoom sent me the Phantom 21 Mechanical Keypad to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be my hones review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Phantom 81 V3 and the Loop 65. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. Using it really helps me out. Make sure you also check out my new sponsor, NordVPN to earn an Amazon Gift card.

What’s in the Box?

  • Phantom 21 Keypad
  • 1.5m USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller Tool

Features

The Phantom 21 is KiiBoom’s stylish solution for the ultimate keypad experience. This modern keypad comes in four colors: clear, pink, blue, and purple.

Thew clear body and fun colors are a guaranteed upgrade to any aesthetic. They keypads come with 21 keys with hot swappable switches all illuminated by the its vibrant customizable RBG color effects. But the Phantom 21 is more than just a pretty keypad. The control nob can be customized for volume, zoom, scrolling, and other essential functions. The keys are also easily customizable with KiiBOOM’s proprietary software to handle any workflow. Users can easily remap keys or load it up with macros to maximize efficiency.

Sound Test

Review

I do like having a keypad for my workflow because I do a lot of data entry. I was very excited because the Phantom line is my favorite Keyboom product, and the Phantom 21 did not disappoint.

Out of the box, users will be impressed by the unique clear bodied design. I got the clear color, but the colors are fun, vibrant, and look good on the table. The manufacturing is clean and the keypad is very high quality. The keypad’s unique style definitely makes a statement in the best possible way.

After using the keypad, users will appreciate the comfort the keypad offers. The typing angle is ideal for most hand types, and the spacing allows for a comfortable hand position. I have a really bad repetitive stress injury, but using this keypad never triggered it. The clear glass-like caps give have a very satisfying smooth feel to them, and the clacking of the switches make it a wonderful typing experience. At least when it came to data entry and number crunching.

As far as performance goes, I noticed no ghosting or latency, and I still haven’t had to charge the keypad after using it for a 2 weeks. I keep on all the RGB effects. For those that need some added functionality, customizing, remapping, and adding macros to the Phantom 21 is very easy. This keypad can handle large workloads if you need it to.

If you are in the market for a unique looking keypad/macropad loaded with functionality, the Phantom 21 is a fantastic option. This pretty keypad is the perfect size for travel, very sturdy, and its flexibility make it perfect for any workflow.

You can pick up the Phantom 21 directly from the KiiBOOM site, or through Amazon through my Affiliate link.

Other TCGs

Genesis: Battle of Champions Launches Latest Set on Kickstarter

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The Announcement

Edge of Exile has officially launched their Kickstarter for the newest set of Genesis: Battle of Champions, Metamorphosis. With a goal of $29,202, this all or nothing campaign promises to bring exciting new mechanics like dual sided cards and equipment cards. This will be the second set for the new backs and design, and I am sure there will be a lot of passion poured into it. $95 gets you an early booster box of the Metamorphosis, which discounted from its intended $120 MSRP.

What is Genesis: Battle of Champions?

I have covered this game before, so make sure you check out some of my earlier content. Essentially, Genesis is a card game for the miniature wargamer that doesn’t want to fiddle with minis or dice roles. Players control a champion and an army of minions on an epic battle for supremacy. Unlike most games, there is no mana system, deck size, or card limit. Players start with a set pool of points that they spend to cast their spells and creatures until they run out. What makes Genesis unique is the movement mechanic. Players move their cards across a 5×6 grid map, and orientation and range matter. It is sort of like chess, but with a few extra rules and a lot more flavor.

My Thoughts

I was sent a bit of product to review last year before their first failed Kickstarter. The game is very fun with interesting mechanics and interactions. I also love the art, especially the new direction the game is going towards. Unfortunately, the initial Kickstarter was aimed towards fans of the game as it only had alt arts exclusives of champions. Unless you already play the game, and play it a lot, there was no real reason to back the project. Unless of course you want to support the game and get to Metamorphasis.

This time around, I wasn’t asked to cover the game. I am doing it because I think the game is fun and it deserves some attention. I have been following the updates, and there seems to be an online game in the works that might help with a bit of on boarding. I don’t have a local scene, but there seems to be enough interest, especially in Canada, for competitive scene. They have a big tournament coming up.

Unfortunately, I think the initial sudden closure did its damage. Fans who enjoyed the gameplay have had time to move onto other titles that have risen to take its place. The fact that the new set is on Kickstarter doesn’t create much confidence in its popularity. If the game had enough of a following, they wouldn’t need a Kickstarter. 30k seems reasonable so they might just need a little bit of help. The risk is supporting a game that has died once before and it is unclear how long it has left. I am not trying to be mean, I am just being realistic. $120 for a box that won’t get you enough cards to be competitive for a game that might die is a lot of money. The challenge will be getting store and players to start populating LGS’s and creating that demand. I don’t see it in my area, and it is going to be difficult to see it considering the strong competition it faces. Again, not trying to be mean, just being honest.

With that out of the way, there is clearly a lot of love and passion for the game. The game itself is well made with fun and interesting mechanics. The cards are good quality and the art is very cool. This game deserves more attention. If you can find people to play with, splitting up some of the costs or just checking out existing product may be the move. The starter decks are pretty cool. You can pick up existing product on Indie Pro Games.

The Kickstarter runs until August 25th. I wish them luck, and don’t forget to support if you’re interested!

video game reviews

Drakantos Closed Beta is Live: First Day Impressions

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Intro

The wait is finally over. After years of waiting and following this game, I finally got my hands on beta. The Drakantos closed beta will run from July 25 – 27th and it is looking like a very successful run. With over 150k applications for entry, this game is getting a proper test. Make sure you apply over on the official Steam page if you haven’t done so, and don’t forget to wishlist. It looks like they are still rolling out keys in waves. Make sure you also join the official Discord, you might get lucky with a giveaway.

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 Drakantos?

Drakantos is a free-to-play pixel-art MMORPG coming to Steam and mobile devices. Players can choose from a collection of 20 diverse heroes as they explore the world of Eldras. Players can enjoy the worlds facinating story, fight players in a competative PvP Arena, or help each other out on PvE content. There are plans for raids, world bosses, and everything you’ve come to love from a PvP, but accessible to everyone. One thing to note is that all characters will not be playable at first. Characters will need to be unlocked through play or a battle pass, but I hope that none of it is locked behind a pay wall. I was assured that the cash shop would only be cosmetic last I spoke to the devs, but we will have to wait and see. I’ve been covering this game in great detail for a while now, make sure you check out my other articles on the subject.

Impressions

I have beta test a few of the newer MMO’s in recent years, and none have gotten me as excited as Drakantos. I know I’ve only played the game a day, but I am prepared to spend my Saturday playing this game. I love how alive the game feels in the hubs and in missions, which gives me hope for its success. I love the art. The game does a good job of creating fantasy through its pixel-art, and it has been a lot of fun exploring the world. Some of the maps do feel a little busy, but its nothing that will get me to quit. Playing this game on the Steam Deck gives me the nostolgic feeling of the gameboy days I spent playing JRPGs, and I am here for it. The fact that I can play this game properly on the Steam Deck during a beta is also a huge plus. Everything feels snappy and optimized, and I am preferring the handheld experience.

The combat uses a simple cooldown system. Instead of mana, players will need to wait on cooldowns. While the game looks simple, there are some nuances in rotation, and some skills you need to aim or hold. Make sure you read your spells

The grind so far has been pretty fun. Players have story content to play through that slowly introduces different mechanics. There are also a few side quests to fill space and unlock more content like gathering. Mostly, players can queue up for random jobs that scale based on a player’s power level. These jobs rotate on a timer and randomly pairs players into teams of threes (unless you have friends). There are different types of quests that scale with your power level, and give loot. They make it beneficial to explore the whole map and kill everything with hidden chests and additional rewards. You get more loot the more enemies you kill. There is no PvP yet, which is fine for the beta.

Now it is only the first day, so I need a bit more time for a fuller picture. I will be doing a more detailed version of my impressions when the beta is over. For now, I am very excited to keep playing more. Now if you’ve made it this far in the article, I do have an extra key to give away. First person who contacts me, gets it. Good luck!

Tech Reviews

KiiBOOM Phantom 81 V3: An In-Depth Review

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the Phantom 81 V3 Mechanical Keyboard 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. Please consider using my Amazon affiliate link if you want to purchase the keyboard, or anything else on Amazon. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee!

Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Loop 65 and Phantom 98 keyboards.

What’s in the box?

  • Phantom 81 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • 2.4G Wireless Dongle
  • 1 Key/Switch Puller
  • Philips Screw Driver
  • 2 Extra Switches
  • Large Branded Cleaning Cloth
  • User Manual

Features

The Phantom 81 V3 is KiiBOOM’s modern looking 75% keyboard that is ready to upgrade any aesthetic. It comes in three colors: Clear and Pink. It’s clear keys and body give it its unique pretense, while the programmable south-facing RGB effects make it beautiful. You can turn it all off is if you just want the glass like experience. It includes 82 keys including a function row, volume and media controls for a good amount of utility. The pre-lubed Crystal Switches promise a comfortable and high performing experience, ready to tackle any work load. Most importantly, the kit includes the tools needed for a customizable mechanical keyboard experience.

But this beautiful keyboard is more than just its looks. Users can enjoy a low latency connection through its supported Bluetooth 5.0 and Wireless 2.4GHz connections. With its 8000 mAh battery, users can enjoy long sessions without any of the wire clutter.

Soundtest

Review

There is no doubt that the KiiBOOM phantom series is one of the most unique and cool looking line you can buy into. I love the crystal like look of the body and keys, and the glass like feel of the keys give it that premium feel. When the RBG turns on, the keyboard shines, even in the daylight. It can be a little overbearing if you are looking something more minimilistic, but the lights can be turned off. As far as performance goes, I had no issues with the key board. The keys were responsive out of the box, and hey handled casual gaming very well. I play different genre, and it was handle my Guild Wars 2 addiction very well.

My only issue with the keyboard is strictly personal. They keys are a little slippery, which are only a problem with gaming. I am looking for something rougher and more tactile, but it wasn’t unplayable. It also triggered a bit of fatigue after longer sessions. That said, it isn’t an uncomfortable keyboard. If you are using the keyboard a healthy amount, you aren’t going to notice the fatigue. Even when I felt the fatigue, it didn’t get to the point where it left my hands useless from the pain. They were just sore from all the use. Again, this is nothing on the keyboard. I require special ergonomics for a few of my injuries, and they just aren’t there. While it wouldn’t be my main keyboard, I wouldn’t necessarily stop using it because it is just a cool looking keyboard, and I am kind of addicted to that glass feel.

If you don’t require an ergonomic keyboard and like the clear look, the Phantom 81 V3 is a good sized keyboard with the function you needed to upgrade your setup. You can pick up the Phantom 81 V3 from the official KiiBOOM store, or from my Amazon Affiliate link.

video game reviews

Honest Demo Impressions for Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi demo 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. I understand this game is still in development and will try to be a bit more lenient with my criticism.

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 Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi?

Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi is a 3D puzzle adventure coming to Steam in August 21. You can request access to playtest as of the writing of this article.

Lili and Sadi must learn to work together to traverse across the fantastical world of Atarassia. The world is a dangerous place, but our heroes have the skills to survive it. Fight off monsters, destroy the darkness that corrupts the land, and solve a few puzzles in between. Can they push back the void’s corruption and save the world?

Gameplay

Players control a sword wielding guardian who can tap into her monk friends powers to traverse across the map, fight monsters, and solve puzzles. This is your typical 3D puzzle adventure, but it does very little hand holding. There is no markers on the maps. Players must explore to find clues and solve the puzzles on their own (or with a guide). The combat system is simple and reminiscent of games like Breath of the Wilds. Players have access to a melee attack, bow and arrow, and skills like a bomb ability.

Impressions

Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi is fine, but it feels like a Breath of the Wild clone, and that will really hurt it. The biggest issue I have with this demo is with the performance. Combat feels too clunky, and the abilities don’t feel impactful. The bow and arrow ability feels useless. This might be a skill issue, but it was more trouble than it is worth. I like that they make you aim the bow, but making it more stable is the move here. I know the game isn’t finished yet, so I can only hope the full version will have smoother combat.

Another issue with this demo is the tutorial. Some of the tips disappeared before I had a chance to read them, and there was no way of looking up the mechanic that I needed to progress through the game. Button mashing does nothing when the mechanic requires players to hold down a certain combination. Other tips are easily missed and if you don’t read them, you won’t pick up important mechanics. This game would benefit from having a section where players can look up tutorials.

The puzzles were also kind of boring, at least for the tutorial bits. If there aren’t engaging puzzles in the tutorial, this game is going to lose its player base before it can start unraveling its lore and world building. The world also feels empty. There was no reason for exploring because even though everything looked cool, there was nothing to do but follow the path to the next puzzle. Maybe the full game will have secrets and unlockables to promote exploration.

The game has a decent artstyle and concept, it just needs to run smoother for the launch. With launch date creeping up, I don’t think it will be possible. Unfortunately, Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi didn’t do enough to grab my attention. I am going to have to pass on it for now.