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video game reviews

Exploring Rebel Engine: Unique Mechanics and Challenges

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Rebel Engine 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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Table of Contents

What is Rebel Engine

Rebel Engine is a fast-paced boomer shooter out now on Steam. The game combines innovative mechanics with a quirky story, flashy animations, and colorful design to create an experience unlike any other.

Hook

The sentient robot citizens of Ultima City are governed by the powerful Concrete corporation. Each citizen’s fate sits in the hands of the human CEO, Entropy. Those on top can enjoy the best the city has to offer, while those at the bottom are met with viscous oppression.

You are an enslaved construction bot, destined for endless combat in the arena for entertainment. After your latest defeat, a mysterious AI by the name of Salvador apears and offers you freedom in exchange for aid in toppling the evil Concrete corporation. With nothing left to lose you agree, setting off a high stakes, action pact adventure you will never forget.

Gameplay Loop

Players fight off waves of enemies in arena style combat, collecting new weapons and abilities along the way. Combat is fast-paced, with loud explosive colors to get that heart rate pumping, and keep it there. Players will hack-and-slash or shoot their way through their enemies.

What makes Rebel Engine unique is its reload mechanic. Rebel Engine breaks away from the traditional reload mechanic seen in other shooters. Instead of a manual reload, players will need to actively switch between weapons. Meaning, a gun reloads while a different gun is being used. To keep to keep up the flow of combat, players will need to constantly switch between guns.

Difficulty and Accessibility

Rebel Engine is difficult by design, especially if you aren’t used to gameplay. The game has settings that help adjust the difficulty to make the game more accessible. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the settings if you ever get stuck.

Review

Rebel Engine has a fun and colorful story with a gameplay loop that is unique, but also isn’t going to vibe with everyone. When the game works, the tight combo system creates an exhilarating adventure full of loud explosions. Unfortunately, the performance dips and a few of the mechanics made the experience a bit too awkward for my taste. Adjusting difficulty does help a bit, but it is hard to ignore the issues. Unfortunately, my save was erased and I didn’t have it in me to redo all the progress I had made.

Aesthetic

The world of Rebel Engine is vibrant and colorful. It is a world full of flashing lights, loud explosions, and a fantastic soundtrack to get you in the mood for killing. I am a huge fan of the colorful, cartoonist world, especially when it comes to the robot and weapon design. Exploration is limited, but when so much is happening at the same time, you barely even notice.

Story

Rebel Engine‘s story leans heavily on its humor. The game made me laugh a lot, and there was some very solid voice acting to get me through the story. I am a huge fan of the voice behind Salvador, and couldn’t ask for a better companion. At least for the bits of the game that I was able to get through.

Gameplay

I wish this game had a demo because the gameplay isn’t going to vibe with everyone. I love the innovative approach to the genre in theory, but it feels clunky in practice. The game is set up to encourage users to switch between all weapons, including melee, but going in for a melee attack feels like a losing strategy.

Kiting enemies with the game’s innovative gun play seems to fair a little better, if you can master the mechanics. This is probably a skill issue, but the reload mechanic never clicked with me. It never felt smooth and I was often missing out on damage because I couldn’t get the timing right. The auto aim feature is thematic, but made the camera feel a little too hectic. The game is already hectic enough without it.

Performace

When the game worked, the experience is exciting, but I often hit performance dips on my RTX3060. I probably need an upgrade, but it handles more demanding games better. I never hit a bug that killed my game or ended my run, but it is noticeable during heavier encounters. The reload mechanics make the game feel clunky, the added clunkiness doesn’t help. Messing with the settings does help, but it is something to note when trying out the game.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

It works fine on the Steam Deck. I prefer using a keyboard and mouse, but the handheld experience isn’t unplayable. It really comes down to preference, and the keyboard and mouse felt a lot more natural and accurate. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get cloud saves to work and I unfortunately lost all my initial progress. I didn’t like the game enough to go back and try it all again.

Conclusion

I really wish this game had a demo because that reload mechanic is what makes or breaks this experience. Other than that, the game has a fun colorful story with some solid voice acting and amazing soundtrack. The atmosphere and atmosphere got me to invest as much effort as I did, and the humor helped soften some of that frustration. Unfortunately, the mechanics never clicked with me. I tried very hard, but it just felt too clunky. In better hands, the experience has the potential to be the high-speed hack and slash game of dreams, but not in my tired old hands. Adjusting the settings helps, but not enough to vibe with.

If you like fast-paced games where acurray and combos are important, then pick up Rebel Engine. The game offers a challenging unique experience with enough fun to be worth the price tag. If you aren’t used to the genre, or don’t like these types of fast paced Hack-n-Slash games, then this isn’t the game that will make you start liking them.

You can pick up Rebel Engine on Steam.

video game reviews

Lil’ Guardsman is such Delightful Narrative Game

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I was sent Lil’ Guardsman for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions of the game. This will be my honest review of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.

What is Lil’ Guardsman

Lil Guardsman Lil’ Guardsman is a narrative deduction game out now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.

Lil’ must cover her dad’s shift at the city gate. It is up to her to decide who gets let into the city, and who gets turned away. Equipped with magic tools and mostly intuition, she must make the choices that will determine the city’s future. Not everyone trying to enter the city has good intentions. Can she keep the city safe, or will she let it crumble into chaos as is foretold in the prophecy?

Gameplay

Lil’ Guardsman is a visual novel, which means a lot of the gameplay involves sitting through a story clicking choices in between. The choices matter, so choose carefully.

DuDuring each shift, Lil will encounter unique characters, listen to their story, and decide whether or not to grant them passage. Players have a limited amount of actions they can use to ask questions or use tools to determine a person’s intention. This means there is a lot of sitting around and listening to narrative, but the game is fun and quirky so it shouldn’t matter.

Thoughts

I had a lot of fun with Lil’ Guardsman. The game has adorable art, a quirky story, and a relaxing gameplay loop. If you enjoy visual novels or just want a comforting change of pace, you need to check out this game. I loved the game’s silly tone and story. This game is fun, and even though I found myself obsessed with getting a perfect score on each encounter, it was a relaxing experience I didn’t know I needed. 

You can pick Lil’ Guardsman on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch for $19.99.

video game reviews

You Should Play Killer Frequency!

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I was sent Killer Frequency for free to review for my blog. I am very grateful for the opportunity, but won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee!

What is Killer Frequency?

Killer Frequency is a horror puzzle game out now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and Meta Quest. This review is on the non-VR steam version.

Infamous serial killer, the Whistling Man, has returned to terrorize the sleepy town of Gallows Creek. With emergency services down, it is up to one late-night radio host, DJ Forrest Nash, to keep the town safe from the sadistic murder. Forrest must now host the most important show of his life as he plays music, answers calls, collects clues, and uses the power of radio to keep people safe. Can he survive the shift without incident?

Gameplay

As the midnight DJ, you will have to play music, run paid ads, and take calls. Victims will call into the show asking for help, and it is a player’s job to guide them out of danger from the radio station. During this time, you’ll get to explore the station to search for clues to solve the puzzles. You can fail these puzzles and get people killed, but you can always save before an important call and rerun it if you want to save everyone. I let people die because I wanted to live with my mistakes.

Thoughts

Killer Frequency is a fantastic concept for a puzzle game. It has terrific flavor, a fun soundtrack, fantastic voice acting, and interesting puzzles. The tone is a bit on the silly side, but that doesn’t stop it from becoming intense. The voice acting and timers do a great job of creating enough tension to make this game feel like a horror game, without it being scary or gruesome. 

I loved the puzzles in this game. They are creative and fun. I found them hard enough to keep me engaged, but never so difficult to where they became impossible. Even if you don’t like puzzle games, I recommend you try Killer Frequency for its unique take on the genre. 

Aside from a few missing voice lines, the game played great. Exploration felt good, the world they created was fun and quirky, and the voice acting was fantastic. The voice acting in this game goes out of its way to not only create an authentic late-night radio experience but also fill the world of Gallows Creek with unique and memorable characters. 

One thing to consider before making your purchase is that this game feels like a visual novel. There is some exploration, but most of the gameplay exists within calls and conversations with the producer. You’re either sitting through playful banter or on a call, answering and asking questions to solve a puzzle. This means that a lot of the time you are looking at the inside of the DJ booth. I loved it because I could sit back and listen to the narrative, but it is something to consider. 

Conclusion

Killer Frequency is a fantastic puzzle game, and has easily become one of my favorites. I love the flavor, the concept, and the story. If you are looking for a relaxing puzzle game to sink some time into, check out Killer Frequency on Steam. You can pick it up for $24.99 on

Killer Frequency is a horror puzzle game out now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and Meta Quest.

video game reviews

Ziggy’s Cosmic Adventure for VR is a wacky good time

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I was sent Ziggy’s Cosmic Adventure as a review code, and while I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. If you need accessories for your VR setup, like a high-quality charging cable or a set of magnetic prescription lenses, get them over at ZyberVR. Use discount code CHURAPE at checkout for 15% off your purchase.

Ziggy’s Cosmic Adventure is a silly arcade game available now on Steam VR and Meta Quest. Brave the darkness of space in a ship you have to keep in working order. You’ll have to fly your ship, fight enemies all while fixing your ship, and keep Ziggy fed. If you are looking for a silly good time without the commitment, this game is for you. 

The game has a short and delightful story. I kind of wish the game was longer, but I like that it doesn’t overstay its welcome. The game looks great with its silly cartoonish aesthetic to fit its theme. My only complaint about the design is that I wish they didn’t make Ziggy so cute. Spoilers: You’re going to have to kill a few. Dead Ziggy’s aside, this is a solid VR title with an amazing cast of voice actors and fun gameplay. If you are susceptible to VR sickness, this game will get some getting used to. Play it in small bursts. 

The game has a slow start, but it’s worth getting past the initial tutorial hump. Once this game gets going, it’s going to get sweaty. Ziggy’s Cosmic Adventure is a very involved game of Bop It with some casual space flight simulation. You’ll get warnings of the different failures of the ship, and you’ll have to make sure you bring them back to working order. You’ll have to hammer stuff, spin stuff, twist stuff, press stuff, and make sure your Ziggy is always fed. If you aren’t flailing around wildly in the middle of your living room, you aren’t doing it right. There is combat, but it’s been understandably simplified. This game would be impossible if players had to maintain the ship on top of dealing with the realism of space travel.

 

I was about ready to write this game off until the chaos kicked in, and I became addicted. It was a little stressful because I am not the best at multi-tasking, but I didn’t know how much I loved that stress until I played this game. This game is perfect for kids, and even better if you want a silly good time without it being a huge commitment. You can pick up for the Meta Quest and Steam VR, and for $19.99, I’d say it’s worth it. It is currently on sale for $17.99 on Steam until November 16,

gaming news

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is out for the Switch, and its pretty cute

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The Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless demo for the Nintendo Switch has been out for a few days, but I finally got to play it. I loved every minute of this demo. The art is cute, the voice acting is fantastic, and the gameplay is engaging. I haven’t played any of the Disgaea games before, and I am regretting my life’s decisions. Disgaea is a cute and quirky strategy RPG coming to PlayStation, Steam, and the Nintendo Switch on October 3rd in the US, the 6th in Europe, and the 13th in Australia.

A tyrant rules the Netherworld of Hinomoto. Its once proud warrior people now live under the Hinomoto Code of Destruction. It is up to two unlikely friends to join forces and bring back the Bushido code that was once the staple of this proud civilization. 

You don’t need to have played any of the other games in the series to enjoy the demo, but you are going to want to. The demo does a fantastic job of walking players through the different mechanics and setting up the story as its own entity. I’ve been excited about Disgaea 7 since it was first announced. This is definitely going to be in my cart at launch. If you are a fan of the series or want some extra swag, you might want to check out the special collector’s edition available at the NIS online store. There are two different sets, one with plushies ($159) and one without ($99.99). I’ll leave the details below. You can buy the plushies separately.

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Without Plushies ($99.99)

  • Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless Limited Edition
  • “The Art of War” Hardcover Art Book
  • “Songs of Honor” 2-Disc Original Soundtrack
  • Steelbook
  • Mini Byoubu Art Display
  • “Netherworld Warriors” Yunomi Tea Cup
  • Collector’s Box

With Plushies ($159)

  • Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless Limited Edition
  • “The Art of War” Hardcover Art Book
  • “Songs of Honor” 2-Disc Original Soundtrack
  • Steelbook
  • Mini Byoubu Art Display
  • “Netherworld Warriors” Yunomi Tea Cup
  • Collector’s Box
  • Lil’ Fuji Plush
  • Lil’ Pirilika Plush
Movie Reviews

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is a forgettable coming of age comedy you can skip

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You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah isn’t the worst movie to come out of Happy Madison Productions, but it isn’t worth watching either. This flat coming-of-age story suffers from its dull narrative and even duller lead. While the movie does present interesting commentary on cultural identity and maturity, it doesn’t do enough to stick out against the enormous catalog of stories that make up the genre. If you are thinking of watching this movie, there are better options you should be watching instead.

Stacy is prepping for her Bat Mitzvah and obsesses over the party that will define the rest of her life. But her desire to be popular put her life in a downward spiral. The big defining moment she has always dreamed of is turning into a nightmare. Can she learn from her mistakes and find a place where she belongs?

The film earns a couple of genuine laughs and makes some interesting points about religious, cultural, and personal identity, but doesn’t go deep enough. Stacy and her peers have a general indifference to the traditions as they focus on relationships, status, and social media. At first, Stacy finds preparing for her Bat Mitzvah as a chore, something she needs to do to have her party. There are moments in the movie where she even questions whether she is Jewish because she has to or because it is who she is. I love this idea of heritage and a modern personal identity clashing because it is such a tangible human experience. This ceremony is coming to her at a pivotal point in her development when she is still trying to figure out who she is and where she stands in her society. She wants to be treated like a grown-up, she wants to be popular, and she wants the party, but doesn’t understand where Judaism fits in that. She doesn’t resent her Jewish identity, it just doesn’t take precedence in what defines her yet. It is only after talking to her elders and learning from her mistakes that she learns to value this identity and the work she puts towards Bat Mitzvah.

The problem I have with Stacy’s transformation is that it comes too suddenly. The build-up to her grand gesture feels forced like it was done because the movie needed a happy ending and not because Stacy learns from her mistakes. I would have liked to see her connect with the teachings, or even find value in the stories told to her. There are some very cool moments where her elders talk to her about being Jewish or being a woman, but the movie makes it seem like she comes to her transformation on her own after she hits bottom. This makes these moments feel meaningless in the grand scheme, even though they were often the better parts of the movie. But, this could be a bias of wanting there to be a lot less Stacy in this film. 

I liked that they didn’t make her a perfect, quirky, artsy girl as you see throughout the genre, and I like that she makes terrible decisions, but her character falls flat. Her obsession with being popular consumes her to the point where she becomes a terrible person, but she learns from her mistakes and grows as a person. That part is fine. The problem is that she ruins her best friend’s Bat Mitzvah over a petty moment she created, and we’re supposed to forgive her because the script says so. I get kids make mistakes, but there is a line between being terrible and messing up. I don’t think the grand gesture was enough to earn the apology, but I might just be a bitter old man yelling at clouds. 

The other reason this movie doesn’t work is that the lead lacks the charisma to carry this movie. I found scenes involving Stacy to be boring, which is a problem in a movie where she is the main character. Don’t get me wrong, the performance isn’t terrible. I have seen enough bad movies to know that it could have been a lot worse, but it also isn’t worth sitting through. I know this movie is going to get hate because of the Nepotism, but I don’t think a better actor could have made the movie better. At least it’s better than After Earth. 

As a movie that was made to fill up Netflix’s catalog, it’s fine. It tries to tell a story, has passable acting, and makes a few solid points about identity. There are definitely worse options available. You can watch You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah on Netflix, but your time is better spent elsewhere. 

Series Reviews

Praise Petey is the forgettable cartoon that you should be skipping

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I just watched Praise Petey, and am struggling to remember what it was about. This unimpressive animated series fails to leave an impression and entertain its audience. This is a boring series that you are better off skipping.

Petey is a New York girl living her best life. She has a plain fiancé, an amazing best friend, and her dream job. Petey finds her life in shambles when her apartment burns down, her fiancé cheats on her with her best friend, and she gets fired. With nothing to hold her in New York, she moves to a sleepy country town that her estranged father ran in secret. But this is no ordinary town. It is a cult, and Petey is now their leader. What will Petey do with her new power?

Praise Petey isn’t the worst adult animated series I’ve seen, but it isn’t worth watching either. The jokes aren’t funny, the story is boring, and the commentary it makes is lazy. Praise Petey attempts to redefine traditional female comedy by poking fun at the motifs associated with strong comedic female characters. The problem with this series is that it tries too hard to be raunchy, quirky, gross, and metacritical that it lacks focus. The series jumps quickly between jokes and gags hoping one lands, but they rarely do. Instead of redefining the genre, it does what other shows have done before, but not as well.

Praise Petey is a boring waste of time. You can watch it on Hulu, but you’re going to forget you did. Go watch anything else. 

Series Reviews

Romantic Killer: The cute reverse harem that I didn’t plan on loving

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If you haven’t watched Romantic Killer on Netflix, I strongly recommend you do so now. This series should at the very least be on your watch list, especially if you like anime. Romantic Killer is a cute anime with a lot of heart and exactly what you need if you are looking for comforting anime.

Anzu is a girl obsessed with video games with no intentions or time to find love. Unfortunately for her, a wizard appears and uses their powers to make her life into a dating sim. Anzu suddenly finds herself surrounded by hot guys and forced into situations that will decide her romantic future. Will this wizard succeed in their mission to help Anzu find love, or is she really as incapable of falling in love as she believes she is?

This series was originally intended as background noise as I built my gunpla kit. But my gunpla went unfinished as I quickly became absorbed into Romantic Killer’s silly and quirky plot. This series has a delightfully charming story with fun characters and a vibrant art style. I love how resistant Anzu is to the situation, but she is still willing to learn and grow from it. I love the awkward and hilarious situations the wizard puts her in. The only thing I don’t like about this series is that there isn’t an end yet, and I need to know what happens. I don’t want to get too detailed with this review because there is a bit of mystery to the plot that leads to its heartwarming resolution. The resolution and how all the pieces of the narrative connect is what makes this series special. I’ll admit that some of the plot points are a little forced, but it doesn’t matter when the result is this cute. I should go without saying that I love this anime. 

Regardless of what you think of anime, you should watch Romantic Killer at least once. It is cute, dumb, and very entertaining. It can be slow, especially during setup, but it is worth the journey. If you have Netflix and need something fun and comforting to watch, this is your answer.

I couldn’t find the trailer in English, but there is English dubbing and it is solid.  

Movie Reviews

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is a fun but cheesy live action adaptation of a pretty cool concept that should at least be on your watch list

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My first exposure to Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is the live-action movie on Netflix, and absolutely love it. I understand the stigma behind live-action adaptations, but if you ignore the source material, it works. Zom 100:Bucket List of the Dead is a quirky and cute road trip comedy about a zombie apocalypse that should at least be on your watch list.

Akira believes he’s gotten his dream job after graduation but discovers he works for an exploitative company that has no problem working him to the bone. Akira spends the next year of his life as a zombie for his company, working tirelessly at a job he hates. Luckily for Akira, there is a zombie outbreak to free him from his misery. For the first time since he started his job, he is free to do whatever he wants, and he plans not to waste this new freedom. Akira makes a bucket list of the 100 things he wants to do before he turns into a zombie and sets off to complete it.

I love the contrast between the corporate life Akira had and the one he has in the apocalypse. Akira will often remember how miserable he was before the zombie outbreak and use that as motivation to live his life to the fullest. It is a very unique take on the genre because the story isn’t about a group of people simply surviving, but rather a quirky road trip comedy of people learning how to live.

The live-action movie is incredibly over the top and cheesy, but it gives the movie its charm. The tone is silly, the action is over the top, the soundtrack is fantastic, and the story is cute. I love the references to Super Sentai and how exaggerated the action scenes are. The music they choose for the action scenes made this movie for me. If you want to watch a fun cheesy movie and enjoy some cool JPop, watch this movie. 

I love this movie and have already watched it a few times. I recommend you check it out in the original Japanese, but the English dubbing is a solid option for enjoying this movie. If you a cheesy road trip comedy with a solid story, this is a cute one with a lot of charm. I don’t know how it compares to the source material, but intend to soon. You can stream  Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead on Netflix.

Movie Reviews

Happy Madison’s The Out-Laws is a bland comedy that will leave no impressions

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The Out-Laws is one of those Adam Sandler movies you can skip because you are going to forget you watched it. It isn’t one the worst movies to come from his studio, but it doesn’t do enough to be worth your time. This movie feels like it was made to fill the quota Netflix set for Sander. The result is a lazy, poorly-written comedy that may get a couple of laughs, but not enough to earn its spot on your watchlist. 

Adam Devine, who plays his goofy usual self, is marrying a girl who is clearly out of his league. Days before the wedding, his future in-laws make a sudden appearance and announce they will attend the wedding. But their checkered past catches up to them, and now Adam Devine needs to help them rob a bank to save his future fiance from a crazy gypsy mob queen. Can they rob enough banks before the wedding?

It should go without saying that this movie has no plot. It feels like a series of skits held together by the dumb heist movie and Adam Devine. Most of the gags are unfunny and go on for too long, but there will be the occasional joke that will make you laugh. Not enough to make this movie worth watching, but enough to make it tolerable. There is a lot of singing, lazy jokes, body humor, and Adam Davine being silly to pad out a movie that already feels too long for Netflix. I get the sense that this movie might be better under the influence of marijuana, but even then, there are better comedies you could be watching instead.

The Out-Laws isn’t the worst movie that has come out of Happy Madison Productions, but it isn’t entertaining either. My issue with a lot of original streaming content is that they only exist to pad out a library. The race to create original content comes at the cost of quality, and while they may have the time to make this garbage, we don’t have time to watch it. A lot of the stuff I’ve been watching lately gets forgotten, or it’s so bad I can’t bring myself to finish it. This is one of those movies I’ve already forgotten I watched. It isn’t funny enough to watch again, or good enough to recommend. This movie didn’t break me like others have, but it also didn’t leave much of an impression. You can stream it on Netflix, but your time is better spent elsewhere. 

Gaming News and Review

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