Tag Archives: cozy

video game reviews

Unlock the Fun: Mosaica: Arboreal Puzzle Gameplay

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Mosaica: Arboreal 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. This game uses AI.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

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What is Mosaica: Arboreal?

Mosaica: Arboreal is a Cookie Cliker like puzzle game out now on Steam. There is a demo available you can try.

Hook

Unwind after a hard day of work with a relaxing game of Mosaica. Unlock beautiful art as you click away at different mosaic puzzles. Collect powerful allies, items, and abilities that will help you unlock puzzles faster. Make sure you recycle any trash you find along the journey. With countless combinations, you are sure to find a combination that will fit your style. What are you waiting for?

Gameplay

Players are given a puzzle of an image that is split into several squares. The higher levels are split into more squares. You solve the puzzle by clicking on a square until it rotates to its proper space. That is the whole loop. Players can level up and unlock abilities and equip items that help them solve the puzzle faster. The images that players unlock can be equipped for useful bonuses. There is also a bag management component that kind of comes into play. This is meant to be a casual, cozy game played when you just want to sit back and relax and collect cute art (if you don’t mind it being edited AI art).

Review

If you are offended by AI art, don’t play Mosaica: Arboreal. The dev does a decent job at fixing up the pictures to look nice, but it still looks like AI. I would have preferred the game have commissioned art, but for what it is, I guess its fine. This is is a causal game that you throw on when you don’t want to get too invested, don’t want to think, and just want to sit back and relax. While there may be strategy somewhere in this game, you are just clicking squares and watching the flashing animations.

Story

There seems to be a story, but it isn’t important. It feels like AI wrote blurbs about saving the forces which are an attempt at adding flavor, but I stopped reading them early on. They don’t really add much to the game except attempt to make it thematic, but this game is fine without the attempt at a story. This is a game about clicking stuff after all.

Art

The art in this game is clearly AI generated, but edited by a human to give it that human touch. As a result, there is a bit of homogeneity that stems across all of the puzzles. There are puzzles in this game that are the same figure and pose with a recolor to match the season. Most people aren’t going to like the fact that this is AI, and that is a valid criticism. I personally think it makes the game feel generic. It lacks soul and a tangible flavor that would help the game stand out against the genre. It makes the game fine for the few minutes I’ll play it, but I will probably forget I ever played it. If you don’t mind the AI art, the game is a solid cozy respite for those who need it.

Gameplay

I think Mosaica attempts to fill a niche in gaming that is needed. The low effort feel of its development is its main detriment, but the need it fills is real. The game works fine and achieves what it is designed to do. If you are looking for a cozy game to unwind with that is low effort and no commitment, Mosiaca is that. Sure there is probably a solvable formula of combinations baked into the game, but I got through this game just fine clicking randomly at my screen and hoping for the best. There is something almost therapeutic about clicking away at these puzzles, but it is a therapy I can only muster once, for 30 minutes. I don’t think I will play this game again because there isn’t anything for me here, but I like that it is there if I ever need it.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a cozy mindless game and don’t mind the use of AI, get Mosaica: Arboreal. You’ll get at least the $5 of fun out of it. For everyone else, keep on looking.

You can pick up Mosaica: Arboreal on Steam. If you are looking for a more challenging puzzle and don’t mind a little horror, check out Bye Sweet Carole.

Trailer

video game reviews

Reus 2: A Cozy Village Builder You Can’t Miss

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Reus 2 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 content, please share this with your friends and check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee!

Gaming Accessories

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

What is Reus 2?

Reus 2 is a unique village management game where you control the mighty titans of a world to help its inhabitants turn into a powerful civilization. The game is currently available on Steam, with a demo that you should definitely try.

Hook

Before man could walk, titans roamed the vast empty rock. Using their mastery over the elements, they will fill the world with the diverse ecosystems that will cause and fall of many civilizations. Everything from the mountains that line the horizon to the fish that fill the oceans must be strategically placed for a mighty civilization to flourish. Will your choices be the catalyst for the greatest group of man to fill the universe, or will they be stunted by your many wrong choices?

Gameplay Loop

Players will take control of three different titans. Each titan controls an aspect of the planet. The earth titan creates minerals and rises deserts, the grass titan creates plants and rises forests, and the water titan fills the oceans and creates animals. Space is limited on the planet, and players must decide how to spread each type of land, resource and tribe. Each tribe will spend time interacting with the environment players construct around them, and grow accordingly. Players will guide the people on their planet through the different ages.

While the game does look cute and simple, Reus 2 has a lot of nuanced mechanics that players will need to master in order to succeed. The game features a very helpful tutorial and an easy to access guide to help players. I recommend reading the guide often or looking up other helpful guides online. I went in blind, and while I had a lot of fun, I definitely bricked my runs.

Review

Reus 2 is a cozy feeling village builder with enough depth and difficulty to keep players engaged. With the recent free Keuger update and a couple of fresh expansions to freshen up the content, now is a fantastic time to pick up the title.

Aesthetic

I love the simple 2.5D artstyle. The game has a very cozy vibe, and simple effective animations that not only make the game run smooth, but give the game its charm. Reus 2 also has a fantastic sound track, and the soundscape is very immersive. I would recommend you check out the game for the art itself, but the gameplay is why you need to try this game at least once.

Gameplay

The game runs very smooth, especially on my Nvidia 3060. It may not be the best card on the market, but it gets the job done.

The gameplay loop itself is the perfect blend of relaxing idle game with enough difficult resource management to keep players engaged. The game can be difficult, especially if you aren’t paying attention or take the time to learn the mechanics. This is very smart game with flavorful mechanics to help it stand out against the rest of the genre. I usually go into village builders blind and learn by trial and error, but I hit a wall very fast because I was clearly not paying attention. Your millage my vary.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

It does, but the font is a little small. Some people will not mind, but I am old and couldn’t read a lot of the text. It became more effort than it was worth, but it does work if you have good eyes. I prefer using a key board and mouse personally though, and having a big scream made the expience a lot more comfortable.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a new village builder, Reus 2 is an incredibly unique option that you shouldn’t sleep on. The game has a very cozy vibe, but offers enough of a challenge to keep you thinking. This game looks good, feels good, and is going to be hard to put down, especially when you get so close to the next age. I recommend you get this even as a first village builder because it is a fantastic example.

You can pick up Reus 2 on Steam, or check out the demo if you don’t believe me. I will be trying out the first expansion soon, so stay tuned for that review. If you’re looking for a fun and quirky village builder, check out SteamWorld, or Fabledom if you want a little fantasy.

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.

Uncategorized, video game reviews

Is Ritual of Raven the Best Cozy Farming Sim?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Ritual of Raven 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 Ritual of Raven?

Ritual of Raven is a very cozy and unique farming simulator out now on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

You have been brought into a magical world full of wonder and mystery, but this world is in chaos. An ambitious project to connect different realms with portals have left those who created the portals scrambling for what they’ve lost. A local witch has come for your aid. With her guidance, you must learn to harness this worlds magic and help fix what the ritual broke. Use your magic to gather materials, solve puzzles, and build the magical farm of your dreams.

Gameplay

Ritual of Raven has the familiar farming sim loop. Players gather resources and reshape the land as they build and design their farm. What makes Ritual of Raven unique is that players don’t do the farming themselves. Players give commands to a construct that will move through the world, planting, watering, and harvesting crops. This is done by giving a command at a time until the action is complete. There is also a quirky story to play through when they aren’t busy designing their farm.

Review

I absolutely love Ritual of Raven, and if you are in the mood for some cozy gaming, you will too. This is one of the most unique farming sims I’ve ever played, and I loved every minute of it.

The game has a retro feel. The vibrant pixel art creates the cozy ambiance that first attracted me to the title, but the amount of flavor and whimsy that goes into the creating the magical world is what kept me invested. Each location is unique and a joy to explore, but I think I spent too much exploring.

The flavor for the game world is fantastic. I love the unique take on magic and how it is used to farm. Each farming session became a puzzle that I needed to solve as I imputed my commands and watched my familiar go. It is a mechanic that can take getting used to, but it keeps things engaging. It does get a little tedious. People are either going to love this mechanic, or be frustrated by the extra work. I recommend checking out a gameplay video first.

My only real complaint is that it looks too small on the Steam Deck. It is not unplayable and honestly the issue is with my old eyes, but it made the farming mechanic a bigger chore than it needed to be. It wasn’t a bad experience, but my eyes appreciated when I didn’t have to strain to see things on the bigger monitor.

If you are looking for a new farming sim with a fun little story with a unique twist on the genre, check out Ritual of Raven!

You can pick up Ritual of Raven on Steam and Nintendo Switch for $14.99.

Tech Reviews

KiiBOOM Jade75 Review: Aesthetic and Performance Combined

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me a the Jade75 mechanical keyboard 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 my reviews for the KiiBOOM Phantom81 lite and the Phantom81 V3. Check out my new sponsor, NordVPN to earn an Amazon Gift card for signing up.

What’s in the Box?

  • Jade75 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • Wireless Dongle
  • 2 x Additional Switches
  • Mac Keys
  • Small Philips Screwdriver
  • Small Allen Wrench
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • Manual

Features

KiiBOOM’s Jade75 is the prettiest keyboard you can through on your table. The soft resin body gives it its cozy aesthetic, and the soft RBG that glows through its opaque body give it the perfect amount of flare. The keyboard comes in two colors, clear and white. (The main difference is that white looks like marble).

White
Clear

The Jade75 is a 75% keyboard with 80 keys supported by the KiiBOOM crystal switches. The featured keycaps have a MDA profile for a taller more comfortable feel. Most importantly, the tray mounted disign give the keyboard its satisfying tacking sound. Couple this with the resin feel of the keys and the perfect typing angle, and you have a keyboard that not only looks good, but is a delight to use.

The Jade75 is also here to play with a 3750 mAh battery to support its wireless Bluetooth 5.0 and wireless 2.4Ghz connections. But the keyboard is ready to support its users with a 1000hz polling rate wired connection when the keyboard eventually dies. If you need a good looking keyboard that is ready to perform, check out the KiiBOOM Jade 75.

Soundtest

Review

The KiiBOOM Jade75 is the most aesthetically unique keyboard to hit the market. Users will appreciate the keyboards soft appearance, but remain impressed with the high quality resin build. The keyboard is sturdy and very well machined, with keys that are clearly printed for a very premium looking keyboard. The keycaps feel fantastic. The soft profile make the keyboard fun to use. Turning on the keyboard brings it to life without turning the desk into a rave. The soft rgb profiles against the resin body remind me of a jellyfish.

Connecting the device is simple, and switching between devices is seamless. I typically switch between different connections and it is nice to have that efficiency, even if it only saves me seconds. Each connection felt speedy, and there was no ghosting. It was able to handle a lot of my GW2 gameplay very easily, but I can’t speak on how competitive it can be.

Most importantly, the Jade75 doesn’t sacrifice comfort for aesthetics. The typing angle fit my frame, the keys had a solid spread, and the switches were soft. I wouldn’t say it is an ergonomic keyboard, but I was get a good amount of work in before my hands started hurting from previous injuries. If you use a keyboard a normal healthy amount and don’t require special ergonomics, comfort shouldn’t be a problem.

If you like the look of the Jade75, it looks a lot better in person and it will handle most workloads. You can pick one up from the official KiiBOOM shop, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Yosei Wars Review: A Cute Retro Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Yosei Wars 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.

What is Yosei Wars?

Yosei Wars is a retro inspired arcade platformer out now on Steam.

The evil Junk Food army has invaded, taking the Tooth Faries Hostage and threatening tooth health. It is up to you to jump through its colorful world, fight off the many Junk Food monsters, and save any Fairy in your way. Do you have what it takes to be be the champion of good dental hygiene, or will this world rot away like an untreated cavity?

Gameplay

This is a very straightforward 2D platformer with some clear inspiration to its retro predecessors. Players will jump through colorful thematic levels collecting teeth, fighting monsters, and rescuing faries. There are 36 levels total with 6 unique bosses to overcome, and a fun little story to tie things together.

Review

Yosei Wars is an adorable nod to a classic era of gaming that I didn’t know I was missing. This game is cute, simple, relaxing, but offers enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. I love the colorful retro aesthetic, and the fantastic score that accompanies it. I would check this out if you’re looking for a cute and dose of nostalgia, I don’t think it gets better.

I’ve never been a fan of these types of platformers, but something about Yosie Wars kept me playing. Part of the draw was the retro colorful world, but the rest was the gameplay. The platforming is managable, the ramp in difficulty is fine (and the game does get hard), and the bosses are creative. My only complaint is that I could not get it to work on the Steam Deck. The game feels good on a desktop, but I would have preferred to play it on handheld. Maybe with enough attention, we’ll get that update.

Aside from that personal gripe, this is a solid game if you’re looking for something cozy, cute, and casual. Especially if you’re in the mood for something a little retro. You’ll definitely get $5 worth of fun out of this game.

You can pick up Yosei Wars on Steam for $4.99.

video game reviews

Exploring Maliki: A Cozy RPG Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Maliki: Poison Of The Past 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Maliki: Poison Of The Past

Maliki: Poison Of The Past is a casual strategy RPG with a bit of farming sim. The game is out now on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

In the near future, humanity is on the brink of extinction as a poison contaminates the world. Fortunately, a few brave souls stand in the way of total annihilation. Maliki and her collection of warriors are the only ones who can resist the poisons time altering effects and fight back. Will they be enough to save the world and rid it of this poison?

Gameplay

Players explore a world frozen in time by the poison’s corruption. Players slowly unlock more of the world by extending the reach of the Thousand-Root Tree’s protection. But this won’t be easy. The world is full of the poison’s corrupted mission, and it is up to Sand and her friends to fend them off.

Combat is a turn based system with a unique swap and combat mechanic to help it stand out against other titles in the genre. Players can occasionally bend time to change the turn order, and hopefully change the tide of combat in their favor. Players can also perform powerful combo moves to vanquish there enemies. There are also fun puzzles to solve, and a cute world to explore.

What truly sets this world apart is the cozy farming mechanic. To level up the Thousand-Root Tree, players will need to collect materials by building a farm. The crops a player grows and harvests can be cooked into different foods or crafted for useful materials.

Review

Maliki: Poison Of The Past is an adorably casual game that should be considered for any collection. It has very cute character and world design, and a fun soundtrack to set the mood. I also enjoyed the story enough to keep playing. Most importantly, the gameplay is relaxing. The combat is solid. The attacks and abilities are unique and flavorful, and it requires enough strategy to keep things engaging. I really like the temporal abilities and the depth it adds to combat. I also like that it doesn’t feel that grindy. There is a grind, but I’ve sat through worse.

If you get tired of combat, the game features a unique farming mechanic that is a cozy change of pace. Maintaining the different crops is very relaxing, but movement can make things a little awkward. If you’re the type of person that likes to have everything lined up and neat, this game is kind of frustrating. Sometimes, you will overshoot the where you want to place it, other times, the plot doesn’t allow for neat rows. This bothered me more than I thought, but is in no way a deal breaker. When it worked right, it was a fine experience.

I do recommend playing this game with a controller. There is keyboard and mouse support, but it feels wonky. There is still some awkwardness to the controller, but it is a lot more manageable. I played this game exclusively on the Steam deck because I preferred the experience. Everything was clear and legible, and I love that I can play something cute and casual away from my desk. Movement is a little wonky, but it is a lot better than keyboard and mouse. There are also a few other noticible bugs that suggest the game needs a bit more work, but nothing gamebreaking. They game still deserves at least one solid playthrough.

If you’re looking for something cute, casual, with a lot of charm, go pick up Maliki: Poison Of The Past on Steam and Nintendo Switch for $29.99, or at least check out the demo.

video game reviews

Nif Nif Review: A Family-Friendly Deckbuilding Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Nif Nif 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Nif Nif?

Nif Nif is the wholesome deckbuidling roguelike you need to buy for your kids.

A mysterious spreads through the forest, contaminating its animals and turning them into monsters. Luckily, Nif Nif knows the cleaning techniques to fight the corruption and save its friends. Build your deck with powerful deck, fight powerful monsters and their bosses, and eat a few tasty snacks along the way. Do you have what it takes to clean up this mess?

Gameplay

The game starts at character selection, which is hard. Players can either play as Nif Nif or Cat. Both characters are unreasonably cute, and the decks play unique with some fun flavor. Players then choose their path to the big boss, building their deck along the way. Like most games of the genre, players choose a node on their path where they can proct combat, a random event, a rest, or shop at the store. Players earn new cards, abilities, and items throughout the run as they build their deck for the final encounter. The card pool for each run is random, so players will never run the same deck twice. A run is over when they run out of health. The run is complete when a player beats the final boss. Players are incentivized to complete multiple runs by chasing unshockable like new cards, abilities, and cosmetics. What makes Nif Nif unique is that the player doesn’t kill enemies. Nif Nif cleans monsters, returning them to their original form and that is both cute and wholesome.

Review

I am so glad Nif Nif was funded when because this game is fantastic, especially if you want to get your kids into deck builders. The art is adorable, the concept is inoffensive, and the gameplay is engaging. It is designed for kids, so the strategy is on the easier side. I like that the difficulty can be adjusted for younger kids, but adults will find the hardest difficulty easy. That sad, I didn’t mind the lack of difficulty. There was still strategy involved, and the cozy vibe made the each run a pleasant and relaxing experience.

I don’t have anything bad to say about this game because it is a solid game, especially if you’re looking for something to play with your kids. I think the difficulty is going to be the deciding factor. If you like something like Slay the Spire, you will appreciate how cute and creative the game gets, but its never going to scratch that need for strategy. That said, the game is engaging enough to earn its attention, and the vibes make it the perfect game for those who want to game, but don’t want a huge commitment.

You can pick up Nif Nif on Steam for $19.99.

video game reviews

Discover the Relaxing World of Urban Jungle on Steam

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I was sent a free copy of Urban Jungle 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update weekly.

What is Urban Jungle?

Urban Jungle is a cozy puzzle game releasing on Steam March 21st.

Your love for plants started before you moved over seas in search of a better life. It reminds you of your grandmother, and gives you a bit of peace in this hectic new landscape. Now you can’t help but fill every space you with plants, no mater how small it may be. Organize your room as you find the perfect spot for your growing collection of plants. You won’t have to water or do any upkeep, but de-clutter and create the perfect ambiance.

Gameplay

The game follows the life of an immigrant woman, and the love of plants that follows her. The game is split into chapters where players will have time cleaning up and reorganizing spaces to complete objectives. Each map has unique objectives that award players gold that can be spend on rare plants. The main loop of the game is filling each space with plants. The trick is to place the plants in the perfect spot. Each plant has unique requirements that need to be met to award points. The types of plants they get placed near, the humidity, and the amount of light they get all affect the score they award players. A level is completed when the point threshold is met.

Review

Urban Jungle is a fantastic game that should be in everyone’s library. Even if you aren’t looking for a cozy game at the moment, you’re going to always want to turn to the comforting and relaxing experience that is Urban Jungle.The game a cute and pleasing aesthetic, and the music will put in the best mood. Although the gameplay is simple, you won’t have more fun cleaning and organizing a small space. I don’t normally go for games like this because I am not detailed oriented enough for base building games, but this game made me care more than I ever have.

While the main force of progression comes from placing the plants, the spaces will have other objects you can move around and arrange. Not only do you have to move things around to find the perfect spots for your plants, you’re going to want to. Silly things like color coding books or rearranging furniture to make the room look bigger is such a satisfying feeling. The whole loop is simple, but engaging enough to keep players engaged without becoming work.

I particularly loved the story because of how relatable it was to my experience. As someone who plays a lot of games, I don’t get a chance to see a lot of myself represented in games. It is nice to see that representation in a game I thoroughly enjoyed. It is a very good story, and definitely worth playing through.

If you’re looking for a new game to play, it doesn’t get better than Urban Jungle. This is the adorably cozy game you didn’t know you needed, and I am willing to put that in writing.

You can pick up Urban Jungle on Steam on March 21st. At the very least, add it to your wishlist!

video game reviews

Aarik & the Ruined Kingdom: A Unique Puzzle Adventure Game

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Aarik & the Ruined Kingdom 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.

Some Self Promotion & Affiliates

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their KiiBoom Breeze 75. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Aarik & the Ruined Kingdom?

Aarik & the Ruined Kingdom is an adorable and creative puzzle adventure game out now on Steam.

The Kingdom is in disrepair, your father is bed ridden, and your mother is missing. Travel to the farthest reaches, through the thickest forests, the coldest tundras, and the strangest castles to put everything back together. Using your the power of your father’s crown, you must move objects and shift perspectives to solve the kingdom’s many puzzles. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

Aarik is a puzzle game with a unique mechanic. Every level in this game is out or whack, and it is up to the player to put it back together before they can move to the next one. Using the power of the crown, players will play with the camera perspective to create new paths, move objects, and collect treasure. Players clear a level when they have successfully made it to the level’s endpoint.

Review

Aarik & the Ruined Kingdom is the relaxing and cozy puzzler that needs to be in your library, especially if you enjoy puzzle games. The story is nice, the art is cute, and the puzzles are creative. The game runs smoothly, and each puzzle is both flavorful and unique. What I loved most about the game is having to turn the camera to solve puzzles. Shifting the perspective would create new paths, and using the different available powers made for some interesting and memorable problem solving.

Aarik & the Ruined Kingdom is the cutest puzzle game you’ll play this year with some fun and creative puzzles and solid flavor. It is a little wonky on the Steam Deck, but once you get used to the control scheme, it is not so bad. It isn’t unplayable, it just feels better with a keyboard and mouse.

You can pick up Aarik & the Ruined Kingdom on Steam for only $7.99. There is also a demo available if you don’t believe me.