Tag Archives: cute

video game reviews

Explore Neptunia’s Quirky Zombie Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies (Neptunia) 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 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.

Make sure you 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! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies (Neptunia)

MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies (Neptunia) brings your favorite Neptunia characters (and two new characters) in a fun new zombie adventure. Take control of your favorite girls in this quirky little hack and slash that is sure to leave you smiling. If you want to collect some waifus as you fight off waves of zombies, keep reading.

Hook

Enrollment to the prestigious Gamicademi has fallen to the point where it will soon shut its doors for good. In an effort to save the school they love, Blanc, Neptune, and all of their friends band together to shoot a movie to attract new students. Luckily, a zombie outbreak is just what they need to put together the perfect film. Team up with your favorite waifus as you fight against waves of zombies and get the shots you need to save the school. Level up your girls, build strong bonds between them, and earn some cute accessories for a quirky adventure you will never forget. Will your efforts be enough to save the school, or will the Gamicadeemi’s doors shut for good? You will need to play to find out!

Gameplay

The game almost plays like a visual novel, where the focus of the game is its fun and quirky story. Fans of the series will enjoy watching their favorite characters in story full of meta humor, fantastic voice acting, and the artstyle that brings you to the Neptunia series in the first place. The gameplay loop is a simple hack-and-slash round where players fight off waves of zombies as they try to complete the level’s objectives.

Combat

Players choose from a roster of girls, each with a unique set of skills and abilities. Characters are unlocked by playing through the story, and leveled up through use. As a character levels, they learn more combos and abilities. Players can customize a character’s stats to best fit their playstyle by buying stat points, accessories, and unlocking new costumes. A round is over when the player completes the objectives or their teams HP falls to zero.

Customization

The game lets players customize a character’s stats and appearance by grinding the different encounters. Each encounter drops items that can be used to heal, buff, and debuff but they can also be used to unlock new costumes and skins. The grind for these unlocks can be a little steep, but I like that it is an optional grind. The main focus of the game is the story, but there is enough fan service for the completionists.

Review

I have been making my way through the Idea Factory collection and it has been a huge mistake. Not because the games are bad, but because I keep finding it hard to step away long enough to write the review. I absolutely love this series, and this Zombies game has been the highlight of this little escapade. If you are a fan of the series, you will appreciate watching your favorite girl in this fun, zany adventure. If you’ve never played a Neptunia game, I recommend starting with the main series games and supplement this after you’re formally addicted. While MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies is a relatively standalone adventure, it is meant to be another story with your favorite characters. Meaning, you have to play the mainline games that will help you find your favorites.

Aesthetic

I am always going to praise these games for the art because the character design is peek waifu bait. The girls are all cute, and the story takes full advantage of its cast of talented artists. You also get a rocking soundtrack to get you in the mood for combat and the grind that comes with trying to unlock the costumes for your favorite girl. As is tradition with all the Neptunia games, you will also get a cast of amazing voice actors that are ready to transport you to this incredible story. My only complaint is that the graphics for the combat portion of the game feels a little dated. The characters look a little bland and the levels feel a little dated. Because the focus of these games is the story, It’s not a huge deal. It feels like playing a PSP game, and I miss my PSP dearly.

Combat

The combat in this game is simple. You are hacking and slashing until the game says the round is over as you try and learn to master all of the combos. You can certainly button mash (and lord knows I did) but the game does punish you for not dodging and setting off combos efficiently. I like that the game gives players the option to min-max and go through the game like a real gamer, but if you’re like me, you can brute force most fights without issue. The game is from 2016 so there are some bits of it that feel dated, and the grind does feel a little slow, but its fun enough to pick up when you want to unwind and enjoy a good enough story.

Story

The story is why I played so much of this game. I have mentioned before that I love Neptunia for its meta humor and general silly tone, and MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies (Neptunia) is a perfect example of why I love this series. The story is about a group of friends who come together to make a bad zombie movie, and it doesn’t get more wholesome, funny, and cute. If you like your cheesy anime where girls do cute things for the sake of being cute, this is your bread and butter. Sure, it may not be the award winning serious story that goes viral each year, but it is the type of story you need when you are just looking for a pick me up and don’t want to become too invested in a game.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

This game works very well on the Steam Deck and I absolutely love that for it. The game does take me back to my handheld gaming days, and those are days are desperately want back. Back when my hands didn’t hurt from too much gaming, and my back didn’t hurt from being alive this long. The game looks great, the controls are smooth without any editing, and it runs great. If you are looking for a solid steam deck game, here you go!

Conclusion

If you want a game where you can make a silly zombie movie, collect cute waifus, and watch them be cute, check out MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies (Neptunia). The game has great art, a fun story, and a solid (albiet a little repetative) gameplay loop to break things up. If you haven’t played any of the Neptunia games, I recommend starting with the main series to get the full effect of this quirky little title. If you’re a fan of the series, this is a must, but you already have it in your collection. Go check it out on Steam!

Trailer

video game reviews

Kitaria Fables: An Honest Review of the Cozy RPG

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Kitaria Fables 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 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.

Make sure you 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! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Kitaria Fables?

Kitaria fables is a cozy action RPG out now on Steam, GoG, Switch, and PlayStation. There is a Steam demo available, and it works great on the Steam Deck! If you ever wished your Zelda games had a little more farming, this might be the game for you.

Hook

Your grandfather has left you with his old farm and a bit of magic in a Kingdom that no longer wants magic. Armed with your sword, a bow, and a few magic spells you learn along the way you make your way through the deepest dungeons in search of treasure. Use your gifts to help those in need and don’t forget to do a little farming in between. In classic cozy game fashion, you will need to farm for more powerful items. What will this cozy adventure have in store for you?

Gameplay

Kitaria Fables is a simple hack and slash adventure game that encourages players to farm supplies and build their gear. Combat is very simple. Players will target a mob and spam their abilities. By default, players get a basic attack and sword ability and unlock magic abilities as they play the game. Abilities are on a cool down and use mana to cast. Mana is generated by hitting auto attacks. Players will learn patterns and beat down enemies to collect materials for loot or gold.

An arguably smaller part of this game is the farming mechanics. Players inherit a farm from their grandfather that they can use to cultivate ingredients for food. Food heals players but also grants them small buffs. In typical cozy game fashion, players can organize their plot of land however they want.

Review

As far as cozy games go, the game is fine but I found that after a couple of hours of play, I was done with it. The game is cute and runs well, but it gets representative to the point where it doesn’t seem worth it. The story isn’t anything special and I honestly already forgot what happens. You are special and powerful and will save the world, but who cares when nothing feels like it matters.

Aesthetic

The main draw for this game is the art. This an adorable game with with a cute world to explore. I love the character art! The animals are cute and the main character is even cuter. There is some clear bias because I am cat guy, but it was the cute cozy aesthetic that first drew me to the game. The game has very cool attack animations. The magic spells feel impactful and there is some creativity that went into the monster design, but that quickly falls flat as the game becomes more repetitive.

The Grind

The grind in the game isn’t soul crushing, but it is a little too steep for a cozy game. Crafting in this game seems neat at first until you start working towards unlocking more powerful items. I am not asking for the game to hand me my progression, but the balance needs to be adjusted. I don’t mind a repetitive grind, I have done more than my fair share, but it starts to feel like busy work. In games like Core Keeper or Gaucho and the Grassland, you can see your farm becoming nicer and feel your gear becoming stronger. Here, it just feels like they are just dragging out a short story. I can see the grind being worth it if you like the aesthetic, but it is really hard to recommend unless you get this game at a heavy discount.

Farming

The farming in this game is kind of pointless. While farming gives players access to useful buffs, the buffs are short and don’t feel very impactful. After doing the mandatory farming quest, I saw no real point to continue to build my farm except to break up the monotony of fighting monsters. What I like least about this system is how you have to keep switching your main item to do any task. Other games let you fill a bar you can switch between, but Kitaria Fables has you open up your inventory and equip each item. I somehow kept deleting my tools. While this is a skill issue, it took away from the cozy experience. I honestly wish the game just focused on the adventure side of the game, but I am also getting burnt out on cozy farming sims.

Combat

Combat in this game is fine. It is a basic hack and slash and that has its place in the world. I typically enjoy these types of games because it lets me sit back and relax without having to memorize a bunch of keybinds. The problem I have with combat is how quickly it becomes repetitive. Enemies in this game will respawn if you reenter an area. This means you are fighting the same enemies every time any time you want to go anywhere. You can easily skip these encounters, but it makes travel a chore. There is quick travel to help with some of this repetition, but it all starts to blend together after a couple of hours. I can’t remember an encounter that particularly stands out because the game increases difficulty by making enemies reflavored damage sponges. It isn’t the worst system I’ve seen, but why would I get this over Core Keeper?

Conclusion

Kitaria Fables is a cute cozy farm sim. If you can get this game at a heavy discount (like $4 or $5), sure, the game will be that fun. You’ve got cute character, and a decent enough loop to keep you busy. If you see it at full price, you can do better. The sequel is coming out and if they fix some of the issues with the first, I would just wait for that game instead. I didn’t find anything objectively bad with this game, it just didn’t have enough to it to stand out aside from the cute cat character. I didn’t hate playing this game, but I will forget ever playing it. But hey, at least its Steam Deck compatible.

You can pick up Kitaria Fables on Steam, GoG, Switch, and PlayStation.

Trailer

video game reviews

Explore the Whimsical World of Ariana and the Elder Codex

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Ariana and the Elder Codex 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 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.

Make sure you 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! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Ariana and the Elder Codex

Ariana and the Elder Codex is a cute Metroidvania coming to Steam on April 29th. In the meantime, go check out the demo and don’t forget to add the game to your wishlist! The game is out now on PlayStation and on the Nintendo Switch.

Hook

The world used to be filled with magic, but tragedy struck when the Seven Hero Codices were damaged and altered. Luckily, a group of librarians work tireless to repair the tomes and bring magic back to this world. While there are many skilled librarians undertaking this task, only one has the potential to save the world. Play as Ariana as she dives deep into the seven tomes, uncovers their secrets, and repairs them. Does she have what it takes to fix all seven tomes?

Gameplay

Play as Ariana as you jump into each unique codex and try to repair them. Each codex is a unique world based on one of the seven elements. Repairing each world allows Ariana to learn new magics. There are over 30 magic spells to learn and customize for a very unique playstyle.

Review

While the game has a few bugs that are a little hard to ignore, Ariana and the Elder Codex is a solid Metroidvania. The game features a creative and fantastical world full of flavor, a cool artstyle, and some solid mechanics. It is on the easier side as far as Metroidvanias go, but as a busy dad, I appreciate that it isn’t an impossible grind. All in all, if you like the art and want another metroidvania to master, check out Ariana and the Elder Codex.

Art

What first drew me to the game is the art style. The game has an undeniable adorable vibe. Each world is creative, brimming with flavor and the monsters are all very cool. I love the look of the animations, although they don’t always seem to work as intended. That might be a day one patch. The music is also fantastic and if you aren’t in love with the look of this game, you might fall in love with the story.

Story

The writing is a little awkward in places, but nothing that made it dreadful. All in all, it is solid fantasy with a proper execution. The idea of going into a world inside a book is not a unique idea, but one that makes a solid adventure game. I like how each of the codices has a unique story it tells, although some of the stories are better than others. They do tend to be the same kind of sad story, but overall I found them to be a good enough read to power through them. There is also some fantastic voice acting to break up some of the reading which I thoroughly appreciate.

Difficulty

As far as Metroidvania games go, Ariana and the Elder Codex is on the easier side. I played the game on Normal and still felt like it could be harder. There is a harder difficulty that you can change at anytime during your playthrough. I might also just be getting better at the genre in general. I don’t think the difficulty is an issue. As someone who no longer has enough time to game, I appreciate when a game is hard enough to keep me engaged but not so hard that it becomes a grind. Sometimes I just want to just get through the story without getting frustraited from the challenge. There is a story mode if you just want to sit back and enjoy the ride, but I think Normal is a solid place to start. You can always adjust it after.

Gameplay

Ariana and the Elder Codex is a fun Metroidvania full of whimsy, humor, and some solid animations. The game does get a little repetative in parts, but I think that is teh nature of the genre. The monsters were cool, the worlds were fun to explore, and it features some managable platforming. This is coming from someone who isn’t good at platforming. The boss fights are so much fun and I am amazed at how creative the devs get with each boss. They are full of flavor and have interesting mechanics. My only issue with the game is with the performance.

Performance

The game is currently in a good place, but it could use a few tweaks to make it perfect. There are a few bugs that were hard to ignore throughout my playthrough because they affect gameplay. Sometimes the game stutters and frames drop. For the most part, these drops are harmless, but I did die twice. There are also fake edges that don’t end where they appear. This issue is a lot more random, but it happened enough that I took notice. None of these bugs are gamebreaking, but they are issues that will make things like speedrunning a little annoying. That said, a couple patches and this game is perfect.

Conclusion

Ariana and the Elder Codex is a cute little metroidvania for a more casual gamer. It has fun mechanics, a cute world aesthetic, and some solid fantasy. It may not be my favorite, but it does enough good to be worth checking out once. If you are looking for a new action platformer to pad out your collection, or something that runs fine on the Steam deck, check out Ariana and the Elder Codex.

Ariana and the Elder Codex comes to Steam on April 29th, 2026, but you can pick it up on PlayStation and on the Nintendo Switch. If you want to play a move unique kind of metroidvania, check out Worldless.Or my personal favorite, Dragon is Dead.

Trailer

video game reviews

First Impressions of PiPu Party: A Fun Puzzle Platformer

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Disclaimer

I was invited to cover the PiPu Party demo on my blog. I understand the game is not finished yet, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest first impressions of the game.

Shameless Self Promotion

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.

Make sure you 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! Don’t forget to share this with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is PiPu Party?

PiPu Party is a chaotic puzzle platformer. You can brave the puzzles on your own, or play with your friends. The game supports up to 8 players for those who want to get really crazy. There is a demo available you should definitely try.

Hook

Players will jump through creative puzzles in a race against time. Team up with your friends for some creative co-op solutions, or race against your crew in a wacky adventure you won’t forget. Use your inventory to control the world around you to find your way to the solution. Are you smart enough to clear the levels?

Gameplay

Players will use their character to jump across the platform puzzle without falling as they race to get the fastest clear possible. Falling means starting the level over which results in a slower clear. What makes Pipu Party unique is that players will pick up abilities they can use to manipulate the world around them. Abilities will move, rotate, or stop platforms. Players can only hold three abilities at a time, and abilities are used in order. Players will need to know when and how to use their abilities efficiently to get the solve.

The game can be played solo, or with friends in couch 2-player co-op. The inventory is shared in multiplayer. There is an up to 8 player race game that sounds fun for a party, but I do not have enough friends to test it out.

Impressions

Since I’ve starting this blog, I’ve gotten more fond of platformers. I was never a fan because I was never good at them. Having to review games of every genre, I am proud to say that I have developed enough skill to appreciate a good platformer. PiPu Party is shaping up like a good platformer, even for the people like me who don’t have enough friends to take full advantage of the game’s design.

Art

PiPu Party has a simple retro vibe that gives the game its charm. If you are a fan of classic platformers from the SNES era, you will appreciate how well these pixels are put together to create its unique world and platforming experience. The game also has a fantastic soundtrack to get you in the mood for some intense jumping puzzles.

Puzzles

The demo has a few puzzles to play through, but they give a solid grasp of what to expect from the game. They all felt creative and get challenging, without feeling impossible. This may change in the full game, but I didn’t feel too frustrated trying for a solve.

What makes the puzzles in Pipu Party unique are that they move with or without a players interaction. Sometimes, you will be dropped onto a puzzle in motion and you have to act fast to solve the puzzle. Precision and efficiency is key in solving these puzzles. Other times, you will need to move or affect the direction of the puzzle pieces to get to the goal. The experience is very memorable, and I can’t wait to see more.

Conclusion

If you are a fan of platformers, especially the more difficult ones, you should try out PiPu Party. The game has a very cute retro vibe with some puzzles that will have you only using the edge of your seat. I only tried the solo mode and liked it enough to play more, but I can see how the game’s potential for being that silly party game you bring out with your most competitive friends. Do yourself a favor, go check out the demo and don’t forget to add PiPu Party to your wishlist!

You can check out PiPu Party on Steam.

Tech Reviews

Upgrade Your Keyboard: Ydmochi Sweet Dango Keycaps

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the Ydmochi Sweet Dango Dream 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. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Y2k and Sprout Picnic keycaps. I’ll be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • 142 Keys compatible with 60%, 65%, 75%, TKL, & Full-sized keyboards

Opening

Features

KiiBoom releases another adorable set, but this time its mochi flavored. These high quality keycaps are compatible with mot cherry profile switches, and are ready to upgrade your boring old aesthetic.

Quality

Milled from high quality plastic and dyed with the upmost care, these caps don’t only look good but promise to last you a lot longer than your keyboard. They have been treated to be heat and abrasion resistant to endure the sweatiest of team fights.

Comfort

The Ydmochi Dango Dreams keycap set has been design to not only cute, but for comfort. The rounded design conforms with the shape of your fingers for a more ergonomic experience. The rows have been contoured to fit the hands natural range of motion to eliminate some fatigue. The soft plastic makes each press a cozy delight.

Design

The keycap set features vibrant pastel theme that is cute without being distracting. Users get enough keys to allow some reasonable customization. The numbered/lettered keys feature a minimalist design for those who prefer that aesthetic, but the KiiBOOM includes some adorable mochi themed images for a little flavor.

Review

The KiiBOOM x Ydmochi Sweet Dango keycaps are a fantastic upgrade to any aesthetic. These high quality caps are not only adorable, they are comfortably functional. If you are aiming for a minimalist setup and are a fan of mochi, you need to do yourself a favor and buy this set.

Quality

I have yet to get bad quality products from KiiBOOM. Even the keyboard that my mailman clearly played soccer worked with minimal tinkering. If you are looking for a quality budget option for your next keyboard, you can’t go wrong with KiiBOOM. If you are looking for cute keycaps to change up your aesthetic, KiiBOOM is the way.

The Ydmochi caps are machined and dyed with the KiiBOOM quality I am familiar with. The keycaps are clean and the printing is high quality. These are not smudging or fading any time soon. Most importantly, they fit the switches perfectly. With cheaper keycaps, you risk them not fitting right or staying on properly, but I am not worried. These feel like they will last me a long time, but you might change them out for one of the other cute sets. The Doughfluff keycaps are personal favorite.

Comfort

The Ydmochi keycaps are as soft as they look. I have used cheap keycaps that feel like they cut at you with every keypress, but Ydmochi feels like you’re pressing on gummy candy. The contoured designed allows for the ideal motion to avoid any strain from prolongued use. They didn’t trigger my repetitive stress injury, but note that I also have a very ergonomic position for my keyboards.

Design

I am a huge fan of the set’s minimilistic design. The font used for the keys are fun without being detracting, and the pictures are so cute. I like that I have a few options for customization so I can make the keyboard at least a little more unique. If you like mochi and want to keep your aesthetic clean and simple, these are a fantastic set of keycaps.

Conclusion

If you are looking for keycaps, KiiBOOM has a fantastic selection of cute, high quality keycaps to upgrade any aesthetic. If you are looking for minimilist that wants a splash of color, you have to get the Ydmochi keycaps. You can pick up your set on the official KiiBOOM store or on Amazon through my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you use my link before buying anything.

Board Games and TCGs

Is the Doomlings Castle Glass Expansion Worth It?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of the Doomlings expansion, Castle Glass. 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 review for the Doomlings Base Game and the Shadow Puppets expansion. I’ll be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the Box?

  • 30 x New Traits
  • 7 x New Dominant Traits
  • 2 x New Ages
  • 1 x New Catastrophe
  • 1 x Mystery Foil

What is Castle Glass?

Castle Glass is Doomlings‘ ocean themed expansion. It features vibrant sea themed cards for a fun and colorful upgrade to your Doomlings deck. You will need the base game to play with these cards.

Castle Glass introduces three trait classes to the game: Shells, Coral, and Fish. With these new classes comes the trait system, an additional way to rack up points. If you collect two or more of the same class, you get a class score bonus. The class bonus are as follows:

  • Regular Shells, Fish & Corals are each worth +1
  • Curious Shells, Fish & Corals are each worth +2
  • Exotic Shells, Fish & Corals are each worth +3

This means that if at the end of the game you have 2 shells, one exotic and one regular, you get an additional four points added to your total.

Review

I love Doomlings. It is easily one of my favorite board games, and will bring it out often at my table. Castle Glass is a fantastic addition to my collection, but I do have a couple reservations.

Art

I love the fun and vibrant oceanic theme in Castle Glass. Despite the simple design, Doomling cards always have a lot of flavor and whimsy. The fish are cute and they very creative with their shell and coral designs. Castle Glass has the prettiest Ages cards I’ve seen so far. I love the scene of the sand castles at sun rise/sun set.

Gameplay

I believe Castle Glass adds interesting mechanics to the game. I had a lot of fun with the fish cards. Fish cards had abilities that let you play multiple cards a turn, letting players build their school of fish quickly. You can use fish to cheat out other cards in your hand, draw for better cards, or get that trait bonus at the end. It was very flavorful. Coral cards seem to add some disruption. It would have players discard cards, or it would let you get bonuses for cards in your opponents gene pools. Shells lets players peak at the next age, which is very valuable information if used correctly.

The only issue I see with this expansion is that it adds a new scoring mechanic to the end game tracking. It is not a hard mechanic to track, but some people aren’t going to like having to count the number of shells and worry about the types. Honestly, I don’t think it will complicate the game too much, depending on your deck size. If you have a massive Doomlings deck and cards aren’t clustered, it will add a couple of points, but nothing that will get out of hand. I played with a small deck to make sure they came out more frequently, and it never felt like scoring got out of hand. Even if you don’t like the extra math, the mechanics in this set are worth it.

Conclusion

The Doomlings base game is perfect, and if you are trying to get into this game, start there. Now if you’re looking for expansions to spice up your deck, Castle Glass is solid. It has a fun oceanic theme with some interesting mechanics to shake up the meta. Whether or not you should buy this expansion really comes down to if you are willing to do the extra math at the end. I don’t see it as a huge problem, but I also see hot it takes away from the casual vibe the draws people to the base game. I will say I do prefer the Shadow Puppets expansion a little more, but I won’t be taking Castle Glass out of my massive Doomlings deck any time soon.

You can pick up your copy of Castle Glass on the official Doomlings store, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Onirism Review: A Whimsical Action Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Onirism 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.

Shameless Self-Promotion

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. You can also always buy me coffee!

What is Onirism

Onirism is a is an adorable action RPG out now on Steam.

Story

Bunbun has been stolen, and Carol will do anything in her power to get her stuffed rabbit back. Armed with the worlds most unique and powerful weapons, Carol will fight her way through endless waves of enemies to get her bunny back. Jump through the different zones, master the different genres, and get back what’s yours. How long before Carol and Bunbun can be reuinited?

Gameplay Loop

Onirism is a fast paced action adventure game. Carol travels across an open world, fighting off monsters, and collecting different weapons and abilities to help her on her journey. Combat in this game is a third person shooter, where players have access to a vast arsenal of weapons to choose from. Each gun feels different and changes the combat enough to keep things fresh and exciting. Enemies are all fun and unique, providing enough of a challenge to keep players on their toes. Remember, the game does not save automatically. Players will need to find save points to heal Carol and save their progress. Dying before hitting one of these zones will reset the game to the last save on file. Plan accordingly.

Review

Onirism is a cute and fun game with a lot of spirit, but it is not finished. Although there have been daily updates since I’ve downloaded the game, there is is some noticeable roughness. Sometimes the game will break, other times times you will lose a lot of frames. When the game works well, the game is as addicting as it is adorable.

Aesthetics

The game is a flavorful adventure through childish wonder and whimsy. Each zone is unique with a lot of content to explore. The monsters are cute and creative, with frightening bosses controlling them. The artstyle only adds to the stories playful and silly tone in a way that makes the game incredibly wholesome. It is the game’s art and tone that drew me to the game, but it is the gameplay that does it for me.

Gameplay

When the game works, it is a lot of fun. Combat is fast paced and exciting, the boss fights are creative, and the jumping puzzles are manageable. There is also a good amount of exploration to be done. The problem is the game doesn’t feel finished. There are a lot of bugs and noticeable performance issues that do take away from the immersion. Frames will drop, there is a bit of stuttering, and the game crashed once or twice during my playthrough.

Although there is controller support, the tutorial is only for keyboard and mouse. The game isn’t really optimized for controller at this stage of development. You might have to do a bit of tweaking, but aiming feels bad compared to keyboard and mouse. If you are playing with keyboard and mouse, you might need to do some remapping. On my playthrough, left was mapped to the wrong key by default. It is an easy fix, but it means the game isn’t ready to play out of the box.

While Onirism does feel unfinished, there have been daily patches since I’ve downloaded the game. The devs are hard at work on a game they are clearly passionate about. While the game will need a couple of updates before it can be in a good position, I at least have some confidence that they are working on it.

Conclusion

Onirism is a cute adventure game, and I loved every minute of it. Now keep in mind the game is not finished yet. The roughness is the biggest factor of whether or not you buy this game. If you don’t mind the immersion breaking bugs and performance issues, the game has enough substance and heart to keep you engaged. There is a lot of content to explore, and a lot of interesting ideas to keep the game interesting. But if the roughness is going to be a problem, I would wait for a couple of patches. This might be a very ambitious game, and the devs clearly need more time and support. I loved it, but it can definitely be better.

You can pick up Onirism on Steam. If you are in the market for another janky action adventure game, check out Star Overdrive.

video game reviews

UltraGirl Alters Demo Review: First Impressions and Gameplay

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Disclaimer

I was asked to cover the UltraGirl Alters demo for my blog. I understand this isn’t the full game, and will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, this will be my honest review of the demo.

Shameless Self-Promotion

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. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee!

Table of Contents

What is UltraGirl Alters?

Ultragirl Alters is an SRPG out now on Steam, with a demo available for anyone who wants to try it.

You have been hired as the manager for the virtual idol group, Alters. When you aren’t busy helping each girl navigate their hectic social lives, you’ll be guiding through battle against the waves of enemies that threaten the city. Each girl Each girl where’s her unique Tokusatsu-style hero suit that you can upgrade as you gain experience. Can you keep the world safe from monsters while becoming the world’s greatest idol group? What secrets will you uncover along the way?

Gamplay

UltraGirl Alters is a turn based strategy game with a few social mechanics to break up the story.

Social Events

The game has a cute chibi mode where the player can experience the story. During this part of the game, players will build their relationship with each of the girls helping them through the game’s many side missions. Leveling these bonds unlock special events that add a bit of flavor or world building. Players also get to explore a bit of the world, but it is very limited. Mostly, the chibi half of the game is where the player collects the story and learns the dark secrets behind the evil corporation that controls everything.

Combat

Players take control of the girls in their Tokusatsu-style suits as they fight off waves of monsters. Each girl has their unique set of abilities and skill that can be leveled up through experience. Each girl can move and take an action per round. Girls can either make a basic attack or use one of their abilities during their action, if they have enough energy. Basic attacks generate the energy needed to cast an ability. The key to combat is to position effectively while using your resources efficiently.

Impressions

While there are a few aspects of this game that I liked and got me interested, I definitely need to see more. Overall, the game is fine, but I can see it being a niche game made for an intended audience.

Art

If you like anime, then you will appreciate the character design. UltraGirl Alters definitely has its waifu bait, and that isn’t a bad thing. The girls are cute, but there is a bit of fan service. I like when I can play my waifu games in public. For the combat part, I think the level design is too busy. It was hard to make out what was going on most of the time, and the suits don’t look very cool. As for the exploration parts, you are either going to love the chibi design or hate it. I think the chibi art is cute, but found the story a little lacking.

Story

The Demo only plays through the tutorial a bit of the intro. While it isn’t enough to judge the quality of the story, there is nothing in the intro that hooked me. The biggest issue I have with what is available is the writing. It is a little awkward in parts and a little cheesy in others. This might be due to translation issues. Unless the full game leans into the silliness and carries a light-hearted narrative with fun characters I care about, I don’t see me finishing this game. The story isn’t the worst, but considering art, tone, and gameplay, I rather be playing Disgea 7.

Gameplay

Combat is interesting for the first few round before it grows a little stale. Enemies feel a little unfair, and the busy map makes it hard to tell what is going on. You are either going to enjoy this type of combat or hate it, and I certainly wasn’t a fan. Maybe it gets better in later levels, and I am willing to give it a try just in case. Unfortunately, based on the demo alone, when it comes to chibi turn-based combat, I rather be play Disgea 7.

Conclusion

If you like the SRPG style combat and don’t mind the over-the-top (sometimes poorly written) cutesy tones of the story, I still recommend you check out the demo first. I think the combat is a little too simple for what you’re getting. The social chibi bits are cute, but they don’t add enough to the game to make them worth it. I think the game is cute and has its potential, but I need to see more of it before I can recommend it. For now, I recommend you check out the demo and wait for the sale.

You can pick up your copy of UltraGirl Alters on Steam.

video game reviews

Is Formula Legends Worth Your Time? Honest Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Formula Legends 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 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. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee!

Table of Contents

What is Formula Legends?

Formula Legends is an arcade-style Formula one racing game out now on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC via Steam, Epic Games, and GoG.

Formula Legends plays playful homage to 60 years of Formula 1 by bringing the action to your fingertips. Experience 16 iconic cars through 14 evolving circuits in a series of unforgettable races. Master control of your car through any weather, across any track, and around every opponent. Do you have what it takes to be a racing legend?

Gameplay

Formula Legends has players race through a campaign races based on different periods of formula one history. Players will need to win races to unlock the games different cars and tracks.

Races

Each race is themed after a period in Formula One history, with historically accurate cars to race them. Each car has its unique quirks to overcome, and the game does a good job and making each period feel different. The game does have an adjustable difficulty for players who need need the adjustment. The track is also marked by the dark tire trails to help players see the ideal path to victory. What makes the game unique is the pitstop mechanic.

Pitstop and Resources

Despite the cartoonish feel of the game, Formula Legends has a very realistic resource and pitstop mechanic to add depth to the racing. As players make their way across the track, they will use up fuel and their tires will wear out. Players will eventually need make a pitstop where there is a quickaction mini-game to complete. Completing the game correctly the first time saves time on a players run. This means that not only do players need to maneuver quickly and efficiently around the course, they will also need to know when to make their pitstop if they want to win.

Review

Formula One is a cute little racing game with a lot of heart, but one that lacks the performance to earn my recommendation. Unless you are a hardcore racing fan who wants to see more games likes this get made, I would wait for a sale.

The Artstyle

The aststyle is what drew me to the game originally. I like the low-poly, whimsical take on the genre. The cars and the people are very cute. The world is a little simple, but there is enough detail to make each track feel different and full. After sitting with the game for a bit, that whimsy lost its appeal as I slowly realized that the game isn’t ready.

Performance

The game performs poorly on my Nvidia RTX 3060, running the default settings. The cars in this game have the worst control I’ve felt in any driving game. There was an update after I got the key that was meant to fix the performance issue, but I didn’t notice a difference. Some of the issue may be a skill issue, but a lot of the issue is with the game design. Not only do these cars feel like they are driving on ice, but hitting anything will stop the car in its tracks. To make matters worse, the AI seems to be coded to ram into you constantly. This made racing, even on the easiest difficulty, frustrating.

Difficulty

I am bad at racing games so take this with a grain of salt. This game is hard, but not because of the skillful AI that rips down the track with masterful precision. No, this game is hard because everything rams into you, or the car would randomly turn off the track. Playing on easy did not fix any of these issues. As someone who only plays racing games casually, this was incredibly hard to sit through. I like to start on easy and slowly make my way through the difficulties until I am at a comfortable medium, but the game doesn’t give me the option. This game might be fun for the veterans of the genre who understand the math behind every turn, but Formula Legends’ forced difficulty is going to lose its casual players. I am not asking for the game to be easy, I am just asking for it to be playable.

Conclusion

In its current state, I can’t recomend Formula Legends, even if you’re a fan of Formula One. I like a lot of the ideas that exist within the game like the adorable art and the pitstop/resource system, but the game clearly needs more work. With a few more performance updates, maybe it will be worth your time and hard earned money. It’s not the worst racing game, but there is no real reason to buy this over Rally Arcade Classics if you enjoy arcade racers, or my personal favorite Inertial Drift if you want something a little crazier.

You can pick up Formula Legends on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC via Steam, Epic Games, and GoG for $19.99.

Tech Reviews

KiiBOOM x Elyxirine Pastel Y2K Keycap Set Review

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Disclaimer

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

What’s in the box?

  • 144 Keycaps

Features

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

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

Review

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

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

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