Tag Archives: dark fantasy

video game reviews

Dark Quest: Remastered Review – A Nostalgic Dungeon Crawler

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Dark Quest remastered edition 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 Dark Quest?

The classic dungeon crawler, Dark Quest, just got a well deserved remaster. This classic has been adapted for a modern audience with updated graphics, art, systems, and a new shiny engine to make it run smoothly. Owners of the original Dark Quest on Steam and enjoy the remaster edition as a free upgrade.

Hook

An evil sorcerer builds a dungeon deep beneath the village of Darkwood. Its evil leaks onto the surface, spreading death and despair to the neighboring villages. A small band of heroes dares to brave the darkest depths of these dungeons and bring an end to the end of terror. Do these three brave heroes have what it takes to take down the evil sorcerer and his dark army, or will his darkness consume the planet?

Gameplay

This is a very classic feeling dungeon crawler. Players control a party of three unique heroes: Wizard, Dwarf, and Barbarian. Players explore each floor of the dungeon in a turn-based system similar to a board game. During a turn, a character can move, attack, loot, or use an item. Players explore the floor until they complete the objective, or all characters die. Dying takes a player back into town where they can prep for the next delve.

Exploration

Dark Quest is a grid based dungeon crawler. A character’s speed determines how far across the grid a character can move per turn. A character’s speed can be increased with items they buy from town. Dungeons in Dark Quest are hidden behind a fog of war. The fog of war limits a character’s movement. War Fog is lifted as players explore the dungeon.

Dice of Fate

Occasionally, the evil sorcerer will roll the dice of fate against a character. This roll can either deal damage to a character or heal them. This RNG is a gamble that will either save or ruin a run.

Combat

Combat in this game is simple. If a character is in range with an enemy, they can attack. Attacks can miss, and there are death saves. Players can buy items in town that can help skew the numbers in their favor.

Town

Between delves, players can use the gold the earn from the dungeon to buy useful items like potions, weapons, and gear. Money earned during a run is carried out, even if the party wipes. Being strategic with the purchases is key for success.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

The game works great on the Steam Deck, but I would expect it to. The low-poli simple style of the game is ideal for handheld, although there are a few quirks that make the game annoying. I often would lose the mouse over when trying to move a character, and it was annoying to get it back so I could move my character. Otherwise, the game is a solid, chill experience on the Steam Deck.

Review

If you are fan of classic dungeon crawlers, or want the experience of playing a dungeon crawler on Roll20 without a dungeon master, Dark Quest has its appeal. The problem I have with this game is that even as a remaster, the game feels dated. Why would you play this over Dark Quest 4?

Aesthetic

I like the simple UI and concept of the game. The sprites look very cool and I appreciate the fantasy vibe the game successfully captures. You are either going to love the old school feel of this game, or hate it. I would look at the trailer and go from there.

Gameplay

The game is fine if you are looking for a laid back dungeon crawler that is simple and doesn’t demand much resources. It is a very chill game that is easy to master, but one that has a bit of a slow grind. At least it feels slow compared to later installments of the game. I think this was made for those enjoy the nostalgia of this type of dungeon crawler. It feels like playing a board game, but there are a few quirks that make it a little annoying to play. I enjoyed my time with it, and definitely got $5 of fun of it, but it is hard to recommend it over one of the later installments.

Conclusion

Dark Quest is a decent remaster. The game has cool art and solid gameplay. If you are a fan of the old school style dungeon crawlers, you’ll get your fun, but I still recommend you start with Dark Quest 4. Dark Quest 4 improves on so many of the issues I have with this game, and is definitely worth getting into if you haven’t.

You can pick up Dark Quest: Remastered on Switch, Xbox, PlayStation and Steam.

Trailer

video game reviews

Nocturnal 2: A Promising Metroidvania Experience Awaits

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Nocturnal 2 demo to review for my blog. I am grateful for the opportunity, but understand the game isn’t finished. That said, I will try to be a bit more lenient in my review, but these will still be my honest impressions of the game.

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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Table of Contents

What is Nocturnal 2?

Nocturnal 2 is a beautifully drawn metroidvania coming out on Steam later this year.

Hook

Play as Ardeshir, bearer of the Enduring Flame as he explores the forgotten city of Ytash in order to break the curse that consumes his homeland. But the path will not be easy. The city has been sunk into darkness, with only his Enduring Flame to light the way. Bring as much of this city to life as you fight your way through mobs of enemies, creative bosses, and discover new abilities in between. Will his flame be enough to free his homeland from the darkness, or will it consume his very soul?

Gameplay

The demo has players go through the tutorial, but gives them a large area of exploration. This is your typical metroidvania where players are moving from checkpoint to checkpoint, collecting xp, powerups, and abilities in between. What makes Nocturnal unique is that Ardeshir’s flames can go out, and without light, he becomes powerless. Players must find ways to not only light the world around them, but sometimes find ways to keep their light alive.

Combat

Nocturnal has a traditional metroidvania feel. Players start the game with a minimal move list, but unlock new abilities as they progress through the city of Ytash. The combos get more complex as the game progress, but so do the enemies. Enemies in this game have easily telegraphed attacks and movements that players will need to learn to play around. Effectively fighting around these combos through skillful dodging can help players survive until the next checkpoint.

Impressions

I picked up Nocturnal 2 because Nocturnal is one of my favorite metroidvania. It has a cool atmosphere, solid story, and great mechanics. If you are looking for a new metroidvania while you wait for sequel, you won’t be disapointed. The demo for 2, has me excited. The game still feels like the dark epic adventure of the first, with a few solid improvements. The art is still great, combat is smooth, and it left me wanting more. It has definitely been added to my wishlist, and I can’t wait to try out the full version.

Aesthetic

One of the biggest draws for Nocturnal is its world building and aesthetic. This series has some incredible art, and I am very excited to explore more of this world. The lore in that is sprinkled throughout gives the game the mysterious atmosphere that makes the story feel even more epic than it is. My only complaint is that I didn’t get much of the story in this game, but at least I got a solid impression of what is to come in terms of gameplay.

Gameplay

First of all, this demo is playable on the Steam Deck which is the cherry on top of a solid metroidvania experience. Any game that allows me to whip out my Steam Deck outside my house is a good game, and this is looking like a good game. The Nocturnal 2 demo has smooth combat with interesting combos and interactions, a good amount of exploration, and some solid platforming. And this is coming from someone who hates platformers. At least, I used to hate them until I played Nocturnal. It does get a bit repetitive towards the middle of the demo, but it gave me enough to be excited about.

Conclusion

I can’t wait for the full release of Nocturnal 2. This is a solid demo, especially if you are in the market for a new metroidvania. I don’t think you’ll need to play the first game to understand the sequel, but the Nocturnal is such a good game, you need to play through it once. I still prefer the first game, but it is still too early to make that declaration. Until then, play through the first game, check out this demo, and don’t forget to add Nocturnal 2 to your wishlist!

You can pick up the Nocturnal 2 demo on Steam.

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Blightstone: A Promising Roguelike Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Blightstone 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 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 Blightstone?

Blightstone is a turn-based strategy roguelike out on Steam Early access. If you like Darkest Dungeon vibes in your roguelike strategy grind, this game should be in your watchlist.

Hook

The powerful demon overlord Korghul spreads his reign of terror relentlessly across this land. You command the heroes who are destined to end it, but this is no easy task. The path to salvation is full of death and despair. Fight against waves of the demon lords army, loot as much as you can, and use the landscape for to your advantage. Can you overcome death, keep the Earthglass Christal safe, and rid the world of this powerful evil, or will you be another one of Korghul’s victims.

Gameplay

Players take command of three mighty heros: a warrior, a mage, and a hunter and his canine companion. Make your way through a map full of enemies, events, and a few shops to boost your companions. Can you make it to the end before death or the blight consumes your characters?

Combat

Combat is a turn-based strategy combat. Each character has 2 action points that they can use to move, attack, or use an ability. Players can spend these actions in any order. For example, you can attack with the mage, attack with the hunter, and go back to the mage to finish his turn. Terrain affects combat. Players and NPCs can use the map to gain advantage through effective use of the cover and line of sight mechanic. Characters can heal at the campfire at the end of the day, but they cannot be revived. Once a character dies, it is gone forever.

Loot

Like most roguelikes, players can choose from a selection of random items after certain events. These items can be equipped to boost a parties power level. Items can be equipped before any encounter.

Events

As of writing this, events seem to only be additional combat or skipping additional combat. Choosing an extra encounter has a chance for an additional reward, but it is not always guaranteed. It helps to roll for map information at a campfires.

Campfire

The party sets up camp at the end of each day. A day passes after two event nodes on a map. These can be combat, shopping, or a random encounter. While at a campfire, players can spend camp points to heal their characters, activate buffs, or gain map information. Gaining map information reveals a reward on the map to help players plan their progression.

Progression

Stage progression is tied to meta progression. Players are given general quests to complete in order to move to the next map, simply clearing the stages isn’t always enough.

Review

Blightstone has a good amount of potential, but it doesn’t have enough content to make it worth it. If you want to support a game that is trying innovate the genre with a few interesting mechanics, it is worth checking out at least once. Fortunately, the devs seem to be active enough to inspire some hope, but the lack of content is a tricky sell.

Aesthetic

Blightstone has fantastic art. I love the grimdark vibe and the comicbook feel of the world. The characters look very good, and the animation is solid. It also has a solid soundtrack to get you in the mood for epic combat. Aesthetic alone should spark interest in gamers looking for something new to try.

Combat

Combat is a lot of fun. I love the gridless maps and the action economy system makes it feel like a tabletop RPG. I am very bad at strategy games, so the difficulty seems high, but that is by design. I wouldn’t call it a frustrating experience, but basic understanding of the game’s mechanics helps with the grind. There is a grind, and it does get repetitive. Some of it is due to lack of content, the rest is by design.

Blightstone doesn’t take the traditional turn-based strategy rout. The RNG upgrades make each run feel fresh, and it feels for the most part. The line of sight and friendly fire mechanic give combat its depth. I love that I can use the map to gain an advantage, it it sucks when the NPCs do the same. The NPC AI is intellegent enough to make things interesting. Having to keep the Earthglass Crystal safe also affects you move your units. I wish there was a bit more variety on the type of units so the grind doesn’t feel as repetitive, but repetition is part of the roguelike experience.

Content

At the moment, there seems to be enough content for many three hours of gameplay. The game is fun for those three hours, but it is up to you if is worth the $16. After the first couple of runs, the game starts to feel repetitive because the encounters start to repeat. There needs to be a lot more events rather than just having an extra encounter. I wish I could make a deal with a devil or encounter or random merchant, anything to add a little more choice to my playthough. I don’t mind repetition in my roguelikes, I play a lot of Encounters, but here it feels like I finish the content too quickly.

Conclusion

Blightstone is a cool game that attempts some very interesting mechanics in an oversaturated genre. The game looks good, plays well, but it needs a bit more content. It definitely needs more attention, and should be in your watchlist. Just know that at this stage in its development, you are paying to support a good demo for a game that might be good in the future.

You can pick up Blightstone on Steam Early Access. If you are looking for other cool roguelikes to add to your collection, check out Talystro.

video game reviews

Kingdom of Night Review: A Retro RPG Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Kingdom of Night on Steam 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.

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 Kingdom of Night?

Kingdom of Night is a hack and slash action RPG out now on Steam. If you’ve ever wanted to have a dungeons and dragons style adventure in the 80’s, this is the game for you.

Hook

A satanic cult has taken over the small town of Miami Arizona and summoned Baphomet and his demon army. The town is thrown into chaos and John seems to be the only one who can bring back this sleepy town’s peace. Take control of John as he navigates the streets of his sleepy home town, fending of waves of Bephomet’s demon army. Can he master his powers and defeat Bephomet before it is too late, or will this be everyone’s last night on Earth?

Gameplay

Players will take control of John, and one of of his friends if playing co-op. You get to choose from one of the five classes: Barbarian, Knight, Rogue, Necromancer, and Sorcerer. The game works like your classic hack and slash. Players explore the different bits of the town, hacking away at the endless waves of enemies as they work towards the final fight. The melee classes are pretty straight forward and more beginner friendly, but the game does introduce a unique magic system that you should try at least once.

Magic

Kingdom of Night has an involved magic system that helps it stand out from other games in the genre. To cast a spell, players will need to activate runes according to the spells order. Runes are tied buttons on the controller or keys on the keyboard. The game gives players access to their spellbook at anytime. Once the combination has been pressed, players can cast the spell as long as it is off cooldown.

Skill Tree and Gear

Along the way, players will find gear to upgrade their character. The gear is very thematic and there is a good amount of variety that allow a diverse amount of builds. Players can buy levels on their skill tree for even more customization. While the game may be solvable, it doesn’t feel like it. I enjoyed trying to find a build of the necromancer that fit my playstyle.

Review

Kingdom of Night is a the perfect fantasy adventure full of action and a solid story to keep players invested. The retro vibe and all the 80’s references help set the proper mood for an dark adventure through the sleepy town of Miami, Arizona. If you want a fun hack and slash that is guaranteed to be an instant classic, this game should be in your library.

Aesthetic

The game goes above and beyond to successfully capture the spirit of the 80’s in this dark fantasy adventure. The dialogue, the characters, and the world design are all full of 80’s flare. I liked seeing posters of terminator and other 80’s references.

I am a huge fan of the game’s artstyle. The pixel art gives the game its retro vibe, but is able to deliver the perfect amount of detail to make Kingdom of Night an epic adventure. The game has cool animations and memorable character designs. The soundtrack is also fantastic, and helps set the mood of the adventure.

Story

Kingdom of Night is a proper fantasy adventure. The story has a great hook, solid buildup, and good amount of mystery to keep things moving. The side quests are flavorful and add a good amount of world building. If you need something to tide you over as you wait for the last season of Stranger Things, Kingdom of Night can help scratch the itch.

Spellcasting

I played as the necromancer because I wanted a challenge. The spellcasters require a bit more skill, but gameplay is not impossible. I loved every minute of my necromancer journey. The spell casting is such a refreshing mechanic, and some of my favorite of any game. It does take some getting used to, but once it clicks, its going to be hard to play spell casters in other games. Activating the rune combos is so flavorful and kept the game from becoming a mindless hack and slash. I will go back to replay the game as other classes.

Character Builds

I appreciate the amount of flavor that goes into the game, especially when it comes to the loot. Players will pick up gear that is properly themed to fit the world like books or sneakers, but give stat boosts that give players some control over their build. There is some RNG involved, but it felt fair for the most part.

Players can also customize their character by upgrading their skill tree at level up. The skill tree does offer some additional customization for each class, but it is pretty strait forward. You won’t, and shouldn’t, need to look up a guide. I found success building what I thought was fun.

Combat

Combat is a lot of fun. The hack and slash aspect is engaging and the boss fights are fun and memorable. There is a grind to this game, but it isn’t too bad. You can and should start skipping some of the more mindless drones that roam the city or else it will take forever to beat the story. Aside from the few important quest lines, players have a good amount of freedom to explore the city at their own pace. The city feels huge for a small town, and exploration can take a long time if you are spending your time killing everything that gets in your way. Note that mobs respawn if you enter and exit buildings.

Other

I did not get to try couch co-op, but I like that the game has the option in case I ever have a friend to play with. Kingdom of Night works perfectly on the Steam Deck and it works perfectly! I actually preferred playing on the Steam Deck because it let me chill on the couch. The arcade style gameplay makes this game the perfect couch game, and I’ll take any excuse to be away from my computer.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fun adventure game with a good story and a cool world to explore, pick up Kingdom of Night. This is a very well made game that earns every dollar it is asking for. If you are fan of those old school cabinet games, or need a game to play locally with a friend or sibling, it doesn’t get much better than Kingdom of Night.

You can pick up Kingdom of Night on Steam.

video game reviews

Is Netherworld Covenant Worth Playing?

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I was sent a free copy of Netherworld Covenant to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker 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 Netherworld Covenant?

Netherworld Covenant is a topdown souls-like out now on steam. If you are a fan of games like Diablo or Path of Exile but always wanted them to be a little more roguelike, you definitely need to check out the demo.

Hook

The world has ended. The demons who have caused the world ending catastrophe still roam free. You are the only survivor, and it is up to you to take them down and avenge you fallen comrades. Make your way through procedurally generated dungeons and defeat its endless waves of guardians. But you are not alone. The spirits of your fallen comrades will come to your aid in battle. Do you have what it takes to avenge everything, or will you be another lost soul in this cold unforgiving world?

Gameplay Loop

Netherworld Covenant is your typical dungeon crawler roguelike with a few souls-like mechanics to help it set it apart from the rest of the genre.

Dungeon Crawl

Players choose one of the game’s unique dungeon and jumps into the dungeon. They must clear each room to earn a reward as they build up to a floor boss. Players are rewarded after clearing each room, and get to choose the type of reward. The run ends when the player dies or beats the floor boss.

Combat

Players will have a primary attack and a few lantern abilities to help them fight off enemies. They’ll have a primary attack they can spam or a strong attack they can charge that is based on their class. For example, the mage class will shoot a volley of magic arrows or charge it for a powerful blast. The lantern will give players additional abilities. Players can summon a ghost to help them in battle or use a secondary weapon. These abilities can be customized and upgraded between runs.

Gearing and Upgrades

In between runs, players will return to a hub where they can upgrade their character. They can craft different weapons and armor and upgrade their ghost’s abilities. This costs currency that the player will earn throughout a run. Some weapons and upgrades will need to be picked up as drops from the dungeon. Players also have the chance to buy levels off their skill tree. I am sure there is a way to minmax builds, but players have a general freedom for building their characters. As simple as the game may seem, it does offer a bit of customization for a bit of variety.

Review

Netherworld Covenant attempts an interesting twist to the genre, but it didn’t really vibe with me. While the game will earn a few hours of fun, I can’t see myself picking this over Void Souls.

Aesthetic

The game is fine if you enjoy dark fantasy, but it doesn’t have enough to make it stand out against the genre. Monster and character design is decent, but the maps feel repetitive and dull. Changing to a different realm didn’t change enough to be impactful. It all felt like I was slogging through the same rooms facing off against the same wave of enemies and it got old fast.

Gameplay

The game is a little buggy. There were noticeable frame drops and combat doesn’t feel as smooth as it needs to be for the genre. The combat system is interesting for the first few minutes. Unfortunately, when the novelty wears off, it starts to feel repetitive. This makes the grind feel worse than it is.

One of the issues I have with the game is with the RNG. The procedural generated dungeons aren’t very interesting and they start to look the same after a while. In addition, the upgrades you have access can ruin a run. On the time I beat the boss, it felt like I didn’t do anything because the buffs I got made me broken. The game needs a bit of rebalancing, and a few patches for smoothness.

Combat

The combat system is a little too simple. This makes it fine for a casual souls-like, but you have better options. The idea of summoning a ghost of a fallen comrade to fight with you seems cool, but it feels a little clunky in practice. Worst of all, the meta seems solvable. It feels like there is a right answer when it comes to the class you play and the choices you make, and I felt like I figured it early on into my my playthrough. The fun bit about roguelike for me is the ability to find random dumb builds that will take me to legendhood. Here it felt like if I didn’t choose optimally, I was going to have a bad time. Bosses are kind of interesting, but if you get the right build and grind long enough, it doesn’t matter.

Conclusion

Netherworld Covenant isn’t a bad game. I respect the attempt at freshening up the genre, but there are simply better options. If you are looking for a topdown souls like, Void Souls has better combat system. Or you can try Dethbound for something more unique. If you are looking for an ARPG, checkout Striving for Light. I have a soft spot for Liberte.

I can respect the game for trying to blend all these interesting ideas together, but it just doesn’t do them well enough to justify the price. If you really want to check it out, try the demo and I would argue to wait for the sale. Especially when you have better options.

You can pick up Netherworld Covenant on Steam.

video game reviews

Is Drakantos Worth Your Time? Beta Impressions

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Introduction

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

So What Did I think?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

video game reviews

Drakantos Closed Beta is Live: First Day Impressions

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Intro

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

Shameless Self-Promotion

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What is Drakantos?

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

Impressions

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

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

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

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

video game reviews

Striving for Light Review: A Unique Blend ARPG You Need to Try

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Striving for Light 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.

What is Striving for Light?

Striving for light is a roguelike RPG that lets you build your own skill tree.

Travel through stylized dungeons as you fight off monsters and their bosses, collect loot and upgrades, and unlock new powers and characters. With an endless amount of possibilities, players are promised a build that fits their playstyle. What secrets will you uncover? What upgrades will you unlock? Jump in and find out!

Gameplay

Striving for Light is a like if Diablo had a baby with Vampire Survivor, and it kind of works. Players fight through different dungeons, grinding for XP and mats for upgrades, and occasionally finding rare loot. The twin stick shooter mechanics for combat give the game its casual feel, but its deep and customizable skill tree give the game its depth. As players level, they can start buying nodes on a skill tree to customize their character. Nodes can be changed and added with gems found as random drops. Players can easily get lost in the intricacies of the skill tree, but there is definitely enough room for fun.

Review

I almost gave up on this game, but I am glad I stuck with it. While the artstyle is fantastic and flavorful, the game feels very clunky. Combat also feels stiff at first. The problem was that I was treating it like a survivorlike instead of the ARPG that it actually is. Once I started being smarter about my grind, and found a weapon I liked, the game became a lot of fun. It became harder to put the game down once I started customizing my skill tree and finding a build that fit with my play style. There is probably a way to min-max and find the perfect build, but the fun comes from exploring the different weapons and builds.

I personally like the simple combat system because it gave me a casual experience when grinding XP, but I appreciate the depth of the skill tree system because it keeps me engaged. Even though I found a build that I really enjoyed, there is so much more I want to try and explore. It is going to be very hard to put this game down.

I like that the game has different types of activities to mix up the grind. I also like that there are different challenges for added diversity in the maps. The scaling for the monsters kept me on my toes, and the boss fights were unique. There are points where the game does get a tad bit repetitive, but there is something soothing about the repetition that keeps me logging back in. There is an online multiplayer mode, but I only stuck to solo mode because I am a filthy casual.

If you like the art, want something similar to Diablo or Path of Exile, this game is a fantastic option. The game has great art and music, the mechanics are chill, and the skill tree is fantastic. It does need a bit more work, but I am willing to stick around to see where the devs take this game.

You can pick up Striving for Light on Steam for $17.99.

video game reviews

Drakantos Close Beta Signups are now Live!

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it is finally happening! After a long anticipated wait, we finally get a date for the Drakantos closed beta! The closed beta will run from July 25th – July 27th, and signups are live! Make sure you join the official Discord and add the game to your watchlist! If you don’t know what Drakantos is, make sure you check out my initial post.

This will be a short post because not much is known aside from the dates. We will get news about the playable characters at a later date, and I will be sure to cover it then as well. For now, all we know is that you will be able to invite your friends to the beta if you get in (provided the Steam function properly works properly that weekend).

I have been following Drakantos since I got a chance to talk to a few of the devs during my time at GDC a couple years back. Every Dev log, and I recommend you check them all out both the official coverage and my own, has added to my excitement and made me impatient. I am really rooting for this game’s success because I love the art, the flavor, and the passion that is going into the project. I can’t wait for finally get my hands on this game! Until then, we wait for more news.

video game reviews

Dark Fairy Tale: Dreamland Survivors Demo Impressions

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Dark Fairy Tale: Dreamland Survivors to review for my blog. I understand the game is still a demo and will be a bit more lenient. That said, this will be my honest review.

What is Dark Fairy Tale: Dreamland Survivors?

Dark Fairy Tale is a survivor-like roguelike coming to Steam June 19 2025.

Play as Pinocchio as he attampts to escape his dark and twisted fairy tale. Unlock new powers, fight off monsters and their masters, and try to survive as best you can. Do you have what it takes to fight your way out of this nightmare?

Gameplay

This is a top-down autoshooter roguelike with some very cool art. Unlike other games in the genre, players unlock spells and abilities by increasing certain stats. Players can unlock more power by eating forbiden eggs at level up, or buy buying permanent powerups between runs. There are over 100 available powers to chose from, with 40 permanent buffs to create a good amount of choice for players. Like other games in the genre, the goal is to survive as long as possible, using the build earned along the way.

Impressions

I love this game’s art, but Dark Fairy Tale: Dreamland Survivors game isn’t fun. When it comes to survivor-like games, you simply have better options. My biggest issue with the game is that it feels like nothing is happening. Unlike other games with a similar loop, it just feels like you’re moving around the map collecting exp for a meaningless level-up. Leveling in this game feels meaningless. No matter what I chose, it felt like I wasn’t doing anything. This is a game where there is a grind, and it feels bad. Sure you might get a cool new animation, but watching it do absolutely nothing to overwhelming hordes or enemies is disheartening.

Another major issue I have with the game is how it handles permanent boosts. God forbid you build wrong because you will get stomped at a very early stage. This game feels like it has a solvable solution, and more often than not, the RNG won’t give you the chance to do so. The full game might have a more balance pool of abilities and skills, but I am not holding my breath.

If you’re looking for a new survivor-like, go play brotato. That is the best entry to this genre, and that is a hill I am willing to die one. That said, I am willing to give it a second chance when the full version does, until then, I wouldn’t even bother with the demo.