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video game reviews

Why DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation is a Must-Play

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation 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 DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation?

Idea Factory brings the DATE A LIVE series to Steam and PS4 in one fantastic package. DATE A LIVE is a romance visual novel never before localized. Gamers will get access to three novels: Rinne-Utopia, Rio-Reincarnated, and Arusu install (played in that order). If your in the mood for some cheesy harem anime to read this summer, here is where you need to start.

Hook

Our story starts thirty years after the spacequakes. These are cosmic disaster that brought with it powerful beings known as Spirits. Spirits posses great power, but they are unstable. Left unchecked, they can cause great harm to the world. Shido Itsuka is an average high school student, but the only one in this world with the power to save everyone. Forced in the middle of all this chaos, Shido must date the Spirits and use the power of love to save them. Get ready to collect some waifus as you use your powers of romance to create the perfect dates that will save the world. How long will it take you to collect all the endings?

Gameplay

The game is a dating sim/visual novel. Players can date 11 different characters with unique personalities, choose from 150 dating events, and your choices matter. Once you are done with this game, there are light novels, anime, and a movie you help you get even more waifus.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation is a fantastic title for your Steam Deck. The resolution is perfect and most importantly, the text is legible. I have old eyes and have a hard time with visual novels on my Steam Deck (especially since my daughter hid my glasses), but this felt like reading a book. I prefer the experience on the Steam Deck because I can read in bed or on the couch, and any time I can spend away from my computer is a plus to me. Especially since I couldn’t put this game down.

Review

DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation is a visual novel I’ll recommend to everyone. While it is a little on the cheesy side, and the fan service might turn some folks off, it is the fun and quirky story you need right now. It has great art, and enough content to be worth the full price. It is currently on sale for $10 on Steam until July 9th 2026, which is a steal!

Aesthetic

As a huge anime fan, I have no notes. I love the character design, and I appreciate that they don’-t get too lazy with with backgrounds. Waifu hunters will appreciate the fan service, and the features that let you screenshot. Casual anime fans will appreciate the cute anime girls and dates you get to go on. I don’t speak much Japanese, but the voice acting seems solid, although I started reading faster than the characters would talk so my sample size is a little limited.

Story

I have a soft spot for cheesy harem anime, and I have a history of snapping up these types of games. I was incredibly excited when this game was sent to me, but I was not ready for how good this visual novel would be. The writing is solid, the pacing is great, and there is enough unique scenarios that make me want to 100% this game. The supernatural elements are well done, but I love me some cute anime girls and here I am, trying to appease them all. If you enjoy cheesy harems as much as I do, you probably already have this game in your library. If you don’t, it needs to be. Especially now that it is on sale. If you already have this game in your library, Celestia: Chain of Fate is a cheesy reverse-harem visual novel that isn’t as good, but might be up your alley.

Conclusion

My collaboration with Idea Factory has been a difficult one because I can’t put the games down. Regrettably, I have slowed down my posting schedule because I would rather be playing the games. This was probably the hardest title to put down because of how much fun I had with the dating sim. The hardest part about this game is choosing a waifu, especially since I don’t have the time to collect all of them. I’ll settle for Tohka for now. I have never read the novel or watch the anime, but I think its time to start. While the game does make a few references I didn’t quite understand, I was a fan Fans of the series already have this game in their library, and new fans need to have it soon. Honestly, if you are looking for something to read and don’t mind the fan service or over the top-cheesy anime antics, this is the book for you. Best of all, it plays on your Steam Deck so you can read this from anywhere.

You can pick up DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation on Steam and PS4. If you are looking for more visual novels, check out After Love Ep if you want something more serious, and Harmony: The Fall if you want something beautiful.

Trailer

Tech Reviews

Unboxing the Redragon Aatrox M811 Pro Wireless Mouse

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Disclaimer

Redragon sent me the AATROX M811 Pro 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 Redragon BS8773 keyboard combo and the Wyvern K761 mechanical keyboard. I’ll be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before buying anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • M811 Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • 2.4Ghz Wireless Dongle
  • User Manual

Unboxing

Features

Redragon brings affordability and performance to its roster of quality products with the Aatrox M811 Pro gaming mouse. This sleek design promises both style and comfort in a package that might be too good to pass up. Whether you need a few extra keys for your workflow macros, or a better way to grind some levels, the Redragon Aatrox M811 might be what you’re looking for.

Aesthetic

The Aatrox M811 Pro is available in two colors: black and white. It can also be engraved for an added personalized touch. The engraving also lights up with the RGB effect to maximize the gaming aesthetic.

The side buttons have been arranged to create a low profile mouse with easy access to the buttons you need. The sleek modern design of the mouse has been designed to give players a more comfortable grip. All of the RBG (buttons, logo, and bottom strip) can be customized through the official software so the mouse always matches your aesthetic. It can be turned off for those of you who don’t want the light show, or if you want to enjoy the Aatrox’s impressive 80 hours of battery life.

Performance

The Aatrox M811 Pro is more than just a cool looking mouse, it is ready to take your game to the next level. The mouse eliminates wire clutter by providing users a fast, low latency connection through its wireless and Bluetooth connections. The impressive 1000 mAh boasts 20 hours of use (80 without the RGB) for peace of mind during those important team boss fights. The high quality, wired cable is ready to support you when you need to get back online. To maximize the M811 Pro’s utility, each of the 15 macro buttons can be customized for and reprogrammed with the macros you need. While the mouse doesn’t have rapid fire for FPS, you do have an easily adjustable dpi (up to 26000) so the mouse is always as fast as you need it to be. At this price, you’d be hard pressed to find anything better.

Review

If you are looking for an affordable MMO that works, the M811 Pro is a fine choice. You get a cool looking mouse with enough buttons for what you need. I might opt for the the wired version for a more reliable mouse or if you need a cheaper option, but I had no issues with the wireless version.

Quality

My first impression of the mouse is good. The mouse doesn’t look or feel cheap out of the box. The machining is clean, and the numbers and etchings are clean and legible. The buttons don’t have the cheap plastic click, and it feels like it can survive those long, sweaty raid nights. One complaint I do have is that my oily hands seem to leave the mouse discolored after a few hours of use. Wiping it after use seems to give the mouse it’s natural glow, but I do worry the coat might start pealing after a while. For $40 tho, I’m not complaining but I recommend getting it in black.

Aesthetic

One thing I will say about Redragon is that they know how to design into the gaming aesthetic. This is a very gaming looking mouse and you are either going to love or hate the aesthetic. I think the design is fine, and I appreciate the attempts at good ergonomics. The mouse has groves on it to allow the hand to sit more naturally on the mouse. I have big hands and found it to be a perfect fit, but people will smaller hands will struggle (especially when reaching for the buttons). The RGB effects are fine. I like that they are subtle, but you aren’t really seeing the effects anyways.

Engraving

I opted to get my M811 Pro engraved. The engraving is clean and legible, but it isn’t very visible if the RGB is off. I is a nice enough effect for those who want to add a touch of personality to their accessories, but I wouldn’t personally wouldn’t spend the extra money on getting an engraving. It is nice to look down at my desk and see my name light up though. I guess I am a little conceited in that way.

Performance

The Aatrox M811 Pro works great out of the box. I was up and gaming without having to adjust any of the settings. I did eventually opt for a more faster dpi setting because of my workflow, but I didn’t have a need to install third party software. After my week of testing, I didn’t notice any dips in performance. The mouse is responsive enough for Guild Wars 2 meta events and some pvp. I might reprogram the side buttons for a more efficient loadout in the future, but for now, it’s good enough. The battery life is very impressive, and I was able to get about the 20 advertised hours of use. I appreciate any excuse to eliminate wire clutter.

Comfort

Comfort is where I had issues with the M811 pro. Now I have repetitive stress injury that requires a certain level of ergonomics. My experience isn’t universal. There are cheap mice out that there that leave my hand with so much pain, I lose the use my hands. It never got that bad with the M811, but there was enough soreness that prompted frequent breaks. I could get a respectable hour of use between those breaks, which is probably healthier than the alternative. The shape does feel perfect for the size of my hand, but I would have preferred a steeper slant for a more natural grip.

I like the idea of the slanted buttons, but it did get some getting used to. The top four buttons were easy to reach, but I had trouble with the bottom four. The placement put my hand in an awkward position that would trigger some discomfort. Again, this isn’t going to be an issue for everyone, but it is an issue for the older gamers like me who need better ergonomics. If you just need a beater mouse for travel or LAN parties and don’t want to risk losing your expensive mouse, its comfortable enough.

Conclusion

For the price, you aren’t getting much better than the Aatrox M811 pro (or the wired version for added savings). You get a mouse with enough buttons for what you need, with enough quality to get you back into the game. If you need an ergonomic solution, this shouldn’t be your main mouse. For me, its good enough because of how long parenting allows me to game, but those with more time to game won’t like it. While the quality is solid, especially for the price point, I don’t expect it to be a for ever mouse. It is good for those who need a spare, a beater, or a travel mouse, but it isn’t a permanent solution. As someone who has done a lot of gaming with several different mice, I would argue that none ever are.

If you are looking for a mouse that works, don’t need special ergonomics, and don’t want to spend a premium, the Redragon M811 Pro is a solid choice. You can pick yours up on the official Redragon store, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

Tech Reviews

KiiBOOM Phantom81 V4 Where Performance Meets Aesthetic

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the Phantom81 V4 mechanical keyboard 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. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Phantom81 lite and and the Phantom98 lite. I’ll also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before buying anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the Box?

  • Phantom81 V4
  • USB-C to USB-A Braded Cable
  • Wireless Dongle
  • Key Puller
  • Switch Puller
  • Cleaning Cloth
  • Stickers
  • Lore Book
  • User Manual

Unboxing

Features

If you are looking for a cute keyboard that is fit right into your cozy aesthetic but also carry you through raid night, you can’t go wrong with KiiBOOM keyboards. Their newest version of the Phantom81 (V4), maximizes its cuteness while delivering the high quality and performance I expect from KiiBook keyboards.

Aesthetic

KiiBOOM continues to prove that it has the cutest collection of keyboards with the newest version of the Phantom81. This 75% keyboard comes in three colors: pink, clear, and black. I got my Phantom81 in pink because I love pink, but I am sure the other colors are cool too.

As always, you are getting a clean designed gasket that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The clear keycaps are cute, but they are designed for a comfortable tying experience. Each lights up with a beautiful and customizable back light for those who prefer the light light show, but it can just as easily be turned off for a more subtle keyboard experience. The semi-translucent body gives it that extra flare. Those cute little paw feet at the bottom are functional while maximizing the keyboard’s cozy aesthetic.

Comfort

The Phantom81 looks good while providing users a comfortable experience. The contoured keycaps feel good to the touch, while the switches give the soft typing experience needed for those long gaming sessions. The gasket design and the Pink Rose switches work together to create the iconic typing sound you want from a mechanical keyboard. While the keyboard does not have kickstands for adjusting the typing angle, the default angle is ideal for most users.

Perfomance

If you are looking for a keyboard that also compliments your gaming, the Phantom81 V4 is ready to deliver. The keyboard promises fast, low latency connections on all three modes: wired, wireless, and Bluetooth. It also has VIA support for a bit more versatility. Get ready to load it up with all the macros and speed run through all your activities! The 8000mAh battery will give you peace of mind on either of the wireless connections, but the high quality braided cable is there for you when you need it the most. For you crazies like me out there that consistently switch between devices, the keyboard suppord a wireless dongle and three Bluetooth 5.0 connections.

Sound Test

Review

I may be the biggest KiiBOOM fanboy at this point, but for good reason. KiiBOOM once again delivers a high quality product that looks good, feels great, and keeps up with all my gaming needs. If you are looking for an aesthetic upgrade, and have the means to splurge a bit, the Phantom81 V4 is a worth it every single time.

Quality

I have never had an issue with KiiBOOM products, even when my mailman destroys my package. This keyboard was very well packaged, in possibly one of the cutest presentations I’ve come across in my short career reviewing their products. The keyboard itself is well machined, without any visible signs of cheapness or imperfections. The keycaps are all clean and well injected, and they feel wonderful to the touch. The Phantom81 V4 looks and feels like a luxury keyboard, and perfect for those looking for a clean and cozy aesthetic.

Aesthetic

The Phantom81 V4 is perfect for those looking for a cute keyboard. The semi-transparent design is well executed, giving it a unique look and feel. The RGB looks good, and gives the keyboard its unique flare. Some people may not like the rave on their desk, but I am always a fan. The keyboard looks good with everything off, if that’s more your vibe. Speaking of vibes, the cute cat paws that keep the keyboard stable are adorable. While no one will ever see them, I like the fact that my keyboard has cat paws. (My daughter loves it too). This keyboard is clean and elegant, and ready to upgrade your aesthetic with its presence alone.

Performance

I have never had an issue with the a KiiBoom product, and I am happy to report that it didn’t start now. During my testing, I didn’t notice any ghosting or latency. The keyboard handled all my gaming (mostly Guild Wars 2) without much issue. Who else is excited for Guild Wars 3 tho?

Switching between connections was quick and seamless. I didn’t notice any reduction in performance between connections or devices. I didn’t play around with VIA too much outside of the few data entry macros I use for work, but setting those up was easy. I am sure anyone can maximize the keyboards utility with a bit more effort. The battery life is amazing, and I can’t really remember how many times I had to charge this keyboard. I think I got at least 10 hours of use with everything on, but I always lost track of time because it felt so long. The Phantom81 V4 is as reliable for gaming as the advertising suggests, and I am sad I need to move on to other keyboards.

Comfort

Usually when I try out keyboards, there is a period of awkwardness where I have to adjust to the new keyboard. The differences in layout, switches, keycaps, and size always take some getting used to. Sometimes, this means a painful day or two of adjustment, but I didn’t get that with the Phantom81 V4. I wouldn’t say this is an ergonomic keyboard, but it is ergonomic enough to keep my repetitive stress injury at bay for those long typing sessions. While my wife hated every minute of this keyboard, I appreciate the soothing thacky typing sound that comes unique to the phantom series. It is a little on the loud side, so be mindful of where you use it. Some folks are weird and don’t appreciate the typing ASMR like we do.

Conclusion

The Phantom81 V4 proves KiiBOOM is a brand that can deliver a cute aesthetic without sacrificing on quality or performance. If you are looking for a excuse to upgrade your aesthetic, here it is. This keyboard works great, but but will look even better on your desk. You can pick up your Phantom81 V4 from the official KiiBOOM store, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Is Dragon Star Varnir Good? Gameplay Insights Inside

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Dragon Star Varnir 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 Dragon Star Varnir

Dragon Star Varnir is a unique JRPG where you get to eat dragons. The game is playable on Steam, GoG, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch. I played this game on Steam and am happy to report that this game is Steam Deck compatible.

Hook

Zephy was once a proud who hunted dragons and witches in the name of the king. He loved his country and fulfilled his role with honorl, until the day the hunt proved too difficulty. A dragon brings Zephy to the brink of death. Fortunately, a group of witches find him and save him by feeding him dragon blood. Drinking the blood transforms Zephy into a witch, the very thing he was tasked on hunting. Unfortunately, this new found power leaves him exiled, and the knights he once served with, hunt him mercilessly. Take control of a group of witches, harness their powers, devour more dragons, and fight off the forces that hunt them. Will they be strong enough to find a peaceful life, or will they be another group of dead witches?

Gameplay

Dragon Star Varnir is your typical turn-based rpg, but one that goes a little heavy on the story. There is a lot of reading, with a dungeon delve grind to break things up.

Exploration

In between story beats, players will explore a dungeon filled with roaming enemies. There are no random encounters, but players can aggro the NPCs. Like other games in the genre, players can attack roaming enemies for an advantage. Striking an enemy first gives players advantage on initiative, while striking from behind means the enemy starts the battle damaged. Each character in your party has unique abilities that interact with the environment to help exploration. For example, Zephy can break magical barriers and unlock new areas of the map. The game incentivizes exploration through its hidden treasures and gathering system.

Combat

Dragon Star Varnir has your typical turn-based structure. Players perform an action each turn. They can cast a spell, perform an attack, use an item, or devour a dragon. What makes combat unique is that the field is verticle. Players and enemies can spread ever three levels: ground, middle, and high. Players need to be in the same plane to perform an attack. This means positioning is important, especially when it comes to AOE attacks. During combat, players can also devour a dragon to gain special abilities. This allows players to have unique builds, but it also leaves players with a bit of repetitive grind.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

This game works great on the Steam Deck, and the only way I played it after a while. The game works great on my PC, but there is something nostalgic about playing a JRPG on handheld that I will always favor. I am a huge fan of being able to put the Steam Deck to sleep when I need to step away and be a dad, especially when I am playing a game that has this much reading.

Review

I am a huge fan of JRPGs, and Dragon Star Varnir is a solid title. The game has great art, a solid story, but it does feel a little dated. I thought this game was a port for a PSP game I missed, but it is a modern game. While the game does attempt some interesting mechanics, it feels more like a visual novel with a bit of a dungeon delve and you have to be okay with a lot of reading, and a bit of a preoperative grind. This game is a great add if you find it on sale, like it is as of writing this review (until July 9th 2026).

Aesthetic

There are two parts to this game: story and exploration. The story portions of this game are fantastic. The character art is amazing, and there is enough fan service to keep me invested. I definitely have my favorite girl. The problem I have with this game is when you get to the exploration. The world is ugly. Each level and a few of the monsters feel homogeneous. The dungeons feel empty and I didn’t really have much fun exploring. It feels like a much older game which is fine for the folks who like this era of JRPG, but it is going to be a deal breaker for the modern gamer trying to break into the genre. For $5 bucks, or even 10, you can’t really go wrong. Especially since a lot of the game feels like it exists in the story.

Combat

The combat in this game is fine, but it is a little too simple. The game introduces mechanics like the planar combat, but doesn’t really do much with it. Players also have access to a lot of skills that feel useless. A lot of the combat felt like I was just repeating the same actions, only to slightly change up the spells for the boss monsters. This is fine since a lot of the time I was on auto-grind while I caught up on some Anime, but also, I was only playing to see what happens to the latest of my waifus.

Grind

I come to JRPGs expecting a grind, but the kind of grind is what makes or breaks the game for me. Dragon Star Varnir doesn’t have a soul crushing grind. The game lets you skip encounters, and there is a feature that automates combat. You can even skip the animations. That means you can sit back and chill and grind, although you don’t really need to. You might want to grind some extra souls to help build up your characters or cash for items, but I went in as casually as one can play a JRPG and got through it just fine. It wasn’t a speed run by any means, but it was respectable for my lifestyle.

Story

I’ll admit that I enjoyed the story. This isn’t one of those award-winning games that will cement itself in the zeitgeist of our generation, but it is a story I enjoyed reading. The game has a solid cast of voice actors, and the writing was good enough to keep me invested. I wouldn’t go out of my way to play this game for its story, it does feel like generic anime at points, but I am always in need for some generic anime to keep me sane in these troubling times. I recommend checking it out when you want something to unwind to, and you get blessed with some hot Steam sale action.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a JRPG to fill a void and happen to be around for the amazing Steam sale (only $6 until July 9th 2026), jump on it. You get cool art, a solid story, and good enough mechanics to keep you busy. You’ve got better options, like Beloved Rapture or Alterium Shift, but the game has enough charm and charisma to earn at least one play through. Just not for $30. If you are a fan of JRPGs, especially the older PSP ones you might have a better justifying the price, but as a broke boy trying to survive, this feels like a lot of money.

Trailer

video game reviews

Explore the Quirky Charm of Hyperdimension Neptunia

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 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 Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1?

Idea Factory brings the fun, quirky JRPG to PC in a solid port that might be worth trying if you miss that grindy golden age of PSP gaming. If you are looking for a fun game that doesn’t take itself too seriously and don’t mind the grind, you might want to get your hard on Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1

Hook

Welcome to the world of Gaminudstri where four CPU’s are locked in a long standing battle for dominance. The battle seemed neverending until one day, Neptune was deafeated. In a strange turn of events, Neptune’s fall brings her crashing onto one of Gamindustri’s four nations, Planeptune. She awakes without her memories to a stranger who is willing to help her get them back. Now with the help of her new friend, a magical book that talks to her, and the friends she meets along the way, she must fight back the mestirious forces that keep the CPU’s locked in conflict. Will she be able to recover enough of her memories and power in time to save the world? Of course she will. She’s the main character!

Gameplay

Hyperdimension Neptunia has your traditinal JRPG elements. You have a steep grind that feeds into your crafting system and team building. You have quests that both affect the story and feed into the grind. What sets this game apart is its meta-humor and an over-the-top tone that gives the game its charm. The main loop for this game is grinding through the dungeons to earn enough XP, loot, and credits for the upgrades needed to beat the boss. The main draw to this game is the cute anime girls and quirky story around them.

Combat

The combat is turn-based with some minor movement mechanics. Each character in your party has a set movement speed that can be manipulated with gear. Positioning does matter for both gaining an advantage and targeting. What makes Hyperdimension Neptunia unique is that players need to move the players to gain line of sight. This means walking up to the different mobs to target and setting off the actions. You can target multiple units at once. As an action, characters and cast spells, perform attacks, and perform EXE drives. Knowing when to use each type of action is key to an efficient grind.

Dungeons

Dugeons are the main way to progress through the story and grind for everything you need. Each dungeon has a special theme and are filled with unique monsters. Mobs are visible throughout the dungeon (no random encounters), which means you can plan your grind and avoid encounters. You can attack a mob to gain advantage on initiative. There are also nodes spread across the map that you’ll need for crafting.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 works great on the Steam Deck. I only ever played this game on my PSP, so having a bigger screen and console is a blessing. While the game plays great on the PC, the experience is better on handheld. As a busy dad, I love that I can put the game down and not risk losing my progress because I didn’t get to save point before my toddler asks for my attention. The only issue I have with the port is that if you use touch controls, even accidentally, the game switches to mouse and keyboard controls. To fix this, you need get a keyboard, scroll through settings, and change the default controls back to controller. I only had to do this once, and only because I fat fingered the screen on accident.

Review

I played a lot of Hyperdimension Neptunia on my PS vita. Sadly, someone stole my vita and my life has never been the same, until I lucked out and started partnering with Idea Factory. This has been one of my favorite collaborations I’ve done because these games have a special place in my heart. While the game is old, and feels a little dated by modern JRPG standards, the game is still a gem worth playing. Fans of the series already have this game on there Steam Deck, but new fans should at least give this game a chance. This is one of the most unique games in both gameplay and story that you should try at least once. Provided you don’t mind the steep grind that comes with games from this era of gaming.

Aesthetic

Neptunia draws people in with its adorable cast of waifus you can collect and dress up. Admittedly, it is what drew me to the game. You also get a fantastic cast of voice actors and music that will get you in the mood for epic battles (even when the battles start to get repetitive). Some folks might find the dungeon crawl bits to feel a little dated both in looks and function, but keep in mind that this is a port of an older game made for an older audience. I love the touch of nostolgia and the simplicity of the world and have no notes, only love. There is also a tad bit of fan service for those who need it.

Combat

I enjoy Hyperdimension Neptunia’s combat, but the grind makes the game feel repetitive. I enjoy the repetition and find comfort in it, but others won’t have time for it. This is the type of game where you can grind while catching up on some anime. I like that it gives you the option to progress the story at your own pace so you never have to choose between either activity. While some of the grind can be mindless, the game demands respect. You will need to learn the mechanics to progress efficiently, or risk wiping to negligence. Overall, Hyperdimension Neptunia is a solid example of 2010’s JRP combat that is worth checking out at least for its historical impact on the genre.

Story

As hard as it may be to believe, I play the Neptunia games for the plot. These games are a refreshing take on a genre that sometimes feels homogeneous. This is a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it pays off. The story is full of on-the-nose meta humor that both makes valid criticism about the state of the game industry, but also makes you laugh.The cast is fun and colorful, the beats are well paced and quirky, and the voice acting is amazing. If you are looking for a fun cozy title to shut off to, you don’t find better options.

Concusion

I played a lot of Hyperdimension Neptunia back in the day. While I was excited to relive some nostolgia, there was a part of me that was afraid that it wasn’t going to hold up. Maybe my memory was jaded by the waifus and in reality, the game was never good. To my relief, the game holds up. Sure the game does have its grind and there are bits that feel dated, but the game is fun and perfect for an on the go adventure. If you’ve never played a Neptunia game, this is your place to start. If you like cute anime girls doing cute quirky things and don’t mind the jrpg grind, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 needs to be in your collection.

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video game reviews

Mary Skelter Finale: Is it the Best RPG for Old School Fans?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Mary Skeleter Finale 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 May Skelter Finale?

Mary Skelter Finale is a dungeon crawling RPG out now on Steam, PS4 and the Nintendo Switch. If you like anime and dark fantasy, this might be the game for you.

Hook

Deep within an ancient prison, a group of fairy tale heroes make their daring escape. Surrounded by monsters known as Marchen and madness-inducing monsters, they must fight their way through to freedom. But this will not be easy, and their latest obsticale seems almost impossible. The group finds themselves surrounded by pools of blood and piles of dead bodies. Even more powerful monsters fight back the blood maidens, forcing a retreat that leaves them scattered throughout the tower. They must use their special abilities and any loot they find along the way to get out of this prison. Will they ever know freedom, or are they doomed to become part of the piles of dead bodies?

Gameplay

This game plays like an old school dungeon crawler. The game is split into two parts, exploration and combat. Players will explore the dungeon in a unique first person view, in search of loot and a way out. Random encounters will keep players on their toes as they are forced into traditional turn based combat. Each character and team has unique skills and abilities that they can use to keep enemies at bay, with options for further customization through a unique skill crafting system. You can essentially buy the skills you want each character to have.

What makes this game truly unique is its swapping mechanic. All of the characters have been scattered throughout the tower in teams. Players must switch between each team to progress through the story. This shift in perspective helps give the narrative its complexity, but it also makes the grind feel a bit more tedious. Either way, if you like these old school feeling dungeon crawlers, it might be worth checking out the Mary Skelter series.

Review

I have mixed feelings about this title. On one hand, this game has fantastic art and solid story, but starting at the end left me a little confused. I wish I would have started from the start. The gameplay loop is fine, but it does suffer from being a port of a game from a grindier generation. There are a few noticeable bugs, but I didn’t encounter anything game braking, and the combat feels a bit repetitive. The game is also hard if you try to play it mindlessly. This game demands respect for its mechanics, and the mechanics aren’t always clear. (This might be a skill issue). All in all, I think the game is fine, but start at the beginning.

Aesthetic

What drew me, and I am sure a lot of people, to this game is the art. The character design in this game is peak, especially if you are fan of anime. The world feels a little bare, but I’ll chalk that up to resource restrictions. The game does have a fantastic sound track and even better voice actors to bring this story to life. If you like anime, you’ll enjoy the dark and gritty world and cool anime characters that fill it.

Gameplay

Here is where I can see there being a split. If you like old school dungeon crawlers, the game has enough of a modern flare to be appealing to the modern gamer, but the game feels dated and the grind is a little steep. You really get sense of how grindy this game is when you switch between teams and it feels like you are starting over. I love these kinds of games and found the repetition soothing, but as a busy dad, it felt like I never accomplished enough.

The problem I have with this title is that you can only save at certain points. This is well in good for building tension, but not good when you have to step away for dadly duties. This game was clearly made to be played on a handheld where you can put the device to sleep, and not lose any progress. I had to start my save over a few times (often losing hours of progress) because I never got to the save point in time. I am so glad this game works on the Steam Deck, or else I would still be playing through the prologue.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

This game is great on the Steam Deck, at least during my testing. The words are a little small, but that could just be a simptom of these old eyes. Otherwise, I was able to perform the core gameplay loop and most importantly, progress through enough of the story to write this review.

Story

The story is fine, but I felt a little lost. The game does a good enough job at being a stand alone adventure, but I felt like I was missing key plot points that would help me care more about the story. Moreover, I didn’t feel as attached as I should be to the characters because I didn’t get to spend enough time with them. While I like the story for the dark and gory fantasy that it is, I am not getting enough of the story to care. Without having read any of the other installments, I can kind of tell that this might be the weakest of the trilogy. That said, I liked the story enough, and will try to go back to the beginning to learn more. If you like dark fantasy anime, this is a solid tittle, but start at the beginning.

Conclusion

If you like visual novels and don’t mind the old school drungeon-crawl grind, Mary Skelter is an interesting series that is worth looking into. You get a world with cool art, solid lore, and interesting gameplay. The biggest determining factor seems to be the grind. If you don’t mind this era of rpg grind, start at the beginning. $40 seems a little too steep for this title because of how dated it feels, but if you’ve been enjoying the story, you get a solid conclusion. Check it out, but start from the beginning. You can pick up your copy on Steam, PS4 and the Nintendo Switch.

If you enjoy these types of old school Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society

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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!

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Tech Reviews

Reviewing the Huanuo FlowLift Dual Monitor Mount

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Disclaimer

Huanuo sent me the FlowLift Pro dual monitor mount 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 review for the NitroGlide mount and the Magno ModuleMaster laptop stand. I’ll be using my Amazon Affiliate link were possible. It really helps me out if you click it before buying anything.

Table of Contents

Unboxing

Features

People who struggle with a cluttered workspace should invest in a good monitor arm. Not only does it give users the flexibility to customize their workstation, but it gives them much needed room for activities. If are looking for a way to maximize your workspace, Huanuo has the monitor arm that is right for you.

Quality

The FlowLift is Huanuo’s high quality solution for your monitor arm needs. It is crafted from high quality, durable, professional metals. The MechaSpring arms not only make the FlowLift extremely versatile, users can rest easy that their monitors won’t come crashing down in the middle of the night. Each arm can hold 13″ – “32” monitors and have a max load of 19.8 lbs. The LockSteady system means you can adjust the monitors to the perfect, ergonomic angle quickly and easily. As an added bonus, the arms come with built in wire management systems to help keep your desk as clean as possible. If you are looking for a monitor arm system that is easy to install, flexible, and that works properly, check out the Huanuo FlowLift.

Review

After a month of testing, my monitors stand securely on my desk. I moved these arms several times a day because of my work flow, and I have yet to notice any dip in performance. The Huanuo FlowLift dual monitor arm is the perfect solution for those who want a cleaner workspace that is affordable and doesn’t skimp on quality. I love the FlowLift, and it would be my main setup if I wasn’t so in love with the NitroGlide mount.

Quality

Out of the box, users will be impressed with the mounts clean manufacturing. The metal feels and looks high quality, which is something you need in a monitor mount. Monitors are expensive and the last thing you need is for your arms to give out and your set up come crashing down. I have little doubt in the reliability of these arms because of how well they stay in the several positions I transitioned to throughout the day. I like that you can see the spring. While I don’t know much about springs, they got the job done. The only complaint I have is that the wire management system does feel a little flimsy, but if you aren’t constantly adding and removing wires through the system, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Easy of Installation

It took me maybe 15 minutes to install these, and some of the time was dedicated to taking down my old setup. The instructions are clear and intuitive, and the kit itself doesn’t take many steps to finish. You will need a couple of tools to finish the installation like a better alan wrench, but it isn’t a difficult or demanding build. I am a huge fan of the InstaMount VESA Plates. Essentially, you install a plate to the back of your monitors and clip it to the arm. It has never been easier to install a monitor to a mount.

Customization

The FlowLift is an extremely versatile mount that gives users too many options. You can easily adjust the monitor to a position that works best for you, and change it in seconds if the mood ever strikes. The mount supports dual horizontal, horizontal vertical, and dual vertical. It doesn’t support a stacked configuration, but I don’t really need that. You can then swivel, tilt, and rotate both the arms and the monitors to find the best position. I love this feature because not only do I switch between devices, but I switch between standing and sitting. I was able to always find the perfect angle whether I was working on my bed, standing, or using my laptop. Most people will probably set it and forget it, it is always nice to have the option if you need to adjust your workspace’s fung shui.

Conclusion

The only thing I didn’t like about the FlowLift is that it didn’t have the USB ports the NitroGlide has. I use these slots a lot more than I thought I would, but for those who don’t need it, the FlowLift is perfect. I would even argue that the FlowLift is better because of how much easier it is to install. If you need a high quality monitor arm that you can rely on that is at a very good price point, get the FlowLift. Trust me, this thing is amazing!

video game reviews

First Impressions of HellSlave II: The Archon’s Judgement

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Disclaimer

I was sent the HellSlave II: Judgement of the Archon demo to review for my blog. I understand the game isn’t finished yet, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest first impressions.

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 HellSlave II: Judgement of the Archon

HellSlave II is a dark fantasy dungeon crawler coming to Steam later this year. The sequel promises to be a lot more brutal than the first, offering players more customization than ever before. Check out demo now, and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

A thousand year war has torn the world apart. Six demon lords are trapped in an endless battle for dominance. With no resolution in site, the angels have decided to end it. The Archon of Judgement has been released onto the world to cleanse it of the demon scourge. You are humanities last hope. Armed with only the legendary weapons you find along the way, and your choice of spells and abilities, fight against the six demon lords and cleanse them from this realm. Can you defeat all sick armies and earn your salvation, or are you doomed to be whipped with the rest of the demons?

Gameplay

The game is a simple dungeon crawler with turn based combat. Players can move through the over world through a stylized top down, 2D map. There are no random encounters. Players can see all enemies and map out their grind, or skip it all together. Combat is turn-based. You get the traditional RPG combat mechanics like healthstones, manastones, and mana pools, but what makes this game unique is how it handles initiative. Each action costs time to cast.

For example, a spell may cost 8 seconds to cool down. Casting it will be instant, but you will get moved down the initiative accordingly. If the enemy casts something with a 6 second cooldown, they get to go again before you act again. What makes combat interesting is how the items you equip affect the stats. The game offers ample options to customize loadouts with gear and each class’s expansive skill tree that no two saves will ever be the same. If you like math, grinding dark and griddy rpgs, this might be the game for you.

Impressions

While the game works well enough, HellSlave II still feels like an early demo. There is a general clunkiness to the movement that is hard to overlook, and there are some bits of the game that are still in French. That said, the demo shows a lot of promise. What you get is an excellent introduction to a world with fantastic art, interesting lore, and a solid mechanical foundation. I am very upset that I can’t keep playing the game, but I can’t wait to see what this game becomes. If you are looking for something new to play, check out the demo and thank me later.

Aesthetic

Fans of Dark Fantasy will appreciate the art and aesthetic. The world is dark and gritty, and the demon designs are terrifying. I am impressed with how bleak the world is. There is so much flavor in this game. I love how the gear you put on your character shows up in the cutscenes, but I wish I could see this type of detail in the over world. I get that this might be hard to do, or not as important, but I don’t like the generic sprite that you get to travel over the world with. Other than that, the world is so cool and I need to see more.

Story

There isn’t much story in the demo, but what I read is fine. A lot of the lore is scattered throughout the world as random drops. It kind of reminds me of Destiny where you had to explore the world and pick up all these different journals and piece it all together. For those who like to read, there is some cool dark fantasy lore to collect. For those who done, you’re probably reading the guides to min-max that speed run. Either way, it was enough to get me hooked and I want to know how it all ends.

You do not need to play the first HellSlave to understand the events of the second, at least as far as the demo goes. The game is pretty stand alone, and I never felt lost because I didn’t play the first one. I’ll probably want to play the first one because I enjoy the 2nd one so much, but that is a conversation for a more future me.

Performance

As far as demo’s work, HellSlave 2 gets a stable enough one to give a good impression of what to expect. The only issues I had with the game is that movement is kind of clunky. I would randomly get stuck on invisible walls, and there were a couple of instances where I just spawned in the middle of a building and got stuck. The worst part is that the autosave overwrites your manual one. Most of the time, this doesn’t matter because you can change your build at anytime for free, but I accidentally chose the wrong buff and I couldn’t go back to redo my choice. While I wouldn’t call it unplayable, it is a little annoying.

Customization

This game gives you so much freedom for a build that the hardest part of this game is going to be choosing what gear or stats you want to upgrade. The demo showers you with loot, and while there is a lot of RNG, it feels very fair. There is also an expansive skill tree that you can redo at anytime. I love that the game let me play around with different builds until I found one that made the game fun. Sure there are probably going to be guides that will help you break the game, but I didn’t feel the need. If combat ever got too difficult, I either had to grind a little more, buy new loot, or change up my build.

Gameplay

I am a huge fan of these classic feeling dungeon crawlers, but HellSlave II doesn’t feel old and grindy like some of my favorites. The main game may have a steeper grind, but it seems fine. I might try playing a harder difficulty for my true run because I eventually found a build that felt pretty broken. Combat is soothing, but requires enough strategy to get you through the dungeon alive. I particularly love that I am not bogged down by random encounters, and I can move more strategically. I can even skip encounters if I didn’t feel like fighting. If you like classic dungeon crawlers but want something that feels modern, get HellSlave II.

Conclusion

I am very excited for the full release of HellSlave II. This game is a solid dungeon crawler with fantastic art, great lore, and fun mechanics. I hope the game has full Steam Deck support one day because I would love to play this on the go or on the couch when I just want to chill. If you are looking for a fun and unique game to add to your collection, check out the HellSlaves II demo today. Don’t forget to wishlist!

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video game reviews

Monster Monpiece Review: A Casual Card Battler

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Monster Monpiece 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.

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 Monster Monpiece?

Monster Monpiece is a card battler out now on Steam but ported from the PS Vita game back from 2014. If you like collecting cute anime girls and don’t mind the chibbi action combat, this game might be for you.

Hook

In the world of Yafaniel, humans live along side a race of Monster girls. Monster girls have magical abilities, can be stored as cards, and can be used for battle. Play as May Esperio who is a student at one of the nation’s academies trying as she tries to become a master of monster girls. The problem is, a horrible attack has left her meek and a bit reserved in combat. This all changes when one of her friends becomes lost, possessed by a greater spirit, and it is up to her to save her. Team up with powerful monster girls, fight your way through countless enemies, and get her back to normal. Do you have what it takes to save one of your friends and the world, or will everything come crumbling down around you? Build your deck and find out!

Gameplay

The gameplay loop is simple. You build your deck of monster girls and face off against your opponents. This is a turn based game where you can summon one monster girl per turn onto the gridded map. The monster girls will attack and move automatically, but you can influence a summon’s powers by creating combos and upgrading units. You can perform combos by chaining the same color cards up to three times. This will increase the stats of that color for the the rest of combat. You can also stack the same creature type cards to upgrade them. An upgraded unit adds the fodder’s stats which not only make them more powerful, but can heal them in a pinch. Between combat nodes, players can change up their deck, upgrade existing cards through the rub mechanic, or buy new cards from a shop. It is sort of like a deck building roguelike, but there is a bit more plot and fan service.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Sadly, this game does not work on the Steam Deck. This deck was clearly meant to be a handheld game, but I never got it to launch natively on the Steam Deck. I am sure with a bit of tinkering I can get it to work, but most people don’t have time for that. The game works fine on PC, but I would have loved to play this on the go, in bed, or on the couch. I will take any excuse to not be at my computer all day.

Review

I love card games, and this Monster Monpiece hits a sweat spot for what I am looking for in the genre. Monster Monpiece has great art for those waifu fans out there, solid game mechanics, but it does feel a little dated. While I will admit the grind is a little steep for the modern gamer, I appreciate the change of pace the game offers when most of the card games we get now are some variation of the same kind of deck building roguelike. If you want a game that is cute, casual, and with a whole mess of waifus, Monster Monpiece might be right for you.

Aesthetic

What drew me to this game, and really any game that comes from our friends over at Idea Factory, is the art. The game is full of cute anime girls that you can collect, and enough fan service to keep them happy. This is a trigger warning for those of you out there who don’t want to be caught looking at anime girls in risque outfits and poses. The game has a fantastic score and some solid voice acting. I don’t speak Japanese, but it sounds good enough to me. I don’t know how I feel about the chibbi animations. On one hand, they are cute and it is an easy way to handle the auto-battles without making the game too resource hungry. On the other, it is chibi art. A lot more work went into the cards and art you can earn by grinding through the game, so I guess it will have to do.

The Grind

This game is from an era where games were a little more grindy. I can see it being a very steep grind, especially in later parts of the game, to unlock more better cards, but I’ve also played a lot of Runescape growing up. This grind doesn’t feel bad at all. That said, it will feel a little slow and repetitive for those of you who skipped through the golden age of JRPGs. I find the repetition soothing, and didn’t mind the grind at all. Sure I might not have played this game optimally, but I had fun.

Gameplay

The card game mechanics in this game are great. The game introduces fresh mechanics I haven’t seen much in modern titles, and combat was engaging enough to keep playing. If you play enough card games, it does feel a little on the easier side. I got to the point where I could outsmart the AI, but I never saw it as much of a problem. This is definitely one of those cozy titles I’ll pop on when I want to chill after a long day of work and not have to worry about min maxing or existing in the relevant meta. The game scratches that card game itch without being too sweaty which is always a win in my honest opinion.

Story

The story is fine. I wouldn’t pick this game up just to play the story, but you won’t mind sitting through it. It is the generic, cutesy anime that I’ve always found comfort in. When friendship is the most important thing in the world, you can kind of figure out where the story is going and even what the characters are going to say. The game is more about collecting the cute anime girls anyways.

Rubbing

Monster Monpiece has a mechanic where you can rub the monster girls to unlock new art and abilities. Using different gestures and inputs, you can rub, poke, pinch, and touch your Monster girl to get her to crush on you. Those who are here for the fan service will appreciate the uncensored art you get to unlock for each character, but I wouldn’t play this in public.

My problem is not with the fan service. My problem is that this mechanic doesn’t work very well (at least not on Steam) and the whole process is more work than it is worth. You are supposed to find each monster girls sweet spot and work it till she falls in love with you, but I could never get it to work properly and it took too much time. The game was clearly meant to be played with a touch screen, but the mechanics didn’t translate well.

The Cash Shop

This game used to be a multiplayer game. There is even dialogue in this game that suggests it. The Steam port is a single player game that still has a cash shop. I didn’t mind this feature too much because I was able to do just fine with what I was given. I am sure the cash shop cards would have made the grind a little easier, but it was fine for what it is. If you like to min-max, its a problem, but doesn’t really affect the casual deck building experience. Especially when the game is only $10.

Conclusion

I honestly like Monster Monpiece. The game was the perfect casual card builder, although the fan service might be a bit too much for some folks. Viewer discretion is advised. The game does feel a little dated, but so am I and here I am, enjoying every minute of it. If you want deck builder that isn’t your typical roguelike, grab yourself a copy. It is only $10 and worth every penny.

You can pick up Monster Monpiece on Steam.

Trailer