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Tech Reviews

KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2 Review: The Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the Moonshadow V2 for free to review for my blog, but this time in pink. 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 Cibrix29 Keypad or the very cute Y2K Keycaps. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it to buy anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the Box?

  • KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • 2.4gHz Wireless Dongle
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • Manual

Features

The Moonshadow returns with notable improvements on the popular classic design to that make it the perfect upgrade for any set up. Its sleek modern design, high-functioning utility and performance promise the perfect typing experience.

Design

The Moonshadow V2 is a prime example of KiiBOOM’s masterful craftsmanship. It’s sturdy aluminum alloy frame is well machined to not only look good, but survive the most intense of team fights. The Moonshadow is available in three colors: Pink, Black, and Silver.

The V2 is a 75% keyboard with 81 keys and a nob. Each key features soft south-facing RGB for some added flare. The gasket design generates the perfect typing sound while the switches promise users the comfortable typing experience they’ve been looking for.

Utility

The Moonshadow V2 is QMK and VIA compatitable, meaning each key and the nob can be reconfigured for the ideal workflow. Weather it be programing shortcuts, rebinding keys, or adding some useful macros, the Moonshadow is a very good looking keyboard ready to max out your efficiency.

Performance

The V2 is ready to level up your gaming experience with its promised low latency connections:

  • 7.2ms on wired
  • 9ms on wireless 2.4GHz
  • 20ms on Bluetooth 5.0

Those who want less wire clutter will appreciate the respectable 6000 mAh battery. Those who live in front of the TV will love Anti-Ghosting and ideal poling rate. If you are looking for a keyboard that can keep up with the demands of this face paced world, you will find few better than the KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2.

Review

I’ve reviewed the KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2 before. I loved it so much I got it in a second color. If you are looking for the perfect keyboard to upgrade your setup or as a gift for this holiday season, pick up the Moonshadow V2

Quality

KiiBOOM consistantly delivers high quality keyboards and accessories at a very reasonable price point. My keyboard was kicked around by my mail man and came in pieces. I was able to put it back together and noticed no performance dips. Not only is this the ideal keyboard for a tinkerer, but it speaks highly of the high quality production that went into Moonshadow V2. Everything on this keyboard is cleanly machined for an elegant piece of tech that I am proud to display on my desk.

Comfort

The switches are a bit on the heavier side. It took a little longer to get used to, but now I am having trouble going back. The heavy feedback that comes with every press is such a satisfying feeling, and they don’t destroy my hands as much as other cheap keyboards have. The stock typing angle is perfect for my needs, and the keys feel very nice under my fingertips. The Moonshadow V2 may not be strictly ergonomic, but it is comfortable enough for the long hours I need it for. I’m on my keyboard an average 10 hours a day.

Performance

The Moonshadow V2 is ready to handle any workflow. I used mine for data entry, writing, and gaming without issue. It doesn’t seem like the rough shipping had any effect. I was able to enjoy 10 hours of uninterrupted wireless use with no noticeable latency. This was with all the RGB on.

Conclusion

The Moonshadow V2 is my favorite keyboard I’ve received from any company. I am a huge fan of the elegant aluminum frame and stylish color scheme, but the typing experience is where the V2 just wins. If are looking for the perfect mechanical keyboard that you don’t have to build yourself, the KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2 is the perfect place to start. You can even customize it with one of the beautiful keycaps like the Dough Fluff set. They keyboard has good battery life, and it handles all my workflow perfectly. I love that there is room for customization for added utility.

If you buy one keyboard this year, make it the KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2. You can pick up the Moonshadow V2 on the official KiiBOOM website, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Diggergun: A Deep Dive into Retro Puzzle Gaming

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Diggergun to review for my gun. 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 Diggergun?

Diggergun is a retro puzzler out now on Steam. There is a demo you should definitely check out, and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

You have taken a mining job digging for Lithiurn on Bal Island. The deal is so good, you pack your things and set off to your new adventure. Unfortunately, there are some details you missed in the fine print. There are costs to living on Bal Island, and you start with adventure with a good amount of depth. The only way off this island is to delve into the depth of the mines in search of Lithium. Can you find enough Litheurn to buy your freedom and get off this island, or will you succumb to the mysterious illness that seems to plague the other miners?

Gameplay Loop

Miners on Bal Island are expected to meet their quota, regardless of health. The only way off the island is to settle up depths, and life on Bal island is not cheap. Players will need to dive into the darkest depths of the mines in search Lithium. Armed with their trusty diggergun, miners will need to break through the earth and many monsters and bring back as much Lithium as they can carry. Players are limited by their stats, energy they can spend, and the amount of time in a day. While the game does look and feel like a simple retro puzzle game, there are a few moving parts that give the game its depth.

Day/Night Cycle

Time flows on Bal Island like any other place in the world. Every action, decision, and puzzle takes up time. Losing track of might mean starting the next day at a disadvantage, or possibly even death. Time also affects what events are available to the player. There are time gated interactions. For example, the restaurant is only open at a certain time and there are NPCs that are only available at certain times of the day. Missing these interactions can mean the rest of your time on Bal Island will be at a disadvantage.

Social Interactions

The mines are full of characters, some more interesting than others. Throughout the adventure, players will interact with players and have the chance to build a rapport with each one. These interactions and the relationships forged from them affect the game’s ending. There are multiple endings. Can you unlock them all?

Energy Management

Players spend energy to complete their tasks. It is a resource that is more valuable than money. Diving the mines eats at a miner’s energy reserve, but there are activities that help replenish. To replenish energy, players can eat a meal at the restaurant, use the bathroom, take a shower, and sleep. The quality of sleep affects the energy, and food costs money. All of these activities cost time, and the trick is balancing these activities with time in the mine to meet the quota. Luckily, your energy reserve and other useful stats can be upgraded at level up.

Leveling

Spending time in the mine will earn player experience. This experience will turn into levels that a player can use to upgrade one of four stats: aim, strength, energy, and luck. This is the games These skills impact how much damage a player does, how much lithium a player can carry, what a player can do in a day, and what a player finds on a delve. Each level affects gameplay. Choose wisely.

Mining

Players use their diggergun to excavate the earth and fight off monsters, but they use their mind to get to the next level. A level in the mine is a simple square 2D square full of mineable blocks, traps, and sometimes monsters. There will also be visible lithium nodes and other treasures spread throughout the map. Players will need to plan a rout as they excavate to collect everything before moving to the next room. Once a players inventory is full or they finish their quota, they can leave the mines to do it all over again tomorrow.

Money

Money runs everything on Bal Island, and it is the reason you can’t leave. At the end of each day, players collect their earnings. Players who meet the quota will be paid for their haul, but be charged for the fees of company. A big chunk of a miners wage goes into paying debt and other miscellaneous costs, leaving with little money. Players can take out another loan if money ever gets tight, but hat means never leaving the island.

Review

Diggergun is a very pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the retro aesthetic, but there was enough depth to the gameplay to keep me invested. Some people won’t like that most of the time you are just walking through a room, but there is a demo you can try before you make your final decision.

Aesthetic

I played a lot of retro puzzlers growing up on my Gameboy pocket, and have a soft sport for the look and feel of this game. The pixel art is solid and the cutscenes are cool. Diggergun has a very cool retrovibe, but the sound leaves a bit to be desired.

Sound

The sound effects are solid. I like the sound of the gun movement. It really gives me the hit of nostogia I wasn’t quite ready for, and I am here for it. The music in the game isn’t very impressive, but it is not really a deal breaker. I use play this game with anime in the background anyways.

Gameplay

Diggergun has unique mechanics that give it depth, but it does have a loop that isn’t going to vibe with some gamers. The game’s resource management keeps the game from being a mindless slog. You will need to plan your day efficiently, but those actions are simple. Most of the time you are walking through the rooms or going back to town to complete your daily interactions to survive. Some rooms offer a bit of a puzzle, but most of the time you are making your way to the next door. The main challenge is knowing when to delve and replenish resources while still making the daily quota.

I liked the loop and while it does feel a bit repetitive, it is a thematic and flavorful loop. The point of this game is to criticize the predatory nature of the corporate system, and the work is supposed to feel representative. I don’t think the game would benefit from mini games or a different style of delve mechanics. It would change the spirit of the game and I like it for the valid criticism that it makes.

My only real complaint is that I couldn’t get it to run on the Steam Deck. I wanted to play Diggergun on a handheld for the nostalgic experience. I don’t this is a deal breaker, but I hope we can get it one day.

Story

The game has terrific flavor and a solid story around the otherwise mundane loop. As efficient as I am during the day, it always felt like I wasn’t accomplishing anything at the end of the day because of how badly the company robbed me. It is a simple and very powerful story that makes valid criticism without feeling too preachy. I will have to try a second playthrough, but I don’t know how much talking to different NPCs will change the outcome, but then again, I would often lose track of time in the mines. I might need to look up some guides.

Conclusion

I really like Diggergun. It is a very cool concept for a game with a solid execution. If you don’t mind the simple retro feel and the repetition, it is a game you try at least once. The developer put a lot of love and care into this project, and I think it paid off. Go check it out, or at least try out the demo.

You can pick up DIGGERGUN on Steam.

Tech Reviews

KiwiEars Ellipse Headphones Review: Affordable Sound

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Disclaimer

Kiwiears sent me a a free pair of the Ellipse headphones 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 Belle earbuds and the Serene headphones. I will also be using my Amazon affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Kiwiears Ellipse Headphones
  • Detachable 3.5mm Cable
  • 6.3mm Adapter
  • User Manual

Features

The Kiwiears Ellipse is a powerful budget headset that promises the features and soundscape you want in for your listening needs.

Design

The Ellipse are a stylish headphones with a light and ergonomic design for comfortable listening. The plush vegan-leather pads are not only for elegance, but provide the headphone’s signature comfort. The detachable cable 3.5mm makes it easy to store and gives it a longer lifespan than the typical headphones. This means you can always trade your cable for something that better fits your style.

Performance

The wired design is key for any lossless audio experience, and you don’t have to worry about charging another gadget. The headphones themselves are tuned to take advantage of their premium 50mm dynamic drivers to deliver a finely tuned soundstage. The KiwiEars Ellipse promise to deliver the beautifully balanced high fidelity at a very affordable price.

Review

You aren’t doing much better at this price point than the KiwiEars Ellipse. These headphones not only look cool, but they deliver an impressive sound that is worth buying into. Whether you need some everyday beaters or an upgrade to your existing setup, I would argue that the Ellipse headphones are a decent place to start. That’s if you aren’t willing the little extra it costs to pick up the Altruva.

Quality

KiwiEars makes fantastic headphones, and the Ellipse are no exception. Out of the box, I was impressed by the cleanly manufactured high quality headphones. They are made with sturdy material that offer a good amount of flex that I have confidence that they will survive some hard traveling. The vegan-leather accents don’t look cheap, and the cushion is underneath is soft and bouncy. They may be on the cheaper end of headphones, but they definitely don’t have that look or feel.

Comfort

The Ellipse headphones are incredibly comfortable. They offer a strong enough hold to stay in place, but they don’t squeeze my giant head. I wouldn’t go running with them, but they will survive a daily commute. I like how the cushion snuggles at my head and ear, but the cushion does get a little hot. It is winter here so the added warmth is welcomed, but I am not sure how these will be in the summer. Either way, I dare you to find a more comfortable set of headphones at this price range.

Performance

The sound is fine. You aren’t getting studio quality hi-fi sound, but most people aren’t going to notice. The soundstage is full enough to get you through the day. Music sounds good without the overcompensating bass you get in cheap headphones, voices come clear for those who want something for podcasts or YouTube, and they offer a solid ASMR experience. You get a better sound with the Altruvas for a little more money, but the Ellipse is still a very strong contender at this price point.

Conclusion

If you are looking for an affordable pair of headphones that deliver a good sound, check out the KiwiEars Ellipse. They look cool and sound great at a very good price point. While they are overshadowed by the Altruvas, most people won’t notice the difference. you’re getting a solid pair of headphones either way.

You can pick up the KiwiEars Ellipse headphones on the official KiwiEars website, or through my Amazon Affiliate link if you want to help me out.

Board Games and TCGs

Unboxing the Riftbound Spellbook by Elderwood Academy

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Disclaimer

I was sent a custom Elderwood Academy spellbook as a gift for the Riftbound launch. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest review of the spellbook. Make sure you check out the official Elderwood Academy page for unique tabletop RPG accesories.

Table of Contents

What is Elderwood Academy Spellbook?

Elderwood Academy Spellbook makes high quality TTRPG accessories. They make unique wooden dice trays, dice towers, and journals in the form of spellbooks. They offer hundreds of customization options so that you can get a book that not only fits your RPG needs, but fits your personality. If you are looking for a a clean and cool way to carry your tabletop accessories to your next campaign, check out what the Elderwood Academy has to offer. As a forever DM, I am a huge fan of their Master Tome DM Screen. It looks like a cool spell book and can carry everything I need to run my next campaign.

What I got

I didn’t get any of the Tabletop products to review, but I did get a special Riftbound Spellbook. As far as I know, it is a unique item that was created in collaboration with UVS, the people behind the Riftbound TCG.

The wooden box is lined with faux leather with the Riftbound, UVS, and League of Legends logo printed in shining text. My copy came personalized with my full name. The wood is smooth with a nice finish to give it that elegant flare, and the inside is decided to fit the four trial decks and booster packs snugly inside. The book closes securely with a magnet that is strong enough to keep your contents from falling out.

Review

The tome is very impressive. It is crafted from high quality materials with a good amount of care and attention. Unfortunately, isn’t very practical for my TCG needs. That said, I am impressed enough by the design and quality to look into the rest of their official line.

Quality

This spellbook was a very happy surprise. At first glance, it looks like a real book. The leather binding is very elegent, but the edges run a little long. I suspect they will wear down with travel and years of use, I can only hope they don’t start looking ratty instead of a used book. I’ve been carrying this around my bag and the edges don’t look as bad, and the wear seems pretty reasonable. Some of the letters are starting to crack which is normal, but the design is still visible. None of it has fallen off. It should survive a few years of normal wear and tear.

The wood bits are impressive. They have clean and clear designs and everything is smooth. Companies that cut corners will have pieces that start to crack or flake a the seems, but everything here looks well designed. All of the compartments are firm. Nothing felt loose or flimsy, even against my unrealistic force tests. Everything is staying in place.

The magnet that holds everything in place is very impressive. It is strong enough to keep your contents safely secured during travel, and can even survive a few hard shakes. I wouldn’t go flipping it upside down though.

The Fit

Elderwood Academy has an impressive attention to detail. The book is perfectly designed to fit its contents in a nice presentation. This book looks very cool with all four decks boxes snugly fit inside. The problem is, it only fits the four deck boxes and the unsleeved trial decks. It does not fit my entire sleeved deck, even if I remove the deckbox. The compartments are too short and anything taller than a 50 card single sleeved deck is spilling into the rest of the box. Your cards may not fall out because of the strong magnet, but you will need to do some reorganizing when it is time to take them out.

Taking them out is also a bit of a chore. The snug compartments are perfect to hold the deckbox, but it is a bit too tight for sleeved cards. I could take out most of the deck, but there was always a bottom portion that got left behind. I am afraid that using this tome as a regular deckbox will result in some damage to my cards.

To be fair, the book was not designed as an everyday deckbock. It was a giftbox to hold the trial decks, and it is perfect at that. If I didn’t sleeve the decks and kept them in the box, there are no issues. Unfortunately, I sleeve everything and the book can’t be used as anything more practical as decoration. This is a shame because I was very excited to take my cool looking deckbox to my next locals, and if they ever design one, they will take all of my money. It would be cool if they have a way to fit three decks and a slot for dice and accessories and even a notepad. They can even get a little extra and make their own deckboxes to fit the different compartments.

That said, if the quality of the specifications say anything about the brand, the Elderwood Academy TTRPG accessories are a guarantee banger.

Conclusion

Even though I am disappointed at the lack of practicality of my spell book, it is still a very cool gift that I will keep on display. I think the unique high quality feel makes up for the lack of utility, and it definitely makes me want to look into the rest of their line. I might even try to do a little modding of my won to repurpose it into a proper deckbox.

If you are looking for a cool new way to carry your accessories to your next campaign, whatever system that may be, check out the cool stuff at Elderwood Academy.

Board Games and TCGs

Is Riftbound Worth the Hype? A Honest Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a few packs a couple of the Riftbound trial deck to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you want to buy Riftbound, try to support your LGS. Don’t pay scalper prices. Anything above MSRP is not worth it. Usually I would post my TCG Plug, but the prices on there are too crazy. I don’t want to support the inflated market.

Table of Contents

What is Riftbound

Riftbound tries to bring the action-packed gameplay of the popular moba to the tabletop. Play as your favorite champion as you battle for supremacy in an unforgettable tabletop experience.

Winning

Players control a hero that gives them certain passives, but also dictates the colors and strategy of the deck. Each champion will have the colors that they can use in battle, and each color has a specific strategy they excel at. The goal of Riftbound is to score eight points before your opponent. You earn points by taking control of one of the two battlefields, except for the game winning point that requires control of both. You take control by moving units into a battlefield, and successfully taking or defending against an opponent’s units.

Resource System

What makes Riftbound unique is its resource system. Runes are a player’s primary resource system. These are a separate two color deck that the player pulls two cards each turn (3 on your first turn if going second). The player places these cards into a pool to cast spells, use abilities, and summon allies. Rune cards are kept in the pool unless the player recycles them. Some cards have an additional recycle cost. Players pay this cost by putting runes back into their resource deck (the card shows the cost). This creates Riftbounds interesting resource management mechanic. Do you play with less resources next turn to utilize a powerful ability?

Movement

Riftbound has a movement mechanic, but one that is simple enough to keep the TCG feel while still feeling meaningful. There are three locations a players can have units, in the base or one of the two battlefields. Battlefields are cards that have different abilities. Each player places one of their battlefield cards on the field at the start of the game, and switches the card at the start of the next game. Units enter a player’s base tapped, and can move into one of the two bases when they lose that summoning sickness.

How to Play

I am a visual learner, and the best tutorial I watched was by the Tolarian Community College. Definitely go find your favorite YouTuber in the space, but I like how clearly the professor lays out the mechanics and gameplay loop. It is very easy to follow and the visuals make it easy to understand. I don’t think I will be winning any tournaments soon, but at least I know how to play. Make sure you give the professor a like, comment, and subscribe. He’s earned it.

Review

Riftbound is a fun TCG with unique mechanics and interactions. Unfortunately, if you are looking for a new TCG to get into, you might need to wait till they fix the supply issue. This game isn’t worth the scalper prices.

Art

The unique art for the champions is fantastic. If you are a fan of the Moba, you will appreciate the love and care that has gone into each champion, especially the foil cards. Unfortunately, the rest of the set is rather unimpressive. While there are a few cute poros that got my attention, most of the cards didn’t leave much of an impression. Maybe I’ve been away from the game for too long and failed to appreciate the references, but as a collector, there wasn’t much to excite me.

It is the same issue I have with the publisher’s other game, Universus. Fun game, but only some of the cards are fun to collect.

I can’t really blame the game for its art direction. When a game takes on an established IP, there are limitations that prevent the creativity I’m looking for in a card game. The company has to do right by the established IP. This is kind of the double edged sword games like deal with. On one hand, the game pulls in the fans of IP that want a game, in this case League of Legends. On the other hand, they aren’t able to be as creative with the art. Unfortunately, this means most of the cards in Riftbound aren’t fun to collect. But does convertibility matter when the game is fun?

Gameplay

Riftbound is a lot of fun. The game is easy to learn, but it has a few mechanics that make it difficult (not impossible) to master. Riftbound has a solid mulligan system to prevent players bricking as often on the first turn. RNG can still make you brick on a mulligan, but it doesn’t feel as bad as a bad start in Magic or Pokemon. The mana system is great. It is a straight forward system that eliminates the flooding and screwing that happens in magic. Having resources exist as a seperate deck is awesome because I love drawing cards, but it means I need to have my deck sleeved in multiple colors. (Make sure you buy your sleeves where you play your games).

What I liked most about the game is the movement system. I’ve played a few TCGs with movement mechanics, like Genesis Battle of Champions and Paragon, but none of those feature a grid based system that felt more like a board game. I loved my time with both those games, but I am not very good at strategically moving units across a battle field. Not to mention, movement can bog down the game. In Riftbound, movement is simple (just three spaces) but it felt meaningful. Most importantly, I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the number of choices.

Unfortunately, while the game may be fun, the quality isn’t quite there. At least on the first printing.

Quality

The more packs of Riftbound I opened, the more disappointed I became with the game as a collector. The card stock feels thin and like it can be easily damaged. All of my packs came damaged from the factory. All of my cards, including the foils, were already whitening around the edges. This is extremely disappointing as a collector, but something I would be willing to overlook because the game is fun.

I am glad I got my packs for free, and I am very glad they didn’t send me better quality cards because I would be very upset if I paid above MSRP. I am willing to support the game in the hopes that future sets and cards get better print quality, but I wouldn’t rush to pay the scalpers to play this game. It is a fun game, but I want my cardboard to be a little fancier.

Conclusion

Riftbound is a refreshing TCG that deserves a lot of the attention it has been getting. It has interesting and fun interactions, but the first set is a rough launch. In its current state, I can’t recommend it, but mostly because players can’t get their hands on reasonably priced product. If the supply issue improves and players are able to enter the competitive scene without having to sell their soul. Especially since the quality makes the first set not much fun to open. If this issue gets resolved, I’m willing to change my review because I had a lot of fun with Riftbound. I say proxy until you can find product at MSRP.

video game reviews

Why Diety 2 is the Next Must-Play Strategy RPG

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Diety 2 to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

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 Diety 2

Diety 2 is top-down turn-based strategy game out now on Steam. Think Fire Emblem, but with a few unique mechanics to set it apart.

Story

The Eternal Order exists to protect Verroa from all threats. The fragile, fragmented country struggles to find in the world political stage. The neighboring Asverellian empire chooses to take advantage of Verroa’s instability and expand its reach. The order’s strength will be put to the test as 25 powerful warriors push back against the Asverellian siege. Can and Riodian navigate the complicate political landscape of Verroa and keep the country free of Asverellian rule, or will their efforts be in vain?

What allegiances will you make? How ill your choices shape the future of Verroa?

Gameplay

Take control of a your group of heroes in a series of campaigns that will shape the future of nation. This is a game where your decisions in between missions shape the outcome of the story, so choose carefully.

Players will take control of their army as they fight in different battles. Each battle has its unique objective, with a few side objectives available to help players earn more loot. Some games will have players survive a certain number of rounds but push players to complete risky objectives for extra gold or upgrade materials. The difficulty for these campaigns can be adjusted from a very casual play through for those who just want to experience the story, to something more hard core with turn limits to test a players strategic prowess. I went with something in the middle and thought it was challenging enough to keep me engaged without much of the stress.

Players take turns moving their characters across the maps in grid based combat, and use the terrain to gain an advantage. What makes the game unique is the bond system that the characters have with one another. Characters who fight near one another gain a bond over the course of the campaign that unlocks bonuses like money or upgrade materials per each level. What I love most about Diety 2 is that players can save mid battle if you ever need to step away suddenly.

Between missions players can upgrade their heroes. They can buy better gear at the shop with gold they earn in the campaign, upgrade existing weapons with magical runes, craft magic rings for heroes to wear, upgrade a heroes abilities, or upgrade a heroes class. Each hero has a wide selection of upgrade paths for a truly unique army.

Choices Matter

Verroa has a few factions that make up its landscape. Players will often have to choose who to help as they defend against invaders. These choices shape the outcome of the story. Players can either choose the story they like the best, and help out whatever faction they think is right, or choose whatever faction gives them the best loot. Each choice has a different set of rewards, and sometimes the “right” choice isn’t the one that pays the best. What factors will shape your campaign?

Review

Deity 2 is a fantastic turn-based strategy game with a solid story and very engaging gameplay. If you like strategy games or want to take your first step into the genre, this is one of the titles that should be in your library.

Story

I did not play the first Deity, but I didn’t feel like I needed to. I might have missed some refrences here and there, but never felt lost by the events in two. The story of Deity 2 is very self contained.

The story may not be the epic campaign of some of the more popular titles like the Fire Emblem series, but it’s good enough to earn a playthrough. The characters are fun and memorable, but they can be a bit too quirky at times. Nothing that ruins the story, but there are a few cringe moments that come to mind. The voice acing is solid and I liked that I didn’t have to sit there and read. This game has long cut scenes, so be prepared to sit back and listen.

I really like that the game offers choices that shape the outcome of the story. It was hard choosing a path because the more lucrative paths weren’t always the most moral. I want to go back and experience what the other options had to offer.

Gameplay Loop

I played a more casual version of the game because I didn’t want to have turn limits. While it was a more casual run, it still provided enough of a challenge to keep me paying attention, especially in runs where I had to keep an NPC alive.

The upgrade system needs a bit of work. The UI is a little clunky and I don’t like the fact that I can’t tell what my upgrades do. I don’t like that I couldn’t compare weapons in the shop to see if it was an upgrade for what I have, and guessing with limited resources is frustrating. I never wasted money, but it was a bit of added work that shouldn’t exist.

Aside from that, the leveling adds some interesting depth to the game. Upgrades you get from runes, elixers, and rings felt impactful, and how you level up a heroes ability becomes important. The limited resources become less of a problem the more you play, and especially if you’re making riskier choices. Not all risks are created equal.

Conclusion

As a casual in the strategy rpg genre, Diety 2 is definitely a favorite. I think the story is good, the world building is solid, the art is fantastic, the music is epic, and the gameplay is good. If you are looking for a game that fills that Fire Emblem itch, Diety 2 is worth it at full price. Just be aware that you have to sit through a lot of dialogue.

You can pick up Diety 2 on steam. If you’re looking for some more turn-based strategy action, make sure you check out Arco.

video game reviews

Uncovering Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping 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 Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping

Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping is a piece of interactive fiction about a duck detective out now on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

Hook

The great Duck Detective Eugene McQuacklin finds himself on vacation at a haunted campsite. But instead of a relaxing weekend by the haunted lake, Duck Detective finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery. There are strange events unfolding around the Eugene, each with a trail of clues to find and connect. Items go missing, a break-in ruffles some feathers, and strange symbols start showing up in the sand. Is it really ghosts that roam this camground, or something most sinister?

Can Duck Detective get to the bottom of the everything? Can he get over his messy divorce? Will his bread addiction get in the way of his investigation? You will need to play to find out?

Gameplay Loop

Duck Detective is a piece of interactive fiction with isometric exploration. Players explore the campsite in search for clues. They will need to talk to the other guests to conduct investigations. Clues are collected in a the Duck Detective’s notebook where they then need to piece together to solve the many mysteries in an adlib style minigame. Essentially, players discover words that they can use to fill in each theory. Successfully completing a theory will unlock the next part of the mystery, which means more areas to explore and lot more mystery to solve.

Review

Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping is a fantastic and hilarious take on the detective noire genre. It features fun thematic puzzles, solid world building, and a humorous short story that you need to play through at least once. If you only buy one game this year, it should be Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping.

Puzzles

Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping offers the cozy puzzle experience you have been looking for. Puzzles are creative and offer enough of a deduction skills to be engaging without the need of a guide. The game does offer hints for those who need them, and the option to turn off wrong answers for those who just want to enjoy the story. While I did burn through a few of my hints, I really didn’t need to. If I had sat and thought a little harder, I could have solved the whole case on my own. The game is a very casual entry to the genre, and one with a fun story to keep you invested.

Story

Even if you don’t like puzzle games, Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping has a fantastic story that you need to enjoy once. The game is full of fun puns and jokes that will earn its chuckles, with a fun lighthearted tone that is perfect for any season. It is full of colorful memorable characters that are voiced by some terrific actors. I love that it does not go the usual murder mystery route, and I appreciate the attention to detail that goes into the world building.

World Building

Duck Detective is a short game with a small map and a few characters. That said, the devs efficiently use every inch of their game to tell their fun and compelling story. There is so much care and attention to detail put into this game, and it pays off in effective world building.

During an investigation, players will uncover emails, pictures, and other details that not only piece together the overarching mystery, but gives each character their personality. For example, there is a character with a shopping addiction. When you read through her emails, all her bill past due emails are unread, but she reads through an email about a sale. Hilarious little details like these is what had me clicking and reading everything.

Conclusion

I loved this game so much, I finished it in one sitting. It is a short game that takes about 3 hours to complete, and it is worth every minute. I love the cozy atmosphere, the fun humor, and the solid mystery that drove me through the story. Make sure you stay for the end credits scene.

If you’re looking for a fun and cozy puzzle game that doesn’t try to stump you, Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping needs to be in your library. The game looks good, feels great, and has a solid story. This is a game that everyone needs to play through at least once.

If if you like these style of detective games, check out Broke the Investigator for more animal themed goodness or LocoMotive if you want a fun murder mystery. Best Served Cold is a personal favorite about solving a mystery as a bartender.

video game reviews

Exploring Rebel Engine: Unique Mechanics and Challenges

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Disclaimer

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

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 Rebel Engine

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

Hook

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

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

Gameplay Loop

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

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

Difficulty and Accessibility

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

Review

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

Aesthetic

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

Story

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

Gameplay

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

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

Performace

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

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

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

Conclusion

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

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

You can pick up Rebel Engine on Steam.

video game reviews

Anima Gate of Memories: I&II Remaster Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of the Anima Gate of Memories: I&II Remaster 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 Anima Gate of Memories: I&II Remaster

Anima Gate of Memories: I&II Remaster returns with new textures, updated gameplay, and cleaner performance.

Hook

This remaster cleans up a bit of the roughness that came with the first run and allows players to enjoy the world of anime like they’ve never before. Explore the Tower of Arcane as either the Bearer of Calamaties or the imortal Nameless in an action packed adventure. The Tower of Arcane is a world built from memories as they try to stop the Messengers of the End and prevent the end of the world. Your choices will shape the course of this narrative. What will your story look like?

What Makes the Remaster so Special?

The remaster works to fix the issues that came with the first run. The visuals have been updated, and textures have been added to create a fuller more unique world. The performance and mechanics have been upgrades to provide players a smoother experience. Most importantly, it combines the complete Gate of Memories story in one convenient place.

Gameplay

Players get to explore the world of Anima in a fast-paced game with a bit of classic feel. Gates of Memories is a 3rd person action adventure where players take control of a character, explore the Tower of Arcane. What makes these games unique is its combat system.

While it may follow the traditional action RPG combo system you would see in something like Devil May Cry or Beyoneta, it uses interesting fixed camera angles to create deep and dynamic combat sequences. For example, the camera will sometimes switch to top-down view during a fight. This shift in perspective changes the strategy of combat because it shifts the controls. It is a mechanic that keeps combat fresh and exciting.

Like other RPGs, players will grind through encounters for XP to spend on a characters skill tree. Players have a good amount of choice on how they want to build their character, with room for varying play styles. I am sure there is a solved path to minmax each character, but I liked building what I thought was fun without much issue on the Normal difficulty. The diffuclty can be adjusted for those who want a harder journey or who are only in it for the story.

Review

If you are a fan of classic 3rd-person action rpgs, Anima Gate of Memories: I&II Remaster should be in your collection. While there is some roughness, the overall experience is something you have to play through once.

Visuals

The game is a little dark in places, but the overall aesthetic is fantastic. Both games have some terrific textures that often help create the beautiful fantasy you play through. The character and monster design are all very cool, flavorful, and memorable. Combat animation looks good without being overly flashy and distracting. I was actually able to follow what was going on instead of being bombarded with lights and explosions which is always a plus. There are no animated cut scenes, but the moving stills do a fantastic job at telling the story.

Story

Gate of Memories is a fantastic story full of action, adventure, and intrigue. The games do a good job at introduction the world of Anima with properly paced stories that hooked me out of the game. I don’t want to reveal too much and risk spoilers, but it was hard to put them down because I want to know what happens next. What is cool about the bundle is that the stories can be played in any order, but playing them in order will avoid spoilers and close up a few confusing references that may arise. If you play rpgs for their story, Gate of Memories is a fantastic addition to your collection.

Gameplay Loop

While I do love the Gate of Memories story, the combat system is the reason you buy this game. I love the fluid combo system and how good it feels to fight through the many waves of enemies. Every very skill I learned further tailored the combat to a style I found very enjoyable. The game offers a good amount of choice in your build, with enough time to and space to explore what you like. Most importantly, the difficulty ramps at a very good pace. I felt like I had time to learn the game and explore its story without being unfairly shutdown by a random encounter.

Exploration

The game has some exploration, but the zones aren’t a huge open world to explore. Depending on your device, there is a bit of a load time between zones. Nothing unbearably long, but it does break a bit of the immersion. The zones are otherwise look very good, and I had fun trying to get into every crevice in search of juicy secrets. The game does a good job incentivizing explorations with loot and other bread crumbs. Some of the areas are a little too dark and I kept getting lost, but that might be a personal problem.

Performance

I never played the original Gate of Memories games, and can’t compare the performance. I will say, aside for a little clunkiness in the movement, the game runs well. Combat feels fast and fluid, and I didn’t encounter any game breaking crashes. I like that it feels like an older rpg but with enough of a modern pacing to help keep my constantly dwindling attention.

Conclusion

Anima Gate of Memories: I&II Remaster is shaping to be my favorite game of the year without question. I loved flavor and story, and the combat system is fantastic. It really does remind me of the playstation days trying to get through the Devil May Cry games, and that sense of nostalgia is unmatched in my heart. The game plays very good and looks great. It is full of fun encounters and interesting boss fights. Gate of Memories is one of those games that needs to be in every collection for its unique world and solid gameplay. I for one am ready to dive more deeply into the world of Anima.

You can pick up your copy of Anima Gate of Memories: I&II Remaster on Steam or pick up physical copy for the PS5 Amazon Affiliate link.

Tech Reviews

Kiwi Ears Belle: Best Budget Earbuds for Workouts

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Disclaimer

Kiwi Ears sent the Belle earbuds for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Serene and Ardor headphones.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Belle Earbuds
  • Ear Tips S/M/L in Black
  • Ear Tips S/M/L in Transparent
  • Type-C or 3.5mm cable (Depends on What you Choose)
  • Warranty Card
  • Instructions

Features

If you’re looking for a budget friendly in-ear solution for your music listening, the Kiwi Ears Belle earbuds might just be for you.

Design

The Belle Earbuds are Kiwi Ears’ budget solution for in-ear music listening. The Belle features a durable CNC-machined metal plate for a durable design ready to withstand the most intense drops or workouts. The Belle’s lightweight design make them the perfect travel companion. These are wired earbuds that come with a high quality, stylish cable that not only looks good, but is sturdy enough to do some hard traveling. The cable loops over the ear for a bit of added security. These aren’t coming out of your ear unless you really want them to. The Belle has three cable options to choose from:

  • 3.5mm Standard
  • 3.5mm With Mic
  • Type-C with Mic

Tuning

The Belle’s 10mm DLC Dynamic drivers have been tuned to give users the high performing sound stage they’ve been looking for. The Diamond-like Carbon Diaphragm gives the earbuds its high speed accurate sound for gaming and all genres of music. Tuned to 3kHz peaks, the Belle earbuds promises to deliver a clear and sound with a wide and full sound users have been craving.

Review

If you’re in the market for a budget set of earbuds you for working out or ones you can knock around without worrying about them dying on you, the Kiwi Ears Belle earbuds are a fantastic solution.

Quality

The Belle earbuds are made with the high quality and care that I’ve come to expect from Kiwi Ears. The buds have a sleek design, and the clear wire give it a flare of elegance. I like that the branding doesn’t disrupt the aesthetic. Most importantly, the earbuds don’t feel cheap. The machining is clean, and they appear sturdy enough to take a beating. You don’t have to worry about them getting knocked around in your bag when traveling for example.

Comfort

Comforwise, the Belles are fine. The stock ear tips were a little too big, but switching to the smaller ones made the experience better. I wouldn’t choose these over an over the ear solution like the Atruva, but that is just personal preference. The Belle earbuds are great in a binch, and make for fantastic workout earbuds because they won’t come out and perform great. Most importantly, the wire gives enough slack for a wide range of motion without leaving too much excess.

Performance

The Belles sound good for budget earbuds, but they won’t deliver the the premium audiophile it advertises. The sound is very flat, but good enough at this price range. The Belle handles most genres fine, but don’t expect rich sound or even a deep bass. These are not the move if you want to enjoy some ASMR or utilize 3D sounds in gaming. I recommend the Aventus for something like that. What you do get, is pretty decent noise cancellation. While the Belle does not offer active noise cancellation, the seal it creates is good enough to block out most ambient sounds. While you aren’t getting an audiophile experience, you are getting a good enough experience to get you through your next workout.

Conclusion

The Kiwi Ears Belle are pretty solid earbuds. They are a good quality solution with a workable sound stage that you don’t have to worry about knocking around. Whether you are using them for travel or working out, these lightweight buds will be reliable. You can definitely do worse at this price.

The Belle earbuds better than your average option at this price point. While you may not be getting the most accurate of sound stages, it works fine. If you need a wired in-ear solution for travel, working out, or to knock around, check out the Kiwi Ears Belle.

You can pick up the Kiwi Ears Belle earbuds on the official website.