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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.

video game reviews

A Pizza Delivery Review: Is It Worth Playing?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of a A Pizza Delivery 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 A Pizza Delivery

A Pizza Delivery is a surreal narrative exploration game out now on Steam.

Story

B is a pizza delivery person on her last delivery of the day. Little does she know, this is no ordinary delivery. She finds herself in a surreal world where nothing makes sense, and the world keeps changing. With only her trusty Vespa, B must venture through this new world and deliver this final pizza. But the road won’t be easy, and there is a chance B will be trapped for ever. Solve puzzles, collect clues, and share a slice of pizza with anyone who needs it. Can B make her last delivery and get out of this place, or will she get lost like everything else here.

Gameplay

A Pizza Delivery is a walking simulator with the occasional puzzle or dialogue to break up the journey. Players will ride their Vespa through dream like landscapes, collecting clues and solving puzzles to move forward with the story. Sometimes, delivering pizza means chatting with a lost soul, and offering a slice that will help them move on from a world they’ve become stuck in. There is no voice acting, so it really is more like a novel with a few extra steps.

Review

I loved A Pizza Delivery for its unique narrative style and dreamlike aesthetic. Unfortunately, the lenghth of the game and bugs make it difficult to recommend. If you want a unique narrative game that leans a bit into surrealism and don’t mind a buggy game, check out A Pizza Delivery.

Story

A Pizza Delivery is a twisting journey about learning to let go. B will find people along the way who have become trapped in this world by their anxieties. She helps them let go by talking through their problems and offering them a slice of cold pizza. It is a neat adventure, but a very slow burn. What I like about this game is how the complete story is scattered through the level as clues, puzzles, and dialogue. The problem I have with this story is that not everything you collect feels important. There are some clues that don’t add anything to the story. Overall, it is a cool story about letting go, but I don’t think there is enough of it to be worth buying the game at full price. The game takes about two hours to complete, and a lot of it feels like filler.

Gameplay Loop

The gameplay is where a l lot of people will have issue. The walking is slow, and while the Vespa speeds things up, driving gets old pretty fast. The game feels very tedious because you have to walk back and forth in a zone, collecting bits and pieces of the various puzzles. When they work properly, there are some interesting puzzles that kept me invested, but the game’s buggniness is a problem. If you can get past the bugs, you can appreciate the games creative experimental approach to narrative.

Performance

A Pizza Delivery is very buggy. The game is made by a small team so I am willing to overlook a lot of the issues, but the bugs are problematic.

The Camera

The camera is the biggest issue. Raw, the camera sensitivity is too high. I got motion sickness and had to lower the sensitivity. The camera control still feels a little awkward, but the game does become more playable. The camera also becomes hard to control when you get too close to a wall. This made some of the puzzles annoying. The camera is a pain point that I see turning players off the game.

Glitches

A Pizza Delivery doesn’t always feel stable. Frames will drop, and the game stutters a lot. There are a few awkward animations that break a bit of the immersion. I did hit a few bugs that made one of the puzzles frustrating almost to the point where I dropped the game, but I am glad I pressed through. You can tell the game needs more work, but if you can look through it, the game has a solid enough story.

Conclusion

I have a soft spot for games like these because I respect when people try something out of the norm. A Pizza Delivery tries some very interesting concept around a cool narrative, but I don’t think there is enough substance to make the game worth it. The game feels a little too tedious to recommend to the average gamer, and the payoff doesn’t feel worth it. While the message is good, there is just too much work required.

In its current state, I can’t recommend the game. It isn’t a bad game, but it needs a bit more substance. There needs to be more clues, more dialogue, and a bit more story. You can do a lot worse, I’ve played Nightmare Shift, but you can definitely play better. Go check out Once Alive instead if you want to see a cool single dev project, or Go Home Annie if you want something a little more trippy.

You can pick up A Pizza Delivery on Steam.

video game reviews

Exploring My Favorite Turn Based Dungeon Crawler: Dark Quest 4

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Dark Quest 4 to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you check out 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!

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.

Table of Contents

What is Dark Quest 4?

Dark Quest 4 is a 2.5D turn-based dungeon crawler out now on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation.

Hook

Humanity is under attack. The evil Gulak sends his legions of monsters to terrorize villagers in his conquest to conquer humanity for the sorcerer. It is up to you to put an end to this reign of terror. Gather your team from ten powerful heroes and pit them against endless waves of minions. With an adventure spanning over thirty quests, an lots of treasure to be found, the sorcerer will definitely keep you busy. Do you have what it takes to end this reign of terror?

Gamplay Loop

Dark Quest 4 is a turn-based dungeon crawler. Players start their runs in town where they can choose their three man party of adventurers to send out on quests. Town is also where players can buy upgrades for their party. Then the party is ready, they are sent on a quest where they explore a dungeon, and kill anything that comes their way.

Exploration

Players start with a small portion of a dungeon visable. Exploring the dungeon opens more of the map, but players need to be mindful of traps and enemy encounters. There are certain heroes with stats that make them good at disarming traps, so make sure you keep at least one for each delve. When a hero enters the line of sight of an enemy, the party enters combat phase.

Combat

Once in combat, the computer rolls initiative for all characters. Initiative and health is visible to help players plan their moves strategically. Heroes can only perform one action per turn. They can move, attack, use an ability or item. This makes for fast encounters with a very tight action economy, but enough room for strategy to be engaging. Team composition, rest bonuses, and potions can mean the difference between failing or completing a quest.

Quests

The game is split into 30 unique quests with interesting flavor. It is very reminiscent of table top rpgs, and a very interesting way of handling the genre. From clearing a zombie infestation to a challenging jailbreak, the game offers enough variety to make the grind feel negligible.

RNG

Players will need to roll for actions like receiving loot or disarming traps. Chests can be empty, and disarming a trap can fail. Dark Quest 4 offers a unique gamble through their magic skull mechanic. Occasionally, a hero will have to encounter the magic skull who either gives or takes away health. This can easily end a run, and I have mixed feelings on whether it makes the game exciting.

Review

If you like table top RPGs or are a fan of HeroScape, you need to pick up a copy Dark Quest 4. The game has fantastic art work, the story is silly, and the game is a lot of fun.

Art

Dark Quest 4 may not have flashy animations, but it does enough to tell its story. The cartoonist dark style is very cool, and fitting for the tone of the narrative. I love the character design. It is a little silly, but is serious enough to make each adventure feel epic. If you are looking for some proper fantasy in your dungeon crawler, Dark Quest 4 does it very well.

Story

The story is a series of quests that lead up to this big encounter. Each quest has a small setup paragraph to help set the tone of the quest. The blurbs are a fun setup to some pretty excellent delves. I haven’t played any of the previous installments, but I did not feel like I needed to. This game feels pretty self contained, but I would appreciated knowing some of the references. I am going to need to find some time to go back! If you lean to the more sillier side of fantasy but still want that strong fantasy flavor, Dark Quest 4 should be in your library.

Gameplay

If you enjoy board games or ttrpgs, you will enjoy Dark Quest 4. The turn based system is very reminiscent of of playing a board game, but you get the added bonus of not having to clean up afterwards. Combat is interesting. As cute as this game looks, combat can be unforgiving. I had to think hard about the buffs I bought, items I used, and how I built my party. I don’t think it ever gets try-hard rts levels of strategy, but there is enough involved where I needed to pay attention. If you’re looking for a strategy game that is accessible enough to play casually while it still makes you think, go get Dark Quest 4.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Dark Quest 4 works fine on the Steam Deck, but some of elements are too small. I am old with old eyes, so your mileage will vary. I had trouble reading a lot of the text, and seeing things like turns, abilities, and movement. It was playable, but I preferred giving my old eyes a break and played on my monitor instead.

Conclusion

I loved every minute of Dark Quest 4. The game has a very cool fantasy world with a fun tone and gameplay. If you are looking for a good dungeon crawler to add to your collection, Dark Quest 4 is a unique title that is worth it at full price.

You can pick up on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStationDark Quest 4. If you want to play another fun board game like dungeon crawler, make sure you check out Demeo.

Board Games and TCGs

Is the Doomlings Castle Glass Expansion Worth It?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of the Doomlings expansion, Castle Glass. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my review for the Doomlings Base Game and the Shadow Puppets expansion. I’ll be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the Box?

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

What is Castle Glass?

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

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

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

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

Review

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

Art

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

Gameplay

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

video game reviews

Why Reus 2 Expansions Are Worth Your Time

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Disclaimer

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

Gaming Accessories

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

Table of Contents

What is Reus 2

Reus 2 is a unique village management game where you control the mighty titans and use their powers to terraform and fill the planet while a civilization thrives in response to your actions. The game is currently available on Steam, with a demo that you should definitely try. Make sure you check out the review for the base game. I will be combining my reviews for both expansions because it would feel too repetitive otherwise.

Ice Age Expansion

The Ice Age expansion brings frigid new elements into the world of Reus. This expansion brings the chilling new biome, Ice Age Tundra wich includes over 40 new biotica and the mighty Frost Giant (variation of Aegir) to summon them. This new biome also introduces the new archetypes evolve and extinct for those early level building.

Humanity also receive a couple new features this expansion. They get four new leaders to lead them into greatness:

  • The Painter – Wants to unlock as much as possible
  • The General – Gains bonuses to military
  • The Poet – Improves projects
  • The Villain – Thrives in a hateful world

There are also four new eras to play through for some added variety:

  • Hunter Age – Crops don’t grow easily in this weather so humans must hunt to survive.
  • Enlightenment – Minds brimming with ideas, embrace an age of invention!
  • Nuclear War – Create nuclear weapons and potentially blow up the entire planet.
  • Age of Discovery – A planet full of biomes and adventures, humans love to collect oddities.

Everglades

Reus 2’s latest expansion, Everglades, brings the wetlands biome to your planets. This beautiful biome combines both underwater and land areas for some interesting combination. The expansion introduces over 60 new biotica to mix like reptiles, amphibious biotica, and anything else you associate with the everglades. Everglades also introduces a new titan, Reginald the swamp giant.

Humanity gets three new leaders this expansion: the entomologist, the romantic, and the ranger.

  • The Entomologist specializes in science and Micros. His spirit power boosts Micro Havens. He’s not very impressed by mystery, though!
  • The Romantic likes biotica that have 2 or more base stats. Look at the game through a different lens!
  • The Ranger is all about having animals around – Biotica that do good with animals, do good with the ranger!

There are also three new eras to play through: secret conspiracy, bug age, and great nation.

  • Secret Conspiracy: Help reptilians take over the world with mystery and metals!
  • Bug Age: Spread the micro love, and bring gold and glory to the bug statue.
  • Great Nation: Try to create a nation that has 3 magnificent biomes to enjoy and marvel at!

Which ever expansion you end up choosing, you get a lot more content for a game that already has a lot for you to do.

Review

I love the base game Reus 2, and recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy little village builder that will have them thinking. I don’t think the expansions are necessary, but they are a great way to support the developer and they add some good variety. I did prefer the flavor and mechanics for the Evergrade expansion more if you can only choose one expansion, but I definitely feel like you get your money’s worth if you buy both with through the expansion.

Both expansions introduce ages with interesting win conditions, and allow players a good amount of options to get there. I love that none of the expansions take away from the chill vibe I’ve loved about the game so far, but do change up the strategies enough to give the game a bit more variety in both its aesthetic and gameplay loop.

Conclusion

I have a very casual approach to Reus 2. There are settings to make the game harder for those who like a little more effort in their campaigns, but as a filthy casual, this is one of my favorite games. Reus 2 has an interesting concept, and the base game alone has a ton of content to keep players busy. The expansions are a fantastic addition that only prolongue the game’s longevity. They introduce fun and flavorful variety to a game that is already a ton of fun to play, and I think that is reason enough to buy into it. Both expansions are worth playing, but if you can only buy one, I think Everglade is a little better. It really comes down to the flavor you want in your game. Do you want to manage a swamp or an ice age?

You can pick up Rues 2 and the two expansion, Ice Age and Everglades, on Steam.

Ice Age Trailer

Everglades Trailer

video game reviews

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

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Reus 2 to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my content, please share this with your friends and check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee!

Gaming Accessories

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

What is Reus 2?

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

Hook

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

Gameplay Loop

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

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

Review

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

Aesthetic

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

Gameplay

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

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

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

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

Conclusion

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

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

video game reviews

Onirism Review: A Whimsical Action Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Onirism to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my content, please share this with your friends and check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do.

Shameless Self-Promotion

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

What is Onirism

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

Story

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

Gameplay Loop

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

Review

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

Aesthetics

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

Gameplay

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

video game reviews

EasySMX X05 Pro Review: The Quiet Gaming Controller

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Disclaimer

EasmySMX sent me the the X05Pro controller 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 review for the S10 and X15 controllers. I’ll also be using my Amazon affiliate links where possible. It really helps me out if you use them before buying anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the Box?

  • EasySMX X05 Pro Contoller
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • 1 x2.4G Receiver
  • User Manual

Features

EasySMX has created the quietest controller you’ll ever get to use without sacrificing any performance. The EasySMX X05 Pro is loaded with the features to bring your game to the next level at a very reasonable price point.

Design

The EasySMX X05 Pro features a clean and comfortable design available in three beautiful color schemes: back, white, and a limited edition purple.

The X05 Pro Wouldn’t be a gaming peripheral without proper RBG. The controller has subtle RBG highlights to give it a bit of flare without it losing any of its elegance. The controller’s smooth design promises ergonomic gaming, while its modern looking features promise the performance. If you’re looking for a good looking controller that performs just as good, check out the X05 pro.

Performance

The X05 Pro is loaded with the essential upgrades to any gamer’s arsenal. The X05 Pro has been redisigned with noise-reducing silicone dampers on all of the buttons for the quietest gaming you’ll ever experience. All buttons on the controller are precise, from the 8-way directional game pad, to the adjustable dual-stage hall effect triggers. The hall effect joysticks reduce give the controllers its ultra precision while eliminating that pesky drift you see in something like the joycons. With the controller’s respectable 7000mAh battery, you’ll never have to worry about losing power during those important team fights. What makes the X05 uniquely pro are the 2 additional programmable buttons on the shoulder.

Review

The EasySMX X05 Pro controller is a fantastic budget option with the features and quality to upgrade any gaming setup.

Quality

Users will be impressed by the quality and weight of the X05 pro. Out of the box, users will appreciate the controller’s clean design and well constructed body. While a little on the lighter side, the controller does not feel or look cheap. The buttons, joysticks, and triggers all have smooth and quality actuation. One issue I have with cheaper controllers is that they can be incredibly stiff, but that is not an issue here.

Comfort

Playing with controllers is incredibly hard for me because of my repetitive stress injury. Most controllers, especially on the cheaper end, destroy my hand. Most of the time, I can’t make it through a session with a controller for more than an hour. This is a huge reason why my switch is often collecting dust. Those joy cons have terrible drift now, but they would destroy my hands almost instantly.

While I wouldn’t call the X05 Pro the ergonomic solution to controllers I’ve been looking for, I can enjoy a more respectable gaming session, especially on the switch. The force required for each imput takes pressure off my hands. The shape puts my hands in a comfortable position, and soft textured bottom just feels good to the touch. Most importantly, the quite profile buttons mean I am not annoying anyone with my button mashing.

My hand still cramps up after a two or three hours of continuous gaming, but that is both respectable and unavoidable. This issue isn’t going to exist for everyone, especially if you are taking care of your hands.

Performance

I had no issue with the X05 Pro‘s performance. The controller was accurate and responsive through all the games I put it through without any noticeable latency. The DPad felt good for 2D platforming, the adjustable triggers were nice for high-action shooting games, and the long lasting battery meant I never had to reach for a wire. The quality of the build give me confidence that I can enjoy this high performing controller for a respectable amount of time. At least longer than the Joy Cons I kept having to replace.

Conclusion

The X05 pro is easily one of my favorite controllers for its sleek and comfortable design and quite profile. The features help put it over the edge with its high performance parts and long lasting battery. My only complaint is that I wish the additional buttons were on the bottom instead of the shoulders. While they aren’t hard to reach, having them on the bottom feels more natural and comfortable. Other than that, if you’re in the market for a good, budget-friendly controller, check out the EasySMX X05 Pro controller.

You can pick up the EasySMX X05 Pro controller on the official Easy SMX website, or on Amazon with through my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Exploring Forgotten Eras: A Metroidvania Preview

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Disclaimer

I was asked to review an early demo for Forgotten Eras. I understand the game is not finished yet, and will be a bit more lenient. That said, this will be my honest impression of the game.

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee!

Table of Contents

What is Forgotten Eras?

Forgotten Eras is a 2.5d metroidvania coming to Steam sometime soon. No date has been announced yet, but you can go play the demo now.

Story

A group of shamans has broken the seal of the forgotten rune magic and unleashed an evil upon the world. The magic spreads catastrophe across the land, it is up to the young hero Ivan to step it. With the aid of Grey Wolf, Ivan will need to travel long distances, solve puzzles, and defeat anything that stands in his way. Can he harness the power of Gray Wolf before it is too late? Can he make it to the Baba Yaga hut?

Gameplay

Forgotten Eras is your classic metropolitan. Players will move across 2D jumping puzzles and collecting the rune magic they need to save the world. What makes this game unique are the Grey Wolf powers that bumps the game up half a dimension. Gray Wolf can climb, jump across long distances, and bend the environment.

Combat

Combat is simple. Players can attack with their sword and sure a few different skills to defeat their enemies. The key to any fight is learning the enemies attack pattern, and knowing when to dodge and attack. The if you’ve played any metroidvania, this game does little outside of the usual formula.

Review

In its current state, Forgotten Eras is a hard to recommend because it didn’t leave much of an impression. There nothing tangible, outside of the wolf, that makes it stand out against other games in the genre. Bugs aside, the game wasn’t fun enough nor the hook good enough to keep me engaged. The problem with this game is that there are better metroidvania games you could be playing Dragon is Dead. Unless the game comes out with smooth performance and some more engaging and memorable content, it will be one of those games you’ll have to wait for to go on sale. I am willing to give it another try because the game isn’t bad, it just isn’t very memorable.

If you are looking for a new metroidvania game to play, check out the Forgotten Eras demo, but I would wait for a couple more updates. If you need a good metroidvania to try before the game releases, check out Astlibra Revision, Tevi, or my personal favorite, Worldless.

video game reviews

Exploring the Dark World of Tormented Souls 2

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee!

Table of Contents

What is Tormented Souls 2?

Tormented Souls 2 on Steam is an old school feeling survival horror game out now on Steam.

Story

The Walker sisters thought they were safe after the events at Wilderberger Hospital, but fate has other plans for them. Thinking they would get to enjoy a peaceful retreat in the mountains, the two sisters make their way to a secluded convent. Unfortunately, what meant to be therapy and relaxation turns into a nightmare. The trip was a setup, and Caroline now finds herself alone in a dark and empty building with creatures lurking in the shadow. With the help of her super natural abilities, and any supplies she finds along the way, she must find her sister and survive what ever darkness chases after her. Can she find her sister and leave this place before it is too late?

Gameplay

Tormented Souls 2 is a 3rd person horror survival game modeled after the classic era of gaming. Players will explore the map looking for clues and supplies while avoiding danger. Tourmented Souls 2 is essentially an unforgiving puzzle game. This is a game where healing and ammo is limited, and being precise, stealthy and efficient is key. The game has combat with enemies that have specific weaknesses. Knowing the weaknesses is key to survival. You can brick your run if you aren’t careful, even on the easier difficulties. If you don’t pick items or do events in a certain order, you are going to have a bad time.

Review

Tormented Souls 2 is a proper nod to the classic horror survival genre. Its horrifying atmosphere kept me completely on edge, while the story and puzzles kept me engaged. The biggest issue with the game is its difficulty. This is a hard and unforgiving game with very little saving. If you want a challenge game with a solid story that will scare you, Tormented Souls 2 is a solid choice.

The Story

The game is a sequel, but you don’t need to play the first game to understand the events of the second. I definitely want to now because I want to know what happens, but I never felt like I lost by the story.

Tormented Souls 2 has an excellent horror story with some great voice acting. As scared as I got with the game, I had trouble putting it down because I needed to know what happened. The pacing is good, and if you can overcome the game’s difficulty, it is long enough to get the job done.

Gameplay

Tourmented Souls 2 will scratch that Resident Evil itch we all get from time to time. The game is a little on the darker side. I think it is intentional, but it does make some parts of the game frustrating. The lack of camera control is also a point of frustration, but it’s fine for telling its story. The game’s difficulty is what makes the game hard to recommend. Tourmented Souls 2 is a dark and twisted puzzle. It is very unforgiving if you aren’t paying attention or if you don’t complete the tasks in order. The game doesn’t offer a lot of save points, so players will have to redo a lot of their progress.

The survival elements add a lot of tension to the game, and if you aren’t careful, a lot of stress. I was constantly low on health struggling to get to the next point, and that is going to turn off a lot of players. If you are new to the game, know that this is done by design. You might need to restart the game if you mess up like I did, so it might be good idea to look up a guide. I don’t like guides because I wanted to be surprised, but having to restart the game because there is literally nothing you can do to progress the game is frustrating.

Conclusion

Tormented Souls 2 isn’t going to be for everyone. This is an unforgiving horror game that can be difficult if you aren’t careful and paying attention. Not being able to save often means there is a lot of repetition, but it also means you can strait up ruin a run. That said, the horror is very well designed. The atmosphere is spooky, the tension is choking, and the monsters are terrifying. I had a lot of trouble finishing this game because it freaked me out, but I also don’t do very well with horror games. Regardless, I liked the story enough to power through. I definitely think I need to check out the first one, but I don’t think it is necisarry. If you are looking for some good survival horror and don’t mind the difficulty, pick up Tormented Souls 2 on Steam.