Tag Archives: fantasy

video game reviews

Discover Lunarium: A Beautiful RPG Adventure

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Lunarium?

Lunarium is a beautiful top down, isometric action RPG that you can play now on Steam.

Hook

Lunarium is on the verge of the collapse. It crumbles under the weight of blood thirsty monsters. Two girls, Ave and Lune, set of on the perilous adventure to save it. Ave marches forth with her sword, and Lune stands behind her with her supportive magic. Their adventures will take them across strange and magical worlds full of mystery and danger. What will their adventure reveal? Can they find the power to save their dying world?

Gameplay

Lunarium is pretty strait forward. Ave has a three combo attack, she can parry, and she can doge. Lune can heal Ave or help with a powerful magic attack, but her abilities are on charges. Meaning you can only heal so many times before a rest, or recharge a charge through combat. These skills and abilities can be customized through a fairly expansive skill tree. While I was able to get through the game buying into skills I thought were fun, it does feel like there is a right answer. I am sure there is a guide out there if you look hard enough.

Combat in this game is straight forward. All attacks are telegraphed. Enemies turn red when you need to dodge, and the animation is easy to read for when you need to parry. Timing is everything in this game, and learning how to time your button presses means you can blow past even the toughest enemies. You can eventually brute force your way through most of the game, but it does reward players who take the time to master the timing.

Does it work on the Steam Deck

Lunarium technically runs on the steam deck, but it is a little clunky. It is playable, but I didn’t like it. It felt like a chore trying to get the timing right, and I went back to playing on my PC. There might be a future update that will optimize the gameplay or a workaround I am missing, but for now, I am not using the Steam deck. Even though I really want to. The cloud sync doesn’t work properly, and I lost all of my progress and had to start over. Luckily I didn’t lose much, but you’ve been warned.

Review

I was first drawn to Lunarium because it is a good looking game. When I played the game, I knew I found a new addiction. Lunarium is a fantastic action RPG with a solid story, but fantastic gameplay. It is a little clunky, but I am willing to look past the roughness because I had a lot of fun with the title.

Aesthetic

I love the world of Lunarium. The character design is fantastic, and I love how the main characters both look minimilistic and iconic. The monsters you fight are creative and flavorful. Most unimportant, the world of Lunarium is beatiful. Each zone is unique and full of fantastic fantasy that was so much fun to explore. I will say that some of the perfomance issues do distract from the overall beauty, but not enough to skip this title. There needs to be more eyeballs exploring this beautiful world.

Gameplay

I am not very good at these games, but I tried very hard to be for Lunarium. The gameplay does feel simple at first, but when it ramps, you really need to be paying attention. Nothing is more satisfying than absolutely destroying an enemy because you were able to time all your button presses perfectly. I could have certainly played more optimally, but I had a blast picking the abilities that I though were fun. Honestly, if you like action RPGs and don’t mind the roughness that come with lower budget titles like Lunarium, the game needs to be in your library. I had so much fun with this game, and I am very sad I have to move on…for now.

Conclusion

I can’t stress how much you need to play this game. It is such a unique title with a beautiful world to explore, memorable characters to play as, and some solid mechanics. The performance is a bit of an issue, especially in the beginning, but it the game is playable. I am sure with a bit more money, they can optimize it enough. My only real complaint is that I can’t play it on the Steam Deck. I would have loved to be chilling on the couch playing this game, but sitting at my desk was good too. Since that isn’t a real problem, do you yourself a favor and get Lunarium today!

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video game reviews

Is Dokapon Kingdom: Connect Worth It? Honest Review

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Dokapon Kingom:Connect?

Dokapon Kingdom is a fantasy themed party game out now on Steam and the Nintendo Switch. The game is currently on sale until July 7, 2026 for those with enough friends (real or imaginary) to take advantage of this wacky adventure game.

Hook

The kingdom is in trouble. Monsters have appeared and terrorize the town. The king has summoned the kingdom’s bravest heroes to fight back against the scourge, and make the country profitable again. You and your friends must race across the kingdom, fighting monsters, collecting loot, and making as much money as possible. The hero who makes the most money at the end of the game will win the princess’ hand in marriage. Will fortune favor you, or will this be the end of a long time friendship? Boot it up and find out!

Gameplay

Players take turns moving across the board, sort of like Mario Party. Players will roll a dice, and move the required spaces. Where the player ends up will trigger an event. Events can be loot, random encounters, shops, or boss encounters. Players will need to plan accordingly to optimize their income generation. The game has three modes: story, normal, and battle. Story is for players who have a lot of time to play. Normal lets you choose the number of rounds for those who want shorter, more manageable games, and battle is a race. There is offline, couch support but you can also play online. You can host/join a game with random people, or link up with all your online friends and play over discord. For those who have no friends, the game has CPUs you can play with.

Combat

If you aren’t rolling for random loot or money, you are fighting the many monsters that threaten the Kingdom’s profit margins. Players can also fight each other. Combat in this game is a simple game of rock paper scissors (where each type is a different type of attack). Combat gets a bit more complicated as you move around the board and collect better equipment and spells. Throughout your run, you also level up. Leveling lets you increase stat points so you can customize your character to deal the most damage.

Does it work on the Steam Deck

The game works on everything, including the Steam Deck. If you’re playing online with your friends, you aren’t going to hate the experience. Everything is clear and easy to read, and the game runs great.

Review

As I wrap up my collaboration with Idea Factory, I am very disapointed that this is the game I ended on. The game is fine, but you really need friends for this game to be fun, otherwise you aren’t having a good time. The game feels slow, and story mode drags on forever. Had I been playing with my friends and smack talking the whole time, the wait between turns wouldn’t feel like torture. If you have friends who can survive competition where the RNG can screw you, I can see Dokapon Kingdom: Connect having some value.

Aesthetic

Dokapon Kingdom: Connect sort of reminds me of Streetpass on the 3DS, and I loved Streetpass. Nintendo needs to bring that back. I loved collecting all the different Miis. The characters in this game sort of remind me of Miis, but a little cuter. The world feels like a Miiverse type world, and I can respect that. I like that this game can run on everything, which means you can play on a toaster and have fun with your friends and family. For me, the art is the best part, because the gameplay wasn’t very impressive.

Story

The game doesn’t really have a story except for the initial hook. Occasionally, the king will come in and give you random loot or stat points, but there isn’t anything deep you need to follow or keep track of. Story mode is just the longest and most strait forward of the modes.

Combat

Combat is fine if you enjoy rock paper scissors. Whether you are defending or attacking, you get a set of skills that can potentially counter enemy action or at least reduce damage. The NPC fights do get a little repetitive. Maybe I got lucky, but I was mostly always able to guess what the lower mobs would do. I can see how PVP can be more exciting, especially science you rob your friends of their money and their turn. As you move across the board, you pick up equipment, spells, and levels that make you more powerful.

But is it fun?

If you’re playing with friends, I can see the value. You get trapped in this slog where RNG can easily turn the tides in your favor with a simple coin flip. I lively friend group will certainly enjoy the hell this can become, but it has the potential to ruin some friendships. If you don’t have friends, I wouldn’t bother. I played with the CPUs, and they cheat even on easy. Losing to NPCs is not as fun as losing to your friends because you can’t smack talk. I would argue that playing online would be a worse experience because this feels like more of a party game you pull out with your friends, not something you want to compete with strangers. Unless you get lucky and find some cool stranger who will later become your friends I mean. If you were thinking of buying your game for yourself, don’t bother. If you have a fun friend group to play this with, color me jealous.

Conclusion

I never really enjoyed these types of party games, but Dokopon Kingdom fairs a little better than the newest Mario Party. My issue with Mario Party is that there are only a couple of mini games I want to play, the rest feels like torture. Even only playing the mini games I like doesn’t really interest me. I like that Dokopon is more strait forward, albeit a little more random. You roll, you move, and you pray to the gods you get something good. At the end of the day, whether this game is good or not really depends on the group you play with. I don’t have a group of friends to play, so I didn’t have a good time. That said, I can see this being hilarious with the right group of people. If you like fantasy, need a new party game, sure, but wait for a sale.

You can pick up Dokapon Kingdom: Connect on Steam and the Nintendo Switch.

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video game reviews

Death end re;Quest Review: A Unique JRPG Experience

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Death end re;Quest

Death end re;Quest is a horror JRPG with very unique combat mechanics out now on Steam, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch. The game does deal with a few mature themes, so viewer discretion is advised.

Hook

Arata Mizunashi is a talented video game programmer working on World’s Odyssey. Production abruptly ends when a strange bug causes the disappearance of his colleague, Shina Ninomiya. A year goes by when Arata suddenly receives a mysterious email from Shina. Arata discovers that Shina has been trapped inside World’s Odyssey this whole time, and now it is up to him to get her out. But this will not be easy. World Odyssey is riddled with bugs and while the only way to get the true ending and free Shina from this world might not be possible. Band together with helpful NPCs, fight against the bugs and enemies, and try to fix the game enough to get to the end. Will Shina ever be free, or will she be doomed to die in the game she helped create?

Gameplay

Death end re;Quest has four different loops: the visual novel, dungeon crawl, combat, and real world investigation. It is the combination of these four elements that create a unique gaming experience.

Visual Novel

This game has a lot of reading. Some of it is voice acted in English and Japanese, but there are bits where you will have to read. The story is pretty linear, but players have the occasional choice that affects the ending. Save often because you will get a few of the band endings during your run (unless you cheat and use a guide). Luckily, the game allows players to save during some dialogue, so you can come back to the game when you need to. Or play it on the Steam Deck for those longer bits a dialogue where you can’t save.

Dungeon Crawl

Players will eventually take control of Shino who will delve unique and intricate dungeons. Like other games from Idea Factory, there are no random encounters. You can see the monsters roam the dungeon, and plan your attacks accordingly. Dungeons do not let you save freely. You will need to make your way to campsite where you can heal up, buy items, or talk to the NPCs. You can cheat and play this game on handheld and suspend the game to pick up where you left off later. One mechanic that makes this dungeon crawl unique is that players will need to switch from the dungeon to the overworld to progress through the game. More on this below.

Combat

Combat for Death end re;Quest is almost your typical turn-based RPG. There is an initiative that is affected by successfully ambushing enemies in the overworld, and players will take turns with the NPCs to perform actions. A player can perform three actions per turn. Actions include: attack, block, using an item, or casting a spell. If you cast three attack spells or attacks in a row, your character performs a knockback attack that sends enemies flying backwards. The game is kind of like pool, where you can aim enemies to bounce off the edges of the battlefield, other enemies, or allies for added damage. There are a few other mechanics that affect combat like corruption, but those make more sense when playing the game.

Overworld

There are two worlds to Death end re;Quest: the video game and the real world. Shino may be trapped in the game world, but Arata is outside in the real world and can affect the game with his coding. Occasionally, you will get stuck during a dungeon delve and will need to switch over to Arata who can do real world investigation, pick up clues, and fix the bugs. Most of the overworld exists through a visual novel, and there are choices that can lead to a bad ending. Make sure you save often.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Yes! The Steam Deck is the perfect way to play this game. While the performance is fine on PC, I just prefer to play JRPGs on handheld. I am old in this way. This game looks great, runs well, and I can read all the font. I personally like that I can suspend the game at a moments notice (like when I have to tend to my child), especially when I’m at a point where I can’t save. I would have lost so much progress if this wasn’t possible. But that is the life of a busy dad.

Review

As my collection of Idea Factory games dwindles to the last few I received for this collaboration, I can’t help but to feel sad that the journey is almost over. I am a little relieved that I can get back to reviewing new games and become somewhat relevant in the magical algorithm, but I can confidently say that I have enjoyed the journey. I wish I had played Death end re;Quest last because I absolutely adore this game. The game has cool art, a solid story, and an interesting combat system. It may not be perfect, but it is exactly what I need from my JRPGs. I fear it might be a little niche due to some of its choices, but I would argue that it is one of those games you should try once.

Aesthetic

There are two parts to the game art: the visual novel and dungeon crawling. The visual novel has some interesting art. If you compare it to other games like the mainline Neptunia games or even Dragon Star Varnir, its not as good but fine enough to get the point across. There are few interesting character designs, and some tastefully placed fan service, but nothing I’d run to make fan art for. But my issue with the art (and I assume a lot of people’s as well) is with the dungeon crawl. Everything in the dungeon looks the same. As a result, I spent too much time lost in this game. Granted, I have the worst sense of direction, but it doesn’t help that the dungeon looks so plain and homogeneous.The monsters also look ugly.

I understand that the design choices for the dungeon crawl were probably made to create a stable game. I had no issue with it because the combat is fun and I enjoyed the story, but there are people who will not like that this looks like a much older cheaper game.

Combat

Combat in this game is the most fun I’ve had with a JRPG. It does get a little repetative, these games typically are, but it isn’t so bad. You automate a lot of the actions for the easier fights, and the pool mechanics made for some fun interactions. I like that you can position yourself to perform a multi-kill by knocking enemies on an optimal tragectory. As someone who spent a lot of my highschool years playing the pool minigame on Yahoo messenger, I understood the assignment. I even went out of my way to do extra grinding because, combat is just that fun.

Death end re;Quest offers enough challenge when it needs to, creative boss fights when it has to, and running through the world as an overleveled god doesn’t make the encounters any less fun. I loved being overleveld and trying to finish the encounter in the least ammount of turns possible.

Story

I enjoyed the story a lot. I approaced it a little hesatantly at first because it felt like a isakai, and I have a bit of isakai fatigue. This all changed when it turned into a proper bland of cheesy adventure anime and horror mystery. I wouldn’t the horror is terrifying, i was able to play this with the lights off after all, but it does deal with some dark themes. Overall, the writing is solid. There are bits that are a little slow and scenes that drag on for a little too long, but overall, it is enjoyable anime and I could always use more of that in my life. If you are looking for a decent read, and don’t mind a little roughness, give Death end re;Quest a try.

Conclusion

I enjoyed Death end re;Quest a little too much. Sure I started skipping through some of the dialogue, especially the camp stuff, but I did read through enough of it to be invested. I had a hard time putting it down, but I had to for this article. My only complaint is that I didn’t get the true ending. Sure I can google a guide or look up the video, but I kind of want to try to do it on my own. This was a very fun ride, one that I recomend for those of you who like niche anime games and don’t mind the turn-based system with a few extra steps. If you are looking for a game to add to your Steam Deck, or just something to do this summer, the game is on sale for $6 unti July 7th, and that is the perfect entry point.

You can pick up Death end re;Quest on Steam, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch

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video game reviews

Is Dragon Star Varnir Good? Gameplay Insights Inside

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Dragon Star Varnir

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

Exploration

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

Combat

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

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

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

Review

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

Aesthetic

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

Combat

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

Grind

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

Story

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

Conclusion

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

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video game reviews

Explore the Quirky Charm of Hyperdimension Neptunia

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1?

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

Combat

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

Dungeons

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

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

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

Review

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

Aesthetic

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

Combat

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

Story

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

Concusion

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

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video game reviews

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

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is May Skelter Finale?

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

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

Review

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

Aesthetic

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

Gameplay

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

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

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

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

Story

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

Conclusion

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

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

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video game reviews

Explore Neptunia’s Quirky Zombie Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies (Neptunia) to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune VS Zombies (Neptunia)

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

Combat

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

Customization

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

Review

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

Aesthetic

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

Combat

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

Story

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

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

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

Conclusion

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

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video game reviews

First Impressions of HellSlave II: The Archon’s Judgement

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is HellSlave II: Judgement of the Archon

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

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

Impressions

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

Aesthetic

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

Story

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

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

Performance

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

Customization

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

Gameplay

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

Conclusion

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

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video game reviews

Super Neptunia RPG Review: A Casual Gamer’s Take

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Super Neptunia RPG

Super Neptunia RPG is a a sidescrolling turn-based RPG out now on Steam, GoG, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch. The game features your favorite lovable goddesses in a new, unique adventure. The game is not considered cannon to the Super Neptunia lore, but it does give fans of the series another chance to spend time with their favorite group of goddesses.

Hook

Neptune wakes up in a strange 2D world without any of her memories. She is thrown into the world with only a stick, her hunger, and a magical book that glows when she is near an ally. Travel across this strange new 2D world in search of your memories and make a few allies along the way. Take up quests for additinion income and use your formation to conquer any foe and boss that comes your way. Will you beat the game like the protagonist you were meant to be, or will this be the end for Neptunia and her friends?

Gameplay

Super Neptunia RPG is your typical sidescroller adventure. Players will move through the world, completing quests and fighting off monsters. Players control a four player team each with unique set of abilities. The game uses an interesting mix of turn-based and real time combat mechanics to craft its unique gameplay loops. Each character can perform as many actions as they can if they have enough initiative and action points. Each action costs AP to cast. AP is automatically generated over time. While the game doesn’t use a stamina or mana system for a characters abilities, they will have to wait for AP to charge. Luckily, you can hold down left trigger to speed things up.

While you are stuck with the same four characters for the entirety of the campaign, there are mechanics to help refresh the team. Players can change the formation of the party during combat to change the abilities they can use. They can also buy items that teach characters new abilities. This helps players take full advantage of typing as they travel across the different biomes of the world.

Review

I’ve played a couple of Neptunia games and like them enough to keep trying more. I very much appreciate the fun meta humor and who doesn’t like cute anime girls? Super Neptunia RPG is a bit different from the rest of the series in that it is 2D. It isn’t quite the engaging metroidvania I was expecting from the few bits of media I saw before hand, but I appreciate the chill laid-back gameplay loop it offers. While there are a few bugs and some performance issues, I don’t mind having this game on my Steam Deck. The game has cute art and great voice acting, but I found the story and gameplay a little lacking. The battle system is interesting, but I found the grind a little too much for the casual game it is trying to be. It isn’t the worst grind I’ve experienced, especially when compared to the rest of the series, but it was slow enough where I started to lose interest.

Aesthetic

I like the cute anime girls, but the world doesn’t feel too interesting outside of that. The cities were bland, and the worlds around them feel a bit generic. There wasn’t much I wanted to explore, and a lot of the exploration felt like busy work that was put in to extend a lack luster story. It isn’t an ugly game by any means, but it doesn’t do much to stand out. As of writing this, I struggle to remember a single biome, city, or even monster. I do like that I can see the weapons I attach, I always love to see my character get cooler as the adventure goes.

Story

The story in this game isn’t terrible, but it isn’t anything to run towards. I wouldn’t recommend this be your entry to the Neptunia games, but it is good enough for those who want to see more of their favorite character. The meta humor is well done and I got enough of a laugh to keep pushing through the game. I will certainly forget ever playing this game, but it isn’t a game I minded playing. What did ruin the game is the grind, more on that below.

The Grind

The grind for this game is its weakness. These games have been grindy before, but at least there was a fun story to work towards. Here, because the story is just okay, the grind becomes hard to justify. You can skip a lot of the encounters by jumping over them, which helps, but not enough. I feel like if I were a bigger fan and more invested in the series I would enjoy it more, but here we are. The problem is that the super fans have already played this game, and the casual fans should probably go play one of the main series games instead.

Combat

I have very mixed feelings on the combat system. On one hand, it uses creative mechanics in a way that makes the game feel unique for the first few minutes of a playthrough. The problem is that strategy in this game doesn’t really matter. I found that most of the time, I could just spam the same two abilities and clear most of the encounters. I didn’t even bother teaching new abilities to my characters because it really didn’t matter. The game is casual enough to mindlessly play around my toddler’s schedule, but I don’t know if I could pick it up more seriously. In short bursts, this game feels perfect for the gamer who doesn’t have much time, likes the Neptunia games, and doesn’t want a huge commitment.

Conclusion

Super Neptunia RPG is just fine. The game has solid bones, cute characters, and it offers a good enough experience to be worth it at a discount. If you’re a fan of the series, this is an easy way to get more time with your favorite character. If you are not a fan of the series, you should check out one of the main games and move from there. I think the combat is creative and worth trying once, and it makes for a good portable Steam Deck game. That said, wait for the sale.

You can pick up Super Neptunia RPG on on Steam, GoG, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch.

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video game reviews

Amnesia: Memories Review – A Visual Novel Worth Playing?

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Amnesia: Memories?

Amnesia: Memories is an anime Otome visual novel out now on Steam, Android devices, and the Nintendo Switch. It originally released on the PS Vita in 2015. For those who missed out on the special era of Vita visual novels, or those looking for a new visual novel, Amnesia: Memories might be your next game.

Hook

You wake up without your memories and a unique magical creature to take their place. They are here to help you recover your memories, the problem is that they don’t know what world you belong to. Choose a world (heart, diamond, clover, spade) and try to find your place in its world. Rediscover a forgotten relationship with the boyfriend you left behind, and make the choices that will give you the best endings. Will you regain your memories and find your true love, or will you die in the process. There are over 20 endings and hundreds of choices. Can you collect them all?

Gameplay

Amnesia: Memories is your typical visual novel. Players will read through the story, and you get to make choices along the way. The choices you make affect the ending, and choosing wrong gets you the wrong ending. This is your typical Otome game where you are getting romanced by different hot guys, although the heroine in this story feels a bit more passive. The stories are divided as follows:

  • Heart – Shin
  • Spade – Ikki
  • Clover – Kent
  • Diamond – Toma
  • Joker – Ukyo

The top four characters are playable from the start, the joker ending only unlocks after playing through all the stories. One nice feature the game has is that it lets you create multiple saves and save at any point in the story.

Review

As far as visual novels, Amnesia: Memories is fine. The game has great art, a solid score, and decent writing (mostly). My problem with the game is that not all of the paths feel worth it (looking at you Toma). That said, there is enough good to this visual novel to be worth at least one play through, but I wasn’t interested enough to collect all of the endings. There are guides available for the completionists out there, but I recommend going in as blind as possible.

Aesthetic

The art in this game is great if you enjoy anime. The character design is unique and memorable, and I like how they contrast against the often simple backgrounds. I like that cut scenes and transitions are minimilistic because it shifts the focus to the story and its characters.

Story

I will do my best to avoid spoilers, but there is going to be some minor spoilers. As far as Oteme games go, I do prefer something more cheesy like Celestia Chain of Fate. I enjoy reading sappy romantic novels, and some of these routes weren’t romantic at all (Toma). If you want a visual novel with a more serious tone, I recommend checking out Nobody Nowhere instead. Amnesia isn’t bad, but choosing the wrong lead is going to turn off some people. I started with Ikki (Spade) and almost gave up on the game because it was so boring. It wasn’t until I got to switch leads and play Kent (Clover) where I started to become invested. This could be a subjective critique, but I would start with Shin or Kent and then your choice of the other two.

Main Character

One problem I have with the game is that the main character sort of exists for all of these events to happen to her. She doesn’t feel tangible or real because there doesn’t seem to be any agency. She loses her memories and things sort of just happen to her. This should feel like a tense and scary concept (and at times it does) but it almost feels like it doesn’t matter.

Maybe I play too many Otome games, but I was making choices because it would get me the good ending not because it would necessarily lead me to something interesting. A good Otome game usually paralyzes me with choices as I try to figure out what I want and what bits of the narrative I want to explore, but I didn’t feel that much with this game. I just didn’t care enough about the characters or the world to want to explroe more.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a decent read and don’t care too much a story’s realism, Amnesia: Memories is fine. You get some solid stories, some creepy undertones, and solid art. The voice acting is fantastic and there are enough guides out there for those who want to collect some easy achievements. I still would prefer something more on the cheesy side like Celestia Chain of Fate. As far as Visual Novels go, you can do worse. If you do end up getting this game, start off with Kent and work your way to Toma. Both Toma and Ikki have boring stories that can ruin a playthrough (it nearly ruined mine). Overall, not the worst ways to spend $10.

Trailer