The Final Shape expansion hits Destiny 2 on June 4th. In preparation, Bungie has made a few of their older expansions free for everyone. Now is the perfect time to jump into Destiny if you’re missing key weapons like Parasite (The Witch Queen), Lament (Beyond Lignt), and anything else you missed out on.
Parasite (The Witch Queen)
Lament (Beyond Lignt)
The Final Shape expansion hits Destiny 2 on June 4th. In preparation, Bungie has made a few of their older expansions free for everyone. Now is the perfect time to jump into Destiny if you’re missing key weapons like Parasite (The Witch Queen), Lament (Beyond Lignt), and anything else you missed out on.
From now until June 3rd, console players can enjoy some of the older expansions including Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, and the Witch Queen. Steam players will gain access on May 21st. All Guardians also get access to past seasons including Season of Defiance, Deep, Witch, and Wish. If you have never played Destiny, or haven’t played it in a while, now is the perfect time.
I was sent a free copy of The Final Shape and will be doing my best to catch up for its release. Bungie does a decent job at getting new players caught up to the new content, but there is a bit of stuff I still need to grind for. If you end up liking any of the expansions available, I would wait for a sale. The expansions go on sale regularly for pretty cheap.
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
I finally got around to playing Lorcana, and I am a fan. The game is easy to learn, and you can play online through the third-party Pixelborn app for free with a minimal amount of tinkering.
How to Play Lorcana
The best way to learn Lorcana is by playing, but Dicebreakers has a fantastic tutorial on their YouTube if you need help getting started. I recommend setting up Pixelborn so you can try out the game for free to see if you like it, but starting with your favorite starter deck is a valid option.
Gameplay
The gameplay is pretty casual TCG. All the actions happen on a player’s turn, so you don’t have to worry about things like counterspells. The main trick to this game is managing resources. You need to be aware of what cards you throw in your ink well, when to challenge other characters, and when to send characters on quests. Keywords add some complexity to this loop, but Lorcana never felt like it was an overwhelming ammount of moving parts. At least based on the games I played with a friend who was also playing for the first time.
Tabletop Simulator is a fantastic piece of software, especially if you enjoy playing board games and trading card games. Indie trading card games always typically have official TTS modules and a vibrant community around them. The issue with TTS is that you have to buy the software ($30), but the modules are free. Another issue with the TTS is that it is a little clunky. Once you get used to the software, you don’t notice it, but it is there. Lastly, you have to be a bit more active with your matchmaking. You either find the discord to find people to play with, have friends who also have TTS who are down to play, find a room playing Lorcana, or make your own and wait for someone to join. It’s not an impossible task, but it is a little inconvenient compared to Pixelborn. That said, Tabletop Simulator is a fantastic option, especially if you’re interested in other board games. This is the Lorcana ModuleI used.
Untap.in
Untap.in is a browser-based solution for Lorcana and other popular TCGs. If you don’t have the hardware to run TTS or want something more simple, untap.in is a fantastic solution. The problem with untap is that you either have to have friends who play, find a lobby hosting a game, or look for a game on Reddit. It’s not impossible, but again, lacks convenience. But if you want to jump between other TCGs for free, it’s a great and simple tool that doesn’t take too many resources.
Pixelborn
Pixelborn is my favorite way to play Lorcana. It does take a bit of tinkering to get it to work, but it isn’t a complicated process. There is a fantastic tutorial on this fansite to get you started. Pixelborn looks great, runs well, and has a lot of phases and mechanics programmed to make learning easy. Best of all Pixelborn has integrated matchmaking. It can take some time to find a match depending on when you get on, but it should get easier if the game gets more popular. There are ranked and casual ladders, and tournaments as well. If you want the easiest, freest way to get into Lorcana, play it on Pixelborn.
How to Install Pixelborn
There are instructions on the official Pixelborn Discord on how to install the program. I’d join the Discord to meet other folks who also love the game, and to be on top of the news. This fan page has a great tutorial and all the links you need to get you started.
Impressions
I enjoyed Lorcana. I’ve always been a fan of the art, but I enjoyed the mechanics of the game. Now that I have a friend to play with, I will be playing it more regularly. I never get to see this friend, so its nice to have something we can share. If you’re looking for a casual game that is easy to learn and teach, Lorcana is a fantastic place to start.
There are only ten days left on the Coriolis: The Great Dark Kickstarter, so go back the campaign if you are looking for a lore-rich, dark sci-fi adventure to run at your table. The campaign only has one stretch goal left, which means backers are receiving a nice amount of goodies. If you like physical media, it is your only chance to score a pretty special edition version of the rulebook.
Since my last post, the publisher has released a free quickstart guide on DriveThru RPG to give people a chance to explore the system without any of the commitments. The quickstart guide includes a more streamlined and condensed version of the rules, but it will include everything you need to run a meaningful oneshot. It includes some of the rules, a pre-written adventure, and pre-generated characters. I did notice some grammar issues, but the game isn’t out yet and this isn’t the final version. I’ll leave copies of the PDF here, but you can always get them on DriveThru RPG.
The Mission
A prospecting expedition has gone awry. The blight has taken its victims, and only one survivor made it back to Astroid City. The Explorer’s Guild will now send its best crew into the depths of Gilen’s point to retrieve any survivors and extract any valuable artifacts. But this mission is not without its typical dangers. The shady criminal organization, Black Toad, also has its sights on the contents of Gilen’s point and will do anything to get there first. Can the explorers survive another day in the depths of the Great Dark, or will they be another casualty the unforgiving void of space?
Impressions
Coriolis: The Great Dark uses the Year Zero system. If you’ve played any game that runs Year Zero before, you know how to play Coriolis. There are some shifts in mechanics for flavor, but most of it will feel familiar. If you haven’t played any game in the system, Year Zero is incredibly easy to learn. The system uses D6es and you pass checks when you roll a 6.
What makes Coriolis unique is its lore and flavor. Coriolis is a neat story about space settlers trying to find their place in the universe. It the Great Dark is a sequel, but I didn’t feel like I needed to have played the original to understand what was going on. There are some references, but the guide does a good job at explaining everything you need to get started. I assume the full version will as well.
Coriolis: The Great Dark features neat mechanics that help foster this sense of surviving in this unknown and unforgiving ancient place in space but also fuels a sense of wonder and exploration. It’s a neat concept that I would love to see a more complete version, but the quickstart gives a solid snapshot.
I haven’t had a chance to run through the quickstart, but it seems like a solid adventure. It comes with maps, handouts, and pre-generated characters to get you started. It is an incomplete version of the game, but it should provide you and your table with a solid understanding of what to expect. Ultimately, if you’re thinking of running Coriolis: The Great Dark, or are looking for a new Sci-Fi TTRPG to run at your table, you should start with the quickstart guide and move from there. It’s a good idea to check if the system is a good fit for your table. If you end up liking it, go back the Kickstarter!
I’m impressed with what I’ve seen so far, I can’t wait to see more. If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
I started collecting Akora for a series I am doing on YouTube. I do a pack opening after every workout as motivation. I enjoyed the art enough to look into the game and have been following its development ever since. I’ve sat in on a learn-to-play event, and lurk through general from time to time to ogle at people’s pulls. If you’re thinking of picking up Akora, the Discord is a great place to start.
Discord Tournament
If you’re trying to find a place to play Akora, there will be a free official tournament hosted this Sunday, March 17th, on the official Discord. The tournament will be online and played through the Tabletop Simulator through the official module. Make sure you have that installed and at least somewhat familiar with the program. The tournament marks the end of the Eternal Echoes season, which means it is too late to grind for those exclusive promos:
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
Prizing
1st Place: 1x Legendary Prize Pack, 1x Epic Prize Pack, 1x Loot Prize Pack, 1x EE 1st Place Prize Playmat
Disclaimer: Players must have an Akora Play account to participate and have their shipping address up to date on their Akora Play account to receive prizing!
Go Sign up now!
If you’re looking for a new TCG, looking for something to do, go sign up for the tournament! Tournaments are fun with more people. If you don’t know how to play Akora, the game is pretty easy to pick up. There is an official guide on YouTube, and there is always someone on Discord ready to help newbies.
While there will definitely be people trying to win, there will also be patient and understanding people trying to get more folks into the hobby. The game is interesting, it has cool art, and solid flavor. The event is free so if you have time, it doesn’t hurt to try it out. Check the official website for deck ideas. Go sign up today!
Free League Publishing is teaming up with Start Playing Games and Alchemy RPG for another free learn-to-play workshop this week! GMs and players interested in running the critically acclaimed Tales From the Loop should join this free event for a hands-on look at both the system and the innovative tabletop. If this workshop is anything like the Vaesen event hosted last year, it’s going to be worth your time. To sign up, make sure you sign up on the official page, and have an Alchemy account ready to go. You don’t need to download the client, you can run it from your browser.
Fans of the Netflix series Stranger Things should look into running this system. The adventure is based on kids exploring an alternate timeline in the 80s where a mysterious corporation has moved into town with a series of strange phenomena following close behind. What strange secrets will you and your friends uncover in this retro sci-fi adventure?
What is Alchemy RPG
Alchemy RPG is a virtual tabletop whose goal is to enhance the theater of the mind experience. The VTT offers a growing library of RPGs and events with specially crafted modules for GMs to run the game. These modules will have a collection of sounds, music, and animated backgrounds to help a GM run their game. With integrated voice chat and character sheets, it makes things easy for players and GMs to connect through the system they love. There is an integrated video chat feature and streamer support coming to the platform, so there is a lot to be excited for.
I got to use it briefly with Vaesen and enjoyed using it. It was easy to use, to learn, and it had a lot of the features I needed. I like that I could add grid-based combat whenever I needed it. You don’t need to buy the modules to run a game in Alchemy, but it makes things a whole lot easier. After you see everything the modules come with, you’re going to want to buy them anyways. I’ll be joining and posting a review as soon as I can.
If you’re looking for a new system, make some time to check out the free Tales From the Loop. If you need a hard copy of the rule book, get it over at Amazon ($39.40) or the official website ($51.35)! If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow and share this with your friends.
The team at Alchemy VTTis holding 1-hour workshops to teach players how to play Vaesen. Alchemy VTT aims to create an immersive experience that is easy to use and even easier to stream to your favorite platform. With features like integrated video chat, automated NPCs, and animated spells and effects, Alchemy VTT is sure to be a spectacular hit at some tables. You will need to buy your content and pay a subscription for added features, but it might be worth it for the experience it provides.
The seminar will feature the official Vaesen module for Alchemy VTT. The team will go over how to get started with game and character creation, and showing off some of the immersive gameplay Alchemy is capable of. If you are interested in checking out Vaesen or Alchemy VTT, make sure you sign up for one of the available time slots. (As of writing this)
DATE
TIME
12/27/2023
6 AM
12/28/2023
10 AM
1/2/2024
2 PM
I was sent a book to review before this announcement, so I’ll be joining the seminar for the free overview. I also don’t mind looking into a new VTT. The trailer made it look like such a neat experience, especially with all the integrated features.
The event is free to join, all you need is an Alchemy VTT account and you must join the official discord. It is really cool to see a VTT work closely with developers to not only create a catered experience for their players, but to also onboard new ones. So if you have an hour to spare and want to check out a new game, make sure you check out the seminar! Seats are filling up fast!
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.
What is Vaesen
In dark forests, beyond the mountains, by black lakes in hidden groves. At your doorstep. In the shadows, something stirs. Strange beings. Twisted creatures, lurking at the edge of vision. Watching. Waiting. Unseen by most, but not by you. You see them for what they really are. Vaesen.
Welcome to the Mythic North – northern Europe of the nineteenth century, but not as we know it today. A land where the myths are real. A cold reach covered by vast forests, its few cities lonely beacons of industry and enlightenment – a new civilization dawning. But in the countryside, the old ways still hold sway. There, people know what lurks in the dark.
They know to fear it.
– From the Free League Publishing website
Vaesen is a horror RPG where players solve supernatural mysteries. The art is beautiful, and the flavor is fantastic. I’ll need to run a few games in the system to judge it even further, but it has my attention. The core book will have everything you need to get started, like the rules, pre-generated characters, and a prewritten mystery. If Vaesen appeals to you, make some time to join in on the seminar.
Where to Buy
You can pick up the core book from the official Free League Publishing website ($52.91 + shipping). You also get access to the PDF so you won’t have to wait to get started. The core book is also available on Amazon ($64 book only) and DrivethruRPG ($24.99 pdf only).
The Core Rule book includes:
Ten ready to use archetypes let you create a character in minutes – or use the included life path tables and let the dice decide.
Quick and flavorful rules for combat, investigations and horror.
Rules for developing the player characters’ headquarters during campaign play.
A detailed gazetteer of the Mythic North setting and the town of Upsala.
A score of bloodcurdling vaesen to encounter, all beautifully illustrated by Johan Egerkrans.
An introductory Mystery called The Dance of Dreams.
The Drakantos November Dev Log is out, and there are some exciting updates that we need to look at. There was a hero teaser, mount updates, and more pets! Make sure you read the official post for the complete update, and join the Discord to stay up-to-date on this promising-looking indie MMO.
Don’t forget to add Drakantos to wishlist on Steam. The game just hit 100k wishlists, but we can do better! This game looks like a lot of fun and will be free to play. It won’t hurt to try it out. I’ll keep following the game closely in the hopes that there will be some sort of beta soon.
Check out my previous post for more context. If you enjoy these updates, make sure you like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.
Paladin Errant: Zeugladius
Zeugladius gameplay has been teased, and you are going to want to check it out if you like playing tanky characters. His backstory is also up on Discord, so make sure you give it a read. You’ll also get a chance to vote on the next reveal when that becomes available. I am enjoying the lore and can’t wait to dive into the full story.
The devs have made a channell for the game’s heroes for all the lore, art, and animation that gets teased and revealed.
Screenshots and Gifs
There have been updates to quests, assests, and systems which is always good to hear, but we also got some pretty cool screenshots. I might be a little biased, but this game looks so cool. I love the retro vibe it gives off, but there is enough of a modern twist to help it stand out.
Last dev log we learned that we are getting mounts, here we see a nice variety of options. There is also a day and night cycle which is always nice to see. Most importantly, the city and environment look amazing. I am a sucker for good pixel art games, and this is definitely matching my vibe.
We got to see some more animation, and this wyvern looks sick! I love the way it crawls out of the ground and leaves that hole. The way it catches fire and takes flight is amazing. Small details like the flames and ember it releases as it flaps make the beast look even more menacing. I can’t wait to see what they do with the bosses. I wonder if we can ride it?
Pets!
It wouldn’t be an MMO without pets, and we got the cutest little skeleton teased. I am all for pets, and if they are easy to collect, I am here for it. I am sure some of the cooler ones will be locked behind a paywall, but I can’t blame them for trying to make money.
If you have been enjoying my content and want to support what I do make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends. You can also buy me a coffee
I was sent Project Apidom as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions of the game. This will be my honest review.
Project Apidomis a 3 team MOBA for PC. Teams battle it out on an open map, fighting mobs and each other until only one team is left standing. Instead of unique characters like you see in traditional MOBAs League of Legends, everyone starts with the same generic frame with customizable armor. Armor and weapons affect the stats and abilities of the character. Players have the ability to customize characters to fit their playstyle. Players can also buy stats as they play like in traditional RPGs. Project Apidom is a unique take on the MOBA, but one that needs a lot of work before it can earn a recommendation.
The game is still in early access beta and clearly unfinished. It runs fine, but it feels empty and bare in its current stage. The biggest problem I had with Project Apidom is the matchmaking. I was never able to find a game. The matchmaking isn’t great, but I think the bigger issue is its small population. The community is steadily growing, but the growth is too slow for a game whose emphasis is on PvP. If you try this game, join with friends because playing alone isn’t fun. Make sure you join the official Discord to find people to play with and for information about events run by the devs.
As this game currently sits, I can’t recommend it. I found the gameplay boring, and there aren’t enough people to play with for it to be worth the trouble of booting it up. The game runs fine, but it’s empty and unimpressive. That said, I understand the experience might differ in a full game with real players.
If you are looking for a new MOBA game, you should look into something like Eternal Returninstead. The game has a similar concept, but it is finished and it is playable. But if you don’t mind the rough early access environment, it doesn’t hurt to try it for yourself. The community on their discord is growing daily, and the devs run tournaments from time to time. As of writing this review, you can get a free key if you type /givesteamkey in general chat on their Discord.
Project Apidom is a neat concept for a MOBA, but it isn’t finished, and it isn’t impressive yet. You can check it out on Steam.
The Guardian Games are returning to Destiny 2, and now might be a great time to come back if you’ve been away. The event will pit guardians against each other as they compete to earn bragging rights and some pretty cool cosmetics. You won’t need the latest expansion to participate, so if you’ve been away for a while or are new to the title, it is completely free to play. Who knows, you might like the game enough to stay.
The Guardian Games begin on May 2nd and will run until the end of the Season of Defiance on May 23rd. To get started, speak with Eva Levante to unlock the Guardian Games quest and get your class item.
Participants will earn medals across the game or through PvP which they can exchange for exclusive cosmetics. More specifically:
Activities that award you low-tier (Bronze or Silver) Medallions include Gambit and Quickplay Crucible matches, anything from the Vanguard playlists, as well as most Neptune activities and Defiant Battlegrounds. For high-tier (Gold and Platinum) Medallions, play Nightfalls, raids, dungeons, Competitive Crucible, Trials of Osiris, or Legend Defiant Battlegrounds.
Use these medallions to unlock these year’s Guardian Games weapons:
The Traxippos – The first Legendary Strand Scout Rifle in the game
The Title – The Void Submachine Gun is back with updates, including the fan-favorite perk, Repulsor Brace
Players will also have access to the Guardian Games event card for additional cosmetics. There is a paid tier available for 1000 silver that might be worth it if you want the additional cosmetics.
This event also marks the return of the Guardian Games Cup. Anyone can join so make sure you grab your fire team and help raise money for some great causes. This year, Bungie is teaming up with International Rescue and Direct Relief. Participants of the cup will be fighting for the chance to win:
Top team in the Technical category: custom art of your fireteam by PherianArt
Top team in the Charitable category: custom art of your fireteam by Gammatrap
Top two teams in the Technical and Charitable categories: Guardian Games Pendant ($200 MSRP)
Top three teams in the Technical and Charitable categories: Apricot Dawn emblem
Top four teams in the Technical and Charitable categories: Bungie Store discount codes
The technical category is for the number of medallions earned throughout the event. The charitable category is for the amount of money raised. Make sure you go to the official website to register and start earning.
Participants who donate more than $25 will earn an exclusive Quantum Relay emblem.
I am terrible at PvP, but it might be a great time to dust off my old guardian to start earning some cosmetics.
I was unimpressed by Once Bitten. This comedy has not aged well. A lot of the jokes no longer land, making this movie feel as eternal as the life of the vampires in it. Once Bitten is an absurd and unstructured comedy that relies heavily on the absurdity of the narrative. You have a matron of vampires who are starving for her eternal youth. To achieve this, she must drink virgin blood three times before Halloween, or she will age terribly. As a result, this movie is full of misunderstandings, innuendos, and horny teenagers.
This movie isn’t terrible, the acting is fine, and the soundtrack is fantastic, but the pacing is a problem. The pacing is already slow, but it feels slower because you will have to sit through a number of unfunny and uncomfortable scenes. This isn’t the hyperactive Jim Carrey you might know him as, but a rather subdued character trying to figure life out. He like this movie is instantly forgettable.
The only positive worth mentioning is the soundtrack. I love the music in this movie, but it isn’t enough to save this movie. The only scene that I enjoyed was the dance fight that happens towards the end. The music choice, the choreography, and the energy that the actors bring to their performance make me sad that this movie isn’t a musical. If you haven’t seen it, check it out because it is fun! Unfortunately, the rest of this movie lacks this energy and it suffers for it.
You can watch this movie free on YouTube, but I wouldn’t bother. It isn’t terrible, but there are better uses for your time.
