Tag Archives: game review

video game reviews

Why Sonokuni Is My Favorite Game Ever

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Sonokuni 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Sonokuni?

Sonokuni is a surreal biopunk top-down hack-and-slash out now on Steam.

One lone assassin stands in the way of large biotech and their quest to assimilate the worlds genetics into one homogeneous legion of obedient monsters. Takeru guards her people against the mutant super power that wants to wipe her people from the landscape. Venture into a trippy explosion of color, mayhem, and possibly the best soundtrack you’ll ever hear in a video game. Is Takeru strong enough to keep her people safe, or will she be assimilated with the rest of them?

Gameplay

Players move through visually striking 2D maps, fighting scores of enemies with their abilities. Each room acts like a puzzle of enemies. Each monster will perform the same type of actions, and it is up to the player to find the ideal combination to of attacks to clear the room successfully. Players can adjust the difficulty, but know that dying a lot is part of the gameplay loop. There are no check points, campfires, or lives. Dying only resets the room. Even the music keeps playing on reset, giving players the freedom to explore solutions through death without the repetitive slog of moving between checkpoints. Combat is a lot of fun, even if you die a lot. Using your blocks, attacks, and slowdown abilities in the right combination always kept things engaging, and the music helped me keep my tempo.

Review

Sonokuni is without a doubt, my favorite game of all time. Never have experience such a unique and fun experience as this, and I recommend anyone who hasn’t done so already to play this game. The worst part about playing Sonokuni is that every game after will be held to this standard of excellence.

First off, Sonokuni has an amazing aesthetic full of striking visuals and creative design. I love the 2D retro style, but what they do with the pixel art is incredibly impressive. The art alone should be reason enough to try this game, but the game does so much more right.

If you like Japanese Hip-Hop, Sonokuni has an amazing collection for its soundtrack. Each track helps create the game’s fantastic atmosphere, and fans of hip-hop will enjoy the journey. I particularly like that the song doesn’t restart on death. Players are going to die quickly and often, having the game loop every few seconds (maybe more if you’re actually good at the game) would get old quickly. This was a solid choice, and I like that I can listen to the whole song.

Moving past the aesthetics, the gameplay is amazing. This is the most fun I’ve had with a game in a while, and I will definitely keep it in my rotation. I need to try it at a higher difficulty. I didn’t mind dying so much or repeating the same room because every room feels different, and every room felt like a puzzle I was trying to solve. Most importantly , the boss fights are amazing. This is one of the few games where beating the boss felt incredible. There are a few games that leave me with such a great sense of accomplishment, and Sonokuni is one of them.

If you haven’t played Sonokuni, it needs to be in your library. This game is fantastic, and it gets better the more you play it. You can pick up Sonokuni on steam for $14.99 or check out the demo if you don’t believe me.

video game reviews

Is Inaya – Life After Gods Worth Playing?

Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Inaya – Life after Gods 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Inaya – Life after Gods?

Inaya – Life after Gods is a metroidvania out now on Steam.

Inaya was orphaned at a young age. She was raised by an old monk who taught her to use her how to defend herself. Now, years later, she must find what is left of her tribe and fight anyone that stands in her way. Travel across the remnants of civilization the gods left behind, fight unique monster and bosses, and unlock the power of your father’s gauntlet. What secrets will you uncover? Will Inaya ever find her tribe?

Review

I typically have a gameplay section, but if you’ve played a metroidvania game, you’ve probably played a better one. Let me start with the good, because the game isn’t horrible or unplayable. Inayah has some very beautiful hand drawn art with a unique world and cool looking monsters. The skill tree system is expansive, giving players access to a wide variety of play-styles. I personally like how it has three distinct weapons that feel different, and each has a good amount of customization. That said, you have better options.

One issue I have with the game is with the voice acting. The voice acting is bad, and it distracts from the story. There is a clear attempt at creating a compelling story, but I didn’t have it in me to sit through any of the dialogue. I recommend you play the game with the volume off.

As for the gameplay, its okay, but there is nothing that you should be rushing to play. Especially at this price. It feels smooth, and there is a good amount of jumping puzzles, but its boring. Even when I bought upgrades, there were no abilities or skills that had me excited, and everything feels slow. There was also some noticeable stuttering that never killed me, but made me not want to play the game.

If you love the genre and are looking for a new game for your collection, I would try out the demo first. I think Inaya is one of those games you’ll forget because of the gameplay isn’t interesting enough. Even if you are the type of person that plays every metroidvania, I would wait for the sale. The devs are still working on the game and releasing updates, so there is hope that game will get better. Unfortunately, in its current state, it is hard to recommend because there are simply better options.

You can pick up Inaya – Life after Gods for $24.99 on Steam.

video game reviews

Is Morkull Ragast’s Rage a Good Metroidvania?

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Morkull Ragast’s Rage to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity. I won’t it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Morkull Ragast’s Rage?

Morkull Ragast’s Rage is a metroidvania out now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch for $17.99..

Morkull Ragast’s Rage is a powerful demon locked away in a video game. The only way to get out is to play the game, and win. Fight your way through a game as it is being made. Make your way through this digital dungeon, fight off scores of enemies, and reprogram a bit of the code along the way. Can you beat the game and let Morkul out? Is it a good idea to get set him free?

Review

If you’ve played any other metroidvania game, you’ve played Morkull Ragast’s Rage. You fight your way through a dungeon, unlocking new abilities along the way. The only difference is the game has a stylized flavor that is fun, but doesn’t do enough to hide the fact that the game isn’t very fun. Morkull Ragast’s Rage isn’t a bad game, it just doesn’t do enough to stand out against the rest of the genre. Had this been my introduction to the genre it would have fared a little better, but its not. When it comes to Metroidvania, you have better options.

The biggest issue I have with the game is that the combat is boring. Movement, combos, and the parry system all feel stiff. The enemies look cool, but they aren’t fun to fight. The grind feels bad, and I found very little reason to keep making it. I had little reason to keep coming back, especially considering how I have better options sitting in my library.

I appreciate the humor of the story. There are fun wall breaks and the flavor and artstyle are interesting. Unfortunately, they don’t do enough to distract from the fact that the game isn’t all that impressive. If you’re looking for a metroidvania game, there are better options. If you like the look and flavor of the game, I would wait for a sale because it still feels like a demo. There is a demo available, but I don’t think it fares any better.

You can pick up Morkull Ragast’s Rage on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch for $17.99.

Uncategorized, video game reviews

Rosewater Review: A Western Visual Novel Experience

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I received a free copy of Rosewater to review for my blog. While I appreciate the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Rosewater?

Rosewater is a point-and-click visual novel available now on PC via Steam and GOG.

Harley Lager heads west, trying to make her name as a free lance writer. Her pursuit takes her to the sleepy boarder town of Rosewater, but her stay is anything but sleepy. Her first assignment leads her on a tail end of a mystery and possibly, the story that defines her career. Her and her posse must now go on a journey full of gunfights, friends, foes, and hopefully all the fame and riches they need. What will Harley uncover along the way? You are going to have to read to find out.

Review

Rosewater is a fantastic western full of colorful characters, meaningful choices, and challenging puzzles. The game also features a fantastic cast of voice actors that help bring this story to life, and the perfect soundtrack to set the mood. I was a bit uneasy about the graphics and art choice, but it fits the aesthetic perfectly. It gives the game a rustic feel, while still being able to make the game feel cinematic.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the gameplay, but if you like puzzles, this has some good ones. Not all of the puzzles are obvious at first, but they make sense once you figure it out. You might need a guide to get through some of the trickier ones. The gameplay isn’t bad, you just need to be really in the mood to solve puzzles.

What I enjoyed most about the game is that your choices matter and affect the story. Players shape the story, and encounters are determined by previous choices. Players also have control over Harley’s personality. This made it fun to talk to everyone, and it also made me curious about her backstory. Harley is a fantastic protagonist, and the only reason why I stuck around as long as I did.

Rosewater is a solid narrative with fantastic flavor and amazing voice acting. If you enjoy westerns and don’t mind all the puzzles, this game should be in your library. If you’re not a fan of the aesthetic or puzzle games, I would skip it.

You can pick up Rosewater on Steam and GOG for $19.99. There is also a Demo availble.

Uncategorized, video game reviews

Nobody Nowhere is a Fantastic Visual Novel

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Nobody Nowhere 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Nobody Nowhere?

Nobody Nowhere is a scifi visual novel out now on Steam.

The year is 2019 and the Human Science Research Corp is working on a way to transfer conciseness into empty vessels known as replicates. Julian is a replicant who unfortunately developed self-awareness. His days are numbered as the corporation plans to whip his consciousness from his body. The secret organization, the White Dove, consider Julian human and plan to set him free. But their rescue efforts fail, and what they uncover will shake their foundation. What secrets will they uncover? Can Julian ever be truly human? You will need to read to find out.

Review

I went out of my way to get a copy of Nobody Nowhere because the synopsis got me interested, and I liked the art. I was not disappointed. Nobody Nowhere is the best visual novel I have read, and I recomend it to people who aren’t even looking into the genre. The writing is solid, the story is great, the characters are memorable, and the pacing is perfect. The game also has a very good art style and aesthetic. I like that the gameplay didn’t feel like busy work. The small moments of exploration helped with world building, the minigames were fun and engaging, and they helped break up into more manageable segments.

One complaint I do have is that there are a lot of silent moments. I would have liked there to be a bit more ambience sound here and there, but nothing that can’t be fixed with a YouTube video in the background. This is just a personal preference and nowhere near a deal breaker, especially since the music that does exist is pretty good.

My hat goes off to the solo developer who was able to create such a fantastic narrative. Its is incredibly obvious that a lot of passion went into this game when you look at all the details that went into bringing this story to life. If you’re looking for a new game, you need to get Nobody Nowhere. It is a fantastic read, and it deserves a lot more attention.

You can pick up Nobody Nowhere $9.99 on Steam.

video game reviews

Discover the Relaxing World of Urban Jungle on Steam

Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Urban Jungle 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update weekly.

What is Urban Jungle?

Urban Jungle is a cozy puzzle game releasing on Steam March 21st.

Your love for plants started before you moved over seas in search of a better life. It reminds you of your grandmother, and gives you a bit of peace in this hectic new landscape. Now you can’t help but fill every space you with plants, no mater how small it may be. Organize your room as you find the perfect spot for your growing collection of plants. You won’t have to water or do any upkeep, but de-clutter and create the perfect ambiance.

Gameplay

The game follows the life of an immigrant woman, and the love of plants that follows her. The game is split into chapters where players will have time cleaning up and reorganizing spaces to complete objectives. Each map has unique objectives that award players gold that can be spend on rare plants. The main loop of the game is filling each space with plants. The trick is to place the plants in the perfect spot. Each plant has unique requirements that need to be met to award points. The types of plants they get placed near, the humidity, and the amount of light they get all affect the score they award players. A level is completed when the point threshold is met.

Review

Urban Jungle is a fantastic game that should be in everyone’s library. Even if you aren’t looking for a cozy game at the moment, you’re going to always want to turn to the comforting and relaxing experience that is Urban Jungle.The game a cute and pleasing aesthetic, and the music will put in the best mood. Although the gameplay is simple, you won’t have more fun cleaning and organizing a small space. I don’t normally go for games like this because I am not detailed oriented enough for base building games, but this game made me care more than I ever have.

While the main force of progression comes from placing the plants, the spaces will have other objects you can move around and arrange. Not only do you have to move things around to find the perfect spots for your plants, you’re going to want to. Silly things like color coding books or rearranging furniture to make the room look bigger is such a satisfying feeling. The whole loop is simple, but engaging enough to keep players engaged without becoming work.

I particularly loved the story because of how relatable it was to my experience. As someone who plays a lot of games, I don’t get a chance to see a lot of myself represented in games. It is nice to see that representation in a game I thoroughly enjoyed. It is a very good story, and definitely worth playing through.

If you’re looking for a new game to play, it doesn’t get better than Urban Jungle. This is the adorably cozy game you didn’t know you needed, and I am willing to put that in writing.

You can pick up Urban Jungle on Steam on March 21st. At the very least, add it to your wishlist!

Board Games and TCGs

Doomlings Game Review: A Fun, Simple, Cute Card Game

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Doomlings base game 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.

Sponsored plug

If you’re looking to buy a bunch of board games or tcg product all at once, get it over at Game Nerdz. They have unbeatable prices (if you can hit the $75 for free shipping) and they have great service. It really helps me out, and can stock up on the games you need.

What is Doomlings?

Doomlings is a cute and simple card game for 2 to 6 players. Games last about 20-45 mins to play, and learning only takes about five minutes.

Players are on a race against time as they build the strongest Doomling before catastrophe destroys erases everything. Players use their collection of cards, called traits, to build a powerful gene pool before the end of the game. Traits give players abilities, but most importantly, points. There are also ages cards that change the rules of interaction each round. They can do things like change hand sizes or affect certain colors. Events can also be catastrophes, and drawing three catastrophes ends the game. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. Use the official web app to tally scores easily.

What’s in the box?

  • 167 Unique Doomling Cards
  • Rulebook
  • Nice Box for Sleeved Storage

How to play

The official how-to-play video is the best resource to get you started. While the instructions are clear and the game is easy to learn, the video is invaluable.

Card Art

Catastrophe

Ages

Traits

Review

Doomlings is a very cute game that is worth looking into id you need something simple, quick, and a lot of fun.

The game comes in a good-sized quality box that will fit a sleeved deck and a few expansions easily. You are going to want to sleeve these cards. While the card and print quality is durable enough to survive the first few play through, the cards are a difficult to shuffle. The cards are textured, and the texture feels nice, but it prevents a bit of the randomization you can get with sleeves. A noticed a bit of damage after the first few shuffles, but I am also a crazy person who sleeves everything.

The artwork for this game is simple, thematic, and cute. I enjoyed that each color had a unique flavor without being too busy. The focus for a game like this should be the rules and interactions, and the art is good enough to see on the table. It is a really cozy feeling game considering the it deals with the end of the world.

Gameplaywise, the game is solid. I like that it is very easy to learn, and even easier to teach. Set up takes only a few minutes (including teaching), but I recommend you check out the official how-to-play video to fill any holes. The mechanics are sound and there is room for some sneaky strategy. You are going to hate a few of your friends, but you will have fun doing so. I like that no two games were ever the same, and my strategy always changed thanks to the draw and hand mechanic. I just wish I sleeved my cards before hand for a more randomized experience.

Doomlings is a fantastic game to pull out when you have company that doesn’t play many board games. There is enough strategy involved to keep things competitive without alienating the more casual gamer. The is very easy to learn, even if there is no prior board game experience. We had a lot of fun playing the game at our table, and I can guarantee it can find its place on any table.

You can pick up Doomlings on Amazon for $24.99 using my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Path of Fury Review: A VR Kung-Fu Adventure

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Path of Fury: Episode I – Tetsuo’s Tower to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions on the game. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update weekly.

What is Path of Fury?

Path of Fury is a on the rails action-packed VR adventure available now on the Meta Store.

These streets aren’t safe. Violence spreads throughout the city as gangs fight over territory. An endless supply of drugs floods the streets, killing its people and fueling the violence. At the center of this chaos Tetsuo. While the city burns, Tetsuo sits on top of his tower and profits from the suffering. Many have tried to stop him, but endless supply of loyal soldiers train endlessly to keep him safe. You are the only one in this city who cares enough to see his reign end. Use your martial arts to take on his army, make your way through his tower, and finally end this terrible era. Do you have what it takes?

Review

Players are moved through the story on a rail, fighting endless waves of bad guys in what I have to say is a fantastic love letter to 80’s era Chinese Kung-fu movies. If you enjoyed the genre of film, you will appreciate how well the the game captures the spirit of these films and brings them to a modern lens. The tone is a little cheesy, but it gives the move its charm.

Combat in Path of Fury will be the game’s main draw and hurdle. It is simple system where players punch and parry their way through the tower to experience the story. There might be a strategy to combat, but a lot of the time it felt like I was flailing around wildly as I made my way through the campaign. While it isn’t the worst system, it does feel like a lot more work than it is worth. If you need an excuse to be more active, enjoy a solid story, then the game is a solid option. Otherwise, the combat system is a deal breaker. When compared to other fighting games available for VR, you have better options with worse stories.

If you’re looking for a game that will get you moving and like the genre, go for it. Otherwise, its going to be a game you put down after the novelty wears off. You can pick up Path of Fury now on the Meta Store for 9.99.

video game reviews

Affraid Game Review: A Horror Experience Gone Wrong

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of AFFRAID 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their KiiBoom Breeze 75. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update weekly.

What is Affraid?

Affraid is a third person horror survival game out now on Steam.

Nina has been kidnapped along with several other girls by the evil pharmaceutical company, Medio. Medio wants to create an age reversing cream, and willing to sacrifice as many people to get it. Unfortunately, there are unforeseen side effects. The other subjects become rabid, initiating an evacuation protocol. Nina is unaffected, and finds herself in the fight of her life as she tries to escape. Can she make it out alive?

Gameplay

Affraid is a Resident Evil clone. Players make their way through a strange facility full on monsters and using what they find along the way to defend themselves. Players must make their way through dark corridors, piece together the narrative, and try to stay alive. It is a pretty strait forward gameplay loop, but one that can be extremely unforgiving if players aren’t careful.

Review

I was drawn to this game because it looked rough, yet with enough passion poured into it to make up for it. Unfortunately, the game in its current state is unplayable. An update was pushed recently that makes me believe the developer hasn’t given up yet, but it didn’t do much to earn its price tag (even at a discount).

My game crashed during the opening tutorial. When the game finally decided to work, the movement is jarring and the controls aren’t as smooth as they need to be. It is clear that a lot of effort was put into the fan service, which is fine, but the rest of the game needs more attention. Once I finally got out of the first room, the game did not get better. Movement feels bad, and combat doesn’t feel any better. I wouldn’t mind the flaws, but there are better games you can play at the same price price point.

Without a major update to performance, there is no reason to buy this game. The game doesn’t feel finished, nor does it feel like it is close to being finished. You can pick up AFFRAID for $9.99, but your money is better spent elsewhere.

video game reviews

After Wave: Downfall Review – A Fun Casual Shooter

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of After Wave: Downfall 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update weekly.

What is After Wave: Downfall?

After Wave: Downfall is an arcade shoot ’em up out now on Steam, Xbox, Switch, and PlayStation.

Monsters are attacking, and it is up to you to keep them at bay. Brave it alone or gather your friends as you fight off monsters, collect power-ups, and navigate your favorite ship. This high speed arcade game has ten unique stages and bosses, six unique ship abilities, and an adjustable difficulty for a good amount of replayability. Do you have what it takes to save the world?

Gameplay

Players navigate each level, avoiding obstacles and hazards, shooting monsters, and collecting power ups. A run ends when a player’s ship is destroyed. Players can buy upgrades for their ships between runs. Each level has uniquely flavored monsters and bosses to defeat, and each boss (and miniboss) has unique abilities to keep things fresh. The adjustable difficulty and upgrades make meaningful impact on the game, and add a layer of repeatability to the title.

Review

After Wave: Downfall is a cute little casual game that I don’t mind pulling out when I need a quick distraction. The game is cute with fun a fun art style and aesthetic, and the mechanics are engaging and fun. I enjoyed the different boss mechanics, and the fun flavors of each level. The game will feel a bit repetitive as players grind out currency for different upgrades, but it doesn’t feel too bad. It certainly doesn’t take away from the game’s casual appeal. Best of all, co-op mode is a great time (if you have the friends for it).

If you’re looking for a fun casual title to pick up when you need a short break, After Wave: Downfall is a fantastic option. It is inoffensive with a cute and comforting art style and the game play is solid. It is also works great on the Steam Deck.

Pick up After Wave: Downfall on Steam for $9.99, and console for $14.99 via Xbox, Switch, and PlayStation.