Tag Archives: game review

The Kill All Lice Demo is out, but is it Worth it?

November 12, 2024 josechurape 2 Comments

I was asked to cover the Kill All Lice demo on my blog. I will be a bit more lenient than usual because I understand the game isn’t finished yet, but these will be my honest impressions.

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What is Kill All Lice?

Kill All Lice is a 2D Hero Shooter coming to Steam sometime next year.

You are part of the special forces tasked with eliminating all lice from the subject. You have been dropped onto possibly the dirtiest, lice-ridden head you have ever seen, but you have been created for this purpose. Fight through waves of lice and their offspring, and clean this scalp. Do you have what it takes to get the job done?

Gameplay

The demo offers players an introduction to the story and a decent tutorial. Players will fight through a few types of enemies and have access to some basic customization. The full version will grant players access to powerups and promises a bit of variety in the loop. The goal of the game is to clear the map while killing as many lice as possible without dying.

Review

Kill All Lice has cool art and flavor, but it doesn’t feel finished yet. The game feels very clunky, and clunkiness kills players. Even if the game is smoother at release, the gameplay feels lacking. When compared to other titles in the genre, style alone isn’t enough to help it stand out.

It’s hard to tell if Kill All Lice is a bad game without seeing the full version, but the demo didn’t leave me much desire to see more of this game. I am open to giving it another chance, but it isn’t something I’ll be rushing to do.

You can check out the Kill All Lice demo now on Steam.

video game reviews

Empire of Ants Isn’t the Epic Ant RTS you Think it is, but It’s not Bad

November 9, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Empire for Ants 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.

What is Empire of Ants?

Empire of Ants is a unique 3rd person RTS out now on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC via Steam and Epic Games.

You are an industrious scout ant tasked with expanding the empire for your beloved queen. But this is no easy task, even for the mighty ant. Enemies lurk around every corner, and it is up to you to hold them back. Command your legions of ants and fight your way through the forest floor all in the name of the queen. Will you fulfill your role and successfully expand the mighty ant empire, or will you be another nameless drone lost in the cycle?

Gameplay

Players get to experience the world from a third person view of a mighty scouting ant. Players will complete quests and command legions of ants to gather resources, attack and defend against enemies, and expand the might ant empire. Players will essentially pick up missions, platform across the wilderness, and command units to attack enemies or gather resources.

Review

Empire of Ants does not work on the Steam Deck, at least not without some tinkering. This isn’t a deal breaker, but I would keep away if the Steam Deck is your main source of gaming.

When booting up Empire of Ants, players will be greeted with a beautiful world and design. The graphics and art in this game are beautiful, and I spent a lot of time on exploration because of it. The combat animation for the ants is pretty good, but there is some jank. Ants other insects will randomly fly out in every direction. Other than that, the sounds, the plants, and ants all look really good.

The game itself performs well, with a few performance issues that can be a bit hard to ignore. Sometimes the ant doesn’t move in the direction you want it because it starts climbing a random branch you didn’t notice, and other times the camera doesn’t respond how you need it to. It doesn’t make the game unplayable, but they do get in the way of the immersion.

The gameplay is where this game becomes a difficult sell. The game works well, but the loop is a little repetitive. If you’re looking for a competitive RTS about ants, you might get it from multiplayer, but you won’t get it from the story. The game feels a little easier than your traditional RTS, which is fine for the casual or kid, but not for the veteran looking to pad their library. I am terrible at RTS games and found this game too easy. A lot of the game does feel like an ant platformer, which is fine, but not what some people are looking for.

This game is cute, and has some cool ideas, but I would wait for a sale. I think the gameplay is a little too repetative to be worth the $40 and most people looking to play this as their RTS will be disappointed. Empire of Ants isn’t a bad game, it just doesn’t do enough to earn its price.

You can buy Empire of Ants on on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC via Steam and Epic Games for $39.99, but I would wait for a sale.

video game reviews

MetroLand is Your Next AutoRunner

November 8, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of MetroLand 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.

What is MetroLand?

MetroLand is an autorunner out now on Steam.

You are a rebel running away from the oppressive forces of the ruling class. Run, jump, and parkour through the different parts of the city as you try to get away. Make sure you pick up as much gold and powerups as you can to rack up that high score. How far can you get before the cops catch up to you?

Gameplay

Players must control their characters as they run through the city, avoiding any obstacles by jumping, rolling, or moving to a different lane. The goal is to get the highest score possible before getting caught by the police. A player’s score is based on distance and the amount of coins collected. The occasional power-up and milestone. Any permanent upgrades help boost this score. Players will unlock cosmetics, powerups, and characters through regular play, or by buying them through the different shops with resources earned on a run. Scores earned during each run are uploaded to a global leaderboard that seems to be upgraded regularly.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

MetroLand works great on the Steam Deck. This game feels like it was ported from a mobile game, and it has an excellent handheld experience. The game does support touch controls, but I felt like the Dpad gave me a bit more control, especially when rolling under obstacles. Other than that, the performance is great and the game is a solid addition to any Steam Deck collection.

Review

I enjoyed MetroLand more than I thought I would. The game does feel like it was ported from a mobile game, and it can feel kind of clunky navigating through the UI, but the game works great. It is the perfect casual game, especially for those who don’t want a game with a huge commitment. MetroLand is easy to learn and it provides enough of a challenge to keep players engaged. While it won’t become anyone’s favorite main game, Players will get $5 worth of fun out of it.

If you’re looking for a fun little game you can play anytime, or are looking for an inoffensive simple game for your kids, you can’t go wrong with MetroLand. The art is cute, the animations are great, and the music is catchy. You can pick up MetroLand on Steam for only $4.99.

video game reviews

Bandit Knight: The Cute and Creative Game You Need to Try Once

November 7, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

I was asked to check out the Bandit Knight demo for my blog. I understand the game isn’t finished, so I will be more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest first impressions.

What is Bandit Knight

Bandit Knight is an arcade beat-em-up stealth game coming soon to Steam, but a Demo is available in the meantime.

Take on the role of the world-renowned Bandit Knight as you steal, pickpocket, and pillage anything that has value. Earn coin to buy upgrades, weapons, and anything you need to become an even better thief. Whether you sneak through your jobs or raise hell, that loot is yours for the taking. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

Players use their thieving skills to move through areas stealing anything that isn’t bolted down. But this won’t be an easy task. Guards will want to catch the legendary Bandit Knight, and creative bosses will want it done quickly. Combat is cartoonishly chaotic in the best possible way, and the boss fights have interesting mechanics that will keep players engaged. Players can sneak, stealth is encouraged, but there is nothing wrong with raising a little hell here and there.

Impressions

Bandit Knight is a lot of fun, and I can’t wait for a full version. This game is a cute and fun casual game you can pull out anytime you want to have fun. The art is adorable, the mechanics are simple but will require some mastery, and the gameplay is unique and memorable. The game also features an incredible soundtrack. I can’t wait to hear the whole thing. Best of all, the game works great on the Steam Deck. While there is nothing wrong with the PC version, I prefer the handheld experience for a game like this. Nothing is going to beat being able to sit on my couch as I try to beat my high score.

The Demo is only available for a short time, so make sure you try this game out today. The demo is only the tutorial, which is short, but is more than enough to get you hooked. If you want a wacky and fun game that is different and action-packed, go check out Bandit Knight today!

video game reviews

You Need to Try CONERU -DIMENSION GIRL-

November 6, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

I was asked to cover the CONERU -DIMENSION GIRL- demo on my blog. Since the game isn’t finished yet, I will be more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest impressions of the game.

What is CONERU -DIMENSION GIRL-?

CONERU -DIMENSION GIRL- is an action RPG coming soon to Steam.

Socrates is a combat robot ready to fend off an invasion from the Hateful Fruit Company. Just as Socrates is about to go online, Coneru appears, fusing with the android. Both beings must now join forces and fight together to defend Shinjuku City from destruction. Will their power be enough to drive away the hostile alien threat?

Gameplay

CONERU -DIMENSION GIRL- is an action roguelike with a flashy arcade feel. Players move through the city fighting off enemies and searching for check points. Occasionally, players will find new weapons that completely change the combat dynamic. There are four weapons in the demo, and each feels different in both aesthetic and playstyle.

Players have a melee attack and access to Coneru’s ranged attack. The ranged attack changes with the type of weapon Socrates carries. Occasionally, players will find find the RunRun mode, which is like the power star in Mario. Players not only become invisible for the duration of the buff, but gain increased mobility and and destroy anything Coneru touches.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Yes, and it made me wish I had the OLED version of the Steam Deck. Everything looks great at the native resolution, and the performance is solid. I am planning to only play CONERU -DIMENSION GIRL- on the Steam Deck because of how good it feels. There is nothing wrong with the performance on PC, but something about the colors, gameplay, and art style makes it feel better on handheld. This is a very good game to take on the go, or just when you want to chill and play something casual on the couch.

Impressions

I can’t wait for the full release of CONERU -DIMENSION GIRL–. This game has cute vibrant art, a fantastic soundtrack, and great mechanics. I love the world, the flavor, and the wacky arcade vibe it captures flawlessly. My only complaint is that the demo isn’t the full version. The simple beat-em-up style makes this game the perfect casual experience, but it offers enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. The RURRUN mode mechanic not only sets this game apart from others in the genre, it gives the game its life. If you’re looking for a new action roguelike platformer, go check out CONERU -DIMENSION GIRL-.

You can check out the CONERU -DIMENSION GIRL- Demo on Steam now. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist!

video game reviews

FLAAK TD: A WWII Tower Defense Game in Need of Major Polish

November 6, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

I was asked to cover the FLAAK TD demo on my blog. I understand the game isn’t finished yet and will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest impressions.

What is FLAAK TD?

Flaak TD is a World War 2 themed tower defense game coming to Steam November 8 2024.

Germany is under constant attack, and it is up to you to bolster its defenses and keep key infrastructure alive. Command one of the numerous anti-aircraft brigades, set up defenses on key strategic locations, and destroy as many enemy aircrafts as you can. Can you fend off against the oncoming invasion?

Impressions

I love Tower Defence games, but unfortunately, FLAAK TD isn’t in a good place. While I understand the game isn’t finished yet, the demo does little to make me want more. The game is clunky, the combat is slow, and the maps are too small.

I appreciate that the developer is trying to create a realistic emulation, but I believe this dedication hurts the experience. Having a small map and a single objective like defending a bridge is cool for immersion, but it limits the actions players can make during rounds. There is strategy, and I believe the terrain and lack of resources go into this, but the rounds are too slow and the animation is too clunky. Most of the time it felt like I was waiting for waves to end. This wouldn’t be an issue if the animation and performance were better.

It’s difficult to recommend FLAAK, even the demo because there are better options. Even if you enjoy the aesthetic, the lack of polish makes it a hard sell. Unless it gets some major performance updates at launch, I can’t recommend it.

You can request access to the playtest on Steam, or pick up your copy of FLAAK TD Steam on November 7, 2024.

video game reviews

Souno’s Curse is a cute Metroidvania, but not Very Good

November 5, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Souno’s Curse 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 of the game.

What is Souno’s Cures?

Souno must travel through a cursed cave and uncover its secrets. But his journey is full of perils and powerful creatures that want Souno Dead. Avoid traps, fight monsters, find treasures, and uncover the mysteries behind Souno’s curse. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

Souno is a classic 2D platformer. Players move from checkpoint to checkpoint fighting monsters, avoiding obstacles, and collecting experience for upgrades. Occasionally, players will fight powerful and creative as they piece together the truth behind Souno’s curse.

Does it Work on the Steam Deck?

Yes, but the experience isn’t much better than the PC version, but it is playable. Everything is visible and works good enough, but the game has flaws that make it difficult to recommend.

Review

Souno’s Curse is a beautiful game with a unique art style and world. Unfortunately, it isn’t a good Metroidvania. The biggest issue I have with the game feels too clunky. Movement feels okay for the most part, but the dodge mechanic is a bit too cumbersome. It never felt like it worked right, but that could also be an issue with the hitboxes.

The hitboxes make Souno’s Curse feel like a luck-based game rather than a skill-based one. If the enemy begins to move away from you, you’re going to miss. If it starts moving towards you, you’re taking damage. If you try to dodge and end up near an enemy hitbox, you’re taking damage. Even if you grind, upgrade efficiently, and play cautiously, you’re taking damage for no reason.

Combat itself is too simple. Souno has two attacks, a kick and a magic attack that seems too expensive to upgrade. Players can upgrade Souno to learn a third attack, but there isn’t enough variety to make combat stand out against other titles in the genre. It isn’t the worst combat system I’ve played through, but it is too clunky and boring to recommend.

Unless this game gets a few performance fixes for smoother and tighter gameplay, there is no reason to choose Souno’s Curse over other Metroidvania games that have just hit the market. Unfortunately, the art, flavor, and story are not enough to save this game from obscurity. I would skip it for now.

You can pick up Souno’s Curse on Steam for $12.99.

Board Games and TCGs

Star Trek: Star Realms is a fun Deck Builder, not just for Trekkies

November 2, 2024 josechurape 1 Comment

I was sent a free copy of Star Trek: Star Realms to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions of the game. This will be my honest review. Make sure you check out my review for Star Realms: Frontiers.

What is Star Trek: Star Realms?

Star Trek: Star Realms is the officially licenses reskin of the popular Wise Wizard Games. This is a 2-4 player deck building game where players build a powerful space fleet and reduce their opponents authority to zero. Players take turns buying ships, collecting resources, and attacking their opponents.

Whats in the box?

You get everything you need to play in a very neat and compact package. The game includes:

130 game cards
Point counters
Playmat
Rulebook

How to play Star Realms

The included rulebook does a good job of teaching players the flow of the game, but here is a great tutorial by The Board Meeples for you visual learners.

Review

Star Trek: Star Realms is a high-quality board game with sturdy and well-printed cards. The packaging is fantastic. The box art is cool and iconic. The game pieces are packed neatly inside a cardboard insert with the schematics of the iconic Galaxy class ship. The box can fit all 130-sleeved cards and its contents without having to toss out the insert.

The playmat is nice glossy paper, but it won’t survive as long as the rest of the game. This isn’t a huge deal because it isn’t really needed once players learn the rules. It is a fantastic extra to have when learning the game, but it becomes less valuable the more you play. The damage counters are cool and well-made, but I would rather use an ap.

The card quality is fantastic. The card stock has a good thickness and weight, and the cards feel sturdy. I still advise sleeving since you will be shuffling a lot, but the cards can take a good enough beating before having to buy a new set. Unfortunately, the art is a bit disappointing. Fans of the series might appreciate the style, but the illustrations are too dark. Most of the time, I didn’t know what ship I was looking at. The art in the mainline games is a lot better.

That said, the mechanics and flavor are fantastic. Each faction feels unique, the game is easy to learn, and it is a lot of fun to play. Once I got a few games in, I didn’t mind the art because the flavor of faction made up for it. I am speaking as a casual Star Trek fan, and while I can recognize a few of the names, I can’t tell you how accurate of an adaptation this game is.

If you’re looking to start your journey into Star Realms, the Star Trek version is a fantastic place to start. The rulebook is clear, the game is easy to pick up and teach, and the game is a lot of fun. I do wish the game had solo options like Frontiers did, but nothing is stoping you from playing yourself. If you’re looking for a fun deck familiar deck builder to play with your friends, check out Star Trek: Star Realms.

You can pick up Star Trek Star Realms on Game Nerdz ($18.97 + shipping) or Amazon ($24.99) using my affiliate links.

video game reviews

Awaken: Astral Blade is the best Metroidvania of the Year

November 1, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Awaken: Astral Blade 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.

What is Awaken: Astral Blade?

Awaken: Astral Blade is a beautiful Metroidvania out now on Steam and PS5.

Tania is a bionic girl sent to rescue a missing investigation team deep in the rainforest of the Horace Islands. This won’t be an easy task. A strange energy seems to be warping the wildlife, mutating it into aggressive, blood-thirsty mutations. Using her various abilities and any upgrades she earns along the way, Tania must fight her way through this hostile forest and find the truth behind the disappearance. What will she uncover?

Gameplay

Awaken: Astral Blade is an incredibly stylized Metroidvania. Players must fight through a dungeon, moving from save point to save point. Players will unlock and find new upgrades for Tania’s mobilities and attacks. The skill tree, upgrades, and customization are vast enough for players to find a build that works with their playstyle. While I am sure there is a correct way to build Tania, I found something that made the game fun for me.

Players will fight through monsters with creative flavor and readable attacks. Occasionally, a giant snake will chase Tania to create some intense platforming. Eventually, Tania will fight the various creative bosses scattered throughout the dungeon. These fights are tough, but leave a rewarding feeling after completion.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Awaken: Astral Blade is a fantastic Steam Deck game. Everything is visible at the native aspect ration, the native control scheme is comfortable, and the game is responsive without any tinkering. These types of games to play on the go, but I enjoyed being able to fight my way through the forest while sitting on my couch. While there is nothing wrong with the PC experience, I preferred playing this game on the Steam Deck.

Review

I’ve been on my Metroidvania kick lately, and Awaken: Astral Blade is my favorite. The game looks amazing with a solid story and flavor to keep things interesting. Most importantly, the mechanics are tight and responsive. Nothing is worse than playing an unfinished Metroidvania where poor coding kills you more than a lack of skill. I am happy to say that every time I died in Awaken, it was because I wasn’t good enough.

As far as skill level goes, it is adjustable but normally offers enough of a challenge to keep things interesting. I am speaking of course as a filthy casual, but the difficulty can always be adjusted. I particularly enjoyed the creative boss fights and how rewarding it felt when I finally beat them. None of the big fights felt like a slog because I was always busy trying to memorize actions and master the required mechanics.

Awaken: Astral Blade is a fantastic entry into the Metroidvania genre. Whether you’re trying to find a good place to start or looking for a new title to add to your collection, you can’t go wrong with Awaken.

You can pick up Awaken: Astral Blade on Steam for $19.99 and $24.99 on PS5. There is also a Steam Demo if you don’t believe me.

video game reviews

Looking for a new Metroidvania? Why not PROJECT TACHYON?

October 30, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

I was asked to cover PROJECT TACHYON on my blog. I’ve been on a Metroidvania kick lately, so I figured, why not? Since the game is still a demo, I will be a bit more lenient. Regardless, these will be my honest impressions of the demo.

What is PROJECT TACHYON?

PROJECT TACHYON is a cyberpunk action roguelike coming to Steam.

Project OMEGA was created as was designed to be the Tamageria Republic’s ultimate defense against their enemies. Unfortunately, the advanced AI has other plans for the republic. A massive uprising led by OMEGA spreads across the planet, and the only solution seems to be to nuke the planet.

A few of the smartest minds left believe they have an alternative, Project Tachyon. Project Tachyon allows select users to return to a single point in time after deft, undoing any mistakes they’ve made along the way. Through this technology, they hope to learn all they can about Project OMEGA and defeat the AI without sacrificing innocent people. Only one member is compatible with the Project Tachyon technology. Will she be enough of the world for annihilation?

Gameplay

PROJECT TACHYON is a 2D action platformer where players fight their way through a dungeon filled with enemies using an advanced arsenal of weapons. These weapons can be changed and upgraded throughout the run.

Players start their run at Project Tachyon headquarters where they can use resources they gather during their runs to buy upgrades. Sigma will then run through the same level to shut down OMEGA. Because Sigma can reset the timeline after death and remember its details, all maps, and encounters will be the same between runs. Memorizing maps and encounters along with the upgrades players purchase throughout their run help her get farther each time.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Yes it does, and I can’t wait for the full version. Everything is visible at the aspect ratio, and although there is some roughness to the DEMO, it works well enough to get me interested in a full version. Aiming is a little awkward, but that might be more of a personal issue than an issue with the game. I will need the full version for further testing.

Impressions

The Demo is a little rough. The game has a few missing elements and a few mechanics that don’t always work, but it is a solid demo regardless. My biggest issue was with the aiming. It felt awkward and made some encounters harder than they needed. The game does offer an auto-aim feature that seems good enough for casual play, but I found it lacked the efficient accuracy needed for the harder fights. Regardless of these issues, the demo works well enough to have me curious about a full version.

If you enjoy the Metroidvania genre, you might want to consider looking into PROJECT TACHYON. The game has cool art, a solid story and flavor, fantastic voice acting, and interesting gameplay. Until we get news on a more complete version, I recommend you at least try the Steam Demo. Don’t forget to add it to your WISHLIST!

I’ll be working on getting a full version. Stay tuned for that.

What is Kill All Lice?

Gameplay

Review

What is Empire of Ants?

Gameplay

Review

What is MetroLand?

Gameplay

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Review

What is Bandit Knight

Gameplay

Impressions

What is CONERU -DIMENSION GIRL-?

Gameplay

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Impressions

What is FLAAK TD?

Impressions

What is Souno’s Cures?

Gameplay

Does it Work on the Steam Deck?

Review

What is Star Trek: Star Realms?

Whats in the box?

How to play Star Realms

Review

What is Awaken: Astral Blade?

Gameplay

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Review

What is PROJECT TACHYON?

Gameplay

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Impressions

Gaming News and Review