I was sent a free copy of Diety 2to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.
Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this with your friends!
Table of Contents
What is Diety 2
Diety 2is top-down turn-based strategy game out now on Steam. Think Fire Emblem, but with a few unique mechanics to set it apart.
Story
The Eternal Order exists to protect Verroa from all threats. The fragile, fragmented country struggles to find in the world political stage. The neighboring Asverellian empire chooses to take advantage of Verroa’s instability and expand its reach. The order’s strength will be put to the test as 25 powerful warriors push back against the Asverellian siege. Can and Riodian navigate the complicate political landscape of Verroa and keep the country free of Asverellian rule, or will their efforts be in vain?
What allegiances will you make? How ill your choices shape the future of Verroa?
Gameplay
Take control of a your group of heroes in a series of campaigns that will shape the future of nation. This is a game where your decisions in between missions shape the outcome of the story, so choose carefully.
Players will take control of their army as they fight in different battles. Each battle has its unique objective, with a few side objectives available to help players earn more loot. Some games will have players survive a certain number of rounds but push players to complete risky objectives for extra gold or upgrade materials. The difficulty for these campaigns can be adjusted from a very casual play through for those who just want to experience the story, to something more hard core with turn limits to test a players strategic prowess. I went with something in the middle and thought it was challenging enough to keep me engaged without much of the stress.
Players take turns moving their characters across the maps in grid based combat, and use the terrain to gain an advantage. What makes the game unique is the bond system that the characters have with one another. Characters who fight near one another gain a bond over the course of the campaign that unlocks bonuses like money or upgrade materials per each level. What I love most about Diety 2 is that players can save mid battle if you ever need to step away suddenly.
Between missions players can upgrade their heroes. They can buy better gear at the shop with gold they earn in the campaign, upgrade existing weapons with magical runes, craft magic rings for heroes to wear, upgrade a heroes abilities, or upgrade a heroes class. Each hero has a wide selection of upgrade paths for a truly unique army.
Choices Matter
Verroa has a few factions that make up its landscape. Players will often have to choose who to help as they defend against invaders. These choices shape the outcome of the story. Players can either choose the story they like the best, and help out whatever faction they think is right, or choose whatever faction gives them the best loot. Each choice has a different set of rewards, and sometimes the “right” choice isn’t the one that pays the best. What factors will shape your campaign?
Review
Deity 2is a fantastic turn-based strategy game with a solid story and very engaging gameplay. If you like strategy games or want to take your first step into the genre, this is one of the titles that should be in your library.
Story
I did not play the first Deity, but I didn’t feel like I needed to. I might have missed some refrences here and there, but never felt lost by the events in two. The story of Deity 2 is very self contained.
The story may not be the epic campaign of some of the more popular titles like the Fire Emblem series, but it’s good enough to earn a playthrough. The characters are fun and memorable, but they can be a bit too quirky at times. Nothing that ruins the story, but there are a few cringe moments that come to mind. The voice acing is solid and I liked that I didn’t have to sit there and read. This game has long cut scenes, so be prepared to sit back and listen.
I really like that the game offers choices that shape the outcome of the story. It was hard choosing a path because the more lucrative paths weren’t always the most moral. I want to go back and experience what the other options had to offer.
Gameplay Loop
I played a more casual version of the game because I didn’t want to have turn limits. While it was a more casual run, it still provided enough of a challenge to keep me paying attention, especially in runs where I had to keep an NPC alive.
The upgrade system needs a bit of work. The UI is a little clunky and I don’t like the fact that I can’t tell what my upgrades do. I don’t like that I couldn’t compare weapons in the shop to see if it was an upgrade for what I have, and guessing with limited resources is frustrating. I never wasted money, but it was a bit of added work that shouldn’t exist.
Aside from that, the leveling adds some interesting depth to the game. Upgrades you get from runes, elixers, and rings felt impactful, and how you level up a heroes ability becomes important. The limited resources become less of a problem the more you play, and especially if you’re making riskier choices. Not all risks are created equal.
Conclusion
As a casual in the strategy rpg genre, Diety 2 is definitely a favorite. I think the story is good, the world building is solid, the art is fantastic, the music is epic, and the gameplay is good. If you are looking for a game that fills that Fire Emblem itch, Diety 2 is worth it at full price. Just be aware that you have to sit through a lot of dialogue.
You can pick up Diety 2 on steam. If you’re looking for some more turn-based strategy action, make sure you check out Arco.
I was sent a free copy of Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.
Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this with your friends!
Table of Contents
What is Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping
Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping is a piece of interactive fiction about a duck detective out now on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
Hook
The great Duck Detective Eugene McQuacklin finds himself on vacation at a haunted campsite. But instead of a relaxing weekend by the haunted lake, Duck Detective finds himself at the center of an unraveling mystery. There are strange events unfolding around the Eugene, each with a trail of clues to find and connect. Items go missing, a break-in ruffles some feathers, and strange symbols start showing up in the sand. Is it really ghosts that roam this camground, or something most sinister?
Can Duck Detective get to the bottom of the everything? Can he get over his messy divorce? Will his bread addiction get in the way of his investigation? You will need to play to find out?
Gameplay Loop
Duck Detective is a piece of interactive fiction with isometric exploration. Players explore the campsite in search for clues. They will need to talk to the other guests to conduct investigations. Clues are collected in a the Duck Detective’s notebook where they then need to piece together to solve the many mysteries in an adlib style minigame. Essentially, players discover words that they can use to fill in each theory. Successfully completing a theory will unlock the next part of the mystery, which means more areas to explore and lot more mystery to solve.
Review
Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping is a fantastic and hilarious take on the detective noire genre. It features fun thematic puzzles, solid world building, and a humorous short story that you need to play through at least once. If you only buy one game this year, it should be Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping.
Puzzles
Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping offers the cozy puzzle experience you have been looking for. Puzzles are creative and offer enough of a deduction skills to be engaging without the need of a guide. The game does offer hints for those who need them, and the option to turn off wrong answers for those who just want to enjoy the story. While I did burn through a few of my hints, I really didn’t need to. If I had sat and thought a little harder, I could have solved the whole case on my own. The game is a very casual entry to the genre, and one with a fun story to keep you invested.
Story
Even if you don’t like puzzle games, Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping has a fantastic story that you need to enjoy once. The game is full of fun puns and jokes that will earn its chuckles, with a fun lighthearted tone that is perfect for any season. It is full of colorful memorable characters that are voiced by some terrific actors. I love that it does not go the usual murder mystery route, and I appreciate the attention to detail that goes into the world building.
World Building
Duck Detective is a short game with a small map and a few characters. That said, the devs efficiently use every inch of their game to tell their fun and compelling story. There is so much care and attention to detail put into this game, and it pays off in effective world building.
During an investigation, players will uncover emails, pictures, and other details that not only piece together the overarching mystery, but gives each character their personality. For example, there is a character with a shopping addiction. When you read through her emails, all her bill past due emails are unread, but she reads through an email about a sale. Hilarious little details like these is what had me clicking and reading everything.
Conclusion
I loved this game so much, I finished it in one sitting. It is a short game that takes about 3 hours to complete, and it is worth every minute. I love the cozy atmosphere, the fun humor, and the solid mystery that drove me through the story. Make sure you stay for the end credits scene.
If you’re looking for a fun and cozy puzzle game that doesn’t try to stump you, Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping needs to be in your library. The game looks good, feels great, and has a solid story. This is a game that everyone needs to play through at least once.
If if you like these style of detective games, check out Broke the Investigator for more animal themed goodness or LocoMotive if you want a fun murder mystery. Best Served Cold is a personal favorite about solving a mystery as a bartender.
I was asked to cover the UltraGirl Alters demo for my blog. I understand this isn’t the full game, and will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, this will be my honest review of the demo.
Ultragirl Alters is an SRPG out now on Steam, with a demo available for anyone who wants to try it.
You have been hired as the manager for the virtual idol group, Alters. When you aren’t busy helping each girl navigate their hectic social lives, you’ll be guiding through battle against the waves of enemies that threaten the city. Each girl Each girl where’s her unique Tokusatsu-style hero suit that you can upgrade as you gain experience. Can you keep the world safe from monsters while becoming the world’s greatest idol group? What secrets will you uncover along the way?
Gamplay
UltraGirl Altersis a turn based strategy game with a few social mechanics to break up the story.
Social Events
The game has a cute chibi mode where the player can experience the story. During this part of the game, players will build their relationship with each of the girls helping them through the game’s many side missions. Leveling these bonds unlock special events that add a bit of flavor or world building. Players also get to explore a bit of the world, but it is very limited. Mostly, the chibi half of the game is where the player collects the story and learns the dark secrets behind the evil corporation that controls everything.
Combat
Players take control of the girls in their Tokusatsu-style suits as they fight off waves of monsters. Each girl has their unique set of abilities and skill that can be leveled up through experience. Each girl can move and take an action per round. Girls can either make a basic attack or use one of their abilities during their action, if they have enough energy. Basic attacks generate the energy needed to cast an ability. The key to combat is to position effectively while using your resources efficiently.
Impressions
While there are a few aspects of this game that I liked and got me interested, I definitely need to see more. Overall, the game is fine, but I can see it being a niche game made for an intended audience.
Art
If you like anime, then you will appreciate the character design. UltraGirl Altersdefinitely has its waifu bait, and that isn’t a bad thing. The girls are cute, but there is a bit of fan service. I like when I can play my waifu games in public. For the combat part, I think the level design is too busy. It was hard to make out what was going on most of the time, and the suits don’t look very cool. As for the exploration parts, you are either going to love the chibi design or hate it. I think the chibi art is cute, but found the story a little lacking.
Story
The Demo only plays through the tutorial a bit of the intro. While it isn’t enough to judge the quality of the story, there is nothing in the intro that hooked me. The biggest issue I have with what is available is the writing. It is a little awkward in parts and a little cheesy in others. This might be due to translation issues. Unless the full game leans into the silliness and carries a light-hearted narrative with fun characters I care about, I don’t see me finishing this game. The story isn’t the worst, but considering art, tone, and gameplay, I rather be playing Disgea 7.
Gameplay
Combat is interesting for the first few round before it grows a little stale. Enemies feel a little unfair, and the busy map makes it hard to tell what is going on. You are either going to enjoy this type of combat or hate it, and I certainly wasn’t a fan. Maybe it gets better in later levels, and I am willing to give it a try just in case. Unfortunately, based on the demo alone, when it comes to chibi turn-based combat, I rather be play Disgea 7.
Conclusion
If you like the SRPG style combat and don’t mind the over-the-top (sometimes poorly written) cutesy tones of the story, I still recommend you check out the demo first. I think the combat is a little too simple for what you’re getting. The social chibi bits are cute, but they don’t add enough to the game to make them worth it. I think the game is cute and has its potential, but I need to see more of it before I can recommend it. For now, I recommend you check out the demo and wait for the sale.
Epomaker sent me the RT85 mecchanical keyboard with the Wisteria V2 linear switches to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite and the TH108. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you shop for anything.
Table of Contents
What’s in the box?
Epomaker RT85 Mechanical Keyboard
USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
2.4Ghz Wireless Dongle
2 Additional Switches
Key/Switch Puller
User Manual
Features
Epomaker has dropped the RT85 mechanical keyboard, and its unique design is ready to upgrade any setup. The RT85 comes in two flavors, Grey and Green, with either the Wisteria V2 Linear switches or Creamy Jade switches. This review will be on the Wisteria switches.
Design
The RT85 is a compact 75% keyboard, which is the perfect size for most workflows. All 82 keys are comfortably supported by one of two patent switches: the wisteria or jades. The difference is the sound, witch wisteria giving off more of a thack while the jades give a smoother creamier sound. The choice is all up to preference. Each switch and high quality keycap is easily swappable for when you are ready for a change in aesthetic.
This compact mechanical keyboard has a respectable 5 degree typing angle, but can be adjusted to 6.7 and 10 degrees. While the native is nice, I do prefer the steeper angler personally. Speaking of comfort, the wisteria switches offer just enough resistance to offer a satisfying amount of feedback with each keystroke. The actuation can be personalized for added comfort.
The Epomaker RT85 sports a unique design. Users will appreciate the retro aesthetic and two impressive color schemes. The green white gives it an army vibe, and the white grey has the splash of color to brighten up any setup. The keyboard also has a few gimmicks that help set it apart from others in the market. The magnetized plate helps hide the 2.4Ghz dongle neatly, the customizable LCD screen shows useful information, and there it uses a dial to switch between connections. My favorite feature is the joystick used for volume and rgb controls. Epomaker got very creative with the RT85, but it has enough function to make it worth some consideration.
Performance
The RT85 has supports a high speed, low latency wireless connection, boating up to 1000HZ polling rate. The 8000mAh offers users with up to 320 hours with everything off, or up to 24 hours with everything on. In addition, everything on this keyboard, including the LCD screen and joystick, can be easily remapped and customized for maximum workflow compatibility. Whatever you need this keyboard to do, you can be sure it will look cool doing it.
Sound Test
The RT85 with the wisteria switches has a very satisfying thock if you enjoy that typing ASMR. However, keep in mind that this keyboard is loud. People around you will hear you typing feriously, and some people will find it annoying.
Review
The Epomaker RT85 is a solid keyboard with a very cool design. If you like the aesthetic, especially the color scheme, the key board should be in your cart. While I did have a few issues with the keyboard, there isn’t much better at the price point.
Performance
I was very satisfied with how the RT85 handled my workflow. I noticed no latency for gaming, and I do a bit of Guild Wars pvp, nor any ghosting. I’ve had issues with budget keyboards being faulty, but there were no issues after a week of heavy use. I test my keyboards for about twelve hours for most of the week between reviews. Although the preprogrammed RGB profiles are limiting, they work.
The connection dial is easily accessible, smooth to operate, and it switches the connections quickly. Both wireless and Bluetooth connections are stable from at about 5 feet away. I used it with my standing desk no issue. Most importantly, the battery is excellent. With everything on, I did get about 24 hours of continuous use. I did not test it without the lights because I saw no point. The keyboard looks so pretty.
Aesthetics
The RT85‘s unique design make it the statement piece of any setup. The keyboard is very well manufactured. The keycaps are all printed nicely on pretty decent keycaps. They aren’t the best, but they are a solid starter option. The LCD is very clear, and I like how they chose a font that reinforces the retro aesthetic. The added information is nice to have, and it sits at the perfect location. While still feels a bit unnecessary, I find myself looking at the screen a lot more than others keyboards with a similar gimick.
The magnetic plate that hides the wireless dongle is a very cool idea. It is not only functional, it keeps the keyboard looking clean. The connection dial is a very nice touch. I love how it looks on the keyboard and that it is easily accessible. I swap between devices a lot during my testing and hate when the switch is on the bottom or in an awkward space in the back because it disrupts my workflow. While the feature isn’t going to save me a life-changing amount of time, it is nice not to have to fidget with my keyboard everytime I want to switch devices.
The joystick is where I am most conflicted. On one hand, it looks very cool. The RGB makes it pop and the controls are useful. That said, I rather have a dial for my volume controls. Flicking the joystick just feels awkward, but that is a personal preference.
Comfort
The RT85 is a solid keyboard, but it isn’t exactly comfortable. If you are only using it for only a few hours and don’t have a repetitive stress injury, you should be fine. If you are looking for a keyboard with a design that will ease up some hand pain, I would keep looking. While the RT85 didn’t leave my hand completely useless as some cheaper options I’ve tried, I do notice the pain after a couple hours. I do have to take breaks frequently, and I am struggling to finish this review. To be clear, this is a personal issue that isn’t going to affect everyone. My injuries are bad, so your mileage will vary. I might just be too big for this keyboard.
Conclusion
If the RT85 didn’t hurt my hands, it would be my daily driver. The keyboard looks very cool and it can handle my workload. With its solid battery life, and interesting gimmicks, it is a very solid option at this price point.
Free League Publishing sent me a free copy of the Mutant: Year Zerocore rulebook to review for my blog. While I am very happy for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. Make sure you also check out my reviews for Dragonbane and The One Ring.
Table of Contents
What is Mutant: Year Zero?
Mutant is a tabletop roleplaying game about mutants at the end of the world. The game runs on the award winning Year Zero system which is a D6 system where things happen on 6s and 1s. Six is good and one is bad. There are no modifiers. Instead, stats and gear tell players how many dice they need to roll. More dice generally means better odds. Finally, Mutant is a survival game where the world is harsh, people have powers, and starvation is always a bad roll away.
Hook
Before the fall of civilization, Earth existed in a constant state of conflict. War broke out across the globe, quickly turning nuclear. Those smart and rich enough quickly found shelter in secure underground bunkers while others fled into the safety of space. Everyone else either died in the first wave, or had to rot away in the fallout. As the Earth became toxic, many began to mutate and develop powers.This was the next stage of evolution of man, but one that also marked its end. Mutants are sterile, and while there are tales of powerful folk that roam the wasteland, the population is aging towards is final days.
Some survivors band together and form flourishing communities known as arcs in an attempt to recapture what they lost, others turned to the harsh wasteland and let it transform. You were fortunate enough to grow in one of these arcs, and spend your days working towards a common goal. As the years go by, resources start to dwindle and the world becomes a harder place to live. Eventually, you and a promising group are tasked with going out farther than the usual patrol in search of anything that will extend your time on this planet. What secrets will you uncover beyond those walls? What will you bring back? Can humanity ever be saved, or are you merely surviving till your final days?
Gameplay
Mutant is a very easy game to pick up, but has enough depth to keep players engaged. The survival mechanics give players agency, without ever feeling like a chore. The mutation mechanic adds fun flavor that players can explore through their character, and it makes for some fun and interersting interactions. If you’ve ever wanted to be Xmen at the end of the world, pick up Mutant Year Zero.
Resources
Resources at the end of the world are limited. Players will need to spend their time constantly hunting for food, water, and other materials to survive the harsh dying world around them. Resources like food and water are expended every day for survival, but they are also used for healing. Rationing this precious resource keeps a high level of tension for the players. Players can choose to be at full health for the next encounter at the risk of starving to death. The system is streamlined so the bulk of the game is focused on the game rather than resource management, but you can make it more hard core if that is fun for you.
In Mutant, bullets are the most valuable resource after food and water. While players don’t need bullets to survive the wasteland, they are useful currency when it comes time to trade for better gear or materials. Bullets are also used for guns, and no one wants to be short a bullet in an important gunfight. Players will constantly need to weigh the benefits of trading away their bullets, and that will make for some difficult decisions.
Rot
The world rots away under the effects of the lingering radiation. While there are a few clean and hospitable areas left on this planet, there are pockets of deadly radiation spread in between. These areas give players rot points that slowly kill them. The only way to get rid of rot is to rest in a clean area, but those may be far in between during an adventure. The best bet is to avoid rot all together, or find some rot protection over time. Unfortunately, sometimes the only way forward is through a puddle of rot, and sometimes the only drinkable water is contaminated. The problem then becomes finding ways to mitigate the rot, and live with it.
Mutations
You can’t have a Mutant’s game without cool mutant powers, and this book has a very good selection of them. The DM can allow players to choose their mutation or roll for them at a table. I prefer rolling because that randomness gives the game its flavor. Survivors in this world wouldn’t have been able to choose their powers, neither should your players. That said, I’ll let a player choose their mutation if they have a fun idea that won’t kill the fun for anyone else.
As you would expect, mutations give players abilities they can use in and out of combat. Every player gets a mutation point per mutation at the start of each session that rolls over to the next if not used. Mutation points are the resource used to power the mutation. Because mutations are so powerful, this limit is used to balance the game. If the player could use their mutation as much as they wanted, things could get out of hand. Mutations can also backfire. They can explode or work as intended. They can also further mutate the user, leaving them weaker but with a cool new power to use.
Combat
Combat does not get any simpler than in Mutants. Attacks succeed on 6s and fail on 1s. Additional 6s give the user extra boons like bonus damage or the ability to disarm. Additional 1s can mean the weapon breaks, leaving its user defenseless. Weapon and gear do break in this game, and players will need a skilled craftsman for repairs, or enough bullets to buy the replacement.
What makes combat deep is the health and cover system. The way health works means that players will need to think carefully before rushing in. They may not have the resources to heal back, or they can get an injury that affects their performance. Learning how to effectively use the environment in combat is extremely important. Effectively finding cover in a gun fight or exploding a barrel can easily mean the difference between life and death.
Leveling
I love the leveling system in Mutant because it is streamlined and accessible. Players will need to answer the following questions:
Did you participate in the session? (You get 1 XP just for being present.)
Did you perform a Day’s Work for a project in the Ark?
Did you explore at least one new sector in the Zone?
Did you sacrifice or risk something for your PC buddy?
Did you sacrifice or risk something for the NPC you want to keep safe?
Did you sacrifice or risk something to mess with the NPC you hate?
Did you sacrifice or risk something to reach your big dream?
Players get 1xp point per yes, and they level up when they earn a total of five. Leveling means players will get put a point into a skill of their choice or pick up a new talent. This system not only eliminates the guess work you would see in something like D&D, and it allows players to customize their character. Personally, it forced my players to act in ways they wouldn’t normally because they wanted an XP point. Where in a D&D campaign they wouldn’t care if the NPC died, they went out of their way to keep them alive and get to know them. I was not ready to RP as much as I have in Mutant, but I am not complaining.
Other Mechanics
There are other very cool mechanics that make this game unique and fun to play, but I don’t want this post to get too long. I pulled out the most notable that set it apart from other systems I’ve played, but also the systems I’ve liked the most. While I do not currently run a hardcore survival campaign, its nice to play something more bleak and I’ve been enjoying the story that has come from it.
Review
Mutant Year Zero is easily one of my favorite TTRPGs. I love how accessible the game is. It is easy to learn, and this is important for table of busy dads. Mutant also has some fantastic flavor with the mechanics that make for a good story.
Quality
I did get a copy of the physical book, and it is beautiful. The printing is high quality with vibrant colors, and the book is very high quality. I love the comic book style art. It gives the game its distinct personality and the book looks fantastic on my table.
The cover is phenomenal. I love how it draws the attention to the survivors combing a burning crumbling city for danger and supplies. Their nonchalant expressions suggest that they’ve grown used to the wreckage, and remain unfazed by the apocalypse. The worn mismatched outfits fit the flavor of the world, and the colors tie it all together. I love that each character has a hint of their ability showing. It is just enough to make a statement about their power, while still evoking curiosity. Are these good guys? Bad guys? You’re going to have to play and decide.
Story
The corebook has a prewritten adventure, and it is a very good place to start if you’re a beginner or just need a little help. The adventure offers a solid mystery with an interesting hook to get things rolling.
The players start at the arc, with an aging leader and dwindling supplies. They are sent out in search of more, but find hints to the fabled Eden. Eden is a place of abundance, populated by the most brilliant minds to find a cure for mutation. Some say the cure exists somewhere within its walls, the trouble is finding it. Others say its all a cruel joke told by those too dumb to realize it is all over. As fate has it, your players find themselves chasing a legend, and what they find isn’t what they expected.
Adventure
What I like most about how the adventure is written is that it gives players to tell their own story around the main goal. The adventure outlines a meta story, fills it with important NPCs and location, and sprinkles enough clues to create agency. The gamemaster players have the freedom to do what they want. I’ve never had my players more invested in the world building, because we were building our world. We had a session where we just talked about the fake mutant animals that existed in the one zone and creating bits of random lore that carried throughout the campaign. I love that I was not tied down by a dungeon crawl because it allowed us to tell some very cool stories.
Most importantly, I love that my players liked the meta story enough to keep playing through it. I’ve ran modules where I stopped using the source material because my players wanted to do something different within that world. I wasn’t ready for them to start asking questions about Eden and actively working towards it because of how much time we spend messing around in character.
Roleplay
This is one of the games where my players got into unique characters. I think the random mutation forced them to play a character they wouldn’t usually which was very cool to see. It might also help that I ran this game with theater of the mind using Alchemy RPG. The official module for Mutant is fantastic. Maybe the lack of math and battle maps gave players the room to get creative with their roleplay. Whatever the answer, it was a lot of fun.
Theater of the Mind
You can get as fancy as you want with Mutant. You can use maps with intricate terrain and figures, or load up your favorite VTT and do it digitally. Run this game in whatever way is most fun for your table. The system will work no matter what. At my table, we run games through theater of the mind. I’ll use maps here and there, but I like the focus to be the story and the current format works for us.
As a theater of mind game, Mutant is a fantastic system. The year one system makes checks and combat easy to manage, and the mechanics give enough depth without needing much outside aid. If all you have is the rulebook, some dice, and a dream, you are ready to run Mutant Year One.
Survival
Do not be intimidated by the survival aspect of this game. Run this game as hardcore as it needs to be for your table. I run a casual table and would frequently forget to manage resources. There wasn’t enough scarcity, and I didn’t deduct enough resources. I did break weapons and give players rot points, but I wasn’t running the game as intended. That said, the game never felt like it lost any of the survival element. Players were still cautious with their decisions, and scavenging when they could. My campaign, as silly as it was, was still a survival campaign. I like that freedom.
Conclusion
If you want to run a survival campaign with cool mutant characters and have a good amount of freedom to tell a cool story, pick up your copy of Mutant Year Zero. This has become our favorite, and it is going to be hard to switch to anything else. You can pick up your copy of the Mutant Year Zero rule book on the official Free League Publishing website, or on DriveThru rpg if you want to go digital.
I was sent a free copy of Godbreakersto review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review.
Godbreakersis a co-op action roguelike coming to Steam on October 23rd. Make sure you check out the demo, and don’t forget to wishlist!
Hook
Humanity is gone, but fate still has use for its existence. The AI we created to save the world has taken over. It now spreads across the universe, devouring planets. You have been resurrected from the void of eternity to stop its spread. Use your newly found powers to travel across the universe and destroy the AI before it is too late. Can you save the universe from something you created?
Game
Experience fast-paced fluid combat in this action-packed roguelike adventure. Team up with your friends or brave the universe alone in this chaotic story of salvation. There are six distinct planets to conquer, each with unique and memorial bosses guarding them. Be careful, the path to the boss will be full of traps and enemies who thirst for your blood. Customize your champion with powers and abilities you discover through play and become the ultimate warrior. What secrets will you uncover along the way?
Gameplay
I played this game solo, and can only talk about the solo experience, but the essence of the game is the same for both modes.
The Lobby
Players will all start in a lobby where they can customize their character’s appearance, abilities, and archetypes. Everyone starts with the same character, the spear, and unlock more as they complete the various objectives through normal play. Additional characters can be unlocked by beating certain bosses for example. There are cosmetic unlocks that don’t affect the gameplay, but offer players the opportunity to add some personality. When players are ready for a run, they can start a countdown that can be cancelled at any time. The Lobby is a good place to plan for the next run, or take a break.
The Run
Players will start a run by choosing a planet to explore. Players run through the level, beating the various waves of enemies. Each world has a boss and mini-boss with their unique flavor and attack pattern. In true roguelike fashion, players will unlock random abilities, skills, and upgrades from enemies they defeat. They can also buy upgrades and abilities from the vendor at the end of the level if they have enough currency.
Health
Healing in this game is extremely limited. Players can only heal through the pots given to them at the start of a run. There is no way to refill. Once you run out, you are on your own. You can buy some at the vendor at the end, but resources are so limited, it sort of feels like a waste. The run is over when the players HP drops to zero, a run is successful if they manage to beat the bosses.
Combat
Godbreakers has a very fast-paced combat system. Players have access to a basic/heavy attack, a special ability based on their archetype, and a dodge. There is a combo system in place that tests the players efficiency. For maximum DPS, players need to know how to dodge and combo efficiently. It helps to learn enemy attack animation and patterns, especially in the boss fights. Each archetype has their unique playstyle and strategy, so make sure you test them all out on the test dummy in the lobby.
Review
I really enjoyed Godbreakers for its flavor, story, and unique fast-paced combat sytstem. Although the game has its bugs, the game works well enough to earn at least a demo run.
Flavor
I love the cartoonist style because it gives the game its almost whimsical vibe. While the worlds are a little empty, the devs do a good job at making it work. While players can’t explore worlds outside the predetermined path, the maps do enough to feel expansive. The simple design helps shift the focus on smoother combat, especially multiplayer combat. I would say in that regard, it is mostly successful.
Players are either going to love the character art or hate it. The customization does have some ugly pieces I will never touch, but I am sure there is an audience for every piece. I found some pieces to work towards, and the art animation is cool enough where it all works. The bosses are all cool and flavorful, and I liked exploring the different zones to find out more.
Story
Godbreakers has a fun story with an interesting hook and fantastic voice actors. Each world had messages that players can collect and decode. Decoding them unlocks voice lines from the different bosses. I had a lot of fun collecting these because it not only gave the bosses their personality, but it did a good amount of world building. The game may not have very deep lore and story, but it does enough to give it substance as you plug away at the grind.
Unique Combat
Godbreakes‘ unique combat system is why you should buy this game. I love that each archetype feels different, and switching between characters, and even just changing the abilities breathed new life to the game. There is a bit of a repetitive grind, but nothing out of the ordinary for the genre. The RNG does a decent job at making the runs feel unique, without the bad RNG to ruin a run.
Combat is a lot of fun, but it offers enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. I was constantly having to think about my moves in order to conserve my HP for the final boss. The Godbreak mechanic is a lot of fun. Getting to take an enemies ability and use it during battle is not only such a cool idea, it gave combat at bit of depth.
The boss fights were a lot of fun. Once I memorized the patterns, it just became a skill issue and that is perfectly fine. I love how the bosses change their tactics and become more aggressive the lower you get. This not only adds to the flavor and fantasy, but it makes combat more intense. It was very satisfying to finally beat a boss that I had trouble with. Unlocking the cosmetic was a nice bonus.
Bugs
The game does have a few noticeable bugs that I need to mention. Frames would drop randomly, the game would stutter, but I never got it to crash. I never hit a run ending bug, but there were enough of them present that they became hard to ignore. The devs are aware of the bugs and are working on fixing them, but if this sounds like an issue, I’d wait for a few patches.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an action roguelike with a fun combat system and cool flavor, grab your friends and pick up Godbreakers. You can pick your copy or check out the demo on Steam. If you want to check out another one cool action game, check out Strayed Lights.
I want to give a special shoutout Imegg on Fiverr for drawing my new site icon. He made me look so cool in so little time, and he deserves any attention I can send his way. If you’re looking for a cool cartoon-style portrait for a price I think is too cheap for the quality, check him out on Fiverr!
Disclaimer
Epomaker sent me the Galaxy100 Lite with the Wisteria Linear Switches for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the TH108 and the HE80. I’ll also be using my Amazon affiliate link where possible. Using it before you buy anything really helps me out.
Table of Contents
What’s in the box?
Galaxy100 Lite Mechanical Keyboard
USB-A to USB-C Braded Cable
Key/Switch Puller
2 x Extra Switches
Mac Key Caps (Command and Option)
2.4 GHz Dongle
User Manual
Features
The Galaxy100 Lite is a gasket mounted, full sized keyboard ready to take on any workload. It features a modern yet functional design, and is loaded with the performance to upgrade any workstation.
Design
The Galaxy100 Lite comes in either black or white. The sleek aluminum frame sports a 7 degree, fixed typing angle for a comfortable experience. The aluminum frame gives it its modern aesthetic, and the heft to keep it stationary. The inside layered design gives the keyboard its satisfying thacky sound.
The Keyboard has 100 keys and a nice little knob for volume controls. All 100 keys are supported by the Feker Marble White or the Wisteria Linear switches which offer soft reliable inputs. Each key and switch is easily hot swappable with the included tool for easy repair, cleaning, and customization. Each key is also illuminated with a soft south facing RGB for those who want it. The
Performance
All 100 keys can be easily remapped with QMK or VIA for any task, but the preprogrammed shortcuts are handy enough for most users. The Galaxy100 Lite supports fast wireless connections through its 2.4Ghz included dongle and Bluetooth 5.0. The massive 8000mAh battery gives the keyboard the life it to keep your desk clutter free, and your workflow uninterrupted. But, the high-quality wired cable is ready to pick the slack when needed. Whether you are a gamer looking for an upgrade or an officer worker looking for a full-sized keyboard, the Galaxy100 lite promises to be exactly what you need.
Sound Test
Review
The Galaxy100 Lite is a nice looking keyboard with solid design and decent typing sound, but it has a few issues that make it hard to recommend.
Quality
The Galaxy100 Lite is not a light keyboard. I was a little surprised by the weight of the box, but overall satisfied with the weight. I personally prefer a heavier keyboard. The quality of the keyboard itself is fine. The aluminum frame is elegant and well machined, and the keycaps look like they won’t fade anytime soon. The caps do feel like they are made with cheap plastic, but most people won’t notice. They will get the job done.
Comfort
It did take some adjusting, but the keyboard did get more comfortable with use. I wouldn’t say the Galaxy100 Lite is an ergonomic solution because at the end of the day, my hands were sore. They were still usable, but the discomfort is enough to issue a warning. I have a repetitive stress injury that requires specific ergonomics, and this discomfort won’t affect everyone. If you are using this keyboard a normal amount, it is not a problem. My issue always came after eight straight hours of my data entry job, and even then the pain is manageable. Not manageable enough to keep it as my daily driver, but enough to place it above the average cheap mechanical keyboard.
Typing Experience
The typing experience is average if I am being honest. The sound does sound a little cheap. It isn’t as bad as the Epomaker x Aula F75, but Epomaker x Aula F108 does it better. The Wisteria switches are solid, with an actuation force to help with the fatigue. The typing angle is where I feel the most torn. The angle is fine, but I wish I could adjust it. I find a higher angle more comfortable, but most people will be okay with 7 percent. Overall, the keyboard will do in a pinch, but it isn’t the satisfying mechanical keyboard experience I want it to be.
Performance
For the first couple of days that the keyboard worked, the performance was great. There was no ghosting, and I got about 10 hours on a single charge. The battery life is the best part of this keyboard because it soon started to fail. I might have gotten unlucky with a defective unit, but it does shatter my confidence in the longevity of the product.
The first bug I encountered was the RGB failing. The lights began to flicker wildly like a lightbulb about to go out. A quick reset fixed the issue, and I would have moved on if the second bug wasn’t repeatable. If I tried to switch from the wired mode to either of the wireless while the keyboard was charging, it wouldn’t connect. It would forget my Bluetooth connection and the included dongle. Resting the keyboard fixed it the first time, resetting the Bluetooth connection worked the second time. By the third time I knew what was up, but I wanted test it. It is repeatable, at least on my unit. I know I can reach out and get a working unit, but that’s an extra step I shouldn’t have to take. Again, I might have gotten unlucky with my unit and your mileage will vary.
Conclusion
The Galaxy100 Lite is a very cool looking keyboard, but one that struggles to keep up with its competition. I can’t recommend the keyboard because mine came defective, and even if the next one I get doesn’t come defective, I don’t know if I can trust it to work much longer than my standard test period. If you are looking for a good full-sized keyboard, I recommend getting something like the Epomaker TH108, or the KiiBOOM Phatom 98 if you’re feeling fancy. But if you like the vibe and want to risk it, you can pick up the Galaxy100 Lite on the official Epomaker store, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.
I was sent a free copy of Bye Sweet Caroleto 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.
Bye Sweet Carol is a hand drawn narrative-horror puzzle game that takes players down a long and twisted mystery. It blends fantasy and reality with its Disney inspired art styles to tell a dark and compelling narrative.
The Story
Lana Benton lives in Bunny Hall with a group of other girls as the suffrage movement folds around them in 20th century England. Once a prominent institution where girls learned to be the “ideal” woman, now crumbles and rots with age. Lana and the girls feel the pressure of the oppressive traditions crumbling around them and do their best to get by.
The only light Lana has in her cold and dark life at Bunny Hall is her friendship with Carol. All seems good until the day Carol disappears. Lana suddenly finds herself being torn between two worlds, hers and Corolla, as she tries to find out the truth behind Carol’s disappearance.
Both worlds are full of danger. Although Lana has help, her path won’t be easy. Fight against the encroaching darkness, follow all the clues, and uncover the truth. What really happened to Carol?
Gameplay
Players take control of Lana as they move through the world, looking for clues, and solving puzzles. The game is a 2D side stroller, with the occasional jump scare and quick time event for added tension. As the player progresses through the story, they begin to unlock powers and abilities thanks to their connection to the Kingdom of Corolla. For example, players will get the ability to turn into a rabbit to help them explore the world and solve puzzles. Players can also take control of their allies for additional support. After completing their laundry list of tasks and puzzles, players will be able to find out the truth. If you get stuck, Intoindiegames has a very good guide you can use.
Review
Bye Sweet Carole is one of my favorite games. I love its unique look and feel, and the narrative is fantastic. There are few games that keep it from being perfect, but I was able to overlook them through my playthough. I was fortunate enough to not hit one of the game breaking bugs.
The Art
The art is Bye Sweet Carol‘s biggest draw. I love the classic-style, hand drawn art and the Disney feel. It makes the perfect contrast to the game’s dark story. Behind the cute and wholesome art, is a dark story with a creepy tone that makes it the perfect game for the spooky season. I admire the dev’s ability to make a beautiful Disney-looking game that feels creepy.
The Horror
While I did not have to play this game with all the lights on, it made my heart race. The game has some good jump scares that had me off my seat. The music knows exactly when to change into something more intense to set the mood, and those monsters that chase you are terrifying. There are a good amount of quick time events to player engaged. As someone who is really bad at quick time events, these made the game intense. When the game worked, Bye Sweet Carol is a solid horror game.
Performance
The game runs fine on my Nvidia RTX 3060 and Ryzen 5 5600x. There are a few bugs, and some made the game a little harder, but nothing that was game breaking. At least not for me. I’ve read a few comments that said their game became unplayable, so your mileage may vary. When the story is as good as it is, I am overlook a few bugs to get to the end.
Story
The story is what kept me playing the game. It is a dark and twisted story with a fantastic hook and a great ending. The story does get a little political as it deals with women suffrage. The message is delivered well without being preachy, but don’t play this game if you’re just going to hate on women. To everyone else, this a cool thematic story that deals with loss, grief, and the empowerment of woman. I love the blend of fantasy as a way to hyperbolize and personify the emotions and situations Lana struggles with. Lana’s grief is so powerful that it causes her to dissociate into the fantasy world of Corolla. The blending of the two worlds is very well done, and builds this powerful narrative of grief.
The Puzzles
Most of the puzzles in this game are fine. They are straight forward, creative, and work to tell the stories. Some of the puzzles felt like chore, like having to walk across a map to grab something you forgot because the game isn’t always clear. You are meant to find everything through clever exploration, but there are elements that don’t show up properly and can be easily missed. You might need look up a few solutions, and do a bit of trouble shooting. I never had to restart the game, but I did have to take a few breaks.
Gameplay Loop
The game itself does feel a little bland. There is a lot of walking, and the NPCs aren’t coded very well. NPCs are either godlike and impossible to defeat, or they are dumb. Bugs in this game makes some of the chase sequences annoying. Sometimes, NPCs would pull me out of hiding even when I had done everything right. Other times, I could just trick the NPCs so easily it was like they didn’t exist. Then there are times when I got caught because the input didn’t register. These issues get more apparent the deeper you get into the game. Since the focus is on the art and the story, I guess I can’t expect too much from the game. Just think of Bye Sweet Carole as interactive fiction you have to work extra to unlock.
Conclusion
Despite the game’s flaws, I still loved Bye Sweet Carole. The game has its unique and interesting flare that tells a very important story. It has a cast of fantastic voice actors and beautifully illustrated cut scenes to tell its well written story. If you want to play a cool looking game with a powerful message and can overlook a few bugs in your walking simulator, go pick up Bye Sweet Caroleon Steam.
I was sent a free copy of The Fame Game: Welcome to Hollywood 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.
The Fame Game is a dating sim FMV out now on Steam.
You find yourself in a leading role in a hit show. While you do your best to rise into your stardom, you find yourself the center of attention. Seven beautiful woman will compete for your attention, but only one can take the role. You will flirt, go on dates, and get to know each girl as you try as you jump start your acting career. Who will you choose? How far will you go?
Gameplay
The game is essentially a choose your own adventure game made into a movie. Players watch the story unfold and make the choices that will shape the overall story. There are multiple endings, and the game makes it easy to play for them all. The game lets players skip scenes they’ve already seen, and even rewind to a previous choice if they mess up a choice.
The game has two goals:
Become a great actor
Get the girl
Players must earn a certain amount of acting points by the end of the story for the great actor ending. The game offers players scenes with choices that affect how well they do in the series. The choices made during these segments determine if Jonathan’s trip to Hollywood leaves him a star, or sends him back to Ohio.
The main loop of the game is getting the girl. Each girl has a unique personality and affection meter. Players are given the opportunity to get to know each girl, and try to romance them. If players are able to fill the affection meter, they end up with the girl. The choices they make during the story affects the girls and endings they have access to by the end.
Review
The people behind The Fame Game: Welcome to Hollywood did a fantastic job at creating what is easily one of my favorite FMVs. While the game and story is incredibly cheesy, I can’t deny that I loved every minute of it.
The story is fine, but very cheesy. All the girls have an unexplainable affection for Jonathan and will chase him down, even when it feels forced. It reminds me of the cheesy harem anime’s of my youth, with almost as much fan service. If you like cheesy drama’s, this has that vibe.
The girls are each unique and memorable, but there are clearly some that are better actors. Some actors will bring their characters to life in very fun and memorable scenes, while others will leave with awkward yet passable performances. The acting doesn’t take away from the enjoyment, and honestly gives the game its charm.
The one thing to look out for is the fan service. While none it felt inappropriate, I wouldn’t play this in public for fear of being judged. Other than that, the game is a solid FMV. The story is fun, the characters are memorable, and the production is solid. If you like cheesy dramas and FMVs, this is a game you should at least play once. It is short enough to play in a sitting, and the game makes it easy to explore different narratives.
You can pick The Fame Game: Welcome to Hollywood for only $9.99 on Steam.
I was asked to cover Monmusu Girls: Autobattler and was given free ingame items for my review. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. I also did not redeem any of the in-game items until I was done with my review. I wanted to see how free-to-play friendly the experience was.
Collect your army of cute monster girls and face off against the Demon King’s army. Upgrade your units to make them stronger, go on different quests and missions, and make a few friends along the way. How far will this magical journey take you? What will your team look like in the end?
Review
Monmusu Girls: Autobattler is a phone app that has been ported as a steam game. As a result, some of the controls are clunky. Playing it on the Steam Deck is preferred because this game works great with the touch screen. The gameplay loop is simple. You click through the different screens, collecting cute anime girls and sending them to earn materials. There is a story, but it is poorly written and not the reason to play the game. You are playing the game for the art. I love the art, but you are getting a censored version of what they show in the promotional images on Steam. The girls are a lot more covered up, but that doesn’t ruin the game. I personally like that I can play the game in public without it ever getting to lewd.
What will ruin the game is its gameplay, it is very simple. I am sure there are some nuances I wasn’t catching, buffs I wasn’t maximizing, and I was very wasteful with my resources, but you really are just clicking until you run out of resources. Resources in the beginning are bountiful, and leveling feels fast. This is a little shady tactic common in gacha games to get people hooked, and the game does it well. The problem I have with the game is that once you get past this grace period, the game stops. You stop winning battles and don’t have the resources to level up without grinding. Luckily, you can grind in the background, but that jarring shift in tempo is going to turn off people to the game. I wish this progression was done a little more casually so people are eased into it, but the goal is to make money from people who don’t want to wait for the grind.
Leveling in this game sucks. Players have to buy levels for their Valkyrie with essence material they earn by completing missions. Weapons need to be leveled by cannibalizing other items. There are extra special levels you can buy for each Valkyrie by pulling their puzzle pieces. These are systems put in place to slow players down, and once you run out of resources, it essentially locks you out of the game.
Leveling Valkyrie by buying levels is a terrible system. There are important progression missions that require players to own a certain amount of Valkyrie at a certain level. Once you get past the grace period, it takes a very long time to level each required character. God forbid you pull a character you like more after you’ve invested all your resources leveling something you will end up replacing. There are also events that forces players to use different teams, and that means you’re facing off these challenges with a few level 1s with no gear. I wish I could level characters through normal XP gain with the option to buy ascensions like other games in the genre. This would just make the grind feel less wasteful because I would want to build a powerful themed team to earn better rewards.
Valkyrie also have extra levels that can only be leveled by exchanging enough puzzle pieces. That means players will have to continue to gamble until they have enough puzzle pieces to max out their character, and that feels greedy.
items in this game are pointless. They don’t do much except offer buffs, and leveling them is a worse experience than leveling the units. It would be cool if legendary items would be craftable, and I wish they had abities like poisons and debuffs. Then I would be forced to decide what items to cannibalize instead of mindlessly clicking for my power level to go up. It takes a lot of resources to do this, and the changes don’t feel as impactful as leveling.
To earn puzzle pieces to turn in, Valkyrie to fight for you, or weapons to equip or cannibalize you need to buy chests. Chests all use the same currency and that means you will need a lot of it to level up your team to do better content. The grind for this after you pass that grace period feels bad, and good luck pulling what you need.
Where this game will lose players is that you can skip all of this with real money. You can buy essence to level your team, weapons to gear them up, and puzzle pieces to max them out. You can even buy powerful units and weapons that are guaranteed. How do I know this? Because the game doesn’t stop bombarding me with ads for special deals or notifying me of parts of the game that I am missing out on. I get that they are trying to make money, but this gets annoying quick. It also kind of sucks that the PvP part of this game is going to be dominated by the folks who spend the money, leaving the poor folks to click towards what I assume will be an ever moving goalpost.
So what did I think of the game? I have a very healthy addiction to gacha games, so I will probably keep playing. The art is cute and I already feel invested. For the record, what I was given for free only gave me a few levels of progress, now I am stuck grinding with the rest of them.
I do like that the game developers are actively working to make the experience better. At least they are actively working on fixing the bugs. I also like the music and artstyle. What I don’t like about the game is how pay to win the game can be if you let it. If you’re playing casually here and there, the bottle neck shouldn’t be a problem. If you like the game and have the means, you should support them financially.
So should you get this game? Well if you like the art and want the thrilling gameplay of collecting waifus, sure. You can through this in the background and click your way to victory. However, if you want a deep RPG with cute anime girls, this isn’t it. It is free to play, but the end of the day, it is a gacha game designed to take your money.
