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video game reviews

Exploring Maliki: A Cozy RPG Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Maliki: Poison Of The Past 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 Maliki: Poison Of The Past

Maliki: Poison Of The Past is a casual strategy RPG with a bit of farming sim. The game is out now on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

In the near future, humanity is on the brink of extinction as a poison contaminates the world. Fortunately, a few brave souls stand in the way of total annihilation. Maliki and her collection of warriors are the only ones who can resist the poisons time altering effects and fight back. Will they be enough to save the world and rid it of this poison?

Gameplay

Players explore a world frozen in time by the poison’s corruption. Players slowly unlock more of the world by extending the reach of the Thousand-Root Tree’s protection. But this won’t be easy. The world is full of the poison’s corrupted mission, and it is up to Sand and her friends to fend them off.

Combat is a turn based system with a unique swap and combat mechanic to help it stand out against other titles in the genre. Players can occasionally bend time to change the turn order, and hopefully change the tide of combat in their favor. Players can also perform powerful combo moves to vanquish there enemies. There are also fun puzzles to solve, and a cute world to explore.

What truly sets this world apart is the cozy farming mechanic. To level up the Thousand-Root Tree, players will need to collect materials by building a farm. The crops a player grows and harvests can be cooked into different foods or crafted for useful materials.

Review

Maliki: Poison Of The Past is an adorably casual game that should be considered for any collection. It has very cute character and world design, and a fun soundtrack to set the mood. I also enjoyed the story enough to keep playing. Most importantly, the gameplay is relaxing. The combat is solid. The attacks and abilities are unique and flavorful, and it requires enough strategy to keep things engaging. I really like the temporal abilities and the depth it adds to combat. I also like that it doesn’t feel that grindy. There is a grind, but I’ve sat through worse.

If you get tired of combat, the game features a unique farming mechanic that is a cozy change of pace. Maintaining the different crops is very relaxing, but movement can make things a little awkward. If you’re the type of person that likes to have everything lined up and neat, this game is kind of frustrating. Sometimes, you will overshoot the where you want to place it, other times, the plot doesn’t allow for neat rows. This bothered me more than I thought, but is in no way a deal breaker. When it worked right, it was a fine experience.

I do recommend playing this game with a controller. There is keyboard and mouse support, but it feels wonky. There is still some awkwardness to the controller, but it is a lot more manageable. I played this game exclusively on the Steam deck because I preferred the experience. Everything was clear and legible, and I love that I can play something cute and casual away from my desk. Movement is a little wonky, but it is a lot better than keyboard and mouse. There are also a few other noticible bugs that suggest the game needs a bit more work, but nothing gamebreaking. They game still deserves at least one solid playthrough.

If you’re looking for something cute, casual, with a lot of charm, go pick up Maliki: Poison Of The Past on Steam and Nintendo Switch for $29.99, or at least check out the demo.

video game reviews

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark Review

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I was sent a free copy of Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark 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 opinions of the game.

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 Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark?

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is a 2D action Metroidvania adventure out now on Steam, Switch, and PlayStation.

The castle has been invaded and Lord Maxim is dead. It is up to Kirika and Masha to make their way through the castle and revive their lord. Fight through waves of demons and their bosses, collect helpful tools and abilities, and prove why you are the best pair of demon maids Do you have what it takes to reclaim your home and save your master?

Gameplay

Gal Guardians is your typical classic metroidvania. Players crawl through the 2D dungeon, collect new items and abilities, and beat everything in their way. What makes Gal Guardians unique is the coop mechanic. Players can play this game solo, or team up with a friend to control one of the two maids. Coop allows for some interesting interactions between the players. Playing solo allows players to switch between the two maids and their abilities, as well as revive them when they go down. The game also showers the player with loot and allows for a good amount of customization and playstyles.

Review

I really wanted to like Gal Guardians: Shadows of the Dark, but it doesn’t do enough to stand out against the genre. I love the art and flavor, there is some solid voice acting, but the gameplay sort of falls flat.

What I like about the gameplay is the amount of customization. Aside from the main weapon, players can mix and match abilities to find a build that works best for their playstyle. Unfortunately, there are some absolute garbage items that will flood your inventory. Aside from that, combat is kind of boring. It is no where near the worst of the genre, but it does leave a bit to be desired. This is especially noticeable during the boss fights which can be challenging, but aren’t really worth the trouble.

I had high hopes for the game because I enjoyed the demo, but once I got deeper in the game, it didn’t do enough. It had decent writing, the voice acting is great, and the art is good, but the gameplay didn’t do it for me. Gal Guardians isn’t the worst Metroidvania I’ve played this year, but I will forget I ever played it. If you’re looking for a new Metroidvania, you simply have better options.

You can pick up Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark on Steam, Switch, and PlayStation for $29.99, but I would wait for a sale.

video game reviews

Honest Review of Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy 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 Amerzone?

Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy is an interactive fiction puzzle game coming to Xbox, PlayStation and PC on April 24.

You are a young reporter on your latest investigation. An old explorer you’ve befriended over the years has left you with instructions to an adventure of a lifetime. You find yourself on a trip to South America where you must venture into the Amerzone and return the egg of an ancient bird. Solve puzzles, collect clues, and survive the dangers of the Amerzone. What will your adventure uncover? Will this be the story you’ve been waiting for?

Review

Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy is the adventure book you didn’t know you needed. If you’ve played the original, this is a fantastic remaster. The graphics look great, and the game plays fine. I didn’t experience any major performance issues. The gameplay is what you’d expect from a a point-and-click game. Players move through parts of the world, exploring and collecting clues to progress through the story. The game design makes exploration enjoyable, but the story is the reason why you play this game.

Amerzone’s story holds up after all these years, and update to visuals is sure to find its modern audience. The story is a solid adventure with nice pacing, great world building and flavor. The voice acting is fantastic, and it was real easy to immerse myself in the story. The puzzles make the game the engaging experience that it is. The puzzles are creative and interesting, but some may require a hint or two. Make sure you explore and click on everything!

This is a solid piece of interactive fiction that I recommend to anyone looking for a chill game with a good story and solid flavor. It is a lot of clicking, but the story makes it all worth it. I think the price is a little too steep for the type of game, but this might just be the new normal.

You can preorder Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy for Xbox, PlayStation and PC for $39.99. There is a Steam Demo available you can check out in the meantime.

Tech Reviews

Is the Mechlands M75 the Best Budget Keyboard for Gamers?

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the M75 hall effect magnetic gaming keyboard 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’s in the box?

  • Mechlands M75
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • 2 Extra Switches
  • Insert Keycap
  • Plastic Dustcover
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Manual

Features

The Mechlands M75 is a 75% hall effect magnetic keyboard designed for the gamer who craves high performing peripherals at affordable prices. This stylish keyboard comes in a green/grey scheme reminiscent of classic xbox. The default typing angle guarantees a comfort for most users, but it is adjustable as needed for added comfort. The M75 features the hall effect magnetic cherry profile switches for a fantastic sound and a great feel. Everything on this keyboard can be swapped easy repair and customization.

This keyboard is more than just a pretty piece of hardware. The M75 is a wired keyboard that boasts only 0.128 latency and 8K polling rate. That means it can keep up with the most competitive level of gameplay when needed. The keyboard also has some added advanced features like programable DKS, MT, TGL, and SOCD (note some FPS ban these features).

Sound Test

Review

The M75 is a fantastic wired keyboard, and a strong contender for a best budget gaming keyboard. The keyboard sports a cool design with a fun color scheme. I like the color scheme, but it isn’t going to be for everyone. The extra wire clutter is also going to be an issue for some folks, but the performance it gets more than makes up for it. It may not match my current aesthetic, but I am very pleased with the performance. The switches have a very soothing sound, and they feel great to the touch. The keyboard layout may not be strictly ergonomic, but I had no issues with hand pain. This is one of the most comfortable keyboards I’ve tried, and I struggle heavily with my repetitive stress injury.

I didn’t notice any latency in gaming. I don’t play at a very competitive level, but it was able to handle all the games I threw at it with no issues. It was very good for Guild Wars 2 PVE content at least. I didn’t mess with any of the the advanced features because I don’t want to risk getting banned, but they are available if that is how you have fun. Overall, I am very happy with the Mechlands M75, and it is definitely going to be my main keyboard for a bit. It is comfortable, cool looking, and it does the job.

If you are looking for your own MechLands M75, pick it up on official MechLands website.

video game reviews

Frozen Ship Alpha Gameplay: My First Impressions

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Disclaimer

I was sent an early alpha build of Frozen Ship to review for my blog. I understand the game isn’t done yet, so I will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will still be my honest first impressions.

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 Frozen Ship?

Frozen Ship is a survival game with village management elements coming soon to Steam Early Access.

An eternal tundra has devastated humanity. Some were fortunate to find refuge near the warmth of a volcano, but that warmth was only temporary. In their efforts to continue surviving, they have built a giant ship that will take them to their new home. Navigate the deadly tundra as you captain your colony of survivors, gather resources, upgrade your facilities, and find the last remaining hope for salvation. What will you find against this frozen landscape?

Gameplay

There are two parts to this game, village management and exploration.

As captain of this frozen ship, players will need to command their colony to gather and process materials or build upgrades. Resources are scares, so efficiently utilizing what is available is key for humanities survival. Most importantly, players must keep hope alive to keep the colony from collapsing. As players traverse the tundra, the colony will grow, and this growth will bring its challenges as it puts a strain on systems players put in place.

The other part of this game is exploration. Players can get off the ship throughout the warmer parts of the day to scavenge the remains of the old world. Players can build tools to gather resources or scavenge from buildings. The cold is brutal and staying out in the elements for too long means death. To add to the difficulty, the ship does not stop moving. Players must navigate the cold, but also make sure they can always find their way back to the ship.

The main game will have a story, but the demo only allowed a limited free build mode with a good amount of direction.

Impressions

In its current state, Frozen Ship doesn’t have enough to it to keep me excited. The village management aspect is more of a text based game. Its not a bad way to do things, especially since the main game is exploration, but I like to watch my villagers do things. The exploration is fine, but the world feels too empty. I do like that the game lets players adjust the difficulty for the ideal experience. I get lost easily so I appreciate that there is a mode that guides me back to the ship. I also appreciate the options for a more hardcore play through for the times I’m feeling more sadistic.

Graphics-wise, the world makes sense but it isn’t anything special. You’re either going to appreciate the low-poly style or you are going to play a more realistic looking game. I am sure this is a choice to ensure good performance, but also makes the world a little less fun to explore.

The cold mechanic is fine. Eventually players will have the ability to extend the amount of time they can spend in the tundra, but those early levels feel tedious. Having to return every time you clear a single house is boring. I can see the intention. The game is supposed to be a hard journey and resources are meant to be scares, but when the art style is boring and the world feels too empty, it just feels like a chore.

I also don’t recommend playing this game on the Steam Deck. At the moment, some of the tasks feel very tedious with a controller. You will need to remap, and even then it is just better to play with a keyboard and mouse.

I need to see more of the game before I can feel confident in recommending it. If you are looking for some hardcore survival and don’t mind the village builder elements, I would wait for the demo. I’ll try to get a different build and will return with my update. Until then, you can wishlist Frozen Ship on Steam.

video game reviews

Asgard’s Fall: A Viking Survival Game Worth Your Time

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Asgard’s Fall — Viking Survivors to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This game is still in Early access, so I will try to be a bit more lenient than normal.

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 Asgard’s Fall — Viking Survivors?

Asgard’s Fall — Viking Survivors is a 2D pixel art vampire survival game out now in Steam Early Access.

Choose your hero as you wage war against the gods. Harnes your strength as you take on endless hordes of enemies. How far will you wrath take you? Will you be the fall of Asgard?

Gameplay

Players start each run by choosing a hero. There is only one option at the start of each game, but more can be unlocked by playing the game, with more characters planed for a later release. Players will start the game with the same basic attack and a dodge, but will unlock random passive and active abilities as they play. The RNG feels very fair, and each round felt unique. There is also special Twitch integration that allows a streamer’s audience influence the blessings received throughout a game for an extra level of craziness.

The goal of the game is to survive until the final boss fight. Beating the boss means unlocking more areas, and dying during a run means starting over. It is simple game with enough depth to keep things interesting, and in a very good place in its early access.

Review

If you are looking for a new survival game, Asgard’s Fall is a very strong contender. The art is cute without sacrificing on any of its Nordic flavor. I am a huge fan of how much flavor has gone into the spells and abilities. Most importantly, Asgard’s Fall is a fun game that you won’t regret supporting. A lot of the survival game’s I’ve played will start slow and ramp up to the insanity. This initial lull can make or break the game, but Asgard’s Fall doesn’t have that. The game starts at a great pace, and it has a solid ramp to keep things interesting.

Building my hero is what makes this game for me. Like most games of the genre, players will unlock random abilities and buffs throughout a run. What makes Asgard’s Fall unique is how you can build a skill tree by filling a web of nodes. The nodes can interact with each other and generate more power. I have never sat to consider my build as much as I did with this game, and that is a very good thing.

I hadn’t realized how long I had been playing this game until I pulled from my trance. I had so much fun with this game that I will have a hard time setting it down. If you’re weary about the Early Access status, don’t be. This game is in a very good place with enough content to make it worth the price tag. There is also a good amount of content on the horizon.

If you haven’t done so, go check out Asgard’s Fall. This is a great addition to any collection. You can pick up Asgard’s Fall — Viking Survivors on Steam Early Access for only $6.99. There is also a demo available if you don’t believe me. The full game releases next year.

video game reviews

Why Sonokuni Is My Favorite Game Ever

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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?

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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.

Board Games and TCGs, Uncategorized

Why Alchemy RPG is the Best Virtual Tabletop for Storytelling

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Introduction

I have been running my recent campaign with Alchemy RPG, and I have a few opinions that might prove helpful if you are in the market for a new TTRPG. I have run a DND module and am currently running Mutant RPG. I also bought both modules I’ve used to run my games, but the books were given to me by the publisher to review for my blog. That said, this will be my honest review of the virtual table top.

What is Alchemy RPG

Alchemy RPG is a VTT that aims to enhance games played through theater of the mind. It provides players with not just the rules they need to run their games, but modules with striking visuals and powerful soundscapes to set the mood. The platform has an expanding library of sounds, visuals, and systems to explore, but players have the freedom to run their games with their own media. If you only run your games online, Alchemy does have voice, text, and video chat function. This is great for those who don’t want to have another program open. There are also some nifty features for content creators who like to stream their games online.

Running a game on Alchemy RPG is free. A GM can host up to three games for free, and players can create/import up to three characters. There is a paid subscription service. $8 a month or $88 a year gets you unlimited characters, campaigns and universes. Games can be run from the many available modules that can be purchased in the shop, but there is nothing stopping a game master from programing everything by hand. While GMs can make due without modules, they grant access to resource books, pre-programmed functions and items, and tailored visuals and sounds. It also saves a lot of time.

Review

Alchemy RPG has interesting functions and unique offerings that should be considered when choosing a VTT, especially when running games through theater of the mind. While the game does offer options for battle maps and quick combat, other VTT’s handle combat and battle maps better.

It took me a couple of sessions to start enjoying Alchemy, but it was mostly because I was set in my ways. I have used a few different VTTs trying to find the right home for our games. I look for something that is easy to use, even easier to teach, and has cool features for combat. At least it was at first. As we’ve grown together, combat on a map became less and less important. I enjoy the story telling part of the hobby, and my campaigns saw the shift to theater of the mind.

I made my shift to Alchemy because I wanted a VTT that let me focus on the story telling, gave me access to the rules, but was easy for my players to learn. Alchemy does all of that, and I have the option of running combat on a map if I really want to.

Setting up a campaign in Alchemy is incredibly easy. If you use the modules, you just need the funds to do so. If you have the time, inputting all the rules, creatures, items, and visuals is easy but time consuming.

Onboarding players is incredibly easy. Not everyone at my table is tech savvy, so I always try to find solutions that is the least work. The last thing I want to do is frustrate my players before the game even starts. Character creation is both systems was very easy, especially for my less savvy players. I do like that I can edit character sheets from my end if they ever gets stuck tho.

Running the actual game is great. The moving visuals create a striking backdrop, and the UI is clean and easy to navigate. Clicking through the different menues, switching between characters, and most importantly, rolling is all easy to do. The audio is a little hard to hear, but you can always add your own and at least it isn’t distracting. Most importantly, I love how easy things are to set up, like on the fly encounters, or creating new units or items.

My only complaint is that you still need a rulebook even if you buy the module. I found some of the bock of texts hard to read and navigate, especially when running a prewritten adventure. This might be the font and my dyslexia, but it is a problem I have. It is not undoable, but searching a PDF or flipping through a book is a better experience.

Overall, I love Alchemy because it doesn’t distract from the narrative. Being easy to learns means we can start quickly. Everything being preprogrammed and working properly not only cuts my prep time, it means we spend more time playing the game. If you play tabletop RPGs to create a collective story with your friends, I don’t think there is anything better than Alchemy RPG.

Tech Reviews

Is the KiiBoom Phantom98 Worth It? Honest Insights

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Disclaimer

KiiBoom sent me the Phantom98 mechanical keyboard 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 Moonshadow V2 and the Breeze75 if you’re looking for other great Kiiboom Product.

What’s in the Box?

  • Phantom98
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • 2.4 GHz Wireless Dongle
  • Key/Switch Puller Tools
  • Mini Screw Drive
  • 2 Extra Screws
  • 2 Extra Switches
  • User Manual

Sound Test

Features

The Phantom98 is Kiiboom’s stylish full-sized keyboard. The keyboard has 98 keys, which include a function bar and number pad. That means users have access to everything they need in one unique package. The Phantom98 comes in 5 colors: clear, pink, black, blue, and purple. I chose purple, but every color looks good!

The clear keys and case its futuristic design. The design truly comes alive with any of the preset RGB profiles. The RGB can be switched off for those who don’t want the light show, but the presets are so pretty, it’s going to be hard to.

But the Phantom98 is more than just its looks. Its has Bluetooth 5.0 support to eliminate the need for pesky cables, and a 2.5 GHz cable for those who need it. It has a solid wireless connection, but nothing will beat the speed of the included high quality cable. The Ghasket design is adjustable, but the default gives it the satisfying typing sound enthusiasts crave.

The keyboard can switch between Mac and Windows presets, but Mac users will need to buy new caps if they care about that kind of stuff. There is also a nifty volume control dial which is always nice to have. Now the typing angle isn’t adjustable, but the default angle and height is good enough for most cases. If you’re looking for a unique keyboard with a lot of function, you might need the Phantom98.

Review

The Phantom98 is one of the coolest looking keyboards you’ll set on your table. The clear design is so clean and seeing the inner components is very cool. It reminds of the clear gameboy colors from back in the day. Now the keys did take a bit of getting used to. The letters were a little hard to see without the backlight, and they keys felt too smooth. Once I got used to them however, it is really hard using anything else. Something about the smooth feel of the keys just feels right in a way I didn’t know was possible. It also has one of the best typing sounds around. This keyboard made typing a true joy.

As far as performance goes, I didn’t see any issues. The default typing angle was comfortable enough for the very long sessions I tend to have. The wireless and wired connections were all fast and responsive. I don’t play very competitive games, but it handled my Guild Wars 2 grind perfectly. As far as battery life goes, I was getting about 8 hours with the RGB profiles on a single charge.

My only complaint is that the lighting is a little overbearing. The thing glows up like a Christmas tree on your desk. I didn’t mind it, but people are either going to hate or love it based on personal taste. Make sure to check out my sound test video to see what it looks like with the backlight on. Other than that, the Phantom98 is a fantastic keyboard, and perfect for anyone looking for a full-sized keyboard who doesn’t mind the aesthetic. Trust me, this thing looks a lot cooler in person.

You can pick up the Phantom98 on the official KiiBoom website.