I was sent a free copy of Killing Floor 3to 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.
Megacorp Horzine is at it again, sending out its endless horde of bioengineered monsters across the world in their campaign for complete dominance. The rebel group Nightfall is the last remaining force of resistance standing in its way. Fight off the hordes alone or team up with 5 other members as you try to survive and create a better future. Can you survive the onslaught, or will you be another fallen soldier in this seemingly endless war for humanities future?
Gameplay
Killing Floor 3 is essentially the Call of Duty Zombies game mode. Players load into one of the various maps with a preset loadout and fight their way through the objectives until they fight off the boss. Players earn upgrades throughout the run by killing monsters, and can buy permanent upgrades between matches by playing the game.
Review
Killing Floor 3 is possibly the worst modern game I’ve had the displeasure of trying out. I have a decent computer that can run games consistently at the highest settings, but I had to turn everything down to get a workable game. Even at the lowest setting however, the game plays like garbage. The game is playable, but what is playable looks bad and the game is boring. When you compare it to games in the same genre and even the same series, you have better options. This feels like a very greedy installment of the series and you should not be supporting this garbage.
To make matters worse, the game performs best in solo mode. Playing multiplayer kills any frames you were able to generate by lowering the settings. This is horrible for a game where the main draw is online co-op. At least the cash shop works properly. I can’t speak on how greedy the micro-transactions are for this game, but the fact that the game feels incomplete and doesn’t work makes the whole experience feel greedy. Don’t support this game in its current state, you have way better options.
I was sent a free copy of Ritual of Ravento 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.
Ritual of Raven is a very cozy and unique farming simulator out now on Steam and Nintendo Switch.
You have been brought into a magical world full of wonder and mystery, but this world is in chaos. An ambitious project to connect different realms with portals have left those who created the portals scrambling for what they’ve lost. A local witch has come for your aid. With her guidance, you must learn to harness this worlds magic and help fix what the ritual broke. Use your magic to gather materials, solve puzzles, and build the magical farm of your dreams.
Gameplay
Ritual of Raven has the familiar farming sim loop. Players gather resources and reshape the land as they build and design their farm. What makes Ritual of Raven unique is that players don’t do the farming themselves. Players give commands to a construct that will move through the world, planting, watering, and harvesting crops. This is done by giving a command at a time until the action is complete. There is also a quirky story to play through when they aren’t busy designing their farm.
Review
I absolutely love Ritual of Raven, and if you are in the mood for some cozy gaming, you will too. This is one of the most unique farming sims I’ve ever played, and I loved every minute of it.
The game has a retro feel. The vibrant pixel art creates the cozy ambiance that first attracted me to the title, but the amount of flavor and whimsy that goes into the creating the magical world is what kept me invested. Each location is unique and a joy to explore, but I think I spent too much exploring.
The flavor for the game world is fantastic. I love the unique take on magic and how it is used to farm. Each farming session became a puzzle that I needed to solve as I imputed my commands and watched my familiar go. It is a mechanic that can take getting used to, but it keeps things engaging. It does get a little tedious. People are either going to love this mechanic, or be frustrated by the extra work. I recommend checking out a gameplay video first.
My only real complaint is that it looks too small on the Steam Deck. It is not unplayable and honestly the issue is with my old eyes, but it made the farming mechanic a bigger chore than it needed to be. It wasn’t a bad experience, but my eyes appreciated when I didn’t have to strain to see things on the bigger monitor.
If you are looking for a new farming sim with a fun little story with a unique twist on the genre, check out Ritual of Raven!
Epomaker sent me the Magcore 87 Mechanical Wired 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. Check out my reviews for the Epomaker EK21 numbpad and the Click lite gaming mouse.
What’s in the box?
Magcore 87 Mechanical Keyboard
USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
3 Extra Switches
Key/Switch Puller
Extra Key Caps
User Manual
Features
The Magcore 87 is Epomaker’s premium wired keyboard for the enthusiasts who needs customizable utility. The TKL layout puts every key in reach to maximize space and efficiency. The 87 keys are powered by the Kaih Box Inductive switches with adjustable actuation for the perfect level of comfort and typing experience. These are durable switches that promise a stable and consistent performance with 8K polling rate though its high quality wired connection. To complete the package, the clean aluminum body gives it the sturdy premium feel and the customizable RGB backlights give it the perfect amount of flare. You will be hard pressed to find a better performing and luxurious keyboard on the market.
Sound Test
Review
Users will be impressed by the Magcore 87‘s premium feel. The gasket is cleanly manufactured and the keys are clearly printed. I love how the clear purple keys accents the black. The kit includes extra keycaps if you prefer to have an all black keyboard. Once plugged in, users can appreciate an RGB effect that is customizable and not too distracting. There is no denying that the Magcore 87 is a very pretty keybaord.
Using the keyboard, I was impressed by how comfortable it became. The layout and shape took some getting used too, but once everything clicked, I had no issue. I wouldn’t call it an ergonomic solution, but I was able to handle my typical long sessions in front of my computer with minimal soreness. I am a little bummed that the the height isn’t adjustable, but the typing angle should be good for most users.
My only complaint is that the keyboard adds clutter to my desk. I would love to reduce the amount of wires that reach across my desk, but I can’t complain about the performance. The adjustable actuation is a nice feature for those who need it, but it is battle ready out of the box. It was able to handle all my gaming and workflow needs, but I can’t speak on how it performs at a more competitive level of gaming. It is at the very least, good for the higher end of casual play.
If you are looking for a premium feeling wired keyboard, the Epomaker Magcore 87 is a fantastic choice. This keyboard is comfortable with solid performance and a clean modern aesthetic that will upgrade any workspace or battle station.
I was sent some free in-game currency to review Dfiance 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.
Dfiance is a free-to-play pvp tactical cardgame out now on steam.
Choose one of three unique factions as you command a battlefield of powerful allies in your quest for conquest. Dominate your enemies by strategically placing your enemies your enemies in a way that gives you the advantage. What faction will you choose? How far up the ladder can you climb?
Gameplay
Dfiance reminds me of Gwent, with a few extra steps. Players build a deck based on their favorite faction and try to build synergy through their interactions. All players start with the same three starter decks and can use currency they earn by playing the game to buy more cards. There is a ranked and casual mode for pvp and an AI mode for those who want to practice.
The game itself requires some unique strategy. I recommend looking up videos on YouTube after finishing the tutorial because there are some mechanics and nuances that aren’t very intuitive, especially when it comes to the upgrade system. I recommend checking out the game’s official YouTube page. Players essentially take turns placing units on the battlefield. The battlefield is split into four sections, two flanks, a frontline, and a backline. Each card has a cost, and players must navigate the game’s unique mana system efficiently to earn the most points before the end of the game. Some cards have effects that create unique interactions with other cards on the board, (their own or the opponents). Its a unique game that makes more sense the more you play it.
Review
Dfiance game that you need to stick with past the initial slump. The game does not have enough of a player base for consistent fair matchmaking, so new players will have a hard time with all the loses. Others will take issue with how different the gameplay loop is, especially when compared when coming from one of the big three TCGs. It took me a couple of hours before the gameplay was able to click and I was able to enjoy the game. So what do I think? Let me start with the good.
The game will draw players with its flavor and art. The game looks fantastic! The battlefield gave me the impression that I was commanding a powerful army, even though I lacked the skill to do so. The art on the cards is beautiful, especially if you are fan of fantasy. I love how each faction looks and feels different. I enjoyed looking through each card and appreciate the amount of flavor that went into each faction.
The game itself runs great. I never encountered noticeable performance issues. The game is in a good place, but it needs more players. A lot of my matches did feel unfair. There is some skill issue that needs to be factored into this as well, but I was at a clear disadvantage trying to climb the ladder with the starter decks. The starter decks are fine for teaching players the fundamentals, but they’re missing a few key mechanics that will win you games. Again, this could be a skill issue.
Players can upgrade their decks or their existing cards by buying packs., but it does feel like a grind to do so. I don’t know how I feel about game’s monetization. On one hand, it is nice that there seems to be a limit to keep the whales from running away from the game, on the other, the free-to-play grind feels a little steep. Again, this could be a skill issue, but it didn’t feel very casual. This could be because I was always losing.
Another issue I have with the grind is that packs don’t give enough cards. Players can buy into their favorite faction which is nice, but only have two options: a starter pack for 100g and a regular pack for 600g. For 100 gold, players can open 5 card packs without a chance at a legendary. This is a good way to build a collection for a faction, but lacks a bit of key power. For 600g, players get that chance at higher rarities, but that price just seems too high. I got enough currency for two normal packs and feel like I wasted my money and that is bad for the player who spends money, and worse for the player who grinds for it. When everyone feels like they have a better deck on the ladder, not getting enough cards for a proper upgrade is going to turn off some players. Packs should have more cards.
Buying into a faction you like is cool, but finding what that is another story. The starter decks give players a proper preview of each faction’s unique mechanics. Not being able to find a fair match makes it hard to choose a faction. Players can practice against the game’s AI or thug it out in casual PvP to find a solution, but choosing wrong feels bad when the card packs are so expensive. This is an issue that will fix itself with more players, the problem is, will players stick around long enough for that to happen?
Honestly, the game is a unique take on the genre that more players need to try. The game has very cool flavor with very neat interactions. At the moment, the only issue I have with the game is that the new player experience isn’t great, especially if you’ve never played card games before. With a healthier playerbase, a lot of the issues I have with the game won’t be as bad.It just needs more players. If you are a new player, try to stick with it until you get past the hump before deciding to step away. Watch videos to ensure you aren’t wasting valuable resources. I personally don’t like the loop, but it is a game that will carve out its niche.
Go check Dfiance out on Steam. It is free-to-play.
I was sent a free copy of Our World Is Ended. on Steamto 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.
Our World is Ended is a visual novel out now on Steam.
A team of young developers is on the verge of a breakthrough with AR technology that will revolutionize the space. As they get busy with the development of their new game, they find that the line between the fantasy they’ve created through their games and reality has been skewed. Characters from their past games have invaded the real world and threaten its stability. It is up to the young developers to find out what is going on and put an end to it. Will they be able to save the world before it is too late?
Review
Our World is Ended is a niche title that isn’t for everyone. The novel has some cool art and a solid cast of voice acting, but the writing will make or break the story. I was not a fan of the perverted humor or overall tone of the story because it took away from a lot the more serious moments of the story. Characters are also poorly written. They aren’t deep and are very forgettable, unless they are the main source of humor. The main character is a very generic edgy anime main character which you will either find comforting or entirely grating. I found it hard to care about much of what he had to say because he isn’t interesting.
If you don’t mind the perverted humor and the edgy main character, the story is fine. You’ll enjoy some cool art and and the story is okay. Personally, there isn’t enough to this game or story for it to be worth $40. I would wait for a sale even if you enjoy this type of anime, and even then, you have better options.
I was sent a free copy of Holy Shootto 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.
Holy Shootis an action roguelike first person shooter out on Steam Early Access.
Dive into the darkest reaches of Hell armed with only your gun, and any guns you find along the way. Upgrade your hero as you fight off endless waves of demons in this fast-paced adventure. Occasionally, bosses will make the rounds and give you a run for your money. Do you have what it takes to keep Hell under control, or will you be another lost soul victim to its unrelenting heat?
Gameplay
Players start off by playing Supersonic Samuel, but can unlock a second character through gameplay. Each character has access to unique kit of weapons and abilities to help them fight off demons. Players will pick up new weapons as random loot drops and buy from a random assortment of abilities between levels. During a run, players must clear each level of its demons to move on. Dying means starting the run over. Combat is straight forward. The game is a fast paced looter shooter and enemies all have weak points players can target to deal extra damage. The levels do seem to be randomly generated for a bit of variety, but there is a slight repetitive grind that gets easier the more you play and earn permanent upgrades.
Review
I understand the game is still in Early Access and try to be a bit more lenient. Out of the gate, I was impressed with the game’s artstyle. There is some fun whimsy in the character design and the world looks good. The game also has a solid sound track which is always nice. Playing my first few rounds reminded me of the time I spent blasting through the Borderlands series. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t leave much of impressions, especially against similar games I’ve played in the past.
The game plays with some interesting ideas. I like the idea of monsters having weakpoints for dealing extra damage. I also like the fast pace of the game. I also think the world and its monsters are fun and interesting. Unfortunately when the novelty wears off, the game becomes stale. The upgrades you get at each level are all the same or they feel the same. None of the upgrades I picked up felt like they made an impact and some of the weapons felt worse than the starter. I am sure the full game will give players access to more guns and abilities, but I don’t know if I want to wait that long. That said, it does look like the devs are working hard on making the improvements, and I am willing to try a more patched version of the game.
As it stands, whether or not you should try this game in Early Access really depends on how much you want to support the game’s development. While the game looks good, it clearly isn’t finished. The roguelike aspect seems solvable with the limited pool of upgrades and loot and the performance isn’t good. When compared to other similar games, you have better options. I would wait for a more patched version. If you want to support Holy Shoot in Early Access, you can pick up your copy for $19.99.
Epomaker sent me the Click Litewireless gaming mouse 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 Split65 and the Tide Alice keyboards. Check out my newest sponsor, NordVPN if you’re looking for that service. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where I can. it really helps me out if you use it.
What’s in the box?
Click Lite Wireless Gaming Mouse
2.4 ghz Dongle
USB-C to USB-A Charging Cable
User Manual
Decals
Features
If you’re looking for a quality budget mouse, you’ll struggle to find one with more features than the Click Lite. This light weight mouse at only 59 grams and features a stylish design contoured to fit your hand. The mouse comes in black and white, and both look amazing.
The Click Lite comes with 5 programmable buttons that can be easily customized to include macros. The sensor can be easily customized to support 800 – 24000 DPI and a stable 1000Hz polling rate with 1ms latency for some unbelievable accuracy. Users can enjoy up to 72 hours of high-speed wireless and Bluetooth connections with its 500mAh battery life. While the mouse doesn’t have any RGB, users can enjoy some added customization with the included decals. If you’re looking for a quality budget gaming mouse, it doesn’t get much better than the Click Lite.
Review
Out of the box, users might be disappointed by the light weight. The mouse feels and looks like plastic, but it is well designed with clean manufactured pieces. I prefer heavier mice, so it took some time to adjust to the Click Lite. Once I did however, it became difficult to see a future where it wasn’t my daily driver. I was very impressed by how snappy and responsive the mouse is out of the box. Normally I spend time adjusting settings, but the Click Lite was essentially plug and play. I did mess around settings for testing and rebound some buttons for quality of life, but the mouse comes ready for most workflows. Over my use, I did not notice any dips in performance, and it was able to handle the different games I through at it. I play a lot of casual games, and it was able to handle Guild Wars 2.
One thing I did not like about the mouse is the included decals. They offer no texture and if you don’t put them on properly, it ruins the aesthetic. They are also starting to look dirty after only a week of use, but I guess it is a good thing they include two. This isn’t a deal breaker, but it looks better without the decals. I would have preferred they include grip tape because my hands get very sweaty, and the mouse gets a little slippery.
This mouse is not ideal if you are looking for ergonomics that won’t ruin your hands. It is comfortable enough for normal use and people who don’t suffer from the repetitive stress injuries, but it did start hurting after a while. This issue is very specific to me, and even then, I got enough use out of mouse to make it worth it. I won’t be using it for work to save my hands, but I will be keeping it around for gaming. I just like how good and snappy it feels when gaming.
If you’re looking for a solid mouse to upgrade your setup, get the Epomaker Click Lite. The mouse looks cool without the need of RGB, it is very responsive, and is comfortable enough for most cases. You can pick up the Click Lite on the official Epomaker store, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.
I was sent a free copy of Inertial Driftto 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.
Inertial Drift is a twin stick arcade racer out now on Steam.
Hop into a nostolgic future where racing is life. Get behind the wheel of your favorite car and master the drift. Take on foes, beat set course records, and become the best racer in town. When your rubber hits the concrete, will it only be headlights in the rear view mirror?
Gameplay
Inertial Drifthas a story that takes you through different courses, mastering different techiniques that will make you the ultimate racer. Each course has three modes: time attack, ghost mode, and a 1v1 race to the finish. Each course has players master a new mechanic, keeping things fresh as players progress through the story. What makes Inertial Drift unique are its twin stick mechanics for drifting. It is something you need to try to understand, but it makes it a fun arcade racer.
Review
I don’t like racing games too much. I will play them and enjoy the easier levels before I lose interest and forget I have them in my library. I haven’t hit that point with Inertial Driftyet. While the game is a little hard for skill level, I am a terrible driver, I find it hard to set down.
Booting up the game, I fell in love with the vibrant neon colors and the retro aesthetic. I love the car designs, and the game has a killer sound track. The story itself isn’t anything too special, but it does give the game its flavor. The main reason I stuck around however is the gameplay.
Inertial Drift is one of the most unique arcade racers I’ve played. The controls may take some time to get used to, but once you figure out the mechanics, it has one of the most satisfying driving experiences. Everything feels fast, quick and epic. I got the feeling that I was a cool street racer even though I never got close to being good. Most importantly, it runs great on the Steam Deck. I loved being able to play this game on the go because it wasn’t a huge commitment and it was a ton of fun.
I do want to say that this game made me want to rewatch Initial D, and I’m loving every minute of it. If you are looking for a fun arcade racer with a unique twist and cool looking cars, go pick up Inertial Drift.
The wait is finally over. After years of waiting and following this game, I finally got my hands on beta. The Drakantos closed beta will run from July 25 – 27th and it is looking like a very successful run. With over 150k applications for entry, this game is getting a proper test. Make sure you apply over on the official Steam page if you haven’t done so, and don’t forget to wishlist. It looks like they are still rolling out keys in waves. Make sure you also join the official Discord, you might get lucky with a giveaway.
Drakantos is a free-to-play pixel-art MMORPG coming to Steam and mobile devices. Players can choose from a collection of 20 diverse heroes as they explore the world of Eldras. Players can enjoy the worlds facinating story, fight players in a competative PvP Arena, or help each other out on PvE content. There are plans for raids, world bosses, and everything you’ve come to love from a PvP, but accessible to everyone. One thing to note is that all characters will not be playable at first. Characters will need to be unlocked through play or a battle pass, but I hope that none of it is locked behind a pay wall. I was assured that the cash shop would only be cosmetic last I spoke to the devs, but we will have to wait and see. I’ve been covering this game in great detail for a while now, make sure you check out my other articles on the subject.
Impressions
I have beta test a few of the newer MMO’s in recent years, and none have gotten me as excited as Drakantos. I know I’ve only played the game a day, but I am prepared to spend my Saturday playing this game. I love how alive the game feels in the hubs and in missions, which gives me hope for its success. I love the art. The game does a good job of creating fantasy through its pixel-art, and it has been a lot of fun exploring the world. Some of the maps do feel a little busy, but its nothing that will get me to quit. Playing this game on the Steam Deck gives me the nostolgic feeling of the gameboy days I spent playing JRPGs, and I am here for it. The fact that I can play this game properly on the Steam Deck during a beta is also a huge plus. Everything feels snappy and optimized, and I am preferring the handheld experience.
The combat uses a simple cooldown system. Instead of mana, players will need to wait on cooldowns. While the game looks simple, there are some nuances in rotation, and some skills you need to aim or hold. Make sure you read your spells
The grind so far has been pretty fun. Players have story content to play through that slowly introduces different mechanics. There are also a few side quests to fill space and unlock more content like gathering. Mostly, players can queue up for random jobs that scale based on a player’s power level. These jobs rotate on a timer and randomly pairs players into teams of threes (unless you have friends). There are different types of quests that scale with your power level, and give loot. They make it beneficial to explore the whole map and kill everything with hidden chests and additional rewards. You get more loot the more enemies you kill. There is no PvP yet, which is fine for the beta.
Now it is only the first day, so I need a bit more time for a fuller picture. I will be doing a more detailed version of my impressions when the beta is over. For now, I am very excited to keep playing more. Now if you’ve made it this far in the article, I do have an extra key to give away. First person who contacts me, gets it. Good luck!
I was sent the Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi demo 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. I understand this game is still in development and will try to be a bit more lenient with my criticism.
Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi is a 3D puzzle adventure coming to Steam in August 21. You can request access to playtest as of the writing of this article.
Lili and Sadi must learn to work together to traverse across the fantastical world of Atarassia. The world is a dangerous place, but our heroes have the skills to survive it. Fight off monsters, destroy the darkness that corrupts the land, and solve a few puzzles in between. Can they push back the void’s corruption and save the world?
Gameplay
Players control a sword wielding guardian who can tap into her monk friends powers to traverse across the map, fight monsters, and solve puzzles. This is your typical 3D puzzle adventure, but it does very little hand holding. There is no markers on the maps. Players must explore to find clues and solve the puzzles on their own (or with a guide). The combat system is simple and reminiscent of games like Breath of the Wilds. Players have access to a melee attack, bow and arrow, and skills like a bomb ability.
Impressions
Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi is fine, but it feels like a Breath of the Wild clone, and that will really hurt it. The biggest issue I have with this demo is with the performance. Combat feels too clunky, and the abilities don’t feel impactful. The bow and arrow ability feels useless. This might be a skill issue, but it was more trouble than it is worth. I like that they make you aim the bow, but making it more stable is the move here. I know the game isn’t finished yet, so I can only hope the full version will have smoother combat.
Another issue with this demo is the tutorial. Some of the tips disappeared before I had a chance to read them, and there was no way of looking up the mechanic that I needed to progress through the game. Button mashing does nothing when the mechanic requires players to hold down a certain combination. Other tips are easily missed and if you don’t read them, you won’t pick up important mechanics. This game would benefit from having a section where players can look up tutorials.
The puzzles were also kind of boring, at least for the tutorial bits. If there aren’t engaging puzzles in the tutorial, this game is going to lose its player base before it can start unraveling its lore and world building. The world also feels empty. There was no reason for exploring because even though everything looked cool, there was nothing to do but follow the path to the next puzzle. Maybe the full game will have secrets and unlockables to promote exploration.
The game has a decent artstyle and concept, it just needs to run smoother for the launch. With launch date creeping up, I don’t think it will be possible. Unfortunately, Altheia: The Wrath of Aferi didn’t do enough to grab my attention. I am going to have to pass on it for now.
