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video game reviews

Super Puzzled Cat Review: A Cozy Puzzle Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Super Puzzled Cat to 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.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Super Puzzled Cat?

Super Puzzled Cat is an adorable jumping puzzle game out now on Steam. Players must make their way through the games 150 creative levels, trying not to die. Players can use items like jet packs, bombs, and even bubble gum to navigate around a levels many hazards. These puzzles may look cute, but they will test the most seasoned veteran. Aside from the adorable skin and creative use of items, the game features a unique save state mechanic. Players can create as many save states through out a level, and recall between them at will. This means players don’t have to start a level over after dying, they can take it section by section.

Review

Super Puzzled Cat is the cutest game in my collection, and easily one of my favorites. The game has some adorable art, a fun world to explore, and some very creative and challenging puzzles. I am not the biggest fan of jumping puzzle games, but Super Puzzled Cat has earned a soft spot in my heart. I like that the puzzles don’t feel frustratingly impossible like others in the genre, and the save state mechanic made things a lot more manageable. While the game does feel like a casual puzzle game, there is enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. I love it for the cozy vibe, and will continue to play it even after the review.

If you are looking for a new puzzle game that isn’t a huge commitment, or in the mood for some cozy engaging gameplay, check out Super Puzzled Cat. It works great on the Steam Deck.

You can pick up Super Puzzled Cat on Steam for $16.99.

video game reviews

Escape Tales: The Awakening Game Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Escape Tales: The Awakening 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.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Escape Tales: The Awakening?

Escape Tales: Awakening is the video game adaptation of the board game of the same name. This is a escape room game where players need to solve puzzles to complete the narrative. There is a demo available that gives players the perfect snapshot of what to expect.

After his daughter falls into a mysterious coma, Sam is desperate to find the cure. A friend comes to him with a meritorious book and ominous intentions. Sam quickly begins flipping through the book and completing its rituals in hopes that it will mean his daughter’s salvation, but it might have been more than Sam bargained for. Sam must now survive a strange night filled with horrors as he tries to solve various puzzles. Can Sam save his daughter before it is too late?

Gameplay

Escape Tales: The Awakening is a point and click narrative. Players will click through a room collecting clues and trying to solve the various puzzles. There is no time limit to rush players through the game, but there is a stamina system that affects the ending. Players use stamina to explore each room for clues and can meditate to regain stamina. Meditating triggers an event like a memory, but meditating too many times will affect the outcome of the story.

Review

If you enjoy Escape Rooms and puzzles games, Escape Tales might be a good solution. The story is fine, but the puzzles are challenging enough to keep things engaging. There are a few puzzles that feel the same, but there is enough variety and creativity between them that I will let it slide. Puzzle difficulty does vary. Some puzzles are strait forward and easy, others might require a guide or a couple of hints. I do like that the game has built in tools to help players solve the puzzles. There is a note pad and players, but most importantly, players can resize, manipulate, and mark up the clues. Some might prefer pen and paper, but it is a handy feature.

I have mixed feelings about the stamina system. On one hand, I like the events that it triggers. Thematically, it is fantastic flavor to see the affects of the night slowly eating away at Sam, but it also feels punishing to have the outcome tied to this system. It might have been done to add a bit of replayability, but I don’t think I liked the game enough to give it another go. At least not for a while. It is not a deal breaker, but it is something to think about.

Regardless of this fact, Escape Tales: The Awakening is a solid puzzle game and I recommend it to people who enjoy escape rooms. The game offers a nice challenge, has a decent narrative to follow, and it is a pretty laid back experience regardless of the dark themes.

You can pick Escape Tales: The Awakening on Steam for $7.99.

video game reviews

Heroes of the Seven Islands: A Cozy RPG Adventure

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I was asked to cover the Heroes of the Seven Islands demo for my blog. This will be my honest impressions, but I understand the game is still in development and will adjust my criticism accordingly.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Heroes of the Seven Islands?

Heroes of the Seven Islands is the point and click RPG you want living in your Wishlist.

Furax the Indestructible has risen from the dead to spread his misery. Only the oracle has the power to stop him, but he has long since retired. It is up to the four bravest heroes of the land to venture across the seven islands of the Emerald Archipelago to find find him. Can they find the keys to Oracle in time to save the world, or has Furax’s reign cemented itself into the darkest part of history?

Gameplay

The game is a point and click game where players move across the archipelago fighting monsters, finding clues, and trying to stay alive. Players start the game by creating a party of unique characters and choosing from a few interesting classes. The game features impactful turn-based combat, and a decent amount of exploration to keep things fresh and interesting.

Impressions

I need a full version of this game because I am hooked. I love the hand-drawn quirky art style. It gives the game its flavor and cozy feel. However, do not let overall silliness of the game fool you, it is unforgiving if you aren’t playing carefully. Combat seems simple, but it takes a bit of strategy to get through it. I am sure there is a correct competition that would have kept me from wiping so much, but I was having too much fun exploring the different classes.

The demo does a fantastic job at giving players a taste of what is to come, and I am excited to experience more. I love the game’s non-linear approach to progression, the art style, and the gameplay. If you’re looking for an RPG that is cozy but offers a bit of a challenge, you need to check out Heroes of the Seven Islands. I’ll be trying to get a full version for its release Q2 2025, but you can always add to your Wishlist for the mean time.

Tech Reviews

Fifine Ampligame D6 Controller Review: A Streamer’s Best Friend

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Fifine sent me their Ampligame D6 Stream Controller to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions of the device. This will be my honest review. Make sure you check my other Fifine product reviews like the M9 lavalier mic set or the AM 8 Streaming mic.

What’s in the box?

  • D6 Stream Controller
  • USB-C to USB-C chord with builtin USB-A adapter
  • user manual

Features

The Ampligame D6 stream controller is the ideally sized to take up the perfect amount of desk real estate without losing any function. Its sleek black design and programmable faces make it compatible with most aesthetics. And if it wasn’t obvious the D6 was designed with gamers in mind, the subtle RGB strip that borders the devices comes with a few preprogrammed profiles that can be toggled off at any time.

The D6 intends to improve the user’s workflow without breaking the bank. With its 15 programmable buttons and compatibility with popular content creation tools, the D6 is ready for any type of workload. Each button can be programed with with media controls, macros, and other useful plugins to take a content creation to the next level. Setup is as easy as drag and drop, and there is a plugin store for additional functionality.

Whether it is gaming, editing, or streaming, the Ampligame D6 Streaming Controller promises to do it all brilliantly.

Review

I was very impressed with the controller out of the box. It has a good weight to it and the construction seems solid. It has good quality rubber at the bottom to keep it firm on your desk which is a nice little detail. Turning on the device left me a bit more impressed. Each button has a small screen with good resolution. All of the icons are easy to read and see, and they can be reprogrammed to fit any aesthetic. I also like how the RGB is subtle and doesn’t turn my desk into a rave, and like it even more that I can turn it off when I don’t want it on.

Setting up the streaming deck was easy through the official ap. The ap gives users a decent amount of programmable functions and there is a ap store with free plugins for program specific functions. I didn’t mess with the store too much since the default settings had enough of what I needed.

The buttons were a bit stiff at first, but they do begin to soften after prolonged use. The functions and keys are very responsive, and I like that I can save multiple profiles with multiple pages of shortcuts if I need to switch between different workflows. I do feel like it has helped improve my productivity. It is OBS compatible and it is nice to have access to the functions without having to switch out of the game. I have also started using it for work, using it for shortcuts for programs and macros that I use regularly. My only complaint is that I won’t ever be able to do my work without it.

If you’re looking for an affordable streaming controller with a good amount of utility, the Ampligame D6 gets the job done. You can pick up the Ampligame D6 on Amazon for $78.99 using my affiliate link.

Tech Reviews, Uncategorized

Rebuff Reality’s BodyLink: The Future of Motion Gaming

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The new generation of gaming is here, and Rebuff Reality seems to be its Shepard. With the launch of the BodyLink Kickstarter campaign, Rebuff reminds gamers what could have been if the Xbox Kinnect had gotten proper attention. With only 18 days left of funding, as of writing this, backing has blown past its initial goals. Early backers will get what seems to be an amazing piece of hardware at a respectable discount. There is always risk when backing a Kickstarter, and it is always good practice to expect delays.

What is it?

The BodyLink is an all-in-one motion gaming device that aims to revolutionize how we interact with games. It features a 4k 90 fps camera for accurate full-body tracking, an 8-core processor for performance, and expandable storage for all your games. The included next-gen controller boasts high-precision tracking and haptic feedback for a completely immersive experience. The device is compatible with your VR devices giving users the ability to record, stream, and cast their sessions at the click of a button.

When you aren’t using the BodyLink for motion gaming, you can enjoy some classic gaming through its expansive Android library or stream media from your favorite media. Whatever you are into, the BodyLink might be the upgrade your living room is looking for.

The Demo

Impresions

I loved the Xbox Kinnect and am very sad it never took off. I was very excited to see how the BodyLink is attempting to revitalize a neglected era in history, and I am here for it. I’ve played Dance Dash and have followed the company’s development since. The game is a lot of fun, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new rhythm game. Check out my full review. The products that Rebuff Reality has released since have all been well received. While this seems to be a very ambitious project, and I am sure there will be a few missing features at launch, the passion is there to get the job done. Just remember that there is always risk in backing a Kickstarter.

I am impressed and will be trying to get my hands on a unit. I know this has the potential for some memorable game nights with the family, and the fitness aspect seems like a great bonus. If you want to enter the next era of gaming before the prices go up, make sure you back the BodyLink on Kickstarter today!

Uncategorized, video game reviews

Ayasa: Shadows of Silence Demo Review

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I was asked to cover the Ayasa: Shadows of Silence demo on my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest review.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Ayasa: Shadows if Silence?

Ayasa is a side scrolling action adventure game coming soon to Steam. The demo is currently available.

The darkness slowly eats away at the inverted world. Those left do what they can to stay alive, but each day grows more bleak. Jump into a surreal and dark world as you uncover what remains of the old world. Solve puzzles, and explore the surreal landscape, and use your powers to stay alive. What will your journey uncover?

Gameplay

Ayasa is a fixed camera action adventure game. Players control Ayasa as she navigates her unforgiving world and tries to survive. Players will need to solve puzzles, avoid traps, and use their resources to keep her alive. The demo takes players through the first level of the game, and acts as a tutorial of what is to come. Hopefully the full release gives players the option to skip the first level if they beat the demo.

Impressions

I understand the game is still in development, so I will try to be a bit more lenient.

Ayasa: Shadows of Silence has some interesting flavor and imagery, but it is a rough demo. While I do enjoy a good side scrolling adventure, there are some bugs that make the game a bit unpleasant. I encountered a couple of soft locks and crashes, and I wasn’t getting the tight performance a game like this requires. There are puzzles in this game I would fail not for lack of skill, but because the walls aren’t coded correctly. I am sure this will be fixed at a later date, but a demo should feel a lot smoother. The roughness of this demo is going to turn away a lot of the more casual gamer who just want to enjoy a platformed with a dark and trippy story.

I will need to see a version of the game with a lot less bugs before I am willing to recommend it. I believe there are some good ideas baked into this game, it just needs a smoother execution. At the moment, I can’t recommend it, but it doesn’t hurt to try it for free.

You can check out the Ayasa: Shadows of SIlence demo on Steam.

video game reviews

Mea Culpa DLC Review: Is It Worth Your Money?

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I was sent a free copy of the Mea Culpa DLC for Blasphemous 2 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 my review for the base game.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Mea Culpa?

Mea Culpa is DCL for the 2D side scrolling Souls-like, Blasphemous 2. You will need to already own Blasphemous 2 to play the DLC. This DLC adds new abilities, quests, and alternate ending. There are also two new zones to explore and bosses to fight. If you enjoyed Blasphemous 2, it might be worth checking out for a bit of extra content.

Review

The Mea Culpa DLC was okay. It wasn’t bad, but it is hard to justify the price. I enjoyed the new areas, and the bosses were challenging and fun, but I don’t think it is a mandatory step into Blasphemy. If you are a fan of the series and are looking to support a great title in the genre, it is a solid buy and you will get your money’s worth in fun. If you are new to the genre and on a budget, the base game is all you need. I would wait for a sale because I don’t believe it adds enough to be worth the full price of admission. It isn’t a bad DLC, but it doesn’t stand out as hard as it needs to.

You can buy Mea Culpa on Steam, Xbox ($30.39), Nintendo, PlayStation for $11.99, but I recommend waiting for the next big sale.

video game reviews

Fledgling Manor Review: Vampire Drama in a Reality Show

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I was sent a free copy of Fledgling Manor 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.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Fledgling Manor?

Fledgling Manor is a visual novel out now on Steam. The first chapter is available as a demo for those interested.

Rocky wakes up in a strange place with an even stranger affliction. He has been turned into a vampire against his will and must now fight for his survival. In order to live his life as a new vampire, he must win the highly rated reality television show, Fledgling Manor. In it, newly formed vampires compete in a series of challenges to earn their place in the manor and live another day. But each day is marred by the execution of one unpopular soul. Will Rocky make enough of an impact to earn his new life as a vampire, or will he be another culled contestant?

Review

Fledgling Manor is an interesting concept for a narrative with cool artwork to grab a reader’s attention. This game has very cool character design, but I found the story lacking. The writing is a little too on the edgy side, and while the game does have its audience, it wasn’t for me. Some of the dialogue is a bit cringy, but by no means poorly written. The author does a great job creating its dynamic characters and capturing the spirit of a cheesy reality tv show. There is no voice acting, which I don’t think it needs any.

If you want a serious deep narrative about vampires, you will be disappointed. However, if you’re looking for a fun quirky story and don’t mind the edgy characters, Fledgling Manor is a solid piece. I recommend trying out the demo as it does a great job at setting the tone. If you find yourself not liking any of the characters, it doesn’t get any better. But if you enjoy the tone of the demo, congratulation, you are the target audience and you will find this visual novel delightful.

The game features multiple endings, enough for replayability, unique characters to engage and fall in love with, and a fantastic soundtrack to set the mood. You can pick up Fledgling Manor on Steam for only $11.75.

video game reviews

Exploring the Surreal World of Go Home Annie—Game Review

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I was sent a free copy of Go Home Annie 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.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Go Home Annie?

Go Home Annie is a psycological horror walking sim out now on Steam and Epic Games.

Annie works for the SCP Foundation, an organization tasked with keeping the public safe from supernatural anomalies. She and her team are tasked with recreating and summoning a particular anomaly but have seen little success. However, there seem to be ulterior motives surrounding Annie’s involvement in the foundation, and it is about time she finds out what. Move through Annie’s strange and surreal adventure as she attempts to unravel the mystery. Solve puzzles, navigate strange phenomena, and try to survive the night. Can you uncover the truth?

Gameplay

Go Home Annie is a walking sim that takes players through a strange shifting world as they piece together a mystery. The story is a linear railroad with a few manageable puzzles to slow down progression. Players are essentially walking to each bit of the narrative and sitting through excellent voice acting.

Review

Go Home Annie is a surreal narrative with a creepy atmosphere that should be played through at least once. The game has excellent flavor with some interesting and creative bits of world building. The narrative itself is solid, but nothing that hasn’t been done before. It has solid pacing, but predictable twists and beats. That said, the story is enjoyable enough where it won’t matter and the voice acting is fantastic. The story is very linear and although the world is cool, players are limited to walking along the railroad.

The game itself is fun, but there are a few bugs that make progressing annoying. There are a couple of puzzles that soft locked my progression. Although the puzzles are mostly easy, a few didn’t work right and made the experience a bit frustrating. Some of the puzzles are also a bit boring. It isn’t unplayable, but it can be hard to play through in one sitting. The game is only about four hours long, so it shouldn’t be a huge issue.

Go Home Annie is a decent horror narrative for the gamer who wants to sit back and enjoy a decent story and doesn’t mind the few puzzles that pop up. It doesn’t do anything new or exciting, and while I wouldn’t rush to play it, it does scratch the itch for the niche it tries to fill. I would wait for a sale, but there are worse ways to spend $20.

video game reviews

Lords of the Fallen Review: A Casual Souls-like Experience

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I was sent a free copy of Lords of the Fallen 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.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Lord of the Fallen?

Lords of the Fallen is a souls-like out now on Steam.

The Demon God Adyr is on the verge of resurrection, and it is up to you, as a Dark Crusader, to stop it from happening. Grab your favorite weapon and fight your way through the endless mobs of terrifying monsters as you make your way through this bleak world. Can you get strong enough in time to stop the great god’s resurrection, or will you be another lost soul?

Gameplay

Lords of the Fallen fallen is the closest you will get to a Souls game, but I would argue that this game is on the easier side. Players start by choosing their class, and each class does feel different enough in both flavor and style. The player will then spend time running between campfires, farming xp and searching for better weapons, armor and items. What makes this game unique is the spirit lantern mechanic that allows players to shift into a parallel dimension to solve puzzles. There is co-op and multiplayer support, but I don’t have the friends to try it out.

Review

I enjoyed Lords of the Fallen for the casual souls-like experience that it provides. While the skill required to progress through the game and beat the bosses was enough to keep things engaging, it isn’t the soul-crushing experience you would expect from a souls-like. Combat feels good, although the progression does feel a little slow and the game gets a bit grindy towards the end.

The story is fine, nothing I would rush to play, but something that I am glad I finished. The game does have a good amount of flavor. I appreciate everything that went into the design of the world. The levels were creepy and atmospheric and the parallel realm was cool. I wasn’t too crazy about the spirit lantern mechanics, but it did make for a few interesting puzzles.

Aside from a few stutters and frame drops, the game runs smoothly on PC. On the Steam Deck, the drops are more noticeable and the fan is very loud. That said, it is playable on the Steam Deck. Most of my game time was on the Steam Deck due to personal preference.

If you’re looking for a souls game that isn’t a huge commitment, you’re going to want to pick up Lords of the Fallen. If you enjoy the grueling challenge of the traditional Souls formula, you will be disappointed. I found it a lot more fun than the Souls game because it provided a more appropriate challenge it felt like a more casual experience. It still demands skill and a proper build to beat, but the first boss isn’t going to kill and even though you will die, it won’t be as much.

You can pick up Lords of the Fallen on Steam for $59.99, but now would be the best time to do it because it is $60% off for the Steam Winter Sale. You can also pick it up on PlayStation ($79.99) and Xbox ($69.99) but that feels too expensive.