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Tech Reviews

Is the TH108 Pro Worth It? An Honest Review

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the TH108 Pro 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 Mechlands Vibe 108 and Vibe 99 Mechanical Keyboards.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • TH108 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • 2.4 Ghz Wireless Dongle
  • 2 Extra Switches
  • Manual

Unboxing

Features

The Epomaker TH108 promises to be the last full-sized keyboard gamers need. This stylish keyboard will not only upgrade your aesthetic, but has the features and performance to upgrade that young productivity.

Style

The TH108 Pro comes in three fantastic colors: Black, Blue/White, and Pink. I got mine in pink, but I wouldn’t mind collecting all of the colors.

This fullsized keyboard has 104 keys of swapable cherry profile switches. Each key is lit with customizable RGB, but you can always turn if off if for longer battery life. The TH108 comes with either the Creamy Jade or Sea Salt Silent switches. You’ll want the creamy switches for that disarable typing ASMR, and the Sea Salts if you prefer to sit with your own thoughts. The clean machining give the keyboard its classic feel, but the customizable LED screen and unique volume dial placement give it a modern flare. The fun schemes make it stand out against any setup.

Comfort

Epomaker strives for ergonomic design with a TH108 Pro‘s ideal typing angle. This keyboard does have kickstands for those of us who prefer something a little steeper. The five layer gasket design helps dampen some of the sound without completely eliminating it (unless you get the Sea Salts). Both switches promise a soft and satisfying typing feel that is ready to perform when you need it.

Performance

The TH108 Pro is an easy upgrade for any gamer in need of a full sized keyboard. The 104 switches are designed for low latency performance, with a bit of anti-ghosting protection for when you need it. You have additional switches if any ever fail. The fast wireless connections are perfect for the gamer who wants to reduce wire clutter, but the unbeatable wired connection is always ready for your next raid. Most importantly, the 4000mAh battery boasts a 40 hour life with everything on (200 with everything off) so you don’t have to worry about your keyboard dying mid raid. The handy, customizable LED screen will keep you on top of your battery life so it is never a surprise.

Gimmicks

What makes this keyboard Pro is the customizable LED screen. The screen shows users useful information like date, time, and battery life, but it can be customized with a GIF for some added personality. The side facing volume dial is in the perfect position for easy use.

Sound Test

Review

The TH108 Pro is a solid keyboard for those who need a full sized key board and want the LED screen. Otherwise, you can make do with just the TH108.

Aesthetic

I received my TH108 Pro keyboard in black, and I love the color scheme. The black makes it look like a classic keyboard, but it has a bit of color accents to make it pop. All the colors look cool though, and I wouldn’t mind it getting the other colors. Looking at you pink. The side facing dial is my favorite feature of this keyboard. It not only looks good, but it feels a lot more natural when tuning my volume. It has definitely ruined normal dials for me. The LED screen make the keyboard look very modern. It will definitely stand out and get you some compliments.

Quality

Out of the box, the keyboard is fine. The machining is solid, and everything looks clean. It is a little on the lighter side so there is a bit of flex, but if you aren’t traveling with it or throwing it around, it’s fine. It looks high quality, and feels good for the price.

Gimmicks

The main selling point for this keyboard is the LED screen. The LED screen is useful, especially for staying on top of your battery life, but I always forget I have it. I don’t even bother customizing the screen with a GIF because I never look at it. For those who want to have that flare and quick access to that information, it works and it is easy to customize. I personally don’t care for keyboards with screens, but I don’t mind having them.

Performance

The keyboard works great. I didn’t notice any ghosting or latency in my testing. The keyboard also has a respectable battery. I got about 40 hours on a single charge with everything on. It did good enough with my MMO grind, and a lot of the indie games I review for this blog. If you need an affordable full sized keyboard that just works, the TH108 Pro can handle whatever you throw at it.

Comfort

The TH108 Pro took some getting used to. The switches feel a little heavy, which caused a bit of fatigue. Not enough to force me to stop typing, but enough to notice some discomfort. I have some hand injuries that require special ergonomics so your mileage may vary. If you need special ergonomics in your full sized keyboard, I would get something like the Redragon Wyvern. The function bar is also not lined up with the number row which made it a little awkward to use in gaming. I never got used to it, and it made the size a little useless. I get the full-sized keyboard for gaming because I need the function bar for Guild Wars. I am sure if I stick with it I can get used to it, but it just feels more efficient to rebind my actions to not use the function bar.

Conclusion

The TH108 Pro is a solid keyboard. It isn’t anything I would rush to, but if this is our budget and you want an LED screen, you aren’t doing much better. This is a keyboard that does just enough. It is comfortable enough to get those long sessions of gaming in, and it works fast enough to keep you competitive. I wouldn’t get this over the TH108 as a matter of taste, but there is nothing wrong if you want a little GIF to spice up your day.

You can pick up the Epomaker TH108 Pro, and other keyboards like it, on the official Mechlands store.

video game reviews

Konfronto Game Review: Exploring the Quirky Scifi Autobattler

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Konfronto 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.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

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 review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Konfronto?

Konfronto is a scifi themed auto-battling backpack management rogue like out now on PC via Steam and Epic Games. The game is currently on sale until March 2nd, 2026.

Hook

Build an intergalactic spaceship that will help you conquer the universe. Fill your ship with competent pilots, powerful ships, and useful facilities as you make your way through the dark reaches of space. There are multiple factions to choose from and countless combinations of mechanics, but only one will reign supreme. Will it be you?

Gameplay

The goal of Konfronto is to build a powerful starship. Players spend each turn buying from a pool of randomly generated parts. These parts consist of ships, facilities, upgrades, and pilots. A part can give players abilities, allow them to attack, give buffs to the ship, or unlock more grids. Parts also have factions that can give added bonuses. Finding the right combination of these parts is key to winning combat.

Combat

Players will spend a turn buying and arranging their parts before sending their ships into battle. Combat in Konfronto is done automatically. Players fight random ships other players create, and the game gives you the option to fast forward and skip the animation. A run is over if a player loses five matches or if they win 10. The hard part is finding parts that successfully synergize with one another.

Backpack Management

The main loop of this game is the backpack management. Players have limited amounts of space in a grid that they fill with each part. Parts can be rotated and more inventory slots can be unlocked, but players must learn to work with their limited space in a way that takes advantage of the games different mechanics.

Review

I love bag management games, and Konfronto is a solid addition to the genre. The game has cool aesthetic and solid mechanics that provide a decent amount of challenge. If you like the scifi theme, give the game a try.

Aesthetic

Konfronto has a quirky scifi theme that just works. I love the character design and the cool flavorful ships that fill the starship. The music score is fantastic and got me into the mood for space combat, but I was not ready for how hard this game was going to be. My only complaint is that the font is a little small and I had trouble reading some of the abilities. This could be an issue with my dyslexia, but it did make me miss some of the mechanics.

Gameplay

The game runs smooth, but the game is hard. There are mechanics and interactions that are not very intuitive. They will click eventually, but it still feels likes I am missing some key mechanics that keep me from doing better. You might need to look at guides online if you want to get more serious about your climb, but I had fun trying to figure things out on my own. I appreciate that there are different modes to encourage different playstyles, although I mainly stuck the regular mode because of personal preference. I don’ think I would choose this game over Backpack Hero or even NeoDuel: Backpack Monsters.

Conclusion

Whether or not you should get this game really depends on whether or not you like the theme. The game is small, but it offers a good amount of challenge and customization. The theme is also solid with fun quirky art to make it memorable. Personally, I prefer something on the fantasy side, but I did enjoy the amount of time I played this game. I just wish I could read the words better (although this might be a personal problem). If you are looking for a new and challenging autobattler, go give Konfronto a try.

You can pick up Konfronto on Steam or Epic Games.

video game reviews

Vultures: Scavengers of Death Demo Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Vultures: Scavengers of Death demo to review for my blog. I understand the game is not finished yet, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, this will be my honest impressions of the game.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

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 review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Vultures: Scavengers of Death?

Vultures is a tactical survival horror game with a retro vibe and frightening atmosphere. The game releases some time this year, but there is a demo available in the mean time. Don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

Blood thirsty mutants eat away at civilization. The world as we knew it has ended and replaced by a chaotic frenzy of survival. The cure to this madness is believed to be somewhere in the zombie infested boarders of Salento Valley. Two brave Vulture operatives must navigate its dangerous streets in the ultimate test of human survival. Armed with only the tools left behind from a crumbling civilization, the two are humanities only hope. Do they have what it takes to to save the world?

Gameplay

Take control of Leopoldo and Amber as you guide them through a city infested with blood thirsty mutants with limited supplies and weapons. Danger lurks around every corner. Can you survive long enough to find the cure?

Exploration

Exploration is turn based. Each character can move up to six spaces per turn outside of combat. Combat begins when they are spotted by an enemy. During exploration, players can collect clues, weapons, and other useful items. The game starts players with basic weapons, and encourages exploration by hiding useful supplies and more powerful weapons around the world. The trick is not getting overrun by mutants.

Combat

During a combat encounter, players can only move three spaces and have three action points to spend. Action points can be spent on using items, or attacking. Each action has a unique cost. Managing costs and supplies during a combat encounter is key to survival. You don’t have to kill everything in your way. Sometimes it is better to run and live to fight another day.

Impressions

I’ve become incredibly hyped for a strategy game that I am terrible at. Vultures: Scavengers of Death is one of my my most anticipated titles this year by a lot. This game has a fantastic atmosphere, great gameplay mechanics, and a solid story. If you like retro survival games like the original resident evil, Vultures needs to be on your watchlist.

Aesthetic

The game has that retro aesthetic that reminds me of the old school gaming I grew up with. But it does more than use this nostalgic design to look good, the devs go above and beyond to create an atmosphere that is genuinely terrifying. The world looks grungy and dark. Players are surrounded by death and destruction. The walls are splattered with blood. The dark corridors hide unknown dangers, and there is a terrifying soundscape that will keep you at the edge of your seat. Everything from the mutants that hunt you relentlessly to the anxiety of running out of supplies gives this low poly demo a memorable horror experience, and I need more!

Gameplay

I love turn-based dungeon crawlers, and Vultures brings a fun, refreshing twist to the genre with some solid horror survival mechanics. I just wish I was better at the game. The overwhelming forces of mutants and the limited supplies means you have to play this game a little different. I kept charging into rooms guns blazing only be humbled by a low level zombie. The combat in this game is solid. I don’t do well with horror games, but the turn-based system made the game a lot more manageable. I could take breaks when I got too freaked out without risking losing progress. Eventually, I managed to get through the demo, but I really wish I didn’t. It makes me mad that I have to wait for more content, but I’ll wait as long as I need to and let them cook.

Conclusion

If you are a fan of horror survival games, you should check out the Vultures: Scavengers of Death. Even if you don’t like strategy games, the way this game builds its horror is something you need to experience once. Vultures has a cool retro feel, a solid story hook, and good mechanics that will have you wanting more. The demo is fantastic, and I can’t wait to play the full game. Until then, it’s going right on my Wishlist.

You can check out the Vultures: Scavengers of Death demo on Steam.

Trailer

Tech Reviews

Aula x Epomaker F75 Max Review: The Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the Epomaker x Aula F75 Max 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 Vibe108 and Vibe99. I’ll be using my Mechlands affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you end up buying from them directly.

Table of contents

What’s in the box?

  • F75 Max Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • 2 x Extra LEOBOG Reaper Switches
  • Shortcut Sheet
  • Wireless Dongle
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Manual

Features

Aula and Epomaker come together to make another spectacular, stylish compact keyboard that is ready to not only take on your next raid night, but upgrade your aesthetic. Whether you need a work horse for that nine to five, or a daily beater for your epic grind, the F75 Max is looking like a strong contender with a very reasonable price tag.

Aesthetic

The Aula x Epomaker F75 Max comes to us as a 75% keyboard with a TFT customizable screen and a knob. The 75% layout means that it is compact enough to fit on any desk, but with enough utility to make it worth it. The keyboard comes in four flavors: White Blue, Black, Pink White, and Caramel Pudding.

This keyboard looks great in every color, but all the keys and switches can be easily swapped if you ever want to change up the aesthetic. Each key is lit up by south facing LEDs for some added customization, but you can always use the keyboard with everything off.

Gimmicks

What makes this 75 a Max edition is its included TFT screen and Knob. The TFT screen displays useful information like date, time, battery life, and connection type. Meaning you don’t have to memorize any shortcuts to know how much gaming you have left on your current charge. Most notably, the keyboard comes with built in media and volume controls, so you never have to leave the game to adjust your volume.

Comfort

The F75 Max comes with a comfortable typing angle out of the box that should be suitable for most users. It does have a two-stage kickstand for people like me who prefer a steeper angle. The gasket design helps mitigate some of that sound so you still get that satisfying thack, without keeping the whole house up with your typing. Most importantly, the switches and the board give users the soft typing feel they crave at a very reasonable price.

The F is for Gaming

For those of you who need a little more utility for your gaming needs, the F75 Max is compatible with NKRO. The fast wireless connections on both wireless and bluetooth make it a strong competative tool, and the 1000hz poling rate on USB make it invaluable. There is a wired version for those who prefer the edge and don’t mind the cable clutter.

Performance

At this price, the F75 Max promises to be an unrivaled work horse. The switches promise long lasting, anti ghosting technology for accurate inputs out of the box. The impressive 4000 mAh battery promises about 30 hours of use with all of the lights on so you don’t have to worry about reaching for a wire during your most important team fight. Whether you need to spend long hours at the office or finish that last paragraph for finals, you can can count on the Aula x Epomaker F75 Max to be there for you.

Sound Test

Review

The Aula x Epomaker F75 Max is an impressive budget keyboard that has all the keys you need, plenty of the style you want, and all more utility than you can handle. If you are looking for an upgrade for your setup, make it the F75 Max.

Looks

These Aula colabs always look good. If your intention is to have a good looking keyboard that isn’t going to drain your bank account, these colabs are a great entry point. My issue with these colabs is that while they look good, they are hit or miss. Some of them look good, but have a general cheapness that can’t be ignored. Others strait up don’t worth. Luckily, the F75 Max seems to be a step in the right direction where you get a good amount of value and utility as well as a good looking keyboard. I got the Caramel Pudding keyboard and absolutely love the scheme. The other colors look good too, but the unique ones with the prints are fun.

Quality

With the F75 Max, you are still getting a cheap keyboard. If you’ve never used a finer keyboard, you won’t notice the flaws. But there is some cheapness. With the Carmel Pudding, some of the designs looks smudged and the print quality isn’t great. It doesn’t seem like they will rub off any time soon, but you can definitely buy better custom keycaps. For what it is it, the keyboard is still fun and looks nice on the table. The machining is fine, the keycaps feel nice to the touch, and all of the keys work. Most people will be impressed by the unique, and quirky vibe this keyboard will bring to your aesthetic.

Gimmicks

I’ve mentioned it before, I don’t care much for screens on my keyboards. It is nice to have a battery indicator, but I get a notification popup on screen when the battery is low anyways. Aside from the initial novelty, I never really look down to look at the screen. It is nice to have, but not as nice as the knob. The knob works as intended. It is smooth, responsive, and one of the features I look for in my keyboards.

Comfort

The F75 Max is small, but it doesn’t feel small. I have big hands and always worry when I get these types of keyboard, but I never had issues with the F75 Max. The keys feel really nice, and the switches are soft to reduce hand strain. The typing angle is perfect out of the box. Honestly, this is one of the rare instances where I didn’t have to adjust or get used to a keyboard. The F75 Max was comfortable out of the box.

Performance

I’ve used keyboards from this line that straight up didn’t work. I’ve had to change out switches or give up on them entirely. I am happy to report that I had no issues with the F75 Max. The keyboard works out of the box, with little noticeable latency. It handles my MMO grind on wireless comfortably and without issue. The battery life is incredible. It boasts 30 hours with all the lights on, and I got about that. I even lost the charging cable from how little I needed it throughout my testing. I don’t use any of the NKRO stuff for gaming, but I am sure it has its uses for those who need it.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a high quality budget keyboard with a cool aesthetic, get the Aula x Epomaker F75 Max. This is a fantastic entry mechanical keyboard at an unbeatable price. I definitely recommend it, especially if you don’t need to get that fancy with your setup.

You can pick up the Aula x Epomaker F75 Max on AliExpress, or through Mechlands using my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Why Anthem#9 is the Must-Play Game of 2026

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Anthem#9 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 Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

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 review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Anthem#9?

Anthem#9 is a stylish, colorful gem matching roguelike out now on Steam. There is a demo available that you should download, and a 10% discount until February 18, 2026.

Hook

You are an agent of the secret organization, Anthem#9. You have been tasked with maintaining the world order from the shadows. Use your special abilities to take down enemies, complete missions, and achieve the highest score possible. Can you pull off the epic combos that will save the world? Do you have what it takes to beat the challenge modes or be the worlds best gem matcher? You’ll need to play to find out.

Roguelike

Players will set off on a classic roguelike adventure with a basic set of skills. The game currently has three playable characters:Rubit, Phannie, and Beni. Each character has unique abilities, playstyles, and flavor. Players can unlock more powerful abilities throughout their adventure, or upgrade existing cards. Players can play through the story, or explore one of the endless modes. A run in Anthem#9 is over when the player’s health drops to zero.

Combat

Combat in Anthem#9 seems simple, but there are a bit of nuances that give the game its depth. Players are given two decks, each with three abilities they can cast. These abilities can be swapped between encounters or at shops. Each ability has a gem cost. Players cast the abilities by playing the gem cost. Gems are randomly generated each round, and gems that aren’t used carry over.

For example, the cost an ability is red and blue, players must pay on red and blue gem in that order to cast the ability. Gems used for casting carry over. Players can use the same gem to cast two different spells. This means I could play a card that starts with blue without having to spend another blue gem.

The key is to create combos of abilities by blending the different card costs into a powerful epic attack. If done correctly, an enemies abilities can be cancelled by getting high enough combos. The trick is to create decks that make it easy to pull of huge combos that not only do a lot of damage, but are able to cancel enemy actions.

Blessings

Players also pick up blessings along their adventure. Blessings are cards that can be cast at the start of each round that give players special abilities. Once a blessing is used, it gets discarded. You can deck out during combat, so use your blessings wisely. Players can choose from three random blessings at the end of combat to build more powerful decks.

Review

I knew I wanted to play Anthem#9 since I first saw the trailer. The game has very cool art, and I am always down to play puzzle games. I tried the alpha when it came out and have been waiting anxiously ever since. After playing the game for a few hours, I can honestly say that this game has become my obsession. I love Anthem#9, and I can see it being one of my favorite games this year.

Aesthetics

Most people will be drawn into Athem#9 for its artstyle. The art is the reason I started playing the game in the first place. The game has a cool Persona vibe that I can get behind. It has cool looking characters, fun animations, and a fantastic soundtrack. If you like the cool anime aesthetic, you won’t be disappointed. I hope they come out with new characters to give the game some longevity.

Story

The game has a story, but it is a little basic. None of it really stood out, and it didn’t really add much to the characters. There are some interesting moments of flavor, but I am not playing this game for the story. I am playing this game for the gem matching goodness I didn’t know I needed.

Steam Deck?

Anthem#9 game plays perfectly on the Steam Deck. Some of the text is a little small, but it doesn’t matter. It plays great on PC, but I love that I can play this in bed. If you are looking for a chill Steam Deck game, you will be hard pressed to find one better than Anthem#9.

Gameplay

The Gameplay is my favorite aspect of Anthem#9. This game is my new addiction, and it has successfully earned a permanent spot on my Steam Deck. I never thought a gem matching game could be so much fun, but here I am, obsessed. The animations are flashy and fun, the abilities are cool and flavorful, and the strategy side of things keeps me engaged. I love the feeling of finally finding the right assortment of blessing and abilities that let me pull of those insane combos. It feels even better when I cancel all of the enemy abilities. My only regret is that I am not playing Anthem#9 right now. In fact, I almost didn’t write this review because I wanted to keep playing.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fun, chill puzzle game with cool art and flavor, you need to play Anthem#9. I had a lot of fun with this game, and plan to continue to have fun with it moving forward. It is definately the game I am picking up on my down time, and it is the game I will be recommending to everyone moving forward. I really hope that the devs introduce new characters in the future because I want to see what cool mechanics they come up with. Until then, there is enough content available for you to have $15 of fun.

You can pick up Anthem#9 on Steam, or check out the demo if you don’t believe me.

video game reviews

Rainbow Legends: A Unique Deckbuilding Roguelike Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Rainbow Legends demo to review for my blog. I understand the game isn’t finished yet, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

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 review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Rainbow Legends?

Rainbow Legends is a unique take on the deckbuilding roguelike where the goal is to use your deck to cover the whole board with your color. There is a demo available on Steam. Make sure you check it out, and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

You a powerful hero on an adventure of your choosing. Use your abilities to capture more of the territory to defeat your enemies. Build powerful decks, protect your structures, and find some valuable relics along the way. Will RNGesus bless your adventure with good fortune and powerful cards, or will you end up another fallen adventurer in this godforsaken world? Pull up and find out.

Gameplay

Aside from its unique territory mechanics, Rainbow Legends is your tipical deck building roguelike. Players will choose from one of the mighty heroes (the demo only has the mage as a playable character). Players start with a basic deck that they power up through the course of the adventure. They can find more powerful cards through encounters and combat, or buy them in the shops. There are also events that allow players to level up and customize their cards. The game does a good job at giving players a certain level of freedom to build a deck to fit their playstyle while the RNG keeps playthroughs fresh and exciting.

Combat

Combat in Rainbow Legends is unique. Instead of the regular back and forth style seen in traditional deckbuilders, Rainbow Legends has players fighting over territory of a map. To deal damage in this game, players must own more territory than the their opponent by the end of each round. The game is over when either the player or NPC’s health hits zero.

To claim territories, players must cast abilities using their mana. Mana is fixed, but the capacity can be increased through cards or powerups. Cards cast can give players buffs, summon buildings that give players access to useful resources, or take over/buff territory. Enemy attacks are telegraphed. Players must play around these attacks while maximizing their territory gains.

Imprssions

The demo is a little broken and there are clear signs that the game isn’t finished. That said, the core mechanics of the game work well enough to make Rainbow Legends a serviceable demo. Players will get a solid sense of a roguelike that is honestly a little addicting if you can ignore some of the general roughness. If you are looking for a deckbuilder that feels different and is fun, Rainbow Legends is a solid game to keep on your radar.

Aesthetic

I love the pixel art style of Rainbow Legends. The game’s simple style makes it perfect for running on most computers, but with cool enough art to make the game interesting to look at. It has characters with cool designs, and some very creative abilities. The demo does have some missing elements and a few poorly translated, or not translated sections. This made it hard to understand a few of the mechanics because either I had to translate the text into English, or guess because the text was missing. There have been some updates to the game since I’ve played it, and hopefully this gets patched on full release.

Roguelike

Most roguelikes have players travel across nodes on a map as they work their way to a final boss. All paths lead to the same final boss, but the choice is up to the player. Rainbow Legends does things a little differently. Instead of traveling across nodes, players can travel across an open map. Players don’t lose options after choosing an encounter, and can return or choose the order of their adventure. I like that I can save the camps and shops till the end before the boss fight. It is a unique twist on the roguelike formula, and one that adds a bit of depth to the game.

Combat

Combat was a little strange at first because the tutorial is a little awkward and some important information is missing or not translated correctly. Once I got the gist of things through trial and error, the game became an addiction. While the concept is simple (you are just playing shapes on a grid), there is a lot of strategy involved. The choices a player in both the overworld exploration and combat prowess shape a successful run. RNG may ruin a few runs, but it never felt like it did any of mine.

I love that it always felt like I was doing something in combat, instead of waiting for the back and forth. Combat felt like a creative puzzle I was trying to solve, and the RNG made the puzzle more interesting. Choices like when to expand my territory, build structures, or use an ability weighed heavily on my soul. I became too invested in trying to solve these puzzles that I lost track of time. This game is a lot of fun.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a new deckbuilding roguelike/strategy to add to your collection, Rainbow Legends should be in your Wishlist. Rainbow Legends is the most interesting spin on the genre that I have seen since Talystro. Definitely check that out if you want a little math in your roguelikes.

That said, the Rainbow Legends demo is a little broken. I didn’t experience any gamebreaking bugs, but there are elements that are missing, and a few translation issues that are hard to ignore. I was able to play through regardless, but it does feel like I am missing out on a few important mechanics and nuances. I still think the demo is worth trying, especially if you if you enjoy puzzle games. I’ll be around for a full release, and will let you know what I think about it then. Make sure you follow along for more reviews.

You can check out the Rainbow Legends demo on Steam.

video game reviews

Exploring the Whimsical Worlds of Freeride

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Freeride 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 Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

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 review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Freeride?

Freeride is a unique personality test disguised as a narrative game out now on Steam.

Hook

You have been recruited to be a conductor on a spirit train. You are responsible for the smooth transportation of lost spirits, but the universe has a habit of making things difficult. The universe is full of choas, and it is up to you to navigate that chaos and keep the trian on schedule. Explore strange and surreal worlds as you fight monsters, help out spirits, or just let things be. The choice is yours, and your choices matter.

Exploration

The game will give player quest hooks, but players have the freedom to do what they want during each act of the game. There are no quest markers or meta quests, but rather a small sandbox for players to explore and uncover the many unlockable secrets. Freeride gives players the freedom to explore the game in a way that fits their playstyle while encouraging them to replay the game to collect to full story.

Choices

Choices in Freeride matter. What a player chooses to do in an act, affects outcomes, events, and quests for the rest of the game. Beating Freeride once doesn’t take long, but you are going to want to play the game to learn more about its wonderful world and great cast of characters.

Combat

While not the central part of the gameplay loop, Freeride does have combat. Players collect items throughout their adventure to throw them at enemies through the game’s unique slingshot mechanic. To throw an item, players click to aim, pull back the mouse to charge the attack, and let go to send the item flying. It is a different kind of combat, but combat can be cheesed or avoided. The game’s main focus is the story.

Review

I urge every one who picks up this game to keep with it past the initial shock. Freeride is a unique game that isn’t afraid to break traditional conventions to form its identity. This isn’t going to vibe with everyone at first, but the story and art more than make up for some of the more deal breaking awkwardness. Freeride is a cool game with an interesting story and a refreshing addition to my rotation. It is worth checking out at least once.

Aesthetic

Freeride is a great looking game. I am a huge fan of the artstyle. You have a cast of cool looking characters, and a world full of whimsy that was fun to explore. Some of the areas feel a little too cluttered, but I think this is by design. You need to have items to throw at your enemies. There is also a very solid soundtrack to help you get into the mood for an unforgettable adventure.

Combat

I hate the combat system in this game, and it is the reason I almost gave up on this game. I am glad I didn’t because I love this game, but it is very clunky and annoying. It does click after a while, especially when you realize you can skip a lot of the combat and cheese the important fights. Just stick with it. This game isn’t about the combat.

Story

Freehide has a fun and quirky tone that carries the player through a whimsical spirit world. It has a cast of interesting chartacters, solid world building, and a fantastic pace. I love that my choices affect the story, and love that I have to replay the game to unlock everything. I recomend you play the game without a guide. Let your personality determine the type of story you get. You can look up a guide after, but the game does a good job at reminding you of past choices so you can get a different ending. I only played through the game twice and still need to unlock a bit more. What I did unlock is a fantastic example of storytelling through video games, and the only reason I didn’t quick on this game. I don’t want to get too specific to avoid influencing or spoiling the story, but it is a story you need to at least experience the first playthrough.

Conclusion

Freeride is one of those weird games that comes around once in a while to shake up the meta in the best way. It may make a few odd choices here and there, but they mostly pay off in the end. If you are looking for a fun, unique game that is good at telling its story, go get Freeride. This is one of my favorite games already, and one that I recommend everyone try at least once.

video game reviews

Echoes of Elysium: A Unique Take on Survival RPGs in Early Access

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Echoes of Elysium to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This game is still in Early Access, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest impressions.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

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 review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Echoes of Elysium?

Echoes of Elysium is a high flying, co-op survival RPG out now on Steam Early Access.

Hook

Take to the skies with up to five friends in a colorful adventure you won’t forget. Gather supplies to build the the airship that will take you across this scattered and abandoned lands. But the skies aren’t empty. The Heron faction hunts you down, but you can build the weapons to fight back. Explore the broken remains of a lost civilization or take to the skies in your powerful glider. What secrets will you uncover? Can you build a powerful airship and master the skies?

Gameplay

Echoes of Elysium early access offers players a small map to explore and mine. Like most survival games, players will start at zero. They collect resources and use them to build the tools and upgrades for their ships. What sets Echoes of Elysium apart from other games in the genre is the flying mechanics. Unlike other survival games that allow players to build a base, players are encouraged to build and customize an airship. Instead of moving over flat land, players are encouraged to fly across the map in both their unique airship, and their jetpack. There is a co-op mode (with some public servers to join if you don’t have any friends) but I play solo. Mostly because I don’t have any friends, but I do enjoy playing survival games at my own pace.

Floating Islands

The world of Elysium is made up of floating islands and boulders that are scattered across a sky. Players use their jetpack and ship to fly between these lands to collect their resources, and uncover their secrets. Early Access provides a good amount of room to explore, but you will hit the end after a while.

Impressions

Echoes of Elysium is rough, but it is playable. There are a lot of bugs and a bit of jankiness, but it is playable. You can do a lot worse for a lot more money. The main selling point for this game is the flying and airship mechanics. It does take some getting used to, and I ask you stick with it until the mechanics start to click. I was about ready to write this game off, but I am glad I stuck with it. It needs a lot more work, but I believe you will get $19 of fun out of it.

Art

The game looks fantastic. There are some sunsets in this game that had me frozen in admiration. I am a big fan of the tech design and archecture. Echoes of Elysium has the bones of a cool looking world I want to explore, I just wish there was more.

World

One of my issues with the game is how empty the world feels, especially in the early stages. Most survival games start off slow, but players have a large map to explore. The map for early access does have a good amount of exploration available, but it feels too spread out and it makes things feel empty. Before you can afford the upgrades that make the airship fly faster, the gathering feels like a chore. I prefer the chill early game of the traditional survival RPG, but it does get better. Once I mastered flying and got my upgrades, things got a bit more tolerable.

Flying

Players are either going to love flying or hate it. I was not a fan at first, but I quickly learned it was a skill issue. Once I learned how to fly properly, the game got a lot more fun. It felt so cool to zoom across from rock to rock or across one of the larger islands. It is a nice change of pace from those slower survival games, but there are times where I just want to walk and chop trees. Flying on the airship is a little more strait forward. This part still feels a little clunky, but I can see the potential.

The Airship

I am not a fan of the Airship. Flying the airship is fine, but I am not creative enough to build one. Building out the Airship feels very limiting, and it makes crafting a little cumbersome. This is honestly a matter of tastes. I have never been very creative when it comes to housing, and often go for simple functional designs. That said, if you’ve always wanted to build a flying fortress to explore the skies, the game does it well enough in this stage of development.

Crafting

Crafting in this game is fine, but a bit of a grind in the beginning. Once I got my ship upgraded and could get to my first large island, it got better. I don’t think the grind is worse than other game in the genre, but if you don’t like flying around or the Airship, it’s going to be a bad time.

Conclusion

Echoes of Elysium has a solid foundation to make for an interesting survival RPG. Unfortunately, the game is a bit of an acquired taste. You have to really love the airship concept otherwise you are going to have a bad time. Personally, I have to be in the mood for something like this. Sometimes I just want to chill and play something more traditional like Pathless Woods.

However, if you’ve always wanted to be a captain of your very own airship, Echoes Elysium should at least be in on wishlist. Just know that in its current state, you are paying to test, support, and help build a game with a good amount of potential. You will need to be okay with dealing with a rough and buggy game that still needs time to cook.

You can pick up Echoes of Elysium on Steam Early Access.

video game reviews

Nocturnal 2: A Promising Metroidvania Experience Awaits

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Nocturnal 2 demo to review for my blog. I am grateful for the opportunity, but understand the game isn’t finished. That said, I will try to be a bit more lenient in my review, but these will still be my honest impressions of the game.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

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 review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Nocturnal 2?

Nocturnal 2 is a beautifully drawn metroidvania coming out on Steam later this year.

Hook

Play as Ardeshir, bearer of the Enduring Flame as he explores the forgotten city of Ytash in order to break the curse that consumes his homeland. But the path will not be easy. The city has been sunk into darkness, with only his Enduring Flame to light the way. Bring as much of this city to life as you fight your way through mobs of enemies, creative bosses, and discover new abilities in between. Will his flame be enough to free his homeland from the darkness, or will it consume his very soul?

Gameplay

The demo has players go through the tutorial, but gives them a large area of exploration. This is your typical metroidvania where players are moving from checkpoint to checkpoint, collecting xp, powerups, and abilities in between. What makes Nocturnal unique is that Ardeshir’s flames can go out, and without light, he becomes powerless. Players must find ways to not only light the world around them, but sometimes find ways to keep their light alive.

Combat

Nocturnal has a traditional metroidvania feel. Players start the game with a minimal move list, but unlock new abilities as they progress through the city of Ytash. The combos get more complex as the game progress, but so do the enemies. Enemies in this game have easily telegraphed attacks and movements that players will need to learn to play around. Effectively fighting around these combos through skillful dodging can help players survive until the next checkpoint.

Impressions

I picked up Nocturnal 2 because Nocturnal is one of my favorite metroidvania. It has a cool atmosphere, solid story, and great mechanics. If you are looking for a new metroidvania while you wait for sequel, you won’t be disapointed. The demo for 2, has me excited. The game still feels like the dark epic adventure of the first, with a few solid improvements. The art is still great, combat is smooth, and it left me wanting more. It has definitely been added to my wishlist, and I can’t wait to try out the full version.

Aesthetic

One of the biggest draws for Nocturnal is its world building and aesthetic. This series has some incredible art, and I am very excited to explore more of this world. The lore in that is sprinkled throughout gives the game the mysterious atmosphere that makes the story feel even more epic than it is. My only complaint is that I didn’t get much of the story in this game, but at least I got a solid impression of what is to come in terms of gameplay.

Gameplay

First of all, this demo is playable on the Steam Deck which is the cherry on top of a solid metroidvania experience. Any game that allows me to whip out my Steam Deck outside my house is a good game, and this is looking like a good game. The Nocturnal 2 demo has smooth combat with interesting combos and interactions, a good amount of exploration, and some solid platforming. And this is coming from someone who hates platformers. At least, I used to hate them until I played Nocturnal. It does get a bit repetitive towards the middle of the demo, but it gave me enough to be excited about.

Conclusion

I can’t wait for the full release of Nocturnal 2. This is a solid demo, especially if you are in the market for a new metroidvania. I don’t think you’ll need to play the first game to understand the sequel, but the Nocturnal is such a good game, you need to play through it once. I still prefer the first game, but it is still too early to make that declaration. Until then, play through the first game, check out this demo, and don’t forget to add Nocturnal 2 to your wishlist!

You can pick up the Nocturnal 2 demo on Steam.

video game reviews

Is Super Alloy Crush Worth Your Wishlist?

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Disclaimer

I wase sent the Super Alloy Cursh demo to review for my blog. I understand the game isn’t finished yet, and will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest impressions of the game.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

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 review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Super Alloy Crush?

Super Alloy Crush is a side-scrolling, fighting action roguelike coming to Steam Early Access. It has some heavy, classic Megaman vibe with enough of a twist to set it apart from the genre. There is a demo you can try, and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

You have set off amongst the stars in the search for the ultimate cosmic treasure planet AE-38. You along with your crew must explore the vast reaches of space, and fight anything that gets in your way. Master your combos, find useful powerups, and do it all without dying. Is the treasure really out there? Can you really find it? Are you strong enough to take on what comes your way? You will need to play to find out.

Demo

The demo takes players through the tutorial and a small part of the story. It introduces some minor characters and does some minor world building. Players are then free to enjoy the Battle Rush Mode which is an endless roguelike mode. The story is very short and can be completed in 30 mins (dependent on skill) and there is a good amount of customization for an hour or two of replayability. Players will have access two both playable characters: Muu and Kelly. Muu is a close-combat cat girl robot while Kelly is a ranged robot.

Combat

The game is very reminiscent of Megaman X. Players will face off against waves of enemies, masatering the combos of their selected character to survive the level or wave. The difference between modes is that there is platforming in the story mode, while Rush mode focuses on combat. Each character has a unique set of skill and combos that fit different playstyles. Players fight off waves of enemies, filling up their energy meter to perform powerful abilities. Players will also pick up companions along the way that will help them in combat by casting buffs or abilities.

Rush

Rush Mode is the game’s roguelike. Players will need to defeat a certain number of enemies before moving to the next wave. Between waves, players can buy from a random selection of powerups to help them on their run. These power ups are random and give players access to large number of builds and replayability. The difficulty of the waves increases until they face off against bosses. A run is over when a player runs out of lives.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

The demo works great on the Steam Deck without requiring any tweaking. This makes me hopeful for release because this is the type of game I want on my Steam Deck Library.

Impressions

Super Alloy Crush is a promising little side-scroller, but I need to see more before I can recomend it. At the moment, it feels unfinished, and there doesn’t seem to be enough content to grab my attention. The game looks good and has a cool vibe, but there are some issues I couldn’t overlook.

Aesthetic

I picked up this game because the art is cool. After playing the game, I was not disappointed. I love the artstyle. It has a modern Megaman vibe with some modern flare to set it apart. I love the character designs from the robots you crush repeatedly to bosses you fight at the end. The main characters are cute, and there are some very cool cut scenes where the artist clearly flexes their talent. The animations are on point, and while they can get a little overwhelming, I am here for it. The soundtrack so far is excellent and I can’t wait to hear more.

Story

Unfortunately, the story is poorly translated. It is very awkwardly written and needs to be revised for the final English release. It feels very machine generated, which is fine for the demo, but will turn off a lot of players. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that many of the negative reviews will be because the English is awkward. What I did understand was okay, but not enough to hook me. I could be wrong, but it feels like the main focus is going to be Rush mode and balancing the different elements that go into that.

Rush Mode

Rush mode is fine for the first few minutes until it starts to get repetitive. It takes away the platforming and focuses on the combat. As someone who hates platformers, it is missing some platforms. Combat in this game is fun, and trying to master the combo system takes effort, but I wish the stages had some variety. I hope the full game includes a bit of variety, or at least some minor side scrolling to break things up. Otherwise, it feels like the same type of fight, with a few variations between fights. Sure these changes force players to change up their strategy, but it still feels the same.

That said, there are aspects of this mode that I like. I like that I don’t have to commit to a story and can jump right into the action. I like that the random upgrades change up the playstyle. I even like that the upgrades you buy will have some kind of drawback. There is some depth to this game, but I can’t see myself committing to a game that will only hold my attention for a couple of runs.

Comabat

Combat in Super Alloy Crush is explosive, chaotic, and colorful. Even in my noob hands, combat and combos felt smooth and exciting. I love that I can customize my character’s combos, and I love more that I can choose my own playstyle. I tried out both characters, and while I prefer Muu, I had fun equal fun with both. Unfortunately, the game feels a little too easy. Maybe I have been jaded with my time with Megaman, but I expected more of a challenge. I can only hope that I can pick my difficulty in the main game.

Conclusion

I honestly need to see more of Super Alloy Crush before I can recommend it. If you like the art style and are a casual fan of the genre, you’ll get a good amount of enjoyment. Maybe even enough to earn it a spot on your wishlist. If you are a longtime Megaman fan, the game might feel a little too easy. I would argue it strips bits of what made Megaman fun. If the story turns out good, I can find it in me to forgive the difficulty. Otherwise, it has cool art and it isn’t the worst way to spend an hour.

You can check out the Super Alloy Crush demo on Steam.