I was sent a free copy of the Doomlings expansion, Castle Glass. 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 review for the Doomlings Base Game and the Shadow Puppets expansion. I’ll be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.
Table of Contents
What’s in the Box?
30 x New Traits
7 x New Dominant Traits
2 x New Ages
1 x New Catastrophe
1 x Mystery Foil
What is Castle Glass?
Castle Glass is Doomlings‘ ocean themed expansion. It features vibrant sea themed cards for a fun and colorful upgrade to your Doomlings deck. You will need the base game to play with these cards.
Castle Glass introduces three trait classes to the game: Shells, Coral, and Fish. With these new classes comes the trait system, an additional way to rack up points. If you collect two or more of the same class, you get a class score bonus. The class bonus are as follows:
Regular Shells, Fish & Corals are each worth +1
Curious Shells, Fish & Corals are each worth +2
Exotic Shells, Fish & Corals are each worth +3
This means that if at the end of the game you have 2 shells, one exotic and one regular, you get an additional four points added to your total.
Review
I love Doomlings. It is easily one of my favorite board games, and will bring it out often at my table. Castle Glass is a fantastic addition to my collection, but I do have a couple reservations.
Art
I love the fun and vibrant oceanic theme in Castle Glass. Despite the simple design, Doomling cards always have a lot of flavor and whimsy. The fish are cute and they very creative with their shell and coral designs. Castle Glass has the prettiest Ages cards I’ve seen so far. I love the scene of the sand castles at sun rise/sun set.
Gameplay
I believe Castle Glass adds interesting mechanics to the game. I had a lot of fun with the fish cards. Fish cards had abilities that let you play multiple cards a turn, letting players build their school of fish quickly. You can use fish to cheat out other cards in your hand, draw for better cards, or get that trait bonus at the end. It was very flavorful. Coral cards seem to add some disruption. It would have players discard cards, or it would let you get bonuses for cards in your opponents gene pools. Shells lets players peak at the next age, which is very valuable information if used correctly.
The only issue I see with this expansion is that it adds a new scoring mechanic to the end game tracking. It is not a hard mechanic to track, but some people aren’t going to like having to count the number of shells and worry about the types. Honestly, I don’t think it will complicate the game too much, depending on your deck size. If you have a massive Doomlings deck and cards aren’t clustered, it will add a couple of points, but nothing that will get out of hand. I played with a small deck to make sure they came out more frequently, and it never felt like scoring got out of hand. Even if you don’t like the extra math, the mechanics in this set are worth it.
Conclusion
The Doomlings base game is perfect, and if you are trying to get into this game, start there. Now if you’re looking for expansions to spice up your deck, Castle Glass is solid. It has a fun oceanic theme with some interesting mechanics to shake up the meta. Whether or not you should buy this expansion really comes down to if you are willing to do the extra math at the end. I don’t see it as a huge problem, but I also see hot it takes away from the casual vibe the draws people to the base game. I will say I do prefer the Shadow Puppets expansion a little more, but I won’t be taking Castle Glass out of my massive Doomlings deck any time soon.
I was sent a free copy of both Reus 2 expansions: Ice Age and Everglades. 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 review for the base game. If you enjoy my content, please share this with your friends and 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!
Reus 2is a unique village management game where you control the mighty titans and use their powers to terraform and fill the planet while a civilization thrives in response to your actions. The game is currently available on Steam, with a demo that you should definitely try. Make sure you check out the review for the base game. I will be combining my reviews for both expansions because it would feel too repetitive otherwise.
Ice Age Expansion
The Ice Age expansion brings frigid new elements into the world of Reus. This expansion brings the chilling new biome, Ice Age Tundra wich includes over 40 new biotica and the mighty Frost Giant (variation of Aegir) to summon them. This new biome also introduces the new archetypes evolve and extinct for those early level building.
Humanity also receive a couple new features this expansion. They get four new leaders to lead them into greatness:
The Painter – Wants to unlock as much as possible
The General – Gains bonuses to military
The Poet – Improves projects
The Villain – Thrives in a hateful world
There are also four new eras to play through for some added variety:
Hunter Age – Crops don’t grow easily in this weather so humans must hunt to survive.
Enlightenment – Minds brimming with ideas, embrace an age of invention!
Nuclear War – Create nuclear weapons and potentially blow up the entire planet.
Age of Discovery – A planet full of biomes and adventures, humans love to collect oddities.
Everglades
Reus 2’s latest expansion, Everglades, brings the wetlands biome to your planets. This beautiful biome combines both underwater and land areas for some interesting combination. The expansion introduces over 60 new biotica to mix like reptiles, amphibious biotica, and anything else you associate with the everglades. Everglades also introduces a new titan, Reginald the swamp giant.
Humanity gets three new leaders this expansion: the entomologist, the romantic, and the ranger.
The Entomologist specializes in science and Micros. His spirit power boosts Micro Havens. He’s not very impressed by mystery, though!
The Romantic likes biotica that have 2 or more base stats. Look at the game through a different lens!
The Ranger is all about having animals around – Biotica that do good with animals, do good with the ranger!
There are also three new eras to play through: secret conspiracy, bug age, and great nation.
Secret Conspiracy: Help reptilians take over the world with mystery and metals!
Bug Age: Spread the micro love, and bring gold and glory to the bug statue.
Great Nation: Try to create a nation that has 3 magnificent biomes to enjoy and marvel at!
Which ever expansion you end up choosing, you get a lot more content for a game that already has a lot for you to do.
Review
I love the base game Reus 2, and recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy little village builder that will have them thinking. I don’t think the expansions are necessary, but they are a great way to support the developer and they add some good variety. I did prefer the flavor and mechanics for the Evergrade expansion more if you can only choose one expansion, but I definitely feel like you get your money’s worth if you buy both with through the expansion.
Both expansions introduce ages with interesting win conditions, and allow players a good amount of options to get there. I love that none of the expansions take away from the chill vibe I’ve loved about the game so far, but do change up the strategies enough to give the game a bit more variety in both its aesthetic and gameplay loop.
Conclusion
I have a very casual approach to Reus 2. There are settings to make the game harder for those who like a little more effort in their campaigns, but as a filthy casual, this is one of my favorite games. Reus 2 has an interesting concept, and the base game alone has a ton of content to keep players busy. The expansions are a fantastic addition that only prolongue the game’s longevity. They introduce fun and flavorful variety to a game that is already a ton of fun to play, and I think that is reason enough to buy into it. Both expansions are worth playing, but if you can only buy one, I think Everglade is a little better. It really comes down to the flavor you want in your game. Do you want to manage a swamp or an ice age?
I was sent a free copy of Onirism 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 enjoy my content, please share this with your friends and 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.
Onirism is a is an adorable action RPG out now on Steam.
Story
Bunbun has been stolen, and Carol will do anything in her power to get her stuffed rabbit back. Armed with the worlds most unique and powerful weapons, Carol will fight her way through endless waves of enemies to get her bunny back. Jump through the different zones, master the different genres, and get back what’s yours. How long before Carol and Bunbun can be reuinited?
Gameplay Loop
Onirism is a fast paced action adventure game. Carol travels across an open world, fighting off monsters, and collecting different weapons and abilities to help her on her journey. Combat in this game is a third person shooter, where players have access to a vast arsenal of weapons to choose from. Each gun feels different and changes the combat enough to keep things fresh and exciting. Enemies are all fun and unique, providing enough of a challenge to keep players on their toes. Remember, the game does not save automatically. Players will need to find save points to heal Carol and save their progress. Dying before hitting one of these zones will reset the game to the last save on file. Plan accordingly.
Review
Onirismis a cute and fun game with a lot of spirit, but it is not finished. Although there have been daily updates since I’ve downloaded the game, there is is some noticeable roughness. Sometimes the game will break, other times times you will lose a lot of frames. When the game works well, the game is as addicting as it is adorable.
Aesthetics
The game is a flavorful adventure through childish wonder and whimsy. Each zone is unique with a lot of content to explore. The monsters are cute and creative, with frightening bosses controlling them. The artstyle only adds to the stories playful and silly tone in a way that makes the game incredibly wholesome. It is the game’s art and tone that drew me to the game, but it is the gameplay that does it for me.
Gameplay
When the game works, it is a lot of fun. Combat is fast paced and exciting, the boss fights are creative, and the jumping puzzles are manageable. There is also a good amount of exploration to be done. The problem is the game doesn’t feel finished. There are a lot of bugs and noticeable performance issues that do take away from the immersion. Frames will drop, there is a bit of stuttering, and the game crashed once or twice during my playthrough.
Although there is controller support, the tutorial is only for keyboard and mouse. The game isn’t really optimized for controller at this stage of development. You might have to do a bit of tweaking, but aiming feels bad compared to keyboard and mouse. If you are playing with keyboard and mouse, you might need to do some remapping. On my playthrough, left was mapped to the wrong key by default. It is an easy fix, but it means the game isn’t ready to play out of the box.
While Onirism does feel unfinished, there have been daily patches since I’ve downloaded the game. The devs are hard at work on a game they are clearly passionate about. While the game will need a couple of updates before it can be in a good position, I at least have some confidence that they are working on it.
Conclusion
Onirism is a cute adventure game, and I loved every minute of it. Now keep in mind the game is not finished yet. The roughness is the biggest factor of whether or not you buy this game. If you don’t mind the immersion breaking bugs and performance issues, the game has enough substance and heart to keep you engaged. There is a lot of content to explore, and a lot of interesting ideas to keep the game interesting. But if the roughness is going to be a problem, I would wait for a couple of patches. This might be a very ambitious game, and the devs clearly need more time and support. I loved it, but it can definitely be better.
You can pick up Onirism on Steam. If you are in the market for another janky action adventure game, check out Star Overdrive.
EasmySMX sent me the the X05Pro controller 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. Make sure you also check out my review for the S10 and X15 controllers. I’ll also be using my Amazon affiliate links where possible. It really helps me out if you use them before buying anything.
Table of Contents
What’s in the Box?
EasySMX X05 Pro Contoller
USB-C to USB-A Cable
1 x2.4G Receiver
User Manual
Features
EasySMX has created the quietest controller you’ll ever get to use without sacrificing any performance. The EasySMX X05 Pro is loaded with the features to bring your game to the next level at a very reasonable price point.
Design
The EasySMX X05 Pro features a clean and comfortable design available in three beautiful color schemes: back, white, and a limited edition purple.
The X05 Pro Wouldn’t be a gaming peripheral without proper RBG. The controller has subtle RBG highlights to give it a bit of flare without it losing any of its elegance. The controller’s smooth design promises ergonomic gaming, while its modern looking features promise the performance. If you’re looking for a good looking controller that performs just as good, check out the X05 pro.
Performance
The X05 Pro is loaded with the essential upgrades to any gamer’s arsenal. The X05 Pro has been redisigned with noise-reducing silicone dampers on all of the buttons for the quietest gaming you’ll ever experience. All buttons on the controller are precise, from the 8-way directional game pad, to the adjustable dual-stage hall effect triggers. The hall effect joysticks reduce give the controllers its ultra precision while eliminating that pesky drift you see in something like the joycons. With the controller’s respectable 7000mAh battery, you’ll never have to worry about losing power during those important team fights. What makes the X05 uniquely pro are the 2 additional programmable buttons on the shoulder.
Review
The EasySMX X05 Pro controller is a fantastic budget option with the features and quality to upgrade any gaming setup.
Quality
Users will be impressed by the quality and weight of the X05 pro. Out of the box, users will appreciate the controller’s clean design and well constructed body. While a little on the lighter side, the controller does not feel or look cheap. The buttons, joysticks, and triggers all have smooth and quality actuation. One issue I have with cheaper controllers is that they can be incredibly stiff, but that is not an issue here.
Comfort
Playing with controllers is incredibly hard for me because of my repetitive stress injury. Most controllers, especially on the cheaper end, destroy my hand. Most of the time, I can’t make it through a session with a controller for more than an hour. This is a huge reason why my switch is often collecting dust. Those joy cons have terrible drift now, but they would destroy my hands almost instantly.
While I wouldn’t call the X05 Pro the ergonomic solution to controllers I’ve been looking for, I can enjoy a more respectable gaming session, especially on the switch. The force required for each imput takes pressure off my hands. The shape puts my hands in a comfortable position, and soft textured bottom just feels good to the touch. Most importantly, the quite profile buttons mean I am not annoying anyone with my button mashing.
My hand still cramps up after a two or three hours of continuous gaming, but that is both respectable and unavoidable. This issue isn’t going to exist for everyone, especially if you are taking care of your hands.
Performance
I had no issue with the X05 Pro‘s performance. The controller was accurate and responsive through all the games I put it through without any noticeable latency. The DPad felt good for 2D platforming, the adjustable triggers were nice for high-action shooting games, and the long lasting battery meant I never had to reach for a wire. The quality of the build give me confidence that I can enjoy this high performing controller for a respectable amount of time. At least longer than the Joy Cons I kept having to replace.
Conclusion
The X05 pro is easily one of my favorite controllers for its sleek and comfortable design and quite profile. The features help put it over the edge with its high performance parts and long lasting battery. My only complaint is that I wish the additional buttons were on the bottom instead of the shoulders. While they aren’t hard to reach, having them on the bottom feels more natural and comfortable. Other than that, if you’re in the market for a good, budget-friendly controller, check out the EasySMX X05 Pro controller.
I was asked to review an early demo for Forgotten Eras. I understand the game is not finished yet, and will be a bit more lenient. That said, this will be my honest impression of the game.
Forgotten Eras is a 2.5d metroidvania coming to Steam sometime soon. No date has been announced yet, but you can go play the demo now.
Story
A group of shamans has broken the seal of the forgotten rune magic and unleashed an evil upon the world. The magic spreads catastrophe across the land, it is up to the young hero Ivan to step it. With the aid of Grey Wolf, Ivan will need to travel long distances, solve puzzles, and defeat anything that stands in his way. Can he harness the power of Gray Wolf before it is too late? Can he make it to the Baba Yaga hut?
Gameplay
Forgotten Eras is your classic metropolitan. Players will move across 2D jumping puzzles and collecting the rune magic they need to save the world. What makes this game unique are the Grey Wolf powers that bumps the game up half a dimension. Gray Wolf can climb, jump across long distances, and bend the environment.
Combat
Combat is simple. Players can attack with their sword and sure a few different skills to defeat their enemies. The key to any fight is learning the enemies attack pattern, and knowing when to dodge and attack. The if you’ve played any metroidvania, this game does little outside of the usual formula.
Review
In its current state, Forgotten Erasis a hard to recommend because it didn’t leave much of an impression. There nothing tangible, outside of the wolf, that makes it stand out against other games in the genre. Bugs aside, the game wasn’t fun enough nor the hook good enough to keep me engaged. The problem with this game is that there are better metroidvania games you could be playing Dragon is Dead. Unless the game comes out with smooth performance and some more engaging and memorable content, it will be one of those games you’ll have to wait for to go on sale. I am willing to give it another try because the game isn’t bad, it just isn’t very memorable.
If you are looking for a new metroidvania game to play, check out the Forgotten Eras demo, but I would wait for a couple more updates. If you need a good metroidvania to try before the game releases, check out Astlibra Revision, Tevi, or my personal favorite, Worldless.
I was sent a free copy of Tormented Souls 2 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.
The Walker sisters thought they were safe after the events at Wilderberger Hospital, but fate has other plans for them. Thinking they would get to enjoy a peaceful retreat in the mountains, the two sisters make their way to a secluded convent. Unfortunately, what meant to be therapy and relaxation turns into a nightmare. The trip was a setup, and Caroline now finds herself alone in a dark and empty building with creatures lurking in the shadow. With the help of her super natural abilities, and any supplies she finds along the way, she must find her sister and survive what ever darkness chases after her. Can she find her sister and leave this place before it is too late?
Gameplay
Tormented Souls 2 is a 3rd person horror survival game modeled after the classic era of gaming. Players will explore the map looking for clues and supplies while avoiding danger. Tourmented Souls 2 is essentially an unforgiving puzzle game. This is a game where healing and ammo is limited, and being precise, stealthy and efficient is key. The game has combat with enemies that have specific weaknesses. Knowing the weaknesses is key to survival. You can brick your run if you aren’t careful, even on the easier difficulties. If you don’t pick items or do events in a certain order, you are going to have a bad time.
Review
Tormented Souls 2 is a proper nod to the classic horror survival genre. Its horrifying atmosphere kept me completely on edge, while the story and puzzles kept me engaged. The biggest issue with the game is its difficulty. This is a hard and unforgiving game with very little saving. If you want a challenge game with a solid story that will scare you, Tormented Souls 2 is a solid choice.
The Story
The game is a sequel, but you don’t need to play the first game to understand the events of the second. I definitely want to now because I want to know what happens, but I never felt like I lost by the story.
Tormented Souls 2 has an excellent horror story with some great voice acting. As scared as I got with the game, I had trouble putting it down because I needed to know what happened. The pacing is good, and if you can overcome the game’s difficulty, it is long enough to get the job done.
Gameplay
Tourmented Souls 2 will scratch that Resident Evil itch we all get from time to time. The game is a little on the darker side. I think it is intentional, but it does make some parts of the game frustrating. The lack of camera control is also a point of frustration, but it’s fine for telling its story. The game’s difficulty is what makes the game hard to recommend. Tourmented Souls 2 is a dark and twisted puzzle. It is very unforgiving if you aren’t paying attention or if you don’t complete the tasks in order. The game doesn’t offer a lot of save points, so players will have to redo a lot of their progress.
The survival elements add a lot of tension to the game, and if you aren’t careful, a lot of stress. I was constantly low on health struggling to get to the next point, and that is going to turn off a lot of players. If you are new to the game, know that this is done by design. You might need to restart the game if you mess up like I did, so it might be good idea to look up a guide. I don’t like guides because I wanted to be surprised, but having to restart the game because there is literally nothing you can do to progress the game is frustrating.
Conclusion
Tormented Souls 2 isn’t going to be for everyone. This is an unforgiving horror game that can be difficult if you aren’t careful and paying attention. Not being able to save often means there is a lot of repetition, but it also means you can strait up ruin a run. That said, the horror is very well designed. The atmosphere is spooky, the tension is choking, and the monsters are terrifying. I had a lot of trouble finishing this game because it freaked me out, but I also don’t do very well with horror games. Regardless, I liked the story enough to power through. I definitely think I need to check out the first one, but I don’t think it is necisarry. If you are looking for some good survival horror and don’t mind the difficulty, pick up Tormented Souls 2 on Steam.
KiiBOOM sent me the Cybrix29 Gaming Keypad to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out Elyxirine Pastel Y2K Keycap Set and the Jade75 mechanical keyboard. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you click it before you buy anything.
Save big during KiiBOOM‘s special sale from now until November 12!
Table of Contents
What’s in the box?
KiiBOOM Cybrix29
Key/Switch Puller
USB-C to USB-A Cable
User Manual
Features
The Cybrix29 is a 29 key wired gaming keypad that is ready to take on any task. Whether you are looking for tool to upgrade you workflow or just want something pretty to set on your table, the Cybrix29 is a fantastic solution.
Aesthetic
The Cybrix29 has a clean modern design, built to the high quality KiiBOOM standards has set for the industry. The low profile aluminum body not only looks good, but will keep your desk a bit more clutter free. They Cybrix29 is available in three colors: pink, silver and black. I chose to review it in pink, but it was a very tough choice to make.
The three dials give the keypad both its utility and modern flare. The RGB lighting effects helps illuminate your setup. The Cybrix29 features three separate RGB systems that can be easily customized through onboard commands. Each of the 29 keys, the light bar on top, and the acrylic base have separate customizable RGB profiles. Users can change the brightness, lighting effects, speed of the effects, and the color of each profile. As an added bonus, the keycaps and switches are easily swappable for maximum customization.
Comfort
The Cybrix29 promises a comfortable typing experience. The cherry profile keycaps give it its ergonomics, while the duskrise magnetic switches give it that satisfying soft feel. Whether it be a long gaming session or a bit of editing, your hands can rest easy with this powerful keypad.
Performance
The Cybrix29 is KiiBOOM’s ultimate solution for form factor utility. Each of the 29 keys is fully customizable. Each key and dial can be easily remapped or reprogrammed to take on any task. Users can also adjust the sensitivity and actuation of each switch for a more personalized experience. The Cybrix29’s advanced functions like the Snap Key (SOCD) and Dynamic Keystroke (DKS) support give its users a competitive advantage, so long as the game allows it. Don’t get banned.
Most importantly, the keypad’s wired connection give it the high speed, low latency connection needed for competitive gaming. With a very respectable 8KHz polling rate and no battery to slow its users down, the Cybrix29 is ready to master any game or assignment that gets in its way.
Sound Test
Review
If you are looking to upgrade your game, or a tool to help your productivity, the Cybrix29 is the perfect tool for you.
Looks
KiiBOOM is a master of creating aesthetically high-quality keyboards, and the Cybrix29 is no exception. The keypad is very well made with a light weight design that makes it perfect for travel. The colors are all bright and the lettering is clear. The quality of the keycaps gives me confidence that it won’t fade in the near future. The RGB makes the keyboard fun. The colors are vibrant, and the customization options give the keypad its versatility. There is a Cybrix29 configuration for every setup.
My only complaint is that it is a wired connection. I don’t like having too much wire clutter, but it is the price to pay for a high speed low-latency connection. However, it is a price I am willing to pay because this keypad is a beast of a machine.
Performance
If you are looking for a tool to give you a competitive edge or just want a more comfortable gaming experience, the Cybrix29 is a fantastic upgrade. The wire connection gives the keypad its negligible latency. You might need to do a bit of remapping, but the keypad has most of the keys you need for the games you play. I end up remapping a lot of what I play, so it wasn’t a huge deal.
The Cybrix29 features a fantastic out of the box experience, but being able to remap and reprogram the keys is nice to have and easy to do. The adjustable actuation and sensitivity as well as the advanced features (Snap Key (SOCD) and Dynamic Keystroke (DKS) support) make it a very powerful gaming tool. I didn’t feel the need to make any adjustments, but they are available for those who need it. Just make sure the game allows it first.
Although I don’t have a real way to test it, the Cybrix29 has the potential to be a powerful macro pad. The three dials are very handy for editing, and being able to remap everything certainly has its value. If you are looking for a powerful daily driver that looks good and is low profile, check out the Cybrix29.
Comfort
The most important feature of any keyboard is its comfort, and the Cybrix29 is comfortable. The keycaps feel great, and the switches have enough resistance to not only be satisfying, but they don’t create any fatigue. I was able to game for long hours without any hand pain. The sound is loud enough to be satisfying without being overbearing. My wife appreciates that it doesn’t fill the house with the thacking I love so much.
Conclusion
I love the Cybrix29 and it will be my daily driver for my main games. I have it configured just right for Guild Wars 2, and with the new expansion out, I am going to be spending a lot of time in Tyria. A keypad this size is a great option for those who need a macropad to play with, or for those who don’t want to buy a full sized keyboard. The size makes it a functional gaming peripheral, and its design makes it easy to store. It is also a very good for travel, if you don’t want to carry a full sized keyboard. With a bit of tinkering, the Cybrix29 can handle any game and task, making it the perfect tool for those who need it.
You can pick up the Cybrix29 on the official KiiBOOM store. They are currently having a huge sale until November 12, so now is the perfect time to pick up this or any of the other fine KiiBOOM products. You can also pick it up on Amazon through my affiliate link, but it is cheaper on KiiBOOM during the sale.
I was sent a free copy of Dreamout 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.
Dreamout is a ridiculous rpg about a drunken alpaca and her wild adventure to find a talking skeleton’s body. The game is out now on Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC via Steam and GoG
Hook
After another night of heavy drinking, you find yourself having to help a talking skull find his body. With the help of your trusty sword and a bit of booze to fend off the hangover, you set off on one of your weirdest adventures yet. Fight off mobs of strange enemies, solve puzzles, do all the side quests you can, and get that skull his body back. With plenty of booze to keep this buzz going, there is nothing that can stand in your way.
Gameplay
In some ways, Dreamout is your typical hack-and-slash adventure. Players take control of their quirky protagonist and travel across the game’s strange world on an even stranger adventure. Players move from quest to quest, unlocking fighting off enemies, completing quests, and solving puzzles. There is a very simple combat system, and a fishing system to break the game up. There is also a hat system for those who want a little customization in their rpgs.
Combat
Combat in Dreamout is very simple and approachable for a hack-and-slash. Players have access to a simple sword attack and dodge. Enemies will telegraph their attacks, range, and target. Although timing can be tricky, dodging attacks is pretty easy. Getting three hits on an an enemy kills them.
A player can die, but death doesn’t have consequences. Death resets players to the last check point without any draw backs, and the game is pretty generous with its checkpoints.
Adventure
The game is short, and the story is a rail road. Players experience linear progression between quests with very little room to deviate or explore the strange world. The game does a lot in the little space that it has, but it is an adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you are looking for a silly game with a lot of spirit, Dreamout is a solid contender.
Review
Dreamout is a very silly take on the RPG genre, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While the tone and gameplay make a niche title, its quirky spirit gives it enough charm that it is worth some consideration.
Story
The story is ridiculous, full of puns and jokes that don’t always land. The silly tone does make it a refreshing take on the genre, but the humor isn’t going to be for everyone. I love that this game doesn’t take itself serious, and although the game does get cheesy, it was a nice change of pace from what I usually play. That said, the story isn’t anything special and unless you need a silly story like this in your life, it isn’t going to make much of an impression.
Art and Aesthetic
Dreamout‘s whimsical artstyle makes the game delightful. I love the character’s silly design, and I appreciate the amount of detail that went into the world building. The game gets very creative with its weirdness.
Difficulty
Dreamout leans more on the casual side of gaming. Combat is simple and easy to maneuver, and the puzzles aren’t hard. This is the game to play when you want to shut off for a couple hours and do something silly. There isn’t enough depth for a second playthrough, but there is enough of a challenge force some engagement. I enjoyed the games casual nature because it fit with the overall silly tone of the game.
Puzzles
While none of the puzzles require a guide, they were fun and creative. I wouldn’t play this game if you are looking for a real puzzle game, but I do appreciate that the puzzles gave me a break from combat. Some puzzles do feel like buzy work as you work from one quest to the next, but overall, they were fun enough to keep me playing till the end.
Performance
Aside from one game breaking bug, the game plays fine. I only had to reset the game once because I didn’t get the item I needed to move to the next part of the map, but luckily I didn’t have to repeat too much of the game. Best of all, the game works great on the Steam Deck. I prefer these kinds of games on handheld.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a silly game to spend a couple hours on, Dreamout has a solid enough loop to make it worth at least a playthrough. It is a small game with a lot of heart, but not enough to make it replayable. You won’t hate the few hours you spend beating the game, but not all of the jokes are going to land and some people will be turned off by the lack of danger. I say its worth $10, if you are looking for a less serious hack-and-slash.
You can pick up Dreamout on Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC via Steam and GoG. If you are looking for something with a little more depth, check out Sunokuni.
The folks behind Doomlings sent me the Shadow Puppets Bolster Expansion for free 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. Make sure you check out my review for the base game. I’ll also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me if you use it before you buy anything.
Table of Contents
Box Opening
What’s in the Box?
Shadow Puppets Bolster expansion is a 40 card expansion that introduces four new species of Doomlings: Deeplings, Glitterings, Moonlings, and Fuzelings. The breakdown:
Doomlings is a quirky little card game about the end of the world. Players take turns building a strong gene pool from cards they pull from a collective deck. Each card has a value and some have abilities that interact with other cards or players. For example, a card can allow a player to draw more cards each round, giving them a slight advantage. Each round has its unique set of rules based on the age or catastrophe card in play. For example, a card can force players to only play a certain color card. The game ends when four catastrophe cards are played and the winner is the player with the most points.
How to play
Games with Denver James has a fantastic tutorial that you should watch before you get started. Make sure you give him a like and a follow.
What is Shadow Puppets
Shadow Puppets is a darker themed expansion that essentially allows players to play trap cards. It allows players to disrupt a players turn, swap cards, and even give away cards. It also introduces the subvert mechanic which allows players to sacrifice Doomlings for points. What makes Shadow Puppets unique is is dark edgy flavor of both the abilities and artwork. The set does have a few demonic looking Doomlings. This is your trigger warning.
Review
The Shadow Puppets expansion brings some surprisingly needed dark humor, with interesting mechanics that only make the game more fun. If you like the flavor of the set and need some more trap cards, go get yourself a copy.
Quality
Doomlings is a high quality card game with some very good looking game pieces. The Shadow Puppets Bolster expansion is no exception. The cards are a little thinner than I am used to, but the art and quality of the card stock is as excellent as ever. I still recommend using sleeves. I may be a crazy person that sleeves everything, but it really makes shuffling the cards easier. You will be shuffling this game a lot, and the sleeves will help preserve the game.
Mechanics
I absolutely love the mechanics for this set. Nor only is each new species flavorful, the interactions it creates are so much fun. I love the fact that at any moment, you can just disrupt a persons turn or strait up ruin their whole strategy. There is a card that lets that lets you swap gene pools. You can build a bad pool on purpose to swap with someone who is actively trying to win and ruin their day. It’s like the blue shell in Mario, but with more control. Of course, someone can just swap hands with you and ruin your strategy. That feels pretty balanced to me.
I really like the ages in this expansion. One lets you draw 3 and discard 2. This creates some very tough choices, but it is always fun to draw cards. The other mechanic lets you swap hands, and this can absolutely ruin someone’s day. If you want a set with a lot of disruption, Shadow Puppets is fantastic.
Conclusion
I love Doomlings and recommend to anyone who wants a fun and simple game to pull out at game night. The game is easy to teach, especially for people new to the hobby, and the game is family friendly. Most importantly, it is very easy to set up and take down. Games of Doomlings are pretty quick, but the interactions make it meaningful.
Now if you’re looking for an expansion, Shadow Puppets is awesome. The disruptive nature of the expansion gives the game a layer of fun I didn’t think it needed. It has definitely earned its spot with the rest of my collection.
Free League Publishing sent me a free copy of the Mutant: Year Zerocore rulebook to review for my blog. While I am very happy for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. Make sure you also check out my reviews for Dragonbane and The One Ring.
Table of Contents
What is Mutant: Year Zero?
Mutant is a tabletop roleplaying game about mutants at the end of the world. The game runs on the award winning Year Zero system which is a D6 system where things happen on 6s and 1s. Six is good and one is bad. There are no modifiers. Instead, stats and gear tell players how many dice they need to roll. More dice generally means better odds. Finally, Mutant is a survival game where the world is harsh, people have powers, and starvation is always a bad roll away.
Hook
Before the fall of civilization, Earth existed in a constant state of conflict. War broke out across the globe, quickly turning nuclear. Those smart and rich enough quickly found shelter in secure underground bunkers while others fled into the safety of space. Everyone else either died in the first wave, or had to rot away in the fallout. As the Earth became toxic, many began to mutate and develop powers.This was the next stage of evolution of man, but one that also marked its end. Mutants are sterile, and while there are tales of powerful folk that roam the wasteland, the population is aging towards is final days.
Some survivors band together and form flourishing communities known as arcs in an attempt to recapture what they lost, others turned to the harsh wasteland and let it transform. You were fortunate enough to grow in one of these arcs, and spend your days working towards a common goal. As the years go by, resources start to dwindle and the world becomes a harder place to live. Eventually, you and a promising group are tasked with going out farther than the usual patrol in search of anything that will extend your time on this planet. What secrets will you uncover beyond those walls? What will you bring back? Can humanity ever be saved, or are you merely surviving till your final days?
Gameplay
Mutant is a very easy game to pick up, but has enough depth to keep players engaged. The survival mechanics give players agency, without ever feeling like a chore. The mutation mechanic adds fun flavor that players can explore through their character, and it makes for some fun and interersting interactions. If you’ve ever wanted to be Xmen at the end of the world, pick up Mutant Year Zero.
Resources
Resources at the end of the world are limited. Players will need to spend their time constantly hunting for food, water, and other materials to survive the harsh dying world around them. Resources like food and water are expended every day for survival, but they are also used for healing. Rationing this precious resource keeps a high level of tension for the players. Players can choose to be at full health for the next encounter at the risk of starving to death. The system is streamlined so the bulk of the game is focused on the game rather than resource management, but you can make it more hard core if that is fun for you.
In Mutant, bullets are the most valuable resource after food and water. While players don’t need bullets to survive the wasteland, they are useful currency when it comes time to trade for better gear or materials. Bullets are also used for guns, and no one wants to be short a bullet in an important gunfight. Players will constantly need to weigh the benefits of trading away their bullets, and that will make for some difficult decisions.
Rot
The world rots away under the effects of the lingering radiation. While there are a few clean and hospitable areas left on this planet, there are pockets of deadly radiation spread in between. These areas give players rot points that slowly kill them. The only way to get rid of rot is to rest in a clean area, but those may be far in between during an adventure. The best bet is to avoid rot all together, or find some rot protection over time. Unfortunately, sometimes the only way forward is through a puddle of rot, and sometimes the only drinkable water is contaminated. The problem then becomes finding ways to mitigate the rot, and live with it.
Mutations
You can’t have a Mutant’s game without cool mutant powers, and this book has a very good selection of them. The DM can allow players to choose their mutation or roll for them at a table. I prefer rolling because that randomness gives the game its flavor. Survivors in this world wouldn’t have been able to choose their powers, neither should your players. That said, I’ll let a player choose their mutation if they have a fun idea that won’t kill the fun for anyone else.
As you would expect, mutations give players abilities they can use in and out of combat. Every player gets a mutation point per mutation at the start of each session that rolls over to the next if not used. Mutation points are the resource used to power the mutation. Because mutations are so powerful, this limit is used to balance the game. If the player could use their mutation as much as they wanted, things could get out of hand. Mutations can also backfire. They can explode or work as intended. They can also further mutate the user, leaving them weaker but with a cool new power to use.
Combat
Combat does not get any simpler than in Mutants. Attacks succeed on 6s and fail on 1s. Additional 6s give the user extra boons like bonus damage or the ability to disarm. Additional 1s can mean the weapon breaks, leaving its user defenseless. Weapon and gear do break in this game, and players will need a skilled craftsman for repairs, or enough bullets to buy the replacement.
What makes combat deep is the health and cover system. The way health works means that players will need to think carefully before rushing in. They may not have the resources to heal back, or they can get an injury that affects their performance. Learning how to effectively use the environment in combat is extremely important. Effectively finding cover in a gun fight or exploding a barrel can easily mean the difference between life and death.
Leveling
I love the leveling system in Mutant because it is streamlined and accessible. Players will need to answer the following questions:
Did you participate in the session? (You get 1 XP just for being present.)
Did you perform a Day’s Work for a project in the Ark?
Did you explore at least one new sector in the Zone?
Did you sacrifice or risk something for your PC buddy?
Did you sacrifice or risk something for the NPC you want to keep safe?
Did you sacrifice or risk something to mess with the NPC you hate?
Did you sacrifice or risk something to reach your big dream?
Players get 1xp point per yes, and they level up when they earn a total of five. Leveling means players will get put a point into a skill of their choice or pick up a new talent. This system not only eliminates the guess work you would see in something like D&D, and it allows players to customize their character. Personally, it forced my players to act in ways they wouldn’t normally because they wanted an XP point. Where in a D&D campaign they wouldn’t care if the NPC died, they went out of their way to keep them alive and get to know them. I was not ready to RP as much as I have in Mutant, but I am not complaining.
Other Mechanics
There are other very cool mechanics that make this game unique and fun to play, but I don’t want this post to get too long. I pulled out the most notable that set it apart from other systems I’ve played, but also the systems I’ve liked the most. While I do not currently run a hardcore survival campaign, its nice to play something more bleak and I’ve been enjoying the story that has come from it.
Review
Mutant Year Zero is easily one of my favorite TTRPGs. I love how accessible the game is. It is easy to learn, and this is important for table of busy dads. Mutant also has some fantastic flavor with the mechanics that make for a good story.
Quality
I did get a copy of the physical book, and it is beautiful. The printing is high quality with vibrant colors, and the book is very high quality. I love the comic book style art. It gives the game its distinct personality and the book looks fantastic on my table.
The cover is phenomenal. I love how it draws the attention to the survivors combing a burning crumbling city for danger and supplies. Their nonchalant expressions suggest that they’ve grown used to the wreckage, and remain unfazed by the apocalypse. The worn mismatched outfits fit the flavor of the world, and the colors tie it all together. I love that each character has a hint of their ability showing. It is just enough to make a statement about their power, while still evoking curiosity. Are these good guys? Bad guys? You’re going to have to play and decide.
Story
The corebook has a prewritten adventure, and it is a very good place to start if you’re a beginner or just need a little help. The adventure offers a solid mystery with an interesting hook to get things rolling.
The players start at the arc, with an aging leader and dwindling supplies. They are sent out in search of more, but find hints to the fabled Eden. Eden is a place of abundance, populated by the most brilliant minds to find a cure for mutation. Some say the cure exists somewhere within its walls, the trouble is finding it. Others say its all a cruel joke told by those too dumb to realize it is all over. As fate has it, your players find themselves chasing a legend, and what they find isn’t what they expected.
Adventure
What I like most about how the adventure is written is that it gives players to tell their own story around the main goal. The adventure outlines a meta story, fills it with important NPCs and location, and sprinkles enough clues to create agency. The gamemaster players have the freedom to do what they want. I’ve never had my players more invested in the world building, because we were building our world. We had a session where we just talked about the fake mutant animals that existed in the one zone and creating bits of random lore that carried throughout the campaign. I love that I was not tied down by a dungeon crawl because it allowed us to tell some very cool stories.
Most importantly, I love that my players liked the meta story enough to keep playing through it. I’ve ran modules where I stopped using the source material because my players wanted to do something different within that world. I wasn’t ready for them to start asking questions about Eden and actively working towards it because of how much time we spend messing around in character.
Roleplay
This is one of the games where my players got into unique characters. I think the random mutation forced them to play a character they wouldn’t usually which was very cool to see. It might also help that I ran this game with theater of the mind using Alchemy RPG. The official module for Mutant is fantastic. Maybe the lack of math and battle maps gave players the room to get creative with their roleplay. Whatever the answer, it was a lot of fun.
Theater of the Mind
You can get as fancy as you want with Mutant. You can use maps with intricate terrain and figures, or load up your favorite VTT and do it digitally. Run this game in whatever way is most fun for your table. The system will work no matter what. At my table, we run games through theater of the mind. I’ll use maps here and there, but I like the focus to be the story and the current format works for us.
As a theater of mind game, Mutant is a fantastic system. The year one system makes checks and combat easy to manage, and the mechanics give enough depth without needing much outside aid. If all you have is the rulebook, some dice, and a dream, you are ready to run Mutant Year One.
Survival
Do not be intimidated by the survival aspect of this game. Run this game as hardcore as it needs to be for your table. I run a casual table and would frequently forget to manage resources. There wasn’t enough scarcity, and I didn’t deduct enough resources. I did break weapons and give players rot points, but I wasn’t running the game as intended. That said, the game never felt like it lost any of the survival element. Players were still cautious with their decisions, and scavenging when they could. My campaign, as silly as it was, was still a survival campaign. I like that freedom.
Conclusion
If you want to run a survival campaign with cool mutant characters and have a good amount of freedom to tell a cool story, pick up your copy of Mutant Year Zero. This has become our favorite, and it is going to be hard to switch to anything else. You can pick up your copy of the Mutant Year Zero rule book on the official Free League Publishing website, or on DriveThru rpg if you want to go digital.
