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Board Games and TCGs

Anecdote on getting someone into Heroclix, and where to start

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The Holiday season is here, and now is the best time to introduce the kids in your life to a nerdy hobby. Whatever the hobby is, nothing beats sitting down with a loved one and just having fun.

For me, the hobby is Heroclix. Heroclix is a superhero miniatures game that should definitely be at your table. It features nice quality miniatures of popular heroes, a creative dial system for streamlined gameplay, and creative mechanics. If you enjoy wargames and superheroes, you need to check out Heroclix. 

I’ve tried multiple times to get into the hobby but have never had anyone to play with. My work schedule prevented me from going to the locals, so my collection remained boxed up. Most of my collection is gone now, but I still have the Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary set from the last time I tried picking up the hobby. Sad that it was just picking up dust in the closet, I decided to teach one of my younger cousins how to play. The kid is ten and has never played a miniatures game.  

The most important thing to remember when bringing someone into a hobby is to keep things simple. You don’t want to overwhelm them and risk scaring them away. Start small and slowly add rules over time for retention. Everyone learns at a different pace, so be patient.

The Game

My cousin loves video games and superheroes, so selling him on Heroclix wasn’t an issue. I didn’t even have to tell him what we were playing, he was just happy to spend time with me. I explained the basic action economy, line of sight, and terrain, but we ignored her skills and abilities. We started with one of the basic scenarios included with the set but quickly abandoned it. He wanted to make his own team, and I wanted him to have fun. We reset, and he demolished me. I wasn’t taking it easy on him. He was thinking tactically, using cover, and got super lucky on all his attack rolls. We changed a few rules on the fly because he had some cool ideas. The goal was to have fun and not to win a tournament. I’ll teach him the rules if we get more serious. 

My cousin loved Heroclix and definitely wants to play again. He asked about other heroes and even hinted about wanting to play Iron Man. I guess I’ll have to find money for that. He even asked me about my abilities and got excited to try playing with them next time. The experiment was a success, and I am excited to see what else we can get into. 

Where to Start

If you are trying to get into the hobby, or want to teach someone how to play, the starter kit is the best place to start. The sets come with enough minis for two balanced teams, maps, dice, and a copy of the rule book. You can buy into a booster you want to start collecting, but it’s always cheaper to buy the minis you want. Opening boosters is the most fun way to get started, but you are gambling. 

Wonder Woman Starter Set

The wonder woman 80th anniversary starter set

If you aren’t going to tournaments and only want to play Heroclix for fun, the Wonder Woman 80th anniversary is the cheapest way to get into this hobby. I like the minis and map it comes with are high quality, and the dice are cool. I wasn’t too crazy about the scenarios, but that might be a personal issue. The rule book is outdated so you’ll need to go the Rules | HeroClix (wizkids.com) to download the most current edition.

The set comes with:

  • A meaty multi-session campaign for 2 players that pivots and turns based on the results of the last session
  • 10 Premium Quality Pre-Painted Miniatures each with TWO ways to play for beginner or advanced play
  • 20 Character Cards
  • 18 Object, Terrain, and Bystander tokens
  • 6 Double-Sided Thick Map Tiles. No folds!
  • 2 Custom Wonder Woman six-sided dice
  • 2 All-new Powers and Abilities Cards with Wonder Woman imagery
  • 1 All-New Full-Color HeroClix Core Rulebook (2021 edition)

The Wonder Woman Starter set goes for $39.99 MSRP, but you can get pick it up for $19.79 at Macy’s or $18.50 at Walmart.

2024 Starter Sets

If you’re trying to go to locals or tournaments, your best bet is to pick up one of the two starter sets for 2024: Marvel or DC. Both kits retail at $39.99 and will have mostly everything you need to get started. The map isn’t tournament legal. Both kits come with:

  • 4 Premium Painted Figures
  • 8 Character Cards
  • 8 Map Tiles
  • 2 All-New Dice
  • 2 Token Sheets
  • 1 Powers and Abilities Card
  • 1 Starter Rulebook

Marvel Starter Set 2024

The Marvel Starter set comes with Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man and Black Panther. I love the Spideman mini, but you can’t go wrong with the kit. Always support your LGS, but you can pick up the Marvel starter sets from

DC Starter Set

The DC Starter Set comes with Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman and Harley Quinn. Check with your LGS to see if they carry Heroclix, but you can get them online from:

video game reviews

Skybreakers is fine for what it is

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I was sent Skybreakers for free as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, make sure you leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee. 

Skybreakers is an action-packed roguelike available now on Steam. It has cool flavor, cooler art, and a solid gameplay loop. Players must survive against waves of enemies and the occasional boss. There is a story, but you’re mainly playing this game for the combat. 

Players have access to four playable heroes, three of which need to be unlocked. Each character has its unique flavor and playstyle, and I enjoyed them all. Some of them need a few upgrades before they get fun, but I have no overwhelming complaints. Between each round, players can purchase upgrades with resources they earn throughout the round. These upgrades are determined by RNG, but I felt that the RNG is fair. The top-down style makes the game feel like a MOBA but with a focus on combat. Combat is simplified to movement, a basic attack, a special attack, and whatever effects you pick up along the run. 

Skybreakers gets busy with its effects, but it never gets overwhelming or confusing. As simple as this game may seem, there is still some thought involved when it comes to upgrading a hero and moving them through combat. You won’t need to look up guides or keep a notebook, but it won’t be mindless either. 

I enjoyed Skybreakers, but it definitely isn’t something that I can play for too long. While the game is fun, combat gets repetitive after a couple of runs. The RNG heroes give the game some replayability, but they aren’t enough to make this anybody’s main game. You’ll get $9 of fun from this game, shelve it, and either forget you own it or pull it out when you need it. If you’re looking for something simple and fun that doesn’t require much commitment, Skybreakers is a solid choice. 

You can pick up Skybreakers on Steam for $8.99.

video game reviews

Tevi: The cute metroidvania game that almost could

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I was sent Tevi as a review code. 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 reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

Tevi is a cute bullet hell Metroidvania releasing on Steam later today, but you can try out the demo in the meantime. You play as Tevi as she fights her way through intricate dungeons in search of ancient tech.

If nothing else, Tevi will be one of the cutest games you’ll play this year. I am a huge fan of the art and ethics, but the story didn’t do enough to hook me. I found the story a bit generic as it spent more time hitting certain anime tropes than developing an interesting story. There is voice acting, which is nice, but it is much more efficient to read through the cut scenes. If you aren’t already skipping them.

The main draw to this game should be the gameplay. The game runs great, and the gameplay has a retro vibe that I enjoyed until the novelty wore off. The game starts to feel repetitive after a bit, even when new bosses and skills are introduced to shake things up. I like how the game slowly introduces new combos and abilities as you progress through the game. It makes progression feel more fluid and manageable.

Combat is simple, but it has its charm. After memorizing enemy patterns, this turns into your traditional Metroidvania with the occasional boss to mix things up. Bosses are unique in flavor and strategy, and they never felt unwinnable. I played the game on Normal difficulty and found it too easy, but the game offers an easy way to change the difficulty in game when you need to. 

Honestly, I am somewhat in the middle when it comes to Tevi. While I enjoyed the casual retro vibe, the pacing of the combat, and the cute aesthetic, this isn’t a game I can spend too much time on. I certainly wouldn’t finish the game if I bought it with my own money. The problem with Tevi is that if you don’t care about the aesthetic, there are simply better options. Even then, I would wait for a sale and play something like Frontier Hunter: Erza’s Wheel of Fortune if you want to play some good Waifuvania, or Nocturnal for something more serious. Don’t get me wrong, the game isn’t bad, but you have better options.

You can pick up Tevi on Steam later today. There is also a physical collectors edition available for $106.39 on the official website. 

The Collectors edition includes:

  • Original Soundtrack SteelBook x1 (4 discs with a total of 72 tracks)
  • Enamel Pin x1
  • Art Board (Shikishi) x1
  • Astral Gear Wireless Charger x1
  • Commemorative Number Card x1
  • Collecter Box x1
video game reviews

SteamWorld Build A Cute New Casual Village Builder with a Twist!

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I was sent SteamWorld Build as a review code. 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 reviews, please leave me a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

SteamWorld Build launches on Xbox, Switch, PlayStation, and Steam on December 1st. If you enjoy village builders or are in the market for a new game, you need to buy this game.

Take command of a group of robot settlers as they make their last-ditch effort to escape a dying planet. Together, they must build a settlement, recruit new citizens, and mine for the materials that will lead to salvation. But getting off-world won’t be easy. Can you find a way off the planet before the monsters destroy your settlement?

SteamWorld Build is an adorable addition to the SteamWorld universe and a must-have for any fan of the series. The game does a wonderful job of capturing the quirky and delightful vibe of the franchise without sacrificing any of the fun. You don’t need to have played any of the other games to understand the story, but you are going to want to after. SteamWorld games are always a quirky good time and a fantastic addition to any library.

The art, graphics, and animation for this game are adorable. The scrappy design reminds me of the Warhammer 40k Ork Aesthetic, and I love it! If you are a fan of the SteamWorld games, you’ll appreciate the attention to detail put into capturing the essence of the series. If you aren’t a fan, you’ll appreciate the amount of detail put into bringing this world to life. Little details like watching them walk through the wash or getting a drink at the saloon as they carry on their tasks make the experience feel vibrant and alive.

Be prepared to lose a couple of days as you scrutinize the most efficient way to grow your settlement. I had so much fun with SteamWorld Build that it became an addiction. I restarted a few times as I tried the different maps and strategies until finally forcing myself away long enough to write this review. The casual gameplay yet engaging gameplay, the cute and quirky gameplay, and the pacing all come together to create an experience worth having.

SteamWorld Build is a fantastic blend of village building, resource management, and tower defense. It starts like any traditional village builder, with limited resources and a space to build. As the settlement grows, new mechanics are introduced to keep the game feeling fresh. Each world is split into four levels, each with unique gameplay and design. At the top is a basic settlement game where players recruit new citizens, keep them happy, and trade with the passing train. Lower levels introduce a mining game where players dig for resources, maintain the mine’s stability, and defend against oncoming threats. The lower you go, the more dangerous it is. It feels like playing three games at once, but it never becomes overwhelming. Building inefficiently does impede your progression, but I wouldn’t worry about that until your second or third playthrough. I recommend you go into this game as blindly as possible before looking up guides because learning from your mistakes is half the fun.

I love SteamWorld Build and recommend anyone looking for a new game these holidays to pick it up. It’s cute, it’s casual, and an addicting amount of fun. SteamWorld comes out on Xbox, Switch, PlayStation, and Steam on December 1st. Don’t forget to wishlist if you haven’t done so already!

Board Games and TCGs

Build your miniature collection with Skinny Minis’ Black Friday sale

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Black Friday is creeping up on us, so let’s keep looking at more RPG deals to get us ready for the new year. If you need minis for your next campaign, now is the best time to pick up your collection of Skinny Minis. Skinny Minis are acrylic miniatures that not only look cool but store easily. I don’t play IRL, but I’ve been looking longingly at Skini Minis for a while. I don’t have much space to store 3D minis, so Skini Mini offers a solid solution to a problem I wish to have one day.

If you want to elevate your game or build your collection of miniatures, adventures, and maps, you need to get on this Year End Bundle. The bundle is normally $609.10, but for only $180 you get 14 adventures, 24 battle maps, 296 Skinny Minis, and more!

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. I am not affiliated with Skini Minis, I just think the deal was too good to pass up.

14 Adventures

24 Encounter Maps

296 Skinny Minis

3D Terrain Pieces

Other Notable Deals:

Year End Bundle Group A $105 (Normally $354.45)

Year End Bundle Group B $75 (Normally $254.65)

Game Master’s Starter Bundle $84 (Normally 111.95)

Dungeon Terrain 2 $19.95 (Normally 23.95)

Lovecraftian Horrors $19.95 (Normally $23.95)

Giants $19.95 (Normally $23.95)

Spell Effects 1 $19.95 (Normally $23.95)

Board Games and TCGs, gaming news

Take advantage of Modiphius Entertainment’s Black Friday deals

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Let’s keep getting ready for Black Friday by going over some more amazing deals from our friends at Modiphius Entertainment. This will be the perfect time to expand your board game collection, pick up some items you’ve been eyeing, or simply jump into a new system. The sale will go live on Friday the 24th and end on Sunday the 26th. They will also be observing Cyber Monday if you don’t mind digital media. There is too much to cover, so make sure you check the official store for anything I miss.

If you enjoy these updates, make sure you like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.

Tabletop Role Playing Games

Achtung! Cthulhu Skirmish 70% off corebook and accessories

Dune: Adventures in the Imperium 50% off

Star Trek Adventures 50% off

John Carter of Mars 70% off

Homeworld RPG 70% off

Dishonored RPG 70% off

Infinity RPG 70% off

Fallout RPG 50% off corebook and accessories

Board Games

SPECTRE 70% off

Airfix Battles 70% off

Wargames

Five Leagues From the Borderlands 50% off

Five Parsecs from Home 50% off

Fallout: Wasteland Warfare 50% off

The Elder Scrolls: Call to Arms 40% off

Cyber Monday

For those looking for a new RPG and don’t mind having a library of digital media, Modiphius.net, Modiphius.us, and DriveThruRPG will have RPG bundles for 80%.

Bundles will be available for:

video game reviews

The Foglands Review: the VR Roguelike That Fails to Deliver

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I was sent The Foglands as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, make sure you leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

The Foglands is a western-themed action roguelike VR game out now for the Meta Quest and PlayStation, and will be coming to Steam next year. 

A toxic gas now ravages the world, forcing the few remaining survivors to live underground. A brave few must brave the foglands and its dangers to run supplies for these settlements. You must go out on one of these missions, but can you make it back before the fog swallows you whole? 

This game is awful, don’t waste your time or money on it. It’s been a while since I’ve given up on a game, but The Foglands managed to break me. This game looks and feels generic and unfinished. While the concept and pitch are interesting, the execution lacks everything that would make this game playable. Levels are poorly designed, combat is slow and dull, and the game is broken and unplayable. I got to a point in the game where the game broke, and the only way to fix it was to start over. I didn’t have it in me. 

As far as VR games go, The Foglands is ugly and rushed. I don’t expect high-quality 4K graphics from a VR game on the Meta Quest 2, but I’ve played enough good-looking VR games to know when I am being cheated. Some assets were broken or missing, or walls that didn’t properly connect. This game is unstable, and I find it ridiculous that they charge $25 for something that clearly isn’t finished. 

I am not a snob. I could have excused the bugs and the ugliness if the game was fun and playable, but it isn’t. Players crawl the dungeon and fight monsters with pistols and improvised weapons like rocks or bottles until they die and do it all again. As they progress, they can unlock upgrades to make the runs easier. The problem with this loop is that combat is clunky and boring. There really is no reason to pick up this game when there are other games in this genre that do it better. 

The Foglands is a waste of time and money. It is clearly unfinished, and no amount of updates or added features is going to make it any more playable. You can pick it up now for the Meta Quest for $24.99 and PlayStation for $34.99, or wait for its release on Steam, but I wouldn’t bother. 

gaming news

Nintendo’s Indie World Showcase Review: My Top 5 Picks

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Nintendo just had its Indie World Showcase, and there are a few titles to be excited for. I’ll be going over the five that stood out to me the most, not necessarily the best. Make sure you check out the full Showcase because there might be some hidden gems waiting for you.

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.

Howl

A curse has fallen onto the land, turning all who hear into blood-thirsty beasts. The world’s salvation falls on the hands of a deaf girl. Does she have what it takes to rid the world of this curse?

Howl is a turn-based strategy game coming to all major consoles. I fell in love with Howl the instant I saw it. Its art style has a classic fairy tale vibe that I adore, and the gameplay looks interesting. I recommend you check out the trailer to appreciate the concept.  

You can pick up Howl now on Steam and Switch for $14.99. There is a demo available for both systems for those interested. Howl will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Epic Games on January 23rd, 2024. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist.

I did receive my review copy, so make sure you stick around for that. I was honestly going to pick it up regardless because this game gives me Child of Light vibes, and I love that game. 

Planet of Lana

A strange force of alien robots has invaded the planet and has begun taking its inhabitants. It is up to Lana and her small cat companion Mui to brave the dangers of the wilderness and get her back. What secrets will this adventure unlock? Will Lana ever see her sister again?

I’ve reviewed Planet of Lana on my blog before, and I can’t stress how badly you need to play this game. It has beautiful art, a solid story, an amazing soundtrack, and some chill puzzle action. If you like puzzle adventure games, you need this game. Go read my full review if you want to know more. 

Planet of Lana is coming to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 in the spring of next year, and trust me, it’s worth the wait. Make sure you wishlist it till then, or try the Steam demo in the meantime. 

Backpack Hero

Backpack Hero is a unique inventory management roguelike that has finally come to the switch. Brave the perilous procedurally generated dungeons with only what fits in your backpack. The road is dangerous, and you will die a lot, but it will be a heck of a ride. 

I’ve reviewed Backpack Hero before and loved every minute of it. The art is cute, but the gameplay is addicting. You’ll never have more fun managing your inventory. Check out my full review if you want to know more. 

Backpack Hero is out now for the Switch, and it is about time. This is the perfect game to play on the handheld. It’s fun, relaxing, and not a huge commitment. Although it might become one once you get hooked. You can pick Backpack Hero on the Switch for $19.99, but it is on sale now for $16.99 until November 21. Backpack Hero is also available on Steam. 

Death Trick: Double Blind

Morgan’s circus has come to town, but their star magician has gone missing, and it is up to you to find out what happened. What secrets will you uncover beneath the big top?

Death Trick: Double Blind is a unique visual novel that lets you embark on an intricate investigation and experience it from two perspectives. Choices matter, and you’ll have to come to your own conclusions, but it looks like it’s going to be a hell of a ride. The art is amazing, and I enjoy the concept. I’ve written about the game before, so make sure to check out the original post if you want to know more. 

Death Trick: Double Blind comes to Steam and Switch sometime next year. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist!

Blade Chimera

Last but not least we have Blade Chimera. Monsters and spirits have flooded the city, and it is up to Shin and the Missa Association to stop keeping humanity safe. Fight your way through this cyberpunk-themed 2D metroidvania game you aren’t going to want to miss. Use your demon sword to kill enemies, solve puzzles, and save humanity.

This game looks amazing, and I feel like I am due for another Metroidvania game. The art and aesthetic are awesome, and the gameplay looks fun. I am interested to see how creative they get with the sword’s magic. I know for a fact I am not good enough to beat this game, but I’d still like to try. Blade Chimera comes to Steam and Switch Spring 2024. Make sure you add it to your wishlist. 

video game reviews

Dungeons 4: A Wonderful Blend of Humor, Strategy, and Evil

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I was sent Dungeons 4 as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions about the game. This will be my honest review of Dungeons 4. 

If you enjoy my reviews, make sure you leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can always buy me coffee.

Dungeons 4 is a quirky and unique RTS out now for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Steam, Epic Games, and the official Kalypso store. The Absolute Evil is back to claim victory over the last remaining bastion of good. With your trusty servant Thalya captured, it is up to you to raise an army, spread your evil across the land, and get her back eventually. Do you have what it takes to finally defeat the forces of good?

This is the 4th installment to the Dungeons, but you don’t need to have played any of the Dungeons games to understand what is going on. Aside from a few references to the previous games, Dungeons 4′s story is self-contained and fantastic. Dungeons 4 is fun, quirky, and meta in a way that you need to play once to appreciate. It has a fantastic cast of voice actors, and a magnificent soundtrack to get you in the mood for evil. 

Most importantly, the gameplay is fun. Dungeons 4 is a wonderful blend of the village management, tower defense, and RTS genre. The game will frequently switch between genres as you move through the camping. 

Underground, you will build a dungeon where you gather resources and defend them against the forces of good. The game plays like the usual village builder, except the build phase won’t be endless. Eventually, you’ll build a strong enough force to clear the rest of the dungeon or make your way above ground where you’ll attempt to rescue your evil assistant Thalya. 

Heroes will occasionally attempt to raid your dungeon to steal your resources, kill your minions, and destroy the heart of the dungeon. You’ll be responsible for setting traps, building an army, and keeping them happy. I found this part of the game extremely relaxing and my favorite loop. It was fun trying to design a dungeon that was both functional and well-defended. I wish there were a way to speed up the levels, but the wait isn’t long enough for it to be a huge problem.

The RTS portions of the game are a bit simple, but I found them perfect for my skill level. I am not good at RTS games, so I appreciated that it provided enough challenge to keep things fun. There are ways to make this game more challenging, and there is even a co-op mode for added insanity, but I enjoyed the normal solo experience well enough to recommend it.

I loved this game and see myself replaying it in the future. It’s cute, it’s quirky, and everything I want from a casual RTS game. If you a looking for a wacky, relaxing experience in any of the mentioned genres, do yourself a favor and pick up Dungeons 4. 

You can pick up Dungeons 4 on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Steam, or Epic Games for $49.99. You can also get it directly from Kalypso for $47.99. It’s free on Game Pass if you have a subscription.

video game reviews

Why You Should Play Beyond Sunset, a Pixel-Art Cyber-Punk FPS

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I was sent Beyond Sunset as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions of the game. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. 

Beyond Sunset is a retro-style arcade shooter out now for PC. Use your powers to defeat enemies as you zip through a futuristic city, trying to earn back your memories. What truths will your deeds unlock? 

Beyond Sunset plays like a sped-up retro shooter like Doom but with enough modern tweaks to make it interesting to new and old fans of the genre. Players have access to fun and unique weapons to hack or shoot away unique enemies as they fight their way through a vibrant cyber-punk-inspired city. While this game may seem simple, the speed gives this game its challenge. Zipping and maneuvering through the hoards of enemies gets some getting used to. You will die a few times, but have a blast doing so. 

As you fight your way through the city, you’ll pick up upgrades and new weapons that affect gameplay. While it does make some encounters easier, there will always be enough of a challenge to keep the game engaging. Success in this game boils down to careful maneuvering and appropriately timed assassinations. While there was an occasional stutter here and there, the game ran great. I honestly forgot it was an early-access title. 

I had a lot of fun with this game. I love the pixel-art cyber-punk aesthetic, the high-speed gameplay, and the amazing synth-wave soundtrack. If you are a fan of the classic FPS, Beyond Sunset is a very welcomed update. If you need a new title to pass some time, Beyond Sunset is a fantastic addition to your collection. I know the game isn’t finished yet, but it honestly isn’t a problem. There is enough content available already to be worth every penny.

You can pick up Beyond Sunset on Steam for $9.99. It is currently on sale for $8.99 until November 15, but there is a demo available if you need further convincing.