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gaming news, Tech Reviews

The Streaming and Charging Cable from ZyberVR is a solid addition to your VR Kit

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The last product I am reviewing for ZyberVR is their USB-A/C Streaming and Charging Cable. I will note that I am an affiliate, and I was sent the cable for free. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions on the product. This will be my honest review.

Make sure you read my reviews for the 2-in-1 multipurpose sticks, and the prescription lenses as well. Please use my discount code CHURAPE at checkout for 15% off your purchase. If you enjoy these reviews, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share them with your friends.

There isn’t too much to say about this cable other than it beats paying $80 for the official Quest Link cable. For $33, you are getting a thick durable 16 ft (5m) cable. It has easy-to-see LED indicators to let you know that it is charging, and 16 feet is a good length for play. At least it was for my setup. The port has a convenient 90-degree angle so it doesn’t get in the way when it’s hooked up, and it comes with a built-in USC-A to C adapter that you can cycle through easily. This is incredibly convenient because you don’t need to have a separate dongle for those times you need USB-C.

ZyberVR promises high transfer rates of up to 20 Gbps and 2.2 Gbps streaming speed, but I don’t have a rig to test this. That said, transferring files to and from my headset felt quicker, and I never experienced any lag or stutters while playing games from my PC.

I can’t compare this to the official Meta cable because I am not spending $80 on a cable when cheaper comparable alternatives exist. If you are looking for a cable for your VR setup, check out the Streaming and Charging Cable by Zyber VR. It’s long and sturdy, and it gets the job done. If you buy anything from Zyber VR, make sure you use my discount code CHURAPE at checkout for 15% off.

gaming news, video game reviews

The Cowboy 3030 demo offers a solid glimpse of a neat little rogue-lite coming to PC

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I got to try the Cowboy 3030 demo, which will be featured in the Steam Next Fest. The Steam Next Fest is a multi-day event where gamers can try new games, chat with devs, and learn about upcoming releases. The Event runs from October 9th to the 16th, so make sure you tune in. 

Cowboy 3030 is a rogue-lite Wild West-themed shooter set in the future. Choose your cowboy and fight your way through the endless waves of goons from the evil Nebularos gang. 

The demo lets players choose between two cowboys: Calix and Keri. Calix is fantastic at short-range combat with his revolvers, electric lasso, and flash grenade. Kari is your girl for long-range combat with her arsenal of riffles, access to a defensive electro screen, and an exploding bowling bomb. Both have distinct playstyles, and the game has a unique skill tree that ensures each run feels different. 

Players will start their runs by choosing a loadout. As you play, you will unlock new weapons and characters to help you hone in on a playstyle that works best for you. The goal is to clear as many of the procedurally generated levels without dying. Throughout each run, you level up your tree and collect money to buy upgrades. The tree is a large grid that gives players the freedom to build their character to their liking. The tree is randomly generated, but I never felt like the RNG ruined any of my runs. 

Cowboy 3030 has a solid demo. The game looks great and runs well, the mechanics are fun, and players get a nice taste of what is to come. Obviously, there isn’t enough content to judge it too harshly, but I enjoyed the demo enough to recommend it. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the Steam Next Fest catalog, Cowboy 3030 is a solid place to start. It is a nice relaxing rogue-lite that will keep you entertained for a couple of hours. The game is planned to be released during Q1 of 2024, but you can try the demo out today!

gaming news, Tech Reviews, video game reviews

The ZyberVR Multipurpose 3-in-1 sticks for the Meta Quest 2 are a neat accessory you might want

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ZyberVR sent me their Multipurpose 3-in-1 sticks for the Meta Quest to review and made me an affiliate. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the product.

The multipurpose sticks are accessories for the Quest 2 motion controllers that provide users with added immersion while gaming. They are usable in three modes: Dual handle, golf handle, and long handle. The dual handle is designed for games with swords, like Beat Saber. The long handle connects the two handles in the middle and is perfect for games like Kayak VR. The golf handle is self-explanatory.

The kit comes with two color-coded handles, two clearly labeled motion controller clips, two thick wrist straps, two clear plastic halo casings, and a tube to connect or extend the handles. The accessories are built from good quality plastic, the foam is comfortable, and there is no way the controllers are slipping off during play. The instructions are in Mandarin, but the pictures are easy to follow. Instantiation and switching between the accessories is fast and simple.

What I appreciated most about this product are the added protective accessories that come with it. The kits come with thick and sturdy wrist straps to replace the ones included with the Quest 2. The straps are easy to install and aren’t coming off. The kit also includes clear silicon casings for the motion control halo. These are easy to install and don’t interfere with tracking. They aren’t going to keep your controllers from breaking after a large impact, but they will keep them from scratching and scuffing from the lighter ones.

The only game I own to test the stick on is Beat Saber, and it worked perfectly. They provided a more immersive experience, a comfortable grip, and slip protection from my overly sweaty hands. Playing with the sticks felt more accurate, and I saw an improvement in my performance. One issue I had was that anything that involved the buttons or triggers became awkward. This might be something you can get used to, but I never did. This accessory is best when you don’t need comfortable access to any of the buttons.

If you spend a lot of time in VR and need the extra emersion, this is a fantastic accessory. Unlike the ZyberVR Prescription Lenses, the Multipurpose 3-in-1 sticks aren’t something you need for your setup, but it is something you will appreciate having once you use them. The kit goes for $34.99 on the Zyber store and is currently $8 off. If you buy anything from the ZyberVR store, don’t forget to use my discount code CHURAPE at checkout for an extra 15% off.

gaming news

Spasms of Stupidity is a spiritual successor to DragonForce that you might want to look into

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Spasms of Stupidity fell into my inbox, and I thought I would share it because it is a neat concept. Spasms of Stupidity is a roguelike wargame for pc reminiscent of the DragonForce game for the Sega Saturn. The game is still in its early stages, but I can see the potential. 

You command a legion of demons on a campaign to take over the world. There are skill trees, item crafting, and a campaign to complete. You will arrange your troops, set your orders, and watch as your army does battle. As you play, you will unlock new characters, skills, and items to help you with future runs, which is to be expected from any roguelike. If you enjoy war simulators, especially ones on a large scale, this project might be worth supporting. There are some complexities and mechanics I am I am brushing over, but the video does a better job of showing them in action. 

The game is still in its early stages, and looking for funding on Kickstarter. The Kickstarter launches on November 1st. It isn’t going to be for everyone, but with diligence, I can see it satisfying in its niche. Always be mindful of backing a Kickstarter, but someone has to bid on the little guys. 

If you want to stay up to date on the news, check out the Steam and Epic Games Store pages. If you’ve been enjoying these updates, make sure you like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.

gaming news, Tech Reviews

ZyberVR makes the prescription lenses you didn’t know you needed

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ZyberVR reached out and asked me to review a few of their products for my blog. ZyberVR makes third-party accessories for VR headsets. I was fortunate to be sent three of their products, and will review them honestly. If you end up buying anything off of the Zyber VR site, make sure you use my code: CHURAPE for 15% off your order. You can also use my affiliate links. If you like these reviews, like, comment, subscribe, and share them with your friends.

The first item I’ll be covering is the blue light protection prescription lens attachment they have for the Meta Quest 2, PSVR, and Pico 4. I don’t wear glasses, so I’ll be reviewing the blue light protection without a prescription for the Meta Quest 2.

The lenses are well made. The frames are of solid construction, and the lenses look good. They come with a nice protective carrying case but a cheap cleaning cloth. The cloth will clean the lenses, but if you wear glasses, you have nicer ones.

The attachment comes in two pieces, the frame that connects to the headset, and a magnetic frame that holds the lenses. The magnets are strong enough to keep the lenses secure to the headset, but they make changing and removing them easy. This is a great feature for times you need to share your headset with someone who doesn’t have the same prescription. Installation is a simple process, and they stay on securely without issues.

My biggest issue with VR is my sensitivity to blue light. I can only manage short sessions in VR before I have to stop due to strain. While I did manage longer sessions with the lenses on, I am not quite convinced they were necessary. It could be that my eyes are too sensitive to be effective, so your mileage may vary. If you wear glasses, you need to buy yourself a pair. ZyberVR offers a wide range of prescriptions for a reasonable price.

Prescription lenses with blue light protection are available for the Quest 2, PSVR, and Pico 4 for $55. Blue light protection lenses without the protection are available for the Quest 2, PSVR, and Pico 4 for $35. They are currently on sale for $10. Don’t forget to use my discount code CHURAPE at checkout to save 15%.

video game reviews

Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society, its cute and fun, but not for everyone

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I was sent Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society as a review code. I am very grateful for this opportunity because this game has been on my Wishlist since it was announced for the Switch. That said, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.

Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society is a retro-feeling dungeon crawler available now for the PlayStation, Switch, and PC via Steam. Eureka has been hired by Madame Marta to search the mysterious Labyrinth of Galleria for the nine mysterious Curios d’art. With the help of puppet warriors, you must delve into the labyrinth and uncover its secrets. What will your adventure hold?

This game is cute, but it feels unfinished. The deeper I got into the game, the harder it was to finish. The story was fine, but the gameplay loop started to feel repetitive. I enjoyed this game in small bursts. The exploration and combat were soothing, and I enjoyed the story. The problem is that there wasn’t enough to keep me engaged. Labyrinth of Galleria isn’t a bad game. I enjoyed it, but it doesn’t do enough to be worth $50. If you like retro dungeon crawlers and don’t mind how heavily it falls onto anime tropes, the game is fine. It has a pleasing art style, terrific voice actors, and a solid story. If you don’t, maybe wait for a good sale.

The gameplay loop is simple. You move through the dungeon in a first-person view one square at a time, and fight monsters with dolls you collect. Combat runs like a traditional RPG and unlocks new dolls and abilities the deeper you get into the game.

The problem I have with this game lies with the gameplay. The game is fun until the grind gets stale. There are settings you can mess with to make the grind manageable, but it got harder to keep playing the longer I sat with it. This is a game that is tricky to recommend because of how niche it is. 

You can pick up Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society for PlayStation, Switch, and Steam for $49.99. Steam currently has it on sale for $39.99 for their NIS publisher sale, but unless you like retro dungeon crawlers, there are better titles you can look at. The sale ends on October 16th.

gaming news

The first gamplay trailer for the upcoming pixel art MMO Drakantos just dropped, and I am hyped!

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I’ve been excited about Drakantos since learning about it at GDC. Drakantos is a free-to-play pixel art MMO coming to PC and mobile devices. Instead of classes, players can choose from a roster of 21 unique characters to set off on their adventure. I love the art, the voice acting sounds amazing, and what I’ve seen of the story has me curious. I’ve written about the game in previous posts. Make sure you check those out if you want more details. If you’ve enjoyed these updates, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends!

Well, developers just dropped a gameplay trailer, and I can’t help but stay excited for the release. If you are a fan of early-era Runescape, this game may be for you. The gameplay looks relaxing, but there seems to be enough challenge involved to keep it engaging. The boss fights to look like a ton of fun, and it looks like there is an emphasis on party play. I am always in favor of a game that helps foster a strong community. It is too early to tell from the images and video how good this game will be, but I am interested. Hopefully, we get a demo soon. I’ll be following Drakanto’s development closely to report on any major updates, but you should join the official Discord so you are always up to date. Don’t forget to add Drakantos to your wishlist!

gaming news

Voting for the 2023 Golden Joystick Awards has started, and the winners should be: Viewfinder and Planet of Lana

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Voting for the 2023 Golden Joystick Awards has started, and two games I’ve covered this year have been nominated, Viewfinder and Planet of Lana. I loved these games so much that I felt they were worth revisiting, at least for your consideration. Make sure you check out the original reviews, but please vote for whatever feels right.

Voting closes on October 20, and winners will be announced on November 10 during the ceremony. Make sure you head over to the official site to vote and show your favorite games some love.

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

Viewfinder

Viewfinder is up for two awards this year, Best Visual Design and Best Indie Game. These nominations are spot on. This game was one of the most visually striking and innovative puzzle games I’ve ever played. Everything about this game is so much fun. The visuals are beautiful, the music is fantastic, and the puzzles are so much fun. If you haven’t played this game yet, you need to! Make sure you check out my full review and go play Viewfinder on Playstation or Steam! The game is currently $24.99 on both platforms and worth every penny.

Planet of Lana

Planet of Lana is up for Xbox Game of the Year, and I can’t think of a game more deserving. This is easily one of my favorite games of the year. it had a beautiful art style with a fantastic world, a wonderful story, and great mechanics. It also has one of the best sound tracks you will ever get to sit through. If you are looking for a fun and relaxing puzzle adventure game, you need Planet of Lana. Make sure you check out my full review. You can pick up Planet of Lana on Steam or Xbox for $19.99, or free if you have Game Pass.

gaming news

The Second Wave beta means we have more lore and playable heroes on the way!

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Beta Coming October 6th!

The Second Wave beta is just a week away, and I can’t wait to jump back in. I first tried Second Wave at GDC and got to play in the Alpha earlier this year. I loved this game so much that I am still following it closely, counting the days till I can log back into Armantia!

Second Wave is a free-to-play shooter coming to Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, IOS and Android Devices, and PC via Steam and STOVE. A release date hasn’t been announced, but I will keep you posted. The game will be cross-platform between consoles and PC, but mobile devices will have to play with each other to keep things fair. The game allows gamers to play as unique heroes as they fight in epic team battles over Armantia. I love the art and character design, but it might be a little heavy on the anime side for some folks. Art style shouldn’t matter when the game is this fun. Finally, Second Wave promises not to be pay-to-win. All monetization will exist within a cosmetic-only cash shop or battle pass. It’s not clear how they will handle hero unlocks, but I hope it’s not as predatory as Overwatch 2. 

The beta will run from October 6th to the 6th for Steam, Stove, and Xbox insider members only. This will be an open Beta. All you need to do is download the game during the beta period and play till your heart’s content. No announcements have been made about signing up through Xbox Insider yet. I recommend you join the official discord to stay up to date on all the updates.

As we gear up for the open beta, we got a few new characters teased as well as some lore for Ess’el. We have more lore on the way, but I just couldn’t wait another day for this update. If you’ve been enjoying these updates, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends. 

Ess’el’s Backstory

Ess’el was the first hero I played as, and was the reason I fell in love with the game. Funnily enough, it was also the first choice for the two girls I played against. I don’t think I’ll main here because I love the support role too much, but she will always have a special place in my heart. Her back story just dropped, and it is as edgy and cool as you would have expected! She is a fun melee character that I am sure will see a lot of play.

Aegis

Here is a character we’ve seen briefly before. I love the dark and light motif. This is on the list of characters I am going to try to main. She will be playable in the open beta. The rest of the reveals will follow without much description because we only got the name drop so far.

Jemma

Spade Four

Jack

video game reviews

Disgaea 7, the cute anime game you are going to want to play at least once!

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I was sent Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless to review a little after my previous post. I’ve been excited about this title since the first announcement and was planning on buying it regardless. I am very fortunate to get the chance to review it for my site, but I won’t let this sway my opinions on the game. This will be my honest review of the game. If you’ve been enjoying my reviews, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends. 

Disgaea 7 is a quirky and unique JRPG for PlayStation, Steam, and Nintendo Switch. This review is based on the Steam version. 

This is a cute game with stunning visuals, a fantastic soundtrack, and fun gameplay. Do not let how cute this game looks fool you. This game is difficult if you don’t take it seriously. I found the stages appropriately challenging and the mechanics engaging. I played the game on Easy, which was appropriate for my skill level. Although I never found the stages impossible or frustrating, it was easy to wipe if I wasn’t playing strategically. If you’ve never played a strategy game, it has terrific tutorials to get you started.

The story is a little on the silly side, with a general cheesiness I found charming. It has a cast of tremendous actors that make the cut scenes such a delight to sit through. I can see this being a niche game due to its tone, but the gameplay is fun enough that it won’t matter. The story is self-contained enough to exist on its own. While you won’t need to play any of the other games in the series to enjoy Disgaea 7, you are going to. 

Aside from the combat, what I love most about this game is how much you can do at the base. Between stages, you get access to all these shops where you recruit new heroes, learn new skills, buy items, vote for buffs, and do other administrative stuff to prepare for the next stage. As goofy as this game looks, I spent a lot of time planning things through, and I loved every minute of it. 

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless releases in North America on October 3rd on PlayStation, Steam, and Switch for $59.99. If it’s not yet on your wishlist, it should be.