The Diablo 4 developers just did an update livestream and it wasn’t too informative. The biggest takeaway from the stream is that we got dates for the Beta later this month. If you have preordered the game at any level, you will be able to play during the early access beta on March 17 from 7 am pst to March 20 at noon pst. Players will only get to play the barbarian, rogue, and sorcerer classes. For everyone who wishes to try the game before buying the game, the open beta is on the following weekend, March 24, 7 am pst – March 27, 12 pm pst. The open beta will give players access to all playable characters. The beta will be on PC and console with preloads available closer to launch. If you have a friend, Diablo 4 has couch co-op so long as both players have a Battlenet account.
It is important to note that while your progress in the early access beta carries over to the open beta, your progress will not carry over to full release. This restriction is because the first season will start shortly after the launch, and the developers wanted everyone to have the same advantages. There will be a few achievements that will carry over to full release. You can earn a couple of titles by playing through the game, which will also be available at launch, and a cute cosmetic you can only get from maxing out a character during the beta.
The max level for the beta is 25, and you will be allowed to create ten characters. Make sure you take as much time as you need with the character creation because your character will be featured in the cinematics. The beta will also have four world boss events. Make sure you check the schedule and location on the game’s socials or blog so you can participate. World bosses are 12-player events that do not need a party to enjoy. You should be able to participate so long as you are at the appropriate level. I like that Diablo 4 will have more of an MMO feel than 3. As you unlock more towns and strongholds, you will start seeing people running around the map like in Diablo Immortal, but hopefully with fewer predatory microtransactions.
There wasn’t too much else to the stream. The rest of the stream focuses on how to play Diablo 4. Unless you’ve never played an RPG, the livestream isn’t worth your time.
I will be playing the open beta because I love Diablo, but $70 to preorder isn’t in my budget at the moment. I am a bit upset that a game this expensive also has a $10 season pass. While the season passes won’t affect gameplay, I don’t want to pay $70+ to play a game and an additional $40 a year to look cool. Season passes seem to be the norm now. What can be done?
Game Review: Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
So I got Theatrhythm Final Bar Line because I wanted something that would tide me over while I waited for Digimon World: New Order to release. It looked like a cute rhythm game, and the gameplay didn’t seem too involved. Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a Final Fantasy-themed rhythm game that you can play on the PlayStation or Nintendo Switch. If you are a fan of the series, you will probably enjoy this game more than I do. It isn’t a bad game, I just didn’t appreciate it as much as I could if I had that nostalgic connection this is aimed towards.
For the most part, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a solid rhythmic game. The mechanics are easy to grasp, the animations are cute, and there is a lot of content to unlock. My issue with this game is the music choice. I haven’t played any Final Fantasy games except for a bit of the MMOs. While I didn’t hate the music, it isn’t what I want in a rhythm game. I wish I could use my music like I can with Melody’s Escape because I loved watching my little party fight monsters. I needed something more upbeat and catchy for my enjoyment. I didn’t hate the game. I had fun playing through the songs, but it isn’t something I could play for too long without losing interest.
If you want a cute and chill rhythm game and love Final Fantasy, this is a great title to pick up. Otherwise, I would wait for a sale. You can get your copy for the Nintendo Switch of PlayStation today. If you want to try it before you buy, go check out the demo!
Octopath Traveller II Demo
The Octopath Traveller II demo is out now, so I had to give it a try. I played it on the Switch, but the demo is also playable on Steam and PlayStation. I loved the original Octopath traveler, so I have been rightfully excited for this sequel’s release. I am a huge fan of the art, the gameplay is solid, and although the story is a bit lacking, it was good enough to finish.
The demo lets you pick from the eight playable classes and play through the first three hours. If you decide to buy the game, you’re save carry over to the full game. This is a fantastic way to handle a demo because you have nothing to lose.
Honestly, this demo excited me for the release later this month. I played the thief story and was caught off guard by how dark it got. The voice acting is fantastic, and although I’m not a huge fan of the writing style, it did enough to get me hooked. If you are looking for a chill RPG with a decent story and production value, try out this demo. Don’t worry if you haven’t played the first Octopath Traveler. The games are self-contained enough that it doesn’t matter where you start. You might as well start with what is new and shiny.
Octopath Traveller II comes out on February 24, 2023, but you can download the demo today!
Image By Square Enix – IGN, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72138946
Game Review: Risen (2023)
I was sent Risen as a review code. I am very grateful to have gotten this opportunity, but I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be an honest review of the game.
Risen is an action role-playing game from 2009 that has now been ported over to all the major consoles. I got to play it on the Xbox One. This isn’t a remaster of the original. It is the same game. If you are a fan of the original or want to play it for the first time on your modern console, now is the time.
You find yourself shipwrecked on the island of Faranga with only the clothes on your back. Forge your path through the island as you survive its many dangers and claim its treasures. This island is cruel and full of warring factions, dangerous beasts, earthquakes, and storms. How you conquer this island is in your hands. Will you do it with a sword in hand or magic? What secrets will you uncover along the way?
The game does look and feels old, but it hasn’t aged terribly. While it may feel clunky compared to modern standards, it isn’t a terrible experience. Once you get used to the feel, everything else falls into place. The game looks fine for how old it is, but I did find it a bit too dark for my liking. The voice acting is fantastic, and the story hooks are interesting enough to get you going.
I liked the freedom this game gives you. The maps are pretty open, and there is enough choice from the quests you accept to the way you play to keep the game fresh. I however found this freedom limited by its difficulty. You will die a lot in this game, so save frequently. The combat is smooth but hard to master. This is also a game that doesn’t hold your hand, you have to figure everything out on your own. I suggest you keep a guide handy. I found the one published in Mike’s RPG Center to be very helpful, but there are many other great ones to choose from.
If you like these kinds of difficult games, you will have a lot better time with them than I did. I don’t have the time or patience for these kinds of games. I kept having to start over, and I don’t have the time for that It certainly has its niche with those who like Souls-like games. If you are looking for a chill game to play but are limited in the time you can budget for gaming, I suggest you look elsewhere. Otherwise, the game has aged well enough for those interested.
You can grab your copy of the rerelease for Xbox, Nintendo, and PlayStation.
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Game Review: Power Chord
I was sent Power Chord as a review code. While I am very grateful for this opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.
Power Chord is a rogue-like deck builder available now on Steam similar to games like Slay the Spire or Monster Train, but with a metal-inspired aesthetic.
Demons run the city. It is up to you and the band you assemble to defeat them. As you make your way to the top of the demon tower, you will collect cards that you will use to make a deck worthy of killing the four warlords that guard it. Along the way, you will also find gear or trigger random events that can help or hinder your ascent. This game is very RNG-reliant, and this can make your runs fun or miserable.
For the most part, the gameplay is solid. The animation and art style are neat, the attacks and flavor are fun, and it requires enough strategy to keep me engaged through your first run. The story doesn’t really matter because most of the gameplay exists within the grind. My issue with the game is that it is repetitive. I like card games enough that I didn’t mind the repletion so much, but this isn’t a title you will no life to completion.
The RNG can be an issue in this game. When it is fair, and you get excellent pulls, the game is a lot of fun. Other times, you will pull the worst cards, and your run becomes nearly impossible. While the RNG might give the illusion of variety, it makes the grind feel harsher than it is. Unlocking new cards and champions felt slow because I kept running through the same scenarios. They have been adding new playable characters to the roster. This gives the deck building side of the game a bit more diversity, but you still have the issue of facing the same types of battles.
I liked the game, but I love deck builders and metal. Because of how repetitive this game is, the price is an issue. If you are looking for something you can play in small bursts when you just want to chill and listen to some cool music, the game is fine. If you want a challenging and complex story, wait for the sale. If you are a fan of the genre, you might be disappointed by the game’s lack of diversity. I would probably wait for a sale or for the developers to add more content.
This game is available on Steam.
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Game Review: Fashion Police Squad
I was sent Fashion Police Squad as a review code. While I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to review this game, I am not letting this sway my opinion. This will be my honest review of the game.
Fashion Police Squad is a retro FPS Doom clone with a silly quirk. It is available on all major platforms and PC. This review will be on the PC version. You play as Sargent Des who suddenly finds himself in a city with an abnormal boom in fashion crimes. It is up to you to fight these crimes and get to the bottom of what is behind this sudden wave.
The writing in this game is fine. It is full of fashion-related puns, and at least some will make you laugh. I got a good chuckle out of this game and appreciate the developers’ commitment to the bit. The plot has a predictable mystery, but you aren’t playing this game for its deep storytelling.
This game is a mostly more polished retro fps full of inventive weapons and hilarious enemies. Each enemy comes with a specific weakness that requires you to constantly switch between your equipment. This mechanic gives the game a welcomed level of difficulty. I played on the normal difficulty and thought the game was challenging enough, but you can always raise it if you find it too easy. I found that even on normal difficulty, I had to plan out my moves and be aware of enemy positioning or else be overwhelmed.
That said, the game isn’t perfect yet. I found instances where I could confuse the NPCs and get them stuck in loops that made them easy to kill. There were also a few performance issues, especially in instances with many enemies, where the game would stutter; or frames would drop after each kill. The performance issues never made the game unplayable, but they are noticeable when it happens.
I had a lot of fun with this game. I love retro FPS games and found this to be a delightful little take on the genre. The humor was a vibe that I was all about, although I will admit some of the slang did go over my head. The art is really cool, and their attention to detail is admirable. Most importantly, this game is fun. It is definitely worth the $20. The game is on sale for $17 until February 16 on the Xbox, PC, and Switch.
You can grab your copy of Fashion Police Squad on the Nintendo Switch, Playstation, Xbox, and Steam.
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For whatever reason, WordPress isn’t letting me post my gameplay video so here is a great one by ContraNetwork
The Pathless
I just watched the trailer for The Pathless, and I thought I would share it with you. The Pathless is an action-adventure game available on all major consoles, PC, and IOS devices. Take control of a hunter and her eagle as you travel through a magical land, riding it of darkness with the help of your archery and acrobatic skills. This game might be worth looking into if you are in the market for a faster-paced platformer. I don’t think I will be picking it up because I have a few games lined up for review, but the art looks interesting, and the gameplay seems solid. It doesn’t seem too bad for $40.
You can get your copy for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, Steam, and IOS. This game is included in your apple arcade subscription if you have one. It is mostly available in digital format, but I was able to find a physical copy for the PS5 that is a bit cheaper at $21.95 through my affiliate link.
NintendoGalaxy put out a nice video showcasing the gameplay on the Nintendo Switch that is worth checking out if you are interested in the the game.
Game Review: SpongeBob: The Cosmic Shake
I was sent this game as a review code. While I am very grateful for the chance to review this title, I will not let the fact that I got this game for free skew my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.
SpongeBob The Cosmic: Shake is a 3D platformer available on all major consoles and PC. This review is for the PC version. Play as your favorite yellow sponge as he traverses the multiverse to save his friends and Bikini Bottom. Can you collect enough jelly to put everything back to normal?
I wasn’t surprised by how much I enjoyed playing this game. Traditionally, SpongeBob titles have been good enough, and by all accounts, this game follows said tradition. It may not change the gaming climate or be a lasting title, but it is a relaxing title that you should pick up if you are just trying to chill.
The story is pretty simple and negligible. SpongeBob breaks reality, and it is up to him to put it back together. You get to travel to different themed worlds where you must complete quests to return your friends to Bikini Bottom. It is very reminiscent of titles like Banjo Kazooie or Spiro, but I would argue that SpongeBob is a little easier.
The platforming is simple but satisfying. It will be easy for those veterans of the genre, but it provides enough of a challenge to help you pass the time. This game was made for a younger audience, but that doesn’t mean adults won’t enjoy it. This game is full of jokes, references, and easter eggs that will make even the most casual fans of the series smile. I loved the dose of nostalgia this game was for me, but also adored the gameplay built around it. As someone who traditionally hates platformers, this became an enjoyable time sink.
The game runs smoothly for the most part. I averaged 80 fps, but I did notice the occasional stuttering and frame drops. The drops weren’t bad enough to render the game unplayable, but it is noticeable when it happens. I hope the publishers will continue to support this game by releasing updates and patches.
If you have kids, this title is a must-buy. It is cute, inoffensive, and hard enough without being impossible. If you don’t have kids, it’s worth the $40 if you are looking for something relaxing to play. It has all the SpongeBob references you can take, costumes to collect, fun music, nice graphics, wonderfully themed worlds, and your favorite yellow sponge. What more can you want from a SpongeBob title?
Grab your copy for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. And for those who prefer physical copies, why not get them using my affiliate links: Switch, PS4, Xbox
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I couldn’t list my video for whatever reason so here is IGN’s gameplay if you need to see more.
Game Review: Fire Emblem Engage
Traditionally, I haven’t been a fan of strategy games, but with age, I find myself coming around. I have never played a Fire Emblem title before, and when I saw the ads for Engage, I thought this would be a great time to start. I loved the art style, and the animation looked very cool. I was not disappointed by this title, and Engage quickly became one of my obsessions. I recommend this game to anyone looking for a new game to play, even if you don’t like the genre.
Fire Emblem Engage is a strategy JRPG for the Nintendo Switch where you play as Alear and her allies as they fight against the evil ancient dragon Sombron and try to stop him from taking over the world. With the help of the spirits of great warriors, you and your allies fight against formidable foes in decisive battles that can change everything. Can you collect all the emblems and defeat Sombron before it is too late?
I found the story for this title a bit generic and predictable. It leans heavily on anime tropes, and I found some of the character development a bit lacking. That said, the story is good enough for the casual experience this became for me. It isn’t a bad story, but I have a feeling that there are better stories in the series that I will be exploring in the future.
The gameplay is a bit of a mixed bag. There are elements of the gameplay like the combat that I loved, but there are other elements that felt like they bogged the game down, like the training mini-games. What sets Engage apart from other strategy games I’ve played is its social mechanics You are encouraged to make friends with your allies through a series of activities you complete in-between battles. You can eat, train, and talk with allies to unlock additional backstory and small buffs. This was an interesting concept that quickly became a chore as the stories I sat through stopped being as interesting, and the minigames stopped being fun. I just wanted to beat the next chapter, but I also wanted to make sure I collected all the available buffs. If you like the characters you interact with, this might not feel as much of a chore.
I loved the combat in this game. I played this game on normal difficulty and on casual because I couldn’t handle the permanence of death. There is a mode in this game where death is permanent. Units that die in combat die in the story, and you no longer have access to them. This is a very cool mechanic, but one that I wasn’t ready for at the start of my adventure. I found the normal difficulty challenging enough for my abilities, but the options are available from the start for those of you who need the extra challenge. One thing to note about the normal difficulty is that it is very easy to over-level. I can’t speak for harder difficulties, but you don’t really need to grind much on normal to beat the story.
So is this game worth it? Yes. Although it has its flaws, it serves as a fantastic introduction to the series. As someone who has never played another Fire Emblem game, I am left wanting more. I went into this title blind without knowing anything about the series, and never felt lost with the lore. The mechanics were easy to pick up, the story is good enough, and the animation is very cool. There are settings in this game to speed up combat by turning off animations, but I left them on because I loved watching the combat. If you are looking for a fun strategy game that isn’t a huge commitment, check out Fire Emblem Engage.
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GrimGrimoire OnceMore
I’ve noticed that Nintendo has been trying very hard to bring classic titles to a modern audience. I for one am in full support and am excited for what is to come. These aren’t just simple ports, at least they don’t promise to be. These seem to be full-on remasters with updated graphics and improved gameplay. I hope this will be the norm for the rest of the Switch’s lifespan.
The first remastered game I want to bring to your attention is GrimGrimoire OnceMore. This is a fantasy real-time strategy game. Play as Lillet as she enters her first year at Magic Academy and learn from the different schools of magic. Use the magic you learn to summon minions and cast powerful spells to defend the school from disaster. Can you save the school before it is too late?
The art looks great, the story seems interesting, and it is promising fantastic world-building. The game looks to play like a tower defense game. I may not be good at the genre, but it is one of my favorite genres. Whether it is the custom games from Warcraft 3 or Orcs Must Die, I’ve spent more hours than I’d care to admit obsessing over ways to stop the hordes. GrimGrimoire OnceMore is looking to be a very relaxing experience that I will probably pick up at launch to see how good the world-building is.
According to the official website, this version promises a myriad of improvements to the gameplay, and art, and it will even come with new features. As nostalgic as I am for the classic era of gaming, I can’t help but be grateful for the quality of life changes that come with the modern age.
The game is set to release for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on April 4, 2023. You can preorder your copy today! (Amazon Affiliate Links)
The Collectors Edition is also up for Preorder
Preorder from the official NIS store (Switch)
