Tag Archives: gaming review

Tech Reviews

Reviewing the Huanuo FlowLift Dual Monitor Mount

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

Huanuo sent me the FlowLift Pro dual monitor mount to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my review for the NitroGlide mount and the Magno ModuleMaster laptop stand. I’ll be using my Amazon Affiliate link were possible. It really helps me out if you click it before buying anything.

Table of Contents

Unboxing

Features

People who struggle with a cluttered workspace should invest in a good monitor arm. Not only does it give users the flexibility to customize their workstation, but it gives them much needed room for activities. If are looking for a way to maximize your workspace, Huanuo has the monitor arm that is right for you.

Quality

The FlowLift is Huanuo’s high quality solution for your monitor arm needs. It is crafted from high quality, durable, professional metals. The MechaSpring arms not only make the FlowLift extremely versatile, users can rest easy that their monitors won’t come crashing down in the middle of the night. Each arm can hold 13″ – “32” monitors and have a max load of 19.8 lbs. The LockSteady system means you can adjust the monitors to the perfect, ergonomic angle quickly and easily. As an added bonus, the arms come with built in wire management systems to help keep your desk as clean as possible. If you are looking for a monitor arm system that is easy to install, flexible, and that works properly, check out the Huanuo FlowLift.

Review

After a month of testing, my monitors stand securely on my desk. I moved these arms several times a day because of my work flow, and I have yet to notice any dip in performance. The Huanuo FlowLift dual monitor arm is the perfect solution for those who want a cleaner workspace that is affordable and doesn’t skimp on quality. I love the FlowLift, and it would be my main setup if I wasn’t so in love with the NitroGlide mount.

Quality

Out of the box, users will be impressed with the mounts clean manufacturing. The metal feels and looks high quality, which is something you need in a monitor mount. Monitors are expensive and the last thing you need is for your arms to give out and your set up come crashing down. I have little doubt in the reliability of these arms because of how well they stay in the several positions I transitioned to throughout the day. I like that you can see the spring. While I don’t know much about springs, they got the job done. The only complaint I have is that the wire management system does feel a little flimsy, but if you aren’t constantly adding and removing wires through the system, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Easy of Installation

It took me maybe 15 minutes to install these, and some of the time was dedicated to taking down my old setup. The instructions are clear and intuitive, and the kit itself doesn’t take many steps to finish. You will need a couple of tools to finish the installation like a better alan wrench, but it isn’t a difficult or demanding build. I am a huge fan of the InstaMount VESA Plates. Essentially, you install a plate to the back of your monitors and clip it to the arm. It has never been easier to install a monitor to a mount.

Customization

The FlowLift is an extremely versatile mount that gives users too many options. You can easily adjust the monitor to a position that works best for you, and change it in seconds if the mood ever strikes. The mount supports dual horizontal, horizontal vertical, and dual vertical. It doesn’t support a stacked configuration, but I don’t really need that. You can then swivel, tilt, and rotate both the arms and the monitors to find the best position. I love this feature because not only do I switch between devices, but I switch between standing and sitting. I was able to always find the perfect angle whether I was working on my bed, standing, or using my laptop. Most people will probably set it and forget it, it is always nice to have the option if you need to adjust your workspace’s fung shui.

Conclusion

The only thing I didn’t like about the FlowLift is that it didn’t have the USB ports the NitroGlide has. I use these slots a lot more than I thought I would, but for those who don’t need it, the FlowLift is perfect. I would even argue that the FlowLift is better because of how much easier it is to install. If you need a high quality monitor arm that you can rely on that is at a very good price point, get the FlowLift. Trust me, this thing is amazing!

video game reviews

Is Humans vs Orcs Worth Your Time?

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Humans vs Orcs to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

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

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Humans vs Orcs

Humans vs Orcs is an idle (incremental) game out on Steam and Itch.io. You can currently try the game out for free on Itch.io.

Hook

The orcs are invading, and you are the last line of defense. Send your army of brave solders to defend against the endless waves of monsters, dragons, and their bosses. Use the gold you gain from taxes, kills, and the skulls of the soldiers you march to their deaths to upgrade future generations. Unlock new units and customize your loadouts. Do you have what it takes to keep your walls from crumbling under the weight of the orcish threat, or will you be overwhelmed like all the other human settlements before yours?

Gameplay

This is an idle game where you only click to choose the upgrades and summon soldiers. Combat is automated, so sit back and watch your soldiers defend your city. The round is over when you can successfully fight back the orcish invasion, or your city falls. Between waves, you can unlock new abilities to summon like a hail of arrows or new units to summon. You can only have three types of units to summon during a round, and can edit this loadout between rounds.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Yes, this game works fine on the steam deck, but some of the clickable areas are a little small. Changing the game speed is a bit annoying and the fact that you have to set it after each death is frustrating. Otherwise, I appreciate that I can touch my selections. The game is very low profile so it won’t kill your battery or make your fans go crazy. Is it a good Steam Deck game tho? Not really. It feels like a waste to use your Steam Deck for and idle game, even one that requires as many imputs as Humans vs Orcs.

Review

I enjoy idle games. I’ve spent too much time in idle gocha games like Monmusu Girls, but that was only fun because I got to collect waifus. The game isn’t terrible. Human vs Orcs has a cool fantasy aesthetic and some cozy vibes, but it feels like busy work. A lot of the time, it feels like I am just waiting for a timer. Most of the time, it feels like it better to do nothing to collect enough gold to do better damage in future turns. If you’re looking for an idle game to play, check out Tingus Goose instead.

Aesthetic

Humans vs Orcs is a very cool looking game. I am a sucker for pixel art, and the detail that goes into this world is fantastic. I like the units, the animation is cute, and the monsters are terrifying. The game has clear inspiration from the Warcraft franchise, which is great, but it does remind me that I would rather be playing Warcraft instead.

Gameplay

The game is fine if you haven’t played any idle games. As far as idle games go, it feels like too much work. Most Idle games require a lot of clicking, especially when they are predatory with their Gotcha Mechanics. This almost feels close to that, except you don’t get the rush of dopamine that comes with the gambling. Instead, it feels like I am clicking in hopes of getting enough upgrades to progress through the game, or having to wait in real time for better upgrades.

This wouldn’t be a problem if it didn’t require so much clicking to progress through the story. Why do I have to reset the speed after every death? Why do I need to upgrade after every death? It could just let me set my army, forget it, and collect the skulls after a while to buy the upgrades I need to keep moving. As cute as the animation is, it gets old fast and there isn’t any real reason I should have to click so much. Sure you can set the game to auto summon, but you still have to click after each round and auto summon feels terrible for progression. It is almost better to let round run without summoning units, but this might be a skill issue.

Is it a good idle game?

Not really. The game requires too much attention and there isn’t enough of a payoff to make it worth it. Even terrible gotcha versions of this type of game will at least let you pull cool looking units, and that rush you get from those gambles almost makes you forget how terrible the game is. There is nothing to make you forget about this game. Instead, you are stuck clicking away in hopes of getting enough upgrades to progress to the next round. The scaling is also a little too toxic to be the cozy idle game I wish this was.

I enjoy idle games because they are low profile games I don’t have to no life. I can log in, set my units, and forget about it until I have time to check it again. The fun comes from using whatever resources I gather to get stronger and of course, the gambling. These games usually have something to work towards whether it be a powerful team for PVP or a cute collection of waifus to show my non-existent friends. While this game isn’t terrible, it doesn’t feel like I am gaining anything except progression that seems gated by its inconstant power scaling. Why would you play this when you can be playing Monmusu Girls if you like cute anime girls or Tingus Goose if you are looking for something more whimsical and less predatory gocha.

Conclusion

Humans vs Orcs isn’t the worst game I’ve played, but it is boring. Maybe if you get deep enough into the game and collect enough units it gets better, but it takes too long to get there. The game is incredibly unintuative as it offers almost no guidance on how to play the game. I didn’t know there were additional pages to the upgrade book for example. After figuring out how to play, and building up my army, it still felt terrible getting stomped randomly by the next wave and having to reset the game speed because I didn’t want to have to sit through the same battle for the 30th time. If you’re looking for an idle game, go play Tingus Goose. If you like the aesthetic and want to see for yourself, you can try it on Itch.io for free and then buy it on Steam if you end up liking it.

Trailer

Tech Reviews

KiiBOOM Phantom81 Lite Review: Cute and Functional Keyboard

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the Phantom81 lite for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my review for the Phantom 98 lite and the Moonshadow V2. I’ll also be using my Amazon affiliate link where possible. Using it before you buy anything really helps me out.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Phantom81 Lite
  • 3 Additional Switches
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • Stickers
  • User Manual

Features

The KiiBOOM Phantom81 Lite is a 75% gasket-mounted mechanical keyboard. The keyboard comes with mochi switches which means it is ready to deliver the perfect typing ASMR. If you are looking for a cute keyboard to enhance your cozy setup but also delivers in both performance and comfort, check out the Phantom 81.

Aesthetic

The Phantom81 Lite is available in five styles: Pink, Green, Clear, Black, and Blue. I’ve gotten these in almost every color and have yet to be disappointed. KiiBOOM goes above and beyond to deliver an adorable high quality product that is ready to take on every kind of workflow.

Everything about the Phantom81 Lite has been curated to fit that unique cute cozy aesthetic you are striving for. From the rounded shape of the gasket to the shape and color scheme of the keycaps. The mono-color keyboards will sport the cherry profile key caps you know and love, but the themed ones will come with the unique MOA switches that give the keyboards added whimsy. No matter the version you end up getting, each keyboard comes with soft south facing backlight to give it some added flare.

Comfort

The Phanom91 Lite promises comfort and luxury with its unique gasket design. The natural typing angle is suitable for most users, but the included kickstands offer an option for those like me who prefer something a little steeper. The shape of the gasket also allows users’s hands to fall naturally over the keys. The Mochi switches give users a soft typing experience while providing the typing ASMR we all crave.

Performance

The Phantom81 Lite will prove itself more than just a pretty keyboard through its performance. Users will appreciate the low latency wireless connections from both wireless and through the included dongle. The 4000mAh battery offers users the peace of mind during raid night. Fortunately, the wired connection is even faster for when you eventually have to charge the battery. The Phantom’s low latency connection and customizability through QMK and VIA, this key board is ready to fit into any role.

Sound Check

Review

KiiBOOM continues to be my go to brand for mechanical keyboards. Not only do they manage to create keyboards that are aesthetically pleasing, they are high quality and comfortable enough to use with these old crippled hands. The Phantom81 Lite continues to be one of my favorite keyboards. If you are looking for a cute keyboard that works well for everything you need, the Phantom81 Lite is the keyboard for you.

Aesthetic

I’ve tried out almost every version of this keyboard, and I find it impossible to pick a favorite. For this review, I got to try out the clear version and it is fantastic. The opaque color makes it look so elegant, and the backlight makes it look adorable. I love the lighting effect as it shines through the clear body. All of the version’s I’ve tried have been high quality and look good, it all comes down to preference. The classic cherry switches are cool for those familiar with the layout, and while the MOA might take some getting used to, they are just as comfortable.

Quality

I have yet to be disappointed by the quality of KiiBOOM keyboards. I’ve gotten boxes that look like they were dropped from the plane they came on that work and look like nothing happened. Users will be impressed by how clean the manufacturing on the Phantom81 Lite is. Everything on this keyboard is so smooth and soft, and I am confident it will survive the more intense team fights in my future (as long as it isn’t thrown against the wall).

Comfort

I have a repetative stress injury that triggers when the keyboard’s ergonomics isn’t right. There are keyboards that ruin my hands, but I haven’t had an issue with KiiBOOM. Sure, there have been keybaords that have taken time to get used to, but I can get a respectable amount of use out of these keyboards without issue. While I wouldn’t buy the Phantom81 Lite for an ergonomic upgrade, the keyboard is comfortable enough for most cases. I’ve had keyboards that trigger my injury so bad I can’t use them, and it has never been a problem with the Phantom81 Lite. The keys are soft and typing angle is perfect.

Performance

The Phantom81 Lite was perfect for my workflow. I didn’t notice any ghosting, disconnecting, or latency. It survived my rigorous GW2 grind and my 9-5. The battery is amazing, giving me about 8 hours of continuous use without all the lights on. You can get even longer with everything off. Customizing the keyboard with macros was incredibly easy. Although I never get much use from this feature, it is nice to have for those data entry shortcuts I heavily rely on for my workflow. This will be the keyboard I will use between reviews if things ever slow down. The Phantom81 Lite has proven itself a reliable contender for your next keyboard.

Conclusion

If you want a keyboard that looks good, has all the keys you need, and is reliable, get yourself the Phantom81 Lite. This is easily one of my favorite keyboards from one of my favorite brands. It looks good in every color, and it works great out of the box. At this price point, you aren’t doing much better. Go get yours today.

You can pick up the Phantom81 Lite from the official KiiBOOM website, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Vultures: Scavengers of Death Review

1 Comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Scavengers of Death to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

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

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Vultures: Scavengers of Death?

Vultures: Scavengers of Death is a proper love letter to classic horror games, specifically resident evil. This unique take on the survival horror genre is a refreshing gaming experience full of death, zombies, and not enough bullets. Pick up your guns and start blasting as you try to give the world its second chance.

Hook

A zombie outbreak threatens humanity. Sallento Valley is overrun with the undead, and the cure is rumored to be somewhere within its borders. Two Vulture have been tasked with the impossible task to retrieve the cure and save the world. Armed with only the weapons and supplies they find within the ruins of Sallent Valley, they must fight the endless waves of zombies and find a way out. Will their training prove to be enough to save the world, or will the world crumble under the weight of the undead scourge?

Gameplay

The game plays like a turn based tabletop where players move accross the map, exploring the ruins of the old city in search of clues and fighting off the blood thirsty zombies that chase them. Players will switch between the two operatives, Leapoldo and Amber, as they complete various missions. In classic horror survival fasion, players will find themselves with limited resources. This forces players to think tactically as they move through the zombie infested world. Sometimes it is a good idea to run, other times it is correct to set everything on fire. There are two main gameplay loops: exploration and combat

Exploration

Players move through Sallento Valley in a turn based system. As long as there are no zombies around, players genrally have unlimited movement to explore the world and search for supplies and clues. Movement becomes restricted if players are spoted by zombies. Players can try to sneak past encounters, but combat in a zombie infested city is almost inevitable.

Combat

Combat in Vultures is turnbased. Players and zombies take turns to perform actions. Players start off with a set number of action and movement points that can be upgraded throughout their adventure. Action points are spent to perform an action. Players can spend an action to attack, open or close a door, or use an item. Each action has a unique costs and players will need to manage these points effectively to survive.

Move points are used to move across the map. Each square of movement costs a movement point, and running out of points means you can no longer move. Zombies follow the same rules.

Review

Vultures: Scavengers of Death is the perfect game for those who like that 90’s horror game aesthetic, but also need more strategy games in their life. The game not only a good looking retro aesthetic, it is solid horror survival. If you are looking for a creepy horror game and don’t mind the amount of strategy, go pick up this game.

Aesthetic

What first drew me to Vultures: Scavengers of Death was the aesthetic. I am sucker for the retro vibe, and this game goes above and beyond to utilize it properly. This is not your typical nostalgia bait designed to drain the wallets of the aging player base that grew up with this aesthetic, instead it is a proper love letter to a genre that has defined a generation. The game has a world rich with detail and a terrifying atmosphere that almost made me quit the game. I have never been brave enough to play the Resident Evil games, so I appreciate that I was forced to play something as close as I will ever get to the franchise. The sounds, the monsters, the maps all work together to invoke the perfect amount of fear that make it perfect for any horror fan.

Story

Vultures has a solid story. The game combines two of my least favorite genres: horror and strategy, and yet, here I was on the struggle bus trying to complete the story. It has solid pacing, good mystery, and enough horror to make fans of the genre happy. I wouldn’t call this the scariest game I’ve ever played, but it does enough to get you in the mood.

Gameplay

The gameplay is where I am a little mixed. One hand, I am horrible at strategy games and even worse at horror survival. It took some trial and error before I got enough of a groove to bruit force my way through the game. This is a skill issue and those who are long time fans of either of the genres will have an easier time. For me, the game was a little impossible, and I would have given up on it if it weren’t for this review and the story. The game does require enough strategy to make it engaging, and the survival mechanics lend create a good amount of the game’s tension. It felt like I never had enough health items, but then again, I probably wasn’t playing the game right.

Performance

The game works pretty well, but I did hit a few game breaking bugs. I loaded outside of the map enough times to be worth a mention. I wouldn’t say the game is broken, but there is some noticible roughness that might force a restart or two. The game is being updated, and there seems to be enough love and passion behind this game that I am confident that this game will only get better.

Conclusion

I am not a hugest fan of the genre, but I appreciate the change of pace Vultures offered. Honestly, if you want a good survival horror game with solid strategy mechanics, this game should already be in your library. For less than $20 you get a fun and memorable game that is worth every penny.

That said, I wouldn’t get this game if you don’t like strategy games. As good as the story is, it isn’t enough to make you love the genre. As the worst strategy player in the world, I found a lot of the encounters frustrating and as a result, the mission tedious. This is a skill issue and eventually I was able to figure things out, but I wouldn’t have tried as hard if I didn’t have to. If you’re also bad at these games, I recommend you at least watch a playthrough because the game deserves your attention. For everyone else, Vultures is the horror game you’ve been looking for.

You can pick up Vultures: Scavengers of Death on Steam.

Trailer

Uncategorized

Reptilian Rising Review: A Unique Tactical RPG Experience

1 Comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Reptilian Rising to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

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

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Reptilian Rising?

Reptilian Rising is a tactical, turn-based strategy game out now on Steam and the Nintendo Switch. Players take control of their favorite historical figures (and some a bit more fictional) in an epic battle for humanity’s freedom. Make sure you check out the Steam demo, and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

The dreaded Dictatorsaur has sent his mighty army through time to threaten humanity. It is up to earths mightiest heroes from every reach of time to stop them. Control miniatures of earths mightiest heroes and keep our timeline reptile free. Make your way through time, recruit new heroes to fight by your side, use your tactical prowess to save humanity, and collect some cool collectibles along the way. Do you have what it takes to save earth, or will fall under the weight of Dictatorsaur’s power?

Gameplay

Players get to assemble their army as they jump around time, keeping the reptilian forces at bay. The game is a turn based tactical RPG where players and enemy AI take turns capturing objectives, finding cool collectibles, and killing anything that gets in their way. Each level has unique objectives like capturing key nodes or killing all of the enemies to progress through the campaign. Each level is themed after a specific point in time, but all with a unique retro vaporwave aesthetic that makes the game a uniquely quirky experience.

The level ends when the player clears all of the objectives, or the player looses all characters. Characters can respawn if the player has enough time points. Players earn time points by killing enemies, collecting items, or capturing objectives. Time points are used for actions like summoning new characters or performing certain actions.

Combat

Combat in Reptilian Rising is turn based. Players spend each run using up a character’s action. During each round, each character can move and perform an action. In classic tabletop rpg fashion, each character has a limited movement range and action economy. Characters can use their action to attack, defend, or capture an objective. Take can also take their turn to collect gold or other collectables scattered across the map. After leveling up, characters have access to additional abilities that can be used if the player has enough time points. If the player takes too long to complete a level, a powerful enemy spawns to up the stakes.

Leveling

In between levels, players can spend ingame currency to level up their abilities. Reptilian Rising features a robust skill tree to give players a variety of playstyles. While I am sure there is a right way to build your army, I had good enough success building what I thought was fun.

Review

Reptilian Rising is a neat little strategy game that has classic tabletop vibes and a very cool theme and aesthetic. While there are bits that feel unfinished and clunky, the game has an undeniable charm that is worth checking out at least once, especially if you like killing time traveling dinosaurs. While I am very bad at strategy games, especially this game, I enjoyed every minute I had with this game.

Aesthetic

Reptilian Rising has a very cool vaporwave aesthetic. It has those bright neon colors that make it look both retro and futuristic that the same time, with some cool character designs to fill the world. Couple this with the fantastic sound track, and I got a sense of nostalgia for an era I didn’t live through. The tabletop feel and aesthetic was an excellent choice, and it gives Reptilian Rising its unique and memorable experience.

Gameplay

I am a little mixed on how I feel about the gameplay. On one hand, it is a solid strategy game with difficulty adjustments to support both casual and hardcore gamers. The mechanics are sound and offer players a ample opportunities to flex their strategy muscles. I am not good at these kinds of games, and had to play at the lowest most casual difficulty. This was still fun for me (I barely made it through each level), and I appreciate that I had the option from the beginning. My issue with the game is that there isn’t an option to reset a level if you are losing (at least not an intuitive one). You kind of have to just wait to fail the mission, which is a little unnecessary. Sure I could speed up the game through the settings, but its not the same.

Another issue I have with the game is that it is a little clunky. The game runs pretty smoothly and I didn’t experience any bugs or crashes, but choosing an action didn’t always work. To choose an action, you have to click on the character, click on the action, click on the object or enemy to target, click the action again. This feels clunky, and sometimes the actions wouldn’t work unless I moved the camera and tried again. I wish it would let me click the action and let me click the target to perform the action.

Loot

One mechanic I found interesting is how the game handles loot. The game will automatically give players XP for killing characters, but not loot. Enemies will sometimes drop additional loot that players have to pick up by landing on the square it drops to. There are also collectables scattered throughout the map the players can collect. This forces the players to either use their movement to collect the loot, often forcing them to move in-optimally, or they can ignore the loot and focus on the objectives. Loot disappears after a number of turns, giving players urgency in their action economy. Do you go out of your way to collect that cool new trading card you’re missing, or do you take over an important node to stop a powerful enemy from showing up?

Conclusion

Reptilian Rising is a fun quirky take on the genre. I am a huge fan of the flavor, aesthetic, and mechanics. While there is some minor jank, I think it gives the game its charm. If you are looking for a fun new strategy game to add to your collection, check out Reptilian Rising on Steam and the Nintendo Switch. At the very least, go check out the demo!

Trailer

video game reviews

Minishoot’ Adventures Review: A Whimsical Shooter Journey

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Minishoot’ Adventures to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

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

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Minishoot’ Adventures?

Minishoot’ Adventures is a top down, twin stick shooter adventure out now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and on both Nintendo Switches. Make sure you check out the demo!

Hook

Life was quiet for the shiplings when the Unchosen rose from the darkness and spread its evil. Its forces spread like wild fire, destroying the planets peace and locking up all free shiplings. You are the last remaining free shipling. Travel across a whimsical world, discover powers that have long been locked away, free all of your friends, and fight anything that gets in your way. What secrets will your adventure uncover? Do you have what it takes to reclaim peace to this world? Will you find enough power to beat the Unchosen?

Gameplay

Minishoot’ reminds me of the old Zelda games, but with bullet hell mechanics to make it unique. Players control a lone shipling with twin stick mechanics exploring the world and fighting everything that gets in their way.

Leveling

The game has RPG like leveling that gives players the chance to customize for their playstyle. Players gain XP by killing enemies. Leveling gives players crystals they can spend on useful powerups. In typical RPG fashion, players can customize stats to fit their playstyle. Do you want to hit hard? Do you want shoot fast or be well rounded? The choice is yours. Players will also unlock new powers and abilities along their journey. This game can get as crazy as your typical bullet hell game, but with enough exploration to keep things from becoming too monotonous.

Exploration

Minishoot’ Adventures gives players enough room to have a proper adventure. While it may not be a large sandbox, the game gives players enough choice and agency to explore the world. The game has its core objectives, but there is enough hidden treasures to keep things moving. I personally enjoyed the lack of railroad and how I can approach the content with my own agenda.

Combat

Minishoot’ Adventures is your typical bullet hell twin stick shooter. One stick moves your shipling and the other stick shoots. The enemies all have their unique flavor and attack patterns to keep things fresh and engaging, but there will be a bit of repetition as you grind out your levels. There are unique boss fights, mini boss fights, and a bit of a frenzy to mix things up.

Difficulty

Minishoot’ Adventures lets players choose their gameplay experience with customizable difficultly. Whether you want to sit back for a chill adventure or struggle buss your way through a more hard core style bullet hell, the choice is yours. I am a huge fan of choices.

Review

Minishoot’ Adventures is a fantastic adventure game for those who love the old Zelda Games, but appreciate the bullet hell format. The game has a good looking world, fun mechanics, and most importantly, a lot of heart. Minishoot’ Adventures is easily a staple game that should be in everyone’s library.

Aesthetic

What drew me to Minishoot’ was the whimsical cartoon style art. Once I started exploring the world, I fell in love with the unique world around me. Each zone is full of life and color, each enemy has a cool and creative design, and don’t forget the well designed boss fights with the cool animation. The animations in this game are very cartonish, but it fits the theme and genre. Once you get the crazy bullet hell game going, you get an explosion of color and chaos you’ll find impossible to step away from.

Gameplay

Minishoot’ Adventures is easily one of my favorite games. I love how casual the game can be, while it offers enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. I died enough to know that this game takes enough effort, and a bit of a grind. While this may be a skill issue, it is not a grind I mind being on. Combat in this game is simple, but requires a bit of skill. I played the game on normal, and found the experience perfect for my busy schedule and dad duties. The boss fights are a real treat. They are creative and make the adventure feel epic. I like how each encounter leading up to the boss slowly teaches players the machanics and strategies needed to beat them. There are parts that feel repetitive, especially in the early levels, but it isn’t the worst grind. Most importantly, the game works great on the Steam Deck.

Conclusion

Honestly, I can’t recommend this game enough. The passion and love that was clearly put into this game is visible throughout the adventure. It is a journey for the casual gamer who wants to play a fun game that isn’t a huge commitment, and it has options for those who need the challenge. Minishoot’ Adventures is an excellent adventure everyone needs to go on once, and it has enough replayability for you to even try it twice.

You can pick up Minishoot’ Adventures on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and on both Nintendo Switches. If you need other fun adventure games, Onirism or my personal favorite, Ruffy and the Riverside. Or check out Yosei Wars if you want something uniquely retro.

Trailer

video game reviews

Planet of Lana II Review: A Stunning Puzzle Adventure

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

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

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Planet of Lana II?

Planet of Lana is the most beautiful and creative puzzle game you’ll ever get to play. You can pick up Planet of Lana II on Xbox, Steam, PlayStation, and Switch.

Hook

Mew technology spreads across the world, bringing with it much needed innovation but also greed. Tension between the tribes grows as the race for power and dominance shifts into the public agenda. This shift in idealogy thrusts Lana and Mui into another unforgettable adventure. Follow Lana and her companion as they make their way across a beautiful alien planet in search of secrets long forgotten. What will their adventure uncover? Can they bring the world together in the name of progress?

Gameplay

Planet of Lana is a side scrolling puzzle adventure game with a beautiful landscape to explore and a solid story to follow. Players take control of Lana and her companions and use their various abilities to solve some very creative puzzles. Mui, for example, can interact with the different parts of the world. It can use its powers to shut down old technology, take control of local wildlife, or help Lana push buttons she can’t get to. The puzzles in this game scale, getting harder and more complex the deeper a player gets into the story. The story is told in an alien language, but it doesn’t need subtitles or context to tell the beautiful adventure you are going are about to embark on.

Review

I absolutely love Planet of Lana, and this sequel is the perfect continuation. I can tell the devs have learned and made improvements to the original (not that the original needed much improvement). If you are looking to sit back and enjoy a cozy puzzle game with a great story, check out Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf.

Artwork

Planet of Lana is one of the most beautiful games I have ever played. I still remember the feeling of amazement I felt the first time I played the original demo. Years later, this world continues to amaze. I love everything about the art style from the creepy creature design to the breath taking scenery. I recommend you play this game just so you can appreciate how beautiful the art in each biome and level is.

Soundtrack

Planet of Lana has one of the best sound tracks in gaming, and the sequel gets even better. The music score give the adventure its epic feel, but it also creates a lot of the tension. There are moments I was at the edge of my seat because of how intense the music was even if the monsters or solutions weren’t that challenging. If you’re looking for some solid study music, check out the OST for the first game:

Story

Planet of Lana 2 is a stand alone adventure. The game does a good job at catching players up on the events of the first game, and players who start with the sequel will not feel lost. I highly recommend you play the games in order because the story is fantastic. Planet of Lana II is just as good at telling a powerful narrative as the first game, if not better. The game uses a fake language to allow its art and actions, and it is extremely successful in achieving its goal. If you have six to eight hours to spend on unraveling the story of Planet of Lana, spend them.

Gameplay

Planet of Lana is one of my favorite puzzle games. The puzzles in this game are all very creative that offer enough of a challenge to keep players engage. Some of the game does feel clunky and there is some weird stuttering here and there, but nothing that I would consider a deal breaker. That said, Planet of Lana II does feel like an improvement on the first game, although the first game is pretty fantastic on its own. The puzzles feel more creative, and the mechanics feel tighter. Best of all, the game is Steam Deck compatible!

Conclusion

Planet of Lana II continues to prove why this series should be a staple in all puzzle game libraries. It features a beautiful world with a fantastic sound track to set the mood. If you are looking for a fantastic example of good story telling and a whimsical world full of fun puzzles, go get Planet of Lana. Planet of Lana continues to be my favorite game, and I will fight anyone who tries to tell me otherwise.

You can pick up Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf on on Xbox, Steam, PlayStation, and Switch

Trailer

Tech Reviews

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

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the Epomaker x Aula F75 Max for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Vibe108 and Vibe99. I’ll be using my Mechlands affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you end up buying from them directly.

Table of contents

What’s in the box?

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

Features

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

Aesthetic

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

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

Gimmicks

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

Comfort

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

The F is for Gaming

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

Performance

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

Sound Test

Review

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

Looks

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

Quality

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

Gimmicks

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

Comfort

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

Performance

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

Conclusion

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

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

video game reviews

Exploring Odds Chronicles Demo: Gameplay & Combat

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of the Odds Chronicle demo to review for my blog. The game is not finished yet, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, this will be my honest impression of the demo.

Shameless Self Promotion

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

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Odds Chronicles

Odds Chronicles is a tactical roguelike RPG coming to Steam sometime this year. Make sure you check out the demo, and don’t forget to add the game to your wishlist!

Hook

Evryn was once a great warrior, and a royal guard to the king. Evil forces drove their way into the city, killing the king and Evryn. That tyrant remains, spreading his evil influence across the land. Feeling the deepest sense of regret, Evryn wakes again, but not in her own world, or even her own time. Evryn finds herself resurrected in the tavern outside of time, with a chance at redemption and revenge.

Travel back to the land you once failed, and use your abilities to fight back the tyrants evil forced. Along your journey, you will meet new allies to fight with, abilities to use, and people to save. Will the dice be in your favor? Can you put an end to the tyrant’s evil reign?

Gameplay

Odds Chronicles features the traditional roguelike structure, but with a unique board game-like feel to set it apart. Players start a run with a basic set of abilities, and earn more powerful ones as they progress through the map. Maps are split into different nodes that feature events, plot, shops, and encounters. Players can choose the path, but the demo has limited paths to the same outcome. A run is over when the player character’s health hits zero.

Combat

Players cast abilities by spending dice rolls. Dice are rolled at the start of each combat round. Any dice that isn’t spent on an ability is used to fill up the wild dice meter. When the wild dice meter fills, players get a wild dice to spend on any ability, even if it has been expended. Each ability has a set number of charges. Once those charges are used up, they can no longer be cast. Learning when and how to spend your dice pool is key for success.

Example: An attack has 2 charges and deals 5 damage. The player rolls a 2 attack and deals 7 damage. Suppose the player rolls no other attack dice but rolls a wild dice. They can spend the wild dice to deal damage, or use it to cast abilities different resources (magic and agility).

Dice

There are four forms of resources a player can roll each round: attack, magic, agility, and wild. Wild dice only become accessible when a player fills the wild dice meter, but they can be used to cast any kind of ability. All abilities have a casting cost that pulls from a particular resource type or group of types.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

The Odds Chronicles demo works great on the Steam Deck. There is some awkward clunkiness like when it would randomly not let me cast abilities, but nothing that makes the game unplayable. There is touch screen support, but it is a little clunky. It feels better to use the controller, but it is nice to have access to touch controls when the game stops working. My only complaint is that some of the elements do look a little small, but I am old and it feels like a personal problem.

Review

2026 is looking like it is going to be an amazing year for roguelike. I am very satisfied with the amount of unique roguelikes that have passed through my desk, and can’t wait for a few upcoming releases. Odds Chronicles is easily one of these titles. If you like board games, and aren’t afraid of a little strategy, Odds Chronicles should be in your watchlist. This game looks good, and the demo is really solid.

Aesthetics

Odds Chronicles feels like a board game I get to play on my computer, and I am a huge fan of that vibe. The characters look like cool sculpted minis I wouldn’t mind trying to paint (and ruin). The maps are small and contained, but with enough obstacles to keep things interesting. This game proves that you don’t need huge maps to create interesting encounters. The soundtrack is also pretty solid, and I can’t wait to see what else the world of Odds Chronicles has to offer.

Combat

There is some clunkiness that springs up here and there on both PC and on the Steam Deck, but the game is still in development. None of the bugs are game breaking, and the demo is smooth enough to paint a full picture.

The game plays like a tabletop wargame, but one that I am actually good at. The dice rolls give me that sweet hit of dopamine, especially when all the rolls like up perfectly for an epic epic round. The combat system is unique and a refreshing take on the genre. The few abilities available in this demo are cool and flavorful. It does feel like the demo is solvable. You will learn pretty quickly what abilities to pick up and focus on, but the game isn’t finished yet. The devs are hard at work at balancing the game, but it is good enough for the demo.

Conclusion

If you enjoy wargaming or are looking for a different kind of roguelike, check out the Odds Chronicles demo. It is an excellent demo that properly showcases what is potentially going to be my favorite game of the year. The demo looks good, plays great, and you can run on the Steam Deck!

You can download the Odds Chronicles demo on Steam. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist! If you are looking for other unique roguelikes, check out Talystro or my current personal favorite, Anthem#9.

Trailer

video game reviews

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

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

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

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Echoes of Elysium?

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

Floating Islands

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

Impressions

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

Art

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

World

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

Flying

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

The Airship

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

Crafting

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

Conclusion

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

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

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