Universus just released their Heroes of Exandria set and that means we got theBeauregard Starter deck list! Always support your LGS, but you can pick up your copy on TCG Player or GameNerdz using my affiliate links.
Decklist
Beauregard Lionett, Looking for a Brawl
4 x Swift Change 3 x Subdual Technique 3 x Strong Windup 4 x Radiant Visage 4 x Mystic Recovery 4 x Martial Prowess 4 x Everlight’s Grace 3 x Combat Evaluation 4 x A Day for Relaxing 2 x Spireling Fetch 3 x Upward Disarming Swing 4 x Staff Crack 2 x Predators Pounce 4 x Heavy Kick 2 x Great-Axe Chop 4 x Furious Charge 2 x Quest Board 2 x Peerless Footwork (Foil) 2 x Shoulder Toss (Foil)
Visual List
Swift ChangeSubdual TechniqueStrong WindupRadiant VisageMystic RecoveryMartial ProwessEverlight’s GraceCombat EvaluationA Day for RelaxingSpireling FetchStaff CrackPredators PounceHeavy KickGreat-Axe ChopFurious ChargeQuest BoardPeerless Footwork (Foil)Shoulder Toss (Foil)
I was sent a free copy of Rogue Conflict 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.
Rogue Conflict is a turn-based rogue-like strategy game out now on Steam.
Players control various factions as they fight for supremacy. Take control of your army and use your wit to overcome different scenarios. Will you be the skill tactician this world needs, or will you be another failed campaign in the making? Grab your army and find out!
Gameplay
Players choose their faction and a scenario to play through. Each faction has access to different units, and the scenario dictates the units in the army. After placing their units, players will take turns moving through the map to complete objectives. Units have a set range of movement and attacks have advantage/disadvantage based on target type. Tanks do more damage to normal infantry for example. Terrain also give units advantage on attack or defends, as well as impede movement. Using terrain and typing effectively is key for world domination. While this game may appear simple, it demands a certain amount of strategy and skill.
Review
Rogue Conflict is fine if you like strategy games, but it feels a bit too one sided for the casual player. I’m not very good at strategy games, but I can at least finish some of the early levels in most games. Here, it felt like no matter what I did, the odds were stacked against me and I was waiting to get destroyed, or for the timer to run out. Some of this is by design. There are scenarios where you aren’t supposed to win by combat, and instead survive in an epic rush to finish the objects. I would be fine with a few of those levels, but it honestly feels like the enemy is omniscient, plentiful, and lucky. Maybe I needed to play a little smarter, but I rather be playing Advanced Wars. Rebalancing or an easier mode would be nice.
That said, a better player might get more enjoyment out of Rogue Conflict. The game runs well, the art is cute, and the game is challenging. The problem is that the game isn’t made for casuals. If you aren’t being efficient and smart about your moves, you are going to get destroyed. Some will definitely find the level of skill fun, but those who lean more to the casual side of strategy aren’t going enjoy some of the nuances of the mechanics.
If you’re looking for a strategy game that is on the harder side and enjoy the graphics, Rogue Conflict is an excellent addition to your collection. If you’re just dipping your toe in the genre, I would save this title till you’re better at strategy games.
You can pick up your copy of Rogue Conflict for $14.99.
Always support your LGS, but you can pick up the Percy Starter Deck and any other Heroes Exandria products on TCG Player using my affiliate links. It really helps me out. You can also get both Starter decks bundled for cheap on Game Nerdz if you’re buying enough for the free shipping.
Introduction
Universus just released their Heroes of Exandria set, and it is already my favorite set of the year. The art is great, the card quality is nice, and flavor is all there. Fans of the series will want to at the very least get in on collecting. Can’t speak on the power level since I just got the starter decks, but I’ll come back after some proper testing. More on that later.
I got my hands on the Percy starter deck and I’ll leave the decklist for your convenience. Spoilers, you’re going to want to get this deck just to collect the beautiful Percy champion card. It’s not as cool as the art cards, but its cool enough for any collection.
Deck List
Champion
Percival De Rolo III: Pepperbox Sharpshooter
The Deck
4x Weapon at the Ready 4 x Tarot Reading 4 x Show Off 4 x Inspired Design 4 x Imprisoned Noble 4 x Found Family 2 x Electric Resilience 4 x Collecting Components 2 x Shaun Gilmore 4 x Tinker Shot 4 x Pepperbox Fire 2 x Merciless Lead 3 x Golem Beating 3 x Bang Bang 3 x Alchemical Satchel Toss 3 x The List 2 x Quest Board 2 x Science Bros (Foil) 2 x Bad News Bullet (Foil)
Visual List
Bang BangBad News BulletThe ListAlchemical Satchel TossCollecting ComponentsMerciless LeadShaun GilmoreQuest BoardElectric ResilienceTarot ReadingShow OffGolem BeatingWeapon at the ReadyScience BrosInspired DesignImprisoned NobleFound FamilyTinker ShotPepperbox Fire
If you’re new, Re:Collection decks are Grand Archive’s premium product that come with a high quality deck box, dragonshield art sleeves, three packs special packs, and a competitive deck. The box also includes a play set of all the cards in the deck so you don’t need to buy multiple copies, unless you want to chase that sweet collector rare:
You can wait for opened boxes and the prices to dip, but historically, you aren’t saving much. Especially if the deck defines the meta like Silvie did. If you’re starting out, the hardest part is choosing what flavor you want but either deck is a solid place to start. Always support your LGS, but you can pick up the Guo Jia, Heaven’s Favored Re:Collection Deck on TCG Player through my affiliate link. Get in before you’re paying scalper prices.
Deck List
Materal Deck 1 x Spirit of Water 1 x Diao Chan, Enchantress 1 x Diao Chan, Dreaming Wish 1 x Diao Chan, Idyll Corsage 1 x Cleric Robes 1 x Glimmer Essence Amulet 1 x Scepter of Fascination 1 x Tariff Ring 1 x Crystalline Mirror 1 x Hairpin of Transcience 1 x Kaleidoscope Barrette 1 x Staff of Blossoming Will
Main Deck 3 x Fractal of Insight 2 x Idle Thoughts 3 x Shimmering Refraction 3 x Unstable Fractal 3 x Acquiescing Rejection 3 x Chill to the Bone 4 x Dissuading Halt 4 x Eventide Lure 3 x Fractal of Refreshment 2 x Frostbind 3 x Frostlorn Caress 3 x Frostnip Piroutte 2 x Glimmering Refusal 2 x Protective Fractal 1 x Redirect Flow 2 x Refracting Missile 2 x Torpid Fractal 3 x Bloom: Summer’s Glow 2 x Bloom: Winter’s Chill 3 x Blossoming Denial 2 x Ripples of Atrophy 3 x Season’s End 2 x Shriveling Vines
Material Deck (Visual)
Spirit of WaterDiao Chan, EnchantressDiao Chan, Dreaming WishDiao Chan, Idyll CorsageCleric RobesGlimmer Essence AmuletScepter of Fascination Tariff RingCrystalline MirrorHairpin of TransienceKeleidoscope BarretteStaff of Blossoming Will
Material Deck (Visual)
Fractal of InsightIdle ThoughtsShimmering RefractionUnstable FractalAcquiescing RejectionChill to the BoneDissuading HaltEventide LureFractal of RefreshmentFrostbindFrostlorn CaressFrostnip PirouetteGlimmering RefusalProtective FractalRedirect FlowRefracting MissileTorpid FractalBloom: Summer’s GlowBloom: Winter’s ChillBlossoming DenialRipples of AtrophySeason’s EndShivering Vines
I was sent a free copy of slime Heroes 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 of the game.
Slime Heroes is an adorable souls-like out now on Steam and Xbox.
A mysterious corruption spreads across the land, and it is up to a few brave slimes to clear it. Travel across a whimsical world as you solve puzzles, clear dungeons, and defeat monsters. Can you save the guardians from the strange corruption? Can you restore peace to this world?
Gameplay
Slime Heroes is your standard souls-like with a few fun elements to help it stand out against the genre. Players start buy customizing their slime before sending them off on a grand adventure. All slimes start with the same basic abilities, but can be customized throughout their legend. After their sudden call to action, heroes will fight for their lives in order to become stronger.
Players will fight their way between “campfires” as they collect currency and skills to level up their slime. The grind can feel repetitive if players aren’t efficient in their combat. Combat is strait forward. Players have access to two basic attacks (heavy and light), four customizable magic abilities, and a dodge. What makes Slime Heroes unique is that it allows players to combine magical abilities to create a truly unique slime hero.
To break up combat, players can enjoy a bit of lore and story, fun puzzles, explore dungeons, and fight creative puzzles. While the game looks like an adorable kids game, there is enough content and it requires enough skill to keep things engaging.
Review
The initial delay made me a bit nervous about the game. It is typically never a good sign, but this wasn’t true this time around. The game isn’t perfect. There are bits where the character gets stuck, places where I lost frames, and bits where there is no sound. But I would argue that the flaws give the game its charm. While the issues are noticeable, they didn’t matter because I was having fun.
The slimes are cute. The monsters and the world are a little plain, but it works. The story is cozy and fun. This is a very aesthetically pleasing game, but the reason you play is for the gameplay. This is the souls-like game you play when you want a challenge, but you don’t want to end up frustrated. Aside from a few performance issues, combat is fluid. Bosses are unique, but the grind can feel a bit repetitive.
To break up the monotony, the game does a good job at blending other mechanics. There is a bit of platforming, a few challenging puzzles to solve, and some interesting boss fights and challenges to overcome. There was enough variety of content to keep things interesting, and the grind never felt bad. .
What I enjoyed most about the game is skill crafting system. Monsters will drop abilities throughout the adventure, and players can combine these to craft a unique experience. Experimenting with the different combinations is so much fun, and finding the right combination that fits your play style is incredibly satisfying.
If you are looking for a new fun and comforting game to add to your collection, get Slime Heroes. The game has terrific flavor, fun mechanics, and a casual vibe that will fit in any collection. You can brave the world on your own, or team up with friends, and it has a great Steam Deck experience. While there are a few performance issues that are hard to ignore, the devs seem to be pushing out consistent updates that make the game better. This is easily one of my favorite games of the year so far, and it can be one of your too.
You can pick up Slime Heroes on Steam and Xbox for $29.99.
I was sent the Yasha: Legends of the Demon Bladedemo to review for my blog. I will try to be a little more lenient since the game isn’t out yet, but these will be my honest impressions of the game.
The Nine-tailed fox demon have invaded the human realm, inciting chaos and tilting the fragile balance between the two realms. Three brave souls (an immortal ninja, a demon samurai, and an Oni emissary) hear the call to action and find themselves in the adventure of a lifetime. Now they must each fight their way through endless waves of demons to put an end to this terror. Do they have what it takes to restore peace to this world?
Gameplay
Players choose between one of the three heroes, each with a unique story and flavor, and fight their way through waves of enemies. Like most games in the genre, players will start their run at a central hub where they can buy upgrades for their heroes. During a run, players fight against unique demons and bosses to collect currency and materials for new upgrades and abilities. A run ends when a player’s health reaches zero, and players can only progress through the story by defeating the various bosses. The hardest part about this game is choosing what flavor of combat you want to experience the story in.
Impressions
Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is a solid action RPG. The game has great art, and the Edo period aesthetic fits very well. Combat feels a bit slow and clunky at times, but it generally fine. All three characters feel different and are fun to play, and upgrading them feels impactful. The demons all have unique flavor and the boss fights are fun and creative. Upgrades do require a bit of a grind, but it never felt too bad.
As far as story goes, its fine, but the writing can be a little awkward. There are some lines that try a little too hard to be quirky, but it isn’t a bad read. It at least helped keep my attention long enough to grind things out. Overall, I will need to see how the final product performs before I can recommend it. As it stands, there is no reason to pick Yasha over something like Realm of Ink unless you really like the flavor and art style. If the final version can make combat feel just a little smoother, I’ll be ready to give it an endorsement. I will be trying to get my hands on the full version. Until then, go try the demo and see for yourself. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist!
KiiBoom sent me the Moonshadow V2 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 Kiiboom Breeze 75 if you’re in the market for a very pretty keyboard.
What’s in the box?
Moonshadow V2
USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
Key/Switch Puller
2 Extra Switches
Mac Keys
User Guide
Extra Plate
Features
The KiiBoom Moonshadow V2 is a stylish 75% mechanical keyboard that is ready to upgrade your aesthetic. It well designed aluminum body gives it its durable construction and its weight will keep it from sliding across your table. The keyboard comes in black, pink, and silver. All schemes look great, but I chose the black because I liked the mascot on the escape and enter keys.
The keyboard features 81 keys and a knob that can easily be swapped so it always matches your aesthetic. There is also a nice and subtle backlight preprogrammed with a good amount of profiles to accent any aesthetic. You can also turn it off if you really want to. As far as performance goes, you can’t go wrong with the Moonshadow V2. All 81 keys can be easily remapped or programed through QMK and VIA to maximize any workflow, and the low latency with both wired and wireless connections is nothing to scoff at. Coupled with its powerful 4000mAh battery, and you have a solid workhorse.
Sound Test
Review
The Moonshadow V2 is a premium feeling keyboard at a reasonable price. This keyboard is ready to upgrade both the aesthetic and performance of any setup. The color layout in all three options are so good, choosing one will be the hardest choice. I got mine in black and am very impressed with how vibrant the colors are and how well the mascot is printed on the keys. The manufacturing is very clean and sturdy, and the keyboard has a good amount of heft to it. It feels like it will last me enough to make it a bargain.
The keyboard performed extremely well. There was no noticeable ghosting or latency, and everything mostly worked as intended. I did have to swap out one of the switches early on in my testing because it stopped working, but the swap was very easy to make. That said, the Moonshadow V2 has one of the most satisfying experience I’ve had in a mechanical keyboard. It has one the most satisfying and creamiest sounds, and the keys feel amazing under your fingers. It may not be the most ergonomic layout, but it doesn’t matter because it feels so good to type with.
If you’re looking for a mechanical keyboard, the Moonshadow V2 is the perfect place to start. It comes in good colors, the performance is solid, and the typing experience is perfect. I may have gotten unlucky with the defect, but the rest of the experience more than made up for it. I recommend you pick one up today!
You can pick up the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2 in all three colors on the official KiiBoom website!
I was sent a free copy of AFFRAID 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.
Affraidis a third person horror survival game out now on Steam.
Nina has been kidnapped along with several other girls by the evil pharmaceutical company, Medio. Medio wants to create an age reversing cream, and willing to sacrifice as many people to get it. Unfortunately, there are unforeseen side effects. The other subjects become rabid, initiating an evacuation protocol. Nina is unaffected, and finds herself in the fight of her life as she tries to escape. Can she make it out alive?
Gameplay
Affraidis a Resident Evil clone. Players make their way through a strange facility full on monsters and using what they find along the way to defend themselves. Players must make their way through dark corridors, piece together the narrative, and try to stay alive. It is a pretty strait forward gameplay loop, but one that can be extremely unforgiving if players aren’t careful.
Review
I was drawn to this game because it looked rough, yet with enough passion poured into it to make up for it. Unfortunately, the game in its current state is unplayable. An update was pushed recently that makes me believe the developer hasn’t given up yet, but it didn’t do much to earn its price tag (even at a discount).
My game crashed during the opening tutorial. When the game finally decided to work, the movement is jarring and the controls aren’t as smooth as they need to be. It is clear that a lot of effort was put into the fan service, which is fine, but the rest of the game needs more attention. Once I finally got out of the first room, the game did not get better. Movement feels bad, and combat doesn’t feel any better. I wouldn’t mind the flaws, but there are better games you can play at the same price price point.
Without a major update to performance, there is no reason to buy this game. The game doesn’t feel finished, nor does it feel like it is close to being finished. You can pick up AFFRAIDfor $9.99, but your money is better spent elsewhere.
I was sent a free copy of After Wave: Downfall 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.
Monsters are attacking, and it is up to you to keep them at bay. Brave it alone or gather your friends as you fight off monsters, collect power-ups, and navigate your favorite ship. This high speed arcade game has ten unique stages and bosses, six unique ship abilities, and an adjustable difficulty for a good amount of replayability. Do you have what it takes to save the world?
Gameplay
Players navigate each level, avoiding obstacles and hazards, shooting monsters, and collecting power ups. A run ends when a player’s ship is destroyed. Players can buy upgrades for their ships between runs. Each level has uniquely flavored monsters and bosses to defeat, and each boss (and miniboss) has unique abilities to keep things fresh. The adjustable difficulty and upgrades make meaningful impact on the game, and add a layer of repeatability to the title.
Review
After Wave: Downfall is a cute little casual game that I don’t mind pulling out when I need a quick distraction. The game is cute with fun a fun art style and aesthetic, and the mechanics are engaging and fun. I enjoyed the different boss mechanics, and the fun flavors of each level. The game will feel a bit repetitive as players grind out currency for different upgrades, but it doesn’t feel too bad. It certainly doesn’t take away from the game’s casual appeal. Best of all, co-op mode is a great time (if you have the friends for it).
If you’re looking for a fun casual title to pick up when you need a short break, After Wave: Downfall is a fantastic option. It is inoffensive with a cute and comforting art style and the game play is solid. It is also works great on the Steam Deck.
Pick up After Wave: Downfall on Steam for $9.99, and console for $14.99 via Xbox, Switch, and PlayStation.
I was sent a free copy of GoobnBalloonsDX 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 of the game.
Travel between worlds, fighting off against different foes, save your friends, and try to get the high score. Each level has unique challenges as players can brave the adventure alone or with friends and pop all the balloons that get in the way. Do you have what it takes to save the world and break the leaderboard in what promises to be a quirky good time?
Gameplay
Players must use their powers to pop balloons and complete different challenges. Players can either explore new worlds and challenges through the story mode, or load into arcade mode and try to claim their spot on the leaderboard. There are unlockable characters with unique ablilities that players can customize, unique boss fights, and a co-op mode.
Review
GoobnBalloonsDX is a cute and creative arcade game with a fun gameplay loop that earns the game’s price tag. There is a solid sound track to set the mood, a cute aesthetic to enjoy, and fun and simple mechanics to master. This is the perfect game to play if you’re looking for a goofy good time without much commitment, and it is an excellent game to play with your friends. Best of all, it makes for a fantastic Steam deck game.
If you’re looking for a fun arcade game, you’d be hard pressed to find better. This game is fun, inoffensive, and it provides enough of a challenge to keep things interesting without becoming work. I like that players can either choose to chase high scores, or sit back and relax as they pop bubbles and unlock accessories. Whatever you en up doing in GoobnBalloonsDX, you’re going to have a lot of fun.
