Tag Archives: halloween

PRIM is a Great Point and Click Narrative, but I have my Issues

October 25, 2024 josechurape Leave a comment

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

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What is PRIM?

Prim is a point and click narrative game out now on Steam.

After her mother’s sudden death, PRIM learns her father is the god of Death. Death agrees to take her in and teach her how to use her inherited powers. But Death is not a natural father. His rules are too strict and he seems a little too cold. PRIM makes her escape but finds herself in the underworld. She must now venture through this unfamiliar land, control her newly awakened powers, and find her place in the world. What will her journey uncover?

Gameplay

Players click through PRIM’s interactive narrative to solve puzzles and move forward. Players will combine items, explore the world, and slowly unlock the narrative. The game features creative puzzles to solve, and enough hints for those who get stuck.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

PRIM works great on the Steam Deck. The story is easy to read at Steam Deck’s native aspect ratio, and I the touch controls were a fantastic bonus. If you enjoy relaxing puzzle games with a decent amount of challenge, you might want to give PRIM a chance.

Review

PRIM is a solid point-and-click narrative game. The puzzles are challenging and creative, and I am a huge fan of the art style. The story is fine, but nothing to rush to play. My issue with the game is the voice acting. Most characters are fine, but I found the main character’s voice grating and annoying. I needed to play the game on mute to enjoy the gameplay. This is definitely a personal issue, but I recommend checking out the demo before committing to a purchase.

If you’re looking for a point-and-click narrative game, there are better options, but PRIM is a solid choice. I would personally wait for a sale, but you can those who don’t mind the voice acting can get $20 worth of enjoyment. I honestly would have enjoyed the game more if I hadn’t just finished better narrative games.

You can pick up PRIM on Steam for $19.99.

video game reviews

Haunted House: A Spooky Stealthy Roguelite Adventure

November 17, 2023 josechurape Leave a comment

I was sent Haunted House as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be an honest review of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. If you want to show your support, you can always buy me coffee.

Haunted House is a roguelite reimagining of the Atari classic of the same name out now for Xbox, Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam and Epic Games.

Famous treasure hunter Zachary Graves has gone missing, and it is up to his niece to find him. Play as Lyn as she makes her way through a ghost-infested mansion in search of a way to bring him back. As Lyn, you’ll have to solve puzzles, sneak carefully, and occasionally fight to survive. Can you stay alive long enough to bring your uncle back?

Haunted House has fantastic flavor. The isometric design and cartoonish art style give it its classic feeling flare, while the mechanics and atmosphere it creates make it appropriately creepy. Halloween may be over, but this is the perfect addition to any spooky playlist.

If you are a fan of stealth games, you are going to want to look into Haunted House. Don’t let the game’s cutesy aesthetics fool you. This is an unforgiving roguelike, and you will die a lot. While this game does offer players ways to fight off the ghouls and ghosts that roam the manner, it is almost always better to tread lightly. This game is punishing if you try to fight through every encounter. Although I don’t have the patience for it, I found sneaking to be exciting and fun.

Like most games in the genre, the Haunted House gameplay look is a bit repetitive. Players will explore the manor one room at a time while completing similar tasks. Between each round, players have a chance to buy the upgrades that will help them venture deeper into the castle. I enjoyed the repetition and found the gameplay loop rather relaxing. While the stress and fear of getting caught loomed with each playthrough, I had a lot of fun exploring the manor, completing each room, and getting farther each time.

I enjoyed my time with Haunted Mansion, and recommend it even if it isn’t Halloween. It’s cute with an engaging gameplay loop and has a classic feel without feeling too old for the current generation. If you have kids, it is a solid inoffensive game to add to their collection. If you don’t have kids but are looking for a stealth game that isn’t too stressful, you’ll definitely get $20 of fun out of it.

You can pick up Haunted House on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games for $19.99.

video game reviews

The 7th Guest VR is the greatest puzzle game you aren’t playing

November 1, 2023 josechurape Leave a comment

I was sent The 7th Guest for the Meta Quest 2 as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. If you need any accessories for your VR headset like a high quality charging cable or prescription lenses, get them over at ZyberVR. Use Discount code CHURAPE for 15% off your purchase.

The 7th Guest is a mystery adventure game for the Quest 2, Steam VR, and PSVR2. Seven guests have been invited to a mysterious mansion to play a dangerous game run by a nefarious toy maker. Guests must spend the night exploring the creepy mansion, solving its puzzles, and unfolding its mysteries. But the games aren’t as innocent as they appear. There is a sinister secret lurking in the shadows. Can you figure out what it is?

If you enjoy puzzle games, The 7th Guest should be in your library. This game looks amazing! The sounds, the graphics, and the aesthetic all work perfectly together to create the appropriate ambiance for the mystery it houses. The cutscenes are beautifully implemented, with wonderful actors to bring the story to life. I would play this game just to watch the performances. I love the story and went out of my way to make sure I collected every piece of the mystery. You might be able to solve it pretty early on, but it won’t matter.

The best part of this game is its puzzles. Each room in the mansion has a unique theme and set of puzzles. The themes are a lot of fun, and the puzzles get creative. Guests must clear the elaborate set of puzzles, and each solution uncovers uncomfortable secrets. There is a reason why the guests were gathered, and I had a lot of fun piecing together why.

The gameplay loop feels a lot like the Saw movies, except without any of the gore. You play a special recording and make your way through puzzles. The puzzles are challenging but manageable. If you get stuck, the game lets you buy clues with the currency it hides around the house. I never ran out of coins for clues, but I never really felt the need to use them much. My only complaint is that some puzzles aren’t easy to find, at least not intuitively. There were a few puzzles I needed to buy a hint in order to find it. It isn’t a huge deal because you’ll finish the game with more currency than you need, but it is an issue worth mentioning.

I loved this game because I love puzzles. Each room I cleared left me feeling accomplished, and hungry for more. The game runs great, it looks amazing, and it has a fantastic story. If you like escape rooms, or are looking for a good puzzle game, The 7th Guest should be in your library.

You can pick up The 7th Guest for the Quest 2, Steam VR, and PSVR2 for $29.99. It’s definitely worth it at that price.

gaming news, video game reviews

Sorry We’re Closed Demo Review – Classic Survival Horror Bliss

October 25, 2023 josechurape Leave a comment

When I saw the Sorry We’re Closed trailer on this year’s Indie Horror Showcase, I knew I needed to try the demo. Sorry We’re Closed looks like a fun and quirky homage to the classic era of survival horror, and I am here for it.

Michelle wakes up in the demon world after having been cursed by a demon. With the help of whatever she can find lying around, she must brave the horrors that roam this terrifying new world to find a way out. Do you have what it takes to set her free?

If you are looking for a spooky title to play, try this demo. The game does a terrific job of creating a spooky ambiance with its fixed cameras, music, and design. I loved the use of color, its edgy tones, and the gameplay. Exploration feels good, and combat feels even better. If you are a fan of the original Resident Evil game, this game should be on your wishlist.

I don’t normally do horror games, but I had to make this the exception. I’m hoping to grab a copy on release. Until then, make sure you play the demo, and add Sorry We’re Closed to your wishlist.

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gaming news

The 5 games I am most excited about from DREADXP’s Indie Horror Showcase

October 21, 2023 josechurape 2 Comments

DreadXP just had their Indie Horror Showcase featuring a lot of cool and spooky games you are going to want to wishlist. It was very neat to see all the different ways these companies tackled the genre. I didn’t want this post to be too long, so I chose five games I am most excited about. It was very hard to narrow down the list to just ten, so make sure you go check out the video and the official Steam Page to see all the awesome games I couldn’t fit on this list. If you’ve been enjoying these updates, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends! Don’t forget to wishlist!

1. WORLD OF HORROR

I am most excited about WORLD OF HORROR because of its unique art style and terrifying scenes. WORLD OF HORROR is a retro roguelite RPG for PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch featuring turn-based combat and decisions that matter.

The Old Gods have reawakened and terrorized a small seaside town. Sanity dwindles as its population endures hellish horrors as grotesque creatures terrorize their home. Watch it all unfold through the perspective of 5 playable characters. Do you have what it takes to survive the horrors?

You can pick up WORLD OF HORROR now on Steam $14.99 (normally $19.99) until November 2nd. The Switch version comes in the summer.

2. Sorry We’re Closed

Sorry We’re Closed just looks like a good time. I love the homage to the classic era of horror. Sorry We’re Closed seems like the perfect blend for traditional fixed-camera survival horror and arcade-style first-person shooter. I love the Lofi quirky aesthetic, and the soundtrack seems amazing. The combat looks great, the third eye mechanic is neat, and the game will have multiple endings for replayability.

Michele has been cursed by a demon, and must now travel through their realm to break it. With the power of her third eye and anything else she can find, she must brave the dangers that surround her. Will she be able to break her curse?

The Sorry We’re Closed Demo is out now, and I don’t see why you wouldn’t try it. The game plans to release sometime next year, but no date has been set yet. Make sure you wishlist!

3. Hunt The Night

I am a sucker for pixel art games, and Hunt the Night looks fantastic. The combat system looks like a blast, the world looks impressive, and the story looks interesting.

Hunt the Night is a retro action-adventure game for PC via Steam, GoG, and Epic Games. Play as Vesper and explore the world of Medhram and fight its horrors. Conquer its dungeons and defeat its bosses in what promises to be a fast-paced skill-based dark fantasy.

You can pick up Hunt the Night for $19.99, or try the demo Steam if you need more convincing. You can pick up for $15.99 on GoG until October 26 and Epic Games until November 1st.

4. Hollowbody

Hallowbody looks terrifying. It definitely gives me early survivor horror vibes, and I am here for it. The setting is ominous, the story seems interesting, and the gameplay looks fun.

After a mission goes wrong, you find yourself in a decaying abandoned city, but you are not alone. Horrors hide in the shadows, and you need to find a way out. Push your way through the zone as you solve puzzles, manage resources, and fight your way to safety. Do you have what it takes to survive?

Hallowbody is fully voice-acted with multiple endings and promises a terrifying narrative. A release date hasn’t been set yet, but you can at least add it to your wishlist.

5. Post Trauma

Last but not least, I have to mention Post Trauma. This game looks trippy in the best way, and I need to know where the developers take it.

Post Trauma is a survival horror game coming to PC. Play as Roman as reality twists around him. Solve puzzles, uncover secrets, and try to find a way out of this nightmare.

Post Trauma plays homage to the classic era of the genre. It promises a dense, nonlinear story with a surreal mind-bending world full of horror. No release date has been set, but you can at least add it to your wishlist.

Make sure you check out the rest of the showcase, there were a lot of cool games that you might want to look into. You can also go to the official Steam Page and look up the ones that are most interesting to you. Make sure you do the things. Thanks for reading!

Board Games and TCGs

Pokémon Trick or Trade Booster Bundle and Halloween Advent Calendar now available!

September 8, 2023 josechurape 2 Comments

Since we are a few days into September, it is the perfect time to start preparing for Halloween season. Pokémon has released a couple of products that you are going to look at. If you’ve been enjoying these updates, don’t forget to like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends!

Pokémon Trick or Trade Booster Bundle

This booster bundle is the perfect alternative to candy. Bundles include 50 3-card packs for you to pass out. There isn’t going to be much value in this product, so only purchase it if you are going to give it away. It could also serve as a cheap and inexpensive way to open packs with a younger kid. The BOOster bundles retail at $19.99.

Halloween Advent Calendar

The advent calendar makes the perfect holiday gift for the little trainer in your life. It includes a cute cast of collectable figures, and advent calendars always make for a fun time. The cheapest I found was Amazon for $39.99, but you can also try Walmart for a few bucks more.

Mimikyu at Build-a-Bear

This news is a little old, but I thought I would share it anyways. Mimikyu is at Build-a-Bear and its super cute! If you are a fan of Mimikyu and are looking for a high quality plushy collectable, you might want to check it out. You can only buy the Mimikyu bundle online. The bundle includes the plushy, hat and bow tie set, and the voice box for $52.50. You can pick up Mimikyu in-store for $34.

Mimikyu at Gamestop

In other Mimikyu related news, get your Electric-Tera Mimikyu from participating Gamestops this October. Trainers in the US and Canada can pick up codes for Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet games. No date has been announced for the start date, but I’ll make sure to make an announcement as soon as its available.

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: Barbarian (2022)

November 2, 2022 josechurape 2 Comments

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In a surprising and satisfying conclusion to the Halloween season, I watched Barbarian and loved it. This fantastic and thrilling film is perfect for the next time you are in the mood for some solid horror. While I am glad I didn’t watch it in theaters, this is a great movie to stream from the comfort of your own home.

Tess books an Airbnb only to find that the property has been double booked. She finds a strange man named Keith who has already made himself at home. With no other option available, Tess decides to spend the night and deal with the management in the morning. The situation is uncomfortable at first, but Tess eventually begins to find comfort in the situation. But there is something ominous lurking in the shadows that slowly begins to eat away at this newfound confidence. What is this presence that haunts Tess? Is it Keith? Is it Ghosts? You will need to watch to find out.

This movie is fine. It is a lot better than a lot of the horror I saw this season. The acting is great, the story is decent, and it had a generally creepy tone that had me properly on edge. It might not be the best story, but it is a solid experience.

I liked the structure of the movie. The movie jumps between a few different stories that all neatly come together at the end. There are some parts that feel fragmented and rushed, but it stands as a solid example of how complex narrative can be. I also liked that the backstories didn’t drag on for too long. It is always frustrating to watch a horror movie that is mostly backstory or set up, with only the last thirty minutes or so dedicated to any meaningful horror. Barbarian is able to create an interesting story while holding onto a general creepy tone. My only issue is with the ending. The events unfold a bit too quickly and cartoonishly. It wasn’t enough to ruin the experience, but it is a fact that holds the movie back.

All in all, Barbarian is a solid horror movie. It doesn’t set out to redefine the genre, but it sits comfortably within it. You can stream it now on HBO.

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