Tag Archives: media

video game reviews

Talystro: A Fun Deckbuilding Game with Math Mechanics

3 Comments

Disclaimer

I was asked to cover the Talystro playtest for my blog. I understand the game is not finished, so I will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest opinions of the game.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108 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 Talystro?

Talystro is a a unique dice based deckbuilding game coming to Steam. The game features adorable mouses and require a bit of math to defeat your enemies.

Hook

The evil Necrodicer has started the forgiben ritual of Talystro, unleashing waves of evil numbers to disrupt the worlds peace and tranquility. All hope rests in the hands of Math Mouse and his proficiency in simple arithmatic. With the help of many dice rolls and well placed attacks, Math Mouse must fight through these evil numbers and put an end to the Talystro. Will his math skills be enough to save the world? Will RNG be in his favor? You will need to play to find out.

Gameplay

Players must fight their way through many waves of ruthless monsters with only the help of a deck they build along the way. Unlike most deckbuilders, Talystro has players build their attacks from a pool of dice rolls.

Casting

Players roll 6 dice at the start of each round to play the five cards they draw to their hand. Each card has a slot or a series of slots in an equation. To cast a card, players fill these slots with the numbers from their dice pool results. Cards will do damage equal to the total of the card after all required slots are filled. For example, if a user has a card with a slot _ + _ and they fill it with the numbers 1 and 2, the card will do three damage.

Combat

Players can attack as many times per turn as they have available dice, assuming they can get to the correct number. The monsters in this game are numbers. Unlike other deckbuilders where players need to slowly chip away at an enemies health, players need to reach the exact number of the monster they are fighting. For example, if the monster they are fighting is a 7, players must combine their dice and cards to deal out 7 damage and destroy the monster. You can play multiple cards per turn, so mix and match accordingly.

Monsters

Monsters carry attack die. Any monster left with an attack die at the end of the turn does one point of damage to Math Mouse. Players progress to the next stage if they kill off all the numbers. The game ends if the Math Mouse’s health drops to zero.

Abilities

The game has a few abilities to give combat its depth. Players start with three abilities: block, reroll, and adjust. Players all start with one charge of each ability. These abilities can be recharged by playing a card that has a recharge ability.

Block

Monsters get an attack die with the result visible to the player. Players can break these attack dice by stacking a dice with the same result. For example, if a monster has a 4 attack dice, stacking another four negates the attack.

Reroll

Reroll is self explanatory. Players use this ability to reroll their available pool of dice and hope for better numbers. Reroll only affects dice you have left in play. If you have three dice, you only reroll three.

Adjust

This ability allows players to adjust a dice by one value. For example, if you only have a three and need a four or a two, you use the adjust ability to get the number you need.

Impressions

I am a little bummed that this game is only a playtest because it is already an addiction. I did not know I could have so much fun with math, but then again, I played a lot of Math Blaster growing up.

Aesthetic

Talystro has fantastic art. I love the cartoon style art and the world that goes around it. The game has an old school aesthetic, but with gameplay that makes it incredibly addicting.

Gameplay

I am a little bummed it doesn’t work on the Steam deck because this would be a fantastic hand held game. It isn’t resource intensive, and the game is casual enough to enjoy on the go. However, this game is so much fun. I like that it breaks away from the same tired deck builder formula with mechanics that make combat a lot more engaging. I liked that I was always trying to figure out something and it made the grind a lot of fun. Every round was a cool puzzle I needed to solve, even if it involved a lot of math.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a different kind of deckbuilder that isn’t afraid to be different, you need to keep an eye out on Talystro. This is the most fun I’ve ever had doing math, and I am not a huge math person. The game has fun flavor and solid mechanics to keep things engaging. This is a very successful playtest, and I can’t wait to see what else in store. You can still try to get into the playtest. Don’t forget to wishlist!

video game reviews

First Impressions of PiPu Party: A Fun Puzzle Platformer

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was invited to cover the PiPu Party demo on my blog. I understand the game is not finished yet, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest first impressions of the game.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

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 with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is PiPu Party?

PiPu Party is a chaotic puzzle platformer. You can brave the puzzles on your own, or play with your friends. The game supports up to 8 players for those who want to get really crazy. There is a demo available you should definitely try.

Hook

Players will jump through creative puzzles in a race against time. Team up with your friends for some creative co-op solutions, or race against your crew in a wacky adventure you won’t forget. Use your inventory to control the world around you to find your way to the solution. Are you smart enough to clear the levels?

Gameplay

Players will use their character to jump across the platform puzzle without falling as they race to get the fastest clear possible. Falling means starting the level over which results in a slower clear. What makes Pipu Party unique is that players will pick up abilities they can use to manipulate the world around them. Abilities will move, rotate, or stop platforms. Players can only hold three abilities at a time, and abilities are used in order. Players will need to know when and how to use their abilities efficiently to get the solve.

The game can be played solo, or with friends in couch 2-player co-op. The inventory is shared in multiplayer. There is an up to 8 player race game that sounds fun for a party, but I do not have enough friends to test it out.

Impressions

Since I’ve starting this blog, I’ve gotten more fond of platformers. I was never a fan because I was never good at them. Having to review games of every genre, I am proud to say that I have developed enough skill to appreciate a good platformer. PiPu Party is shaping up like a good platformer, even for the people like me who don’t have enough friends to take full advantage of the game’s design.

Art

PiPu Party has a simple retro vibe that gives the game its charm. If you are a fan of classic platformers from the SNES era, you will appreciate how well these pixels are put together to create its unique world and platforming experience. The game also has a fantastic soundtrack to get you in the mood for some intense jumping puzzles.

Puzzles

The demo has a few puzzles to play through, but they give a solid grasp of what to expect from the game. They all felt creative and get challenging, without feeling impossible. This may change in the full game, but I didn’t feel too frustrated trying for a solve.

What makes the puzzles in Pipu Party unique are that they move with or without a players interaction. Sometimes, you will be dropped onto a puzzle in motion and you have to act fast to solve the puzzle. Precision and efficiency is key in solving these puzzles. Other times, you will need to move or affect the direction of the puzzle pieces to get to the goal. The experience is very memorable, and I can’t wait to see more.

Conclusion

If you are a fan of platformers, especially the more difficult ones, you should try out PiPu Party. The game has a very cute retro vibe with some puzzles that will have you only using the edge of your seat. I only tried the solo mode and liked it enough to play more, but I can see how the game’s potential for being that silly party game you bring out with your most competitive friends. Do yourself a favor, go check out the demo and don’t forget to add PiPu Party to your wishlist!

You can check out PiPu Party on Steam.

Tech Reviews

Unboxing the Epomaker TH33: Features & Performance

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

Epomaker sent me the TH33 keypad 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 Epomaker RT85 and F75 keyboards. I will be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before buying anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • TH33 Wireless Keypad
  • 2.4 Ghz Wireless Dongle
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • Backspace Keycap
  • 2 Additional Switches
  • User Manual

Features

The Epomaker TH33 keypad is the keypad you need when you need a few extra keys to get the job done. Whether you need it for some serious accounting or a few extra macros, this little keycap is a promising addition to any setup.

Design

The TH33 keypad has a simple and clean design to fit most perfessional settings, but each of the 33 keys and switches are easily hotswappable to allow some personlization. The light weight design and sturdy build make it ideal for travel without feeling or looking cheap. The look wouldn’t be complete without that soft south facing RGB that gives the keypad some flare without being too distracting. It can be shutoff if you are only in it for the function.

Comfort

The TH33 boasts an ergonomic design, ready for the most serious number crunching. The native 6 degree typing angle can be adjusted to create the perfect fit and the keycaps have been contoured for the ideal typing feel. The TH33 features a gasket design the creates the perfect creamy sound for those who need a bit of typing ASMR while they work.

Performance

The TH33 houses an impressive 2000mAh battery for those long work sessions. The boasted low latency and high polling rate make it ideal for any workflow. Most importantly, the each key can be easily reprogrammed through VIA for an endless amount of utility. Whether you need an accounting tool or a dedicated macropad, the TH33 is ready for the assignment.

Review

If you are looking for a keypad with extra room for activities, you need the TH33. This light weight, handy tool can upgrade your productivity without taking up too much of your precious desktop real estate.

Quality

I was a little disappointing when I first opened the box because the keypad does look like plastic. It doesn’t look bad, but it does look like a toy. On further inspection, I was relieved to find it to be a high quality accessory. While the light weight keypad does feel like plastic, everything has been well machined. At least, it doesn’t look or feel like it will fade after a few uses.

Comfort

The TH33 is fine out the box. The default typing angle allows for the hand to sit in a more natural position, and the option to adjust the height makes it perfect for most hands. I prefer a taller angle and found it a very comfortable solution. The switches are soft and responsive. The keycaps look cheap, but feel fine. I appreciate that the have been contoured to fit the finger to make each press delightful and precise. The TH33 is a comfortable and powerful keypad.

Performance

The TH33 met my expectations for a key pad. I appreciate the long battery life. I’ve been using it for two weeks now and haven’t had to charge it, even with the RBG on. I would say for those who need it more regularly, the keyboard will get at least 10 hours of continuous use, but you can always turn off the RGB for a longer session if needed. The keypad is as responsive as needed. I didn’t notice any latency or ghosting in my two weeks.

My only issue with the keypad is that it does feel like it has a few extraneous buttons. Having volume controls is fantastic, but things like the arrow keys feel unnecessary. Unless you don’t have them on your laptop, you are getting a few extra buttons that you might not use unless you reprogram the keypad. Luckily, reprogramming the TH33 through VIA is very easy. You can easily add macros or remap keys for functions you actually need. This is the keypad you get when you either need a few extra macros or you need a d macropad that is simple and doesn’t take too much space.

Conclusion

If you need something a little bigger than your typical numbpad, the TH33 is great option. It is simple, clean, and quality enough to survive some travel. This is the keypad you get only if you need the extra keys, otherwise, you can make due with the Epomaker EK21. I like the keypad and even got some use by creating a few useful shortcuts for my data entry, but I wouldn’t call it an essential part of my kit. It does make my workflow a bit more convenient and that alone has some value.

If you need it, you can pick up the Epomaker TH33 keypad on the official Epomaker store, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

Tech Reviews

Upgrade Your Keyboard: Ydmochi Sweet Dango Keycaps

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the Ydmochi Sweet Dango Dream Keycap Set 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 Y2k and Sprout Picnic keycaps. I’ll be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • 142 Keys compatible with 60%, 65%, 75%, TKL, & Full-sized keyboards

Opening

Features

KiiBoom releases another adorable set, but this time its mochi flavored. These high quality keycaps are compatible with mot cherry profile switches, and are ready to upgrade your boring old aesthetic.

Quality

Milled from high quality plastic and dyed with the upmost care, these caps don’t only look good but promise to last you a lot longer than your keyboard. They have been treated to be heat and abrasion resistant to endure the sweatiest of team fights.

Comfort

The Ydmochi Dango Dreams keycap set has been design to not only cute, but for comfort. The rounded design conforms with the shape of your fingers for a more ergonomic experience. The rows have been contoured to fit the hands natural range of motion to eliminate some fatigue. The soft plastic makes each press a cozy delight.

Design

The keycap set features vibrant pastel theme that is cute without being distracting. Users get enough keys to allow some reasonable customization. The numbered/lettered keys feature a minimalist design for those who prefer that aesthetic, but the KiiBOOM includes some adorable mochi themed images for a little flavor.

Review

The KiiBOOM x Ydmochi Sweet Dango keycaps are a fantastic upgrade to any aesthetic. These high quality caps are not only adorable, they are comfortably functional. If you are aiming for a minimalist setup and are a fan of mochi, you need to do yourself a favor and buy this set.

Quality

I have yet to get bad quality products from KiiBOOM. Even the keyboard that my mailman clearly played soccer worked with minimal tinkering. If you are looking for a quality budget option for your next keyboard, you can’t go wrong with KiiBOOM. If you are looking for cute keycaps to change up your aesthetic, KiiBOOM is the way.

The Ydmochi caps are machined and dyed with the KiiBOOM quality I am familiar with. The keycaps are clean and the printing is high quality. These are not smudging or fading any time soon. Most importantly, they fit the switches perfectly. With cheaper keycaps, you risk them not fitting right or staying on properly, but I am not worried. These feel like they will last me a long time, but you might change them out for one of the other cute sets. The Doughfluff keycaps are personal favorite.

Comfort

The Ydmochi keycaps are as soft as they look. I have used cheap keycaps that feel like they cut at you with every keypress, but Ydmochi feels like you’re pressing on gummy candy. The contoured designed allows for the ideal motion to avoid any strain from prolongued use. They didn’t trigger my repetitive stress injury, but note that I also have a very ergonomic position for my keyboards.

Design

I am a huge fan of the set’s minimilistic design. The font used for the keys are fun without being detracting, and the pictures are so cute. I like that I have a few options for customization so I can make the keyboard at least a little more unique. If you like mochi and want to keep your aesthetic clean and simple, these are a fantastic set of keycaps.

Conclusion

If you are looking for keycaps, KiiBOOM has a fantastic selection of cute, high quality keycaps to upgrade any aesthetic. If you are looking for minimilist that wants a splash of color, you have to get the Ydmochi keycaps. You can pick up your set on the official KiiBOOM store or on Amazon through my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you use my link before buying anything.

Tech Reviews

Is the Mechlands Vibe108 the Best Budget Mechanical Keyboard?

1 Comment

Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the Vibe108 mechanical keyboard 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 Vibe99 and the the M75 keyboards. I’ll also be using my affiliate link where possible.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Vibe108 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A braided Cable
  • 2.4Ghz Dongle
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Manual

Features

If you are looking for your first mechanical keyboard, it might be worth looking into the The Mechlands Vibe108. The Vibe108 is loaded with the features you need, and a few you didn’t know you needed.

Aesthetic

The Vibe108 comes in white with a soft pastel blue accent to give it that cozy feel you want on your table. Each 104 key is lit up by soft south-facing RBG. It can’t be a gaming keyboard without some RGB. It comes with a few preprogrammed profiles for added customization, but you can turn it off when you don’t want to have the light show. I am a big fan of the soft strop that lights up the sides of the board.

Gimick

The Vibe108 is a full-sized keyboard with all the keys you need for your workflow. You get a number pad, a function bar, and media controls. The Vibe108 features easily accessible media buttons and a dial for volume control. You don’t know how nice it is too have media control until you have them.

Comfort

The Vibe108 mechanical keyboard comes out of the box with a comfortable typing angle, but offers adjustable heights for those who need it. I like my keyboards at the highest setting. Whether you are using the Mechlands cream mint switches for the typing asmr or the vela silent switches for a bit more stealth, you can be assured you are getting a comfortable yet satisfying typing experience.

Performance

At this price point, the Vibe108 promises peak performance at a very reasonable price. Especially for the price point.

The keyboards switches offer fast and accurate imputs with no ghosting or noticeable latency. Users can enjoy a fast connection through the supported wired, wireless, and Bluetooth connections. With an impressive 10,000mAh, users can enjoy long interrupted workflow hours without having to plug back in. Enjoy up to 200 hours of use without any of the backlights on a single charge!

Most importantly, the keyboard can be customized with the macros and rebinds you need in your life.

Sound Test

Review

Out of all the Mechlands keyboards I have tried, the Vibe108 with the silent switches has been my favorite. If you are looking for a full-sized keyboard to upgrade your current set-up, the Mechlands Vibe108 is the perfect place to start.

Quality

The quality of Mechlands keyboards tends to fluctuate, but they really stepped up their game with the Vibe 108. The gasket is well machined and light, and the keys looks like they can take a pounding. They still feel cheap if you take the time to really examine them (or know what nice keycaps feel like), but most people aren’t going to notice. Out of the box, this keyboard looks and feels like it should be worth a bit more money.

Comfort

The Vibe108 is Mechlands’ most comfortable keyboard. It is a good size that allows enough spacing for my hands to sit in a comfortable position. The typing angle out of the box is good enough for most users, and the extra height is perfect for me.

I got the silent switches. While I do like having a more thacky sound to my typing, my wife really appreciates the silence. These switches are incredibly quiet while still offering a satisfying typing experience. Each press is soft, with enough feedback to feel good without causing any fatigue. I daily drove this keyboard longer than my usual test period because of how comfortable it is to use. While it isn’t marketed as an ergonomic solution, it never triggered my repetitive stress injury and that is a huge win for me.

Performance

I got about 10 hours of use before needing to charge the keyboard, but I don’t think I ever charged it all the way. There was no noticeable latency and gaming was comfortable. I was able do a good amount of grinding in Guild Wars 2 without issue.

Conclusion

The Vibe108 is my favorite Mechlands keyboard. I will be recommending it to anyone who needs a full sized keyboard but doesn’t want to spend much money. This is a very pretty keyboard the is the perfect size for my workflow with the customization I need to make it future proof. If you are looking for a fun way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the Vibe108 mechanical keyboard.

You can pick up the Vibe108 on the official Mechlands store using my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Tingus Goose: A Surreal Idle Game Review

1 Comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Tingus Goose 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 latest reviews for the Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

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 with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Tingus Goose?

Tingus Goose is a surreal idle game where you bounce babies for money. This is the trippiest weirdest game you’ll ever play, but it might be worth trying at least once.

Hook

Help your ground goose grow tall enough to mate with the sky goose in what has to be the most laid back tower defense you’ll ever load to your computer. Bounce babies as they rain from the ground goose to earn the money to grow your goose. Unlock upgrades and buildings to help you increase your profit margin. Build a good enough structure and you can step away and watch your money grow. How many different stages of goose can you get through?

Gameplay

The goose will mate and transform into different creatures that spread across the world. While there is nothing sexual about this game, there are a few references that some might find offensive. Nothing explicit, but something to keep in mind.

The goose is born into the world from the love of their parents. In order to mate and continue to the cycle, players must help it grow. They do this buy spending money. To earn money in this game, players must bounce the babies that rain out of the ground goose. This is done by clicking on the falling babies to earn money actively, or arranging structures to do it passively.

Passive Income

As the ground goose grows, it will sprout random structures that can be used to bounce the babies. These structures are themed after the level and can be arranged along the neck of the goose. It is a very laid back tower defense game where there is no right answer or losing. You can leave the game running in the background and watch your money grow (or log off if you pick up the skill).

Skills

Players will unlock abilities as they play the game and grow their geese. Players have access to a comprehensive skill tree and a few RNG abilities that they can unlock throughout a run. These abilities help increase a players learning potential, but there is no real need to minmax (although you probably can). Buy whatever seems fun to you.

Structures

The ground goose sprouts random structures as it grows. These are randomly selected from a players pool of structures. All players start with the same limited pool, but unlock additional structures as they progress through the game. These structures will bounce, blow, suck, and manipulate a baby’s fall while earning players money. The game gets very creative and thematic with their structures, and leaves enough room for players to get creative with their Rube Goldberg machine.

Review

Tingus Goose is the weirdest adventure I’ve ever had to go on, and I am not mad about it. This game is an excellent example of creative surrealism and bundles it in a way that is digestible and relaxing. If you want to sit back and enjoy some weirdness with what little precious time you have for gaming, take it up with Tingus Goose.

Art

Tingus Goose has a fun and quirky aesthetic that gives the game its cozy atmosphere. The art is simple, but the cut scenes are wild the best possible way. I am having trouble finding the right words to describe what it is I just played, but I know I liked it. I commend the devs on how creative they get with their story telling with a style and aesthetic that definitely stands out not just against other games in the genre (if there are any) but all other games in general.

Story

The story is simple, but creative. A goose falls in love, grows, mates, and the cycle continues. There are 17 unique levels, each as creative as the next. I don’t think I fully understand what the story is about, but I needed to keep playing to find out what the next world looked like, and what structures I would get to use.

Gameplay

Tingus Goose is an idle game, but without the predatory micro-transactions you see in other games. While other games will eventually slow your play to encourage you to spend more money, Tingus Goose only asks for money once. This means players can enjoy the whole game without spending additional money.

The game itself is a soothing and simple loop that doesn’t take too much of a commitment. You can build your goose how ever you want (around the RNG) at your own pace. I am sure there is an optimal way of building and designing your goose, but I never felt the need and had fun messing around. I loved arranging my structures as they came, watching the cute animations of my machine in action, and occasionally clicking to get through the game faster. There might be a grind, but it doesn’t feel like it.

Conclusion

I enjoy a good idle game, but I hate how predatory they get. I usually can only get through the first few levels before the game will nerf my progress so that can start spending money. Looking at you League of Angles: Pact. I understand the need to make money to develop the game, but some companies get a little too greedy. Tingus Goose was fun throughout, with enough content to be worth the price tag.

I like that I can be active and design my Rube Goldberg machine to bounce babies and chose my upgrades for my goose, but I also like that I can just sit back and enjoy the general silliness. What I like most is that it never felt like there was a right answer. I could explore the games different mechanics at my own pace without the fear of messing up. In that way, Tingus Goose offers the purest gaming experience of any game in one of the most bizarre packages.

Even if you don’t like idle games, Tingus Goose is a strange trip that you need to go on once. I appreciate the devs doing something out of the box, and staying out there. I love this game, and will continue to run it in the background.

You can pick up Tingus Goose on Steam. Just be warned, this game gets wild.

video game reviews

Dungeons & Kingdoms: The Survival Game That Does Too Much

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Dungeons & Kingdoms 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 latest reviews for the Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

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 with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Dungeons & Kingdoms

Dungeons & Kingdoms is a survival game with village management and dungeon delving mechanics. The game is currently currently on Steam Early access. I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review because the game is not finished, but these are still my honest opinions.

The Hook

You have landed on the shores of the new world with only the shirt on your back. With the help of the few who have traveled with you, you must reform the world around you into the kingdom that will be your home. Gather resources, build your city, command its citizens, and go an adventure you will never forget. Can you forge to greatness from humble beginnings, or will the harsh environment consume you?

Gameplay

Dungeons & Kingdoms is an RPG where you build a kingdom, manage citizens, and delve dungeons. If this sounds like a lot, it is.

Survival Game

Players start their run with only the clothes on their backs. They must explore the world and gather its resources in order to discover the recipes they need to build a mighty empire. What sets Dungeons & Kingdoms apart is that players can command NPCs to help in the building effort.

Kingdom Builder/Management

One of the goals of Dungeons & Kingdoms is to build a mighty empire from scratch. Players get to command a growing population of NPCs to gather, build, craft, and send them on adventures. Like other village management games, players will need to be mindful of their citizen’s happiness. It is a very intricate game with many moving parts, but there is also a bit of dungeon delving to keep things fresh and interesting.

Dungeon Delve

Players can delve dungeons in search of treasure to fund the growth of their empire. Combat in this game is pretty simple, but requires a bit of fines to get the kills. Whatever flavor of the game you like, Dungeons & Kingdoms does a lot for its player, but is it any good?

Review

The game does a little too much, and none of it works well at this stage of development. While I like the game’s concept, you really need to be okay with the janky state the game is in. As far as Early Access games, you can do worse, but you can definitely do better. I like Core Keeper is my favorite survival game, and Pathless Woods if you want something a little more cozy.

Aesthetic

I am not a big fan of the visuals for Dungeons & Kingdoms. The world is boring, and feels a little too empty. The character and visual design is a little too pixelated and ugly. It feels like they are mashing too many styles for their assets together when they should try to go for something consistent and simple. The game is doing way too much and I can’t expect it to be realistic and perform well enough to be fun, not that it already is. They need to find a theme for their world and stick to it whether it be the weird 3D pixel art or something more realistic. I prefer a little weirdness personally.

Gameplay

I like that the game has a lot to do. The blending of genres is a very interesting idea with a good amount of potential, but all these moving parts can be overwhelming. If the game can successfully onboard players through those awkward early stages of the game, it can have its growing fandom. Unfortunately, the tutorial is boring and not very good. It doesn’t help that the performance isn’t great. While I like the idea of a survival game with all of these elements, the execution isn’t good enough to make a positive impression. If you have the patience to fight through the bugs and performance issues, your time is still better spent elsewhere. I really liked Enshrouded.

Performance

I usually give Early Access games a bit of a pass because they aren’t finished yet, but the performance issues make the game more work than its worth. There is a general wonkiness that carries over to every task. The game has bad UI that makes navigating through the many menus a chore. It got to the point where I was working too hard and wasn’t having fun. The problem is that the game is trying way too much at once. There are so many moving parts and while some may be working fine, I didn’t have it in me to get to that point. Most gamers won’t either. I am willing to try the game in a couple of updates if the performance improves, but I can’t recommend it in its current state.

Conclusion

Dungeons & Kingdoms has some cool ideas, it doesn’t do any of its parts good enough to earn a recommendation. For every genre this game mashes together, you simply have better options. Even if you want to help test a game that will most likely have a long early access, you can do so much better. I am willing to try a better version of what I got to test out, but I can’t ask people to spend their hard earned money on something that is this rough. Go play anything else and wait for a few more updates.

Dungeons & Kingdoms is currently on Steam Early Access.

Tech Reviews

KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2 Review: The Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard

1 Comment

Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the Moonshadow V2 for free to review for my blog, but this time in pink. 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 Cibrix29 Keypad or the very cute Y2K Keycaps. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it to buy anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the Box?

  • KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • 2.4gHz Wireless Dongle
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • Manual

Features

The Moonshadow returns with notable improvements on the popular classic design to that make it the perfect upgrade for any set up. Its sleek modern design, high-functioning utility and performance promise the perfect typing experience.

Design

The Moonshadow V2 is a prime example of KiiBOOM’s masterful craftsmanship. It’s sturdy aluminum alloy frame is well machined to not only look good, but survive the most intense of team fights. The Moonshadow is available in three colors: Pink, Black, and Silver.

The V2 is a 75% keyboard with 81 keys and a nob. Each key features soft south-facing RGB for some added flare. The gasket design generates the perfect typing sound while the switches promise users the comfortable typing experience they’ve been looking for.

Utility

The Moonshadow V2 is QMK and VIA compatitable, meaning each key and the nob can be reconfigured for the ideal workflow. Weather it be programing shortcuts, rebinding keys, or adding some useful macros, the Moonshadow is a very good looking keyboard ready to max out your efficiency.

Performance

The V2 is ready to level up your gaming experience with its promised low latency connections:

  • 7.2ms on wired
  • 9ms on wireless 2.4GHz
  • 20ms on Bluetooth 5.0

Those who want less wire clutter will appreciate the respectable 6000 mAh battery. Those who live in front of the TV will love Anti-Ghosting and ideal poling rate. If you are looking for a keyboard that can keep up with the demands of this face paced world, you will find few better than the KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2.

Review

I’ve reviewed the KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2 before. I loved it so much I got it in a second color. If you are looking for the perfect keyboard to upgrade your setup or as a gift for this holiday season, pick up the Moonshadow V2

Quality

KiiBOOM consistantly delivers high quality keyboards and accessories at a very reasonable price point. My keyboard was kicked around by my mail man and came in pieces. I was able to put it back together and noticed no performance dips. Not only is this the ideal keyboard for a tinkerer, but it speaks highly of the high quality production that went into Moonshadow V2. Everything on this keyboard is cleanly machined for an elegant piece of tech that I am proud to display on my desk.

Comfort

The switches are a bit on the heavier side. It took a little longer to get used to, but now I am having trouble going back. The heavy feedback that comes with every press is such a satisfying feeling, and they don’t destroy my hands as much as other cheap keyboards have. The stock typing angle is perfect for my needs, and the keys feel very nice under my fingertips. The Moonshadow V2 may not be strictly ergonomic, but it is comfortable enough for the long hours I need it for. I’m on my keyboard an average 10 hours a day.

Performance

The Moonshadow V2 is ready to handle any workflow. I used mine for data entry, writing, and gaming without issue. It doesn’t seem like the rough shipping had any effect. I was able to enjoy 10 hours of uninterrupted wireless use with no noticeable latency. This was with all the RGB on.

Conclusion

The Moonshadow V2 is my favorite keyboard I’ve received from any company. I am a huge fan of the elegant aluminum frame and stylish color scheme, but the typing experience is where the V2 just wins. If are looking for the perfect mechanical keyboard that you don’t have to build yourself, the KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2 is the perfect place to start. You can even customize it with one of the beautiful keycaps like the Dough Fluff set. They keyboard has good battery life, and it handles all my workflow perfectly. I love that there is room for customization for added utility.

If you buy one keyboard this year, make it the KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2. You can pick up the Moonshadow V2 on the official KiiBOOM website, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

Board Games and TCGs

Is Riftbound Worth the Hype? A Honest Review

3 Comments

Disclaimer

I was sent a few packs a couple of the Riftbound trial deck 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. If you want to buy Riftbound, try to support your LGS. Don’t pay scalper prices. Anything above MSRP is not worth it. Usually I would post my TCG Plug, but the prices on there are too crazy. I don’t want to support the inflated market.

Table of Contents

What is Riftbound

Riftbound tries to bring the action-packed gameplay of the popular moba to the tabletop. Play as your favorite champion as you battle for supremacy in an unforgettable tabletop experience.

Winning

Players control a hero that gives them certain passives, but also dictates the colors and strategy of the deck. Each champion will have the colors that they can use in battle, and each color has a specific strategy they excel at. The goal of Riftbound is to score eight points before your opponent. You earn points by taking control of one of the two battlefields, except for the game winning point that requires control of both. You take control by moving units into a battlefield, and successfully taking or defending against an opponent’s units.

Resource System

What makes Riftbound unique is its resource system. Runes are a player’s primary resource system. These are a separate two color deck that the player pulls two cards each turn (3 on your first turn if going second). The player places these cards into a pool to cast spells, use abilities, and summon allies. Rune cards are kept in the pool unless the player recycles them. Some cards have an additional recycle cost. Players pay this cost by putting runes back into their resource deck (the card shows the cost). This creates Riftbounds interesting resource management mechanic. Do you play with less resources next turn to utilize a powerful ability?

Movement

Riftbound has a movement mechanic, but one that is simple enough to keep the TCG feel while still feeling meaningful. There are three locations a players can have units, in the base or one of the two battlefields. Battlefields are cards that have different abilities. Each player places one of their battlefield cards on the field at the start of the game, and switches the card at the start of the next game. Units enter a player’s base tapped, and can move into one of the two bases when they lose that summoning sickness.

How to Play

I am a visual learner, and the best tutorial I watched was by the Tolarian Community College. Definitely go find your favorite YouTuber in the space, but I like how clearly the professor lays out the mechanics and gameplay loop. It is very easy to follow and the visuals make it easy to understand. I don’t think I will be winning any tournaments soon, but at least I know how to play. Make sure you give the professor a like, comment, and subscribe. He’s earned it.

Review

Riftbound is a fun TCG with unique mechanics and interactions. Unfortunately, if you are looking for a new TCG to get into, you might need to wait till they fix the supply issue. This game isn’t worth the scalper prices.

Art

The unique art for the champions is fantastic. If you are a fan of the Moba, you will appreciate the love and care that has gone into each champion, especially the foil cards. Unfortunately, the rest of the set is rather unimpressive. While there are a few cute poros that got my attention, most of the cards didn’t leave much of an impression. Maybe I’ve been away from the game for too long and failed to appreciate the references, but as a collector, there wasn’t much to excite me.

It is the same issue I have with the publisher’s other game, Universus. Fun game, but only some of the cards are fun to collect.

I can’t really blame the game for its art direction. When a game takes on an established IP, there are limitations that prevent the creativity I’m looking for in a card game. The company has to do right by the established IP. This is kind of the double edged sword games like deal with. On one hand, the game pulls in the fans of IP that want a game, in this case League of Legends. On the other hand, they aren’t able to be as creative with the art. Unfortunately, this means most of the cards in Riftbound aren’t fun to collect. But does convertibility matter when the game is fun?

Gameplay

Riftbound is a lot of fun. The game is easy to learn, but it has a few mechanics that make it difficult (not impossible) to master. Riftbound has a solid mulligan system to prevent players bricking as often on the first turn. RNG can still make you brick on a mulligan, but it doesn’t feel as bad as a bad start in Magic or Pokemon. The mana system is great. It is a straight forward system that eliminates the flooding and screwing that happens in magic. Having resources exist as a seperate deck is awesome because I love drawing cards, but it means I need to have my deck sleeved in multiple colors. (Make sure you buy your sleeves where you play your games).

What I liked most about the game is the movement system. I’ve played a few TCGs with movement mechanics, like Genesis Battle of Champions and Paragon, but none of those feature a grid based system that felt more like a board game. I loved my time with both those games, but I am not very good at strategically moving units across a battle field. Not to mention, movement can bog down the game. In Riftbound, movement is simple (just three spaces) but it felt meaningful. Most importantly, I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the number of choices.

Unfortunately, while the game may be fun, the quality isn’t quite there. At least on the first printing.

Quality

The more packs of Riftbound I opened, the more disappointed I became with the game as a collector. The card stock feels thin and like it can be easily damaged. All of my packs came damaged from the factory. All of my cards, including the foils, were already whitening around the edges. This is extremely disappointing as a collector, but something I would be willing to overlook because the game is fun.

I am glad I got my packs for free, and I am very glad they didn’t send me better quality cards because I would be very upset if I paid above MSRP. I am willing to support the game in the hopes that future sets and cards get better print quality, but I wouldn’t rush to pay the scalpers to play this game. It is a fun game, but I want my cardboard to be a little fancier.

Conclusion

Riftbound is a refreshing TCG that deserves a lot of the attention it has been getting. It has interesting and fun interactions, but the first set is a rough launch. In its current state, I can’t recommend it, but mostly because players can’t get their hands on reasonably priced product. If the supply issue improves and players are able to enter the competitive scene without having to sell their soul. Especially since the quality makes the first set not much fun to open. If this issue gets resolved, I’m willing to change my review because I had a lot of fun with Riftbound. I say proxy until you can find product at MSRP.

video game reviews

Why Diety 2 is the Next Must-Play Strategy RPG

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Diety 2 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 latest reviews for the Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

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 with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Diety 2

Diety 2 is top-down turn-based strategy game out now on Steam. Think Fire Emblem, but with a few unique mechanics to set it apart.

Story

The Eternal Order exists to protect Verroa from all threats. The fragile, fragmented country struggles to find in the world political stage. The neighboring Asverellian empire chooses to take advantage of Verroa’s instability and expand its reach. The order’s strength will be put to the test as 25 powerful warriors push back against the Asverellian siege. Can and Riodian navigate the complicate political landscape of Verroa and keep the country free of Asverellian rule, or will their efforts be in vain?

What allegiances will you make? How ill your choices shape the future of Verroa?

Gameplay

Take control of a your group of heroes in a series of campaigns that will shape the future of nation. This is a game where your decisions in between missions shape the outcome of the story, so choose carefully.

Players will take control of their army as they fight in different battles. Each battle has its unique objective, with a few side objectives available to help players earn more loot. Some games will have players survive a certain number of rounds but push players to complete risky objectives for extra gold or upgrade materials. The difficulty for these campaigns can be adjusted from a very casual play through for those who just want to experience the story, to something more hard core with turn limits to test a players strategic prowess. I went with something in the middle and thought it was challenging enough to keep me engaged without much of the stress.

Players take turns moving their characters across the maps in grid based combat, and use the terrain to gain an advantage. What makes the game unique is the bond system that the characters have with one another. Characters who fight near one another gain a bond over the course of the campaign that unlocks bonuses like money or upgrade materials per each level. What I love most about Diety 2 is that players can save mid battle if you ever need to step away suddenly.

Between missions players can upgrade their heroes. They can buy better gear at the shop with gold they earn in the campaign, upgrade existing weapons with magical runes, craft magic rings for heroes to wear, upgrade a heroes abilities, or upgrade a heroes class. Each hero has a wide selection of upgrade paths for a truly unique army.

Choices Matter

Verroa has a few factions that make up its landscape. Players will often have to choose who to help as they defend against invaders. These choices shape the outcome of the story. Players can either choose the story they like the best, and help out whatever faction they think is right, or choose whatever faction gives them the best loot. Each choice has a different set of rewards, and sometimes the “right” choice isn’t the one that pays the best. What factors will shape your campaign?

Review

Deity 2 is a fantastic turn-based strategy game with a solid story and very engaging gameplay. If you like strategy games or want to take your first step into the genre, this is one of the titles that should be in your library.

Story

I did not play the first Deity, but I didn’t feel like I needed to. I might have missed some refrences here and there, but never felt lost by the events in two. The story of Deity 2 is very self contained.

The story may not be the epic campaign of some of the more popular titles like the Fire Emblem series, but it’s good enough to earn a playthrough. The characters are fun and memorable, but they can be a bit too quirky at times. Nothing that ruins the story, but there are a few cringe moments that come to mind. The voice acing is solid and I liked that I didn’t have to sit there and read. This game has long cut scenes, so be prepared to sit back and listen.

I really like that the game offers choices that shape the outcome of the story. It was hard choosing a path because the more lucrative paths weren’t always the most moral. I want to go back and experience what the other options had to offer.

Gameplay Loop

I played a more casual version of the game because I didn’t want to have turn limits. While it was a more casual run, it still provided enough of a challenge to keep me paying attention, especially in runs where I had to keep an NPC alive.

The upgrade system needs a bit of work. The UI is a little clunky and I don’t like the fact that I can’t tell what my upgrades do. I don’t like that I couldn’t compare weapons in the shop to see if it was an upgrade for what I have, and guessing with limited resources is frustrating. I never wasted money, but it was a bit of added work that shouldn’t exist.

Aside from that, the leveling adds some interesting depth to the game. Upgrades you get from runes, elixers, and rings felt impactful, and how you level up a heroes ability becomes important. The limited resources become less of a problem the more you play, and especially if you’re making riskier choices. Not all risks are created equal.

Conclusion

As a casual in the strategy rpg genre, Diety 2 is definitely a favorite. I think the story is good, the world building is solid, the art is fantastic, the music is epic, and the gameplay is good. If you are looking for a game that fills that Fire Emblem itch, Diety 2 is worth it at full price. Just be aware that you have to sit through a lot of dialogue.

You can pick up Diety 2 on steam. If you’re looking for some more turn-based strategy action, make sure you check out Arco.