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video game reviews

Tombstone MMO: A Cozy Western Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent sent the Farmer’s Bundle for Tombstone MMO as compensation for this review. It does include in game currency and a few items, but I did not use them throughout my playthrough. I wanted this to be my fresh and honest take on the free to play experience since it is probably how most new players will experience the game. This will not sway my opinions.

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What is Tombstone MMO?

Thombstone MMO is a low-res 2D western themed MMO out now on Steam.

Travel to the 8-bit post-apocalyptic world of Tombstone, where you will need to gather, craft, and quest for survival. This barren world has lots to explore as players find their play style through its many cozy gameplay loops. With over 20 skills to train, players will find themselves busy mastering them all. So grab your favorite weapon and set off on an unforgettable adventure.

Review

I was drawn to this game by its unique and adorable style. The lofi aesthetic gives the game an undeniable cozy vibe, without losing any of the detail. There was a lot of effort put into the world building, and I appreciate every ounce of it. I love the quirky tone of the dialogue, appreciate the fantastic sound track, and love the flavor of the different regions. If you are a fan of westerns, this captures the spirit of the genre perfectly.

The community, at least the people I interacted with, were all friendly and helpful. There definitely needs to be more players, but those I encountered were nice. I would still recommend picking this up with a couple of friends, but there is nothing wrong with playing solo. I played solo and had enough fun to keep on playing even after this review.

As far as gameplay goes, it does start off a little slow. The grind feels a little steep in the beginning, and it doesn’t help that there isn’t much direction. I like that there aren’t arrows or paths moving me between quests and checkpoints because it forced me to explore the world on my own and read everything. It is a very cool world to experience. Once I started picking up on the different nuances and venturing further into the world, it became a very cozy and relaxing experience. It can be a bit repetitive, but these games tend to be. I never felt like it was my job to login every day, but instead enjoyed the journey.

The game is Free to Play, but one that you need to try at least once. This is a cozy game that is relaxing, but with enough asks and goals to keep players invested without the stress that comes with the traditional MMO. I am sure there are stressful moments to Tombstone, but not to the extent as a lot of the more grindier 3D entries to the genre.

Do you need to buy the paid DLC to enjoy the game? No. I never felt the need to use anything that came with the package. I honestly forgot about it till now. If you play the game and and enjoy it, it is a fantastic way to support the developer, and worth well worth the price tag.

If you’re looking for a new MMO, try out Tombstone MMO. It is a cute and cozy change of pace that is worth checking out at least once. Once you decide that you will be playing the game enough to justify the cost of the Save 10% on TombstoneMMO – Farmer’s Bundle on Steam, go pick it up on Steam.

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Drakantos Beta Announcement and a few Key updates

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Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update weekly.

Introduction

It has been a while since I’ve posted about Drakantos, but after reading the latest dev log, I had to post something. I’ll be summarizing the bits of the log that were most interesting to me, so make sure you check out the official post for all the details. Make sure you add Drakantos to your wishlist!

Yuki Gameplay Teaser

I was planning on playing support when this game finally releases, but all of the teased DPS rolls look like a lot of fun. Yuki is no exception and if you’re looking for a high mobility champion and don’t mind listening the voice, Yuki is going to be a beast.

The Delay

The game has been delayed, but for good reason. The original morphing into something different because the devs seem to be listening to the community. Make sure you join the official Discord to join the conversation. Lets cover a few of the changes that I am most excited about.

Customization

The original plan for customization were the skins players can get from the cash shop or the battle pass. I know the idea of monetization is going to raise some flags, but the devs need to get paid. We can only hope it isn’t predatory. Customization will still be limited the set skins, but players are allowed a few small tweeks to create a unique look. Players will be able to change the dye of items and characters, and even change hairstyles and armor pieces. How much a character can be customized is yet to be seen, but it is a nice feature for those who enjoy the fashion side of MMOs.

Open World

Drakantos was originally supposed to be a dungeon crawler MMO, one with a central hub and dungeons and content for players to queue for. The devs have decided to expand their world and allow players to explore what the new world has to offer. I assume there will be limitations because it is still a mobile game, but I am all for running around the world, questing, and finding treasure.

Artifacts and Trophies

The system I am most excited for is the artifact system. Artifacts are items players collect throughout their journey that give characters unique active abilities. This gives players a way to customize their character and shake up the combat. I am sure there will be a meta for this after a while, but it will be interesting to see what they come up. I’ll be gunning for the wackiest build I can find.

The artifact system has the potential of being a very cool system. Ideally, assuming the balance is there, players will have to switch between artifacts depending on the activity. I just hope the grind isn’t bad for unlocking multiple artifacts. This is a great way to shake up a season between character releases, and a quick way to shake up the meta when necessary. We’ll have to see what they do with it, but I am hopeful.

Mini Bosses

I love the art for this game, and these mini bosses are no exception. This game has a ton of flavor and I can’t wait to explore all of it.

Pets and Mounts

The more art I see for pets and mounts, the more excited I become for the system. There are a few I wouldn’t mind chasing, especially the mimic pet! I know this won’t be for everyone, but it is cool to see some variety.

Emotes

What is finished?

Looks like a few of the systems are done, which means we are one step closer to a playable version.

  • Loot Tables
  • Quest logs
  • Databook – Lore and Locations
  • Bestiary
  • Achievements

Beta Announcement!

In the best news we’ve gotten all year, the closed beta is planned for sometime in July. That means we will finally get to play the game, and I for one can’t wait! Make sure you are following the official Discord to stay up to date on the news on signups. Don’t forget to add Drakantos to your wishlist!

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Drakantos Gets Closer to Release and a Solid Gameplay Teaser

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This month’s Dev log was a little late, but it was juicy. While we don’t have a firm release date, we do have a time frame. Drakantos plans its release for 2025. This seems like a long time, especially for those of us following from the beginning, but I’ve made it this far, what is a couple of more months. I rather have a finished game than a rushed one. Make sure you check out the official log for all the details, and don’t forget to Wishlist!

In a bit of sad news, dev logs will be moved to a three-month schedule. This means longer waits between devlogs, but it also means we’ll be getting juicier ones. There will be a consistent stream of teasers on the official Drakantos Discord, so make sure you join up and check regularly. I’ll try to do a monthly update of the teasers of they are juicy enough.

Liam Teaser

This month’s teaser was fantastic. We not only got to see Liam gameplay, but we got to get a good look at how the world of Drakantos works. We get a peak at the player hub and how questing works. I like the clean UI and the guild hall has a fantastic vibe to it. Most importantly, we got to see group combat. I love the art and am always impressed with how good they make the attack animations. I can see it being a little too busy for some folks, but I find it the perfect amount of world-shattering chaos without it ever being too distracting. I am curious to see how it things will work with busier instances like PvP and World Bosses.

I wasn’t too impressed with Liam’s gameplay, but I don’t tank. He seems too slow for my taste, but in the right hands, he can be a menace. Liam has a solid taunt, access to valuable debuffs, AOE, and he can close gaps quickly when needed. The cherry on top is his cool animations and voice acting. If you are looking to tank in Drakantos, you definitely need to consider Liam.

Game Info

Drakantos will be an MMO with dungeon-crawler elements. It will have an open world to explore, quest, and make friends in. There will be an overarching story which I am very excited to dive into. The game already has a solid amount of lore, I can’t wait to see what they do with it. There will also be a traditional player market. As long as players aren’t allowed to sell real money items, I’m cool with a player-run economy.

Drakantos will include character-specific prologues that will eventually lead to the starting zone. This will include a character story, a great way to start the game. The devs talk about moving away from the traditional linear system of questing in the hopes of giving the system purpose. Quests will reward players with gold and experience, but it will also unlock new systems, shops, and areas for the players. Some side quests will be class-specific, requiring players to use a character that knows magic for example. Most importantly, these types of quests will offer horizontal progression, which means completing a mission counts for the entire account. I like that the game isn’t forcing a tedious grind with their unique system.

The Dungeon Crawl

We got to see a bit of the Adventurer’s Guild in the Liam teaser above. The Guild is the main player hub where players can gather and queue for instances. Instances will take players to over 120 different maps and have them complete different quests. The intention is to always have players complete a different quest every time, even if they queue up for the same map. This is a very cool feature. While I do find comfort in repetition, the grind can get soul-crushing and monotonous. I can’t wait to see how this system is implemented. There will also be a random secondary objective or rare event to make things extra spicy. This can be a random encounter or a golden gnome for example. Completing side quests will net you more rewards, but they are optional.

Some instance bosses

Matchmaking

Matchmaking for an instance is tied to a player’s power level. There is no lobby. Instead of waiting for others to join, the game jumps you to the instance as it continues to look for other players. Difficulty scales based on the number of players in an instance (max 3), and rescales if someone drops suddenly. This is fantastic for a mobile game where internet connection can be spotty. Premade groups can be up to four for when you eventually join your guild and make your friends.

Conclusion

I continue to get hyped for the Drakantos release because this game looks fantastic. I’ve been waiting for an MMO to fill the void PSO left behind, and I am hoping this will be it. I love the art, the flavor, and the fact that this thing is portable. I can play it anywhere! Each month brings us closer to a release, and I’m just waiting for a beta. Make sure you join the official Drakantos Discord to stay up to date on all the news, and don’t forget to add the game to your Wishlist.

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Drakanos May Update: Thomas Gameplay Revealed

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Every month gets us closer to Drakantos launch. I’ve been following this game for a while, and my excitement never wavers. May was a spectacular month. The devs revealed an exciting amount of progress, but more importantly, I think I found my main in Thomas.

If you want to stay up to date on all the Drakantos news, make sure you join the official discord and read the official Dev Log. Don’t forget to add Drakantos to your Steam wishlist!

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a headset for gaming or a mic for streaming, check out my reviews for the Fifine H9 gaming headset and AM8 streaming mic.

Thomas Gameplay

I was going to play Thomas because he is a cat. After today, I am playing Thomas for the gameplay. Thomas seems like a supporting character with enough power to solo content if necessary. I have always been a support main, and I don’t think Drakantos will change that. Although, a couple of the DPS classes have gotten a bit of my attention.

Thomas is your typical bard. His instrument seems to buff allies and debuffs and damages enemies. That taunt ability is going to be fun in raids and PvP. What makes Thomas unique is the mini game you have to play for casting spells. From the Dev Log:

🧙‍♂️Dev Note: Playing with Thomas is like playing an instrument, you need to match the colors of the notes when using ‘Resonance’ to increase the effectiveness of the spell.

I was a Sona main in League. I dig the music magic flavor, and the mini-game is a nice touch. It makes spellcasting more engaging, and it could make Thomas a more technical character to play effectively. We will have to see what this looks like in the field, but I am curious.

If you’re looking for a ranged support character and don’t mind all the cat puns, Thomas is your cat.

Cultist Tower Gameplay

We got some dungeon gameplay. In the video, we get to see general mobs, and a mini-boss when the devs enter the elevator. The idea is that the events in elevators will always be different, to keep gameplay fresh and exciting. I am impressed with the general combat loop, and the dungeon looks really cool. I am a huge fan of the game’s art style.

Hydra Boss Fight

A hydra boss fight is being designed, and the art for the stage is fantastic. I can’t wait to see what the hydra looks like in its final incarnation.

Treasure Gnomes!

These work like treasure goblins in Diablo but with an adorable redesign. I will allow it!

Mimics!

There are going to be mimics in this game. I am a huge fan of the design, and it means more traps to look out for. I hope they drop some solid gear.

Pets

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Now is the Time to Jump Back into Destiny 2

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The Final Shape expansion hits Destiny 2 on June 4th. In preparation, Bungie has made a few of their older expansions free for everyone. Now is the perfect time to jump into Destiny if you’re missing key weapons like Parasite (The Witch Queen), Lament (Beyond Lignt), and anything else you missed out on. 

Parasite (The Witch Queen)
Lament (Beyond Lignt)

The Final Shape expansion hits Destiny 2 on June 4th. In preparation, Bungie has made a few of their older expansions free for everyone. Now is the perfect time to jump into Destiny if you’re missing key weapons like Parasite (The Witch Queen), Lament (Beyond Lignt), and anything else you missed out on. 

From now until June 3rd, console players can enjoy some of the older expansions including Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, and the Witch Queen. Steam players will gain access on May 21st. All Guardians also get access to past seasons including Season of Defiance, Deep, Witch, and Wish. If you have never played Destiny, or haven’t played it in a while, now is the perfect time.

I was sent a free copy of The Final Shape and will be doing my best to catch up for its release. Bungie does a decent job at getting new players caught up to the new content, but there is a bit of stuff I still need to grind for. If you end up liking any of the expansions available, I would wait for a sale. The expansions go on sale regularly for pretty cheap. 

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

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Drakantos April Dev Log Teases Reya the Lightning Queen

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We are now one month closer to Drakantos and the hype remains. April’s Dev log just dropped, and there are some solid teasers to get excited about. We got some art, animation, and a solid Reya teaser. Make sure you read the official Dev log, but here are my highlights. 

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

Reya The Lightning Queen

I am always amazed by how good the jiggle physics are for this pixel art MMO. While there is some blatant fan service, Reya’s mechanics are solid. I love the lightning flavor of her attacks, but I don’t think I am smart enough to be good. Reya is definitely for the gamer who likes sneaky, fast, and explosive abilities. Her lightning-quick reflexes allow players to bob and weave through enemies, leaving a trail of smoking bodies in her wake. I can’t wait to see what they do with the rest of Drakantos’ expansive cast. 

More Environment Spoilers

The Orphis boss fight has been completed, but we didn’t get to see the final boss. Instead, we got a peak at the dungeon and it looks amazing! I am a huge fan of the pixel art in this game, and the dark gothic vibe this map gives off has me excited. 

We also got some new mount animation, and a peak at the Parallax system for high places. Look how pretty:

Items

Relics

Conclusion

It was a short Devlog, but a good one as well. I just hope we can get a beta soon! Make sure you check out the full devlog for all the details, and join the official Drakantos Discord to stay on top of all the news. Don’t forget to add Drakantos to your Wishlist!

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Drakantos November Dev Log: Hero Teaser, Mounts, and Pets!

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The Drakantos November Dev Log is out, and there are some exciting updates that we need to look at. There was a hero teaser, mount updates, and more pets! Make sure you read the official post for the complete update, and join the Discord to stay up-to-date on this promising-looking indie MMO.

Don’t forget to add Drakantos to wishlist on Steam. The game just hit 100k wishlists, but we can do better! This game looks like a lot of fun and will be free to play. It won’t hurt to try it out. I’ll keep following the game closely in the hopes that there will be some sort of beta soon.

Check out my previous post for more context. If you enjoy these updates, make sure you like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.

Paladin Errant: Zeugladius

Zeugladius gameplay has been teased, and you are going to want to check it out if you like playing tanky characters. His backstory is also up on Discord, so make sure you give it a read. You’ll also get a chance to vote on the next reveal when that becomes available. I am enjoying the lore and can’t wait to dive into the full story.

The devs have made a channell for the game’s heroes for all the lore, art, and animation that gets teased and revealed.

Screenshots and Gifs

There have been updates to quests, assests, and systems which is always good to hear, but we also got some pretty cool screenshots. I might be a little biased, but this game looks so cool. I love the retro vibe it gives off, but there is enough of a modern twist to help it stand out.

Last dev log we learned that we are getting mounts, here we see a nice variety of options. There is also a day and night cycle which is always nice to see. Most importantly, the city and environment look amazing. I am a sucker for good pixel art games, and this is definitely matching my vibe.

We got to see some more animation, and this wyvern looks sick! I love the way it crawls out of the ground and leaves that hole. The way it catches fire and takes flight is amazing. Small details like the flames and ember it releases as it flaps make the beast look even more menacing. I can’t wait to see what they do with the bosses. I wonder if we can ride it?

Pets!

It wouldn’t be an MMO without pets, and we got the cutest little skeleton teased. I am all for pets, and if they are easy to collect, I am here for it. I am sure some of the cooler ones will be locked behind a paywall, but I can’t blame them for trying to make money.

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Discover Drakantos: New character art, lore, and gifs revealed

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The Drakantos devs have created a special channel on their official discord dedicated to the lore and characters of the upcoming pixel art MMO. Make sure you give it a follow if you want to stay up to date on all the Drakantos news. The devs have been busy filling this new section with character art, gifs, and back story. After sifting through the updates, I am disappointed that there isn’t more, but remain hyped for the release. There is still no release date, but I’ll keep you posted when the information becomes available. Make sure you check out my original post if you want a more detailed first impression. 

I am going to post what is available because I want to help promote it. This game looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun. I love the art, and the bit of gameplay I’ve seen looks interesting. I can’t wait for its release, but until then, I’ll be following it closely. Make sure you add it to your Wishlist and follow the Discord!

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends!

Iris

Ozul

Yura

Liam

Zeugladius

Thomas

Yuki

Ophis

Kavras

Arryn

Orbryn

Urijor

Ojore

Reya

Mohazus

Korz

Byron

Faendar

Marly

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WOW Like MMOTaris Land Closed Beta Nov 15 – Sign Up Now!

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The second closed beta for Taris Land: Mystery of the Hollows is coming to PC and Android devices on November 15. Make sure you head over to the official site to sign up! I’ve already signed up, so fingers crossed I get accepted. 

The Beta will last about two weeks in 16 countries and will support eight languages: English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Here are the official start times per region:

  • North American Server: November 15, 2023 at 8:00 (UTC−4)
  • South American Server: November 15, 2023 at 9:00 (UTC−3)
  • European Server: November 15, 2023 at 14:00 (UTC+2)
  • Asian Server: November 16, 2023 at 9:00 (UTC+8)

Make sure you check out the official FAQ and Discord if you have any other questions about the playtest.

Taris Land: Mystery of the Hollows is an MMORPG coming to PC and mobile devices (Android and IOS). I love the aesthetic of this game, and anything that I can play on my phone is a nice plus. I know people bash mobile gaming, but sometimes, I want to be away from my desk and don’t want to have a lot of extra hardware. 

I’ve written about this game before and won’t be repeating too much. I recommend you check out my previous post or go to the official page for more details. 

The second playtest will include the nine original classes (Warrior, Priest, Mage, Ranger, Barbarian Fighter, Paladin, and Bard) and introduce two new ones: Shadow Swordsman and a mysterious new class. 

The new class looks like a druid to me, but here’s the teaser so you can speculate:

The playtest will feature two raids, a bunch of story quests, the Dark Invasion mode, and the Inscribed Skill Stone system. There will be enough to keep players, new and old, busy for the two weeks of the playtest.

Make sure you keep an open mind going into the beta. This isn’t a finished product, and the game isn’t going to be perfect. This will be a test to make the game better, and I feel like it’s the perfect opportunity for fans to help shape a game they’re going to devote their time to. Just make sure you submit your feedback as soon as the option becomes available.

I am very excited because I love MMO’s and would love a new one to sink some time into. I just hope this game isn’t too grindy and the cash shop isn’t predatory. I’ve signed up, make sure you do too, and I hope to see you in Tarisland!

If you enjoy these updates, make sure you leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends!

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The October Dev Update for Drakantos just dropped, and it’s juicy!

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I’ve been following Drakantos closely because I am very excited about its release. Drakantos is a free-to-play pixel art MMO coming to PC and mobile devices. The art is cute, and the bit of gameplay I’ve seen has me interested. No release date has been set yet, so make sure you join the official Discord so you are always up to date. 

The October Devlog just dropped, and I recommend you check it out to share in my excitement. We got some new animations, screenshots, and some gameplay footage. 

If you enjoy these updates, don’t forget to like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. Make sure you add Drakantos to your wishlist!

Yura Teaser

We got a teaser for Yura, and if it doesn’t get you hyped for the game, nothing will. Combat looks so good and the voice acting is fantastic! Make sure you check out the official discord if you want to get some back story!

Mounts

An MMO needs its mounts, and Drakantos will have mounts, and characters that can transform into their own! We got a teaser of the animation, and I am satisfied:

Screenshots

We also got to see a new screenshot of the world, and I love the art! This world looks so good!

UI Preview

We also got a screenshot of the UI. It’s clean, and I dig the character art.

Pets!

Last but not least, we’re getting pets!