Tag Archives: mystery

video game reviews

BROK the Investigator is Loaded with Thrills, Heart, and Action!

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I was sent a free copy of BROK the Investigator to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials:

What is BROK the InvestiGATOR?

BROK the InvestiGATOR is a point and click side scroller out now on everything. Get your copy for Xbox, Switch, PlayStation, Android, IOS, Steam, Epic Games, GOG, and ITCH.io.

BROK is a struggling cartoon alligator detective with a troubled past. He lives day to day off the few cases he can find and does his best to forge a relationship with his dead wife’s son. All seems to be falling into a stale routine until his latest case has him stumbling onto a strange trail of conspiracies. What secrets will BROK unravel? Will his fists be enough?

Gameplay

BROK the InvestiGATOR successfully blends the point-and-click puzzle game with a classic side-scroller beat ’em up in this amazing interactive narrative. Players will move through this fun cyberpunk world, collecting clues, asking questions, and fighting enemies. 

The main gameplay loop is clicking through this interactive 80’s cop narrative. You’ll often have to solve puzzles and find clues to progress through the story. Some clues and solutions won’t be intuitive, so make sure you explore the maps thoroughly and click on everything. Occasionally you will have to fight in this classic arcade beat ’em up style combat. Combat feels good and smooth. If you’re a fan of classic arcade side-scrollers, BROK does it right.

Impressions

I loved everything about BROK the InvestiGATOR. It had a cute and fun art style, the story was engaging, and the gameplay was fun. I love the cartoon aesthetic and it gave this old man some unintended nostalgia. The gameplay loop was relaxing, but it offered enough of a challenge to keep me on my toes. The puzzles were hard enough without distracting from the overall narrative, and the combat was a welcome change of pace. 

What I loved most about the game was its story. The voice acting is phenomenal, and I recommend you check it the title to appreciate the performances. The story is great! It has a dark but fun tone and a great protagonist. I’ve seen enough movies to figure out some of the major story beats, but it didn’t matter because I was having fun. 

If you’re looking for a new game that is fun with solid appeal, pick up your copy of BROK the InvestiGATOR. The game is short, well made, and you can play it on everything! Get your copy today for Xbox ($19.99), Switch ($24.99), PlayStation ($24.99), Android ($7.99), IOS ($7.99), Steam ($19.99), Epic Games ($19.99), GOG ($19.99), and ITCH.io ($19.99).

There are also physical special edition copies of the game for PS4, PS5 and Nintendo Switch up for preorder for those who want some extra swag. Special editions include:

  • Copy of the game
  • Artbook
  • Poster
  • Exclusive sleeve for each platform
Board Games and TCGs

StartPlaying Games is Hosts a Weekend in the Loop March 7-10

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The official Tales From The Loop Alchemy module is live on the marketplace, and in celebration, StartPlaying is hosting A Weekend in the Loop! Players from around the world wanting to join a game run by experienced and vetted game masters should take advantage of the event. StartPlaying is a site that connects players with professional Gamemasters. Sessions are paid, but steps have been taken to eliminate any guesswork that would go into finding some random on the internet. The event runs from March 7 – 10. There are seats available as of writing this.

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

What is Alchemy RPG

Alchemy RPG is a VTT that aims to enhance the focus on the story rather than combat through ambient sounds, music, visuals, and easy-to-use system integration. While DMs and players can upload their content to the platform to use freely, Alchemy RPG sells specially designed modules for its systems. Alchemy works closely with publishers to produce high-quality animated images and immersive soundscapes for these modules that are sure to bring your next story to the next level.

The platform also has an integrated voice chat function, end-user customization, and most importantly, it is easy to use.

The Alchemy Module

The emphasis on storytelling makes Alchemy RPG an excellent VTT for running a Tales From the Loop Campaign. There is no combat in the system. The focus of the RPG is to create this collaborative adventure with your friends. I’ve messed around a bit with the module, and am impressed with what it can do. Full disclosure, I did receive a copy of the module for free, but that doesn’t affect my options. 

The VTT is easy to learn, which is important when you’re bringing people from different backgrounds to the table. I run games for a table of busy dads, and they don’t have the time to learn anything complicated. Simplicity is crucial for my pitch, and Alchemy RPG does it beautifully. I appreciate that moving parts like images and soundscapes are cool and impressive, but they aren’t distracting. 

Most importantly, I like the convenience of the module. All the core rules and mechanics are preprogrammed, and I can easily pull and reference rules as needed. If you’re running a prewritten adventure, everything you need to run it is ready and neatly organized. Programing homebrew or anything outside of the modules doesn’t seem too tricky, but as a busy Dad myself, I appreciate not having to do it. 

What is Tales From the Loop

I’ve done a post on the Tales From the Loop where I go into more detail that you should read if you have time. Tales From the Loop is essentially Stranger Things. In this alternate 80 timeline, technology has advanced unprecedently. Governments around the world race for supremacy, but there is a cost. In the small towns near these research facilities, strange things start to spring up. Only the kids in these sleepy boring towns seem to notice, and it is up to them to uncover what is going on. Gather your friends on a mystery adventure you’ll never forget. 

The game doesn’t have combat or death, and the focus of the system is to create this collaborative narrative together. This means it can be a bit more roleplay-heavy than the typical RPG, but that isn’t always a bad thing. I’ve been playing with my current group for a couple of years now, and we’ve come a long way from the murder hobos we used to be. While I don’t think we’re ready for Tales From the Loop, we’re getting there. I recommend you check it out, it might surprise you how much you want it at your table. 

Board Games and TCGs

Sign up for the Free Tales From the Loop RPG Workshop!

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Free League Publishing is teaming up with Start Playing Games and Alchemy RPG for another free learn-to-play workshop this week! GMs and players interested in running the critically acclaimed Tales From the Loop should join this free event for a hands-on look at both the system and the innovative tabletop. If this workshop is anything like the Vaesen event hosted last year, it’s going to be worth your time. To sign up, make sure you sign up on the official page, and have an Alchemy account ready to go. You don’t need to download the client, you can run it from your browser.

When?

DateTime (Pacific Time – Los Angeles)
2/15/20243 PM
2/16/202410 AM
2/20/20243 PM
2/21/202410 AM
2/26/20243 PM
2/28/202410 AM

Sign up today!

What is Tales From the Loop

Fans of the Netflix series Stranger Things should look into running this system. The adventure is based on kids exploring an alternate timeline in the 80s where a mysterious corporation has moved into town with a series of strange phenomena following close behind. What strange secrets will you and your friends uncover in this retro sci-fi adventure?

What is Alchemy RPG

Alchemy RPG is a virtual tabletop whose goal is to enhance the theater of the mind experience. The VTT offers a growing library of RPGs and events with specially crafted modules for GMs to run the game. These modules will have a collection of sounds, music, and animated backgrounds to help a GM run their game. With integrated voice chat and character sheets, it makes things easy for players and GMs to connect through the system they love. There is an integrated video chat feature and streamer support coming to the platform, so there is a lot to be excited for.

I got to use it briefly with Vaesen and enjoyed using it. It was easy to use, to learn, and it had a lot of the features I needed. I like that I could add grid-based combat whenever I needed it. You don’t need to buy the modules to run a game in Alchemy, but it makes things a whole lot easier. After you see everything the modules come with, you’re going to want to buy them anyways. I’ll be joining and posting a review as soon as I can.

If you’re looking for a new system, make some time to check out the free Tales From the Loop. If you need a hard copy of the rule book, get it over at Amazon ($39.40) or the official website ($51.35)! If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow and share this with your friends.

video game reviews

Experience the Spooky VR Narrative of Titanic: A Space Between

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I was sent Titanic: A Space Between 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

If you’re looking for accessories for your VR headset, like magnetic prescription lenses or a high-quality charging cable, get it at ZyberVR. Use discount code CHURAPE for 15% off.

What is Titanic: A Space Between?

Titanic: A Space Between is a horror VR game playable on Steam VR, Pico, and the Meta Quest 2 and 3. Play as a time traveler investigating the disappearance of a woman named Diana on the famous ship as it sinks. Solve puzzles, follow clues, and survive the most famous shipwreck in history. But there is something strange that lurks in this past. Can you solve the mystery and make it back to your own time alive?

Gameplay

This is an exploration horror game where players move through the narrative by searching for clues and solving puzzles as the ship sinks. The version I received is still in development, and was still a bit too unstable to be enjoyable.

Thoughts

The game isn’t done and this puts me in an awkward position. On the one hand, the concept is interesting, and I am invested in finding out what happened to Diana. On the other, the build of the game I received is unplayable. 

The game is buggy, and a few of the games broke the game. I tried to record a video, but that made the game more unstable. I got to a point in the game where I wasn’t able to advance because the mechanics didn’t work and I didn’t want to start over. I am willing to excuse bugs and glitches, but here it felt like I was fighting with the game more than I was enjoying it. 

Poor performance aside, Titanic: A Space Between is a cool concept for a game. It has an interesting story, it looks good, the voice acting is fantastic, and I love the flavor. The game also has some solid horror baked throughout. With a few more patches, I can see myself returning because I want to know what happened to Diana, but in its current state, I can’t recommend it. 

The game releases on the Meta App Lab on February 13th, pick it up then if you’re looking for a spooky Titanic adventure and don’t mind playing through the bugs. 

Board Games and TCGs

Explore Vaesen, a Supernatural Mystery TTRPG

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There are still slots available for the free Vaesen learn-to-play event happening over at StartPlaying Games on Thursday, December 28 at 10 AM PT, and Tuesday, January 2nd at 2 PM PT. The event is hosted by the good folks over at Alchemy VTT through Discord, and it gives potential players a chance to learn about a new system and virtual tabletop. I sat through one of the sessions, and it’s gotten me curious about the Vaesen RPG. I’ve written about the class in a previous post, but you should sign up anyway since it’s free. 

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

Recently, Free League Publishing was nice enough to send a bunch of their games to review. I am currently running through my first Dragonbane campaign and loving every minute of it. Till I can get to the rest of the games, I’ll be previewing all the games in the Free League Publishing library. These will be my initial impressions since it wouldn’t be fair to review a game I haven’t finished a campaign in. 

I’ll begin with Vaesen because it is the game I have the most exposure to outside of Dragonbane. What drew me to Vaesen initially was the artwork. The art in this book is beautiful. It reminds me of the old children’s books my father used to read to me when I was little.

Background

Vaesen is the spirits that exist in this mythical 19th-century Scandinavia. There used to exist a symbiotic relationship between the humans and the Vaesen. The humans would know how to keep them happy through things like offerings, and the Vaesen would bring them rain or make the fields grow. It was a relationship that worked, but one that didn’t last forever.

War and industrialization change the landscape. People begin to move to cities, and people begin to forget about the Vaesen. Years go by, and the corruption of industrialization begins to change the Vaesen. Strange and unexplainable events start to haunt the people, and they demand answers.

Only a few people exist with the ability to see the Vaesen. They have formed a secret organization to investigate and stop any nefarious supernatural activity.

Flavor

What I like most about is the flavor. The 19th-century aesthetic is neat, but the folk tale and lore are what sell this RPG to me. The core rule book is full of lore for the different Vaesen that can appear in your campaign. I enjoy reading about the different monsters, and can already have a few ideas for one shot. If your table enjoys dark supernatural mysteries, you might want to consider Vaesen.

I like how classes are handled in Vaesen. Each class has unique abilities, motivations, and equipment that help build the world of the RPG. The core book does a good job of giving players ideas for things like motivations, secrets, and trauma to help with character creation. For example, you can play a priest who is on a sacred mission because he wants to atone for being possessed by a witch, but he still hears the devil speak to him. You can also create your own, and the possibilities are endless. I like that the adventurers are just normal people who have been called to keep the world safe from the supernatural. It’s giving me fun monster of the week vibes, and I am here for it.

Gameplay

Vaesen is a D6 system. You only need six-sided dice to play. There is combat and checks which seem pretty straight forward, but the main focus seems to be on the roleplay. The game is about investigating supernatural events so players will be asking questions, searching for clues, and although there is combat, you don’t always have to kill the monsters. This is something you should consider before buying into the system. This one might be a little hard to sell at my table, but they’ve surprised me before.

Where to Buy

You can pick up the core book from the official Free League Publishing website ($52.91 + shipping). You also get access to the PDF so you won’t have to wait to get started. The core book is also available on Amazon ($64 book only) and DrivethruRPG ($24.99 pdf only).

video game reviews

Card Detective is a Unique Deck Builder, but is it worth it?

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I was sent Card Detective 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

Card Detective is a story-rich deck builder available now on Steam for $3.99. Play as investigative reporter Hazel Gong as she stumbles into one of the biggest mysteries of her career. An accident at a construction site unearths a dead body. The circumstances surrounding the death are a mystery, and it is up to Hazel to solve it. Gather the suspects, ask pressing questions, and figure out who did it in this unique and creative experience. 

There is no denying that Card Detective looks good. I am a huge fan of the artwork, an even bigger fan of the comic book-style narrative and its fantastic soundtrack.

Card Detective is a unique deck builder, with gameplay helps it stand out against the rest of the genre. The goal of each encounter is to determine how to extract the truth with a deck of questions you construct throughout the game. Each encounter feels like a puzzle where you have to ask the right questions to get to the truth. There are moments when there is very little guidance or direction, but figuring things out on your own can be satisfying. 

My issue with the game is that the story isn’t interesting. There are translation issues that make it an awkward read, and there wasn’t enough substance to hook me. After a couple of interrogations, the game got stale. While I appreciate everything Card Detective tries to do, the game needs better card mechanics and a better story. 

Card Detective isn’t the worst way to spend $4. I liked the unique experience it offered and loved the aesthetics, but it didn’t do enough to earn a recommendation. I’m probably going to forget I played it. If you want a unique deck builder you might not finish, check it out on Steam. Otherwise, I would spend my money elsewhere.

Board Games and TCGs, gaming news

Alchemy VTT Hosts Free Seminars for the Horror TTRPG, Vaesen!

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The team at Alchemy VTT is holding 1-hour workshops to teach players how to play Vaesen. Alchemy VTT aims to create an immersive experience that is easy to use and even easier to stream to your favorite platform. With features like integrated video chat, automated NPCs, and animated spells and effects, Alchemy VTT is sure to be a spectacular hit at some tables. You will need to buy your content and pay a subscription for added features, but it might be worth it for the experience it provides.

The seminar will feature the official Vaesen module for Alchemy VTT. The team will go over how to get started with game and character creation, and showing off some of the immersive gameplay Alchemy is capable of. If you are interested in checking out Vaesen or Alchemy VTT, make sure you sign up for one of the available time slots. (As of writing this)

DATETIME
12/27/20236 AM
12/28/202310 AM
1/2/20242 PM

I was sent a book to review before this announcement, so I’ll be joining the seminar for the free overview. I also don’t mind looking into a new VTT. The trailer made it look like such a neat experience, especially with all the integrated features.

The event is free to join, all you need is an Alchemy VTT account and you must join the official discord. It is really cool to see a VTT work closely with developers to not only create a catered experience for their players, but to also onboard new ones. So if you have an hour to spare and want to check out a new game, make sure you check out the seminar! Seats are filling up fast!

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

What is Vaesen

In dark forests, beyond the mountains, by black lakes in hidden groves. At your doorstep. In the shadows, something stirs. Strange beings. Twisted creatures, lurking at the edge of vision. Watching. Waiting. Unseen by most, but not by you. You see them for what they really are. Vaesen.

Welcome to the Mythic North – northern Europe of the nineteenth century, but not as we know it today. A land where the myths are real. A cold reach covered by vast forests, its few cities lonely beacons of industry and enlightenment – a new civilization dawning. But in the countryside, the old ways still hold sway. There, people know what lurks in the dark.

They know to fear it.

– From the Free League Publishing website

Vaesen is a horror RPG where players solve supernatural mysteries. The art is beautiful, and the flavor is fantastic. I’ll need to run a few games in the system to judge it even further, but it has my attention. The core book will have everything you need to get started, like the rules, pre-generated characters, and a prewritten mystery. If Vaesen appeals to you, make some time to join in on the seminar.

Where to Buy

You can pick up the core book from the official Free League Publishing website ($52.91 + shipping). You also get access to the PDF so you won’t have to wait to get started. The core book is also available on Amazon ($64 book only) and DrivethruRPG ($24.99 pdf only).

The Core Rule book includes:

  • Ten ready to use archetypes let you create a character in minutes – or use the included life path tables and let the dice decide.
  • Quick and flavorful rules for combat, investigations and horror.
  • Rules for developing the player characters’ headquarters during campaign play.
  • A detailed gazetteer of the Mythic North setting and the town of Upsala.
  • A score of bloodcurdling vaesen to encounter, all beautifully illustrated by Johan Egerkrans.
  • An introductory Mystery called The Dance of Dreams.
video game reviews

Rooms of Realities is the best VR Puzzle games you need to play

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I was sent Rooms of Realities for free as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. 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’re looking for accessories for your VR headset, like magnetic prescription lenses or a high-quality charging cable, get it at ZyberVR. Use discount code CHURAPE for 15% off. You can also always buy me coffee. 

Rooms of Realities is the escape room VR game you need in your library if you like puzzle games. It is available now on Steam and Meta Quest. It looks great, runs amazingly, and the puzzles are challenging and fun. Rooms of Reality features nine levels of puzzles featuring three themes: a timeless pyramid, a forsaken asylum, and an underwater station. I am partial to the asylum levels because they had such a cool macabre aesthetic. All of the themes are well-designed, and the puzzles are creative. More levels are planned for the future release, and I am excited to see what they come up with. 

This game is one of the best-performing VR games I played in a while. I got a Steam copy and didn’t need a wire to play from my Meta Quest 2. This might change if you play online with other people, but the solo experience is phenomenal. 

The puzzles are designed with multiplayer in mind, so grab your friends for some wholesome puzzle-solving shenanigans. Don’t have friends? There are matchmaking functions, and you can always try looking for a group on Discord. I didn’t have much luck finding people, but I keep strange hours. While some puzzles are easier in groups, there is nothing wrong with playing solo. I never felt like I was at a disadvantage for not having friends to play with.  

I love puzzle games, and Rooms of Reality has become one of my favorites. The puzzles are challenging and well-designed, and I appreciate all the work that went into creating the themes. If you’re looking for a puzzle game in what I consider one of the best VR experiences out there, do yourself a favor and pick up Rooms of Reality. 

You can pick up Rooms of Reality on Steam or the Meta store for $17.99. You can also try the demo on Steam if you need more convincing. 

video game reviews

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

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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

Another Code: Recollection is coming to the Switch this January!

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Another Code: Recollection has been announced on the Nintendo Switch, and I am excited to get my hands on this title. I’ll keep saying it, I love all the remakes Nintendo is coming at us with. I don’t think I’ll ever have enough time to play all of them, but I love that they are an option since I never got to play them when I was younger. It also gives people an opportunity to share a bit of nostalgia with a new generation of gamers. 

Now I hadn’t heard about the Another Code games until this announcement, but they seem like games I will thoroughly enjoy. The art style is cool, and I love puzzles and story-driven mysteries.

Help Ashley as she looks to solve the mysteries around her family in two remastered titles you might need in your collection: Another Code: Two Memories and Trace Memory. Trace Memory was never released in North America, so this might be your chance to play through it. The remaster promises overhauled visuals, and new voice acting, puzzles, and music. 

Another Code: Recollection releases on January 19th at $59.99 MRSP. You can preorder your copy today! If you’ve been enjoying these updates, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends!