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Revisiting Celestia Chain of Fate

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, 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!

What is Celestia Chain of Fate?

Celestia Chain of Fate is a romance fantasy visual novel out now for Steam and on the Nintendo Switch.

Hook

You have been enrolled into the prestigious school for Daemons, Angelus, and half breeds where you will learn to harness your magic. There are tensions between the races, and you do your best to navigate through the complex webs of relationships that exist in a school like this. In classic Otome fashion, you find yourself at the center of attention. Handsom boys will pine for your affection, rivals will try to make your life at school miserable, but luckily you have a support system to help you through it all. Make the choices that will affect the ending. Who will you choose in the end? The answer is, all of them.

Gameplay

This is interactive fiction without any voice acting. Players will read through the story, and make the occasional choice that will affect the ending. Playing through the game unlocks additional side stories that help flesh out the world, and add a little flavor to the characters you meet along the way.

Review

I’ve played through Celestia Chain of Fate when the game first came out. I loved it, but was very ready for a second play through. I was happy to find that the game still holds up. If you are looking for a solid Otome game and don’t mind the overall cheesy romance, this is a fantastic add to your collection. The story is very cheesy, and it isn’t going to be for everyone.

Aesthetics

The game’s art is fantastic, and it is what drew me to this game. The characters are all very good looking, and the world is drawn very well. There is some very cool art, with some fantastic music to get you in the right mood for romance. The only issue I have with the game is that the backgrounds are kind of ugly. Some scenes are a little distracting because the contrast between art styles is too much. The game does have  has some spectacular CGs that you are going to want to unlock to make up for it.

Gameplay

There isn’t too much to say about the gameplay. You are clicking through the text boxes with the occasional choice to mix things up. There is no voice acting, but it doesn’t need it. I usually read faster than the voice acting anyways. The game does work on the Steam Deck, but I couldn’t get the cloud save to work. I had to start over, which is fine, but the text is a little too small. I am old with tired eyes, so this might be a personal problem.

Story

The story is where I can feel the divide. I have been going through a romance anime kick lately, so I appreciate the story for what it is. Celestia Chain of Fate is a cheesy teen romance visual novel where handsome men pine for your attention. There are some very cringe moments, but there are also some sweet moments that make this the perfect cozy game in my collection. As a hetero male who is very comfortable with his sexuality, I can proudly admit that I like that handsome, supernatural men went out of their way to make me feel like the princess that I totally am. I don’t expect this game to be the piece of literary genius that will stand the test of time,  but its good enough for a couple hours of entertainment.

Conclusion

Celestia Chain of Fate is a fantastic visual novel for those of you who just want to enjoy fun cheesy romance. The writing isn’t deep or even that original, but it is a fun little journey that is worth playing through at least once. I very much enjoyed my revisit, and will definitely be back for a third as I try to collect all the endings. If you don’t mind the cheesy teen romance or the fact that you have to wait for a book too, it is worth getting into You can pick up Celestia Chain of Fate on Steam and on the Nintendo Switch. If you are looking for something a little more serious, check out Nobody Nowhere or my personal favorite, Urban Myth Dissolution Center.

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video game reviews

Minishoot’ Adventures Review: A Whimsical Shooter Journey

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Minishoot’ Adventures 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 reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, 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 Minishoot’ Adventures?

Minishoot’ Adventures is a top down, twin stick shooter adventure out now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and on both Nintendo Switches. Make sure you check out the demo!

Hook

Life was quiet for the shiplings when the Unchosen rose from the darkness and spread its evil. Its forces spread like wild fire, destroying the planets peace and locking up all free shiplings. You are the last remaining free shipling. Travel across a whimsical world, discover powers that have long been locked away, free all of your friends, and fight anything that gets in your way. What secrets will your adventure uncover? Do you have what it takes to reclaim peace to this world? Will you find enough power to beat the Unchosen?

Gameplay

Minishoot’ reminds me of the old Zelda games, but with bullet hell mechanics to make it unique. Players control a lone shipling with twin stick mechanics exploring the world and fighting everything that gets in their way.

Leveling

The game has RPG like leveling that gives players the chance to customize for their playstyle. Players gain XP by killing enemies. Leveling gives players crystals they can spend on useful powerups. In typical RPG fashion, players can customize stats to fit their playstyle. Do you want to hit hard? Do you want shoot fast or be well rounded? The choice is yours. Players will also unlock new powers and abilities along their journey. This game can get as crazy as your typical bullet hell game, but with enough exploration to keep things from becoming too monotonous.

Exploration

Minishoot’ Adventures gives players enough room to have a proper adventure. While it may not be a large sandbox, the game gives players enough choice and agency to explore the world. The game has its core objectives, but there is enough hidden treasures to keep things moving. I personally enjoyed the lack of railroad and how I can approach the content with my own agenda.

Combat

Minishoot’ Adventures is your typical bullet hell twin stick shooter. One stick moves your shipling and the other stick shoots. The enemies all have their unique flavor and attack patterns to keep things fresh and engaging, but there will be a bit of repetition as you grind out your levels. There are unique boss fights, mini boss fights, and a bit of a frenzy to mix things up.

Difficulty

Minishoot’ Adventures lets players choose their gameplay experience with customizable difficultly. Whether you want to sit back for a chill adventure or struggle buss your way through a more hard core style bullet hell, the choice is yours. I am a huge fan of choices.

Review

Minishoot’ Adventures is a fantastic adventure game for those who love the old Zelda Games, but appreciate the bullet hell format. The game has a good looking world, fun mechanics, and most importantly, a lot of heart. Minishoot’ Adventures is easily a staple game that should be in everyone’s library.

Aesthetic

What drew me to Minishoot’ was the whimsical cartoon style art. Once I started exploring the world, I fell in love with the unique world around me. Each zone is full of life and color, each enemy has a cool and creative design, and don’t forget the well designed boss fights with the cool animation. The animations in this game are very cartonish, but it fits the theme and genre. Once you get the crazy bullet hell game going, you get an explosion of color and chaos you’ll find impossible to step away from.

Gameplay

Minishoot’ Adventures is easily one of my favorite games. I love how casual the game can be, while it offers enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. I died enough to know that this game takes enough effort, and a bit of a grind. While this may be a skill issue, it is not a grind I mind being on. Combat in this game is simple, but requires a bit of skill. I played the game on normal, and found the experience perfect for my busy schedule and dad duties. The boss fights are a real treat. They are creative and make the adventure feel epic. I like how each encounter leading up to the boss slowly teaches players the machanics and strategies needed to beat them. There are parts that feel repetitive, especially in the early levels, but it isn’t the worst grind. Most importantly, the game works great on the Steam Deck.

Conclusion

Honestly, I can’t recommend this game enough. The passion and love that was clearly put into this game is visible throughout the adventure. It is a journey for the casual gamer who wants to play a fun game that isn’t a huge commitment, and it has options for those who need the challenge. Minishoot’ Adventures is an excellent adventure everyone needs to go on once, and it has enough replayability for you to even try it twice.

You can pick up Minishoot’ Adventures on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and on both Nintendo Switches. If you need other fun adventure games, Onirism or my personal favorite, Ruffy and the Riverside. Or check out Yosei Wars if you want something uniquely retro.

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Manairons Review: A Whimsical Adventure Game Worth Playing

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Manairons 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 reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, 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 Manairons?

Manairons is a 3D puzzle adventure game out now on on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and coming soon to the Nintendo Switch. The game is Steam Deck verified for those wondering, and it works very well!

Hook

The village of Vilamont is a peaceful one, full of industrious people but also the greedy landlord Llorenç. Llorenç used his influence to find an ancient magical artifact, the “canut”. Using the canut’s magic, Llorenç summons a legion of Manairons to work tireless for him. Almost overnight, the Manairons warp the sleepy town of Vilamont into an overindustrialized machine. One Manairon is able to break free of this spell. With the help from the mysterious witch Nai and a magical flute, our lone Manairon hero must brave Llorenç influence and break his spell. Solve puzzles, fight off possed Manairons, and enjoy a bit of rest here and there. Can our brave hero break the spell and free the Vilamont from Llorenç?

Gameplay

Players control the Manairon through differently themed levels in a wimsical 3D action adventure with fixed cameras. The world of Pyrenees is full of creative puzzles to solve, platforms to clear, and enemies to beat up. Combat in Manairon is simple. You can lock onto enemies, and hit them with your trusty flute. Players get a block and a ranged attack, but the flute is the only thing strong enough to knock out the possessed manairons. All levels build up to creative boss fights. The game also has a collection of scattered items to collect. Can you collect them all before finishing the game?

Review

I absolutely love Manairon, and recommend it to everyone. Manairon is such a cute game with solid mechanics and a great story. If you are a fan of those old school action adventure games, or are just looking for something fun and cute to play, check out Manairon!

Aesthetic

I was first drawn to Manairons because I like the art. I normally don’t play these types of platformers because of how bad I am at them, but the art is so good, I was willing to try. The character design is cute, but I love how the artists go out of their way to create such a cool fantasy. Each level has a unique theme that is more breathtaking than the last, and the attention to detail that goes into the world building is remarkable. It also has a fantastic soundtrack and voice acting that make the experience addicting. I would recommend Manairon for the art alone, but the story is fantastic!

Story

Manairons is a fantastic example of how good video games are at telling stories. This is one of the few times where I couldn’t put the game down because I was so invested in the events that were unfolding. It helps that there is voice acting to help me get swept away by the storytelling. If you like fantasy adventure, Manairons is a fantastic addition to your collection.

Performance

The game has its bugs, and a few of them are gamebreaking. I had a couple of crashes, and there were a few times where the character just gets stuck. Other than that, the performance is fine. Platforming feels good, combat is responsive, and I was able to finish the story without any issue.

Gameplay

When I pick up a platformer, there is always the worry that my lack of skill will keep me from enjoying the game. As far as platformers go, this is very manageable. I wouldn’t say its a kids platformer like Spongebob: The Cosmic Shake or the Smurfs, but I wouldn’t say it is Shovel Knight either. Manairon finds a good balance of challenging puzzles, platforming, and combat without getting frustrating to allow players to enjoy the world and its story. Not that you can’t enjoy a hard platformer if that’s your thing, I just prefer it to be manageable.

What makes this game special is the different worlds that make up the level. Each monster, challenge, and boss is full of flavor. Even though the mechanics are simple and a lot of the loops repeat, the game doesn’t feel repetitive. Every level and stage feels fresh, especially when there are fun and creative puzzles in between.

Conclusion

Manairons is a whimsical fantasy adventure everyone needs to go on once. There are a few bugs I am sure can be fixed, but nothing that will ruin the fun story or the cute world players get to explore. If you are looking for one game to play this year, check out Manairons on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and coming soon to the Nintendo Switch.

If you would your looking for a more challenging kind of plaformer, check out Forgotten Fragments, or check out Worldless for the most unique platformer you’ll ever get to play.

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Afterlove EP Review: A Journey Through Grief and Healing

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Disclaimer

I was a free copy of Afterlove EP 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 TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. If you’re looking for a VPN for some added protection, check out NordVPN through my affiliate link.

What is Afterlove Ep?

Afterlove EP is a stylistic slice of life visual novel out now on Steam.

Rama was a promising musician when tragedy strikes. Rama loses his girlfriend suddenly, and weight of her absence upends his life and everyone else who knew her. Play as Rama as he struggles through his grief, mends the relationships he pushed away, and tries to find the inspiration for his next great song. With the help of friends, music, and a little bit of therapy, Rama just have what it takes to move forward and achieve the his dreams. All he has to do is get through it.

Review

If you enjoy visual novels, Afterlove EP should be in your library. I could not put this thing down. The quirky art style and animation make the game feel cozy, even though the subject isn’t. The soundtrack is fantastic. There is not a bad song in the batch, and I loved playing the rhythm games as Rama worked on discovering his new sound. Most importantly, the story is fantastic.

I haven’t been captivated by a story like this in a while, and I am very glad I picked it up. The story is sad, and it depicts grief in such a realistic way that I have to leave you with this trigger warning: don’t get this if you’ve lost someone and it is going to make you sad. I cried, but I am in the stage of my grief where it felt revealing. It was kind of nice to experience grief through someone else because it felt less lonely. A lot of Rama and the people around him feel after Cinta dies mirrors what I’ve felt. It is a very nice wholesome story about grief that I recommend to everyone, but there are parts that will make you sad. But there are also parts that will make you smile. I think the art style plays a huge roll in taking away some of the darkness that can come with grief so that people can focus on the process and not just the tragedy.

Afterlove EP is a must read for anyone who likes the genre and doesn’t mind feeling a little sad while reading it. I would even argue that you should read it if you do mind because it might help you go through it.

Do yourself a favor, pick up Afterlove EP for $19.99 on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. It is Steam Deck certified, and it looks great on the Steam Deck.

video game reviews

Ruffy and the Riverside: A Whimsical Adventure Game Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Ruffy and the Riverside to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. 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 TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. If you’re looking for a VPN for some added protection, check out NordVPN through my affiliate link.

What is Ruffy and the Riverside?

Ruffy and the Riverside is a quirky 3D adventure game out now for Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

An ancient evil has reawaken, hungry to reclaim this world as its own. Its power has corrupted the land, caused wide spread destruction, and damaged the world core. It is up to Ruffy and his special powers to travel across the whimsical world of Riverside, and restore the peace it once knew. Using the powers to change the world around you, solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and repair the world core. Do you have what it takes to restore this world’s peace?

Gameplay

Ruffy and the Riverside is a 3D adventure game with a unique gimmick. Ruffy has the power to change the world around him in a way that helps him move through the world by copying elements and pasting them elsewhere. For example, he can copy a piece of ice to freeze a lake so he can walk across, or turn a stone pillar into wood to create a bridge. The game gets extremely creative with this mechanics, and it is one of those things you need to experience first hand to appreciate. The game is filled with collectibles, puzzles, riddles, and enough platforming to keep its player base busy.

Review

I have been excited about Ruffy and the Riverside since I first saw the trailer. It looked like a cute platforming adventure, and I was not disappointed. I did try the demo out as soon as it went public, and I recommend you check that out if you’re somehow still on the fence. The demo provides the perfect snapshot of what to expect, and full game only gets better.

First off, this game has a fantastic art style. I love the 2D figures moving through a fun 3D world. The world is chaotic, with lots of wacky details to build its whimsy. I had so much fun exploring the world, that I kept forgetting to play through the main quest. There is so much to see, and even more to collect which is fantastic for those who value good world building in their video games. There is also a fun soundtrack to keep things light which is always appreciated.

The story itself is cute. I enjoyed the humor and quirks, and it honestly kept my attention. Despite being constantly distracted by the world, I did genuinely want to know what happened next. It definitely is a silly story that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it is all part of the whimsy.

The gameplay is the reason to get this game. If you enjoyed Spyro or Banjo Kazooie, Ruffy and The Riverside should be in your library. The game has a fantastic gimmick, with fun creative puzzles to make full use of it. The puzzles in this game are challenging. I almost broke and looked up solutions, but it was much more satisfying to solve it on my own. While the game does shower the players with achievements, nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment when you figure out one of the challenging puzzles. Best of all, it runs great on the Steam Deck.

This game is easily one of my favorites from this year. The game is fun, the concept is interesting, and the aesthetic is cute. If you’re looking for a new game, you can’t do better than Ruffy and the Riverside. Go get it now.

You can pick up Ruffy and the Riverside on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

video game reviews

Star Overdrive Review: A fun Janky Scifi Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Star Overdrive 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 TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do.

What is Star Overdrive?

Star Overdrive is a fast-paced open world scifi adventure out now on Steam, Epic Games, PlayStation, Xbox, and the Nintendo Switch.

Bios finds himself stranded on the planet Cebete as he searches for his beloved Nous. Armed with only his Keytar and handy hoverboard, Bios must race across the strange planet to find her and bring her back. But the journey won’t be easy. The world is full of strange beasts he needs to fight off and strange machines he needs to activate. Can he find the right upgrades to conquer the terrain, save the girl, and get back home? Will he learn what really happened here?

Gameplay

Star Overdrive is an openworld adventure game with a hoverboard gimmick. The hoverboard can be upgraded, tuned, and customized to fit a players style. Players can do tricks, do jumps, and go through special gates to gain boosts. If you aren’t moving fast across the map, you aren’t doing it right.

There is a crafting mechanic baked into this game. Players will collect materials along their adventure to craft different upgrades for their board, or to change the aesthetic. The farming can feel like a grind, but it is worth the trouble, especially if you like to consistently change your boards style. The board will wear with use, and having a fresh coat of paint and polish will make it perform better.

Combat in this game is simple. Players use the keytar to chain normal and heavy attacks, and can earn new powers along the adventure. Players can mostly look forward to exploring the vast world, searching for new styles, upgrades, lore, and some cool tracks to listen to.

Review

I really like Star Overdrive, but not as much as I thought I would. While I do love the flavor, the gameplay, and the concept, I found it a bit lacking. I am aware that there were some limitations baked into the game so that it can perform for the switch, and it definitely feels like a switch game.

One issue I have with the game is how empty the world feels after a while. Everything in this game looks cool, but once you start exploring the world, there isn’t much more to see. Some of it has to do with how they need to make room for the hoverboard riding mechanics, and the other has to do with maintaining the performance. It made me not really want to explore the world, and instead, I tried to finish the story as soon as possible.

The story itself is fine. I liked collecting the small tidbits and piecing together the events of the catastrophe. All the voice logs, journals, and the story itself was fun to collect. I think it is the only reason I kept playing.

The gameplay is fun, until the gimmick wears off. Combat is simple, but it makes the game the casual RPG I’ll occasionally pull out. Riding the hoverboard is so much fun. once I figured out the mechanics, got a few upgrades, I was sold. I wouldn’t say it has revolutionary movement mechanics, but they are good enough to keep players engaged. Zooming through the desert doing tricks, landing sweet jumps, and listening to good music made this game hard to put down.

One thing I did not like about the hoverboard was the upgrade system. I like that the upgrades felt meaningful, and I like that there was unlockable customization, but I don’t like the crafting system. The crafting system is simple, and it produces visible upgrades to the board, but it makes upgrading the board a grind. You have to constantly be farming materials and gambling on the part you get in return. It doesn’t take away too much time from the game, but I would have preferred to find the parts as random loot.

Combat was fine, but it gets better once you unlock a few powers. There were abilities that did feel broken, but it was a fun little loop that kept me engaged.

Despite its flaws, the game is a solid open world adventure with a solid story and a cool gimmick that is worth trying once. Whether or not you value exploration and deep combat may be the deal breaker, but I enjoyed it for the casual fun it is on my Steam Deck.

You can pick up Star Overdrive on Steam, Epic Games, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

video game reviews

Exploring Maliki: A Cozy RPG Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Maliki: Poison Of The Past 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 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 every two weeks.

What is Maliki: Poison Of The Past

Maliki: Poison Of The Past is a casual strategy RPG with a bit of farming sim. The game is out now on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

In the near future, humanity is on the brink of extinction as a poison contaminates the world. Fortunately, a few brave souls stand in the way of total annihilation. Maliki and her collection of warriors are the only ones who can resist the poisons time altering effects and fight back. Will they be enough to save the world and rid it of this poison?

Gameplay

Players explore a world frozen in time by the poison’s corruption. Players slowly unlock more of the world by extending the reach of the Thousand-Root Tree’s protection. But this won’t be easy. The world is full of the poison’s corrupted mission, and it is up to Sand and her friends to fend them off.

Combat is a turn based system with a unique swap and combat mechanic to help it stand out against other titles in the genre. Players can occasionally bend time to change the turn order, and hopefully change the tide of combat in their favor. Players can also perform powerful combo moves to vanquish there enemies. There are also fun puzzles to solve, and a cute world to explore.

What truly sets this world apart is the cozy farming mechanic. To level up the Thousand-Root Tree, players will need to collect materials by building a farm. The crops a player grows and harvests can be cooked into different foods or crafted for useful materials.

Review

Maliki: Poison Of The Past is an adorably casual game that should be considered for any collection. It has very cute character and world design, and a fun soundtrack to set the mood. I also enjoyed the story enough to keep playing. Most importantly, the gameplay is relaxing. The combat is solid. The attacks and abilities are unique and flavorful, and it requires enough strategy to keep things engaging. I really like the temporal abilities and the depth it adds to combat. I also like that it doesn’t feel that grindy. There is a grind, but I’ve sat through worse.

If you get tired of combat, the game features a unique farming mechanic that is a cozy change of pace. Maintaining the different crops is very relaxing, but movement can make things a little awkward. If you’re the type of person that likes to have everything lined up and neat, this game is kind of frustrating. Sometimes, you will overshoot the where you want to place it, other times, the plot doesn’t allow for neat rows. This bothered me more than I thought, but is in no way a deal breaker. When it worked right, it was a fine experience.

I do recommend playing this game with a controller. There is keyboard and mouse support, but it feels wonky. There is still some awkwardness to the controller, but it is a lot more manageable. I played this game exclusively on the Steam deck because I preferred the experience. Everything was clear and legible, and I love that I can play something cute and casual away from my desk. Movement is a little wonky, but it is a lot better than keyboard and mouse. There are also a few other noticible bugs that suggest the game needs a bit more work, but nothing gamebreaking. They game still deserves at least one solid playthrough.

If you’re looking for something cute, casual, with a lot of charm, go pick up Maliki: Poison Of The Past on Steam and Nintendo Switch for $29.99, or at least check out the demo.

video game reviews

LocoMotive Review: A Must-Play Murder Mistery Puzzle Game

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

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag Keyboard or the EasySMX X15 controller. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Locomotive?

Locomotive is a point and click puzzle mystery game available now on the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam and GOG.

Lacy Uterwald has invited her closest friends and relatives onboard the luxurious Reuss Express for a night of revelry. It is a night full of food, booze, music, and unfortunately, murder. Right as she is getting ready to announce the changes in her will, the light goes out, and so does hers. Now three unsuspecting strangers, a lawyer, a spy, and an amature detective, find themselves in the middle of a crime scene. Play as Arthur, Diana, and Herman as you gather clues, solve puzzles, and find the murderer. Can you figure out who done it?

Gameplay

Locomotive is a simple point and click puzzle narrative game. Players explore the train looking for clues, solving puzzles, and piecing together a narrative. The player will progress through the story and gain access to more of the train by solving the different problems that arise. Picking or crafting items, talking to guests, or interacting with the environment in certain ways will trigger events that will advance the story. The trick is finding the correct order, but there is a helpful hint mechanic available if players get stuck.

Review

2024 has been a very good year for noir games, and Locomotive is easily my favorite. The game has a fun aesthetic, a great mystery, and solid gameplay.

I love the game’s art style. I love the effective use of pixel art and how creative it got with the cut scenes. The soundtrack is fantastic, and it was always setting the perfect mode. Lastly, I appreciate all the attention put into the world-building because this game was such a delight to explore.

Moving away from the aesthetic, Locomotive has a fun and quirky narrative that is worth at least one playthrough. I love the silly tone, I appreciate the humor, and the mystery is solid. People who read a lot of noir can figure out who the killer is early on, but it doesn’t matter because the journey is too much fun. Best of all, the players will be carried through the story by a cast of amazing actors who truly bring the story to life. If you enjoy detective noir dramas, you’re not finding one better.

Most importantly, Locomotive is fun. Exploration can feel a little repetitive, especially if you get stuck, but the story makes it worth it. The puzzles are all creative and manageable. There might be a few that will require hints, but none of them are impossible. I love the casual pace of the mystery, and love even more that I can play Locomotive on my Steam Deck.

If you’re looking for a fun, quirky new bit of interactive fiction, go get LocoMotive. You can pick up Locomotive on the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam and GOG for $17.99.

Uncategorized, video game reviews

Discovering Spirit Mancer: A Hack n’ Slash with a Twist

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I was sent Spirit Mancer for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review.

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What is Spirit Mancer?

Spirit Mancer is a 2D hack n’ slash side scroller with a unique deck-building mechanic available now on Steam, PlayStation, and Switch.

You find yourself in a strange new world and are given the powers of the Spirit Mancer. Fight your way through hoards of enemies, capture their souls, and use them to defeat the evil queen. Do you have what it takes to fulfill the prophecy, or will you become a spirit yourself? Will you ever find your way back home?

Gameplay

Like most hack-n-slash games, players fight through hordes of monsters with a ranged and melee attack. What makes Spirit Mancer unique is its spirit-taming mechanic. Breaking an enemy’s shield makes it catchable. Catching a monster’s spirit turns it into a card that a player can use to summon whenever. Summoning a monster uses up the card, and frees space for another capture.

As the player progresses through the map, they will build a deck of monsters that will help them fight the evil queen. Each monster has a unique attack and a limited duration for their summon.

Each monster has a weakness to a type of attack. Switching between ranged, melee, and spirit attacks is key to efficiently capturing and defeating enemies.

Review

Spirit Mancer is an interesting game with a unique premise. I enjoyed every minute of it! this game looks great. The game has some very cool pixel art with some very impressive cut scenes that you need to see at least once. The story is fine. It is a bit on the silly side, but it gives the game its charm.

The gameplay is so much fun. I loved the hack-n-slash roots, especially since I mostly played this game on my Steam Deck. What kept me playing however was its unique card mechanic. Trying to catch the right monsters for my deck and knowing when to use them kept me engaged. It is such a cool idea with an excellent execution that you should try at least once. Make sure you check out the demo.

If you enjoy side scrollers, Spirit Mancer is a unique one that looks good, is steam deck compatible, and is a lot of fun.

Go check it out on Steam, PlayStation, and Switch! If you’re planning to get Spirit Mancer on PC, wait for the Steam Fall sale Nov. 27 – Dec. 4 just in case.

video game reviews

VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE: Reckoning of New York Isn’t Good

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I was sent a free copy of Vampire the Masquerade: Reckoning of New York 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.

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What is Vampire the Masquerade: Reckoning of New York?

Vampire the Masquerade: Reckoning of New York is a visual novel based on the TTRPG of the same name out now on Switch and PC via Steam and GoG.

You are a vampire attempting to live your life and navigate the complicated political space of New York City. The city has been divided, old traditions must be respected, and someone is hunting vampires. To make matters worse, your sire has gone missing, and the council is looking for him. The race is on to find him or become a scapegoat. What secrets will you uncover? Can you find out what you need to know before it is too late? Can you do it while keeping your hunger in check?

Gameplay


Reckoning of New York is a visual novel that occasionally gives its players choices, but most of the story feels like a railroad. Your choices don’t matter except for changing a few lines of dialogue. The player will also encounter skill checks, which seem to have little impact on the narrative. What makes Reckoning of New York a unique visual novel is its hunger mechanic. Eventually, players will have to eat, but they must do so discretely. The idea is that the hunger mechanic raises the risk of failing the investigation and getting caught, but it also seems to have little impact on the narrative.

Review

I was very excited to play Vampire the Masquerade: Reckoning of New York because I have always heard great things about the TTRPG. I am still working on getting my players to agree to a campaign. I will get there one day. Unfortunately, Reckoning of New York isn’t a good entry to the IP.

One of my issues with the game is the poor writing. The dialogue is loaded with cliches that will make your eyes roll, and the tone is too edgy for its good. If the game were good, I could excuse the poor writing. I can even see the cheesy tone being part of the charm of the game. But it’s not, and I can’t.

My biggest issue with the game is that the player doesn’t seem to make an impact on the story. The game offers players options at various stages, but they all seem to lead in the same way. Sure there might be a couple of bad endings sprinkled in for good measure, but there is no reason to try for the good ending. There is nothing to hook readers into any part of the story if I am being honest.

Reckoning of New York is a part of an existing series. I’ve read the other installments are a better entry point to the world, but I have no interest in seeing for myself. Reckoning of New York does feel like it is a self-contained story, so I guess it has that going for it.

If you’re looking for an exciting visual novel about vampires, don’t waste your time with Reckoning of New York. This book is boring, and you have better options.

If you don’t believe me, you can pick it up now on Switch and PC via Steam and GoG