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video game reviews

Drakantos Closed Beta is Live: First Day Impressions

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Intro

The wait is finally over. After years of waiting and following this game, I finally got my hands on beta. The Drakantos closed beta will run from July 25 – 27th and it is looking like a very successful run. With over 150k applications for entry, this game is getting a proper test. Make sure you apply over on the official Steam page if you haven’t done so, and don’t forget to wishlist. It looks like they are still rolling out keys in waves. Make sure you also join the official Discord, you might get lucky with a giveaway.

Shameless Self-Promotion

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What is Drakantos?

Drakantos is a free-to-play pixel-art MMORPG coming to Steam and mobile devices. Players can choose from a collection of 20 diverse heroes as they explore the world of Eldras. Players can enjoy the worlds facinating story, fight players in a competative PvP Arena, or help each other out on PvE content. There are plans for raids, world bosses, and everything you’ve come to love from a PvP, but accessible to everyone. One thing to note is that all characters will not be playable at first. Characters will need to be unlocked through play or a battle pass, but I hope that none of it is locked behind a pay wall. I was assured that the cash shop would only be cosmetic last I spoke to the devs, but we will have to wait and see. I’ve been covering this game in great detail for a while now, make sure you check out my other articles on the subject.

Impressions

I have beta test a few of the newer MMO’s in recent years, and none have gotten me as excited as Drakantos. I know I’ve only played the game a day, but I am prepared to spend my Saturday playing this game. I love how alive the game feels in the hubs and in missions, which gives me hope for its success. I love the art. The game does a good job of creating fantasy through its pixel-art, and it has been a lot of fun exploring the world. Some of the maps do feel a little busy, but its nothing that will get me to quit. Playing this game on the Steam Deck gives me the nostolgic feeling of the gameboy days I spent playing JRPGs, and I am here for it. The fact that I can play this game properly on the Steam Deck during a beta is also a huge plus. Everything feels snappy and optimized, and I am preferring the handheld experience.

The combat uses a simple cooldown system. Instead of mana, players will need to wait on cooldowns. While the game looks simple, there are some nuances in rotation, and some skills you need to aim or hold. Make sure you read your spells

The grind so far has been pretty fun. Players have story content to play through that slowly introduces different mechanics. There are also a few side quests to fill space and unlock more content like gathering. Mostly, players can queue up for random jobs that scale based on a player’s power level. These jobs rotate on a timer and randomly pairs players into teams of threes (unless you have friends). There are different types of quests that scale with your power level, and give loot. They make it beneficial to explore the whole map and kill everything with hidden chests and additional rewards. You get more loot the more enemies you kill. There is no PvP yet, which is fine for the beta.

Now it is only the first day, so I need a bit more time for a fuller picture. I will be doing a more detailed version of my impressions when the beta is over. For now, I am very excited to keep playing more. Now if you’ve made it this far in the article, I do have an extra key to give away. First person who contacts me, gets it. Good luck!

video game reviews

Tarisland Launches as the Most Disappointing WOW Killer

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I followed Tarisland since its announcement. I got into the beta and played as much as possible before realizing that this alleged WOW killer failed to deliver on its promises. While I vowed never to pick this game up again, I wanted to give it another chance since it had just gone live. After giving the mobile MMO my fairest attempts, I continue to be disappointed.

Tarisland was meant to be the WOW killer, but this claim typically tends to be a buzzword used to aid in a game’s visibility. Such a bold claim is good for a game’s marketing, and it didn’t hurt that Tarisland’s art style is reminiscent of wows. I was drawn to the game because it was a good-looking MMO I could play on my phone. I understand the stigma behind mobile gaming, but sometimes I can’t or don’t want to be in front of my computer. Sometimes I just want to chill on the couch and play games on my phone.

Tarisland started its journey by promising to be the first free-to-play game that wouldn’t be pay-to-win. This promise was broken after their first beta when they introduced their cash shop featuring pay-to-win items. All mentions of this promise were quickly scrubbed from all their media. These events came as no surprise and should have been a huge flag. I kept playing because I was planning to run this game so casually, the pay-to-win aspect would never affect me. I also didn’t feel like the cash shop was as predatory as other mobile games.

Another issue I have with the game is its customization. While the game looks good, character creation is limited to their premade models. You can change their hairstyle and skin color, but these options are limited. The characters are fine, but people who like to spend hours on character creation will be disappointed by the abysmal amounts of choices. I understand that this is due to the limitations of mobile gaming, but why include character creation if all players are limited to the same pool of choices? Why have character creation when there are gender-locked classes? I feel like those resources could have been spent elsewhere, like making better-looking characters.

The story is rather generic and does little to hook its players. Most players will probably skip through the dialogue in their race to the end game, but the dozens of us who want to be immersed in this new fantasy, Tarisland leave us hanging. The voice acting is either lazy and robotic, or missing altogether. I wasn’t expecting a deep compelling story from a free-to-play mobile game, but I expected the story to at least be interesting enough to be engaging.

I wouldn’t mind the lack of the story if the game was fun, but the game is boring. Tarisland feels like a cheap mobile MMO. Combat is slow, clunky, and uninteresting. It felt like I was waiting for mashing buttons and waiting on cooldowns. What few dungeons I forced myself through were boring, and the whole experience didn’t feel rewarding. Once you get past the graphics and aesthetic, the game is pretty shallow.

I took the game’s limitations going into this game. I wasn’t expecting a genre-defining title from the gate, but I did expect it to be fun. Ultimately when it comes down to it, there are better games on the market that deserve more of your attention. You can try it since it’s free, but it isn’t worth your time.

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video game reviews

The Outlast Trials is the Horror Survival Game for this Summer

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I was sent a free copy of The Outlast Trials 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 these reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a fantastic budget headset to play The Outlast Trials, check out the Fifine H9 gaming headset using my Amazon affiliate link. Check out my full review. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is The Outlast Trials?

The Outlast Trials is an online multiplayer survival horror game out now on PC. Alone and down on your luck, you’ve accepted a mysterious job that promises to change everything. But this job is a lot more sinister and twisted than you would have ever imagined. You find yourself in a game designed by a twisted man in a house full of deadly traps, and insane people who want to kill you. You and the other patients must work together to find a way out. If you can survive long enough to complete the therapy, you can go free. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

The Outlast Trials is your typical survival horror game. Teams of four are loaded onto a map where they must work together to solve puzzles and survive the haunt. The haunts are conducted by AI-powered monsters with unique flavors, abilities, and quirks. Monsters AI can be outsmarted, but I was always too scared to do so properly. Players can use the environment to hide, set up traps, or obstruct monsters. You win a match if you can complete the objectives. The trial is over if everyone dies. 

Impressions

I thought I was getting braver and could handle horror games, but I have never been so wrong. Getting through the tutorial was incredibly difficult, and playing with others was much worse. Huge shout to the random folks who tried to carry me. I am sorry for letting you down. 

I assume normal folks who enjoy horror games will find this game a lot more enjoyable, but the whole experience is terrifying. Right off the bat, you are loaded into this terrifying world where you are surrounded by death and danger. The game design is amazing, and I would have loved to explore the world more if I wasn’t scared of monsters popping out to chase me. I appreciate the amount of detail that was put into this game’s horror aesthetic, and it is something you need to see to appreciate. 

The game’s terrifying aesthetics, creepy soundscape, and light and dark mechanics generate the appropriate amount of tension to drive this game. What makes the game truly terrifying are the monsters that chase you. The Outlast Trials has some incredible-looking monsters chasing you. These creatures are not only creative, flavorful, and hungry for blood. I am sure more level-headed players will have an easier time navigating the AI, but I never could. The haunts were always too much for my anxiety, but they were always the most fun I’ve had with this type of game.

The challenges and puzzles in this game are manageable if you can find competent level-headed folks to complete them. Sneaking, setting up traps, the chases, and even fighting back are all well designed, and run incredibly smoothly. My problem with these types of games is that they always feel clunky, but when I managed to keep my eyes open, the game seemed to run smoothly. 

While I may not be ready for this type of horror, I recommend it to everyone who is. Playing this game with friends would be awesome, but I don’t think it would necessarily make things easier. If you don’t have enough friends, the game has a decent-sized community. I didn’t have trouble finding a game, but it could definitely use more love. If you enjoy these types of survival horror hunt games, The Outlast Trials is a solid addition to the genre. 

You can pick up your copy of The Outlast Trials on Steam now for $39.99. 

Other TCGs

Akora TCG: More World Beyond Spoilers and 420 Tournament!

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I started following Akora TCG after opening a few packs of Spellbound Wings for pack openings I did on my YouTube and TikTok. I fell in love with the cozy feel of the artwork, and the game mechanics have some solid flavor. Well, there’s been a bit of news since my last update, so let me consolidate it all for visibility. This game deserves some attention, and the community is friendly and ready for new members. 

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you want to buy some Akora, get it over at TCG Player with my affiliate links. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

Upcoming Casual Tournament

Those wanting to jump into their first game of Akora won’t have to go far, assuming you have access to Discord and Tabletop Simulator. Jaxonation will be hosting a low-stakes tournament on April 20 in anticipation of the upcoming World Set. If you want to get a feel of the competitive scene, it is worth signing up. Slots are still available so spread the word and sign up today! First place gets you a full art from the Spellbound Wings set. 

Don’t be intimidated, the discord seems to be full of chill and welcoming folks trying to enjoy a game that they love. If you need practice beforehand, I’m sure you can find someone who will be willing to walk you through the mechanics if you ask around. 

Spoilers

The art for this game is cute, but the promos and full arts are amazing! I’m very excited to see what else will be in the upcoming set, but for now, lets enjoy the teasers!

Product

gaming news

Drakantos March Devlog: Iris Teasers, Challenges, & Mounts!

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The March Devlog just went up for Drakantos, and I am hyped for what is to come. Each update brings us closer to a release date, I just hope I can get into a beta soon. If you’re looking for a game with a classic MMO vibe, a cool pixel art aesthetic, and the portability to play it anywhere, you’re going to want to look into Drakantos.  

Make sure you check out the Devlog for all the juicy details and don’t forget to add Drakantos to your wishlist. If you enjoy my comment, please give this a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

Iris Teaser

The community has voted, and this month’s teaser is Iris gameplay. Make sure you join the official Discord to stay up to date on all the updates and to get hyped with the growing population of fans. Iris is a sorceress who uses illusion magic. She can create illusions of herself that can also attack, portals to teleport, and a magical shield. She definitely seems to be one of the flashier heroes I’ve seen gameplay for.

Challenges

Nil’varix is a demon clown who will appear to characters and offer them special challenges on their missions. Accepting these challenges will add new mechanics to a mission for added difficulty. One example is a giant demonic hand that follows the players and tries to smash them. Completing these challenges increases the rewards received by the players at the end.

Nil’varix is a demon clown who will appear to characters and offer them special challenges on their missions. Accepting these challenges will add new mechanics to a mission for added difficulty. One example is a giant demonic hand that follows the players and tries to smash them.

This sounds like such a cool feature because it gives some added diversity to the grind. Players may learn and memorize the mechanics for a certain mission, but you can never really be ready for the randomly generated challenges Nil’varix. I can see this being an issue if the game loops through the same type of challenge, but we’ll have to see the implementation.

There are currently 15 challenges programmed at the moment, with more planned for the future. Some examples given are:

  • Chain the players together, requiring them to move within the chain’s limited range.
  • The players swap places every X seconds.
  • Every enemy you kill drops a bomb that explodes after a while.
  • Randomize a card for each player, and some enemies will have this card displayed on their heads. The corresponding player must remove this mark. If the wrong player hits it, he will receive damage as punishment.
  • A giant hand follows your team for the entire mission, trying to smash you.

Traps

You can’t have a fantasy game or a dungeon without traps. Having environmental challenges and traps adds some depth and flavor to the world. I’ll have to see how random the traps are. It be cool if there were characters who could disarm traps in dungeons or use them against enemies.

More Mounts!

Adventurer’s Guild Tavern

The Adventurer’s Guild Tavern will be one of the main player hubs where players can buy supplies and accept missions. I love the flavor and aesthetic that went into this design. I love all the art that has been coming out for this game, and I can’t wait to see more.

Pokemon TCG

New Temporal Forces Battle Pass Coming To PTCGL

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Temporal Forces hits PTCGL this week on March 22nd, which means we’re getting a new battle pass and two new decks. Get ready for the ladder to be flooded with Raging Bolt and Iron Crown decks.

The ladder is also getting a major revamp, which is fantastic news for those of us who like to climb. A post on the official Pokemon Reddit this week highlighted features from the upcoming update on the 19th. The post reads:

The current system sucks. I don’t even try to do the climb anymore because it isn’t worth it. If you’ve attempted to climb the ladder, you understand my frustration. Currently, you lose and gain 10 points per match depending on the results. Having a decent win rate helps you climb, but sometimes you do everything right but never pull the cards you need. It becomes a soul-crushing grind and I can’t wait to see what comes with the revamp.

Now if you don’t care about rank, but do want to play some pokemon, now is a great time to start. The start of the season will net you two new decks, and historically, these decks are solid, with some even becoming meta. The battlepass also has some nice treats to bling up your decks.

Raging Bolt ex

Pokemon

  • 2 Raging Bolt ex TEF 123
  • 2 Garganacl PAR 104
  • 1 Naclstack PAL 122
  • 3 Nacli PAR 102
  • 1 Radiant Greninja ASR 046

Trainer

  • 4 Arven SVI 166
  • 2 Boss’s Orders (Ghetsis) PAL 172
  • 2 Iono PAL 185
  • 2 PokéStop PGO 068
  • 4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163
  • 4 Energy Sticker MEW 159
  • 4 Gutsy Pickaxe ASR 145
  • 4 Nest Ball SVI 181
  • 4 Trekking Shoes ASR 156
  • 3 Rare Candy SVI 191
  • 3 Ultra Ball SVI 196
  • 2 Switch SVI 194
  • 1 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 2 Ancient Booster Energy Capsule PAR 159

Energy

  • 7 Basic Fighting Energy SVE 006
  • 3 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 004

Iron Crown ex

Pokemon

  • 2 Iron Crown ex TEF 081
  • 4 Iron Thorns TEF 062
  • 4 Iron Valiant TEF 079
  • 3 Miraidon TEF 121

Trainers

  • 4 Ciphermaniac’s Codebreaking TEF 145
  • 4 Professor’s Research (Professor Turo) SVI 190
  • 2 Boss’s Orders (Ghetsis) PAL 172
  • 2 Iono PAL 185
  • 4 Electric Generator SVI 170
  • 4 Switch Cart ASR 154
  • 4 Techno Radar PAR 180
  • 2 Nest Ball SVI 181
  • 2 Super Rod PAL 188
  • 4 Future Booster Energy Capsule PAR 164

Energy

  • 11 Basic Lightning Energy SVE 004
  • 4 Basic Psychic Energy SVE 005

Reaching Level 50

Reaching level 50 on the Premium Battle Pass gets some very pretty alt arts

Conclusion

If you haven’t done so, start grinding for the Premium Pass because that is worth the grind. If you haven’t preorderd your Temporal Forces product, check with your LGS to see if they have any left. But if that isn’t an option, you can preorder Temporal Forces on TCG Player through my affiliate link!

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

Board Games and TCGs, Other TCGs

Sign ups are open for Akora TCG’s Official Online Tournament!

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I started collecting Akora for a series I am doing on YouTube. I do a pack opening after every workout as motivation. I enjoyed the art enough to look into the game and have been following its development ever since. I’ve sat in on a learn-to-play event, and lurk through general from time to time to ogle at people’s pulls. If you’re thinking of picking up Akora, the Discord is a great place to start. 

Discord Tournament

If you’re trying to find a place to play Akora, there will be a free official tournament hosted this Sunday, March 17th, on the official Discord. The tournament will be online and played through the Tabletop Simulator through the official module. Make sure you have that installed and at least somewhat familiar with the program. The tournament marks the end of the Eternal Echoes season, which means it is too late to grind for those exclusive promos:

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Prizing

1st Place: 1x Legendary Prize Pack, 1x Epic Prize Pack, 1x Loot Prize Pack, 1x EE 1st Place Prize Playmat

2nd Place: 1x Epic Prize Pack, 1x Loot Prize Pack

3rd Place: 1x Epic Prize Pack, 1x Loot Prize Pack

Top 8: 1x Epic Prize Pack, 1x Loot Prize Pack

Participation: 1x Epic Prize Pack, 1x Loot Prize Pack

Disclaimer: Players must have an Akora Play account to participate and have their shipping address up to date on their Akora Play account to receive prizing!

Go Sign up now!

If you’re looking for a new TCG, looking for something to do, go sign up for the tournament! Tournaments are fun with more people. If you don’t know how to play Akora, the game is pretty easy to pick up. There is an official guide on YouTube, and there is always someone on Discord ready to help newbies.

While there will definitely be people trying to win, there will also be patient and understanding people trying to get more folks into the hobby. The game is interesting, it has cool art, and solid flavor. The event is free so if you have time, it doesn’t hurt to try it out. Check the official website for deck ideas. Go sign up today!

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive TCG Ban List and Official Webcam Tournament

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This news is a little old, but I’m posting it for those who missed it. The Grand Archive ban and restricted list have been posted, and if you’re participating in the online tournament this weekend February 24, you should already be compliant.

Those of you wanting to play some Grand Archive and win some National Qualifier Points (NQPs) should sign up for Yeti Gaming’s webcam regionals. It is a $10 entry fee for a tournament you play over Discord. The top 8 players will receive: 

  • Finalist Playmat
  • 18 packs of Alchemical Revolution
  • 4 Gold Packs
  • 6 Silver Packs

1st place will receive these rewards but with a Regional Champion playmat instead of the finalist one. Check the official site for more details. Sign-ups are still open.  

Ban List

The ban list effective February 16 has been announced, but the list is a bit confusing. There are three categories, but only category three is the ban list. Categories 1 and 2 are watch lists, with 2 being more problematic from what I gather. Sword of Avarice, Reckless Conversion, and Crystal of Empowerment are banned.

From the Website:

Crystal of Empowerment has been a mainstay in the competitive meta persistently. While the intention was to provide a cog in the strategy of level manipulation primarily for Mage and Cleric, it has proved to affect the game in more facets than intended, warping the tempo of the game. It limits design in other classes where it should be much harder to modulate levels compared to Mage and Cleric. However, an additional reason to ban it now rather than later, is that Crystal has been overperforming in the current meta even when used for its intended purpose.

Category 1 Watch List

Cards in this category are considered problematic for the future of the game. The newest additions to this list are Scepter of Lumina and Erupting Rhapsody.

Thank you for reading. If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. If you need any Grand Archive, like the new Alchemical Revolution set, pick it up at TCG Player using my affiliate links!

gaming news

The first Iron Banner of the Year hits Destiny 2!

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The Final Shape releases on June 4th, so I’ve started the grind in preparation. Full disclosure, I was sent the expansion for free to cover for my blog when the expansion on release.

It’s been a long time since I last played Destiny, so I’ve been slowly figuring out the type of content I enjoy. The Dawning event was very helpful in getting me to stick with the game because it gave me something to work towards. I ended the event reaching the soft cap with a few nifty exotics, and a couple of seasonal items. 

I’ve mostly been making my way through the story, but I was losing interest. Thankfully, this week is Iron Banner and it forced me to play PvP. Destiny 2 PvP isn’t the greatest experience, but I appreciate the break it’s giving me. It also gives me something else to work towards while I figure out my long-term goals for the game. 

Iron Banner will run until the 9th, so make sure you boot up Destiny this weekend and start doing the grind. There are a few rewards you’re going to want to chase, but you’re also going to be showered with loot. Make sure you talk to Lord Saladin at the tower to start the quest and pick up your rewards.

Rewards

Weapons

Lethal Abundance
Riiswalker
Point of the Stag
The Guiding Sight

Armor

Banner

That’s it for my update! If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow and share this with your friends!

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.