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video game reviews

Planet of Lana II Review: A Stunning Puzzle Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not 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 Planet of Lana II?

Planet of Lana is the most beautiful and creative puzzle game you’ll ever get to play. You can pick up Planet of Lana II on Xbox, Steam, PlayStation, and Switch.

Hook

Mew technology spreads across the world, bringing with it much needed innovation but also greed. Tension between the tribes grows as the race for power and dominance shifts into the public agenda. This shift in idealogy thrusts Lana and Mui into another unforgettable adventure. Follow Lana and her companion as they make their way across a beautiful alien planet in search of secrets long forgotten. What will their adventure uncover? Can they bring the world together in the name of progress?

Gameplay

Planet of Lana is a side scrolling puzzle adventure game with a beautiful landscape to explore and a solid story to follow. Players take control of Lana and her companions and use their various abilities to solve some very creative puzzles. Mui, for example, can interact with the different parts of the world. It can use its powers to shut down old technology, take control of local wildlife, or help Lana push buttons she can’t get to. The puzzles in this game scale, getting harder and more complex the deeper a player gets into the story. The story is told in an alien language, but it doesn’t need subtitles or context to tell the beautiful adventure you are going are about to embark on.

Review

I absolutely love Planet of Lana, and this sequel is the perfect continuation. I can tell the devs have learned and made improvements to the original (not that the original needed much improvement). If you are looking to sit back and enjoy a cozy puzzle game with a great story, check out Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf.

Artwork

Planet of Lana is one of the most beautiful games I have ever played. I still remember the feeling of amazement I felt the first time I played the original demo. Years later, this world continues to amaze. I love everything about the art style from the creepy creature design to the breath taking scenery. I recommend you play this game just so you can appreciate how beautiful the art in each biome and level is.

Soundtrack

Planet of Lana has one of the best sound tracks in gaming, and the sequel gets even better. The music score give the adventure its epic feel, but it also creates a lot of the tension. There are moments I was at the edge of my seat because of how intense the music was even if the monsters or solutions weren’t that challenging. If you’re looking for some solid study music, check out the OST for the first game:

Story

Planet of Lana 2 is a stand alone adventure. The game does a good job at catching players up on the events of the first game, and players who start with the sequel will not feel lost. I highly recommend you play the games in order because the story is fantastic. Planet of Lana II is just as good at telling a powerful narrative as the first game, if not better. The game uses a fake language to allow its art and actions, and it is extremely successful in achieving its goal. If you have six to eight hours to spend on unraveling the story of Planet of Lana, spend them.

Gameplay

Planet of Lana is one of my favorite puzzle games. The puzzles in this game are all very creative that offer enough of a challenge to keep players engage. Some of the game does feel clunky and there is some weird stuttering here and there, but nothing that I would consider a deal breaker. That said, Planet of Lana II does feel like an improvement on the first game, although the first game is pretty fantastic on its own. The puzzles feel more creative, and the mechanics feel tighter. Best of all, the game is Steam Deck compatible!

Conclusion

Planet of Lana II continues to prove why this series should be a staple in all puzzle game libraries. It features a beautiful world with a fantastic sound track to set the mood. If you are looking for a fantastic example of good story telling and a whimsical world full of fun puzzles, go get Planet of Lana. Planet of Lana continues to be my favorite game, and I will fight anyone who tries to tell me otherwise.

You can pick up Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf on on Xbox, Steam, PlayStation, and Switch

Trailer

video game reviews

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.

Trailer

video game reviews

Reus 2: A Cozy Village Builder You Can’t Miss

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Reus 2 to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my content, please share this with your friends and 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!

Gaming Accessories

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

What is Reus 2?

Reus 2 is a unique village management game where you control the mighty titans of a world to help its inhabitants turn into a powerful civilization. The game is currently available on Steam, with a demo that you should definitely try.

Hook

Before man could walk, titans roamed the vast empty rock. Using their mastery over the elements, they will fill the world with the diverse ecosystems that will cause and fall of many civilizations. Everything from the mountains that line the horizon to the fish that fill the oceans must be strategically placed for a mighty civilization to flourish. Will your choices be the catalyst for the greatest group of man to fill the universe, or will they be stunted by your many wrong choices?

Gameplay Loop

Players will take control of three different titans. Each titan controls an aspect of the planet. The earth titan creates minerals and rises deserts, the grass titan creates plants and rises forests, and the water titan fills the oceans and creates animals. Space is limited on the planet, and players must decide how to spread each type of land, resource and tribe. Each tribe will spend time interacting with the environment players construct around them, and grow accordingly. Players will guide the people on their planet through the different ages.

While the game does look cute and simple, Reus 2 has a lot of nuanced mechanics that players will need to master in order to succeed. The game features a very helpful tutorial and an easy to access guide to help players. I recommend reading the guide often or looking up other helpful guides online. I went in blind, and while I had a lot of fun, I definitely bricked my runs.

Review

Reus 2 is a cozy feeling village builder with enough depth and difficulty to keep players engaged. With the recent free Keuger update and a couple of fresh expansions to freshen up the content, now is a fantastic time to pick up the title.

Aesthetic

I love the simple 2.5D artstyle. The game has a very cozy vibe, and simple effective animations that not only make the game run smooth, but give the game its charm. Reus 2 also has a fantastic sound track, and the soundscape is very immersive. I would recommend you check out the game for the art itself, but the gameplay is why you need to try this game at least once.

Gameplay

The game runs very smooth, especially on my Nvidia 3060. It may not be the best card on the market, but it gets the job done.

The gameplay loop itself is the perfect blend of relaxing idle game with enough difficult resource management to keep players engaged. The game can be difficult, especially if you aren’t paying attention or take the time to learn the mechanics. This is very smart game with flavorful mechanics to help it stand out against the rest of the genre. I usually go into village builders blind and learn by trial and error, but I hit a wall very fast because I was clearly not paying attention. Your millage my vary.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

It does, but the font is a little small. Some people will not mind, but I am old and couldn’t read a lot of the text. It became more effort than it was worth, but it does work if you have good eyes. I prefer using a key board and mouse personally though, and having a big scream made the expience a lot more comfortable.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a new village builder, Reus 2 is an incredibly unique option that you shouldn’t sleep on. The game has a very cozy vibe, but offers enough of a challenge to keep you thinking. This game looks good, feels good, and is going to be hard to put down, especially when you get so close to the next age. I recommend you get this even as a first village builder because it is a fantastic example.

You can pick up Reus 2 on Steam, or check out the demo if you don’t believe me. I will be trying out the first expansion soon, so stay tuned for that review. If you’re looking for a fun and quirky village builder, check out SteamWorld, or Fabledom if you want a little fantasy.

video game reviews

EasySMX X05 Pro Review: The Quiet Gaming Controller

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Disclaimer

EasmySMX sent me the the X05Pro controller 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. Make sure you also check out my review for the S10 and X15 controllers. I’ll also be using my Amazon affiliate links where possible. It really helps me out if you use them before buying anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the Box?

  • EasySMX X05 Pro Contoller
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • 1 x2.4G Receiver
  • User Manual

Features

EasySMX has created the quietest controller you’ll ever get to use without sacrificing any performance. The EasySMX X05 Pro is loaded with the features to bring your game to the next level at a very reasonable price point.

Design

The EasySMX X05 Pro features a clean and comfortable design available in three beautiful color schemes: back, white, and a limited edition purple.

The X05 Pro Wouldn’t be a gaming peripheral without proper RBG. The controller has subtle RBG highlights to give it a bit of flare without it losing any of its elegance. The controller’s smooth design promises ergonomic gaming, while its modern looking features promise the performance. If you’re looking for a good looking controller that performs just as good, check out the X05 pro.

Performance

The X05 Pro is loaded with the essential upgrades to any gamer’s arsenal. The X05 Pro has been redisigned with noise-reducing silicone dampers on all of the buttons for the quietest gaming you’ll ever experience. All buttons on the controller are precise, from the 8-way directional game pad, to the adjustable dual-stage hall effect triggers. The hall effect joysticks reduce give the controllers its ultra precision while eliminating that pesky drift you see in something like the joycons. With the controller’s respectable 7000mAh battery, you’ll never have to worry about losing power during those important team fights. What makes the X05 uniquely pro are the 2 additional programmable buttons on the shoulder.

Review

The EasySMX X05 Pro controller is a fantastic budget option with the features and quality to upgrade any gaming setup.

Quality

Users will be impressed by the quality and weight of the X05 pro. Out of the box, users will appreciate the controller’s clean design and well constructed body. While a little on the lighter side, the controller does not feel or look cheap. The buttons, joysticks, and triggers all have smooth and quality actuation. One issue I have with cheaper controllers is that they can be incredibly stiff, but that is not an issue here.

Comfort

Playing with controllers is incredibly hard for me because of my repetitive stress injury. Most controllers, especially on the cheaper end, destroy my hand. Most of the time, I can’t make it through a session with a controller for more than an hour. This is a huge reason why my switch is often collecting dust. Those joy cons have terrible drift now, but they would destroy my hands almost instantly.

While I wouldn’t call the X05 Pro the ergonomic solution to controllers I’ve been looking for, I can enjoy a more respectable gaming session, especially on the switch. The force required for each imput takes pressure off my hands. The shape puts my hands in a comfortable position, and soft textured bottom just feels good to the touch. Most importantly, the quite profile buttons mean I am not annoying anyone with my button mashing.

My hand still cramps up after a two or three hours of continuous gaming, but that is both respectable and unavoidable. This issue isn’t going to exist for everyone, especially if you are taking care of your hands.

Performance

I had no issue with the X05 Pro‘s performance. The controller was accurate and responsive through all the games I put it through without any noticeable latency. The DPad felt good for 2D platforming, the adjustable triggers were nice for high-action shooting games, and the long lasting battery meant I never had to reach for a wire. The quality of the build give me confidence that I can enjoy this high performing controller for a respectable amount of time. At least longer than the Joy Cons I kept having to replace.

Conclusion

The X05 pro is easily one of my favorite controllers for its sleek and comfortable design and quite profile. The features help put it over the edge with its high performance parts and long lasting battery. My only complaint is that I wish the additional buttons were on the bottom instead of the shoulders. While they aren’t hard to reach, having them on the bottom feels more natural and comfortable. Other than that, if you’re in the market for a good, budget-friendly controller, check out the EasySMX X05 Pro controller.

You can pick up the EasySMX X05 Pro controller on the official Easy SMX website, or on Amazon with through my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Rally Arcade Classics Review: Best Arcade Racer of 2025

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Rally Arcade Classics 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. You can also always buy me coffee!

What is Rally Arcade Classics?

Rally Arcade Classics is an arcade racer out now on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation.

Hop into your favorite car and race across some beautiful trail in an authentic arcade rally car experience. This game puts its players behind the wheel of iconic cars from the era in a experience fit for veteran and newbies alike. Whether you are setting the course record, taking first place in a race, or driving through one of the other many challenges, you won’t be siting at idle. Can you master your control over the elements and be the best racer to hit the leader boards?

Review

Rally Arcade Classics is the best arcade racer you can pick up on PC. It has a fun ratro aesthetic that takes me back to the days I spent at arcades with a fun sound track to get me into the racing mood. The game runs very well. While it does feel like an arcade racer, I didn’t notice any game changing dips in performance. This is a game that fills its niche well. If you like rally cars and enjoy arcade racers, this needs to be in your library.

Personally, I felt the game was too repetitive. There is a grind as you work your way to faster cars. On one hand, this does a good job at easing players into the more complex mechanics of the more advanced races. On the other, it can get stale if you don’t love the car you’re driving or just want to go fast. I wish it let me experience other game modes without having to unlock so much, but there is also a good amount of content to work through.

This is a good arcade racer that is worth $20. If you like the aesthetic and don’t mind the grind, this should be in your library. I am pretty indifferent when it comes to racing games, but I enjoyed my time with Rally Arcade Classics.

You can pick up Rally Arcade Classics on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation for $19.99.

video game reviews

Inertial Drift Review: Unique Racing Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Inertial Drift 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. You can also always buy me coffee!

What is Inertial Drift?

Inertial Drift is a twin stick arcade racer out now on Steam.

Hop into a nostolgic future where racing is life. Get behind the wheel of your favorite car and master the drift. Take on foes, beat set course records, and become the best racer in town. When your rubber hits the concrete, will it only be headlights in the rear view mirror?

Gameplay

Inertial Drift has a story that takes you through different courses, mastering different techiniques that will make you the ultimate racer. Each course has three modes: time attack, ghost mode, and a 1v1 race to the finish. Each course has players master a new mechanic, keeping things fresh as players progress through the story. What makes Inertial Drift unique are its twin stick mechanics for drifting. It is something you need to try to understand, but it makes it a fun arcade racer.

Review

I don’t like racing games too much. I will play them and enjoy the easier levels before I lose interest and forget I have them in my library. I haven’t hit that point with Inertial Drift yet. While the game is a little hard for skill level, I am a terrible driver, I find it hard to set down.

Booting up the game, I fell in love with the vibrant neon colors and the retro aesthetic. I love the car designs, and the game has a killer sound track. The story itself isn’t anything too special, but it does give the game its flavor. The main reason I stuck around however is the gameplay.

Inertial Drift is one of the most unique arcade racers I’ve played. The controls may take some time to get used to, but once you figure out the mechanics, it has one of the most satisfying driving experiences. Everything feels fast, quick and epic. I got the feeling that I was a cool street racer even though I never got close to being good. Most importantly, it runs great on the Steam Deck. I loved being able to play this game on the go because it wasn’t a huge commitment and it was a ton of fun.

I do want to say that this game made me want to rewatch Initial D, and I’m loving every minute of it. If you are looking for a fun arcade racer with a unique twist and cool looking cars, go pick up Inertial Drift.

You can pick up Inertial Drift on Steam for $19.99.

video game reviews

Gaucho and the Grassland: A Cozy Adventure Farming Sim Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Gaucho and the Grassland 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 Gaucho and the Grassland?

Gaucho and the Grassland is a adventure farming sim out now on Steam. Make sure you check out the demo.

Your father was worked on keeping the balance between the spirit world and the human world. Since his death, this balance has shifted, creating a bit of chaos. Luckily, you are here to take the mantel and restore order. With a bit of guidance, travel across magical and diverse landscapes as you help locals, farm materials, and build your farm. Luckily, you have the help of your horse and dog companions. How much of the world order will you be able to restore?

Gameplay

There are two parts to Gaucho: the farm sim and the adventure game.

The farm sim is straight forward. Players collect materials and use them to craft, repair, and build the world around them. Players can buy land to build on, capture and keep animals, and help other citizens with their issues. Helping locals will earn favor that can be used to unlock other areas.

What makes Gaucho and the Grassland unique is that it has set goals. Players can spend time building their farm and crafting, but the game incentivizes exploration through its story and quest line. Players need to restore order by traveling to the different realms and completing its quest lines. Questing unlocks new buildings, items, and crafting recipes.

Review

Gaucho and the Grassland is my comfort game. It features a cute art style with a cozy gameplay loop that had me hooked out the gate. I love farming sims, and Gaucho has a lot of flavor with a few interesting mechanics that set it apart from others in the genre. The pet mechanics are my favorite, and I love that they are customizable with unlockable skins to work towards. Questing can feel a bit repetitive, but it is a very soothing form of repetition. Gaucho is easily one of my most relaxing titles in my library.

What I love about the game is that it gives players a bit of direction. Players have to complete quests to unlock resources, materials, and items they need for farming. There is nothing wrong with games give you the freedom to create your own content, but exploring the different realms, solving the different problems, and learning about the lore makes this game worth playing through once. If you don’t get distracted by how much there is to do in this game.

The game does need a bit of work. On PC, the performance was solid with a few glitches here and there. Nothing game breaking, but they were noticeable. The game doesn’t run well on the Steam deck. There were noticeable drops in frames that made the game look ugly. Turning the camera too close to trees caused the most issues. While the controls felt fine, and ideally I would prefer playing on handheld, the optimization isn’t there. It is playable, but the drastic dip in performance makes it difficult to go from PC to the Steam Deck. At least the sync works flawlessly.

That said, Gaucho and the Grassland is a cute and cozy farming sim that deserves more attention. It is a fun game with enough passion to give me faith that updates are coming, and the game will only get better.

You can pick up Guacho and the Grassland on Steam for $19.99. There is a demo available if you don’t believe me.

video game reviews

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

Is Scar-Lead Salvation Worth Your Time?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Scar-Lead Salvation 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 reivew.

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 Scar-Lead Salvation?

Scar-Led Salvation is a 3D third-person action shooter out now on Steam and PlayStation.

Willow wakes up in a strange robot testing facility without the memories of her identity. With the help of her advanced AI companion, she must make her way out of the facility, and maybe find out what is going on. But this won’t be an easy task. The facility is filled with robots ready to attack, and its hallways are a winding and confusing maze. Will Willow find out what happened to her, why she is here, and who she is?

Gameplay

Players control Willow as they fight their way through rooms of enemies. Combat is a pretty strait forward third person shooter. Players gear Willow with random weapons and abilities they find throughout a run. These weapons and abilities can be upgraded through out the level at upgrade stations. If Willow dies, she is reset at save point with only her basic weapons and abilities.

Review

Scar-Lead Salvation is a fun game, for the first few minutes of play. The game looks fine, combat feels good, and discovering the right weapon is exciting. Once the novelty of the game wears off, the game starts to feel repetitive.

One of the issues I have with the game is with the gearing system. Once you find a build you like, which happens early on in the game, there really is no reason to try anything new. Most of the drops become useless, and I started ignoring loot pretty early on in my playthrough. There really is no reason weapons should be drops since a lot of the time, they offer nothing new. In a looter shooter like Borderlands, even when a lot of the drops are useless, there is always a chance you get a weapon with a cool ability worth swapping into. Here you might find a gun with slightly better stats, but the difference it makes isn’t worth the time it takes to verify.

Combat in this game is smooth, but there really isn’t anything exciting to it. Enemies have the same patterns, and once you learn them, you aren’t dying. It gets very repetitive, especially since most of the rooms feel the same. I do like how that abilities charge by parrying successfully, but it doesn’t add too much depth to the game. The abilities don’t add much to the game either.

This is a game that does railroad its players through the story. There is no room for exploration because the rooms are bare and simple, and most of the loot you find is pointless. The story itself is fine. It has solid voice acting, but its not good enough to play through the game to find out what happens.

The game isn’t bad, but there also isn’t anything that leaves an impression. This is a game I will definitely forget playing, and one that I would have been mad if I paid full price for. It feels dated, and not in a good way. If you like the art style, I would wait for sale. If you are looking for a new game to play, I’d probably look elsewhere.

You can pick up Scar-Lead Salvation on Steam for $59.99.

video game reviews

Rise of Gun Review: A Unique Shop Simulator Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Rise of Gun 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

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What is Rise of Gun?

Rise of Gun is a quirky shop simulator out now on Steam.

The world has been overrun by zombies. The last remaining survivors hold up in walled cities and fend off against an endless waves of undead. You and your shop are the only thing that stands between salvation and complete zombification. Gather materials, discover new guns, and sell provide the town with the arsenal that prevent the end of humanity. Can you create a thriving business from the wreckage of the old world, or will you be another failed shop on main street.

Gameplay

Rise of Gun is not a zombie survival game, but rather a shop simulator. You do not kill zombies. Instead, players are building a business. Players will build guns to sell to customers, and use the profits from the sales to upgrade their business. There is a story and quests, but players can choose to chill and run a gun store which is what I ended up doing.

Review

Rise of Gun will definitely have its niche. As far as shop sims go, the game is solid. Everything runs well, the flavor and quirks are fun, and the gameplay loop is relaxing. My issue with the game is that the tutorial is a little confusing, but sticking with the game will pay off. Another issue I have with the game is that it doesn’t always run well. It isn’t unplayable, but I did encounter a few performance issues that I couldn’t ignore.

There is a story to this game. The story is fine, I just didn’t explore it too deeply because I kept getting distracted building weapons for my shop. I love that I can make some rediculous looking guns without restrictions.

If you are trying to play this game as an action survival, you will be disappointed. You don’t fight zombies in this game. I don’t think you need to fight zombies in this game to have fun, but it is something to note. Overall, Rise of Gun is a solid game that is worth trying if you. It has a fun whimsical art that matches its its tone, and a relaxing gameplay loop that is always good to have in your rotation.

You can pick up Rise of Gun for only $10.99 on Steam.