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video game reviews

Best Served Cold: A Unique Visual Mystery with a Twist

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Best Served Cold 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, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Best Served Cold?

Best Served Cold is a detective mystery novel out now on Steam.

You are a skilled barkeep in one of the city’s illegal speakeasy’s. There is a general danger around your line of work during prohibition. One that is amplified by the pretense of a serial killer. Someone is hunting down patrons of these establishments, and the race is on to find out who. You have been contracted to help in this investigation. Use your position, charm, and skill as a barkeep to interrogate the patrons and find leads. What mysteries will your investigation uncover? Can you find the killer before its too late?

Gameplay

The loop in Best Served Cold is an interesting twist on the genre. Players will talk to patrons during their shift, and try to find the right combination of answers and questions to unlock the appropriate clues. The twist are the mechanics tied to the bartender position. Players will have to figure out the perfect drink to serve each patron, and mix it perfectly. The mixing mini game is simple. Players trace a pattern thematic to the drink before time runs out. Choosing the perfect drink and making it perfect makes the clients more inclined to talk. There are questions in this game that will only get answers if the customer is drunk enough. This is such a flavorful mechanic, and one that adds a bit of strategy to break up all the reading. Not the reading is bad by any means.

Review

If you are looking for something new to play, check out Best Served Cold. Best Served Cold is a well written visual novel with fantastic characters and a solid mystery. People who read a lot of the genre can figure out the mystery, but it is still worth the read. I had a lot of fun meeting each unique character, figuring out their favorite drink, and the mixing minigame was relaxing. The game also has a fantastic sound track for an unmatched cozy vibe.

My only complaint is that the game is unplayable on the Steam Deck. I might have been doing something wrong, but I couldn’t get the pin-up board to work. Trying to connect everything with yarn felt like more work than it was worth, at least the few times I actually got it work. This isn’t a deal breaker because it works great on PC, but I want to be able to read my mystery visual novels from the comfort of my bed.

Better Served Cold is a great story with amazing flavor that you need to play through once. There is a lot of reading, but the reading is fine and it comes in English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I think you will too.

You can pick up Better Served Cold on Steam for

video game reviews

Synergy Game Review: A Mixed Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Synergy 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, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Synergy?

Synergy is a village builder out now on Steam.

The world is on the brink of collapse. Take charge of a group of survivors as you work together to rebuild one of the last thriving civilization. Can you find a sustainable solution without sacrificing too much of your citizen’s happiness? Will you be the catalyst to this world’s salvation?

Gameplay

Synergy asks players to build a thriving city while being mindful of their citizen’s happiness and the resources around them. The game attempts to break the traditional formula by forcing players to build differently. Players will have to think about how their buildings interact with each other and environment to successfully grow, without destroying the world around them. There is a unique upgrade system that allows players a bit of flexibility on how they want to build their society. It is a refreshing take on the genre, but does it hold up?

Review

Synergy has a very fun and creative artstyle full of flavor and flare. The game provides an interesting twist with some cool ideas, but it wasn’t for me. I like that the game forced me to think about the genre differently. I was building a new kind of city and planning my tech paths, but the game is boring. Even at max speed, it felt like nothing was happening. Maybe its the lack of animation, maybe I’m impatient, but I lost quickly. I think the biggest issue I have with this game is that I’ve played better games with a more unique twist. If I rather be playing those, there is no real reason to recommend Synergy, unless you like the art and need a new village builder.

If this is going to be your first village builder, I don’t think it is user friendly enough to recommend. The tutorial isn’t good enough at onboarding players on the game’s more important mechanics. There isn’t a steep learning curve, it just has some intuitive mechanics that are important for survival. not that it matters because as hard as I tried, I never got to the point of collapse that I get with other games in the genre. If you’re a veteran, Synergy does a few cool things that will keep you busy for a bit, but not at the price. I would wait for a sale.

Synergy is fine, but when you consider it against others in the genre, you simply have better options. You can pick it up on Steam for $24.99, but again, wait for the sale.

video game reviews

Is Morkull Ragast’s Rage a Good Metroidvania?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Morkull Ragast’s Rage to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity. I won’t 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 Morkull Ragast’s Rage?

Morkull Ragast’s Rage is a metroidvania out now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch for $17.99..

Morkull Ragast’s Rage is a powerful demon locked away in a video game. The only way to get out is to play the game, and win. Fight your way through a game as it is being made. Make your way through this digital dungeon, fight off scores of enemies, and reprogram a bit of the code along the way. Can you beat the game and let Morkul out? Is it a good idea to get set him free?

Review

If you’ve played any other metroidvania game, you’ve played Morkull Ragast’s Rage. You fight your way through a dungeon, unlocking new abilities along the way. The only difference is the game has a stylized flavor that is fun, but doesn’t do enough to hide the fact that the game isn’t very fun. Morkull Ragast’s Rage isn’t a bad game, it just doesn’t do enough to stand out against the rest of the genre. Had this been my introduction to the genre it would have fared a little better, but its not. When it comes to Metroidvania, you have better options.

The biggest issue I have with the game is that the combat is boring. Movement, combos, and the parry system all feel stiff. The enemies look cool, but they aren’t fun to fight. The grind feels bad, and I found very little reason to keep making it. I had little reason to keep coming back, especially considering how I have better options sitting in my library.

I appreciate the humor of the story. There are fun wall breaks and the flavor and artstyle are interesting. Unfortunately, they don’t do enough to distract from the fact that the game isn’t all that impressive. If you’re looking for a metroidvania game, there are better options. If you like the look and flavor of the game, I would wait for a sale because it still feels like a demo. There is a demo available, but I don’t think it fares any better.

You can pick up Morkull Ragast’s Rage on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch for $17.99.

Uncategorized, video game reviews

Nobody Nowhere is a Fantastic Visual Novel

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Nobody Nowhere 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 the new 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 Nobody Nowhere?

Nobody Nowhere is a scifi visual novel out now on Steam.

The year is 2019 and the Human Science Research Corp is working on a way to transfer conciseness into empty vessels known as replicates. Julian is a replicant who unfortunately developed self-awareness. His days are numbered as the corporation plans to whip his consciousness from his body. The secret organization, the White Dove, consider Julian human and plan to set him free. But their rescue efforts fail, and what they uncover will shake their foundation. What secrets will they uncover? Can Julian ever be truly human? You will need to read to find out.

Review

I went out of my way to get a copy of Nobody Nowhere because the synopsis got me interested, and I liked the art. I was not disappointed. Nobody Nowhere is the best visual novel I have read, and I recomend it to people who aren’t even looking into the genre. The writing is solid, the story is great, the characters are memorable, and the pacing is perfect. The game also has a very good art style and aesthetic. I like that the gameplay didn’t feel like busy work. The small moments of exploration helped with world building, the minigames were fun and engaging, and they helped break up into more manageable segments.

One complaint I do have is that there are a lot of silent moments. I would have liked there to be a bit more ambience sound here and there, but nothing that can’t be fixed with a YouTube video in the background. This is just a personal preference and nowhere near a deal breaker, especially since the music that does exist is pretty good.

My hat goes off to the solo developer who was able to create such a fantastic narrative. Its is incredibly obvious that a lot of passion went into this game when you look at all the details that went into bringing this story to life. If you’re looking for a new game, you need to get Nobody Nowhere. It is a fantastic read, and it deserves a lot more attention.

You can pick up Nobody Nowhere $9.99 on Steam.

Uncategorized, video game reviews

Is Rogue Conflict Too Hard for Its Own Good?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Rogue Conflict 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 the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update weekly.

What is Rogue Conflict?

Rogue Conflict is a turn-based rogue-like strategy game out now on Steam.

Players control various factions as they fight for supremacy. Take control of your army and use your wit to overcome different scenarios. Will you be the skill tactician this world needs, or will you be another failed campaign in the making? Grab your army and find out!

Gameplay

Players choose their faction and a scenario to play through. Each faction has access to different units, and the scenario dictates the units in the army. After placing their units, players will take turns moving through the map to complete objectives. Units have a set range of movement and attacks have advantage/disadvantage based on target type. Tanks do more damage to normal infantry for example. Terrain also give units advantage on attack or defends, as well as impede movement. Using terrain and typing effectively is key for world domination. While this game may appear simple, it demands a certain amount of strategy and skill.

Review

Rogue Conflict is fine if you like strategy games, but it feels a bit too one sided for the casual player. I’m not very good at strategy games, but I can at least finish some of the early levels in most games. Here, it felt like no matter what I did, the odds were stacked against me and I was waiting to get destroyed, or for the timer to run out. Some of this is by design. There are scenarios where you aren’t supposed to win by combat, and instead survive in an epic rush to finish the objects. I would be fine with a few of those levels, but it honestly feels like the enemy is omniscient, plentiful, and lucky. Maybe I needed to play a little smarter, but I rather be playing Advanced Wars. Rebalancing or an easier mode would be nice.

That said, a better player might get more enjoyment out of Rogue Conflict. The game runs well, the art is cute, and the game is challenging. The problem is that the game isn’t made for casuals. If you aren’t being efficient and smart about your moves, you are going to get destroyed. Some will definitely find the level of skill fun, but those who lean more to the casual side of strategy aren’t going enjoy some of the nuances of the mechanics.

If you’re looking for a strategy game that is on the harder side and enjoy the graphics, Rogue Conflict is an excellent addition to your collection. If you’re just dipping your toe in the genre, I would save this title till you’re better at strategy games.

You can pick up your copy of Rogue Conflict for $14.99.

video game reviews

After Wave: Downfall Review – A Fun Casual Shooter

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of After Wave: Downfall 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 the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update weekly.

What is After Wave: Downfall?

After Wave: Downfall is an arcade shoot ’em up out now on Steam, Xbox, Switch, and PlayStation.

Monsters are attacking, and it is up to you to keep them at bay. Brave it alone or gather your friends as you fight off monsters, collect power-ups, and navigate your favorite ship. This high speed arcade game has ten unique stages and bosses, six unique ship abilities, and an adjustable difficulty for a good amount of replayability. Do you have what it takes to save the world?

Gameplay

Players navigate each level, avoiding obstacles and hazards, shooting monsters, and collecting power ups. A run ends when a player’s ship is destroyed. Players can buy upgrades for their ships between runs. Each level has uniquely flavored monsters and bosses to defeat, and each boss (and miniboss) has unique abilities to keep things fresh. The adjustable difficulty and upgrades make meaningful impact on the game, and add a layer of repeatability to the title.

Review

After Wave: Downfall is a cute little casual game that I don’t mind pulling out when I need a quick distraction. The game is cute with fun a fun art style and aesthetic, and the mechanics are engaging and fun. I enjoyed the different boss mechanics, and the fun flavors of each level. The game will feel a bit repetitive as players grind out currency for different upgrades, but it doesn’t feel too bad. It certainly doesn’t take away from the game’s casual appeal. Best of all, co-op mode is a great time (if you have the friends for it).

If you’re looking for a fun casual title to pick up when you need a short break, After Wave: Downfall is a fantastic option. It is inoffensive with a cute and comforting art style and the game play is solid. It is also works great on the Steam Deck.

Pick up After Wave: Downfall on Steam for $9.99, and console for $14.99 via Xbox, Switch, and PlayStation.

video game reviews

Microtopia: A Unique Village Builder Experience

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I was sent a free copy of Microtopia 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 the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their KiiBoom Breeze 75. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update weekly.

What is Microtopia?

Microtopia is an ant-colony village builder out now on Steam.

You are in charge of building the mightiest mechanical ant empire this world has ever seen. Program your drones, upgrade your units, build your empire, and protect your queen. Build efficiently, plan accordingly, and get ready to lose a few days of sleep. Do you have what it takes to make the perfect colony?

Gameplay

The game walks through the games important mechanics and a well designed tutorial that can skipped on later playthroughs. Players all start with a queen and a few drones, and slowly build that into the mighty ant empire it turns into. Players will command their ants to gather resource, build structures, and upgrade their empire. What makes the game unique is that the automation is programed by the players. The bulk of the game is designing the many intertwining routes ants take to perform their tasks. These routes are constantly changing as resources run out and more structures start to to populate the map. The trick to this game is efficiently weaving every moving part of the colony so that everything runs smoothly. There are tech trees and upgrades to keep the game engaging. If you run out of tasks and the game feels like you are waiting on timers, you are playing this game wrong.

Review

Microtopia is one of the best village builders I have ever played. I had my doubts during the first boot because the graphics and art style are a little plain. The more I played the game, the less of a problem I had with the art direction. The style is not only very thematic and flavorful, it also means it can run on anything. It does run fine on the steam deck, but it is a little small and you’re going to have to use the touchscreen.

The village/factory building mechanics are the main reason for buying the game. They are easy to grasp with the excellent opening tutorial, and they give the player enough to do to keep the game engaging. Most of village builders I’ve played autopath tasks like farming materials, but Microtopia has players design the paths first, and assign the units to travel them second. While I do appreciate the more laid back approach of the autopathing, I did now know how much I wanted to design my own routs and paths. This does mean players need to be a bit more active in their planning stages, but I never felt like it was unnecessary busy work. I also love the fact that structures can be moved at any time, and they can be destroyed for a full refund. I make a lot of mistakes and appreciate the extra flexibility. That said, I did restart my playthrough after the tutorial because I was not happy with my pathing and some of my earlier decisions.

Microtopia is the most engaging relaxing game you will get to play. I found the village building soothing, and the mechanics had me obsessing about every little detail. If you’re looking for a new village builder, Microtopia is a strong contender. It’s unique mechanics are worth trying once, and the art style will grow on you. This is a fantastic game that deserves a lot more attention.

You can pick up Microtopia on Steam for only $19.99.

Tech Reviews

Epomaker Cypher96: A Stylish and Functional Keyboard

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Disclaimer

Epomaker sent me the Cypher96 mechanical keyboard for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Hack59 if you’re looking for something more minimalistic.

What’s in the box?

  • Cypher96 Mechanical Keyboard
  • 3 Additional Switches
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Charging Cable
  • User Guide
  • 2.4 GHz Wireless Dongle

Features

‘The Cypher 96 mechanical keyboard is a full-sized keyboard with 96 keys. The keyboard comes with Epomaker Wisteria and Flamingo switches. I got mines with the Wisteria switches. The keyboard is a very pretty blue/purple/white scheme that will fit any cozy aesthetic, The south facing RGB is soft, and the perfect accent to the already pretty keyboard. The slight incline and built in tents make it easy for users to find the most comfortable position.

Functionally, the Cypher 96 supports high-powered, low latency wireless connections through its Bluetooth 6 support or 2.4GHz dongle, but users can enjoy an even faster connection with the included, high-quality braided charging cable. The two 4000 mAh batteries mean you won’t be reaching for the wire unless you really want to.

What makes the Cypher 96 a unique keyboard is the onboard screen above the number pad. This screen displays important information like the time, battery, and connection information. It also doubles as a calculator, which can easily be toggled at any time.

Sound Test

Review

The Cypher96 comes expertly packed, and although my box looked like it was thrown around by the mailman, came in excellent condition. The keyboard looks amazing out of the box. Every piece is finely manufactured and high quality, there is little flex, and it has a very pretty color scheme. The screen does throw off the aesthetic, but it is very handy to have. I use the number pad regularly, and being able to switch to a calculator was a feature I didn’t know I needed. I particularly love the connection switch placement. I regularly switch between the different connections during my testing, and having a switch in the corner is very convenient.

Functionally, the Cypher96 is a great keyboard. The keys are soft, responsive, and don’t make too much noise. The design is ergonomic enough to allow for prolonged use, and the high adjustments only add to the comfort. All the connections felt responsive. I had no issue with latency, but I don’t play at a high enough competitive level for it to matter. The battery life was incredible. I was getting 10-12 hours of continuous use, and I don’t think I ever charged it to 100%. Best of all, it is GMK compatible, making it a customizable beast for gaming or other work flows.

If you’re looking for a good full sized keyboard with a pretty color scheme, the Epomaker Cypher96 is a great place to start. The issue will be the onboard screen, but it is an issue that goes away if you get a lot of use out of it. This thing looks great, feels great, and works great. Pick yours up on the official Epomaker store for only $99.99.

Tech Reviews

Is the Hack 59 Keyboard Right for You? Key Features Explored

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Disclaimer

Epomoker sent me the Hack 59 mechanical keyboard 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. make sure you also check out my other Epomaker reviews to find the perfect keyboard for your setup.

What’s in the Box?

  • Hack 59 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A charging cable
  • Key and Switch Puller Tool
  • 2.4 GHz Wireless Dongle
  • User Instructions

Features

The Hack 59 is the mechanical keyboard for the enthusiast who wants to shrink their footprint. This stylish mini-keyboard only has 59 keys with QMK and VIA support so you can make the most of every key. Ramapping is extremely easy, and turns it into a formidable powerhouse. This is a wireless keyboard with bluetooth 5 compatibility with up to 3 different devices, and a wireless 2.4 GHz dongle for those who need it. Its incredible 3000 mAh means less time with wires on your desk for a truelly minimalist experience, but the wired connection is fast and reliable when its needed. All the keys and switches are replaceable, but its unique aesthetic is going to be hard to give up. This is a well machined keyboard with soft RBG lighting that will be a great fit for many setups.

Sound Test

Review

Out of the box, the Hack 59 is an impressive little keyboard with a good amount of potential. I like the aesthetic and unique keys. I also like that it comes with the high quality and care I’ve come to expect from Epomaker. The machining is nice, the design is tight, and printing is clear and visible. I love the included slot for the dongle.

As for its performance, the keyboard is solid with a few modifications. The keyboard does make its noise, but it is a more subtle and soothing clacking. I didn’t notice any latency in any of my games, but the tight design required some getting used to. The battery is solid and I was getting about 10 hours on a single charge, with the the RGB on. It can be switched off for a longer session, but I like epomaker’s RGB lighting.

The biggest issue most people are going to have with this keyboard is with its form factor design. The keyboard has some handy built in shortcuts, and users can easily program more or remap keys through GMK and VIA, but I missed having the arrow keys and control handy. The size was an issue for me because I am too big for the keyboard. I felt like I had to bunch up to use the keyboard which caused some discomfort, and my fat clumsy hands was always pressing the wrong keys. I would erase entire sections of my review with a clumsy mistake, and it made the experience frustrating. This issue is strictly user error and physical limitations, so your millage will vary.

So is the Hack 59 a good keyboard? It depends. If you’re big with wide shoulders and big hands, its not. The size takes away any ergonomic design and it will get uncomfortable. I require special ergonomics for my hands to work, and the size made it hard to use. If you are a size that fits this keyboard, it is a solid device with a bit of tinkering. The only real hurdle I see is knowing if the keyboard is right size, and liking the aesthetic.

If you like the design and don’t mind the 302.7x40x118.5MM dimensions, you can pick up the Hack 59 on the official Epomaker site.

User Guide

Epomaker_hack59_manualDownload
video game reviews

Super Puzzled Cat Review: A Cozy Puzzle Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Super Puzzled Cat 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 or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. 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 Super Puzzled Cat?

Super Puzzled Cat is an adorable jumping puzzle game out now on Steam. Players must make their way through the games 150 creative levels, trying not to die. Players can use items like jet packs, bombs, and even bubble gum to navigate around a levels many hazards. These puzzles may look cute, but they will test the most seasoned veteran. Aside from the adorable skin and creative use of items, the game features a unique save state mechanic. Players can create as many save states through out a level, and recall between them at will. This means players don’t have to start a level over after dying, they can take it section by section.

Review

Super Puzzled Cat is the cutest game in my collection, and easily one of my favorites. The game has some adorable art, a fun world to explore, and some very creative and challenging puzzles. I am not the biggest fan of jumping puzzle games, but Super Puzzled Cat has earned a soft spot in my heart. I like that the puzzles don’t feel frustratingly impossible like others in the genre, and the save state mechanic made things a lot more manageable. While the game does feel like a casual puzzle game, there is enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. I love it for the cozy vibe, and will continue to play it even after the review.

If you are looking for a new puzzle game that isn’t a huge commitment, or in the mood for some cozy engaging gameplay, check out Super Puzzled Cat. It works great on the Steam Deck.

You can pick up Super Puzzled Cat on Steam for $16.99.