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

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

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker RT65 mechanical keyboard or the EasySMX X15 controller. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link during November 29 – December 6 for 30% off your first year!

I am happy to announce my newest sponsor, Game Nerdz. If you’re looking to buy any card games, board games, miniatures, and more, get it over at Game Nerdz using my affiliate links. Game Nerdz offers some fantastic pricing on anything you need, and it really helps me out.

What is Spirit Mancer?

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

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

Gameplay

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

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

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

Review

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

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

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

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

video game reviews

Is Depths of Endor Worth Your Time? Find Out!

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I was asked to cover Depths of Endor:Dungeon Crawler and received a bit of in-game currency to help me get into the game. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker RT65 mechanical keyboard or the EasySMX X15 controller. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link during November 29 – December 6 for 30% off your first year!

I am happy to announce my newest sponsor, Game Nerdz. If you’re looking to buy any card games, board games, miniatures, and more, get it over at Game Nerdz using my affiliate links. Game Nerdz offers some fantastic pricing on anything you need, and it really helps me out.

What is Depths of Endor: Dungeon Crawler?

Depths of Endor is a retro style dungeon crawler out now on Steam, Apple App Store, and Google Play Store.

Gather your party and delve into the depths of the dungeon as you fight its monsters, plunder its treasure, and uncover its secrets. Be warned! The dungeon is a dangerous place full of unforgiving monsters traps. Can you master your skills in time to conquer this dungeon, or will you be another corpse on the cold stone floor? What secrets will you uncover? What riches will you claim?

Gameplay

Depths of Endor offers players the classic text-based RPG with a few modern updates to keep things moving. Players start the game by recruiting a four member party. This party can be customized at any time. Players can choose the race and class. There are seven races to choose from: Elf, Human, Dwarf, Gnome, Troll, Undead, and Draconian. Each has unique abilities and stats, so choose carefully. All heroes start their journey as no but they can choose other guilds at later levels. There are 8 different guilds: Nomad, Warrior, Thief, Mage, Healer, Paladin, Ninja, and Ranger.

Diving through the dungeon is as simple as choosing a direction. There are 10 expansive levels to the dungeon, with lots of rooms, monsters, and treasures. Combat is a classic turn-based system that gets more complicated as the party gains more spells and abilities. Leveling can be a bit of a grind, especially when you have to keep going back to town to heal, but not unmanageable.

If you’re playing this game on Mobile, you can watch adds for special buffs that lessen the grind or free gold. This feature is optional, but it does make the grind a little easier.

Review

I liked Depths of Endor more than I thought I would. It has a simple retro aesthetic that is done very well, and the gameplay is solid. There is a bit of of grind, but it didn’t feel worse than the usual grind these games tend to have. It is a little hard to tell how bad the grind is for free-to-play players since I always seemed to have the money for what I needed in the early levels, but I also never seemed to touch any of the money I was sent as a reward. It is possible to play this game for free with a little patience, but it doesn’t hurt to support the developer by buying one of the bundles.

I can see the grind being an issue at later levels if there are cash flow issues. If playing casually, it shouldn’t be as noticeable, especially if you’re watching the ads. I do like that watching the ads is optional, and it isn’t spammy like other free-to-play games. I also didn’t notice any scam or inappropriate ads which is always a plus.

If you like old school dungeon crawlers, Dungeons and Dragons, or need a chill game to play while you’re waiting for the bus, Depths of Endor is a fantastic mobile game. The game has great flavor, simple yet engaging mechanics, and a chill atmosphere.

Note that the game does use AI assets for its art, keep that in mind if you have issues with the use of AI Art.

You can pick up Depths of Endor: Dungeon Crawl for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play, or for $5.99 on Steam.

video game reviews

Interstate 35 is a Fantastic Visual Novel About the Apocalypses

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I was sent a free copy of Interstate 35 to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker RT65 mechanical keyboard, the Uhuru Gaming Mouse, or the EasySMX X15 controller. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link during November 29 – December 6 for 30% off your first year!

I am happy to announce my newest sponsor, Game Nerdz. If you’re looking to buy any card games, board games, miniatures, and more, get it over at Game Nerdz using my affiliate links. Game Nerdz offers some fantastic pricing on anything you need, and it really helps me out.

What is Interstate 35?

Interstate 35 is a short and creative visual novel out now on Steam.

After an atomic bomb was accidentally dropped on Northern Texas, people struggled to deal with the new normal. To the North, the land slowly rots away, eating at the remaining livable land. Some people have begun to settle in the many settlements that have manifested since the incident. But there are people like you who are crazy enough to venture into the blighted lands to scavenge what remains of the old world. What will you find on your latest run? What will you choose to keep? What secrets will you uncover?

Review

Interstate 35 is an amazing visual novel that everyone should read at least once. The narrative is well-written and captivating, the art is beautiful, and the soundtrack is amazing. If you aren’t blown away by end of this novel, you must have played something different.

What makes the game unique is the bits of optional exploration that are presented to the player. The story will have words that will evoke a memory or spark curiosity. It is a very cool and creative world and character-building technique that I haven’t seen done before. What I love most about this game is how it plays with format. The narrative blends its creative storytelling with beautiful poetry effectively, but also presents it artfully.

If you enjoy visual novels, Interstate 35 is a short, well written story that is Steam Deck compatible and need to be in your library.

Get your copy of Insterstate 35 for only $7.99, or at the very, least add it your wishlist.

video game reviews

MetroLand is Your Next AutoRunner

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I was sent a free copy of MetroLand 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’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker RT65 mechanical keyboard, the Uhuru Gaming Mouse, or the EasySMX X15 controller. When you’re ready to start your blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

I am happy to announce my newest sponsor, Game Nerdz. If you’re looking to buy any card games, board games, miniatures, and more, get it over at Game Nerdz using my affiliate links. Game Nerdz offers some fantastic pricing on anything you need, and it really helps me out.

What is MetroLand?

MetroLand is an autorunner out now on Steam.

You are a rebel running away from the oppressive forces of the ruling class. Run, jump, and parkour through the different parts of the city as you try to get away. Make sure you pick up as much gold and powerups as you can to rack up that high score. How far can you get before the cops catch up to you?

Gameplay

Players must control their characters as they run through the city, avoiding any obstacles by jumping, rolling, or moving to a different lane. The goal is to get the highest score possible before getting caught by the police. A player’s score is based on distance and the amount of coins collected. The occasional power-up and milestone. Any permanent upgrades help boost this score. Players will unlock cosmetics, powerups, and characters through regular play, or by buying them through the different shops with resources earned on a run. Scores earned during each run are uploaded to a global leaderboard that seems to be upgraded regularly.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

MetroLand works great on the Steam Deck. This game feels like it was ported from a mobile game, and it has an excellent handheld experience. The game does support touch controls, but I felt like the Dpad gave me a bit more control, especially when rolling under obstacles. Other than that, the performance is great and the game is a solid addition to any Steam Deck collection.

Review

I enjoyed MetroLand more than I thought I would. The game does feel like it was ported from a mobile game, and it can feel kind of clunky navigating through the UI, but the game works great. It is the perfect casual game, especially for those who don’t want a game with a huge commitment. MetroLand is easy to learn and it provides enough of a challenge to keep players engaged. While it won’t become anyone’s favorite main game, Players will get $5 worth of fun out of it.

If you’re looking for a fun little game you can play anytime, or are looking for an inoffensive simple game for your kids, you can’t go wrong with MetroLand. The art is cute, the animations are great, and the music is catchy. You can pick up MetroLand on Steam for only $4.99.

video game reviews

FLAAK TD: A WWII Tower Defense Game in Need of Major Polish

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I was asked to cover the FLAAK TD demo on my blog. I understand the game isn’t finished yet and will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest impressions.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker RT65 mechanical keyboard, the Uhuru Gaming Mouse, or the EasySMX X15 controller. When you’re ready to start your blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

I am happy to announce my newest sponsor, Game Nerdz. If you’re looking to buy any card games, board games, miniatures, and more, get it over at Game Nerdz using my affiliate links. Game Nerdz offers some fantastic pricing on anything you need, and it really helps me out.

What is FLAAK TD?

Flaak TD is a World War 2 themed tower defense game coming to Steam November 8 2024.

Germany is under constant attack, and it is up to you to bolster its defenses and keep key infrastructure alive. Command one of the numerous anti-aircraft brigades, set up defenses on key strategic locations, and destroy as many enemy aircrafts as you can. Can you fend off against the oncoming invasion?

Impressions

I love Tower Defence games, but unfortunately, FLAAK TD isn’t in a good place. While I understand the game isn’t finished yet, the demo does little to make me want more. The game is clunky, the combat is slow, and the maps are too small.

I appreciate that the developer is trying to create a realistic emulation, but I believe this dedication hurts the experience. Having a small map and a single objective like defending a bridge is cool for immersion, but it limits the actions players can make during rounds. There is strategy, and I believe the terrain and lack of resources go into this, but the rounds are too slow and the animation is too clunky. Most of the time it felt like I was waiting for waves to end. This wouldn’t be an issue if the animation and performance were better.

It’s difficult to recommend FLAAK, even the demo because there are better options. Even if you enjoy the aesthetic, the lack of polish makes it a hard sell. Unless it gets some major performance updates at launch, I can’t recommend it.

You can request access to the playtest on Steam, or pick up your copy of FLAAK TD Steam on November 7, 2024.

video game reviews

JDM: Rise of the Scorpion Might Be Your Next Racing Game

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I was sent the JDM: Rise of the Scorpion demo to cover on my blog. I understand this is a demo and will not be as critical. Regardless, these will be my honest initial impressions.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker RT65 mechanical keyboard, the Uhuru Gaming Mouse, or the EasySMX X15 controller. When you’re ready to start your blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is JDM: Rise of the Scorpion?

JDM: Rise of the Scorpion is an arcade racing game coming PC via Steam and Epic Games store.

Scorpion wants to be the best racer in Japan and won’t let school or his parent’s expectations of him get in his way. Tune your car, master drifting, and race through the beautiful Guntama countryside to come out on top. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

The JDM demo offers players a prologue of the game, a small map to drive in, and a few missions to pick up. Players can drive around and enjoy the scenery as much as they want, or pick up a few races to progress through the prologue. The prologue is presented in a neat manga style, with reading tips for those not used to the format. Players will drive around, pick up races, and eventually tune up their car to be the perfect drifting machine.

Impressions

I may not be any good at JDM, but I enjoyed the game. The graphics are good, the physics are solid, and the racing feels good. I am not the biggest fan of racing games, but this title is slowly changing that opinion. I tried very hard to get better because I needed to unlock more of the story. The prologue did enough to hook me. I appreciate the novelty of the manga-style storytelling. It was an effective narrative tool, and it was a refreshing gimmick I hope to see in other games.

JDM: Rise of the Scorpion is a decent racing game with a cool setting that I need to see more. If you’re looking for a new racing game, definitely pick up the demo on Steam and Epic Games. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist!

video game reviews

I Enjoyed My Time During the Infinity Nikki Playtest. Can’t Wait for Release

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I got to play in the Infinity Nikki playtest. I understand the game isn’t fully released and will be a bit more lenient yet honest with my impressions.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker RT65 mechanical keyboard, the Uhuru Gaming Mouse, or the EasySMX X15 controller. When you’re ready to start your blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Infinity Nikki?

Infinity Nikki is a wholesome fantasy adventure Gotcha game coming to PC, Epic Games, PlayStation, Android, and iOS devices. Make sure you Preregister today!

Nikki finds herself in a magical world where clothes grant its users magical powers. Using the powers of her outfits, she must find whimstars to unlock the power she needs to save this new world. But this journey won’t be easy. Nikki must fight the spreading corruption, solve puzzles, and gather the supplies she needs to make better outfits. Can she fulfill the prophecy written in stone long ago, or will this challenge be too much for Nikki?

Gameplay


Infinity Nikki is a 3D open-world Mario game with a crafting, gathering, and dress-up mechanic. Nikki gets her powers from different outfits players unlock as they play through the story. Based on the playtest, all essential powers can be unlocked without spending any money and with minimal grind. Upgrading Nikki’s powers will take some grinding and any additional skins will cost money.

Players have the freedom to explore the world at their own pace as they play through the story, complete side quests, and farm materials. The world is full of jumping puzzles, monsters to fight, bosses to beat, and things to discover. In the very short week I got to play the game, I felt like I still had more to discover.

The Gotcha mechanic seems to only be tied to fashion. Players can unlock additional outfits by playing the game, but the game will offer seasonal outfits players can pull from. Pulling from these tickets gets players a random item to dress up Nikki like hairstyles, makeup, accessories, and clothes. If you’re someone who wants to keep Nikki dressed in the cutest clothes, be prepared to spend a lot of money.

Impressions

Infinity Nikki was an incredibly cozy experience that I will continue to play on release. The playtest had so much to do, and the grind didn’t feel so bad. I like that the power level isn’t locked behind the gotcha mechanic, but looking cute is going to cost you. You can pull for outfits with the currency you earn for playing the game, but it doesn’t feel like it will be enough to get everything you want from a particular ticket. My issue with the Gotcha mechanic is that there is no option to recolor the items you pull from a ticket without first completing the ticket. This means that getting a particular look can potentially cost hundreds of dollars. I guess Gotcha game has to Gotcha.

Other than that, the game is really enjoyable, even if you don’t put any money into it. Crafting and gathering are soothing, the platforming and puzzles are challenging and rewarding, and the world is fun to explore. The game has very good graphics with a beautiful world, great character design, and some very cute outfits to chase. The story is very cheesy, but I enjoyed it enough to keep playing. The tone and flavor all mesh together to make a very cozy experience that I recommend you try at least once.

Preregistration is still open, so make sure you sign up to unlock some fantastic prizes. Infinity Nikki is planned to released on December 31st, 2024 but no official announcement has been made.

video game reviews

Potion Tycoon is a Mediocre Management Sim. It Wasn’t for me

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I was sent a free copy of Potion Tycoon 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’re looking to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the Epomaker P75 Mechanical Keyboard and the Uhuru Gaming mouse for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals. If you’re thinking of hosting your own blog on WordPress, make sure you sign up using my Affiliate link!

What is Potion Tycoon?

Potion Tycoon is a management simulator out now on steam.

The world is full of adventure, intrigue, and danger. Adventures are always in need of a good potion shop, and it is up to you to fill that void.
Build your shop, hire your employees, and create the best shop in the land. Do you have what it takes to fill the realm’s need for potions and tonics, or will you go bankrupt trying?

Gameplay

Players can play through a tutorial to get their shop started. While the tutorial does show the players some of the game’s mechanics, it isn’t very helpful. You are going to have to look things up.

Players will have the opportunity to build and expand their potion shop with a good amount of freedom. The player can choose when to upgrade, what to upgrade, who to hire, and what to build. The only real limit is money and a player’s level. Players can only hire low-level employees, but will eventually gain access to better more efficient units.

Once the store is built, players will need to manage the operations. Workers need to be happy and paid to complete their assignments. Potions need a steady supply of ingredients, and a good alchemist to brew and bottle them. There needs to be a steady supply of the exact potion a customer needs or they won’t enter the store. Running a successful potion shop hinges on the ability to manage each part of the operation efficiently.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

No, but the Steam Deck lets you know it isn’t a good port. It isn’t unplayable and with a bit more tweaking it might work, but it isn’t worth the trouble. This game looks and feels awful on the Steam Deck.

Review

People who enjoy the different bits of management might have a better time with Potion Tycoon, but I thought it was boring. The first issue I have with this game is that the mechanics aren’t explained properly in the tutorial. You can find a solution to any issue online, but I shouldn’t have to. I don’t want the game to handhold, but some proper direction, especially for crucial mechanics, would be nice. I got stuck on my first run because no one wanted to work and I didn’t understand. This lack of direction is going to turn off a lot of casual players because the difficulty comes from a lack of proper communication rather than a skill-based challenge.

My biggest issue with this game is that it feels like work. Clicking through each chore to get the shop up and running isn’t fun, especially when you compare it to other games in the genre. This isn’t the worst management game out there, but it seems to be made for a specific type of gamer, and it isn’t going to be the casual one.

If you like management games, you have better options. If you are interested in the game, I would wait for a sale. You can pick up Potion Tycoon on Steam for $19.99.

video game reviews

Royal Revolt Warriors was Okay, but it Still Needs Work

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I was sent the Royal Revolt Warriors demo to review for my blog. I understand the game isn’t finished yet, so I will be a bit more lenient with my impressions.

If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the Epomaker P75 Mechanical Keyboard and the Uhuru Gaming mouse for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals. If you’re thinking of hosting your own blog on WordPress, make sure you sign up using my Affiliate link!

What is Royal Revolt Warriors?

Royal Revolt Warriors is an action roguelike fantasy bullet hell coming to early access on Steam.

Players take control of powerful warriors and defend against an endless onslaught of powerful monsters. The demo only supports single-player at the moment, but the full version will let you team up with your friends for a quirky good time. Choose the right weapons, buy permanent buffs, and be the hero the realm needs. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

Royal Revolt Warriors is a top-down isometric roguelike that fuses bullet hell twin stick mechanics with the arcade hack and slash mechanics. The demo only features three classes (the warrior, hunter, and mage) with more planned for the official release.

Players start each run with a basic attack and can choose a random buff or ability after gaining a level. These buffs and abilities are random, and the RNG isn’t great. All players start with the same limited pool of spells and abilities, but unlock more as they complete challenges. Players can also buy permanent stat increases from gold they earn from a run. This is a game that rewards the player the more time they spend playing the game. A player either clears a level by completing all the objectives, or dying.

Does it Work on the Steam Deck?

The demo works fine on the Steam Deck. The aspect ratio is easy to see, the controls are intuitive without any tweaking, and the gameplay is casual enough for on-the-go gaming. It is not the best twin-stick bullet-hell game you can be playing on the Steam Deck, but it is free. It doesn’t hurt to try.

Impressions

Royal Revolt Warriors feels slow in the beginning, but it starts to pick up when the player starts unlocking new buffs and abilities. The problem with the game is the grind to get to that point feels a bit too steep. I almost gave up on the demo because the grind didn’t feel worth it. The problem with the initial grind is that it makes all the runs feel the same. The limited pool makes it so there are really only a few valid answers when leveling. As a result, bad RNG ruins runs and makes the game feel repetitive. A larger pool of choices initially will make the grind feel less repetitive, even if it only offers an illusion of choice.

The class system feels a bit underwhelming. While I do like the attempt at giving players an option to customize their experience, there really isn’t a reason to choose anything but the mage. The other classes might get better after unlocking stats, but most players won’t make it that far.

The biggest issue with the demo is that it takes too long to get interesting. There still seem to be updates coming, but I will have to wait to see if it makes a difference. It isn’t the worst game you can play in the genre, but it needs a bit more work before it is worth buying. I will be following the game and seeing if it gets any better.

You can check out the demo on Steam.

video game reviews

Into the Emberlands is an Adorable Village Management Game

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I was sent a free copy of Into the Emberlands 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’re looking to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the Epomaker P75 Mechanical Keyboard and the Uhuru Gaming mouse for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals. If you’re thinking of hosting your own blog on WordPress, make sure you sign up using my Affiliate link!

What is Into the Emberlands?

Into the Emberlands is an adorable village management survival game out now on Steam.

A deadly miasma spreads across the Emberlands, consuming all who dare step into its mist. Luckily, the light from the magical lantern at the center of town has the power to repel the mist. Fill your lantern with its magical embers and venture into the mist in search of materials, loot, and new members for your village. Can you find the means to thrive within the encroaching miasma, or will you be lost in its poisonous clouds?

Gameplay

Players will begin their game with a basic village and a few quests to begin their expansion into the miasma. Players then travel through the forest in search of materials, loot, and new villagers. Players can only travel into the forest if they have magical light to guide them. Each step a player takes within the miasma consumes fuel. Players only have a limited amount of fuel for this light, and running out of fuel means death.

Fuel can be replenished by returning to the base, collecting random nodes of embers, or saving a stranded villager. The amount of fuel a player can carry can be upgraded through quests, increasing the number of steps a player can make in the mist, but these upgrades are lost upon death. Make sure you always move carefully, and you are always questing efficiently.

Eventually, the village will become more complex with different helpful buildings, resources, and villagers. The distance that can be traveled will also increase, making the game feel less repetitive.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Yes, and it is a solid port. I preferred playing Into the Emberlands on the Steam Deck despite the slight awkwardness. The game runs great, but sometimes the cursor would disappear and other times the camera would be annoying to control. None of these issues made the game unplayable, but they did pop up enough times to be mentioned. Regardless, Into the Emberlands is fun and casual enough to make it the ideal couch or travel game.

Review

Into the Eberlands is a fun new twist to the village management genre. The game runs great, is super adorable, and has a fun yet challenging gameplay loop. Gathering in this game is simple and repetitive, but the ember mechanics make the loop exciting. It is easy to find that you have ventured too far from the village without enough resources to get back. It is also exhilarating to barely make it back to the village after making a series of risky gambles.

It could easily lose days to this game because of how fun, cute, and exciting the loop is. I recommend everyone try at least once.

You can pick up Into the Emberlands on Steam for only $6.59. The game is still in Early Access, but I feel comfortable enough to recommend it. You’ll at the very least get your money’s worth.