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video game reviews

Realm of Ink is a Fantastic and Beautiful Roguelike

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I was sent a free copy of Realm of Ink 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 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 Realm of Ink?

Red is a talented swords woman who finds herself traversing through the pages of books in her search for the elusive Fox Demon. Her path is not an easy one. Creatures hunt her relentlessly, and although she has help from powerful spirits, it might not always be enough. Make your way through the worlds, collect new abilities, weapons, and characters, and unveil the truth about your existence. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

Red must fight her way through the different stages of a world to clear it. Players start each run with a random ink. Inks give Red special abilities to help her on her run. There are 22 inks that can be enhanced or swapped at random intervals of a run. In typical roguelike fashion, players will unlock random passive buffs. Runs in Realm of Ink are very RNG-reliant, but it seemed pretty fair for the most part.

Eventually, players will unlock new forms and weapons to swap between future runs. These forms and weapons are selected before a run, and each has a unique playstyle. These forms combined with the game’s RNG ensure that no two runs are ever the same, and give the game its replayability.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Realm of Ink has a fantastic Steam Deck port. I actually preferred the Steam Deck experience because of how good it felt to play on the couch. It doesn’t need any tinkering to get it to work, the game looks great at the aspect ratio, the words are easy to read, and the game is responsive. While playing Realm of Ink gives players a deeper appreciation for the art, they aren’t losing much playing on the Steam Deck. If you’re looking for a solid game to play on the go with good mechanics, a decent story, and fantastic flavor, check out Realm of Ink!

Review

I’ve been excited for Realm of Ink since I played the initial demo. I had my issues the first time around, but the developers have been hard at work to make it all better. The game has been so much fun, and I can tell there is work being put into it for future updates.

I was first drawn to this game because the art is phenomenal. The art only got better the deeper I got into the game. I love the game’s flavor and style. When it comes to the mechanics, the game is solid. The game is easy to learn, but there are enough nuances to keep things technical and interesting. While there were a few runs where the RNG wasn’t in my favor, it was relatively fair. What I liked most about Realm of Ink is that the grind doesn’t feel so bad. Most games in the genre have a grind that starts to feel repetitive and stale. Progression in those games feels slowed by a soul-crushing level grind. The progression in Realm of Ink felt like it was limited by my skill. The better I got at the combat mechanics, even with the less ideal inks, the less the grind became. Even when there was a grind, it didn’t feel bad because I was having fun.

The game is still in early access, and there will be some roughness, but not enough to discourage new players from jumping right in. The developers have been working tirelessly and listening actively to the community, I am sure Realm of Ink will only get better moving forward.

If you enjoy action roguelikes or are looking for a new game to sink some time into, check out Realm of Ink. It is a beautiful game with fun mechanics that is worth every cent at full price.

You can pick up your copy of Realm of Ink on Steam for only $16.99. There is a fantastic demo available if you don’t believe me.

video game reviews

Viel of Shadows is a Fantastic Roguelike!

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I was sent a free copy of Viel of Shadows 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 Viel of Shadows

Viel of Shadows is a top-down, action-adventure out now on Steam.

Sirene wakes up in a strange forest without her memories. As she tries to make sense of her situation, she is attacked savagely by monsters. Luckily, she is handy with a bow. Now Sirene must fight her way through the forest, collect her memories, and hopefully find a way out. What will her journey uncover? Will she ever get out?

Gameplay

Players control Sirene on her journey to collect her memories. To do so, players must fight their way through seemingly endless waves of monsters. Combat in this game is a top-down twin-stick shooter where death isn’t permanent. As a result, players will grind out the same encounters for levels until they are strong enough to venture deeper into the forest.

When a player levels, they get an experience point to spend on permanent stat boosts, buffs, and abilities. Players can choose from three paths: Damage, Agility, and Precision. Each path feels unique, and players have the freedom to find a path that works best for their playstyle. I am sure there is a correct way to build Sirene, but I liked throwing everything into precision. I’ll definitely be trying the other paths in future playthroughs.

What makes Viel of Shadows is the ever encroaching darkness that follows Sirene. As time passes, the edges of the screen will close in on a player until Sirene is consumed by darkness. The darkness limits a payers field of vision and hinders their effectiveness in combat. A player can mitigate this effect through potions or orbs from random drops. While there is no real time limit to a run, this effect creates the right amount of pressure to keep things tense and exciting.

Does it Work on the Steam Deck?

Yes, and it is a fantastic port. The game runs great, looks fine, and the controls feel good. While the aim with my Uhuru Gaming Mouse (or any mouse) was far superior, it was nice to be able to sit back and play something casually. I did notice dying more on the Steam Deck than on PC, but that felt like a skill issue. If you’re looking for games for your Steam Deck, Viel of Shadows is a great option.

Review

I got to try an early demo of Viel of Shadows, and I’ve been excited about the game ever since. The game has a great aesthetic with fantastic pixel art and flavor. The gameplay is repetitive by design, but it doesn’t matter because the game is so much fun. Combat in this game feels smooth, and the leveling system is satisfying. There is a bit of a grind, but it isn’t soul-crushing. I found the repetition soothing and enjoyed watching my progress through the forest. The game is a great casual title with engaging enough gameplay to be worth the money.

You can pick up Viel of Shadows on Steam for only $7.99, and there is a demo available if you don’t believe me.

video game reviews

Shadows of Doubt is a Fantastic Open World Detective Game

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I was sent a free copy of Shadows of Doubt 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.

What is Shadows of Doubt?

Shadows of Doubt is a unique open world detective on Steam, Xbox and PlayStation.

You are a detective in a bustling and chaotic city tasked with restoring peace to its crime-ridden streets. Use your elite detective skills to gather clues, chase criminals, interrogate suspects, and solve crimes. In this town, you can use whatever means to catch the perpetrator. Will you play by the rules and do everything by the book, or will you break the rules that need to get things done?

Gameplay

Shadows of Doubt is the detective Minecraft game you didn’t know you needed.

The game comes with two modes: a prewritten mystery to solve and an open-world sandbox. The prewritten mystery acts like the game’s tutorial. It is a decent mystery that offers the player direction, but enough freedom to explore the game at their own pace. The sandbox is where the game is like Minecraft. Players are given a randomly generated city to clean up and absolute freedom. Players must find their own cases and explore the city with a lot less guidance.

To solve a case, players will need to collect clues using various tools, interrogate NPCs, and piece the clues together on their murder board. Sometimes players will need to sneak around, turning Shadows of Doubt into an intense stealth game. Other times, players might need to break the law and avoid getting fined. What gives Shadows of Doubt its true unique flavor is that it provides its players the freedom to solve a case in whatever way best fits their playstyle.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Shadows of Doubt works fine on the Steam Deck, but it is a few updates short of being perfect. The game is playable on the Steam Deck, but players will experience bugs, glitches, and frame drops. I thought the game worked well enough to have fun, and I am sure it will be the perfect casual experience once the developers get the performance issues sorted. The game is still in 1.0, with more updates planned for the future.

Review

Shadows of Doubt is a fantastic sandbox with a lot going for it. Fans of Minecraft will appreciate the vibe and aesthetic, but will also enjoy the questing aspect of it. While the mysteries do start to feel a bit repetitive after a while, the freedom to pull some absurd nonsense to solve a case more than makes up for it.

For one of my missions, I broke every law I could and shamelessly racked up a fine I could never pay back. When the cops came searching for me, I hid in the closet before playing the most intense stealth game of my life. This isn’t a hard stealth game, but it is a memorable one.

The detective mechanics are fine. This game does feel a bit more casual than other games in the genre, but the game does enough to keep things interesting. Performance issues can be a problem. I never had the game crash on me, nor any of the bug’s game-breaking, but it does feel unfinished. The roughness gives the game its character. With a few more updates, which the devs have been updating, Shadows of Doubt will be a fantastic casual game for any mood.

If you don’t mind the roughness, like detective games, and want a casual open-world experience, Shadows of Doubt should at least be on your wishlist. This is the game you get when you need a break from Minecraft, or want something that feels like Minecraft without the building. This is great for kids, and even better for adults who want a game that isn’t a huge commitment and gives them the freedom to mess around.

You can pick up Shadows of Doubt on Steam, Xbox and PlayStation for $24.99

Tech Reviews

The Uhuru WM-09 is the Perfect Budget Gaming Mouse

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I was sent the Uhuru WM-09 gaming mouse 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.

What’s in the box?

Inside you get:

  • The Uhuru WM-09 Gaming Mouse
  • Instruction Booklet
  • Grip tape for sides and button
  • USB-C to USB-A Charging Cable
  • USB-C Wireless Dongle

Features

The Uhuru WM-09 is a lightweight mouse that supports up to 70 hours of wireless gaming, but a wired connection won’t slow you down. With 26000 DPI, a 2.4G wireless connection, and a 100-500 hz scroll, the WM-09 is ready to take you on your most epic of quests. Its sleek and simple design is for gamers who prefer a cleaner aesthetic, but 11 preprogrammed RGB modes make it ready for any mood. I particularly like that the RGB and logo are simple, clean, and unimposing. Plus you can toggle off the RGB with a switch is a major plus. Best of all, the buttons are programable with third-party software so you can always have a loadout that works best for your playstyle.

Review

At first, the Uhuru WM-09 is going to feel and sound like a cheap plastic mouse, but that feeling will go away after some use. I was instantly blown away by how reactive this mouse is without any tinkering. The weight and DPI make reflexive games feel better. It took some getting used to because I preferred a heavier mouse before the WM-09, but my aim felt like it got better once I did.

The WM-09 has a beautiful glide that works on any surface. I still recommend using a mouse pad, especially in the dark, but you don’t really need one. The mouse felt just as responsive on my desk as it did on a mousepad.

My favorite feature has to be the included grip tape. I have excessively sweaty hands, especially during intense gaming sessions, but the grip tape made it feel less gross and I was able to maintain my traction.

This wouldn’t be a gaming mouse without RGB, and the preset profiles are just beautiful. The mouse gives off enough light to look good on the desk without turning the room into a rave. I like that it acts as a subtle accent, but I also like that I can turn it off when I don’t need it.

The most impressive feature has to be the mouse’s battery life. I’ve had the mouse for a couple of weeks now and have only needed to charge it twice after regular heavy use with the RGB turned on. Uhuru boasts a 70-hour battery life, and I am inclined to believe it.

The only complaint I have with the mouse is with the ergonomics. If you’re looking for a budget mouse that will save your hands from pain, this isn’t in. While my RSD doesn’t flair up as quickly or as badly as with other cheap mice, it does flair up after an hour or so of use. If you don’t spend the unnatural amount of hours in front of a computer that I do, this isn’t going to be a problem. This will vary between users.

If you’re looking for a solid budget gaming mouse that will take your gaming to the next level, try the Uhuru WM-09. It is a lightweight responsive mouse with a sleek design and amazing battery life.

You can pick up the Uhuru WM-09 Gaming Mouse on Amazon for $27.99 (Currently on sale for $19.59) using my affiliate link.

video game reviews

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

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I was sent a free copy of Vampire the Masquerade: Reckoning of New York to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

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 for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Vampire the Masquerade: Reckoning of New York?

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

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

Gameplay


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

Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

video game reviews

Starcom: Unknown Space is a Decent Space ARPG

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I was sent a free copy of Starcom: Uknown Space 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 for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Starcom: Unknown Space?

Starcom: Unknown Space is a top-downspace exploration action RPG on Steam.

You are a proud Starcom count tasked with the important task of spreading the organization’s reach across the universe. Take your little scout ship across the darkest reaches of space as you explore new planets, fight off enemies, and build the mighty starship of legends. What secrets will you uncover? Do you have what it takes to survive the cold unforgiving vacuum of space, or will you merely disappear into the darkness?

Gameplay

Starcom is like any other RPG. Players pick from the main base or different NPCs and fly through space to complete them. There is a lot of flying through the darkness, but there is combat and exploration to break up some of the monotony.

Flying in this game takes a bit of getting used to. The ship feels like it is flying over ice as it moves through frictionless space, but you won’t need extensive knowledge of physics or a fancy flight stick to beat this game. While there is some realism, this isn’t a 1-for-1 space simulator. Combat works like your typical top-down ARPG like Diablo. Players move around the map with the movement keys and use the mouse to point and shoot. Players do need to maneuver skillfully around enemy fire, but it remains a pretty casual experience overall.

Exploration can feel a tad bit repetitive. Players will move from galaxy to galaxy, scanning new planets and sending out scientific expeditions. Scanning planets and conducting expeditions reward players with research points and sometimes even new tech for ship upgrades. Exploration is tied to simple point-and-click mechanics with the occasional piece of lore to make things interesting.

Questing is the main driving force of this game. Make sure you talk to everyone everywhere or you will get stuck.

Finally, there is a neat ship customization mechanic that sets this game apart. As players spread their influence across the universe, money will start flowing and their reputation will start opening access to more upgrades. Starcom gives players the freedom to design their ship however they want. This includes color, look, and shape. There is probably a practical way to build a Starship, but players have the right to go nuts. This is my favorite mechanic and the part of the game that I spent most of my time on.

Review

I enjoyed Starcom: Unknown Space, but it isn’t going to be for everyone. The gameplay loop is repetitive, and there will be a lot of flying through the darkness (sometimes even in the wrong direction). Combat feels engaging at first, but all battles eventually start feeling the same. Starcom has its grind, but it can be an oddly relaxing one if you don’t mind the repetition.

The game has an auto-pilot mode that lets players sit back as the ship flies itself to a destination. There will be the occasional dogfight, expedition, or scanning to keep things engaging. I thought it was enough for me, but I also understand that not everyone finds repetition as soothing as I do.

Combat in this game can be exciting, especially when you have to account for the lack of friction. You aren’t getting the adrenaline-pumping dog fights from Star Wars, but there is enough strategy involved to require some effort. While the fights eventually start to feel the same, players are still required to win them.

If you’re looking for a realistic space simulator, look elsewhere. This isn’t for you. If you’re looking for something relaxing to pop on that is fun and engaging and don’t mind the repetition, Starcom: Uknown Space is a fantastic option. Starcom has a solid story to hook players, a relaxing gameplay loop, and a creative ship-building system.  

You can pick up Starcom: Unknown Space on Steam for $24.99.

video game reviews

Call of Sentinels Failed to Leave Much of an Impression

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I was sent a free copy of Call of Sentinels to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion of the game. 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 for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Call of Sentinels?

You are a champion of the gods, chosen to bring down the foes who threaten peace in the land. With your skill and the blessing of the sentinels, you will repel the endless waves of monsters and their bosses, or die trying. But this won’t be an easy task. You’ll have to be quick, cunning, and strong. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

Players start each run with a basic and strong attack as they face off against endless waves of enemies. Waves start easy but increase in difficulty over time.

Throughout the run, the sentinels will drop random quests for the player to complete. Completing a quest allows players to choose a blessing. Blessings are passive thematic power-ups for a player’s character. What sentinel decides to bless the player, the type of quest offered by the sentinel, and the blessings available to the player are all randomly generated. Bad RNG will ruin a run, and it is frustrating.

Between runs, players can use coins they earn to buy items to boost their character’s stats. This seems to give players the option to build a character to fit their playstyle, but it also feels like there is a correct build path to follow. The main loop for Call of Sentinel seems to be grinding out waves of enemies, hoping the run is blessed with good RNG, buying power-ups, and repeating until you beat the story or beat the high score.

The game offers two game modes in this game: story and an endless mode. The story isn’t interesting enough to hook a player, and the grind is too steep to make endless worth it.

Review

Call of Sentinels did little to leave a meaningful impression. It isn’t a bad game, but it leaves a lot to be desired. One issue I have with the game is that combat and movement feel clunky. It almost feels unfinished, which normally wouldn’t be a problem if the game was more interesting.

I like the idea of the gods giving a player random buffs, and often a choice on what god they want to curry favor with, but the RNG doesn’t seem fair. There are blessings in this game that are worthless, and it sucks to find out after the fact. The missions often put players in situations where they have to take damage, and getting a worthless blessing ruins the game. Maybe these blessings get better after a few upgrades, but upgrades are never guaranteed.

To make matters worse, some of the quests are bugged and are difficult to finish properly. When a quest isn’t completed properly, players get fewer blessings to choose from. If a player gets a worthless boon, it is essentially game over.

My biggest issue with the game’s unnecessary grind. Buying the items you need to progress the story or do well in Endless is going to take more time than it is worth. In between runs, players can buy items with coins they earn during a run. These items grant permanent passive stat boosts and can be upgraded. To upgrade an item, players have to buy materials and pay for the upgrade.

From a flavor perspective, this is an interesting system. It is cool to think about forging a powerful ring of attack with a rare magic stone. The problem is the execution. Why make me convert gold into materials when I can just buy the upgrade with money? It turns the game into a needless grind, and the gameplay is too boring for the grind to be worth it.

Call of Sentinels isn’t a bad game. The art is fine, and the concept is interesting, but the execution is lacking. There isn’t a real reason to play this game, especially when you have better options.

You can pick up Call of Sentinels on Steam for $7.99.

video game reviews

Whispers of the Eyeless: An Interesting Take on Cult Management

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I was sent the Whispers of the Eyeless demo to cover for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion on the game. I understand the game is still in development, and will try to 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 for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Whispers of the Eyeless?

Whispers of the Eyeless is a unique CRPG with stylized dungeon crawling and an interesting resource management mechanic. The game will go on Steam Early Access either Q4 2024 or sometime Q1 2025. A demo is planned for February. Make sure you add it to your wishlist.

You are a prophet of the New Age of Whispers. People have forgotten the old gods, some believe them dead, but they are alive and in need of a new flock. Infiltrate the city and spread the gospel of whisper as you recruit new members to your sect, upgrade your temple, and delve into the dungeon. Will your influence be strong enough to take hold of new believers? Will you bring forth a new age?

Gameplay

Whispers of the Eyless has three gameplay loops: dungeon crawling, exploration, and resource management.

Dungeon crawling is how players earn money and influence. Players equip themselves with blessings they receive from the old gods and explore a dungeon. This part of the game feels like a choose-your-own-adventure point-and-click game with a bit of turn-based combat sprinkled in between. Players can go as deep into the dungeon as they want, but the difficulty increases with each level. The deeper a player goes, the better the rewards. Dying on the run will cause a player to lose favor, so make sure you delve carefully.

Combat is a simple turn-based system. Players choose their attacks and blessings (buffs) and try to defeat their enemies. There is an auto-battle function early on that I recommend using for early grinding. I would also speed up the animation after the first fight. While I love the style and art of this game, the grind feels too slow at normal speed. There is a strategy involved when fighting harder monsters, but it is nice to have the option to passively grind levels before then.

Exploration is a point-and-click event that happens in between delves. During these events, players can enter combat, find treasure, or have the opportunity to recruit members that grant the players valuable passive skills. Players are offered choices during these events that affect the outcome of the story, so make sure you choose carefully.

I particularly enjoyed the resource management aspect of the game. In between runs, players will have time to perform valuable upkeep for their cult. They can build new structures, upgrade existing ones, send cultists to perform jobs, and attempt to recruit new members. The choices made in the resource management stage affect how efficiently a player can maintain and grow their influence over the city. Players start with a dirty old cave with only access to the dregs of society, but they will slowly spread into the more affluent parts of the city until they gain complete control of the city.

Impressions

There are parts of this demo that feel slow and unfinished, but the overall experience has me excited for the full game. The art is fantastic, the story has me hooked, and the mechanics are solid. The art style make exploration fun, and I am obsessed with managing my cult. The amount of decisions I had to make felt a bit overwhelming at times but in the best possible way. It was cool to see my actions and decisions affecting the growth of my influence, but running a cult isn’t easy.

The combat is the only part of the game I am unsure about. The dungeon crawling is fine, but combat feels slow, even with the animation sped up. There is strategy involved, but most of the time I felt like passive farming. Thank god for the auto-battle feature. The demo only features an early stage of the game, and I am holding out hope that combat will get more fun as the game gets more difficult.

From what I’ve seen from the demo, I am ready to see more. I’ll be working on getting the full version for review, so make sure you stay tuned for that. Until then, make sure Whispers of the Eyeless is on your wishlist. Don’t forget to try the demo in February during Steam Next Fest!

video game reviews

CyberCorp is a Fantastic Futuristic Looter Shooter!

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I was sent a free copy of CyberCorp 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 to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the Epomaker P75 Mechanical Keyhboard for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Cybercorp?

CyberCorp is a top-down cyberpunk isometric looter shooter out now on Steam and coming soon to the Nintendo Switch.

As a proud member of the CyberCorp, it is your duty to clean up these crime-ridden streets. With the help of your standard issue Synth, a specialized combat robot you control from a hub, and the upgrades you pick up along the way, you will restore order to this city. Do you have what it takes to be the best CyberCorp operative this city has seen?

Gameplay

CyberCorp is essentially a cyberpunk Diablo. Players take control of advanced and upgradable synths. Players choose missions from a central hub. These missions are small dungeons that progress the story, but they are also farmable. Like most games in the genre, players can use the randomized loot they collect to upgrade their synths. CyberCorp uses a gear system similar to Destiny for its leveling.

Players have access to two ranged weapons, a melee weapon, and three swappable activatable skills. Players use their Synth to fight through mobs of enemies and tough creative bosses while trying to execute flawless combos and achieve high scores.

This game can be played solo or multiplayer, so if you friends, things are about to get crazy.

Review

I have been fighting the Diablo itch for so long because I don’t have time to grind those season rewards. This game came as the truest blessing imaginable. I wasn’t ready for how good of a looter shooter CyberCorp is, but I have come to terms, and it wasn’t easy to put down.

The game has great flavor, with a solid story to keep players motivated. I love the idea of CyberCorp, but the art feels a little simple. Some of the maps and enemies are hard to see, but the game is in early access, and improvements can be on the way. This isn’t really an issue because the game looks good enough and the gameplay is solid.

The game plays great, aside from a few noticeable instances of roughness. The game is still in early access after all. That said, the performance and concept are good enough that I am willing to look past the roughness and enjoy myself.

CyberCorp is a fantastic addition to any collection. It has a solid story, a great soundtrack, and an incredibly fun gameplay loop. If you’re looking for a new game, or something to play with your friends, this should be on top of your list. There is a bit of a grind, but it isn’t going to matter.

You can pick up your copy of CyberCorp on Steam for $14.99 or wait till January 30, 2025 for it to go live on the Nintendo eShop.

video game reviews

You Need to Be Playing Shogun Showdown

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

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What is Shogun Showdown?

Shogun Showdown is an amazing roguelike deckbuilder out now on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC via Steam and Itch.io.

A warrior’s journey is full of parallel, but legend has it you have what it takes. Grab your weapons, hone your skills, and kill anyone that gets in your way. Do you have what it takes to defeat the Shogun?

Gameplay

A warrior’s journey is full of parallel, but legend has it you have what it takes. Grab your weapons, hone your skills, and kill anyone that gets in your way. Do you have what it takes to defeat the Shogun?

Players start their journey with basic weapons and abilities. As they kill enemies and earn experience, they can purchase more powerful cards. I am sure there is an efficient build for speedrunning, but the game gives players the freedom to build their character to fit their playstyle.

Like most roguelikes, players will earn temporary skills and buffs at certain nodes of their journey. These rewards are random, but they felt fair for the most part. I never felt like I had a weak or useless ability. The levels are the same each, so there is a bit of repetition. The RNG helps break up some of the monthly, and players will eventually unlock new areas to explore. New content just dropped, and there is more planned for future releases.

The combat is the best part of this game. Players can perform one action per turn, and actions alternate between the player and enemies. During a turn, players can move one space, turn their character in the opposite direction, or perform an activity or set of abilities. Players can see the enemy’s actions between turns to plan accordingly. The key to this game is efficiently moving, dodging attacks, and setting up killing blows. A run ends when a player’s health drops to zero, and the goal is to get to the end of the run and beat the one true boss.

Review

I loved every minute of this game. Shogun Showdown is the most creative deckbuilder I’ve ever played. It has great flavor, beautiful art, a fantastic soundtrack, and fun gameplay. If you’re looking for a deckbuilding roguelike that breaks away from the norm, this is the game you need to get.

I love that it always feels like I am doing something. I am a huge fan of deck builders, but they all are starting to feel the same. The flavor may change, but it always feels like I am playing Slay the Spire. It is nice to play a game that changes up the strategy in a unique and fun way that looks good and plays flawlessly.

I recommend this game on any system because this is a game you need to try once. It is the perfect game for those who want something new without having it be a huge commitment, just be prepared to sink a respectable amount of time into it.

You can pick up Shogun Showdown on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC via Steam and Itch.io for $14.99.