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video game reviews

Is Dragon Star Varnir Good? Gameplay Insights Inside

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Dragon Star Varnir

Dragon Star Varnir is a unique JRPG where you get to eat dragons. The game is playable on Steam, GoG, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch. I played this game on Steam and am happy to report that this game is Steam Deck compatible.

Hook

Zephy was once a proud who hunted dragons and witches in the name of the king. He loved his country and fulfilled his role with honorl, until the day the hunt proved too difficulty. A dragon brings Zephy to the brink of death. Fortunately, a group of witches find him and save him by feeding him dragon blood. Drinking the blood transforms Zephy into a witch, the very thing he was tasked on hunting. Unfortunately, this new found power leaves him exiled, and the knights he once served with, hunt him mercilessly. Take control of a group of witches, harness their powers, devour more dragons, and fight off the forces that hunt them. Will they be strong enough to find a peaceful life, or will they be another group of dead witches?

Gameplay

Dragon Star Varnir is your typical turn-based rpg, but one that goes a little heavy on the story. There is a lot of reading, with a dungeon delve grind to break things up.

Exploration

In between story beats, players will explore a dungeon filled with roaming enemies. There are no random encounters, but players can aggro the NPCs. Like other games in the genre, players can attack roaming enemies for an advantage. Striking an enemy first gives players advantage on initiative, while striking from behind means the enemy starts the battle damaged. Each character in your party has unique abilities that interact with the environment to help exploration. For example, Zephy can break magical barriers and unlock new areas of the map. The game incentivizes exploration through its hidden treasures and gathering system.

Combat

Dragon Star Varnir has your typical turn-based structure. Players perform an action each turn. They can cast a spell, perform an attack, use an item, or devour a dragon. What makes combat unique is that the field is verticle. Players and enemies can spread ever three levels: ground, middle, and high. Players need to be in the same plane to perform an attack. This means positioning is important, especially when it comes to AOE attacks. During combat, players can also devour a dragon to gain special abilities. This allows players to have unique builds, but it also leaves players with a bit of repetitive grind.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

This game works great on the Steam Deck, and the only way I played it after a while. The game works great on my PC, but there is something nostalgic about playing a JRPG on handheld that I will always favor. I am a huge fan of being able to put the Steam Deck to sleep when I need to step away and be a dad, especially when I am playing a game that has this much reading.

Review

I am a huge fan of JRPGs, and Dragon Star Varnir is a solid title. The game has great art, a solid story, but it does feel a little dated. I thought this game was a port for a PSP game I missed, but it is a modern game. While the game does attempt some interesting mechanics, it feels more like a visual novel with a bit of a dungeon delve and you have to be okay with a lot of reading, and a bit of a preoperative grind. This game is a great add if you find it on sale, like it is as of writing this review (until July 9th 2026).

Aesthetic

There are two parts to this game: story and exploration. The story portions of this game are fantastic. The character art is amazing, and there is enough fan service to keep me invested. I definitely have my favorite girl. The problem I have with this game is when you get to the exploration. The world is ugly. Each level and a few of the monsters feel homogeneous. The dungeons feel empty and I didn’t really have much fun exploring. It feels like a much older game which is fine for the folks who like this era of JRPG, but it is going to be a deal breaker for the modern gamer trying to break into the genre. For $5 bucks, or even 10, you can’t really go wrong. Especially since a lot of the game feels like it exists in the story.

Combat

The combat in this game is fine, but it is a little too simple. The game introduces mechanics like the planar combat, but doesn’t really do much with it. Players also have access to a lot of skills that feel useless. A lot of the combat felt like I was just repeating the same actions, only to slightly change up the spells for the boss monsters. This is fine since a lot of the time I was on auto-grind while I caught up on some Anime, but also, I was only playing to see what happens to the latest of my waifus.

Grind

I come to JRPGs expecting a grind, but the kind of grind is what makes or breaks the game for me. Dragon Star Varnir doesn’t have a soul crushing grind. The game lets you skip encounters, and there is a feature that automates combat. You can even skip the animations. That means you can sit back and chill and grind, although you don’t really need to. You might want to grind some extra souls to help build up your characters or cash for items, but I went in as casually as one can play a JRPG and got through it just fine. It wasn’t a speed run by any means, but it was respectable for my lifestyle.

Story

I’ll admit that I enjoyed the story. This isn’t one of those award-winning games that will cement itself in the zeitgeist of our generation, but it is a story I enjoyed reading. The game has a solid cast of voice actors, and the writing was good enough to keep me invested. I wouldn’t go out of my way to play this game for its story, it does feel like generic anime at points, but I am always in need for some generic anime to keep me sane in these troubling times. I recommend checking it out when you want something to unwind to, and you get blessed with some hot Steam sale action.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a JRPG to fill a void and happen to be around for the amazing Steam sale (only $6 until July 9th 2026), jump on it. You get cool art, a solid story, and good enough mechanics to keep you busy. You’ve got better options, like Beloved Rapture or Alterium Shift, but the game has enough charm and charisma to earn at least one play through. Just not for $30. If you are a fan of JRPGs, especially the older PSP ones you might have a better justifying the price, but as a broke boy trying to survive, this feels like a lot of money.

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video game reviews

Explore the Quirky Charm of Hyperdimension Neptunia

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1?

Idea Factory brings the fun, quirky JRPG to PC in a solid port that might be worth trying if you miss that grindy golden age of PSP gaming. If you are looking for a fun game that doesn’t take itself too seriously and don’t mind the grind, you might want to get your hard on Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1

Hook

Welcome to the world of Gaminudstri where four CPU’s are locked in a long standing battle for dominance. The battle seemed neverending until one day, Neptune was deafeated. In a strange turn of events, Neptune’s fall brings her crashing onto one of Gamindustri’s four nations, Planeptune. She awakes without her memories to a stranger who is willing to help her get them back. Now with the help of her new friend, a magical book that talks to her, and the friends she meets along the way, she must fight back the mestirious forces that keep the CPU’s locked in conflict. Will she be able to recover enough of her memories and power in time to save the world? Of course she will. She’s the main character!

Gameplay

Hyperdimension Neptunia has your traditinal JRPG elements. You have a steep grind that feeds into your crafting system and team building. You have quests that both affect the story and feed into the grind. What sets this game apart is its meta-humor and an over-the-top tone that gives the game its charm. The main loop for this game is grinding through the dungeons to earn enough XP, loot, and credits for the upgrades needed to beat the boss. The main draw to this game is the cute anime girls and quirky story around them.

Combat

The combat is turn-based with some minor movement mechanics. Each character in your party has a set movement speed that can be manipulated with gear. Positioning does matter for both gaining an advantage and targeting. What makes Hyperdimension Neptunia unique is that players need to move the players to gain line of sight. This means walking up to the different mobs to target and setting off the actions. You can target multiple units at once. As an action, characters and cast spells, perform attacks, and perform EXE drives. Knowing when to use each type of action is key to an efficient grind.

Dungeons

Dugeons are the main way to progress through the story and grind for everything you need. Each dungeon has a special theme and are filled with unique monsters. Mobs are visible throughout the dungeon (no random encounters), which means you can plan your grind and avoid encounters. You can attack a mob to gain advantage on initiative. There are also nodes spread across the map that you’ll need for crafting.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 works great on the Steam Deck. I only ever played this game on my PSP, so having a bigger screen and console is a blessing. While the game plays great on the PC, the experience is better on handheld. As a busy dad, I love that I can put the game down and not risk losing my progress because I didn’t get to save point before my toddler asks for my attention. The only issue I have with the port is that if you use touch controls, even accidentally, the game switches to mouse and keyboard controls. To fix this, you need get a keyboard, scroll through settings, and change the default controls back to controller. I only had to do this once, and only because I fat fingered the screen on accident.

Review

I played a lot of Hyperdimension Neptunia on my PS vita. Sadly, someone stole my vita and my life has never been the same, until I lucked out and started partnering with Idea Factory. This has been one of my favorite collaborations I’ve done because these games have a special place in my heart. While the game is old, and feels a little dated by modern JRPG standards, the game is still a gem worth playing. Fans of the series already have this game on there Steam Deck, but new fans should at least give this game a chance. This is one of the most unique games in both gameplay and story that you should try at least once. Provided you don’t mind the steep grind that comes with games from this era of gaming.

Aesthetic

Neptunia draws people in with its adorable cast of waifus you can collect and dress up. Admittedly, it is what drew me to the game. You also get a fantastic cast of voice actors and music that will get you in the mood for epic battles (even when the battles start to get repetitive). Some folks might find the dungeon crawl bits to feel a little dated both in looks and function, but keep in mind that this is a port of an older game made for an older audience. I love the touch of nostolgia and the simplicity of the world and have no notes, only love. There is also a tad bit of fan service for those who need it.

Combat

I enjoy Hyperdimension Neptunia’s combat, but the grind makes the game feel repetitive. I enjoy the repetition and find comfort in it, but others won’t have time for it. This is the type of game where you can grind while catching up on some anime. I like that it gives you the option to progress the story at your own pace so you never have to choose between either activity. While some of the grind can be mindless, the game demands respect. You will need to learn the mechanics to progress efficiently, or risk wiping to negligence. Overall, Hyperdimension Neptunia is a solid example of 2010’s JRP combat that is worth checking out at least for its historical impact on the genre.

Story

As hard as it may be to believe, I play the Neptunia games for the plot. These games are a refreshing take on a genre that sometimes feels homogeneous. This is a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it pays off. The story is full of on-the-nose meta humor that both makes valid criticism about the state of the game industry, but also makes you laugh.The cast is fun and colorful, the beats are well paced and quirky, and the voice acting is amazing. If you are looking for a fun cozy title to shut off to, you don’t find better options.

Concusion

I played a lot of Hyperdimension Neptunia back in the day. While I was excited to relive some nostolgia, there was a part of me that was afraid that it wasn’t going to hold up. Maybe my memory was jaded by the waifus and in reality, the game was never good. To my relief, the game holds up. Sure the game does have its grind and there are bits that feel dated, but the game is fun and perfect for an on the go adventure. If you’ve never played a Neptunia game, this is your place to start. If you like cute anime girls doing cute quirky things and don’t mind the jrpg grind, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 needs to be in your collection.

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video game reviews

Monster Monpiece Review: A Casual Card Battler

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Monster Monpiece 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.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Monster Monpiece?

Monster Monpiece is a card battler out now on Steam but ported from the PS Vita game back from 2014. If you like collecting cute anime girls and don’t mind the chibbi action combat, this game might be for you.

Hook

In the world of Yafaniel, humans live along side a race of Monster girls. Monster girls have magical abilities, can be stored as cards, and can be used for battle. Play as May Esperio who is a student at one of the nation’s academies trying as she tries to become a master of monster girls. The problem is, a horrible attack has left her meek and a bit reserved in combat. This all changes when one of her friends becomes lost, possessed by a greater spirit, and it is up to her to save her. Team up with powerful monster girls, fight your way through countless enemies, and get her back to normal. Do you have what it takes to save one of your friends and the world, or will everything come crumbling down around you? Build your deck and find out!

Gameplay

The gameplay loop is simple. You build your deck of monster girls and face off against your opponents. This is a turn based game where you can summon one monster girl per turn onto the gridded map. The monster girls will attack and move automatically, but you can influence a summon’s powers by creating combos and upgrading units. You can perform combos by chaining the same color cards up to three times. This will increase the stats of that color for the the rest of combat. You can also stack the same creature type cards to upgrade them. An upgraded unit adds the fodder’s stats which not only make them more powerful, but can heal them in a pinch. Between combat nodes, players can change up their deck, upgrade existing cards through the rub mechanic, or buy new cards from a shop. It is sort of like a deck building roguelike, but there is a bit more plot and fan service.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Sadly, this game does not work on the Steam Deck. This deck was clearly meant to be a handheld game, but I never got it to launch natively on the Steam Deck. I am sure with a bit of tinkering I can get it to work, but most people don’t have time for that. The game works fine on PC, but I would have loved to play this on the go, in bed, or on the couch. I will take any excuse to not be at my computer all day.

Review

I love card games, and this Monster Monpiece hits a sweat spot for what I am looking for in the genre. Monster Monpiece has great art for those waifu fans out there, solid game mechanics, but it does feel a little dated. While I will admit the grind is a little steep for the modern gamer, I appreciate the change of pace the game offers when most of the card games we get now are some variation of the same kind of deck building roguelike. If you want a game that is cute, casual, and with a whole mess of waifus, Monster Monpiece might be right for you.

Aesthetic

What drew me to this game, and really any game that comes from our friends over at Idea Factory, is the art. The game is full of cute anime girls that you can collect, and enough fan service to keep them happy. This is a trigger warning for those of you out there who don’t want to be caught looking at anime girls in risque outfits and poses. The game has a fantastic score and some solid voice acting. I don’t speak Japanese, but it sounds good enough to me. I don’t know how I feel about the chibbi animations. On one hand, they are cute and it is an easy way to handle the auto-battles without making the game too resource hungry. On the other, it is chibi art. A lot more work went into the cards and art you can earn by grinding through the game, so I guess it will have to do.

The Grind

This game is from an era where games were a little more grindy. I can see it being a very steep grind, especially in later parts of the game, to unlock more better cards, but I’ve also played a lot of Runescape growing up. This grind doesn’t feel bad at all. That said, it will feel a little slow and repetitive for those of you who skipped through the golden age of JRPGs. I find the repetition soothing, and didn’t mind the grind at all. Sure I might not have played this game optimally, but I had fun.

Gameplay

The card game mechanics in this game are great. The game introduces fresh mechanics I haven’t seen much in modern titles, and combat was engaging enough to keep playing. If you play enough card games, it does feel a little on the easier side. I got to the point where I could outsmart the AI, but I never saw it as much of a problem. This is definitely one of those cozy titles I’ll pop on when I want to chill after a long day of work and not have to worry about min maxing or existing in the relevant meta. The game scratches that card game itch without being too sweaty which is always a win in my honest opinion.

Story

The story is fine. I wouldn’t pick this game up just to play the story, but you won’t mind sitting through it. It is the generic, cutesy anime that I’ve always found comfort in. When friendship is the most important thing in the world, you can kind of figure out where the story is going and even what the characters are going to say. The game is more about collecting the cute anime girls anyways.

Rubbing

Monster Monpiece has a mechanic where you can rub the monster girls to unlock new art and abilities. Using different gestures and inputs, you can rub, poke, pinch, and touch your Monster girl to get her to crush on you. Those who are here for the fan service will appreciate the uncensored art you get to unlock for each character, but I wouldn’t play this in public.

My problem is not with the fan service. My problem is that this mechanic doesn’t work very well (at least not on Steam) and the whole process is more work than it is worth. You are supposed to find each monster girls sweet spot and work it till she falls in love with you, but I could never get it to work properly and it took too much time. The game was clearly meant to be played with a touch screen, but the mechanics didn’t translate well.

The Cash Shop

This game used to be a multiplayer game. There is even dialogue in this game that suggests it. The Steam port is a single player game that still has a cash shop. I didn’t mind this feature too much because I was able to do just fine with what I was given. I am sure the cash shop cards would have made the grind a little easier, but it was fine for what it is. If you like to min-max, its a problem, but doesn’t really affect the casual deck building experience. Especially when the game is only $10.

Conclusion

I honestly like Monster Monpiece. The game was the perfect casual card builder, although the fan service might be a bit too much for some folks. Viewer discretion is advised. The game does feel a little dated, but so am I and here I am, enjoying every minute of it. If you want deck builder that isn’t your typical roguelike, grab yourself a copy. It is only $10 and worth every penny.

You can pick up Monster Monpiece on Steam.

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video game reviews

Super Neptunia RPG Review: A Casual Gamer’s Take

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Super Neptunia RPG

Super Neptunia RPG is a a sidescrolling turn-based RPG out now on Steam, GoG, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch. The game features your favorite lovable goddesses in a new, unique adventure. The game is not considered cannon to the Super Neptunia lore, but it does give fans of the series another chance to spend time with their favorite group of goddesses.

Hook

Neptune wakes up in a strange 2D world without any of her memories. She is thrown into the world with only a stick, her hunger, and a magical book that glows when she is near an ally. Travel across this strange new 2D world in search of your memories and make a few allies along the way. Take up quests for additinion income and use your formation to conquer any foe and boss that comes your way. Will you beat the game like the protagonist you were meant to be, or will this be the end for Neptunia and her friends?

Gameplay

Super Neptunia RPG is your typical sidescroller adventure. Players will move through the world, completing quests and fighting off monsters. Players control a four player team each with unique set of abilities. The game uses an interesting mix of turn-based and real time combat mechanics to craft its unique gameplay loops. Each character can perform as many actions as they can if they have enough initiative and action points. Each action costs AP to cast. AP is automatically generated over time. While the game doesn’t use a stamina or mana system for a characters abilities, they will have to wait for AP to charge. Luckily, you can hold down left trigger to speed things up.

While you are stuck with the same four characters for the entirety of the campaign, there are mechanics to help refresh the team. Players can change the formation of the party during combat to change the abilities they can use. They can also buy items that teach characters new abilities. This helps players take full advantage of typing as they travel across the different biomes of the world.

Review

I’ve played a couple of Neptunia games and like them enough to keep trying more. I very much appreciate the fun meta humor and who doesn’t like cute anime girls? Super Neptunia RPG is a bit different from the rest of the series in that it is 2D. It isn’t quite the engaging metroidvania I was expecting from the few bits of media I saw before hand, but I appreciate the chill laid-back gameplay loop it offers. While there are a few bugs and some performance issues, I don’t mind having this game on my Steam Deck. The game has cute art and great voice acting, but I found the story and gameplay a little lacking. The battle system is interesting, but I found the grind a little too much for the casual game it is trying to be. It isn’t the worst grind I’ve experienced, especially when compared to the rest of the series, but it was slow enough where I started to lose interest.

Aesthetic

I like the cute anime girls, but the world doesn’t feel too interesting outside of that. The cities were bland, and the worlds around them feel a bit generic. There wasn’t much I wanted to explore, and a lot of the exploration felt like busy work that was put in to extend a lack luster story. It isn’t an ugly game by any means, but it doesn’t do much to stand out. As of writing this, I struggle to remember a single biome, city, or even monster. I do like that I can see the weapons I attach, I always love to see my character get cooler as the adventure goes.

Story

The story in this game isn’t terrible, but it isn’t anything to run towards. I wouldn’t recommend this be your entry to the Neptunia games, but it is good enough for those who want to see more of their favorite character. The meta humor is well done and I got enough of a laugh to keep pushing through the game. I will certainly forget ever playing this game, but it isn’t a game I minded playing. What did ruin the game is the grind, more on that below.

The Grind

The grind for this game is its weakness. These games have been grindy before, but at least there was a fun story to work towards. Here, because the story is just okay, the grind becomes hard to justify. You can skip a lot of the encounters by jumping over them, which helps, but not enough. I feel like if I were a bigger fan and more invested in the series I would enjoy it more, but here we are. The problem is that the super fans have already played this game, and the casual fans should probably go play one of the main series games instead.

Combat

I have very mixed feelings on the combat system. On one hand, it uses creative mechanics in a way that makes the game feel unique for the first few minutes of a playthrough. The problem is that strategy in this game doesn’t really matter. I found that most of the time, I could just spam the same two abilities and clear most of the encounters. I didn’t even bother teaching new abilities to my characters because it really didn’t matter. The game is casual enough to mindlessly play around my toddler’s schedule, but I don’t know if I could pick it up more seriously. In short bursts, this game feels perfect for the gamer who doesn’t have much time, likes the Neptunia games, and doesn’t want a huge commitment.

Conclusion

Super Neptunia RPG is just fine. The game has solid bones, cute characters, and it offers a good enough experience to be worth it at a discount. If you’re a fan of the series, this is an easy way to get more time with your favorite character. If you are not a fan of the series, you should check out one of the main games and move from there. I think the combat is creative and worth trying once, and it makes for a good portable Steam Deck game. That said, wait for the sale.

You can pick up Super Neptunia RPG on on Steam, GoG, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch.

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video game reviews

Minishoot’ Adventures Review: A Whimsical Shooter Journey

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Minishoot’ Adventures?

Minishoot’ Adventures is a top down, twin stick shooter adventure out now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and on both Nintendo Switches. Make sure you check out the demo!

Hook

Life was quiet for the shiplings when the Unchosen rose from the darkness and spread its evil. Its forces spread like wild fire, destroying the planets peace and locking up all free shiplings. You are the last remaining free shipling. Travel across a whimsical world, discover powers that have long been locked away, free all of your friends, and fight anything that gets in your way. What secrets will your adventure uncover? Do you have what it takes to reclaim peace to this world? Will you find enough power to beat the Unchosen?

Gameplay

Minishoot’ reminds me of the old Zelda games, but with bullet hell mechanics to make it unique. Players control a lone shipling with twin stick mechanics exploring the world and fighting everything that gets in their way.

Leveling

The game has RPG like leveling that gives players the chance to customize for their playstyle. Players gain XP by killing enemies. Leveling gives players crystals they can spend on useful powerups. In typical RPG fashion, players can customize stats to fit their playstyle. Do you want to hit hard? Do you want shoot fast or be well rounded? The choice is yours. Players will also unlock new powers and abilities along their journey. This game can get as crazy as your typical bullet hell game, but with enough exploration to keep things from becoming too monotonous.

Exploration

Minishoot’ Adventures gives players enough room to have a proper adventure. While it may not be a large sandbox, the game gives players enough choice and agency to explore the world. The game has its core objectives, but there is enough hidden treasures to keep things moving. I personally enjoyed the lack of railroad and how I can approach the content with my own agenda.

Combat

Minishoot’ Adventures is your typical bullet hell twin stick shooter. One stick moves your shipling and the other stick shoots. The enemies all have their unique flavor and attack patterns to keep things fresh and engaging, but there will be a bit of repetition as you grind out your levels. There are unique boss fights, mini boss fights, and a bit of a frenzy to mix things up.

Difficulty

Minishoot’ Adventures lets players choose their gameplay experience with customizable difficultly. Whether you want to sit back for a chill adventure or struggle buss your way through a more hard core style bullet hell, the choice is yours. I am a huge fan of choices.

Review

Minishoot’ Adventures is a fantastic adventure game for those who love the old Zelda Games, but appreciate the bullet hell format. The game has a good looking world, fun mechanics, and most importantly, a lot of heart. Minishoot’ Adventures is easily a staple game that should be in everyone’s library.

Aesthetic

What drew me to Minishoot’ was the whimsical cartoon style art. Once I started exploring the world, I fell in love with the unique world around me. Each zone is full of life and color, each enemy has a cool and creative design, and don’t forget the well designed boss fights with the cool animation. The animations in this game are very cartonish, but it fits the theme and genre. Once you get the crazy bullet hell game going, you get an explosion of color and chaos you’ll find impossible to step away from.

Gameplay

Minishoot’ Adventures is easily one of my favorite games. I love how casual the game can be, while it offers enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. I died enough to know that this game takes enough effort, and a bit of a grind. While this may be a skill issue, it is not a grind I mind being on. Combat in this game is simple, but requires a bit of skill. I played the game on normal, and found the experience perfect for my busy schedule and dad duties. The boss fights are a real treat. They are creative and make the adventure feel epic. I like how each encounter leading up to the boss slowly teaches players the machanics and strategies needed to beat them. There are parts that feel repetitive, especially in the early levels, but it isn’t the worst grind. Most importantly, the game works great on the Steam Deck.

Conclusion

Honestly, I can’t recommend this game enough. The passion and love that was clearly put into this game is visible throughout the adventure. It is a journey for the casual gamer who wants to play a fun game that isn’t a huge commitment, and it has options for those who need the challenge. Minishoot’ Adventures is an excellent adventure everyone needs to go on once, and it has enough replayability for you to even try it twice.

You can pick up Minishoot’ Adventures on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and on both Nintendo Switches. If you need other fun adventure games, Onirism or my personal favorite, Ruffy and the Riverside. Or check out Yosei Wars if you want something uniquely retro.

Trailer

video game reviews

Planet of Lana II Review: A Stunning Puzzle Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Planet of Lana II?

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

Review

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

Artwork

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

Soundtrack

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

Story

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

Gameplay

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

Conclusion

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

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

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video game reviews

Manairons Review: A Whimsical Adventure Game Worth Playing

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Manairons?

Manairons is a 3D puzzle adventure game out now on on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and coming soon to the Nintendo Switch. The game is Steam Deck verified for those wondering, and it works very well!

Hook

The village of Vilamont is a peaceful one, full of industrious people but also the greedy landlord Llorenç. Llorenç used his influence to find an ancient magical artifact, the “canut”. Using the canut’s magic, Llorenç summons a legion of Manairons to work tireless for him. Almost overnight, the Manairons warp the sleepy town of Vilamont into an overindustrialized machine. One Manairon is able to break free of this spell. With the help from the mysterious witch Nai and a magical flute, our lone Manairon hero must brave Llorenç influence and break his spell. Solve puzzles, fight off possed Manairons, and enjoy a bit of rest here and there. Can our brave hero break the spell and free the Vilamont from Llorenç?

Gameplay

Players control the Manairon through differently themed levels in a wimsical 3D action adventure with fixed cameras. The world of Pyrenees is full of creative puzzles to solve, platforms to clear, and enemies to beat up. Combat in Manairon is simple. You can lock onto enemies, and hit them with your trusty flute. Players get a block and a ranged attack, but the flute is the only thing strong enough to knock out the possessed manairons. All levels build up to creative boss fights. The game also has a collection of scattered items to collect. Can you collect them all before finishing the game?

Review

I absolutely love Manairon, and recommend it to everyone. Manairon is such a cute game with solid mechanics and a great story. If you are a fan of those old school action adventure games, or are just looking for something fun and cute to play, check out Manairon!

Aesthetic

I was first drawn to Manairons because I like the art. I normally don’t play these types of platformers because of how bad I am at them, but the art is so good, I was willing to try. The character design is cute, but I love how the artists go out of their way to create such a cool fantasy. Each level has a unique theme that is more breathtaking than the last, and the attention to detail that goes into the world building is remarkable. It also has a fantastic soundtrack and voice acting that make the experience addicting. I would recommend Manairon for the art alone, but the story is fantastic!

Story

Manairons is a fantastic example of how good video games are at telling stories. This is one of the few times where I couldn’t put the game down because I was so invested in the events that were unfolding. It helps that there is voice acting to help me get swept away by the storytelling. If you like fantasy adventure, Manairons is a fantastic addition to your collection.

Performance

The game has its bugs, and a few of them are gamebreaking. I had a couple of crashes, and there were a few times where the character just gets stuck. Other than that, the performance is fine. Platforming feels good, combat is responsive, and I was able to finish the story without any issue.

Gameplay

When I pick up a platformer, there is always the worry that my lack of skill will keep me from enjoying the game. As far as platformers go, this is very manageable. I wouldn’t say its a kids platformer like Spongebob: The Cosmic Shake or the Smurfs, but I wouldn’t say it is Shovel Knight either. Manairon finds a good balance of challenging puzzles, platforming, and combat without getting frustrating to allow players to enjoy the world and its story. Not that you can’t enjoy a hard platformer if that’s your thing, I just prefer it to be manageable.

What makes this game special is the different worlds that make up the level. Each monster, challenge, and boss is full of flavor. Even though the mechanics are simple and a lot of the loops repeat, the game doesn’t feel repetitive. Every level and stage feels fresh, especially when there are fun and creative puzzles in between.

Conclusion

Manairons is a whimsical fantasy adventure everyone needs to go on once. There are a few bugs I am sure can be fixed, but nothing that will ruin the fun story or the cute world players get to explore. If you are looking for one game to play this year, check out Manairons on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and coming soon to the Nintendo Switch.

If you would your looking for a more challenging kind of plaformer, check out Forgotten Fragments, or check out Worldless for the most unique platformer you’ll ever get to play.

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video game reviews

Rally Arcade Classics Review: Best Arcade Racer of 2025

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. If you’re looking for a VPN for some added protection, check out NordVPN through my affiliate link. You can also always buy me coffee!

What is Rally Arcade Classics?

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

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

Review

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

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

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

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

video game reviews

Afterlove EP Review: A Journey Through Grief and Healing

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. If you’re looking for a VPN for some added protection, check out NordVPN through my affiliate link.

What is Afterlove Ep?

Afterlove EP is a stylistic slice of life visual novel out now on Steam.

Rama was a promising musician when tragedy strikes. Rama loses his girlfriend suddenly, and weight of her absence upends his life and everyone else who knew her. Play as Rama as he struggles through his grief, mends the relationships he pushed away, and tries to find the inspiration for his next great song. With the help of friends, music, and a little bit of therapy, Rama just have what it takes to move forward and achieve the his dreams. All he has to do is get through it.

Review

If you enjoy visual novels, Afterlove EP should be in your library. I could not put this thing down. The quirky art style and animation make the game feel cozy, even though the subject isn’t. The soundtrack is fantastic. There is not a bad song in the batch, and I loved playing the rhythm games as Rama worked on discovering his new sound. Most importantly, the story is fantastic.

I haven’t been captivated by a story like this in a while, and I am very glad I picked it up. The story is sad, and it depicts grief in such a realistic way that I have to leave you with this trigger warning: don’t get this if you’ve lost someone and it is going to make you sad. I cried, but I am in the stage of my grief where it felt revealing. It was kind of nice to experience grief through someone else because it felt less lonely. A lot of Rama and the people around him feel after Cinta dies mirrors what I’ve felt. It is a very nice wholesome story about grief that I recommend to everyone, but there are parts that will make you sad. But there are also parts that will make you smile. I think the art style plays a huge roll in taking away some of the darkness that can come with grief so that people can focus on the process and not just the tragedy.

Afterlove EP is a must read for anyone who likes the genre and doesn’t mind feeling a little sad while reading it. I would even argue that you should read it if you do mind because it might help you go through it.

Do yourself a favor, pick up Afterlove EP for $19.99 on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. It is Steam Deck certified, and it looks great on the Steam Deck.

video game reviews

Ruffy and the Riverside: A Whimsical Adventure Game Review

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. If you’re looking for a VPN for some added protection, check out NordVPN through my affiliate link.

What is Ruffy and the Riverside?

Ruffy and the Riverside is a quirky 3D adventure game out now for Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

An ancient evil has reawaken, hungry to reclaim this world as its own. Its power has corrupted the land, caused wide spread destruction, and damaged the world core. It is up to Ruffy and his special powers to travel across the whimsical world of Riverside, and restore the peace it once knew. Using the powers to change the world around you, solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and repair the world core. Do you have what it takes to restore this world’s peace?

Gameplay

Ruffy and the Riverside is a 3D adventure game with a unique gimmick. Ruffy has the power to change the world around him in a way that helps him move through the world by copying elements and pasting them elsewhere. For example, he can copy a piece of ice to freeze a lake so he can walk across, or turn a stone pillar into wood to create a bridge. The game gets extremely creative with this mechanics, and it is one of those things you need to experience first hand to appreciate. The game is filled with collectibles, puzzles, riddles, and enough platforming to keep its player base busy.

Review

I have been excited about Ruffy and the Riverside since I first saw the trailer. It looked like a cute platforming adventure, and I was not disappointed. I did try the demo out as soon as it went public, and I recommend you check that out if you’re somehow still on the fence. The demo provides the perfect snapshot of what to expect, and full game only gets better.

First off, this game has a fantastic art style. I love the 2D figures moving through a fun 3D world. The world is chaotic, with lots of wacky details to build its whimsy. I had so much fun exploring the world, that I kept forgetting to play through the main quest. There is so much to see, and even more to collect which is fantastic for those who value good world building in their video games. There is also a fun soundtrack to keep things light which is always appreciated.

The story itself is cute. I enjoyed the humor and quirks, and it honestly kept my attention. Despite being constantly distracted by the world, I did genuinely want to know what happened next. It definitely is a silly story that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it is all part of the whimsy.

The gameplay is the reason to get this game. If you enjoyed Spyro or Banjo Kazooie, Ruffy and The Riverside should be in your library. The game has a fantastic gimmick, with fun creative puzzles to make full use of it. The puzzles in this game are challenging. I almost broke and looked up solutions, but it was much more satisfying to solve it on my own. While the game does shower the players with achievements, nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment when you figure out one of the challenging puzzles. Best of all, it runs great on the Steam Deck.

This game is easily one of my favorites from this year. The game is fun, the concept is interesting, and the aesthetic is cute. If you’re looking for a new game, you can’t do better than Ruffy and the Riverside. Go get it now.

You can pick up Ruffy and the Riverside on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.