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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

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Table of Contents

What is Planet of Lana II?

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

Review

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

Artwork

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

Soundtrack

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

Story

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

Gameplay

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

Conclusion

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

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

Trailer

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Why Anthem#9 is the Must-Play Game of 2026

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Anthem#9 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 Anthem#9?

Anthem#9 is a stylish, colorful gem matching roguelike out now on Steam. There is a demo available that you should download, and a 10% discount until February 18, 2026.

Hook

You are an agent of the secret organization, Anthem#9. You have been tasked with maintaining the world order from the shadows. Use your special abilities to take down enemies, complete missions, and achieve the highest score possible. Can you pull off the epic combos that will save the world? Do you have what it takes to beat the challenge modes or be the worlds best gem matcher? You’ll need to play to find out.

Roguelike

Players will set off on a classic roguelike adventure with a basic set of skills. The game currently has three playable characters:Rubit, Phannie, and Beni. Each character has unique abilities, playstyles, and flavor. Players can unlock more powerful abilities throughout their adventure, or upgrade existing cards. Players can play through the story, or explore one of the endless modes. A run in Anthem#9 is over when the player’s health drops to zero.

Combat

Combat in Anthem#9 seems simple, but there are a bit of nuances that give the game its depth. Players are given two decks, each with three abilities they can cast. These abilities can be swapped between encounters or at shops. Each ability has a gem cost. Players cast the abilities by playing the gem cost. Gems are randomly generated each round, and gems that aren’t used carry over.

For example, the cost an ability is red and blue, players must pay on red and blue gem in that order to cast the ability. Gems used for casting carry over. Players can use the same gem to cast two different spells. This means I could play a card that starts with blue without having to spend another blue gem.

The key is to create combos of abilities by blending the different card costs into a powerful epic attack. If done correctly, an enemies abilities can be cancelled by getting high enough combos. The trick is to create decks that make it easy to pull of huge combos that not only do a lot of damage, but are able to cancel enemy actions.

Blessings

Players also pick up blessings along their adventure. Blessings are cards that can be cast at the start of each round that give players special abilities. Once a blessing is used, it gets discarded. You can deck out during combat, so use your blessings wisely. Players can choose from three random blessings at the end of combat to build more powerful decks.

Review

I knew I wanted to play Anthem#9 since I first saw the trailer. The game has very cool art, and I am always down to play puzzle games. I tried the alpha when it came out and have been waiting anxiously ever since. After playing the game for a few hours, I can honestly say that this game has become my obsession. I love Anthem#9, and I can see it being one of my favorite games this year.

Aesthetics

Most people will be drawn into Athem#9 for its artstyle. The art is the reason I started playing the game in the first place. The game has a cool Persona vibe that I can get behind. It has cool looking characters, fun animations, and a fantastic soundtrack. If you like the cool anime aesthetic, you won’t be disappointed. I hope they come out with new characters to give the game some longevity.

Story

The game has a story, but it is a little basic. None of it really stood out, and it didn’t really add much to the characters. There are some interesting moments of flavor, but I am not playing this game for the story. I am playing this game for the gem matching goodness I didn’t know I needed.

Steam Deck?

Anthem#9 game plays perfectly on the Steam Deck. Some of the text is a little small, but it doesn’t matter. It plays great on PC, but I love that I can play this in bed. If you are looking for a chill Steam Deck game, you will be hard pressed to find one better than Anthem#9.

Gameplay

The Gameplay is my favorite aspect of Anthem#9. This game is my new addiction, and it has successfully earned a permanent spot on my Steam Deck. I never thought a gem matching game could be so much fun, but here I am, obsessed. The animations are flashy and fun, the abilities are cool and flavorful, and the strategy side of things keeps me engaged. I love the feeling of finally finding the right assortment of blessing and abilities that let me pull of those insane combos. It feels even better when I cancel all of the enemy abilities. My only regret is that I am not playing Anthem#9 right now. In fact, I almost didn’t write this review because I wanted to keep playing.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fun, chill puzzle game with cool art and flavor, you need to play Anthem#9. I had a lot of fun with this game, and plan to continue to have fun with it moving forward. It is definately the game I am picking up on my down time, and it is the game I will be recommending to everyone moving forward. I really hope that the devs introduce new characters in the future because I want to see what cool mechanics they come up with. Until then, there is enough content available for you to have $15 of fun.

You can pick up Anthem#9 on Steam, or check out the demo if you don’t believe me.

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Is Bullet: Surge Worth Your Time? Gameplay Insights

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Bullet: Surge 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 Bullet: Surge?

If you are familiar with the board game of the same name, now you can enjoy an automated experience with a neat animation, a fantastic soundtrack, and beautiful art. This fast paced puzzle game allows players to wield the unique powers as they build combos, explore the different heroines, and climb that leaderboard. Play solo as you try to get the high score in endless, or try to beat powerful bosses in boss mode. There is also an online PvP mode where you can battle it out against other fans of the game. What mode will you master?

Gameplay

The game offers a really good tutorial for people unfamiliar with the board game. Those familiar with the board game will appreciate the automation, and enjoy the faster pace. This is a game that you need to see and play for yourself to understand, but I will do my best. Players shoot different colored bullets randomly on a grid to generate action points. They use those action points to rearrange the bullets on a grid to perform abilities. Each heroine has a unique set of abilities that come in a form of a template, shapes that fit onto the grid. These templates will have specific requirements that need to be filled in order to activate. Once a player arranges the bullets to fit the requirements of template, it sets off the ability and sometimes removes bullets from the grid. If the gird fills, the player looses life until they hit zero and the game is over. It is a very simple looking game that will take some time to master, but it is such a rush when you figure things out.

Review

This game is an addition I did not plan on having. It took me a couple of tries to grasp the mechanics (I’ve never played the board game), but I am so glad I did. Right off the bat, the artwork is amazing. I love the vibrant colors and the character design. The soundtrack is amazing, and kept me hyped even when I was losing. As far as gameplay goes, everything runs smooth on PC. It does feel a little awkward on the Steam Deck, but nothing a couple of updates can’t fix.

Overall, Bullet: Surge is a fantastic puzzle game. The amount of strategy required kept me engaged, and the timer kept the intensity. I enjoyed both of the Solo modes, but I wasn’t good enough to try multiplayer. I enjoyed Endless mode because there was nothing to attack me and I could chill, even though I had to mind a timer. I enjoyed Boss mode because of the unique combat mechanics it implements. If you are enjoy puzzle games, this game is worth it for just the solo modes, but the PvP side is a nice bonus for the more competitive gamer.

There are some rules and mechanics that aren’t as nuanced. The tutorial does a good job at teaching players the mechanics, but game will take some time to get used to. If you try this game and don’t like because you don’t get it, take a break, watch a video tutorial, and try again. Once you start grasping even the fundamentals of this game, it becomes more than worth it.

Make sure you pick up Bullet: Surge on Steam for $15.99, and check out the demo if you need a bit more convincing.

video game reviews

Emotional Journey through Puzzles in After Light Fades

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of After the Light Fades 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 After Light Fades?

After Light Fades is a sokuban-style puzzle adventure out now on Steam.

After the loss of her partner, Alice must travel through a magical land, collecting memories and learning to let them go. Alice must go back to the places she shared with her partner Aura as she works through her grief with the help of magical artifacts. What she will uncover along the way? Will she be able to let things go?

Gameplay

After Light Fades is a top down puzzle game where players must interact with the parts of the map to find a path forward. There are over 100 puzzles to solve, each guiding the player through an emotional narrative of grief. The game also have a level creator for those who are feeling creative.

Review

After Light Fades is a hardcore puzzle game that will test a players patience and challenge their problem solving skills. Puzzles are creative, and they get challenging once it teachers its players the core mechanics. A guide might be needed in a few places, but it is satisfying to beat the harder levels. I appreciate how creative the game gets with its mechanics and solutions.

One aspect I didn’t like is that the interactions can bug out. Sometimes, you will move a piece on accident because of how interactions work. It isn’t a deal breaker, but it does lead to some frustrations. Other than that, the game is solid, if you’re looking for a puzzle game. It definitely does feel a little more niche side of puzzle games, but it has a decent story with some interesting puzzles.

If you enjoy Sokuban puzzle games and want a challenge, After Light Fades is for you. If you don’t want to think too much, this game closes its chill pretty early on. I thought it was fine, but I’d recommend checking out the demo before making the decision. The niceness of it all makes it hard to recommend.

You can pick up After Light Fades on steam for $14.99.

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Unleash Your Hacking Skills in Cyber Manhunt 2!

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Cyber Manhunt 2: New World – The Hacking Simulator to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Cyber Manhunt 2?

Cyber Manhunt 2: New World is a hacking simulator puzzle game out now on Steam.

You work for the prestigious Titan Corporation as an AI assistant. Your job is to mitigate any threats to the company and its assists through the use of your incredible hacking skills and a bit of AI. Crawl across cyber space as you gather clues, crack passwords, and solve puzzles. Use a bit of social engineering to get the information you need your cases, and get to know some deep and memorable characters. Do you have what it takes to become the world’s best hacker?

Gameplay

Cyber Manhunt 2 is a point-n-click narrative game full of creative hacking themed puzzles. Players start each chapter with a case they need to work through. Players must comb through social media, hack email and other accounts, and even remotely access devices to get the information they need to crack the case. The game offers little guidance, forcing players to be resourceful with what they can access. Information can be missed, so make sure you comb through everything carefully.

Review

If you haven’t played Cyber Manhunt 2: New World, it should at least be in your library. This will be the most creative and interesting game you will play all year, and it is only $10.

The game has a fantastic aesthetic, with an epic soundtrack to get you hyped for hacking. The voice acting is mostly good, but there are a couple of awkward reads that stand out. They aren’t bad enough that they take away from the game, but it is noticeable.

The overall story is fantastic. This may be a sequel, but the narrative exists independently. I never played the first Cyber Manhunt, but I didn’t feel I needed to. You will want to play it after how good the sequel is, but you won’t be lost if you start at two.

The gameplay is fantastic. The hacking puzzles were creative, challenging, and a ton of fun. You might need a guide here and there, but figuring out the clues and slowly unlocking the narrative is a real treat. I love how much story exists within the puzzles. Texts and emails you read through, pictures you find, and posts you comb through all have bits of important world-building that give the story much-needed weight. You can skim through and only look for clues, but I enjoyed learning about the different characters and the world around them as I pieced things together.

If you’re looking for a new puzzle game, Cyber Manhunt 2 won’t disappoint. It is a cool and creative entry into the genre that you aren’t going to want to miss.

You can pick up Cyber Manhunt 2: New World – The Hacking Simulator on Steam for only $9.99.

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Escape Tales: The Awakening Game Review

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Disclaimer

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

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Escape Tales: The Awakening?

Escape Tales: Awakening is the video game adaptation of the board game of the same name. This is a escape room game where players need to solve puzzles to complete the narrative. There is a demo available that gives players the perfect snapshot of what to expect.

After his daughter falls into a mysterious coma, Sam is desperate to find the cure. A friend comes to him with a meritorious book and ominous intentions. Sam quickly begins flipping through the book and completing its rituals in hopes that it will mean his daughter’s salvation, but it might have been more than Sam bargained for. Sam must now survive a strange night filled with horrors as he tries to solve various puzzles. Can Sam save his daughter before it is too late?

Gameplay

Escape Tales: The Awakening is a point and click narrative. Players will click through a room collecting clues and trying to solve the various puzzles. There is no time limit to rush players through the game, but there is a stamina system that affects the ending. Players use stamina to explore each room for clues and can meditate to regain stamina. Meditating triggers an event like a memory, but meditating too many times will affect the outcome of the story.

Review

If you enjoy Escape Rooms and puzzles games, Escape Tales might be a good solution. The story is fine, but the puzzles are challenging enough to keep things engaging. There are a few puzzles that feel the same, but there is enough variety and creativity between them that I will let it slide. Puzzle difficulty does vary. Some puzzles are strait forward and easy, others might require a guide or a couple of hints. I do like that the game has built in tools to help players solve the puzzles. There is a note pad and players, but most importantly, players can resize, manipulate, and mark up the clues. Some might prefer pen and paper, but it is a handy feature.

I have mixed feelings about the stamina system. On one hand, I like the events that it triggers. Thematically, it is fantastic flavor to see the affects of the night slowly eating away at Sam, but it also feels punishing to have the outcome tied to this system. It might have been done to add a bit of replayability, but I don’t think I liked the game enough to give it another go. At least not for a while. It is not a deal breaker, but it is something to think about.

Regardless of this fact, Escape Tales: The Awakening is a solid puzzle game and I recommend it to people who enjoy escape rooms. The game offers a nice challenge, has a decent narrative to follow, and it is a pretty laid back experience regardless of the dark themes.

You can pick Escape Tales: The Awakening on Steam for $7.99.

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If you like Escape Rooms, You Need to Download this Demo!

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The Escape Tales: The Awakening demo is officially on Steam, and I recommend you pick it up if you enjoy puzzles, escape rooms, or the board game it is based on. Full disclosure, I was asked to cover the demo, but these will be my honest 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 SC3 Gaming Mixer for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Escape Tales: The Awakening

Escape Tales is a series of escape room board games. Bluekey Games has taken it upon themselves to turn the popular series into a video game. Players must solve puzzles to progress through a story where their choices matter.

You play as Sam who has lost his wife is on the verge of losing his daughter. His daughter has fallen into a mysterious coma without a cure in sight. A man gives him “The Book of Rituals”. Desperate for a solution, Sam embarks on the most frightening night of his life as he has to solve puzzles and face off against dark forces. Will he be able to get his little girl back, or will they both become lost to the darkness?

Gameplay

The demo has you clearing the first room of the story. It is a short demo. If you’re good at puzzles, it shouldn’t take you more than an hour. Players receive a solid hook to the story and must gather clues to solve the room. The game is a giant point-and-click puzzle game with no time limit. I appreciate that there is no time limit because it allows me to enjoy the game at my own pace. The game boasts having multiple answers, endings, and choices that matter. That is yet to be seen, but it is an exciting feature if done correctly.

The puzzle is hard, and creative, but manageable if you’re paying attention. The game is very generous with clues and will offer solutions if you get stuck. People who do a lot of escape rooms shouldn’t have a problem with the puzzle, but it’s nice to have for some of the less obvious solutions.

The game features tools to help them on their journey. Players can use the on-screen notepad to jot down notes or use their mouse to write over the puzzle. I know some people will prefer the feel of pencil and paper, but this is a great feature for those who like to have everything in one place.

Impressions

I know I’ve only played the demo, but I am already addicted. The flavor is great, the puzzles are challenging, and the story is interesting. My only complaint is that one of the puzzles was hard to make out. It might have been a personal issue, but I felt like the image was a bit too blurry, other than that, the game feels like it is going to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to try out the whole game. Stay tuned for that.

If you like puzzle games, love escape rooms, or enjoy the board game series, you need to try this demo. It offers a solid taste of what to expect and will leave you wanting more. You can download the Escape Tales: The Awakening demo now on Steam.

video game reviews

The Dungeons of Hinterberg Demo was fine, but it’s not for me

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I sat down to try Dungeons of Hinterberg because I liked the art style. The game features a fun and quirky style that I find soothing. I was also impressed by the bit of gameplay that I saw. While I did appreciate a few of the game’s quirks and gimmicks, the demo didn’t leave me wanting more. In its current iteration, you simply have better options. 

What is the Dungeons of Hinterberg?

Dungeons of Hinterberg is a puzzle dungeon crawler coming to PC and Xbox.

Hunterberg is a popular vacation spot. Its beautiful landscape and perilous dungeons attract brave adventurers from around the globe and provide a meaningful escape from their boring 9-5s. Play as Luisa as she makes her pilgrimage. Can she conquer the dungeons before the end of her holiday?

Impressions

Dungeons of Hinterberg isn’t a bad game. The art style is cool, the music is fine, and the game works. The problem I have with the game is that there are simply better options. As a puzzle game, it isn’t very fun. The puzzles are fine, but they felt like busy work for the most part. Combat in this game felt fine until the novelty wore off and it got stale. It feels like a phone game that got ported onto PC, which isn’t a bad thing, but again, you have better options. My biggest issue is that the tutorial took too long. By the time the game built its momentum, I had already lost interest in the game. 

I know it isn’t fair to judge a game by its demo, but the demo should at least make me want to play more. The Demo is up on Steam, but you have better options. 

Dungeons of Hinterberg releases on July 18 on Steam and Xbox. It will come to day one of game pass, I recommend you wait for that instead.