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video game reviews

Vultures: Scavengers of Death Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Scavengers of Death 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 Vultures: Scavengers of Death?

Vultures: Scavengers of Death is a proper love letter to classic horror games, specifically resident evil. This unique take on the survival horror genre is a refreshing gaming experience full of death, zombies, and not enough bullets. Pick up your guns and start blasting as you try to give the world its second chance.

Hook

A zombie outbreak threatens humanity. Sallento Valley is overrun with the undead, and the cure is rumored to be somewhere within its borders. Two Vulture have been tasked with the impossible task to retrieve the cure and save the world. Armed with only the weapons and supplies they find within the ruins of Sallent Valley, they must fight the endless waves of zombies and find a way out. Will their training prove to be enough to save the world, or will the world crumble under the weight of the undead scourge?

Gameplay

The game plays like a turn based tabletop where players move accross the map, exploring the ruins of the old city in search of clues and fighting off the blood thirsty zombies that chase them. Players will switch between the two operatives, Leapoldo and Amber, as they complete various missions. In classic horror survival fasion, players will find themselves with limited resources. This forces players to think tactically as they move through the zombie infested world. Sometimes it is a good idea to run, other times it is correct to set everything on fire. There are two main gameplay loops: exploration and combat

Exploration

Players move through Sallento Valley in a turn based system. As long as there are no zombies around, players genrally have unlimited movement to explore the world and search for supplies and clues. Movement becomes restricted if players are spoted by zombies. Players can try to sneak past encounters, but combat in a zombie infested city is almost inevitable.

Combat

Combat in Vultures is turnbased. Players and zombies take turns to perform actions. Players start off with a set number of action and movement points that can be upgraded throughout their adventure. Action points are spent to perform an action. Players can spend an action to attack, open or close a door, or use an item. Each action has a unique costs and players will need to manage these points effectively to survive.

Move points are used to move across the map. Each square of movement costs a movement point, and running out of points means you can no longer move. Zombies follow the same rules.

Review

Vultures: Scavengers of Death is the perfect game for those who like that 90’s horror game aesthetic, but also need more strategy games in their life. The game not only a good looking retro aesthetic, it is solid horror survival. If you are looking for a creepy horror game and don’t mind the amount of strategy, go pick up this game.

Aesthetic

What first drew me to Vultures: Scavengers of Death was the aesthetic. I am sucker for the retro vibe, and this game goes above and beyond to utilize it properly. This is not your typical nostalgia bait designed to drain the wallets of the aging player base that grew up with this aesthetic, instead it is a proper love letter to a genre that has defined a generation. The game has a world rich with detail and a terrifying atmosphere that almost made me quit the game. I have never been brave enough to play the Resident Evil games, so I appreciate that I was forced to play something as close as I will ever get to the franchise. The sounds, the monsters, the maps all work together to invoke the perfect amount of fear that make it perfect for any horror fan.

Story

Vultures has a solid story. The game combines two of my least favorite genres: horror and strategy, and yet, here I was on the struggle bus trying to complete the story. It has solid pacing, good mystery, and enough horror to make fans of the genre happy. I wouldn’t call this the scariest game I’ve ever played, but it does enough to get you in the mood.

Gameplay

The gameplay is where I am a little mixed. One hand, I am horrible at strategy games and even worse at horror survival. It took some trial and error before I got enough of a groove to bruit force my way through the game. This is a skill issue and those who are long time fans of either of the genres will have an easier time. For me, the game was a little impossible, and I would have given up on it if it weren’t for this review and the story. The game does require enough strategy to make it engaging, and the survival mechanics lend create a good amount of the game’s tension. It felt like I never had enough health items, but then again, I probably wasn’t playing the game right.

Performance

The game works pretty well, but I did hit a few game breaking bugs. I loaded outside of the map enough times to be worth a mention. I wouldn’t say the game is broken, but there is some noticible roughness that might force a restart or two. The game is being updated, and there seems to be enough love and passion behind this game that I am confident that this game will only get better.

Conclusion

I am not a hugest fan of the genre, but I appreciate the change of pace Vultures offered. Honestly, if you want a good survival horror game with solid strategy mechanics, this game should already be in your library. For less than $20 you get a fun and memorable game that is worth every penny.

That said, I wouldn’t get this game if you don’t like strategy games. As good as the story is, it isn’t enough to make you love the genre. As the worst strategy player in the world, I found a lot of the encounters frustrating and as a result, the mission tedious. This is a skill issue and eventually I was able to figure things out, but I wouldn’t have tried as hard if I didn’t have to. If you’re also bad at these games, I recommend you at least watch a playthrough because the game deserves your attention. For everyone else, Vultures is the horror game you’ve been looking for.

You can pick up Vultures: Scavengers of Death on Steam.

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Reptilian Rising Review: A Unique Tactical RPG Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Reptilian Rising 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 Reptilian Rising?

Reptilian Rising is a tactical, turn-based strategy game out now on Steam and the Nintendo Switch. Players take control of their favorite historical figures (and some a bit more fictional) in an epic battle for humanity’s freedom. Make sure you check out the Steam demo, and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

The dreaded Dictatorsaur has sent his mighty army through time to threaten humanity. It is up to earths mightiest heroes from every reach of time to stop them. Control miniatures of earths mightiest heroes and keep our timeline reptile free. Make your way through time, recruit new heroes to fight by your side, use your tactical prowess to save humanity, and collect some cool collectibles along the way. Do you have what it takes to save earth, or will fall under the weight of Dictatorsaur’s power?

Gameplay

Players get to assemble their army as they jump around time, keeping the reptilian forces at bay. The game is a turn based tactical RPG where players and enemy AI take turns capturing objectives, finding cool collectibles, and killing anything that gets in their way. Each level has unique objectives like capturing key nodes or killing all of the enemies to progress through the campaign. Each level is themed after a specific point in time, but all with a unique retro vaporwave aesthetic that makes the game a uniquely quirky experience.

The level ends when the player clears all of the objectives, or the player looses all characters. Characters can respawn if the player has enough time points. Players earn time points by killing enemies, collecting items, or capturing objectives. Time points are used for actions like summoning new characters or performing certain actions.

Combat

Combat in Reptilian Rising is turn based. Players spend each run using up a character’s action. During each round, each character can move and perform an action. In classic tabletop rpg fashion, each character has a limited movement range and action economy. Characters can use their action to attack, defend, or capture an objective. Take can also take their turn to collect gold or other collectables scattered across the map. After leveling up, characters have access to additional abilities that can be used if the player has enough time points. If the player takes too long to complete a level, a powerful enemy spawns to up the stakes.

Leveling

In between levels, players can spend ingame currency to level up their abilities. Reptilian Rising features a robust skill tree to give players a variety of playstyles. While I am sure there is a right way to build your army, I had good enough success building what I thought was fun.

Review

Reptilian Rising is a neat little strategy game that has classic tabletop vibes and a very cool theme and aesthetic. While there are bits that feel unfinished and clunky, the game has an undeniable charm that is worth checking out at least once, especially if you like killing time traveling dinosaurs. While I am very bad at strategy games, especially this game, I enjoyed every minute I had with this game.

Aesthetic

Reptilian Rising has a very cool vaporwave aesthetic. It has those bright neon colors that make it look both retro and futuristic that the same time, with some cool character designs to fill the world. Couple this with the fantastic sound track, and I got a sense of nostalgia for an era I didn’t live through. The tabletop feel and aesthetic was an excellent choice, and it gives Reptilian Rising its unique and memorable experience.

Gameplay

I am a little mixed on how I feel about the gameplay. On one hand, it is a solid strategy game with difficulty adjustments to support both casual and hardcore gamers. The mechanics are sound and offer players a ample opportunities to flex their strategy muscles. I am not good at these kinds of games, and had to play at the lowest most casual difficulty. This was still fun for me (I barely made it through each level), and I appreciate that I had the option from the beginning. My issue with the game is that there isn’t an option to reset a level if you are losing (at least not an intuitive one). You kind of have to just wait to fail the mission, which is a little unnecessary. Sure I could speed up the game through the settings, but its not the same.

Another issue I have with the game is that it is a little clunky. The game runs pretty smoothly and I didn’t experience any bugs or crashes, but choosing an action didn’t always work. To choose an action, you have to click on the character, click on the action, click on the object or enemy to target, click the action again. This feels clunky, and sometimes the actions wouldn’t work unless I moved the camera and tried again. I wish it would let me click the action and let me click the target to perform the action.

Loot

One mechanic I found interesting is how the game handles loot. The game will automatically give players XP for killing characters, but not loot. Enemies will sometimes drop additional loot that players have to pick up by landing on the square it drops to. There are also collectables scattered throughout the map the players can collect. This forces the players to either use their movement to collect the loot, often forcing them to move in-optimally, or they can ignore the loot and focus on the objectives. Loot disappears after a number of turns, giving players urgency in their action economy. Do you go out of your way to collect that cool new trading card you’re missing, or do you take over an important node to stop a powerful enemy from showing up?

Conclusion

Reptilian Rising is a fun quirky take on the genre. I am a huge fan of the flavor, aesthetic, and mechanics. While there is some minor jank, I think it gives the game its charm. If you are looking for a fun new strategy game to add to your collection, check out Reptilian Rising on Steam and the Nintendo Switch. At the very least, go check out the demo!

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video game reviews

One Rotten Oath: A Unique Narrative Game Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of One Rotten Oath 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.

Table of Contents

What is One Rotten Oath?

One Rotten Oath is a unique narrative game that combines FMV visuals with retro shooter gameplay. Check out the Steam demo today.

Hook

Civilization crumbles under the influence of a mysterious chemical leak. People turn into rabid blood thirsty monsters, and survivors do their best to fight them off. You are one of the few survivors who keep watch at one of humanities last outposts. Using you limited resources, you must keep the monsters at bay. Can you survive long enough for help to arrive? Is help ever going to come? You will need to play to find out.

Gameplay

One Rotten Oath is an omage to the the old school FPS in the best possible way. There are two main game loops: limited exploration and base defense. In limited exploration, players move through a small map as they fight off waves of enemies. In base defense, players fight off waves of zombies before they can destroy the barrier. As the player progresses through the story, the game introduces new, harder enemies to fight off. The choices made during a round affects the ending. While the game is short, there are multiple endings a player can try to unlock.

Review

I’ve been reviewing long enough where there are games I play that I’ll forget. Every so often however, there comes a game that tries something weird, and those are the games that tend to stick with me. One Rotten Oath is one of those weird unique gems that comes across my table that helps me appreciate game creation as an art for story telling. This is one of those games I will have to recommend because of how good of an experience it is. This is a game that was made all the way out of the box and tells a captivation story that you need to try at least once. The game does deal with themes of substance abuse and suicide, so this is your content warning.

Aesthetic

Where do I even start? The blend of FMV and old school graphics is a fantastic choice. I love the retro feel of the world. Even though the maps are small, there is enough flavor sprinkled throughout to make it feel larger than it is. I am a huge fan of FMVs, and I appreciate the dev’s unique use of it for story telling and gameplay. The monsters being videos of actors with a filter over is a little silly, but it works. The sounds and music create the perfect horror atmosphere. I really adore the contrast between the FPS bits and the FMV cutscenes. It all comes together to tell an excellent story, and I am 100 percent here for it.

Story

It’s hard to write about the story because I don’t want to spoil anything. The reason the game works so well is because of how well it tells its story. The game is a framed narrative that explores the struggles of game creation and contrasts it against the struggles of surviving the apocalypses. The meta story is well done, and I love how creatively the dev blends the two stories. There are multiple endings, and I’m pretty sure I got the bad one. I am not mad, I will just have to try again.

Gameplay

The game looks simple, and the first level will have you think that it is. As you progress through the story, the game scales nicely. It adds mechanics, new enemies, and choices that affect the ending. This isn’t a game you can sit back and mindlessly click your way through the ending like one of those romance FMVs. The monsters will kill you, and there is a secret ending you need to try for. I appreciate that I am able to relive some of that old school FPS gameplay with a modern story and a modern flare. No notes. 10/10.

Conclusion

One Rotten Oath is one of my favorite games for its unique take on story telling and video game design. This is one of those game you need to try once just to appreciate it as the art form that it truly is. If you have a couple hours to experience a real and relatable story, and don’t mind the horror elements, One Rotten Oath should be in your library.

You can pick up One Rotten Oath on Steam. If you want to try another weird retro FPS, check out El Paso: Nightmare.

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video game reviews

Dark Quest: Remastered Review – A Nostalgic Dungeon Crawler

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Dark Quest remastered edition 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 Dark Quest?

The classic dungeon crawler, Dark Quest, just got a well deserved remaster. This classic has been adapted for a modern audience with updated graphics, art, systems, and a new shiny engine to make it run smoothly. Owners of the original Dark Quest on Steam and enjoy the remaster edition as a free upgrade.

Hook

An evil sorcerer builds a dungeon deep beneath the village of Darkwood. Its evil leaks onto the surface, spreading death and despair to the neighboring villages. A small band of heroes dares to brave the darkest depths of these dungeons and bring an end to the end of terror. Do these three brave heroes have what it takes to take down the evil sorcerer and his dark army, or will his darkness consume the planet?

Gameplay

This is a very classic feeling dungeon crawler. Players control a party of three unique heroes: Wizard, Dwarf, and Barbarian. Players explore each floor of the dungeon in a turn-based system similar to a board game. During a turn, a character can move, attack, loot, or use an item. Players explore the floor until they complete the objective, or all characters die. Dying takes a player back into town where they can prep for the next delve.

Exploration

Dark Quest is a grid based dungeon crawler. A character’s speed determines how far across the grid a character can move per turn. A character’s speed can be increased with items they buy from town. Dungeons in Dark Quest are hidden behind a fog of war. The fog of war limits a character’s movement. War Fog is lifted as players explore the dungeon.

Dice of Fate

Occasionally, the evil sorcerer will roll the dice of fate against a character. This roll can either deal damage to a character or heal them. This RNG is a gamble that will either save or ruin a run.

Combat

Combat in this game is simple. If a character is in range with an enemy, they can attack. Attacks can miss, and there are death saves. Players can buy items in town that can help skew the numbers in their favor.

Town

Between delves, players can use the gold the earn from the dungeon to buy useful items like potions, weapons, and gear. Money earned during a run is carried out, even if the party wipes. Being strategic with the purchases is key for success.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

The game works great on the Steam Deck, but I would expect it to. The low-poli simple style of the game is ideal for handheld, although there are a few quirks that make the game annoying. I often would lose the mouse over when trying to move a character, and it was annoying to get it back so I could move my character. Otherwise, the game is a solid, chill experience on the Steam Deck.

Review

If you are fan of classic dungeon crawlers, or want the experience of playing a dungeon crawler on Roll20 without a dungeon master, Dark Quest has its appeal. The problem I have with this game is that even as a remaster, the game feels dated. Why would you play this over Dark Quest 4?

Aesthetic

I like the simple UI and concept of the game. The sprites look very cool and I appreciate the fantasy vibe the game successfully captures. You are either going to love the old school feel of this game, or hate it. I would look at the trailer and go from there.

Gameplay

The game is fine if you are looking for a laid back dungeon crawler that is simple and doesn’t demand much resources. It is a very chill game that is easy to master, but one that has a bit of a slow grind. At least it feels slow compared to later installments of the game. I think this was made for those enjoy the nostalgia of this type of dungeon crawler. It feels like playing a board game, but there are a few quirks that make it a little annoying to play. I enjoyed my time with it, and definitely got $5 of fun of it, but it is hard to recommend it over one of the later installments.

Conclusion

Dark Quest is a decent remaster. The game has cool art and solid gameplay. If you are a fan of the old school style dungeon crawlers, you’ll get your fun, but I still recommend you start with Dark Quest 4. Dark Quest 4 improves on so many of the issues I have with this game, and is definitely worth getting into if you haven’t.

You can pick up Dark Quest: Remastered on Switch, Xbox, PlayStation and Steam.

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video game reviews

Kingdom of Night Review: A Retro RPG Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Kingdom of Night on Steam 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 HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

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 with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Kingdom of Night?

Kingdom of Night is a hack and slash action RPG out now on Steam. If you’ve ever wanted to have a dungeons and dragons style adventure in the 80’s, this is the game for you.

Hook

A satanic cult has taken over the small town of Miami Arizona and summoned Baphomet and his demon army. The town is thrown into chaos and John seems to be the only one who can bring back this sleepy town’s peace. Take control of John as he navigates the streets of his sleepy home town, fending of waves of Bephomet’s demon army. Can he master his powers and defeat Bephomet before it is too late, or will this be everyone’s last night on Earth?

Gameplay

Players will take control of John, and one of of his friends if playing co-op. You get to choose from one of the five classes: Barbarian, Knight, Rogue, Necromancer, and Sorcerer. The game works like your classic hack and slash. Players explore the different bits of the town, hacking away at the endless waves of enemies as they work towards the final fight. The melee classes are pretty straight forward and more beginner friendly, but the game does introduce a unique magic system that you should try at least once.

Magic

Kingdom of Night has an involved magic system that helps it stand out from other games in the genre. To cast a spell, players will need to activate runes according to the spells order. Runes are tied buttons on the controller or keys on the keyboard. The game gives players access to their spellbook at anytime. Once the combination has been pressed, players can cast the spell as long as it is off cooldown.

Skill Tree and Gear

Along the way, players will find gear to upgrade their character. The gear is very thematic and there is a good amount of variety that allow a diverse amount of builds. Players can buy levels on their skill tree for even more customization. While the game may be solvable, it doesn’t feel like it. I enjoyed trying to find a build of the necromancer that fit my playstyle.

Review

Kingdom of Night is a the perfect fantasy adventure full of action and a solid story to keep players invested. The retro vibe and all the 80’s references help set the proper mood for an dark adventure through the sleepy town of Miami, Arizona. If you want a fun hack and slash that is guaranteed to be an instant classic, this game should be in your library.

Aesthetic

The game goes above and beyond to successfully capture the spirit of the 80’s in this dark fantasy adventure. The dialogue, the characters, and the world design are all full of 80’s flare. I liked seeing posters of terminator and other 80’s references.

I am a huge fan of the game’s artstyle. The pixel art gives the game its retro vibe, but is able to deliver the perfect amount of detail to make Kingdom of Night an epic adventure. The game has cool animations and memorable character designs. The soundtrack is also fantastic, and helps set the mood of the adventure.

Story

Kingdom of Night is a proper fantasy adventure. The story has a great hook, solid buildup, and good amount of mystery to keep things moving. The side quests are flavorful and add a good amount of world building. If you need something to tide you over as you wait for the last season of Stranger Things, Kingdom of Night can help scratch the itch.

Spellcasting

I played as the necromancer because I wanted a challenge. The spellcasters require a bit more skill, but gameplay is not impossible. I loved every minute of my necromancer journey. The spell casting is such a refreshing mechanic, and some of my favorite of any game. It does take some getting used to, but once it clicks, its going to be hard to play spell casters in other games. Activating the rune combos is so flavorful and kept the game from becoming a mindless hack and slash. I will go back to replay the game as other classes.

Character Builds

I appreciate the amount of flavor that goes into the game, especially when it comes to the loot. Players will pick up gear that is properly themed to fit the world like books or sneakers, but give stat boosts that give players some control over their build. There is some RNG involved, but it felt fair for the most part.

Players can also customize their character by upgrading their skill tree at level up. The skill tree does offer some additional customization for each class, but it is pretty strait forward. You won’t, and shouldn’t, need to look up a guide. I found success building what I thought was fun.

Combat

Combat is a lot of fun. The hack and slash aspect is engaging and the boss fights are fun and memorable. There is a grind to this game, but it isn’t too bad. You can and should start skipping some of the more mindless drones that roam the city or else it will take forever to beat the story. Aside from the few important quest lines, players have a good amount of freedom to explore the city at their own pace. The city feels huge for a small town, and exploration can take a long time if you are spending your time killing everything that gets in your way. Note that mobs respawn if you enter and exit buildings.

Other

I did not get to try couch co-op, but I like that the game has the option in case I ever have a friend to play with. Kingdom of Night works perfectly on the Steam Deck and it works perfectly! I actually preferred playing on the Steam Deck because it let me chill on the couch. The arcade style gameplay makes this game the perfect couch game, and I’ll take any excuse to be away from my computer.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fun adventure game with a good story and a cool world to explore, pick up Kingdom of Night. This is a very well made game that earns every dollar it is asking for. If you are fan of those old school cabinet games, or need a game to play locally with a friend or sibling, it doesn’t get much better than Kingdom of Night.

You can pick up Kingdom of Night on Steam.

video game reviews

Diggergun: A Deep Dive into Retro Puzzle Gaming

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Diggergun to review for my gun. 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 HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

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 with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Diggergun?

Diggergun is a retro puzzler out now on Steam. There is a demo you should definitely check out, and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

You have taken a mining job digging for Lithiurn on Bal Island. The deal is so good, you pack your things and set off to your new adventure. Unfortunately, there are some details you missed in the fine print. There are costs to living on Bal Island, and you start with adventure with a good amount of depth. The only way off this island is to delve into the depth of the mines in search of Lithium. Can you find enough Litheurn to buy your freedom and get off this island, or will you succumb to the mysterious illness that seems to plague the other miners?

Gameplay Loop

Miners on Bal Island are expected to meet their quota, regardless of health. The only way off the island is to settle up depths, and life on Bal island is not cheap. Players will need to dive into the darkest depths of the mines in search Lithium. Armed with their trusty diggergun, miners will need to break through the earth and many monsters and bring back as much Lithium as they can carry. Players are limited by their stats, energy they can spend, and the amount of time in a day. While the game does look and feel like a simple retro puzzle game, there are a few moving parts that give the game its depth.

Day/Night Cycle

Time flows on Bal Island like any other place in the world. Every action, decision, and puzzle takes up time. Losing track of might mean starting the next day at a disadvantage, or possibly even death. Time also affects what events are available to the player. There are time gated interactions. For example, the restaurant is only open at a certain time and there are NPCs that are only available at certain times of the day. Missing these interactions can mean the rest of your time on Bal Island will be at a disadvantage.

Social Interactions

The mines are full of characters, some more interesting than others. Throughout the adventure, players will interact with players and have the chance to build a rapport with each one. These interactions and the relationships forged from them affect the game’s ending. There are multiple endings. Can you unlock them all?

Energy Management

Players spend energy to complete their tasks. It is a resource that is more valuable than money. Diving the mines eats at a miner’s energy reserve, but there are activities that help replenish. To replenish energy, players can eat a meal at the restaurant, use the bathroom, take a shower, and sleep. The quality of sleep affects the energy, and food costs money. All of these activities cost time, and the trick is balancing these activities with time in the mine to meet the quota. Luckily, your energy reserve and other useful stats can be upgraded at level up.

Leveling

Spending time in the mine will earn player experience. This experience will turn into levels that a player can use to upgrade one of four stats: aim, strength, energy, and luck. This is the games These skills impact how much damage a player does, how much lithium a player can carry, what a player can do in a day, and what a player finds on a delve. Each level affects gameplay. Choose wisely.

Mining

Players use their diggergun to excavate the earth and fight off monsters, but they use their mind to get to the next level. A level in the mine is a simple square 2D square full of mineable blocks, traps, and sometimes monsters. There will also be visible lithium nodes and other treasures spread throughout the map. Players will need to plan a rout as they excavate to collect everything before moving to the next room. Once a players inventory is full or they finish their quota, they can leave the mines to do it all over again tomorrow.

Money

Money runs everything on Bal Island, and it is the reason you can’t leave. At the end of each day, players collect their earnings. Players who meet the quota will be paid for their haul, but be charged for the fees of company. A big chunk of a miners wage goes into paying debt and other miscellaneous costs, leaving with little money. Players can take out another loan if money ever gets tight, but hat means never leaving the island.

Review

Diggergun is a very pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the retro aesthetic, but there was enough depth to the gameplay to keep me invested. Some people won’t like that most of the time you are just walking through a room, but there is a demo you can try before you make your final decision.

Aesthetic

I played a lot of retro puzzlers growing up on my Gameboy pocket, and have a soft sport for the look and feel of this game. The pixel art is solid and the cutscenes are cool. Diggergun has a very cool retrovibe, but the sound leaves a bit to be desired.

Sound

The sound effects are solid. I like the sound of the gun movement. It really gives me the hit of nostogia I wasn’t quite ready for, and I am here for it. The music in the game isn’t very impressive, but it is not really a deal breaker. I use play this game with anime in the background anyways.

Gameplay

Diggergun has unique mechanics that give it depth, but it does have a loop that isn’t going to vibe with some gamers. The game’s resource management keeps the game from being a mindless slog. You will need to plan your day efficiently, but those actions are simple. Most of the time you are walking through the rooms or going back to town to complete your daily interactions to survive. Some rooms offer a bit of a puzzle, but most of the time you are making your way to the next door. The main challenge is knowing when to delve and replenish resources while still making the daily quota.

I liked the loop and while it does feel a bit repetitive, it is a thematic and flavorful loop. The point of this game is to criticize the predatory nature of the corporate system, and the work is supposed to feel representative. I don’t think the game would benefit from mini games or a different style of delve mechanics. It would change the spirit of the game and I like it for the valid criticism that it makes.

My only real complaint is that I couldn’t get it to run on the Steam Deck. I wanted to play Diggergun on a handheld for the nostalgic experience. I don’t this is a deal breaker, but I hope we can get it one day.

Story

The game has terrific flavor and a solid story around the otherwise mundane loop. As efficient as I am during the day, it always felt like I wasn’t accomplishing anything at the end of the day because of how badly the company robbed me. It is a simple and very powerful story that makes valid criticism without feeling too preachy. I will have to try a second playthrough, but I don’t know how much talking to different NPCs will change the outcome, but then again, I would often lose track of time in the mines. I might need to look up some guides.

Conclusion

I really like Diggergun. It is a very cool concept for a game with a solid execution. If you don’t mind the simple retro feel and the repetition, it is a game you try at least once. The developer put a lot of love and care into this project, and I think it paid off. Go check it out, or at least try out the demo.

You can pick up DIGGERGUN on Steam.

video game reviews

Rhya’s Crusade Review: Retro Action Meets Hentai

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Rhya’s Crusade: The Aradia’s Reavers 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. This is an adult game with adult themes and nudity. You’ve been warned.

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What is Rhya’s Crusade: The Aradia’s Reavers?

Rhya’s Crusade is a faithful nod to the classic action packed platformers like Contra or Megaman, but with a bit more nudity and sex.

The evil Demon Princess Aradia wants to take over the Galaxy, and it is up to one quirky archeologist to stop her. Equipped with the most advanced weapons and tech, Rhya must travel across an alien land, and fighting off the endless waves of her demon army. There are over six levels to explore, 7 bosses to defeat, and a bit of hentai in between. Can you master the weapons and unlock everything that needs to be unlocked, or will you be doomed to repeat the same levels without the sweet satisfaction?

Gameplay

Rhya is a love letter to the retro action platformer of the day. Players will travel across interesting lands, fighting off waves of enemies, and fighting their bosses with limited resources and health. Players will unlock new weapons and skills as they explore, and there is a fair amount of lore hidden throughout the levels. If you enjoy the art, and don’t mind the hentai, there is a bit of saucy content to unlock through gameplay. Dying however does mean starting the level over, and players will die a lot by design.

Review

Rhya’s Crusade: The Aradia’s Reavers is an incredibly niche game with a certain audience in mind. If you enjoy the difficulty of classic retro action platformers, and don’t mind all the hentai, you will enjoy this game.

Aesthetically, this game is great. The pixel art is solid, the monster design is interesting, and the world is vibrant and alien. There is also a great sound track to take you through the adventure. As far as gameplay goes, Rhya is the perfect love letter an important era in gaming history. The movement is snappy and responsive, the attacks are interesting, and the difficulty keeps things engaging. The difficulty will feel unfair to those uninitiated, but it isn’t impossible. You can lower the difficulty, but that means losing out on some saucy content. Unlocking things in this game feel like an achievement, but it also isn’t going to be for everyone.

The biggest issue I have with the game is that the hentai bits make it impossible to play in public. the death scene is very pornographic, and you are going to die a lot. All the unlockable content is also porn, so I wouldn’t play this around kids (or let your kids play this either). If you don’t mind the hentai, and some of it will be triggering, the gameplay isn’t bad. I wasn’t good at it, and it wasn’t for me, but it fills its niche well.

You can pick up Rhya’s Crusade: The Aradia’s Reavers on Steam for $14.99, but make sure you check out the Demo first.

video game reviews

Yosei Wars Review: A Cute Retro Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Yosei Wars 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

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What is Yosei Wars?

Yosei Wars is a retro inspired arcade platformer out now on Steam.

The evil Junk Food army has invaded, taking the Tooth Faries Hostage and threatening tooth health. It is up to you to jump through its colorful world, fight off the many Junk Food monsters, and save any Fairy in your way. Do you have what it takes to be be the champion of good dental hygiene, or will this world rot away like an untreated cavity?

Gameplay

This is a very straightforward 2D platformer with some clear inspiration to its retro predecessors. Players will jump through colorful thematic levels collecting teeth, fighting monsters, and rescuing faries. There are 36 levels total with 6 unique bosses to overcome, and a fun little story to tie things together.

Review

Yosei Wars is an adorable nod to a classic era of gaming that I didn’t know I was missing. This game is cute, simple, relaxing, but offers enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. I love the colorful retro aesthetic, and the fantastic score that accompanies it. I would check this out if you’re looking for a cute and dose of nostalgia, I don’t think it gets better.

I’ve never been a fan of these types of platformers, but something about Yosie Wars kept me playing. Part of the draw was the retro colorful world, but the rest was the gameplay. The platforming is managable, the ramp in difficulty is fine (and the game does get hard), and the bosses are creative. My only complaint is that I could not get it to work on the Steam Deck. The game feels good on a desktop, but I would have preferred to play it on handheld. Maybe with enough attention, we’ll get that update.

Aside from that personal gripe, this is a solid game if you’re looking for something cozy, cute, and casual. Especially if you’re in the mood for something a little retro. You’ll definitely get $5 worth of fun out of this game.

You can pick up Yosei Wars on Steam for $4.99.

video game reviews

No Stone Unturned Demo Review: A Unique Noir Adventure

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I recently tried the No Stone Unturned demo because the trailer looked interesting. I do understand that the game isn’t complete, so I will try to be a bit more lenient than usual. This will still be my honest review.

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What is No Stone Unturned?

No Stone Unturned is a detective noir game coming to Steam. Make sure you check out the demo, and don’t forget to wishlist.

You awaken on the side of the road without your memories. As you begin to come out of your haze, you discover a dead body nearby. You get the sense that you are a detective. Now it is up to you to regain your memories and solve this case. What truths will you uncover? Why did the chicken cross the road? You’re going to play to find out.

Gameplay

No Stone Unturned is a creative piece of interactive fiction. Players move through the story collecting clues, interrogating witnesses, and solving puzzles. What makes this game unique are the minigames that players need to beat to progress through the story. The game effectively blends different genres in a way that not only fits the tone but creates a nice change of pace from the traditional narrative. The demo only features the prologue, which only includes a detailed tutorial.

Impressions

I am extremely excited about the full version of No Stone Unturned, and I am even considering buying the comic book. If you enjoy classic film noir, this game is the perfect homage. The story in the prologue was enough to hook me, the puns got a few chuckles, and the tone was a quirky delight I didn’t know I needed. The game also has fantastic art and an amazing soundtrack.

I appreciate the experimental nature of the gameplay. I like how the game borrows from different genres to create a truly unique experience while maintaining its dedication to the tone. The mini-games are fun, but they are a little buggy. One of the mini-games soft-locked my progress, but I am sure they can get things more ironed out on release.

If you’re looking for a game that is fun, silly, and unique, make sure you check out No Stone Unturned. No release date has been announced yet, but make sure you download the demo, and don’t forget to wishlist!

video game reviews

Dread Delusion is the Trippy RPG You Didn’t Know You Needed

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I was sent a free copy of Dread Delusion 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.

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What is Dread Delusion

Dread Delusion is a retro-style 3D hack-n-slash dark fantasy with an expansive world out now on Steam.

You are a prisoner of the Inquisition, serving your time for an unforgivable crime. Normally, you would rott in your cell like the bodies around you, but today is your lucky day. You have been called to work off your debt by fighting for the Inquisition. Travel over the vast and wonderful hellscape and bring an end to the enemies of the Inquisition. What secrets will you uncover about the Inquisition? About the world? About yourself? Will you die another faceless pawn, or will you get to taste sweet freedom once again?

Gameplay

Dread Delusion feels like Morrowind with a trippier vibe and much less loading. If you’re looking for a classic feeling 3D RPG, Dread Delusion might be the game that scratches that itch.

If you’re looking for an RPG with a comprehensive combat system, you will be disappointed. Combat is simple and often optional. You can sneak past most enemies, and they don’t even give out XP. If you decide to engage in combat, it is a simple hack-n-slash system that feels like Minecraft combat. It isn’t a bad system, but it is geared for the type of gamer who doesn’t want to worry about timing blocks and parries.

Exploration in this game is fantastic. While the graphics feel dated, you will enjoy the trippy and strange open-world adventure that spans around them. You have access to a myriad of well-written quests in a world that feels like a twisted fever dream. If you’re looking for a classic and chill RPG experience, it doesn’t get any better than Dread Delusion.

Review

I was excited for Dread Delusion when it crossed my desk. I am a huge fan of the art direction and I am always looking for a new RPG. I was not ready for how much I was going to love this game. This game is the perfect casual RPG with enough substance to be worth the full price tag. I am a huge fan of the art direction. The retro vibe blended with the twisted grotesque aesthetic makes for an interesting world. This is one of the first RPGs in a long while that I wanted to explore to see what weird and twisted visage awaited me around the next corner. I understand that the graphics might turn some people away from the title, but the style gives its unique and unforgivable charm.

The combat in this game is good enough. While it is easy, I appreciate the fact that I can skip or engage in it depending on my mood. Sometimes I just want to mindlessly hit stuff and not have to worry about builds and strategy, and sometimes I want to explore. There is a hardcore mode that you can try if you want a challenge, but I enjoyed Dread Delusion for its casual experience and story.

The story was fun to play through, but there is enough to do in this game to get lost in its expansive world. While it may not be a massive game, it does a good job of feeling like one. The quests are well-written, the world-building is solid, and the dark humor is appreciated. The game is quirky, but its quirks give the game its identity.

If you’re looking for a casual RPG and don’t mind the weird aesthetic and retro vibe, Dread Delusion should be in your library. It is the game you didn’t know you needed.

You can pick up Dread Delusion on Steam for $19.99.