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video game reviews

Sucker for Love: A Date to Die For is a Quirky Horror Visual Novel

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I was sent a free copy of Sucker for Love: A Date to Die For to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions of the game. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials! I’ll be opening some Wixoss on my TikTok and YouTube. 

What is Sucker for Love: A Date to Die For

Sucker for Love: A Date to Die For is a horror visual novel out now on Steam.

A mysterious note brings you back to your hometown of Sacramencho. Your parents have gone missing, but it seems like they aren’t the only ones. A demonic presence has taken root in your childhood home, and it is up to you to uproot them. But this won’t be an easy task. Demonic creatures and a misguided cult hunt you down. Can you survive the horrors of the Black Woods long enough to reverse the curse? Will you find love in the process? You’ll have to play to find out. 

Gameplay

A Date to Die For is a horror visual novel with some light dungeon-crawling elements. While the trailer may suggest this game is a dating sim, it isn’t. The game is a horror story with some flirty tones, but not a lust-filled story about demon girls it appears to be. 

The game is split into story and exploration. There are different stories, each with a true ending, and choices matter somewhat. The stories have a solid cast of voice actors, and the stories are all entertaining. The story deals with topics of human sacrifice, murder, and demons. This is your official content warning. 

Exploration has players crawl through this decrepit house in a retro-style dungeon crawler. Players click through this creepy 3D space in search of materials to perform rituals and avoid danger. Once a player collects the right materials and meets the correct circumstances, rituals are cast by dragging the mouse. If a player dies, they’ll have to restart from the last checkpoint, but the checkpoints are pretty generous. You can even go back to try for a different ending at any point. 

Impressions

I enjoyed A Date to Die For, but I understand it isn’t for everyone. I think the tones, themes, and art will scare off some folks, but it is a solid horror game with a decent story if you can get past the waifu art. 

What this game excels at is creating a creepy atmosphere. The music, the sounds, the map design, and the jump scares all come together to create a very cool horror environment. I never felt like I needed to play with the lights on, but it did make me jump a few times. 

The story is pretty good. It is quirky, dark, and a lot of fun with some interesting twists. A Date to Die For is a sequel, but it exists as a stand-alone story. I didn’t feel lost by the events or feel it necessary to play the first game. People who have played the first game might not like it as much, but I don’t have that point of reference and can’t compare the experiences. 

Sucker for Love: A Date to Die For is a great visual novel. It has a solid cast of voice actors, cool art, and a fantastic creepy retro vibe. If you can get past the waifu art, it isn’t as shameless as it seems. Aside from some of the main characters, the game is pretty tame. This isn’t a dating sim. If you are looking for a quirky horror story about cultists and demons, A Date to Die For is what you’re looking for. 

You can pick up Sucker for Love: A Date to Die For on Steam for $12.99. There is also a demo you can try if you don’t believe me. 

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Pixel Action: Cybertrash STATYX Review

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I was sent Cybertrash STATYX 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is Cybertrash STATYX?

Cybertrash STATYX is a retro-styled action platformer out now for Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch. It’s coming to PC soon.

The future is run by corporations. Technological advances have forced a synthetic evolution for humanity. People are pressured into cybernetic modifications, and those who remain unmodified quickly become scarce. Corrupt corporations use their fresh supply of cyborgs to stomp out dissidence. Those who disobey the rules of the corporations find themselves abducted, and turned into mindless drones. 

Play as Janet as she fights her way through cyborg-infested streets, trying to reclaim her memories and her freedom. 

Gameplay

Cybertrash STATYX is your classic arcade action platformer. Players will jump through a 2D cyberpunk city, fighting off enemies with a myriad of guns, collecting currency, and buying upgrades. If you enjoy playing the more difficult platformers, you should look into Cybertrash STATYX. While it isn’t as unforgiving as something like Super Meatboy, it offers a solid amount of challenge within its cool aesthetic. 

Thoughts

Cybertrash STATYX  has a fantastic retro aesthetic. I am a huge fan of the pixel art, and it featured a decent soundtrack. I am terrible at platforming, and while I am not a huge fan of the gameplay, I can’t deny the overwhelming sense of accomplishment I felt when I finally completed a stage. I appreciate how creative the stages got, how different the enemies felt, and how impactful upgrades and new weapons felt. It is a very well-made arcade game with some solid flavor and a decent story, and unfortunately, I wasn’t good enough to enjoy it. The only issue I see people having with this game is having to slide to jump higher instead of the traditional double jump. This mechanic is extremely frustrating.

If you’re a fan of platformers, you’ll enjoy Cybertrash STATYX a lot more than I did. You can pick up for Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch for $9.99, but I recommend you check out the Steam demo first.

video game reviews

Dungeon Drafters is a Cute Retro Dungeon Crawling Deck Builder

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I was sent a copy of Dungeon Drafters 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is Dungeon Drafters?

Dungeon Drafters is a retro-style dungeon-crawler deck-building RPG out now on Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.

Play as an eager adventurer and delve through unique perilous dungeons in search of treasure, fame, and more spell cards. Do you have what it takes to conquer every dungeon?

Gameplay

Players have access to five unique characters: shinobi, monk, mage, explorer, brawler, and bard. Each has access to a unique set of cards, abilities, and playstyle.

Shinobi
Monk
Mage
Brawler
Bard

Players enter the dungeon with a deck they can customize through the adventure. While other games have you build your deck between encounters, Dungeon Drafters lets you build your deck outside of the Dungeon through the shops like you would in a traditional RPG. This is a refreshing take on the genre, and it let me concentrate on each element of the game as it came up. 

Combat is a turn-based system where players can perform only three actions per turn. A player can either move a square, use a melee attack, or cast a spell card. While it is a somewhat limiting system, it does encourage creativity. With the mage, I was often trying to bait my enemies into traps or freeze the ground so I could slide across the map. There is a bit of a grind as you build your deck to progress, but it’s the normal grind you would expect from a game in this genre. 

Players make delve through the dungeon and clear each room of monsters and treasures. Dungeons do have unique bosses that need to be cleared. Combat can get a little repetitive, but the boss fights have unique mechanics to shake things up. Players can switch between dungeons at will to keep things fresh. Each dungeon has its unique aesthetic and feels like a different delve. 

Thoughts

I enjoyed Dungeon Drafters, but it is a bit of a niche game. The three-action point limit will frustrate players, and others won’t enjoy the repetition. I enjoyed the repetition and found it a relaxing experience. Dungeon Drafters is an adorable game with solid flavor and unique gameplay.

My only complaint with the game is that you can accidentally waste your turn on movement. I would often press a direction on the d-pad, wasting my action points. This isn’t a deal breaker, but it is a warning for whoever needs it. You don’t want to waste your turns on a boss fight for accidentally moving towards a big attack.

If you’re looking for a chill game that isn’t a huge commitment, Dungeon Drafters is a solid choice. It has a great soundtrack, a relaxing and intuitive gameplay loop, and a very cool art and aesthetic. It certainly has enough options to refresh gameplay, but I would only pay $20 for it.

Dungeon Drafters is a solid retro-style game you can pick up now for $24.99 on Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch. It is currently on sale for $19.99 until March 28 on Steam, Epic Games, and Switch. Check out the Demo on Steam!

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The Viel of Shadows Demo is a Fun Retro Experience

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I was asked to cover the Viel of Shadows demo for my blog. I’ll refrain from review it too harshly because the game isn’t finished yet. That said, everyone reading this should add this demo to their rotation.  

What is Veil of Shadows?

Viel of Shadows is a retro-style action adventure roguelike coming to Steam.

Sirene wakes up in a mysterious forest without her memories. She must now venture through this strange new world and reclaim her memories. Bloodthirsty creatures lurk in the shadows, and Sirene must fight to stay alive. Can she uncover the truth and escape this nightmare?

Gameplay

Players will move between checkpoints shooting, dodging, and kiting enemies with a bow and arrow. Enemies will occasionally drop loot like potions and gear, but they are sparse so use them carefully. The biggest challenge of the game is moving efficiently to avoid attacks to stay alive. Death isn’t permanent, nor does it have a significant penalty other than resetting the level. I think the game is hard enough as it is, but maybe they’ll add harder game modes if there is demand for it.

There is a leveling system that allows players to put points into three categories: Damage, Agility, and Precision. Each level into a category provides a stat boost, but you also get a special ability for every five levels you invest in a category. This allows players to build towards their playstyle without it being overly complicated.

One thing to keep in mind is that this game, like many others in the genre, will be repetitive. You will die a lot and run through the same mobs of enemies by design. I always find this repetition soothing, but it is something to note for people unfamiliar with the genre. That said, based on the demo, Viel of Shadows doesn’t feel as grindy as other games in the genre. 

Thoughts

I’ve been enjoying the retro resurgence I’ve been going through, and Viels of Shadows is no exception. The game has a great art style, some nice flavor, and fun gameplay. The demo runs great, and while I do wish I got a boss fight, I had a lot of fun trying to get through the mobs. I like that the game offers enough of a challenge to keep things engaging without being impossible. 

Viels of Shadows supports keyboard and mouse and controller configurations, but I recommend using the controller. While neither option is objectively better, playing a retro-style game like this with a controller just feels right. 

If you’re looking for a new game, you need to check out the demo. It is a fun retro game with a lot of heart and flavor. It has a promising story hook, cool art, and a chill yet challenging gameplay loop. Whether or not you enjoy roguelikes, there is no harm in trying the demo. 

No release date has been announced yet, but they are pretty active on their Twitter and Discord. Make sure you follow to stay up to date, and make sure you add Viel of Shadows to your Wishlist!

I will be getting my review copy at launch, so stay tuned for a more detailed review. So far I am excited. If you enjoy my content, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

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The Colorful Retro Side Scroller PopSlinger is a Solid Good Time

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I was sent PopSlinger 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 of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is PopSlinger

PopSlinger is a retro style shoot ’em up side scroller out now for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC. I got to play the Xbox version. You are a magical girl on a quest so save the world with your magic soda-pop powers. Fight your way through sinister invaders in a colorful and vibrant adventure. Do you have what it takes to get save the world and get the high score?

Gameplay

The game is a simple and colorful 2D shooter. You move through a mob-infested city and clear the world of its invaders. What gives the game its complexity is its combo system. The game rewards players for shooting four creatures of the same color by granting them temporary power-ups.
Players can get a shield, a double shot, or summon Gin to shoot at enemies randomly. Shooting eight of the same color grants players a heal, but healing comes with a point penalty.

Unless you’re trying to earn the highest scores and perfect rank, powerups are useless. Gin would often break my combo, and the other powerups didn’t affect the gameplay enough to be worth the trouble. I stopped chasing combos pretty early on, but I also got the worst scores in the game. You should play the game as intended.

Thoughts

I enjoyed PopSlinger a lot more than I thought I would. It has a loud colorful aesthetic, a fun quirky story, a fantastic soundtrack, a solid cast of voice actors, and a fun gameplay loop. 

I am a huge fan of the game’s colorful retro vibe. It is a clear nostalgic callback, and I am here for it. It has a cute and fun art style that makes it impossible to hate the game. The story isn’t filled with expansive lore, but it is fun and quirky. I loved the tone, and its cast of voice actors made listening to the cutscenes enjoyable. 

The gameplay loop is incredibly relaxing and fun. Despite how cute the game looks, there was enough of a challenge to keep me engaged. Enemies had a decent variety, and boss fights were creative and challenging. I definitely wasn’t good enough to keep the combos alive or get close to a high score, but I had a lot of fun playing through the chill side-scroller this game became. 

The game does get repetitive after a while, and trying for the combos can feel tedious after a while. This isn’t a game I could play until completion, but it is a game I’ll be returning to from time to time for its cozy change of pace and fun aesthetic. 

If you are a fan of retro arcade side scroller, PopSlinger is a solid title to add to your collection. It is a cute, fun, and relaxing time with options to make it more competitive. You can pick up your copy of PopSlinger for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC for $14.99.

video game reviews

The Book of Warriors: A Cute Little Roguelike for $8

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I was sent The Book of Warriors 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

What is The Book of Warriors

The Book of Warriors is a cute little fantasy roguelike RPG out now for PC. Lead your party through the dungeon as you search for power, treasure, and fame. How much of the dungeon can you clear before your adventure ends? 

Gameplay

You start each run by choosing a hero. There are nine different classes, each with unique abilities. Your run won’t end if you lose your initial hero. You then make your way through your dungeon, clearing procedurally generated rooms, unlocking upgrades, and recruiting heroes to your party. Upgrades, loot, and heroes you recruit are random, but occasionally you can choose the type of upgrade you can unlock. For the most part, the RNG is fair, but there are runs I lost because I was unlucky.

To clear a room, you either need to clear the room of enemies or lose your heroes. Maps will have hazards or cover that offer buffs and debuffs. Although not all the maps are fun, it does give combat enough complexity to keep things engaging.

Combat is simple. Heroes can move and perform one action per turn. The type of action changes as the characters level. The game feels a bit like a mobile game, but it is fine for the casual experience that it represents.

Like most games in this genre, the game is a little grindy, especially at later levels. You do unlock permanent upgrades the more you play, but enemies at later levels do feel like damage sponges. This is only a problem when you’re stuck on a bad run.

Thoughts

I enjoyed The Book of Warriors. The art is cute and the gameplay is relaxing. I enjoyed it for the change of pace that it offered, but I don’t see it being my main roguelike. While I appreciate the simplicity, the grind gets old after a while. You’ll get $8 worth of fun from this game, but it isn’t replacing anything in your current library. I would pick this up if you want a break from your current rotation but don’t want a massive commitment. If you enjoy tactical RPGs, or simply want to get into a new one, this is a solid option. You can pick up The Book of Warriors on Steam now for $7.99. It is currently on sale for $5.59 for the next 48 hours of writing this.

video game reviews

Why You Should Play Beyond Sunset, a Pixel-Art Cyber-Punk FPS

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I was sent Beyond Sunset as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions of the game. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. 

Beyond Sunset is a retro-style arcade shooter out now for PC. Use your powers to defeat enemies as you zip through a futuristic city, trying to earn back your memories. What truths will your deeds unlock? 

Beyond Sunset plays like a sped-up retro shooter like Doom but with enough modern tweaks to make it interesting to new and old fans of the genre. Players have access to fun and unique weapons to hack or shoot away unique enemies as they fight their way through a vibrant cyber-punk-inspired city. While this game may seem simple, the speed gives this game its challenge. Zipping and maneuvering through the hoards of enemies gets some getting used to. You will die a few times, but have a blast doing so. 

As you fight your way through the city, you’ll pick up upgrades and new weapons that affect gameplay. While it does make some encounters easier, there will always be enough of a challenge to keep the game engaging. Success in this game boils down to careful maneuvering and appropriately timed assassinations. While there was an occasional stutter here and there, the game ran great. I honestly forgot it was an early-access title. 

I had a lot of fun with this game. I love the pixel-art cyber-punk aesthetic, the high-speed gameplay, and the amazing synth-wave soundtrack. If you are a fan of the classic FPS, Beyond Sunset is a very welcomed update. If you need a new title to pass some time, Beyond Sunset is a fantastic addition to your collection. I know the game isn’t finished yet, but it honestly isn’t a problem. There is enough content available already to be worth every penny.

You can pick up Beyond Sunset on Steam for $9.99. It is currently on sale for $8.99 until November 15, but there is a demo available if you need further convincing.

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Sorry We’re Closed Demo Review – Classic Survival Horror Bliss

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When I saw the Sorry We’re Closed trailer on this year’s Indie Horror Showcase, I knew I needed to try the demo. Sorry We’re Closed looks like a fun and quirky homage to the classic era of survival horror, and I am here for it.

Michelle wakes up in the demon world after having been cursed by a demon. With the help of whatever she can find lying around, she must brave the horrors that roam this terrifying new world to find a way out. Do you have what it takes to set her free?

If you are looking for a spooky title to play, try this demo. The game does a terrific job of creating a spooky ambiance with its fixed cameras, music, and design. I loved the use of color, its edgy tones, and the gameplay. Exploration feels good, and combat feels even better. If you are a fan of the original Resident Evil game, this game should be on your wishlist.

I don’t normally do horror games, but I had to make this the exception. I’m hoping to grab a copy on release. Until then, make sure you play the demo, and add Sorry We’re Closed to your wishlist. 

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The 5 games I am most excited about from DREADXP’s Indie Horror Showcase

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DreadXP just had their Indie Horror Showcase featuring a lot of cool and spooky games you are going to want to wishlist. It was very neat to see all the different ways these companies tackled the genre. I didn’t want this post to be too long, so I chose five games I am most excited about. It was very hard to narrow down the list to just ten, so make sure you go check out the video and the official Steam Page to see all the awesome games I couldn’t fit on this list. If you’ve been enjoying these updates, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends! Don’t forget to wishlist!

1. WORLD OF HORROR

I am most excited about WORLD OF HORROR because of its unique art style and terrifying scenes. WORLD OF HORROR is a retro roguelite RPG for PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch featuring turn-based combat and decisions that matter. 

The Old Gods have reawakened and terrorized a small seaside town. Sanity dwindles as its population endures hellish horrors as grotesque creatures terrorize their home. Watch it all unfold through the perspective of 5 playable characters. Do you have what it takes to survive the horrors?

You can pick up WORLD OF HORROR now on Steam $14.99 (normally $19.99) until November 2nd. The Switch version comes in the summer.

2. Sorry We’re Closed

Sorry We’re Closed just looks like a good time. I love the homage to the classic era of horror. Sorry We’re Closed seems like the perfect blend for traditional fixed-camera survival horror and arcade-style first-person shooter. I love the Lofi quirky aesthetic, and the soundtrack seems amazing. The combat looks great, the third eye mechanic is neat, and the game will have multiple endings for replayability.

Michele has been cursed by a demon, and must now travel through their realm to break it. With the power of her third eye and anything else she can find, she must brave the dangers that surround her. Will she be able to break her curse?

The Sorry We’re Closed Demo is out now, and I don’t see why you wouldn’t try it. The game plans to release sometime next year, but no date has been set yet. Make sure you wishlist!

3. Hunt The Night

I am a sucker for pixel art games, and Hunt the Night looks fantastic. The combat system looks like a blast, the world looks impressive, and the story looks interesting. 

Hunt the Night is a retro action-adventure game for PC via Steam, GoG, and Epic Games. Play as Vesper and explore the world of Medhram and fight its horrors. Conquer its dungeons and defeat its bosses in what promises to be a fast-paced skill-based dark fantasy. 

You can pick up Hunt the Night for $19.99, or try the demo Steam if you need more convincing. You can pick up for $15.99 on GoG until October 26 and Epic Games until November 1st.

4. Hollowbody

Hallowbody looks terrifying. It definitely gives me early survivor horror vibes, and I am here for it. The setting is ominous, the story seems interesting, and the gameplay looks fun. 

After a mission goes wrong, you find yourself in a decaying abandoned city, but you are not alone. Horrors hide in the shadows, and you need to find a way out. Push your way through the zone as you solve puzzles, manage resources, and fight your way to safety. Do you have what it takes to survive?

Hallowbody is fully voice-acted with multiple endings and promises a terrifying narrative. A release date hasn’t been set yet, but you can at least add it to your wishlist. 

5. Post Trauma

Last but not least, I have to mention Post Trauma. This game looks trippy in the best way, and I need to know where the developers take it. 

Post Trauma is a survival horror game coming to PC. Play as Roman as reality twists around him. Solve puzzles, uncover secrets, and try to find a way out of this nightmare. 

Post Trauma plays homage to the classic era of the genre. It promises a dense, nonlinear story with a surreal mind-bending world full of horror. No release date has been set, but you can at least add it to your wishlist. 

Make sure you check out the rest of the showcase, there were a lot of cool games that you might want to look into. You can also go to the official Steam Page and look up the ones that are most interesting to you. Make sure you do the things. Thanks for reading!

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The Star Ocean The Second Story gameplay trailer just dropped, and I need to get this in my collection now

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The new gameplay trailer for the upcoming Star Ocean: The Second Story R just dropped, and it’s got me hyped for the release. This is a fantastic remaster with a beautiful art style, fun updated and new mechanics, and a story I want to get into. I didn’t get to play Star Ocean when it first came out, so I am excited to get the opportunity on the Nintendo Switch. Star Ocean: The Second Story is coming to the PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Steam on November 2nd at $49.99 MSRP. You can preorder yours today, or try the demo if you need more convincing! 

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