KiiBOOM sent me the Ydmochi Sweet Dango Dream Keycap Set 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. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Y2k and Sprout Picnic keycaps. I’ll be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.
KiiBoom releases another adorable set, but this time its mochi flavored. These high quality keycaps are compatible with mot cherry profile switches, and are ready to upgrade your boring old aesthetic.
Quality
Milled from high quality plastic and dyed with the upmost care, these caps don’t only look good but promise to last you a lot longer than your keyboard. They have been treated to be heat and abrasion resistant to endure the sweatiest of team fights.
Comfort
The Ydmochi Dango Dreams keycap set has been design to not only cute, but for comfort. The rounded design conforms with the shape of your fingers for a more ergonomic experience. The rows have been contoured to fit the hands natural range of motion to eliminate some fatigue. The soft plastic makes each press a cozy delight.
Design
The keycap set features vibrant pastel theme that is cute without being distracting. Users get enough keys to allow some reasonable customization. The numbered/lettered keys feature a minimalist design for those who prefer that aesthetic, but the KiiBOOM includes some adorable mochi themed images for a little flavor.
Review
The KiiBOOM x Ydmochi Sweet Dango keycaps are a fantastic upgrade to any aesthetic. These high quality caps are not only adorable, they are comfortably functional. If you are aiming for a minimalist setup and are a fan of mochi, you need to do yourself a favor and buy this set.
Quality
I have yet to get bad quality products from KiiBOOM. Even the keyboard that my mailman clearly played soccer worked with minimal tinkering. If you are looking for a quality budget option for your next keyboard, you can’t go wrong with KiiBOOM. If you are looking for cute keycaps to change up your aesthetic, KiiBOOM is the way.
The Ydmochi caps are machined and dyed with the KiiBOOM quality I am familiar with. The keycaps are clean and the printing is high quality. These are not smudging or fading any time soon. Most importantly, they fit the switches perfectly. With cheaper keycaps, you risk them not fitting right or staying on properly, but I am not worried. These feel like they will last me a long time, but you might change them out for one of the other cute sets. The Doughfluff keycaps are personal favorite.
Comfort
The Ydmochi keycaps are as soft as they look. I have used cheap keycaps that feel like they cut at you with every keypress, but Ydmochi feels like you’re pressing on gummy candy. The contoured designed allows for the ideal motion to avoid any strain from prolongued use. They didn’t trigger my repetitive stress injury, but note that I also have a very ergonomic position for my keyboards.
Design
I am a huge fan of the set’s minimilistic design. The font used for the keys are fun without being detracting, and the pictures are so cute. I like that I have a few options for customization so I can make the keyboard at least a little more unique. If you like mochi and want to keep your aesthetic clean and simple, these are a fantastic set of keycaps.
Conclusion
If you are looking for keycaps, KiiBOOM has a fantastic selection of cute, high quality keycaps to upgrade any aesthetic. If you are looking for minimilist that wants a splash of color, you have to get the Ydmochi keycaps. You can pick up your set on the official KiiBOOM store or on Amazon through my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you use my link before buying anything.
I was sent a free copy of Netherworld Covenant to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review.
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 Netherworld Covenant?
Netherworld Covenant is a topdown souls-like out now on steam. If you are a fan of games like Diablo or Path of Exile but always wanted them to be a little more roguelike, you definitely need to check out the demo.
Hook
The world has ended. The demons who have caused the world ending catastrophe still roam free. You are the only survivor, and it is up to you to take them down and avenge you fallen comrades. Make your way through procedurally generated dungeons and defeat its endless waves of guardians. But you are not alone. The spirits of your fallen comrades will come to your aid in battle. Do you have what it takes to avenge everything, or will you be another lost soul in this cold unforgiving world?
Gameplay Loop
Netherworld Covenant is your typical dungeon crawler roguelike with a few souls-like mechanics to help it set it apart from the rest of the genre.
Dungeon Crawl
Players choose one of the game’s unique dungeon and jumps into the dungeon. They must clear each room to earn a reward as they build up to a floor boss. Players are rewarded after clearing each room, and get to choose the type of reward. The run ends when the player dies or beats the floor boss.
Combat
Players will have a primary attack and a few lantern abilities to help them fight off enemies. They’ll have a primary attack they can spam or a strong attack they can charge that is based on their class. For example, the mage class will shoot a volley of magic arrows or charge it for a powerful blast. The lantern will give players additional abilities. Players can summon a ghost to help them in battle or use a secondary weapon. These abilities can be customized and upgraded between runs.
Gearing and Upgrades
In between runs, players will return to a hub where they can upgrade their character. They can craft different weapons and armor and upgrade their ghost’s abilities. This costs currency that the player will earn throughout a run. Some weapons and upgrades will need to be picked up as drops from the dungeon. Players also have the chance to buy levels off their skill tree. I am sure there is a way to minmax builds, but players have a general freedom for building their characters. As simple as the game may seem, it does offer a bit of customization for a bit of variety.
Review
Netherworld Covenant attempts an interesting twist to the genre, but it didn’t really vibe with me. While the game will earn a few hours of fun, I can’t see myself picking this over Void Souls.
Aesthetic
The game is fine if you enjoy dark fantasy, but it doesn’t have enough to make it stand out against the genre. Monster and character design is decent, but the maps feel repetitive and dull. Changing to a different realm didn’t change enough to be impactful. It all felt like I was slogging through the same rooms facing off against the same wave of enemies and it got old fast.
Gameplay
The game is a little buggy. There were noticeable frame drops and combat doesn’t feel as smooth as it needs to be for the genre. The combat system is interesting for the first few minutes. Unfortunately, when the novelty wears off, it starts to feel repetitive. This makes the grind feel worse than it is.
One of the issues I have with the game is with the RNG. The procedural generated dungeons aren’t very interesting and they start to look the same after a while. In addition, the upgrades you have access can ruin a run. On the time I beat the boss, it felt like I didn’t do anything because the buffs I got made me broken. The game needs a bit of rebalancing, and a few patches for smoothness.
Combat
The combat system is a little too simple. This makes it fine for a casual souls-like, but you have better options. The idea of summoning a ghost of a fallen comrade to fight with you seems cool, but it feels a little clunky in practice. Worst of all, the meta seems solvable. It feels like there is a right answer when it comes to the class you play and the choices you make, and I felt like I figured it early on into my my playthrough. The fun bit about roguelike for me is the ability to find random dumb builds that will take me to legendhood. Here it felt like if I didn’t choose optimally, I was going to have a bad time. Bosses are kind of interesting, but if you get the right build and grind long enough, it doesn’t matter.
Conclusion
Netherworld Covenant isn’t a bad game. I respect the attempt at freshening up the genre, but there are simply better options. If you are looking for a topdown souls like, Void Souls has better combat system. Or you can try Dethboundfor something more unique. If you are looking for an ARPG, checkout Striving for Light. I have a soft spot for Liberte.
I can respect the game for trying to blend all these interesting ideas together, but it just doesn’t do them well enough to justify the price. If you really want to check it out, try the demo and I would argue to wait for the sale. Especially when you have better options.
Mechlands sent me the Vibe108 mechanical keyboard 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. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Vibe99 and the the M75 keyboards. I’ll also be using my affiliate link where possible.
Table of Contents
What’s in the box?
Vibe108 Mechanical Keyboard
USB-C to USB-A braided Cable
2.4Ghz Dongle
Key/Switch Puller
User Manual
Features
If you are looking for your first mechanical keyboard, it might be worth looking into the The Mechlands Vibe108. The Vibe108 is loaded with the features you need, and a few you didn’t know you needed.
Aesthetic
The Vibe108 comes in white with a soft pastel blue accent to give it that cozy feel you want on your table. Each 104 key is lit up by soft south-facing RBG. It can’t be a gaming keyboard without some RGB. It comes with a few preprogrammed profiles for added customization, but you can turn it off when you don’t want to have the light show. I am a big fan of the soft strop that lights up the sides of the board.
Gimick
The Vibe108 is a full-sized keyboard with all the keys you need for your workflow. You get a number pad, a function bar, and media controls. The Vibe108 features easily accessible media buttons and a dial for volume control. You don’t know how nice it is too have media control until you have them.
Comfort
The Vibe108 mechanical keyboard comes out of the box with a comfortable typing angle, but offers adjustable heights for those who need it. I like my keyboards at the highest setting. Whether you are using the Mechlands cream mint switches for the typing asmr or the vela silent switches for a bit more stealth, you can be assured you are getting a comfortable yet satisfying typing experience.
Performance
At this price point, the Vibe108 promises peak performance at a very reasonable price. Especially for the price point.
The keyboards switches offer fast and accurate imputs with no ghosting or noticeable latency. Users can enjoy a fast connection through the supported wired, wireless, and Bluetooth connections. With an impressive 10,000mAh, users can enjoy long interrupted workflow hours without having to plug back in. Enjoy up to 200 hours of use without any of the backlights on a single charge!
Most importantly, the keyboard can be customized with the macros and rebinds you need in your life.
Sound Test
Review
Out of all the Mechlands keyboards I have tried, the Vibe108 with the silent switches has been my favorite. If you are looking for a full-sized keyboard to upgrade your current set-up, the Mechlands Vibe108 is the perfect place to start.
Quality
The quality of Mechlands keyboards tends to fluctuate, but they really stepped up their game with the Vibe 108. The gasket is well machined and light, and the keys looks like they can take a pounding. They still feel cheap if you take the time to really examine them (or know what nice keycaps feel like), but most people aren’t going to notice. Out of the box, this keyboard looks and feels like it should be worth a bit more money.
Comfort
The Vibe108 is Mechlands’ most comfortable keyboard. It is a good size that allows enough spacing for my hands to sit in a comfortable position. The typing angle out of the box is good enough for most users, and the extra height is perfect for me.
I got the silent switches. While I do like having a more thacky sound to my typing, my wife really appreciates the silence. These switches are incredibly quiet while still offering a satisfying typing experience. Each press is soft, with enough feedback to feel good without causing any fatigue. I daily drove this keyboard longer than my usual test period because of how comfortable it is to use. While it isn’t marketed as an ergonomic solution, it never triggered my repetitive stress injury and that is a huge win for me.
Performance
I got about 10 hours of use before needing to charge the keyboard, but I don’t think I ever charged it all the way. There was no noticeable latency and gaming was comfortable. I was able do a good amount of grinding in Guild Wars 2 without issue.
Conclusion
The Vibe108 is my favorite Mechlands keyboard. I will be recommending it to anyone who needs a full sized keyboard but doesn’t want to spend much money. This is a very pretty keyboard the is the perfect size for my workflow with the customization I need to make it future proof. If you are looking for a fun way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the Vibe108 mechanical keyboard.
I was sent a free copy of Tingus Goose 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.
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 Tingus Goose?
Tingus Goose is a surreal idle game where you bounce babies for money. This is the trippiest weirdest game you’ll ever play, but it might be worth trying at least once.
Hook
Help your ground goose grow tall enough to mate with the sky goose in what has to be the most laid back tower defense you’ll ever load to your computer. Bounce babies as they rain from the ground goose to earn the money to grow your goose. Unlock upgrades and buildings to help you increase your profit margin. Build a good enough structure and you can step away and watch your money grow. How many different stages of goose can you get through?
Gameplay
The goose will mate and transform into different creatures that spread across the world. While there is nothing sexual about this game, there are a few references that some might find offensive. Nothing explicit, but something to keep in mind.
The goose is born into the world from the love of their parents. In order to mate and continue to the cycle, players must help it grow. They do this buy spending money. To earn money in this game, players must bounce the babies that rain out of the ground goose. This is done by clicking on the falling babies to earn money actively, or arranging structures to do it passively.
Passive Income
As the ground goose grows, it will sprout random structures that can be used to bounce the babies. These structures are themed after the level and can be arranged along the neck of the goose. It is a very laid back tower defense game where there is no right answer or losing. You can leave the game running in the background and watch your money grow (or log off if you pick up the skill).
Skills
Players will unlock abilities as they play the game and grow their geese. Players have access to a comprehensive skill tree and a few RNG abilities that they can unlock throughout a run. These abilities help increase a players learning potential, but there is no real need to minmax (although you probably can). Buy whatever seems fun to you.
Structures
The ground goose sprouts random structures as it grows. These are randomly selected from a players pool of structures. All players start with the same limited pool, but unlock additional structures as they progress through the game. These structures will bounce, blow, suck, and manipulate a baby’s fall while earning players money. The game gets very creative and thematic with their structures, and leaves enough room for players to get creative with their Rube Goldberg machine.
Review
Tingus Goose is the weirdest adventure I’ve ever had to go on, and I am not mad about it. This game is an excellent example of creative surrealism and bundles it in a way that is digestible and relaxing. If you want to sit back and enjoy some weirdness with what little precious time you have for gaming, take it up with Tingus Goose.
Art
Tingus Goose has a fun and quirky aesthetic that gives the game its cozy atmosphere. The art is simple, but the cut scenes are wild the best possible way. I am having trouble finding the right words to describe what it is I just played, but I know I liked it. I commend the devs on how creative they get with their story telling with a style and aesthetic that definitely stands out not just against other games in the genre (if there are any) but all other games in general.
Story
The story is simple, but creative. A goose falls in love, grows, mates, and the cycle continues. There are 17 unique levels, each as creative as the next. I don’t think I fully understand what the story is about, but I needed to keep playing to find out what the next world looked like, and what structures I would get to use.
Gameplay
Tingus Gooseis an idle game, but without the predatory micro-transactions you see in other games. While other games will eventually slow your play to encourage you to spend more money, Tingus Goose only asks for money once. This means players can enjoy the whole game without spending additional money.
The game itself is a soothing and simple loop that doesn’t take too much of a commitment. You can build your goose how ever you want (around the RNG) at your own pace. I am sure there is an optimal way of building and designing your goose, but I never felt the need and had fun messing around. I loved arranging my structures as they came, watching the cute animations of my machine in action, and occasionally clicking to get through the game faster. There might be a grind, but it doesn’t feel like it.
Conclusion
I enjoy a good idle game, but I hate how predatory they get. I usually can only get through the first few levels before the game will nerf my progress so that can start spending money. Looking at you League of Angles: Pact. I understand the need to make money to develop the game, but some companies get a little too greedy. Tingus Goosewas fun throughout, with enough content to be worth the price tag.
I like that I can be active and design my Rube Goldberg machine to bounce babies and chose my upgrades for my goose, but I also like that I can just sit back and enjoy the general silliness. What I like most is that it never felt like there was a right answer. I could explore the games different mechanics at my own pace without the fear of messing up. In that way, Tingus Goose offers the purest gaming experience of any game in one of the most bizarre packages.
Even if you don’t like idle games, Tingus Goose is a strange trip that you need to go on once. I appreciate the devs doing something out of the box, and staying out there. I love this game, and will continue to run it in the background.
I was sent a free copy of Dungeons & Kingdoms 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.
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 Dungeons & Kingdoms
Dungeons & Kingdoms is a survival game with village management and dungeon delving mechanics. The game is currently currently on Steam Early access. I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review because the game is not finished, but these are still my honest opinions.
The Hook
You have landed on the shores of the new world with only the shirt on your back. With the help of the few who have traveled with you, you must reform the world around you into the kingdom that will be your home. Gather resources, build your city, command its citizens, and go an adventure you will never forget. Can you forge to greatness from humble beginnings, or will the harsh environment consume you?
Gameplay
Dungeons & Kingdoms is an RPG where you build a kingdom, manage citizens, and delve dungeons. If this sounds like a lot, it is.
Survival Game
Players start their run with only the clothes on their backs. They must explore the world and gather its resources in order to discover the recipes they need to build a mighty empire. What sets Dungeons & Kingdoms apart is that players can command NPCs to help in the building effort.
Kingdom Builder/Management
One of the goals of Dungeons & Kingdomsis to build a mighty empire from scratch. Players get to command a growing population of NPCs to gather, build, craft, and send them on adventures. Like other village management games, players will need to be mindful of their citizen’s happiness. It is a very intricate game with many moving parts, but there is also a bit of dungeon delving to keep things fresh and interesting.
Dungeon Delve
Players can delve dungeons in search of treasure to fund the growth of their empire. Combat in this game is pretty simple, but requires a bit of fines to get the kills. Whatever flavor of the game you like, Dungeons & Kingdoms does a lot for its player, but is it any good?
Review
The game does a little too much, and none of it works well at this stage of development. While I like the game’s concept, you really need to be okay with the janky state the game is in. As far as Early Access games, you can do worse, but you can definitely do better. I like Core Keeper is my favorite survival game, and Pathless Woods if you want something a little more cozy.
Aesthetic
I am not a big fan of the visuals for Dungeons & Kingdoms. The world is boring, and feels a little too empty. The character and visual design is a little too pixelated and ugly. It feels like they are mashing too many styles for their assets together when they should try to go for something consistent and simple. The game is doing way too much and I can’t expect it to be realistic and perform well enough to be fun, not that it already is. They need to find a theme for their world and stick to it whether it be the weird 3D pixel art or something more realistic. I prefer a little weirdness personally.
Gameplay
I like that the game has a lot to do. The blending of genres is a very interesting idea with a good amount of potential, but all these moving parts can be overwhelming. If the game can successfully onboard players through those awkward early stages of the game, it can have its growing fandom. Unfortunately, the tutorial is boring and not very good. It doesn’t help that the performance isn’t great. While I like the idea of a survival game with all of these elements, the execution isn’t good enough to make a positive impression. If you have the patience to fight through the bugs and performance issues, your time is still better spent elsewhere. I really liked Enshrouded.
Performance
I usually give Early Access games a bit of a pass because they aren’t finished yet, but the performance issues make the game more work than its worth. There is a general wonkiness that carries over to every task. The game has bad UI that makes navigating through the many menus a chore. It got to the point where I was working too hard and wasn’t having fun. The problem is that the game is trying way too much at once. There are so many moving parts and while some may be working fine, I didn’t have it in me to get to that point. Most gamers won’t either. I am willing to try the game in a couple of updates if the performance improves, but I can’t recommend it in its current state.
Conclusion
Dungeons & Kingdoms has some cool ideas, it doesn’t do any of its parts good enough to earn a recommendation. For every genre this game mashes together, you simply have better options. Even if you want to help test a game that will most likely have a long early access, you can do so much better. I am willing to try a better version of what I got to test out, but I can’t ask people to spend their hard earned money on something that is this rough. Go play anything else and wait for a few more updates.
KiiBOOM sent me the Moonshadow V2for free to review for my blog, but this time in pink. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Cibrix29 Keypad or the very cute Y2K Keycaps. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it to buy anything.
Table of Contents
What’s in the Box?
KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2
USB-C to USB-A Cable
2.4gHz Wireless Dongle
Key/Switch Puller
Manual
Features
The Moonshadow returns with notable improvements on the popular classic design to that make it the perfect upgrade for any set up. Its sleek modern design, high-functioning utility and performance promise the perfect typing experience.
Design
The Moonshadow V2 is a prime example of KiiBOOM’s masterful craftsmanship. It’s sturdy aluminum alloy frame is well machined to not only look good, but survive the most intense of team fights. The Moonshadow is available in three colors: Pink, Black, and Silver.
The V2 is a 75% keyboard with 81 keys and a nob. Each key features soft south-facing RGB for some added flare. The gasket design generates the perfect typing sound while the switches promise users the comfortable typing experience they’ve been looking for.
Utility
The Moonshadow V2 is QMK and VIA compatitable, meaning each key and the nob can be reconfigured for the ideal workflow. Weather it be programing shortcuts, rebinding keys, or adding some useful macros, the Moonshadow is a very good looking keyboard ready to max out your efficiency.
Performance
The V2 is ready to level up your gaming experience with its promised low latency connections:
7.2ms on wired
9ms on wireless 2.4GHz
20ms on Bluetooth 5.0
Those who want less wire clutter will appreciate the respectable 6000 mAh battery. Those who live in front of the TV will love Anti-Ghosting and ideal poling rate. If you are looking for a keyboard that can keep up with the demands of this face paced world, you will find few better than the KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2.
Review
I’ve reviewed the KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2 before. I loved it so much I got it in a second color. If you are looking for the perfect keyboard to upgrade your setup or as a gift for this holiday season, pick up the Moonshadow V2
Quality
KiiBOOM consistantly delivers high quality keyboards and accessories at a very reasonable price point. My keyboard was kicked around by my mail man and came in pieces. I was able to put it back together and noticed no performance dips. Not only is this the ideal keyboard for a tinkerer, but it speaks highly of the high quality production that went into Moonshadow V2. Everything on this keyboard is cleanly machined for an elegant piece of tech that I am proud to display on my desk.
Comfort
The switches are a bit on the heavier side. It took a little longer to get used to, but now I am having trouble going back. The heavy feedback that comes with every press is such a satisfying feeling, and they don’t destroy my hands as much as other cheap keyboards have. The stock typing angle is perfect for my needs, and the keys feel very nice under my fingertips. The Moonshadow V2 may not be strictly ergonomic, but it is comfortable enough for the long hours I need it for. I’m on my keyboard an average 10 hours a day.
Performance
The Moonshadow V2 is ready to handle any workflow. I used mine for data entry, writing, and gaming without issue. It doesn’t seem like the rough shipping had any effect. I was able to enjoy 10 hours of uninterrupted wireless use with no noticeable latency. This was with all the RGB on.
Conclusion
The Moonshadow V2 is my favorite keyboard I’ve received from any company. I am a huge fan of the elegant aluminum frame and stylish color scheme, but the typing experience is where the V2 just wins. If are looking for the perfect mechanical keyboard that you don’t have to build yourself, the KiiBOOM Moonshadow V2 is the perfect place to start. You can even customize it with one of the beautiful keycaps like the Dough Fluff set. They keyboard has good battery life, and it handles all my workflow perfectly. I love that there is room for customization for added utility.
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.
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.
Kiwiears sent me a a free pair of the Ellipse headphones 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. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Belle earbuds and the Serene headphones. I will also be using my Amazon affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.
The Kiwiears Ellipse is a powerful budget headset that promises the features and soundscape you want in for your listening needs.
Design
The Ellipse are a stylish headphones with a light and ergonomic design for comfortable listening. The plush vegan-leather pads are not only for elegance, but provide the headphone’s signature comfort. The detachable cable 3.5mm makes it easy to store and gives it a longer lifespan than the typical headphones. This means you can always trade your cable for something that better fits your style.
Performance
The wired design is key for any lossless audio experience, and you don’t have to worry about charging another gadget. The headphones themselves are tuned to take advantage of their premium 50mm dynamic drivers to deliver a finely tuned soundstage. The KiwiEars Ellipse promise to deliver the beautifully balanced high fidelity at a very affordable price.
Review
You aren’t doing much better at this price point than the KiwiEars Ellipse. These headphones not only look cool, but they deliver an impressive sound that is worth buying into. Whether you need some everyday beaters or an upgrade to your existing setup, I would argue that the Ellipse headphones are a decent place to start. That’s if you aren’t willing the little extra it costs to pick up the Altruva.
Quality
KiwiEars makes fantastic headphones, and the Ellipse are no exception. Out of the box, I was impressed by the cleanly manufactured high quality headphones. They are made with sturdy material that offer a good amount of flex that I have confidence that they will survive some hard traveling. The vegan-leather accents don’t look cheap, and the cushion is underneath is soft and bouncy. They may be on the cheaper end of headphones, but they definitely don’t have that look or feel.
Comfort
The Ellipse headphones are incredibly comfortable. They offer a strong enough hold to stay in place, but they don’t squeeze my giant head. I wouldn’t go running with them, but they will survive a daily commute. I like how the cushion snuggles at my head and ear, but the cushion does get a little hot. It is winter here so the added warmth is welcomed, but I am not sure how these will be in the summer. Either way, I dare you to find a more comfortable set of headphones at this price range.
Performance
The sound is fine. You aren’t getting studio quality hi-fi sound, but most people aren’t going to notice. The soundstage is full enough to get you through the day. Music sounds good without the overcompensating bass you get in cheap headphones, voices come clear for those who want something for podcasts or YouTube, and they offer a solid ASMR experience. You get a better sound with the Altruvas for a little more money, but the Ellipse is still a very strong contender at this price point.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an affordable pair of headphones that deliver a good sound, check out the KiwiEars Ellipse. They look cool and sound great at a very good price point. While they are overshadowed by the Altruvas, most people won’t notice the difference. you’re getting a solid pair of headphones either way.
I was sent a custom Elderwood Academy spellbook as a gift for the Riftbound launch. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest review of the spellbook. Make sure you check out the official Elderwood Academy page for unique tabletop RPG accesories.
Table of Contents
What is Elderwood Academy Spellbook?
Elderwood Academy Spellbook makes high quality TTRPG accessories. They make unique wooden dice trays, dice towers, and journals in the form of spellbooks. They offer hundreds of customization options so that you can get a book that not only fits your RPG needs, but fits your personality. If you are looking for a a clean and cool way to carry your tabletop accessories to your next campaign, check out what the Elderwood Academy has to offer. As a forever DM, I am a huge fan of their Master Tome DM Screen. It looks like a cool spell book and can carry everything I need to run my next campaign.
What I got
I didn’t get any of the Tabletop products to review, but I did get a special Riftbound Spellbook. As far as I know, it is a unique item that was created in collaboration with UVS, the people behind the Riftbound TCG.
The wooden box is lined with faux leather with the Riftbound, UVS, and League of Legends logo printed in shining text. My copy came personalized with my full name. The wood is smooth with a nice finish to give it that elegant flare, and the inside is decided to fit the four trial decks and booster packs snugly inside. The book closes securely with a magnet that is strong enough to keep your contents from falling out.
Review
The tome is very impressive. It is crafted from high quality materials with a good amount of care and attention. Unfortunately, isn’t very practical for my TCG needs. That said, I am impressed enough by the design and quality to look into the rest of their official line.
Quality
This spellbook was a very happy surprise. At first glance, it looks like a real book. The leather binding is very elegent, but the edges run a little long. I suspect they will wear down with travel and years of use, I can only hope they don’t start looking ratty instead of a used book. I’ve been carrying this around my bag and the edges don’t look as bad, and the wear seems pretty reasonable. Some of the letters are starting to crack which is normal, but the design is still visible. None of it has fallen off. It should survive a few years of normal wear and tear.
The wood bits are impressive. They have clean and clear designs and everything is smooth. Companies that cut corners will have pieces that start to crack or flake a the seems, but everything here looks well designed. All of the compartments are firm. Nothing felt loose or flimsy, even against my unrealistic force tests. Everything is staying in place.
The magnet that holds everything in place is very impressive. It is strong enough to keep your contents safely secured during travel, and can even survive a few hard shakes. I wouldn’t go flipping it upside down though.
The Fit
Elderwood Academy has an impressive attention to detail. The book is perfectly designed to fit its contents in a nice presentation. This book looks very cool with all four decks boxes snugly fit inside. The problem is, it only fits the four deck boxes and the unsleeved trial decks. It does not fit my entire sleeved deck, even if I remove the deckbox. The compartments are too short and anything taller than a 50 card single sleeved deck is spilling into the rest of the box. Your cards may not fall out because of the strong magnet, but you will need to do some reorganizing when it is time to take them out.
Taking them out is also a bit of a chore. The snug compartments are perfect to hold the deckbox, but it is a bit too tight for sleeved cards. I could take out most of the deck, but there was always a bottom portion that got left behind. I am afraid that using this tome as a regular deckbox will result in some damage to my cards.
To be fair, the book was not designed as an everyday deckbock. It was a giftbox to hold the trial decks, and it is perfect at that. If I didn’t sleeve the decks and kept them in the box, there are no issues. Unfortunately, I sleeve everything and the book can’t be used as anything more practical as decoration. This is a shame because I was very excited to take my cool looking deckbox to my next locals, and if they ever design one, they will take all of my money. It would be cool if they have a way to fit three decks and a slot for dice and accessories and even a notepad. They can even get a little extra and make their own deckboxes to fit the different compartments.
That said, if the quality of the specifications say anything about the brand, the Elderwood Academy TTRPG accessories are a guarantee banger.
Conclusion
Even though I am disappointed at the lack of practicality of my spell book, it is still a very cool gift that I will keep on display. I think the unique high quality feel makes up for the lack of utility, and it definitely makes me want to look into the rest of their line. I might even try to do a little modding of my won to repurpose it into a proper deckbox.
I was sent a few packs a couple of the Riftbound trial deck 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 want to buy Riftbound, try to support your LGS. Don’t pay scalper prices. Anything above MSRP is not worth it. Usually I would post my TCG Plug, but the prices on there are too crazy. I don’t want to support the inflated market.
Table of Contents
What is Riftbound
Riftbound tries to bring the action-packed gameplay of the popular moba to the tabletop. Play as your favorite champion as you battle for supremacy in an unforgettable tabletop experience.
Winning
Players control a hero that gives them certain passives, but also dictates the colors and strategy of the deck. Each champion will have the colors that they can use in battle, and each color has a specific strategy they excel at. The goal of Riftbound is to score eight points before your opponent. You earn points by taking control of one of the two battlefields, except for the game winning point that requires control of both. You take control by moving units into a battlefield, and successfully taking or defending against an opponent’s units.
Resource System
What makes Riftbound unique is its resource system. Runes are a player’s primary resource system. These are a separate two color deck that the player pulls two cards each turn (3 on your first turn if going second). The player places these cards into a pool to cast spells, use abilities, and summon allies. Rune cards are kept in the pool unless the player recycles them. Some cards have an additional recycle cost. Players pay this cost by putting runes back into their resource deck (the card shows the cost). This creates Riftbounds interesting resource management mechanic. Do you play with less resources next turn to utilize a powerful ability?
Movement
Riftbound has a movement mechanic, but one that is simple enough to keep the TCG feel while still feeling meaningful. There are three locations a players can have units, in the base or one of the two battlefields. Battlefields are cards that have different abilities. Each player places one of their battlefield cards on the field at the start of the game, and switches the card at the start of the next game. Units enter a player’s base tapped, and can move into one of the two bases when they lose that summoning sickness.
How to Play
I am a visual learner, and the best tutorial I watched was by the Tolarian Community College. Definitely go find your favorite YouTuber in the space, but I like how clearly the professor lays out the mechanics and gameplay loop. It is very easy to follow and the visuals make it easy to understand. I don’t think I will be winning any tournaments soon, but at least I know how to play. Make sure you give the professor a like, comment, and subscribe. He’s earned it.
Review
Riftbound is a fun TCG with unique mechanics and interactions. Unfortunately, if you are looking for a new TCG to get into, you might need to wait till they fix the supply issue. This game isn’t worth the scalper prices.
Art
The unique art for the champions is fantastic. If you are a fan of the Moba, you will appreciate the love and care that has gone into each champion, especially the foil cards. Unfortunately, the rest of the set is rather unimpressive. While there are a few cute poros that got my attention, most of the cards didn’t leave much of an impression. Maybe I’ve been away from the game for too long and failed to appreciate the references, but as a collector, there wasn’t much to excite me.
It is the same issue I have with the publisher’s other game, Universus. Fun game, but only some of the cards are fun to collect.
I can’t really blame the game for its art direction. When a game takes on an established IP, there are limitations that prevent the creativity I’m looking for in a card game. The company has to do right by the established IP. This is kind of the double edged sword games like deal with. On one hand, the game pulls in the fans of IP that want a game, in this case League of Legends. On the other hand, they aren’t able to be as creative with the art. Unfortunately, this means most of the cards in Riftbound aren’t fun to collect. But does convertibility matter when the game is fun?
Gameplay
Riftbound is a lot of fun. The game is easy to learn, but it has a few mechanics that make it difficult (not impossible) to master. Riftbound has a solid mulligan system to prevent players bricking as often on the first turn. RNG can still make you brick on a mulligan, but it doesn’t feel as bad as a bad start in Magic or Pokemon. The mana system is great. It is a straight forward system that eliminates the flooding and screwing that happens in magic. Having resources exist as a seperate deck is awesome because I love drawing cards, but it means I need to have my deck sleeved in multiple colors. (Make sure you buy your sleeves where you play your games).
What I liked most about the game is the movement system. I’ve played a few TCGs with movement mechanics, like Genesis Battle of Champions and Paragon, but none of those feature a grid based system that felt more like a board game. I loved my time with both those games, but I am not very good at strategically moving units across a battle field. Not to mention, movement can bog down the game. In Riftbound, movement is simple (just three spaces) but it felt meaningful. Most importantly, I didn’t feel overwhelmed by the number of choices.
Unfortunately, while the game may be fun, the quality isn’t quite there. At least on the first printing.
Quality
The more packs of Riftbound I opened, the more disappointed I became with the game as a collector. The card stock feels thin and like it can be easily damaged. All of my packs came damaged from the factory. All of my cards, including the foils, were already whitening around the edges. This is extremely disappointing as a collector, but something I would be willing to overlook because the game is fun.
I am glad I got my packs for free, and I am very glad they didn’t send me better quality cards because I would be very upset if I paid above MSRP. I am willing to support the game in the hopes that future sets and cards get better print quality, but I wouldn’t rush to pay the scalpers to play this game. It is a fun game, but I want my cardboard to be a little fancier.
Conclusion
Riftbound is a refreshing TCG that deserves a lot of the attention it has been getting. It has interesting and fun interactions, but the first set is a rough launch. In its current state, I can’t recommend it, but mostly because players can’t get their hands on reasonably priced product. If the supply issue improves and players are able to enter the competitive scene without having to sell their soul. Especially since the quality makes the first set not much fun to open. If this issue gets resolved, I’m willing to change my review because I had a lot of fun with Riftbound. I say proxy until you can find product at MSRP.
