I sat down to try Dungeons of Hinterberg because I liked the art style. The game features a fun and quirky style that I find soothing. I was also impressed by the bit of gameplay that I saw. While I did appreciate a few of the game’s quirks and gimmicks, the demo didn’t leave me wanting more. In its current iteration, you simply have better options.
What is the Dungeons of Hinterberg?
Dungeons of Hinterberg is a puzzle dungeon crawler coming to PC and Xbox.
Hunterberg is a popular vacation spot. Its beautiful landscape and perilous dungeons attract brave adventurers from around the globe and provide a meaningful escape from their boring 9-5s. Play as Luisa as she makes her pilgrimage. Can she conquer the dungeons before the end of her holiday?
Impressions
Dungeons of Hinterberg isn’t a bad game. The art style is cool, the music is fine, and the game works. The problem I have with the game is that there are simply better options. As a puzzle game, it isn’t very fun. The puzzles are fine, but they felt like busy work for the most part. Combat in this game felt fine until the novelty wore off and it got stale. It feels like a phone game that got ported onto PC, which isn’t a bad thing, but again, you have better options. My biggest issue is that the tutorial took too long. By the time the game built its momentum, I had already lost interest in the game.
I know it isn’t fair to judge a game by its demo, but the demo should at least make me want to play more. The Demo is up on Steam, but you have better options.
Dungeons of Hinterberg releases on July 18 on Steam and Xbox. It will come to day one of game pass, I recommend you wait for that instead.
I was sent a free copy of Destiny 2’s latest expansion, The Final Shape, to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like comment, and share this with your friends. Check out my reviews for the Fifine H9 Gaming Headset and the AM8 Streaming Microphone if you are looking for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.
I know this review is a little late, but I chose the wrong time to have a baby. Between all the diaper changes, feedings, and cuddles, I was somehow able to find time to play through the expansion story. Unfortunately, fatherhood doesn’t allow me for any of the multiplayer content. This review will focus on the single-player content.
I’ve been playing Destiny on and off since its release. Like most, some expansions grabbed my attention and I did all I could to complete the content. Other expansions have sat in my library untouched, or unfinished. I honestly wouldn’t have bothered with the new expansion if it weren’t free. The Final Shape was the first Destiny expansion where I cared about what was happening in the story and sat attentively through the cut scenes. Most cruelly, however, The Final Shape made me care about Destiny when I didn’t have the time to play it.
The Final Shape brings guardians into The Traveler as they prepare for the final confrontation with the witness. It introduces the new Prismatic subclass that allows players for a truly customizable experience. I thought the new subclass was fine, but this will come to preference.
As a casual fan of the series, I have a vague understanding of the lore. There are great recap videos up on YouTube, but I went into the Final Shape completely blind. I did manage to get through the Beyond Light expansion beforehand and thought that was pretty cool. I didn’t have much time to do anything else. You will need to know some of the important figures and plot points to understand what is going on, but you can always watch a summary to prepare and go back to play through the playable expansions later. I don’t think I would have become as invested if I didn’t have any prior exposure to the story.
I like that you can play through the story like an offline single-player game with the options for multiplayer. You can either play through the story mode or choose to play a harder heroic mode if you need the added challenge. I played through the story and thought the challenge was appropriate for my skill level.
The story itself is fantastic. The voice acting is terrific, as it generally is with Destiny. The pacing is solid, and the plot is interesting. This was the first time in a while that I found myself trying hard. Not because I was grinding for a seasonal weapon, but because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. If you’ve been disappointed by Destiny’s storytelling before, The Final Shape might be the expansion that gives you hope for the future of the franchise. If I didn’t have other responsibilities, I could easily see myself no-lifing till completion.
Gameplay-wise, the game still feels like destiny. The enemy design is unique and interesting, but the game still has bullet sponges. The invulnerability mechanic was fun at first, but it does get old and it does slow down some of the fights. That said, there were some interesting boss mechanics that helped keep my attention.
The Final Shape blew me away with its aesthetics. The new armor and weapons are cool, but the world and maps are breathtaking. I love the creativity that went into breaking and rearranging the world to the almost surreal adventure it became. This expansion made me appreciate the fact that I have a computer that can handle the game’s graphics at a high setting. Even if you’ve had your reservations, you won’t be able to deny the fact that Destiny at its current iteration looks good.
I know there were a lot of performance and connection issues at launch. There was an announced maintenance that was a little annoying. I didn’t experience any of that, probably because I was always playing in the weirdest hours, but it is something to consider, especially since you can’t replay any of the cutscenes. I think it is great as is, and if you are looking to get into Destiny, or just want to close the loop, I say you pull the trigger and enjoy one of the game’s best expansions.
Every month gets us closer to Drakantos launch. I’ve been following this game for a while, and my excitement never wavers. May was a spectacular month. The devs revealed an exciting amount of progress, but more importantly, I think I found my main in Thomas.
If you want to stay up to date on all the Drakantos news, make sure you join the official discord and read the official Dev Log. Don’t forget to add Drakantos to your Steam wishlist!
If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a headset for gaming or a mic for streaming, check out my reviews for the Fifine H9 gaming headset and AM8 streaming mic.
Thomas Gameplay
I was going to play Thomas because he is a cat. After today, I am playing Thomas for the gameplay. Thomas seems like a supporting character with enough power to solo content if necessary. I have always been a support main, and I don’t think Drakantos will change that. Although, a couple of the DPS classes have gotten a bit of my attention.
Thomas is your typical bard. His instrument seems to buff allies and debuffs and damages enemies. That taunt ability is going to be fun in raids and PvP. What makes Thomas unique is the mini game you have to play for casting spells. From the Dev Log:
🧙♂️Dev Note: Playing with Thomas is like playing an instrument, you need to match the colors of the notes when using ‘Resonance’ to increase the effectiveness of the spell.
I was a Sona main in League. I dig the music magic flavor, and the mini-game is a nice touch. It makes spellcasting more engaging, and it could make Thomas a more technical character to play effectively. We will have to see what this looks like in the field, but I am curious.
If you’re looking for a ranged support character and don’t mind all the cat puns, Thomas is your cat.
Cultist Tower Gameplay
We got some dungeon gameplay. In the video, we get to see general mobs, and a mini-boss when the devs enter the elevator. The idea is that the events in elevators will always be different, to keep gameplay fresh and exciting. I am impressed with the general combat loop, and the dungeon looks really cool. I am a huge fan of the game’s art style.
Hydra Boss Fight
A hydra boss fight is being designed, and the art for the stage is fantastic. I can’t wait to see what the hydra looks like in its final incarnation.
Treasure Gnomes!
These work like treasure goblins in Diablo but with an adorable redesign. I will allow it!
Mimics!
There are going to be mimics in this game. I am a huge fan of the design, and it means more traps to look out for. I hope they drop some solid gear.
I was sent the Fifine AM8 Streaming microphone for free 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a fantastic gaming headset, check out my review for the Fifine H9s. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
I am pleased by the sound quality. Out of the box and without any processing, you can get a solid sound from this cool looking device. I am very impressed with how good at is at filtering background noise. There will be some bleed, but it is far better than other mics at a similar price point. With some 3rd party filtering and a better acoustic, I’m sure you can manage a better sound. It isn’t going to be studio mic quality, but good enough if you’re on a budget or are just starting out in the space. I do recommend you pick up a mic arm for the best results.
Build
The AM8 is a well-manufactured device. This mic looks fancy out of the box, with a very nice machine finish. The foam that covers the mic not only looks nice, but it is of a nice material. The RGB lighting is soft, and it looks nice. The touch controls for both the RGB settings and mute are very responsive and easy to use. The same goes for the volume controls. The nobs have a smooth glide, and being able to control the volume for the mic and headphones is a very cool feature. Most importantly, the AM8 is built sturdy. I’ve already dropped the device a few times, and haven’t noticed any damage or loss of function. I am very clumsy, so dropping the AM8 shouldn’t be an issue, even if you only use the stand it comes with.
Review
I love the AM8 streaming mic, and have made it my default setup. The sound is great for the price point, and it makes a decent DAC. You aren’t getting a professional audiophile sound stage through this setup, but it is a lot better than the onboard sound you’d get otherwise. The mic looks cool on my desk, and I love that I can turn off the RGB when I don’t need it. Most importantly, I like how easy it is to mute with a touch of a button.
When it comes to mics and headsets, you are usually paying that gaming marketing premium. You’re paying for that gamer aesthetic, buzzwords, and RGB. This isn’t the case with Fifine products. With the two products I’ve got to try out, I am impressed with how much of their promises they can deliver at the price point they exist in. If you’re looking for your start in streaming, podcasting, or content creation, grab yourself a Fifine AM8 streaming microphone. The AM8 also has an XLR port for those who need it. I didn’t get to test this feature, but it is nice to have for those who need it.
If you’re looking for a quality budget streaming mic, you can’t go wrong with the Fifine AM8. You can pick up your Fifiine AM8 Streaming microphone in Black, Pink, or White for $64.99 ($46.74 as of writing this) on Amazon using my affiliate links.
This week, I finished my campaign for The One Ring RPG. I ran it using a mixture of the starter set and a few events I made up along the way. Please note that Free League Publishing sent me free copies of the PDFs to review for my blog. While I am very grateful, this will be my honest review. If you enjoy these reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
The One Ring Roleplaying Gameis a ttrpg based in Tolkien’s iconic fantasy universe. Even though GMs can run their own stories within the world, events are meant to exist between those in The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings. This is a game that is heavily driven by narrative and roleplay. The books are lore-rich and flavorful. While an extensive knowledge of the source material isn’t necessary to enjoy this system, fans of the series will have a deeper appreciation for its level of detail.
Gameplay
While The One Ring has an interesting skill and combat system, the game is roleplay and narrative-driven. Rolls can sway the narrative and lead to some funny moments, but the focus will always be on the story and creating an epic yarn within the universe.
The most unique aspect of The One Ring is the Council. The Fellowship phase is where players talk to a council and ask for permission, jobs, favors, etc. There are also bonuses associated with building a relationship with the fellowship and patrons. This is a neat feature for players and GMs who enjoy roleplaying diplomacy with the added spontaneity of dice rolls.
The system alsofeatures a very unique combat system. There is no initiative. Players always go first, unless ambushed, and they can pick typically pick the order they go in. Mechanics like combat stances, gear, and stances allow for strategy, but it isn’t meant to be min-maxed. While I’m sure some people could break this game, combat is designed to tell a story based on how the dice roll.
My favorite aspect of The One Ring is how it handles travel. To start travel, players will come together to map out their route. The GM version of this map may include obstacles the party may encounter but are kept secret till they become relevant. The party chooses then chooses from one of the four roles: Guide, Hunter, Scout, and Lookout. Players then roll their perspective skills, and a story is made based on those rolls. There are tables in the scorebook that help create this narrative, we typically just make up our own.
What I enjoyed most about travel is the fatigue mechanic. Based on the results, the party gains fatigue through the course of the adventure. Fatigue limits the amount of gear they can carry, and can make them go down quicker in combat. The only way to reduce fatigue is in town, and typically after a quest. This mechanic made travel feel more impactful, and players would be cautious of how they mapped their adventure to avoid unnecessary fatigue.
The Starter Set
The Starter set includes everything you need to run your first One Ring campaign. The box includes:
A 24-page rulebook
Lorebook for The Shire
An adventure book with 6 prewritten adventures
8 Double-sided pre-generated character sheets
Two Large maps for The Shire and Eriador
30 Item Cards
6 Double Sided Journey Role and Combat Stance Cards
2 D12 Feat Dice
6 D6 Success Dice
While having the physical product with the special dice, maps, and cards is nice, it isn’t necessary. You can get by with the PDF, theater of the mind, and normal dice. You can pick up the PDF version of the starter set on DriveThru RPG.
The adventure in the starter set is a great way to onboard new players to RPGs. The adventure does a lot of hand-holding. Players and GMs are slowly introduced to the different mechanics of the system, GMs get terrific examples of encounters and descriptions, and there is a detailed lorebook to help fill the world. While experienced GMs and players will find the adventure a little slow, it is an invaluable asset for players who have never played an RPG. My biggest piece of advice for GMs running through the adventure is to not be afraid of going off-book. What you and your party make up will always be better.
I ran through some of the adventures, but we quickly went off-book because the pacing was too slow, and our interest shifted elsewhere. The adventures are fine, but they left a bit to be desired. Fans of The Hobbit might enjoy the adventure more. I don’t think the starter set is necessary unless you need a place to start or want the items in the box for your main campaign. I can’t speak for the quality of the items in the box, but I would start with just the core book if you already know how to run an RPG.
Review
We enjoyed The One Ring, and I am happy I got to run it. It was a very different change of pace, but we had a blast making up the store. We stripped away some of the mechanics that didn’t make sense for our table, like the council, and I recommend you do the same.
This system isn’t going to be for everyone. The game is heavily dependent on roleplay and storytelling. I would avoid this game if you’re group isn’t comfortable with either of these aspects. I was surprised at how quickly my group took to the new style because I have players who don’t do either, but we’ve been friends long enough to feed off each other’s jokes. Ultimately, the most fun we had in this game was when we went off script and created the dumbest, most insane story within The Lord of the Rings universe.
I wouldn’t be afraid that this is a Lord of the Rings game. My table went into this game with a vague understanding of the lore and had fun. The books are well-written and have all the lore you’ll need if that’s the kind of game you want to run. I feel like my players enjoyed reading the lore about monsters and races more than they did playing the game. While I am sure fans of the series will appreciate the details, it isn’t going to be a problem if you go into it as a casual. The books also have some beautiful illustrations so at worst, you have a cool-looking fantasy book to sit on your shelf.
I liked that we played the system, but it isn’t something that we would ever rush to play. The system is unique, the gameplay is fun, and I loved the stories we came up with, but I enjoyed other systems better. The game isn’t bad, it’s just personal preference. This game is made for a specific type of gamer who likes to roleplay high fantasy and enjoys The Lord of the Rings lore. If you’re looking for a new fantasy TTRPG to get into, make sure you are comfortable with roleplaying and storytelling. This is the type of game that you can run successfully with only 5 minutes of prep time if you’re good at improving, and your players are comfortable participating. If you and you’re group aren’t there yet, I would look elsewhere.
You can pick up a copy of the core book ($49.99) or starter set ($39) on Amazon through my affiliate links.
I was sent a free copy of Kid Pilotto 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 these reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a quality budget headset, check out the Fifine H9 Gaming Headset using my Amazon Affiliate link. Make sure you check out my full review. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
Kid Pilot is a unique VR experience where players fly a toy airplane using their hand and travel through creative and beautiful environments. Grab your favorite toy plane and solve puzzles, maneuver through obstacles, and occasionally fight your way through what promises to be the coziest VR experience. Do you have what it takes to put this game down?
Gameplay
Kid Pilot is not a flight simulator, but rather a play simulor. Instead of having a cockpit, players control a toy plane from a third-person view and only through the use of one of their hands. It is very reminiscent of a simpler time when we used to pretend everything could fly.
The game starts simple as it eases players into the fundamental mechanics, but eventually ramps up the difficulty to keep things fun and engaging. Players will have to do things like fly through creative courses, shoot targets, avoid hazards, and solve puzzles. It is a very simple loop, but one that is consistently kept fresh and engaging.
Review
Kid Pilotis the cutest and coziest VR experience that I can’t recommend enough. I enjoyed flying the cute toy plane through the game’s creative stages and loved the cozy environment. The game has a great aesthetic, a fantastic soundtrack, and fun gameplay. If you’re looking for a relaxing and engaging title with a bit of whimsy, you need to pick up Kid Pilot.
Kid Pilot is great for kids. The gameplay is simple enough to grasp, the concept is cool, and the game is overall inoffensive. Adults will appreciate the unforgettably cute and chill experience. I promise you’ve never played a game like Kid Pilot, and you’re going to have trouble putting it down.
Kid Pilot is available now on Steam VR for only $19.99 (currently $17.99 until June 5th).
I was sent a free copy of Ikki Unite 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 these reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a quality budget headset, check out the Fifine H9 Gaming Headset using my Amazon Affiliate link. Make sure you check out my full review. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
Ikki Unite is a pixel art, bullet hell action roguelike out now on Steam ($11.99) and Switch ($14.99).
Join up with your friends and fight against hordes of enemies in the most time-crunching and intense fight of your life. Try it solo, or team up with up to 16 as you defend the town from locusts, monkeys, and other beasts. Make sure you beat the bosses before time runs out. How far can you and your friends get?
Gameplay
The loop for this game is simple. If you play solo, you choose your character, load in, and start fighting swarms of enemies as you attempt to complete the quest before time runs out. The loop is the same in multiplayer, but you get a random hero that you can reroll once.
The game auto attacks, but players need to maneuver characters carefully to keep them alive. Enemies will occasionally drop coins, and players use these coins to buy random upgrades. Players can buy a random weapon, stat boost, or companion to make runs easier. As enemies get tougher, the choices you make for upgrades start to matter more. Make sure you always choose carefully. You won’t need a guide to get through this game, but it pays off to be mindful from the start.
The run is over when a player’s life points go to zero, or time runs out. Players can extend the time limit by completing quests. Quests are not marked. Ikki Unite’s main challenge is finding the balance between farming the endless mobs of enemies and searching for the bosses within the always fleeting time limit.
Bad RNG will absolutely ruin a run. While I do feel the RNG is consistently fair, there were one or two runs that were impossible from the start. Some heroes are worse than others. While this may be an issue with playstyle preference, a bad hero will ruin a run just as badly as the game’s RNG. I recommend you try all the heroes out in single-player first so that you know when to reroll if you ever find yourself in a multiplayer game.
Multiplayer in my region is dead, and I can’t speak about the online experience. From what I’ve read, the game’s performance varies by region. If you want to play this game in multiplayer, you’ll need to play with friends. The solo experience is valid, but I can see this game being more fun with friends.
Review
I enjoyed this Ikki Unite. Not as much as Brotato, but well enough that I can recommend it. The game has an adorable retro vibe with a terrific soundtrack. The gameplay is chill, but it can be challenging if you aren’t paying attention. The characters are unique and the attacks are quirky and flavorful. This is a solid game for those looking for a game with a retro vibe with a modern feel. I see this game being better if you have friends to go in with you, but the solo experience is valid. I am a little disappointed that I never found an online match, but maybe you’ll get lucky.
I found the gameplay relaxing but with enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. While this isn’t a game I can nolife, it is a game I can pick up when I want a change of pace or want to have a wacky time with my friends. If you’re in the mood for an action roguelike, Ikki Unite is a solid choice.
You can pick up Ikki Unite on Steam ($11.99) and Switch ($14.99).
I was sent a free copy of Terra Memoria 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 these reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. If you’re looking for a quality budget headset, check out the Fifine H9 Gaming Headset using my Amazon Affiliate link. Make sure you check out my full review. Don’t forget to follow the socials!
Terra is a world of magic and magical technology. For years, innovation has been powered by magical crystals mined from the earth. But a shortage has hit Terra, and access to these crystals grows increasingly scarce by the minute. The citizens of Terra grow uneasy as the world around them begins to shut down. Luckily, Fate has willed a group together a group with the power to change everything. What secrets will they uncover? Can Terra ever be restored to what it used to be?
Gameplay
Terra Memoria is an adorable RPG with interesting mechanics that help it stand out against other titles in the genre. I particularly enjoyed how the game handles crafting, gear, and combat.
Crafting and leveling are done at campfires or inns in town. Make sure you visit them often. As you battle monsters in the field, you’ll collect materials and experience points. Getting to a rest area automatically levels your character, and I appreciate that simplicity. Crafting is what makes the rest areas an interesting mechanic.
Crafting armor and cooking is done during a party’s rest, provided you have the right amount of materials. This is not only flavorful, but it means you don’t have to keep running back to town for upgrades if you plan accordingly. Cooking is done through a simple rhythm mini-game that you can fail if you’re not paying attention. Failing a recipe means you lose the materials, and materials can be scarce in the beginning. Cooking permanently raises your party’s HP, so eat often. This is the only way to raise your HP, and tougher enemies will wipe your party if you haven’t been easy. I appreciate that cooking isn’t just a gimmick, and I didn’t mind the mini-game.
Crafting weapons is just a press of a button. Unlike most games, gear in Terra Memoria comes in the form of stickers. This is such a cute idea, and I wanted to craft them all. Stickers grant buffs to the elements a character can use. Each attaching character can only carry three stickers at a time, and these stickers make a difference.
Terra Memoria’s combat system is the reason why you should play this game. When combat starts, characters and enemies are placed in a space on the timeline. When a character uses an attack, they are moved several spaces on the timeline based on the attack. For example, casting a punch attack will move a character four spaces in the timeline.
Characters have access to fast and slow actions. Fast actions are weaker, but they cost less spaces. Slow actions are more powerful, but move your character to the end of the order. Landing in an occupied space means you go after. The key to combat in Terra Memoria is taking advantage of the action economy, enemy weaknesses, and shield breaks. Breaking an enemy’s shield moves them to the end of the combat round, so try to do so often.
What makes combat exciting is the RNG. The party is made up of three main attackers and three characters to support them as pairs. While the three main attackers are always the same, the pairs are chosen randomly at the start of each combat. You can restrict the pairs you don’t want, but you can never choose your pairs. Each support character has a unique ability that changes how the main character attacks. This gives the party a very diverse move pool, but it also means you’re going to get pairings that don’t feel optimal. Make sure you restrict your choices as soon as the option is available.
Some abilities are stagnant, but Opals is also driven by RNG. Sometimes you’ll pull the exact pairings with the correct elements, and others you’ll have to deal with what you are given. I never felt like the RNG was unfair, and it always felt amazing when the stars aligned perfectly.
There is a grind to this game, as there typical for the genre, but it doesn’t feel soul-crushing. The RNG kept things interesting, and there was always a chance I would mess up and have to start over.
Review
I loved Terra Memoria. If you’re looking for a new RPG, this game should be on your list. This game is cute, quirky, and a whole lot of fun. The story for this game is well written. It is a little on the silly side, but I appreciate the dedication to its tone and theme. It made the game feel like a wholesome good time.
If it wasn’t clear, I enjoyed the game’s mechanics immensely. Combat was engaging and fun, crafting didn’t feel like busy work, and collecting the cute stickers became an obsession. I didn’t even mind the grind. You can over-level, so be mindful. The bosses always seemed to offer a decent challenge, so it wasn’t a huge issue.
Puzzles in this game are creative, and challenging, but don’t require a guide. There is a building mechanic. I don’t care much for building, but it is cute and is sure to eat away at your life. My only complaint is that I would get lost a lot, but I am famously bad at directions. If you’re a fan of classic RPGs without waypoints, this game is for you.
I loved Terra Memoria, and I think you will do. It is cute, fun, and very addicting.
If you’re looking to learn to play or teach someone to play the Pokemon Trading Card Game, the Battle Academy is a fantastic starting point. Keep in mind that this product was designed for kids and includes a more streamlined and stripped-down version of what you see in competitive play. If you’re trying to get into the competitive play, playing on PTCL for the automation and picking up the deck you want to take to locals is where you want to start. If you’re trying to onboard your kids or someone who doesn’t do much TCG, the Battle Academy sets are a fantastic product for you.
What’s in the Box?
Pokemon Battle Academy kits come with everything you need to get you started with the TCG. I know the 2024 version is coming June 24, but the 2022 is good enough and its cheap! The box includes:
3 60-card decks (Cinderace V, Eevee V, and Pikachu V)
2 player gameboard
3 Tutorial Guides
Coin
Cardboard damage counters
Quality
The quality is fantastic. The cards are printed nicely, with very cute foil mascots for each deck. The gameboard is easy to read, feels sturdy, and is easy to fold. I love the game board. It makes this kit feel like a board game you want to pull out when you want to play an even match of Pokemon TCG. The guides are easy to read and follow and are very handy if you don’t know how to play the game. We didn’t use them when we played, but I’ll explain in the review section below.
The damage counters the kit are fine, but I prefer using dice. I feel like the cardboard cutouts are unnecessarily messy, and don’t look as nice. I swapped mine out for dice.
The kit comes neatly packed in a plastic insert with sections big enough to store all the materials. My complaint is that it only fits the unsleeved decks. Sleeved decks will spill out of their compartments and get mixed up in transit. The product wasn’t made with crazy people like me who sleeve everything, so it’s not a huge deal. The decks do come numbered so if they get mixed up, you can put them back in order before the next lesson. Overall, I am happy with the presentation and it looks great on the shelf.
The Teaching Experience
I used the Battle Academy to teach my ten-year-old cousin who collects Pokemon cards how to play the card game. He’s never played a trading card game, and I have more years of experience than I would like to admit. We didn’t use the guides, although he did flip through to look at the pictures. Instead, we set up and started taking our turns. We played our first game with our hands showing as I walked him through the phases and rules. I recommend the decks in order for this first game because it makes teaching easier.
On my turn, I would show him my cards, and explain what I was doing, and why. On his turn, I would let him make his turn, and assist if there were things he missed or didn’t understand. I would occasionally explain strategies that didn’t seem obvious. He picked up the rules pretty quickly. By the end of the first game, he was ready to play on his own.
The second game we played with our hands concealed and I would only chime in when needed. Aside from a few missed phases, towards the beginning, he didn’t need much guidance. He won his second game, and he was hooked. He even asked me if I had different decks, which I definitely do.
Review
The Pokemon Battle Academy is the product you get if you want to teach someone who has never played a card game into the hobby. The gameplay is streamlined enough to make teaching and learning easy, but not so easy that it isn’t engaging. While it won’t get you ready to win the next regionals, it will build that solid foundation every good trainer needs.
The key thing to consider before making this purchase is skill level. As previously stated, trainers who want to take on the hobby seriously have better avenues, especially when considering that the cards included in the Battle Academy aren’t standard legal. They have special stamps and numbers to indicate this. On the other hand, if you’re casually trying to onboard a friend or get your kids interested in the TCG, this is great.
The decks themselves are pretty balanced and easy to learn. I do feel like the Eevee deck is a little easier, but not enough to make a difference. The decks will lack the consistency, power, and speed of the meta decks, but they are fun casual decks. Once you grasp the fundamentals and figure out you like the game, you can start buying into the archetype you want to play. Pokemon meta decks are pretty cheap, but you can always proxy if your funds are limited.
I love this product. It is a great way to teach your reading-aged kids or anyone casually looking into the card game. You won’t be ready for the current meta, but you’ll have fun learning the fundamentals. If you have kids on the younger side, the best place to start is with the My First Battle product. Check out my full review.
You can pick up the 2022 Battle Academy on TCG Player for $14 using my affiliate link. Be sure to read the description carefully! Some people are only selling the individual decks and not the whole kit. You can also wait for the 2024 Battle Academy to launch on June 24 if you want a kit with more modern mechanics. I don’t think it matters if you’re just using this product to play casually, but that is totally up to you.
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I was sent a free copy of Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlordto review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you’re looking for a quality budget headset, check out the Fifine H9 Gaming Headset using my Amazon Affiliate link. Make sure you check out my full review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials.
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is remake for the classic dungeon crawler from the Apple II era of gaming out now on on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC via Steam and GOG for $39.99.
Hire your team of adventurers and dive into the perilous maze. But your trek won’t be an easy one. The Mad Overlord is on your tail, and he is sending everything in his power to put an end to your adventure. Fight monsters, disarm traps, find treasure, and conquer the labyrinth. Do you have what it takes to carve your name into history, or will you be another of the maze’s casualties?
Gameplay
Players start the game by creating heroes or hiring them from the tavern. Once a six-person adventuring party has been established, players can dive into the maze and conquer all its secrets.
Players move through the maze one space at a time, with random encounters and traps to keep things interesting. Combat is a turn-based system with some unique mechanics. The adventuring party is split evenly into a front and back row. The front row can attack, the back row parries, and both rows can cast magic. There is a strategy to this combat. I don’t believe a guide is needed, but you do need to be mindful of your party’s composition, character traits and abilities, and your resources.
The hardest mechanic in Wizardry is navigating through the dungeon. I have a terrible sense of direction and spent a lot of my playthrough running in circles. I eventually did start to remember where I was going and got deeper into the dungeon. I recommend you map out your run so you don’t make the same mistake.
Wizardry has an unavoidable grind, but one that doesn’t feel so bad. Because I was constantly worried about my party’s health, and resources, and trying to find the way back to town, runs felt intense and scary. This game is very unforgiving if you’re wasteful and aren’t planning properly.
The game is a solid remake that not only captures the spirit of the classic RPG, the much-needed quality of life changes make the game fun, exciting, and more accessible.
Review
I’ve always had a soft spot for classic dungeon crawlers, and Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is no exception. The art and soundtrack of this game are fantastic, and I appreciate the nods to the original game. It is cool to see how far things have come since the Apple 2 Days without losing any of the spirit of the original.
The gameplay is fun, and the difficulty is appropriate. The game was hard enough to keep things engaging without ever being frustrating. The hardest part about this game is navigating through the dungeon, but that is all part of the immersion and what makes this game unique and engaging. The game can feel a little repetitive at times, but I found the repetition soothing. The grind is not as bad as other games in the genre. You can play the original mode if you prefer without any of the quality of life changes, which is a great nostalgic trip for anyone who needs it.
If you’re a fan of fantasy and want something that feels retro but with a modern pace, you need to pick up Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord.
You can pick up Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC via Steam and GOG for $34.99.
