Tag Archives: roguelike

Uncategorized

Wizard Hand Demo Review: A Promising Solitaire Roguelike

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent the Wizard Hand demo to review for my blog. I understand that the game is still in development, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these are my honest impressions.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

What is Wizard Hand?

Wizard Hand is a roguelike solitaire game coming to Steam. Make sure you check out the demo!

Play solitair using a magical deck and try to get the required score and move to the next level. The goal of the game is to clear the table of cards while beating the required score. All players start with a basic deck that they slowly upgrade with other cards and abilities throughout a run. Finding the best combination and knowing when to use your powerful spell cards is key to success in this game. Do you have what it takes to beat the highest challenge?

Impressions

The Wizard Hand demo is incredibly addicting. I wish this were the full version because I want to see what else there is. Right off the bat, I was drawn by the game’s aesthetic. The card art is simple, but with enough elegance and flare to draw the eye. The gameplay is simple, but requires enough of a strategy to keep players engaged. Figuring out the correct sequence and combinations to maximize a score is a mellow puzzle, and I love puzzles. There does need to be more content, but it looks like the devs are hard at work at making things happen. Regardless of that, this a fantastic demo that is effective at showcasing the game’s key features in a way that is fun, engaging, and addicting. Wizard Hand is very promising, but I wish there was more. I can’t wait for a full version.

video game reviews

My Impressions of Roulette Hero: Try the Demo Now

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent the Roulette Hero demo for my blog. I understand the game is not finished yet, and will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest impressions.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Roulette Hero

Roulette Hero is a deck building roguelike with a more randomized twist coming to Steam. Make sure you sigh up for the playtest.

Build your army of formidable heroes and build a unique roulette table that will take you to victory. Each turn, players will add choose between a random assortment of heroes, all animals, and place them on a square on the table. The player pulls for the roulette to spin to activate a random ability [whatever space the square lands on].

Players can upgrade the units they summon by stacking multiples of the same unit, and they can be sold for gold as well. Each unit has an attack that does damage to the boss, and some have special abilities that either activate when chosen or activate on a trigger. For example, there is a card that heals the player every time they spin the roulette. The demo offers a good amount of combos and strategy, and the RNG means you are not building the same deck twice. The round ends when the player drops to zero, or they defeat the boss.

Impressions

Roulette Hero is very fun, and I recommend everyone to try the demo. It offers a unique twist to the genre, and the slot machine like gameplay will make you addicted to gambling in the best way. I love that I never built the same deck twice, although cats seem very broken [I am very biased]. I also enjoyed how much strategy is involved for a game that feels very random. That said, I can easily sink too many hours into this game because it is a very enjoyable loop.

If you haven’t done so, go check out Roulette Hero. I will be trying very hard to get a full version. The demo works very well, but I am sure the full version will have a bunch of fun new cards for a very good ammount of replayabilty. Roulette Hero offers a unique twists on a familiar genre and it looks cool doing it. I can’t wait to see more.

Make sure you sign up for the playtest, and don’t forget to add it to your wishlist!

video game reviews

Asgard’s Fall: A Viking Survival Game Worth Your Time

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Asgard’s Fall — Viking Survivors to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This game is still in Early access, so I will try to be a bit more lenient than normal.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Asgard’s Fall — Viking Survivors?

Asgard’s Fall — Viking Survivors is a 2D pixel art vampire survival game out now in Steam Early Access.

Choose your hero as you wage war against the gods. Harnes your strength as you take on endless hordes of enemies. How far will you wrath take you? Will you be the fall of Asgard?

Gameplay

Players start each run by choosing a hero. There is only one option at the start of each game, but more can be unlocked by playing the game, with more characters planed for a later release. Players will start the game with the same basic attack and a dodge, but will unlock random passive and active abilities as they play. The RNG feels very fair, and each round felt unique. There is also special Twitch integration that allows a streamer’s audience influence the blessings received throughout a game for an extra level of craziness.

The goal of the game is to survive until the final boss fight. Beating the boss means unlocking more areas, and dying during a run means starting over. It is simple game with enough depth to keep things interesting, and in a very good place in its early access.

Review

If you are looking for a new survival game, Asgard’s Fall is a very strong contender. The art is cute without sacrificing on any of its Nordic flavor. I am a huge fan of how much flavor has gone into the spells and abilities. Most importantly, Asgard’s Fall is a fun game that you won’t regret supporting. A lot of the survival game’s I’ve played will start slow and ramp up to the insanity. This initial lull can make or break the game, but Asgard’s Fall doesn’t have that. The game starts at a great pace, and it has a solid ramp to keep things interesting.

Building my hero is what makes this game for me. Like most games of the genre, players will unlock random abilities and buffs throughout a run. What makes Asgard’s Fall unique is how you can build a skill tree by filling a web of nodes. The nodes can interact with each other and generate more power. I have never sat to consider my build as much as I did with this game, and that is a very good thing.

I hadn’t realized how long I had been playing this game until I pulled from my trance. I had so much fun with this game that I will have a hard time setting it down. If you’re weary about the Early Access status, don’t be. This game is in a very good place with enough content to make it worth the price tag. There is also a good amount of content on the horizon.

If you haven’t done so, go check out Asgard’s Fall. This is a great addition to any collection. You can pick up Asgard’s Fall — Viking Survivors on Steam Early Access for only $6.99. There is also a demo available if you don’t believe me. The full game releases next year.

video game reviews

Nif Nif Review: A Family-Friendly Deckbuilding Adventure

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Nif Nif?

Nif Nif is the wholesome deckbuidling roguelike you need to buy for your kids.

A mysterious spreads through the forest, contaminating its animals and turning them into monsters. Luckily, Nif Nif knows the cleaning techniques to fight the corruption and save its friends. Build your deck with powerful deck, fight powerful monsters and their bosses, and eat a few tasty snacks along the way. Do you have what it takes to clean up this mess?

Gameplay

The game starts at character selection, which is hard. Players can either play as Nif Nif or Cat. Both characters are unreasonably cute, and the decks play unique with some fun flavor. Players then choose their path to the big boss, building their deck along the way. Like most games of the genre, players choose a node on their path where they can proct combat, a random event, a rest, or shop at the store. Players earn new cards, abilities, and items throughout the run as they build their deck for the final encounter. The card pool for each run is random, so players will never run the same deck twice. A run is over when they run out of health. The run is complete when a player beats the final boss. Players are incentivized to complete multiple runs by chasing unshockable like new cards, abilities, and cosmetics. What makes Nif Nif unique is that the player doesn’t kill enemies. Nif Nif cleans monsters, returning them to their original form and that is both cute and wholesome.

Review

I am so glad Nif Nif was funded when because this game is fantastic, especially if you want to get your kids into deck builders. The art is adorable, the concept is inoffensive, and the gameplay is engaging. It is designed for kids, so the strategy is on the easier side. I like that the difficulty can be adjusted for younger kids, but adults will find the hardest difficulty easy. That sad, I didn’t mind the lack of difficulty. There was still strategy involved, and the cozy vibe made the each run a pleasant and relaxing experience.

I don’t have anything bad to say about this game because it is a solid game, especially if you’re looking for something to play with your kids. I think the difficulty is going to be the deciding factor. If you like something like Slay the Spire, you will appreciate how cute and creative the game gets, but its never going to scratch that need for strategy. That said, the game is engaging enough to earn its attention, and the vibes make it the perfect game for those who want to game, but don’t want a huge commitment.

You can pick up Nif Nif on Steam for $19.99.

Uncategorized, video game reviews

StarVaders: A Unique Deckbuilder Worth Your Wishlist

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent an early copy of StarVaders to preview for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest impressions. I also understand the game isn’t finished, so I’ll be a bit more lenient with my criticism.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is StarVaders?

StarVaders is a scifi-themed roguelike deckbuilder coming to steam on April 30th. There is a demo available if you don’t want to wait.

Aliens have invaded Earth, and you are the only one that stands in their way. Take up arms in your mech as you fend off against endless waves of alien invaders and their powerful bosses. Travel the world to collect new attacks and abilities to build the most powerful deck. Earn upgrades and abilities that will make you the hero the world needs. Can you save the world, or will you become another pile of burning scrap heap?

Gameplay

Players will choose their mech ad pilot, and fly to the parts of the world that needs them most. Like most games in the genre, players choose between nodes of encounters that help them build up their decks for an epic final battle. What makes StarVaders unique is its movement mechanics.

StarVaders is played is played on a grid. Players must use their decks to maneuver across the grid, and complete the objectives. Players have access to attack and ability cards like other games in the genre, but they also have movement cards. Finding the right balance between the types is key. Having too many attack attack or movement cards means players are wasting a turn doing nothing.

To play a card, players have access to a limited resource system, known as heat. Cards are played by paying its heat cost. What makes this system unique is that players can spend more than their available heat resistance. Doing so ends the turn immediately and burns up the card. Burned up cards go back into the deck, and clog up the hand. This creates such a cool interaction where players need to efficiently burn up cards to maximize damage while also increasing the chances of drawing into a dead hand.

Most importantly, the game features unlockables to work towards, and a couple different pilots to change up the gameplay. If you enjoy deck builders, this StarVaders should be in your Wishlist.

Impressions

If this game out today in its current state, I would still recommend it to everyone. StarVaders is the most fun you’ll have with a deck builder this year. If it isn’t already on your Wishlist, it should be. StarVaders is a day one game, and it deserves all the attention.

The game looks great. It has a fun cartoon aesthetic and cool scifi flavor. The cards and interactions are creative, and a lot of fun. I particularly like how each deck feels unique and changes up the gameplay enough to give it variety. Best of all, it is the perfect steam deck game. The controls are works well, the aspect ration is perfect, and the game is chill enough to be enjoyed anywhere.

If you need a bit more convincing, make sure you check out the demo and get hyped for April 30. Don’t forget to Wishlist!

Tech Reviews

Experience Exciting Action Roguelike FPS Revenge of the Mage

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their KiiBoom Breeze 75. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Revenge of the Mage?

Revenge of the Mage is a first-person, bullet hell roguelike out now on Steam.

Learn to harness your power over the elements as you fend off against endless waves of monsters. Travel through the realms, unlock new abilities, and become the most powerful mage. Do you have what it takes to become the hero the realm needs, or will you be another casualty?

Gameplay

Players dive into unique worlds and use their magic to fight off waves of enemies, complete quests, and defeat the boss at the end of the level. Players level up by killing monsters, and earn a random power-up or ability at level-up. The RNG feels fair, and players can enjoy a unique build every single run. Random buffs and items appear randomly across the map to give players a small advantage against the onslaught. Between levels, players can buy upgrades for their mage or unlock a new archetypes with currency they unlock during a run. If a player dies without killing the boss, they return to the hub with only a portion of their earnings.

Review

Revenge of the Mage isn’t your typical roguelike, it is the first person shooter you didn’t know you needed. The game has great flavor, solid mechanics, and a lot of potential. I wasn’t ready for how much I enjoyed this game. While there is a little wonkiness to combat and movement, it feels good. Weaving through enemies and managing cooldowns keeps the game exciting, and the unlockables gives me goals to work towards. That said, movement could use a bit more polish. The dash doesn’t always work, and when things get crowded, it feels a little stiff. It is playable, but it could be smoother.

Like most roguelikes, expect a grind. It isn’t soul crushing, but you will die a lot before you start making an impact. Players lose a good chunk of their gold at death, and earning enough for meaningful powerups or a new archetype is going to take some time. The game does let you recover your gold each run, just make sure you move quickly. That said, I enjoyed the grind because I enjoyed the game. I am a little bummed it doesn’t run well on the Steam Deck, but I preferred using a keyboard and mouse anyways.

If you’re looking for a fun and casual game to pick up, check out Revenge of the Mage. The mages are fun and flavorful, the RNG is fair, and the combat system is solid.

You can pick up Revenge of the Mage on Steam for $5.99. There is also a demo available if you don’t believe me.

video game reviews

Takara Cards Review: A Sci-Fi Deck Builder You Can’t Miss

Leave a comment

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Takara Cards 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.

Some Self Promotion & Affiliates

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their KiiBoom Breeze 75. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Takara Cards?

Takara Cards is a unique sci-fi deck builder out now on Steam.

The Space Dragons have stolen from the Federation and it is your job to bring them to justice. Pick from four unique classes, maneuver through the most dangerous parts of the universe, and build the strongest deck in the universe. Do you have what it takes to avoid the hazards of space and defeat anyone who gets in your way?

Gameplay

Players start their run with a simple deck that gets upgraded over time. Players will eventually unlock new races, weapons and other perks that make adventuring the far reaches of space easier. Players will drop into a randoms zone after each level where they must avoid hazards and defeat enemies on a 3×3 map. Combat is a turn based system where players have a limited amount of action points they can spend on attacks and abilities. Enemies and hazards act on their own turn. What makes the game unique is that he enemies actions are telegraphed to the player. Players must use this knowledge to maneuver through each level without dying.

Review

Takara Cards is a fantastic deck builder with a fun and you unique gimmick that everyone should have in their collection. I was not ready for how much I loved this game, but here I am, playing it as regularly as my schedule allows me.

Right off the bat, players will be drawn to the simple yet attractive art. I am a huge fan of the cartoonist style, and the amount of effort that went into building the game’s flavor. Couple this with the game’s fantastic soundtrack and you have a scifi game that leaves an impression. The story is fine. I like that choices matter and affect the ending, and the story gave the game a bit of added flavor that I enjoyed.

But the game has its substance. The game play is unique, and extremely addicting. The movement mechanics help set it apart from other games in the genre, and the strategy required keeps the game engaging. I found the challenge level high enough to keep things engaging without ever feeling sweaty.

If you are looking for a new deckbuilder, Takara Cards is a fantastic addition to any library. You can pick it up on Steam for only $14.99.

Uncategorized, video game reviews

Deadly Days: Roadtrip Playtest Impressions

Leave a comment

I was asked to cover Deadly Days: Roadtrip public playtest. I understand the game is still in development and will be a bit more lenient with my criticism. That said, these will be my honest impressions.

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

What is Deadly Days: Roadtrip?

Deadly Days: Roadtrip is a top down auto-battler roguelike dungeon crawler coming to PC.

The world crumbles under the weight of a zombie outbreak. Those left drive from place to place, searching for survival. Gas is finite, and sometimes you have to get out and find some more. Run across procedurally generated dungeons to collect enough gas to fill the tank and do your best to stay alive. Do you have what it takes to make it to the end of this horrible road trip?

Gameplay

All players start in the main hub where they can buy upgrades and customize their character between runs. Players then get to plan their supply runs where they can collect upgrades, weapons, and gas. Players are offered locations with different lootable supplies, so make sure you plan according. The game also features a day and night cycle that not only creates atmosphere, but adds a bit of challenge. The longer a player spends in a level, the more zombies appear. A run ends when the player runs out of health. What makes Deadly Days unique is its inventory management system. Players will always start with a limited amount of bag space, but can upgrade it either through special drops or by leveling up. When a player levels up, they can choose between a random weapon, item, or bag expansion. While the RNG does feel fair, it also means there are a lot of tough choices.

Impressions

I love this genre, and Deadly Days: Roadtrip has earned its spot in my rotation. It has a cute and playful art style, relaxing yet engaging gameplay, and solid flavor. If you want a cute casual game that doesn’t require a huge commitment, you’d be hard pressed to find better. This game is in such a good place in it’s development, and I am excited to see what a full product looks like.

The game runs well, but I couldn’t get it working on the Steam Deck. I hope it gets Steam Deck support in a later release. Combat is a lot of fun. Maneuvering through the maps is active and fun, and all the weapons feel different. Upgrades create a tangible increase in power, which is always nice to see. The procedural generated levels are well done. All the maps felt unique and they were filled with a diverse cast of zombies hungry for brains. My favorite feature of the game was the day and night cycle that made the levels feel more intense. I also love inventory management, so this game had everything I love.

I can see the game feeling a bit repetitive, especially in the early stages, but that is the charm of the genre. I feel like the maps and monsters give the game enough variety to keep things interesting.

If you’re looking for a new game to play, head to the official Deadly Days: Roadtrip Steam page and sign up for the playtest. Don’t forget to wishlist!

video game reviews

Is Once Upon a Dungeon: Infinity Worth Playing?

1 Comment

I was sent a free copy of Once Upon a Dungeon: Infinity 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’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker RT65 mechanical keyboard or the EasySMX X15 controller. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

I am happy to announce my newest sponsor, Game Nerdz. If you’re looking to buy any card games, board games, miniatures, and more, get it over at Game Nerdz using my affiliate links. Game Nerdz offers some fantastic pricing on anything you need, and it really helps me out.

What is Once Upon a Dungeon Infinity?

Once Upon a Dungeon: Infinity is a turn based roguelike out now on Steam.

The call of adventure sends its siren song across the land, seducing eager adventurers to the mouth of the dungeon. Crawl through the darkness, fight off monsters, avoid traps, and free it from its treasure. The journey will be perilous, but you as an industrious adventurer have potential. Craft the tools of the trade, conquer this delve, and claim your spot in history. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

Players move through procedurally generated dungeons a square at a time. Each action is a turn and every creature in range of the player takes a turn at the same time.

Once Upon a Dungeon: Infinity is a cute hack-and-slash that offers enough of a challenge to keep things interesting. Combat is as simple as clicking an enemy, but players still need to move efficiently and find the right gear. I am sure there is an optimal build, but I built whatever was fun.

Players can craft useful items and upgrade existing ones, provided they have the knowledge and materials. For those seeking a challenge, there is a mode where death is permanent and enemies can attack from any direction.

Review

Once Upon a Dungeon: Infinity is an interesting title with a few issues but a lot of heart. First off, the game is a little too dark. I believe the intent was to emulate the darkness of the dungeon, but I think they overdid it. There are also a few bugs that are hard to ignore. I noticed a few stutters and frame drops, but nothing that made the game unplayable. I almost gave up on the game because of the lack of polish and awkwardness, but I am glad I didn’t.

Once Upon a Dungeon: Infinity has a solid core. The game is a casual dungeon-crawling done right. The procedurally generated maps work fine, and they offer enough of a challenge to keep players engaged. I love that there is a perma-death mode that can be toggled because it makes things more intense, and it is the only way I will play this game moving forward.

Once Upon a Dungeon is a cute and simple roguelike with a neat crafting mechanic and a lot of potential. If you don’t the roughness that comes with an early-access game, make sure you add it to your wishlist and check out the demo!

video game reviews

Ink. Is a Cute Game, but it Needs a Lot More Work

Leave a comment

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

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker RT65 mechanical keyboard, the Uhuru Gaming Mouse, or the EasySMX X15 controller. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link during November 29 – December 6 for 30% off your first year!

I am happy to announce my newest sponsor, Game Nerdz. If you’re looking to buy any card games, board games, miniatures, and more, get it over at Game Nerdz using my affiliate links. Game Nerdz offers some fantastic pricing on anything you need, and it really helps me out.

What is Ink.?

Ink. is an explosive roguelike RPG adventure currently in Early Access on Steam.

Play as an adorable cat as you fight to clear the dungeon from a myriad of monsters. The dungeons are procedural generated, meaning no two rooms or runs will ever be the same. What will you uncover in this quirky new adventure? How deep will your delve go?

Gameplay

Ink. is a twin stick shooter where players must explore a procedural generated dungeon to fight monsters, find treasure, and unlock power ups. Players must clear each room of all its enemies proceed, and a run ends when a player’s health point goes to zero. Players are encouraged to use their environment for cover or to create the chaos needed to get to the next room.

The game does support playing with a Mouse and keyboard, but I recommend using a controller instead. The mouse and Keyboard experience is awful.

Review

I try to give games as much of a chance, especially when they aren’t finished, but Ink. is hard to recommend. Combat feels a bit clunky, which I am sure a few patches will fix, but the cramped level design kills any possible fun a player may have with the game. There isn’t enough space to play this game because the maps are too small. This means that in some of your runs will end early because you have no where to go. Map design is also a problem. The generated maps are boring, and some are unplayable. I like the idea of true randomness, but it doesn’t really work here.

I understand the game is in early access, and I went in a bit more lenient, but I can’t recommend the game in its current state. At the moment, Ink. doesn’t have enough substance. I’ll give it another shot if it gets a bigger update, but it’s looking like one of those games I will forget I ever played.