Tag Archives: roleplaying

video game reviews

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

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

If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the SC3 Gaming Mixer for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Dread Delusion

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

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

Gameplay

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

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

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

Review

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

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

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

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

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

Board Games and TCGs

Mutant: Year Zero – Ad Astra – Take the Apocalypse into Space

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I was sent the Mutant Year Zero: Ad Astra Campaign for free to cover for my blog. I haven’t had a chance to play the game because I am still finishing up my Dragonbane campaign, but I’ve read through the book. This will be my impressions of the book.

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What is Ad Astra

Ad Astra is the latest campaign book for Free League Publishing‘s TTRPG, Mutant: Year Zero releasing onf Febuary 13th. Ad Astra picks up after The Path to Eden campaign. It is recommended you own the Mutant: Genlab Alpha and Mutant: Mechatron expansions for additional rules and stats. I don’t see why you couldn’t just make up rules on the spot, but it is always nice to have balanced stat blocks at the ready. You’ll also need a copy of the core rule book, although you might get away with just using the starter booklet. 

If you’re interested in running a game of Mutant: Year Zero, I recommend you pick up the starter booklet. The booklet provides a streamlined and condensed sample of the game, and it comes with a sample campaign and character sheets to get you started. I recommend you run through the starter booklet before you invest in the system. You can grab your free copy of the PDF on Drivethru RPG, but I’ll leave a copy here for your convenience. 

MYZ_starter_bookletDownload

Story

Society has fallen. The planet has become a wasteland. Those who survive on its surface have mutated, and are now unrecognizable to their ancestors. With the resources dwindling, survivors must fight to stay alive. This time, the call to adventure takes our heroes into space. What mysteries lie beyond the stars? What adventures await? Explore the solar system and fight new monsters in this new epic adventure.

Impressions

I love the comic book style of this system, and Ad Astra is no exception. I absolutely love the flavor of this game, and space campaigns are always fun. I am never big on following prewritten adventures, but I am coming around. It is nice to have something already prepared with lore, encounters, and loot. I usually use these as a jumping-off point, but will eventually end up off-book. When that happens, it is nice to have something to fall back on when the story needs a little nudge.

I like how this book feels like a history book. It goes into a good amount of detail about factions, history, and everything you need for World Building. How much I would use it would depend on my players, but I appreciate the book for the resource that it is. 

As gameplay goes, I’ll have to run a campaign first. I’ve been having a lot of fun with the Year Zero system, so if this game plays anything like Dragonbane, I am here for it. 

If you are interested in a campaign of Mutant, I recommend you run the booklet first to get a sense if it’s the right game for your table. After your table has become invested, move through the rest of the resources until you’re ready to take things into space. 

If you’re already playing Mutant and want to take things into space, you should consider Ad Astra. The artwork is fantastic, the flavor is great, and it introduces unique monsters, items, and mechanics you’re going to want to borrow for your campaign. 

You can preorder your copy of the Ad Astra campaign on the official site for $41.80 (not including shipping), or from Amazon for $39.99 (free shipping with Prime). 

Board Games and TCGs

Back the Survival Horror TTRPG Eldritch Automata on Kickstarter!

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Eldritch Automata just went live on Kickstarter and has already made 13k on the first day. There is still a bit to go before they get to their $65k goal, so go back if you’re looking for a horrific mech tabletop RPG.

If you enjoy these updates, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.

Story

The world is overrun by unspeakable horrors that have left humanity hanging by its last tread. Those unfortunate to survive must face off against the ever-present threat of bloodthirsty eldritch abominations and nightmares. Hope sits on the shoulders of those few in the world who can pilot the mighty Automata, giant mechs that appeared at the start of the calamity. Piloting the Automata is no easy feat. Pilots must be of strong resolve, because the pressures of responsibility, the strain of piloting the Automata, and the constant threat from monsters and other survivors constantly eat away at their morale. 

The world of Eldritch Automata is no easy picnic. Do you have what it takes to survive? 

What is Eldritch Automata

Eldritch Automata is a survival horror TTRPG that uses the award-winning Year Zero Engine. I’ve played a few games that use the Year Zero Engine, and love it so far. It’s easy to pick up, and not an impossible transition from D&D. What makes Eldritch Automata unique is the giant mechs, Automata. I am very curious to see how the Mech and Kaiju fights work, especially when players have to worry about their morale. I bet it not only makes for fun roleplay, but will also make things tense and exciting. 

Kickstarter also mentions that there will be a focus on a social aspect where players need to navigate different factions, worry about treacherous factions, and form different alliances. I already have some cool ideas for roleplay, and I am excited. 

The rulebook will be about 400 pages long and include accessories, depending on the tier you support and what stretch goals get reached. 

If you’re looking for a horror survival game with the potential for epic kaiju battles, go back the Eldritch Automata Kickstarter today! The campaign is live until February 1st, and the product plans to ship in August. 

Kickstarter Levels

Civilian (Digital Edition) – $30

  • Digital copy of core rule book
  • All Stretch Goals

Manufactured (Digital Bundle) – $45

  • Digital copy of core rule book
  • Digital copy of the starter set
  • All Stretch Goals

Pilot (Core Rulebook) – $55

  • Digital copy of core rule book
  • Physical copy of the core rulebook
  • All Stretch Goals

Automata (Physical Bundle) – $70

  • Digital copy of core rule book
  • Digital copy of the starter set
  • Physical copy of core rule book
  • Physical copy of the starter set
  • All Stretch Goals

Horror (Physical Bundle) – $100

  • Digital copy of core rule book
  • Digital copy of the starter set
  • Physical copy of core rule book
  • Physical copy of the starter set
  • Game Master screen
  • Equipment and Armor Cards
  • Horror Dossier Pack
  • All Stretch Goals

Higher Levels get you more goodies!

Board Games and TCGs

Running Dragonbane for a Party of One

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I’ve been running Dragonbane for a couple of weeks now, and yesterday was the first game where only one of my players could make it. I was about to cancel the game, but my friend asked if I could run it anyway with just him. I’ve never run a 1 on 1 campaign before, but I figured there was no harm. He was ready to play, and I had a rough idea of what to run. 

I’ve been going through the rewritten content in the core rule book, but I went a bit off-script for this adventure. It is always good to go off-script if that’s where the narrative takes you.

The party had made it to the Temple of the Purple Flames where a group of cultists opened a portal to the demon realm to bring forth their lord. The party found the portal and needed a way to close it before more demons got through. The book has rules on what happens if the players go through the portal. I ignored these and created an adventure out of it. 

Prep

Prepping for the game took me thirty minutes. I run my game on Foundry VTT, and the official module has everything I need to put an impromptu adventure together. We used theater of the mind of this adventure, but having the stats and tables to roll from is always nice.

All I needed to do was comb through the bestiary for monsters to build thematic encounters and copy them to a new folder. I then wrote down some key descriptions to set the mood and created an NPC for roleplay and direction.

Gameplay

Dragonbane has rules for solo play, but I didn’t have enough time to look those over. Instead, I ran the game like normal but made a few adjustments that I thought worked out well.

For starters, I gave my player an extra turn in the initiative. I know there is a feat for that, but in the game, it was a blessing a random demon NPC gave him. This made it so that when he was outnumbered, he wasn’t waiting around for his turn. It also made boss encounters more exciting. Two turns gave him the option to parry or dodge without feeling like a turn was wasted. I also let him heal 1D6 for free after every encounter because I didn’t want to kill his character.

Reaction

The friend I ran this for is the least experienced in the group. We’ve been playing D&D for only a couple of years, and it was really cool to see how comfortable he’s gotten even with a new system. He came out of the gate roleplaying and got into character fairly quickly. I had designed the adventure thinking he would want to fight everything, but he kept trying to avoid conflict. I did my best to accommodate his creativity and had a blast crafting a unique narrative together. 

One of the features that I like about Drabonbane is how they handle leveling. At the end of the session ask a series of questions to the table. 

✦ Did you participate in the game session?

✦ Did you explore a new location?

✦ Did you defeat one or more dangerous adversaries?

✦ Did you overcome an obstacle without using force?

Every yes gives players a marker they can use to level up a skill. Players roll a D20, and if the result is higher, the skill increases by one. For example, if the player wants to increase their Evade, they would use one of these markers to attempt to increase it. If their Evade score is 12, and they roll a 15, their new Evade score is 13. 

What I like about this system is the question about overcoming an obstacle without using force. In Dungeons and Dragons, I had to go out of my way to describe NPCs as non-threatening because everything ended in a fight. In Dragonbane, my players try to find alternatives wherever possible because they want that extra mark for leveling. It makes for interesting RP moments, and it creates a nice balance of combat and Roleplay that I’ve enjoyed tremendously. 

The extra turn made combat feel great. I did have a few issues balancing a couple of the encounters, but I was happy overall with the results. My friend ended up rolling the best he’s ever done. He rolled two dragons and saved at every pivotal point. It definitely made for an exciting session.

Conclusion

I’ve been having a lot of fun with Dragonbane, and running this 1 on 1 session was a real treat. It gave me a chance to hang out with my buddy and mess around in the system in ways we normally can’t. If you’re thinking about running a 1 on 1 adventure, go for it. Do your prep and have fun with it. For those of you interested in Dragonbane, I recommend you start with the free Quick Start guide. 

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Board Games and TCGs, gaming news

Official Dragonbane Mini Subscription now on MyMiniFactory

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Our friends over at Free League Publishing have partnered with Titan Forge and MyMiniFactory to release a series of high-quality miniatures for their fantasy tabletop RPG, Dragonbane. If you have access to a 3D printer and need a way to spruce up your next adventure, you’re going to want to subscribe to The Adventure. 

The Adventure is a subscription service by MyMiniFactory that offers players high-quality miniatures from the Fantasy TTRPG Dragonbane. Subscribers will get the STL files for the five pre-generated characters from the core rulebook’s prewritten adventure, and one printable monster or enemy file every month. The Makander mini alone should be enough to move this subscription. 

Subscribers also get 10% off a purchase of Dragonbane content from the Free League Publishing store, 10% off other MyMiniFactory purchases or subscriptions, and story teasers for Dragonbane. The subscription is $9.99 a month, or you can pay for the whole year in advance for $89.88 ($30 savings). If you’re in the market for officially licensed minis, The Adventure is definitely worth looking into. 

What is Dragonbane?

I recommend you check out the quick start guide before you buy anything. It gives players and DMs a nice taste of what to expect from the full version, and it’s free. I’ve written a post about my experience running the Quick Start guide for those interested.

If you’re ready to buy into this system, there are a few options. If you play online, you’re going to want the PDF. It’s searchable, and the most cost-effective way to get started. You can pick it up on DrivethruRPG for $24.99.

Now if you’re playing on a VTT, I always recommend Foundry VTT. I am not an affiliate. It’s just what I’ve been using, and I love it. I’ve written a post about why. You can pick up the official module for $27.87 and it has everything you need to get started. You don’t have to use the module to play on Foundry, but it makes things easier. Check out my previous post where if you want more details.

If you want to play in person, all you need is the core rulebook, some dice, and a pencil. You can pick up the core rulebook for $43.70 on the official website. Now there are other special items to spruce up your games like special edition books, the core set, and dice available, but that depends on how much you want to invest in the game. I’ve been having fun, I recommend you check it out as well.

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video game reviews

Lord of Nothing continues to be authentic Pathfinder experience

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I was sent the Lord of Nothing DLC for Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee. 

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is the perfect translation of the popular Tabletop RPG into a video game. If you enjoy TTRPGs, you need to win either of the Pathfinder games. You can pick up both Wrath of the Righteous and Kingmaker in a bundle on Steam for $53.98. I would wait for the winter sale coming December 21 to January 4, 2024, for the nice discount. 

The Pathfinder games offer a unique and authentic RPG experience. They feature interesting stories, great character design, and fun mechanics. You’ll have enough content to work with to get more than your money back. 

What I enjoyed most about the game is that the choices matter. Dialogue, skill checks, and combat affect how the story unfolds. You can fail checks, and death is permanent, so think carefully. Playing at lower difficulties does mitigate some of the more difficult decisions if you only care about the story. The story is fine, but the level of customization available in this game makes it stand out against the genre. 

Players have the ability to play the characters they want at the level of difficulty that works best for them. There is RNG to consider. You can always fail a check or miss an attack, but that’s half the fun of the tabletop. 

The combat system is unique. Starting an encounter pauses the game, and players queue up their attacks and spells. You can pause at any point in combat. I am terrible at strategy games, and this feature made the game manageable. While I still had trouble being tactical, I appreciated that I could get a time out and think things through. This game isn’t your traditional turn-based RPG. Characters will perform their actions automatically, and your resources are limited. If you are someone who enjoys the more logistical and tactical side of the RPG, these games should already be in your library. 

As far as the DLC goes, I enjoyed Lord of Nothing. The hook was interesting, the quests were fun, and I liked all the new characters. Lord of Nothing picks up where the last DLC ends, but it exists as its own standalone narrative. You’re going to want to enjoy the DLC in order, but you won’t need to have played them all to understand what is going on. The adventures travel to the Icy Tundra in search of Demonic shards to stop the summoning of the Big Bad. It is a fun adventure that will have you wanting more. 

This game isn’t going to be for everyone. If you don’t like strategy games like Total War, combat might be a bit overwhelming. If you don’t like the randomness of skill checks, the game can be frustrating when you fail a roll. Get these games because you love tabletops and want an authentic experience outside of your sessions. You can pick up the Lord of Nothing DLC on Steam. While I doubt it will go on sale, I would still wait for the Winter Sale to pick up everything you need. 

Board Games and TCGs, gaming news

Can you survive The Walking Dead Universe in this new TTRPG?

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If you like survival horror, zombies, The Walking Dead, or simply looking for a new system, check out The Walking Dead RPG. This officially licensed product puts players in the stressful post-apocalyptic world based on the popular series where the goal is survival, but there is no winning.

There are two ways to play the game: Campaign Mode and Survival Mode. Campaign Mode is played over a longer period of time. Choices the players make matter, and the table works together to create a communal narrative. Survival Mode features dangerous situations players need to overcome, like one-shots. However you choose to play it, the experience promises to be intense.

The Walking Dead RPG is up on the official Free League Publishing site and in hobby stores across the world. You can also pick up digital copies from DriveThruRPG or the official module for Foundry VTT. I’ll list prices and links below.

The art in this book is beautiful, and the system seems interesting. I was lucky enough to be sent an early copy and will post my review as soon as possible. I have to get through all my Dragonbane content first. Stay tuned for that.

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Physical Release

Core Rules ($47.96)

The Walking Dead RPG Core Rules book also get a copy of the PDF so you can get started while you wait for your copy.

Starter Set ($42.18)

The Walking Dead RPG starter set includes:

  • A 40-page condensed rulebook. The game rules are based on the acclaimed Year Zero Engine, but further developed and uniquely tailored for The Walking Dead Universe Roleplaying Game.
  • The 16-page booklet The Wolves’ Den – presenting the first full‑length survival mode scenario for the game.
  • Six pre-generated characters to play.
  • Carol, Gabriel, Glenn and Michonne from the TV series as playable pre-generated characters.
  • A double-sided area map in format 558 mm × 432 mm, depicting an area north of Atlanta, Georgia, and a region in Virginia.
  • Three adventure maps in format 432 mm × 279 mm, showing locations in The Wolves’ Den scenario.
  • Ten custom Base Dice and as many Stress Dice, specifically designed for the game.
  • A Threat Meter, to keep track of the threat from walkers in the surroundings.

The Bundle ($116.90)

The Walking Dead RPG Bundle is currently on sale for $96.10 as of writing this post. I am not sure when the sale ends. The Bundle includes:

  • The full-color hardback Core Rulebook.
  • The boxed Starter Set.
  • A deluxe Game Master’s Screen in landscape format.

Digital

If you play online but want the book for your collection, make sure you use the discount codes TWDStarterVTTBundle or TWDCoreVTTBundle at checkout for 60% off the corresponding module when you buy both physical and digital versions.

Foundry VTT Module – Core Rules ($26.77)

The Core Rules Foundry VTT module includes:

  • 112 Actors.
  • 78 Journal Entries.
  • 175 Items.
  • 114 Rollable Tables.
  • 3 Scenes.
  • 45 Macros.
  • The Rules

Foundry VTT Module – Starter Set ($26.77)

The starter set Foundry VTT module includes:

  • Condensed rules. The game rules are based on the acclaimed Year Zero Engine, but further developed and uniquely tailored for The Walking Dead Universe Roleplaying Game.
  • The Wolves’ Den – presenting the first full‑length survival mode scenario for the game.
  • Six pre-generated characters to play.
  • Carol, Gabriel, Glenn and Michonne from the TV series as playable pre-generated characters.
  • Maps depicting an area north of Atlanta, Georgia, and a region in Virginia.
  • Three adventure maps showing locations in The Wolves’ Den scenario.
  • 23 Actors.
  • 40 Journal Entries
  • 101 Items.
  • 14 Rollable Tables.
  • 5 Scenes.
  • 4 Macros.
Board Games and TCGs, gaming news

Dragonbane is coming to Gen Con!

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I’ve written about the upcoming Dragonbane RPG book in a previous post. I recommend you check that out first because I won’t be repeating too much of the technical information. Dragonbane is a TTRPG that is getting its newest edition in August. It has some very cool art and some interesting mechanics. If you are looking for a new RPG system, it might be worth looking into Dragonbane. Preorders are still open on the official site. The Dragonbane bundle is currently on sale for $66.70 (normally $80.30), so now might be the perfect time to grab your copy. There is also a free quick start guide you can download from Drivethru RPG if you’d like to try the game out first.

If you are going to Gen Con this year, make sure you stop by the official Free League booth (#2641). They’ll have demos, live games, and a panel you should check out if you have any questions. Free League Publishing will be hosting games throughout Gen Con, so make sure you drop by game room #138 if you want to try out one of their systems. Don’t forget to sign up for their showcase on Thursday, August 3rd at 11 am in room ICC #244. The panelists include:

  • Tomas Härenstam, co-founder of Free League and lead game designer of the Dragonbane, Blade Runner RPG, ALIEN RPG, Twilight: 2000, Forbidden Lands, and Mutant: Year Zero.
  • Luke Stratton, designer of the upcoming MÖRK BORG spin-off game PIRATE BORG
  • Johan Nohr and Christian Sahlén, designers of MÖRK BORG and CY_BORG
  • Carl Niblaeus, designer of Death in Space
  • Kiku Pukk Härenstam, co-writer of Vaesen: Seasons of Mystery and Vaesen: A Wicked Secret

If you are interested in seeing gameplay, Glass Cannon Labs will be running a two-hour live play of Dragonbane next Friday, August 4th, at 10 AM ET at their booth (#174). Make sure to check out their Twitch if you are interested in Free League Publishing’s other systems. 

I’m always looking for a new RPG system to try, this one seemed pretty neat so I thought I would share. Go check it out and let me know what you think!

video game reviews

After playing the first few levels of Bandai’s new MMO, Blue Protocol, I find it breathtakingly beautiful

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Bandai’s MMO, Blue Protocol, has officially launched in Japan. While there will be a Western release in the future, I can’t wait that long. So I turned on my VPN, made a Japanese account, and have been playing essentially since launch. If you’d like to play in the Japanese servers, I made a quick guide to get you started. Make sure you are using a good VPN or your account will get banned. I use Mozilla VPN to play Blue Protocol. This isn’t an endorsement. It is the VPN I use for everything, and it works great for me.

Before you get started, it might be helpful to install the MORT: English Translation tool if you don’t know how to read Japanese. It comes in handy for some of the less intuitive quests but isn’t essential for your enjoyment of the game. MORT is a third-party app that translates Japanese text to English almost instantly. It is easy to set up and simple to use. Keep in mind that running MORT does put a strain on your computer. While I did not experience any performance issues, it did make my computer run hot. It’s a great tool you can download it on the official site if needed.

The first challenge of any MMO is the character creation. I am not big on character creation and can’t speak on how in-depth it gets. The character designs are heavily anime-inspired, which was fine, and there were enough choices to create a character I was happy with. I was excited to see that Blue Protocol offers darker skin tones in their character creation. It may not seem like a huge deal, but younger me would have loved going on adventures as a brown guy.

Once I made my character and decided on a class, I loaded into one of the most beautiful MMO worlds I have ever played in. I am blown away by how good this game looks. The spells look cool without being too busy, the attack animations are cool, and I love the monster design. Even the early-level boars look good in this game. The attention to detail in this game is astounding. There is a day and night cycle that will allow you to sit through some beautiful sunsets. I loved watching the blow through the grass as I ran through the large open fields. Based on the early levels, Blue Protocol brings a beautiful and immersive world that you should check out at least once. I can go on, but you need to see for yourself. 

The early level is similar to any other MMO. I won’t spend too much time talking about the early levels. The early-level quests do a great job of teaching players the fundamental mechanics at a solid pace. There is a healthy population of players to help you if you get stuck. Most of the early-level quests are intuitive and don’t need translating. I did get stuck trying to get to adventure rank 2 to progress through the story, but this video does a great job explaining what to do if you get stuck:

Combat is where this game wins me over. I played the Spellcaster and loved it. There are five playable classes in Blue Protocol: Aegis Fighter, Twin Striker, Blast Archer, Spellcaster, and Heavy Smasher. Don’t stress about your choice too hard because you can change between classes freely later in the game. Choose whatever appeals to you most. I have only played Spellcaster and can’t speak on gameplay for the rest of the classes.

I love the magic mechanics of Blue Protocol. Spellcasters get a basic attack, a recharge action, 4 regular spell slots, and an ultimate. You have to stand still to cast a spell, but the kiting in this game feels so good. I never found myself standing still for too long, even when I was fighting low-level boars. What sets this game apart is how the mana regen mechanic. Mana either replenishes automatically after battles, with a spell you get early on, or with the recharge action. Combat becomes this fun game of managing your resources, kiting, and casting which I am all about now. Coming from the NGS magic system, combat took a bit of getting used to, but it is slowly becoming my favorite. I know for sure now that I will be a Spellcaster main. 

I haven’t gotten too deep into the game, but I am enjoying the journey so far. The game looks great, runs perfectly, and it is a lot of fun. I don’t know how grindy it will be towards the end game. The early levels at least don’t haven’t felt grindy, although there are a bit too many fetch quests for my liking. 

I have been searching for an MMO to replace the void Phantasy Star Online has left, and I think Blue Protocol might be the one. I have been enjoying it so much that I even stopped following the story because I want to enjoy it properly when it comes to the West. I do watch the cut scenes because the voice acting is fantastic. I will be playing Blue Protocol on the Japanese servers until the official Western release, or until I get banned for being American. Whichever comes first. 

video game reviews

Game Review: Everspace 2

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I was sent Everspace 2 as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions.

Everspace 2 is a space-themed looter shooter available now for the Xbox and PC. You play as a clone pilot looking for his place in the universe. Explore the universe as you take on odd jobs, evade capture, and fight for survival. If you are looking for a sci-fi game with a large open world and lots of content, get Everspace 2. 

The biggest draw for Everspace 2 is its streamlined flight mechanics. While there is enough skill and challenge involved to keep flight and combat engaging, there isn’t the high skill ceiling you would get from a flight simulator like Elite Dangerous. Everspace 2 gives you the feeling of being an ace pilot without much of the commitment. The combat in this game is incredibly satisfying. While there may be a grind, it won’t feel like it. 

I love the RPG flavor this game has. You have an expansive skill tree, loot drops, a leveling system, and an open world full of quests. If you like RPGs, you will enjoy the refreshing take this game brings to the genre.

As you progress through the game, you will unlock new ships and weapons. I was pleased by how unique each ship and weapon loadout made combat. I never felt like this game grew stale because there was always something new to try. I enjoyed the bulky ships the best, but I recommend you try every flavor till you find something that fits your playstyle best. There is some RNG when it comes to the loot, but I felt it was very fair. 

This game has so much to do that I found myself constantly sidetracked. The story is interesting, and the cut scenes are very well done. I am a huge fan of how the cut scenes are drawn, and I love that they play like comic book pages. This game has some fantastic voice acting, so sitting through the story became a real treat. I haven’t played the first game, but I didn’t feel it was necessary. The story is pretty self-contained, and I never felt lost by what was going on..

If you are looking for a unique RPG, you need to give Everspace 2 a try. This game looks great, performs well, and is a lot of fun. I’d say it is worth buying at full price. You can pick up Everspace 2 for $49.99 on Xbox and Steam. You can play it free if you have game pass. Everspace 2 will be coming to the PlayStation 5 this summer.

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