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.
MÖRK BORG is back but this time its pirates! Check out the most metal TTRPG system coming to shelves this September.
I enjoy looking into new RPG systems even though my play group only plays D&D. I like to see what else is out there because the burnout gets too real sometimes. Who knows? Maybe one day I can convince my playgroup to dip into something new for a campaign or two, and I’ll be ready with a backlog of options.
One of the systems I considered switching to was the Swedish RPG MÖRK BORG. MÖRK BORG is a ttrpg set in a post-apocalyptic world with a solid combat system and possibly the coolest rulebook you’ll ever own. If you haven’t seen the MÖRK BORG core rule book yet, look it up. It is beautiful. I almost bought into the system just so that I could flip through the pages and appreciate the art.
MÖRK BORG is getting a pirate-themed spin-off, and it looks just as good as the base game. PIRATE BORG introduces eight new playable classes, 80+ new monsters, an easy-to-learn naval combat system, and an adventure to get you started. This book has everything you’ll need to run a pirate campaign in a cool dark fantasy system worth exploring. I mean, who doesn’t want to play in a pirate campaign? Make sure you check out the official site if you’d like to try the game for free. The publishers have a rules reference sheet, character sheets, maps, and a character randomizer.
Preorders for PIRATE BORG are now live on the official site. The core book costs $36.84 plus shipping, which is a solid price for how good this book is going to look on your table. People who preorder also get immediate access to the book in PDF so you can start your Pirate adventure before the official release on September 19. Don’t forget to check out the rest of MÖRK BORG content while you’re at it!
How to play Blue Protocol outside of Japan
Candela Obscura: The Macrabre System You Should Be Trying
Like a lot of people, I got into Dungeons and Dragons because I enjoyed watching Critical Role. I’ve since stopped following the show as closely, save for the animated series on Amazon, but have been playing with the same group of randoms I met three years ago. I love D&D, but I am always looking into new systems to try. I like to borrow mechanics from other systems, but mostly, I like to see what’s out there.
I wasn’t surprised when I heard that Critical Role was changing systems. There has been speculation about the move for a while now. I think the drama with Hasbro getting too greedy had its part in the transition, but I also think they were looking for a new system that allowed them to focus on the narrative. Critical Role has been a catalyst for D&D’s recent popularity, and I am curious to see how this move affects the player base.
Their newest campaign, Candela Obscura, will use the Illuminated Worlds system. I won’t be covering the campaign, but I have read the quick start guide and thought it was worth some attention. For those interested in running a campaign of Candela Obscura, download the quick start guide from the official site.
In Candela Obscura, players will face off against the paranormal as they investigate the macabre and the mysterious. While there are many opportunities for combat, the system’s focus is building a compelling narrative through its checks and player interactions.
The best way to learn about this game is through the quick start guide. It has easy-to-learn mechanics, a prewritten adventure, and pregenerated character sheets to get you started. Best of all, you can play it for free. Do note that you are getting a simplified version of the RPG, but it is enough to get you a taste of the system. I think it is a neat system to try. I particularly like how it handles checks and the flavor of its world. The guide is free, so you have nothing to lose if you try it today.
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System Shock is Back!
System Shock has gotten a remaster, and it looks sick. The classic FPS has officially come to modern PCs with better graphics, updated controls, a new UI, and some much-needed quality-of-life changes. If you’ve played the original, you aren’t getting the same game you played way back when. The reboot promises never before seen enemies, a revamped hacking system, and new ways to combat enemies, like a brutal dismemberment system. While a few changes have been made, the developers have worked closely with members of the original team to make sure they keep the spirit of the original the same in this reboot.
As the Hacker, players must fight through armies of mutated creatures controlled by the evil ai, SHODAN. Players will avoid traps, solve puzzles, and hack their way through Citadel Station. What secrets will you uncover on your journey?
I never had the means to play the original System Shock growing up. I played a bit in college and would watch my friends play it here and there, but I never had the opportunity to get deep enough exposure to it. I love that these older games are getting a second chance for new and old audiences, especially those like me who missed the train entirely. I am still working on getting a review code for this, so fingers crossed I get one soon.
System Shock is available on PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games for 39.99. A demo is available on Steam and Epic Games if you want to try it out first. Console editions of System Shock are planned for the future, but no details are available yet.
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The BrikWars are Coming!
If you are in the market for a new quirky tabletop wargame, you should look into BrikWars. Brik Wars aims to give your old brick systems a new purpose with a ruleset that seems like a silly good time. Build and destroy your own battlefield, collect unique armies, gather powerful weapons and items, or go on one of the prewritten adventures. No building instructions are required! All you need are a set of bricks, the core rule book, and some imagination. The combat mechanics seem simple to learn, and there is an interesting build/destruction mechanic that promises a fresh tabletop experience. There are even prewritten adventures you can run through before breaking off and making your own. Players can either use the rules for wargaming or for running a silly TTRPG.
I don’t think this will be anyone’s main wargame or TTRPG, but it does look like something you pull out when you don’t want to get too serious. This also looks like a great way to get kids into tabletop gaming without having to buy too many game pieces, assuming your kid already has a healthy collection of Legos. The art is cute, the rules seem simple enough to teach, it has a very quirky and fun tone, and there seems to be a lot of room to be creative.
The book is scheduled to ship on September 2023, but you can preorder your core rulebook today. Preorder now to receive a pdf sample of the rule book for testing. The publisher is looking for feedback before the game’s release so that the game releases at its best version, so make sure you share your thoughts on the game.
You can preorder the book for $50.44. Now seems like a great time to dust off your old Legos or simply buy new ones.
Elder Scrolls Call To Arms Starter Set is Coming!
I would like to take a moment and talk about the board game Elder Scrolls Call to Arms. I have spent way too many hours on Skyrim, and own it on every console. Today I found out that there is also a board game, not for Skyrim, but for Elder Scrolls. While I may not have friends to play with, I enjoy window shopping games I can’t play. Call to Arms looks like a lot of fun, and if you are looking for a new tabletop wargame to play with your friends, this might be worth looking into.
The game lets players explore Tamriel with absolute freedom. You can complete quests, join the civil war, or go treasure hunting. You can even use the minis to play some other tabletop games. It has options for co-op, PVP, and even solo play, and there are already quite a few expansions and scenarios. A great place to start is the upcoming Call to Arms Starter set.
The starter set includes everything you need to get started such as:
- 1 x The Elder Scrolls: Call to Arms Core Rules
- Core rule book, Quests book, Escape from Helgen Quickstart
- More than 200 cards including heroes, followers, adversaries, quests and more
- 2 die cut counter sheets
- 13 special game dice
- Imperial Plastic Starter set
- 1 x Hadvar, Hero of Helgen
- 1 x Imperial Mage
- 3 x Imperial Soldiers
- Stormcloak Plastic Starter Set
- 1 x Ralof, Warrior of the Resistance
- 1 x Ysrald Thrice Pierced, Stormcloak Commander
- 3 x Stormcloak Warriors with Greatswords
- Bleak Falls Barrow Plastic Delve
- 1 x Dragonborn, Champion of Skyrim
- 1 x Draugr Deathlord
- 3 x Skeleton Archers
- 3 x Draugr Warrior with Greatsword
The figures come unpainted and unassembled, and I am very excited to see what the community comes up with. There are some pretty cool paint jobs displayed on the official website.
As of writing this, you can only preorder the starter set in the UK for 110 GBP, which is a pretty good deal for what you are getting. I assume that the price in the US will be around $136 if Google did the conversion right.
There is already quite a bit of content out for this game, so it might be a good idea to look at that while you wait for the starter set. Chapters 1 and 2 content is currently 15% off until June 30th. It’s a good way to save a couple bucks on some minis, but it might be best to wait for the starter set. They’ll be announcing chapter 4 preorders any day now.
Before you go spending any money, it might be a good idea to try out the game. You can download the rulebook for free, and the rules are pretty simple to pick up. There is also a good amount of print-and-play content to help you get started with the system on the official website. You can print out adventures, character cards, and even the dice. This is a very cool thing the publishers are doing because nothing sucks more than buying into a system you don’t like. You can also check out the store page for free content as well.
Make sure you check out some of the tutorials to see how some of the mechanics work.
Movement
Damage
Melee
Ranged
I’ve seen a bit of the gameplay, and I like what I saw. The combat looks fun, the magic and gear system look interesting, and the AI and leveling seem to be well-designed. The game pieces look like they are great quality. I would be interested in using some of the pieces for my D&D sessions as well. I’d love some hands-on experience with the game, so if I can find some folks to play with or carve out some time for myself, I’ll let you know.
Make sure you follow the publisher on their socials to stay up to date on all the news: Facebook, Twitter, and Discord
Tamarak Trail: The Roguelike Deck-builder You Didn’t Know You Needed
Tamarak Trail is an interesting rogue-like deck builder coming to all major consoles and PC that looks like it will redefine the genre. A corruption is spreading across the Canadian Shield, and it is up to you to find the cause and put an end to it. The journey won’t be easy, and you won’t make it on your first try. Do you have what it takes to be the hero, or will you buckle under the weight of the mysterious corruption?
Players can choose from three classes: the tracker, magician, and detective. Each class has its unique sets of skills and abilities. What makes this game unique is its deck-building mechanic. Instead of decks, you customize dice that you roll to cast abilities. You can fully customize each dice to fit your play style, although the RNG might be a limiting factor. The devs have published an informative walkthrough video that best explains the game’s mechanics. I recommend you watch it and become as excited as I am for this title.
Tamarak Trail is looking really cool. The mechanics look like a lot of fun, and the art is beautiful. I love deck-builders, so there might be a bit of bias in my excitement. Regardless, I think this unique game deserves some love and attention. I’ll definitely be trying to get a copy to review.
Tamarak Trail is coming to PS4, Xbox, Switch, and PC via Steam and GoG. Don’t forget to add it to your Wishlist. There is also an official wiki you should bookmark that I am sure will have lots of useful tips and tricks at launch. Make sure you join the game’s Discord and follow the official Twitter to stay up to date on all the news.
Game Review: Volcano Princess
I was sent Volcano Princess as a review code. I am very grateful for the opportunity but won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.
Volcano Princess is a visual novel life sim for PC. You play as a single father who must raise a daughter in a fantasy world where demons and man are at war. You make the choices that will foster her growth into a functioning adult. How you choose to raise her is up to you, but the choices you make affect her future.
The gameplay loop is simple. Each day you are given a limited amount of action points to spend where you do activities with your daughter that increase her stats. What you choose to do is up to you, but the limits affect your relationship with her and what she grows up being. The game slowly introduces more mechanics as your daughter ages and choices become harder. When she is old enough, there will be a lite dating sim where she can choose from 18 romantic partners and a mini turn-based rpg game. The pacing is fantastic, and the different game mechanics give the game much-needed diversity. Your first playthrough will take about eight hours, but there are more than 50 endings to work toward.
This game is surprisingly addicting. I stressed over my choices because I needed to be a great father the first time around. I think I was successful, but I already have some ideas for future runs. The amount of choices available is what makes this game so much fun. Eventually, you be forced to think tactically about how you spend time with your daughter. Do you help her through a difficult time at the cost of some important attributes? Do you let her date? Become a writer? An actor? A warrior? It is all up to you, and it is such a wholesome good time.
My biggest tip for new players is to go in as blind as possible. I recommend not looking up a guide unless you want to collect every ending. Even then, I recommend you get some of your own endings first. The story is a little cheesy, but it is a good kind of cheesy worth experiencing at least once.
I love this game and would buy it if I hadn’t gotten it already. The art is cute, the story is wholesome, and the mechanics are relaxing and fun. That said, it isn’t for everyone. This game is great for players who love life sims and don’t mind visual novels. This game involves a lot of reading and waiting for timers. The timers aren’t long, but it doesn’t make for the most exciting gameplay. The story is fine, but there are noticeable grammatical errors. I didn’t mind the grammatical errors and loved the gameplay, but it is something to think about before you make the purchase.
Volcano Princess is $10.99 on Steam, and it is totally worth it for what you are getting.
You Should Get Super Dungeon Maker
I was sent Super Dungeon Maker as a review code. I am very grateful for the opportunity, but I will keep my review honest.
If you like old-school RPGs or have always dreamed of making your own, you need to go buy Super Dungeon Maker. This game has fun gameplay, an expansive dungeon editor, and the cutest art. If you have kids, this is a great game to add to their collection. The game does a fantastic job of giving players a basic understanding of RPGs so they can make their own later. The dungeon editor gives kids an outlet to be creative, and the consistent stream of content gives them hours of gameplay. Adults will have the opportunity to be creative and enjoy the return to a nostalgic era of gaming and the possible satisfaction of clearing some of the more impossible levels.
I am not creative, so I didn’t spend much time in the dungeon editor. From what little I did mess around in it, it seemed pretty expansive. I felt overwhelmed by the choices, but mostly because my brain couldn’t turn the different parts into a cohesive map. That said, I was impressed by the diverse selection of levels available this early into the game’s life.
As a player, I loved how healthy the community is. There are a lot of games to choose from, but not all of them are great. The thing about these types of games is that the fun is community driven. You need players to motivate creators, and you need creators for content. You are going into this game knowing you have to sift through the expansive library to find your fun. You don’t have to finish the maps you don’t like, but I can see people being turned off by the rough nature of the level design.
That said, Super Dungeon Maker is a fantastic game if you are looking for a classic RPG without much commitment. You don’t have to worry about extensive lore or investing in an expansive story. Everything is self-contained, cute, and fun. Now is a great time to get into Super Dungeon Maker because there is a healthy community driving and consuming its content.
Super Dungeon Maker is available on Steam and the Nintendo Switch for $19.99. I played the Steam version and loved it, and considering getting it on the Switch. Playing some of the maps, especially the Zelda-inspired ones on the go would be perfect. As it happens, Nintendo has it on sale for $15.99 until May 25th. Regardless of which version you choose to play, I guarantee it will be lots of fun.