Tag Archives: rpg

video game reviews

The Nameless: Slay Dragon is My Favorite Fantasy RPG

2 Comments

I was sent a free copy of The Nameless: Slay Dragon 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 to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the Epomaker P75 Mechanical Keyboard and the Uhuru Gaming mouse for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals. If you’re thinking of hosting your own blog on WordPress, make sure you sign up using my Affiliate link!

What is The Nameless: Slay Dragon

The Nameless: Slay Dragon is a choose your own adventure style RPG game out now on Steam.

You watched your village burn after a vicious dragon attack when you were too young to defend yourself. You spent the rest of your time training, preparing for the day when you can take your revenge. Now with a few years of training under your belt, you set off to become a royal knight and slay some dragons. This is no easy task. The road is full of bloodthirsty monsters who will tear you down mercilessly if you aren’t prepared. Gather your party, buy the best gear, and set off on an unforgettable adventure. Do you have what it takes to defeat a dragon?

Gameplay

The Nameless: Slay Dragon is a unique choose-your-own adventure game with interesting exploration, combat, and skill check mechanics. Players progress through the story through a series of nodes. Nodes let players mine for resources and progress the story, but they can also trigger skill checks and combat. The player can and should plan how to approach their adventure, but some events will be unavoidable. Players are always a bad skill check away from a total party kill.

The Nameless features an interesting crafting mechanic. Players can farm nodes for materials for potions, weapons, and gear, but farming increases a character’s fatigue. The more fatigued a character is, the higher the chances are they will fail a skill check. This creates an interesting dynamic where players have to balance between crafting and exploring or risk burning out early.

Combat in this game is what you would expect from your typical RPG. Players choose the party actions at the start of each round, but the party always acts together. The initiative is determined by passing skill checks. I liked this system because it made planning my turns easy and it felt less RNG reliant.

Combat can be unforgiving if players aren’t prepared. While the player does have some freedom in how they approach the story, there is always a chance of running into an impossible enemy or scenario. This game will kill its players at early levels for choosing the wrong node or failing a skill check. Choose wisely.

Does it Work on the Steam Deck?

The Nameless: Slay Dragon is my favorite game for the Steam Deck. It not only runs great, but it is also the perfect portable experience. This is a chill game you can play anywhere, especially on the couch when you’re just trying to relax. The text is legible on the aspect ratio, and the gameplay is involved enough to be engaging without requiring too much skill and precision. If you’re looking for a unique and fun RPG for your Steam Deck collection, you can’t got wrong with this one.

Review

I love this unique RPG. It has great art, a good story, and interesting mechanics. I love the choose-your-own-adventure feel of the game and the challenge of the dungeons. Exploring the dungeon was fun because there was always that lingering fear that the next turn would spell the end of the party.

The Nameless: Slay Dragon does have a grind that can get a little repetitive at times. The combat system does a good enough job of keeping things moving, but there will be some times when you will have to repeat encounters to level up skills and abilities mindlessly. I found the grind therapeutic, but it isn’t going to be for everyone.

The Nameless: Slay Dragon is a fantastic addition to any collection. It is a great RPG with a fun twist and some solid replayability. This is easily one of my favorite games of the year, and it can easily become one of yours too.

You can pick up The Nameless: Slay Dragon on Steam for $17.99.

video game reviews

NanoApostle is the Best Boss Rush Game You Haven’t Played Yet

1 Comment

I was sent a free copy of NanoApostle 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 Epomaker P75 Mechanical Keyboard for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is NanoApostle?

NanoApostle is an adorable 2D sprite boss rush game out now on Steam and Switch.

Deep in a secret underground lab, Anita is born from a series of experiments. Implanted with an advanced weapon system and a sentient nanomechanical entity known as the Apostle, she must fight against a series of powerful bioweapons. Anita needs to find a way out of her prison or risk becoming a weapon herself. Is she strong enough, or will she end up another failed experiment?

Gameplay

NanoApostle is split into two modes. The first is a challenge mode where players must complete certain tasks to earn skill points and upgrade modules. Upgrade modules give Anita passive upgrades to her move set. Players find modules as drops for completing certain tasks and can unlock them as equipment by spending skill points. Each level offers three challenges that scale in difficulty. Players only need to complete the level once for the pass, but completing the higher difficulties grants more skill points to spend. This can be a long grind, but a rewarding one for those who can master the game’s mechanics.

The second mode is the boss rush. Players can queue up for the boss fight at any time. Boss fights are unique, and creative, and challenge a player’s knowledge of the mechanics. Complete mastery of the game’s mechanics, or at least an advanced understanding, is almost a prerequisite. Do not be fooled by the NanoApostle’s cute aesthetic, this game is meant to be hard but rewarding if you stick with it.

Combat is simple. Players have access to a normal, heavy, and ranged attack. It also has a pery and dodge mechanic that keeps things fast and engaging. All monsters and bosses telegraph their attacks clearly, the trick to this game is understanding the timing and reacting efficiently. Players who can parry all attacks, set off proper combos, and utilize the heal mechanic effectively will have a good time. Getting to that point, however, is going to take practice. A lot more than $20 worth.

Review

I love NanoApostle, and recommend it to anyone looking for a new game. This game has an adorable aesthetic that hooked me, and a gameplay loop that made it impossible to put down. This game is hard, and I enjoyed the challenge. I liked how every time I reloaded a level, I got a little farther and got a little better. I’ve come to terms that I’ll never be a pro at this game, but I’ll still be playing it regardless.

The story is a little predictable, but it doesn’t matter because it got my attention. The story is what kept me trying each level again because I needed to know what happened next.

The only complaint I have for this game is that it can get a little repetitive if you aren’t good at it. You’ll have to grind through a lot of the same monsters and bosses until you master the mechanics enough to move forward. It didn’t feel like much of a grind because I could see the progress I was making with each consecutive run. I assume this will be less of an issue for better gamers.

If you’re in the market for a fun, rewarding, and challenging game, you need to get your hands on NanoApostle. This will be the best boss rush game you’ll play all year, and it will possibly end up being a household favorite. It did for me.

You can pick up NanoApostle on Steam and Switch for $19.99.

video game reviews

Arco is the Greatest Mesoamerican Fantasy RPG Out There!

Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Arco 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. If you enjoy my content and want to help me with my hosting fees, consider buying me coffee or donating to my Patreon.

What is Arco?

Arco is a 2D Pixel art turn-based, action-adventure game out now on PC.

Teco enjoyed a quiet and peaceful life until the outsiders came and took it all away. Since then, he has been chasing the burning trail they left behind. His journey is now full of sorrow and anger as he steps over the ashes of his people and others like him.

Fight your way through gangs of bloodthirsty colonizers, help who you can, and ride your trusty llama forward. Where will your journey take you? Will it be full of vengeance and violence, or will there ever be room for forgiveness?

Gameplay

Arco features a deep and powerful story of adventure, colonization, and revenge. The story exists in a stylized visual novel fashion without cutscenes or voice acting, but it doesn’t need either.

The story pulls the player in, but combat is what keeps them playing. Combat in Arco is a unique turn-based action sequence that requires an appropriate amount of attention and skill from its players. Do not let the game’s minimalistic art style fool you, this game is anything but simple.

Combat is split into rounds, each round granting players and enemy NPCs an action. Players choose their actions between turns, but all actions happen simultaneously. Players begin combat with a set amount of action points, and each action has its costs. There are ways to replenish action points. Success in Arco requires a mastery of spending and replenishing action points while successfully maneuvering around bullets and enemy attacks. Players earn XP after each combat that they can use to buy new attack skills or powerups for their character.

What sets Arco apart from other RPGs is the choices it gives its players. Players can become as cold-blooded and bloodthirsty as they want, but the guilt will affect their story. While there always seems to be a path to revenge, there is a less guilty version of the story to shoot for. Whatever path a player chooses results in phenomenal storytelling.

Review

If you’re going to pick up one game this year, it needs to be Arco. When I saw the trailer for this game, I knew I needed to play it. It is by far one of the best games I’ve played this year, and I’ve played some very good games this year. I love the choice of minimalism. The cute and simple art style contrasted with the story’s dark themes makes the narrative feel more powerful. Combine this with its fun and engaging combat mechanics, and you have a fun and memorable gaming experience.

I am a huge fan of the story being told, and extremely excited to see an important cultural experience represented in video games. As a kid who grew up playing games where no one looked like me, it was cool to see my people not only represented respectfully but our story being told beautifully. It has been an amazing year for Latino game designers, and I hope to see more games like this in the future.

If you haven’t played Arco yet, it is one of the titles you have to play once. The gameplay is fun and it has a fantastic narrative. If you don’t believe me, go check out the demo on Steam.

You can pick up Arco for $19.99 on the Switch and PC via Steam, Epic Games, and Mac App Store.

video game reviews

Underspace Might Just Be the Space Sim You’re Looking for

Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Underspace 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 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. If you enjoy my content and want to help me with my hosting fees, consider buying me coffee or donating to my Patreon.

What is Underspace?

Underspace is an arcade style flight sim for PC via Steam and GoG. It claims to be the spiritual successor to Freelancer. I have never played Freelancer and can’t confirm or deny this claim, a lot of people seem to agree.

You are now one of the galaxy’s star chasers, one of the crazy few who chase storms, fight against eldritch horrors, and take on any job that comes your way. Your goal is to make money and stay alive. Navigate the cold dark vastness of space, upgrade your ship, and become the best star chaser the world has ever known. Do you have what it takes?

Gameplay

Underspace is a space-themed sandbox RPG. Players take on quests and fly their ships through space to complete them. There is a main story that is said to take about 15 hours to complete, and countless side quests and exploration hundreds more.

If you’re looking for a realistic space simulator, you’ll need Elite Dangerous or hope Star Citizen isn’t a scam. Underspace has more of an arcade feel in its flight and combat system. That said, Underspace is still a valid space game experience. Combat and flight in this game are fine for the casual who doesn’t worry about the physics of space travel, but they are still challenging enough to keep things engaging.

What makes this game a unique space game is its storms. Occasionally, a storm will break out that raises the price of goods and releases eldritch horrors into the universe. A player can fight these horrors and attempt to close the rifts that cause these storms. Doing so earns the player valuable resources for trade and reputation amongst the Galaxy’s citizens. It is a hard job, but someone has to do it.

Review

This game looks dated when compared to other games in the genre, but that shouldn’t be discouraging. The game runs smoothly, it has a solid story, and the gameplay loop is a lot of fun. I was blown away by how creative the game gets with its horrors, and I found myself rushing towards every storm just to see the type of creature I would encounter. Although I am not the best pilot, I did well enough to have fun. Most importantly, there is so much to do in this game that you will definitely get your money’s worth.

Keep in mind that the game is still in early access, so there are bound to be problems. Some people have pointed out that the game drops too many frames or straight up doesn’t work. Aside from a few hiccups here and there, the game never became unplayable. There is still some roughness, but there seems to be continued support. I feel confident that there will be fixes in future updates. I think the roughness gave it its charm, and it made it feel like a retro space game without ever feeling like a slog.

If you’re looking for a new space sim, Underspace is a solid casual one with a decent story, great flavor, and fun gameplay. If you are a Freelancer fan, this might be worth looking into. If you’ve never played a space sim, this is a great place to start. I loved it, and recommend it, even if its only early access.

You can grab your copy of Underspace on Steam or GOG for $19.99. There is a Steam demo available if you need a bit more convincing.

Board Games and TCGs

The Lost Mountain Saga is a Fantastic and Dark Vaesen Mystery

Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Vaesen: The Lost Mountain Saga 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 opinions of the campaign book.

What is Vaesen: The Lost Mountain Saga

The Lost Mountain Saga is a stand-alone mystery that you can run in any Vaesen campaign. Note that you will need access to the core rulebook if you want to run this adventure.

The northern Swedish city of Abisko used to be a prosperous mining town till the mines went dry. A recent gold rush has reopened the town for business, but not without events. There is something strange happening to the town, and it’s unclear what. Kids go missing in the night, livestock is slaughtered for no reason, and some people hear mysterious disembodied laughter. Fear is taking its hold, creating tension between its citizens. There is a witch hunt brewing, and The Society seems to be the only organization to help restore the peace to this sleepy mountain peace. Can your party find the truth before it is too late?

The Book

This book is printed in impeccable quality. It looks and feels like an old fairytale book. It has a textured hard cover and is printed on thick high-quality paper. Most importantly, the illustrations in this book are beautiful. The colors are vibrant and the art style is unique and thematic. You can always get the PDF version of this adventure, but the book is going to pop on any table.

Impressions

The Lost Mountain Saga is a valuable resource for the GM who needs a place to start or just wants to run a prewritten adventure. This book isn’t mandatory, but it is nice to have. This is a high-quality book with a solid adventure that will run great at any table. The book features a solid mystery with all the resources a GM needs to run it properly, provided they have a table for enthusiastic players to help bring the story to life.

The story is a little dark, as is expected from Vaesen, some trigger warnings may be required. The story is fine for my table, but the millage always varies. Make sure you always talk to your players.

The Lost Mountain Saga is a great resource for those who need it. If your looking for a new mystery to run for your next campaign, this is a good place to start.

You can pick up the book for $34.46 on Amazon, and the pdf for $19.99 on DriveThru RPG.

video game reviews

An Amazing Wizard is Looking Like a Very Promising Metroidvania

Leave a comment

I was sent an early copy of the An Amazing Wizard demo to cover on my blog. Since the game is still in development, I will be a bit more lenient but honest in my impressions. If you want to stay up to date on all the news, make sure you join the official Discord!

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. If you enjoy my content and want to help me with my hosting fees, consider buying me coffee or donating to my Patreon.

What is An Amazing Wizard?

An Amazing Wizard is a fast-paced 2D action RPG coming to PC. The demo is available, so make sure you head over to Steam and try it out.

In a world full of wizards and magic, you are the only one without it. Instead of casting spells in the traditional sense, magic hands cast them for you. The prophecy says you are destined for greatness, but a mysterious force has stolen your memories before it can be realized. Travel across a dangerous plane as you recollect your memories, fight monsters, and try to uncover the truth behind your powers. Will you be strong enough to live up to your legend?

Gameplay

The demo allows players to fight their way through procedurally generated levels as they learn the fundamentals of the game. The wizard always starts with a basic magic spell and collects random ones during each run. The spells unlocked throughout a run are random, and the RNG seems fine. The full game will feature over a hundred spells for an insane amount of customization.

At certain points of a run, players can combine spells to create new ones. There is always a chance that the fusion will fail, but a successful fusion grants the player a new more powerful spell. This ensures that a run will never be the same, and things are going to get crazy.

Combat is a fast-paced Metroidvania-style loop. Players fight their way through a 2D dungeon, killing monsters, farming materials, and finding more powerful spells. Players have access to a basic spell, three swappable spells, and a swappable weapon. This is more than enough to keep things fun and exciting.

Between deaths and levels, players can trade in materials they gather for power-ups. This gives players access to new abilities and powers, and makes each run easier. The upgrade tree is pretty expansive. While I am sure there will be a correct way to build it out, I recommend you buy for your playstyle.

The full game will have a story, but the demo is only limited to the roguelike dungeon to get players hooked on the gameplay.

Impressions

I need more of this game. The art is fantastic, the flavor is great, the music is amazing, and the gameplay is a lot of fun. If you’re looking for a new Metroidvania game, An Amazing Wizard is looking very promising. The game features an interesting combat system, cool enemies, and a ton of customization for that added replay value. Obviously, I am going to need to see a completed version, but I am excited.

I did run into an issue where the dungeon generated a way forward, soft-locking my progress. I would have to rest the run and lose my progress, but it didn’t happen enough to cause any real concern. The demo works fine for the most part, but there will be some instances of roughness as they continue to iron out the kinks. Other than that, this game is very fun and I recommend you try it for yourself and get equally excited.

Please go check out the An Amazing Wizard demo on Steam, and don’t forget to add it to your wishlist!

Board Games and TCGs

The Pathfinder Monster Core Book is Invaluable for any GM

Leave a comment

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

What is the Monster Core Book?

The Monster Core Book is a valuable resource for GMs searching for ways to spice up their next campaign. It features over 300 pages of monsters, creatures, and rules for those tired of the monsters that come with the Game Master’s Core. There is also a handy glossary of skills and abilities for those who want to homebrew their monsters. It’s going to be impossible to own this book and not use it.

Review

Like most TTRPG resource books of this nature, the Monster Core Book is optional. While it is hard to dispute its usefulness, all you need to run a successful Pathfinder campaign is dice, the rules, and an imagination. Some will argue that a real Game Master can create the perfect encounter from thin air at will, but I argue that it is always nice to have access to a concrete set of rules. I like that I can flip through the book, pick a few interesting monsters, and be ready for a session at a moment’s notice.

While having access to a ton of useful stat blocks, the book is full of lore and tips to use in your campaign. Struggling to fill your world? Look through the different races and build off the blurbs so generously provided. I loved flipping through the book and reading about all the creatures that could potentially fill my world, and I even got a few ideas on how to use them. You can always flavor the monsters to fit your campaign, but their lore is always there for when you need it.

What I love most about Pathfinder is how thorough it gets. You can always pick and choose how technical a campaign you want to run is, but the books are pretty thorough in explaining its many mechanics. I don’t use everything that is in these books, but I will be using the rules for making elite monsters.

My absolute favorite part of this book is the art. This is such a pretty book with a fantastic art style. If you like fantasy, Pathfinder is an interesting TTRPG with a lot of fantastic flavor. If you’re already playing Pathfinder, the Monster Core is a great addition to your collection.

For newer GMs, I would start with just the GM Core until you get your grove. While the Monster Manuel is useful, it isn’t necessary for those first couple of sessions. Eventually, you’re going to want to get yourself a copy of the Monster Core because of its undeniable utility. However you want to spend your money, you can’t go wrong with getting yourself a copy of the Monster core.

You can pick up the hardcover version of the Monster Core on Amazon for $59.99 (Currently $46.67) with my affiliate link, or the PDF on the official Paizo website if you don’t care about physical media.

Board Games and TCGs

Vaesen is the Prettiest Mystery TTRPG You Need at Your Table

Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of the Veasen core rulebook 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.

What is Vaesen?

Long ago, Vaesen and man lived side by side in harmony. Vaesen are powerful creatures with the power to control the world around it. Man would make offerings to the Vaesen in exchange for their powers. The Vaesen would make it rain, fill the forests with game, and anything else supernatural. As the industrial age dawned on Sweden, people began their migration to the big cities. Soon, there was no need for the Vaesen’s power and they slowly faded into fairy tales. Most lost their ability to see Vaesen.

Man may have lost their ability to see Vaesen, but the creatures live on in their separate world alongside man. The Vaesen keep to themselves for the most part. Occasionally, however, man’s impact on the planet goes too far and sends the Vaesen into a terrorizing rage. Stories circulate of castles haunted by terrifying ghosts, of witches that snatch up children in the middle of the night, or of trolls terrorizing villages. The people have learned to cope with the unexplainable, and most have forgotten about the Vaesen.

But not all is lost. The society was formed to keep man safe from rampaging Vaesen. The society is a secret organization made up of the few people left in this world with the ability to see Vaesen. People gain this ability by experiencing some kind of supernatural trauma. While these folks may not be the most stable, they are humanity’s only hope.

Gather your friends as you investigate the supernatural in this dark and edgy tabletop roleplaying game. Can you bring peace to the Vaesen before it is too late?

The book

The Veasen core rulebook is the prettiest RPG book you’re ever going to own. The cover and pages are textured to feel like an old book. The formatting is easy to read and search through. The illustrations in this book are breathtaking. The art style is amazing and the use of color is astounding. I’ve read this book as a PDF, but nothing beats flipping through its pages. This is a very high-quality book and one that elevates the look and feel of any bookcase and table.

Gameplay


Vaesen is a D6 system that is easy to learn. Players will spend their sessions investigating mysteries and trying to bring peace to a raging Vaesen. This doesn’t have to mean combat. Vaesen seems to be a more roleplay-heavy system due to how investigations work, but you can always adjust the rules to fit the needs of your table. If you would like to learn how to play Vaesen before picking up the game, AlchemyRPG has a solid tutorial series. They also have a very good official module for their VTT. If you’re planning to run Vaesen online and don’t mind doing it through theater of the mind, AlchemyRPG might be the solution you’re looking for. I am not affiliated with the company, I just like the module.

Impressions

Veasen is a terrific RPG that deserves some attention. The system is unique and easy to learn, and the book is full of fantastic lore and flavor. The rulebook contains everything Gamemaster’s need to run a successful mystery, and there is even a prewritten module for those who need it. I felt like the system is better when players can get into character, struggle with their flaws, and roleplay through the investigation. While I am sure you can make the adjustments to focus on the needs of your table, the game is meant to be a monster of the week mystery-type game. I do like that there is a combat and skill system because things are better with RNG. Besides, it doesn’t matter what type of game you want to run, you’re players are always going to want to hit things.

The game has a tremendous amount of flavor. Even if you don’t end up playing a game of Vaesen, it’s going to be hard not to, you’re going to enjoy reading through the monster profiles. The lore is so good, and it reads like a fairy tale. The classes are all unique, but I like that they aren’t restricting. Classes feel like they are suggestions for roleplay because players have the freedom to play the character how they want. I like that the book gives a good amount of ideas for all sorts of creation for those who need it. The book ends with a well-written first mystery, making the core rulebook an invaluable resource for both players and gamemasters looking into running the game.

If you enjoy murder mystery roleplay, dig the 20’s aesthetic, or want something new to run at your table, check out Veasen. It is a beautiful book with some amazing lore that belongs on a lot more tables.

You can pick up the Vaesen rulebook in Hardcover on Amazon for $49.99 (Currently $40.79) through my affiliate link. If you don’t care about physical media, you can grab the PDF over on DriveThruRPG for $24.99.

video game reviews

Terra Alia: A Multilingual Adventure VR Just Got Updated. Is it Better?

Leave a comment

I was sent a free copy of Terra Alia: A Multilingual Adventure VR to review for my blog. You can read the original review here. I was asked to revisit the title and reevaluate my initial review based on recent improvements and a new online multiplayer game mode. As always, while I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will remain unbiased.

If you’re looking for accessories for your VR headset, like magnetic prescription lenses or a high-quality charging cable, get it at ZyberVR. Use discount code CHURAPE for 15% off. You can also always buy me coffee. 

What is Terra Alia?


Terra Alia is a VR RPG that attempts to teach its players a new language. Magic and technology in Terra Alia are powered by words and phrases in another language, and it is up to the players to explore the world and learn them. The game accomplishes this through its minigames and puzzles. Players must speak the words to learn them and eventually cast them as spells. There are also word-matching puzzles that help players practice and associate the new words and phrases they learn. The power is out there, it’s up to you to find and harness it.

What’s new?

The most important change this time around has to be the performance. While the game ran fine when I first picked it up, there has been a noticeable improvement. Combat and movement feel smoother, and the voice recognition is better. It wasn’t unplayable before, but there were some challenges I couldn’t complete because the game didn’t understand me. It is cool to see that the team is hard at work trying to make their game better.

There are also three new locations to explore, with new quests to complete. The new locations are neat, and they come with some noticeable improvements to visuals and animations.

The biggest change is the inclusion of the online multiplayer game mode. This is a four-player game mode (2v2) where players race to be the first team to fill their vocabulary meter. There are holograms scattered across the field that players must find and correctly name. The mode is available in ten languages, and a creative way to think about multiplayer.

Impressions

I have to commend the team for working so hard to make this game work. You can see the passion behind the project with each update. This time around, the experience was a lot smoother and the game looked better. That said, the game is still hard to recommend.

As a tool to learn a new language, it works fine. Exploring the world to pick up new words to cast magic is a cool idea, and the mini-games make for good practice. It is a very creative approach to learning language, but one that can grow stale. The leveling felt less of a grind, but the grind still feels repetitive. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it makes this one of those games I can’t play for too long without losing interest.

The story is fine. It isn’t anything genre-defining, but it was good enough to hold my attention. The flavor of the world, especially for the new locations is neat and and helped keep my attention longer.

I have no interest in the Multiplayer mode, not that I could find the game. It is a neat concept, but I can see it losing its luster after a couple of games. It could be fun with a good group of friends, but I didn’t like the little I got to play enough to try. This is just personal preference.

So is this game worth it with its new update? It depends. Terra Alia is a very mid-RPG with an interesting gimmick. If you like the gimmick and want to pick up a few words in a new language, you’ll get your

$20 worth of entertainment. If you’re looking for a new game for your kids, this is an inoffensive one that teaches them a new language without being boring. If none of these apply to you, I’d move on. The gimmick isn’t strong enough to make the game a good RPG, but the gimmick is valuable for those who want to learn a new language. This game won’t make you fluent, but you’ll have some fun learning a new way to say hello.

You can pick up Terra Alia: A Multilingual Adventure for the Meta Quest for $19.99 (currently $10.99 until August 23, 2024).

video game reviews

Lost Castle 2: The Cute Roguelite You’ll Play With Your Friends!

1 Comment

I was sent a free copy of Lost Castle 2 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 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 Lost Castle 2?

Choose your class and make your way through the most adorable dungeons in search of treasure, money, and fame. Brave these procedurally generated dungeons on your friends online. What hilarious stories will you share around the campfire?

Gameplay

Players choose their class at the start of each run. These classes can be swapped freely at the blacksmith or through random weapon drops during a run. Players can choose between a melee, magic, or ranged class. Each class is unique, but I preferred the magic class for my play style.

Like most roguelikes, players will receive random upgrades and skills throughout their run. There are random shops within the dungeons that also sell player items. These upgrades are all RNG-reliant, which means luck can ruin a run. I thought RNG was fair for the most part.

Players will then move through the dungeon, clearing each room of its monsters. Enemies increase in difficulty with each room, but a player’s power level also increases. Players can choose the types of encounters after each room. They can fight regular monsters or elite monsters, rest and refill their positions, buy items from a shop, and eventually fight the area boss. These choices are mostly randomized. Make sure you plan your route wisely.

In between runs, players can buy permanent upgrades in town. They can level up facilities and give their character some valuable buffs for their future runs. While I am sure there is an optimal build path, I always went with what fit my playstyle the best.

If you have friends or want to make new ones, Lost Castle 2 has a built-in matchmaking system. I liked playing alone, but I can see this game being a lot of fun with other people. It definitely has a party game vibe similar to Castle Crashers.

Review

Lost Castle is incredibly cute, but that shouldn’t distract from its issues. The gameplay, while fun and engaging, can grow repetitive and stale if you let it. Multiplayer is what will extend the game’s shelf life, but you’ll at least get your money’s worth if you decide to go solo. The wacky quirky gameplay gives this game its charm, but it would be a lot better with friends. I definitely wish there was an opportunity for couch co-op.

If you’re looking for a fun party game you can only play online, this might be a solid solution. This is a cute game with a charming little loop, but one that won’t stay in your rotation for too long unless you can find a group of friends that can make the grind worth it. The grind isn’t terrible, but it gets repetitive. I enjoyed the repetition, but I also understand the value of a good friend group.

The game is in early access. While I thought the game was fine, I am sure there will be some valuable improvements on the horizon. Buy at your discretion. You can pick up Lost Castle 2 on Steam for $14.99.