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United 1944 is a WW2 FPS with survival and strategy elements coming to PC via Steam. You and your team must work together to gain control of your war-torn village. You can craft weapons, build and defend bases, and fight over territory. There aren’t any classes in United 1944. Instead, players will have access to a seemingly extensive skill tree that they can customize to fit their play style. Teamwork is crucial for victory in United 1944. You and your team must scavenge, build an arsenal, defend a base, and gain more territory to win the match. The dev released a fantastic and short video with a better breakdown of the game if you need further convincing.
The closed beta will run from May 19 – May 21. The featured game mode will be a 16 v 16 base conquest on a North African map. More maps like France and Russia will be available in a future release. The beta will only be playable for 4 hours each day. Make sure you follow the socials to know when to log in. The biggest draw to this game is its survival mechanics. Players will start with nothing and scavenge around the city for materials to craft weapons and gear. I assume the 4-hour run time is to ensure all players have the same advantages.
If you are looking for a new FPS and don’t mind the survival elements, go sign up for the closed beta on Steam. Signing up for the beta does not guarantee access, but it doesn’t hurt to sign up. I’ve signed up for the beta because I love the aesthetic, and the concept seems pretty cool.
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Suffer the Night just came out on PC, and it might be worth looking into if you are a fan of retro horror. Stacey plans on a quiet night of gaming, alone in her secluded cabin one dark and stormy night. But her quiet night turns into a night of nightmares and survival. Stacey must now beat her game and survive the horrors that manifest from it. Will Stacey survive the night, or is this Game Over?
Suffer the Night combines a text-based dungeon crawler with first-person survival horror. As Stacey, you must play through the retro dungeon crawler to progress through the story and survive rounds of traps and monsters in between. The text-based game will help players relieve a different era of gaming, while the first-person gameplay will give them anxiety. The trailer shows terrifying mayhem with fast-paced gameplay.
I like the game within a game motif for Suffer the Night. The meta-narrative, when done correctly, creates a dynamic where the game is given its depth by how well the two genres mesh. It isn’t a new concept, but it is one that I’d love to explore. I enjoy text-based games, and if done correctly, might prove harder than the fps that will exist outside it. I don’t do well in horror games, but I will try to get a review copy.
You can pick up your copy of Suffer the Night for PC through Steam, GOG, and itch.io. You can buy the game for $12.49, but it is currently on sale for $9.99 till April 24. There is also a demo available if you aren’t ready to commit.
To stay up to date on the news for this game, make sure you join the official Discord or follow the socials: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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At GDC I got to play the interesting slice-of-life game, Cart Life. This is the most unique game I have ever played. While it may not be for everyone, it does deserve some attention.
I like the contrast between the simple pixel art and the complete narratives it tells. The art style reminds me of the Gameboy Pocket era games. Cart Life lets you play as everyday people as they work their jobs, build relationships, and deal with the hardships of living in a city. As you try to juggle your personal and work life, you realize that it is impossible to balance everything. You will be forced to make some difficult choices.
In the demo, I got to play the Ukrainian immigrant Andrus as he begins his life in the US. During the day, you run his newsstand, and by night you have to care for his cat. At work, I had to set prices, stock shelves, and service my customers. It seems simple, but there were a lot of factors to consider to make sure my day was successful. I didn’t get much time with this game, but I can see how easily everything can stack up and make the game difficult. It was a nice change of pace from what I am used to, but in a great way. I’ll be trying to get a copy for review as soon as I can.
If you like the slice-of-life genre and looking for a game with a strong narrative, you should consider looking into Cart Life. The gameplay is unique, the art is pleasant, and the narrative is award-winning. Cart Life is releasing on PC sometime this year, but there are plans for a console release if it does well. For now, I recommend you wishlist it on Steam and follow it on Twitter.
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I didn’t want to get my hopes up for The Last of Us because historically, video game adaptations haven’t been good. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the series adapted the story, and I was deservingly hooked after the first couple of episodes. While not every episode is a masterpiece in storytelling, the series is solid and worth looking into if you haven’t done so already.
Civilization spins into chaos when a fungus starts turning people into zombies. Now the remaining survivors hold up in the ruins of the old world. Most survivors have gotten used to the hopeless routine of survival, but there are still those few who continue fighting for something better. In this hopeless world, a glimmer still exists. Ellie is the only known survivor immune to the infection, and it is up to Joel to get her to anyone who can use her to find a cure. The pair will travel over hostile lands in search of a better future, but is Ellie the cure humanity is waiting for?
This series is incredible. The acting is fantastic, the story is amazing, and the action is keeping you on the edge of your seat. The chemistry between the two leads is powerful, and what drives the story. Watching the relationship between Ellie and Joel evolve through the series will make you obsessed with this series.
I’ve seen people complain about the lack of zombies this season, but the zombies wouldn’t have added much to the narrative. This first season acts as a way to build the world and characters, and it does that spectacularly. If the lack of zombies bothers you, it has been confirmed that the next season will feature more.
The only issue I have with this series is that some of the episodes felt slow and drawn out. It wasn’t bad enough to quit the series, but inconsistency dulled some of my excitement. I was also a bit disappointed by the finale, but that is mostly due to having to wait for season two. The finale has some great character moments and does enough to set up season two, but I wanted more. I could play the games for instant gratification, but I need to find time to play them.
If you have HBO+ or can still get the free trial, you need to watch this series because it is one of the better shows on the platform. Go stream it now!
I know I am a bit late on covering Alice in Borderlands, but I loved it so much I needed to talk about it. Alice in Borderlands is the live-action isakai series that you didn’t know you needed in your life. If you haven’t seen it, I urge you to add it to your list. It may be a bit cheesy, and the CGI is rough, but it is such an epic narrative that it doesn’t matter.
Irasu and his friends find themselves in a deserted Tokyo. As they travel through the empty streets of the town they once called home, they find themselves trapped in a deadly game. To survive, they must win a series of games where failure isn’t an option. Those who lose or run out of time die. It’s a similar concept to Squid Games, but this series came out first. Can Irasu and his friends find out who is behind the games before it is too late? Will they ever be able to return to their normal lives?
Both seasons are well done, with the second season being a narrative roller coaster that kept me on edge. The suspense in this season is killer despite the overpowered plot armor the main characters seem to carry.
The games are so much fun to watch, each getting more intense than the last. It does get a bit predictable, but I didn’t care because I was having so much fun. This show is graphic, so viewer discretion is advised.
The series uses the violence and stakes of the games to make important criticisms of the stagnation in human life. Each protagonist had moments in their past before the game where they wasted their lives or weren’t living to their potential. It was only when they no longer have control of their lives that they begin to reflect on their lives. For some, it is too late. They die without having the chance to make any real changes. Others, like Arisu, begin to experience personal growth as they begin to see life in a new light.
I loved Irasu as a protagonist. He isn’t a generic stoic that can be common in the genre. Instead, he is a flawed man whose resolve is constantly shaken by events in the game. As he spends more time in the games, Isaru never gets comfortable with the harsh world around him. There are times when the events will break him, and he will struggle to act when necessary. It is very cool to see a hero who is capable, but not perfect. It creates the perfect amount of tension for a series like this to work.
But as much as I love this series, it isn’t perfect. This series has a problem with its pacing. Towards the end of the series, it certainly feels drawn out. There are also times when this series will get a bit preachy about life and humanity, but it never gets so bad that I turned it off. Despite its flaws, I will be returning to this series.
Go watch this series! You might figure out the mystery ahead of time, and the special effects might look cheesy, but the story and action are so good that it won’t matter. The series is in Japanese with multiple dubbing available. While I always recommend watching media in their original language, the English dubbing is great. You can stream Alice in Borderlands on Netflix
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I was sent Risen as a review code. I am very grateful to have gotten this opportunity, but I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be an honest review of the game.
Screenshots and video taken from the game
Risen is an action role-playing game from 2009 that has now been ported over to all the major consoles. I got to play it on the Xbox One. This isn’t a remaster of the original. It is the same game. If you are a fan of the original or want to play it for the first time on your modern console, now is the time.
You find yourself shipwrecked on the island of Faranga with only the clothes on your back. Forge your path through the island as you survive its many dangers and claim its treasures. This island is cruel and full of warring factions, dangerous beasts, earthquakes, and storms. How you conquer this island is in your hands. Will you do it with a sword in hand or magic? What secrets will you uncover along the way?
The game does look and feels old, but it hasn’t aged terribly. While it may feel clunky compared to modern standards, it isn’t a terrible experience. Once you get used to the feel, everything else falls into place. The game looks fine for how old it is, but I did find it a bit too dark for my liking. The voice acting is fantastic, and the story hooks are interesting enough to get you going.
I liked the freedom this game gives you. The maps are pretty open, and there is enough choice from the quests you accept to the way you play to keep the game fresh. I however found this freedom limited by its difficulty. You will die a lot in this game, so save frequently. The combat is smooth but hard to master. This is also a game that doesn’t hold your hand, you have to figure everything out on your own. I suggest you keep a guide handy. I found the one published in Mike’s RPG Center to be very helpful, but there are many other great ones to choose from.
If you like these kinds of difficult games, you will have a lot better time with them than I did. I don’t have the time or patience for these kinds of games. I kept having to start over, and I don’t have the time for that It certainly has its niche with those who like Souls-like games. If you are looking for a chill game to play but are limited in the time you can budget for gaming, I suggest you look elsewhere. Otherwise, the game has aged well enough for those interested.
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Do not let the awkwardness of the art and animation stop you from enjoying Netflix’s newest survival horror anime, Make My Day. If you are a fan of the genre and enjoyed the Dead Space series, this series should be on your watchlist. Make My Day is a short and manageable series that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Companies have started mining the planet of Coldfoot for a new energy resource. Unfortunately, mining on this planet has awoken an ancient and nearly indestructible creature that is quickly wiping humanity off the planet’s inhospitable surface. Jim is a low-level guard at one of the prisons when disaster strikes. With the help of the survivors he gathers along the way, Jim must find a way off the planet. Can they make it before it is too late?
I loved this series. Although some of the production can be awkward, it does enough to tell an exciting horror story. I haven’t felt so anxious as I watched the survivors face increasingly impossible odds as they tried to leave the planet. The action is well choreographed and exciting, the voice acting is solid, although the quality does waiver with some of the extras, and the story is well done. There is enough buildup and tension to keep the pace moving, and enough character development to keep the story interesting. The ending does get a bit cheesy, but it was still satisfying enough to earn my recommendation.
My favorite part of this series is the main character Jim. Jim starts off the series as this scared kid who isn’t ready for conflict. The series does a great job of setting up Jim as a capable character so that when he has to act, his transformation is believable. When Jim first encounters the aliens, he is paralyzed by fear and can only watch in horror as people die to save him. As the series progresses, he slowly finds his courage and takes more of an active role as the hero. I had a lot of fun watching Jim grow as a character, although I did feel that his development suffers a bit.
This series is a lot of fun and very intense. If you like horror and need something to watch, check out Make My Day on Netflix. The series has English dubbing available but I couldn’t find an English trailer.
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The other day I booted up No Man’s Sky on PC because I didn’t know I had the copy. To my surprise, not only did I have a copy, but I also had access to their new VR update. If you don’t remember, No Man’s Sky had a rough start at release. By all accounts, this game was terrible, and people were demanding refunds. Hello Games came out and made a statement assuring its players that it will continue to work on this game and make it better. Seven years later, this game is still going strong, and Hello Games has made good on many of its promises.
I got this game after its first update. I saw the bad news, but when the game went on sale, the sale price justified my curiosity. I loved this game and played way too much of it. For those who don’t know, No Man’s Sky is a space-themed survival game. You must use the resources of the planets you land on to build your bases, explore ancient cavillations, and travel the universe. If you like survival games, you probably already own this title. If you are considering buying this game, it doesn’t hurt to jump in now. The art is phenomenal, the gameplay is relaxing, and the developers behind this game are amazing. Do not be intimidated if you aren’t familiar with survival games. There are many resources and guides out there to guide you on your journey, and there are several modes and settings to help make your playthrough a catered experience.
I got this game on the Xbox when I first got my copy. Not only did this copy grant me access to the PC version, but I can also play it in VR. I love the fact that I can switch between consoles without having to start over and buy another copy of the game. I hate having to purchase multiple versions of the game when I dare desire the convenience of playing on the couch. I wish more games came with the option of not just cross-platform, but cross-saves as well. I know that there is that belief that PC gaming is the panicle of the experience, but sometimes I want to not be at my desk. It shouldn’t be too much to ask for, especially in online games, to be able to play on whatever is most convenient without having to spend so much money.
The VR experience has revitalized my love for this game. Not only does it give me a reason to use my Meta Quest 2, but it is a phenomenal experience. This isn’t a cheap gimmick to trick people into buying the game again. There was a lot of effort put into this port. This game is so pretty and immersive that I have spent more time looking at the strange alien life than trying to finish any questing. I am the type of person who is easily distracted. The game runs pretty well on the Quest 2, although there are some stuttering and bugs that could be ironed out. It is not enough to ruin the experience, but it is noticeable enough to be distracting.
Chilly MKA posted a pretty good game play video that you should check out if you need to see what this game looks like in VR:
One thing to note about this version is that the default movement settings are designed to mitigate VR sickness. You teleport to move it blinks to turn. Teleporting to move felt clunky, and it took away from the emersion. Turning feels too sudden and jarring. I changed the settings so that I could get a more immersive experience, but that will take some getting used to for most. While I didn’t get as sick with this title as others I have played, the sickness will eventually creep up on me, and I will need to take my break or risk losing my lunch. I do recommend you not wear the headset until the game is loaded to your instance because the loading animation will make you sick. My only complaint is that I wish I could use a flight stick for flying the spaceship, but I can live without using one.
You should buy this game if you don’t have it. It is sure to provide you with many hours of relaxing gameplay as you travel through the universe exploring strange and wonderful worlds. Check it out on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, xbox, Steam, and GOG. For those of you who like physical copies, consider getting cheaper copies on Amazon with my affiliate links:
The Synced beta is now live until January 15, 2023. Sign-ups are open on the Synced official page or through Steam.
Images and video taken from the game
Synced is a 3rd person looter-shooter survival game where you must travel over a post-apocalyptic landscape fighting monsters called Nanos. Synced is another zombie hoard game with a pet mechanic that I found interesting. The beta offers two modes of play: a hoard Co-op PVE survival mode and a PVP mode that needs more love. The PVE mode has you in a team of three as you move from checkpoint to checkpoint collecting weapons and upgrades and killing everything in between. PVP has you pit against another team as you fight over resources. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to get into PVP mode and won’t be able to speak on that experience.
To start, you select a Runner and a Nano Companion. Runners are survivors with unique abilities, and Nanos are the robot pets that help you in battle. The flavor of runner only really changes the type of grenade you get to use, but the nano you choose plays differently. I liked using the Crusher nano because he was bulky and hit hard. I found the pet mechanic easy to manage and a lot of fun. I loved the feeling of dropping down a giant onto the battlefield to take off agro and do my bidding. I will eventually try the other Nanos, but at the moment, Crusher is bae. During matches, you can find better weapons and earn currency to exchange for upgrades like in any other survival game. Upgrades are randomly generated, but I found the RNG to be fair.
Synced has a leveling system where you are able to unlock better weapons, upgrades, and characters as you finish matches and quests. At the moment there is a holiday event where you can earn skins for your character.
I am having a lot of fun with this game. The gameplay is smooth, and I haven’t found any bugs. The graphics and the concept are interesting. My only complaint is that wait times can be bad depending on when you play. During peak times, you can get into a PVE match pretty quickly, but I have yet to try their PVP mode. I have a feeling that PVE is going to be where I am going to spend a lot more of my time anyways. If you are looking for a game to play, check out the Synced beta. It’s fun, it’s free, and it is looking very promising.
Hot Skull is an interesting take on the zombie genre. While the series may not feature the traditional zombie, it does feature the traditional tropes. The series is in Turkish, but there is dubbing in multiple languages. I always recommend watching shows in their original language, but the English dubbing for this is pretty good.
Hot Skull takes place in the middle of a global pandemic. The world fears a contagious disease that transfers through audio. People affected will start rambling endlessly, slowly forgetting who they are. People will turn to ramblers if they are exposed to rambling, so people live their lives wearing noise-canceling headphones. The government has taken advantage of the chaos and uses the pandemic to control its citizens. In a world without a cure, hope falls to Murat, the only person immune to the disease. Now the race is on to find a cure before the government silences Murat forever.
I enjoyed Hot Skull, but it isn’t without its faults. The series looks great and has a decent story, but some poorly written speeches were hard to sit through. It wasn’t bad enough to give up on the series, but I did zone out a few times. You notice it a lot whenever it deals with the peaceful protest group, but you can always skip around.
What I liked about this series is how it criticizes authoritarian governments. Hot Skull does a good job of showing how the government took advantage of the situation. Travel becomes restricted, curfews are set in place, the public narrative is heavily edited, and the government is not afraid to use excessive violence on what they consider to be dissidence. Civil unrest brews in the shadows because people no longer have control of their lives. I just wish they did a better job with the rebels. The group seems a bit lazily written and only exists to move the plot forward at points.
I enjoyed Murat as a protagonist. Murat is the only person who is immune to the disease, but he spends his time in hiding. As he becomes exposed to the cold reality around him, he becomes more involved in the revolution. It is cool to see his transformation as he becomes more active in finding a cure. His transition to heroism may not be fluid, but it was well enough for what this is.
The only complaint I have about this series is that it slows down halfway through. As Murat gets more active about his role in the pandemic, the series gets bogged down with a lot of revolutionary ideology that I didn’t have much interest in. It might be a translation issue, but there are a lot of sappy speeches about freedom and martyrs I didn’t care for either. The pacing picks up eventually, but not until I was ready to give up on the series.
Overall, the series stands pretty well. There was a good amount of suspense and tension. It handled a lot of its themes and criticism well. It may not be the best story, but it will pass the time. While I don’t see myself rewatching this series or waiting for a second season, I’m glad I watched it. I’d say that if you like the zombie genre and want to see something different, give this series a try. It’s better than the recent resident evil movies. Otherwise, wait till you have nothing to watch.
It is available for streaming on Netflix.
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