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video game reviews

Discover Lunarium: A Beautiful RPG Adventure

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Lunarium?

Lunarium is a beautiful top down, isometric action RPG that you can play now on Steam.

Hook

Lunarium is on the verge of the collapse. It crumbles under the weight of blood thirsty monsters. Two girls, Ave and Lune, set of on the perilous adventure to save it. Ave marches forth with her sword, and Lune stands behind her with her supportive magic. Their adventures will take them across strange and magical worlds full of mystery and danger. What will their adventure reveal? Can they find the power to save their dying world?

Gameplay

Lunarium is pretty strait forward. Ave has a three combo attack, she can parry, and she can doge. Lune can heal Ave or help with a powerful magic attack, but her abilities are on charges. Meaning you can only heal so many times before a rest, or recharge a charge through combat. These skills and abilities can be customized through a fairly expansive skill tree. While I was able to get through the game buying into skills I thought were fun, it does feel like there is a right answer. I am sure there is a guide out there if you look hard enough.

Combat in this game is straight forward. All attacks are telegraphed. Enemies turn red when you need to dodge, and the animation is easy to read for when you need to parry. Timing is everything in this game, and learning how to time your button presses means you can blow past even the toughest enemies. You can eventually brute force your way through most of the game, but it does reward players who take the time to master the timing.

Does it work on the Steam Deck

Lunarium technically runs on the steam deck, but it is a little clunky. It is playable, but I didn’t like it. It felt like a chore trying to get the timing right, and I went back to playing on my PC. There might be a future update that will optimize the gameplay or a workaround I am missing, but for now, I am not using the Steam deck. Even though I really want to. The cloud sync doesn’t work properly, and I lost all of my progress and had to start over. Luckily I didn’t lose much, but you’ve been warned.

Review

I was first drawn to Lunarium because it is a good looking game. When I played the game, I knew I found a new addiction. Lunarium is a fantastic action RPG with a solid story, but fantastic gameplay. It is a little clunky, but I am willing to look past the roughness because I had a lot of fun with the title.

Aesthetic

I love the world of Lunarium. The character design is fantastic, and I love how the main characters both look minimilistic and iconic. The monsters you fight are creative and flavorful. Most unimportant, the world of Lunarium is beatiful. Each zone is unique and full of fantastic fantasy that was so much fun to explore. I will say that some of the perfomance issues do distract from the overall beauty, but not enough to skip this title. There needs to be more eyeballs exploring this beautiful world.

Gameplay

I am not very good at these games, but I tried very hard to be for Lunarium. The gameplay does feel simple at first, but when it ramps, you really need to be paying attention. Nothing is more satisfying than absolutely destroying an enemy because you were able to time all your button presses perfectly. I could have certainly played more optimally, but I had a blast picking the abilities that I though were fun. Honestly, if you like action RPGs and don’t mind the roughness that come with lower budget titles like Lunarium, the game needs to be in your library. I had so much fun with this game, and I am very sad I have to move on…for now.

Conclusion

I can’t stress how much you need to play this game. It is such a unique title with a beautiful world to explore, memorable characters to play as, and some solid mechanics. The performance is a bit of an issue, especially in the beginning, but it the game is playable. I am sure with a bit more money, they can optimize it enough. My only real complaint is that I can’t play it on the Steam Deck. I would have loved to be chilling on the couch playing this game, but sitting at my desk was good too. Since that isn’t a real problem, do you yourself a favor and get Lunarium today!

Trailer

video game reviews

Dystopicon Review: A Unique Time Management Game

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Dystopicon?

Dystopicon is a dark, political satire time management game where you watch TV to earn money to live. The game is out now on Steam, and there is a demo available to get you hooked.

Hook

You have been promoted to a second class citizen, and benefit from the perks that come with it. You get assigned a small apartment with a few luxuries you’ll need to pay for throughout your life here. Earn money by watching the different government approved programs, and use that money to make sure you are comfortable, fed, and an outstanding citizen. The more you prove yourself for to the nation, the more luxuries you get to enjoy. But there is something darker lurking in the shadows. This life is not as perfect as it may seem.

Will you do your part and be a good citizen, or will you let your curiosity take the better of you? You can always end it all early when you’ve had enough. This is your content warning.

Gameplay

Dystopicon is a unique take on the time management sim genre that has become popular in recent years. You sit in a room and try to manage the different meters. What makes the game unique is the narrative that builds around it, and how it forces players to make different choices to unlock the whole thing.

Watching TV

Players watch TV to earn money that they spend to use different amnesties, like buying food or turning on the heat. There are different channels a players can watch, and each channel earns money at a different rate. The TV can only be on for certain activities, and it becomes a game of flipping between the channels while you juggle the rest of your vitals. Each channel also has its drawback. The religion channel may earn you the most money, but it will bore you to death. The porn channel may keep you the most entertained, but you won’t be making any money. The way your prioritize each channel depends on the type of ending you want to get.

Vitals

There are four vitals you need to manage (five if you count money): health, hunger, comfort, and fun. Each meter slowly drains as you sit in your room, and certain activities manipulate their level. If you’re hungry, you eat. When you’re uncomfortable you turn on the heat. If you’re heath deteriorates take a shower. When you’re bored, watch porn. The more you play the game, the more you have to manage your vitals. How you go about it depends on the ending you want to get.

Your Apartment

Everything in this apartment costs money, from the shower to the sink and everything in between. As you play through the game, the game will distract you with different events. The police will come to ask you questions. There will be the occasional uprising outside your window. Your floor will become cluttered with your discarded food packages. You also have rats. Not only are you expected to watch TV to earn money, you have to be a good citizen and keep your apartment in working order. If you like management games, Dystopicon has a lot for you to manage.

Story

The story is what sets this game apart from other games in the genre. While other games have you build the best type of shop or some sort of village, this game asks you to optimize different activities to complete a story. The story is a solid piece of satire with some valid political commentary about a very scary yet possible future. It does not get preachy with its message, but it does get a little dark and one of the routes is suicide. There is a bit of drug use, so this is your second content warning.

Review

I didn’t know what to expect when I first received Dystopicon. I’ve a few management games before, and they are usually fun until the novelty wears off. I had to force myself away from Dystopicon because it was just too good. This game will make you forget time as you try click away at pixels trying to unlock more of the mystery. There is just so much going on, it is going to be hard to stick to only one playthrough. Check out the demo and see for yourself.

Aesthetic

The aesthetic isn’t anything too crazy. It looks like every other sim game that seems to be in vogue at the moment. However, the more you sit with this title, the more the art choice fits the tone of the game. The game is able to capture enough of the dark, dystopian tone without it becoming distracting. The cartoonish style makes some of the darker aspects of the game feel even more so.

Gameplay

The gameplay loop is addicting. The game starts slow, slowly adding new mechanics for the players to explore. There is a well paced ramp that slowly adds the chaos that makes a game like this as addicting as it is. What makes the game unique is how it doesn’t want you to optimize your actions to be the best at watching TV and falling in line, unless that is the type of ending you are working towards. Dystopicon is a game that lets players explore all choices in order to unlock the whole narrative. It is a unique take on the genre that I welcome, and a choice I really think pays off.

Narrative

I really like the dystopian satire that exists around this management sim. The more I got to explore, the more of the world I got to enjoy. I wouldn’t call it an award winning story, but it is a story that is relevant. Dystopicon is a story about choices, and how those choices affect how you fall in line within this society at the verge of something big. You will need to discover what that big thing is.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a management game and don’t feel like opening another store (not that there is anything wrong with those types of games), Dystopicon is exactly what you need. The game is simple with a neat story. The game does get a little dark, so you’ve been warned. All in all, I enjoyed it and I will be trying to collect a few more endings. You can pick up Dystopicon on Steam.

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video game reviews

Explore Super Bullet Break: Cute Waifus and Unique Gameplay

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Super Bullet Break?

Super Bullet Break is a deckbuilding roguelike where you get to collect cute anime girls while you try to fix corrupted video games. The game is available for Steam and on the Nintendo Switch. There is also a Steam demo you can try.

Hook

All of the online multiplayer games have been rendered unplayable by rogue AI that have infected them. Collect your deck of cute anime girls as you fight against the rogue data that have made your favorite games unplayable. Build a powerful deck from over 160 cute anime girls in a unique gotcha system that won’t cost you any money (aside from the $20 it costs to buy the game). Play through seven unique worlds in a unique roguelike experience that will have you trapped for hours. Can you build the deck that will save the world, or will the AI prove too powerful?

Gameplay

Players start with a basic deck and make their way in roguelike fashion through each of the seven unique game game genre themed worlds. Players choose their path through a series of nodes, each with a unique encounter: combat, harder combat, shop, rest, random encounter. This pattern is repeated until hitting the final boss, collecting a valuable ally and moving onto the next world.

Combat

Combat is pretty unique for this deck builder. Each card has a cost that affects the initiative. You can either cast a series of weaker spells or a powerful spell before the enemy’s turn. Initiative is easily seen through an easy to read tracker at the top of the UI. You take turns chipping away at your enemies using your collection of anime girls until either you or the enemy dies. You earn gold and a card at the end of combat. There are better rewards for harder encounters, but they also leave you drained of resources. Plan your routes accordingly. The characters you get at any point of your run will have random abilities that can either make or break your run. For the most part, the RNG feels fair.

Shop

Shops are pretty self explanatory. Over the course of your run, you are earning gold or tickets. Gold is used to buy helpful items that can be used during combat like healing potions or items that buff your abilities. Tickets are used to pull for a random card to add to your deck in the truest, non-predatory form of gotcha on this planet. The trick to this game is generating enough income and using that income efficiently to build a powerful enough deck of anime girls to save the world.

Rest

At certain points of the map, you are allowed a coffee break. At these points you can either heal 30% of your total health for free, 50% for gold, or reroll one of your cards abilities for free. There is always a coffee break before the boss, so plan accordingly.

Random Encounters

If you don’t want to engage in combat, there are random social encounters scattered across the map. These encounters sometimes give players a choice, but mostly offer buffs and debuffs for their run. You can find a special item that will give you an edge in your next combat, or you could get robbed. They are a gamble. Speaking of gambles, there are also nodes that let you choose from three boxes. These boxes contain buffs, items, gold, or cards you can use during your run.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Super Bullet Break works great on the Steam Deck. If you are looking for a good Steam Deck game, you have it here. The game runs great on PC, but if I am using a controller, I prefer playing on the Steam Deck. I love that the game is pretty low profile so it won’t use up all of my memory (I have the lowest memory unit), or get that fan whirling, or kill the battery. Any game I can sit back and play in bed or on the couch is a huge blessing because I stay at my computer all day.

Review

If you like collecting cute anime girls and need a new deckbuilding roguelike, then Super Bullet Break is for you. It does lean a little heavy on the fan service, but it is expected from a game where you’re collecting cute waifus. The combat system is fine, and there seems to be enough content to be worth the price point.

Aesthetic

I will shamelessly admit that I am a huge fan of the art for this game. You get to choose from a wide selection of cute wifus and each world’s theme is unique and fresh. If you like anime girls, you’ll find your waifu somewhere within this game. I’d go as far as to commission some fan art (if I had the money).

Gameplay

I’ll admit that at this point of this career, I am a little burnt out on deck building roguelikes. Super Bullet Break is a solid deck builder with unique mechanics that help it stand out against the rest of the genre, but it does feel repetitive at this point. I think the gotcha mechanics are a good way of keeping each run feeling fresh and new. The game does a good enough job at giving players the tools to get through a run, but it really comes down to being lucky enough to get the right cards and abilities to get through each world. Whether this game is worth it really depends on how much you like waifus and how okay you are with the randomness of it all.

Conclusion

I like this game enough to keep it on my Steam Deck. It is a game I’ll pull out when I just want to play a game, but don’t want to get too invested in its lore or mechanics. The turn based system makes the game a very casual game, but there is enough complexity in the mechanics to keep you engaged. Even if there is enough luck based nonsense to sway your run, you still have to try and plot your route efficiently. If you are looking for a waifu game with solid mechanics that you can play anywhere, Super Bullet Break is a solid title worth your attention. If you aren’t, you should at least try the demo.

You can pick up Super Bullet Break on for Steam and on the Nintendo Switch.

Trailer

video game reviews

Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts: A Review

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts

Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts is a dating sim FMV out now on Steam.

Hook

You move to the big city to attend university. It is your first time away from home but it is also your chance to find love. This will be your year, but things start off to a shaky start. The apartment you were going move into has been rented to someone else and you are forced to move into a shared house with strangers. To your surprise, you find your roommate is your cute childhood friend. Suddenly, you find yourself in a house full of women pining for your attention, but the attraction is mutual. Navagate your relationship with your roommates as you try to find love. Who will you choose?

Gameplay

Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts is an FMV, which means you get to sit back and watch the events unfold, eventually making choices that will affect the ending. There are multiple endings, and the game makes it easy to collect them all. What makes this FMV unique is that it makes it easy to see what paths you are unlocking, which girls you are romancing, and you can ultimately plot your route to the ending you want.

Review

I want to preface my review by admit that I am a sucker for cheesy harem anime. I’d like to believe that I grew up during the golden age of harem anime, and it is easily one of my favorite genres. Sure, the waifus are a nice bonus, but I find the simplicity and cheesiness of these narratives comforting. My favorite anime of all time is Oran Host Club because it is cute, cheesy, and apparently I also like cute anime boys pining over me. (I’ve been on a bit of a Otome game kick lately).

Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts is the live action harem anime I didn’t know I needed. This FMV is a high quality production with a decent story. I appreciate that they didn’t force me to play mini-games, and I got to sit back and enjoy a fun romantic story. And yes, the girls are very cute.

Production

The production of this FMV is good for the most part. The sound is good for most of the game, but there are scenes where the mixing is off. The girls sound far away, there are echos, or the dialogue is unintelligible (not that I know much Japanese). The acting is fine for the tone of the game. A lot of the acting is over the top, and that is by design. There are some over the top moments that can be a little cringe, but everyone seems to be having fun so who cares. The camera is great, and if you want high quality shots of your favorite girl, the game will deliver.

Story

I will preface this section of the review with the admission that I used to watch bad movies for fun. That was back before Netflix ruined everything (thanks Kissing Booth 2). Sure I could go the theater and watch whatever blockbuster smash hit was going to hit its million, but there is something special about those low budget indie films that no one is ever going to watch. I’ve sat through some garbage, but I’ve also sat through some fun, low budget, cheesy movies that I still go back to every now and again (looking at you Sasquatch Gang). All of this to say that while the game may not have deep characters, expansive lore, the story is fun and I had a lot of fun playing through it.

Now this is a harem genre game, so don’t expect deep characters with tangible growth. This is a game where cute girls pine over the main character because the script demands it, but the scenes around these ideas are cute, fun, and the type of distraction you might be looking for. There is some bad dialogue, but there are some cute moments that I had to play through a second time to appreciate fully. The story may not be as good as something Love Too Easily or One Rotten Oath (for something more serious), but it is up there as one of my favorite. If you are looking for a cute game about dating even cuter girls, get Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts.

Conclusion

I am a sucker for FMVs and Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts continues to cement this love for the genre. The game has cute girls, a fun story, and solid production. It is very over the top and cheesy, but it is part of the charm. There isn’t too much fan service, so you should be able to play the game safely in public. But if you’re looking for bit more fan service, you can always play Island of Hearts. This game is fantastic, and I ended up playing the game until I collected all the endings. Get your copy today!

Trailer

video game reviews

Pay 2 Win: The World is Mine Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Pay 2 Win: The World is Mine to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Pay 2 Win: The World is Mine?

Pay 2 Win: The World is mine is an incremental game where you try to build the most lucrative game studio on the planet. Make sure you check out the demo.

Hook

You are destined to run the most epic game studio, but first you have to build it. With the help of two cute assistants, you must build out different facilities and make the money to expand into infinity. Open up packs to unlock better facilities, arrange them to earn special combos, and sit back as you watch that profit grow. Can you find the perfect build that will maximize profits and create the studio you’ve always dreamed of running, or will you flop into obscurity like some kickstarter scam project.

Gameplay

Pay 2 Win is an incrimental game, which means you sit back as you watch the numbers grow. The game starts players off with a booster pack of basic facilities and an empty grid. Players buy spaces on the grid with their profits to place their facilities. A facility on this grid will generate profits automatically. Players can increase this yield by placing certain facilities next to each other to create lucrative combos, or unlocking useful abilities. As the player progresses, so do the numbers. The goal is to show infinite growth, and possibly unlock all of the achievements.

Review

I like Pay 2 Win for the first few hours until it was clear that there was nothing else to do but wait for the numbers to keep going. The game does have a story, cool animation, but when it slows down, there really isn’t a reason to keep playing. It may not be as bad as Humans vs Orks, but there are better titles that deserve more of your time.

Aesthetic

The art for this game is simple, but it works. There are a few flavorful sprites, but the game tries to bait you with the cute waifu assistants. The character art is fine, and I appreciate the animation. I won’t be commissioning any fan art, but it was a nice break from staring at the same batch of icons all day. Outside of the two anime girls, there really isn’t much to make the game memorable.

Story

The game has a story, but it isn’t the reason you buy this game. It is a very basic, generic story that works as the game’s tutorial rather than to provide any tangible world building. I don’t expect deep worldbuilding from my incremental games, but I do expect there to content. Once you finish the story, there really isn’t any reason to play the game. Sure you can achievement hunt or unlock the more skills on the massive tree, but why bother?

Gameplay

As far as incremental games go, Pay 2 Win is pretty forgetable. Once I beat the tutorial, I really had no reason to keep playing. Sure I could have tried for all the achievements or try to unlock more of the skill tree, but there is no reason to. If you are throwing this on the second monitor to forget, you could be running Trees Inc instead. They are about the same lenghth, but Trees Inc is a little cheaper.

One thing I don’t like about Pay 2 Win is that the game doesn’t do a good job at explaining its mechanics. You are supposed to maximize profits by creating efficient combos, but there is nothing to show you what combos work well. You can easily build wrong and waste your time, and it isn’t worth finding a guide because there isn’t enough content. This game starts off slow and once you hit the wall where the game slows down a lot more, there really isn’t a reason to keep playing unless you want to chase meaningless achievements.

Conclusion

I don’t think Pay 2 Win is a bad game, Humans vs Orks is a lot worse, but it is forgettable. Where games like NeoDuel: Backpack Monsters and Konfronto have cool flavor, interesting interactions, and pvp, Pay 2 Win has cuteish anime girls. I did enjoy the two or three hours it took for the novelty to wear off, but that isn’t enough to justify the price tag. Honestly, if you like incremental games, check out NeoDuel: Backpack Monsters and Konfronto instead. They do this a whole lot better, and you get to compete with other people. If you don’t believe me, at least check out the Steam demo.

Trailer

video game reviews

B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA: A Wholesome Visual Novel Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA

B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA is a visual novel based on an ambitious, multi-media experience. B-Project is a male jpop group with anime, music, and now a visual novel to round out the lore. Note that this is not an otome game, but rather a wholesome slice of life narrative with a solid jpop soundtrack (if you’re into that sort of thing. The game is out now on Steam and on the Nintendo Switch, with a demo available for both platforms.

Hook

You have been hired to be the A&R for the up and coming jpop boy band, B-Project. Get to know each of the boys, influence the music, and help them become the next global sensation. What will you learn from your time as their A&R? How close will you get their dream? You may not romance the hot, anime boys, but you are guaranteed a bunch of cute scenarios that is almost just as good.

Gameplay

B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA is a visual novel with fantastic voice acting and terrific animation. You aren’t getting an anime, but I respect the high quality production put into making the story come to life. Players will make a few choices that affect the ending, but you can sit back and enjoy the ride.

Review

I’ll be the first to admit that I was a little disappointed that B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA is not an Otome game. I have really been enjoying the magic that is the Otome genre, and was quite ready to get wooed in a cheesy romance novel. While the game does lack the romance I was looking for, it gave me a cute fuzzy story that I enjoyed sitting through. B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA has fantastic production value with great art, solid voice acting, and very good sound track. If you like jpop or the series, this book should be in your library. If you don’t really care for either genre, you can skip this for now. The game isn’t bad, but it a little niche to recommend to everyone.

Aesthetic

If you are getting this game, its for the hot anime guys who sing exceptionally. There is a lot of care put into crafting this narrative, and it pays off. You get a story with great character art, solid animation, and voice acting that will melt your heart. If you like jpop, you’ll appreciate the solid soundtrack. As far as visual novels go, the quality doesn’t get much better than B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA.

Story

The story is where I take some issue with the game. The story isn’t bad. It is very wholesome, but very cheesy. I love cheesy stories, and its probably the reason why I stuck around as long as I did, but it isn’t going to be for everyone. I don’t care enough jpop or the boy band to ever read this again. Not because it isn’t well written, it is good enough, but because it isn’t what I was looking for. I was looking for a sappy love story like something Genso Manège or Celestia Chain of Fate. B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA has better writing and music, but it wasn’t what I wanted. If you like jpop, or care about B-Project, you’ll have a better time.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a good visual novel, then check out Harmony: The Fall of Reverie. That is one of my favorite visual novels, and I will die on that hill. If you are looking for a wholesome story with cute anime guys and a fantastic soundtrack, B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA is a solid visual novel. I did not hate this game. The overall experience is solid and I really did enjoy reading the book. You have a cool cast of characters with interesting enough stories, but I wouldn’t have picked this up if it wasn’t given to me because it isn’t what I am in to. I feel like if you don’t have some kind of attachment to jpop boybands, it isn’t going to be as good of experience. At least not one that is good enough at full price. I’ would wait for a sale. I’m honestly going to forget I read this novel because I don’t have that attachment, but for those who do, its already in your library.

You can pick up B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA on Steam and on the Nintendo Switch.

Trailer

video game reviews

Trees Inc Review: A Cozy Idle Game Experience

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Trees Inc?

Trees Inc is an cozy idle/incremental game where you grow and chop trees, and eventually, automate the whole operation out now on Steam.

Hook

Grow trees and chop them down in the most relaxing and cozy idle game you can have running on your second screen. Use your profits to plant more trees, hire more workers, and upgrade your production. Unlock powerful upgrades that makes the whole process go burr. The game eventually runs itself so you can sit back, relax, and collect all those juicy achievements.

Gameplay

Tree Inc starts as a clicker game as you start building your resources. Clicking on the tree will chop it, while idling over the tree stump grows the replacement. Repeat this process until you have enough money to plant more trees and hire workers. There are two types of workers, jacks and growers. Jacks will move around the map, chopping your trees automatically while the growers move around the map and regrow your forest. The resources you earn can also be used to buy useful upgrades to speed up the process. You can increase the yield each tree gives, or the speed workers do their work. Buying upgrades and units levels up your instance. Leveling up either unlocks useful passives that mat increase the numbers you work with, and seasons that help change up the gameplay. For example, the rainy season automates tree growth. All this is done to a relaxing, lofi sound track to help you unwind from those hard days where you just want to turn it all off.

Review

I am running Trees Inc as I am writing this review. I didn’t know what to expect when this game first landed on my desk. Idle games are either too much work to be considered idle, riddled with micro-transactions, or a relaxing game you pick up every now and then. This game is the kind of relaxing game you need when you want to play a game, but don’t want a big commitment. It is simple, and you can run it in the background while you work.

Aesthetic

There isn’t much to the aesthetic. The game is simple. Aside from the weather effects, there isn’t any variety in maps aside from where the trees spring up when you plant them. Since Trees Inc is a game meant to be played in the background, it looks fine. Any more effort would be wasted. From what I can tell, the game only loops one lofi song, but it is a solid song to have running in the background when you just want to work. Even the game noises seem to add to the comfortable atmosphere the game is clearly going for.

Gameplay

I like watching numbers go up, and Trees Inc does it at reasonable pace. There is some minor clicking in the beginning, but you an really just leave the game running in the background. There is no right way to build, no strategy guide to look up. Just build what you want, and watch your forest grow. One thing I noticed is that the idle mode feature sort of freaks out. It isn’t game breaking, but it was a little distracting to see the cursor shake around as it struggled to find the optimal path. I have ADHD though, so it might be a personal problem.

Conclusion

There isn’t really much to say about this game. I enjoyed it, but $5 is a little too much for what you get. Sure you get a relaxing title, but it isn’t a game you will no life or even pick up after the first playthrough. You won’t hate that you picked it up, and will enjoy the time it takes to complete the game, but there isn’t much replayability. If you are looking for a chill idle game for when you just want to shut off and relax, this is a fantastic title if you can find it at a discount. I loved it, but I wouldn’t spend more than $2 or $3.

You can pick up Trees Inc on Steam. I liked it better than Humans vs Orcs, but not as much as Tingus Goose.

video game reviews

Is Dokapon Kingdom: Connect Worth It? Honest Review

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Dokapon Kingom:Connect?

Dokapon Kingdom is a fantasy themed party game out now on Steam and the Nintendo Switch. The game is currently on sale until July 7, 2026 for those with enough friends (real or imaginary) to take advantage of this wacky adventure game.

Hook

The kingdom is in trouble. Monsters have appeared and terrorize the town. The king has summoned the kingdom’s bravest heroes to fight back against the scourge, and make the country profitable again. You and your friends must race across the kingdom, fighting monsters, collecting loot, and making as much money as possible. The hero who makes the most money at the end of the game will win the princess’ hand in marriage. Will fortune favor you, or will this be the end of a long time friendship? Boot it up and find out!

Gameplay

Players take turns moving across the board, sort of like Mario Party. Players will roll a dice, and move the required spaces. Where the player ends up will trigger an event. Events can be loot, random encounters, shops, or boss encounters. Players will need to plan accordingly to optimize their income generation. The game has three modes: story, normal, and battle. Story is for players who have a lot of time to play. Normal lets you choose the number of rounds for those who want shorter, more manageable games, and battle is a race. There is offline, couch support but you can also play online. You can host/join a game with random people, or link up with all your online friends and play over discord. For those who have no friends, the game has CPUs you can play with.

Combat

If you aren’t rolling for random loot or money, you are fighting the many monsters that threaten the Kingdom’s profit margins. Players can also fight each other. Combat in this game is a simple game of rock paper scissors (where each type is a different type of attack). Combat gets a bit more complicated as you move around the board and collect better equipment and spells. Throughout your run, you also level up. Leveling lets you increase stat points so you can customize your character to deal the most damage.

Does it work on the Steam Deck

The game works on everything, including the Steam Deck. If you’re playing online with your friends, you aren’t going to hate the experience. Everything is clear and easy to read, and the game runs great.

Review

As I wrap up my collaboration with Idea Factory, I am very disapointed that this is the game I ended on. The game is fine, but you really need friends for this game to be fun, otherwise you aren’t having a good time. The game feels slow, and story mode drags on forever. Had I been playing with my friends and smack talking the whole time, the wait between turns wouldn’t feel like torture. If you have friends who can survive competition where the RNG can screw you, I can see Dokapon Kingdom: Connect having some value.

Aesthetic

Dokapon Kingdom: Connect sort of reminds me of Streetpass on the 3DS, and I loved Streetpass. Nintendo needs to bring that back. I loved collecting all the different Miis. The characters in this game sort of remind me of Miis, but a little cuter. The world feels like a Miiverse type world, and I can respect that. I like that this game can run on everything, which means you can play on a toaster and have fun with your friends and family. For me, the art is the best part, because the gameplay wasn’t very impressive.

Story

The game doesn’t really have a story except for the initial hook. Occasionally, the king will come in and give you random loot or stat points, but there isn’t anything deep you need to follow or keep track of. Story mode is just the longest and most strait forward of the modes.

Combat

Combat is fine if you enjoy rock paper scissors. Whether you are defending or attacking, you get a set of skills that can potentially counter enemy action or at least reduce damage. The NPC fights do get a little repetitive. Maybe I got lucky, but I was mostly always able to guess what the lower mobs would do. I can see how PVP can be more exciting, especially science you rob your friends of their money and their turn. As you move across the board, you pick up equipment, spells, and levels that make you more powerful.

But is it fun?

If you’re playing with friends, I can see the value. You get trapped in this slog where RNG can easily turn the tides in your favor with a simple coin flip. I lively friend group will certainly enjoy the hell this can become, but it has the potential to ruin some friendships. If you don’t have friends, I wouldn’t bother. I played with the CPUs, and they cheat even on easy. Losing to NPCs is not as fun as losing to your friends because you can’t smack talk. I would argue that playing online would be a worse experience because this feels like more of a party game you pull out with your friends, not something you want to compete with strangers. Unless you get lucky and find some cool stranger who will later become your friends I mean. If you were thinking of buying your game for yourself, don’t bother. If you have a fun friend group to play this with, color me jealous.

Conclusion

I never really enjoyed these types of party games, but Dokopon Kingdom fairs a little better than the newest Mario Party. My issue with Mario Party is that there are only a couple of mini games I want to play, the rest feels like torture. Even only playing the mini games I like doesn’t really interest me. I like that Dokopon is more strait forward, albeit a little more random. You roll, you move, and you pray to the gods you get something good. At the end of the day, whether this game is good or not really depends on the group you play with. I don’t have a group of friends to play, so I didn’t have a good time. That said, I can see this being hilarious with the right group of people. If you like fantasy, need a new party game, sure, but wait for a sale.

You can pick up Dokapon Kingdom: Connect on Steam and the Nintendo Switch.

Trailer

video game reviews

Death end re;Quest Review: A Unique JRPG Experience

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Death end re;Quest

Death end re;Quest is a horror JRPG with very unique combat mechanics out now on Steam, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch. The game does deal with a few mature themes, so viewer discretion is advised.

Hook

Arata Mizunashi is a talented video game programmer working on World’s Odyssey. Production abruptly ends when a strange bug causes the disappearance of his colleague, Shina Ninomiya. A year goes by when Arata suddenly receives a mysterious email from Shina. Arata discovers that Shina has been trapped inside World’s Odyssey this whole time, and now it is up to him to get her out. But this will not be easy. World Odyssey is riddled with bugs and while the only way to get the true ending and free Shina from this world might not be possible. Band together with helpful NPCs, fight against the bugs and enemies, and try to fix the game enough to get to the end. Will Shina ever be free, or will she be doomed to die in the game she helped create?

Gameplay

Death end re;Quest has four different loops: the visual novel, dungeon crawl, combat, and real world investigation. It is the combination of these four elements that create a unique gaming experience.

Visual Novel

This game has a lot of reading. Some of it is voice acted in English and Japanese, but there are bits where you will have to read. The story is pretty linear, but players have the occasional choice that affects the ending. Save often because you will get a few of the band endings during your run (unless you cheat and use a guide). Luckily, the game allows players to save during some dialogue, so you can come back to the game when you need to. Or play it on the Steam Deck for those longer bits a dialogue where you can’t save.

Dungeon Crawl

Players will eventually take control of Shino who will delve unique and intricate dungeons. Like other games from Idea Factory, there are no random encounters. You can see the monsters roam the dungeon, and plan your attacks accordingly. Dungeons do not let you save freely. You will need to make your way to campsite where you can heal up, buy items, or talk to the NPCs. You can cheat and play this game on handheld and suspend the game to pick up where you left off later. One mechanic that makes this dungeon crawl unique is that players will need to switch from the dungeon to the overworld to progress through the game. More on this below.

Combat

Combat for Death end re;Quest is almost your typical turn-based RPG. There is an initiative that is affected by successfully ambushing enemies in the overworld, and players will take turns with the NPCs to perform actions. A player can perform three actions per turn. Actions include: attack, block, using an item, or casting a spell. If you cast three attack spells or attacks in a row, your character performs a knockback attack that sends enemies flying backwards. The game is kind of like pool, where you can aim enemies to bounce off the edges of the battlefield, other enemies, or allies for added damage. There are a few other mechanics that affect combat like corruption, but those make more sense when playing the game.

Overworld

There are two worlds to Death end re;Quest: the video game and the real world. Shino may be trapped in the game world, but Arata is outside in the real world and can affect the game with his coding. Occasionally, you will get stuck during a dungeon delve and will need to switch over to Arata who can do real world investigation, pick up clues, and fix the bugs. Most of the overworld exists through a visual novel, and there are choices that can lead to a bad ending. Make sure you save often.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Yes! The Steam Deck is the perfect way to play this game. While the performance is fine on PC, I just prefer to play JRPGs on handheld. I am old in this way. This game looks great, runs well, and I can read all the font. I personally like that I can suspend the game at a moments notice (like when I have to tend to my child), especially when I’m at a point where I can’t save. I would have lost so much progress if this wasn’t possible. But that is the life of a busy dad.

Review

As my collection of Idea Factory games dwindles to the last few I received for this collaboration, I can’t help but to feel sad that the journey is almost over. I am a little relieved that I can get back to reviewing new games and become somewhat relevant in the magical algorithm, but I can confidently say that I have enjoyed the journey. I wish I had played Death end re;Quest last because I absolutely adore this game. The game has cool art, a solid story, and an interesting combat system. It may not be perfect, but it is exactly what I need from my JRPGs. I fear it might be a little niche due to some of its choices, but I would argue that it is one of those games you should try once.

Aesthetic

There are two parts to the game art: the visual novel and dungeon crawling. The visual novel has some interesting art. If you compare it to other games like the mainline Neptunia games or even Dragon Star Varnir, its not as good but fine enough to get the point across. There are few interesting character designs, and some tastefully placed fan service, but nothing I’d run to make fan art for. But my issue with the art (and I assume a lot of people’s as well) is with the dungeon crawl. Everything in the dungeon looks the same. As a result, I spent too much time lost in this game. Granted, I have the worst sense of direction, but it doesn’t help that the dungeon looks so plain and homogeneous.The monsters also look ugly.

I understand that the design choices for the dungeon crawl were probably made to create a stable game. I had no issue with it because the combat is fun and I enjoyed the story, but there are people who will not like that this looks like a much older cheaper game.

Combat

Combat in this game is the most fun I’ve had with a JRPG. It does get a little repetative, these games typically are, but it isn’t so bad. You automate a lot of the actions for the easier fights, and the pool mechanics made for some fun interactions. I like that you can position yourself to perform a multi-kill by knocking enemies on an optimal tragectory. As someone who spent a lot of my highschool years playing the pool minigame on Yahoo messenger, I understood the assignment. I even went out of my way to do extra grinding because, combat is just that fun.

Death end re;Quest offers enough challenge when it needs to, creative boss fights when it has to, and running through the world as an overleveled god doesn’t make the encounters any less fun. I loved being overleveld and trying to finish the encounter in the least ammount of turns possible.

Story

I enjoyed the story a lot. I approaced it a little hesatantly at first because it felt like a isakai, and I have a bit of isakai fatigue. This all changed when it turned into a proper bland of cheesy adventure anime and horror mystery. I wouldn’t the horror is terrifying, i was able to play this with the lights off after all, but it does deal with some dark themes. Overall, the writing is solid. There are bits that are a little slow and scenes that drag on for a little too long, but overall, it is enjoyable anime and I could always use more of that in my life. If you are looking for a decent read, and don’t mind a little roughness, give Death end re;Quest a try.

Conclusion

I enjoyed Death end re;Quest a little too much. Sure I started skipping through some of the dialogue, especially the camp stuff, but I did read through enough of it to be invested. I had a hard time putting it down, but I had to for this article. My only complaint is that I didn’t get the true ending. Sure I can google a guide or look up the video, but I kind of want to try to do it on my own. This was a very fun ride, one that I recomend for those of you who like niche anime games and don’t mind the turn-based system with a few extra steps. If you are looking for a game to add to your Steam Deck, or just something to do this summer, the game is on sale for $6 unti July 7th, and that is the perfect entry point.

You can pick up Death end re;Quest on Steam, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch

Trailer

video game reviews

Why DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation is a Must-Play

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation?

Idea Factory brings the DATE A LIVE series to Steam and PS4 in one fantastic package. DATE A LIVE is a romance visual novel never before localized. Gamers will get access to three novels: Rinne-Utopia, Rio-Reincarnated, and Arusu install (played in that order). If your in the mood for some cheesy harem anime to read this summer, here is where you need to start.

Hook

Our story starts thirty years after the spacequakes. These are cosmic disaster that brought with it powerful beings known as Spirits. Spirits posses great power, but they are unstable. Left unchecked, they can cause great harm to the world. Shido Itsuka is an average high school student, but the only one in this world with the power to save everyone. Forced in the middle of all this chaos, Shido must date the Spirits and use the power of love to save them. Get ready to collect some waifus as you use your powers of romance to create the perfect dates that will save the world. How long will it take you to collect all the endings?

Gameplay

The game is a dating sim/visual novel. Players can date 11 different characters with unique personalities, choose from 150 dating events, and your choices matter. Once you are done with this game, there are light novels, anime, and a movie you help you get even more waifus.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation is a fantastic title for your Steam Deck. The resolution is perfect and most importantly, the text is legible. I have old eyes and have a hard time with visual novels on my Steam Deck (especially since my daughter hid my glasses), but this felt like reading a book. I prefer the experience on the Steam Deck because I can read in bed or on the couch, and any time I can spend away from my computer is a plus to me. Especially since I couldn’t put this game down.

Review

DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation is a visual novel I’ll recommend to everyone. While it is a little on the cheesy side, and the fan service might turn some folks off, it is the fun and quirky story you need right now. It has great art, and enough content to be worth the full price. It is currently on sale for $10 on Steam until July 9th 2026, which is a steal!

Aesthetic

As a huge anime fan, I have no notes. I love the character design, and I appreciate that they don’-t get too lazy with with backgrounds. Waifu hunters will appreciate the fan service, and the features that let you screenshot. Casual anime fans will appreciate the cute anime girls and dates you get to go on. I don’t speak much Japanese, but the voice acting seems solid, although I started reading faster than the characters would talk so my sample size is a little limited.

Story

I have a soft spot for cheesy harem anime, and I have a history of snapping up these types of games. I was incredibly excited when this game was sent to me, but I was not ready for how good this visual novel would be. The writing is solid, the pacing is great, and there is enough unique scenarios that make me want to 100% this game. The supernatural elements are well done, but I love me some cute anime girls and here I am, trying to appease them all. If you enjoy cheesy harems as much as I do, you probably already have this game in your library. If you don’t, it needs to be. Especially now that it is on sale. If you already have this game in your library, Celestia: Chain of Fate is a cheesy reverse-harem visual novel that isn’t as good, but might be up your alley.

Conclusion

My collaboration with Idea Factory has been a difficult one because I can’t put the games down. Regrettably, I have slowed down my posting schedule because I would rather be playing the games. This was probably the hardest title to put down because of how much fun I had with the dating sim. The hardest part about this game is choosing a waifu, especially since I don’t have the time to collect all of them. I’ll settle for Tohka for now. I have never read the novel or watch the anime, but I think its time to start. While the game does make a few references I didn’t quite understand, I was a fan Fans of the series already have this game in their library, and new fans need to have it soon. Honestly, if you are looking for something to read and don’t mind the fan service or over the top-cheesy anime antics, this is the book for you. Best of all, it plays on your Steam Deck so you can read this from anywhere.

You can pick up DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation on Steam and PS4. If you are looking for more visual novels, check out After Love Ep if you want something more serious, and Harmony: The Fall if you want something beautiful.

Trailer