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video game reviews

Why you Should Be Playing Alterium Shift

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I was sent a free copy of Alterium Shift 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 for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker RT65 mechanical keyboard, the Uhuru Gaming Mouse, or the EasySMX X15 controller. When you’re ready to start your blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Alterium Shift?

Alterium Shift is a classic feeling JRPG available now on Steam Early Access, but with plans to release on Xbox, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch in the future.

The world of Alteria is in danger, and it is up to one brave hero to save it. Choose from one of three unique heroes as you embark on an unforgettable adventure. Together with allies you make along the way, fight monsters, discover treasure, and uncover the mysteries of this world and the parallel world beside it. What will your journey uncover? Can you become strong enough in time to save the world?

Gameplay

Alterium Shift plays like your classic turn-based JRPG with the occasional fishing to mix things up. The game also includes creative puzzles, challenging yet memorable boss fights, and an unavoidable grind. The grind isn’t soul-crushing by any means. What sets this game apart is the choices it offers players. The bits of dialogue you chose throughout the adventure do impact the outcome of the story. Each character feels unique, and the options give the game some solid replayability.

Does it Work on the Steam Deck?

Yes, and it is a fantastic game to play on the Steam Deck. If you enjoy classic JRPGs, this is a fantastic game to pull out when you can’t be in front of your computer. The game isn’t too demanding so you don’t have to worry about your Steam Deck turning into a jet, and everything looks and works great. I am a huge fan of being able to do some of the grinds while I am chilling on the couch. If you’re looking to beef up your Steam Deck library, you can’t go wrong with Alterium Shift.

Review

Alterium Shift is a fantastic game that should be in everyone’s library, especially if you’re a fan of JRPGs. While the game is still in Early Access, the experience is good enough to earn a recommendation.

What first drew me into the game was its art style. Alterium Shift has a fantastic character design and a beautiful world to explore. I particularly like how equipped items change the look of the character. I like being able to see the progress of looking cooler as my character levels, even if it is in pixel art.

The gameplay is fantastic, offering enough of a challenge to keep things engaging but with a welcomed cozy casual vibe for when you just want to chill. The game does have its grind, but it doesn’t feel too bad.

The story is what kept me playing the game. I love that each character has their own story and that each story can be played differently based on the choices a player makes. This will make the game incredibly replayable, especially if you don’t have to skip through the same cutscenes every time you want to switch characters. Best of all, each character feels good. I tried all three and they all felt equal in power level.

If you’re looking for a new JRPG to get into and don’t mind waiting for the game to move through Early Access, get this game. I recommend it even in Early Access because it plays great, and there is enough available content to have you hooked for more.

You can pick up Alterium Shift for $19.99 on Steam Early Access.

video game reviews

Beloved Rapture is a Fantastic Modern Nod to Classic JRPGs

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I was sent a free copy of Beloved Rapture 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 for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker RT65 mechanical keyboard, the Uhuru Gaming Mouse, or the EasySMX X15 controller. When you’re ready to start your blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Beloved Rapture?

Beloved Rapture is an indie JRPG out now on Steam.

Johan has come to the age where he must decide whether he wants to leave his sleepy life in his quiet mountain town or go on his own adventure. Unfortunately for Johan, the choice is made for him and he finds himself at the center of an escalating conflict. With a fanatic militia at his heels, Jonah and his newfound allies must find a way to achieve peace. What truths will Jonah discover on this journey? Is he destined for greatness, or will he become another casualty of war?

Gameplay

Beloved Rapture is a classic RPG with a few modern mechanics that set it apart from the rest of the genre. The game introduces a unique dynamic system where players can be attacked while choosing their actions. As a result, combat feels more intense. Combat can also be enjoyed in the traditional turn-based system for those of us who prefer a more casual experience.

What sets Beloved Rapture apart from other games in the genre is the lack of forced encounters. While there is a grind, it isn’t steep. Leveling in this game is pretty straightforward. Players can spend skill points at level up to build their units in whatever way they want. While I am sure there is a way to min-max each ally, I had a lot of fun building my play style.

Does it Work on the Steam Deck?

Beloved Rapture is a fantastic Steam Deck game. The game is in an aspect ratio where everything is clearly visible, the game performs perfectly, and it is a great travel game. I’ve only ever played JRPGs on handheld consoles, and it only feels right to play it on the Steam Deck. If you’re looking for a new game to play on the go, check out Beloved Rapture.

Review

While I love Beloved Rapture, it is not without its flaws. The story is solid, but some of the writing is awkward or bad. It isn’t terrible, but there is some cheesy dialogue that keeps it from being the serious story it is trying to be. I was also not a fan of the dynamic combat system. It never seemed to work right for me. There might be a way to configure combat, but I enjoyed the classic version too much.

Regardless of these issues, Beloved Rapture is a solid JRPG that deserves some attention. The story was good enough to keep my attention, the combat felt good, and the art was fantastic. It is clear that a lot of love and passion went into this project, and it paid off.

If you enjoy classic JRPGs and are looking for a new one for your collection, you can’t go wrong with Beloved Rapture. This is one of those games that you should try at least once.

You can pick up Beloved Rapture on Steam for only $19.99.

video game reviews

Potion Tycoon is a Mediocre Management Sim. It Wasn’t for me

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I was sent a free copy of Potion Tycoon 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 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 Potion Tycoon?

Potion Tycoon is a management simulator out now on steam.

The world is full of adventure, intrigue, and danger. Adventures are always in need of a good potion shop, and it is up to you to fill that void.
Build your shop, hire your employees, and create the best shop in the land. Do you have what it takes to fill the realm’s need for potions and tonics, or will you go bankrupt trying?

Gameplay

Players can play through a tutorial to get their shop started. While the tutorial does show the players some of the game’s mechanics, it isn’t very helpful. You are going to have to look things up.

Players will have the opportunity to build and expand their potion shop with a good amount of freedom. The player can choose when to upgrade, what to upgrade, who to hire, and what to build. The only real limit is money and a player’s level. Players can only hire low-level employees, but will eventually gain access to better more efficient units.

Once the store is built, players will need to manage the operations. Workers need to be happy and paid to complete their assignments. Potions need a steady supply of ingredients, and a good alchemist to brew and bottle them. There needs to be a steady supply of the exact potion a customer needs or they won’t enter the store. Running a successful potion shop hinges on the ability to manage each part of the operation efficiently.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

No, but the Steam Deck lets you know it isn’t a good port. It isn’t unplayable and with a bit more tweaking it might work, but it isn’t worth the trouble. This game looks and feels awful on the Steam Deck.

Review

People who enjoy the different bits of management might have a better time with Potion Tycoon, but I thought it was boring. The first issue I have with this game is that the mechanics aren’t explained properly in the tutorial. You can find a solution to any issue online, but I shouldn’t have to. I don’t want the game to handhold, but some proper direction, especially for crucial mechanics, would be nice. I got stuck on my first run because no one wanted to work and I didn’t understand. This lack of direction is going to turn off a lot of casual players because the difficulty comes from a lack of proper communication rather than a skill-based challenge.

My biggest issue with this game is that it feels like work. Clicking through each chore to get the shop up and running isn’t fun, especially when you compare it to other games in the genre. This isn’t the worst management game out there, but it seems to be made for a specific type of gamer, and it isn’t going to be the casual one.

If you like management games, you have better options. If you are interested in the game, I would wait for a sale. You can pick up Potion Tycoon on Steam for $19.99.

video game reviews

Into the Emberlands is an Adorable Village Management Game

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I was sent a free copy of Into the Emberlands 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 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 Into the Emberlands?

Into the Emberlands is an adorable village management survival game out now on Steam.

A deadly miasma spreads across the Emberlands, consuming all who dare step into its mist. Luckily, the light from the magical lantern at the center of town has the power to repel the mist. Fill your lantern with its magical embers and venture into the mist in search of materials, loot, and new members for your village. Can you find the means to thrive within the encroaching miasma, or will you be lost in its poisonous clouds?

Gameplay

Players will begin their game with a basic village and a few quests to begin their expansion into the miasma. Players then travel through the forest in search of materials, loot, and new villagers. Players can only travel into the forest if they have magical light to guide them. Each step a player takes within the miasma consumes fuel. Players only have a limited amount of fuel for this light, and running out of fuel means death.

Fuel can be replenished by returning to the base, collecting random nodes of embers, or saving a stranded villager. The amount of fuel a player can carry can be upgraded through quests, increasing the number of steps a player can make in the mist, but these upgrades are lost upon death. Make sure you always move carefully, and you are always questing efficiently.

Eventually, the village will become more complex with different helpful buildings, resources, and villagers. The distance that can be traveled will also increase, making the game feel less repetitive.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Yes, and it is a solid port. I preferred playing Into the Emberlands on the Steam Deck despite the slight awkwardness. The game runs great, but sometimes the cursor would disappear and other times the camera would be annoying to control. None of these issues made the game unplayable, but they did pop up enough times to be mentioned. Regardless, Into the Emberlands is fun and casual enough to make it the ideal couch or travel game.

Review

Into the Eberlands is a fun new twist to the village management genre. The game runs great, is super adorable, and has a fun yet challenging gameplay loop. Gathering in this game is simple and repetitive, but the ember mechanics make the loop exciting. It is easy to find that you have ventured too far from the village without enough resources to get back. It is also exhilarating to barely make it back to the village after making a series of risky gambles.

It could easily lose days to this game because of how fun, cute, and exciting the loop is. I recommend everyone try at least once.

You can pick up Into the Emberlands on Steam for only $6.59. The game is still in Early Access, but I feel comfortable enough to recommend it. You’ll at the very least get your money’s worth.

video game reviews

The Nameless: Slay Dragon is My Favorite Fantasy RPG

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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

Murder on Space Station 52 Is Decent Detective Noir

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I was sent a free copy of Murder on Space Station 52 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 Murder on Space Station 52?

Murder on Station 52 is a murder mystery point-and-click narrative game out now on PC via Steam, GoG, and Epic Games.

Your arrival at Station 52 has been marred by the murder of the person you are there to replace. The Keychain Killer is on the loose, and it seems like you’re the only one who can catch them. Explore the station, collect clues, solve intricate puzzles, and put an end to this madness. Can you catch the Keychain Killer before it is too late?

Gameplay

Murder on Station 52 is sort of like a visual novel that needs to be pieced together. Players move around the station collecting clues, interrogating suspects, and slowly unraveling the narrative. For the player to progress through the story, players must solve the station’s many puzzles. This is done by collecting and combining objects, interacting with various points around the station, or solving visual puzzles, some with very little guidance. Players are essentially clicking through the story, trying to get to the end.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Murder on Station 52 works great on the Steam Deck. Players can use the joysticks, touch pads, and touch screen to play this game. I preferred the Steam Deck experience to the desktop because a combination of the touch screen and shoulder buttons felt perfect. The aspect ratio does make some puzzles difficult to interact with. It isn’t unplayable, but they do require a bit more work. Other than that, it is a solid experience.

Review

This game was made for fans of the detective noir genre. The game is filled with fun and quirky references and dialogue that I felt pay the perfect homage. The main character’s snark, especially during his inner monologues, can be a little cheesy, but I feel it gives the game its charm. It isn’t going to be for everyone, but it does help that the voice acting is fantastic.

The only issue I have with Murder on Space Station 52 is its puzzles. Some of the puzzles are creative and satisfying, but there are a few that aren’t intuitive and frustrating. The game offers no hints, guides, or direction for some puzzles, leaving players to scramble with the same mystery as the game’s protagonist. This is a great idea, but its execution feels lacking. For the less intuitive puzzles, the lack of direction will end a playthrough without a guide. The solution will always make sense in the end, but not being able to solve a puzzle because what can be clicked isn’t obvious is frustrating. For example, a lot of the puzzles are solved by combining items. Most of the time, players will pick up an item and combine it with another in their inventory. Some items require specific events to have occurred before you can interact with them, others will need the player to be in a specific location, and some will need a double-click. As a result, some of these puzzles feel less like critical thinking challenges and more like trial and error. This is fine for the person who likes puzzle games, but it’s going to be an issue for the more casual player. Luckily, there are a few good walkthroughs available already.

Ultimately, the game is fine and I enjoyed my time with it, but it isn’t going to be for everyone. The art and voice acting are fantastic and are a valid draw to the game, but the story and tone will be a barrier. If you enjoy the cheesy detective noir genre, this is a solid entry to the genre with a decent mystery. If you aren’t, the protagonist’s snark and the story’s quirky tone will get old fast. As far as puzzle games go, it’s fine and thematic, but the less intuitive puzzles make it hard to recommend. Hardcore puzzlers might appreciate the lack of direction and hints, but casual puzzlers will find the game more work than it’s worth. Most will be better off just watching a playthrough.

You can pick up Murder on Space Station 52 on Steam, GoG, and Epic Games for $14.99

video game reviews

Celestia: Chain of Fate is a Cozy Story of Magic, Power, and Love

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I was sent a free copy of Celestia: Chain of Fate 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 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 Celestia: Chain of Fate?

Celestia: Chain of Fate is a romance visual novel coming to Steam and Swtich on September 12.

Aria lived her perfect life with her loving and devoted family. This all changes when she comes of age and is invited to attend the prestigious Academy of Celestia to learn how to harness her innate magical abilities. But fate has plans for Aria. The days leading up to the first day of classes seem to be filled with catastrophes, some even life-threatening. These days are also filled with chance encounters. She meets her rivals who are determined to make the rest of the year miserable, but she also meets the three boys determined to make it better. As the school year progresses, her relationship with one of these boys will develop into something deeper. Can she survive the year long enough to choose?

Gameplay

Celestia: Chain of Fate presents a compelling narrative with the occasional choice to make. These choices affect the narrative, and some will end the story early. Make sure you save often. The game allows you to save at any point in the story, and it allows you three separate save profiles. Most importantly, there is no voice acting, so be prepared to read. This game is like reading a cheesy romance novel, and that isn’t a bad thing.

Review

I am addicted to Celestia: Chain of Fate, and I am not embarrassed to admit it. This is one of the first visual novels where I felt the need to get all the endings. This was also the hardest because I didn’t know which character to choose as my romantic interest. They were all so cool.

The writing is cheesy and often predictable, but that doesn’t matter because the story is cute. I am not one for romantic novels, but this one hit the spot. I didn’t know how badly I needed to get swooned by a half daemon, but here we are on my 2nd play-through.

If you’re looking for a new visual novel and don’t mind it being a sappy romance novel, you need Celestia: Chain of Fate. The art is cute, the soundtrack is solid, and the story is comforting. It has a very cheesy tone with a predictable plot, but it doesn’t matter because it provides the coziest experience. I loved this game and recommend it to anyone looking for a new visual novel. Just make sure you save often. Magic school is dangerous, and I kept getting the bad endings. While it leans heavily on the cute tone, there is enough drama, conflict and danger in this story to keep things interesting.

Celestia: Chain of Fate releases on September 12 on Steam and Nintendo eShop for $29.99 ($39.99 for Physical), make sure its on your Wishlist. There is also a Steam demo available if you want to try it out first. I know it is not for everyone, but as a very old strait dude, I liked it a lot.

video game reviews

Bang Bang Barrage Might Be the Most fun Couch Co-op

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I was sent the Bang Bang Barrage demo to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will be honest with my coverage. Since the game isn’t finished yet, this will be my initial impression. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

What is Bang Bang Barage?

You find yourself in the middle of the ocean with Cuthulu and his minions hot on your tail. Team up with your friends or fair it alone as you blast through endless waves of enemies. Do you have what it takes to survive the onslaught, or will the sea prove too mighty?

Gameplay

Players will start each run on a boat with a basic weapon. There seems to be a good amount of loadout customization, but the demo only gives access to the basic handgun. In typical bullet hell roguelike fashion, players must fend off against swarms of enemies using their weapons. Players will occasionally get the chance to buy upgrades during their run. The upgrades that fill the shop are randomly generated, but I felt like the RNG was fair.

What makes this game unique is its movement mechanic. Movement Bang Bang Barrage uses recoil-driven navigation. When a player shoots her weapon, the boat they stand on moves the opposite way. The only way to move a character is to shoot in the opposite direction of where the character needs to go. When there are hoards of enemies swarming towards a player and other players fighting them off, things get crazy pretty quickly.

A run ends when a player runs out of health.

Impressions

Bang Bang Barrage is the cutest bullet hell roguelike you’re going to get to play. I am a huge fan of the cute simple art and flavor.

While the game does offer a valid single-player experience, you’re going to want to play with your friends. When the waves get going and everyone is shooting in all directions, things are going to get crazy. The fact that it allows couch co-op and PVP is a huge plus.

If you’re looking for a cute and fun party game to play with your friends, you’re going to want to look into Bang Bang Barrage. If you’re just looking for a fun casual game, you’re going to want to do the same. I can’t wait to see more of this game because the demo has me hooked.

The public playtest is up on Steam, so make sure you sign up if you haven’t done so. You won’t regret it. If you missed the playtest, make sure you add the Bang Bang Barrage to your wishlist so you’re ready for the next one!

video game reviews

Check out Cute Farming Sim Harvest Days: My Dream Farm

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I was sent a free copy of Harvest Days: My Dream Farm 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 Harvest Days?

Harvest Days: My Dream Farm is a cozy farm simulator out now on Steam and GoG.

You always enjoyed the time you spend at your grandfather’s farm as a kid, and now it’s time to make y our own. Head to the country, tend to your crops, and build the farm you’ve always dreamed of. What will your dream farm look like?

Gameplay

Players are given a plot of land that they must tend to. Players start with a set amount of energy, and each activity costs energy. The longer you work on the farm, the easier activities get. Players can level at the end of the day based on their day of work. Did you spend all your day plowing the fields? Your plow skill will level and unlock new recipes.

Players can earn money by selling their crops. Money is used to buy food to restore energy, supplies for the farm, and decorations for those who want it. It wouldn’t be a real farm without animals. Players can buy and sell livestock, or adopt more pets to keep them company. The game is loaded with a good amount of features for players to make the farm their own. Quests and events pop up once in a while, but players are given the freedom to play the game as they want.

Review

I love farming simulators, and had a great time with Harvest Days: My Dream Farm. This is easily one of the genres where I can spend days on a session without concern for time. This has the potential to be one of those titles, but it needs a bit more content.

As far as farming sims go, Harvest Days is a solid title. It has a cozy art style and a few interesting mechanics that set it apart in the space, but it has a few issues that will turn off players.

The game has a slow start and a steep grind. I felt like I barely accomplished anything the first few days because I kept running out of energy. Leveling skills reduces an activity’s energy cost, but it doesn’t feel impactful until you’re a couple of days in. The money grind is also kind of slow. I normally love repetitive and grindy games, but here it feels too slow. I’m sure the intent is to have the farming get easier when players can level up their skills and acquire better tools, but I am having trouble seeing players get to that point.

Aside from a few bugs and awkwardness, the performance is fine. For example, driving a scooter can be very frustrating because it handles like a train. The experience gets better as you get used to it, but it is an issue. There are also times when the game doesn’t register player actions. None of the bugs I encountered were game-breaking. Your mileage may vary.

Harvest Days is a solid farming sim for the price, but it needs a bit more content. It feels a little basic, and that isn’t a bad thing. If you’re just looking for a cozy farming sim to sink some time into, Harvest Days is worth the $14.99. But if you’re looking for something polished without the grind, look elsewhere. It’s not the best farming sim, but it gets the job done.

You can pick up Harvest Days: My Dream Farm on Steam and GoG.

video game reviews

Sylvio: Black Waters is the Dark Twisted Journey You Need

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I was sent a free copy of Sylvio: Black Waters 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.

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 Sylvio Black Waters?

Sylvio Black Waters is a psychological horror game out now for PC.

You wake up alone in a strange dark place with a vague resemblance to Earth. The only light in this world seems to illuminate a small path, the rest of the world is shrouded with darkness. You follow the path in search of answers and find a voice that promises to guide you out of the darkness. The voice guides you deeper into the darkness. The path twists and turns and the world begins to make less sense. Up is down, down is up and there is no way of knowing where you’re going. Along the way, the voices of the souls who also traveled the path will speak to you. They reveal bits of this world’s secrets. What are they trying to tell you? Will you ever find your way out of the darkness?

Gameplay

Sylvio: Black Waters is best described as a walking simulator with a dark and spooky atmosphere, some combat, and an interesting narrative. Most of the time, you are following the trail of illuminated breadcrumbs through a dark and twisted world that becomes more twisted the longer you are in it.

Combat in this game is a first-person shooter. Occasionally, an angry spirit will attack you. The game gives you weapons to defend yourself, but you will need to find the ammo. You will run out of ammo if you aren’t using your shots conservatively, and the ghost will kill you. Death resets you to your last checkpoint.

Along the way, you will also find clues about the world. Spirits will speak bits of dialogue that you have to collect, there are drawings on walls that you need to interpret and bits of film you need to play and interpret. The clues you gather are not in order and you will need to arrange them to make sense of them. This mechanic does a fantastic job at not only setting the mood but building the mystery. The more you collect, the more the story makes sense.

Review

I love Sylvio: Black Waters. It was the perfect twisted narrative with a spooky atmosphere that kept me on my toes. That said, this game isn’t going to be for everyone. The narrative style feels disjointed because it is meant to emulate the disoriented feeling the main character feels. The story you collect isn’t linear, and while it doesn’t make sense at first, does make sense the deeper you get into the game.

What will throw most players are the weird artsy liberties it takes with its storytelling. Cutscenes will be low quality, out of order, and fragmented, or you will sit through a weird low-reverb poem or song. I’d be lying if I said I understood all the choices, but I can see they have a purpose. Some moments act as a tool to create tension, others work to disorient the players, but mostly they help reinforce the idea that reality in this world is twisted. Not everyone is going to enjoy the artsy twisted direction this game takes, but it is a wonderful experience if you’re into it.

The other issue players will have with the game is the lighting. This game is dark, and it can be frustrating. The game uses the darkness to set the mood effectively, but it isn’t perfect. It is easy to get lost or not see the right path and walk in circles. This game is meant to be disorienting, but it is going to kill some player’s enjoyment of the game. As someone who isn’t good at directions, I spent too much time walking in circles.

The game is buggy, and some of those bugs are game-breaking. Using the mouse wheel to switch between weapons either crashed the game or left the weapon menu open. It didn’t happen every time, but it happened enough when I stopped using the mouse wheel. Sometimes I would get stuck on a wall or a random artifact. My biggest issue with the game is that interacting with items is a chore. You need to find the right angle to pick up some items, and finding that angle is more work than it needs to be. None of these issues were enough to make me stop playing, but they will for people who are looking for a more polished game. I think the game’s roughness gives it its charm.

If you’re looking for a horror game that isn’t all jump scares, with a solid story but doesn’t mind the roughness, you need to pick up Sylvio Black Waters. This game is the weird twisted trip you didn’t know you needed. It is a good and interesting game, but it is also not for everyone. If you don’t like how dark the game looks or don’t want to sit through artsy weirdness, you should go elsewhere.

You can pick up Sylio: Black Waters on Steam for $12.99.