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video game reviews

Rainbow Legends: A Unique Deckbuilding Roguelike Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Rainbow Legends demo to review for my blog. I understand the game isn’t finished yet, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, 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 Rainbow Legends?

Rainbow Legends is a unique take on the deckbuilding roguelike where the goal is to use your deck to cover the whole board with your color. There is a demo available on Steam. Make sure you check it out, and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

You a powerful hero on an adventure of your choosing. Use your abilities to capture more of the territory to defeat your enemies. Build powerful decks, protect your structures, and find some valuable relics along the way. Will RNGesus bless your adventure with good fortune and powerful cards, or will you end up another fallen adventurer in this godforsaken world? Pull up and find out.

Gameplay

Aside from its unique territory mechanics, Rainbow Legends is your tipical deck building roguelike. Players will choose from one of the mighty heroes (the demo only has the mage as a playable character). Players start with a basic deck that they power up through the course of the adventure. They can find more powerful cards through encounters and combat, or buy them in the shops. There are also events that allow players to level up and customize their cards. The game does a good job at giving players a certain level of freedom to build a deck to fit their playstyle while the RNG keeps playthroughs fresh and exciting.

Combat

Combat in Rainbow Legends is unique. Instead of the regular back and forth style seen in traditional deckbuilders, Rainbow Legends has players fighting over territory of a map. To deal damage in this game, players must own more territory than the their opponent by the end of each round. The game is over when either the player or NPC’s health hits zero.

To claim territories, players must cast abilities using their mana. Mana is fixed, but the capacity can be increased through cards or powerups. Cards cast can give players buffs, summon buildings that give players access to useful resources, or take over/buff territory. Enemy attacks are telegraphed. Players must play around these attacks while maximizing their territory gains.

Imprssions

The demo is a little broken and there are clear signs that the game isn’t finished. That said, the core mechanics of the game work well enough to make Rainbow Legends a serviceable demo. Players will get a solid sense of a roguelike that is honestly a little addicting if you can ignore some of the general roughness. If you are looking for a deckbuilder that feels different and is fun, Rainbow Legends is a solid game to keep on your radar.

Aesthetic

I love the pixel art style of Rainbow Legends. The game’s simple style makes it perfect for running on most computers, but with cool enough art to make the game interesting to look at. It has characters with cool designs, and some very creative abilities. The demo does have some missing elements and a few poorly translated, or not translated sections. This made it hard to understand a few of the mechanics because either I had to translate the text into English, or guess because the text was missing. There have been some updates to the game since I’ve played it, and hopefully this gets patched on full release.

Roguelike

Most roguelikes have players travel across nodes on a map as they work their way to a final boss. All paths lead to the same final boss, but the choice is up to the player. Rainbow Legends does things a little differently. Instead of traveling across nodes, players can travel across an open map. Players don’t lose options after choosing an encounter, and can return or choose the order of their adventure. I like that I can save the camps and shops till the end before the boss fight. It is a unique twist on the roguelike formula, and one that adds a bit of depth to the game.

Combat

Combat was a little strange at first because the tutorial is a little awkward and some important information is missing or not translated correctly. Once I got the gist of things through trial and error, the game became an addiction. While the concept is simple (you are just playing shapes on a grid), there is a lot of strategy involved. The choices a player in both the overworld exploration and combat prowess shape a successful run. RNG may ruin a few runs, but it never felt like it did any of mine.

I love that it always felt like I was doing something in combat, instead of waiting for the back and forth. Combat felt like a creative puzzle I was trying to solve, and the RNG made the puzzle more interesting. Choices like when to expand my territory, build structures, or use an ability weighed heavily on my soul. I became too invested in trying to solve these puzzles that I lost track of time. This game is a lot of fun.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a new deckbuilding roguelike/strategy to add to your collection, Rainbow Legends should be in your Wishlist. Rainbow Legends is the most interesting spin on the genre that I have seen since Talystro. Definitely check that out if you want a little math in your roguelikes.

That said, the Rainbow Legends demo is a little broken. I didn’t experience any gamebreaking bugs, but there are elements that are missing, and a few translation issues that are hard to ignore. I was able to play through regardless, but it does feel like I am missing out on a few important mechanics and nuances. I still think the demo is worth trying, especially if you if you enjoy puzzle games. I’ll be around for a full release, and will let you know what I think about it then. Make sure you follow along for more reviews.

You can check out the Rainbow Legends demo on Steam.

video game reviews

Exploring the Whimsical Worlds of Freeride

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Freeride 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 Freeride?

Freeride is a unique personality test disguised as a narrative game out now on Steam.

Hook

You have been recruited to be a conductor on a spirit train. You are responsible for the smooth transportation of lost spirits, but the universe has a habit of making things difficult. The universe is full of choas, and it is up to you to navigate that chaos and keep the trian on schedule. Explore strange and surreal worlds as you fight monsters, help out spirits, or just let things be. The choice is yours, and your choices matter.

Exploration

The game will give player quest hooks, but players have the freedom to do what they want during each act of the game. There are no quest markers or meta quests, but rather a small sandbox for players to explore and uncover the many unlockable secrets. Freeride gives players the freedom to explore the game in a way that fits their playstyle while encouraging them to replay the game to collect to full story.

Choices

Choices in Freeride matter. What a player chooses to do in an act, affects outcomes, events, and quests for the rest of the game. Beating Freeride once doesn’t take long, but you are going to want to play the game to learn more about its wonderful world and great cast of characters.

Combat

While not the central part of the gameplay loop, Freeride does have combat. Players collect items throughout their adventure to throw them at enemies through the game’s unique slingshot mechanic. To throw an item, players click to aim, pull back the mouse to charge the attack, and let go to send the item flying. It is a different kind of combat, but combat can be cheesed or avoided. The game’s main focus is the story.

Review

I urge every one who picks up this game to keep with it past the initial shock. Freeride is a unique game that isn’t afraid to break traditional conventions to form its identity. This isn’t going to vibe with everyone at first, but the story and art more than make up for some of the more deal breaking awkwardness. Freeride is a cool game with an interesting story and a refreshing addition to my rotation. It is worth checking out at least once.

Aesthetic

Freeride is a great looking game. I am a huge fan of the artstyle. You have a cast of cool looking characters, and a world full of whimsy that was fun to explore. Some of the areas feel a little too cluttered, but I think this is by design. You need to have items to throw at your enemies. There is also a very solid soundtrack to help you get into the mood for an unforgettable adventure.

Combat

I hate the combat system in this game, and it is the reason I almost gave up on this game. I am glad I didn’t because I love this game, but it is very clunky and annoying. It does click after a while, especially when you realize you can skip a lot of the combat and cheese the important fights. Just stick with it. This game isn’t about the combat.

Story

Freehide has a fun and quirky tone that carries the player through a whimsical spirit world. It has a cast of interesting chartacters, solid world building, and a fantastic pace. I love that my choices affect the story, and love that I have to replay the game to unlock everything. I recomend you play the game without a guide. Let your personality determine the type of story you get. You can look up a guide after, but the game does a good job at reminding you of past choices so you can get a different ending. I only played through the game twice and still need to unlock a bit more. What I did unlock is a fantastic example of storytelling through video games, and the only reason I didn’t quick on this game. I don’t want to get too specific to avoid influencing or spoiling the story, but it is a story you need to at least experience the first playthrough.

Conclusion

Freeride is one of those weird games that comes around once in a while to shake up the meta in the best way. It may make a few odd choices here and there, but they mostly pay off in the end. If you are looking for a fun, unique game that is good at telling its story, go get Freeride. This is one of my favorite games already, and one that I recommend everyone try at least once.

video game reviews

Nocturnal 2: A Promising Metroidvania Experience Awaits

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Nocturnal 2 demo to review for my blog. I am grateful for the opportunity, but understand the game isn’t finished. That said, I will try to be a bit more lenient in my review, but these will still be my honest impressions of the game.

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 Nocturnal 2?

Nocturnal 2 is a beautifully drawn metroidvania coming out on Steam later this year.

Hook

Play as Ardeshir, bearer of the Enduring Flame as he explores the forgotten city of Ytash in order to break the curse that consumes his homeland. But the path will not be easy. The city has been sunk into darkness, with only his Enduring Flame to light the way. Bring as much of this city to life as you fight your way through mobs of enemies, creative bosses, and discover new abilities in between. Will his flame be enough to free his homeland from the darkness, or will it consume his very soul?

Gameplay

The demo has players go through the tutorial, but gives them a large area of exploration. This is your typical metroidvania where players are moving from checkpoint to checkpoint, collecting xp, powerups, and abilities in between. What makes Nocturnal unique is that Ardeshir’s flames can go out, and without light, he becomes powerless. Players must find ways to not only light the world around them, but sometimes find ways to keep their light alive.

Combat

Nocturnal has a traditional metroidvania feel. Players start the game with a minimal move list, but unlock new abilities as they progress through the city of Ytash. The combos get more complex as the game progress, but so do the enemies. Enemies in this game have easily telegraphed attacks and movements that players will need to learn to play around. Effectively fighting around these combos through skillful dodging can help players survive until the next checkpoint.

Impressions

I picked up Nocturnal 2 because Nocturnal is one of my favorite metroidvania. It has a cool atmosphere, solid story, and great mechanics. If you are looking for a new metroidvania while you wait for sequel, you won’t be disapointed. The demo for 2, has me excited. The game still feels like the dark epic adventure of the first, with a few solid improvements. The art is still great, combat is smooth, and it left me wanting more. It has definitely been added to my wishlist, and I can’t wait to try out the full version.

Aesthetic

One of the biggest draws for Nocturnal is its world building and aesthetic. This series has some incredible art, and I am very excited to explore more of this world. The lore in that is sprinkled throughout gives the game the mysterious atmosphere that makes the story feel even more epic than it is. My only complaint is that I didn’t get much of the story in this game, but at least I got a solid impression of what is to come in terms of gameplay.

Gameplay

First of all, this demo is playable on the Steam Deck which is the cherry on top of a solid metroidvania experience. Any game that allows me to whip out my Steam Deck outside my house is a good game, and this is looking like a good game. The Nocturnal 2 demo has smooth combat with interesting combos and interactions, a good amount of exploration, and some solid platforming. And this is coming from someone who hates platformers. At least, I used to hate them until I played Nocturnal. It does get a bit repetitive towards the middle of the demo, but it gave me enough to be excited about.

Conclusion

I can’t wait for the full release of Nocturnal 2. This is a solid demo, especially if you are in the market for a new metroidvania. I don’t think you’ll need to play the first game to understand the sequel, but the Nocturnal is such a good game, you need to play through it once. I still prefer the first game, but it is still too early to make that declaration. Until then, play through the first game, check out this demo, and don’t forget to add Nocturnal 2 to your wishlist!

You can pick up the Nocturnal 2 demo on Steam.

video game reviews

Is Super Alloy Crush Worth Your Wishlist?

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Disclaimer

I wase sent the Super Alloy Cursh demo to review for my blog. I understand the game isn’t finished yet, and will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest impressions of the game.

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 Alloy Crush?

Super Alloy Crush is a side-scrolling, fighting action roguelike coming to Steam Early Access. It has some heavy, classic Megaman vibe with enough of a twist to set it apart from the genre. There is a demo you can try, and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

You have set off amongst the stars in the search for the ultimate cosmic treasure planet AE-38. You along with your crew must explore the vast reaches of space, and fight anything that gets in your way. Master your combos, find useful powerups, and do it all without dying. Is the treasure really out there? Can you really find it? Are you strong enough to take on what comes your way? You will need to play to find out.

Demo

The demo takes players through the tutorial and a small part of the story. It introduces some minor characters and does some minor world building. Players are then free to enjoy the Battle Rush Mode which is an endless roguelike mode. The story is very short and can be completed in 30 mins (dependent on skill) and there is a good amount of customization for an hour or two of replayability. Players will have access two both playable characters: Muu and Kelly. Muu is a close-combat cat girl robot while Kelly is a ranged robot.

Combat

The game is very reminiscent of Megaman X. Players will face off against waves of enemies, masatering the combos of their selected character to survive the level or wave. The difference between modes is that there is platforming in the story mode, while Rush mode focuses on combat. Each character has a unique set of skill and combos that fit different playstyles. Players fight off waves of enemies, filling up their energy meter to perform powerful abilities. Players will also pick up companions along the way that will help them in combat by casting buffs or abilities.

Rush

Rush Mode is the game’s roguelike. Players will need to defeat a certain number of enemies before moving to the next wave. Between waves, players can buy from a random selection of powerups to help them on their run. These power ups are random and give players access to large number of builds and replayability. The difficulty of the waves increases until they face off against bosses. A run is over when a player runs out of lives.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

The demo works great on the Steam Deck without requiring any tweaking. This makes me hopeful for release because this is the type of game I want on my Steam Deck Library.

Impressions

Super Alloy Crush is a promising little side-scroller, but I need to see more before I can recomend it. At the moment, it feels unfinished, and there doesn’t seem to be enough content to grab my attention. The game looks good and has a cool vibe, but there are some issues I couldn’t overlook.

Aesthetic

I picked up this game because the art is cool. After playing the game, I was not disappointed. I love the artstyle. It has a modern Megaman vibe with some modern flare to set it apart. I love the character designs from the robots you crush repeatedly to bosses you fight at the end. The main characters are cute, and there are some very cool cut scenes where the artist clearly flexes their talent. The animations are on point, and while they can get a little overwhelming, I am here for it. The soundtrack so far is excellent and I can’t wait to hear more.

Story

Unfortunately, the story is poorly translated. It is very awkwardly written and needs to be revised for the final English release. It feels very machine generated, which is fine for the demo, but will turn off a lot of players. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that many of the negative reviews will be because the English is awkward. What I did understand was okay, but not enough to hook me. I could be wrong, but it feels like the main focus is going to be Rush mode and balancing the different elements that go into that.

Rush Mode

Rush mode is fine for the first few minutes until it starts to get repetitive. It takes away the platforming and focuses on the combat. As someone who hates platformers, it is missing some platforms. Combat in this game is fun, and trying to master the combo system takes effort, but I wish the stages had some variety. I hope the full game includes a bit of variety, or at least some minor side scrolling to break things up. Otherwise, it feels like the same type of fight, with a few variations between fights. Sure these changes force players to change up their strategy, but it still feels the same.

That said, there are aspects of this mode that I like. I like that I don’t have to commit to a story and can jump right into the action. I like that the random upgrades change up the playstyle. I even like that the upgrades you buy will have some kind of drawback. There is some depth to this game, but I can’t see myself committing to a game that will only hold my attention for a couple of runs.

Comabat

Combat in Super Alloy Crush is explosive, chaotic, and colorful. Even in my noob hands, combat and combos felt smooth and exciting. I love that I can customize my character’s combos, and I love more that I can choose my own playstyle. I tried out both characters, and while I prefer Muu, I had fun equal fun with both. Unfortunately, the game feels a little too easy. Maybe I have been jaded with my time with Megaman, but I expected more of a challenge. I can only hope that I can pick my difficulty in the main game.

Conclusion

I honestly need to see more of Super Alloy Crush before I can recommend it. If you like the art style and are a casual fan of the genre, you’ll get a good amount of enjoyment. Maybe even enough to earn it a spot on your wishlist. If you are a longtime Megaman fan, the game might feel a little too easy. I would argue it strips bits of what made Megaman fun. If the story turns out good, I can find it in me to forgive the difficulty. Otherwise, it has cool art and it isn’t the worst way to spend an hour.

You can check out the Super Alloy Crush demo on Steam.

video game reviews

Don’t Stop Girlypop! is the High Octane Shooter You Need

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Don’t Stop Girlypop! 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 Don’t Stop Girlypop!?

Don’t Stop Girlypop! is a Y2K themed arena movement shooter where you can’t stop moving coming to Steam on January 29, 2026. Go check out the demo and don’t forget to add it to your wishlist.

Hook

The evil mining corporation Tirgis Nix wants to grain your world of The Love, the valuable resource that keeps the planet alive. A resistance has formed to push back the corporation’s forces, but the evil robot army proves too difficult a force. You are the only one with the power, guns, and speed to take this planet back from Tirgirs Nix. Jump, run, and slide your way through waves of enemies and you jam out to high energy girly pop and kill anything that stands in your way. Can you keep moving long enough to save the planet before all The Love is drained from the planet?

Gameplay

The key in Don’t Stop Girlypop! is to not stop moving. Player movement is slow at first, but build momentum overtime. This momentum not only increases speed players move through the world, but increases the amount of damage they output. Combat is chaotic as players jump, swing, and do everything they can to keep their momentum up while shooting down every evil robot that gets in their way.

The game is split into stages with a clock to insentient speed. Players can race for the high score, or settle for the story. Players also unlock new weapons that open up the room for a diverse amount of playstyles. All this is done against an excellent Girlypop soundtrack that will get you in the mood for killing robots. Just don’t, stop, moving!

Review

Don’t Stop Girly Pop has become one of my favorite games. I love the perfect blend of Y2K aesthetics, its fantastic soundtrack, and the high octaine gameplay that kept my heart rate at dangerous levels.

Aesthetic

Don’t Stop Girlypop! is the perfect love letter to Y2K era aesthetic and gaming. I love the contrast between the rough, retro, quake like graphics against the more girly pop themes. You can decorate your weapons to be as flashy as you want, and of course the music is the cherry that makes this game such a treat. If you’re old like me, or enjoy revisiting those classic retro era arena shooters, you will appreciate the amount of effort that was put into building this unique world. Things do get a little hectic with all the exploding colors and fast paced movement, but if you slow down long enough to enjoy the level design, you won’t be disapointed.

The Soundtrack

The soundtrack to this game is fantastic and should be one of the reasons you are playing this game. I love the music so much, I’ve added the songs to my running mix. Do yourself a favor and listen to the OST. I will link the playlist below, but first, credit where credit is due:

  • Don’t Stop, Girlypop! (Theme) – Sarah Wolfe and Xavier Dunn
  • Slam! Hop! Dash! – Sarah Wolfe and Xavier Dunn
  • I Am The Revolution – Sarah Wolfe and Xavier Dunn
  • Just Don’t Stop Moving – Candice Susnjar
  • In A Dream – Candice Susnjar
  • Freak of Nature – Sarah Wolfe and Xavier Dunn

Story

There has been a good amount of effort put into building a world around this game. The story is strait forward, but with enough flavor to keep me invested. I liked going out of my way to pick up the different bits of the story to learn about the world. The game does have voice acting, and while a little rough in parts, I appreciate that I don’t have to read.

Gameplay

I was ready to right this game off because if felt like there was too much going on, but this was strictly a skill issue. When everything started to click, it has been very hard to put this game down. I am still bad at this game, but I am having fun trying to get better. Maps are creatively designed to keep players moving. Some of the weapons feel better than others, but I found use for all of them as I got a better understanding of the game’s mechanics. Each weapon opens up a player to a unique playstyle without taking away from the lore or flavor of the world. Best of all, they can be customized to fit the best Girlypop version of you that you can dream of.

Combat

Once I got a grasp of the mechanics, combat felt so fluid. It is important to understand the mechanics so you can make full use of the weapons, environment, and momentum mechanics. At first, combat does feel a little too chaotic, but when it clicks, I welcomed the chaos. I would describe combat in Don’t Stop Girlypop! as the most exhilarating combat you’ll experience with a soundtrack that will help keep you into gear. The game does a good job at making the mob fights feel fresh and exciting, and the boss fights are very creative and memorable. If you aren’t sweating by the end of the level, you’re doing everything wrong.

Conclusion

Don’t Stop Girlypop! is now one of my favorite games. I love the fastpaced combat, the solid worldbuilding, and the fantastic soundtrack. If you are looking for a unique shooter to add to your collection, it needs to be Don’t Stop Girlypop! This game is nonstop fun from the moment you pick up the first weapon, till the moment you clear the last stage. Go add it to your wishlist, and make sure you pick up on release on January 29, 2026.

You can pick up Don’t Stop Girlypop! on Steam. If you’re looking for other unique shooters with a cool soundtrack, check out El Paso: Nightmare.

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Blightstone: A Promising Roguelike Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Blightstone 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.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108 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 Blightstone?

Blightstone is a turn-based strategy roguelike out on Steam Early access. If you like Darkest Dungeon vibes in your roguelike strategy grind, this game should be in your watchlist.

Hook

The powerful demon overlord Korghul spreads his reign of terror relentlessly across this land. You command the heroes who are destined to end it, but this is no easy task. The path to salvation is full of death and despair. Fight against waves of the demon lords army, loot as much as you can, and use the landscape for to your advantage. Can you overcome death, keep the Earthglass Christal safe, and rid the world of this powerful evil, or will you be another one of Korghul’s victims.

Gameplay

Players take command of three mighty heros: a warrior, a mage, and a hunter and his canine companion. Make your way through a map full of enemies, events, and a few shops to boost your companions. Can you make it to the end before death or the blight consumes your characters?

Combat

Combat is a turn-based strategy combat. Each character has 2 action points that they can use to move, attack, or use an ability. Players can spend these actions in any order. For example, you can attack with the mage, attack with the hunter, and go back to the mage to finish his turn. Terrain affects combat. Players and NPCs can use the map to gain advantage through effective use of the cover and line of sight mechanic. Characters can heal at the campfire at the end of the day, but they cannot be revived. Once a character dies, it is gone forever.

Loot

Like most roguelikes, players can choose from a selection of random items after certain events. These items can be equipped to boost a parties power level. Items can be equipped before any encounter.

Events

As of writing this, events seem to only be additional combat or skipping additional combat. Choosing an extra encounter has a chance for an additional reward, but it is not always guaranteed. It helps to roll for map information at a campfires.

Campfire

The party sets up camp at the end of each day. A day passes after two event nodes on a map. These can be combat, shopping, or a random encounter. While at a campfire, players can spend camp points to heal their characters, activate buffs, or gain map information. Gaining map information reveals a reward on the map to help players plan their progression.

Progression

Stage progression is tied to meta progression. Players are given general quests to complete in order to move to the next map, simply clearing the stages isn’t always enough.

Review

Blightstone has a good amount of potential, but it doesn’t have enough content to make it worth it. If you want to support a game that is trying innovate the genre with a few interesting mechanics, it is worth checking out at least once. Fortunately, the devs seem to be active enough to inspire some hope, but the lack of content is a tricky sell.

Aesthetic

Blightstone has fantastic art. I love the grimdark vibe and the comicbook feel of the world. The characters look very good, and the animation is solid. It also has a solid soundtrack to get you in the mood for epic combat. Aesthetic alone should spark interest in gamers looking for something new to try.

Combat

Combat is a lot of fun. I love the gridless maps and the action economy system makes it feel like a tabletop RPG. I am very bad at strategy games, so the difficulty seems high, but that is by design. I wouldn’t call it a frustrating experience, but basic understanding of the game’s mechanics helps with the grind. There is a grind, and it does get repetitive. Some of it is due to lack of content, the rest is by design.

Blightstone doesn’t take the traditional turn-based strategy rout. The RNG upgrades make each run feel fresh, and it feels for the most part. The line of sight and friendly fire mechanic give combat its depth. I love that I can use the map to gain an advantage, it it sucks when the NPCs do the same. The NPC AI is intellegent enough to make things interesting. Having to keep the Earthglass Crystal safe also affects you move your units. I wish there was a bit more variety on the type of units so the grind doesn’t feel as repetitive, but repetition is part of the roguelike experience.

Content

At the moment, there seems to be enough content for many three hours of gameplay. The game is fun for those three hours, but it is up to you if is worth the $16. After the first couple of runs, the game starts to feel repetitive because the encounters start to repeat. There needs to be a lot more events rather than just having an extra encounter. I wish I could make a deal with a devil or encounter or random merchant, anything to add a little more choice to my playthough. I don’t mind repetition in my roguelikes, I play a lot of Encounters, but here it feels like I finish the content too quickly.

Conclusion

Blightstone is a cool game that attempts some very interesting mechanics in an oversaturated genre. The game looks good, plays well, but it needs a bit more content. It definitely needs more attention, and should be in your watchlist. Just know that at this stage in its development, you are paying to support a good demo for a game that might be good in the future.

You can pick up Blightstone on Steam Early Access. If you are looking for other cool roguelikes to add to your collection, check out Talystro.

video game reviews

Talystro: A Fun Deckbuilding Game with Math Mechanics

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Disclaimer

I was asked to cover the Talystro playtest for my blog. I understand the game is not finished, so I will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest opinions of the game.

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Table of contents

What is Talystro?

Talystro is a a unique dice based deckbuilding game coming to Steam. The game features adorable mouses and require a bit of math to defeat your enemies.

Hook

The evil Necrodicer has started the forgiben ritual of Talystro, unleashing waves of evil numbers to disrupt the worlds peace and tranquility. All hope rests in the hands of Math Mouse and his proficiency in simple arithmatic. With the help of many dice rolls and well placed attacks, Math Mouse must fight through these evil numbers and put an end to the Talystro. Will his math skills be enough to save the world? Will RNG be in his favor? You will need to play to find out.

Gameplay

Players must fight their way through many waves of ruthless monsters with only the help of a deck they build along the way. Unlike most deckbuilders, Talystro has players build their attacks from a pool of dice rolls.

Casting

Players roll 6 dice at the start of each round to play the five cards they draw to their hand. Each card has a slot or a series of slots in an equation. To cast a card, players fill these slots with the numbers from their dice pool results. Cards will do damage equal to the total of the card after all required slots are filled. For example, if a user has a card with a slot _ + _ and they fill it with the numbers 1 and 2, the card will do three damage.

Combat

Players can attack as many times per turn as they have available dice, assuming they can get to the correct number. The monsters in this game are numbers. Unlike other deckbuilders where players need to slowly chip away at an enemies health, players need to reach the exact number of the monster they are fighting. For example, if the monster they are fighting is a 7, players must combine their dice and cards to deal out 7 damage and destroy the monster. You can play multiple cards per turn, so mix and match accordingly.

Monsters

Monsters carry attack die. Any monster left with an attack die at the end of the turn does one point of damage to Math Mouse. Players progress to the next stage if they kill off all the numbers. The game ends if the Math Mouse’s health drops to zero.

Abilities

The game has a few abilities to give combat its depth. Players start with three abilities: block, reroll, and adjust. Players all start with one charge of each ability. These abilities can be recharged by playing a card that has a recharge ability.

Block

Monsters get an attack die with the result visible to the player. Players can break these attack dice by stacking a dice with the same result. For example, if a monster has a 4 attack dice, stacking another four negates the attack.

Reroll

Reroll is self explanatory. Players use this ability to reroll their available pool of dice and hope for better numbers. Reroll only affects dice you have left in play. If you have three dice, you only reroll three.

Adjust

This ability allows players to adjust a dice by one value. For example, if you only have a three and need a four or a two, you use the adjust ability to get the number you need.

Impressions

I am a little bummed that this game is only a playtest because it is already an addiction. I did not know I could have so much fun with math, but then again, I played a lot of Math Blaster growing up.

Aesthetic

Talystro has fantastic art. I love the cartoon style art and the world that goes around it. The game has an old school aesthetic, but with gameplay that makes it incredibly addicting.

Gameplay

I am a little bummed it doesn’t work on the Steam deck because this would be a fantastic hand held game. It isn’t resource intensive, and the game is casual enough to enjoy on the go. However, this game is so much fun. I like that it breaks away from the same tired deck builder formula with mechanics that make combat a lot more engaging. I liked that I was always trying to figure out something and it made the grind a lot of fun. Every round was a cool puzzle I needed to solve, even if it involved a lot of math.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a different kind of deckbuilder that isn’t afraid to be different, you need to keep an eye out on Talystro. This is the most fun I’ve ever had doing math, and I am not a huge math person. The game has fun flavor and solid mechanics to keep things engaging. This is a very successful playtest, and I can’t wait to see what else in store. You can still try to get into the playtest. Don’t forget to wishlist!

video game reviews

Discover Encounter: The Lost Cards – A Quirky Deckbuilding Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Encounter: The Lost Cards 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 latest reviews for the Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

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 with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Enconter: The Lost Cards

Encounter: The Lost Cards is a quirky roguelike deckbuilder out now on Steam Early Access with a demo available you should try. Don’t forget to wishlist.

Hook

Fate has been decided by the cards. Your journey will be filled with fated encounters, some good and some deadly. Evil will try to sway you, but you always have the choice to live your life virtuously. Fill your bag with useful items and go on a silly adventure you will never forget. Fight your way through powerful enemies, make good choices, and be prepared for some intense inventory management. How far will your choices take you?

Gameplay

A players encounters are randomly determined by a deck of tarot cards. Encounters can be combat, a curse, a shop, or a social encounter. The choices a player makes affects the loot and judgement they receive. But choice is only half the battle, the rest is inventory management. Players will need to be efficient with the limited space in their bag as they complete their run. A run is over when the player dies and fails judgement.

Loot

Items collected throughout the journey give players their actions economy. They allow players to cast magic, perform attacks, heal themselves, or cast boons during combat. Unfortunately, items will break after a set number of uses. Once an item breaks, it can no longer be used. They can be repaired in town for a cost, so make sure you are always keep your good items with enough uses to survive your adventure. You can be left stranded without weapons if you aren’t smart about your choices. It is hard to fight the boss with only your fists and no healing.

Encounters

It shouldn’t be a surprise that encounters are the core aspect of Encounter. Players will cycle through random encounters determined by a deck of tarot cards. They determine the type of encounter whether it be social or combat and the type of loot a player has access to. Choices made in past encounters affect future ones. Being sinful for example may turn some friendly and useful encounters hostile. There is an NPC that gives players useful items for free, but only if they are virtuous.

Judgement

Judgement is another big part of Encounters. Players will be tempted to sin throughout their adventure. They can steal the sword they can’t afford or overindulge in debauchery, and other actions that give useful buffs at the cost of your soul. Players who choose a virtuous run can get a free resurrection and other useful buffs on death, while those who sin find themselves at a Lilith’s mercy. Both options have their benefits and draw backs. What kind of life will you live?

Combat

Combat is turn based. Players will build a deck of useful items on their journey. This deck is limited by inventory space. The key is to be efficient.

Each player has a set number of action points they can spend per turn. This number is fixed at first, but can be increased through choices and luck based rolls. Action points can be spent to use the various items in your inventory to heal, attack, cast magic, or buff their character. Combat is over when the player or NPC dies.

Review

Encounter: The Lost Cards is still in early access. The game is not finished yet, and you can tell. It is full of bugs and I haven’t been able to connect to the server to take advantage of the wayfinder mechanic which locks me out of some choices. That said, none of the bugs are game breaking, and I haven’t been able to put the game down. Encounter is a cute and quirky game with enough depth to keep tings engaging. If you are looking for a different kind of deckbuilding roguelike and don’t mind the roughness, it is at least worth checking out the demo.

Encounters

The encounters in this game are fun for the first couple runs before they start to get repetitive. I appreciate the adult humor and the generally quirky tone of the writing. After a couple of runs though, encounters start to repeat. This is the norm for the genre so it wasn’t a big deal, but there are some encounters that will end your run. That said, the RNG in this game is mostly fair and makes each run feel different enough to keep the grind from becoming soulless.

The Grind

Encounter: The Lost Cards has its grind, especially if you want to unlock some permanent buffs that will help you go far. The game does get a little repetitive, especially if you aren’t able to make it far. Not making the right choices or taking advantage of the games nuanced mechanics can make the grind a little harder. The game doesn’t do a good job at onboarding a player, but I almost prefer having to figure things out on my own.

I find the repetitive grind soothing. Sure the RNG can kill a run, but it also kept each run feeling fresh. I always had a new strategy to try. A lot of the fun came from trying to figure out the different mechanics through trial and error. I could have looked at a guide, but I enjoyed making choices I thought were fun. It was the perfect grind for catching up on anime because it involved enough thought to keep me engaged without requiring my full undivided attention.

Aesthetic

The game looks great. I love the pixel art design and the music choice. The game has a solid retro vibe with a modern enough flare to set it apart from other similar styles. There is a bit of fan service to be aware of, but nothing I would consider too adult.

The Bad

I was only able to successfully run Encounter on my desktop once. It runs great on desktop and have no complaints, but switched to the Steam Deck to test the compatibility. Encounter is a fantastic Steam Deck game. It runs great and it is casual enough to make it the perfect game to play on the go, or in my case, in bed while I was bed ridden. Unfortunately, I was never able to connect to the server to take advantage of whatever the wayfinder boon gave me. I have no regrets. I prefer this game on handheld.

The game also doesn’t do a good job at explaining its mechanics. It sort of drops players into the game with a basic understanding of how things work and I sort of figured things out through trial and error. This wasn’t a deal breaker because that is how I usually play these sorts of games, but it did mean I was wasting some of my runs. Make sure you don’t waste your useful items on the easy encounters, and repair the items you like. I am sure you can find a guide if you rather just minmax.

Conclusion

Encounter: The Lost Cards is my current addiction. Sure there is some roughness involved, but the game works well enough to deserve its chance. It should at least be on a few more wishlists. Encounter is a unique twist on the deckbuilding roguelike with fun flavor and even better mechanics. If you are looking for a new casual game that doesn’t require too much of your attention, check out Encounter: The lost Cards on Steam Early Access.

video game reviews

Kingdom of Night Review: A Retro RPG Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Kingdom of Night on Steam 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 latest reviews for the Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

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 with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Kingdom of Night?

Kingdom of Night is a hack and slash action RPG out now on Steam. If you’ve ever wanted to have a dungeons and dragons style adventure in the 80’s, this is the game for you.

Hook

A satanic cult has taken over the small town of Miami Arizona and summoned Baphomet and his demon army. The town is thrown into chaos and John seems to be the only one who can bring back this sleepy town’s peace. Take control of John as he navigates the streets of his sleepy home town, fending of waves of Bephomet’s demon army. Can he master his powers and defeat Bephomet before it is too late, or will this be everyone’s last night on Earth?

Gameplay

Players will take control of John, and one of of his friends if playing co-op. You get to choose from one of the five classes: Barbarian, Knight, Rogue, Necromancer, and Sorcerer. The game works like your classic hack and slash. Players explore the different bits of the town, hacking away at the endless waves of enemies as they work towards the final fight. The melee classes are pretty straight forward and more beginner friendly, but the game does introduce a unique magic system that you should try at least once.

Magic

Kingdom of Night has an involved magic system that helps it stand out from other games in the genre. To cast a spell, players will need to activate runes according to the spells order. Runes are tied buttons on the controller or keys on the keyboard. The game gives players access to their spellbook at anytime. Once the combination has been pressed, players can cast the spell as long as it is off cooldown.

Skill Tree and Gear

Along the way, players will find gear to upgrade their character. The gear is very thematic and there is a good amount of variety that allow a diverse amount of builds. Players can buy levels on their skill tree for even more customization. While the game may be solvable, it doesn’t feel like it. I enjoyed trying to find a build of the necromancer that fit my playstyle.

Review

Kingdom of Night is a the perfect fantasy adventure full of action and a solid story to keep players invested. The retro vibe and all the 80’s references help set the proper mood for an dark adventure through the sleepy town of Miami, Arizona. If you want a fun hack and slash that is guaranteed to be an instant classic, this game should be in your library.

Aesthetic

The game goes above and beyond to successfully capture the spirit of the 80’s in this dark fantasy adventure. The dialogue, the characters, and the world design are all full of 80’s flare. I liked seeing posters of terminator and other 80’s references.

I am a huge fan of the game’s artstyle. The pixel art gives the game its retro vibe, but is able to deliver the perfect amount of detail to make Kingdom of Night an epic adventure. The game has cool animations and memorable character designs. The soundtrack is also fantastic, and helps set the mood of the adventure.

Story

Kingdom of Night is a proper fantasy adventure. The story has a great hook, solid buildup, and good amount of mystery to keep things moving. The side quests are flavorful and add a good amount of world building. If you need something to tide you over as you wait for the last season of Stranger Things, Kingdom of Night can help scratch the itch.

Spellcasting

I played as the necromancer because I wanted a challenge. The spellcasters require a bit more skill, but gameplay is not impossible. I loved every minute of my necromancer journey. The spell casting is such a refreshing mechanic, and some of my favorite of any game. It does take some getting used to, but once it clicks, its going to be hard to play spell casters in other games. Activating the rune combos is so flavorful and kept the game from becoming a mindless hack and slash. I will go back to replay the game as other classes.

Character Builds

I appreciate the amount of flavor that goes into the game, especially when it comes to the loot. Players will pick up gear that is properly themed to fit the world like books or sneakers, but give stat boosts that give players some control over their build. There is some RNG involved, but it felt fair for the most part.

Players can also customize their character by upgrading their skill tree at level up. The skill tree does offer some additional customization for each class, but it is pretty strait forward. You won’t, and shouldn’t, need to look up a guide. I found success building what I thought was fun.

Combat

Combat is a lot of fun. The hack and slash aspect is engaging and the boss fights are fun and memorable. There is a grind to this game, but it isn’t too bad. You can and should start skipping some of the more mindless drones that roam the city or else it will take forever to beat the story. Aside from the few important quest lines, players have a good amount of freedom to explore the city at their own pace. The city feels huge for a small town, and exploration can take a long time if you are spending your time killing everything that gets in your way. Note that mobs respawn if you enter and exit buildings.

Other

I did not get to try couch co-op, but I like that the game has the option in case I ever have a friend to play with. Kingdom of Night works perfectly on the Steam Deck and it works perfectly! I actually preferred playing on the Steam Deck because it let me chill on the couch. The arcade style gameplay makes this game the perfect couch game, and I’ll take any excuse to be away from my computer.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fun adventure game with a good story and a cool world to explore, pick up Kingdom of Night. This is a very well made game that earns every dollar it is asking for. If you are fan of those old school cabinet games, or need a game to play locally with a friend or sibling, it doesn’t get much better than Kingdom of Night.

You can pick up Kingdom of Night on Steam.

video game reviews

Is Netherworld Covenant Worth Playing?

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I was sent a free copy of Netherworld Covenant 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.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset.

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 with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Netherworld Covenant?

Netherworld Covenant is a topdown souls-like out now on steam. If you are a fan of games like Diablo or Path of Exile but always wanted them to be a little more roguelike, you definitely need to check out the demo.

Hook

The world has ended. The demons who have caused the world ending catastrophe still roam free. You are the only survivor, and it is up to you to take them down and avenge you fallen comrades. Make your way through procedurally generated dungeons and defeat its endless waves of guardians. But you are not alone. The spirits of your fallen comrades will come to your aid in battle. Do you have what it takes to avenge everything, or will you be another lost soul in this cold unforgiving world?

Gameplay Loop

Netherworld Covenant is your typical dungeon crawler roguelike with a few souls-like mechanics to help it set it apart from the rest of the genre.

Dungeon Crawl

Players choose one of the game’s unique dungeon and jumps into the dungeon. They must clear each room to earn a reward as they build up to a floor boss. Players are rewarded after clearing each room, and get to choose the type of reward. The run ends when the player dies or beats the floor boss.

Combat

Players will have a primary attack and a few lantern abilities to help them fight off enemies. They’ll have a primary attack they can spam or a strong attack they can charge that is based on their class. For example, the mage class will shoot a volley of magic arrows or charge it for a powerful blast. The lantern will give players additional abilities. Players can summon a ghost to help them in battle or use a secondary weapon. These abilities can be customized and upgraded between runs.

Gearing and Upgrades

In between runs, players will return to a hub where they can upgrade their character. They can craft different weapons and armor and upgrade their ghost’s abilities. This costs currency that the player will earn throughout a run. Some weapons and upgrades will need to be picked up as drops from the dungeon. Players also have the chance to buy levels off their skill tree. I am sure there is a way to minmax builds, but players have a general freedom for building their characters. As simple as the game may seem, it does offer a bit of customization for a bit of variety.

Review

Netherworld Covenant attempts an interesting twist to the genre, but it didn’t really vibe with me. While the game will earn a few hours of fun, I can’t see myself picking this over Void Souls.

Aesthetic

The game is fine if you enjoy dark fantasy, but it doesn’t have enough to make it stand out against the genre. Monster and character design is decent, but the maps feel repetitive and dull. Changing to a different realm didn’t change enough to be impactful. It all felt like I was slogging through the same rooms facing off against the same wave of enemies and it got old fast.

Gameplay

The game is a little buggy. There were noticeable frame drops and combat doesn’t feel as smooth as it needs to be for the genre. The combat system is interesting for the first few minutes. Unfortunately, when the novelty wears off, it starts to feel repetitive. This makes the grind feel worse than it is.

One of the issues I have with the game is with the RNG. The procedural generated dungeons aren’t very interesting and they start to look the same after a while. In addition, the upgrades you have access can ruin a run. On the time I beat the boss, it felt like I didn’t do anything because the buffs I got made me broken. The game needs a bit of rebalancing, and a few patches for smoothness.

Combat

The combat system is a little too simple. This makes it fine for a casual souls-like, but you have better options. The idea of summoning a ghost of a fallen comrade to fight with you seems cool, but it feels a little clunky in practice. Worst of all, the meta seems solvable. It feels like there is a right answer when it comes to the class you play and the choices you make, and I felt like I figured it early on into my my playthrough. The fun bit about roguelike for me is the ability to find random dumb builds that will take me to legendhood. Here it felt like if I didn’t choose optimally, I was going to have a bad time. Bosses are kind of interesting, but if you get the right build and grind long enough, it doesn’t matter.

Conclusion

Netherworld Covenant isn’t a bad game. I respect the attempt at freshening up the genre, but there are simply better options. If you are looking for a topdown souls like, Void Souls has better combat system. Or you can try Dethbound for something more unique. If you are looking for an ARPG, checkout Striving for Light. I have a soft spot for Liberte.

I can respect the game for trying to blend all these interesting ideas together, but it just doesn’t do them well enough to justify the price. If you really want to check it out, try the demo and I would argue to wait for the sale. Especially when you have better options.

You can pick up Netherworld Covenant on Steam.