Tag Archives: video game review

Frozen Ship Alpha Gameplay: My First Impressions

Disclaimer

I was sent an early alpha build of Frozen Ship to review for my blog. I understand the game isn’t done yet, so I will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will still be my honest first impressions.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Frozen Ship?

Frozen Ship is a survival game with village management elements coming soon to Steam Early Access.

An eternal tundra has devastated humanity. Some were fortunate to find refuge near the warmth of a volcano, but that warmth was only temporary. In their efforts to continue surviving, they have built a giant ship that will take them to their new home. Navigate the deadly tundra as you captain your colony of survivors, gather resources, upgrade your facilities, and find the last remaining hope for salvation. What will you find against this frozen landscape?

Gameplay

There are two parts to this game, village management and exploration.

As captain of this frozen ship, players will need to command their colony to gather and process materials or build upgrades. Resources are scares, so efficiently utilizing what is available is key for humanities survival. Most importantly, players must keep hope alive to keep the colony from collapsing. As players traverse the tundra, the colony will grow, and this growth will bring its challenges as it puts a strain on systems players put in place.

The other part of this game is exploration. Players can get off the ship throughout the warmer parts of the day to scavenge the remains of the old world. Players can build tools to gather resources or scavenge from buildings. The cold is brutal and staying out in the elements for too long means death. To add to the difficulty, the ship does not stop moving. Players must navigate the cold, but also make sure they can always find their way back to the ship.

The main game will have a story, but the demo only allowed a limited free build mode with a good amount of direction.

Impressions

In its current state, Frozen Ship doesn’t have enough to it to keep me excited. The village management aspect is more of a text based game. Its not a bad way to do things, especially since the main game is exploration, but I like to watch my villagers do things. The exploration is fine, but the world feels too empty. I do like that the game lets players adjust the difficulty for the ideal experience. I get lost easily so I appreciate that there is a mode that guides me back to the ship. I also appreciate the options for a more hardcore play through for the times I’m feeling more sadistic.

Graphics-wise, the world makes sense but it isn’t anything special. You’re either going to appreciate the low-poly style or you are going to play a more realistic looking game. I am sure this is a choice to ensure good performance, but also makes the world a little less fun to explore.

The cold mechanic is fine. Eventually players will have the ability to extend the amount of time they can spend in the tundra, but those early levels feel tedious. Having to return every time you clear a single house is boring. I can see the intention. The game is supposed to be a hard journey and resources are meant to be scares, but when the art style is boring and the world feels too empty, it just feels like a chore.

I also don’t recommend playing this game on the Steam Deck. At the moment, some of the tasks feel very tedious with a controller. You will need to remap, and even then it is just better to play with a keyboard and mouse.

I need to see more of the game before I can feel confident in recommending it. If you are looking for some hardcore survival and don’t mind the village builder elements, I would wait for the demo. I’ll try to get a different build and will return with my update. Until then, you can wishlist Frozen Ship on Steam.

Asgard’s Fall: A Viking Survival Game Worth Your Time

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Asgard’s Fall — Viking Survivors to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This game is still in Early access, so I will try to be a bit more lenient than normal.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Asgard’s Fall — Viking Survivors?

Asgard’s Fall — Viking Survivors is a 2D pixel art vampire survival game out now in Steam Early Access.

Choose your hero as you wage war against the gods. Harnes your strength as you take on endless hordes of enemies. How far will you wrath take you? Will you be the fall of Asgard?

Gameplay

Players start each run by choosing a hero. There is only one option at the start of each game, but more can be unlocked by playing the game, with more characters planed for a later release. Players will start the game with the same basic attack and a dodge, but will unlock random passive and active abilities as they play. The RNG feels very fair, and each round felt unique. There is also special Twitch integration that allows a streamer’s audience influence the blessings received throughout a game for an extra level of craziness.

The goal of the game is to survive until the final boss fight. Beating the boss means unlocking more areas, and dying during a run means starting over. It is simple game with enough depth to keep things interesting, and in a very good place in its early access.

Review

If you are looking for a new survival game, Asgard’s Fall is a very strong contender. The art is cute without sacrificing on any of its Nordic flavor. I am a huge fan of how much flavor has gone into the spells and abilities. Most importantly, Asgard’s Fall is a fun game that you won’t regret supporting. A lot of the survival game’s I’ve played will start slow and ramp up to the insanity. This initial lull can make or break the game, but Asgard’s Fall doesn’t have that. The game starts at a great pace, and it has a solid ramp to keep things interesting.

Building my hero is what makes this game for me. Like most games of the genre, players will unlock random abilities and buffs throughout a run. What makes Asgard’s Fall unique is how you can build a skill tree by filling a web of nodes. The nodes can interact with each other and generate more power. I have never sat to consider my build as much as I did with this game, and that is a very good thing.

I hadn’t realized how long I had been playing this game until I pulled from my trance. I had so much fun with this game that I will have a hard time setting it down. If you’re weary about the Early Access status, don’t be. This game is in a very good place with enough content to make it worth the price tag. There is also a good amount of content on the horizon.

If you haven’t done so, go check out Asgard’s Fall. This is a great addition to any collection. You can pick up Asgard’s Fall — Viking Survivors on Steam Early Access for only $6.99. There is also a demo available if you don’t believe me. The full game releases next year.

Why Sonokuni Is My Favorite Game Ever

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Sonokuni 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Sonokuni?

Sonokuni is a surreal biopunk top-down hack-and-slash out now on Steam.

One lone assassin stands in the way of large biotech and their quest to assimilate the worlds genetics into one homogeneous legion of obedient monsters. Takeru guards her people against the mutant super power that wants to wipe her people from the landscape. Venture into a trippy explosion of color, mayhem, and possibly the best soundtrack you’ll ever hear in a video game. Is Takeru strong enough to keep her people safe, or will she be assimilated with the rest of them?

Gameplay

Players move through visually striking 2D maps, fighting scores of enemies with their abilities. Each room acts like a puzzle of enemies. Each monster will perform the same type of actions, and it is up to the player to find the ideal combination to of attacks to clear the room successfully. Players can adjust the difficulty, but know that dying a lot is part of the gameplay loop. There are no check points, campfires, or lives. Dying only resets the room. Even the music keeps playing on reset, giving players the freedom to explore solutions through death without the repetitive slog of moving between checkpoints. Combat is a lot of fun, even if you die a lot. Using your blocks, attacks, and slowdown abilities in the right combination always kept things engaging, and the music helped me keep my tempo.

Review

Sonokuni is without a doubt, my favorite game of all time. Never have experience such a unique and fun experience as this, and I recommend anyone who hasn’t done so already to play this game. The worst part about playing Sonokuni is that every game after will be held to this standard of excellence.

First off, Sonokuni has an amazing aesthetic full of striking visuals and creative design. I love the 2D retro style, but what they do with the pixel art is incredibly impressive. The art alone should be reason enough to try this game, but the game does so much more right.

If you like Japanese Hip-Hop, Sonokuni has an amazing collection for its soundtrack. Each track helps create the game’s fantastic atmosphere, and fans of hip-hop will enjoy the journey. I particularly like that the song doesn’t restart on death. Players are going to die quickly and often, having the game loop every few seconds (maybe more if you’re actually good at the game) would get old quickly. This was a solid choice, and I like that I can listen to the whole song.

Moving past the aesthetics, the gameplay is amazing. This is the most fun I’ve had with a game in a while, and I will definitely keep it in my rotation. I need to try it at a higher difficulty. I didn’t mind dying so much or repeating the same room because every room feels different, and every room felt like a puzzle I was trying to solve. Most importantly , the boss fights are amazing. This is one of the few games where beating the boss felt incredible. There are a few games that leave me with such a great sense of accomplishment, and Sonokuni is one of them.

If you haven’t played Sonokuni, it needs to be in your library. This game is fantastic, and it gets better the more you play it. You can pick up Sonokuni on steam for $14.99 or check out the demo if you don’t believe me.

Is Inaya – Life After Gods Worth Playing?

I was sent a free copy of Inaya – Life after Gods 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Inaya – Life after Gods?

Inaya – Life after Gods is a metroidvania out now on Steam.

Inaya was orphaned at a young age. She was raised by an old monk who taught her to use her how to defend herself. Now, years later, she must find what is left of her tribe and fight anyone that stands in her way. Travel across the remnants of civilization the gods left behind, fight unique monster and bosses, and unlock the power of your father’s gauntlet. What secrets will you uncover? Will Inaya ever find her tribe?

Review

I typically have a gameplay section, but if you’ve played a metroidvania game, you’ve probably played a better one. Let me start with the good, because the game isn’t horrible or unplayable. Inayah has some very beautiful hand drawn art with a unique world and cool looking monsters. The skill tree system is expansive, giving players access to a wide variety of play-styles. I personally like how it has three distinct weapons that feel different, and each has a good amount of customization. That said, you have better options.

One issue I have with the game is with the voice acting. The voice acting is bad, and it distracts from the story. There is a clear attempt at creating a compelling story, but I didn’t have it in me to sit through any of the dialogue. I recommend you play the game with the volume off.

As for the gameplay, its okay, but there is nothing that you should be rushing to play. Especially at this price. It feels smooth, and there is a good amount of jumping puzzles, but its boring. Even when I bought upgrades, there were no abilities or skills that had me excited, and everything feels slow. There was also some noticeable stuttering that never killed me, but made me not want to play the game.

If you love the genre and are looking for a new game for your collection, I would try out the demo first. I think Inaya is one of those games you’ll forget because of the gameplay isn’t interesting enough. Even if you are the type of person that plays every metroidvania, I would wait for the sale. The devs are still working on the game and releasing updates, so there is hope that game will get better. Unfortunately, in its current state, it is hard to recommend because there are simply better options.

You can pick up Inaya – Life after Gods for $24.99 on Steam.

Nif Nif Review: A Family-Friendly Deckbuilding Adventure

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Nif Nif 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Nif Nif?

Nif Nif is the wholesome deckbuidling roguelike you need to buy for your kids.

A mysterious spreads through the forest, contaminating its animals and turning them into monsters. Luckily, Nif Nif knows the cleaning techniques to fight the corruption and save its friends. Build your deck with powerful deck, fight powerful monsters and their bosses, and eat a few tasty snacks along the way. Do you have what it takes to clean up this mess?

Gameplay

The game starts at character selection, which is hard. Players can either play as Nif Nif or Cat. Both characters are unreasonably cute, and the decks play unique with some fun flavor. Players then choose their path to the big boss, building their deck along the way. Like most games of the genre, players choose a node on their path where they can proct combat, a random event, a rest, or shop at the store. Players earn new cards, abilities, and items throughout the run as they build their deck for the final encounter. The card pool for each run is random, so players will never run the same deck twice. A run is over when they run out of health. The run is complete when a player beats the final boss. Players are incentivized to complete multiple runs by chasing unshockable like new cards, abilities, and cosmetics. What makes Nif Nif unique is that the player doesn’t kill enemies. Nif Nif cleans monsters, returning them to their original form and that is both cute and wholesome.

Review

I am so glad Nif Nif was funded when because this game is fantastic, especially if you want to get your kids into deck builders. The art is adorable, the concept is inoffensive, and the gameplay is engaging. It is designed for kids, so the strategy is on the easier side. I like that the difficulty can be adjusted for younger kids, but adults will find the hardest difficulty easy. That sad, I didn’t mind the lack of difficulty. There was still strategy involved, and the cozy vibe made the each run a pleasant and relaxing experience.

I don’t have anything bad to say about this game because it is a solid game, especially if you’re looking for something to play with your kids. I think the difficulty is going to be the deciding factor. If you like something like Slay the Spire, you will appreciate how cute and creative the game gets, but its never going to scratch that need for strategy. That said, the game is engaging enough to earn its attention, and the vibes make it the perfect game for those who want to game, but don’t want a huge commitment.

You can pick up Nif Nif on Steam for $19.99.

Is Morkull Ragast’s Rage a Good Metroidvania?

Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Morkull Ragast’s Rage?

Morkull Ragast’s Rage is a metroidvania out now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch for $17.99..

Morkull Ragast’s Rage is a powerful demon locked away in a video game. The only way to get out is to play the game, and win. Fight your way through a game as it is being made. Make your way through this digital dungeon, fight off scores of enemies, and reprogram a bit of the code along the way. Can you beat the game and let Morkul out? Is it a good idea to get set him free?

Review

If you’ve played any other metroidvania game, you’ve played Morkull Ragast’s Rage. You fight your way through a dungeon, unlocking new abilities along the way. The only difference is the game has a stylized flavor that is fun, but doesn’t do enough to hide the fact that the game isn’t very fun. Morkull Ragast’s Rage isn’t a bad game, it just doesn’t do enough to stand out against the rest of the genre. Had this been my introduction to the genre it would have fared a little better, but its not. When it comes to Metroidvania, you have better options.

The biggest issue I have with the game is that the combat is boring. Movement, combos, and the parry system all feel stiff. The enemies look cool, but they aren’t fun to fight. The grind feels bad, and I found very little reason to keep making it. I had little reason to keep coming back, especially considering how I have better options sitting in my library.

I appreciate the humor of the story. There are fun wall breaks and the flavor and artstyle are interesting. Unfortunately, they don’t do enough to distract from the fact that the game isn’t all that impressive. If you’re looking for a metroidvania game, there are better options. If you like the look and flavor of the game, I would wait for a sale because it still feels like a demo. There is a demo available, but I don’t think it fares any better.

You can pick up Morkull Ragast’s Rage on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch for $17.99.

Rosewater Review: A Western Visual Novel Experience

Disclaimer

I received a free copy of Rosewater to review for my blog. While I appreciate the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Rosewater?

Rosewater is a point-and-click visual novel available now on PC via Steam and GOG.

Harley Lager heads west, trying to make her name as a free lance writer. Her pursuit takes her to the sleepy boarder town of Rosewater, but her stay is anything but sleepy. Her first assignment leads her on a tail end of a mystery and possibly, the story that defines her career. Her and her posse must now go on a journey full of gunfights, friends, foes, and hopefully all the fame and riches they need. What will Harley uncover along the way? You are going to have to read to find out.

Review

Rosewater is a fantastic western full of colorful characters, meaningful choices, and challenging puzzles. The game also features a fantastic cast of voice actors that help bring this story to life, and the perfect soundtrack to set the mood. I was a bit uneasy about the graphics and art choice, but it fits the aesthetic perfectly. It gives the game a rustic feel, while still being able to make the game feel cinematic.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the gameplay, but if you like puzzles, this has some good ones. Not all of the puzzles are obvious at first, but they make sense once you figure it out. You might need a guide to get through some of the trickier ones. The gameplay isn’t bad, you just need to be really in the mood to solve puzzles.

What I enjoyed most about the game is that your choices matter and affect the story. Players shape the story, and encounters are determined by previous choices. Players also have control over Harley’s personality. This made it fun to talk to everyone, and it also made me curious about her backstory. Harley is a fantastic protagonist, and the only reason why I stuck around as long as I did.

Rosewater is a solid narrative with fantastic flavor and amazing voice acting. If you enjoy westerns and don’t mind all the puzzles, this game should be in your library. If you’re not a fan of the aesthetic or puzzle games, I would skip it.

You can pick up Rosewater on Steam and GOG for $19.99. There is also a Demo availble.

Nobody Nowhere is a Fantastic Visual Novel

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Nobody Nowhere 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Nobody Nowhere?

Nobody Nowhere is a scifi visual novel out now on Steam.

The year is 2019 and the Human Science Research Corp is working on a way to transfer conciseness into empty vessels known as replicates. Julian is a replicant who unfortunately developed self-awareness. His days are numbered as the corporation plans to whip his consciousness from his body. The secret organization, the White Dove, consider Julian human and plan to set him free. But their rescue efforts fail, and what they uncover will shake their foundation. What secrets will they uncover? Can Julian ever be truly human? You will need to read to find out.

Review

I went out of my way to get a copy of Nobody Nowhere because the synopsis got me interested, and I liked the art. I was not disappointed. Nobody Nowhere is the best visual novel I have read, and I recomend it to people who aren’t even looking into the genre. The writing is solid, the story is great, the characters are memorable, and the pacing is perfect. The game also has a very good art style and aesthetic. I like that the gameplay didn’t feel like busy work. The small moments of exploration helped with world building, the minigames were fun and engaging, and they helped break up into more manageable segments.

One complaint I do have is that there are a lot of silent moments. I would have liked there to be a bit more ambience sound here and there, but nothing that can’t be fixed with a YouTube video in the background. This is just a personal preference and nowhere near a deal breaker, especially since the music that does exist is pretty good.

My hat goes off to the solo developer who was able to create such a fantastic narrative. Its is incredibly obvious that a lot of passion went into this game when you look at all the details that went into bringing this story to life. If you’re looking for a new game, you need to get Nobody Nowhere. It is a fantastic read, and it deserves a lot more attention.

You can pick up Nobody Nowhere $9.99 on Steam.

Discover the Relaxing World of Urban Jungle on Steam

I was sent a free copy of Urban Jungle 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update weekly.

What is Urban Jungle?

Urban Jungle is a cozy puzzle game releasing on Steam March 21st.

Your love for plants started before you moved over seas in search of a better life. It reminds you of your grandmother, and gives you a bit of peace in this hectic new landscape. Now you can’t help but fill every space you with plants, no mater how small it may be. Organize your room as you find the perfect spot for your growing collection of plants. You won’t have to water or do any upkeep, but de-clutter and create the perfect ambiance.

Gameplay

The game follows the life of an immigrant woman, and the love of plants that follows her. The game is split into chapters where players will have time cleaning up and reorganizing spaces to complete objectives. Each map has unique objectives that award players gold that can be spend on rare plants. The main loop of the game is filling each space with plants. The trick is to place the plants in the perfect spot. Each plant has unique requirements that need to be met to award points. The types of plants they get placed near, the humidity, and the amount of light they get all affect the score they award players. A level is completed when the point threshold is met.

Review

Urban Jungle is a fantastic game that should be in everyone’s library. Even if you aren’t looking for a cozy game at the moment, you’re going to always want to turn to the comforting and relaxing experience that is Urban Jungle.The game a cute and pleasing aesthetic, and the music will put in the best mood. Although the gameplay is simple, you won’t have more fun cleaning and organizing a small space. I don’t normally go for games like this because I am not detailed oriented enough for base building games, but this game made me care more than I ever have.

While the main force of progression comes from placing the plants, the spaces will have other objects you can move around and arrange. Not only do you have to move things around to find the perfect spots for your plants, you’re going to want to. Silly things like color coding books or rearranging furniture to make the room look bigger is such a satisfying feeling. The whole loop is simple, but engaging enough to keep players engaged without becoming work.

I particularly loved the story because of how relatable it was to my experience. As someone who plays a lot of games, I don’t get a chance to see a lot of myself represented in games. It is nice to see that representation in a game I thoroughly enjoyed. It is a very good story, and definitely worth playing through.

If you’re looking for a new game to play, it doesn’t get better than Urban Jungle. This is the adorably cozy game you didn’t know you needed, and I am willing to put that in writing.

You can pick up Urban Jungle on Steam on March 21st. At the very least, add it to your wishlist!

Path of Fury Review: A VR Kung-Fu Adventure

Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Path of Fury: Episode I – Tetsuo’s Tower to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions on the game. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update weekly.

What is Path of Fury?

Path of Fury is a on the rails action-packed VR adventure available now on the Meta Store.

These streets aren’t safe. Violence spreads throughout the city as gangs fight over territory. An endless supply of drugs floods the streets, killing its people and fueling the violence. At the center of this chaos Tetsuo. While the city burns, Tetsuo sits on top of his tower and profits from the suffering. Many have tried to stop him, but endless supply of loyal soldiers train endlessly to keep him safe. You are the only one in this city who cares enough to see his reign end. Use your martial arts to take on his army, make your way through his tower, and finally end this terrible era. Do you have what it takes?

Review

Players are moved through the story on a rail, fighting endless waves of bad guys in what I have to say is a fantastic love letter to 80’s era Chinese Kung-fu movies. If you enjoyed the genre of film, you will appreciate how well the the game captures the spirit of these films and brings them to a modern lens. The tone is a little cheesy, but it gives the move its charm.

Combat in Path of Fury will be the game’s main draw and hurdle. It is simple system where players punch and parry their way through the tower to experience the story. There might be a strategy to combat, but a lot of the time it felt like I was flailing around wildly as I made my way through the campaign. While it isn’t the worst system, it does feel like a lot more work than it is worth. If you need an excuse to be more active, enjoy a solid story, then the game is a solid option. Otherwise, the combat system is a deal breaker. When compared to other fighting games available for VR, you have better options with worse stories.

If you’re looking for a game that will get you moving and like the genre, go for it. Otherwise, its going to be a game you put down after the novelty wears off. You can pick up Path of Fury now on the Meta Store for 9.99.