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video game reviews

Takara Cards Review: A Sci-Fi Deck Builder You Can’t Miss

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Takara 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 of the game.

Some Self Promotion & Affiliates

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their KiiBoom Breeze 75. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Takara Cards?

Takara Cards is a unique sci-fi deck builder out now on Steam.

The Space Dragons have stolen from the Federation and it is your job to bring them to justice. Pick from four unique classes, maneuver through the most dangerous parts of the universe, and build the strongest deck in the universe. Do you have what it takes to avoid the hazards of space and defeat anyone who gets in your way?

Gameplay

Players start their run with a simple deck that gets upgraded over time. Players will eventually unlock new races, weapons and other perks that make adventuring the far reaches of space easier. Players will drop into a randoms zone after each level where they must avoid hazards and defeat enemies on a 3×3 map. Combat is a turn based system where players have a limited amount of action points they can spend on attacks and abilities. Enemies and hazards act on their own turn. What makes the game unique is that he enemies actions are telegraphed to the player. Players must use this knowledge to maneuver through each level without dying.

Review

Takara Cards is a fantastic deck builder with a fun and you unique gimmick that everyone should have in their collection. I was not ready for how much I loved this game, but here I am, playing it as regularly as my schedule allows me.

Right off the bat, players will be drawn to the simple yet attractive art. I am a huge fan of the cartoonist style, and the amount of effort that went into building the game’s flavor. Couple this with the game’s fantastic soundtrack and you have a scifi game that leaves an impression. The story is fine. I like that choices matter and affect the ending, and the story gave the game a bit of added flavor that I enjoyed.

But the game has its substance. The game play is unique, and extremely addicting. The movement mechanics help set it apart from other games in the genre, and the strategy required keeps the game engaging. I found the challenge level high enough to keep things engaging without ever feeling sweaty.

If you are looking for a new deckbuilder, Takara Cards is a fantastic addition to any library. You can pick it up on Steam for only $14.99.

video game reviews

Is League of Angels: Pact Worth Playing?

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Disclaimer

I was asked to cover League of Angels: Pact. The game is free to play, but I got a bit of in game currency and items to help with leveling and progression. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Some Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their KiiBoom Breeze 75. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is League of Angels: Pact

League of Angels: Pact is an action-idle MMORPG out now on PC and mobile.

Call powerful angles to fight along side you as you fight your way through endless swarms of monsters and demons. Build your character with powerful loot, upgrade your abilities, and become the hero this world needs. Do you have what it takes? Will fortune favor your many rolls? Its free, so it doesn’t hurt to find out.

Gameplay

The game is an idle game with options to actively cast abilities. Players will let their character make their way through the adventure, farming xp, completing quests, and earning currency and loot for upgrades. This game is a more casual take on the old-school Diablo style of gaming, with a lot more collectibles and a steeper grind, even if it is a more passive one. Ultimately, the player is trying to farm resources to upgrade armor, abilities, and to summon more powerful angels. It is very RNG reliant, with a few skill-based roadblocks to keep players engaged.

Review

While League of Angels: Pact has that old school Diablo vibe that had me curious. The art style and flavor are fantastic, the animation is solid, and the world is interesting. That interest started to dry up quickly when it turned out to not be the truest definition of an AFK game.

Early levels of this game are guided by a competent AI. Players can sit back and enjoy a simple passive grind and a lot of flashing lights. Occasionally, the game requires player input to continue progression. The problem is that it happens too often to be considered a true AFK MMO. Other games in the genre allow players to log off and continue a very passive grind without any player input. There comes a time in League of Angels where you need to actively be playing and spending money to be competitive. Calling it an action-idle MMO sort of feels like a misnomer because you’re eventually going to have to play. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it isn’t what I signed up for.

The biggest issue with this game is the gameplay. Players are either going to enjoy the semi-passive grind, or it is going to be more trouble that it is worth. I wasn’t a fan of the semi-idle gameplay. The game became too much work, and the work wasn’t fun. I loved the art and flavor, but there wasn’t enough substance for me to stick with it. If you like old school Diablo and don’t mind eventually having to spend money, its free to try. You should definitely support the game if you like it, but it wasn’t for me. My search for a new mobile game continues.

League of Angels: Pact is free to play on Steam and on Android and IOS devices.

video game reviews

Unleash Your Hacking Skills in Cyber Manhunt 2!

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Cyber Manhunt 2: New World – The Hacking Simulator 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 HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Cyber Manhunt 2?

Cyber Manhunt 2: New World is a hacking simulator puzzle game out now on Steam.

You work for the prestigious Titan Corporation as an AI assistant. Your job is to mitigate any threats to the company and its assists through the use of your incredible hacking skills and a bit of AI. Crawl across cyber space as you gather clues, crack passwords, and solve puzzles. Use a bit of social engineering to get the information you need your cases, and get to know some deep and memorable characters. Do you have what it takes to become the world’s best hacker?

Gameplay

Cyber Manhunt 2 is a point-n-click narrative game full of creative hacking themed puzzles. Players start each chapter with a case they need to work through. Players must comb through social media, hack email and other accounts, and even remotely access devices to get the information they need to crack the case. The game offers little guidance, forcing players to be resourceful with what they can access. Information can be missed, so make sure you comb through everything carefully.

Review

If you haven’t played Cyber Manhunt 2: New World, it should at least be in your library. This will be the most creative and interesting game you will play all year, and it is only $10.

The game has a fantastic aesthetic, with an epic soundtrack to get you hyped for hacking. The voice acting is mostly good, but there are a couple of awkward reads that stand out. They aren’t bad enough that they take away from the game, but it is noticeable.

The overall story is fantastic. This may be a sequel, but the narrative exists independently. I never played the first Cyber Manhunt, but I didn’t feel I needed to. You will want to play it after how good the sequel is, but you won’t be lost if you start at two.

The gameplay is fantastic. The hacking puzzles were creative, challenging, and a ton of fun. You might need a guide here and there, but figuring out the clues and slowly unlocking the narrative is a real treat. I love how much story exists within the puzzles. Texts and emails you read through, pictures you find, and posts you comb through all have bits of important world-building that give the story much-needed weight. You can skim through and only look for clues, but I enjoyed learning about the different characters and the world around them as I pieced things together.

If you’re looking for a new puzzle game, Cyber Manhunt 2 won’t disappoint. It is a cool and creative entry into the genre that you aren’t going to want to miss.

You can pick up Cyber Manhunt 2: New World – The Hacking Simulator on Steam for only $9.99.

video game reviews

Super Puzzled Cat Review: A Cozy Puzzle Adventure

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Super Puzzled Cat 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 for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Super Puzzled Cat?

Super Puzzled Cat is an adorable jumping puzzle game out now on Steam. Players must make their way through the games 150 creative levels, trying not to die. Players can use items like jet packs, bombs, and even bubble gum to navigate around a levels many hazards. These puzzles may look cute, but they will test the most seasoned veteran. Aside from the adorable skin and creative use of items, the game features a unique save state mechanic. Players can create as many save states through out a level, and recall between them at will. This means players don’t have to start a level over after dying, they can take it section by section.

Review

Super Puzzled Cat is the cutest game in my collection, and easily one of my favorites. The game has some adorable art, a fun world to explore, and some very creative and challenging puzzles. I am not the biggest fan of jumping puzzle games, but Super Puzzled Cat has earned a soft spot in my heart. I like that the puzzles don’t feel frustratingly impossible like others in the genre, and the save state mechanic made things a lot more manageable. While the game does feel like a casual puzzle game, there is enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. I love it for the cozy vibe, and will continue to play it even after the review.

If you are looking for a new puzzle game that isn’t a huge commitment, or in the mood for some cozy engaging gameplay, check out Super Puzzled Cat. It works great on the Steam Deck.

You can pick up Super Puzzled Cat on Steam for $16.99.

video game reviews

Click Mage: The Perfect Chill Resource Management Game

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I was sent a free copy of Click Mage 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 HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Click Mage?

Click Mage is a minimalistic cozy resource management game out now on Steam.

You are a wizard on the verge of greatness, but your experiments send you to a strange world with noway of going back. You must use the islands resources to find build your way back. Use your magic to farm the resources you need, upgrade your skills, and build the tech to make it all work. Do you have what it takes to get home?

Gameplay

The gameplay loop can’t get any more simpler. Players move around the map collecting and refining the resources they need to build new structures, and unlock new abilities and power ups. It is a very laid back and relaxing loop, with a bit of a grind, but nothing unmanageable.

Review

If you are looking for a cozy and chill game to fill your time, it does not get better than Click Mage. I was had my doubts when I first saw how simple the gameplay seemed, but it is engaging enough to be entertaining.

It is a clicker game, so a lot of the systems will feel a bit repetitive. Things like harvesting and refining take a bit of management, and you will be constantly repeating the same type of tasks. There is a bit of a puzzle as you figure out what you need to evolve to the next stage of crafting, but you don’t need a guide to do it efficiently. I found the repetition relaxing and enjoyed the pace and challenge. Other resource management games can feel stressful, so I appreciate the change of pace that is Click Mage.

It is Steam Deck compatible, but I preferred using the keyboard and mouse. It is not unplayable, but it does feel a little awkward.

If you are looking for some chill resource management and don’t mind the repetition, Click Mage is a fantastic addition to any library. It is simple, runs great, and it is not a huge commitment. You can pick up Click Mage for $4.99 on Steam.

Uncategorized, video game reviews

Ayasa: Shadows of Silence Demo Review

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I was asked to cover the Ayasa: Shadows of Silence demo on my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest review.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Ayasa: Shadows if Silence?

Ayasa is a side scrolling action adventure game coming soon to Steam. The demo is currently available.

The darkness slowly eats away at the inverted world. Those left do what they can to stay alive, but each day grows more bleak. Jump into a surreal and dark world as you uncover what remains of the old world. Solve puzzles, and explore the surreal landscape, and use your powers to stay alive. What will your journey uncover?

Gameplay

Ayasa is a fixed camera action adventure game. Players control Ayasa as she navigates her unforgiving world and tries to survive. Players will need to solve puzzles, avoid traps, and use their resources to keep her alive. The demo takes players through the first level of the game, and acts as a tutorial of what is to come. Hopefully the full release gives players the option to skip the first level if they beat the demo.

Impressions

I understand the game is still in development, so I will try to be a bit more lenient.

Ayasa: Shadows of Silence has some interesting flavor and imagery, but it is a rough demo. While I do enjoy a good side scrolling adventure, there are some bugs that make the game a bit unpleasant. I encountered a couple of soft locks and crashes, and I wasn’t getting the tight performance a game like this requires. There are puzzles in this game I would fail not for lack of skill, but because the walls aren’t coded correctly. I am sure this will be fixed at a later date, but a demo should feel a lot smoother. The roughness of this demo is going to turn away a lot of the more casual gamer who just want to enjoy a platformed with a dark and trippy story.

I will need to see a version of the game with a lot less bugs before I am willing to recommend it. I believe there are some good ideas baked into this game, it just needs a smoother execution. At the moment, I can’t recommend it, but it doesn’t hurt to try it for free.

You can check out the Ayasa: Shadows of SIlence demo on Steam.

video game reviews

Mea Culpa DLC Review: Is It Worth Your Money?

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I was sent a free copy of the Mea Culpa DLC for Blasphemous 2 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. Make sure you check out my review for the base game.

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out the new Epomaker HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Mea Culpa?

Mea Culpa is DCL for the 2D side scrolling Souls-like, Blasphemous 2. You will need to already own Blasphemous 2 to play the DLC. This DLC adds new abilities, quests, and alternate ending. There are also two new zones to explore and bosses to fight. If you enjoyed Blasphemous 2, it might be worth checking out for a bit of extra content.

Review

The Mea Culpa DLC was okay. It wasn’t bad, but it is hard to justify the price. I enjoyed the new areas, and the bosses were challenging and fun, but I don’t think it is a mandatory step into Blasphemy. If you are a fan of the series and are looking to support a great title in the genre, it is a solid buy and you will get your money’s worth in fun. If you are new to the genre and on a budget, the base game is all you need. I would wait for a sale because I don’t believe it adds enough to be worth the full price of admission. It isn’t a bad DLC, but it doesn’t stand out as hard as it needs to.

You can buy Mea Culpa on Steam, Xbox ($30.39), Nintendo, PlayStation for $11.99, but I recommend waiting for the next big sale.

video game reviews

Fledgling Manor Review: Vampire Drama in a Reality Show

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I was sent a free copy of Fledgling Manor 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 HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Fledgling Manor?

Fledgling Manor is a visual novel out now on Steam. The first chapter is available as a demo for those interested.

Rocky wakes up in a strange place with an even stranger affliction. He has been turned into a vampire against his will and must now fight for his survival. In order to live his life as a new vampire, he must win the highly rated reality television show, Fledgling Manor. In it, newly formed vampires compete in a series of challenges to earn their place in the manor and live another day. But each day is marred by the execution of one unpopular soul. Will Rocky make enough of an impact to earn his new life as a vampire, or will he be another culled contestant?

Review

Fledgling Manor is an interesting concept for a narrative with cool artwork to grab a reader’s attention. This game has very cool character design, but I found the story lacking. The writing is a little too on the edgy side, and while the game does have its audience, it wasn’t for me. Some of the dialogue is a bit cringy, but by no means poorly written. The author does a great job creating its dynamic characters and capturing the spirit of a cheesy reality tv show. There is no voice acting, which I don’t think it needs any.

If you want a serious deep narrative about vampires, you will be disappointed. However, if you’re looking for a fun quirky story and don’t mind the edgy characters, Fledgling Manor is a solid piece. I recommend trying out the demo as it does a great job at setting the tone. If you find yourself not liking any of the characters, it doesn’t get any better. But if you enjoy the tone of the demo, congratulation, you are the target audience and you will find this visual novel delightful.

The game features multiple endings, enough for replayability, unique characters to engage and fall in love with, and a fantastic soundtrack to set the mood. You can pick up Fledgling Manor on Steam for only $11.75.

video game reviews

Exploring the Surreal World of Go Home Annie—Game Review

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I was sent a free copy of Go Home Annie 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 HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Go Home Annie?

Go Home Annie is a psycological horror walking sim out now on Steam and Epic Games.

Annie works for the SCP Foundation, an organization tasked with keeping the public safe from supernatural anomalies. She and her team are tasked with recreating and summoning a particular anomaly but have seen little success. However, there seem to be ulterior motives surrounding Annie’s involvement in the foundation, and it is about time she finds out what. Move through Annie’s strange and surreal adventure as she attempts to unravel the mystery. Solve puzzles, navigate strange phenomena, and try to survive the night. Can you uncover the truth?

Gameplay

Go Home Annie is a walking sim that takes players through a strange shifting world as they piece together a mystery. The story is a linear railroad with a few manageable puzzles to slow down progression. Players are essentially walking to each bit of the narrative and sitting through excellent voice acting.

Review

Go Home Annie is a surreal narrative with a creepy atmosphere that should be played through at least once. The game has excellent flavor with some interesting and creative bits of world building. The narrative itself is solid, but nothing that hasn’t been done before. It has solid pacing, but predictable twists and beats. That said, the story is enjoyable enough where it won’t matter and the voice acting is fantastic. The story is very linear and although the world is cool, players are limited to walking along the railroad.

The game itself is fun, but there are a few bugs that make progressing annoying. There are a couple of puzzles that soft locked my progression. Although the puzzles are mostly easy, a few didn’t work right and made the experience a bit frustrating. Some of the puzzles are also a bit boring. It isn’t unplayable, but it can be hard to play through in one sitting. The game is only about four hours long, so it shouldn’t be a huge issue.

Go Home Annie is a decent horror narrative for the gamer who wants to sit back and enjoy a decent story and doesn’t mind the few puzzles that pop up. It doesn’t do anything new or exciting, and while I wouldn’t rush to play it, it does scratch the itch for the niche it tries to fill. I would wait for a sale, but there are worse ways to spend $20.

video game reviews

Lords of the Fallen Review: A Casual Souls-like Experience

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I was sent a free copy of Lords of the Fallen 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 HE75 Mag or their Galaxy 100 keyboard. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. If you would like to start your own blog on WordPress, sign up using my Affiliate Link!

What is Lord of the Fallen?

Lords of the Fallen is a souls-like out now on Steam.

The Demon God Adyr is on the verge of resurrection, and it is up to you, as a Dark Crusader, to stop it from happening. Grab your favorite weapon and fight your way through the endless mobs of terrifying monsters as you make your way through this bleak world. Can you get strong enough in time to stop the great god’s resurrection, or will you be another lost soul?

Gameplay

Lords of the Fallen fallen is the closest you will get to a Souls game, but I would argue that this game is on the easier side. Players start by choosing their class, and each class does feel different enough in both flavor and style. The player will then spend time running between campfires, farming xp and searching for better weapons, armor and items. What makes this game unique is the spirit lantern mechanic that allows players to shift into a parallel dimension to solve puzzles. There is co-op and multiplayer support, but I don’t have the friends to try it out.

Review

I enjoyed Lords of the Fallen for the casual souls-like experience that it provides. While the skill required to progress through the game and beat the bosses was enough to keep things engaging, it isn’t the soul-crushing experience you would expect from a souls-like. Combat feels good, although the progression does feel a little slow and the game gets a bit grindy towards the end.

The story is fine, nothing I would rush to play, but something that I am glad I finished. The game does have a good amount of flavor. I appreciate everything that went into the design of the world. The levels were creepy and atmospheric and the parallel realm was cool. I wasn’t too crazy about the spirit lantern mechanics, but it did make for a few interesting puzzles.

Aside from a few stutters and frame drops, the game runs smoothly on PC. On the Steam Deck, the drops are more noticeable and the fan is very loud. That said, it is playable on the Steam Deck. Most of my game time was on the Steam Deck due to personal preference.

If you’re looking for a souls game that isn’t a huge commitment, you’re going to want to pick up Lords of the Fallen. If you enjoy the grueling challenge of the traditional Souls formula, you will be disappointed. I found it a lot more fun than the Souls game because it provided a more appropriate challenge it felt like a more casual experience. It still demands skill and a proper build to beat, but the first boss isn’t going to kill and even though you will die, it won’t be as much.

You can pick up Lords of the Fallen on Steam for $59.99, but now would be the best time to do it because it is $60% off for the Steam Winter Sale. You can also pick it up on PlayStation ($79.99) and Xbox ($69.99) but that feels too expensive.