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video game reviews

Discover Lunarium: A Beautiful RPG Adventure

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

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

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

Table of Contents

What is Lunarium?

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

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

Does it work on the Steam Deck

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

Review

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

Aesthetic

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

Gameplay

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

Conclusion

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

Trailer

Tech Reviews

Epomaker Carbonis Mouse Review: Performance Meets Style

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Disclaimer

Epomaker sent me the Carbonis wireless gaming mouse for free to review on 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 also check out my reviews for the TH80 V2 mechanical keyboard and the Galaxy Y100 Lite. I’ll also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you click on it before buying anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Carbonis Wireless Gaming Mouse
  • 2.4 Wireless Dongle
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • User Manual
  • Brand Card

Unboxing

Features

Epomaker comes to gamers brings gamers the only mouse they will ever need with the the launch of the Carbonis mouse. This elegant mouse not only looks good, but it feels good and gives gamers the performance they need for high level play. If you are looking for a new mouse to get you out of your current elo, the Epomaker Carbonis might just be what you’ve been looking for.

Design

The Epomaker Carbonis dazzles with its unique modern design. This high quality gaming mouse comes in two colors: Black/Gold and Black Purple. I got mine in Black/Gold, but it was a very hard decision.

The Carbonis‘ unique pattern not only gives it its elegance, but makes the mouse sweat and fingerprint resistant. That means no more gross plastic after raid night! The composite carbon fiber shell is light weight and durable for that added peace of mind. The shell has been designed to perfectly fit most right-handed people for long comfortable sessions. To finalize the modern look, the Carbonis comes with a small LED screen to show readers the battery remaining as well as the current DPI setting.

Functionality

The Carbonis boasts fast speed and low latency with its wireless and wired connections. Users can easily switch between connections with a flick of the switch. You can also enjoy the fast wired connection when the 300mAh hour runs out of battery. The DPI can be easily adjusted with the onboard buttons so you always have the perfect speed for your workflow. For those of you who need a little added utility, the buttons, polling rate, DPI, and other useful features can all be easily adjusted through the official software (no download required).

Review

I am not going to lie, I was a little disappointed when I opened up the box. At first glance, the mouse is kind of ugly. I am not a fan of the wavy pattern, and a prefer a much heavier mouse. After using for as long as I did, this has replaced the ergonomic mouse I was daily driving. I don’t even know where my old mouse is anymore. The Carbonis is a fantastic mouse and an easy upgrade for any gamer or professional looking for a high quality mouse that works great and feels good in your hand.

Quality

The light weight design at first had me worried, but I think I am just used to a heavier mouse. I might have been a little biased. Out of the box, the mouse is fine. The pattern is very well done, the shape has been carefully crafted, and I didn’t notice any fabrication errors. Everything on this mouse is printed clearly and boldly, so I don’t think it will be rubbing off anytime soon. Most importantly, the buttons feel good and have a very addicting sound. I trust this mouse with my most sweaty team fights.

Aesthetic

The aesthetic is where the mouse loses me a bit. I am not a fan of the pattern, but I do appreciate the function. As a sweaty gamer, I understand when a cheap mouse is not up to the task. I never felt like my grip was in jeopardy. Most importantly, the mouse doesn’t feel gross after the those long gaming sessions. I got the Black and Gold version, so maybe it looks better in purple, but this is definitely a case where the utility outweighs the aesthetic.

Performance

I had no issues with my two weeks of testing the mouse. I used it for both gaming (I play a lot of Guild Wars 2) and all of my data entry work. This mouse performed very well under my very heavy hand. There was no latency on any of the three connections, with a speed I can always rely on. I love that I can change the DPI with the push of a button. The default setting were good enough for my workflow and gaming needs, but you can adjust it easily with software if needed.

The battery life is fine. I kept charging it when ever LED screen showed it was getting low so I can’t tell you how much use I got, but I was definitely able to get through the full eight hours on a single charge. Best of all, the charging port is in a convenient spot so you don’t ever have to break your stride (unlike the the Apple Mouse I wasted my money on).

Comfort

I wouldn’t call the Carbonis mouse exclusively ergonomic. If you suffer from hand pain and need an ergonomic solution, get a mouse with a ball and thank me later. For normal people however, the mouse has a comfortable grip.

In my journey to save my hands, I find that a lot of the advertising is a little misleading. Mice that have been designed to fit the hand don’t generally fit my hand, but the Carbonis fits wonderfully. (I have big hands). I did not understand how good the design for the Carbonis was until I had to use one of the loaner mice at work and it destroyed my hand in minutes. The Carbonis doesn’t destroy my hands, and I am able to get a healthy amount of use before my hands start cramping. Now I do have a repetitive stress injury that flares up with the wrong ergonomics, but the Carbonis is good enough and reliable enough to become a daily driver. I do have to take the occasional break, but I also have my backup roller mouse for the bad days.

I know I do not like the design, but man is the function cool. As a gamer with very sweaty hands, I like that my mouse isn’t a gross mess after I am done with it. This is a very comfy mouse for those gamers that spend a little too much time in online, team based games.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a good gaming mouse, the Epomaker Carbonis is king. This is a very comfy mouse with the functionality to back it up. Sure it might look ugly, but how often are you really looking at your mouse? The only problem I have with the Carbonis is with the wireless Dongle. Instead of a traditional usb that you plug into a slot, you get small rechtagle that you have to plug into your computer using the only USB-C to USB-A cable included in the kit. This not only looks ugly, but I am pretty sure I am breaking the dongle before the year is done because it will fall on the ground and I won’t notice it. People who use Bluetooth can rest easy. Other than that, this is a fantastic mouse that I will be daily driving. Get yours today!

You can pick up the Carbonis Wireless Gaming Mouse on the official Epomaker store or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Explore Super Bullet Break: Cute Waifus and Unique Gameplay

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

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

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

Table of Contents

What is Super Bullet Break?

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

Combat

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

Shop

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

Rest

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

Random Encounters

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

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

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

Review

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

Aesthetic

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

Gameplay

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

Conclusion

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

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

Trailer

video game reviews

Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts: A Review

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

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

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

Table of Contents

What is Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

Review

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

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

Production

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

Story

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

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

Conclusion

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

Trailer

video game reviews

Pay 2 Win: The World is Mine Review

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

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

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

Table of Contents

What is Pay 2 Win: The World is Mine?

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

Review

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

Aesthetic

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

Story

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

Gameplay

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

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

Conclusion

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

Trailer

Tech Reviews

Epomaker TH80 V2 Pro Review: Affordable Style and Performance

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Disclaimer

Epomaker sent me the TH80 V2 Pro to review for my log. 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 also check out my reviews for Galaxy100 Lite and the F75 Max. I’ll also be using Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • TH80 V2 Pro Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-A to USB-C Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • 2 x Extra Switches
  • User Manual

Unboxing

Features

If you are looking for a cool looking keyboard that is won’t break your bank and will keep up with your complex workflow, Epomaker might have found the answer in the TH80 V2 Pro.

Design

The TH80 V2 Pro is Epomaker’s stylish keyboard, full stop. This 75% keyboard comes with 75 backlight keys, a knob, and an customizable LED screen. The keyboard is available in three colors: black, white, and pink. I got mine in pink because it is my favorite color, so there is some bias on why pink is the only right answer. But for those who want a little less color, the the other two options will be an upgrade against any setup. Epomaker really went all out on creating luxury looking keyboards at a more reasonable price.

You can pick up the TH80 V2 with either the Creamy Jade or Sea Salt Silent switches. The Creamy Jades give you that wonderful typing ASMR plants crave, while the Sea Salts are for the people who want to be alone with their thoughts. Either options is good, it is just a matter of preference.

Comfort

The TH80 V2 Pro promises comfort built into its aesthetic. The gasket design helps keep the sound manageable, or completely silent if that’s your whole vibe (or if you want to be mindful of the people around you). The switches are are soft, giving enough tactile feedback to make it a good typing experience without any of the fatigue. The natural typing angle is fine for most people, but there are kickstands available for those who prefer the steeper typing angle.

Utility

The Epomaker TH80 V2 Pro promises to be a powerful tool at a reasonable price. Users will appreciate the low-latency, fast connection on both its wireless and wired connections. With an impressive 10000mAh battery, users can enjoy an advertised 200 hours of use before reaching for the wire. Luckily, there is a handy LED screen to let you know when the battery is running low so you are never left scrambling for a cable while you should be focusing on your rotation. For those who need a bit more utility or customization, the keyboard can be easily customized with the official Epomaker software. Users can program useful macros for their workflow, or customize the RGB and LED screen for a little added flare. With all the improvements made on this popular design, the TH80 V2 Pro might be the only keyboard you’ll ever need.

Sound Test

Review

I love the TH80 V2 Pro. If you need a keyboard that works great out of the box and you don’t want to fiddle with customization, this is the keyboard you get. The TH80 V2 looks great, feels amazing, and it has a fantastic battery. I honestly don’t want move on from this keyboard because of how good the experience is, but I have to work, and here we are.

Quality

I am very impressed with how well made this keyboard is. Out of the box, I notice no imperfections. The machining is clean, and most importantly, the keys are very well made. The font is legible, the keycaps feel good, and the printing is clean. Sometimes with cheaper keyboards, you can tell that they skimped on the keycaps, but the TH80 feels wonderful. Now I didn’t try swapping out the key caps or switches. I am looking at this keyboard from a more casual perspective. I’ve taken apart cheap keyboards before and while the user facing parts of the keyboard is good, what’s in between isn’t. I am not sure if that is the case here, but if you aren’t trying to swap anything out, I think you are in a good place.

Aesthetic

I was blown away by how good the keyboard looks. I got the TH80 V2 Pro pink because it is the best looking scheme (I am biased). The chery blossom detail is cool, and I love the the ombre effect of the color scheme. It is a very good looking keyboard in person, and the reason I won’t swap out a thing even though it is advertised as easy to do so. Honestly, the black with the clear keys looks very cool and futuristic, while the simple white has the modern yet quite flare. Whatever choice you make, you are getting a high quality machine that people are going to ask you about.

Performance

The keyboard kept up with my workflow at a satisfactory rate. I noticed no ghosting or latency, and I was able to do some GW2 without any issue. I am so hyped for Guild Wars 3, I even started doing a little reforged on my phone. Anyways, I love that I can switch between devices easily and quickly. My workflow requires me to switch between four or five different devices throughout the day, but I think I am an outlier. Most importantly, the battery life is amazing. I haven’t charged the keyboard since I’ve gotten it, and I keep all the lights one. I don’t know how many hours I have on my TH80, but it is getting close to 200. That alone is worth its weight in gold.

As for customization, I didn’t download the official software. I am sure it is safe, easy, but I honestly didn’t have a need for it. The keyboard looks great and works great out of the box. If you are a casual user looking for something that just works, the TH80 V2 Pro will do just that.

Comfort

Comfort was one of the reasons why I didn’t want my time with the TH80 V2 Pro to end. I wouldn’t say this keyboard is ergonomic, although it does feel very close, but I was able to use the keyboard for very long hours without any hand pain. The switches are very soft to the touch, but give enough tactile feedback to be satisfying, and there was no fatigue. If you don’t or can’t have the constant typing ASMR, the Sea Salts are fantastic. They feel good, but they also give a subtle thud with each press for an experience that is both soothing and disruptive. I will buy a keyboard for its sound, but it was nice to have something that was quite for a change. I know my wife really appreciates the silence.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a keyboard that works and looks good, the TH80 V2 Pro is a fantastic option. The keyboard comes in three very good looking colors, and it has been a delight to use. This is easily one of my favorite keyboards to use, and I am looking for a way to incorporate it in my daily routine after I move on to my next keyboard. Do yourself a favor, and go pick up the TH80 V2 Pro.

video game reviews

Trees Inc Review: A Cozy Idle Game Experience

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

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

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

Table of Contents

What is Trees Inc?

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

Review

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

Aesthetic

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

Gameplay

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

Conclusion

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

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

video game reviews

Is Dokapon Kingdom: Connect Worth It? Honest Review

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

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

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

Table of Contents

What is Dokapon Kingom:Connect?

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

Combat

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

Does it work on the Steam Deck

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

Review

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

Aesthetic

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

Story

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

Combat

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

But is it fun?

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

Conclusion

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

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

Trailer

video game reviews

Death end re;Quest Review: A Unique JRPG Experience

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

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

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

Table of Contents

What is Death end re;Quest

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

Hook

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

Gameplay

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

Visual Novel

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

Dungeon Crawl

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

Combat

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

Overworld

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

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

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

Review

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

Aesthetic

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

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

Combat

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

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

Story

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

Conclusion

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

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

Trailer

video game reviews

Is Dragon Star Varnir Good? Gameplay Insights Inside

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Dragon Star Varnir 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 Dragon Star Varnir

Dragon Star Varnir is a unique JRPG where you get to eat dragons. The game is playable on Steam, GoG, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch. I played this game on Steam and am happy to report that this game is Steam Deck compatible.

Hook

Zephy was once a proud who hunted dragons and witches in the name of the king. He loved his country and fulfilled his role with honorl, until the day the hunt proved too difficulty. A dragon brings Zephy to the brink of death. Fortunately, a group of witches find him and save him by feeding him dragon blood. Drinking the blood transforms Zephy into a witch, the very thing he was tasked on hunting. Unfortunately, this new found power leaves him exiled, and the knights he once served with, hunt him mercilessly. Take control of a group of witches, harness their powers, devour more dragons, and fight off the forces that hunt them. Will they be strong enough to find a peaceful life, or will they be another group of dead witches?

Gameplay

Dragon Star Varnir is your typical turn-based rpg, but one that goes a little heavy on the story. There is a lot of reading, with a dungeon delve grind to break things up.

Exploration

In between story beats, players will explore a dungeon filled with roaming enemies. There are no random encounters, but players can aggro the NPCs. Like other games in the genre, players can attack roaming enemies for an advantage. Striking an enemy first gives players advantage on initiative, while striking from behind means the enemy starts the battle damaged. Each character in your party has unique abilities that interact with the environment to help exploration. For example, Zephy can break magical barriers and unlock new areas of the map. The game incentivizes exploration through its hidden treasures and gathering system.

Combat

Dragon Star Varnir has your typical turn-based structure. Players perform an action each turn. They can cast a spell, perform an attack, use an item, or devour a dragon. What makes combat unique is that the field is verticle. Players and enemies can spread ever three levels: ground, middle, and high. Players need to be in the same plane to perform an attack. This means positioning is important, especially when it comes to AOE attacks. During combat, players can also devour a dragon to gain special abilities. This allows players to have unique builds, but it also leaves players with a bit of repetitive grind.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

This game works great on the Steam Deck, and the only way I played it after a while. The game works great on my PC, but there is something nostalgic about playing a JRPG on handheld that I will always favor. I am a huge fan of being able to put the Steam Deck to sleep when I need to step away and be a dad, especially when I am playing a game that has this much reading.

Review

I am a huge fan of JRPGs, and Dragon Star Varnir is a solid title. The game has great art, a solid story, but it does feel a little dated. I thought this game was a port for a PSP game I missed, but it is a modern game. While the game does attempt some interesting mechanics, it feels more like a visual novel with a bit of a dungeon delve and you have to be okay with a lot of reading, and a bit of a preoperative grind. This game is a great add if you find it on sale, like it is as of writing this review (until July 9th 2026).

Aesthetic

There are two parts to this game: story and exploration. The story portions of this game are fantastic. The character art is amazing, and there is enough fan service to keep me invested. I definitely have my favorite girl. The problem I have with this game is when you get to the exploration. The world is ugly. Each level and a few of the monsters feel homogeneous. The dungeons feel empty and I didn’t really have much fun exploring. It feels like a much older game which is fine for the folks who like this era of JRPG, but it is going to be a deal breaker for the modern gamer trying to break into the genre. For $5 bucks, or even 10, you can’t really go wrong. Especially since a lot of the game feels like it exists in the story.

Combat

The combat in this game is fine, but it is a little too simple. The game introduces mechanics like the planar combat, but doesn’t really do much with it. Players also have access to a lot of skills that feel useless. A lot of the combat felt like I was just repeating the same actions, only to slightly change up the spells for the boss monsters. This is fine since a lot of the time I was on auto-grind while I caught up on some Anime, but also, I was only playing to see what happens to the latest of my waifus.

Grind

I come to JRPGs expecting a grind, but the kind of grind is what makes or breaks the game for me. Dragon Star Varnir doesn’t have a soul crushing grind. The game lets you skip encounters, and there is a feature that automates combat. You can even skip the animations. That means you can sit back and chill and grind, although you don’t really need to. You might want to grind some extra souls to help build up your characters or cash for items, but I went in as casually as one can play a JRPG and got through it just fine. It wasn’t a speed run by any means, but it was respectable for my lifestyle.

Story

I’ll admit that I enjoyed the story. This isn’t one of those award-winning games that will cement itself in the zeitgeist of our generation, but it is a story I enjoyed reading. The game has a solid cast of voice actors, and the writing was good enough to keep me invested. I wouldn’t go out of my way to play this game for its story, it does feel like generic anime at points, but I am always in need for some generic anime to keep me sane in these troubling times. I recommend checking it out when you want something to unwind to, and you get blessed with some hot Steam sale action.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a JRPG to fill a void and happen to be around for the amazing Steam sale (only $6 until July 9th 2026), jump on it. You get cool art, a solid story, and good enough mechanics to keep you busy. You’ve got better options, like Beloved Rapture or Alterium Shift, but the game has enough charm and charisma to earn at least one play through. Just not for $30. If you are a fan of JRPGs, especially the older PSP ones you might have a better justifying the price, but as a broke boy trying to survive, this feels like a lot of money.

Trailer