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video game reviews

Super Neptunia RPG Review: A Casual Gamer’s Take

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Super Neptunia RPG 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 Neptunia RPG

Super Neptunia RPG is a a sidescrolling turn-based RPG out now on Steam, GoG, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch. The game features your favorite lovable goddesses in a new, unique adventure. The game is not considered cannon to the Super Neptunia lore, but it does give fans of the series another chance to spend time with their favorite group of goddesses.

Hook

Neptune wakes up in a strange 2D world without any of her memories. She is thrown into the world with only a stick, her hunger, and a magical book that glows when she is near an ally. Travel across this strange new 2D world in search of your memories and make a few allies along the way. Take up quests for additinion income and use your formation to conquer any foe and boss that comes your way. Will you beat the game like the protagonist you were meant to be, or will this be the end for Neptunia and her friends?

Gameplay

Super Neptunia RPG is your typical sidescroller adventure. Players will move through the world, completing quests and fighting off monsters. Players control a four player team each with unique set of abilities. The game uses an interesting mix of turn-based and real time combat mechanics to craft its unique gameplay loops. Each character can perform as many actions as they can if they have enough initiative and action points. Each action costs AP to cast. AP is automatically generated over time. While the game doesn’t use a stamina or mana system for a characters abilities, they will have to wait for AP to charge. Luckily, you can hold down left trigger to speed things up.

While you are stuck with the same four characters for the entirety of the campaign, there are mechanics to help refresh the team. Players can change the formation of the party during combat to change the abilities they can use. They can also buy items that teach characters new abilities. This helps players take full advantage of typing as they travel across the different biomes of the world.

Review

I’ve played a couple of Neptunia games and like them enough to keep trying more. I very much appreciate the fun meta humor and who doesn’t like cute anime girls? Super Neptunia RPG is a bit different from the rest of the series in that it is 2D. It isn’t quite the engaging metroidvania I was expecting from the few bits of media I saw before hand, but I appreciate the chill laid-back gameplay loop it offers. While there are a few bugs and some performance issues, I don’t mind having this game on my Steam Deck. The game has cute art and great voice acting, but I found the story and gameplay a little lacking. The battle system is interesting, but I found the grind a little too much for the casual game it is trying to be. It isn’t the worst grind I’ve experienced, especially when compared to the rest of the series, but it was slow enough where I started to lose interest.

Aesthetic

I like the cute anime girls, but the world doesn’t feel too interesting outside of that. The cities were bland, and the worlds around them feel a bit generic. There wasn’t much I wanted to explore, and a lot of the exploration felt like busy work that was put in to extend a lack luster story. It isn’t an ugly game by any means, but it doesn’t do much to stand out. As of writing this, I struggle to remember a single biome, city, or even monster. I do like that I can see the weapons I attach, I always love to see my character get cooler as the adventure goes.

Story

The story in this game isn’t terrible, but it isn’t anything to run towards. I wouldn’t recommend this be your entry to the Neptunia games, but it is good enough for those who want to see more of their favorite character. The meta humor is well done and I got enough of a laugh to keep pushing through the game. I will certainly forget ever playing this game, but it isn’t a game I minded playing. What did ruin the game is the grind, more on that below.

The Grind

The grind for this game is its weakness. These games have been grindy before, but at least there was a fun story to work towards. Here, because the story is just okay, the grind becomes hard to justify. You can skip a lot of the encounters by jumping over them, which helps, but not enough. I feel like if I were a bigger fan and more invested in the series I would enjoy it more, but here we are. The problem is that the super fans have already played this game, and the casual fans should probably go play one of the main series games instead.

Combat

I have very mixed feelings on the combat system. On one hand, it uses creative mechanics in a way that makes the game feel unique for the first few minutes of a playthrough. The problem is that strategy in this game doesn’t really matter. I found that most of the time, I could just spam the same two abilities and clear most of the encounters. I didn’t even bother teaching new abilities to my characters because it really didn’t matter. The game is casual enough to mindlessly play around my toddler’s schedule, but I don’t know if I could pick it up more seriously. In short bursts, this game feels perfect for the gamer who doesn’t have much time, likes the Neptunia games, and doesn’t want a huge commitment.

Conclusion

Super Neptunia RPG is just fine. The game has solid bones, cute characters, and it offers a good enough experience to be worth it at a discount. If you’re a fan of the series, this is an easy way to get more time with your favorite character. If you are not a fan of the series, you should check out one of the main games and move from there. I think the combat is creative and worth trying once, and it makes for a good portable Steam Deck game. That said, wait for the sale.

You can pick up Super Neptunia RPG on on Steam, GoG, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch.

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video game reviews

Amnesia: Memories Review – A Visual Novel Worth Playing?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Amnesia: Memories 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 Amnesia: Memories?

Amnesia: Memories is an anime Otome visual novel out now on Steam, Android devices, and the Nintendo Switch. It originally released on the PS Vita in 2015. For those who missed out on the special era of Vita visual novels, or those looking for a new visual novel, Amnesia: Memories might be your next game.

Hook

You wake up without your memories and a unique magical creature to take their place. They are here to help you recover your memories, the problem is that they don’t know what world you belong to. Choose a world (heart, diamond, clover, spade) and try to find your place in its world. Rediscover a forgotten relationship with the boyfriend you left behind, and make the choices that will give you the best endings. Will you regain your memories and find your true love, or will you die in the process. There are over 20 endings and hundreds of choices. Can you collect them all?

Gameplay

Amnesia: Memories is your typical visual novel. Players will read through the story, and you get to make choices along the way. The choices you make affect the ending, and choosing wrong gets you the wrong ending. This is your typical Otome game where you are getting romanced by different hot guys, although the heroine in this story feels a bit more passive. The stories are divided as follows:

  • Heart – Shin
  • Spade – Ikki
  • Clover – Kent
  • Diamond – Toma
  • Joker – Ukyo

The top four characters are playable from the start, the joker ending only unlocks after playing through all the stories. One nice feature the game has is that it lets you create multiple saves and save at any point in the story.

Review

As far as visual novels, Amnesia: Memories is fine. The game has great art, a solid score, and decent writing (mostly). My problem with the game is that not all of the paths feel worth it (looking at you Toma). That said, there is enough good to this visual novel to be worth at least one play through, but I wasn’t interested enough to collect all of the endings. There are guides available for the completionists out there, but I recommend going in as blind as possible.

Aesthetic

The art in this game is great if you enjoy anime. The character design is unique and memorable, and I like how they contrast against the often simple backgrounds. I like that cut scenes and transitions are minimilistic because it shifts the focus to the story and its characters.

Story

I will do my best to avoid spoilers, but there is going to be some minor spoilers. As far as Oteme games go, I do prefer something more cheesy like Celestia Chain of Fate. I enjoy reading sappy romantic novels, and some of these routes weren’t romantic at all (Toma). If you want a visual novel with a more serious tone, I recommend checking out Nobody Nowhere instead. Amnesia isn’t bad, but choosing the wrong lead is going to turn off some people. I started with Ikki (Spade) and almost gave up on the game because it was so boring. It wasn’t until I got to switch leads and play Kent (Clover) where I started to become invested. This could be a subjective critique, but I would start with Shin or Kent and then your choice of the other two.

Main Character

One problem I have with the game is that the main character sort of exists for all of these events to happen to her. She doesn’t feel tangible or real because there doesn’t seem to be any agency. She loses her memories and things sort of just happen to her. This should feel like a tense and scary concept (and at times it does) but it almost feels like it doesn’t matter.

Maybe I play too many Otome games, but I was making choices because it would get me the good ending not because it would necessarily lead me to something interesting. A good Otome game usually paralyzes me with choices as I try to figure out what I want and what bits of the narrative I want to explore, but I didn’t feel that much with this game. I just didn’t care enough about the characters or the world to want to explroe more.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a decent read and don’t care too much a story’s realism, Amnesia: Memories is fine. You get some solid stories, some creepy undertones, and solid art. The voice acting is fantastic and there are enough guides out there for those who want to collect some easy achievements. I still would prefer something more on the cheesy side like Celestia Chain of Fate. As far as Visual Novels go, you can do worse. If you do end up getting this game, start off with Kent and work your way to Toma. Both Toma and Ikki have boring stories that can ruin a playthrough (it nearly ruined mine). Overall, not the worst ways to spend $10.

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video game reviews

Is Humans vs Orcs Worth Your Time?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Humans vs Orcs 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 Humans vs Orcs

Humans vs Orcs is an idle (incremental) game out on Steam and Itch.io. You can currently try the game out for free on Itch.io.

Hook

The orcs are invading, and you are the last line of defense. Send your army of brave solders to defend against the endless waves of monsters, dragons, and their bosses. Use the gold you gain from taxes, kills, and the skulls of the soldiers you march to their deaths to upgrade future generations. Unlock new units and customize your loadouts. Do you have what it takes to keep your walls from crumbling under the weight of the orcish threat, or will you be overwhelmed like all the other human settlements before yours?

Gameplay

This is an idle game where you only click to choose the upgrades and summon soldiers. Combat is automated, so sit back and watch your soldiers defend your city. The round is over when you can successfully fight back the orcish invasion, or your city falls. Between waves, you can unlock new abilities to summon like a hail of arrows or new units to summon. You can only have three types of units to summon during a round, and can edit this loadout between rounds.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

Yes, this game works fine on the steam deck, but some of the clickable areas are a little small. Changing the game speed is a bit annoying and the fact that you have to set it after each death is frustrating. Otherwise, I appreciate that I can touch my selections. The game is very low profile so it won’t kill your battery or make your fans go crazy. Is it a good Steam Deck game tho? Not really. It feels like a waste to use your Steam Deck for and idle game, even one that requires as many imputs as Humans vs Orcs.

Review

I enjoy idle games. I’ve spent too much time in idle gocha games like Monmusu Girls, but that was only fun because I got to collect waifus. The game isn’t terrible. Human vs Orcs has a cool fantasy aesthetic and some cozy vibes, but it feels like busy work. A lot of the time, it feels like I am just waiting for a timer. Most of the time, it feels like it better to do nothing to collect enough gold to do better damage in future turns. If you’re looking for an idle game to play, check out Tingus Goose instead.

Aesthetic

Humans vs Orcs is a very cool looking game. I am a sucker for pixel art, and the detail that goes into this world is fantastic. I like the units, the animation is cute, and the monsters are terrifying. The game has clear inspiration from the Warcraft franchise, which is great, but it does remind me that I would rather be playing Warcraft instead.

Gameplay

The game is fine if you haven’t played any idle games. As far as idle games go, it feels like too much work. Most Idle games require a lot of clicking, especially when they are predatory with their Gotcha Mechanics. This almost feels close to that, except you don’t get the rush of dopamine that comes with the gambling. Instead, it feels like I am clicking in hopes of getting enough upgrades to progress through the game, or having to wait in real time for better upgrades.

This wouldn’t be a problem if it didn’t require so much clicking to progress through the story. Why do I have to reset the speed after every death? Why do I need to upgrade after every death? It could just let me set my army, forget it, and collect the skulls after a while to buy the upgrades I need to keep moving. As cute as the animation is, it gets old fast and there isn’t any real reason I should have to click so much. Sure you can set the game to auto summon, but you still have to click after each round and auto summon feels terrible for progression. It is almost better to let round run without summoning units, but this might be a skill issue.

Is it a good idle game?

Not really. The game requires too much attention and there isn’t enough of a payoff to make it worth it. Even terrible gotcha versions of this type of game will at least let you pull cool looking units, and that rush you get from those gambles almost makes you forget how terrible the game is. There is nothing to make you forget about this game. Instead, you are stuck clicking away in hopes of getting enough upgrades to progress to the next round. The scaling is also a little too toxic to be the cozy idle game I wish this was.

I enjoy idle games because they are low profile games I don’t have to no life. I can log in, set my units, and forget about it until I have time to check it again. The fun comes from using whatever resources I gather to get stronger and of course, the gambling. These games usually have something to work towards whether it be a powerful team for PVP or a cute collection of waifus to show my non-existent friends. While this game isn’t terrible, it doesn’t feel like I am gaining anything except progression that seems gated by its inconstant power scaling. Why would you play this when you can be playing Monmusu Girls if you like cute anime girls or Tingus Goose if you are looking for something more whimsical and less predatory gocha.

Conclusion

Humans vs Orcs isn’t the worst game I’ve played, but it is boring. Maybe if you get deep enough into the game and collect enough units it gets better, but it takes too long to get there. The game is incredibly unintuative as it offers almost no guidance on how to play the game. I didn’t know there were additional pages to the upgrade book for example. After figuring out how to play, and building up my army, it still felt terrible getting stomped randomly by the next wave and having to reset the game speed because I didn’t want to have to sit through the same battle for the 30th time. If you’re looking for an idle game, go play Tingus Goose. If you like the aesthetic and want to see for yourself, you can try it on Itch.io for free and then buy it on Steam if you end up liking it.

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video game reviews

Is Azur Lane Crosswave Worth $40? Find Out!

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Azur Lane Crosswave to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This is 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 Azur Lane Crosswave

Azur Lane is a visual novel where you collect war ship inspired waifus and occasionally do fast paced, third-person shooting. The game is available on PlayStation, Steam, and the Nintendo Switch.

Hook

The world of Azur Lane is mostly water. The four great nations have an fleet of cute ship girls guarding its boarders and protecting its oceans. Every year, the four nations (Eagle Union, Royal Navy, Iron Blood, and Sakura Nation) come together for a joint training exercise to train the newest generation of ships and a bit of diplomacy. This year, a mysterious figure infiltrates the session and brings the nations into war. Luckily, each nation’s roaster of ships (about 25 main characters and 30 supporting) are strong enough to fend off the invasion. Build your crew of your favorite ship waifu and set sail to save the world. Do you have what it takes to collect them all?

Gameplay

The game is essentially a visual novel. There is a main story of drama as the players try to figure out who is behind all of the attacks. There are also a series of side quests where the waifus are doing cute things, which is meant to be world building for fans of the original mobile game or who want to listen to more of their best girl. (The voice acting is fantastic). Occasionally, players get to do combat in a simple third person action shooter. Between combat, players can recruit new ships, buy them upgrades, and organize their roster. Players can go into battle with their choice of three main ships and three supporting ships. Each character has unique set of abilities that include: a main attack, a secondary more powerful attack, torpedo, a dodge, and a special ability. These change between girls and ship type.

Review

I played a lot of the mobile game, so I knew what to expect. This is a game you play to collect waifus and watch them do cute things. Sure there is a story and a bit of combat, but most of the effort went into creating cute girls to waifu bait. This isn’t a criticism of the game, I have been a long time fan of the series for this very reason. If you are a fan of the series and for some reason haven’t gotten this game, I would wait for the sale. The game is fine, but $40 is a lot for what you’re getting.

Aesthetic

This game know what its doing. The art in this game is fantastic. If you like cute anime girls, this game has your type buried somewhere in its limited roster. The visual novel have cute characters, but the backgrounds can very. Some are nice, but most are rather generic. The focus is clearly the girls. This isn’t a criticism, but it isn’t going to be for everyone. The 3D parts are boring. The maps are too small and bland, but I respect the amount of detail that goes into the few ship models you fight repeatedly. I will say that the water physics in this game is fantastic and it really gives players the feel of epic open water combat.

Story

The story is very cheesy, but fine. It isn’t something I would rush to play, but I didn’t hate reading through it. There is a lot of reading, and not all of it is relevant to the overarching story. Everything is voice acted, but it is in Japanese. The voice acting is fantastic and if you want to listen to more of your favorite ship girl, you probably already have this game in your library. If you aren’t interested in any of the characters, it isn’t worth it. I appreciate that the game lets players know which events are story relevant and there is the option to skip through cut scenes.

Gameplay

The gameplay is very simple and easy, even at the hardest difficulty. Combat is fine for the first few battles, but it gets repetitive. Every combat mission is the same, although sometimes the enemy changes. The map is very small and boring. I would argue that there was no real reason to make the game 3D. I played a lot of the mobile game that started it all, and I would have preferred the chibi tokens and the topdown survivor-like combat. The 3D litterly adds nothing. There is also so much reading in between combat, they should have just made it a visual novel. Changing the roster didn’t feel like it did enough, but I guess they had to make you work to collect your favorite waifu.

Conclusion

I knew what I was getting into when I requested the game. I played the original mobile game, am a fan of the ship girls and wanted a legitimate excuse to have this in my library. As a casual fan of the series, I think the game is too expensive. As a shooter, there isn’t enough strategy or skill required to justify the purchase. As a story, its fine but I am already forgetting what happened. It feels like something I would throw up in the background when I want to work and listen to people talk. Something that is good enough to sit through, but not so good it becomes a distraction. If you like cute anime girls doing cute things, this is full of those types of moments and you can collect the cute girls to occasionally fight for you sometimes.

That said, $40 is too expensive for this waifu bait and I would wait for sale. But for those of you who are just discovering their love for the magical world of Azur Lane, or those who just want a little more of it in their life, you can pick up a copy of Azur Lane Crosswave on PlayStation, Steam, and the Nintendo Switch. I would rather be playing Tivi.

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Tech Reviews

KiiBOOM Phantom81 Lite Review: Cute and Functional Keyboard

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Disclaimer

KiiBOOM sent me the Phantom81 lite for free 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 also check out my review for the Phantom 98 lite and the Moonshadow V2. I’ll also be using my Amazon affiliate link where possible. Using it before you buy anything really helps me out.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Phantom81 Lite
  • 3 Additional Switches
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • Stickers
  • User Manual

Features

The KiiBOOM Phantom81 Lite is a 75% gasket-mounted mechanical keyboard. The keyboard comes with mochi switches which means it is ready to deliver the perfect typing ASMR. If you are looking for a cute keyboard to enhance your cozy setup but also delivers in both performance and comfort, check out the Phantom 81.

Aesthetic

The Phantom81 Lite is available in five styles: Pink, Green, Clear, Black, and Blue. I’ve gotten these in almost every color and have yet to be disappointed. KiiBOOM goes above and beyond to deliver an adorable high quality product that is ready to take on every kind of workflow.

Everything about the Phantom81 Lite has been curated to fit that unique cute cozy aesthetic you are striving for. From the rounded shape of the gasket to the shape and color scheme of the keycaps. The mono-color keyboards will sport the cherry profile key caps you know and love, but the themed ones will come with the unique MOA switches that give the keyboards added whimsy. No matter the version you end up getting, each keyboard comes with soft south facing backlight to give it some added flare.

Comfort

The Phanom91 Lite promises comfort and luxury with its unique gasket design. The natural typing angle is suitable for most users, but the included kickstands offer an option for those like me who prefer something a little steeper. The shape of the gasket also allows users’s hands to fall naturally over the keys. The Mochi switches give users a soft typing experience while providing the typing ASMR we all crave.

Performance

The Phantom81 Lite will prove itself more than just a pretty keyboard through its performance. Users will appreciate the low latency wireless connections from both wireless and through the included dongle. The 4000mAh battery offers users the peace of mind during raid night. Fortunately, the wired connection is even faster for when you eventually have to charge the battery. The Phantom’s low latency connection and customizability through QMK and VIA, this key board is ready to fit into any role.

Sound Check

Review

KiiBOOM continues to be my go to brand for mechanical keyboards. Not only do they manage to create keyboards that are aesthetically pleasing, they are high quality and comfortable enough to use with these old crippled hands. The Phantom81 Lite continues to be one of my favorite keyboards. If you are looking for a cute keyboard that works well for everything you need, the Phantom81 Lite is the keyboard for you.

Aesthetic

I’ve tried out almost every version of this keyboard, and I find it impossible to pick a favorite. For this review, I got to try out the clear version and it is fantastic. The opaque color makes it look so elegant, and the backlight makes it look adorable. I love the lighting effect as it shines through the clear body. All of the version’s I’ve tried have been high quality and look good, it all comes down to preference. The classic cherry switches are cool for those familiar with the layout, and while the MOA might take some getting used to, they are just as comfortable.

Quality

I have yet to be disappointed by the quality of KiiBOOM keyboards. I’ve gotten boxes that look like they were dropped from the plane they came on that work and look like nothing happened. Users will be impressed by how clean the manufacturing on the Phantom81 Lite is. Everything on this keyboard is so smooth and soft, and I am confident it will survive the more intense team fights in my future (as long as it isn’t thrown against the wall).

Comfort

I have a repetative stress injury that triggers when the keyboard’s ergonomics isn’t right. There are keyboards that ruin my hands, but I haven’t had an issue with KiiBOOM. Sure, there have been keybaords that have taken time to get used to, but I can get a respectable amount of use out of these keyboards without issue. While I wouldn’t buy the Phantom81 Lite for an ergonomic upgrade, the keyboard is comfortable enough for most cases. I’ve had keyboards that trigger my injury so bad I can’t use them, and it has never been a problem with the Phantom81 Lite. The keys are soft and typing angle is perfect.

Performance

The Phantom81 Lite was perfect for my workflow. I didn’t notice any ghosting, disconnecting, or latency. It survived my rigorous GW2 grind and my 9-5. The battery is amazing, giving me about 8 hours of continuous use without all the lights on. You can get even longer with everything off. Customizing the keyboard with macros was incredibly easy. Although I never get much use from this feature, it is nice to have for those data entry shortcuts I heavily rely on for my workflow. This will be the keyboard I will use between reviews if things ever slow down. The Phantom81 Lite has proven itself a reliable contender for your next keyboard.

Conclusion

If you want a keyboard that looks good, has all the keys you need, and is reliable, get yourself the Phantom81 Lite. This is easily one of my favorite keyboards from one of my favorite brands. It looks good in every color, and it works great out of the box. At this price point, you aren’t doing much better. Go get yours today.

You can pick up the Phantom81 Lite from the official KiiBOOM website, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Vultures: Scavengers of Death Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Scavengers of Death 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 Vultures: Scavengers of Death?

Vultures: Scavengers of Death is a proper love letter to classic horror games, specifically resident evil. This unique take on the survival horror genre is a refreshing gaming experience full of death, zombies, and not enough bullets. Pick up your guns and start blasting as you try to give the world its second chance.

Hook

A zombie outbreak threatens humanity. Sallento Valley is overrun with the undead, and the cure is rumored to be somewhere within its borders. Two Vulture have been tasked with the impossible task to retrieve the cure and save the world. Armed with only the weapons and supplies they find within the ruins of Sallent Valley, they must fight the endless waves of zombies and find a way out. Will their training prove to be enough to save the world, or will the world crumble under the weight of the undead scourge?

Gameplay

The game plays like a turn based tabletop where players move accross the map, exploring the ruins of the old city in search of clues and fighting off the blood thirsty zombies that chase them. Players will switch between the two operatives, Leapoldo and Amber, as they complete various missions. In classic horror survival fasion, players will find themselves with limited resources. This forces players to think tactically as they move through the zombie infested world. Sometimes it is a good idea to run, other times it is correct to set everything on fire. There are two main gameplay loops: exploration and combat

Exploration

Players move through Sallento Valley in a turn based system. As long as there are no zombies around, players genrally have unlimited movement to explore the world and search for supplies and clues. Movement becomes restricted if players are spoted by zombies. Players can try to sneak past encounters, but combat in a zombie infested city is almost inevitable.

Combat

Combat in Vultures is turnbased. Players and zombies take turns to perform actions. Players start off with a set number of action and movement points that can be upgraded throughout their adventure. Action points are spent to perform an action. Players can spend an action to attack, open or close a door, or use an item. Each action has a unique costs and players will need to manage these points effectively to survive.

Move points are used to move across the map. Each square of movement costs a movement point, and running out of points means you can no longer move. Zombies follow the same rules.

Review

Vultures: Scavengers of Death is the perfect game for those who like that 90’s horror game aesthetic, but also need more strategy games in their life. The game not only a good looking retro aesthetic, it is solid horror survival. If you are looking for a creepy horror game and don’t mind the amount of strategy, go pick up this game.

Aesthetic

What first drew me to Vultures: Scavengers of Death was the aesthetic. I am sucker for the retro vibe, and this game goes above and beyond to utilize it properly. This is not your typical nostalgia bait designed to drain the wallets of the aging player base that grew up with this aesthetic, instead it is a proper love letter to a genre that has defined a generation. The game has a world rich with detail and a terrifying atmosphere that almost made me quit the game. I have never been brave enough to play the Resident Evil games, so I appreciate that I was forced to play something as close as I will ever get to the franchise. The sounds, the monsters, the maps all work together to invoke the perfect amount of fear that make it perfect for any horror fan.

Story

Vultures has a solid story. The game combines two of my least favorite genres: horror and strategy, and yet, here I was on the struggle bus trying to complete the story. It has solid pacing, good mystery, and enough horror to make fans of the genre happy. I wouldn’t call this the scariest game I’ve ever played, but it does enough to get you in the mood.

Gameplay

The gameplay is where I am a little mixed. One hand, I am horrible at strategy games and even worse at horror survival. It took some trial and error before I got enough of a groove to bruit force my way through the game. This is a skill issue and those who are long time fans of either of the genres will have an easier time. For me, the game was a little impossible, and I would have given up on it if it weren’t for this review and the story. The game does require enough strategy to make it engaging, and the survival mechanics lend create a good amount of the game’s tension. It felt like I never had enough health items, but then again, I probably wasn’t playing the game right.

Performance

The game works pretty well, but I did hit a few game breaking bugs. I loaded outside of the map enough times to be worth a mention. I wouldn’t say the game is broken, but there is some noticible roughness that might force a restart or two. The game is being updated, and there seems to be enough love and passion behind this game that I am confident that this game will only get better.

Conclusion

I am not a hugest fan of the genre, but I appreciate the change of pace Vultures offered. Honestly, if you want a good survival horror game with solid strategy mechanics, this game should already be in your library. For less than $20 you get a fun and memorable game that is worth every penny.

That said, I wouldn’t get this game if you don’t like strategy games. As good as the story is, it isn’t enough to make you love the genre. As the worst strategy player in the world, I found a lot of the encounters frustrating and as a result, the mission tedious. This is a skill issue and eventually I was able to figure things out, but I wouldn’t have tried as hard if I didn’t have to. If you’re also bad at these games, I recommend you at least watch a playthrough because the game deserves your attention. For everyone else, Vultures is the horror game you’ve been looking for.

You can pick up Vultures: Scavengers of Death on Steam.

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video game reviews

Kitaria Fables: An Honest Review of the Cozy RPG

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Kitaria Fables 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 Kitaria Fables?

Kitaria fables is a cozy action RPG out now on Steam, GoG, Switch, and PlayStation. There is a Steam demo available, and it works great on the Steam Deck! If you ever wished your Zelda games had a little more farming, this might be the game for you.

Hook

Your grandfather has left you with his old farm and a bit of magic in a Kingdom that no longer wants magic. Armed with your sword, a bow, and a few magic spells you learn along the way you make your way through the deepest dungeons in search of treasure. Use your gifts to help those in need and don’t forget to do a little farming in between. In classic cozy game fashion, you will need to farm for more powerful items. What will this cozy adventure have in store for you?

Gameplay

Kitaria Fables is a simple hack and slash adventure game that encourages players to farm supplies and build their gear. Combat is very simple. Players will target a mob and spam their abilities. By default, players get a basic attack and sword ability and unlock magic abilities as they play the game. Abilities are on a cool down and use mana to cast. Mana is generated by hitting auto attacks. Players will learn patterns and beat down enemies to collect materials for loot or gold.

An arguably smaller part of this game is the farming mechanics. Players inherit a farm from their grandfather that they can use to cultivate ingredients for food. Food heals players but also grants them small buffs. In typical cozy game fashion, players can organize their plot of land however they want.

Review

As far as cozy games go, the game is fine but I found that after a couple of hours of play, I was done with it. The game is cute and runs well, but it gets representative to the point where it doesn’t seem worth it. The story isn’t anything special and I honestly already forgot what happens. You are special and powerful and will save the world, but who cares when nothing feels like it matters.

Aesthetic

The main draw for this game is the art. This an adorable game with with a cute world to explore. I love the character art! The animals are cute and the main character is even cuter. There is some clear bias because I am cat guy, but it was the cute cozy aesthetic that first drew me to the game. The game has very cool attack animations. The magic spells feel impactful and there is some creativity that went into the monster design, but that quickly falls flat as the game becomes more repetitive.

The Grind

The grind in the game isn’t soul crushing, but it is a little too steep for a cozy game. Crafting in this game seems neat at first until you start working towards unlocking more powerful items. I am not asking for the game to hand me my progression, but the balance needs to be adjusted. I don’t mind a repetitive grind, I have done more than my fair share, but it starts to feel like busy work. In games like Core Keeper or Gaucho and the Grassland, you can see your farm becoming nicer and feel your gear becoming stronger. Here, it just feels like they are just dragging out a short story. I can see the grind being worth it if you like the aesthetic, but it is really hard to recommend unless you get this game at a heavy discount.

Farming

The farming in this game is kind of pointless. While farming gives players access to useful buffs, the buffs are short and don’t feel very impactful. After doing the mandatory farming quest, I saw no real point to continue to build my farm except to break up the monotony of fighting monsters. What I like least about this system is how you have to keep switching your main item to do any task. Other games let you fill a bar you can switch between, but Kitaria Fables has you open up your inventory and equip each item. I somehow kept deleting my tools. While this is a skill issue, it took away from the cozy experience. I honestly wish the game just focused on the adventure side of the game, but I am also getting burnt out on cozy farming sims.

Combat

Combat in this game is fine. It is a basic hack and slash and that has its place in the world. I typically enjoy these types of games because it lets me sit back and relax without having to memorize a bunch of keybinds. The problem I have with combat is how quickly it becomes repetitive. Enemies in this game will respawn if you reenter an area. This means you are fighting the same enemies every time any time you want to go anywhere. You can easily skip these encounters, but it makes travel a chore. There is quick travel to help with some of this repetition, but it all starts to blend together after a couple of hours. I can’t remember an encounter that particularly stands out because the game increases difficulty by making enemies reflavored damage sponges. It isn’t the worst system I’ve seen, but why would I get this over Core Keeper?

Conclusion

Kitaria Fables is a cute cozy farm sim. If you can get this game at a heavy discount (like $4 or $5), sure, the game will be that fun. You’ve got cute character, and a decent enough loop to keep you busy. If you see it at full price, you can do better. The sequel is coming out and if they fix some of the issues with the first, I would just wait for that game instead. I didn’t find anything objectively bad with this game, it just didn’t have enough to it to stand out aside from the cute cat character. I didn’t hate playing this game, but I will forget ever playing it. But hey, at least its Steam Deck compatible.

You can pick up Kitaria Fables on Steam, GoG, Switch, and PlayStation.

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video game reviews

White Day: A Labyrinth Named School Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of White Day: A Labyrinth Named School to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

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

Whiteday_20170309102110

What is White Day: A Labyrinth Named School?

The classic Korean horror game is back by popolar demand. Roam the haunted halls of Yeondu High School as you avoid a killer janitor and try to escape a few supernatural horrors. Armed with only your wit and your vague memory of this new school, you will need survive the night and find your way out. Can you survive the night long enough to see White Day? Or will you be another dark spot in Yeondu High School’s even darker history?

Gameplay

Players take control of Hee-Min Lee as he finds himself trapped in school overnight. Players will need to solve puzzles, hide from ghosts and a killer janitor, and find clues about the school’s history. The game offers different difficulties from an easy mode for those who just want to enjoy the story, and a hard more for those who want something a lot more scary. Those who have played the game can enjoy a new character, a bit more story, and a new ending to keep things fresh. There are also some new visuals to bring the game to a more modern audience.

Review

I have mixed feelings about this game. On one hand, I love the story. This game has a fantastic atmosphere, solid pacing, and interesting lore. The puzzles in this game are interesting and provide a good amount of challenge. My issue is that I am still a huge coward when it comes to horror games, and this game knows how to keep my heart rate up. Whether it was the pesky AI that always knows where I am, or the jump scares that forced several needed breaks, I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was. If you are looking for a classic horror game that still feels a little dated, the story is good enough to play through at least once. If you aren’t a fan of old school games, there is some clunkiness to this game that makes it feel dated.

Aesthetic

I hate to admit it, but White day has a fantastic horror vibe. The game has a creepy sound track to get you in the mood, the school looks frightening, and the monsters are very well done. While I did have to take many breaks, I did force myself back because I wanted to see more of the story. The game does look a little dated for those used to modern day horror, but I appreciate the retro horror vibe and the story it tells.

Story

White Day has a solid horror story. It has some cool creative elements, but the running away and sneaking mechanics get in the way. I sort of wish I played on the easy difficulty because I don’t like stealth style games, but I powered through (somehow) because I liked the story enough. I still prefer The Bridge Curse 2, but I definitely would add this to your horror list.

Gameplay

I did not like the gameplay, but it could be a skill issue. The puzzles in this game are fun and creative. Some of the objectives are hard to see, and the times I got stuck was because I couldn’t see the object. I believe this is an age issue, but luckily there are guides available if you get stuck. I hated sneaking in this game. The Janitor seemed to always know where I was and sometimes he wouldn’t leave. This could be a skill issue, but it is really boring to have to sit in hiding as the AI just paces around, giving you no opportunity to progress through the story. People who are better at these style of games may have a better time with this game, but those who don’t like stealth games should look elsewhere for their horror. I think the dated feel of the games the stealth feel worse, but again, I don’t like Stealth games.

Conclusion

So why did I get this game if I don’t like stealth games? As much as I struggle to get through these games, I do enjoy a good horror story. White Day has a solid horror story with interesting lore and very fun flavor. The game has some solid horror elements that create the creepy atmosphere I want in a game like this. The problem with the game is that it does feel dated, and it does feel like the AI cheats to create the game’s tension. If you are good at stealth games, you might have a better time with this game, but I wouldn’t pay full price to play through this game. I would wait for a sale (like the one happening on Steam until May 16, 2026).

You can pick up White Day: A Labyrinth Named School on Steam.

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video game reviews

Panzer Knights Review: Tanks and Anime Girls Unite

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Panzer Knights 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 Panzer Knights?

Do you like World War II era tanks and cute anime girls? Panzer Knights combines these loves into one epic campaign through re-imagined history. Do you have what it takes to bring victory to your army?

Hook

Command a mighty panzer platoon of cute anime girls through iconic WW2 battles in an adventure you will never forget. Fight off squads of enemy tanks with your fleet of WW2 tanks and special ammo for every occasion. Can you withstand the pressures of tank warfare and bring victory and honor for the homaland, or will you be another heap of burning scrap metal on the side of the road? Grab your mice and keyboards and find out today!

Gameplay

Players take control of different tanks through iconic historical battles. Use different ammo types, positioning, smoke screen, and crew members to take the advantage. While there is some realism in design, combat leans a bit to the arcade side. Do not expect this to be a full on tank simulator like World of Tanks, but the game requires enough skill to demand its respect. In between missions, players can buy upgrades or recruit new crewmates and tanks. There is a story, but it is a short and manageable campaign for those who don’t want the commitment. Make sure to check out the DLC for additional tank types.

Review

Honestly, if you are looking for a tank sim but don’t want to put in the effort that comes with something more realistic, Panzer Knights is a solid choice. The game has fantastic art, a solid story, and decent combat mechanics. I am not a huge fan of those warfare sims, but I had a lot of fun with the arcade feel of this game.

Aesthetic

I’ll be honest, you put a cute anime girl in your game and it is going into my collection. I will admit I did my time with Azure Lane, and this was giving me a similar vibe (albiet less fan service). I commend the devs for their attention to detail in the tanks as well as the girls. The world and tanks look pretty accurate to my casual historian eyes (I actually do love learning about history). My only issue with the game is that the world does feel a little empty. I don’t like how the world just pops up around you as you move around the maps, and some of the maps are kind of ugly. I think there is just enough detail to apreciate the game for what it is, but don’t expect the realism you get from World of Tanks.

Story

The story for this game is fine. I don’t think it is anything I would rush to, especially because there are bits that feel generic, but it was good enough to fill the game. I just wish there was more. The game is very short. It is worth $20, but I wish there was more to do.

Combat

Combat is where the game wins me over. I am not a fan of the more realistic sims because of how much work they feel. Things like World of Warships or Tanks are fun, but having to adjust to the physics of warfare is a struggle I don’t want to sit through after a long day of work and being a dad. I enjoyed the lack of realism because movement doesn’t feel clunky and combat doesn’t feel so calculated. The game does offer some challenge by forcing players to think about positioning, shell type, and things like that, but to a more casual degree that I found very manageable. The enemy AI is a bit on the easy side, but I still had to try to get by.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a tank sim that is more on the casual side, Panzer Knight is a solid option. The anime girls a cure, the tanks are cool, but you gotta be okay with the world being a little ugly. I enjoyed my time with the game, but I would probably wait for a sale. As much fun as I had, tank sims aren’t really my thing. I don’t think I would have gotten as far as I did if I wasn’t writing this review. That said, if you like WWI era tanks, don’t mind the arcade approach to combat, and want to collect cute waifus, check out Panzer Knights on Steam.

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video game reviews

The Bridge Curse 2: An Honest Review of the Horror Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication 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 The Bridge Curse 2?

The Bridge Curse 2 is a first person survival horror game out now on Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch. The game is full of horror, jumps scares, and a couple different endings you can play towards. While the game is a sequel, this is a very stand alone story you can pick up without having played the first game.

Hook

Wen Hua University is infamous for its strange supernatural activity, particularly the events tied to the Da Ren building. The creepy lingering vibes and the building’s dark history make the ideal setting for the film clubs big project. During filming, the film club captures what appears to be a ghost siting. The video goes viral, bringing national attention to this sleepy mountain campus, specifically the attention of the young reporter, Sue Lian. Ms. Lian goes to the school hoping to break a story that will bring her some needed attention, but what she finds within these dark halls is more than just a ghost story.

Make your way through Da Ren’s dark and spooky corridors as you dodge terrifying ghosts, solve puzzles, and look for a way out. What will your investigation uncover? Can you find a way out of this nightmare?

Gameplay

Players take control of one four characters as they explore the haunted Da Ren building, looking for a way out. They use a magical lantern to look for clues, solve puzzles, and defend themselves from ghost attacks. Players can make the game scarier by visual warnings that show players danger. Players die if they get caught by the many monsters, but can leave this nightmare if they can piece together the mystery. There are multiple enemies for those who want to collect it all.

Review

I don’t know why I keep trying to play horror games when I know how hard it is for me to get through them. Part of me hopes that I will one day become desensitized enough to make it through these types of survivor horror games with the lights off. I do not have issues with horror movies and it is honestly my favorite genre, but something about having the control in my hand gives me a lot of anxiety. I had to take a few breaks as I played through this game because of how well the horror is done, but I kept coming back because I was enjoying the story. It may not be the perfect horror game, but it is a solid add to your collection if you enjoy the genre.

Aesthetic

The game has decent graphics. The world looks good, and the monsters are terrifying. There are some awkward moments of animation, but nothing that is game breaking. The music and sound is my favorite part because of how good it was at setting the mood. My only complaint is that there really isn’t a huge reason to explore, and the world seems to be a little too cluttered with small details that don’t add anything to the story. Overall, the game has a creepy atmosphere and I am here for it. Mostly.

Story

The story is fine for a horror. I like that is a standalone story because I never got to play the first one. I might build enough courage one day to go back, but I like that I wasn’t lost with the events of this sequel. The voice acting is a little spotty though. Some of the lines are delivered awkwardly and does take away from the immersion. I watch a lot of bad movies with bad acting for fun, and it could be a lot worse. I think they did good enough, and the story is interesting enough to power through. It has solid pacing, some good twists, and a good mystery. I got the bad ending because I suck at this game, but you should definitely go for both. If you need a solid horror game for the summer, The Bridge Curse 2 is a good place to start.

Gameplay

As far as horror games go, Bridge Curse 2 is fine. I really enjoyed the puzzles and how creative it got, but I had a lot of trouble getting through the monster bits. This is definitely a skill issue. The anxiety this game filled me with made it hard to do any of the stealth bits, but somehow I managed. The only issue I have with the game is how boring exploration can be because there isn’t much you can do outside the story bits, but I didn’t really want to wander too far anyways. The game performs very well and a good place to start if you are looking for solid horror.

Conclusion

I found this game harder than it needed to be because of how well the game created its horror. I am also a weenie who has a hard time with horror games. The game has a cool story full of neat lore and some unique mechanics. If you are looking for a horror game for your collection, go get your copy for your favorite console or pc. I might one day be brave enough to watch the first movie, but I’ll probably just watch the movie instead.

You can pick up The Bridge Curse 2 on Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch.

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