The Beta for the MOBA Shooter Second Wavehas been announced for PC and Xbox. The beta will run from October 6th to the 16th. Now I got to play an early version at GDC and got in for the Alpha and loved every second of it. Even though the versions I’ve tried were rough, they were enough to keep me excited for Second Wave’s release. I understand that it is too early to judge since we don’t have a finished product, but I see the potential.
Second Wave will be playable on PC, Xbox, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and IOS and Android devices. It is essentially Overwatch, but more anime-inspired. I just hope Second Wind isn’t as toxic as Overwatch has become. I loved playing support and can’t wait to hop back in and play some more. This game is fun, and worth trying if you enjoy the genre, so make sure you wishlist the game on Steam and join the Discord to stay on top of all the news.
If you’ve been enjoying these updates, don’t forget to like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends!
If you have been enjoying my content and want to support what I do make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends. You can also buy me a coffee
The Quadroids Demo is Steam, and I recommend you check it out if you are looking for a chill yet engaging puzzle game. This cute yet morbid pixel art puzzle platformer will test your ability to multi-task. Guide your Quadroids through a series of dangerous puzzles on your quest to conquer the galaxy. Quadroids are expendable, and you will lose a lot of them.
The demo is short, about 30 minutes long (depending on your ability to multi-task), and it does a fantastic job of easing players into the mechanics while creating a solid expectation for the full game. It is a little sad that the Quadroids are so cute because you will need to sacrifice them on your path to total domination. There will be solutions that will require you to sacrifice Quadriods to clear the puzzle. Don’t worry, you eventually grow numb to their deaths.
The gameplay loop is simple. Quadroids move automatically. The only command issued to Quadroids is jump. Puzzles are divided into four quadrants, and each quadrant has a unique button for the jump command. When the Quadroid is in the top left quadrant, it will only react to the top left trigger. The game has keyboard support, but I recommend using a gamepad because it feels more comfortable. What makes this game difficult is that you will often be controlling multiple Quadroids at once. You’ll want to coordinate multiple Quadroids through the puzzles to get the fastest times in the least amount of commands. If the puzzles prove too easy, you can always try completing the optional challenges.
I really enjoyed this game. The puzzles are fun, the music is great, and the art is cute. I am not the best when it comes to platformers, but the platforming and puzzles are manageable. This is a game you’ll want to pick up when you want to relax, but you either don’t have much free time or don’t want a game that requires a huge commitment. This might not be a game you play till completion, but I’ll need to check out the full version to know for sure.
Quadroidswill launch on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox soon, but no release date has been set yet. Until then, check out the demo on Steam.
If you have been enjoying my content and want to support what I do make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends. You can also buy me a coffee
I was sent Project Apidom as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions of the game. This will be my honest review.
Project Apidomis a 3 team MOBA for PC. Teams battle it out on an open map, fighting mobs and each other until only one team is left standing. Instead of unique characters like you see in traditional MOBAs League of Legends, everyone starts with the same generic frame with customizable armor. Armor and weapons affect the stats and abilities of the character. Players have the ability to customize characters to fit their playstyle. Players can also buy stats as they play like in traditional RPGs. Project Apidom is a unique take on the MOBA, but one that needs a lot of work before it can earn a recommendation.
The game is still in early access beta and clearly unfinished. It runs fine, but it feels empty and bare in its current stage. The biggest problem I had with Project Apidom is the matchmaking. I was never able to find a game. The matchmaking isn’t great, but I think the bigger issue is its small population. The community is steadily growing, but the growth is too slow for a game whose emphasis is on PvP. If you try this game, join with friends because playing alone isn’t fun. Make sure you join the official Discord to find people to play with and for information about events run by the devs.
As this game currently sits, I can’t recommend it. I found the gameplay boring, and there aren’t enough people to play with for it to be worth the trouble of booting it up. The game runs fine, but it’s empty and unimpressive. That said, I understand the experience might differ in a full game with real players.
If you are looking for a new MOBA game, you should look into something like Eternal Returninstead. The game has a similar concept, but it is finished and it is playable. But if you don’t mind the rough early access environment, it doesn’t hurt to try it for yourself. The community on their discord is growing daily, and the devs run tournaments from time to time. As of writing this review, you can get a free key if you type /givesteamkey in general chat on their Discord.
Project Apidom is a neat concept for a MOBA, but it isn’t finished, and it isn’t impressive yet. You can check it out on Steam.
The new trailer introduces the new character Serai, and she is bringing with her a whole new dimension to combat. She can portal around the battle field and back stab enemies! It honestly doesn’t get cooler than that. I love how creative the combat system is in Sea of Stars. This isn’t your traditional turn-based RPG, it is a lot more involved than that. I haven’t had this much fun with a demo in a while, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the full game.
I’ve been excited to play Sea of Stars for a while now. The game looks very good, and the demo is a lot of fun. I you haven’t tried the demo yet, I highly recommend you do so now. If you weren’t thinking about buying it before, you will after the demo. The demo is available for Xbox, Steam, PlayStation, and on the Nintendo Switch. Make sure you check out my impressions of the demo.
Sea of Stars launches on August 29th. I’m hoping to pick it up on the Switch day one, and will be back with the review as soon as I can.
I have been watching the Gamescom coverage a bit passively, but one title that has stood out and has gotten me excited is Tarisland. Tarislandis an MMORPG coming to PC and Mobile devices soon. No date has been announced yet, but there is a beta coming in November. I’ll be making an announcement as soon as I know more, but you can either sign up for updates on the official website or join the official Discord.
The art style looks heavily inspired by World of Warcraft, which I kind of like. The gameplay I’ve seen seems fine, but it is too early to tell if it will be any good. The game will feature seven classes: Ranger, Paladin, Warrior, Mage, Priest, Bard, and Barbarian Fighter. Each class offers two distinct styles styles of gameplay.
Barbarian Fighter
Mage
Priest
Paladin
There is some character customization, but it is limited to things like hair style and color. I would have preferred to play set characters like in Genshin Impact instead if the characters were cooler, but I think the goal is to allow customization through cosmetics. I can only hope the price tag for cosmetics isn’t too high because these characters will need cosmetics.
The game will have dungeons, raids, and pvp like in a traditional MMO, but it isn’t going to be pay to win according to the publishers. I will have to take them to task, but I appreciate the sentiment. The game will balance players through seasons where players will start at the same power level and will have the same opportunities as they level up. I assume there will be a battle pass, but they have said no power level will be tied to the cash shop so it might just be cosmetics.
I hope this game isn’t a terrible grind because what I’ve seen so far has me interested. I am always looking for an MMO to get into, and a game I can play anywhere is always a plus. I’ll probably roll a Bard or Priest because I love to support, but I’ve been enjoying the DPS life lately. I’ll be trying to get into this beta, and will be posting updates as I receive them. I just hope Tarisland can be the one that fills the void!
The new Pokémon Poltchageist was announced recently, and I didn’t feel too much excitement towards its design. I haven’t been the hugest fan of the recent designs, but playing the TCG has been slowly chipping away at my reservations. I am sure some of the nostalgia I hold dearly has been jading my opinions, so I’ve been trying to be a little more open. With The Teal Mask DLC coming out on September 13, I am giving Violet another try and have started a fresh play-through.
Pokémon has released a cinematic trailer for Poltchageist that has skewed my opinion to be a bit more favorable toward the haunted Tea Caddy. This short provides some chilling lore and fantastic flavor for a Pokémon I was ready to dismiss. Definitely check it out if you are planning to get the next expansion, or if you just want to see a cool Pokémon cinematic.
Terra Memoria is a cozy turn-based RPG coming to Steam, Xbox, PS5, and Switch. This cute RPG mixes a beautifully drawn 3D world with cute 2D pixel art characters and I am here for it. It definitely gives me some Octopath Traveller vibes, but Terra Memoria seems a bit more whimsical. Terra Memoria puts its emphasis on exploration and adventure as a group of friends travel across Terra in search of a solution for the crystal shortage. What makes this game unique is its building mechanic. Players can use this mechanic to create objects, solve puzzles, and create their own village. If is anything like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley, I’m never getting anything done.
If you are looking for a new RPG that might be a bit more on the casual side, you should give this a look. No release date has been set yet, but you can at least wishlist it on Steam.
I’m working on getting a review code for this, so stay tuned for the full review when it’s out. Until then, It might be time to finally start up Octopath Traveller II.
If you’ve been enjoying these updates, don’t forget to like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends!
I just saw the trailer for El Paso, Elsewhere, and I can’t help but feel excited. I’ve played the previous title, El Paso, Nightmare, and loved every minute of it. Make sure you check out my full review.
El Paso, Nightmareis a fun little Doom clone that you should pick up if you want something fun that isn’t a huge commitment. Battle against endless waves of monsters and demons as you make your way through a nightmare of a labyrinth. My only complaint is that it can feel a little repetitive, but it earns its $5 price tag.
El Paso Elsewhereis bringing a story to this delightful indie title, and I am here for it. The trailer gives off some fun Noir vibes, and the new bullet time mechanics look like a blast. It looks like Blade meets The Matrix, and that seems like a good time. If this game is anything like its predecessor, El Paso, Nowhere is going to be a fun quirky game with a fantastic soundtrack. I’ll be following its development closely and will do my best to play it as soon as it becomes available.
El Paso Elsewhere comes out sometime this fall on PC and Xbox. A demo is available on Steam if you want to try it first. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist, and make sure you try out El Paso, Nightmare while you’re at it!
If you have been enjoying my content and want to support what I do make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends. You can also buy me a coffee
I was sent Fort Solis as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions about the game. This will be my honest review.
Jack Leary is an engineer on Mars on the final days of his tour when he receives a distress signal from a nearby mining camp. What starts as a simple check-in quickly turns into the longest night of his life. There is something strange happening within the walls of Fort Solis. Can Jack survive long enough to find out what?
Fort Solis felt more like a visual novel or interactive fiction than a video game. Players have some freedom with their investigation of the base, but the experience is somewhat rail-roaded. There are some variations in the narrative based on the choices players make through the quick time events, but you’re essentially walking from checkpoint to checkpoint and collecting clues in between.
I had no issues with this style of narrative because it felt like I was watching a solid sci-fi series with no filler. The atmosphere is properly creepy, the music is fantastic, and the voice acting is phenomenal. The game may not be scary, but it does enough to keep the story engaging. Fort Solis does a fantastic job at creating a creepy isolated experience as you stumble through the darkness, piecing the mystery together. The mystery is fine, but I think I failed a bit too many quick time events to get the full story.
A lot of the narrative exists through dialogue and logs you find throughout the base. A lot of the game is tied to exploration, so keep that in mind when considering buying this title. The logs and clues were well implemented, making Fort Solis one of the few games where I went out of my way to collect as much of the story as I could because of how invested I became. I didn’t uncover everything sadly, but I was left with enough mystery for at least another playthrough.
There are multiple endings, and the endings are influenced by the choices players make throughout the game. It is easy to start passively enjoying the narrative and fail a quick time event. I recommend you stay alert if you want to avoid a bad ending. That said, the game is short enough where you can easily see other endings. If you do the bare minimum to get through the checkpoints, it should take players no more than 4 hours to clear the game. I took my time to get lost in the world because I was enjoying my time through the base. There is also a ending credit scene you should look out for.
I enjoyed Fort Solis. The game has a well-designed narrative, amazing voice actors, and a great sound track. This is a great game if you enjoy thrilling sci-fi and don’t mind interactive fiction. That said, I think $25 is a little too much for what you get. I recommend you pick it up when it goes on sale unless you can’t really can’t wait. This is a game you should at least play once for the unique experience it provides.
You can pick up Fort Solis for the PS5 ($29.99), Mac (39.99), PC via Steam and Epic Games (24.99). Steam and Epic Games currently have it on sale for $22.49 until August 29.
If you have been enjoying my content and want to support what I do make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends. You can also buy me a coffee
Signups for the Hellbreach: Vegas closed beta is now live. Head over to the official Steam page, and don’t forget to wishlist while you’re at it.
Fight off terrifying demons in this wave-based first-person shooter. The game is giving me Left 4 Dead vibes, and I am here for it. The combat looks a little stiff, but it is too early to know for sure. I do like the atmosphere they are trying to go for, but I understand it still needs some work. I’ve already signed up for the beta, and crossing my fingers that I get in.
The beta will be to test out the online multiplayer, but there will be a single-player demo made available during Gencon 2023 for those who can’t wait to play this game. The beta will be rough, but it will be a great opportunity to help make the game launch its best version. A date hasn’t been announced, but it doesn’t hurt to sign up when it’s free.
Hellbreach: Vagas will release sometime in Q4 2024 on PC. Till then, sign up for the beta!