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video game reviews

Unlock the Fun: Mosaica: Arboreal Puzzle Gameplay

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Mosaica: Arboreal 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. This game uses AI.

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!

What is Mosaica: Arboreal?

Mosaica: Arboreal is a Cookie Cliker like puzzle game out now on Steam. There is a demo available you can try.

Hook

Unwind after a hard day of work with a relaxing game of Mosaica. Unlock beautiful art as you click away at different mosaic puzzles. Collect powerful allies, items, and abilities that will help you unlock puzzles faster. Make sure you recycle any trash you find along the journey. With countless combinations, you are sure to find a combination that will fit your style. What are you waiting for?

Gameplay

Players are given a puzzle of an image that is split into several squares. The higher levels are split into more squares. You solve the puzzle by clicking on a square until it rotates to its proper space. That is the whole loop. Players can level up and unlock abilities and equip items that help them solve the puzzle faster. The images that players unlock can be equipped for useful bonuses. There is also a bag management component that kind of comes into play. This is meant to be a casual, cozy game played when you just want to sit back and relax and collect cute art (if you don’t mind it being edited AI art).

Review

If you are offended by AI art, don’t play Mosaica: Arboreal. The dev does a decent job at fixing up the pictures to look nice, but it still looks like AI. I would have preferred the game have commissioned art, but for what it is, I guess its fine. This is is a causal game that you throw on when you don’t want to get too invested, don’t want to think, and just want to sit back and relax. While there may be strategy somewhere in this game, you are just clicking squares and watching the flashing animations.

Story

There seems to be a story, but it isn’t important. It feels like AI wrote blurbs about saving the forces which are an attempt at adding flavor, but I stopped reading them early on. They don’t really add much to the game except attempt to make it thematic, but this game is fine without the attempt at a story. This is a game about clicking stuff after all.

Art

The art in this game is clearly AI generated, but edited by a human to give it that human touch. As a result, there is a bit of homogeneity that stems across all of the puzzles. There are puzzles in this game that are the same figure and pose with a recolor to match the season. Most people aren’t going to like the fact that this is AI, and that is a valid criticism. I personally think it makes the game feel generic. It lacks soul and a tangible flavor that would help the game stand out against the genre. It makes the game fine for the few minutes I’ll play it, but I will probably forget I ever played it. If you don’t mind the AI art, the game is a solid cozy respite for those who need it.

Gameplay

I think Mosaica attempts to fill a niche in gaming that is needed. The low effort feel of its development is its main detriment, but the need it fills is real. The game works fine and achieves what it is designed to do. If you are looking for a cozy game to unwind with that is low effort and no commitment, Mosiaca is that. Sure there is probably a solvable formula of combinations baked into the game, but I got through this game just fine clicking randomly at my screen and hoping for the best. There is something almost therapeutic about clicking away at these puzzles, but it is a therapy I can only muster once, for 30 minutes. I don’t think I will play this game again because there isn’t anything for me here, but I like that it is there if I ever need it.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a cozy mindless game and don’t mind the use of AI, get Mosaica: Arboreal. You’ll get at least the $5 of fun out of it. For everyone else, keep on looking.

You can pick up Mosaica: Arboreal on Steam. If you are looking for a more challenging puzzle and don’t mind a little horror, check out Bye Sweet Carole.

Trailer

video game reviews

Vultures: Scavengers of Death Demo Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Vultures: Scavengers of Death demo to review for my blog. I understand the game is not finished yet, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, this will be my honest impressions of the game.

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 is a tactical survival horror game with a retro vibe and frightening atmosphere. The game releases some time this year, but there is a demo available in the mean time. Don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

Blood thirsty mutants eat away at civilization. The world as we knew it has ended and replaced by a chaotic frenzy of survival. The cure to this madness is believed to be somewhere in the zombie infested boarders of Salento Valley. Two brave Vulture operatives must navigate its dangerous streets in the ultimate test of human survival. Armed with only the tools left behind from a crumbling civilization, the two are humanities only hope. Do they have what it takes to to save the world?

Gameplay

Take control of Leopoldo and Amber as you guide them through a city infested with blood thirsty mutants with limited supplies and weapons. Danger lurks around every corner. Can you survive long enough to find the cure?

Exploration

Exploration is turn based. Each character can move up to six spaces per turn outside of combat. Combat begins when they are spotted by an enemy. During exploration, players can collect clues, weapons, and other useful items. The game starts players with basic weapons, and encourages exploration by hiding useful supplies and more powerful weapons around the world. The trick is not getting overrun by mutants.

Combat

During a combat encounter, players can only move three spaces and have three action points to spend. Action points can be spent on using items, or attacking. Each action has a unique cost. Managing costs and supplies during a combat encounter is key to survival. You don’t have to kill everything in your way. Sometimes it is better to run and live to fight another day.

Impressions

I’ve become incredibly hyped for a strategy game that I am terrible at. Vultures: Scavengers of Death is one of my my most anticipated titles this year by a lot. This game has a fantastic atmosphere, great gameplay mechanics, and a solid story. If you like retro survival games like the original resident evil, Vultures needs to be on your watchlist.

Aesthetic

The game has that retro aesthetic that reminds me of the old school gaming I grew up with. But it does more than use this nostalgic design to look good, the devs go above and beyond to create an atmosphere that is genuinely terrifying. The world looks grungy and dark. Players are surrounded by death and destruction. The walls are splattered with blood. The dark corridors hide unknown dangers, and there is a terrifying soundscape that will keep you at the edge of your seat. Everything from the mutants that hunt you relentlessly to the anxiety of running out of supplies gives this low poly demo a memorable horror experience, and I need more!

Gameplay

I love turn-based dungeon crawlers, and Vultures brings a fun, refreshing twist to the genre with some solid horror survival mechanics. I just wish I was better at the game. The overwhelming forces of mutants and the limited supplies means you have to play this game a little different. I kept charging into rooms guns blazing only be humbled by a low level zombie. The combat in this game is solid. I don’t do well with horror games, but the turn-based system made the game a lot more manageable. I could take breaks when I got too freaked out without risking losing progress. Eventually, I managed to get through the demo, but I really wish I didn’t. It makes me mad that I have to wait for more content, but I’ll wait as long as I need to and let them cook.

Conclusion

If you are a fan of horror survival games, you should check out the Vultures: Scavengers of Death. Even if you don’t like strategy games, the way this game builds its horror is something you need to experience once. Vultures has a cool retro feel, a solid story hook, and good mechanics that will have you wanting more. The demo is fantastic, and I can’t wait to play the full game. Until then, it’s going right on my Wishlist.

You can check out the Vultures: Scavengers of Death demo on Steam.

Trailer

Universus

Universus: King of Fighters Challenger Deck – Team Rival List

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Intro

Universus TCG has released its King of Fighter’s Challenger Series Decks on January 30, 2026. There are two challenger decks: Team Hero and Team Rival. Both decks come with 60 cards and a special foil booster pack to bling up your deck. This is the Team Rival Deck list. You can pick up the Team Rival Challenger deck at your LGS, or through TCG Player using my affiliate link. I also have the Team Hero challenger deck list up.

Table of Contents

The List

Champions

  • Isla, Dreaming Brilliance
  • Dolores, Hidden Wisdom
  • Heidern, Hard-boiled Assasin

Foil Cards

  • Assault Saber x 2
  • Hadir x 2
  • Heidern End x 2
  • Nesh x 2
  • Scribe x 2
  • Wild Style x 2

Non-Foil

  • Team Rival XV x 3
  • Fill-In x 4
  • Hilzuni x 3
  • Storm Bringer x 3
  • Amanda’s Help x 4
  • Drips x 4
  • Graffiti Artist x 4
  • Hidden Motives x 4
  • Holly Soil x 4
  • Investigating Verse x 4
  • Ready to Sortie x 4
  • Revered Hermit x 4
  • Unit Commander x 3

Visual List

Champions

Isla, Dreaming Brilliance
Dolores, Hidden Wisdom
Heidern, Hard-boiled Assassin

Foil Cards

Assault Saber x 2
Nesh x 2
Hadir x 2
Scribe x 2
Heidern End x 2
Wild Style x 2

Non-Foil

Team Rival XV x 3
Storm Bringer x 3
Graffiti Artist x 4
Investigating Verse x 4
Unit Commander x 3
Fill-In x 4
Amanda’s Help x 4
Hidden Motives x 4
Ready to Sortie x 4
Hilzuni x 3
Drips x 4
Holly Soil x 4
Revered Hermit x 4
video game reviews

Exploring the Features of Redragon Wyvern K761: Comfort and Performance

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Disclaimer

Redragon sent me the Wyvern K761 Pro 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 Galatin Pro K719 and Antonium K745 Pro mechanical keyboards. I’ll be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before buying anything.

Table of contents

Unboxing

What’s in the box?

Features

The Redragon Wyvern K761 is a full sized keyboard with the features all gamers need at a price no one else can beat. If you are looking for a reasonable upgrade that looks good and will elevate your game, the Wuvern K761 might be what you’re looking for.

Aesthetic

The Wyvern K761 Pro comes in two colors: Jade Cloud and Abysal Blue. I got mine in Jade Cloud, but the choice depends on what fits your aesthetic better.

Both colors feature the customizable LED screen and a knob for onboard media/volume controls. The round pbt give the keyboard its unique look, while supplying users with a comfortable typing experience. The linear Mint Mambo switches make typing soft, but give it that satisfying thacky sound you want in a mechanical keyboard. Each key is lit with a customizatble RGB that shines through the keycaps for a bit of added flair. The keycaps and switches are easily swappable if you ever decide to change up your aesthetic.

Comfort

The Wyvern Pro has a five layer gasket design that provides enough noise dampening to keep that sweet typing ASMR at a respectable volume. Loud enough for you to enjoy, quite enough for the house to sleep. The adjustable kickstands give users the option to find the ideal typing angle, although the default should be good enough for most users. The round PBT give the keyboard its soft and satisfying feel, and the mint mambo switches give it its comfort.

Gimmicks

The Wyvern Pro features a customizable LED screen. It displays useful information like battery life, date, and time, but can also be customized to feature one of your favorite gifs. This can be easily customized through the official software found on the product page. The keyboard also has a useful dial for volume and media controls.

Utility

This budget mechanical keyboard has a respectable amount of utility. Each of the 104 keys can be rebound or reprogrammed with useful macros through the official software. The software can also change up the RGB for some added customization. The fast/low latency wireless connections make it ideal for the gamer who wants to reduce that wire clutter, and the respectable 4000 mAh battery keeps that wire away unless you really need it. Users can switch between connections easily with the the onboard switch, and there is a mac switch for those who need it. The K761 bundles a lot of value in a very affordable package.

Sound Test

Review

The Wyvern K761 gives a very respectable performance at an unbeatable price. If you are looking for a full sized keyboard that will handle most workloads, you can count on the K761.

Quality

I was a little disappointed at first. My mailman played soccer with the box, leaving it mangled and its contents out of place. All of the contents spilled out when I did my opening, and I was worried they keyboard wasn’t going to work. At this price point, they tend to break with the slightest pressure. The keyboard and the contents looked fine. The keyboard is well machined, although cheap feeling and plasticky and the extra switches although scattered, work. After a week of using the keyboard, I can attest that the quality is solid. Everything works despite the lack of care for my postman.

Aesthetic

I got the keyboard in Jade Cloud because I like the fun mint green color scheme. In person, the colors are good, but the font is a little hard to read with my dyslexia. It isn’t a huge problem, but the font looks cheap with the lights off. With the lights on, the keyboard looks a lot cooler, but there are some letters that look strange. For $75 tho, they look fine and will look cool against any setup. You can always upgrade them down the line if you really want to.

Comfort

I was not expecting the Wyvern Pro to be as comfortable as it is. It took no time to get used to this keyboard, and I could use it all day without issue. The rounded keycaps give the keyboard a satisfying and comfortable feel. The mint mambo switches are very soft and they give off the perfect typing ASMR. I love how this keyboard sounds, but it is a little loud. I had to be careful or else I would wake up the baby in the other room. However, if you are looking for a keyboard with that sweet thacky goodness, the Wyvern K761 is perfection!

Performance

I am always worried when testing these cheaper keyboards because there is always a chance they come defective. I’ve gotten my share of defective ones. The K761 had no issues out of the box, nor did it show signs of failing. I was able to do some meaningful raids and dailies in my MMO grind without issue, and it handled my day to day just the same. The battery is incredible! I got about 30 hours on a single charge, and that is with all the lights on.

Gimmick

The more keyboards I get with LED screens, the more I appreciate them. I like being able to see how much battery I have left on a charge, but other than that, its useless. Setting up the GIF is easy, and it adds a little flare to your setup. I usually forget about the GIF after setting it, but its nice if you like to theme your aesthetic. The volume dial is fantastic. It has a smooth and responsive glide, and it lets me pause my media (even if its in the background).

Conclusion

If you only have $70 to upgrade your setup, the Wyvern K761 will get the job done. This is a good looking mechanical keyboard with enough utility packed into a respectable package. You can buy a more impressive looking keyboard at this price point, but you will be losing out on the comfort and performance. I definitely recommend it.

You can pick up the WYvern K761 on the official Redragon store, or through Amazon using my Affiliate link.

Universus

King of Fighters Challenger Decks: Team Hero Deck List

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Universus TCG has released its King of Fighter’s Challenger Series Decks on January 30, 2026. There are two challenger decks: Team Hero and Team Rival. Both decks come with 60 cards and a special foil booster pack to bling up your deck. This is the Team Hero Deck list. You can pick up the Team Hero Challenger deck at your LGS, or through TCG Player using my affiliate link.

Table of Contents

The List

Champions

  • Shun’ei Amped-up Illusionist
  • Meitenkun, Sleeping Prodigy
  • Benimaru, Shooting Star

Foil Cards

  • Upward Rai-Kou Ken x 2
  • Scarlet Phantom x 2
  • Sen-Siss Hou x 2
  • Benimaru Collider x 2
  • Chou Geki Hou x 2
  • Phantom Singulation x 2

Non-Foil

  • Team Hero XV x 3
  • Flying Drill x 3
  • Ground Hammer x 4
  • Makura Nage x 3
  • Gallant Figure x 4
  • Sleepyhead x 4
  • Students of Tung-Fu Rue x 3
  • Substitute Member x 4
  • Thanks a Million! x 4
  • Thruster Vision: Back x 4
  • Thruster Vision: Front x 4
  • Thruster Vision: Under x 4
  • Wide Awake x 4

Champion (Visual)

Shun’ei Amped-up Illusionist
Meitenkun, Sleeping Prodigy
Benimaru, Shooting Star

Foil Cards (Visual)

Upward Rai-Kou Ken x 2
Benimaru Collider x 2
Scarlet Phantom x 2
Chou Geki Hou x 2
Sen-Siss Hou x2
Phantom Singulation x 2

Non-Foil (Visual)

Team Hero XV x 3
Makura Nage x 3
Students of Tung-Fu Rue x 3
Thruster Vision: Back x 4
Flying Drill x 3
Makura Nage x 3
Substitute Member x 4
Thruster Vision: Front x 4
Flying Drill x 3
Sleepyhead x 4
Thanks a Million! x 4
Thruster Vision: Under x 4
video game reviews

Dark Quest: Remastered Review – A Nostalgic Dungeon Crawler

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Dark Quest remastered edition 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 Dark Quest?

The classic dungeon crawler, Dark Quest, just got a well deserved remaster. This classic has been adapted for a modern audience with updated graphics, art, systems, and a new shiny engine to make it run smoothly. Owners of the original Dark Quest on Steam and enjoy the remaster edition as a free upgrade.

Hook

An evil sorcerer builds a dungeon deep beneath the village of Darkwood. Its evil leaks onto the surface, spreading death and despair to the neighboring villages. A small band of heroes dares to brave the darkest depths of these dungeons and bring an end to the end of terror. Do these three brave heroes have what it takes to take down the evil sorcerer and his dark army, or will his darkness consume the planet?

Gameplay

This is a very classic feeling dungeon crawler. Players control a party of three unique heroes: Wizard, Dwarf, and Barbarian. Players explore each floor of the dungeon in a turn-based system similar to a board game. During a turn, a character can move, attack, loot, or use an item. Players explore the floor until they complete the objective, or all characters die. Dying takes a player back into town where they can prep for the next delve.

Exploration

Dark Quest is a grid based dungeon crawler. A character’s speed determines how far across the grid a character can move per turn. A character’s speed can be increased with items they buy from town. Dungeons in Dark Quest are hidden behind a fog of war. The fog of war limits a character’s movement. War Fog is lifted as players explore the dungeon.

Dice of Fate

Occasionally, the evil sorcerer will roll the dice of fate against a character. This roll can either deal damage to a character or heal them. This RNG is a gamble that will either save or ruin a run.

Combat

Combat in this game is simple. If a character is in range with an enemy, they can attack. Attacks can miss, and there are death saves. Players can buy items in town that can help skew the numbers in their favor.

Town

Between delves, players can use the gold the earn from the dungeon to buy useful items like potions, weapons, and gear. Money earned during a run is carried out, even if the party wipes. Being strategic with the purchases is key for success.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

The game works great on the Steam Deck, but I would expect it to. The low-poli simple style of the game is ideal for handheld, although there are a few quirks that make the game annoying. I often would lose the mouse over when trying to move a character, and it was annoying to get it back so I could move my character. Otherwise, the game is a solid, chill experience on the Steam Deck.

Review

If you are fan of classic dungeon crawlers, or want the experience of playing a dungeon crawler on Roll20 without a dungeon master, Dark Quest has its appeal. The problem I have with this game is that even as a remaster, the game feels dated. Why would you play this over Dark Quest 4?

Aesthetic

I like the simple UI and concept of the game. The sprites look very cool and I appreciate the fantasy vibe the game successfully captures. You are either going to love the old school feel of this game, or hate it. I would look at the trailer and go from there.

Gameplay

The game is fine if you are looking for a laid back dungeon crawler that is simple and doesn’t demand much resources. It is a very chill game that is easy to master, but one that has a bit of a slow grind. At least it feels slow compared to later installments of the game. I think this was made for those enjoy the nostalgia of this type of dungeon crawler. It feels like playing a board game, but there are a few quirks that make it a little annoying to play. I enjoyed my time with it, and definitely got $5 of fun of it, but it is hard to recommend it over one of the later installments.

Conclusion

Dark Quest is a decent remaster. The game has cool art and solid gameplay. If you are a fan of the old school style dungeon crawlers, you’ll get your fun, but I still recommend you start with Dark Quest 4. Dark Quest 4 improves on so many of the issues I have with this game, and is definitely worth getting into if you haven’t.

You can pick up Dark Quest: Remastered on Switch, Xbox, PlayStation and Steam.

Trailer

video game reviews

Exploring Odds Chronicles Demo: Gameplay & Combat

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of the Odds Chronicle demo to review for my blog. The game is not finished yet, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, this will be my honest impression of the demo.

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 Odds Chronicles

Odds Chronicles is a tactical roguelike RPG coming to Steam sometime this year. Make sure you check out the demo, and don’t forget to add the game to your wishlist!

Hook

Evryn was once a great warrior, and a royal guard to the king. Evil forces drove their way into the city, killing the king and Evryn. That tyrant remains, spreading his evil influence across the land. Feeling the deepest sense of regret, Evryn wakes again, but not in her own world, or even her own time. Evryn finds herself resurrected in the tavern outside of time, with a chance at redemption and revenge.

Travel back to the land you once failed, and use your abilities to fight back the tyrants evil forced. Along your journey, you will meet new allies to fight with, abilities to use, and people to save. Will the dice be in your favor? Can you put an end to the tyrant’s evil reign?

Gameplay

Odds Chronicles features the traditional roguelike structure, but with a unique board game-like feel to set it apart. Players start a run with a basic set of abilities, and earn more powerful ones as they progress through the map. Maps are split into different nodes that feature events, plot, shops, and encounters. Players can choose the path, but the demo has limited paths to the same outcome. A run is over when the player character’s health hits zero.

Combat

Players cast abilities by spending dice rolls. Dice are rolled at the start of each combat round. Any dice that isn’t spent on an ability is used to fill up the wild dice meter. When the wild dice meter fills, players get a wild dice to spend on any ability, even if it has been expended. Each ability has a set number of charges. Once those charges are used up, they can no longer be cast. Learning when and how to spend your dice pool is key for success.

Example: An attack has 2 charges and deals 5 damage. The player rolls a 2 attack and deals 7 damage. Suppose the player rolls no other attack dice but rolls a wild dice. They can spend the wild dice to deal damage, or use it to cast abilities different resources (magic and agility).

Dice

There are four forms of resources a player can roll each round: attack, magic, agility, and wild. Wild dice only become accessible when a player fills the wild dice meter, but they can be used to cast any kind of ability. All abilities have a casting cost that pulls from a particular resource type or group of types.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

The Odds Chronicles demo works great on the Steam Deck. There is some awkward clunkiness like when it would randomly not let me cast abilities, but nothing that makes the game unplayable. There is touch screen support, but it is a little clunky. It feels better to use the controller, but it is nice to have access to touch controls when the game stops working. My only complaint is that some of the elements do look a little small, but I am old and it feels like a personal problem.

Review

2026 is looking like it is going to be an amazing year for roguelike. I am very satisfied with the amount of unique roguelikes that have passed through my desk, and can’t wait for a few upcoming releases. Odds Chronicles is easily one of these titles. If you like board games, and aren’t afraid of a little strategy, Odds Chronicles should be in your watchlist. This game looks good, and the demo is really solid.

Aesthetics

Odds Chronicles feels like a board game I get to play on my computer, and I am a huge fan of that vibe. The characters look like cool sculpted minis I wouldn’t mind trying to paint (and ruin). The maps are small and contained, but with enough obstacles to keep things interesting. This game proves that you don’t need huge maps to create interesting encounters. The soundtrack is also pretty solid, and I can’t wait to see what else the world of Odds Chronicles has to offer.

Combat

There is some clunkiness that springs up here and there on both PC and on the Steam Deck, but the game is still in development. None of the bugs are game breaking, and the demo is smooth enough to paint a full picture.

The game plays like a tabletop wargame, but one that I am actually good at. The dice rolls give me that sweet hit of dopamine, especially when all the rolls like up perfectly for an epic epic round. The combat system is unique and a refreshing take on the genre. The few abilities available in this demo are cool and flavorful. It does feel like the demo is solvable. You will learn pretty quickly what abilities to pick up and focus on, but the game isn’t finished yet. The devs are hard at work at balancing the game, but it is good enough for the demo.

Conclusion

If you enjoy wargaming or are looking for a different kind of roguelike, check out the Odds Chronicles demo. It is an excellent demo that properly showcases what is potentially going to be my favorite game of the year. The demo looks good, plays great, and you can run on the Steam Deck!

You can download the Odds Chronicles demo on Steam. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist! If you are looking for other unique roguelikes, check out Talystro or my current personal favorite, Anthem#9.

Trailer

video game reviews

Why Anthem#9 is the Must-Play Game of 2026

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Anthem#9 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 Anthem#9?

Anthem#9 is a stylish, colorful gem matching roguelike out now on Steam. There is a demo available that you should download, and a 10% discount until February 18, 2026.

Hook

You are an agent of the secret organization, Anthem#9. You have been tasked with maintaining the world order from the shadows. Use your special abilities to take down enemies, complete missions, and achieve the highest score possible. Can you pull off the epic combos that will save the world? Do you have what it takes to beat the challenge modes or be the worlds best gem matcher? You’ll need to play to find out.

Roguelike

Players will set off on a classic roguelike adventure with a basic set of skills. The game currently has three playable characters:Rubit, Phannie, and Beni. Each character has unique abilities, playstyles, and flavor. Players can unlock more powerful abilities throughout their adventure, or upgrade existing cards. Players can play through the story, or explore one of the endless modes. A run in Anthem#9 is over when the player’s health drops to zero.

Combat

Combat in Anthem#9 seems simple, but there are a bit of nuances that give the game its depth. Players are given two decks, each with three abilities they can cast. These abilities can be swapped between encounters or at shops. Each ability has a gem cost. Players cast the abilities by playing the gem cost. Gems are randomly generated each round, and gems that aren’t used carry over.

For example, the cost an ability is red and blue, players must pay on red and blue gem in that order to cast the ability. Gems used for casting carry over. Players can use the same gem to cast two different spells. This means I could play a card that starts with blue without having to spend another blue gem.

The key is to create combos of abilities by blending the different card costs into a powerful epic attack. If done correctly, an enemies abilities can be cancelled by getting high enough combos. The trick is to create decks that make it easy to pull of huge combos that not only do a lot of damage, but are able to cancel enemy actions.

Blessings

Players also pick up blessings along their adventure. Blessings are cards that can be cast at the start of each round that give players special abilities. Once a blessing is used, it gets discarded. You can deck out during combat, so use your blessings wisely. Players can choose from three random blessings at the end of combat to build more powerful decks.

Review

I knew I wanted to play Anthem#9 since I first saw the trailer. The game has very cool art, and I am always down to play puzzle games. I tried the alpha when it came out and have been waiting anxiously ever since. After playing the game for a few hours, I can honestly say that this game has become my obsession. I love Anthem#9, and I can see it being one of my favorite games this year.

Aesthetics

Most people will be drawn into Athem#9 for its artstyle. The art is the reason I started playing the game in the first place. The game has a cool Persona vibe that I can get behind. It has cool looking characters, fun animations, and a fantastic soundtrack. If you like the cool anime aesthetic, you won’t be disappointed. I hope they come out with new characters to give the game some longevity.

Story

The game has a story, but it is a little basic. None of it really stood out, and it didn’t really add much to the characters. There are some interesting moments of flavor, but I am not playing this game for the story. I am playing this game for the gem matching goodness I didn’t know I needed.

Steam Deck?

Anthem#9 game plays perfectly on the Steam Deck. Some of the text is a little small, but it doesn’t matter. It plays great on PC, but I love that I can play this in bed. If you are looking for a chill Steam Deck game, you will be hard pressed to find one better than Anthem#9.

Gameplay

The Gameplay is my favorite aspect of Anthem#9. This game is my new addiction, and it has successfully earned a permanent spot on my Steam Deck. I never thought a gem matching game could be so much fun, but here I am, obsessed. The animations are flashy and fun, the abilities are cool and flavorful, and the strategy side of things keeps me engaged. I love the feeling of finally finding the right assortment of blessing and abilities that let me pull of those insane combos. It feels even better when I cancel all of the enemy abilities. My only regret is that I am not playing Anthem#9 right now. In fact, I almost didn’t write this review because I wanted to keep playing.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fun, chill puzzle game with cool art and flavor, you need to play Anthem#9. I had a lot of fun with this game, and plan to continue to have fun with it moving forward. It is definately the game I am picking up on my down time, and it is the game I will be recommending to everyone moving forward. I really hope that the devs introduce new characters in the future because I want to see what cool mechanics they come up with. Until then, there is enough content available for you to have $15 of fun.

You can pick up Anthem#9 on Steam, or check out the demo if you don’t believe me.

video game reviews

Rainbow Legends: A Unique Deckbuilding Roguelike Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Rainbow Legends demo to review for my blog. I understand the game isn’t finished yet, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, 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 Rainbow Legends?

Rainbow Legends is a unique take on the deckbuilding roguelike where the goal is to use your deck to cover the whole board with your color. There is a demo available on Steam. Make sure you check it out, and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

You a powerful hero on an adventure of your choosing. Use your abilities to capture more of the territory to defeat your enemies. Build powerful decks, protect your structures, and find some valuable relics along the way. Will RNGesus bless your adventure with good fortune and powerful cards, or will you end up another fallen adventurer in this godforsaken world? Pull up and find out.

Gameplay

Aside from its unique territory mechanics, Rainbow Legends is your tipical deck building roguelike. Players will choose from one of the mighty heroes (the demo only has the mage as a playable character). Players start with a basic deck that they power up through the course of the adventure. They can find more powerful cards through encounters and combat, or buy them in the shops. There are also events that allow players to level up and customize their cards. The game does a good job at giving players a certain level of freedom to build a deck to fit their playstyle while the RNG keeps playthroughs fresh and exciting.

Combat

Combat in Rainbow Legends is unique. Instead of the regular back and forth style seen in traditional deckbuilders, Rainbow Legends has players fighting over territory of a map. To deal damage in this game, players must own more territory than the their opponent by the end of each round. The game is over when either the player or NPC’s health hits zero.

To claim territories, players must cast abilities using their mana. Mana is fixed, but the capacity can be increased through cards or powerups. Cards cast can give players buffs, summon buildings that give players access to useful resources, or take over/buff territory. Enemy attacks are telegraphed. Players must play around these attacks while maximizing their territory gains.

Imprssions

The demo is a little broken and there are clear signs that the game isn’t finished. That said, the core mechanics of the game work well enough to make Rainbow Legends a serviceable demo. Players will get a solid sense of a roguelike that is honestly a little addicting if you can ignore some of the general roughness. If you are looking for a deckbuilder that feels different and is fun, Rainbow Legends is a solid game to keep on your radar.

Aesthetic

I love the pixel art style of Rainbow Legends. The game’s simple style makes it perfect for running on most computers, but with cool enough art to make the game interesting to look at. It has characters with cool designs, and some very creative abilities. The demo does have some missing elements and a few poorly translated, or not translated sections. This made it hard to understand a few of the mechanics because either I had to translate the text into English, or guess because the text was missing. There have been some updates to the game since I’ve played it, and hopefully this gets patched on full release.

Roguelike

Most roguelikes have players travel across nodes on a map as they work their way to a final boss. All paths lead to the same final boss, but the choice is up to the player. Rainbow Legends does things a little differently. Instead of traveling across nodes, players can travel across an open map. Players don’t lose options after choosing an encounter, and can return or choose the order of their adventure. I like that I can save the camps and shops till the end before the boss fight. It is a unique twist on the roguelike formula, and one that adds a bit of depth to the game.

Combat

Combat was a little strange at first because the tutorial is a little awkward and some important information is missing or not translated correctly. Once I got the gist of things through trial and error, the game became an addiction. While the concept is simple (you are just playing shapes on a grid), there is a lot of strategy involved. The choices a player in both the overworld exploration and combat prowess shape a successful run. RNG may ruin a few runs, but it never felt like it did any of mine.

I love that it always felt like I was doing something in combat, instead of waiting for the back and forth. Combat felt like a creative puzzle I was trying to solve, and the RNG made the puzzle more interesting. Choices like when to expand my territory, build structures, or use an ability weighed heavily on my soul. I became too invested in trying to solve these puzzles that I lost track of time. This game is a lot of fun.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a new deckbuilding roguelike/strategy to add to your collection, Rainbow Legends should be in your Wishlist. Rainbow Legends is the most interesting spin on the genre that I have seen since Talystro. Definitely check that out if you want a little math in your roguelikes.

That said, the Rainbow Legends demo is a little broken. I didn’t experience any gamebreaking bugs, but there are elements that are missing, and a few translation issues that are hard to ignore. I was able to play through regardless, but it does feel like I am missing out on a few important mechanics and nuances. I still think the demo is worth trying, especially if you if you enjoy puzzle games. I’ll be around for a full release, and will let you know what I think about it then. Make sure you follow along for more reviews.

You can check out the Rainbow Legends demo on Steam.

video game reviews

Echoes of Elysium: A Unique Take on Survival RPGs in Early Access

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Echoes of Elysium to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This game is still in Early Access, so I will try to be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest impressions.

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 Echoes of Elysium?

Echoes of Elysium is a high flying, co-op survival RPG out now on Steam Early Access.

Hook

Take to the skies with up to five friends in a colorful adventure you won’t forget. Gather supplies to build the the airship that will take you across this scattered and abandoned lands. But the skies aren’t empty. The Heron faction hunts you down, but you can build the weapons to fight back. Explore the broken remains of a lost civilization or take to the skies in your powerful glider. What secrets will you uncover? Can you build a powerful airship and master the skies?

Gameplay

Echoes of Elysium early access offers players a small map to explore and mine. Like most survival games, players will start at zero. They collect resources and use them to build the tools and upgrades for their ships. What sets Echoes of Elysium apart from other games in the genre is the flying mechanics. Unlike other survival games that allow players to build a base, players are encouraged to build and customize an airship. Instead of moving over flat land, players are encouraged to fly across the map in both their unique airship, and their jetpack. There is a co-op mode (with some public servers to join if you don’t have any friends) but I play solo. Mostly because I don’t have any friends, but I do enjoy playing survival games at my own pace.

Floating Islands

The world of Elysium is made up of floating islands and boulders that are scattered across a sky. Players use their jetpack and ship to fly between these lands to collect their resources, and uncover their secrets. Early Access provides a good amount of room to explore, but you will hit the end after a while.

Impressions

Echoes of Elysium is rough, but it is playable. There are a lot of bugs and a bit of jankiness, but it is playable. You can do a lot worse for a lot more money. The main selling point for this game is the flying and airship mechanics. It does take some getting used to, and I ask you stick with it until the mechanics start to click. I was about ready to write this game off, but I am glad I stuck with it. It needs a lot more work, but I believe you will get $19 of fun out of it.

Art

The game looks fantastic. There are some sunsets in this game that had me frozen in admiration. I am a big fan of the tech design and archecture. Echoes of Elysium has the bones of a cool looking world I want to explore, I just wish there was more.

World

One of my issues with the game is how empty the world feels, especially in the early stages. Most survival games start off slow, but players have a large map to explore. The map for early access does have a good amount of exploration available, but it feels too spread out and it makes things feel empty. Before you can afford the upgrades that make the airship fly faster, the gathering feels like a chore. I prefer the chill early game of the traditional survival RPG, but it does get better. Once I mastered flying and got my upgrades, things got a bit more tolerable.

Flying

Players are either going to love flying or hate it. I was not a fan at first, but I quickly learned it was a skill issue. Once I learned how to fly properly, the game got a lot more fun. It felt so cool to zoom across from rock to rock or across one of the larger islands. It is a nice change of pace from those slower survival games, but there are times where I just want to walk and chop trees. Flying on the airship is a little more strait forward. This part still feels a little clunky, but I can see the potential.

The Airship

I am not a fan of the Airship. Flying the airship is fine, but I am not creative enough to build one. Building out the Airship feels very limiting, and it makes crafting a little cumbersome. This is honestly a matter of tastes. I have never been very creative when it comes to housing, and often go for simple functional designs. That said, if you’ve always wanted to build a flying fortress to explore the skies, the game does it well enough in this stage of development.

Crafting

Crafting in this game is fine, but a bit of a grind in the beginning. Once I got my ship upgraded and could get to my first large island, it got better. I don’t think the grind is worse than other game in the genre, but if you don’t like flying around or the Airship, it’s going to be a bad time.

Conclusion

Echoes of Elysium has a solid foundation to make for an interesting survival RPG. Unfortunately, the game is a bit of an acquired taste. You have to really love the airship concept otherwise you are going to have a bad time. Personally, I have to be in the mood for something like this. Sometimes I just want to chill and play something more traditional like Pathless Woods.

However, if you’ve always wanted to be a captain of your very own airship, Echoes Elysium should at least be in on wishlist. Just know that in its current state, you are paying to test, support, and help build a game with a good amount of potential. You will need to be okay with dealing with a rough and buggy game that still needs time to cook.

You can pick up Echoes of Elysium on Steam Early Access.