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video game reviews

Best Served Cold: A Unique Visual Mystery with a Twist

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Best Served Cold 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Best Served Cold?

Best Served Cold is a detective mystery novel out now on Steam.

You are a skilled barkeep in one of the city’s illegal speakeasy’s. There is a general danger around your line of work during prohibition. One that is amplified by the pretense of a serial killer. Someone is hunting down patrons of these establishments, and the race is on to find out who. You have been contracted to help in this investigation. Use your position, charm, and skill as a barkeep to interrogate the patrons and find leads. What mysteries will your investigation uncover? Can you find the killer before its too late?

Gameplay

The loop in Best Served Cold is an interesting twist on the genre. Players will talk to patrons during their shift, and try to find the right combination of answers and questions to unlock the appropriate clues. The twist are the mechanics tied to the bartender position. Players will have to figure out the perfect drink to serve each patron, and mix it perfectly. The mixing mini game is simple. Players trace a pattern thematic to the drink before time runs out. Choosing the perfect drink and making it perfect makes the clients more inclined to talk. There are questions in this game that will only get answers if the customer is drunk enough. This is such a flavorful mechanic, and one that adds a bit of strategy to break up all the reading. Not the reading is bad by any means.

Review

If you are looking for something new to play, check out Best Served Cold. Best Served Cold is a well written visual novel with fantastic characters and a solid mystery. People who read a lot of the genre can figure out the mystery, but it is still worth the read. I had a lot of fun meeting each unique character, figuring out their favorite drink, and the mixing minigame was relaxing. The game also has a fantastic sound track for an unmatched cozy vibe.

My only complaint is that the game is unplayable on the Steam Deck. I might have been doing something wrong, but I couldn’t get the pin-up board to work. Trying to connect everything with yarn felt like more work than it was worth, at least the few times I actually got it work. This isn’t a deal breaker because it works great on PC, but I want to be able to read my mystery visual novels from the comfort of my bed.

Better Served Cold is a great story with amazing flavor that you need to play through once. There is a lot of reading, but the reading is fine and it comes in English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I think you will too.

You can pick up Better Served Cold on Steam for

Tech Reviews

Is the Ajazz Alux 68 Worth It for Gamers?

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Disclaimer

Mechlands sent me the Ajazz Alux 68 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 latest review for the Mechlands M75.

What’s in the box?

  • Ajazz Alux 68 Magnetic Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • Shortcut Key
  • Plastic Dust Cover
  • User Manual

Features

The Ajazz Alux 68 is a wired 60% keyboard with a sleek design packed with features. This budget keyboard comes with 68 easily hotswapable switches. The switches promise up to 0.01mm accuracy and an up to 100 million keystroke lifespan, making the Alux 68 ready for the most competitive PVP setting. This is a wired keyboard, but you kind of need a cable for a low latency, high performing machine. With its subtle RGB to give it a little added flare, The Ajax Alux 68 is looking like the perfect upgrade for any gaming setup.

Sound Test

Review

I absolutely love the Ajaxx Alux 68. I am a little bummed that it is a wire keyboard. The cable made my desk feel more cluttered. I get that at this price point, I am sacrificing a few features for performance and stile, but a wireless version of this would look so much better without a wire interrupting the flow. That said, it isn’t really a big deal with I factor in how comfortable this keyboard was to use. I never got hit with any amount of fatigue, even during my longer sessions of use. It isn’t explicitly ergonomic, but it never triggered my repetitive stress injury, and that is good enough for me.

The Ajax Alux 68 gives a fantastic typing experience. It has that soft creamy sound that is so addicting. The switches feel great to the touch, and perform very well. I noticed no ghosting, and it was able to handle Guild Wars 2.

If you don’t mind having a wired keyboard, you should be using a wired keyboard if you’re doing anything competitive, and like the aesthetic, this is a fantastic budget option. The performance is great, they keyboard is comfortable, and it looks really cool.

You can pick up the Alux 68 on the official Mechlabs site, or on Amazon using my affiliate link.

video game reviews

Synergy Game Review: A Mixed Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Synergy 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Synergy?

Synergy is a village builder out now on Steam.

The world is on the brink of collapse. Take charge of a group of survivors as you work together to rebuild one of the last thriving civilization. Can you find a sustainable solution without sacrificing too much of your citizen’s happiness? Will you be the catalyst to this world’s salvation?

Gameplay

Synergy asks players to build a thriving city while being mindful of their citizen’s happiness and the resources around them. The game attempts to break the traditional formula by forcing players to build differently. Players will have to think about how their buildings interact with each other and environment to successfully grow, without destroying the world around them. There is a unique upgrade system that allows players a bit of flexibility on how they want to build their society. It is a refreshing take on the genre, but does it hold up?

Review

Synergy has a very fun and creative artstyle full of flavor and flare. The game provides an interesting twist with some cool ideas, but it wasn’t for me. I like that the game forced me to think about the genre differently. I was building a new kind of city and planning my tech paths, but the game is boring. Even at max speed, it felt like nothing was happening. Maybe its the lack of animation, maybe I’m impatient, but I lost quickly. I think the biggest issue I have with this game is that I’ve played better games with a more unique twist. If I rather be playing those, there is no real reason to recommend Synergy, unless you like the art and need a new village builder.

If this is going to be your first village builder, I don’t think it is user friendly enough to recommend. The tutorial isn’t good enough at onboarding players on the game’s more important mechanics. There isn’t a steep learning curve, it just has some intuitive mechanics that are important for survival. not that it matters because as hard as I tried, I never got to the point of collapse that I get with other games in the genre. If you’re a veteran, Synergy does a few cool things that will keep you busy for a bit, but not at the price. I would wait for a sale.

Synergy is fine, but when you consider it against others in the genre, you simply have better options. You can pick it up on Steam for $24.99, but again, wait for the sale.

Tech Reviews

Cybrix 16 Keypad: Features, Setup & Honest Review

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Disclaimer

KiiBoom sent me the Cybrix16 Keypad 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 to also check out my reviews for the KiiBoom Phantom98, the Moonshadow V2, and the Breeze 75 if you’re looking for a full-sized keyboard.

What’s in the Box?

  • Cybrix16
  • USB-C to USB-A Braided Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller Tool
  • Instruction Manual

Features

The Cybrix 16 is versatile keypad ready to upgrade your productivity. The keypad comes with 16 fully programmable keys and 3 rotary knobs ready to take on any workflow. The keypad is QMK/VIA compatible, and users can save up to 5 profiles to maximize the versatility. The keypad supports 3-pin and 5-pin switches for some added customization.

The Cybrix keypad has a clean and elegant design and comes in three colors: Silver, Pink, and Black.

I chose the silver, but all colors are great. The blank gradient keys give it its futuristic minimalist aesthetic. The keypad is wired only, but it more than makes up for it with its highspeed performance. It also features a soft and subtle RGB effect for a bit of added flare.

Sound Test

Review

Out of the box, the keypad has an undeniable elegance that will go unmatched by anything on the market. The build and construction is clean, and I am a huge fan of the minimilistic aesthetic. It did take some time to remember what each key did, but it is not a huge deal. The customization is nice, when I finally got it to work and I wasn’t able to repeat the process. It isn’t very user friendly, and that is going to be a problem for the folks who aren’t enthusiast or a tech savvy.

That said, it is a solid keypad. The volume and media controls are always appreciated, and access to a keypad always upgrades my workflow. I wish it were wireless because my desk gets cluttered quickly, but it is nice to not have to worry about losing charge during an important project.

If you’re looking for a keypad that will upgrade your aesthetic, and you don’t mind a bit of tinkering to take full advantage of its features, the Cybrix 16 is a fantastic addition to your setup. It is not impossible, but it definitely not plug and play. If you’re only getting this to use it as a Numpad, you’re paying for the aesthetic and a few features you’ll eventually get to. The Cybrix16 is a solid peripheral, if you’re getting the most out of it.

You can pick up the Cybrix 16 on the official KiiBoom site.

Tech Reviews

Cypher 81 Mechanical Keyboard Review: Comfort and Style

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Disclaimer

Epomaker sent me the Cypher 81 mechanical keyboard to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker HE65 or TH85.

What’s in the box?

  • Cypher 81 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Charging Cable
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • 3 Extra Switches
  • Plastic Dust Cover
  • User Guide

Features

The Cypher 81 is a 75% keyboard with a fun purple, blue, and white color scheme, and small TFT screen for live updates and customization. The South-facing RGB backlight is optional, but it provides the keyboard its soft elegant flare. There is also also third-party software for added customization.

This cute form factor keyboard promises as quiet high quality typing experience through its wireless and wired connections. The keyboard supports 2.4Ghz wire connections with the included dongle, and Bluetooth 5.0. Its impressive 4000 mAh battery gives users less wires to juggle while they work or play their games.

Most importantly, the Cypher 81 won’t sacrifice comfort for design. With its ideal and adjustable typing angle as well as the key placement, users can enjoy a mechanical keyboard that looks good, performs well, and won’t cause fatigue.

Sound Test

Review

The Cypeher 81 is one of the most comfortable keyboards I’ve tried. The height, after a few adjustments was perfect. I need special ergonomics for my repetitive stress that never triggered it. The color and design is great. I love the color scheme, and the RGB creates enough flare to make the whole thing pop against any setup. The small monitor is fun, but I never really used it. It’s nice to to have for things like battery power, but not the reason to get this keyboard.

The reason to get this keyboard is for fantastic typing experience. The sound was loud enough to create that melody we all crave without being obnoxious, and it performs well for just about any task. I was able to complete my long hours of work with very little pain, if any, and it was good enough for my casual levels of gaming. If you’re looking for new keyboard with a fun and cute aesthetic, the Cypher 81 is what you’re looking for. It is a well constructed machine with a satisfying sound and solid performance at a great price point.

You can pick up the Cypher 81 for $89.99 on the official Epomaker website, or $99.99 on Amazon using my affiliate link.

video game reviews

My Impressions of Roulette Hero: Try the Demo Now

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Roulette Hero demo for my blog. I understand the game is not finished yet, and will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest impressions.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Roulette Hero

Roulette Hero is a deck building roguelike with a more randomized twist coming to Steam. Make sure you sigh up for the playtest.

Build your army of formidable heroes and build a unique roulette table that will take you to victory. Each turn, players will add choose between a random assortment of heroes, all animals, and place them on a square on the table. The player pulls for the roulette to spin to activate a random ability [whatever space the square lands on].

Players can upgrade the units they summon by stacking multiples of the same unit, and they can be sold for gold as well. Each unit has an attack that does damage to the boss, and some have special abilities that either activate when chosen or activate on a trigger. For example, there is a card that heals the player every time they spin the roulette. The demo offers a good amount of combos and strategy, and the RNG means you are not building the same deck twice. The round ends when the player drops to zero, or they defeat the boss.

Impressions

Roulette Hero is very fun, and I recommend everyone to try the demo. It offers a unique twist to the genre, and the slot machine like gameplay will make you addicted to gambling in the best way. I love that I never built the same deck twice, although cats seem very broken [I am very biased]. I also enjoyed how much strategy is involved for a game that feels very random. That said, I can easily sink too many hours into this game because it is a very enjoyable loop.

If you haven’t done so, go check out Roulette Hero. I will be trying very hard to get a full version. The demo works very well, but I am sure the full version will have a bunch of fun new cards for a very good ammount of replayabilty. Roulette Hero offers a unique twists on a familiar genre and it looks cool doing it. I can’t wait to see more.

Make sure you sign up for the playtest, and don’t forget to add it to your wishlist!

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive: All the Mercurial Heart Alter Edition Spoilers So Far

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Grand Archive has officially turned two, and we got a fun and informative stream to get us hyped for the games growth. Make sure to check it out. The most exciting news were the Mercurial Heart Alter Edition spoilers! The Alter Edition is a reprint with a few new cards you’re going to want to add to your collection. It is also a fantastic place to start your collection. The set will be reprintable for up to three years, which is great news for those just getting into the hobby. Make sure you always support your LGS, but you can always buy Grand Archive product from TCG Player using my affiliate links. It really helps me out.

Uncommons

Rares

Super Rares

Ultra Rare Alt Arts

Collector Rares!

video game reviews

Exploring Maliki: A Cozy RPG Experience

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Maliki: Poison Of The Past 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Maliki: Poison Of The Past

Maliki: Poison Of The Past is a casual strategy RPG with a bit of farming sim. The game is out now on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

In the near future, humanity is on the brink of extinction as a poison contaminates the world. Fortunately, a few brave souls stand in the way of total annihilation. Maliki and her collection of warriors are the only ones who can resist the poisons time altering effects and fight back. Will they be enough to save the world and rid it of this poison?

Gameplay

Players explore a world frozen in time by the poison’s corruption. Players slowly unlock more of the world by extending the reach of the Thousand-Root Tree’s protection. But this won’t be easy. The world is full of the poison’s corrupted mission, and it is up to Sand and her friends to fend them off.

Combat is a turn based system with a unique swap and combat mechanic to help it stand out against other titles in the genre. Players can occasionally bend time to change the turn order, and hopefully change the tide of combat in their favor. Players can also perform powerful combo moves to vanquish there enemies. There are also fun puzzles to solve, and a cute world to explore.

What truly sets this world apart is the cozy farming mechanic. To level up the Thousand-Root Tree, players will need to collect materials by building a farm. The crops a player grows and harvests can be cooked into different foods or crafted for useful materials.

Review

Maliki: Poison Of The Past is an adorably casual game that should be considered for any collection. It has very cute character and world design, and a fun soundtrack to set the mood. I also enjoyed the story enough to keep playing. Most importantly, the gameplay is relaxing. The combat is solid. The attacks and abilities are unique and flavorful, and it requires enough strategy to keep things engaging. I really like the temporal abilities and the depth it adds to combat. I also like that it doesn’t feel that grindy. There is a grind, but I’ve sat through worse.

If you get tired of combat, the game features a unique farming mechanic that is a cozy change of pace. Maintaining the different crops is very relaxing, but movement can make things a little awkward. If you’re the type of person that likes to have everything lined up and neat, this game is kind of frustrating. Sometimes, you will overshoot the where you want to place it, other times, the plot doesn’t allow for neat rows. This bothered me more than I thought, but is in no way a deal breaker. When it worked right, it was a fine experience.

I do recommend playing this game with a controller. There is keyboard and mouse support, but it feels wonky. There is still some awkwardness to the controller, but it is a lot more manageable. I played this game exclusively on the Steam deck because I preferred the experience. Everything was clear and legible, and I love that I can play something cute and casual away from my desk. Movement is a little wonky, but it is a lot better than keyboard and mouse. There are also a few other noticible bugs that suggest the game needs a bit more work, but nothing gamebreaking. They game still deserves at least one solid playthrough.

If you’re looking for something cute, casual, with a lot of charm, go pick up Maliki: Poison Of The Past on Steam and Nintendo Switch for $29.99, or at least check out the demo.

video game reviews

Old Skies Review: A Unique Sci-Fi Visual Novel

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Disclaimer

I was sent a copy of Old Skies 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-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Old Skies?

Old Skies is a scifi visual novel out now on PC via Steam, GOG and Humble.

Time travel is real, and is controlled by the ChronoZen agency. Those who can afford it can travel back into any time, provided it doesn’t mess with the master timeline. Your job is to keep close watch on these travelers while still making them happy. The story follows seven travelers across 100s of years of history in a point and click adventure you will never forget. What people will you meet? What stories will they tell? Can you keep your clients from messing with the timeline?

Review

Old Skies is a wonderful piece of interactive fiction that you need to try at least once. The game looks very good with cool art and flavorful time periods. The story itself is good, with a cast of fantastic voice actors to bring each story to life. Most importantly, the puzzles are creative and manageable. They provide enough of a challenge to keep things engaging, without becoming frustrating. I didn’t feel the need to use a guide, but I am sure there are some great ones out there if you need them.

As far as time travel stories go, Old Skies does the narrative well. Everything made sense, even the more magical parts of science, and it was an interesting adventure to read. The characters are pretty well written. There are some cliches here and there, but nothing that ruins the story. Each story was interesting, and honestly the reason I kept playing. It is a solid length and I recommend it to anyone looking for a new visual novel.

As for the Steam Deck experience, this is a fantastic title to add to the collection. The resolution is perfect. The words are legible, and everything is easily visible. Most importantly, the controls works great, making this the perfect game to play in bed when you just want to wind down and enjoy a good story.

You can pick up Old Skies for $19.99, and it is definitely worth it for that price.

video game reviews

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark Review

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I was sent a free copy of Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark 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 opinions of the game.

Shameless Self-Promotions

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System. I’ve also started a web novel that I update every two weeks.

What is Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark?

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is a 2D action Metroidvania adventure out now on Steam, Switch, and PlayStation.

The castle has been invaded and Lord Maxim is dead. It is up to Kirika and Masha to make their way through the castle and revive their lord. Fight through waves of demons and their bosses, collect helpful tools and abilities, and prove why you are the best pair of demon maids Do you have what it takes to reclaim your home and save your master?

Gameplay

Gal Guardians is your typical classic metroidvania. Players crawl through the 2D dungeon, collect new items and abilities, and beat everything in their way. What makes Gal Guardians unique is the coop mechanic. Players can play this game solo, or team up with a friend to control one of the two maids. Coop allows for some interesting interactions between the players. Playing solo allows players to switch between the two maids and their abilities, as well as revive them when they go down. The game also showers the player with loot and allows for a good amount of customization and playstyles.

Review

I really wanted to like Gal Guardians: Shadows of the Dark, but it doesn’t do enough to stand out against the genre. I love the art and flavor, there is some solid voice acting, but the gameplay sort of falls flat.

What I like about the gameplay is the amount of customization. Aside from the main weapon, players can mix and match abilities to find a build that works best for their playstyle. Unfortunately, there are some absolute garbage items that will flood your inventory. Aside from that, combat is kind of boring. It is no where near the worst of the genre, but it does leave a bit to be desired. This is especially noticeable during the boss fights which can be challenging, but aren’t really worth the trouble.

I had high hopes for the game because I enjoyed the demo, but once I got deeper in the game, it didn’t do enough. It had decent writing, the voice acting is great, and the art is good, but the gameplay didn’t do it for me. Gal Guardians isn’t the worst Metroidvania I’ve played this year, but I will forget I ever played it. If you’re looking for a new Metroidvania, you simply have better options.

You can pick up Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark on Steam, Switch, and PlayStation for $29.99, but I would wait for a sale.