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video game reviews

Exploring the Whimsical Worlds of Freeride

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Freeride 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 Freeride?

Freeride is a unique personality test disguised as a narrative game out now on Steam.

Hook

You have been recruited to be a conductor on a spirit train. You are responsible for the smooth transportation of lost spirits, but the universe has a habit of making things difficult. The universe is full of choas, and it is up to you to navigate that chaos and keep the trian on schedule. Explore strange and surreal worlds as you fight monsters, help out spirits, or just let things be. The choice is yours, and your choices matter.

Exploration

The game will give player quest hooks, but players have the freedom to do what they want during each act of the game. There are no quest markers or meta quests, but rather a small sandbox for players to explore and uncover the many unlockable secrets. Freeride gives players the freedom to explore the game in a way that fits their playstyle while encouraging them to replay the game to collect to full story.

Choices

Choices in Freeride matter. What a player chooses to do in an act, affects outcomes, events, and quests for the rest of the game. Beating Freeride once doesn’t take long, but you are going to want to play the game to learn more about its wonderful world and great cast of characters.

Combat

While not the central part of the gameplay loop, Freeride does have combat. Players collect items throughout their adventure to throw them at enemies through the game’s unique slingshot mechanic. To throw an item, players click to aim, pull back the mouse to charge the attack, and let go to send the item flying. It is a different kind of combat, but combat can be cheesed or avoided. The game’s main focus is the story.

Review

I urge every one who picks up this game to keep with it past the initial shock. Freeride is a unique game that isn’t afraid to break traditional conventions to form its identity. This isn’t going to vibe with everyone at first, but the story and art more than make up for some of the more deal breaking awkwardness. Freeride is a cool game with an interesting story and a refreshing addition to my rotation. It is worth checking out at least once.

Aesthetic

Freeride is a great looking game. I am a huge fan of the artstyle. You have a cast of cool looking characters, and a world full of whimsy that was fun to explore. Some of the areas feel a little too cluttered, but I think this is by design. You need to have items to throw at your enemies. There is also a very solid soundtrack to help you get into the mood for an unforgettable adventure.

Combat

I hate the combat system in this game, and it is the reason I almost gave up on this game. I am glad I didn’t because I love this game, but it is very clunky and annoying. It does click after a while, especially when you realize you can skip a lot of the combat and cheese the important fights. Just stick with it. This game isn’t about the combat.

Story

Freehide has a fun and quirky tone that carries the player through a whimsical spirit world. It has a cast of interesting chartacters, solid world building, and a fantastic pace. I love that my choices affect the story, and love that I have to replay the game to unlock everything. I recomend you play the game without a guide. Let your personality determine the type of story you get. You can look up a guide after, but the game does a good job at reminding you of past choices so you can get a different ending. I only played through the game twice and still need to unlock a bit more. What I did unlock is a fantastic example of storytelling through video games, and the only reason I didn’t quick on this game. I don’t want to get too specific to avoid influencing or spoiling the story, but it is a story you need to at least experience the first playthrough.

Conclusion

Freeride is one of those weird games that comes around once in a while to shake up the meta in the best way. It may make a few odd choices here and there, but they mostly pay off in the end. If you are looking for a fun, unique game that is good at telling its story, go get Freeride. This is one of my favorite games already, and one that I recommend everyone try at least once.

Tech Reviews

Is the Galatin Pro K719 Worth It? A Comprehensive Review

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Disclaimer

Redragon sent me the Galatin Pro K719 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. Make sure you also check out my review for the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro mechanical keyboard. I’ll also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you click it before you buy anything!

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Galatin Pro K719 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • Wireless Dongle
  • 4 x Extra Switches
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • Sticker Sheet
  • User Manual

Features

The Galatin Pro K19 is a 96% wireless mechanical keyboard. This is a full sized keyboard that gives users to a function row and numb pad, but presents in a compact package to maximize desk space. The keyboard comes in a beautiful mint green scheme, with a customizable LED screen and RGB backlight.

Customization

The Galatin Pro gives users an enormous amount of versatility with easy customizable options. The 95 keys can be easily swapped to not only fit your aesthetic, but fit your typing preference. Not that you would want to. The default Mint Mambo switches promise a smooth typing feel with the typing ASMR you want from a keyboard.

Both the RBG and LED screen can be customized through the official software to fit your desired aesthetic. Each of the 95 keys can be easily rebound and programmed for some added utility. Weather you need a few macros for your editing or short cuts for productivity, the Galatin Pro is ready to meet your every need.

Comfort

The Galatin Pro’s gasket is angled to meet most comfortable typing standards, but there is additional height options available for those who need it. The gasket houses 5 layers of sound absorbing pads to keep that typing ASMR thacky without waking up the whole neighborhood. The key layout has been designed is compact, without scarifying any comfort. Users will find a delightful typing experience hidden under the mint green layout.

Performance

The Galatin Pro supports three, fast connections modes: Bluetooth, wireless, and wired. The keyboard’s impressive 4000mAh battery supports long sessions with either of the fast wireless connections. The keyboard can seemlessly switch between connections with the easy to access, side switch. Whether you need a keyboard that will keep up with your efficient DPS rotation, or just need to pound out all that last minute homework, the Galatin Pro has you covered.

Sound Test

Review

The Galatin Pro is a solid affiordable keyboard, if you’ve never used a nicer keyboard. While it has a very cool aesthetic and layout, I found the typing experience a bit lacking. It isn’t completely unusable, but I’d rather be using the Antonium K745 Pro.

Quality

The Galatin Pro is a cute keyboard out of the box. The pieces look well machined, and the font is clear and legible. After using the keyboard, it does feel a little cheap. The keys feel like plastic, and while they don’t destroy my hands, you might want to invest in some better keycaps. The switches feel fine, and the typing sound is a little ugly, but beater of a keyboard.

Comfort

I am not a fan of the keyboard’s typing experience. It feels a little too crunchy, and I don’t like the feel of the cheap keycaps. However, if this is your budget, you can do a lot worse. While this isn’t a strictly ergonomic keyboard, it did not trigger my repetitive stress injury. I was able to enjoy long sessions with the Galatin Pro without any pain, which is a huge positive. While this isn’t a strictly ergonomic keyboard, it did not trigger my repetitive stress injury. One of the dangers of testing these budget keyboards is that they can leave my hands useless. I’ve cut tests short in the past, and I was pleasantly surprised when I didn’t have to this time around. I’ll still be switching back Antonium K745 Pro because I prefer the typing experience and gimick a little more, but the Galatin is still a solid option.

Gimmick

The Galatin Pro has a customizable LED screen that displays useful information like time, battery life, and connection type. I have never been to crazy about screens on my keyboard because I never look at them. Not that I was able to customize the screen in the first place. I was able to get the date and time, but I never got the GIF to work. I’m not buying this keyboard for the LED screen. I am buying this keyboard for the volume nob. I don’t know how much I miss having a volume mod until I am forced to use keyboards without one. The knob feels great, it is very responsive, and it controls my media. The knob steals the show, and it always gets a lot of use in my workflow.

Performance

I had no issues with the Galatin Pro out of the box. There was no noticeable latency or ghosting. The keyboard does include four extra switches in case any issues arise. I am happy to report, none ever during my week of hard typing. The Galatin Pro handled a few fast past shooters and a good amount of MMO grind without issue. I am not a pro player, but I didn’t notice any drop in perfrormance. The battery life is impressive and gave me about 9 hours of use on a single charge with all the lights on. I guess the LED is nice for keeping up with your battery life.

Conclusion

The Galatin Pro is a cool looking mechanical keyboard, especially at this budget. The colors are fun, and I like the compact design. You get a full sized keyboard, but it doesn’t feel like it takes up the same amount of space. I would probably swap out the keycaps for something nicer. This shouldn’t be a problem if you’ve never tried anything nicer. Galatin Pro is a solid starter mechanical keyboard that should fit most use cases until you are ready for the upgrade.

You can pick up the Galatin Pro K719 from the official Redragon store or through Amazon using my Affiliate link.

video game reviews

Nocturnal 2: A Promising Metroidvania Experience Awaits

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Disclaimer

I was sent the Nocturnal 2 demo to review for my blog. I am grateful for the opportunity, but understand the game isn’t finished. That said, I will try to be a bit more lenient in my review, but these will still 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 Nocturnal 2?

Nocturnal 2 is a beautifully drawn metroidvania coming out on Steam later this year.

Hook

Play as Ardeshir, bearer of the Enduring Flame as he explores the forgotten city of Ytash in order to break the curse that consumes his homeland. But the path will not be easy. The city has been sunk into darkness, with only his Enduring Flame to light the way. Bring as much of this city to life as you fight your way through mobs of enemies, creative bosses, and discover new abilities in between. Will his flame be enough to free his homeland from the darkness, or will it consume his very soul?

Gameplay

The demo has players go through the tutorial, but gives them a large area of exploration. This is your typical metroidvania where players are moving from checkpoint to checkpoint, collecting xp, powerups, and abilities in between. What makes Nocturnal unique is that Ardeshir’s flames can go out, and without light, he becomes powerless. Players must find ways to not only light the world around them, but sometimes find ways to keep their light alive.

Combat

Nocturnal has a traditional metroidvania feel. Players start the game with a minimal move list, but unlock new abilities as they progress through the city of Ytash. The combos get more complex as the game progress, but so do the enemies. Enemies in this game have easily telegraphed attacks and movements that players will need to learn to play around. Effectively fighting around these combos through skillful dodging can help players survive until the next checkpoint.

Impressions

I picked up Nocturnal 2 because Nocturnal is one of my favorite metroidvania. It has a cool atmosphere, solid story, and great mechanics. If you are looking for a new metroidvania while you wait for sequel, you won’t be disapointed. The demo for 2, has me excited. The game still feels like the dark epic adventure of the first, with a few solid improvements. The art is still great, combat is smooth, and it left me wanting more. It has definitely been added to my wishlist, and I can’t wait to try out the full version.

Aesthetic

One of the biggest draws for Nocturnal is its world building and aesthetic. This series has some incredible art, and I am very excited to explore more of this world. The lore in that is sprinkled throughout gives the game the mysterious atmosphere that makes the story feel even more epic than it is. My only complaint is that I didn’t get much of the story in this game, but at least I got a solid impression of what is to come in terms of gameplay.

Gameplay

First of all, this demo is playable on the Steam Deck which is the cherry on top of a solid metroidvania experience. Any game that allows me to whip out my Steam Deck outside my house is a good game, and this is looking like a good game. The Nocturnal 2 demo has smooth combat with interesting combos and interactions, a good amount of exploration, and some solid platforming. And this is coming from someone who hates platformers. At least, I used to hate them until I played Nocturnal. It does get a bit repetitive towards the middle of the demo, but it gave me enough to be excited about.

Conclusion

I can’t wait for the full release of Nocturnal 2. This is a solid demo, especially if you are in the market for a new metroidvania. I don’t think you’ll need to play the first game to understand the sequel, but the Nocturnal is such a good game, you need to play through it once. I still prefer the first game, but it is still too early to make that declaration. Until then, play through the first game, check out this demo, and don’t forget to add Nocturnal 2 to your wishlist!

You can pick up the Nocturnal 2 demo on Steam.

video game reviews

Is Super Alloy Crush Worth Your Wishlist?

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Disclaimer

I wase sent the Super Alloy Cursh demo to review for my blog. I understand the game isn’t finished yet, and will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these 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 Super Alloy Crush?

Super Alloy Crush is a side-scrolling, fighting action roguelike coming to Steam Early Access. It has some heavy, classic Megaman vibe with enough of a twist to set it apart from the genre. There is a demo you can try, and don’t forget to wishlist!

Hook

You have set off amongst the stars in the search for the ultimate cosmic treasure planet AE-38. You along with your crew must explore the vast reaches of space, and fight anything that gets in your way. Master your combos, find useful powerups, and do it all without dying. Is the treasure really out there? Can you really find it? Are you strong enough to take on what comes your way? You will need to play to find out.

Demo

The demo takes players through the tutorial and a small part of the story. It introduces some minor characters and does some minor world building. Players are then free to enjoy the Battle Rush Mode which is an endless roguelike mode. The story is very short and can be completed in 30 mins (dependent on skill) and there is a good amount of customization for an hour or two of replayability. Players will have access two both playable characters: Muu and Kelly. Muu is a close-combat cat girl robot while Kelly is a ranged robot.

Combat

The game is very reminiscent of Megaman X. Players will face off against waves of enemies, masatering the combos of their selected character to survive the level or wave. The difference between modes is that there is platforming in the story mode, while Rush mode focuses on combat. Each character has a unique set of skill and combos that fit different playstyles. Players fight off waves of enemies, filling up their energy meter to perform powerful abilities. Players will also pick up companions along the way that will help them in combat by casting buffs or abilities.

Rush

Rush Mode is the game’s roguelike. Players will need to defeat a certain number of enemies before moving to the next wave. Between waves, players can buy from a random selection of powerups to help them on their run. These power ups are random and give players access to large number of builds and replayability. The difficulty of the waves increases until they face off against bosses. A run is over when a player runs out of lives.

Does it work on the Steam Deck?

The demo works great on the Steam Deck without requiring any tweaking. This makes me hopeful for release because this is the type of game I want on my Steam Deck Library.

Impressions

Super Alloy Crush is a promising little side-scroller, but I need to see more before I can recomend it. At the moment, it feels unfinished, and there doesn’t seem to be enough content to grab my attention. The game looks good and has a cool vibe, but there are some issues I couldn’t overlook.

Aesthetic

I picked up this game because the art is cool. After playing the game, I was not disappointed. I love the artstyle. It has a modern Megaman vibe with some modern flare to set it apart. I love the character designs from the robots you crush repeatedly to bosses you fight at the end. The main characters are cute, and there are some very cool cut scenes where the artist clearly flexes their talent. The animations are on point, and while they can get a little overwhelming, I am here for it. The soundtrack so far is excellent and I can’t wait to hear more.

Story

Unfortunately, the story is poorly translated. It is very awkwardly written and needs to be revised for the final English release. It feels very machine generated, which is fine for the demo, but will turn off a lot of players. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that many of the negative reviews will be because the English is awkward. What I did understand was okay, but not enough to hook me. I could be wrong, but it feels like the main focus is going to be Rush mode and balancing the different elements that go into that.

Rush Mode

Rush mode is fine for the first few minutes until it starts to get repetitive. It takes away the platforming and focuses on the combat. As someone who hates platformers, it is missing some platforms. Combat in this game is fun, and trying to master the combo system takes effort, but I wish the stages had some variety. I hope the full game includes a bit of variety, or at least some minor side scrolling to break things up. Otherwise, it feels like the same type of fight, with a few variations between fights. Sure these changes force players to change up their strategy, but it still feels the same.

That said, there are aspects of this mode that I like. I like that I don’t have to commit to a story and can jump right into the action. I like that the random upgrades change up the playstyle. I even like that the upgrades you buy will have some kind of drawback. There is some depth to this game, but I can’t see myself committing to a game that will only hold my attention for a couple of runs.

Comabat

Combat in Super Alloy Crush is explosive, chaotic, and colorful. Even in my noob hands, combat and combos felt smooth and exciting. I love that I can customize my character’s combos, and I love more that I can choose my own playstyle. I tried out both characters, and while I prefer Muu, I had fun equal fun with both. Unfortunately, the game feels a little too easy. Maybe I have been jaded with my time with Megaman, but I expected more of a challenge. I can only hope that I can pick my difficulty in the main game.

Conclusion

I honestly need to see more of Super Alloy Crush before I can recommend it. If you like the art style and are a casual fan of the genre, you’ll get a good amount of enjoyment. Maybe even enough to earn it a spot on your wishlist. If you are a longtime Megaman fan, the game might feel a little too easy. I would argue it strips bits of what made Megaman fun. If the story turns out good, I can find it in me to forgive the difficulty. Otherwise, it has cool art and it isn’t the worst way to spend an hour.

You can check out the Super Alloy Crush demo on Steam.

video game reviews

Don’t Stop Girlypop! is the High Octane Shooter You Need

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Don’t Stop Girlypop! 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 Don’t Stop Girlypop!?

Don’t Stop Girlypop! is a Y2K themed arena movement shooter where you can’t stop moving coming to Steam on January 29, 2026. Go check out the demo and don’t forget to add it to your wishlist.

Hook

The evil mining corporation Tirgis Nix wants to grain your world of The Love, the valuable resource that keeps the planet alive. A resistance has formed to push back the corporation’s forces, but the evil robot army proves too difficult a force. You are the only one with the power, guns, and speed to take this planet back from Tirgirs Nix. Jump, run, and slide your way through waves of enemies and you jam out to high energy girly pop and kill anything that stands in your way. Can you keep moving long enough to save the planet before all The Love is drained from the planet?

Gameplay

The key in Don’t Stop Girlypop! is to not stop moving. Player movement is slow at first, but build momentum overtime. This momentum not only increases speed players move through the world, but increases the amount of damage they output. Combat is chaotic as players jump, swing, and do everything they can to keep their momentum up while shooting down every evil robot that gets in their way.

The game is split into stages with a clock to insentient speed. Players can race for the high score, or settle for the story. Players also unlock new weapons that open up the room for a diverse amount of playstyles. All this is done against an excellent Girlypop soundtrack that will get you in the mood for killing robots. Just don’t, stop, moving!

Review

Don’t Stop Girly Pop has become one of my favorite games. I love the perfect blend of Y2K aesthetics, its fantastic soundtrack, and the high octaine gameplay that kept my heart rate at dangerous levels.

Aesthetic

Don’t Stop Girlypop! is the perfect love letter to Y2K era aesthetic and gaming. I love the contrast between the rough, retro, quake like graphics against the more girly pop themes. You can decorate your weapons to be as flashy as you want, and of course the music is the cherry that makes this game such a treat. If you’re old like me, or enjoy revisiting those classic retro era arena shooters, you will appreciate the amount of effort that was put into building this unique world. Things do get a little hectic with all the exploding colors and fast paced movement, but if you slow down long enough to enjoy the level design, you won’t be disapointed.

The Soundtrack

The soundtrack to this game is fantastic and should be one of the reasons you are playing this game. I love the music so much, I’ve added the songs to my running mix. Do yourself a favor and listen to the OST. I will link the playlist below, but first, credit where credit is due:

  • Don’t Stop, Girlypop! (Theme) – Sarah Wolfe and Xavier Dunn
  • Slam! Hop! Dash! – Sarah Wolfe and Xavier Dunn
  • I Am The Revolution – Sarah Wolfe and Xavier Dunn
  • Just Don’t Stop Moving – Candice Susnjar
  • In A Dream – Candice Susnjar
  • Freak of Nature – Sarah Wolfe and Xavier Dunn

Story

There has been a good amount of effort put into building a world around this game. The story is strait forward, but with enough flavor to keep me invested. I liked going out of my way to pick up the different bits of the story to learn about the world. The game does have voice acting, and while a little rough in parts, I appreciate that I don’t have to read.

Gameplay

I was ready to right this game off because if felt like there was too much going on, but this was strictly a skill issue. When everything started to click, it has been very hard to put this game down. I am still bad at this game, but I am having fun trying to get better. Maps are creatively designed to keep players moving. Some of the weapons feel better than others, but I found use for all of them as I got a better understanding of the game’s mechanics. Each weapon opens up a player to a unique playstyle without taking away from the lore or flavor of the world. Best of all, they can be customized to fit the best Girlypop version of you that you can dream of.

Combat

Once I got a grasp of the mechanics, combat felt so fluid. It is important to understand the mechanics so you can make full use of the weapons, environment, and momentum mechanics. At first, combat does feel a little too chaotic, but when it clicks, I welcomed the chaos. I would describe combat in Don’t Stop Girlypop! as the most exhilarating combat you’ll experience with a soundtrack that will help keep you into gear. The game does a good job at making the mob fights feel fresh and exciting, and the boss fights are very creative and memorable. If you aren’t sweating by the end of the level, you’re doing everything wrong.

Conclusion

Don’t Stop Girlypop! is now one of my favorite games. I love the fastpaced combat, the solid worldbuilding, and the fantastic soundtrack. If you are looking for a unique shooter to add to your collection, it needs to be Don’t Stop Girlypop! This game is nonstop fun from the moment you pick up the first weapon, till the moment you clear the last stage. Go add it to your wishlist, and make sure you pick up on release on January 29, 2026.

You can pick up Don’t Stop Girlypop! on Steam. If you’re looking for other unique shooters with a cool soundtrack, check out El Paso: Nightmare.

Uncategorized

Blightstone: A Promising Roguelike Experience

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Disclaimer

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

Shameless Self Promotion

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

Blightstone is a turn-based strategy roguelike out on Steam Early access. If you like Darkest Dungeon vibes in your roguelike strategy grind, this game should be in your watchlist.

Hook

The powerful demon overlord Korghul spreads his reign of terror relentlessly across this land. You command the heroes who are destined to end it, but this is no easy task. The path to salvation is full of death and despair. Fight against waves of the demon lords army, loot as much as you can, and use the landscape for to your advantage. Can you overcome death, keep the Earthglass Christal safe, and rid the world of this powerful evil, or will you be another one of Korghul’s victims.

Gameplay

Players take command of three mighty heros: a warrior, a mage, and a hunter and his canine companion. Make your way through a map full of enemies, events, and a few shops to boost your companions. Can you make it to the end before death or the blight consumes your characters?

Combat

Combat is a turn-based strategy combat. Each character has 2 action points that they can use to move, attack, or use an ability. Players can spend these actions in any order. For example, you can attack with the mage, attack with the hunter, and go back to the mage to finish his turn. Terrain affects combat. Players and NPCs can use the map to gain advantage through effective use of the cover and line of sight mechanic. Characters can heal at the campfire at the end of the day, but they cannot be revived. Once a character dies, it is gone forever.

Loot

Like most roguelikes, players can choose from a selection of random items after certain events. These items can be equipped to boost a parties power level. Items can be equipped before any encounter.

Events

As of writing this, events seem to only be additional combat or skipping additional combat. Choosing an extra encounter has a chance for an additional reward, but it is not always guaranteed. It helps to roll for map information at a campfires.

Campfire

The party sets up camp at the end of each day. A day passes after two event nodes on a map. These can be combat, shopping, or a random encounter. While at a campfire, players can spend camp points to heal their characters, activate buffs, or gain map information. Gaining map information reveals a reward on the map to help players plan their progression.

Progression

Stage progression is tied to meta progression. Players are given general quests to complete in order to move to the next map, simply clearing the stages isn’t always enough.

Review

Blightstone has a good amount of potential, but it doesn’t have enough content to make it worth it. If you want to support a game that is trying innovate the genre with a few interesting mechanics, it is worth checking out at least once. Fortunately, the devs seem to be active enough to inspire some hope, but the lack of content is a tricky sell.

Aesthetic

Blightstone has fantastic art. I love the grimdark vibe and the comicbook feel of the world. The characters look very good, and the animation is solid. It also has a solid soundtrack to get you in the mood for epic combat. Aesthetic alone should spark interest in gamers looking for something new to try.

Combat

Combat is a lot of fun. I love the gridless maps and the action economy system makes it feel like a tabletop RPG. I am very bad at strategy games, so the difficulty seems high, but that is by design. I wouldn’t call it a frustrating experience, but basic understanding of the game’s mechanics helps with the grind. There is a grind, and it does get repetitive. Some of it is due to lack of content, the rest is by design.

Blightstone doesn’t take the traditional turn-based strategy rout. The RNG upgrades make each run feel fresh, and it feels for the most part. The line of sight and friendly fire mechanic give combat its depth. I love that I can use the map to gain an advantage, it it sucks when the NPCs do the same. The NPC AI is intellegent enough to make things interesting. Having to keep the Earthglass Crystal safe also affects you move your units. I wish there was a bit more variety on the type of units so the grind doesn’t feel as repetitive, but repetition is part of the roguelike experience.

Content

At the moment, there seems to be enough content for many three hours of gameplay. The game is fun for those three hours, but it is up to you if is worth the $16. After the first couple of runs, the game starts to feel repetitive because the encounters start to repeat. There needs to be a lot more events rather than just having an extra encounter. I wish I could make a deal with a devil or encounter or random merchant, anything to add a little more choice to my playthough. I don’t mind repetition in my roguelikes, I play a lot of Encounters, but here it feels like I finish the content too quickly.

Conclusion

Blightstone is a cool game that attempts some very interesting mechanics in an oversaturated genre. The game looks good, plays well, but it needs a bit more content. It definitely needs more attention, and should be in your watchlist. Just know that at this stage in its development, you are paying to support a good demo for a game that might be good in the future.

You can pick up Blightstone on Steam Early Access. If you are looking for other cool roguelikes to add to your collection, check out Talystro.

Tech Reviews

Why the K745 Pro is Your Next Budget-Friendly Mechanical Keyboard

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Disclaimer

Redragon sent me the Antonium K745 Pro 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. I will be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you click it before you buy anything.

Table of contents

What’s in the box?

  • K745 Pro Mechanical Keyboard
  • Wireless Receiver
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • Stickers
  • 4 Extra Switches
  • User Manual
  • Key/Switch Puller

Features

The K745 Pro is a the affordable fullsized keyboard that is loaded with the features gamers need. This good looking keyboard comes in two beautiful color shemes: Purple and Blue. I got my keyboard in purple because it is my favorite color. I got the wireless keyboard, but you can also opt for the wired version if you want to prioritize performance.

Design

The K745 Pro comes with 108 keys, and an additional four useful macros for additional utility. Each key lights up with programmable southfacing RGB leds. The specialized gasket design gives the keyboard enough sound dampening to allow a healthy amount of typing ASMR. The K745 is built with quality, with enough features to make it a strong contender for your next setup.

Comfort

While other cheap keyboards skimp on quality for affordability, Redragon innovates the space with affordability that won’t destroy your hands. The custom Mint Mambo switches boast the perfect blend of performance and comfort, while the keyboards natural typing angle is perfect for most users. Those who prefer a steeper angle like I do will appreciate the two additional height adjustments. This is an ergonomic keyboard with the performance to back it up.

Utility

Users will appreciate the high speed wireless connections with the peace of mind that the 4000 mAh battery gives them. The included high quality USB-C cable is ready to support players with an even faster connection. Each of the keys can be easily rebound or programed with useful macros to upgrade your productivity. While the keyboard is incredibly easy to remap, the K745 comes with four useful macro keys out of the box.

Included macros:

  • Mute
  • Launch Calculator
  • Minimize/Maximize all Windows
  • Lock Computer

Keyboard sound

Review

If you are looking for an affordable full-sized keyboard for gaming, it doesn’t get much better than the Redragon K745 Pro. This is easily one of the best affordable keyboards I’ve gotten to try. This keyboard is comfortable, with enough quality and performance to make it worth the money.

Quality

I was impressed by the look of the keyboard out of the box. At this price point, you always run the risk of pulling a cheap, toy looking keyboard, but the K745 has solid construction. It is light, so it makes it nice to move around, but I wouldn’t call it portable. The legs swivel nicely and the typing sound is very good. My only complaint is that the lettering already looks faded. It looks like it will rub off after a bit of use, although none of it did during my testing.

Design

I love the purple scheme of the keyboard. Purple is my favorite color, so I am very happy with my choice. I am a little disappointed by the lettering. The letters looks faded and it feels like they will rub off with a bit of use. None of it did during my testing, but I am not a fan. The font is also a bit hard to read. This might be a personal issue, but the font is not good for my dyslexia. It isn’t unusable, but I’d probably swap them out for different keycaps if it became my main keyboard.

Comfort

I was very surprised by how comfortable the K745 is. The keys have enough spacing for my big hands, and the switches are soft enough to avoid any fatigue. I’ve tried other keyboards at this price point that have destroyed my hands, but I had no issues with the K745. I had a few intense gaming sessions and not only did the K745 meet my expectations, they didn’t tire me out. The default typing angle is solid, but I like that it supports my preferred angle. I like my keyboards a little high. As an added bonus, the keyboard has a fantastic typing sound without being disruptive. I could use this next to my sleeping wife and baby without issue.

Performance

I did not do any reprogramming, but it is very easy to do with the official software. Everything connected easily and quickly, and I had no issues after initial setup. All the keys were responsive without any noticeable latency. The battery was very good and I got a good 8 hours of continuous work with the RGB on. My favorite aspect of this keyboard is the included macros. I usually forget about a keyboard’s gimmicks shortly after opening, but I had a lot of use for the included macros. They were very handy for my workflow, but they can be reprogrammed to maximize utility.

Conclusion

The Redragon K745 Pro is a fantastic affordable keyboard for the gamer that needs to perform at their next important team fight, but needs to be conscious of their budget. I am very satisfied with how good this keyboard is, especially at $60. I recomend it to anyone looking for a full sized keyboard.

You can pick up your Redragon K745 from the official Redragon store, or through Amazon using my Affiliate link.

video game reviews

Talystro: A Fun Deckbuilding Game with Math Mechanics

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Disclaimer

I was asked to cover the Talystro playtest for my blog. I understand the game is not finished, so I will be a bit more lenient with my review. That said, these will be my honest opinions 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 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 Talystro?

Talystro is a a unique dice based deckbuilding game coming to Steam. The game features adorable mouses and require a bit of math to defeat your enemies.

Hook

The evil Necrodicer has started the forgiben ritual of Talystro, unleashing waves of evil numbers to disrupt the worlds peace and tranquility. All hope rests in the hands of Math Mouse and his proficiency in simple arithmatic. With the help of many dice rolls and well placed attacks, Math Mouse must fight through these evil numbers and put an end to the Talystro. Will his math skills be enough to save the world? Will RNG be in his favor? You will need to play to find out.

Gameplay

Players must fight their way through many waves of ruthless monsters with only the help of a deck they build along the way. Unlike most deckbuilders, Talystro has players build their attacks from a pool of dice rolls.

Casting

Players roll 6 dice at the start of each round to play the five cards they draw to their hand. Each card has a slot or a series of slots in an equation. To cast a card, players fill these slots with the numbers from their dice pool results. Cards will do damage equal to the total of the card after all required slots are filled. For example, if a user has a card with a slot _ + _ and they fill it with the numbers 1 and 2, the card will do three damage.

Combat

Players can attack as many times per turn as they have available dice, assuming they can get to the correct number. The monsters in this game are numbers. Unlike other deckbuilders where players need to slowly chip away at an enemies health, players need to reach the exact number of the monster they are fighting. For example, if the monster they are fighting is a 7, players must combine their dice and cards to deal out 7 damage and destroy the monster. You can play multiple cards per turn, so mix and match accordingly.

Monsters

Monsters carry attack die. Any monster left with an attack die at the end of the turn does one point of damage to Math Mouse. Players progress to the next stage if they kill off all the numbers. The game ends if the Math Mouse’s health drops to zero.

Abilities

The game has a few abilities to give combat its depth. Players start with three abilities: block, reroll, and adjust. Players all start with one charge of each ability. These abilities can be recharged by playing a card that has a recharge ability.

Block

Monsters get an attack die with the result visible to the player. Players can break these attack dice by stacking a dice with the same result. For example, if a monster has a 4 attack dice, stacking another four negates the attack.

Reroll

Reroll is self explanatory. Players use this ability to reroll their available pool of dice and hope for better numbers. Reroll only affects dice you have left in play. If you have three dice, you only reroll three.

Adjust

This ability allows players to adjust a dice by one value. For example, if you only have a three and need a four or a two, you use the adjust ability to get the number you need.

Impressions

I am a little bummed that this game is only a playtest because it is already an addiction. I did not know I could have so much fun with math, but then again, I played a lot of Math Blaster growing up.

Aesthetic

Talystro has fantastic art. I love the cartoon style art and the world that goes around it. The game has an old school aesthetic, but with gameplay that makes it incredibly addicting.

Gameplay

I am a little bummed it doesn’t work on the Steam deck because this would be a fantastic hand held game. It isn’t resource intensive, and the game is casual enough to enjoy on the go. However, this game is so much fun. I like that it breaks away from the same tired deck builder formula with mechanics that make combat a lot more engaging. I liked that I was always trying to figure out something and it made the grind a lot of fun. Every round was a cool puzzle I needed to solve, even if it involved a lot of math.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a different kind of deckbuilder that isn’t afraid to be different, you need to keep an eye out on Talystro. This is the most fun I’ve ever had doing math, and I am not a huge math person. The game has fun flavor and solid mechanics to keep things engaging. This is a very successful playtest, and I can’t wait to see what else in store. You can still try to get into the playtest. Don’t forget to wishlist!

Tech Reviews

QK108 Mechanical Keyboard: Features and Flaws

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Disclaimer

Epomaker sent me the QK108 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 also check out my review for the TH33 keypad and the G84 Pro keyboard. I will also be using my Amazon Affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you shop for anything.

Table of contents

What’s in the box?

  • QK108 Mechanical Keyboard
  • USB-C to USB-A Cable
  • 2.4 Ghz Wireless Dongle
  • 3 Mac Keycaps
  • 2 Extra Switches
  • Key/Switch Puller
  • User Manual

Unboxing

Features

The Epomaker QK108 is the fullsized keyboard that promises to be the only keyboard a gamer needs to upgrade their arsenal.

Design

The QK108 is a classic looking keyboard with a bit of a modern flare. It only comes in one color, but it is a very classy green, white, and green scheme. All 104 cherry profile keycaps are hot swappable and sit on your choice of the Epomaker Wisteria Linear or Sea Salt Silent switches. The Wisterias are those who are looking for that thacky mechanical keyboard sound, and the silent ones are self explanatory.

Each key is illuminated with soft sout-facing rgb for visabililty, but they can be easily turned off with the dedicated onboard button. The onboard volume and media controls bring this keybaord to a modern audience. What sets the QK108 apart the customizable screen that displays important information like date, time, and battery life.

Comfort

The QK108 features a padded, five layer gasket so that the sound of your typing never becomes a noise violation. The default typing angle should satisfy most users, but the added adjustable height makes the keyboard perfect for all users. The stands also store the wireless dongle for easy storage and travel.

Utility

This fullsized keyboard is ready to take on any workflow, giving users access to a well placed function bar and numbpad for those who need it. Each of the 104 keys can be easily customized through VIA for some added utility. Users can remap, rebind, and program the maccros to get the job done.

Gamers will appreciate the boasted fast, low latency wireless connection that is ready to take on the most competitive scenarios. As an added bonus, the QK108 sports an impressive 4000mAh battery. Users can enjoy long gaming sessions without worrying about reaching for a charger mid raid boss. When the battery eventually dies, users will appreciate the high speed wired connection.

Sound Test

Review

If you are looking for a more traditional looking keyboard that will blend into the office aesthetic, the QK108 is a fine full-sized keyboard, but it falls a little short. Unfortunately, my keyboard started to malfunction shortly after unboxing. The keyboard works great until it goes to sleep. If I am using the dongle, it won’t reconnect automatically. I have to restart the keyboard. If I am on Bluetooth, the keyboard shuts off after a few seconds of sitting idle. This makes using shortcuts a pain. It works fine wired, but that sort of defeats the purpose. If I reach out, it will get replaced, but it has lost my confidence.

Quality

Out of the box, the keyboard looks fine. It is a clean keyboard that looks well machined. I like the classic feel of the keyboard and the minty green accents to give my setup a bit of color. When I started using the keyboard, the keycaps feel cheap. This is only a problem if you’ve tried better keycaps, but you should be using better keycaps if you are typing for long hours. I would rather be using the G84 pro if I am being honest, especially if you don’t really need a keypad.

Gimmick

I am pretty indifferent about keyboards with screens. They are nice for the first few moments after unboxing, but I quickly forget I have one. I guess it is handy to be able to see the battery life, but I never have use for a clock or gifs. My keyboard never showed me if I switched to mac mode. The volume and media controls are invaluable, and the nob is very nice.

Comfort

The QK108 is fine for short burst, but it did start getting uncomfortable after a while. The typing sound is fantastic, the typing angle is perfect, but I can’t get over how uncomfortable the keycaps are. They can be easily swapped for better keycaps. At $90, it is a viable solution, but I rather be using the Epomaker TH108.

Performance

Aside from the connection issue, the keyboard works fine. I didn’t notice any ghosting or latency, and I never had connection issues in game. The issue was when I let it idle and sleep, and it only affected my work. I wasn’t able to test the battery because I switched to wired when I started experiencing connection issues. As a wired keyboard, it works great, but I expect my wireless keyboard to work without wires.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fullsized keyboard, you can do better. Get the TH108. This keyboard is fine, especially if you are looking for a more classic looking keyboard, but the malfunction out of the box makes it hard to recommend. Buy at your discretion.

You can pick up the QK108 from the official Epomaker store, or on Amazon through my affiliate link.

Board Games and TCGs

Review of the Alien RPG Rapture Protocol Miniature Set

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Disclaimer

Free League Publishing sent me the Alien Rapture Protocol miniature set for the Alien Role Playing Game Evolved Edition 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. Make sure you also check out my reviews for Mutant Year Zero and Alient TTRPG.

Table of contents

Unboxing

What’s in the box?

  • 20 high quality miniatures
  • Skirmish rulebook
  • Tokens
  • Game Catalogue

What is it?

Free League Publishing has released a set of 20 high-quality figures to fill your next session of Alien TTRPG. The set comes with a condensed rulebook for skirmish play for players who want to enjoy some wargaming in the Alien universe. Most importantly, the miniatures are ready to fill your world whether you are following one of the prewritten adventures, like Rapture Protocol, or you are creating one of your own from one of the many high quality source books. Whether you leave them unpainted, or get a little creative with the paint, these are going to look great on any table.

What is Skirmish?

Skirmish is Alien TTRPG’s pvp mode. The game is designed for two players (or teams) as they fight for survival. Booklet includes three unique scenarios to help players get started, but there is room for some solid homebrew potential. For example, a team of humans must fight their way through a Xenomorph infested planet to retrieve keycards to help them escape. The game is over if the humans complete their objective, or the aliens kill all the humans. There are rules for army creation, combat, and even a fear mechanic to make the game very thematic. I am a huge fan of the radar mechanic because it makes the game flavorful. If you’re into Alien RPG for just combat, definitely look into the skirmish mechanics.

Thoughts on skirmish

I am not very good at wargaming, so I appreciate how easy this mode is to get into. I got destroyed the times I played, but I had a lot of fun doing so. The game mode is full of cool flavor that will make fans of the Alien series very happy. The fact that Xenomorphs start as blips of a radar until discovered is terrifying. The fact that one of them turns into a cat is fantastic.

Combat is strait forward, but engaging. I am not very good at army building, but there seems to be a good amount of options for some diversity. I am sure there might be a meta, but I had fun playing what was cool. I had a lot more fun playing the Xenomorphs, but only because I was better at it.

I love that the rulebook comes with the miniature because it makes the set a board game you can pull out when you are not running games.

Review

If you like the Alien movies, you might as well pick up this miniature set. This is a very cool set that will be a lot of fun to paint, even if you don’t end up playing the tabletop game.

Quality

I am amazed, but not surprised by how good the quality of these miniatures is. Free League Publishing consistantly produces high quality products for all their IPs, and it can be clearly seen in the amount of work that went into each sculpt. The Xenomorphs look terrifying, and the humans look like they are ready to survive the invasion. I had a lot of fun looking examining each figure and appreciating all the small features. The ripples of the muscles, the poses of the figures, and even face huggers look cool. I definitely wish I was good at painting.

Is it worth it?

Yes. If you are a fan of the series, the figures have the detail you need. Buy these, paint them, and add them to a cool scifi display.

You don’t need miniatures to run a campaign of Alien TTRPG. Before this set, I was just using coins, but it does make my players a lot more excited. The first time I pulled one of Xenomorps to attack the party is a memory I will treasure for ever. It is a very fun and useful accessory, if you have the space and need for it. I only bring these out for combat, so its nice that the set includes rules for a standalone game mode.

If you are buying this for skirmish, I think it is a fun little game mode that you can pull out when you don’t want to run a full session. Skirmish isn’t my thing, but I did have fun the times I played it. I’ll probably mostly use it for all my tabletop rpgs I run moving forward because of how good they look on the table. Now I just need to convince my wife to paint them for me.

You can pick up the Alien TTRPG Rapture Protocol miniature set on the official Free League Publishing website.