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Go Play Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord

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I was sent a free copy of Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord 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. If you’re looking for a quality budget headset, check out the Fifine H9 Gaming Headset using my Amazon Affiliate link. Make sure you check out my full review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials. 

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is remake for the classic dungeon crawler from the Apple II era of gaming out now on on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC via Steam and GOG for $39.99.

Hire your team of adventurers and dive into the perilous maze. But your trek won’t be an easy one. The Mad Overlord is on your tail, and he is sending everything in his power to put an end to your adventure. Fight monsters, disarm traps, find treasure, and conquer the labyrinth. Do you have what it takes to carve your name into history, or will you be another of the maze’s casualties? 

Gameplay

Players start the game by creating heroes or hiring them from the tavern. Once a six-person adventuring party has been established, players can dive into the maze and conquer all its secrets. 

Players move through the maze one space at a time, with random encounters and traps to keep things interesting. Combat is a turn-based system with some unique mechanics. The adventuring party is split evenly into a front and back row. The front row can attack, the back row parries, and both rows can cast magic. There is a strategy to this combat. I don’t believe a guide is needed, but you do need to be mindful of your party’s composition, character traits and abilities, and your resources. 

The hardest mechanic in Wizardry is navigating through the dungeon. I have a terrible sense of direction and spent a lot of my playthrough running in circles. I eventually did start to remember where I was going and got deeper into the dungeon. I recommend you map out your run so you don’t make the same mistake. 

Wizardry has an unavoidable grind, but one that doesn’t feel so bad. Because I was constantly worried about my party’s health, and resources, and trying to find the way back to town, runs felt intense and scary. This game is very unforgiving if you’re wasteful and aren’t planning properly. 

The game is a solid remake that not only captures the spirit of the classic RPG, the much-needed quality of life changes make the game fun, exciting, and more accessible. 

Review

I’ve always had a soft spot for classic dungeon crawlers, and Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is no exception. The art and soundtrack of this game are fantastic, and I appreciate the nods to the original game. It is cool to see how far things have come since the Apple 2 Days without losing any of the spirit of the original.

The gameplay is fun, and the difficulty is appropriate. The game was hard enough to keep things engaging without ever being frustrating. The hardest part about this game is navigating through the dungeon, but that is all part of the immersion and what makes this game unique and engaging. The game can feel a little repetitive at times, but I found the repetition soothing. The grind is not as bad as other games in the genre. You can play the original mode if you prefer without any of the quality of life changes, which is a great nostalgic trip for anyone who needs it.

If you’re a fan of fantasy and want something that feels retro but with a modern pace, you need to pick up Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord. 

You can pick up Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC via Steam and GOG for $34.99. 

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Now is the Time to Jump Back into Destiny 2

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The Final Shape expansion hits Destiny 2 on June 4th. In preparation, Bungie has made a few of their older expansions free for everyone. Now is the perfect time to jump into Destiny if you’re missing key weapons like Parasite (The Witch Queen), Lament (Beyond Lignt), and anything else you missed out on. 

Parasite (The Witch Queen)
Lament (Beyond Lignt)

The Final Shape expansion hits Destiny 2 on June 4th. In preparation, Bungie has made a few of their older expansions free for everyone. Now is the perfect time to jump into Destiny if you’re missing key weapons like Parasite (The Witch Queen), Lament (Beyond Lignt), and anything else you missed out on. 

From now until June 3rd, console players can enjoy some of the older expansions including Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, and the Witch Queen. Steam players will gain access on May 21st. All Guardians also get access to past seasons including Season of Defiance, Deep, Witch, and Wish. If you have never played Destiny, or haven’t played it in a while, now is the perfect time.

I was sent a free copy of The Final Shape and will be doing my best to catch up for its release. Bungie does a decent job at getting new players caught up to the new content, but there is a bit of stuff I still need to grind for. If you end up liking any of the expansions available, I would wait for a sale. The expansions go on sale regularly for pretty cheap. 

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Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Isn’t as Bad as People Say

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I was sent a free copy of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a unique JRPG out now for PlayStation, Switch, Xbox, and PC via Steam, Epic Games, and GoG. The discovery of magical objects known as “rune-lenses” has shaped the history of Allraan. The Galdean Empire has discovered a way to amplify these objects and seeks more in its quest for complete domination. As a young adventurer, Nowa has been called to aid in these efforts, but what he uncovers will change everything. 

Gameplay

Eiyuden features a turn-based system familiar to the traditional genre. Character can charge up their “rune-lenses” by performing basic attacks, and using mana to cast special abilities. The game includes an auto-battle feature that makes the grind almost non-existent. The auto-battle is pretty solid, but I never tried using it for the boss fights. 

Boss fights were creative and had additional mechanics that brought new life to some of the monotony that comes with the JRPG grind. This game isn’t as grindy as some, but you aren’t going to want to actively fight every encounter. Boss fights will have special conditions or mechanics that players will have to be mindful of. They will need to be wary of certain animations to perform other actions like taking cover. This makes the game feel a bit more tactical, but you can always over-level if you get stuck. Ultimately, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a classic feeling JRPG with enough modern flare to keep things interesting. 

Impressions

I enjoyed playing Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. It has a decent story, beautiful art, and solid gameplay. Most of the hate around the game seems to be coming from fans of Suikoden who feel like it is an inferior version. I don’t have that frame of reference, but it is something to keep in mind. As a filthy casual who enjoys JRPGs, I thought it was fine. It isn’t genre-defining by any means, but you’ll get your money’s worth. 

I am a huge fan of the artwork. This game is so pretty, and the attack animations are fun to watch. The story isn’t anything to rush to, but the voice acting is really good so I found it enjoyable. 

I believe it to be a solid JRPG and if you have no other point of reference, it is a fantastic place to start. Everything is tame and self-contained, and there are a lot of heroes to choose from for a truly unique experience. You may not get the memorable experience you would from other titles, but it is a solid and fun title to throw on when you’re searching for something new to play. I recommend it, just don’t expect it to be a successor to Suikoden.

You can pick up Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes on PlayStation, Switch, Xbox, and PC via Steam, Epic Games, and GoG for $49.99.

video game reviews

Mighty Mage is a Terrible Disappointment

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I was sent a copy of Mighty Mage for free 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 of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials.  

What is Mighty Mage?

Mighty Mage is a bullet hell rogue-like for PC, Switch, and Xbox. With the power of Earth, Fire, Water, and Lightning to fend off against endless waves of enemies. How far can you make it?

Gameplay

Players start each round by choosing an element. All elements have access to the same skills and abilities, but some will feel worse than others. At the end of each wave, players can choose a randomly generated upgrade. Depending on the wave number, this choice can either be a permanent buff or a new spell. Players can use this upgrade to fully heal their mage, but they lose an upgrade in the process. Like most roguelikes, the goal is to get as far as possible without dying.

Impressions

Mighty Mage is fun for about five minutes before it becomes an empty and repetitive experience. The game has cute art and a decent soundtrack, but the game isn’t finished. The game just ends if you get far enough. It isn’t even worth trying all the elements because it all feels the same. There isn’t enough variety in gameplay to keep your attention, especially when you could be playing Brotato instead. Mighty Mage is a waste of money, don’t get it.

video game reviews

BROK the Investigator is Loaded with Thrills, Heart, and Action!

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I was sent a free copy of BROK the Investigator 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 of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials:

What is BROK the InvestiGATOR?

BROK the InvestiGATOR is a point and click side scroller out now on everything. Get your copy for Xbox, Switch, PlayStation, Android, IOS, Steam, Epic Games, GOG, and ITCH.io.

BROK is a struggling cartoon alligator detective with a troubled past. He lives day to day off the few cases he can find and does his best to forge a relationship with his dead wife’s son. All seems to be falling into a stale routine until his latest case has him stumbling onto a strange trail of conspiracies. What secrets will BROK unravel? Will his fists be enough?

Gameplay

BROK the InvestiGATOR successfully blends the point-and-click puzzle game with a classic side-scroller beat ’em up in this amazing interactive narrative. Players will move through this fun cyberpunk world, collecting clues, asking questions, and fighting enemies. 

The main gameplay loop is clicking through this interactive 80’s cop narrative. You’ll often have to solve puzzles and find clues to progress through the story. Some clues and solutions won’t be intuitive, so make sure you explore the maps thoroughly and click on everything. Occasionally you will have to fight in this classic arcade beat ’em up style combat. Combat feels good and smooth. If you’re a fan of classic arcade side-scrollers, BROK does it right.

Impressions

I loved everything about BROK the InvestiGATOR. It had a cute and fun art style, the story was engaging, and the gameplay was fun. I love the cartoon aesthetic and it gave this old man some unintended nostalgia. The gameplay loop was relaxing, but it offered enough of a challenge to keep me on my toes. The puzzles were hard enough without distracting from the overall narrative, and the combat was a welcome change of pace. 

What I loved most about the game was its story. The voice acting is phenomenal, and I recommend you check it the title to appreciate the performances. The story is great! It has a dark but fun tone and a great protagonist. I’ve seen enough movies to figure out some of the major story beats, but it didn’t matter because I was having fun. 

If you’re looking for a new game that is fun with solid appeal, pick up your copy of BROK the InvestiGATOR. The game is short, well made, and you can play it on everything! Get your copy today for Xbox ($19.99), Switch ($24.99), PlayStation ($24.99), Android ($7.99), IOS ($7.99), Steam ($19.99), Epic Games ($19.99), GOG ($19.99), and ITCH.io ($19.99).

There are also physical special edition copies of the game for PS4, PS5 and Nintendo Switch up for preorder for those who want some extra swag. Special editions include:

  • Copy of the game
  • Artbook
  • Poster
  • Exclusive sleeve for each platform
video game reviews

Unlife is a Dark and Unforgiving 2D Survivor Sidescroller

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I was sent Unlife 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is Unlife

Unlife is a 2D survival horror sidescroller out now for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.

A nearly endless nuclear war has brought humanity to the brink of extinction. The sky darkens with thick black smoke, the glaciers have melted and flooded the world, and the surface has become inhospitable. The planet’s few survivors are pushed into man-made structures, but the damage has been made. Plagues, poison, and hunger rattle at the fleeting population left behind.

As the last remaining survivor on your platform, you must make your way through an unforgiving darkness to find salvation or die alone. Hunger, disease, and monsters chase you through the darkness, and hope is fleeting. Can you make it out?

Gameplay

Players control their character through a dark and twisted maze as they search for supplies and avoid monsters and other hazards. You can craft, hide, and do what you need to survive. It uses a twin-stick system for controls, which I found a bit clunky, but not unplayable. This is a game where you die a lot by design, but it gets easier as you memorize the levels. It is a very repetitive loop, but one can feel rewarding if you can ignore the clunky control scheme.

Impressions

I am a fan of the artwork and flavor of Unlife, but I have mixed feelings about the gameplay. While I do appreciate how unforgiving and difficult the game is, the control scheme makes it a bit annoying. I am not sure how it runs on PC, but on Xbox, it feels clunky. I wouldn’t have minded the controls as much if they didn’t lead to some premature deaths. The game is by no means unplayable, but it is something to keep in mind. 

The game is reparative by design, but I enjoy the repetition. I liked memorizing the levels as I made my way through the labyrinth and getting a little bit farther each time. It’s not a bad game, but it isn’t going to be for everyone. If you enjoy difficult survival games and don’t mind some roughness, Unlife is a solid title for $12. If you’re on the fence or have never played anything in the genre, I would wait for a sale. It’s fun, but nothing you should be rushing to purchase.

You can pick up Unlife now for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch.

video game reviews

Pixel Action: Cybertrash STATYX Review

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I was sent Cybertrash STATYX 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is Cybertrash STATYX?

Cybertrash STATYX is a retro-styled action platformer out now for Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch. It’s coming to PC soon.

The future is run by corporations. Technological advances have forced a synthetic evolution for humanity. People are pressured into cybernetic modifications, and those who remain unmodified quickly become scarce. Corrupt corporations use their fresh supply of cyborgs to stomp out dissidence. Those who disobey the rules of the corporations find themselves abducted, and turned into mindless drones. 

Play as Janet as she fights her way through cyborg-infested streets, trying to reclaim her memories and her freedom. 

Gameplay

Cybertrash STATYX is your classic arcade action platformer. Players will jump through a 2D cyberpunk city, fighting off enemies with a myriad of guns, collecting currency, and buying upgrades. If you enjoy playing the more difficult platformers, you should look into Cybertrash STATYX. While it isn’t as unforgiving as something like Super Meatboy, it offers a solid amount of challenge within its cool aesthetic. 

Thoughts

Cybertrash STATYX  has a fantastic retro aesthetic. I am a huge fan of the pixel art, and it featured a decent soundtrack. I am terrible at platforming, and while I am not a huge fan of the gameplay, I can’t deny the overwhelming sense of accomplishment I felt when I finally completed a stage. I appreciate how creative the stages got, how different the enemies felt, and how impactful upgrades and new weapons felt. It is a very well-made arcade game with some solid flavor and a decent story, and unfortunately, I wasn’t good enough to enjoy it. The only issue I see people having with this game is having to slide to jump higher instead of the traditional double jump. This mechanic is extremely frustrating.

If you’re a fan of platformers, you’ll enjoy Cybertrash STATYX a lot more than I did. You can pick up for Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch for $9.99, but I recommend you check out the Steam demo first.

video game reviews

Dungeon Drafters is a Cute Retro Dungeon Crawling Deck Builder

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I was sent a copy of Dungeon Drafters 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. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is Dungeon Drafters?

Dungeon Drafters is a retro-style dungeon-crawler deck-building RPG out now on Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch.

Play as an eager adventurer and delve through unique perilous dungeons in search of treasure, fame, and more spell cards. Do you have what it takes to conquer every dungeon?

Gameplay

Players have access to five unique characters: shinobi, monk, mage, explorer, brawler, and bard. Each has access to a unique set of cards, abilities, and playstyle.

Shinobi
Monk
Mage
Brawler
Bard

Players enter the dungeon with a deck they can customize through the adventure. While other games have you build your deck between encounters, Dungeon Drafters lets you build your deck outside of the Dungeon through the shops like you would in a traditional RPG. This is a refreshing take on the genre, and it let me concentrate on each element of the game as it came up. 

Combat is a turn-based system where players can perform only three actions per turn. A player can either move a square, use a melee attack, or cast a spell card. While it is a somewhat limiting system, it does encourage creativity. With the mage, I was often trying to bait my enemies into traps or freeze the ground so I could slide across the map. There is a bit of a grind as you build your deck to progress, but it’s the normal grind you would expect from a game in this genre. 

Players make delve through the dungeon and clear each room of monsters and treasures. Dungeons do have unique bosses that need to be cleared. Combat can get a little repetitive, but the boss fights have unique mechanics to shake things up. Players can switch between dungeons at will to keep things fresh. Each dungeon has its unique aesthetic and feels like a different delve. 

Thoughts

I enjoyed Dungeon Drafters, but it is a bit of a niche game. The three-action point limit will frustrate players, and others won’t enjoy the repetition. I enjoyed the repetition and found it a relaxing experience. Dungeon Drafters is an adorable game with solid flavor and unique gameplay.

My only complaint with the game is that you can accidentally waste your turn on movement. I would often press a direction on the d-pad, wasting my action points. This isn’t a deal breaker, but it is a warning for whoever needs it. You don’t want to waste your turns on a boss fight for accidentally moving towards a big attack.

If you’re looking for a chill game that isn’t a huge commitment, Dungeon Drafters is a solid choice. It has a great soundtrack, a relaxing and intuitive gameplay loop, and a very cool art and aesthetic. It certainly has enough options to refresh gameplay, but I would only pay $20 for it.

Dungeon Drafters is a solid retro-style game you can pick up now for $24.99 on Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch. It is currently on sale for $19.99 until March 28 on Steam, Epic Games, and Switch. Check out the Demo on Steam!

video game reviews

Highwater: The Quirky Little Satire That Could

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I want to give a huge shoutout to Fanny2pac for buying me coffee! Your support means so much to me. I need my caffeine to function and every little bit counts. I hope you continue to enjoy my content, and I’ll do my best to make sure is good! Thank you so much!

I was sent Highwater 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 of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, and share this with your friends. Make sure you follow the socials, and you can always buy me coffee!

What is Highwater?

Highwater is an action turn-based RPG out now for on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC via Steam and Epic Games, and on Netflix Games for Android and IOS devices.

A great flood has changed the course of human history. Society now exists on the few remaining high rises that peak over its endless oceans. For a time, survivors adjusted to this new normal. A new society birthed from the old, and those who fill it do what they can to survive. 

But with each passing day, the situation grows dire. Hostility between the fragmented factions grows as the food and resources grow scarce. There are rumors of a rocket to Mars. Rumors of an elite controlling the narrative. Travel as Nikos and his companions over flooded terrain and uncover the truth. Can you find a better life behind the fortified walls that surround Alphaville, or is this endless suffering the hopeless conclusion of Highwater? 

Gameplay

Maps will have items or special terrain that a player can interact with to gain a tactical advantage. For example, a player can pick up a rock to throw, knock an enemy into a hole, or run into them with a shopping cart. This gives players the unique freedom to solve a combat in creative and fun ways. 

Highwater also has an exploration mechanic where players move through the flooded world to collect items and lore. Exploration is built on a railroad, but that doesn’t make exploration any less fun. 

Thoughts

I loved Highwater. I am a huge fan of the art style, the tone was the perfect kind of quirky, and the gameplay is phenomenal. Most importatly, Highwater has one of the best soundtracks I’ve heard all year. If you enjoy Indie music, you need to play this game. I’ll leave you with a taste to get you hyped for this title. 

I enjoyed the story and collecting all the bits of lore around the world. Some of the social commentary is a bit on the nose, but it is solid satire. Keep in mind that the story is short, but you’ll get $20 worth of fun. 

Gameplay is simple when you compare it to other games in the genre. This could be because they needed to dumb it down so it could be played on mobile devices, or because they wanted to focus on the narrative. Either way, combat and exploration make for a relaxing and enjoyable experience. 

If you’re looking for a game that isn’t a huge commitment and fun, check out Highwater. It’s a solid and unique experience that you should check out at least once, even if you have to wait for a sale. 

You can pick up Highwater on Xbox, Playstation, Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games for $19.99. It is currently on sale on Xbox, Switch, Steam and Epic Games for $15.99 until March 21st. If you have Netflix, you can play it for free on your Android and IOS devices. 

video game reviews

Cat and the Ghostly Road is a Cute and Spooky Adventure

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I was sent Cat and Ghostly Road 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 of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. Don’t forget to follow the socials!

What is Cat and Ghostly Road?

Cat and Ghostly us a cute point & click 2D adventure out now for Xbox, Switch, and Steam.

An old painter rescues a white cat from certain death and takes it as his own. For a time, the painter and the cat lived peaceful lives in the countryside. But their peace is not permanent. One night, a spirit comes and steals the painter’s soul, leaving him to die slowly in his peaceful cottage. The white cat must now venture into the spirit world and bring him back. Can he find his way to the painter in time, or will the be another pair of lost souls in the Ghostly Road?

Gameplay

The game is a point-and-click narrative that you unlock by solving specific clues. As the cat travels through the spirit world, players will need to pick up objects and interact with the world in a specific way to progress through the story. It is like a visual novel with a few extra steps, a solid story, and cool artwork. Ironically, my Gato died so I wasn’t able to record, but I don’t think the gameplay was all that interesting unless you’re invested in the story.

Thoughts

Cat and Ghostly Road has a good story and fantastic lore. I was fully invested in the adventure, but the game isn’t without its issues. The game felt buggy at times, and the controls felt clunky and slow. There were points in this game where I got frustrated because of how tedious it is to pick up and combine objects. Other objects and objectives aren’t intuitive or easy to see. If you’re trying to complete the game and earn all the achievements, you’re going to need a guide. You should probably look up a guide for the more frustrating objectives. 

That said, I enjoyed the game. I did need to take more breaks than usual because the gameplay destroyed my hands, but I didn’t have to convince myself too hard to come back and power through. I did play the Xbox version. The experience may be different on PC. It isn’t going be for everyone. The game is a little slow, and it involves a lot of reading. If you’re looking for a nice read, you can’t go wrong with Cat and Ghostly Road. 

You can pick up Cat and the Ghostly Road on Xbox and Switch for $9.99 and Steam for $6.99.