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video game reviews

SteamWorld Build A Cute New Casual Village Builder with a Twist!

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I was sent SteamWorld Build as a review code. 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 me a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

SteamWorld Build launches on Xbox, Switch, PlayStation, and Steam on December 1st. If you enjoy village builders or are in the market for a new game, you need to buy this game.

Take command of a group of robot settlers as they make their last-ditch effort to escape a dying planet. Together, they must build a settlement, recruit new citizens, and mine for the materials that will lead to salvation. But getting off-world won’t be easy. Can you find a way off the planet before the monsters destroy your settlement?

SteamWorld Build is an adorable addition to the SteamWorld universe and a must-have for any fan of the series. The game does a wonderful job of capturing the quirky and delightful vibe of the franchise without sacrificing any of the fun. You don’t need to have played any of the other games to understand the story, but you are going to want to after. SteamWorld games are always a quirky good time and a fantastic addition to any library.

The art, graphics, and animation for this game are adorable. The scrappy design reminds me of the Warhammer 40k Ork Aesthetic, and I love it! If you are a fan of the SteamWorld games, you’ll appreciate the attention to detail put into capturing the essence of the series. If you aren’t a fan, you’ll appreciate the amount of detail put into bringing this world to life. Little details like watching them walk through the wash or getting a drink at the saloon as they carry on their tasks make the experience feel vibrant and alive.

Be prepared to lose a couple of days as you scrutinize the most efficient way to grow your settlement. I had so much fun with SteamWorld Build that it became an addiction. I restarted a few times as I tried the different maps and strategies until finally forcing myself away long enough to write this review. The casual gameplay yet engaging gameplay, the cute and quirky gameplay, and the pacing all come together to create an experience worth having.

SteamWorld Build is a fantastic blend of village building, resource management, and tower defense. It starts like any traditional village builder, with limited resources and a space to build. As the settlement grows, new mechanics are introduced to keep the game feeling fresh. Each world is split into four levels, each with unique gameplay and design. At the top is a basic settlement game where players recruit new citizens, keep them happy, and trade with the passing train. Lower levels introduce a mining game where players dig for resources, maintain the mine’s stability, and defend against oncoming threats. The lower you go, the more dangerous it is. It feels like playing three games at once, but it never becomes overwhelming. Building inefficiently does impede your progression, but I wouldn’t worry about that until your second or third playthrough. I recommend you go into this game as blindly as possible before looking up guides because learning from your mistakes is half the fun.

I love SteamWorld Build and recommend anyone looking for a new game these holidays to pick it up. It’s cute, it’s casual, and an addicting amount of fun. SteamWorld comes out on Xbox, Switch, PlayStation, and Steam on December 1st. Don’t forget to wishlist if you haven’t done so already!

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Folktale Strategy game Howl out now on PC and Switch

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Howl is the game from this month’s Indie World Showcase that I was most excited about. The art style is beautiful, the hook is interesting, and the gameplay seems fun. The game is out now on Steam and Switch fpr $14.99, and will release on Xbox, PlayStation, and Epic Games on January 23rd. I was going to pick this game up regardless, but I was fortunate enough to have been sent a copy for review. I’ll be posting my full impressions soon, so stay tuned for that. 

Howl is a uniquely stylized strategy game with a lovely classic folktale vibe. You play as a deaf girl who must brave the world’s dangers in search of a cure for a disease that ravages humanity. The disease is turning everyone who hears into beasts, and she is the only one who is immune to its effects. She must now fight the beasts that hunt her, save any remaining survivors, and become the hero fate needs her to be. 

Howl isn’t your traditional turn-based strategy game. It plays like a puzzle where you must predict enemy moves and use resources efficiently. Howl seems like a nice change in pace from the norm, and I am here for it. Definitely check it out if you want to add something unique to your library. 

You can pick up Howl now on Switch and Steam, or wishlist on PlayStation, Xbox, and Epic Games. There is a demo available for Steam, Switch, and Xbox.

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video game reviews

Worldless: A minimilistic but Beautiful RPG Platformer

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I was sent Worldless as a review code. 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 or any of my other content, leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee. 

Worldless is a minimalistic 2D platformer with unique turn-based RPG combat. You can pick it up on Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox on November 21st, but you can pick it up now on Steam. 

In a newly formed universe, the forces within it fight to establish order. You’ve awoken in this fight and must brave through this conflict to find your place within it. What secrets will you uncover?

This game is one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had with a game this year. I love the minimalistic artwork, the vibrant world design, and the atmospheric soundtrack. It is so cool to watch the world change around your character as you move through your adventure. I can recommend this game on looks alone, but the gameplay is also fun. 

Worldless’ gameplay is split into two parts: platforming and combat. I am an awful platformer, but the platforming is manageable. I found the experience rather soothing, especially when paired with everything that makes the game so beautiful. 

Combat is where most of the challenge lies. The combat system is a unique turn-based system you need to experience at least once. Worldless is a lot more involved than your traditional turn-based RPG. On a player’s turn, you can choose between a combination of magic and physical attacks. On an enemy’s turn, you must time your blocks to mitigate damage. Each enemy feels unique, and the game does a fantastic job of providing visual cues to help players time their blocks and figure out weaknesses. You’ll pick upgrades along the way that will give you access to new abilities and powerups, but I never felt like they made the encounters too easy. While some of them are easy, it was so satisfying to beat an enemy that was giving me trouble. 

I got to play an early version of Worldless at GDC and have been excited to play it since. I am pleased to write that I was not disappointed by its release. The game can be a relaxing good time, but there is enough of a challenge to keep things engaging. If you are looking for something different and beautiful to add to your collection, go check out Worldless. You can pick it up for $19.99 on Switch, PlayStation, Xbox and PC. There are also demos available for PC and Xbox if you need more convincing. 

video game reviews

Haunted House: A Spooky Stealthy Roguelite Adventure

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I was sent Haunted House as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be an honest review of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. If you want to show your support, you can always buy me coffee. 

Haunted House is a roguelite reimagining of the Atari classic of the same name out now for Xbox, Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam and Epic Games. 

Famous treasure hunter Zachary Graves has gone missing, and it is up to his niece to find him. Play as Lyn as she makes her way through a ghost-infested mansion in search of a way to bring him back. As Lyn, you’ll have to solve puzzles, sneak carefully, and occasionally fight to survive. Can you stay alive long enough to bring your uncle back? 

Haunted House has fantastic flavor. The isometric design and cartoonish art style give it its classic feeling flare, while the mechanics and atmosphere it creates make it appropriately creepy. Halloween may be over, but this is the perfect addition to any spooky playlist. 

If you are a fan of stealth games, you are going to want to look into Haunted House. Don’t let the game’s cutesy aesthetics fool you. This is an unforgiving roguelike, and you will die a lot. While this game does offer players ways to fight off the ghouls and ghosts that roam the manner, it is almost always better to tread lightly. This game is punishing if you try to fight through every encounter. Although I don’t have the patience for it, I found sneaking to be exciting and fun. 

Like most games in the genre, the Haunted House gameplay look is a bit repetitive. Players will explore the manor one room at a time while completing similar tasks. Between each round, players have a chance to buy the upgrades that will help them venture deeper into the castle. I enjoyed the repetition and found the gameplay loop rather relaxing. While the stress and fear of getting caught loomed with each playthrough, I had a lot of fun exploring the manor, completing each room, and getting farther each time. 

I enjoyed my time with Haunted Mansion, and recommend it even if it isn’t Halloween. It’s cute with an engaging gameplay loop and has a classic feel without feeling too old for the current generation. If you have kids, it is a solid inoffensive game to add to their collection. If you don’t have kids but are looking for a stealth game that isn’t too stressful, you’ll definitely get $20 of fun out of it. 

You can pick up Haunted House on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games for $19.99. 

video game reviews

Dungeons 4: A Wonderful Blend of Humor, Strategy, and Evil

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I was sent Dungeons 4 as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions about the game. This will be my honest review of Dungeons 4. 

If you enjoy my reviews, make sure you leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can always buy me coffee.

Dungeons 4 is a quirky and unique RTS out now for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Steam, Epic Games, and the official Kalypso store. The Absolute Evil is back to claim victory over the last remaining bastion of good. With your trusty servant Thalya captured, it is up to you to raise an army, spread your evil across the land, and get her back eventually. Do you have what it takes to finally defeat the forces of good?

This is the 4th installment to the Dungeons, but you don’t need to have played any of the Dungeons games to understand what is going on. Aside from a few references to the previous games, Dungeons 4′s story is self-contained and fantastic. Dungeons 4 is fun, quirky, and meta in a way that you need to play once to appreciate. It has a fantastic cast of voice actors, and a magnificent soundtrack to get you in the mood for evil. 

Most importantly, the gameplay is fun. Dungeons 4 is a wonderful blend of the village management, tower defense, and RTS genre. The game will frequently switch between genres as you move through the camping. 

Underground, you will build a dungeon where you gather resources and defend them against the forces of good. The game plays like the usual village builder, except the build phase won’t be endless. Eventually, you’ll build a strong enough force to clear the rest of the dungeon or make your way above ground where you’ll attempt to rescue your evil assistant Thalya. 

Heroes will occasionally attempt to raid your dungeon to steal your resources, kill your minions, and destroy the heart of the dungeon. You’ll be responsible for setting traps, building an army, and keeping them happy. I found this part of the game extremely relaxing and my favorite loop. It was fun trying to design a dungeon that was both functional and well-defended. I wish there were a way to speed up the levels, but the wait isn’t long enough for it to be a huge problem.

The RTS portions of the game are a bit simple, but I found them perfect for my skill level. I am not good at RTS games, so I appreciated that it provided enough challenge to keep things fun. There are ways to make this game more challenging, and there is even a co-op mode for added insanity, but I enjoyed the normal solo experience well enough to recommend it.

I loved this game and see myself replaying it in the future. It’s cute, it’s quirky, and everything I want from a casual RTS game. If you a looking for a wacky, relaxing experience in any of the mentioned genres, do yourself a favor and pick up Dungeons 4. 

You can pick up Dungeons 4 on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Steam, or Epic Games for $49.99. You can also get it directly from Kalypso for $47.99. It’s free on Game Pass if you have a subscription.

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The unique Metroidvania platformer Worldless comes out November 21st. Preorder yours today!

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Worldless is coming to PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch on November 21st. Worldless is a stylish and unique metroidvania platformer with an interesting turn-based combat system you need to at least try once. I strongly recommend you check out the Steam demo. 

I got to play Worldless at GDC, and have been excited for its release since. You can check out the original post if you want my initial impressions. The game is very pretty with a fantastic soundtrack, but the gameplay loop is what really sold it for me. Worldless combines Metroidvania platforming with a few RPG turn-based systems to produce a very fun and interesting gameplay loop. This game should at least be on your wish list. 

Worldless releases on all systems on November 21st for $19.99. You can save $2 if you preorder on Xbox or Switch until November 20th. PlayStation users get this discount with a PlayStation Plus membership. 

I’ve already got my copy and will be releasing a full review when the embargo is lifted. Stay tuned for that. If you enjoy these updates or any of my other content, please make sure you like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. 

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Preorder your copy of SteamWorld Build today!

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I got to try SteamWorld Build at this year’s GDC, and I have been excited to get my hands on it. You can check out my previous post to read my complete impression.

SteamWorld Build is a cute little village builder coming to Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and the Nintendo Switch on December 1st. This is a cute little village builder with an interesting defense mechanic that you are going to want to try at least once. I just got a copy and will be reviewing it as soon as the embargo is lifted. Stay tuned for that. 

You can preorder a copy of SteamWorld Build for your favorite console starting today. The game retails for $29.99, but preordering on Xbox and Switch saves you $3. PlayStation Plus members also get this discount. If you aren’t ready yet, at least add it to your wish list!

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The new Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader cRPG is coming to PC and Consoles in December, and it looks like a very good time!

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When I first heard Owlcat Games was making a 40k Rogue Trader game, I was ecstatic. I love 40k, and after putting a respectable amount of time into Pathfinder: Kingmaker, I am confident it will be a solid addition to my collection. 

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is a cRPG coming to PS5, Xbox, and PC via Steam, Gog, and Epic Games on December 7th. Play as a Rogue Trader and travel through treacherous unexplored regions of space in the name of the emperor. But your journey won’t be easy. Space is full of bloodthirsty cultists, alien Zenos, and unimaginable horrors. Do you have what it takes to survive?

If this is anything like Pathfinder, I am in. I love the flavor and aesthetics of the 40k universe, and what I’ve seen so far is impressive. The combat system looks engaging and fun. What I love most about Owlcat Games is how much your decisions affect the outcome of the game, and Rogue Trader promises to do the same. You’ll have to think hard about your choices in both combat and social interactions. I may not be good at strategy games, but I love this feature. It makes the stakes real and the game more exciting. 

If you are looking for a 40k game to add to your collection, or simply want a cRPG with some cool flavor, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader might be worth looking into. You preorder it from the official website for some neat bonuses. 

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Core Digital Pack ($39.99)

The Core Digital Pack gets you:

  • PC Digital Copy of the game
  • Discord Role that highlights you as a backer
  • Exclusive Beta Access

Premium Digital Pack ($49.99)

The Premium Digital Pack gets you:

  • PC Digital Copy of the game
  • Discord Role that highlights you as a backer
  • Exclusive Beta Access
  • Your name in the credits
  • Unique Voidship Model – Falchion-class escort frigate
  • 3 Exclusive items available only for this preorder
    • Negotiator Pistol: decreases the effectiveness of the target’s armor and grants a passive bonus to the Persuasion skill
    • Digital Las-Ring fitted with a potent short-range las emitter capable of striking several targets in a row
    • Xeno-Pelt Cloak: reduces the chances of suffering especially devastating hits and grants a passive bonus to the Coercion skill

Ultimate Digital Pack ($69.99)

The Ultimate Digital Packj gets you:

  • PC Digital Copy of the game
  • Discord Role that highlights you as a backer
  • Exclusive Beta Access
  • Your name in the credits AND in a special in-game shrine: Shrine of Remembrance
  • Unique Voidship Model – Falchion-class escort frigate
  • 3 Exclusive items available only for this preorder
    • Negotiator Pistol: decreases the effectiveness of the target’s armor and grants a passive bonus to the Persuasion skill
    • Digital Las-Ring fitted with a potent short-range las emitter capable of striking several targets in a row
    • Xeno-Pelt Cloak: reduces the chances of suffering especially devastating hits and grants a passive bonus to the Coercion skill
  • Digital OST
  • Digital Artbook
  • Ready-to-Print Poster

Developer’s Digital Pack ($99)

The Developer’s Digital Pack gets you:

  • PC Digital Copy of the game
  • Discord Role that highlights you as a backer
  • Exclusive Beta Access
  • Your name in the credits AND in a special in-game shrine: Shrine of Remembrance
  • Unique Voidship Model – Falchion-class escort frigate
  • 3 Exclusive items available only for this preorder
    • Negotiator Pistol: decreases the effectiveness of the target’s armor and grants a passive bonus to the Persuasion skill
    • Digital Las-Ring fitted with a potent short-range las emitter capable of striking several targets in a row
    • Xeno-Pelt Cloak: reduces the chances of suffering especially devastating hits and grants a passive bonus to the Coercion skill
  • Digital OST
  • Digital Artbook
  • Ready-to-Print Poster
  • Access to the earliest Gameplay Alpha and the opportunity to help shape the game
  • Special Alpha Supporter Brige Banner
  • Name in the Special Thanks credits section

Collector’s Edition ($299)

The Collector’s Edition gets you:

  • Everything from the Developers Digital Pack
  • Collector’s box
  • 8-inch Cassia painted figure
  • Hardcover art book
  • warrant of Trade that you can personalize with your name
  • Rogue Trader Banner
  • Sticker Pack
gaming news, video game reviews

The Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients Demo is live, and I liked it

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The Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients PC demo is out and part of the Steam Next Fest happening now. This adorable little action RPG is sure to win some hearts over with its fun combat mechanics, and interesting narrative. Dark forces threaten Gliese, and it is up to a lone hero and his sword to rescue it. What secrets will you uncover? What challenges await? 

I’ve been excited about this game since it was first announced. It gives off some strong Zelda vibes, which I totally appreciate, and it has an adorable art style I can get behind. Combat is fun and intuitive, and the soundtrack is phenomenal. I love the magic and upgrade system, but need to see more. The demo is a bit rough. The sound mixing needs work, and I encountered some stuttering and frame drops. None of the bugs I encountered were game-breaking, but there were enough of them present that I couldn’t ignore them. That said, the demo is playable. If you’ve been curious about this title or enjoy the Zelda games, it doesn’t hurt to try it out. 

It is too early to judge the game harshly, so I’ll wait till I get my hands on a full version to get more in-depth. Monolith: Requiem of the Ancients will be released for PC, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox sometime next year, but no date has been announced yet. Until then, go try it out and see for yourself!

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Voting for the 2023 Golden Joystick Awards has started, and the winners should be: Viewfinder and Planet of Lana

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Voting for the 2023 Golden Joystick Awards has started, and two games I’ve covered this year have been nominated, Viewfinder and Planet of Lana. I loved these games so much that I felt they were worth revisiting, at least for your consideration. Make sure you check out the original reviews, but please vote for whatever feels right.

Voting closes on October 20, and winners will be announced on November 10 during the ceremony. Make sure you head over to the official site to vote and show your favorite games some love.

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Viewfinder

Viewfinder is up for two awards this year, Best Visual Design and Best Indie Game. These nominations are spot on. This game was one of the most visually striking and innovative puzzle games I’ve ever played. Everything about this game is so much fun. The visuals are beautiful, the music is fantastic, and the puzzles are so much fun. If you haven’t played this game yet, you need to! Make sure you check out my full review and go play Viewfinder on Playstation or Steam! The game is currently $24.99 on both platforms and worth every penny.

Planet of Lana

Planet of Lana is up for Xbox Game of the Year, and I can’t think of a game more deserving. This is easily one of my favorite games of the year. it had a beautiful art style with a fantastic world, a wonderful story, and great mechanics. It also has one of the best sound tracks you will ever get to sit through. If you are looking for a fun and relaxing puzzle adventure game, you need Planet of Lana. Make sure you check out my full review. You can pick up Planet of Lana on Steam or Xbox for $19.99, or free if you have Game Pass.