Developed and Published by Anima Flux, Anima Flux is a 2d coop Metroidvania with a 80s-90s retro sci-fi aesthetics and a dark cosmic atmosphere.
Another day, another Metroidvania on Steam these days. However, now and then, there is something worth your time. This game, as great as it looks or moves, is not one of them.
It’s got COOP
Anima Flux is a game that delivers exactly what the Metroidvania genre needed, even if it wasn’t what it originally intended to do. While Metroidvania games have always been known for their solitary exploration and a focus on uncovering new abilities, Anima Flux takes this concept and adds something fresh: cooperative gameplay.
Whether you’re playing with a friend on the couch or teaming up online with someone from across the world, Anima Flux offers a co-op experience that’s both fun and engaging. And if you prefer to go solo, the game still has you covered with an AI-controlled companion to back you up.
A similar taste
Like most Metroidvania games, Anima Flux drops you straight into its world with little direction. The game expects you to figure things out on your own, which can feel overwhelming at first but ultimately proves rewarding. The world is large and complex, and your first task is to explore and understand the lay of the land.
As you explore, you’ll encounter NPCs (non-playable characters) who provide bits of information and some guidance about what you should be doing next. But, like in other Metroidvania games, the world remains open-ended, allowing you to explore at your own pace.
Along the way, you’ll face a variety of obstacles, from locked doors to powerful enemies. The game’s progression system involves defeating tough insect-like bosses, which drop valuable skill upgrades. These upgrades are essential to progressing through the game, as they grant you new abilities that allow you to break through barriers and reach new areas. For example, defeating certain bosses might give you a new weapon or a skill that lets you double-jump, which in turn opens up previously inaccessible areas.
As you delve deeper into the coop game’s world, you’ll also find merchants who offer useful upgrades. These can range from better armour and stronger weapons to elemental abilities and improved attack damage. The game encourages exploration, as the more you explore, the more powerful you become, and the more you can unlock.
This progression system is a key element of what makes Metroidvania games so addictive. Every time you unlock a new ability or find a new item, it feels like a small victory, motivating you to keep playing. The sense of accomplishment is especially strong in Anima Flux, as the game gradually opens up new paths and challenges, making you feel like you’re truly mastering the world.
Loners also welcome
If you’re the type of player who prefers to avoid human interaction, Anima Flux also has you covered. You can play with an AI-controlled companion, which takes some of the pressure off if you prefer a solo experience. However, as with any game featuring AI teammates, there are moments of frustration when the computer-controlled ally doesn’t quite perform as expected.
The co-op experience adds a layer of excitement to the game that players lose in single-player. You’ll need to communicate with your partner to strategize, whether it’s deciding who will take on the tougher enemies or figuring out how to overcome tricky obstacles.
An old friend, a new face.
So, if you’re really craving a co-op experience, Anima Flux has the right tools to spice things up with local or online multiplayer, offering that “teamwork makes the dream work” vibe, assuming your teammate isn’t brain-dead and gets killed by an enemy for the fifth time in a row. But hey, at least the game still lets you play solo if you’re one of those rare creatures who actually enjoy the “I’m lost, but it’s fine” vibe of Metroidvania games.
This coop game certainly looks great, and if you’re a fan of wandering around aimlessly through sprawling maps with minimal direction, then congratulations, you’re in for a treat. It does that Metroidvania thing with a vengeance.
Is Anima Flux a game you absolutely must play? Probably not. But if you’ve got a spare couple of hours and an unhealthy desire to collect power-ups from giant insect guts, well, this could be your next distraction. Just don’t expect it to redefine the genre or leave you thinking.
The Sonic Prime Action Figures are the perfect Christmas gift for franchise fans. These colourful and detailed figurines are based on the Netflix series. Moreover, they come in packs of 4 and there are 8 unique characters to collect. Accordingly, these collectables would look great on your shelf if you love the game or the Netflix series. Alternatively, maybe you love to recreate your favourite scene. Either way, these figurines will impress you.
The striking poses and vibrant colours are wonderfully eye-catching. As such, they’d look incredible if you have a man/woman cave. Though I weep a bit when collectables are played with, I couldn’t resist. Each figure was great to handle and the secure base was perfectly balanced. Therefore, you can combine this product with other Sonic items for hours of imaginative fun.
Which characters did I get in the Sonic Prime Action Figures pack of 4?
This collectable pack comprises 4 of the lead protagonists for the Netflix series. Sonic the Hedgehog looks serious and prepared to undertake any task. Tails raises a fist in defiance of the evil powers that he must overcome. Rogue looks relaxed and nonchalant as she observes her surroundings. Finally, Dr Eggman has a classic antagonist pose as he flaunts his power.
Each of the characters is full of personality and I could feel the TV series and video game vibes from each item. What’s more, the colours are accurate and each layer of detail will impress hardcore fans. Consequently, unlike cheap action figures, the Sonic Prime Action Figures will not disappoint.
Build quality.
I cannot judge these items as toys. I view them as collectables and the build quality, depth of colour and detail, and other elements reflect this status. Now, I’m not saying that you can’t play with them, but I believe they’ve been created for collectors and enthusiasts of the Sonic franchise. Subsequently, though the quality is good, they will become discoloured and damaged if they are mishandled.
The 7.5 cm figures are made from plastic and stand upon solid round bases. Their lightweight nature makes them pleasant to hold and they are ideal for desktops or shelving in a gaming environment. Alternatively, you may wish to place them within your PC for a unique edge. The solid figures have an animated appearance that is both dramatic and characterful.
I was impressed with the build quality and the rich colour palette. Furthermore, the blend of characters was interesting and children and adults will love these collectables equally.
Are the Sonic Prime Action Figures worth it?
Buying collectables is a niche market. Yet, Sonic the Hedgehog is huge and a series with Netflix is only going to make it bigger. Though I wouldn’t exclusively use them as toys, they are robust enough to take some roughhousing. However, they are best served as a display piece and this is where they truly excel. Accordingly, I love them and I recommend buying them here!
(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)
It’s been almost ten years since the first game in the franchise was released and now Life is Strange is back with the launch of Double Exposure. Does it live up to the classic tale? Or are you left wishing you could rewind time once again?
Time-Bending Triumph
I fell in love a long time ago with the unique charm of Life is Strange. Each game has had a profound effect on me with their characters, setting and coming of age tales. Now Double Exposure continues its brilliance. Returning from the original is protagonist Max Caufield, a fan favourite character whom I have longed to be back in the series. She is such a fantastic lead character with her inner monologues, opinions on life and her deliberate resistance to conforming to societal norms. Coming ten years after the events of the first game, Max has left Arcadia Bay and moved to Lakeport Vermont where she is working as a photography teacher in residence at Caledon University. From the very start of the story it’s clear Max is still dealing with the effects of the first game through grief, guilt and PTSD symptoms from her encounters with Mr Jefferson. She swore never to use her time-bending abilities again and ten years on, she has kept that promise. That is until the events of the first night of the game where Max’s close friend Safi is murdered. This prompts Max to discover a new ability- the power to shift into multiple timelines and pulse in one timeline to see what is happening in the parallel universe. I think it’s important to mention that playing through the original game will give some vital context for players and enrich the story deeper as there are many throw-backs to the original. The emphasis on Max’s relationship with Chloe from the first game is important, as early on you are given a choice to shape what happened with Chloe and this will have ripple effects for the rest of the story.
As per a usual rule of mine, I don’t want to get into spoiler territory but, as I’ve previously said, it’s advisable to go into the game knowing the first story’s plot. But man what a story this is! It’s a murder mystery and a supernatural drama that is just so engrossing from minute one that I cannot recommend it enough. The cast of characters is absolutely superb, from Max’s friends Moses and Safi, to love interests Vinh and Amanda, to minor villains like Lucas or Yasmin. Each character is so interesting and I just adored being able to peel back a layer for each of them and find out more about them. It’s a mature tale dealing with many topics that young adults encounter in today’s world and like the other games in the franchise, it has this loveable coming of age story that never comes across as pretentious or tacky. Each game portrays a character dealing with the emergence of powers and Double Exposure has done wonderfully well in making Max feel like a novice in her abilities.
Over the roughly ten hour story, I laughed and cried in this powerful tale of friendship and what lengths you would go to for a friend. Max, for me, is an all time great protagonist, in the way she conveys her thoughts and emotions. The choices you make truly feel important, no matter what you choose. Adding the romantic subplots and the other contextual conversations made me feel that this is a new benchmark for the series. Whilst I wish it was just a little bit longer, the ending certainly sets up a sequel for Max and her friends and I just cannot wait! The story feels raw and real with the dealing of vast topics but the emphasis on grief and guilt really struck a cord with me. With the story being so impactful, its important gameplay holds its own and the new additions to the series help propel it to new heights.
Evolution and Innovation
Expectations are important in a game like Life is Strange. This is a narrative adventure game so gameplay will never truly be the emphasis as the story is always in the driving seat. Nevertheless, developers Deck Nine have attempted to give more life to the gameplay, with superb results. Like every LiS game, it’s controlled from a third-person perspective with a focus on exploration, but this time they have really interwoven the main ability into gameplay itself. Max has the ability to cross timelines into either Safi being alive or the timeline where she died. This creates puzzles, as in one timeline, areas may be blocked, but by switching, you can manipulate the environment. This mechanic is fantastic and really makes you feel like you are actually using the power this time, which in previous games felt mainly confined to cutscenes. I loved going back and forth between worlds to see what had changed but it’s the pulse ability that truly blew me away.
The pulse ability works as an area of effect scan but for the opposing world. By pulsing, you can stay in one timeline but see the events of the other, which is just fantastic. Seeing and hearing what is going on in the other timeline adds so much context to the characters and plot; I often used the ability whilst wandering around to see what I could discover. Along with this ability, returning mechanics from the previous games take the forefront in gameplay. The ability to interact with items in the environment is as important as ever as it allows Max to comment on them and this adds great moments you otherwise would miss. Text messages and the social media platforms return, which again add to the plot, as I sat scrolling through the feed, reading the characters’ thoughts and feelings at each major plot point, hoping to see their reactions to my choices. As mentioned, choices are still prominent and create replay ability for players, as I now want to go back into this fantastic world and do the opposite to what I did to see the ripple effects. Another returning element is the ability to sit in areas and reflect, which allows Max to monologue the events that have recently occurred. This really made me think that every choice I made could have a profound effect on Max. Taking photos feels as great as ever with the added ability to create double exposures on photos which is a beautiful addition. Great returning elements and wonderful new innovations in the gameplay loop make this game the most interactive and engaging Life is Strange yet.
Presentational Tour-De-Force
Graphically speaking, this game is absolutely breath-taking. This is a small scale story focusing on one area, Caledon University, but every inch of the campus is dripping in detail. Each area looks beautiful, from the campus to the art building to the local bar that Max frequents. Every room is detailed, vibrant and colourful, making each location stand out from the next which is important as this is a relatively small scale story in terms of location. I loved wandering into every room I could enter to see what I could find next. The journal showing Max’s doodles and thoughts throughout the game is also superb. Deck Nine have without a doubt crafted the best looking game in the franchise. Moreover, it’s the animations that truly blew me away. Simply put, facial animations in this game are some of the best in video games. Period. Watching Max or the cast convey their emotions so expressively is so realistic you have to do a double take sometimes. This truly makes the emotional and climatic parts of the story feel so real when the characters are conveying their feelings in such a lifelike manner; it’s truly magnificent. It will take something special for a game to beat these animations and I cannot wait for Deck Nine to craft more games using this superb animation system.
Along with some of the best graphics of the year, I can safely say Double Exposure has the best soundtrack of the year- and nothing compares! Each song on the official soundtrack for the game is so emotionally connected to a specific scene that it truly resonated with me and made me want to listen to them over and over. It’s a track listing full of original songs from artists such as Dodie and Matilda Mann that make the game so special. During moments of reflection where Max verbalises her thoughts, a song will play which makes those moments so special. During the climatic moments of the game the song selection is just pure perfection and heightened my emotions in every single scene. This is a stunning achievement and a soundtrack I will be listening to for years to come.
Along with the soundtrack is a near perfect performance from the voice cast, in particular Hannah Telle as Max and Olivia AbiAssi. This cast is superb in displaying the emotions and raising stakes of the characters as the story unfolds and had me in tears at times. Each character is voiced so wonderfully and memorably; it’s such a masterclass in voice acting. However, sound design is the one problem I have with the entire game. It’s not that the design is poor as everything sounds great, but it’s the actual mixing of the sound itself. At times, the sound would randomly distort which would make one sound or piece of dialogue boom loudly, drowning out the voice. This did remove some of the enjoyment or emotion from dramatic moments. But truly, only the one down side to the game.
Verdict
Life is Strange: Double Exposure truly is a new benchmark for a franchise that is close to my heart. A superb thought-provoking tale spearheaded by the exquisitely voiced Max, make this game stay in the mind and heart for years to come. A diverse and well rounded cast help propel the story to new heights whilst new gameplay mechanics make this the most interactive and immersive game in the series. Industry leading graphics and the best soundtrack of the year make this a strong contender for end of year awards. Only minor sound issues and overall story length hinder this spell binding tale. I laughed, I cried and now I long for more.
When Studio Zero finished up with Persona 5, the next project they announced would be their take on the fantasy genre. That project turned out to be Metaphor: ReFantazio. While the setting of Metaphor differs from the Persona games, the DNA of Persona is still found within Metaphor. From its in-depth character stories, in-your-face themes of inequality and injustices, and its excellent turn-based combat. Everything you could want from a Persona game is here, and it is an amazing RPG worth playing.
Fantasy Hellscape
Metaphor’s story starts with the murder of the king of Euchronia, at the hands of Count Louis, a well-liked general responsible for placing a curse on the prince of Euchronia. The main character is responsible for finding out how to lift the curse from the prince. At the same time, with the king dead, the king’s final wish is to hold a popularity contest amongst the people to find out who the new king should be. You enter the contest to get close to Count Louis and find out how to save the prince.
Along the way, you meet companions who will join your cause. Each companion has their own story to explore through follower bonds. The deeper you grow your follower bonds, the more benefits you unlock. Your party members can gain new forms of their archetypes, the summons of this game, and can block attacks for you. Non-combat followers can unlock discounts in stores or benefits outside of combat that are beneficial throughout the game.
Turn-Based Excellence
Metaphor’s combat, while similar to previous Persona games, has a different approach to how you’re fighting enemies in this game. In Persona games, you use different types of spells and attacks to figure out the enemies’ weaknesses, knock them down, and perform an all-out attack to perform massive damage. In Metaphor, you have a certain amount of actions equal to the number of party members you have. Each action you perform takes up an action unless you hit a weakness, then it counts for half an action. So instead of knocking enemies down, you’re trying to extend your turn to wipe out the enemies.
Another interesting factor to combat is positioning. You can position your party members at the front or the rear. Positioning party members at the rear would have them take less damage while dealing less damage. One strategy I liked early on was having my knight archetype in the back while taunting everyone to attack the knight while my other party members fought freely. The positioning mechanic adds a new wrinkle to combat, but I wish they played around with this idea more.
The other big change to Metaphor is how summons work. In metaphor, your characters get powerful summons called archetypes. Archetypes take on the form of RPG classes. For example, you can have a warrior, mage, cleric, etc. Every character can use any archetype, as long as you have unlocked them. You can level archetypes up to level 20, and unlock skills. These skills can be transferred and used in other archetypes. I love the flexibility that this creates throughout the game. Being able to use skills for whatever situation you need is awesome, and I love the strategies you can create with all the different skills your archetypes give you.
Running the Gauntlet
Fans of Persona will feel right at home in Metaphor: ReFantazio. It is a long journey with many twists and turns tied to a calendar year. Its themes of inequality and a desire for a better world are in your face, and a little on the nose sometimes. The characters you meet along the journey and the stories they have are also memorable. One thing that is particularly interesting to me is the idea of fantasy in this world. Throughout the story, the main character has a book that tells the story of a utopia. That utopia is our real world where everyone is equal and united. Which is the opposite of Euchronia where racism and classism divide the country.
Of course, dungeon crawling is fun and streamlined this time around. Weaker enemies can be taken out without engaging in battle. Each quest feels different based on what archetypes you bring and the party members you have. Dungeons feel massive in scale, even compared to the palaces of Persona 5. Of course, the battle themes are amazing and I will have them stuck in my head for hours after putting the game down.
Fit To Wear The Crown
While Metaphor does not soar to the highs that Persona 5 did, this game is a truly exceptional RPG. Its turn-based combat is a lot of fun to engage with, the dungeons are massive and a ton of fun to explore. The characters have the same emotional depth that Studio Zero is known for, and its grandiose story will leave you on the edge of your seat. Metaphor: ReFantazio is a special game and it is worth your time.
If you follow my reviews, you know that I love keyboards. The weirder, the better as I adore a good conversation starter. Though I look at various brands and styles of keyboards, I haven’t reviewed any keycaps. Well, today I break that duck as I look at the attractive and alluring Temple Keycaps from Epomaker.
These earthy-looking keycaps utilise the much-loved cherry profile. Accordingly, if you invest, you’ll enjoy a comfortable and familiar typing experience. On top of this, I loved the ancient desert civilisation theme. The rich browny/orange tone works perfectly with a dark-cased keyboard. Moreover, if there is a gentle RGB hue, these keycaps pop. As such, you can make an eye-catching display with very little work.
What’s in the box of the Temple Keycaps?
The packaging is plain and ordinary. Accordingly, it does a great job of juxtaposing the interesting and colourful contents.
The Temple Keycaps are incredibly well-built. Furthermore, they are suitable for ISO and ANSI templates and 60% through to full-size keyboards.
Remove your existing keycaps with the pulling tool.
Technical aspects.
Keycaps are simple by design. Yet, despite their straightforward nature, they are surprisingly complex as well. They must match an array of switches and be suitable for numerous form factor units. Thankfully, the Temple Keycaps fit the Cherry MX switches and many of the copycat brands available. Accordingly, you are guaranteed a great fit. On top of this, you can fit this product to a US ANSI or UK Iso template. This is a fantastic versatile approach that guarantees satisfaction.
If you lack confidence or you have never pulled a keycap before, you may be worried about the task ahead. Thankfully, the handy keycap-pulling tool makes it a cinch to remove your existing keys. Additionally, replacing them is as simple as lining up the cap and pushing it in place. Little force is required and they clip into place with ease. Consequently, you’ll have your new design up and running in no time.
Build quality.
Keyboards take an absolute beating. Typing and gaming ruin the pristine finish of your pride and joy. Luckily, the Temple Keycaps have a robust coating that is built to last. The high-quality PBT material is durable while resisting oily staining. Moreover, the one-dip dye sublimation prevents the icons and graphics will not fade.
The strong keycaps have a striking ancient desert finish that is unusual to look at. I adore the combination of Egyptian hieroglyphics and distinct lettering. Alongside this, the main functionality keys are easily identifiable thanks to their large imagery and unique backdrops. The blend of colours and graphics makes this set wonderfully unique. Unlike other keycaps, these are simple to work with and I was typing and playing normally in record time.
Are the Temple Keycaps worth it?
Creating a fun and vibrant style that reflects your personality isn’t that easy. Moreover, you may not like investing more money into your PC rig. Luckily, the Temple Keycaps are affordable and built to last. Consequently, you won’t have to replace them once they are installed. The cherry profile is comfortable for typing and gaming, and you will have your keyboard stripped and set up in less than 10 minutes. If you are looking for a change, I recommend buying them here! If Epomaker takes your fancy, they are offering massive savings for Black Friday 2024! Information can be found at the link below.
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Spirittea is a classic farm/life sim that is packed full of lively characters and a wonderful town to explore. However, it feels pretty hectic and I struggled to keep on top of every task. Now, this may not annoy some people, but I play this genre for a chilled time. This is why I adore games like Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley. Though they offer plenty of depth, you are in charge of your destiny. Sadly, this wasn’t always the case here, and it was occasionally overwhelming.
This otherworldly sim experience was developed by Cheesemaster Games and No More Robots. Furthermore, it is a single-player game that has a lush pixelated aesthetic. The game plays out from a bird’s eye view and the relaxing music juxtaposes the never-ending hectic list of tasks. As such, it’s a little bizarre, but strangely addictive at the same time.
Spirittea tells a familiar tale.
In typical genre fashion, you are new to a village and the locals are excited to meet you. Moreover, they can’t do enough to help you settle in. Yet, there is always a hidden reason and things quickly unfold as favours are called in. Spirittea has no nasty secrets, but there is a brilliant ghostly edge that is pleasant to see. The hero moves into his new town. It is quaint and pretty, but also haunted. These pesky spirits want your help, and you are more than happy to give it to them.
As you relax in your new home, you make yourself a delicious cup of tea. The magical tea leaves help you to connect with the troublesome spirits. Wonyan a divisive cat spirit introduces you to the local bathhouse. This abandoned building needs to be restored so you can help every spirit relax and communicate.
Though the concept isn’t new, I liked the twist on old ideas. The bathhouse requires a lot of attention and this will consume your time. Accordingly, you must juggle your responsibilities and your friendships to make things work.
Time to make friends.
Ahhhh, the classic mechanic of friendship and love. Spirittea utilises this idea to build a sense of community and worth. Additionally, once you maximise your friendship meter, you can get them to help you during day-to-day tasks. This was a brilliant idea, but things felt a little skewed. Consequently, it wasn’t until the latter part of the game that things moved at a decent pace.
The NPC friendship is essential for your bathhouse to succeed. Each NPC helps to drive ghosts to your business and this builds a rounder picture of the surrounding world. This was phenomenal as each character and ghost has a wild personality that is fascinating to see. Moreover, the town and the residents feel alive and energetic. Subsequently, every ounce of exploration and every quest was a joy to experience.
Though I found much of the gameplay fun, the mini-games were repetitive. High energy tasks became tiresome and I would look for activities that consumed less of my time. This was a shame as there was a pleasant charm to everything on offer. Yet, when you’ve sung karaoke for the millionth time, it does get somewhat tedious.
Spirittea has a great dated feel.
Pixelated aesthetics have a wholesome nature that reminds me of growing up. As such, Spirittea filled me with a joyful nostalgia that was warm and enjoyable. Furthermore, each character has a unique look and the ghosts were as bizarre as you’d expect. Though the mini-games were basic by design, I liked the simplicity and how easy things were to work out.
The audio didn’t quite match the hectic workload. However, it was pleasant and nice to listen to. On top of this, the sound effects were suitable and made me smile more often than not. This doesn’t do anything unique, but I liked the pleasant soundscape and its relaxing ways.
Simple controls.
Running the bathhouse was time-consuming. Yet, I enjoyed the fun games and the excellent control layout. The tutorial was straightforward and understanding each goal was a cinch. The hardest part of this title was managing your time correctly and making every person happy.
There is plenty of replay value and longevity if you get on with your ghostly friends. Moreover, each NPC has a wonderful personality and getting to know them was great fun. As such, if this gets its claws into your skin, you won’t be able to put it down.
Spirittea was a familiar but nice indie title.
Though Spirittea doesn’t get its work-life balance right, I loved the story and the heartwarming personalities. Additionally, the mini-games were fun even though some were repetitive. Accordingly, if you love this genre, I recommend buying it here! Can you appease every spirit? Make some friends, run your business, and keep those ghosts happy.
Social Ladder by Sidemen is funny, silly, and competitive. What’s more, it ticks many boxes if you love to drink and spend time with your friends. Though this game doesn’t work well with extended friendship groups, it is ideal if you have a close-knit friendship circle. I’ve recently reviewed Too Far, and I loved every second. This game isn’t as dark, and many questions are lighthearted and tongue-in-cheek. Accordingly, the arguments were few and far between.
This simple card game is easy to play and quick to master. Alongside this, you can play it while you warm up for a night out or if you are drinking with your mates. Either way, you are guaranteed plenty of laughter and lots of silly behaviour. Furthermore, you could discover some things about your friends that you never knew. Therefore, you need to keep your ears and eyes peeled as the madness unfolds.
What’s in the box of Social Ladder?
The packaging is robust, colourful, and compact. Consequently, it is ideal if you wish to take it to the pub.
Over 100 question cards are provided.
Power cards are double-sided (bet on yourself or double down).
Identity cards help to put you in your place.
Keep on top of the score with the scorecard.
Learn the basics with the guide.
How do you play Social Ladder?
Now, I’ve boldly stated that Social Ladder is easy to play. Yet, this explanation may not be that clear. However, when you play it, it is easy to master. First, you must pick a master rater. The game suggests the baldest person. This could be a problem if you are all follically challenged. Once the first round is complete, the person to the right becomes the master rater. A question is selected and the MR must select the order from most to least likely on the social ladder. For example, most funny.
Once the question is asked, the group must argue, discuss, and sell their reasoning to whoever will listen. As the dust settles, you must place your card to show the group where you sit in the pecking order. If you disagree with the group, the majority decision is final. Yet, you can use a power card to move yourself or double down on your position. If everyone is happy, the MR reveals the order they’ve picked, and scores are dished out accordingly. The winner is the person who scores the most points by the end of the game.
Phenomenal with friends.
Too Far made my sides hurt with laughter. Yet, Social Ladder was a little calmer to play. This was amazing as flitting between the 2 games created a calm before the next storm. Where this excels is the ability to judge your friends without going too far. As the questions are asked, the energy goes through the roof.
I loved the little arguments and the minor tactical layers. Vying for position was fun and waiting to see how your friends rated you was particularly eye-opening. Luckily, this has plenty of questions and that will prevent the action from becoming repetitive. Yet, like Too Far, I hope that additional card packs are added to keep things fresh.
Build quality.
This game has joined us down the pub and on an Air BnB holiday. As such, it has taken a bit of a battering once the alcohol has taken over. Luckily, the hardwearing cards have resisted the brutality. Though there are some creases and the scorecard has seen better days, everything is perfectly serviceable.
On top of this, the cards have a nice finish and I liked the clean font and the contrasting colours. The double-sided cards help to reduce waste and each one was easy to identify. The question cards are a little light, but they have survived some heavy-handed moments and I’m confident they will last the test of time.
Is Social Ladder worth it?
If you have a great circle of friends who enjoy silly card games and each other’s company, then Social Ladder will be a hit. The amusing questions will make you laugh and the quick gameplay is ideal. Moreover, it is simple to play even though there are some tactical elements. This will be a hit for fans of Sidemen. However, if you are unaware of who they are, you’ll still enjoy the core action and the amusing moments. Accordingly, I like it and I recommend buying it here!
(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)
Here is our review of the Helox Ultra-Lightweight Wireless Gaming Mouse from Trust.
A game-changer in precision and agility, the Trust GXT 929 (Wireless) Helox Ultra-Lightweight Mouse weighs just 75g, offering a virtually weightless feel, allowing for rapid and seamless movements that are essential for gaming and winning. It also features a unique honeycomb shell that not only reduces weight but also adds a striking visual element.
The Helox stands out with its vibrant RGB rainbow lighting, illuminating through the honeycomb design to enhance the gaming atmosphere. Customisation is at the forefront, with software that allows users to adjust macros, lighting, and DPI settings (ranging from 200 to 6400) to tailor the mouse to their unique play style. With six programmable buttons, including controls for left, right, forward, back, scroll, and DPI adjustment, the Helox provides gamers with unparalleled control and adaptability.
The Helox GXT 929 option with ultra-low latency, provides a wireless connection like never before, ensuring every move is registered as soon as it is made, for lightning fast response times right at the fingertips. It also offers up to 80 hours of playtime on a single charge, so users can play away without needing to worry about running out of battery.
The Helox Ultra-Lightweight Wireless Gaming Mouse from Trust is available now in either white or black, priced around £17.90. There are also wired versions too.
With Christmas just around the corner, we take a look at Ticket to Ride – Deluxe Train Sets.
These limited-edition sets capture the nostalgia and craftsmanship that have made Ticket to Ride a beloved classic among board game enthusiasts worldwide. Each set includes 45 finely detailed train cars, along with 3 Standard Stations (for Ticket to Ride Europe), and a matching Scoring Token.
This limited-edition Deluxe Train Sets, exclusively available for the game anniversary, will beautifully enhance your games of Ticket of Ride. Finely sculpted, with intricate details and printings, these trains will stand out on your favourite Ticket to Ride map, transporting you even further in the amazing world of early 1900s train travel.
Evoking the luxury travel of Europe at the turn of the 20th century, the Blue Passenger Car brings to mind the opulent train cars equipped with full bedrooms, dining cars, and salons, often depicted in classic films. With this set, you can recreate your own Trans Europa Express.
These collector sets are a must-have for any Ticket to Ride enthusiast, offering a unique blend of historical homage and exquisite design.
Ticket to Ride – Deluxe Train Set is available now priced around £8.99 – there are 5 different sets to collect (the Yellow Crane Train, the Red Passenger Car, the Green Caboose, the Flatcar with Semi-Trailer Truck and the Blue Passenger Car).
Each set contains 45 Deluxe Trains (plus some spares), 3 Standard Stations and 1 Scoring Marker and is compatible with the various editions of the game (excluding the First Journey range, Rails & Sails, Legacy: Legends of the West and the Anniversary editions).
