Review: AULA F108 keyboard

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: AULA F108 keyboard

The Epomaker x AULA F108 keyboard is perfect for gamers and office workers. Additionally, this full-size peripheral has tri-mode connectivity, 2 massive 4000 mAh batteries, clean keycaps, and south-facing RGB. Moreover, it has hot-swappable switches, anti-ghosting keys, and high polling rates. Accordingly, it ticks plenty of boxes.

Though it isn’t aimed at the commuting market, it is perfect if you work from home. Alternatively, the adjustable feet and pleasant keycap profile are great for hours of gaming. Finally, it is affordable as well. Available for under £70, it packs an almighty punch without ruining your bank balance.

What’s in the box of the AULA F108 keyboard?

  • The packaging is large, strong, and pleasant to look at. 
  • The AULA F108 keyboard is clean, stylish, and reasonably light. Handy switches help to select your connection, and shortcut buttons improve usability.
  • A keycap puller and spare switches are provided. 
  • The USB dongle is stored in the case. 
  • Power or charge the device with the USB cable. 
  • Learn the basics with the user manual. 

Technical aspects. 

I prefer a wired connection, but many gamers like a clean wireless approach. Luckily, the 2x4000mAh battery delivers up to 200 hours of gaming. This is a market-leading figure that keeps you in the game for longer. Furthermore, wireless and wired polling rates of 1000 Hz are impressive. This game-defining edge will help you jump up that leaderboard. If you use the Bluetooth option, this drops to 125 Hz. Consequently, this should be reserved for office-based tasks.

This full-size option has 108 keys and south-facing RGB. This is the ideal choice for larger workstations and users who need full functionality. The RGB isn’t essential, and you can adjust the settings with ease using the preinstalled macros.

Anti-ghosting is the ideal option for fast-fingered agents. Multiple keycaps are registered instantly for accurate and responsive typing and gaming.

Build quality.

Epomaker manufactures quality products. They use premium materials in every range they design. The AULA F108 keyboard has an ABS plastic case for durable and lightweight precision. It is available in 3 colourways to increase its appeal.

This mechanical device uses the Greywood V3 switch. This clacky and responsive option is perfect for long work and gaming sessions. Furthermore, the sound-dampening layers reduce the shrill tap associated with this product. The result is a satisfying creamy sound and a soft typing experience.

5-pin hot-swappable switches increase customisation and usability. Additionally, the cherry profile keycaps are comfortable and familiar. Each font is placed on the south side of the key for a clean and unusual look. I love this sleek, minimalist design even though it is fairly niche.

Is the AULA F108 keyboard worth it?

If you have a large workstation, a full-size device is always recommended. This 108-key option feels great and is built to last. Moreover, the inputs are responsive, and the battery life is impressive. Tri-mode connectivity, hot-swappable switches, and vibrant RGB are the icing on the cake. Accordingly, it is a great keyboard, and I recommend buying it here!

(More information on Epomaker can be found here!)

The AULA F108 keyboard has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)

Early Access Review: House of Legacy

Josh Blackburn
-
0
Early Access Review: House of Legacy

Boy, managing cities was easy back in Ancient China. Large swathes of houses destroyed by rebellion? Royalty fleecing you for more taxes? Governor more interested in desperately trying to find a wife? No prob. To keep the folks happy, just plonk down a nice flower garden. Maybe a grocery store or two, or a smithy if you’re in the mood for something upmarket. Or if you’re really in a bind: courtesans. A courtesan house on every corner should do the trick. That was what House of Legacy taught me, anyway.

Alright, that’s oversimplifying things a bit. House of Legacy is more than a city builder, it’s a journey from a tiny, insignificant clan into a powerhouse, with access to the royal court and a finger in every pie. It’s an intriguing journey, particularly in the early game. Rising from nothing takes work and money. There’s a sense of pride looking at the start of my clan, where we wrote letters for petty cash, to now, where we own most of the farms in the area. Sadly, while this journey is impressive, House of Legacy‘s current mid-game involves a lot of thumb twiddling.

House of Legacy

Creating Stories

Let me take you through my clan’s journey in House of Legacy. It all starts with the late Chunye Shu, whose clan was decimated by a serious of rebellions that were sweeping across China. He escaped with a handful of others, but one-by-one they all disappeared, leaving him with the job of rebuilding his clan. Fortunately, he was able to get his hands on a dilapidated estate, and before long other survivors joined up with him, allowing the clan to grow. Thus began the meteoric rise of the Shu Clan, and its terrible estate planning.

The first order of business was money, which meant visiting a nearby city. At first, these are independently governed so you can’t do much more than pick up odd jobs for cash to repair your estate. Once you have some pocket money, you can buy and lease out a house. You’ll then need to assign clan members to collect rent. You can also click on of the many citizens in House of Legacy and marry them, keeping the clan growing. That requires a nice wedding gift, and a house for the lovely couple. With a decent income, you can then buy a farm and begin to rake in some real cash. There’s an almost overwhelming variety of jobs in the early game.

Thus the great spider’s web that is House of Legacy begins to form. At first, you’ll use your clan (and hired retainers) to just keep the cash flowing. Soon though, you’ll notice that each member has their own stats, like ‘writing’ or ‘might’. One of my clan members had very high writing, so I enrolled them into imperial exams and they passed with flying colours. This allowed them to get a high paying government job, eventually steamrolling into the royal court. Another had high might and excelled in battle, becoming a top ranking general. This revelation transformed my clan management.

House of Legacy

Weaving Political Webs

Suddenly, I was scouring cities for people with high writing or might and marrying them off to clan members. My second generation was formed by elite statesmen and invincible generals. Anyone who lacked talent would either be collecting rent or appeasing the local clans. It was fun to see the realms of possibility open before me. The problem is, now that I’ve got my clan on every seat in the court, I don’t know what to do next. It’s lacking a clear end game. Cities are largely self-sufficient, so there’s no need to check on them, beyond plonking down the occasional shop. I suppose it could be to liberate every rebellion-controlled region on the map, but the combat is just a glorified text box and timer. Hardly riveting.

It could be to install a clan member as emperor? That’s certainly possible, I just don’t want to do it. That’s ’cause, in the mid-game, the micromanagement becomes grating. When a clan member is civil minister, for instance, you have to appoint to every open position, picking clan members and civilians out of the throngs. Constantly finding teachers for the new clan members grates a bit too. It ends up feeling like a numbers game as you’re watching the clock tick away, awaiting the next set of messages at the start of the new year, where everyone in the world has their birthday. You can keep the emperor job.

Part of this problem is House of Legacy‘s big lack of challenge past the early game. I never found any roadblocks to my progress. Other clans can overthrow your guys, but I just stuck a few spare clan members on ‘buttering up’ duty and never worried about them again. Rebels never attacked me, city discontent went away with a few flower gardens. I was just sitting there watching numbers increase, and doing the same things over and over. One of my clan members is chancellor, I control the other major court positions, I have my own fief and a handful of top generals. This should be a tense time, full of constant political fires. Instead, my only worry seems to be the occasional bout of dyspepsia.

House of Legacy

House of Legacy – Potential Depth

House of Legacy is wonderfully presented, mind. The graphics are bright and colourful, the little depictions of citizens are cute, and it’s a great choice of setting. There’s a lot of potential in the systems, too. There’s a good foundation for political intrigue – the other clans just need to play more. At the moment, a lot of the systems are underbaked or easily exploited. Take the combat. Winning depends on troop numbers and morale. To lower the enemy morale, you can send in people to start rumours, based on their ‘cunning’ stat. So I just hired a big batch of retainers and repeatedly sent them into any tight conflict, which always got me the win.

Wars probably shouldn’t be won over a mound of headless retainers. But still, this is just an example of House of Legacy having solid foundations, that aren’t quite there yet. The skills of our clan members are all important (well, except for Arts I guess), and the systems are beginning to interact with each other. It’s just too easy to game, and the challenge completely falls out once you’ve got a good income. There’s a healthy looking roadmap set out, though, so fingers crossed future updates give House of Legacy the depth it deserves.

(House of Legacy’s Steam Page)

Review: The Samurai Quest

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: The Samurai Quest

The Samurai Quest is an old-school and refined experience. Accordingly, if you want a deep or challenging endeavour, you will need to look elsewhere. However, if you adore small levels, simple mechanics, and a casual approach, this is the game for you.

Fabrizio Abreu developed, and Fa Games published this 2D side-scrolling platformer. It has a pixelated aesthetic and is a single-player game. Furthermore, it comprises 30 levels of basic jumping, fighting, and obstacle avoidance. The core mechanics were reminiscent of an 80s or early 90s game. Consequently, it is pretty old-school, and I loved the nostalgic edge.

The Samurai Quest tells no story.

I love Samurai games. The plots are usually gory and full of revenge. The Samurai Quest, on the other hand, tells no story. There is no oppressive emperor to defeat, and no loved one has been killed. Instead, the hero moves from alter to alter as they collect tokens and unlock the exit.

En route, you must collect 10 tokens to unlock the exit. Additionally, you’ll encounter 2 different enemies. Both are easy to overcome, and you will not be tested. This isn’t a complaint, but I’d have liked more of a challenge and a larger roster of monsters to defeat.

Simple platforming ideas.

The Samurai Quest uses simple stage design to great effect. Climbing ladders, overcoming spikes, circular saws, and decaying platforms were par for the course. Additionally, the monsters grow in numbers to become a nuisance.

Unlike other platforming games, you do not have wall jumping, sliding, and other key mechanics. Instead, you must dash across large chasms and through obstacles. In short, it’s a great introduction to the genre without testing your skills or your patience.

The Samurai Quest has a nice pixelated finish.

Though the core gameplay is a little understated, visually, I was impressed. I liked the pixelated finish and the vibrant colours. Moreover, there were some nice clichéd backdrops to enhance the oriental theme. The animation and character movement were smooth, and I experienced no bugs. Subsequently, it performed well, and it was visually appealing.

The audio is good, but repetitive. The music is upbeat, energetic, and suitable. However, hearing the same track on a loop could become annoying. Fortunately, the levels are relatively short, and this mitigates that issue.

Excellent controls.

Tight and easy-to-understand controls are a must. Fortunately, The Samurai Quest ticks both these boxes. Fighting is easy, and avoiding obstacles is a cinch. Though I made mistakes, there were plenty of checkpoints and errors rarely set you back.

This is a short experience. I’d have loved to see a story to add depth or a speed run mode to create a sense of challenge. Furthermore, more monsters and tougher obstacles would have tested my skills. Thankfully, the first playthrough is fun, and this is a relatively inexpensive game.

The Samurai Quest is a good indie experience.

Though I have highlighted a few areas for improvement, The Samurai Quest is a good indie experience. This solo developer knows how to make a solid and enjoyable game. Moreover, it’ll be great for casual gamers and newcomers to the genre. Accordingly, I like it and recommend buying it here! Can you escape every level? Master your skills, avoid every obstacle, and get to the exit.

Review: Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos

Harry Delamore
-
0
Review: Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos

Developed by Compile Heart and published by Idea Factory International, Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos fails to capitalize on the fun, freedom, or narrative framing available for a spinoff to explore. As an experimental branch stemming from the nearly fifteen-year-old Neptunia series, the execution of this combat racer falls short of developing its promising concept into a worthwhile relative of the core series. Neptunia Rider’s trope-filled story and dialogue exist in a vacuum, disappointingly resigning itself to a filler-episode-esque existence instead of aiming to be a series-enriching experience in any way. Even if the stiff yet somewhat fun motorcycle gameplay occasionally lets manic moments of Katamari-style collecting and vehicular combat shine bright, these intervals were never bright enough to completely blind me from the frail frame of lousy customization, dull level design, and uncompetitive AI opponents that fail to uphold the experience. Though I’d like to settle on the title as a fun, light, and flawed endeavor, all of these stated issues become unforgivable when Riders’ biggest misstep is attaching a price tag of forty US dollars to an experience that barely exceeds three hours before the credits roll.

The Spirit of the Spinoff

The unconcerned, high-speed pace of Neptunia Riders’ narrative depletes itself of fuel faster than any emotional force becomes available to fight back. With a cast of fan-favorite characters, led by a motorcycle-riding Uzume Tennouboshi, it’s a shame that the voice-acted cutscenes only do so much as act out a string of predictable events and fruitless dialogue. Looping conventions of character introduction, conflict, and resolution replace any ambition for a larger storyline, opting instead to recycle its writing in an exhausting way. Given the game’s comedic intentions, due to the absurdity of the Dogoos and the zany delivery of the anime ensemble, I never expected a tale of drama filled with twists and turns. Still, I had expected to discover more entertainment from the light, comedic, and animated efforts on display.

Racing Without Risk

Across five stages made up of three levels each, it quickly becomes evident that, while far from a failure in game design, Neptunia Riders neglects taking any necessary risks from start to finish. The challenge is always the same: collect the target number of Dogoos before the opposition does, avoiding or engaging in combat amidst the process. Deciding between these strategies has an obvious answer, however. The enemy intelligence allows the player an extensive ability to ride their motorbike risk-free, allowing Dogoo collection to occur at their leisure. It was only in the final few levels that I felt pressured to make use of my combat skills, hitting and shooting rival motorcyclists to steal their collection of Dogoos. The barebones and straightforward design of Riders’ moment-to-moment gameplay wouldn’t be nearly as detrimental to the overall experience if it weren’t for how every attempt to vary the players’ approach lands with futile effect. Different types of Dogoos have unique conditions upon collection, but none are modifying enough to behave in a way that actively made me rethink my strategy. Similarly, motorcycle and character customization seemed like an unproductive use of time when a challenge never arrived to necessitate a change for reasons beyond vanity. While constructing a game at the intersection of Katamari’s collection-style gameplay and the nearly extinct class of classic vehicle combat action is a great idea, Neptunia Riders executes this collision without realizing what makes both of these channels worth drawing from.

Running on Fumes

With a storyline clocking in at three hours, Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos succeeds in embodying more elements of a larger game’s series of side quests than it does a worthwhile spinoff. While there is oftentimes a critical inconsistency in accounting for a price when reviewing a product, this title makes such ignorance impossible. Complaints that could usually be considered minor hiccups, such as fluctuating graphical fidelity, a lack of variety in content, and performance issues, instead resemble ugly burps that reflect a blatant disregard for the audience willing to spend forty US dollars on a series that has earned their trust. To that crowd, shining moments of straightforward gameplay and satisfying voice acting do exist between these outbursts, making it apparent that there are components worth salvaging here. For a deep sale, perhaps the most devout fans of the Neptunia series will find the silver lining of this underwhelming spinoff worth enduring. For me, there is no fuel left in this ride.

Review: Siren’s Rest DLC

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: Siren’s Rest DLC

Still Wakes the Deep was released in 2024. It was well received, scoring 7.4/10 on average. I loved the original, but never reviewed it. Accordingly, when I saw the Siren’s Rest DLC announced, I knew I had to get my hands on it. This short but sweet addition uses many of the original core mechanics. Furthermore, it contains storyline spoilers, so it is advised to play this in the correct order.

This suspenseful, stealth adventure was developed by The Chinese Room and published by Secret Mode. It is a first-person, single-player title with minor puzzle elements. However, it is the sense of despair and claustrophobia that shines. Though it is linear, I enjoyed my time swimming through tight corridors and collecting evidence. Additionally, the creaks and groans of the Beira D are as haunting as the mystery that hides in the shadows.

Siren’s Rest DLC tells a chilling tale. 

Losing loved ones to an unexplained accident is heartbreaking. The sense of loss and confusion sharpens every emotion. Unfortunately, the heroine lost her father on board the oil rig. Determined to get answers and help others grieve, she leads a saturation diving team to the wreck. What should be a straightforward task turns into a nightmare. Air pockets, strange noises, and an ever-shifting vessel present a dangerous and unprecedented mission.

Alongside the incredible story is a daunting and uncomfortable layer of claustrophobia. Moving from room to room is arduous, slow, and tough. Furthermore, access points are rusted shut, and you must use precision tools to open new pathways. 

Simple mechanics. 

Though the story, atmosphere, and characters are great, the core mechanics are simple. The developer relies on slow and deliberate bouts of music and emptiness to build suspense. Moreover, basic puzzles and QTEs break up the rudimentary pathways and linear action. 

The hero must use a lifeline to move under the water. Yet, tight spaces and a massive cable rarely work. As such, she unclips her oxygen to explore the wreckage further. This causes concern, risk, and a lack of communication with her team. What’s more, her mind plays tricks on her as the shadows move, and voices and a strange noise haunt her.

Siren’s Rest DLC looks great, but it’s flawed. 

Underwater action makes me extremely uncomfortable. The sense of dread and doom is too much. Moreover, it can be horribly disorientating. Siren’s Rest DLC captures all of these things to its credit. The world is small, unruly, and constantly shifting.

Furthermore, there are some nice details and nods to the original. Though I enjoyed my trip to the inky depths of the North Sea, it wasn’t without its flaws. Your life line cuts through walls and clips items. Thankfully, I’ve been advised that this issue and other minor bugs have now been removed with an early patch.

The audio was divine! The acting is incredible, and the ambient sounds are spectacular. The rig creaks and groans like an old lady. Additionally, the crash of rocks and metal was great to listen to. On top of this, the music is a phenomenal blend of slow tracks and hectic upbeat numbers. The sense of drama and tension is palpable, and I adored every moment.

Tight controls. 

Moving around a sunken graveyard requires precision. Luckily, the tight controls, slick UI, and easy-to-follow layout let you focus on the action. Moving between water and air pockets was easy. Additionally, the QTEs are simple to master if you are alert. 

Siren’s Rest DLC lasts around 3 hours. The ending is abrupt, but I loved the metaphor and the heart-stopping moments. Completionists will have items to search for, and there is a healthy achievement list to work towards. If this isn’t your thing, there is little reason to return. 

Siren’s Rest DLC is fantastic. 

Though I wanted more, I cherished every moment. The story is beautifully told, and the setting is fantastic. Yes, there were bugs, but most of these issues should now be ironed out. Accordingly, if you love the base game, I suggest buying this here! Can you uncover the mystery and grieve? Search the rig, find the evidence, and believe what you see and hear.

News: Funko Fusion x Man City DLC

Daniel Waite
-
0
News: Funko Fusion x Man City DLC

Funko Fusion is a game I loved when I reviewed it. However, bugs and glitches caused me heartache. Thankfully, 10:10 Games has rectified many of the issues. Moreover, they kept their promise and have expanded the game at an almighty rate! Today, they have announced the Funko Fusion x Man City DLC.

This unconventional expansion allows you to control 3 key Man City players and the big man, Pep Guardiola. Each of the characters looks larger than life and has a set of abilities unique to their personality. The result is an insane addition just in time for Man City’s first game at the Club World Cup.

Cause mayhem in the Funko Fusion x Man City DLC.

Key features of the Funko Fusion x Man City DLC.

  • Playable Manchester City Stars: Take control of stars Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Ederson and Pep Guardiola who are customised in full Funko form.
  • A choice of three Man City skins and exclusive weapons for each player to add to the gaming experience.
  • Blast your opponents with the football cannon whilst playing as goal scoring royalty, Erling Haaland.
  • As the England international Phil Foden you can use your football cannon or a corner flag to help create opportunities.
  • Playing as Brazilian international Ederson, you will target enemies with the football cannon and if a bad guy is too close, clobber them with your giant goalkeeper glove.
  • Play as football’s most iconic manager, Pep Guardiola, and use your trophy in hand to ward off rivals causing obstruction.

When is it available?

The Funko Fusion x Man City DLC will be available on Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam today. However, if you play on Nintendo Switch or Luna, you have to wait a little bit longer.

A Closer Look at the Ajax DoorBell

Andrew Edney
-
0
A Closer Look at the Ajax DoorBell

Here we take a closer look at the Ajax DoorBell.

The Ajax DoorBell, with built-in AI, IR sensor, and app control. Ajax DoorBell sets a new standard for the video doorbell experience by combining uninterrupted operation with advanced security features. The device is seamlessly integrated into the Ajax ecosystem and guarantees exceptional efficiency and security confidence. The Doorbell is available for order now.  

Professional security at the front door

DoorBell flawlessly performs its primary function: welcoming guests without making them wait. As soon as a visitor rings the doorbell, an Ajax user receives a notification, sees who’s at the door, and can start a conversation via an Ajax app. No delays or freezing — proprietary Ajax technologies ensure a clear and seamless exchange on both sides.

The DoorBell also functions as a vigilant security camera: it notifies about the movement of people, animals, or vehicles, and records video on the Ajax NVR or Ajax Cloud Storage, which will soon be available among Ajax services. The device also informs security companies even without Wi-Fi – via the Ajax hub. 

High-image quality image and two-way audio communication

Ajax DoorBell offers excellent image quality. It has a 4 MP CMOS camera sensor with HDR technology and IR illumination at a distance of up to 6 meters, so the image is always clear regardless of lighting conditions. The video doorbell implements the company’s proprietary solutions for noise and echo cancellation, and it has a significantly higher volume level compared to other devices on the market. 

AI-driven object recognition 

The video doorbell has a built-in AI that recognizes people, animals, and vehicles. Users can customize detection and receive notifications for all or only a specific type of object. 

Enhanced Wi-Fi connection with a reliable backup 

The main communication channel is Wi-Fi with a range of up to 500 meters in the absence of obstacles, and up to 30 meters even through concrete walls. This is more than enough for stable operation, for example, in a large private home. For installers, this means less installation hassle, as there’s no need to position the router directly near the entrance. Even if Wi-Fi fails, DoorBell is still connected to the Ajax hub thanks to the fallback communication channel – the Jeweller and Wings radio protocols. Both proprietary protocols are designed to detect interference and jamming, with built-in frequency hopping for enhanced protection. 

Instant access to footage

Thanks to JetSparrow’s proprietary video protocol, video is instantly transmitted from the device directly to Ajax applications with minimal delay. This also guarantees data confidentiality, as no third parties are involved in the process. 

Functionality without aesthetic compromises

DoorBell is designed with both function and aesthetics in mind. DoorBell’s compact enclosure fits in the tightest spaces, such as narrow door frames or wall-adjacent doorways. Its minimalist design, available in four neutral colors, complements any exterior. Additionally, a colored LED ring around the button adds a stylish yet functional element: it guides users and indicates the current state of the device.

The Ajax DoorBell is available now priced around £200.

You can learn more from the Ajax website.

Review: Frog Legs

Saim Khurshid
-
0
Review: Frog Legs

No game has ever fought harder not to be played than Frog Legs. Crash after crash, I became more accustomed to the Steam page than the game itself. Alas, I got some work in and formed an opinion on the little game.

Developed by and published by Elliot Dahle, Frog Legs is a short nostalgia-bait that covers everything from Horror, Comedy, Puzzles, Boomer Shooter, and walking simulator genres, all at the same time.

There are many genres of games, taking various twists and turns to match the current trends, or to simply bank on nostalgia. Then, some games manage to be both unique and bank on nostalgia. Frog Legs is not that… It is a short over-30 over-30-minute game split into a few nostalgia-specific pieces.

Parts of the Frog Game

As I said, this game is split into many pieces. All in the name of parody and satire, each section throws completely new and nostalgia-inducing gameplay.

Frogger

We start, exactly where you’d expect, with Frogger. You control four adorable frog friends, hopping your way across traffic and water to safety. It’s charming and instantly familiar. But then, on your final attempt, things go sideways. The traffic speeds up to near-impossible levels, and the last frog, Bill, doesn’t make it. He dies. Horribly.

Tragedy

Cue the Oregon Trail vibes, but grimmer. The second part drops gameplay entirely, opting for a cutscene in a dead forest. This is the game’s grief-processing segment, where your frogs come to terms with Bill’s untimely squish. There’s nothing to do but watch and sit in discomfort. It’s bleak, weirdly effective, and very not what you expect from something that just asked you to dodge tires.

Frog Horror

PS2-era horror game with no budget. You wake up from a nightmare, the power’s out, and the only thing in your hand is a flashlight. There’s no combat, just vibes and dread. The game deliberately plays with horror tropes and even nudges the fourth wall, clearly aware of how far it has come from Frogger. It’s a playable, ambient haunted house, and for what it is, it works.

DOOM

What starts as a gentle puzzle segment suddenly locks and loads into a full-blown boomer shooter. Yes, Frog Legs turns into a low-res, high-octane FPS straight out of the early ‘90s. Think DOOM meets… Kermit. You’ve got chunky UI, floaty movement, and a series of corridors that would feel right at home on MS-DOS. It’s a blast. For a game that barely works, this part somehow nails old-school shooter pacing, and it’s just guided enough to keep you from getting stuck while still letting you feel clever.

Frog Boss Rush

Not done shooting yet. This part continues the DOOM-core energy with a boss fight. You’re handed a BFG—but don’t assume the “F” means what you think it does—and shoved into a fight that’s big on firepower but short on runtime. It’s the kind of over-the-top nonsense you wish the rest of the game leaned into more.

BOOM

Now it’s Frogger meets Galaga, somehow. This should’ve been the ultimate genre fusion, with twitchy dodging and shoot-em-up chaos, but the final boss sort of beats itself, robbing you of any real effort. You’re just there to watch the fireworks. 

Cool idea, let down by its automation. Still, it’s hard not to appreciate the sheer ambition of mashing these two genres together.

Frog End

And then… it ends. No questions answered. No real resolution. Just the frogs sitting around, like they didn’t just fight a demonic hell boss powered by amphibian flatulence. It’s a weird, chill epilogue, capped off with a joke and zero emotional closure.

Feels on-brand at this point.

Ribbit & Tear

Frog Legs is the kind of game that feels like it was made on a dare—and maybe it was. It doesn’t aim to be polished, or consistent, or even stable. But what it lacks in structure, it makes up for in sheer chaotic ambition. 

It’s seven games duct-taped together, soaked in nostalgia, then lit on fire by a fart joke.

.

Review: Epomaker Magforce 68 keyboard

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: Epomaker Magforce 68 keyboard

The Epomaker Magforce 68 keyboard is a glorious gaming device that has a market-leading 8k polling rate. Furthermore, this wired-only peripheral is designed for smaller workstations. Its 65% form factor aluminium case is deliciously premium and offers a sleek and professional appearance. If you love RGB, you will not be disappointed. The south-facing arrangement delivers a warm hue without undermining the clean finish.

Though a wired-only option may not be your go-to choice, you will adore every element of this gaming peripheral. The hall effect switches allow you to adjust your actuation distance. Moreover, the Gateron Magnetic Jade pro switches reduce fatigue while creating a comfortable gaming and typing experience. In short, despite the lack of wireless functionality, this keyboard packs an almighty tech-packed punch!

What’s in the box of the Epomaker Magforce 68 keyboard?

  • The packaging is deceptively understated. The simple design is attractive, and the box is robust.
  • The Epomaker Magforce 68 keyboard comes in one colourway. The refined black livery is clean and suitable for many workstations. 
  • A durable USB-C cable is provided.
  • Pull the keycaps with the puller tool.
  • Spare switches are provided.
  • Learn the basics with the user manual.

Technical aspects.

The Epomaker Magforce 68 keyboard delivers an 8k polling rate for a market-leading performance. This ultra-responsive approach is the perfect tool for competitive gamers. Furthermore, the wired design reduces latency for that match-winning edge. If you pair this with the customisable actuation distance and the hall effect switches, you get buttery smooth inputs that put its peers to shame.

Alongside the lightning-fast inputs is N-Key rollover for anti-ghosting. This is the perfect companion for serious gamers, as no input is ever missed. This allows you to strafe, dodge, roll, fire, and more simultaneously. The result is more kills, fewer deaths, and a boost up every leaderboard.

DKS is another powerful tool that allows up to 4 unique inputs per keystroke. Though this isn’t my go-to tool, many FPS fans love this space and time-saving feature. This was easy to adjust and program using the Epomaker software.

Usability.

Unlike other Epomaker keyboards, you cannot customise this using VIA. Instead, the RGB settings and other inputs are controlled using preinstalled macros. This may disappoint some people, but I liked the straightforward plug-and-play design. Furthermore, the free-to-download keyboard driver allows you to adjust many key aspects.

Though the Epomaker Magforce 68 keyboard has 68 keys, it retains full functionality. The handy FN shortcuts permit you to use every key input with ease. Accordingly, you enjoy the benefit of a tiny keyboard without undermining your performance.

Build quality.

Epomaker has outdone itself with this impressive device. The aluminium case feels sturdy and robust. Furthermore, at 1.5 kg, it is substantial enough to withstand roughhousing, but light enough to place in your bag when commuting. As there is no wireless functionality, you needn’t worry about unnecessary switches. Instead, the case is clean, streamlined, and visually appealing.

The USB-C cable is reliable and strong. However, Epomaker sell a premium alternative if you wish to up the ante. Either way, you’ll enjoy a low-latency performance that’ll stand the test of time. Finally, this analogue keyboard uses 8 unique layers for a high-end premium finish. The result is a durable product that sounds as good as it looks.

Is the Epomaker Magforce 68 keyboard worth it?

Picking from the latest Epomaker catalogue is a challenge. Every product they release hits the right notes. As such, it is fine margins to select the right keyboard for your needs. Where the Epomaker Magforce 68 keyboard stands out is its 8k polling rate and wired-only approach. Each of these elements improves your gaming and typing experience, but reduces versatility. Accordingly, though this will be a deal breaker for some, I think it’s an amazing device and I recommend buying it here!

(More information on Epomaker can be found here!)

The Epomaker Magforce 68 keyboard has been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)

Review: Blue Wednesday

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: Blue Wednesday

Blue Wednesday is the sort of melancholy experience that makes you appreciate life! The downtrodden protagonist isn’t thriving. His dreams are wilting, and his work ethic leaves a lot to be desired. However, he has a heart of gold and wants to succeed. This desire pushes him into weird and wonderful situations. Mini-games punctuate his daily life, and failure is his highest expectation.

This narrative adventure was developed by Buff Studio and published by Forever Entertainment. It is a single-player title with a side-scrolling perspective. Furthermore, there is an odd artistic flair and a vibrant city to explore. Ultimately, many characters add a rich layer of depth to the occasionally sombre story.

Blue Wednesday demands you chase your dreams. 

Allowing your dreams to wither and fail is heartbreaking. Sadly, Morris is on his way to a mundane existence. His dreams of becoming a world-famous jazz pianist are on the rocks. Stuck in a boring job and with few friends to turn to, his life is one dull circle.

Luckily, the hero gets an opportunity to grab life by the horns. A jazz club needs a new pianist, and Morris has just been sacked from his supermarket job. Accordingly, he must impress the band, their fans, and himself if he is to fulfil his destiny.

Mini-games and conversations. 

Blue Wednesday isn’t complicated or fast-paced. Instead, everything is taken at a snail’s pace. Moving from his tiny rented apartment to his job is best described as a painful meander. En route, he can talk to an array of NPCs about their day and if they need help. 

Though the interactions rarely change the course of the plot, they add depth and some much-needed humour. Additionally, there are mini-games and a pleasant piano rhythm game to master. This is where it excels. The piano music is great to listen to, and getting the timing right for each note was enjoyable. If you fail, it matters not. The game progresses regardless, as you lose yourself in the vibe. 

Blue Wednesday looks great.

The world is awash with colours, large buildings, and interesting, surreal moments. Music forms the backbone of each dreamy encounter, and you’d best go with the flow as things become a little strange. The developer has chosen a bizarre art style! Every character appears younger than they are. This weird teen artistry was at odds with some of the dialogue choices. Consequently, there are some uncomfortable moments throughout.

The audio is truly magical. Love it or hate it, the jazz tunes flow like wine. There is a sense of drama, romance, and aggression as each song is belted out on piano or saxophone. You’ll find yourself tapping your toes as each funky beat unfolds. 

Simple controls. 

I used to be a master of rhythm-based games. Sadly, I’m now a little rusty, and I made repeated errors. Thankfully, Blue Wednesday is a forgiving game, and the simple control system makes it a joy to play. 

Replay value and longevity are limited. Though there are around 20 mini-games to enjoy and vinyl records to collect, there isn’t much else to do. Your first playthrough will take under 6 hours, and completionists can have this wrapped up in around 10 hours at a push.

Blue Wednesday is short but sweet. 

The sense of a real-life grind and a mundane existence hangs over Blue Wednesday like a cloud. Thankfully, this gets blown away once you speak to each NPC and begin to thrive. As Morris becomes more confident, the story ebbs and flows nicely. The mini-games are fun, and the rhythm-based action is a joy to tackle. Accordingly, I think it’s short but sweet, and I recommend buying it here! Can you make it to the world stage? Practice your piano, make friends, and get out of that funk.

Review: Nintendo Switch 2

James Refelian
-
0
Review: Nintendo Switch 2

A New Era for Nintendo’s Hybrid Legacy?

The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally arrived, and is making history with record console sales. It marks the next step in the company’s ambitious hybrid console journey. Since the original Switch revolutionised the landscape of portable and home gaming in 2017, fans have been waiting for a true successor that can combine Nintendo’s unmatched first-party experiences with modern hardware capabilities.

Now, in 2025, Nintendo answers that call, but not in the way everyone might have hoped. The Switch 2 is not a revolutionary leap forward, but rather a thoughtful and measured refinement. It brings genuine improvements across performance, display technology, and docked output, while still staying true to what made the Switch a household staple. But in a world where the Steam Deck and ROG Ally X offer near-desktop levels of power on the go, can the Switch 2 keep up?

Design & Build Quality — Familiar Form, Premium Finish

At first glance, the Switch 2 appears to be an evolution of the original model rather than a radical redesign, and that feels intentional. Nintendo knows it has struck gold with the hybrid form factor. The core experience of transitioning effortlessly between handheld, tabletop, and docked play is fully intact, and the console still feels unmistakably like a Switch.

However, upon closer inspection, numerous refinements make the Switch 2 feel more premium. The chassis now features a matte finish with subtle texturing that repels fingerprints far better than the glossy plastics of the past. The slight increase in thickness (and a marginally heavier frame) lends a reassuring sturdiness. At the same time, the Joy-Con rails now use magnetic latching to eliminate the wobble and drift-prone feel of the originals.

In handheld mode, it’s more comfortable for long sessions thanks to subtly re-contoured grips. The kickstand, a weak point on the original Switch, is now a full-width, metal-reinforced design that offers adjustable angles and rock-solid stability, rivalling even tablet stands. Compared to the Steam Deck, the Switch 2 feels significantly slimmer and lighter, making it a more natural fit for portable play. It’s also less bulky than the ROG Ally X, whose ergonomics are designed more like a PC gaming handheld.

Switch 2 Display & Audio

One of the most surprising choices Nintendo made with the Switch 2 is opting for a 7.9-inch LCD instead of an OLED one. Given how well-received the Switch OLED model was, many expected that technology to carry forward. However, in practice, this new 120Hz HDR10-capable LCD is impressive, and in some ways, superior.

The display is remarkably bright, with peak brightness levels that make outdoor gaming far more viable, even under direct sunlight. The colour accuracy is excellent, and HDR support brings out more detail in both dark and bright scenes. The 120Hz refresh rate and VRR (variable refresh rate) support mean games feel smoother and more responsive, with reduced screen tearing, something the OLED Switch couldn’t match.

While OLED enthusiasts may miss the deep blacks that only self-emissive panels can provide, Nintendo’s LCD implementation here delivers vibrant, clean visuals with no burn-in concerns. The result is a screen that’s better suited for a hybrid console, which may display a lot of static imagery during menus or multiplayer sessions.

Audio hasn’t been neglected either. The stereo speakers are louder, clearer, and provide a broader soundstage with impressive spatial depth. Dialogue in games sounds cleaner, explosions have more punch, and you can game without headphones and not feel like you’re missing much, something the original Switch struggled with.

Performance Is Next-Gen Nintendo Power

Under the bonnet, the Nintendo Switch 2 is powered by a custom NVIDIA Tegra T239 SoC, built on a more advanced process node that delivers a significant jump in computational and graphical capability. We’re talking about an octa-core CPU with modern ARM cores, a GPU with over 1,500 CUDA cores, and features like DLSS upscaling and hardware-accelerated ray tracing.

This means that in handheld mode, you can enjoy games at 1080p with frame rates of up to 120fps, depending on the title. Docked, the Switch 2 can output a true 4K resolution at 60fps, with DLSS helping to maintain high performance without compromising image quality. This alone represents a generational leap for Nintendo, placing the Switch 2’s docked performance far closer to that of a PS5 or Xbox Series X than its predecessor.

Gameplay Experience: Mario Kart World and Hitman: World of Assassination

Mario Kart World

One of Nintendo’s flagship titles for the system, Mario Kart World, serves as a showcase for what the Switch 2 can achieve. In handheld mode, it offers smooth 1080p visuals at 120fps, featuring stunning environments, dynamic weather effects, and a noticeable enhancement in texture detail and lighting compared to the Switch OLED version. When docked, the game appears razor-sharp at 4K/60fps, making multiplayer on the big screen a visual delight. Load times are virtually non-existent, and online play is seamless. We will publish a full game review soon. 

Hitman: World of Assassination

A much sterner test of the hardware, Hitman pushes the Switch 2 to its limits. In handheld mode, it achieves a solid 40–50fps at 1080p, occasionally dipping slightly during complex scenes packed with NPCs and particle effects. Docked, it benefits from DLSS to deliver a surprisingly consistent 4K/60fps output, albeit with some reductions in shadow resolution and texture filtering compared to the PC version. Still, it’s a remarkable achievement for a hybrid system, and it outclasses cloud-streaming alternatives for this title by a long shot. A full review of the game is coming soon.

Both games, along with titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and other upcoming AAA third-party releases, demonstrate that the Switch 2 will deliver a more complete package, offering first-party hits, indie favourites, and now major third-party AAA titles.

Battery Life For The Nintendo Switch 2

Here’s where the trade-offs become clear. The Switch 2’s enhanced performance and high-refresh display draw more power than any previous Nintendo handheld. Depending on the game and display settings, battery life ranges from around 2.5 hours on demanding titles like Hitman to 6 hours for simpler games or capped frame rate modes.

By contrast, the Steam Deck and ROG Ally X also struggle with battery endurance at higher settings, but the Switch 2 is no longer the king of battery endurance among hybrids. On the positive side, charging is quicker, and Nintendo has included smarter power-saving features, such as dynamic refresh scaling and a low-power suspend mode.

Backwards Compatibility & Cart Controversy

One of the best features of the Switch 2 is its virtually full backwards compatibility with the entire Switch library. Whether you own physical cartridges or a library of digital purchases, you can bring them forward without issue. Many older titles even benefit from faster load times, higher frame rates, or slight resolution bumps thanks to the newer hardware.

The Switch 2, however, has stirred debate with its introduction of Game Card Keys. These are physical cartridges that don’t contain game data but instead serve as licenses to download the game from the eShop. While this approach allows publishers to release larger AAA titles that exceed the storage limits of traditional cartridges, many fans see it as a step backwards for physical media. Collectors and preservationists argue that these carts offer none of the permanence or ownership that physical games once promised and worry about the long-term accessibility of titles tied to Nintendo’s servers. Critics also point out that this shift blurs the line between physical and digital purchases, leaving consumers confused and disappointed when they discover their ‘physical’ game is just a download code in disguise. Thankfully, this is not the case for all games, and they are clearly labelled on the box where it is the case.  

Dock & TV Mode Finally Gives Switch 2 4K

The dock is more than just a glorified HDMI passthrough this time. It features enhanced cooling for extended sessions, an integrated Ethernet port for reliable multiplayer gaming, and native 4K/60fps output via HDMI 2.1. Thanks to DLSS upscaling and advanced anti-aliasing, games look sharp and clean even on large TVs.

While it doesn’t quite match the sheer muscle of a PS5 or high-end gaming PC, for a hybrid console, it’s impressive how well the Switch 2 holds up in docked mode. Big-screen gaming no longer means compromising on image clarity, and the Switch 2 finally delivers the console-like living room experience that the original hinted at but couldn’t quite achieve.

What’s In the Box?

  • Nintendo Switch 2 console
  • Joy-Con 2 (L) / (R)
  • 2 x Joy-Con 2 straps
  • Nintendo Switch 2 dock
  • Joy-Con 2 grip
  • Nintendo Switch 2 AC adapter
  • Ultra High Speed HDMI™ Cable
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Important Information leaflet
  • Mario Kart World Digital Code (with the Mario Kart Bundle)

Final Verdict: Who is the Switch 2 For?

The Nintendo Switch 2 is not a revolution, but it is the best version of the hybrid concept that Nintendo has ever delivered. With true 4K docked gaming, a high-refresh display, meaningful performance upgrades, and full backwards compatibility, it offers a compelling reason to upgrade for existing fans.

It doesn’t replace the Steam Deck or ROG Ally X if what you want is raw PC power. But if you want a versatile, no-fuss gaming system with access to Nintendo’s unmatched library and some impressive new capabilities, the Switch 2 is easy to recommend.

Review: Atomfall – Wicked Isle

Matt Cooper
-
0
Review: Atomfall – Wicked Isle

It has only been a few months since Atomfall was released, becoming one of the most hidden gems of the year. Now it’s back for a second helping with the release of the expansion pack, Wicked Isle. Is this story DLC worth checking out? Or should it have stayed quarantined in the Lake District?

Back To The Countryside

Atomfall is still fresh and fond in my memory and for good reason. The story, with its freedom to make choices, ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the year so far for me. So, when Rebellion announced the story expansion entitled Wicked Isle, I instantly wanted to go back into the countryside. Luckily for me, Wicked Isle is just what I wanted more of in the world of Atomfall. The main story of the base game told a tale set in an isolated, bordered up quarantine zone in the Lake District. There are four major locations in the base game and now, with the release of Wicked Isle, there is a brand new intriguing location: Midsummer Isle. This is an island off the coast of Wyndham which has lots of areas to explore – the centre piece being a dilapidated church. It’s a great new mysterious location which adds to Atomfall’s already impressive portfolio of locations.

To access this DLC, you can speak to an NPC named Bill Anderson. He is a boat captain at the docks of Wyndham Village. From here, you are free to travel to and from the island but I’d recommend you fully experience this location with a levelled up character to truly enjoy it. The story of Wicked Isle serves as more of a companion piece to the main narrative. For some, that will be disappointing as it doesn’t do anything particularly different, but for me, for the most part, I loved it. This is more of the Atomfall we know and love. You are free to discover and uncover the mystery of the island, however you see fit. It’s another marvel in player freedom as you wander around this abandoned fishing island, trying to piece together what happened here. The new characters added are memorable with Bill himself the main standout. New endings are also added which help create even more replay ability. The only real gripe I have with the narrative of Wicked Isle is that it has some poor filler quests that feel shoehorned in, simply to stifle the progress of the player. These fetch quests are boring and take you out of the immersion. The length of the DLC is also relatively short and for the price of this expansion, (15.99 – roughly a third of the base game), it may not be enough to satisfy some players. Overall, if you love the story of Atomfall, this is more of what you love. Another fantastic effort in environmental storytelling.

Creatures From The Blue Lagoon

While Wicked Isle has a lot of what made Atomfall brilliant, it also adds some new features for players, albeit too few. New weapons, such as the blunderbuss shotgun, feel great to use and whilst ammo remains scarce, using this weapon is a blast! Daggers and the cutlass are added as melee weapons, which adds to the variety for players. There are also new enemy types to discover and battle, with the aquatic feral taking the limelight. These mermen-like monsters really add a new horror and post-apocalyptic twist and every encounter with these creatures left me feeling tense and panicked. They are a really memorable foe. Alongside these monsters, there is a new cult called the Abbey Druids. Unfortunately, these are just reskinned druids from the base game at Casterfell Woods, which is profoundly disappointing. Additionally, new bandits also feel and act exactly the same as the ones you’ve previously encountered. Thankfully, there are new skills and items to craft, which helps add variety. It’s just a shame Rebellion didn’t add more new items to entice players to come back.

As previously mentioned, there are some issues with the quests and design in Wicked Isle.The tedious fetch quests in this expansion are mind numbingly boring and really stopped my momentum. Along with this, the bizarre decision to not have a shortcut to the Interchange is baffling. In the base game, the Interchange is the research facility that ties all story beats together but astonishingly, in this expansion, there is no shortcut or entrance from the island. This makes it so tedious having to travel all the way back from the island to the mainland to go to the Interchange and really takes you out of the immersion. Rebellion have chosen the safe route and not attempted to truly innovate on their unique design, which to me, is profoundly disappointing.

Idyllic Island

Atomfall is a beautiful game and Wicked Isle only adds to this. The island is stunning, with gorgeous locations like the church which looks so detailed and complex in its dilapidated design. The crypts look creepy and daunting, whilst the chemical bunker is horrifying in its own right. Each location is dripping in detail. A special mention also needs to go to the lighting, which, like the base game, is once again top notch. Atomfall is at its true best when you are skulking through dimly lit corridors wondering what’s around the corner. The design for the new enemies also looks fantastic, in particular the mermen, who look monstrous and terrifying as they chase you around the island. A great effort across the board once again in visual presentation.

Sadly, I regret to say the sound design and score have virtually stayed exactly same as the main game, with no real additions. New characters are voiced charmingly and quintessentially British but the new characters don’t sound unique or memorable whatsoever. The mermen look fantastic but sound very timid, creating a bizarre experience. The most disappointing aspect to this DLC for me was the lack of a new musical score since the game is screaming out for it and this could have been the moment. A true shame.

Verdict

If you love the weird and wonderful world of Atomfall, Wicked Isle is more of what the base game delivered, with new intriguing quests and a fantastic new location. Sadly though, this expansion plays it safe and doesn’t add enough to truly make it stand out alongside the wonderful original title. A lack of new additions, reused enemies and some terrible quest design bog the expansion down. There’s still the British charm, but I wanted more. I hope Rebellion continue to flesh out this wonderful world but take more risks along the way!

Review: Rainy Froggy Day Keycap

Daniel Waite
-
0
Review: Rainy Froggy Day Keycap

The KiiBOOM x Rainy Froggy Day Keycap set is as cute as it is eye-catching. This stunning custom accessory will appeal to a wide audience. Whether you love wholesome imagery, frogs, the colour green, or something unusual, this is the keycap set for you.

Available in two profiles, you can enjoy both gaming and typing comfort. I selected the MOA profile, but Cherry is also available. These keycaps are suitable for Cherry MX switches or anything similar. Accordingly, they are compatible with many standard mechanical keyboards. Furthermore, 144 keys are provided to ensure versatility.

The Rainy Froggy Day Keycap set is stunning. 

When I browsed the KiiBOOM product list, the Rainy Froggy Day Keycap set instantly leapt off the page. The blend of greens and the cute icons was appealing. Furthermore, the ability to fit it to most form factor keyboards was impressive. 144 keys ensure most users will not be disappointed.

Durability is another key factor when changing your keycaps. No one wants shiny and unsightly keys. Moreover, a loss of imagery and horrible scratching is a turn-off. Luckily, each item uses premium PBT material for increased durability. On top of this, five-sided dye-sublimation helps maintain clean and crisp legends.

Usability. 

The idea of ripping off every key can be daunting. Furthermore, you’ll need to set aside some time to do the job correctly. Though it can’t be done in a matter of minutes, the job isn’t arduous or tough. Instead, it is oddly relaxing, and I enjoyed the keyboard transformation. 

Removing the keys was a simple ask. The provided keycap puller gently removes your supplied keys. Once they are lifted, check the seating of your switch and place the relevant keycap in place. A gentle push establishes a connection, and you are on your way to a fresh look and a stunning typing experience.

Improving your keyboard has never been easier. 

I’ve only changed keycaps once in my “gaming career”. The Temple keycaps from Epomaker were great to use. However, KiiBOOM’s Rainy Froggy Day Keycap set gives them a run for their money. The vibrant colours, cute imagery, and impressive build quality were great. Furthermore, the typing profile is comfortable, and the durability will not disappoint. Accordingly, I think they are great and I recommend buying them here!

(More information on KiiBOOM can be found here!)

The Rainy Froggy Day Keycap have been awarded the Movies Games and Tech Gold Award.

(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)

Review: Soul Stalker

Harry Delamore
-
0
Review: Soul Stalker

Like a Jenga tower on the verge of toppling, the evolution of the roguelike genre recycles the ideas of each entry prior, constantly putting its new, most improved addition on top. Given this strategy of rapid growth, developers bear the weighty burden of knowing that there will always be a product ready to surpass their title’s gameplay and design decisions, thereby threatening typical industry ideals of longevity, value, and identity. Thanks to a healthy dose of situational awareness under these suffocating circumstances, Soul Stalker, created and developed by Radhood, usually finds the ability to be empowered, rather than threatened, through scope and focus. While its moment-to-moment gameplay doesn’t nearly measure up to the overachieving excellence of other roguelikes, Soul Stalker is a decent time due to its distinct art direction, comfort in simplicity, and affordable asking price. By allowing itself levity and independence from the penthouse pursuing competition of the genre, Soul Stalker is a safe, if inconsistent, piece of the roguelike tower to pull out and play.

Playing With Paper

The Soul of Soul Stalker exists primarily in its visuals, where the Paper Mario series’ hand-crafted and colorful artistic influence is evident to the extent that its admirer sheds any inhibitions or shyness towards the connotations of direct imitation. While some may see the replicated style as nothing more than an identity crisis when separated from their favorite plumber, I was charmed to discover the artistic direction outside of the Mushroom Kingdom. These expressive efforts aren’t always a homerun, however. While the character design supplies enough quirky and cute concepts to crowd a sheet of stickers, the world these personalities inhabit is disappointingly hollow. Although the three-dimensional backdrops emphasize the two-dimensional beings with an endearing display of divergence, using impressive lighting and a bold outlining effect to accentuate the look, this doesn’t supply a reason for the unimaginative and dull environments not to receive equal attention in artistic efforts. Curating a world reflective of these characters’ creative designs would have gone a long way in enveloping me in the aesthetic, but I was often left only imagining the papery possibilities. For similar reasons, Soul Stalker’s soundtrack and story left me disappointed. Paying attention to either half-hearted artistic avenue contributed very little to the atmosphere, leaving the world empty in ways it deserves better than.

Existing Outside of Evolution

Describing Soul Stalker’s gameplay leaves little to the imagination. Any gamer modestly experienced in roguelikes is sure to find another title as a frame of reference to draw upon. Whether describing the core loop as a bullet heaven, a horde survivor, or an auto shooter, the reason these descriptors exist and are applicable is that Soul Stalker isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. With each run, the player navigates a map, collecting new weapons and traits to improve their ability to automatically slash or shoot at enemies and, most importantly, increase their likelihood of surviving the run. This familiarity is far from a bad thing, and I appreciated the haste of being able to pick up on a game proudly restrained in scope. Variety and content come in a few forms. Twenty-one characters, differentiated by stats and traits, are unlockable through specific tasks. A collected currency allows the player to purchase traits and weapons that they can start their run with, providing direction in their builds. These additions offer variety to the primary Journey mode, which consists of levels with increasingly difficult drawbacks. For a more unpredictable set of conditions, the Jobs mode provides three constantly changing runs with randomly selected characters, weapons, and trinkets. 

The Price to Pay

Regardless of the mode you choose, Soul Stalker contains a few caveats that shouldn’t go unaddressed. Small stage sizes, technical issues, and unpredictable hit boxes occasionally interrupted my experience, leaving me feeling defeated due to factors beyond my control. Most prominently problematic, however, were the balancing issues of certain builds, funneling me into specific ways of playing. The only compromise to this problem was to artificially challenge myself by ruling out traits, characters, and weapons that proved to be objectively better than others.

While Soul Stalker is undoubtedly flawed, its price point feels like a recognition of its imperfections. For less than the price of a fast food meal, the title provides enough familiar fun to frame itself as a worthwhile investment against a genre where every game is determined to move upwards and remain unprecedented in quality. I can see myself launching Soul Stalker for a few runs every once in a while, and when so many roguelikes exist, eternally vying for attention, commitment is one of the best compliments I can give such a game.

1...545556...1,618Page 55 of 1,618