We are the Plague (demo) - a quick glance

This is the third entry of a four-part series I'm doing this month where I try out the demos of four very recent or upcoming turn-based tactics titles (try saying that four times).

The first thing I noticed when I booted We are the Plague is the beautiful yet grim artwork, which reminds me of that of last year's Iratus: Lord of the Dead. However, while the artwork is nice to look at, the demo's showcase of combat is not looking good. There are a couple of glitches here and there. Granted, it's still just a demo, but still.

Legend of Keepers: Prologue - a quick glance

This is the second entry of a four-part series I'm doing this month where I try out the demos of four very recent or upcoming turn-based tactics titles.

I'm enjoying this demo a lot, it's definitely up my alley as a huge longtime fan of Darkest Dungeon and turn-based tactics. This game is reverse Iratus: Lord of the Death, which is the reverse of Darkest Dungeon. Obviously this is just a demo, but if this is what the full game will be like, I can't really recommend it for now, mainly for the very THIN tactical layer (not sure if that's the right term but that's the best I can think of). Do I enjoy it though? Yes.

Alder's Blood: Prologue - a quick glance

This is the first entry of a four-part series I'm doing this month where I try out the demos of four very recent or upcoming turn-based tactics titles.

Alder's Blood is yet another upcoming turn-based tactics game set in a grim Lovecraftian world. Lately, following the popularity of Darkest Dungeon, we've been seeing a surge turn-based games adopting similarly dark, hand-drawn artstyles. Alders Blood is no exception, and that's not a bad thing if you're into it.

What's next?: changes in my writing style and approach to reviewing games, and a bunch of other stuff

It's been a while since I last posted anything. And trust me, I'm beating myself hard over that, other than over my obviously deteriorating "English skillz". Since I started dabbling in ghostwriting and freelancing, I haven't had the time to write any reviews. Some of you on here that I've made friends with from various discussion groups (if you're still lurking around) know that this site was never intended to be a private blog, but it's a space to put my reviews out there. So if I'm not writing anything relevant, this site is going to be rather idle. But lately I've been reflecting a lot about my writing journey, and about maybe it's time I brought it somewhere, as well as how my writing style has evolved over the years.

Against all odds: why the Empire is my favourite faction in the entire Total War series

As one of the best strategy war games out there, the Total War series is known for the variety and choices it offers. Different theatres of war across different eras for you to take part in, as well as various factions and unit types -- all to cater to the insatiate thirst for blood of the inner warmonger in you. For instance, Medieval Total War pits you against the power-hungry nations of the medieval times, with an array of theatres to get involved in, from the Crusades in the Middle East, to the bloody conflicts in the British Isles. Not into medieval history, but want to play shogun? Then there's Shogun Total War for you. Do you have a tough time commanding slow moving infantry? Well, play as the Mongols instead. Ride to war and watch as your ever-evasive horseback archers rain down arrows on the barbarians.

Doki Doki Literature Club - a disturbing surprise

If you've tipped your toe a little bit into story-based games, whether they're episodic adventures or visual novels, then you've probably heard of Doki Doki Literature Club. Sounds like a normal cutesy-anime visual novel, right? That was what I thought too, as someone who isn't familiar with visual novels and anime. But boy, it really took me off guard. the game is best explored the less you know about it (preferably almost zero) but here are some of my non-spoilery thoughts.

What we know so far - Biomutant

I can't remember when or where I first heard of Biomutant. I just remember it instantly making its way into my top 5 most anticipated games of 2018/2019. What is Biomutant? The description on its Steam page sums it up the best: "it's an (upcoming) open-world, post-apocalyptic Kung-Fu fable RPG, with a unique martial arts styled combat system allowing you to mix melee, shooting and mutant ability action". It's Kung Fu Panda, but your hero is a raccoon and he's far more agile, and kung fu isn't the only thing he's good at. Seriously, it's really cool.

Domina - solid core, needs more

"That's my boy," I said, with both excitement and relief, as my Thraex gladiator raised his sword in victory. Cheers from the crowd boosted his ego. Pixelated blood was all over the arena like paint. On the middle were four dead gladiators that he slaughtered in under 10 seconds. Back at the Ludus, I rewarded him some coins and wine, before upgrading his gears significantly. I grew fond of him, and changed his name to "Spartacus". Big mistake. If permadeath strategy games ever taught me anything, it's that getting attached to your characters in a big no-no, and Domina is no different.

Skyshine's Bedlam - simple enough to hook you in, too shallow to last

It's rather unfortunate that Skyshine's Bedlam is one of those games. You know what I mean: the ones that seem promising on paper, but instead of turning out as they should, they end up a disappointment. Bedlam has very interesting concepts and premises, and along with a very memorable art-style, its mechanics are surprisingly simple yet straightforward enough to suck you in right away. That is, until the imbalances and unnecessary grinding slowly begin to make it obvious that the game is yet another missed opportunity.

Six Video Games That Seriously Need Sequels

There are two kinds of reactions to sequels. It's either, "ugh, another Assassin's Creed?", or "another Assassin's Creed? Yay!" Then there are some games that don't get any sequel, at all! Or yet, hopefully! Some of these games here are quite disappointing, but they still deserve sequels because they left us wondering how they'd be like had they were done better. Others are plain awesome, so it's just so disappointing that they're still not having any sequel.