Tag: steam

Time Break Chronicles Steam Review

Time Break Chronicles on Steam is far from new; in fact, the Steam page says it entered early access on September 1st, 2020. That’s a long time for a game to be in EA, and even longer for a turn-based RPG. So I asked Warrior General Games if they would hook me up with a copy so I could play it, and they were nice enough to do it, so huge shout-out to them.

The first thing you will notice is that the graphics are that old throwback sort of pixelated SNES style, and they have that turn-based combat as well. Now, if you know me, I am a sucker for exactly this, but I will also come down hard on a game for doing this badly because, honestly, it isn’t hard to do. Happily, it is done very well, with my only real complaint being if you are one of those people who insist you will only play with your favorite people and not with what classes work, you may have a hard time. The game has probably around 100 people; I have not unlocked them all, or even most of them, to be honest. But you will find some more useful than others.

The hub is essentially a city within the void you play the game in, which is a nice touch. All your runs start here basically, and you can get your team ready to go here, upgrade all sorts of things, and build your town. Everything you would hope a hub for a roguelike would have is here.

The only real issue I have with the game is the music. It is super repetitive, but admittedly, as of October 2nd, there was an update that did improve it, and the game leaves early access soon I do need to stress something very important. Most of the game is currently available in EA, with only a couple of things left to add, and that final piece of major content to add is the music. However, as I always say, you don’t get credit for what will or could be, only what is. The game is currently an 8/10 title and is $15 on Steam. The price will go up when it leaves EA, so buy it now if you enjoy turn-based RPGs. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Skygard Arena Steam Review

Skygard Arena is a turn-based tactical game from the people over at Gemelli Games, and they were kind enough to send me a copy to check out. I always appreciate this, and this was a fun one to play. It has very positive reviews over on Steam, and it is easy to see why. While the game isn’t perfect, it does a lot of things right.

I won’t spoil the story for you; suffice it to say there is one, and I enjoyed it. Basically, there is a tournament amongst the five floating kingdoms, and this year, there is an added bonus where the winner gets to claim a newly discovered magical item. As the leader of the cloud people, you want to stop it from falling into the wrong hands. It isn’t anything groundbreaking, but it is still enjoyable.

The gameplay itself is where the game shines, mostly. The battles play out in a sort of MOBA fashion. You choose three champions, capture points to help redeploy champions, and collect things to charge up stronger attacks. How you attack also matters; you can attack from the front if you want, but hitting from the back, for example, is always better.

Some of these things are also where the flaws show, for example, I love that things like line of sight matter. If you stand behind a pillar, you won’t be hitting the enemy, and they won’t be hitting you. This, however, isn’t always intuitive. I should be able to launch a fireball over that bush without a problem. I also really don’t understand why certain things need to even be researched.

None of that really ruins the fun or flow of the game. 3v3 battles are a lot of fun, and the story is honestly more of a tutorial anyway. The real meat of the game comes in the skirmish and PVP, which, unfortunately, can sometimes feel empty. Some days, finding a match took a few minutes; others, I couldn’t find out at all.

The question is, does the game give you value for the $20 price tag? Truthfully, I am a bit on the fence. If you enjoy single-player experience and are willing to risk not being able to enjoy the multiplayer as much as you would like, then yes, pick it up. If all you want is to play with other people, this may not be the experience for you right now. It is a solid 7/10 experience, and I hope the multiplayer picks up. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Lost Rift Steam Review

Lost Rift on Steam is the newest Early Access title from People Can Fly, and they were kind enough to toss me a copy to check out, which I am always thankful for.

I am going to be up front about a few things right away. The game is sitting at mixed reviews on Steam out of around 650 reviews. Many of these reviews have the same complaint, and I won’t sit here and try to convince you that they aren’t valid. The game, from the start, is pitched as PVPVE. Meaning you start on a player vs environment island. You can safely wander around it, gather supplies, and build a base in relative safety.

There is, however, an extraction shooter element to it. Meaning you HAVE to go to the PVP zone at some point to get better stuff to craft certain things. There will be tougher AI enemies and real people there, and they will attempt to kill you and take your stuff. None of this is hidden in the game description, and many of the complaints in the negative reviews are about how this exists in the first place. If this isn’t something you want, the game isn’t for you.

I did, however, say that it wasn’t without merit. Just because they warn you that this is what the game is doesn’t mean that it is all done well. The idea that you have to run into AI characters with guns while armed with a very underpowered bow is odd. Not many people are taking an arrow to the head and just walking away after all, yet somehow I have seen this happen quite a few times in Lost Rift.

The game is solid and looks pretty decent, but it won’t be turning any heads. The sounds are worth listening to, and the little things I found were important. People in the distance do make noise walking around. The game was, however, clearly meant to be played as a group, and as I didn’t have one, death came frequently. The NPC that warns you about this was not kidding at all.

Is Lost Rift worth the $25 it costs to pick up? Honestly, this one is weird for me. The game is still very early in early access and has a ton of potential. If you are /going to play with a group, yeah, it is a 7/10 experience. There is definitely fun to be had here. If you don’t have a group to play with, however, this is one game you probably will want to skip. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

505 Pulse to publish Among the Trolls

505 Pulse, the indie focused label of 505 Games, is proud to partner with Avantgarden to bring Among the Trolls, a first-person survival adventure game, to Steam Early Access in 2025. The collaboration is set to deliver a fresh, captivating experience that challenges players to survive and uncover mysteries in a vibrant, untamed wilderness.  

Set on a secluded Finnish archipelago, Among the Trolls invites players to explore lush forests, survive against the odds, and unravel ancient mysteries tied to their lost relatives. The game emphasizes a dynamic, living world where player actions not only affect survival but also influence the environment and its creatures.  

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Avantgarden on reigniting the Among the Trolls project. They embraced the concept with passion” said Fabrizio Faraoni, Sr. Global Brand Manager from 505 Pulse. “There was a community of players, eager to know more about the status of the project. We worked for a long time behind the scenes, and we are finally ready to show early glimpses of the game they are putting together. A truly unique experience that blends survival mechanics, rich storytelling over the stunning Finnish landscape.”

Game highlights  

  • Immersive survival gameplay: Gather resources, craft tools, and hone your survival skills in a dynamic world that responds to your actions. 
  • Dynamic exploration: Discover hidden paths, solve environmental puzzles, and encounter mythical beings in a richly detailed Finnish wilderness. 
  • Living ecosystem: Thrive in harmony with a nature that reacts to your choices, offering a unique blend of exploration and strategy. 
  • Compelling narrative: Gradually uncover the truth behind your relative’s disappearance and the ancient lore of the Nordic forests.

Among the Trolls offers a compelling mix of exploration, survival, and storytelling that stands out in today’s gaming landscape. By launching on Steam Early Access, the development team aims to involve the gaming community in shaping the game’s evolution, ensuring a polished and engaging final experience.  

“We see Among the Trolls as an opportunity to deliver a different take on the survival genre and shape it with the help of its dedicated community,” said AvantGarden’s Creative Director Giorgio Macellari. “Our partnership with 505 Pulse allows us to deliver this vision to a global audience.”

Players eager to embark on this adventure can wishlist the game on Steam here and stay updated on its development progress. 

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