My Q1 2024 & Beyond

My Q1 2024 & Beyond

by | Feb 29, 2024 | Gaming, Review, Upcoming

If this isn’t a solid representation of my gaming style…I don’t know what is.

 

2023 ended with the obsession of my favorite gaming genre – open world.  I played several hours of Ark Survival Ascended, Starfield, more Ark, sprinkled with a little Disney Dreamlight Valley, Smallworld and Hogwarts Legacy.  On to 2024 and my obsession hasn’t changed, but the games sure have.  Let’s see what random titles I’ve been interested in lately and take a look at what I’m excited for in Q2 and beyond.

Lethal Company

Is this really a surpise?  I think everyone has heard of Lethal Company by now.  Technically this game released in October 2023, but I’m still playing it because it’s THAT fun.

I’m not sure its “one-man-band” dev, Zeekerss, was ready for the viral effect it had on the gaming community, but it continues to entertain.  With the infinite number of mods that are being utilized and the shear amount of creative content it has provided for players, it’s no wonder this game is still a favorite.

The moons are simple, yet terrifying.  The concept is simple, but almost gets lost in the hysterical comedy of the “great assets” succumbing to their untimely death by dead girl, then realizing everyone on the team is dead and you all just got fired by the company. Choatic, hilarious, fun.

It recently grabbed the 2023 Steam Award for Better With Friends and I couldn’t agree more.  If you haven’t played this yet, grab a few friends and prepare yourselves for laugh out loud jump scares and make sure to ring the Collection Bell SEVERAL times.

Deep Rock Galactic

I was really living under a rock with this game – pun intended.  This game caught my eye while tracking the 2023 Steam Awards – it was nominated for the Labor Of Love Award (congrats to RDR2).  I didn’t play it until I barged into my sister and sister-in-law’s game on New Year’s Eve.  I never thought I’d have so much fun being a grumpy dwarf who smashes rocks, kills bugs and chugs beer!

The gameplay moves in a way that is really fun to play with your dwarven buddies as each character can progress with a particular set of skills (insert Liam Neeson here) that will make your team a well rounded mining machine.

I am no pro gamer.  If I’m in a squad, I am not that jack of all trades, good at everything type of player. I like contributing a single skill that I can manage and execute well and with precision.  This game let’s me do that.  I can be a Scout and I can be the best Scout with the best grapple gun and illuminate our cave with the light of a thousand suns so we can get the mission completed.  Expect me to have an OP Scout and level 1 everything else in this game.

A top-down single player game was released earlier this month that is sure to entertain, as well.  Find Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor here.

FOR KARL! (I still don’t know who that is…)

A Little To The Left & Cat Search In The Wild West

Ok. Now I implied in the beginning that my gaming style can get a little wacky.  Hear me out…open world is arguably my favorite genre, but I didn’t come up with “PointeAndClick” because I really liked giving every key and button a hotkey assignment (and yes, there IS supposed to be that extra ‘e’ in pointe, but we can discuss that later).

I found these games by pure accident while perusing the Steam Store and niching down to the genres I enjoy.  I enjoy cozy, point and click puzzle games.  These games are so nice to explore and allow myseslf a break from the labor intensive grind that open world games are known for.

Cat Search is quite literally that – you’re searching for hidden cats in a side scroller and it’s great. And I 100% the game in 23 minutes. AND…it’s free!

A Little To The Left is an organization puzzle game and scratches that itch to tidy while also procrastinating actual real life chores.  I also love that they’ve included “Daily Tidies” so even when you’ve finished the game – you’re not finished.

It’s nice to have a couple quick puzzle games in my back pocket for those days I just want to game and chill.

Palworld

This game.  This game has me in a chokehold.  I haven’t played for a few days and I’m trying to find an excuse amongst all my IRL responsibilities to get back in game and check on my pals.

It’s no secret that this game has taken over the gaming world, though at the time I’m writing this, there are several that are ready to take the Top Spot and even more promising games yet to be released.

This game checks all the boxes for me and my gaming style.  It has a

big map to explore, bosses to defeat, base building, cute pets and I can play with my friends!  And I’m definitely no expert in the gaming field, but this game just seems so…clean.  It’s fun, it’s pretty, it’s entertaining and I don’t see myself letting go of this game any time soon.

Currently I’ve progressed over 100 hours in game and I’ve reached the point where I can’t spoil much for myself – so I’ve turned to the Paldex to enhance my playing experience.  My latest favorite tool is the breeding calculator that I used to breed my OP Fenglope Athena.  My next project will be to breed better workers and find an amazing setting for my third and final base build.

This game has made headlines, both positive and negative press, but for me this game will suck me back in like a toxic relationship every time.  Just like Ark (…Ark 2 is releasing this year), just like No Man’s Sky (…Hello Games has Light No Fire coming).  I need more computer space!

Gaming Forward

There is definitely space for many games to have been on this list, but these just happen to be the games I enjoy playing at this time.  Several other games are sure to entertain and I may decide to pick them up eventually:

I’m also super excited for the rest of Q1 and already have several 2024 (and some I’m thinking will be 2025) titles wishlisted.  Some titles include:

To name a few…

I want to know what you’ve been playing.  I want to know what you’re excited for.  I want to know what gaming genres you enjoy.  Give me all the good titles past, present and future.  There’s so many wonderful games out there, and I want to see the gems!  Happy Gaming!!

Spirit City: LoFi Sessions

by | Feb 12, 2024 | Gaming, Upcoming

What if you made a productivity app for gamers that is a total vibe? You’d end up with this absolute gem of a game called Spirit City: LoFi Sessions. This game has a demo available on Steam’s Next Fest which gives developers a chance to show off their upcoming games. The game is brought to us by a new studio called Mooncube Games, located in Canada. Let’s take a look at the game!

An Absolute Vibe

As one might imagine, this game – based on the LoFi girl aesthetic – is an absolute vibe. The whole point of the game is to be a chill, relaxing environment to get things done.

You have control over the time of day (Morning, Afternoon, Evening, and Night) and where you’re sitting in the room (Window, Desk, Bed, Fireplace).

You also have sliders to control what additional environmental sounds are there, including Rain, Fire, Vinyl Record, and Birds Chirping. As you can see from the slider below, there are planned additional sounds for launch.

Personalize your avatar

Naturally, we gamers will want to insert our own flair into the game and what better way to do that than create a version of ourselves (or maybe some ficticious body double to help our lil ADHD brains to get stuff done).

Even though this is just a demo, there’s already a big collection of clothing options and some ways to customize your character’s skin, hair, and face. I can only imagine that more options will be added over time that will continually keep the game fresh. I know myself and many others will definitely be changing our hair and outfits pretty much daily.

If the devs are reading – I want leggings, thigh high socks, and fluffy sweaters/cardigans! With that request, an option to toggle socks under or over pants would be cool too.

Spirit pets

In addition to customizing your character, there’s also some little buddies to choose from. The companions are called Spirits and you get a little Spiritdex to collect and catalog them.

The demo gives us five lil cuties to unlock and additional spirits are shown in the trailer and promotional images. Each slot in the Spiritdex gives a clue that will help you find the spirit. If you set up the environment correctly and are patient, the Spirit will show itself and you’ll be able to collect it in your book.

Remember to be patient, as it takes some time for each to show up. If you still haven’t seen them after a while, tweak how things are set up – where you’re sitting, time of day, sound effects etc. For me it didn’t take very long, maybe 5 minutes for each.

Streamers Rejoice!

For all our friends who like to go live, I have some good news. All the LoFi beats included in the game are able to be streamed worry free.

Personally I will be using Spirit City for streams across Tiktok, Twitch, and YouTube when I’m working but also want to chill and chat. In the future I’ll be using it for writing sprints and recording sessions using the timer to keep me on track and avoid burning out.

Features Galore

On top of all the great core features I’ve already mentioned, there are additional features like the To-Do list, Timer, and what looks to be a habit tracker and journal in the full release.

As I mentioned above, I’ll be using this game to keep me in the zone with my tasks. The To-Do list and Timer are going to be used daily to do things like writing/recording sprints – allowing me to do short tasks like loading the dishwasher, cleaning a surface, or swapping laundry in between work. I’m really eager to see how I fare with this considering my side questing has gotten absolutely terrible the last few months. So expect me to report back at release!

Key Features

  • Listen along to a carefully curated catalog of chill lofi beats, with a selection of themed playlists for every mood and occasion;
  • Stay organized using integrated productivity tools, including a to-do list, pomodoro timer, habit tracker and journal;
  • Create your own avatar. Choose from a variety of hairstyles, outfits, color options, and more to bring to life your own unique Spirit City persona;
  • Spruce up your room to design your ideal cozy retreat, swapping between different wallpapers, flooring, furniture and wall decor;
  • Immerse yourself with interactive soundscapes that change the world in real-time to suit your preferred vibe, from the pitter-patter of rain on a window to the crackling of a toasty fireplace;
  • Decipher hints to lure curious spirits out into the open with the right combination of game settings, unlocking them as your future companions;
  • Earn XP and level up over time, and by using the game’s features to their fullest. Unlock new cosmetics and customization choices as you progress;
  • Stream your sessions worry-free thanks to the game’s fully stream-friendly music library – perfect for co-working streams or as a background on Twitch or Youtube;
  • Expand your song catalog with the built-in web player, providing even more options for the musically adventurous;
  • Enhance your everyday activities. Spirit City: Lofi Sessions offers a pleasing and distraction-free space for you to better enjoy and concentrate on your work and hobbies.

The studio

I just wanted to take the time to share this great blurb from the Mooncube site about their team and vision. Again, it’s a vibe.

At Mooncube Games we want to create games that promote positive and uplifting experiences that align with our core values of kindness, empathy and inclusivity. We hope to do this by creating rich, unique worlds, with a diverse cast of memorable characters.

 

We believe that games have the power to be evoke emotions, inspire change, and be a safe space for players. These values fuel every decision we make as a company.

I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on them for all future releases. We love a company we can get behind 💛

 

Check out the trailer

Download the demo!

Sold on how great this game is? Then check out the Demo and watch it become something that just lives on your screen like it’s become for me.

And don’t forget to add it to your Wishlist for when it releases in full on April 8, 2024!

Thaumaturge

by | Feb 3, 2024 | Gaming, Upcoming

Thaumaturge is a story-driven RPG from Fool’s Theory and the ever awesome 11 bit studios, the publisher responsible for gems like Frost Punk and This War of Mine (two of my favorite games ever). This time they’re taking on a game with morally questionable choice making set in a supernatural 1905 Warsaw. The game features turn based combat, investigation mechanics, and interesting character development.

 

Ready to control your demons?

In this game you will play as Wiktor Szulski, who has been dragged back to Warsaw to see his family after 15 years away. Wiktor has the gift of thaumaturgy, like his father, which allows him to see Salutors and their effect on the real world.

As only a thaumaturge can tame [salutors], utilizing their mystical abilities to discover secrets hidden within the human soul and speak to the Darkness, no one understands quite like Wiktor how everyone suffers their own demons.

Salutors can be all sorts of supernatural creatures, each with different abilities and effects on the world around them. As a Thaumaturge, the player can tame a Salutor and use them to manipulate people, investigate the world around them, or use them in combat.

Each Salutor is associated with one of four dimensions: Word, Heart, Deed, and Mind. You will use Salutors of a dimension to uncover different types of information. Mind will reveal people’s thoughts, memories and ideas. Word represents things spoken near an object. Heart will bring forth someone’s emotions or desires and Deed will show actions.

You will use your Salutors in combat against other Thaumaturge’s as well. I’m interested to see how this interaction will play out. There will undoubtedly be guides coming out at launch to show which Salutors to use against which.

check out the gameplay trailer

When & Where Can I play?

I am eager to play through and discover all the different Salutors. The art for each of them bring flair from their various regional origins, and you all know I’m a sucker for good art. So far the developer has discussed designs from Slavic, Jewish, Bavarian, and Arabian mythos.

Thaumaturge will be released on February 20, 2024. You can grab it on Steam, Epic, Playstation, and Xbox.

 

Book of Travels: First Look

by | Oct 11, 2021 | Gaming, Upcoming

Well, well, well, what have we here? Another absolutelygorgeous game? Correct! Book of Travels is a brand new game fromMight and Delight, a small studio out of Sweden with a knack for creating art. I’ve been eyeing this game for a few months now and am happy to be able to try it out and give you my two cents at launch! So, let’s dive right in.

Venture out into a living, breathing fairytale world. Craft a character with its own unique personality and explore the open land however you choose. Set your own goals and shape your adventure alone or with the others you find in this serene online TMORPG (tiny multiplayer online).

Might and Delight

What is this Game?

Book of Travels is a multiplayer game but you won’t see as many people as you’re used to like an MMO. Instead, the game focuses on roleplaying and individual playstyles giving you the freedom to craft your own journey in the world. You will run into many randomly occurring events that make your play-through of the game unique and different every session.

The game takes inspiration from “old-world fairytales, Eastern mythology, and early industrial eras.” There are tons of special secrets, items, and features to unlock as you play. 300+ abilities, magical skills, and passive feats to unlock and master will give you numerous ways to experience the game.

And of course, this game is a playable piece of art. It has click-to-walk movement like old-school RPGs but with 3D depth.

A Solid First Impression

One early annoyance is that while the game launches from Steam it then launches a launcher for you to press play and then you have to also log in when the game itself launches. While none of this is difficult it’s just more steps in a process that should be more seamless. Hopefully, it’s something that changes in the future.

Character creation for Book of Travels is an interesting process that felt more akin to creating a character for a tabletop RPG than your usual MMO or modern RPG. You immediately have portions of your character to flesh out on your own, completely freeform, to get you in the right mindset of creating an actual character outside what they look like or what their skills are. It’s a great first step to setting the mood.

After getting into the game proper, it was interesting to see how the mechanics would work. Visually the game looks 2D until you start moving around into the back and foreground. The transition is so smooth and it absolutely amazes me. Sometimes pathing gets a little odd because of terrain that isn’t actually traversable but you’re never waiting on it long.

As you might expect, if you’ve ever seen me play a game, I immediately went off into my own direction exploring instead of going where I was told to go. So I haven’t gotten past the first few areas. However, I’ve gotten pretty good and picking out what in the scenery is an interactable item! I did eventually make it onto the path the game wanted me to go down. I talked to every person and pet every animal along the way too. Which made me realize I wanted a space in a journal or something to write notes since there’s already functionality in the game to put your own text in things like background/appearance/etc. it’d be nice to implement something for us to keep notes on our character for what/who we encounter.

SHould you add book of travels to your library?

I had a great introduction to the game and there’s a lot for me to continue uncovering in the hours of gameplay to come. You should definitely head over toSteam and add it to your wishlist/follow it. Give Book of Travels a shot if you enjoy roleplaying games or if you think the art is striking. If you do give it a go, be sure to leave me a comment about your experience! Book of Travels releases October 11, 2021. I will report back once I’ve gotten further into the game, so look for a part two!