All posts tagged 'Misc'

Game Preview: Guilty Gear -Strive- (PS4, PS5)

While Street Fighter 2 is probably the most recognizable one-one-one 2-D fighting game series, there are plenty of others that have made a name for themselves over the years.  With its anime styled characters and rockin’ soundtrack, Guilty Gear is just one of those series.  And there’s a new one coming out in about a month called Guilty Gear -Strive- and I got a preview beta build of it to review!  Now, keep in mind since this is a beta build, there may be changes to the final game.  Hopefully I’ll get to review that, too! Anyway, Guilty Gear -Strive- will be available on PS4 and PS5, but I’m playing the beta on PS4 here.

more…

Unplugged: Ice Duo (Boardgame)

Ice Duo, Looney Labs, 2020 — front cover (image provided by the publisher)Loony Labs has two solid game lines going for it.  One is the chaotic but entertaining line of Fluxx games, and the other is its line of games based around a set of of colored plastic pyramids.  Sold in many different ways, the pyramid line is now available in several small box releases.  Ice Duo, reviewed here, is actually two games in one.  Ice Dice is a push your luck style game of rolling dice to collect pyramids while Twin Win has players moving pyramids around the board in order to arrange them in a specific (secret) configuration for the win.

more…

Unplugged: Deckscape (The Curse of the Sphinx)

Image result for deckscape curse of the sphinxWhile it may be hard to get out of the house, fans of escape rooms have alternatives that can be played at home. Deckscape, one of several lines of at-home escape room games, is a complete escape room experience in a (large) pocket-sized box of cards. Obviously, it can’t take the place of an in-person, physical escape room, its nonlinear progression through many puzzles may be the next best thing.

 

 

more…

RPG Miniatures – Boneyard

Rather than focus on a particular storyline, the newest entry in the WizKids line of role playing game miniatures focuses on hordes of undead.  The common figures span the gamut of typical undead hordes, while some of the rare large creatures are just downright disturbing.  (Let the reader decide if that’s good or bad.)  Releasing in March, D&D Icons of the Realms: Boneyard is a mix of standard and more unique pieces with which to build your undead army.

 

more…

Unplugged: Strike (Boardgame)

Strike – a simple, quick game of dice-chucking goodness. Players take turns rolling (or throwing) their dice into an arena inlay in the box. Remove any matching dice and leave the rest for the next player. The last player with dice is crowned the winner of the game. The idea is simple and the execution is spot on, making Strike a fine game for the start of a gaming evening or quick break with the kids.

 

 

Strike
Publisher: Ravensburger
Ages: 8+
Players: 2-5
Time: 15 mins
(Review copy provided by Ravensburger)

more…

Animal Crossing Valentines!

Nintendo’s Animal Crossing game franchise got a big boost in popularity this past year thanks to the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons right in the beginning of the COVID pandemic.  It was just what a lot of people needed, including myself.  But I’ve always been a big fan of the series.  Anyway, the recent popularity of the game is probably why they now have Animal Crossing Valentines!  You know, they’re like the ones you used to give out to classmates in elementary school, or maybe you have kids who do that now.  Anyway, I found these at a Kroger grocery store, so let’s take a look at them!

more…

Unplugged: Machi Koro (Boardgame)

One of my teenage son’s favorite games is Machi Koro. (Very) briefly, it is kind of like Monopoly with no board, but people can collect income for properties even when it is not their turn. The game is fast and fun, and I highly recommend it for family gaming and it is just now returning to store shelves over at Target (it’s continued to be available in game stores for some time.) Someone looking for a lighter-weight game to play during the pandemic should find Machi Koro an excellent choice.

 

 

more…

Cary is (trying) to Look Forward in 2021!

While I’m glad 2020 is over, it’s hard to look forward to 2021 since just because it’s a new year, it doesn’t mean all of our problems just instantly go away.  COVID is still around, as well as other crap from 2020.  But every year I like to write a blog about the games I’m looking forward to in the coming year, so we’ll do that now.  At least it gives us something to look forward to.  And I imagine some of these games will get delayed, and there will be new games announced that we don’t know about just yet.  Will we get Metroid Prime 4 or Breath of the Wild 2 this year?  Maybe not, but you never know what the new year will bring.  This time last year, we had no idea we’d be spending most of the year in quarantine either!  OK let’s begin!

more…

Cary’s Best Games of 2020 Awards Show!

WORST.  YEAR.   EVER.  I think we can all agree that 2020 has been one of the worst years in our lifetime, what with the Coronavirus, quarantines, riots and looting, politics, and much more.  And it doesn’t seem to be getting any better, as I just found out my mom has breast cancer (keep us in your prayers).  Some days I wonder if we’ll EVER get through this.  2020 can just suck it!  But at least we’ve had some good video games come out to help keep our minds off of this dumpster fire of a year.  So here’s my Best Games of 2020 Awards Show! But keep in mind that this is my list and my picks only, no outside opinions and whatnot.  And if a game isn’t on my list, it either just didn’t appeal to me or I haven’t played it yet.  Can’t play ‘em all, you know!  But with that out of the way, let’s take a look at my picks.

more…

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening Loot Box

Link’s Awakening is my number one favorite Zelda game.  In fact, last year I named the Switch remake my Game of the Year in 2019.  So a couple of months ago on my birthday, I was happy to get a loot box with stuff from that game!  Let’s take a look and see what’s in it!

more…