Recent reviews by ༺☆𝙇ǐᶩⁱ𝒕ℎ☆༻

The story of My Happy Village in the Kingdom sets you up as the leader of a village in the realm of Pixelor, competing for recognition and prestige. While the game page teases the idea of managing your village by completing tasks, gathering resources, and engaging with villagers, it's a bit misleading. You won’t find yourself managing much beyond the constant clicks to increase values like gold or materials. The "management" aspect is minimal, and most of the story is just window-dressing to keep you clicking for more resources. There's promise, but it doesn't quite deliver on the experience some players might expect.

This game is essentially a medieval-themed clicker with light elements of resource gathering. You’ll be clicking to gather gold, materials, and sending out expeditions. There's no real strategy involved, and you don't actively manage your village or its inhabitants. You’re tasked with completing expeditions, trading resources, or fighting in dungeons, but it's all wrapped up in very simple mechanics that require minimal input beyond tapping and waiting.

Occasionally, random special tasks pop up, like finding all the hidden hearts on the screen. If you manage to find them within the given time, you gain a rank. While this adds a nice touch to an otherwise dull concept, the time limit is too short, and it’s quite difficult to spot all the items, making it frustrating to complete.

There are some added features like chemistry research, increasing affinity with villagers, and working towards a new castle, but none of these systems offer any real depth. The gameplay might feel repetitive for anyone looking for more than a surface-level clicking adventure. However, the game does offer daily events, rewards for playtime, and the occasional special event that spices things up a bit.

This game doesn't offer any card drops or achievements to unlock. The only settings available is the option to turn the sound on or off and fullscreen/partial fullscreen. Unfortunately you can't capture any screenshots through the steam overlay.

During my first playthrough, the game crashed a few times when I clicked on specific text in the event windows. Once I stopped clicking on the event window text, the game stopped crashing.

Visually, the game goes for a retro SNES RPG style, which might feel nostalgic for some. However, most of the screen remains static, with the occasional event or pop-up to break the stillness.

The sound design is minimal, with standard medieval-themed background music and sound effects accompanying your clicks. It’s there, but it won’t leave much of an impression.

My Happy Village in the Kingdom feels like it overpromises and underdelivers when it comes to management mechanics. For a casual time-waster, it’s fine, but if you’re looking for a more involved gameplay experience, you might want to keep clicking elsewhere.

Copy was provided by ima shouganai to Otome Lovers for review purposes.

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Dungeon Tycoon doesn't boast a traditional story but instead gives you the reins to create your own evil empire. As the mastermind behind a labyrinth of traps, treasure, and terrifying creatures, your objective is simple: lure adventurers into your dungeon and make them wish they hadn't come. The narrative isn't driven by dialogue or quests but by the satisfaction of watching heroes struggle through your carefully constructed mazes. It's a delightful spin on the usual "hero vs. villain" tale, where you are the dungeon master, making every decision to keep your visitors on their toes.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3345736261

The management mechanics in Dungeon Tycoon are impressive, giving you complete control over every aspect of your dungeon. You can strategically place traps for maximum damage, summon monsters to guard your treasures, and research upgrades to make your lair even more formidable. There’s always something to keep you engaged. The game beautifully balances strategy and creativity, allowing you to design your ideal evil hideout while focusing on efficiency. It’s immensely satisfying to watch adventurers navigate your dungeon, buy potions, or get caught off guard by traps and monsters.

When heroes defeat monsters, treasure chests fill with gold coins that they can loot. They collect this gold from the treasures in your dungeon and use it to buy various items, including health potions, energy potions, and even hamburgers from the Goblin Grill. When they purchase these items from your vending machines, the gold ends up in your pocket. To encourage heroes to return, make sure to scatter plenty of treasures around monster spawn points.

As you progress, through means of research, new features unlock over time, and your guests highlight the importance of a high-quality dungeon with appealing aesthetics and ample lighting. You can even research resurrection points for heroes who die. Each time a hero dies, you collect souls, which serve as currency for upgrading your dungeon. Finding the right balance between killing of heroes for upgrades and keeping your dungeon enjoyable and safe enough for them to return is crucial. Research is vital, covering everything from room sizes to different facilities where guests can buy life and energy potions.

You can also invest some of your earnings to summon various monsters, categorized into three distinct types; the underworld, inferno, and the forest, each with multiple variations from common to legendary types.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3345743461

Heroes also gain experience and level up, while you can manually upgrade your monsters using gold, making them tougher for higher-level heroes to defeat and providing an added challenge. The day ends when all heroes have either perished or completed their rounds in your dungeon. Giving you the opportunity to build and upgrade your dungeon further, until you manually start the next day.

However, despite all the fun, the game’s progression can feel somewhat short-lived. After about 5-6 hours of gameplay, once you’ve maxed out your reputation and created a well-functioning dungeon, there’s not much left to explore. This lack of long-term replayability may leave some players wanting more.

Visually, Dungeon Tycoon features a delightful pixelated art style that matches the game's quirky tone perfectly. The dungeons are entertaining, with a diverse array of monsters. While it may not be the most breathtaking game graphically, it doesn’t need to be. It captures a nostalgic retro vibe and offers enough customization to keep the experience feeling fresh (for so long).

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3345743579

The sound design is decent, with atmospheric dungeon background tracks and effects that fit the tone. Nothing too memorable, but it gets the job done.

Dungeon Tycoon is a clever management game that nails the concept of running a dungeon as a business. The freedom to design, summon monsters, and optimize layouts gives you the feeling of being a true dungeon overlord. But while it’s fun for the first few hours, it’s hard to shake the feeling that it’s missing some deeper progression. Once you’ve mastered the mechanics, there’s little reason to come back and experiment. That said, if you enjoy simulation games with a unique twist, this game is definitely worth a try.

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Imagine waking up in an abandoned hospital bed, unsure of where you are or even who you are. Rays kicks off with that exact disorienting sense of mystery. As Adam, you’re thrown into a world that’s just as surreal as it is beautiful, where nothing stays the same for long, yet everything feels deeply connected.

From the moment you wake up, Rays throws you into a dreamlike series of events, constantly shifting between reality and something more ethereal. It starts simple: you’re in a hospital, confused, and the next minute you’re passing out on the floor. While unconscious, you experience a vision of what feels like heaven, and a soft voice whispers, "Remember you are not alone, Adam." And then, in the blink of an eye, you find yourself on a beach questioning your very existence. "Can a person be themselves without their memories, without the history that shapes their essence?"

The game’s story is a wild ride. One moment, you're in the hospital, the next you're on a beach, then suddenly in an amusement park. It’s hard to follow the plot because there seems to be no clear transition between these different settings.
At first, it feels like Adam is on a journey to unlock his memories, but with each location, more questions arise than answers.

In the amusement park, you meet Elia, a girl whose face feels familiar, but neither of you can place why. The story dances around themes of identity, memory, and existence but leaves much to interpretation, especially with certain sections not even translated into English, which adds to the confusion. Yet, for some, this fragmented narrative might just be its appeal. It’s almost as if you, the player, are as lost as Adam is, grasping for a sense of self in a world that refuses to offer clarity.

At one point, you even encounter robot-like creatures and engage in conversations with kings, giving the impression that you're jumping from one era to another.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3339116421

Choices are the core mechanic of Rays, and they come in two forms: either timed quick decisions or untimed ones. If you’re faced with a quick-time event, you’ve got a few seconds to make your choice, and sometimes, it's these split-second decisions that push the story forward. Here and there, you'll find a few mini-games, though none are particularly challenging.

While the choices are meant to feel important, the randomness of "jumping" from location to location takes away some of their weight. You don’t always understand the consequences, questioning whether you’ve made a difference in Adam’s journey.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3339116538

While there are different outcomes based on your choices, the story's pacing doesn’t make it easy to feel fully invested. One moment, you’re eating waffles at an amusement park, and the next, you're standing in a forest being confronted by Fenrir, a talking wolf, who kidnaps Elia and threatens your dog companion, Bron. The randomness of the scenes makes it difficult to immerse yourself, but maybe that’s the point—Rays wants you to feel like you’re struggling to piece together your life, just like Adam.

Rays shines is in its artistic direction. The backgrounds look like gorgeous acrylic paintings, creating a beautiful but haunting atmosphere. Every location, whether it’s the beach, the amusement park, or the eerie forest, feels like a standalone piece of art. However, the sprites themselves fall short. While they’re undeniably stunning, they remain static throughout the game, with no real movement or emotion, save for the occasional eye blink and flushed cheeks. This creates a disconnect between the world around you and the characters you're interacting with, which can make emotionally charged moments feel flat.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3339116664

The game’s background music is subtle yet fitting, enhancing the mood of each scene and perfectly complementing the atmosphere without overshadowing it. The sound effects are impeccable. The gentle crash of waves on the beach, the fireworks exploding in the sky at the amusement park, the rustling of leaves in the fores, they all fit the surroundings perfectly. It’s clear that the sound design team knew what they were doing, and it elevates the immersion in an otherwise confusing experience.

Rays is a beautifully broken game. It’s ambitious in its storytelling and artistic direction but falls short in its execution. I found myself torn between giving it a thumbs up or a thumbs down because, on the one hand, the game’s stunning visuals and unique sound design create an immersive atmosphere that draws you in. But on the other hand, the disjointed storyline and lack of narrative clarity make it hard to stay engaged. The constant jumps between locations, along with untranslated text, left me feeling more confused than captivated. It’s a beautiful experience, but one that’s difficult to fully appreciate due to its scattered execution. That being said, if you’re someone who enjoys games that leave you with more questions than answers and appreciate beautiful art and sound design, Rays might just be for you. It’s not a game you play for clarity, it’s a game you play to get lost in. Whether or not you’ll want to find your way out is another question entirely.

Otome Lovers wishes to thank BAR GOG for providing a free review copy for this game.

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When I spotted a friend buying TCG Card Shop Simulator on my Steam feed, I had to check it out. And let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint.

There’s no real storyline in this simulator. In TCG Card Shop Simulator you start as the proud owner of a humble card shop with just a single shelf for products. Aside from the occasional smelly customer and clock-punching employees, there's not much drama to be found here.

Your main goal is to buy booster packs and resell them, or, If you’re feeling lucky, open those packs for your own collection and sell any duplicate cards. At first, you’ll be restocking shelves and ringing up customers yourself. But as you level up, you can hire employees to handle those mundane tasks, leaving you free to enjoy endless booster pack openings. Well, sort of *Cough* scratch that. The employees are not exactly employee of the month material. They mismanage the warehouse, dump products on the floor when their shift ends, and abandon customers at the register. Thanks for nothing, guys.

Everything is managed through your in-game phone, from stocking up on products to expanding your shop. Don’t forget to pay your bills daily, or they’ll pile up fast, and you’ll be left scrambling to pay them by the week’s end.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3333159122

One of the cool features is the ability to buy tables for customers to play card games in-store. They pay by the hour, and you can tweak the rulesets, which gives you some influence over the market, making certain cards or booster packs fluctuate in price. Another great feature is that you can bundle your unwanted cards into a bulk pack in the workshop and sell them to your customers.

There’s also a level-up system, where each level unlocks new goodies for your shop, from bigger expansions to exclusive products like special card sleeves, figurines, special dice, or high-end booster packs. It’s a great progression mechanic that keeps you hooked.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3333158938

But not everything’s perfect. One tedious task involves customers with terrible body odor (yes, really) that can scare away potential new buyers. You’ll need to spray them with deodorant (seriously) until you unlock automatic sprayers. Even then, restocking those machines becomes another chore. Not exactly the glamorous card shop experience I was hoping for!

Another gripe is the slow, repetitive process of opening booster packs. The sound effects get old fast, and it’s a bit of a grind. Fingers crossed the devs add a fast-open feature soon!

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3333157694

Also, every day starts with flipping the "Open" sign, and you have to end the day by pressing enter. If you don’t flip the open sign, the in-game clock stays stuck at 8 o’clock, giving your employees extra time to restock the shelves without customers flooding in.

That said, keep in mind the game is in very early access, so it’s missing a lot of features that are likely to be added over time. Here is a small list of things yet to come:

• Customer review app
  
• Customer trade cards
  
• Organize tournaments
  
• Random events may occur
  
• More shop product types
  
• More shelf & table types
  
• More TCG types
  
• Playable TCG
  
• Shop decoration
  
• Grading cards
  
• Difficulty mode

Despite its quirks, TCG Card Shop Simulator is addictively fun, especially if you enjoy the thrill of opening packs and collecting cards. It’s not perfect, but for anyone who’s ever dreamed of running their own card shop, this game scratches that itch.

The graphics in TCG Card Shop Simulator are fairly simple but get the job done. The game opts for a clean, cartoony style that’s easy on the eyes. While it’s not going to blow anyone away with hyper-realistic visuals, the charm lies in its straightforward design. The shop layout is clear, and the interface is intuitive, making it easy to focus on managing your business. However, don’t expect much in terms of visual flair, this game is more about the mechanics than wowing you with its graphics.

The music in TCG Card Shop Simulator is pretty laid-back, fitting the casual vibe of the game. It’s pleasant at first, but after a while, it can get a bit repetitive. The sound effects, like the cash register and card packs opening, add a nice touch, but hearing the same sounds over and over, especially during long pack-opening sessions, can get annoying. It could really use some variety to keep things fresh.

TCG Card Shop Simulator lets you run your own card shop, from managing stock to opening booster packs and dealing with quirky customers. While the gameplay is fun and addictive, especially for card collectors, the repetitive sound effects, tedious tasks, and basic AI can get frustrating. It’s still in early access, so there’s room for improvement, but it’s a solid pick if you enjoy managing a business with a collectible card game twist.

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Dreamio is perfect for anyone who loves to unleash their imagination and build worlds on the spot. With its AI-generated images and text, you can create just about anything you envision, making it feel like you have a personal voiceover game master guiding your adventure.

I kicked off my adventure by crafting a fantasy world brimming with mythical creatures, and oh boy, the possibilities are endless. I got to choose any race, class, and backstory imaginable and ended up as a stunning bard on a quest to find a real unicorn. Along the way, I crossed paths with some fantastically developed NPCs, each brought to life by the AI in a way that felt organic and engaging. I even ended up having a whirlwind romance that was totally unexpected!

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3324829733

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the AI is censored, so there’s no adult content or blood and gore (sadly). I mean, would a little spice have hurt? But despite that, the emotional depth and immersive storytelling still had me hooked. It’s just pure fun—whether you’re exploring new lands, interacting with AI-generated party members, or just basking in the beautiful art, Dreamio nails the fantasy RPG experience like nothing else.

If you’ve ever wanted to live your own epic adventure, this is the program that’ll make it happen. I’m completely addicted, and honestly, I can't wait to see where my bard's journey takes me next!

Dreamio lets you shape your adventure in various ways:

• Type manually to direct your actions.
  
• Speak directly into your microphone for an even more interactive experience.
  
• Or simply choose from suggested options if you’re feeling a bit indecisive.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3324830181

The game’s second-person perspective draws you right into the heart of the story, letting you interact directly with the narrator, debate your options, or ask about your surroundings and character traits. It’s like having a personalized Dungeon Master right there with you!

You have full control over your adventure. By default, the narrator will trigger a game over if your character dies and reject impossible actions, but you can tweak these settings with simple instructions. Want a more forgiving journey or a brutal, no-holds-barred experience? Just ask!

To keep the game accessible, Dreamio uses an in-game currency called tokens to cover ongoing AI service costs. You’ll receive 10,000 free tokens daily, and you can also bypass the system by using your own API keys or switching to free AI models in the settings. It’s a transparent approach that ensures the game remains viable without a hefty price tag.

Replay scenes, try different paths, and explore endlessly. Start with built-in prompts, create your own, or find new adventures through the Steam Workshop. The workshop offers a variety of intriguing starting points for your story, from an alien invasion or a zombie outbreak to something as simple as a blind date or even playing as a dog or cat. If none of these fit your vision, you can always create your own narrative from scratch.

Dreamio uses AI-generated visuals to create an immersive experience. The graphics are created on the fly with Stable Diffusion, producing illustrations that adapt to the style and atmosphere of your adventure. From fantasy landscapes to detailed character portraits, the visuals bring each scene to life in a dynamic, storybook-like fashion.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3324830347

At the moment, only the narrator's voice is generated dynamically, with the soundtrack staying the same throughout. However, the developer has mentioned that future updates will include dynamic soundtracks and sound effects.

Dreamio is pure magic for anyone who loves immersive, ever-evolving adventures. Despite the lack of adult content, it’s insanely fun. With Dreamio, you can bring all your (romantic) fantasies to life. The platform’s AI-driven storytelling lets you create and explore endless romantic scenarios, making your dream love stories a reality. Dive in and see where your imagination takes you!

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The story begins with you, our hero, waking up after being unconscious for a day. The first sight that greets you is a comforting campfire and a figure nearby. This figure, with silver hair and serene wisdom about her, is gently tending to your wounds, leaving only the memory of pain.

You remember setting out on a journey to Leilthorp Burrow—an expedition filled with promise and peril. Accompanied by your friends Janus, Claire, and Reyla, you were in search of an enigmatic orb. Although your memory is a bit blurry, you start to recall the crucial details.

As you regain your bearings, you learn the essentials of the game mechanics. You'll discover that choices have consequences, the combat system is explained, and you learn how to navigate your avatar on the world map. With these foundations in place, you prepare to continue your adventure. This is where the story truly begins. In search of your friends.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3299076699

The game shines with its deep character customization and strategic hex-based combat. You can tailor your character and party with a wide range of skills and equipment, fitting your personal play style. It uses skill sets and abilities similar to those found in RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons. As you explore the open world, you’ll engage in tactical battles that require thoughtful planning. The combat system is beginner-friendly, with a straightforward 1, 2, 3, and 4 system for choosing your skills. The game offers plenty of depth for seasoned players as well. Interacting with NPCs is also a big part of the game, allowing you to build friendships, make enemies, and even explore romances. I am here for the juicy romances. There is just so much to see, do, and explore, it feels sometimes a bit overwhelming (in a good way).

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3299076442

A unique feature is your journal. As you progress through the initial story, you come across your lost journal. Once you read it, you unlock the ability to only once customize various settings, tailoring the game to your preferences. You can choose the frequency of encounters, opting for frequent, balanced, or few encounters. Additionally, you can decide on the romance options, whether you want romance with or without explicit content, or if you'd prefer to disable romance entirely (why would I, there are a few hunky characters I have my eyes on). This allows for a truly personalized gaming experience.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3299078610

While the game relies mostly on text, the graphics and music add a lot to the experience. The visual design, though not the main focus, effectively sets the scene and immerses you in the Renaissance setting. The detailed and evocative artwork and character portraits complement the richly described environments and characters. The music and sound effects add another layer of immersion, with atmospheric scores that draw you into the world and enhance the emotional impact of the story and battles. It's incredible how one developer, with the aid of AI, managed to create such a masterpiece.

Erannorth Renaissance is a well-crafted game that shines in storytelling, character customization, and strategic combat. Its text-heavy format is ideal for fans of choose-your-own-adventure and gamebook styles, providing an immersive experience. The game’s deep narrative, dynamic world-building, and tactical gameplay make for a captivating journey where your choices really count And then I didn't even mention the price, it's a bargain. If you enjoy games with meaningful decisions, rich social interactions, and challenging combat, this game is a must-play.

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Rave Heart, the first game by Starmage RPG Studios, is a delightful turn-based JRPG that feels like Final Fantasy in Outer Space. And since I am a big fan of the Final Fantasy franchise I couldn't wait to dive in.

The game follows Klein, a trained Cipher and bodyguard to Princess Ellemine, as they navigate the complex and tumultuous Xerxes Galaxy to ease tensions between the Errans and the Draconians. Along the way, they are joined by a colorful cast, including a mute dragon man, a sexy runaway bride alien, a gunslinging catgirl, and a human prince.

The story is full of twists and turns, centered on protecting Princess Ellemine and the House of Rave. The game's lore is rich, though sometimes overwhelming, with the Learnatoriums offering in-depth but dense information. The characters are well-developed, each with their personalities and quirks, making them memorable and endearing. The witty dialogue and modern-day nods add a unique charm to the narrative.

The game starts with tutorials that blend into the story, making it easy to learn how to play. Arrows helpfully point out important items like chests and quest directions. However, these arrows disappear later in the game, especially when traveling to different planets, which can make it confusing to know where to go next.

The turn-based combat is balanced and engaging, with party compositions changing throughout the story to keep things fresh. The mechanics, utilizing EP and SP points for different abilities, add strategic depth. Outside of combat, real-time events and the unique Astral State ability provide thrilling and exploratory elements. The game encourages saving often, which is crucial for tackling its challenging battles.

The game is set in a futuristic world where interplanetary travel is commonplace. Each sector you visit has its own unique culture and visual style. Initially, there’s a lot of lore to absorb, but the game introduces it gradually through informational machines placed in the early levels, making it easy to catch up on details at your own pace.

You can have up to six characters in your party, each with different abilities. It might take a while to figure out what each character does best and how to use their skills effectively. This adds to the fun, though the absence of MP recovery skills can sometimes make it hard to try out new strategies.

Throughout the game, you'll encounter numerous cutscenes that drive the story forward, often taking precedence over dungeon exploration. Despite the use of static character portraits, the distinctive dialogue and interactions bring the characters to life. The conversations are engaging and often humorous, particularly the side stories that become available in the latter part of the game.

For those who prefer less focus on the main story, the game offers plenty of side quests. These quests greatly expand the areas you can explore, making the game world feel much larger than just the main storyline. While most side quests involve fetching items, many also feature optional boss fights. It’s almost like playing a different game, as many of these quests become available all at once.

Despite its engaging gameplay and rich world, Rave Heart struggles with certain issues that can detract from the overall experience. One notable drawback is the inconsistent quest navigation. The disappearance of helpful markers can leave players feeling lost, particularly when dealing with multi-planet journeys. Additionally, the lack of MP regeneration skills can stifle creativity in battle strategies, making prolonged combat sessions more frustrating than fun. While the game offers a lot of content, these shortcomings can occasionally disrupt the immersion and enjoyment.

The game features charming pixel art and detailed character portraits. You can play in windowed or fullscreen modes, though fullscreen can feel a bit awkward. The visuals mix classic RPG styles with unique designs for each area, making the game visually diverse. The retro soundtrack is enjoyable and fits well with the game’s environments, but some tracks can get repetitive. Additionally, you can adjust the sound settings for music, ambient sounds, and effects, which is great for streamers and multitaskers.

Rave Heart stands out as a compelling journey through a vividly crafted sci-fi universe. Its mix of strategic turn-based combat, expansive exploration, and intriguing side quests ensures there's never a dull moment. The game strikes a fine balance between nostalgia and innovation, with its rich character dynamics and immersive world-building. Despite some minor challenges with navigation and resource management, it offers a deeply engaging experience.

Great walkthrough to use when stuck by Aquatorrent

Otome Lovers wishes to thank Starmage for providing a free review copy for this game.

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Norland is finally in Early Access, and it's the medieval reality show we never knew we needed. Now, let me tell you, this game is like the medieval version of a reality TV show. Think Game of Thrones meets Keeping Up with the Kardashians, but with fewer dragons and more drunken peasants.

I played the demo when it was available and was instantly hooked. It was a no-brainer for me to buy it on the early access release day.

The Empire's dead and gone, and now every noble with a pulse is fighting for the throne like it’s Black Friday. You’ve got to juggle class wars, religious drama, and political backstabbing. Basically, it’s like trying to host a family reunion (I’m looking at my brothers here), but everyone’s got swords.

You'll take charge of your noble family, each member with their own unique traits and ambitions, while dealing with political drama and social unrest. You'll need to balance keeping your peasants happy and managing the ambitions of your nobles, all while defending your kingdom from outside threats. Whether you're forging alliances, plotting sneaky assassinations, or leading your troops into battle, every choice you make will have a big impact on your kingdom's future. The game is complex and varied, ensuring that every time you play, you’ll get a unique experience.

At the start, you get to build your own noble family from scratch. It’s not just about choosing names and looks; you’ll also give each family member their own traits and backgrounds. These choices will influence their strengths, weaknesses, and personal goals, which can really shape how you play the game. How you set up your family will impact everything from their roles in the kingdom to the way they interact with each other and with others. It’s a great way to make your experience feel personal and unique right from the beginning.

After you create a family, you’re greeted with several starting options that let you tailor your game to your liking. You can choose from different starting regions, each with its own set of advantages and challenges, so you can pick one that fits your preferred playstyle. You also have the option to adjust difficulty settings, which can help you ease into the game or ramp up the challenge right from the start. These starting choices let you shape the early game to suit your strategy and experience level, making sure that your journey in Norland begins just the way you want it.

Peasants are the backbone of your kingdom and the source of all your headaches. Keep them fed and drunk, or they'll revolt faster than you can say "pitchfork." Each one has their own needs, like money for beer or prayers to Saint Whoever. Keep them happy, or they’ll burn your kingdom down – literally.

Beyond your kingdom lies a world full of other kingdoms, bandits, and invader-kings. Forge alliances, plot assassinations, and maybe send a spy or two. When diplomacy fails (which it will), it’s time to get bloody. Raise your militia and hope for the best – it’s stab or be stabbed.

Right now, I'm grappling with a frustrating bug that's making the game unplayable. Every time I try to build a temple, the whole game crashes. Since temples are crucial for keeping my people happy, this issue is pretty urgent. I can't afford to be without them for too long.

Update: I'm so relieved that the temple-crashing bug I was dealing with is finally history! The developers have been on top of it, rolling out updates and patches like crazy. I have to give them major props for how quickly they've responded to this issue. It's rare to see devs who are so committed to their community and willing to fix things this fast. Now, I can build all the temples I need and keep my people happy without a single crash. Seriously, these devs are amazing!

The cartoony graphics give the game a unique look. The bright, colorful visuals and character designs contrast with the darker themes, making the complex storylines feel more approachable. The cute animations add a lighter touch to the serious content. The background music sets the right mood, and the sound effects—from sword clashes to the daily chatter—are spot-on.

Norland is a standout game that blends medieval strategy with rich storytelling. The deep gameplay, with its detailed character design and customizable start, ensures that every playthrough feels unique. Whether you’re managing your noble family or diving into political intrigue, it offers a rewarding and dynamic experience.

While Norland has many strengths, it does have its downsides. Some players might find the cartoony graphics and light-hearted visual style not fitting for the darker themes. Additionally, the complexity of the gameplay can be overwhelming for newcomers. Although the game offers a detailed tutorial to address these needs. If you're looking for a straightforward experience or prefer a more realistic visual approach, this game might not fully meet your expectations.

However if you enjoy strategy games with a touch of drama and complexity, this one’s definitely worth checking out. Just remember: in Norland, trust no one, especially not your family. Happy ruling!

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In You Are The Judge, you play, as you expected, a judge (of the Kobardde court).

You become a new judge in Kobardde's court. With your experience as a lawyer and the challenges of justice there, every case you handle mirrors real-life events, forcing you to make tough moral choices. Starting with a questionnaire whose impact seems uncertain to me, you eventually end up marrying Mary, raising two sons, and becoming a judge.

After the initial questionnaire, you choose from six male judges, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. For instance, one begins with more money but holds less respect in the supreme court.

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Future updates promise additional chapters with three seasons each. Currently, players can explore one chapter with two available seasons.

Each day begins at your desk where you manage various tasks: reading the law book, handling phone calls, and occasionally dealing with death threats or bribery attempts. Accessing your computer for the first time requires creating a profile and password. From there, you can browse the internet, read news, check social media, and receive emails from advisors. A notepad helps you track evidence, and you can even sue those who defame you on social media (I wish this option was available in reality). Reviewing past cases can be frustrating, especially when the evidence was scarce, relying heavily on motives rather than concrete proof, giving you a unsuccesful conviction.

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Each location features a checklist to guide beginners, though it becomes less necessary over time. Once daily duties are completed, you move to the courtroom. Your first case involves human trafficking. Here, you engage with the Defendant's and Plaintiff's Attorneys before deciding on trial proceedings or accepting/rejecting testimonies and witnesses. Before trials begin, selecting one of four random cards determines positive or negative trial effects, which can be unpredictable and sometimes unwanted. I hope the developer will make this something optional in future patches.

Some cases require you to visit the crime scene to gather additional evidence. However, this process simply involves clicking on the evidence points to reveal what they are, without any interactive interaction with the evidence itself.

Interaction in the courtroom includes questioning witnesses and parties involved, followed by reviewing evidence and the lawbook for appropriate sentencing if the defendant is found guilty. Finally, you choose from three sentencing options, ranging from fines to prison time from 3 to 100 years, or declaring innocence, allowing flexibility in judicial decisions.

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After each case, the game prompts you to make decisions that can enhance or diminish your reputation with the government, supreme court, society, or your family/wife.

One major issue is that there's no save slot, which I discovered the hard way when I accidentally pressed New Game instead of Continue and lost all my progress. I'll go cry in my corner now 😭😭😭

The graphics strike a balance between functionality and immersion. The courtroom scenes are detailed enough to convey the seriousness of the legal proceedings, with ok-rendered character models and environments that close to reflect the atmosphere of a courthouse, while not overly flashy. Overall, the graphics are simple yet effective. The sound is not something that stands out. There are "courthouse" sounds, but they get overshadowed by the music that underscores key moments in the game, sometimes making it hard to focus on the ambient noises that could otherwise enhance the courtroom atmosphere.

I waited for a good sale (summer sale) to buy this game, but now I realize it's worth the full asking price. I hope the developer will implement features to make it easier to redo bad choices and provide more hints and evidence during case trials. And seperate save slots is really a must, with these types of games in my opinion. Despite these few hiccups and significant annoyances in the game system, I believe this game created by Steel Games Studio, is a must-play for those who enjoy narrative-driven courthouse games with ethical dilemmas and moral decision-making.

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In Horrific Xanatorium, you step into the shoes of Rui Genzaki, a boy infected with Spiria, a virus transmitted through animal blood to mosquitoes. Spiria wreaks havoc on the mind, causing hallucinations, delusions, and memory lapses. Rui, plagued by the virus, constantly sees disturbing humanoid figures and sees things that are "not really" there, making it difficult for him to discern reality from illusion. Accompanied by his sister Mone, he embarks on a bus journey to Kamikawa Sanatorium Hospital for treatment, though no cure for Spiria exists (yet). Rui's hallucinations come and go, leading him into trouble as he struggles to differentiate between what is real and what is not.

As he arrives at the hospital, he finds himself among other Spiria patients, each battling their own hallucinations and challenges. The gruesome story unfolds in a perfectly slow-paced and interesting way, keeping me thoroughly engaged.

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Meet your loving and caring sister Mone. She is behaving weirdly lately. Is she hiding a dark secret or is it just another of your hallucinations?

One of Rui's hallucinations, Gelni, takes the form of a floating, talking, skeleton head, inspired by his favorite superhero TV show, Sword Rangers. Gelni constantly tempts Rui towards malevolence, often appearing to make disparaging remarks. Is Gelni a manifestation of Rui's subconscious?

Anri, the eccentric hospital director who greets you with a gun to the head, adds to the surreal and quirky atmosphere.

While Riza, a beautiful but eccentric girl from Rui's past with an affinity for the occult, reenters his life within the Spiria ward. Riza, struggling with her own hallucinations, believes the world is on the brink of ending. Together, she and Rui engage in nightly occult activities, while reconciling their past connections.

Revealing more would spoil the plot(s), but suffice it to say, the story is a rollercoaster of uncertainty and surprise. And all the endings are either twisted, beautiful and/or cruel, catching me off guard with the twists. In the end, one question is what matters most. Will you choose reality or fantasy?

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3227405012

As is seen in a lot of visual novels, your choices have an impact on the story, leading you to different endings. The game offers you two options per choice. Post-ending, the game menu offers an "IF" option in the menu, providing other additional perspectives and optional storylines and depth to the narrative or perhaps yet another way to make you doubt what is real or not?! It is recommended to start this after you got the GOOD ending.

It took me 2.5 hours to complete the game, though I hesitate to say it never felt truly finished. It leaves me with an eerie feeling, like there's still so much more to uncover, as the developer likely intended.

The game features pretty hand-drawn anime-style graphics that contribute to its unique atmosphere. The artwork is detailed, with a dark and surreal aesthetic that complements the game's psychological themes. Each character is distinctively designed, from Rui's haunting hallucinations to the other patients in the Spiria ward, adding depth to the storytelling. Scenes are rich in atmosphere, from the eerie corridors of the hospital to the occult rituals Rui and Riza partake in. The game's graphics are visually striking, drawing you into the story.

As for sound, the game does a great job in creating an immersive audio experience. The sound effects are carefully crafted to create an eerie atmosphere, from the creaking of doors to the growling of monsters and the background noise when travelling by bus. These sound effects contribute to the tension and uneaseness felt throughout the game.

There are a few typos and grammar mistakes here and there, but they're not too bothersome or difficult to understand.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3227405545

Horrific Xanatorium is a captivating psychological experience that keeps you guessing throughout. With its intriguing story, interesting characters, plottwists and surprising endings, it's a game that leaves a lasting impression. While there are some typos, the twisted storyline, fitting sound effects and stylish anime visuals totally make up for it. This game has left me feeling uneasy (in a good way), like I still don't know the truth. Now I'm sitting here, contemplating this mind-bending experience. If you enjoy mind-bending thrillers like I do, with beautiful and at times gory hand-drawn sprites and environments, Horrific Xanatorium is definitely something for you! Highly recommended!

The Butterfly Effects wishes to thank KEMCO for supplying a review copy of Horrific Xanatorium.

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