Author: Marcus Orchard

Publisher: Free League Publishing RPG System: Year Zero Free League Publishing has been on a hot streak for years. From Dragonbane to Alien to Mark Borg, their games have consistently delivered entertaining sessions with innovative uses of the Year Zero engine. The Electric State continues this trend, pulling players into an apocalyptic version of 1990s America where players hit the road with stops, robots, and personal revelations. What’s Inside? After a brief introduction chapter, the Electric State Core Rulebook provides the reader with 29 pages detailing the setting of Pacifica. This chapter covers the location, history, the concept of Neuronics, the…

This article covers my first impressions of this version of Robo Rally. Click here to see my thoughts on the gameplay and rules. Robo Rally is nothing short of iconic. Renegade Games brought it back last year with a new printing that has been the best version of the game since its original launch. Now, one year later, it is back with a 30th Anniversary Edition that celebrates the game’s legacy and introduces a few upgrades to improve the player experience. This edition comes with deluxe components that add to the chaotic fun that we all know and love. Plenty…

Phasmophobia, the ghost-hunting co-op horror game, is back. The game already has a reputation for walking the line between bone-chilling fear and chaotic fun, and now PS5 and PSVR2 users can join in on the experience. In Phasmophobia, players are paranormal investigators tasked with uncovering the identity of a ghost haunting one of several eerie locations. The game begins at a central hub where players choose missions, purchase additional ghost-hunting equipment, and strategize their approach. Tools like UV lights, motion detectors, and spirit boxes assist in gathering evidence, but using them comes with risks—some equipment may agitate the spirits. As…

Developer: Powersnake Publisher: Kwalee Genre: Metroidvania Nintendo Switch The insane amount of metroidvanias on the Switch has made it difficult for new titles to stand out. Voidwrought, by newcomer Powersnake, tries to do just that with Lovecraftian inspirations and base-building. Is Voidwrought a worthwhile addition to the genre or another game in a sea of metroidvanias? Voidwrought takes place in Gray City, a broken world full of that awful Lovecraftian dread. The player character collects the blood of gods while traveling through spooky locations and battling scary creatures. The narrative is sparse, relying heavily on environmental storytelling. While the poetic…

Designer: Ta-Te Wu Artist: Ta-Te Wu Publisher: Sunrise Tornado 2 Players Playtime: 15 minutes Aqua is a light tile placement and set collection game designed by Ta-Te Wu and published by Sunrise Tornado. The game features an aquatic theme where players act as roles of curators managing an art exhibit, working to display a beautiful underwater-themed collection of cards. Unfortunately, the curators are squabbling and can’t agree on whether the art should focus on vertical alignment or horizontal structure. Who is right? A Brief How To Play In Aqua, players take turns placing cards, with one player scoring for rows…

Developer: SOFTSTAR Entertainment Publisher: EastAsiaSoft Genre: Action RPG Nintendo Switch It’s not a well-known franchise in the West, but Xuan-Yuan Sword has been around since the ‘90s. The action RPG series leans heavily on mythology and history, delivering a great experience in both story and setting. Xuan-Yuan Sword 7 marked the first official Western release, and with it, an opportunity for new fans to jump into a fresh storyline with a new protagonist, Taishi Zhao. Now, Xuan-Yuan Sword 7 arrives on the Nintendo Switch, bringing questions about how well its intricate visuals and combat translate to the handheld. Xuan-Yuan Sword 7…

Welcome back! If you joined us for our spotlight on Punk Hazard, Dressrosa, or Zou, we are so glad you are joining us again as we look at the next arc: Whole Cake Island! The Whole Cake Island Arc is one of my favorite arcs, and that’s mainly because of Sanji (See more below). It’s an incredible arc that contains all of the things that make One Piece special – Excellent comedy, heartbreaking drama, and creative action. SPOILERS AHEAD Sanji Is Redeemed As A Character Sanji’s character arc in Whole Cake Island alone makes it unforgettable. Since the time skip, Sanji’s…

You already know I love board games. Rough Justice ’84 is a strategy game set in the gritty 1980s. Players manage a private security agency, balancing risks and resources. It combines board game elements with narrative-driven gameplay, which means I should love it. While this is undoubtedly a cool game, it falls short in many ways.  In Rough Justice ’84, the story takes players into the crime-filled streets of Seneca City. Players step into the shoes of a former cop framed and imprisoned, now seeking redemption by running a private security agency. The game has a colorful cast with brief…

Platforming, twin-stick action, and humor are the perfect ingredients for a memorable game, and Trifox serves them up in a colorful package. Does it deliver enough flavor to satisfy? Please disregard this weird food metaphor – this isn’t a game about food. Trifox starts players off with three character classes—Fighter, Mage, and Engineer. The game’s skill tree system allows players to mix and match abilities from different classes, creating custom loadouts that lead to unique builds. This flexibility opens up neat options, encouraging experimentation. The game blends platforming and combat, with players managing puzzles and enemies. While the action is…

Publisher: PopHaus Collective Designer: Joe Boyle, Josh Kemper, and Robert Freeman Smith 3-10 Players Playtime: 30-45 Minutes Getting to know our friends intimately can be kind of overwhelming, but it should at least be fun, right? It’s Kind of A Fun Story is a party game that focuses on storytelling and personal experiences. The game creates an inviting environment where participants can share their stories on topics that might not naturally come up in conversation. It emphasizes connection and reflection, encouraging players to open up about their lives while navigating a series of prompts. Let’s learn more! A Brief How…