My daughter and I recently had the pleasure of reviewing the pink RGB gaming desk from EwinRacing We give the desk four thumbs and two kitten paws up. If you watch our fancy review video you’ll understand the rating.
Frostpunk: What will you do to survive?
The only way I’m getting snow here in Florida
It’s been almost two years since Frostpunk first released. So, naturally, I’m just now getting around to playing and writing about it. Over the years I’ve watched a fair bit of gameplay on Twitch and knew it was something I would enjoy. I finally gave it a go after getting a chance to try it out on the PS4 release. And now it’s got brand-new DLC called The Last Autumn.
What Is It?
Frostpunk is a resource management simulation game where you have to build a city and survive the elements. It’s made by 11 bit studios who make other fantastic games I love like This War of Mine, Moonlighter, and Children of Morta. And it’s available on PC, PS4, and Xbox – so pick your platform and get to playin.
With the base game, you build your city around a coal-powered generator. Research, set laws, build, and explore your way to survival… or perhaps doom. All while balancing hope and discontent of the people.
In order to do anything in the game, there is a cost. Buildings take wood, steel, and maybe some research or workers. Laws cause discontent or hope and make an impact on how your people go about their lives. They also unlock special buildings. Research takes time but unlocks upgrades, building types, and other necessary skills to keep your city from dying. Exploration also takes time but gives you people or supplies, or both.
Balance is key in Frostpunk. You have to keep a good eye on all your production for the times when blizzards come and you need the generator to work triple time or stockpile so you can upgrade and expand when bringing in groups of refugees. Maybe you’ll be really good at it and there will be no discontent… probably not though, people seem to hate soup round here.
Okay, I beat that. Now what?
DLC you say?! Other scenarios?! Yup, we got those. There are several scenarios you unlock by surviving 20+ days. And if you beat those, there’s an endless mode with different difficulties. Not enough? How ’bout customizing the difficulty of all of these modes? STILL not enough? Well fine then.
In late January, a new prequel expansion where you work to build the generator that is used to survive after the freezing cold arrives. This expansion is practically a whole other game in the same story, built on the same mechanics but capable of being its own stand-alone title.
And if you beat this and still want more then you’ll be happy to hear there is another expansion coming sometime this year called Project ‘TVADGYCGJR’.
What did you think, Divine?
If you’ve read my other articles, you know I’m a fan of 11 bit studios game This War of Mine. I think the studio does a great job telling stories and building games with solid mechanics. Frostpunk is no exception. I subconsciously put off playing this game cause I knew I’d get sucked in quickly, and I had CompTIA exams to get done ha!
So far I’ve played about 72 hours between the PC and PS4. I enjoy the ability to change difficulty levels and the different scenarios available. I haven’t gotten a chance to play Last Autumn yet cause money doesn’t grow on trees, but I’ve watched enough to know it’s just as awesome as the rest of the game.
This style of game is right up my alley and like I said, it’s been executed beautifully, so of course, I’m going to give it a glowing review. 10/10. If this style of game is not your usual jam, you might still enjoy it for the story and if you bump down the difficulty you’ll probably enjoy it more. Just like the snow and ice, the game is pretty unforgiving if you don’t pay attention.
How much is this addiction going to cost me?
If you’re smart, you’ll catch it on sale either on steam or through sites like Fanatical. Full price it’ll take $30 for the base game. You can then get a season pass for $35 (usually on sale) which gives you Frostpunk Rifts, The Last Autumn, Project TVADGYCGJR, a digital artbook, and soundtrack. Or you can bundle it all together currently for $50.
There’s no accounting for the time you’ll sink into it though, that’s priceless.
DISCLAIMER: I received a review copy of the PS4 release but purchased the PC version after falling in love with the game. This is my honest review of an awesome product. Thank you!
The Outer Worlds
A gorgeous, replayable adventure that won’t take you a year to explore
I know I’m not the first one to say it, but it really is nice to play a stunning game that doesn’t overtake my life. The Outer Worlds is everything I hoped it’d be. It’s beautiful, it has a great story, and you can play through it in a weekend. And then play it again a different way the next time.
This game was brought to us by the people responsible for games like Fallout: New Vegas (Obsidian) and L.A. Noire (Virtuos). It’s no surprise then that it has both looks and brains. New Vegas was always my favorite Fallout game. I’m not sure why but it was the first one that really sucked me in and actually made me pay attention to the story. As such, I was eager to get my hands on The Outer Worlds once I found out about it (Which honestly was right before it’s launch. Why didn’t anyone show me earlier huh?).
The Premise
In The Outer Worlds, you awake from hibernation on a colonist ship that was lost in transit to Halcyon, the furthest colony from Earth located at the edge of the galaxy, only to find yourself in the midst of a deep conspiracy threatening to destroy it. As you explore the furthest reaches of space and encounter various factions, all vying for power, the character you decide to become will determine how this player-driven story unfolds. In the corporate equation for the colony, you are the unplanned variable.
Obsidian Entertainment
Due to the nature of the story being played out based on your choices, you get the opportunity to play the game again. And each time you can build a different style of character and make different choices to make the game fresh enough to not get boring. If you’re anything like me, you’ll put it down for a while between play-throughs which makes it better the next time around.
The game is filled with plenty of colorful characters, with a full range of love and hate to go ’round. You will have to choose whose needs to put above others along whatever moral compass you choose to follow. I had a difficult time remaining neutral and I’ve noticed it’s pretty much impossible for everyone I watched play the game as well.
So should I buy it?
Yes, duh. Seriously, if you don’t want to for budget reasons, wait for a sale. But definitely pick this up at some point and play it. It is everything you want in this style of game: it’s gorgeous, it runs well, the story is great, and you have an actual impact on the result. It’s no wonder the lowest score it’s gotten is an 82/100 (pretty darn good in this overly critical world of ours).
You can purchase this game for PC, PS4, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. And if you pick it up in the Epic Store don’t forget to use Jaxboxchick for your creator code 😉
*This article contains an affiliate link. Using the Creator Code Jaxboxchick or Links to the Epic Games Store, The Mommy Gamers earn tiny bits of money to help keep the site going. Thanks!
**We received this game free for review purposes.
Nordlicht: A pretty little adventure
Beautiful art with a sweet story
I don’t usually play point and click adventures but when I saw the artwork for Nordlicht I had to give it a go. It sounds like a lot of games I’ve fallen in love with over the years. Guess I just appreciate good art? Anyway, this little game has a good story to accompany the art and the mechanics are easy enough to make this game child-friendly.
I point, I click, Repeat
As mentioned, Nordlicht is a point and click game where you figure out how to do things by exploring and dragging items either onto each other to craft or onto the scene to use. The gameplay is easy, though you might get a little stumped if you don’t think outside the box or try to do something in the wrong order/spot.
There are three parts to the story with what I’d call a little mini-game between where you have to sail the ship and keep it from getting destroyed by lightning, waves, or icebergs. Each of the three acts builds on the story of a Father and Daughter (and guinea pig) journey to visit mom. Several times in the story are little easter egg phrases that you may or may not notice. Plus there are lots of little nordic tidbits thrown in.
Did I enjoy my playthrough?
You’re darn tootin! I’m glad I picked Nordlicht up to review, despite it not being my favorite genre. I enjoyed seeing all the little cinematics and the art during the actual gameplay was beautiful. I would definitely play another one in this same style! Pick it up on Steam for a steal at only $5!
Spoiler: Subject/Parent Warning
If you want to play through this with your child – and I totally condone doing so – you should be aware that where you’re going is mom’s grave. I didn’t want to put any spoilers in here but this is one of those things you want to be prepared to discuss if need be with your kiddos. There’s a very pretty surprise when you visit!
Which chair to buy when you sit for many hours a day is a very important decision. Gaming, working, streaming, or doing anything that requires long hours in a chair can take a toll on your body. How do you pick the right chair? If you’re like me you hit the internet looking for some honest reviews. Hopefully this one about the Ewin Knight Series gaming chair I’m currently sitting on helps.
Fading Embers
Explore a new story of This War of Mine
