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Monster Prom is one of those series where I feel certain entries are catering to different types of possible players. I always felt the first two games were best for newcomers to the concept. With Monster Prom 3: Monster Roadtrip, I felt like it was more for those familiar due to character decisions and gameplay concepts. Now that Monster Prom 4: Monster Con is here I still think the series is as entertaining as ever, but it might not be best for newcomers.

You’re a monster. You’re trying to find someone to love. Fortunately, you and your six friends April, Doug, Liam, Nico, Omen, and Zoe are headed to a con. As you work on your own comic and attend activities and events, there will be opportunities to work on yourself and connect with them. Maybe you’ll even find love! However, you’re not the only person attending, as potentially other people could be playing with you and even pursuing the same love interest as you. 

So the Monster Prom series are basically visual novel dating sims with stat management and calling dibs on events determining if you’re lucky enough to win a love interest. As such, the writing is a really important part. While I really loved the scripts in the first three games, I’m disappointed in this one. Yes, Beautiful Glitch absolutely embraces the con experience. However, I feel like that overwhelms the charm typically found in the series. Because all of the interactions with the love interests focuses on activities at a con or fandom, I felt there were times when they sometimes came across more as caricatures of certain types of fans than more nuanced personalities. 

This isn’t as much of an issue for established characters like Liam and Zoe, who are still great, but I think the reason I did connect with them more despite loving the designs of newcomers is because we got to know them in the original game and follow-ups. Like I really wanted to see more of April’s depths, due to her background. And while Omen and Nico have fantastic designs, there were runs where I came away with the feeling that Omen is there to be the “chaotic” and “dark” choice and Nico was an excuse for a bunch of costumes. I really felt like past games offered a bit more range and insight into who characters were, leaving me feeling like I “knew” who they were after a few runs. I didn’t get that here. It’s enjoyable in its way, and I think Monster Prom fans will like it, but the decision make me wonder if it’d turn off those more unfamiliar with the series.

But in general, the Monster Prom 4: Monster Con gameplay is as tight as usual. Gameplay is divided into a sequence where you visit a few spots at the con to build stats, seeing a scene with some of the love interests where you can make decisions after each one. After that, you’ll get opportunities to work on your comic by choosing from certain prompts to Mad Lib your way to a finished work at the end. There will also be times when you can sit with one of the love options at a table to try and make an impression and connect. When you reach the end, your stats and actions influence the relationship with a possible person in your group and you see what your finished work looks like. Depending on the option you select at the outset and how many players appear, you could end up spending two hours or more searching for love.

So while the writing is clever and often funny in Monster Prom 4: Monster Con, I also feel like the execution of the story and direction may not be as good of an introduction to the series. Like the original Monster Prom and Monster Prom 2: Monster Camp strike me as being better examples of the narrative work and characterizations Beautiful Glitch is capable of, while offering solid gameplay. The general gameplay loop and experience in Monster Prom 4: Monster Con is great, the characterization decisions and some narrative choices for events make me feel like it’s better as a follow up once someone’s familiar with what the team and series is capable of, rather than a first introduction.

Monster Prom 4: Monster Con is available for PCs. 

The post Monster Prom 4: Monster Con Feels Made for Existing Fans appeared first on Siliconera.

I don't know who I am. I don't know what happened to my family. I'm alone, on a road to a small town, and while nobody cares enough to offer me food or a place to stay, they show enough concern to warn me away from the witch living in the woods. Yet the moment they do, I know that is exactly where I am meant to be. This is Emberstorm Entertainment's Reka, a game about training under a witch, decorating a chicken-legged, moving house, and using my herbal and potentially magical skills to improve my life throughout this simulation. 

I take my time on my journey to the witch's house. She's not going anywhere. I'm not running away. But I do want to know what is around us, and what I can expect. I help a merchant with a fae entity of sorts trapped in a lantern repair a wagon. I find a baby goat before it falls to it's death in a well. People in this dwindling village spread many rumors about the woman I'll soon meet. She's a demonic presence. She's an eccentric old lady. She once had a companion, but who knows where they went. She eats children. She's an affront to The High Lord. 

Everyone has an opinion and, after hearing a sufficient amount, I know enough to suss out her exact location and use my com to head to my new home. All this serves as a means of showing how much worldbuilding can be done in such a short amount of time. You need to try and connect to learn more. Only by hearing rumors can you get on the right path. But by taking that time, you also learn what their lives are like. What the village is like. What they need. How you can help to gain useful or decorative rewards.

Upon first meeting Baba Jaga, she seems... ordinary. A plain, elderly woman. Someone a bit gruff. She's been waiting for me, just as I have for her, and she tasks me with gathering mushrooms and honey for our meal, then raspberries to barter with some Lutki in the woods who stole her talisman. Said charm will be mine if I retrieve it, allowing me immediate access to teleport back to her home at a whim. "So she is magic," I think as I head out for more practical gathering. Her crows follow and surround me. Whether they are there to report my deeds back to her or protect me, I can't tell. Mushrooms, honey, and raspberries are easy enough to spot. So are the mischievous woodland creatures that look like hopping wooden logs with faces. They're eager to trade me niceties like apples for my berries and give a gift if freed from errant logs, though I did need to chase down the thief who stole from my new master. 

I feel like that’s what I appreciate most about Reka, even in these early days. There’s a strong sense of magical realism. Yes, there really are beings like the Lutki and Leshy in the woods. Some remedies for people around you are as simple as putting in some effort to harvest, gather, or prepare food. However, there’s real magic here too. The fast traveling is a prime example, as is the chicken-footed, moving home itself. After a death in the family in the village, the home really does need to be cleansed, but that involves placing black salt instead of weaving some spell. But it’s amazing how often practicality and common sense wins. For example, when getting permission from Leshy for a trial that allows a larger home, none of the tasks involve magic or crafting. They involve actions that make the forest and its inhabitants happier. 

I also appreciate how this carries over to added content as well. For example, in May 2025 a Roots and Remedies update launched for Reka. This brings farming to the game. However, I feel like that garden is multifaceted. It looks nice, besides my quaint cottage. It adds something new to my routine. But it also enhances this witch game by making elixirs possible. Yes, we could poison people before, but now there are more opportunities, and it seems like a means of using both practical tonics to assist people and more magical potions such as one that lets us understand animals.

Reka feels full of potential and like a witch game that explores how “magic” could be an actual spell or a more practical solution someone didn’t consider. Even though the 1.0 release isn’t set to arrive until later in 2025, it feels like there’s so much to enjoy already. I love diving into the world created here and taking in the ambiance.

Reka is in early access on PC via Steam. 

The post Preview: Reka Already Feels Like an Immersive Witch Game appeared first on Siliconera.

D3 Publisher and Monkeycraft’s Yeah! You Want "Those Games," Right? So Here You Go! Now, Let's See You Clear Them! series of minigame collections, better known as Those Games now, are generally rather ingenious. The false mobile game ads’ games, which typically are never representative of what’s in those titles, become actual games in the compilations. The first two are rather solid! The third one, called Listen Up! We Tried to Make “Those Games” Even More Extreme! Some Things Have to be Learned the Hard Way! is a bit more specialized. While fun, Those Games Extreme is absolutely geared more toward people who finished the first two than a new audience.

This is still a compilation. However, this time there’s a mix of titles from the past two installments. Color Lab, Number Tower, and Pin Pull from Those Games appear. These are the ones in which you sort colored liquid from test tubes, fight enemies in towers by picking the right ones to target first based on their number strength and your own, and one in which you pull pins in the correct order to help a person get treasure and avoid hazards. Those Games 2’s Draw & Guard, Knock-Back Shooter, and Spellbinding Scroll show up. These involve protecting a cat by drawing lines to protect it from enemies, properly aiming in an enclosed areas to ensure a bullet ricochets to hit enemies, and attacking enemies by whittling down numbers while you gradually move forward toward a finish line. Aside from the increased difficulty, the only major difference is a change from a woman dealing with people in love with her to a war scene as Spellbinding Scroll became Survival Scroll. 

At its core, Those Games Extreme is generally fine. In most of the situations, it feels like we’re getting more levels for existing minigames that probably were among the most popular from the first two entries. There are 155 levels, which folks might appreciate. In general, they all sort of feel the same. In the cases of Draw & Guard, Knock-Back Shooter, Number Tower, and Pin Pull, I feel like the situations are perhaps a little more complex or involve a tad more thought to ensure you’re going through the steps in the correct order or making wise choices.

However, in two cases I do feel like there’s a little bit more to the minigames. In the case of Color Lab, I feel like it’s a more positive change! Yes, you’re still sorting liquids in test tubes to ensure each one only has one color in it. The changes make it feel like there are new approaches and really enhance the experience. Some colors may be hidden until you start sorting the liquids, which can really mess with plans. In other cases, there will be test tubes with obvious cracks that will shatter after being moved too often. Bonus points also come into play. It’s easily my favorite game in the collection. 

With Survival Scroll, I honestly hate the direction Those Games Extremes takes it. I’m sure some will appreciate it, since it becomes more like the ads with soldiers gradually gaining more troops, getting stronger, and becoming more well-armored before facing a foe at the end. It’s also still pretty strategic and prioritizes reaction time. However, I think Spellbinding Scroll felt more creative by making it about captivating people and winning them over with your charm, rather than gunning baddies down. I considered it a more clever approach to the formulaic concept. So to get something that does look like everything else makes it feel a little less special.

I feel like Those Games Extreme is a more specialized entry in this collection. People new to the series would be better off trying the first or second installment. While some of those stages may be easier, you’d get a bit more variety. If you do like the past games and especially loved certain minigames like Color Lab, then it’s worth looking into picking up.

Listen Up! We Tried to Make “Those Games” Even More Extreme! Some Things Have to be Learned the Hard Way! is available for the Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC. 

The post Those Games Extreme Feels Made for That Series’ Fans appeared first on Siliconera.

While Mona isn’t one of the most important characters in Genshin Impact, we’ve seen quite a few items tied to her. She ended up being the first figma based on the game, and one of the first scale figures ended up being of her too. Now she’s the character in the spotlight for the Genshin Impact Charlotte Tilbury collection, and it seems quite appropriate given the types of elixirs and magic creams included in the Starry Miracle Adventure Box and Starfell Treasure Kit. From what I’ve seen and experienced though, the items really are best when tied to the character.

First, all the Charlotte Tilbury items in the Genshin Impact box are pretty great. I got the most use out of the Magic Lip Oil Crystal Elixir, which makes your lips shine while also hydrating and softening them. I also ended up being impressed with the Magic Cream moisturizer, as I have some skin sensitivities and it didn’t irritate or cause my skin to get flushed after using it. These two bundles tend to be a way to sample those products while also getting accessories related to the game, so it’s a way to test things out. However, it ended up being the other accessories that I liked best.

Mona has a fantastic aesthetic in Genshin Impact. Even though she isn’t one of my Hydro mains, as those roles fall to Neuvillette and Kokomi, I like her design a bunch. (Especially her original design.) My two favorite items in this Charlotte Tilbury Genshin Impact promotion are the ones that more subtly reference her and the game. Her outfit, both before and after the adjustments, included an accent on her hat that features a golden moon encircling a gold circle with red accents and a star design in the center. The pin included in the Starry Miracle box is an exact replica. I found it a bit big to include in my ita bag, so I’m not sure how I’ll display it yet, but it’s a gorgeous, well-made piece. 

The other fun item is a replica of her mirror in the Starfell Treasure Kit. The outside design is an exact replica of the one she used to scry in the Unreconciled Stars event quests. It’s such a fun callback to a moment in the game that pretty much changed everything about the nature of Teyvat. (Not to mention, we ended up introduced to Scaramouche, aka Hat Guy, via it.) It’s also a really handy mirror with a standard reflection on one side and magnified on the other, which makes it practical.

As for the other items in both Genshin Impact Charlotte Tilbury sets, they’re fine. The eye mask, headband, drawstring pouch, and zippered makeup bag are all totally fine and work well. The one from the Starry Miracle Box especially is handy for carrying items, thanks to dividers that help with organization. The tote bag with the logos from the collaboration on one side and Mona on the other is also sturdy and good for books or a few groceries. I just wish the logos were a bit smaller and more subtle. I get that it is important to note what it is, and to include the “Makeup your destiny” branding for it all. But the astrological designs tied to Mona are such an appealing pattern that are recognizable without screaming out, “This is a Genshin Impact bag!” So I’d have appreciated if the same subtlety and nuance shown with the mirror, pin, and even tote bag applied to the other items. Like in the case of the eye mask, I’d have put the logo names across the band or on the inside of the mask if possible, so you have that gorgeous print that resembles the pin untouched. 

In general, there’s a good balance among items in the Genshin Impact Charlotte Tilbury sets. For people who want merchandise directly based on the series, perhaps even for cosplay purposes, there’s the pin and the mirror. Those of us who would actually use the cosmetics and creams get an array of sizes of different Charlotte Tilbury products to test and see what we might like. The accessories like the bags, headband, and eye mask are handy in a practical sense. I just wish everything employed the same sense of subtlety as some of the other items, so the designs were the main focus instead of the logos for both the brand and game.

The Genshin Impact Charlotte Tilbury bundles are available now. The game is available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices.

The post Genshin Impact Charlotte Tilbury Items Are Best When Mona Is Referenced appeared first on Siliconera.

There are so many shojo manga about a young woman who might get to marry royalty, but endures so many challenges and develops so many enemies along the way. It’s frustrating! Especially when the heroine herself isn’t taking it well and sometimes gets down on herself or questions who she is. The 31st Consort seems, from the outside, like it could be such a story. It is about the underdog potential wife for a king competing against other consorts. However, the character of Felia and way she wins over those around her makes it feel a little fresher in the first volume.

Editor’s Note: There are minor spoilers for the first volume of The 31st Consort shojo manga below. 54j2v

Felia is a rather ordinary girl from Karodia province living with Ricarro, her oldest brother that is the area’s lord, and her other brother Garon. She’s a rather ordinary person who enjoys tending to the herbs that region is known for. However, because of her station, she ended up being picked as one of the king’s consorts. The thing is, she’s the 31st one. Which means she only sees him on months with 31 days, as that’s when he’ll see her. Because of that, and the fact that it’s the lowest ranked in of power, nobody else wanted the spot and it fell to her. Because this is a position that lasts for a year, her brothers basically talk her into it, so off she goes.

First, I want to say that it’s a little off-putting that Felia is considered “old” at just over 22. I get this is supposed to be something of a period piece, but it shocked me a bit! I did read shojo series along similar lines with younger heroines, so it isn’t the most egregious case of that.

From there, we get to see Felia’s arrival and what life would be like for the 31st consort. Since she’s a country girl and their community is more humble, she arrives in her ordinary clothing, with her brother Ricarro bringing her to the castle in an ox cart. Rather than be captivated by the impressive palace, she’s more concerned with the soil, flowers, and composting possibilities. Her home ends up being the most, well, homely! She gets her own wooden house, a garden, and she’s not getting any maids since nobody wanted to live so humbly. Which she attests as fine, as she’s the type of person who didn’t want or need one. All she basically has is the Knight Commander Binz to help, and her only request ends up being farming tools.

Aside from the shock about her age, The 31st Consort ends up being quite pleasant from there on out. Binz and other of the knights’ fourth unit assigned to her end up making themselves at home and befriending her, in a better situation than other knights assigned to demanding or terrifying higher-ranked consorts. She had no issue standing up to an intimidating housekeeper who apparently usually leaves people cowed. It’s sweet to see her adapt so well and people genuinely appreciate her, as well as her make astute observations about the soil, area, country, and other consorts. So much so that people like Binz are willing to fight for her and other consorts’ knights escape to hang out at her place.

This all means once Felia meets King Macron after months, we’re also meeting him for the first time. And his feelings on marriage and the consort process feels like it mirrors hers. He doesn’t care for it. He doesn’t want to spend time with unpleasant people. He basically wants to do his job, and he’s counting down the days. We see what he goes through with them, the governmental process that involves whittling down candidates, and finally his first meeting with Felia. Even though the housekeeper delayed the king’s visit, due to her dislike of Felia. But when he does arrive, it’s genuinely satisfying and makes The 31st Consort seem like a shojo manga with some potential. 

While the initial introduction for this shojo manga might seem a bit awkward, I ended up really enjoying the first volume of The 31st Consort. Felia is such a down-to-earth, practical heroine. She savors what she has, appreciates a challenge, is incredibly competent, and always remains in character. It ends up being quite a delight, and I ended up rooting for the 31st consort to be picked by the end of the first volume too.

The first volume of The 31st Consort is now available, and Yen Press will release volume 2 on August 26, 2025. 

The post The 31st Consort Could Be a Promising Shojo Manga appeared first on Siliconera.

Different adaptations of stories can each become an opportunity to enhance the tale or offer new insights into actions. With The Summer Hikaru Died light novel, I’ve noticed more thought and explanation put into characters’ thoughts and ing cast. However, at the same time, some moments and situations don’t hit the same in the book as they do in the manga. 

Editor’s Note: There will be some light spoilers for the first volume of the light novel adaptation of The Summer Hikaru Died. 1kc4p

Going in to the first volume of The Summer Hikaru Died light novel, it is important to note that it basically covers the same part of the story as volume 1 of the manga. Yoshiki is aware his friend Hikaru died, and the being known as “Hikaru” who’s been around for a while isn’t really him. It starts with a confrontation about this fact, which leads to Yoshiki being the secret keeper and one closest to an entity basically wearing the skin of his best friend and crush. What follows is a look at life with such a being by your side and the danger and consequences that come from that. 

The biggest takeaway I have is that the light novel features a lot more asides with the ing characters. Things start out with Hikaru, rather than “Hikaru” getting a moment. Then in a nod to things going wrong in town, we get a little more time with Mrs. Matsuura in a critical moment. When Yuuki and Asako, Hikaru and Yoshiki’s classmates, are introduced, there is far more effort put into their introduction, defining them as characters, and setting up their friendship. There’s also a little bit of insight into the personality of Kaoru, Yoshiki’s sister, as a result. 

While this is generally a good thing, there are also times when I feel like the light novel adaptation of The Summer Hikaru Died loses some of its punch with this new approach. For example, the introduction begins with us seeing the actual Hikaru’s last moments. I felt this lessened the effect and introduction of “Hikaru” in the first chapter of the book. That moment is perfect in the manga and so notable because of that jolt. It also doesn’t feel as well written and executed as that moment in the manga when it happened as well. 

There are also some moments when the extra internal insight from Yoshiki feels like a bit much. Some of his reactions and deterioration throughout the manga version of The Summer Hikaru Died is effective because we’re inferring or actually seeing the strain through the art. The bags under his eyes. His hair. His injury that just doesn’t heal. That doesn’t come across the same in text. There’s a point at which Yoshiki thinks, after “Hikaru” says something notable, “Hikaru never said a thing like that before.” I didn’t like how it came across, and appreciated the nuance in the manga when you could tell from the art that Yoshiki realized a response or behavior was off, but didn’t say anything about it. 

I feel like The Summer Hikaru Died light novel is an interesting option, but not the ideal adaptation. There is so much nuance to the manga, and that doesn’t always come through here. Yes, we do get some extra ing character insights. That’s fun. However, I’d recommend the first volume of the manga over the first volume of the light novel any time. 

The first volume of The Summer Hikaru Died light novel is available now through Yen Press, and the company handles the manga as well. The anime will air on Netflix in July 2025.

The post The Summer Hikaru Died Light Novel Gives ing Characters More Time appeared first on Siliconera.

The Pokemon Trading Card Game expansion Destined Rivals launches later in May 2025. Here’s our overview of the set, so you know what to expect, and our picks for the best cards based on a varying criteria.

The coolest Pokemon Trading Card Game Destined Rivals cards 2t6r3x

Is it weird to just say aesthetics? The Illustration Rare cards featuring trainers with their star partners are inherently compelling. Even other special partner cards look good. Heck, we’re big fans of the Elite Trainer Box with its flat black-and-red design and would have loved card treatments to match.

But even outside of looks, there are fundamentally cool cards in here. Lots are built around the Team Rocket faction, with underhanded tactics and their signature creatures. Thankfully, this time it isn’t relying upon indicating creatures are “mistreated” by giving them low HP and making them nearly useless? You still see some bad sportsmanship, though. Spidops likes to gang up on you. Houndoom burns and confuses simultaneously. Ampharos punishes opponents’ evolution with damage counters. Hypno mind-controls the opposing bench to swipe at its active pal. That’s not mentioning the dark faction’s, uh, Darkness Pokemon? Nidoking poisons for eight times the usual amount. Arbok has an ability to stop other abilities from entering play and swings its tail for a bunch of splash damage. There’s Muk, Crobat, Weezing, Sneasel… truly a lot to choose from here.

There’s also a dedicated Team Rocket Energy card, providing two Darkness or Psychic energy. With it, the super-strong Mewtwo ex can hit hard! The downside: you have to get at least three Rocket cards on the bench before it can hit at all. Even some out-of-type options use it well, like Moltres ex, which is happy to use it to fuel its normal attack, but can also Thanos-snap its foe to the discard pile with one.

There are 11 Team Rocket Trainer cards in the set, most with effects that you’re used to, but slightly better with the faction restriction. The Stadium lets you draw two cards a turn, offering the foe nothing unless it’s a mirror match. Its Great Ball always catches something, but evolution or basic is a coin flip. Its dedicated Transceiver lets you choose which one of these you want from your deck. Our favorite combo, though? That’s Team Rocket’s Wobbuffet and Orbeetle. Orbeetle lets you move around damage counters at will, while Wobbuffet’s attack transfers counters from one bench creature to the opponent.

The most interesting Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals cards 3b4n5g

The set’s focus on trainer’s Pokemon means that each essentially gets its own theme deck, cards designed to work together for a particular strategy. The Team Rocket collection is larger, and we hope that it might get more in the future. But the rest? This is probably what we’re getting.

Gold and Silver protagonist Ethan and recent companion Arven might be the headliners. Arven has a Mabosstiff, a Toedscruel and a Greedent, with no particular energy required and a dedicated sandwich item for efficient healing. It’s flexible, but may need an external centerpiece. Ethan’s party would only look nostalgic if you accidentally caught and used a ton of Fire types, with only a Pinsir and Sudowoodo with colorless attack options. He gets a dedicated Trainer to search for Pokemon and energy, and his Typhlosion’s attack needs you to have adventured as much as possible (into the discard pile) to really hit. His Ho-Oh is the star, speeding up your energy ramp and managing a decent attack in a pinch.

Gym leaders Misty and Marnie as well. Misty stays within her Water type and is the only one to not get a dedicated Trainer card to assist, so there’s not a lot her Lapras and Gyarados can do to get your attention. The art’s fun, at least? Marnie similarly sticks to the darkness, running the Grimmsnarl, Scrafty, Liepard and Morpeko lines. They’re not fancy, but they’re built to quickly attack and get a lot of energy cards attached, so we could see someone making good use of them.

Hoenn champion Steven and Sinnoh champion Cynthia round out the selection. Cynthia’s all about getting her Garchomp out and dealing a ton of damage while refilling your hand in the process. Her other Pokemon are essentially unplayable and don’t have a lot of synergy, but that Garchomp might be good enough to play anyway. Steven’s works a bit better, with a dedicated defense boost from Carbink, stadium card Granite Cave and an energy acceleration sweeper in his Metagross ex.

The most meta-relevant Pokemon TCG Destined Rivals cards 383e3f

Because of the trainer’s connection, a lot of cards in this set don’t work universally. But hey, some do? Team Rocket’s Petrel is a functional reprint of Skyla, a popular er card that lets you search for any Trainer card you want. That’ll be welcome for a lot of decks, no matter the strategy. The new Shaymin shields much of your bench from your opponent’s attack damage, but that would need to be a counter to a particular strategy to become competitive. There’s a new Rapidash with card draw, but a Stage 1 is a hard sell as a utility. Finally, Yanmega ex loads itself up with energy to attack when it swaps in, but then has to ship that energy to a benched creature. It could deal the final blow, or it could set up another fighter really quickly.

The cutest Destined Rivals cards 1l4n5d

It’s tougher to find these in this set! After all, so much of the cards are Pokemon at work, either as elite fighters for champions or prisoners of an evil gang. But they’re here if you look! Growlithe is sticking out its tongue in the woods. It’s hard to tell what Cetoddle and Breloom are up to, but they’re certainly having a good time. Even Misty’s Psyduck is having a rare no-migraine day and loving a lounge by the pool.

The Pokemon Trading Card Game Scarlet & Violet: Destined Rivals expansion launches May 30, 2025.

The post Pokemon TCG: The Best Destined Rivals Cards appeared first on Siliconera.

We’ve seen so many Vampire Survivors style games since it launched. Lots of people want to create that same roguelike, bullet-hell magic. Likewise, Pac-Man inspired quite a few copycats, with other developers sending players dashing through mazes in search of points and objectives as enemies close in behind them. Maze Mice, from Luck Be a Landlord developer TrampolineTales, borrows concepts from both Pac-Man and Vampire Survivors into a roguelike that feels unique in its own way. 

You’re a mouse. Sometimes, you’re a brightly colored one that also starts with an ability. But regardless, you’re a rodent running through a location. To start off, it’s an attic. Cat-like enemies abound, but there are ways to survive. They all only move when you do, and you gain abilities like fire, knitting needles, light, bombs, and hairballs to deal damage to any pursuing you. Your goal is to collect colored dots, which start out as blue but can eventually be green, red, or yellow, to earn experience, level up, gain more upgrades, and continue to evade and damage your pursuers. 

Playing Maze Mice is incredibly simple, and I highly recommend behaving as though you’re in the middle of a Pac-Man level. Now, you won’t have the fancy drift effects such as holding a directional button ahead of a corner to take the turn more swiftly, but the approach still helps. You want to snarf up any dots, prioritizing the large ones that make lines of new smaller ones and an additional larger one spawn, all while avoiding enemies. It’s best to not attempt to chase down or attack enemies, as larger chains of cats and groups of cat ghosts will eventually start to block paths as they trail behind you. When you get enough orbs to level up, you choose one weapon or utility upgrade that either actively deals damage over time or after a cooldown or type of ive that offers a buff or perhaps lets you revive. Picking the same upgrade repeatedly levels it up. From there, keep running and survive as long as you can.

It’s incredibly satisfying! As someone very adept at Pac-Man, I found myself being able to maintain at least 15 minute runs in Maze Mice, which proved fantastic for unlocking. I will say that, in early access at least, it’s almost a little too easy on earlier levels sometimes. I found it wasn’t until I hit about level 20 that things started to feel genuinely challenging.

There are really only three issues I experienced with Maze Mice so far, and I feel like both involve balancing. In one case, it involves the actual flow of the game itself. It is very easy to catch on to a strategy that works, then cling to it, especially since one of the absolute best weapons is unlocked at the outset. Since one of the most prevalent enemies in Maze Mice happens to be the cats that act like Pac-Man ghosts and automatically follow you after you run past and wake them up, the Flame Trail ability’s damage blows every other type out of the water. This lays a path of fire behind you that increases in strength and capabilities with upgrades. Since the ghost cats will also follow in a similar way, it means they’re equally susceptible. Prism is a close second, as it’s the more effective means of dealing with ghost cats, but there were runs during which I’d only prioritize those and still get to level 30 without any issue. This means Luna and Roscoe are the preferred mice to pick, since each one starts with one of those two upgrades immediately in their inventory in Maze Mice the way some characters do in Vampire Survivors.

Speaking of enemies and abilities, that’s another issue with Maze Mice that is also tied to balancing, since unlocks for those and stages are tied to experience earned each run instead of accomplishments like in Vampire Survivors. The problem here is that it takes so long for new enemies and stages to unlock. I’d unlocked four types of mice and multiple utility and weapon options, but still haven’t seen a new type of enemy or area. It’s always the Attic, which is a very Pac-Man like Maze Mice location, the sleeping cats in various colors signifying strength, and the ghost cats that keep spawning until an eventual larger, faster version spawns and increases in speed. I’d love to see more variety open up more swiftly. 

Of course, given Maze Mice just entered early access on May 2, 2025, I’m more than confident Trampoline Tales will bolster up the roster and add the additional promised characters, enemies, stages, and upgrades. After all, the page already confirmed that there will be double the number of mice and upgrades at launch. The developer is active in the Steam Discussions for the game, after all. All that said, what is here can be quite compelling! Maze Mice taps into what makes both Pac-Man and Vampire Survivors so appealing, and I absolutely think it will be a game I will pop into for 15-30 minute runs every once in a while as a palette cleanser both in early access and after the 1.0 launch.

Maze Mice is available in early access on Steam for PCs.

The post Preview: Maze Mice Combines Vampire Survivors and Pac-Man appeared first on Siliconera.

Usually when you hear a game is like Fire Emblem, you expect it to be an RPG or strategy game, but that’s not the case with Kitchen Sync: Aloha. Instead, Lemonpepper Games worked that concept into a kitchen management simulation with visual novel elements. The thing is, it works out because of the execution, and that relationship-building becomes the best part of the experience.

Kitchen Sync: Aloha features a pair of siblings with fond memories of visiting their aunt’s restaurant. (You choose which one is your avatar.) Which means that when they get a chance to revitalize it, they leap at the opportunity to team up to again make it a prosperous restaurant that could be as meaningful to others as it was to them. However, since they’re not as experienced as she was when it comes to running their own establishment, that means our journey alongside them involves handling requests, collecting recipes, getting experience working in different situations, hiring additional employees to assist in the kitchen, and managing relationships between everyone involved. 

Those additional employees is where the Fire Emblem part of Kitchen Sync: Aloha comes in. Don’t worry. We’ll get there.

This means there are essentially two types of gameplay we’re dealing with as we go through Kitchen Sync: Aloha. The primary mechanic involves actually working in the restaurant. This includes not only the main Aloha Pearl, but also an array of other kitchens across Hawaii as you also collect different types of recipes based on actual food from the region. Depending on which difficulty you choose, it will either be incredibly relaxed (Cozy) or strenuous (Hard Boiled), but typically each service involves completing all orders, possibly having certain items on the menu, and some bonus objectives. Preparing meals means going to different stations, as in other cooking and kitchen management games such as Call of Boba, Overcooked, Cuisineer, or maybe even Cook Serve Delicious, then offering up a finished product. Overcooked is probably the closest, since there are multiple chefs in the kitchen, but we’re controlling everyone here and switching between them for both boosts and relationship-building. Not to mention, doubling up on recipes or adjusting them can tweak them. It’s not the most revolutionary cooking management gameplay I’ve experienced, and it can get a bit tedious, but it works. 

The other element is the character and relationship building, and that’s where Kitchen Sync: Aloha stands out. While you begin with the two siblings trying to realize this dream, there will eventually be other people you can recruit. Every chef you unlock has stats, and by placing them in shifts in the kitchen you earn ability points that can buff their abilities and make them more effective. Some of them are plucked right out of, say, an RPG, since stamina and speed are two factors, but so are skill, teamwork, and technique. (There are also Ability Books you can pick up.) In a nod to Fire Emblem, you can see conversations between them, which can go from rank C to S, in many cases. This means that in addition to the boosts and benefits from just generally having people who work well together in a kitchen, you also get to see the people who work a lot together get along and become friends or even couples. There are even Sync Styles that unlock.

This ended up being my favorite part of Kitchen Sync: Aloha, as it is all the fun of getting to pair up people and make them like each other like in Fire Emblem, but without worrying I’ll get allies killed because I needed Frederick to marry Sumia so Cynthia can eventually ride a dragon. Plus, I like how this worked out here! It’s a really novel concept, and it does incentivize working on certain pairs and building up certain people. You can optimize abilities to ensure people balance each other out, as well as Sync Styles to prioritize certain incentives in the kitchen. Plus the way the conversations and rank-ups help make it easier to deal with the repetitive gameplay in the kitchen portions. 

The only thing I hope gets adjusted with Kitchen Sync: Aloha is increased Steam Deck and handheld gaming PC compatibility. It definitely feels like a title perfect for on-the-go play or getting cozy on a couch. However, I had issues playing it on a Lenovo Legion Go. The initial prompt for character names and pronouns ended up not playing well with the virtual keyboard. There were also a few times in which it sometimes didn’t immediately map correctly to the controllers and I needed to use the mousepad or touchscreen to get through things. The developer does seem to work on it and it could be limited to just this device, as there was a post from Lemonpepper addressing compatibility, so your mileage may vary.

I really appreciate Lemonpepper Games integrated a Fire Emblem style relationship management system into a restaurant management simulation like Kitchen Sync: Aloha. I wasn’t sure how it would work out! But the fact that the chefs are sort of treated like RPG units, based on their skills and abilities, and hopefully putting people in the kitchen to increase scores and meet objectives meant it really fell into place. While I felt the actual management portion gets a little tedious, the concept of managing people’s friendships and relationships helped the game stand out.

Kitchen Sync: Aloha is available on PC via Steam now. 

The post Kitchen Sync: Aloha Relationship-Building Feels Like Fire Emblem appeared first on Siliconera.

I would never expected Wishiwashi to be my star of the Pokemon TCG Pocket Celestial Guardians expansion, but both cards based on it in the set are shockingly impressive. The synergy between the two is perfect. With a little effort, you could easily creep up on opponents with a combination of Wishiwashi and Wishiwashi ex. Plus, both work quite well with existing cards in the set.

Basically, this pair of cards becomes a duo to build an entire deck around in Pokemon TCG Pocket. Wishiwashi is only a 30 HP basic with one move, which lets you Call for Family for a single water energy to summon either Wishiwashi or Wishiwashi ex. The 170 HP Wishiwashi ex is your star, since School Storm starts at 30 damage for three water energy, but then deals an additional 40 damage for every extra Wishiwashi or Wishiwashi ex on the bench. 

Since you know this would be a Wishiwashi-focused deck, it does mean spending a bit on Celestial Guardians. Your goal would be, ideally I think, to have at least two Wishiwashi ex cards and between four and five Wishiwashi. This way, you could always try and have one Wishiwashi in your active position and enough on the bench to get 150 damage dealt each turn. 

What’s wonderful about this pair is how they work with others already released. Include some Misty cards from Genetic Apex! This can help you get the three water energy you need for Wishiwashi ex’s attack from your Energy Zone more quickly. Want to get the Wishiwashi out of the way of the Wishiwashi ex? Use Leaf to let it retreat for free. And of course you want to have some Poke Ball item cards if you stacked your deck with these two types, since both are Basic Pokemon. 

I also love how it’s easy to add a handy friend who isn’t a Wishiwashi, just in case you want a little extra coverage. The Space-Time Smackdown Regice, with its Crystal Body and 50 damage Frost Smash for two water energy, or the Manaphy that could use the one water energy Oceanic Gift to help add water energy to benched Wishiwashi ex cards could be great. Also, the Celestial Guardians Pyukumuku, with its Innards Out ability that deals 50 damage to an opponent who knocks it out, could help bide time as you add Wishiwashi to your bench.

I didn’t expect Wishiwashi to be so much fun in Pokemon TCG Pocket, but preparing a deck with the two Celestial Guardians cards based on it really made my day. It ended up being so much testing which additional cards would work and seeing if I had everything that would make a deck a force to be reckoned with in-game. I love that it ended up getting so much attention here, and that it’s so easy to help ensure it is a viable combo with other expansions’ options.

Pokemon TCG Pocket and the Celestial Guardians expansion are available now on mobile devices. 

The post Wishiwashi Is on My Favorite Pokemon TCG Pocket Celestial Guardians Cards appeared first on Siliconera.

Throughout of the first volume of The Emperor’s Caretaker manga, we’re watching Linhua deal with familial obligations and a sudden opportunity to help raise a young emperor. Now that the second entry is here, there’s still some of that! However, what I also appreciate about this second volume of the manga is the focus on her new life at court. As she is the caretaker for the five-year-old Emperor Zhiyou, a larger part of her life revolves around him. And because of the execution of the Ichiha Hiiragi, Aya Shouoto, and Haruki Yoshimura story, there’s a fantastic focus on what this child deals with too.

Editor’s note: There are some light spoilers for volume 2 of The Emperor’s Caretaker manga below. 1v5gi

Emperor Zhiyou is in a rather unique situation in The Emperor’s Caretaker manga. His mother is no longer with him, as Empress Xuemei needed to return to her country of Quan to lead it. Because he’s completely alone, he’s reliant on caretakers like Linhua and people like the head of the court ladies Jingmei and his regent Lord Souren. As we learned in the first volume, Souren did take some actions to help protect him. That is, he’s still living safely in the inner palace instead of the main one while Souren handles things and Linhua was brought to to raise and care for him. 

What I love about this volume is how much we get to see of Zhiyou. He’s clearly a charming, innocent child. People around him, like Souren, Jingmei, and the guard Lixiao already care from him, and it’s clear between the first and second manga that Linhua is charmed by him as well. (Well, him and all cute children.) So some of these moments really highlight his innocence. From him showing affection already for Linhua and wanting to keep this new adult he’s forming a bond with by his side for one. We’re also seeing more childlike traits as he attempts to connect with Souren and interact with people.

However, The Emperor’s Caretaker manga doesn’t shy away from the harsher realities of Zhiyou’s life, which we start to see in volume 1 and continue in 2. He has no parents, due to his father’s death and his mother being in Quan. In the first volume and as the second begins, there is a divide between him and Souren too. Because he’s so isolated, it makes him a far more sympathetic character. I also feel it helps explain why he latches on to and connects with Linhua so swiftly. He doesn’t really have anyone else. She’s becoming his comforting parental figure in their absence.

The manga is also striking, as it doesn’t hide away from darker sides of Zhiyou’s life as a young ruler in The Emperor’s Caretaker. We saw of the Li family attempting to manipulate him at the end of the first volume, and we get hints of that faction’s influence in the first chapter of the second too. That first chapter also brings up a “special diet” that he’ll have to go through in order to strengthen him against enemy attacks, which leaves Linhua concerned. Plus there’s the reminder that poison could be anywhere when it comes to him getting something as simple as a kind of candy. 

I appreciate when manga about court life and dealing with royalty actually get into the realities of such things, and The Emperor’s Caretaker manga does a great job getting us invested in the life of not only Linhua, but her charge Emperor Zhiyou. Yes, this is clearly a shojo series. There’s absolutely some romance teased. But it’s also about her life and duties, and seeing how this child she’s coming to care for lives and grows is quite insightful.

The first and second volumes of The Emperor’s Caretaker manga are available now, and Square Enix will release volume 3 on July 8, 2025. 

The post The Emperor’s Caretaker Volume 2 Covers a Young Royal’s Life appeared first on Siliconera.

In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name is an isekai shojo manga series that relies upon both love and betrayal. After all, Ichika ended up being something of a chosen one who could communicate with another world through a mirror, she told her sister Karen about it, her sister ended up disappearing there, and when Ichika does wind up spirited away she learns her sister stole her identity. There are some serious secrets and mysteries. Now with the second volume, even more are coming up and suspicious behavior is pretty rampant, but Ichika doesn’t seem to be catching on in the same way us readers likely are.

Editor’s Note: There will be spoilers for volume 1 and light spoilers for volume 2 of the In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name manga below. 1h313h

As a quick reminder, the way mechanics worked in In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name means that there was a time difference between the magic mirror tying the worlds together. Ichika talked to a young prince named Cecil through it. When her sister Karen disappeared, she appeared in that kingdom, became grown-up Cecil’s fiance, and is a Saint due to possessing remarkable light magic. When Ichika came through the portal, she learned Karen claimed to be her and is going by “Ichika” there. She declared the real Ichika “Karen.” This means Ichika is now betrothed to the prince’s younger brother Noah, and he seems quite displeased about things. 

The end of the first volume of revealed plots are afoot. Someone targeted Ichika with a curse. Noah sensed it and got in the way. Ichika, as befitting the actual chosen one, used an incredible amount of light magic to save him and is now acknowledged as a second Saint.

This means that now so many suspicious and shady dealings are coming up in In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name, but I find it a bit frustrating that Ichika doesn’t seem to realize it. Noah is clearly hiding something, and as the volume goes on it is obvious he either knows or realized facts critical to Ichika and her situation. Since he’s her fiance and they spend an extended period of time together in these chapters, it’s a little frustrating that she’s not figuring out something is awry. I suppose you could use the excuse that she’s figuring out her magic powers and on her first Saint assignment, but still.

What’s going on with people around Ichika, Noah, and Cecil is equally obvious. Something is absolutely awry with Karen. It’s clear from the first volume. However, Ichika isn’t doing any sort of investigation. We see some of it begin to pop up here, now that they’re in close proximity and Ichika is a second Saint. But I’d have loved more awareness from our main heroine. Also, the only person who seems suspicious of the queen is Noah, even with some rather notable scenes in both volumes, and I’m surprised there isn’t more investigation into the curse directed at Ichika and Noah. 

The scenario Kotoko constructed is interesting for a reader. Because of the narrative decisions, we’re aware of all these webs, pitfalls, and machinations. However, I find it leaves me a little frustrated because I am seeing them, but Ichika isn’t. Instead, by the end of the volume, I get the impression she’s more upset by the fact that things are tense between Cecil and Karen, Karen and her, Noah and her, Noah and Cecil, and just… everyone. When really, I’m thinking, “Why aren’t you more concerned about your sister’s identity theft, the possible sabotage, and the attempted murder?”

To be honest, I’m still not sure how I feel about a series where the female lead is so clueless that she’s not able to see how suspicious everyone around her is acting. What’s keeping me reading the In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name manga is more of a desire to see everything blow up and issions come out, rather than watch Ichika get her happy ending. Because it’s clear there are some revelations that Kotoko is incredibly close to sharing, but the author is just building a little more anticipation in the meantime. 

Volume 2 of In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name is available now, and Yen Press will release volume 3 of the manga on July 22, 2025. 

The post In Another World, My Sister Stole My Name Keeps Piling on Suspicious Situations appeared first on Siliconera.

Being a merchant is a brutal life. Even if you’re a cute lil’ character in the N64 style Merchant 64. The short game is cute enough and an interesting diversion that leans hard into the aesthetic. However, it’s also a stark reminder that you can trust no one.

The story behind Merchant 64 is pretty simple, as it is a game involving a small child trying to be a success. You find or buy items, then go to places to sell them when they are in demand. Ideally, you’ll make money. So much so, you can get upgrades for equipment, offer better goods, and actually visit new places. Because being able to visit multiple towns and take advantage of different buying and selling prices there is the way to succeed.

While this isn’t a difficult game, it is still a bit of a gut punch when you get started. You only have just about 20 coins. Junk in the initial town of Acornville tends to be sold for $1 each and sell for, at most, $2 if you’re lucky. The shop UI isn’t great and takes some adjusting to. You talk to NPCs at your own peril, as you might be forced into buying or selling items at not-great prices since there won’t be an option to say yes or no to them. Getting the first $100 to unlock Beechtown isn’t the worst, and getting to the $600 Cashewberg also isn’t that bad. But it can get especially tedious earning the $6,000 for access to Merchantland. 

But like, we know capitalism sucks, and this sort of emphasizes that every time you happen to talk to someone accidentally and they make you buy five pieces of junk for $2 each when you were $6 away from getting to Beechtown.

However, the thing that surprised me the most about Merchant 64 is how brutal it can be? At least, that’s the case early on. You start with so very little money, and really only the ability to go between a wooded area and a small town. Sleep indoors? In a bed? With safety and security? Of course not! You’re gathering junk and sleeping on a blanket in the street. People stole from me every time I did that. 

There are like nine people in this initial town. I know your faces! I know who you are! You did this to me, when I was too exhausted to go to the woods to sleep in a tent. Because at least nobody seemed to mug me there. 

Oh, not to mention that people are just animals, because what they do seem to do in the woods is toss their junk. These (virtual) people are the reasons why so many innocent animals are ingesting plastic. There ought to be a law. But then, they’re stealing from a small child too, so of course they wouldn’t respect it.

Merchant 64 is genuinely a cute little game that will last you a few hours. Will it drag on a bit? Sure. Will it ruin your trust in humanity? Only until you’re comfortable enough to afford an inn every night. 

Merchant 64 is available for PCs.

The post Merchant 64 Is a Bright, Colorful, and Sometimes Brutal Game appeared first on Siliconera.

In many cases, slice of life anime and manga series are as much about setting the stage and building up our notion of what life would be like in a place as they are about the actual characters. It happened with Aria, for example. The same happens in Wash It All Away, the Mitsuru Hattori manga Square Enix picked up. By the time the first volume is finished, we not only get a sense of who heroine Wakana Kinme is, but also the town of Atami and its residents too.

Editor’s Note: There will be some minor spoilers for the first volume of the Wash It All Away manga below. 4k3d6j

Hattori sets up the manga Wash It All Away both as a slice-of-life series and mystery from the very start. Wakana Kinme runes Kinme Cleaning, a wet laundry service that is quaint, takes on smaller and specialized orders, and offers the sorts of personal touches like pick-up and delivery and preservation. However, while she’s incredibly experienced and acquired the necessary requisites to offer those services, she doesn’t who she is. She doesn’t anything past the last two years. However, that doesn’t stop her from getting absorbed in things she loves (laundry and hot springs) and connecting with people around her. As a result, we also get a chance to see what the community is like as well.

Because of Wakana’s openness and range, we get to peek in at the lives at quite a few different people. While her first two customers in the series are two elderly ladies, Asami Yagara is a fashionable younger woman about the same age as her who brought in her husband’s suits. There’s also a sense of friendship there, as she brought a souvenir with for Wakana. High schooler Kyu Ishimochi and his mom Koshimi bring not only their own laundry, but that from their small inn. Nairo and her mother are clearly travelers and seem to not be from around Atami, with the grade schooler Nairo initially being hesitant about going into Kinme, but she quickly becomes fascinated by Wakana’s processes and as enthusiastic about it as the young woman. So we’re seeing people of different ages and from different groups and getting peeks at what their lives are like in Atami as well.

The background art is also quite helpful in setting the stage and helping us understand Atami. As Wakana runs around town performing deliveries, Hattori shares a lot of art that sets the scene. We know exactly what the town looks like, as well as get some glimpses of the sea and shore. An impression of it being bustling is given, seeing as how groups will talk to her as she exercises and she’s giving folks from out of town directions in another shot. In one of the earliest sections, as she’s heading back to Kinme Cleaning, fireworks are going on in the background, highlighting the sorts of festivals happening during warmer seasons. It’s immersive, in its own way.

I also love the balance between showcasing Atami as a place where people generally live and as a possible tourist hotspot. We see how popular Nairo’s grandmother’s store, which sells local specialties and fish to tourists, is. However, it retains its personality and history, as evidenced by Wakana’s task there being to clean and help preserve Nairo’s grandfather’s flag. We catch glimpses of how important the Atami Marine Firework Festival is to the town, both via the business it brings to Kyu’s family’s inn and when Wakana actually watches the show from the roof of Kinme Cleaning. But even with the crowds and scenes that show this is clearly a busy place, people like Wakana still work at their own pace and make time for each other and simple pleasures like hot springs and baths.

As a result, I feel like there are two reasons I’d keep reading the Wash It All Away manga, and finding out the mystery behind Wakana’s past and amnesia is only a small part of it. I love the setting. Atami seems like a quaint, peaceful town that, despite being a tourist attraction, retains its sense of community and personality. The people around Wakana, their lives, and the pace of life in this place feels just as important as the star.

Volume 1 of Wash It All Away is available via Square Enix now, and volume 2 of the manga will debut on June 17, 2025. 

The post Wash It All Away Manga Builds Up a Community appeared first on Siliconera.

I love games with crafting and survival elements, but find I just can’t devote 20-40 hours to them anymore. There’s only so much time, you know? Also, some of those are best enjoyed with other people, and again that means finding a game everyone can enjoy. While Squirreled Away still can be a little buggy, I really appreciate this being a more tidy sort of title in the genre, especially since the expected commitment and themes mean it’s easier to convince others to try it.

As the title suggests, Squirreled Away is a game about being a squirrel. You’re a newcomer who heads to a park and different areas, assisting other animals and building up quaint homes for yourself. This means gathering resources and searching for collectible-like items and materials to fulfill requests, craft tools, and build up a treehouse and furniture. 

Part of what makes Squirreled Away stand out among other types of crafting games or ones that would maintain a “new to a wooded area with just your bare hands” title is that it also feels a bit like a comfortable platformer. Instead of harsh tutorials, worrying about your status, or trying to figure things out on your own, Far Seas handles it more like an action-adventure game. The other animals you meet, like the initial squirrels and turtle, aren’t just there for flavor. Their quests are educational. They guide you along the way.

So even though there isn’t a major story to Squirreled Away, there’s a sense of structure that really helps the game. It’s still quite freeform. You can take your time. Controls work great, both on the ground, when climbing trees, or when gliding. (I did experience some pretty major camera issues initially when climbing and sometimes gliding, with the camera sometimes still being an issue when scaling trees.) But even though you have the opportunity to take your time and do what you want when you want, having these other animal NPCs to act as quest givers and inject personality help. 

That also helps a little with the fact that there can be quite a bit of grind in Squirreled Away. Which seems a little unavoidable for these types of games. After all, it’s about gathering resources, running errands, exploring, and crafting. As you build up a treehouse and start aiming for goalposts or quest objectives, you’re going to engage in a lot of repetitious activities. However, getting to also involve other people or take time to interact with those NPCs helps. So does knowing I don’t have a desperate struggle to stay alive. There’s a sense of safety in it all. As long as you play in like 20-60 minute sessions, it seems fine. It reminds me a bit of Little Kitty, Big City.

There are some minor issues with Squirreled Away that come up! However, the developer Far Seas seems to be handling them fairly swiftly with patches. I actually am avoiding writing this as a review because I’ve seen some issues I encountered get remedied as I’ve been playing. For example, I went through the save file corruption issue and needed to wait for the patch. I experienced an issue with Daredevil the squirrel and his cannon, and which only just got remedied. I’m currently experiencing issues with how things look when I run and staying in a multiplayer session, and sometimes when I go gathering I’ll not get the pebble, berry, or item I was supposed to. I wouldn’t feel right scoring a game from a smaller developer that is clearly getting where it needs to be, even though it isn’t there yet. Maybe it will even fully Steam Decks in a few weeks or months.

Because Squirreled Away ended up packed with potential. It’s a pleasant, colorful adventure that gives us the idea of a survival and crafting game, even with friends, but without feeling the pressures of that type of title. It’s bright, colorful, and filled with personality. Playing in smaller doses to avoid repetition is advised, as is perhaps saving and stepping away for a bit to ensure you have backups in case of bugs. But it’s generally delightful.

Squirreled Away is available on PCs. 

The post Squirreled Away Is a Crafting Game With Lower Stakes appeared first on Siliconera.