Video Game News & Reviews from hardcore gamers.
Grifford Academy is a story-driven, turn-based RPG blending teenage drama with fantasy adventure. It launched into Early Access on June 25, 2025, with the full 1.0 release planned for 2026.
The game is set in Caldria, a mystical realm inside a magical book, where three high school students—Erika, Viva, and Cap—must navigate friendships, internal growth, and perilous combat to rescue a missing classmate.
Continue reading “Grifford Academy Is the Cozy, Tactical RPG You Didn’t Know You Needed”
Etheria: Restart, developed by XD Entertainment (XD Inc.), is a futuristic, turn-based strategy RPG transporting players into the remnants of civilization preserved inside a virtual world. Released globally on June 5, 2025, it’s available on iOS, Android, and PC via dedicated client and Steam wishlist.
Continue reading “Etheria: Restart – A Deep Dive into XD Games’ Ambitious RPG”When a new collectible card game (CCG) emerges, it’s not just about the mechanics or the art it’s about the vision, the passion, and the journey of the people behind it. I had the privilege of interview the team behind Gear Slayer CCG, a free to play multiplayer card game set in the vibrant world of Aurellia. In this exclusive interview, we dive deep into the creative process, the hurdles they overcame, and the unique features that set Gear Slayer apart.
Mirage 7 is an upcoming third-person action-adventure game developed by Drakkar Dev and published by Blowfish Studios. Set in a richly imagined world that fuses elements of Arabian Nights with science fiction.
The game follows the journey of Nadira and her pet lizard, Jiji, as they traverse a perilous desert landscape in search of a way to bring Nadira’s sister back to life. With its unique narrative, atmospheric environments, and engaging gameplay mechanics, Mirage 7 promises to deliver an unforgettable gaming experience.
At the heart of Mirage 7 lies a poignant story of familial love and the lengths one will go to for those they hold dear. Nadira’s quest to resurrect her sister leads her through the treacherous sands of a desert steeped in myth and mystery.
Legends speak of the oasis of Jala and the Moon Palace, where the enigmatic Princess Taishma resides—the only one who can grant Nadira’s deepest wish. As Nadira delves deeper into this world, she uncovers secrets that challenge her understanding of reality and her place within it.
The game’s setting is a masterful blend of fantastical and sci-fi elements. The arid desert, reminiscent of Middle Eastern landscapes, is punctuated by remnants of advanced technology and hidden military installations.
This juxtaposition creates a unique atmosphere where ancient myths coexist with futuristic anomalies, offering players a rich tapestry of lore and intrigue to explore.
Players will navigate diverse environments, from sun-scorched dunes to subterranean ruins. The game emphasizes exploration, rewarding curiosity with hidden secrets and lore. Environmental puzzles are integral to progression, requiring players to interact with the surroundings, manipulate objects, and utilize both Nadira’s and Jiji’s abilities to overcome obstacles.
Combat in Mirage 7 combines melee and ranged elements. Nadira wields a dagger for close encounters and a slingshot for distant threats. Players will face a variety of adversaries, including giant insects and spectral entities.
Defeating these foes often requires strategic use of the environment and crafted tools. Collectible items scattered throughout the world can be combined to create weapons and gadgets, adding depth to the combat and exploration mechanics.
Jiji, Nadira’s loyal lizard companion, is more than just a sidekick. Each character possesses unique abilities that complement the other’s, allowing for dynamic gameplay.
Jiji can access areas Nadira cannot, retrieve items, and assist in solving puzzles. This partnership encourages players to think creatively and utilize both characters effectively to navigate challenges.
Throughout her journey, Nadira encounters a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own motives and stories. Notably, the Vizier, voiced by Andy Mack, presents a complex figure whose trustworthiness is questionable.
Players’ choices in interactions can influence relationships and potentially alter the course of the narrative, adding layers of depth and replayability.
Mirage 7 boasts a distinctive art style that captures the essence of its dual inspirations. The visual design combines the ornate aesthetics of Arabian folklore with the sleekness of sci-fi technology, creating environments that are both familiar and otherworldly. The soundtrack and sound design further immerse players, with music and effects that underscore the game’s emotional and atmospheric tones.
The game is slated for release on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG.
This wide availability ensures that a broad audience can experience Nadira’s journey. System requirements for PC players are designed to be accessible, with minimum specifications accommodating a range of hardware configurations.
Mirage 7 stands out as a compelling fusion of narrative depth, engaging gameplay, and a richly crafted world. Drakkar Dev and Blowfish Studios have created an experience that invites players to explore themes of love, loss, and the human condition within a setting that seamlessly blends fantasy and science fiction. With its anticipated release, Mirage 7 is poised to captivate players seeking an adventure that challenges both the heart and the mind.
Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this product from https://www.game.press
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A Simple Premise, Beautifully Executed
Spilled! is a charming indie title that invites players to unwind as they clean up polluted waters, recycle waste, and rescue adorable marine animals. Developed by a solo creator who actually lives on a boat, the game’s authenticity shines through in every pixel. The premise is refreshingly simple: there are no wrong ways to play, no timers to stress over, and no pressure to perform. You’re free to take your time, explore at your own pace, and enjoy the gentle loop of cleaning, upgrading, and discovering new areas.
The game is intentionally short, with a playtime of about an hour, but that brevity works in its favor. Spilled! never overstays its welcome, keeping the experience fresh and engaging from start to finish. The level selector allows you to revisit any area at any time, making it perfect for those moments when you just want to relax and do a bit of good for the virtual environment.
First Impressions and Core Gameplay
Warship Survival Demo throws you straight into the chaos of naval combat, challenging you to survive as long as possible against relentless enemy waves. You start your journey with a modest torpedo boat, navigating open seas that quickly fill with foes. The core gameplay loop is simple and fast paced: sink enemy ships, dodge incoming fire, and collect experience to level up your vessel mid match. The game’s roguelike structure means each run is unique, with random upgrades and scaling difficulty that encourage replayability.
The demo currently offers two game modes, including an endless mode where the challenge ramps up the longer you stay afloat. As you progress, you can unlock various ship types destroyers, frigates, battleships, aircraft carriers, and even submarines. Each ship class has its own strengths and playstyle, but in the demo, you’re limited to one weapon per ship, which restricts tactical variety. While the game promises permanent upgrades and a prestige mode in the full release, these features are not yet available in the demo.
A New Standard in Hotel Management Simulations
Hotel Architect, currently available in early access, invites players to step into the shoes of a hotel owner and architect, blending creative freedom with the relentless pace and pressure of real world hospitality management. The game offers two primary modes: a structured career campaign and a more open ended sandbox experience. In both, you’re tasked with transforming rundown buildings or empty plots into thriving hotel empires, all while managing the unpredictable demands of guests, staff, and critics.
From the very first moments, Hotel Architect impresses with its vibrant, cartoon inspired graphics and a soothing soundtrack that sets a welcoming, cozy atmosphere. The visual style is inviting, and the use of bright colors and playful animations gives the game a distinct personality a sense of “soul” that’s often missing in more sterile management sims. This charm is further amplified by the game’s attention to detail in both décor and guest interactions.
A Unique Fusion of Genres and Folklore
Into the Restless Ruins, developed by Ant Workshop and published by Wales Interactive, is a roguelike deckbuilder that immediately sets itself apart by blending dungeon building, deck construction, and auto battler mechanics, all steeped in the eerie atmosphere of Scottish folklore. Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, the game invites players to not just traverse dungeons, but to design them, card by card, shaping both their path and their fate with every decision.
The game opens in Eorisdale, a misty, foreboding region that serves as your introduction to the mechanics and lore. Here, you meet memorable NPCs like the Hen Wife and the Wulver, who offer critical upgrades and card enhancements. The folklore influence is palpable, from the boss battles against figures like The Grey Man (Am Fear Liath Mòr) to the presence of the Harvest Maiden, who promises to grant your deepest desires in exchange for toil and risk.
When I first launched Undivine, developed by Brainium Games, I was immediately struck by its haunting atmosphere and minimalist pixel art style. Available now on Steam and Nintendo Switch, with imminent releases for Xbox and PlayStation consoles, Undivine positions itself as a dark metroidvania infused with RPG elements. The game promises freedom of exploration, rewarding progression, and a world brimming with secrets a promise that both intrigued and challenged me as I delved deeper into its abyssal narrative.
Stepping into Builders of Greece is like opening a window to the golden age of the Hellenic city states. As someone who has always been fascinated by ancient history and city management games, I was eager to see how this title balances historical authenticity, strategic depth, and modern gameplay sensibilities.
