Recent reviews by checkmate

Reminding myself if I should revisit and if you should purchase.

ELEVATOR PITCH: Slay the Spire addictiveness but in Poker Form
LIKED: I watched so many gameplay videos and reviews, but didn't get the appeal. When I purchased and put in my 30 minutes, I was thinking uh-oh this is going to be an addictive gem.
DISLIKED: The poker theme is approachable but may not appeal to everyone, they might be satisfied with Slay the Spire and be done with any other games in this genre. However, I strongly encourage everyone to buy and try themselves before passing judgement. Also, funky name.

===== Mood After 30mins =====
☑ Addicted
☐ Afternoon delight
☐ Grindfest
☐ Frustrated

===== Will I Revisit =====
☑ Yes, I aim to 100% complete
☐ Yes, but only beat the game
☐ Eventually. Until then, back to the pile
☐ No, on to other games

===== Price =====
☑ Full price worthy
☐ Discount
☐ Deep discount
☐ Pass

Disclaimer: I'm aware 30 minutes is not enough time to properly review any game. Historically, I'm a big completionist when it comes to gaming, but my backlog will just not die and adulting obligations continue to mount. I needed to find some sense of accomplishment with my backlog other than buying them at great discount. Dedicating at least 30 minutes of play per game will be my arbitrary sense of achievement. It may not justify my gaming spending habits, but I'll suffer less buyer's remorse. Who knows, in 30 minutes I might discover a great game I want to revisit and something you want to purchase. GGs!

Let me share the epic tale of how I tucked a trash-talking gamer into bed this morning. After a day filled with errands, tackling the post-Christmas cleanup, and taking care of the whole crew, including the ailing dog, I decided to unwind with a midnight session of Dune Imperium on my trusty Steam Deck.

Expecting a quick 30-45 minutes of gaming to cap off the day, I set up an online game in async mode, allowing players to participate at their own pace. While I've played the physical version of the game several times, the digital adaptation on the Steam Deck, with its unique User Interface, was still a bit of a learning curve for me.

As I took my first turn, exploring the virtual cards and adjusting to the interface, a chat box popped up with a gem: "wtf…that was the longest move ever…FIRST move :D my god." Initially irksome, this commentary threatened to push me to rage quit or just play a few turns then call it a night, especially given the opponents' apparent skill level in those early turns. Thoughts of why I avoid random public games flooded my mind—trolls, skill imbalances, you name it—but I decided to soldier on, determined to turn this experience into a learning opportunity.

My adversaries played exceptionally well, denying me valuable spice, racing ahead on the alliances track, and securing their third worker long before I could. What grated on me more was the initial trash-talker turned out to be the most formidable player among them, dominating conflicts and amassing resources.

Pushing past midnight, nestled in bed with my Steam Deck, my wife intermittently questioned my late-night gaming choice. Yet, fueled by a desire to prove the trash-talker wrong, I persisted. Despite their prowess, they grew overconfident and failed to notice my late-game moves. Snatching various intrigue cards, I orchestrated a massive conflict that, under normal circumstances, would favor them and end the game. I thwarted their impending victory, scoring late-game points and objectives that catapulted me to the lead.

As I approached my final turn, the battery on my Steam Deck ran out. I had to get up, plug it in, and continue—taking my sweet time. I had a hunch I would emerge victorious, relishing the opportunity to let the trash-talker taste the bitter pill of defeat. The final point tally: 12, 11, 9. With a flourish on my last turn, I revealed a hidden objective, sealing my triumph at 12 points. The trash-talker attempted to showcase how they could have won, coming close in the final conflict but falling short by ONE point!

Imagine losing in such dramatic fashion, thinking victory was within grasp. Operating on less than three hours of sleep, the room spinning around me as I type this, the satisfaction of tucking that trash-talking gamer into bed was absolutely worth it. A solid 10/10 for Dune Imperium—I'd play again and recommend without hesitation.

Reminding myself if I should revisit and if you should purchase.

ELEVATOR PITCH: It took nearly 9,000 people to make Diablo IV, this is simply better
LIKED: It takes talent to make the graphics this crappy to pay homage to Diablo 1 and 2 but become possibly the magnum opus of VS-likes. More skill is required than other VS-likes The quest, progression system, and great selection of upgrades is what others should follow. Difficulty is up there; you can’t just have a build and chill idle to victory. Really, save your money from D4 and pick this up. Another indie game where it puts AAA to shame. I've had more WTF, OH CRAP OH $H!T moment in one run in this game than I can recently remember in my gaming career. Don’t sleep on this game!
DISLIKED: Higher difficulty cap, but those who want more crunch in the VS-likes will welcome. Being slow on the trigger in picking this up.

===== Mood After 30mins =====
☑ Addicted
☐ Afternoon delight
☐ Grindfest
☐ Frustrated

===== Will I Revisit =====
☑ Yes, I aim to 100% complete
☐ Yes, but only beat the game
☐ Eventually. Until then, back to the pile
☐ No, on to other games

===== Price =====
☑ Full price worthy
☐ Discount
☐ Deep discount
☐ Pass

Disclaimer: I'm aware 30 minutes is not enough time to properly review any game. Historically, I'm a big completionist when it comes to gaming, but my backlog will just not die and adulting obligations continue to mount. I needed to find some sense of accomplishment with my backlog other than buying them at great discount. Dedicating at least 30 minutes of play per game will be my arbitrary sense of achievement. It may not justify my gaming spending habits, but I'll suffer less buyer's remorse. Who knows, in 30 minutes I might discover a great game I want to revisit and something you want to purchase. GGs!

Reminding myself if I should revisit and if you should purchase.

ELEVATOR PITCH: A Relaxing Lovecraftian Horror Fishing Adventure
LIKED: Look at my logged in time, I looked up and oops 111 minutes passed! PERFECT Steam Deck game which can be played in super short bursts but feels like you've accomplished so much. I can see in long breaks from the game you can lose your place in what you're doing in Dredge, but it has ways to remind you were doing. Man this game respects your time, then robs it because it makes it fly.
DISLIKED: I keep hearing the game can be completed in 20 hours. That's a great amount of time, $1 per hour, but man I don't want this to end. Tempted to get Dave the Diver to continue scratching this itch.

===== Mood After 30mins =====
☑ Addicted
☐ Afternoon delight
☐ Grindfest
☐ Frustrated

===== Will I Revisit =====
☑ Yes, I aim to 100% complete
☐ Yes, but only beat the game
☐ Eventually. Until then, back to the pile
☐ No, on to other games

===== Price =====
☑ Full price worthy
☐ Discount
☐ Deep discount
☐ Pass

Disclaimer: I'm aware 30 minutes is not enough time to properly review any game. Historically, I'm a big completionist when it comes to gaming, but my backlog will just not die and adulting obligations continue to mount. I needed to find some sense of accomplishment with my backlog other than buying them at great discount. Dedicating at least 30 minutes of play per game will be my arbitrary sense of achievement. It may not justify my gaming spending habits, but I'll suffer less buyer's remorse. Who knows, in 30 minutes I might discover a great game I want to revisit and something you want to purchase. GGs!

Reminding myself if I should revisit and if you should purchase.

ELEVATOR PITCH: When You Want Your Euro Game Fix and Can't Get a Game Group Going
LIKED: Easy to follow tutorial, graphics are slick, I can see myself getting into the game, (mostly) Steam Deck friendly, and a great way to refresh yourself on the gameplay before a in-person game night.
DISLIKED: Some of the UI is frustrating. Maybe between the 30mins-2hr window I'll figure out how to navigate the UI a little better. Trying to look at my hand to read the cards and returning to the game state is infuriating. If I can't figure it out by then, I'll settle with the physical version and return the digital.

UPDATE: I rarely do this, but I purchased this game on my phone. Man, does this game run like butter. The interface is SO much better using touchscreen. I didn't "get" this game until now. Now I get it and thoroughly enjoy it.

===== Mood After 30mins =====
☐ Addicted
☑ Afternoon delight
☐ Grindfest
☐ Frustrated

===== Will I Revisit =====
☑ Yes, I aim to 100% complete
☐ Yes, but only beat the game
☐ Eventually. Until then, back to the pile
☐ No, on to other games

===== Price =====
☐ Full price worthy
☑ Discount
☐ Deep discount
☐ Pass

Disclaimer: I'm aware 30 minutes is not enough time to properly review any game. Historically, I'm a big completionist when it comes to gaming, but my backlog will just not die and adulting obligations continue to mount. I needed to find some sense of accomplishment with my backlog other than buying them at great discount. Dedicating at least 30 minutes of play per game will be my arbitrary sense of achievement. It may not justify my gaming spending habits, but I'll suffer less buyer's remorse. Who knows, in 30 minutes I might discover a great game I want to revisit and something you want to purchase. GGs!

Reminding myself if I should revisit and if you should purchase.

ELEVATOR PITCH: Twin Stick Vampire Survivors and But Dark in Theme and Visibility
LIKED: The surprising number of characters, weapons, perm buffs, and other unlockables. Once you go down a certain build pattern, you find ways to support it. Triple bonus selection is yummy.
DISLIKED: I know the choice of color pallet and visibility was a developer decision; it's also thematic. However, it does suck time-to-time when I can't see what is about to hit me. Yeah, I know it's on me and I need to get gud.

===== Mood After 30mins =====
☑ Addicted
☐ Afternoon delight
☐ Grindfest
☐ Frustrated

===== Will I Revisit =====
☑ Yes, I aim to 100% complete
☐ Yes, but only beat the game
☐ Eventually. Until then, back to the pile
☐ No, on to other games

===== Price =====
☐ Full price worthy
☑ Discount
☐ Deep discount
☐ Pass

Disclaimer: I'm aware 30 minutes is not enough time to properly review any game. Historically, I'm a big completionist when it comes to gaming, but my backlog will just not die and adulting obligations continue to mount. I needed to find some sense of accomplishment with my backlog other than buying them at great discount. Dedicating at least 30 minutes of play per game will be my arbitrary sense of achievement. It may not justify my gaming spending habits, but I'll suffer less buyer's remorse. Who knows, in 30 minutes I might discover a great game I want to revisit and something you want to purchase. GGs!

Reminding myself if I should revisit and if you should purchase.

ELEVATOR PITCH: Asymmetric Risk. Time consuming to learn, but being in digital form helps immensely.
LIKED: The learning curve difficulties, time commitment of learning each faction, and finding players willing to equally commit to the game as you is helped in this digital format.
DISLIKED: Wrestling with the idea of playing the physical copy with friends versus the realities of getting this game to the table.

===== Mood After 30mins =====
☐ Addicted
☑ Afternoon delight
☐ Grindfest
☐ Frustrated

===== Will I Revisit =====
☐ Yes, I aim to 100% complete
☑ Yes, but only beat the game
☐ Eventually. Until then, back to the pile
☐ No, on to other games

===== Price =====
☐ Full price worthy
☑ Discount
☐ Deep discount
☐ Pass

Disclaimer: I'm aware 30 minutes is not enough time to properly review any game. Historically, I'm a big completionist when it comes to gaming, but my backlog will just not die and adulting obligations continue to mount. I needed to find some sense of accomplishment with my backlog other than buying them at great discount. Dedicating at least 30 minutes of play per game will be my arbitrary sense of achievement. It may not justify my gaming spending habits, but I'll suffer less buyer's remorse. Who knows, in 30 minutes I might discover a great game I want to revisit and something you want to purchase. GGs!

Reminding myself if I should revisit and if you should purchase.

ELEVATOR PITCH: Flashy, snappy, trick taking with furry forest animals
LIKED: The polish, art, and how quick the plays are. Very easy to get into just-one-more-game mode as they are 4-5 minute runs. The price to purchase is less than coffee.
DISLIKED: If you are not into trick taking games, it might not be for you. I'm playing this on the Steam Deck/PC. I'm going to return the game but get it on the phone. The mousing over does not feel as natural as touchscreen. Yes, you can use the Steam Deck's touch display, but that's my Steam Deck...not yours. If it makes the developer and board game company, feel better. I purchased the physical copy! If they can make this steam deck/gamepad friendly, I would repurchase.

===== Mood After 30mins =====
☐ Addicted
☑ Afternoon delight
☐ Grindfest
☐ Frustrated

===== Will I Revisit =====
☑ Yes, I aim to 100% complete
☐ Yes, but only beat the game
☐ Eventually. Until then, back to the pile
☐ No, on to other games

===== Price =====
☐ Full price worthy
☑ Discount
☐ Deep discount
☐ Pass

Disclaimer: I'm aware 30 minutes is not enough time to properly review any game. Historically, I'm a big completionist when it comes to gaming, but my backlog will just not die and adulting obligations continue to mount. I needed to find some sense of accomplishment with my backlog other than buying them at great discount. Dedicating at least 30 minutes of play per game will be my arbitrary sense of achievement. It may not justify my gaming spending habits, but I'll suffer less buyer's remorse. Who knows, in 30 minutes I might discover a great game I want to revisit and something you want to purchase. GGs!

Reminding myself if I should revisit and if you should purchase.

ELEVATOR PITCH: A Time When LucasArts Was Gud
LIKED: A trip down memory lane with one of my first point and click adventures. I remember enjoying the game so much that I had to complete it in 1-2 sittings, thus leaving my PC on the entire time and it gets super-hot. Angry father, wasted electricity, fun!
DISLIKED: Dated, not for everyone, but I think it's a rite of passage (along with Monkey Island) for others to play.

===== Mood After 30mins =====
☐ Addicted
☑ Afternoon delight
☐ Grindfest
☐ Frustrated

===== Will I Revisit =====
☐ Yes, I aim to 100% complete
☑ Yes, but only beat the game
☐ Eventually. Until then, back to the pile
☐ No, on to other games

===== Price =====
☐ Full price worthy
☑ Discount
☐ Deep discount
☐ Pass

Disclaimer: I'm aware 30 minutes is not enough time to properly review any game. Historically, I'm a big completionist when it comes to gaming, but my backlog will just not die and adulting obligations continue to mount. I needed to find some sense of accomplishment with my backlog other than buying them at great discount. Dedicating at least 30 minutes of play per game will be my arbitrary sense of achievement. It may not justify my gaming spending habits, but I'll suffer less buyer's remorse. Who knows, in 30 minutes I might discover a great game I want to revisit and something you want to purchase. GGs!

Reminding myself if I should revisit and if you should purchase.

ELEVATOR PITCH: A Better Version of Alien in Board Game Form, Now with Backstabbing!
LIKED: When you are running out of board game shelf space, this hefty yet highly praised board game is now yours in digital format. Entertaining, the right amount of stress, and keep you on your toes. That OH CRAP moment you feel as the game starts to turn on you.
DISLIKED: Makes me want to buy a new shelf so I can get the board game. Again, another victim of having the game on Steam Deck sleep mode and having the game expire past my 30-minute review.

===== Mood After 30mins =====
☐ Addicted
☑ Afternoon delight
☐ Grindfest
☐ Frustrated

===== Will I Revisit =====
☐ Yes, I aim to 100% complete
☑ Yes, but only beat the game
☐ Eventually. Until then, back to the pile
☐ No, on to other games

===== Price =====
☐ Full price worthy
☑ Discount
☐ Deep discount
☐ Pass

Disclaimer: I'm aware 30 minutes is not enough time to properly review any game. Historically, I'm a big completionist when it comes to gaming, but my backlog will just not die and adulting obligations continue to mount. I needed to find some sense of accomplishment with my backlog other than buying them at great discount. Dedicating at least 30 minutes of play per game will be my arbitrary sense of achievement. It may not justify my gaming spending habits, but I'll suffer less buyer's remorse. Who knows, in 30 minutes I might discover a great game I want to revisit and something you want to purchase. GGs!