haha circle go pok





every morning i wake up and play this game, some times as a substitute for breakfast. The satisfaction of a high acc play gives me more nutrients than any physical food can. The doctors say I'm malnourished, but i reached top 400,000 the other day so the pure dopamine rush numbs any hunger pang I may feel. As the AM becomes PM I'm still playing osu. Grinding top plays and ignoring social responsibilities. My boss called me to see where i was because I hadn't showed up to work in a week but I simply hang up the phone. He wouldn't understand. Osu supporter is only $4 a month and I have made enough money to support this endeavor for a lifetime. I have transcended past the societal pressures of having a "job" or a "family". Who needs all that wehn I have osu. The sun sets but I do not see it because I am too busy playing osu. That's ok, osu has an in-game clock which allows the only part of my body that has not decayed, my circadian rhythm, to flourish. Once I score less than a 98% acc, I realize that I am likely growing weary and I lay in my bed with the visions of circles, sliders, and spinners creating a euphoric symphony as I transcend into the ethereal osu plane. My skin falls from my body like the fruit of a tree as I walk toward the blinding white light. A voice mutters my human name but I no longer respond to it. I have become something more, something incredible. I am no longer meant to be seen by the eyes of mortal beings.

Two major categories of rogue games have always been high-skill action based rogues and strategic deck builders, both of which provide their own challenges and skill sets for players to discover and master. OSFE offers a unique and masterful blend of both these categories to create an unforgettable and practically perfect rogue experience.
For me, the strongest part of OSFE was how it divided the cards into categories, with each category containing cards which can rage from cards which focus on different elements of the game including, but not limited to, status effects, structures, and of course, deck manipulation. Building a deck with a solid theme is supported by the various artifacts. Each artifact feels different and impactful; picking up certain artifacts can change how you'd adapt to the playstyle of your deck. The pure versatility of gameplay brought on the cards and artifacts is enough to provide a seemingly infinite number of possibilities, making every run truly different.
What sets OSFE apart from other rogues with high versatility is that the characters of OSFE, on top of having immaculate character design, each promote different aspects of the game. Want to build a deadly kunai deck? Try Shiso's alternate kit. Want to demolish enemies with freeze attacks? Selicy is your girl. Want to build up an unstoppable barrage of turrets, walls, and bombs? Hazel is for you. The list goes on. On top of it all, each character has an alternate kit and high quality skins, giving players even more incentive to beat the game with each character.
In terms of gameplay itself, it's as smooth as can be. Although the limited 16 tiles you can move to may seem restricting, the fact-paced dodging and tight movement suit it perfectly. Additionally, the way the cards you play manipulate the battlefield really feel impactful due to the small size of the field. Covering my opponents board with unavoidable flames or breaking all their tiles to keep them in one spot as I line up deadly precision shots never fails to feel rewarding.
tl;dr There truly isn't a playstyle that OSFE doesn't encompass. Battles are fast paced and the game never presents you with a dull moment. Overall, OSFE is a perfect blend of both action and deckbuilding. 10/10 buy this game now.

Iris and the giant is a unique spin on the deckbuilding genre whose main strategic mechanic is careful planning and getting the most value out of your drawn hand.
Visually, the game is stunning. I love the art style and the voice acting, they really gave Iris and her dad a whole lot of character. Unlocking memories was (pun intended) memorable, each one revealing more about the struggles Iris face. I was especially fond of the memories of Iris learning how to say "no", as it made using the "no" cards feel powerful. The memories is also a large part of the storytelling aspect of the game, which is pretty decent. It's always refreshing to play a rogue with a story attached. I especially like how the story is not invasive, allowing you to skip cutscenes if you'd rather focus on gameplay. I find it quite annoying when rogues focus too much on story, gameplay should be front and center, but this game introduced it quite digestibly.
The gameplay itself is where I found problems with the game. While it is unique, it does get fairly repetitive. All enemy types are defeated the same way, with the exception of bosses. Enemy variety is really only the way in which they attack. Additionally, the low amount of card types feels restrictive, and certain card types are definitely more valuable than others. This makes it difficult to craft niche builds for the game, as I found it best to try and craft an all-around deck as opposed to one that excels with swords or axes. This negatively impacts the replay value of the game, which you never want to say for a rogue.
Overall, I think the game is best for fans of deckbuilders looking for a relaxing spin on the genre. The game presents itself with a good learning curve coupled with a refreshing art style and a decent story, but lacks the essential replay value rogues need. I can see myself playing more to try and beat the other two endings, but not diving into nightmare mode.

Cultist Simulator is more than meets the eye. Behind the time sensitive resource management is one of the most interesting lovecraft inspired narratives I've ever read.
Aesthetically, this game is masterpiece. The artwork on the cards, the sound design, and the special animations that play upon completing certain tasks are some of the best I've ever seen and perfectly elevate the sense of eeriness you get when you play the game. The OST is also stellar, a perfect balance of intensity but also calmness that always keeps the player on their toes; you are running a secret society after all.
The one drawback to this game is the amount of reading. In cultist sim, reading is quite literally EVERYTHING. You are immediately dropped in to the game and must rely on nothing but your reading skills to advance you forward. This makes the early hours of the game a little tedious, but later playthroughs become a breeze. As someone who hasn't touched a book outside of required class readings, I thought I could skip through reading the cards only to be punished later for not paying close enough attention.
My personal favorite part of this game is how extensive the lore becomes. You can found a cult on one of the many different types of lore fragments, each presenting different benefits and stories. I often find myself switching cults each playthrough to try and unlock more lore to add to my understanding of the vast world infront of me.
Overall, Cultist Sim is a riddle wrapped in a mystery with hours upon hours of replayability. While the initial hours of the game may be difficult for some players, those who power through are met with an unforgettable and vast narrative experience. A full run of this game takes multiple upon multiple hours to complete, but will keep you on the edge of your seat each time. A perfect game for fans of management, narrative focused gameplay, and anyone looking to start a cult f their own