Previews & Early Access

Previews cover anything from Alpha and Beta games to Early Access games.

Core Keeper Preview
PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Core Keeper Preview

Core Keeper is a 1-8 player co-op sandbox adventure with mining, crafting, building, fighting, and farming elements. It is in development by Pugstorm (Radical Rabbit Stew) with publishing by Sold Out (Mechwarrior 5: Mercenaries, Disjunction, KeyWe). It is now available for "Open Alpha" via requesting access from the Steam store page. Currently Pugstorm is planning for an early 2022 release but as always that is subject to change. Explore The Depths of Core Keeper Pixel graphics games like Core Keeper seem to be becoming a genre of their own. Originally it felt like they were trying to have a nostalgic theme to them. But as they've become more and more common, I can't say that this is still the case. To be honest I can't remember specifically when they slid into the mainstream. If you...
Dolmen Preview
PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Dolmen Preview

Dolmen is a horror action RPG set in the far future in a distant part of the galaxy. Previously having made Tap Hitz on mobile, this is the first major release for Brazilian developer Massive Work Studio. Massive Work made the game in partnership with publisher Prime Matter. And was made possible after a successful Kickstarter campaign. The titular Dolmen is a mysterious mineral whose discovery led to being able to cross into parallel universes. As you may expect this doesn't go well and various monsters and creatures enter our universe. You play as the unnamed protagonist tasked to find out what happened on Revion Prime and recover the mineral. I was able to play this preview version with a full release on PC during 2022 and later planned to be released on PS4 & Xbox One. Slay the...
Dysterra Preview
Previews & Early Access

Dysterra Preview

Dysterra is a survival, crafting, and multiplayer open world game currently in development by Reality MagiQ (Space Block Buster, Special Force VR: Infinity War) with publishing by Kakao Games (Elyon, Path of Exile). It currently doesn't have a planned release date but it recently had a beta test week from November 15th thru the 28th. I was able to dip a toe into the game to see what it's all about. As of right now Dysterra may only be found on PC via Steam. Dysterra - Gather, Craft, Build, etc. etc. For a game not having any sort of planned release date, Dysterra looks dang pretty. But then there comes the question of which is more important to you as a gamer. Do you prefer a game that looks amazing but may not have the best gameplay? Or would you rather play one that may not look gr...
Despot’s Game Early Access Preview
PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Despot’s Game Early Access Preview

If you're looking for a game that let's you play battles between puny humans and all sorts of strange denizens, Despot's Game may be the one for you. In development by Konfa Games (Despotism 3k) with publishing by tinyBuild (Graveyard Keeper, Hello Neighbor), Despot's Game became available for Early Access on Steam on October 14th. Though it's currently only available on Steam, it is possible that the game may eventually release on mobile and Switch as well similar to Despotism 3k. Despot's Game of Puny Human Carnage If you enjoy this review, be sure to check out my other reviews here. I haven't played Konfa Games' previous game, Despotism 3k, but just comparing screenshots to Despot's Game I'd take a wild guess that the two are related. Both seem to relate to the spurn toward hum...
Model Builder Preview
PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Model Builder Preview

Model Builder by developers Moonlit and Kuba Wójcik is, as it sounds, a model building simulator.  Everyone at some time in their life has probably built a model, with varying outcomes.  Published by Green Man Gaming will this be a tedious affair or a total breeze? Model Builder - 0% Chance of Gluing Fingers Together! I am quietly optimistic, having reviewed Balsa Model Flight Simulator recently.  If you like what you read, give the demo a chance over in the Steam store! Gameplay Before I start I will say that there was a disclaimer that it was a game in progress therefore I will concentrate on the main gameplay and only report if there are any game-breaking bugs. From the off, you can select from a campaign and sandbox mode.  Sandbox needs no intro therefore it was straight ont...
Undying Early Access Preview
PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Undying Early Access Preview

Undying isn't your typical survival/crafting/zombie game. Developed by Vanimals and published by Skystone Games Inc (The Last Friend), Undying enters Early Access on Steam on October 19th, 2021. It has been in development over the past three years. Vanimals is hopeful for it to be in Early Access no longer than six months. The Early Access version of Undying consists of roughly the first half of the game. Vanimals is also planning for an eventual release to consoles as well. Undying - Complete a Mother's Undying Wish When I first heard about Undying, I wasn't certain I was ready to add yet another zombie apocalypse game to my library. There are just so many available out there with varying degrees of success. This becomes especially true when you add the "crafting" and "survival" tags to...
Space Boat Preview
PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Space Boat Preview

Currently in development by Recombobulator Games, "Space Boat is a new narrative adventure game with interactive elements." Funded through Kickstarter, at the time of this preview Space Boat has raised £3,426, which is a little way from its target goal of £23,554. With a 15 minute playable demo now available, will they reach their crowdfund goal and give us a finished game? Join me below as I attempt to figure that out. Well Hello There Space Traveller! "You’ve been waiting to travel for a long time? It's now possible to go to the most beautiful places in the galaxy!... or whatever you can afford." - Allen, Space Boat Travel Agent. Gameplay With a development team who boasts an impressive resume of Mass Effect, Dead Space, and Thief, we walk into this demo with high expectations. Pl...
Balsa Model Flight Simulator Review
PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Balsa Model Flight Simulator Review

Balsa Model Flight Simulator by Canadian-based devs Floating Origin Interactive is exactly as it sounds.  Simply put it is a flight simulator game that allows you to build and fly your very own balsa wood planes! Balsa Model Flight Simulator - Glory to Destruction in 10 Seconds Headed by Felipe Falanghe who created the acclaimed Kerbal Space Program, Balsa Model Flight Simulator keeps you in the air but this time on planet Earth. Ready to test your creative skills and take to the skies? Let's do this! If you enjoy my review please check out my past articles here! Gameplay It is worth pointing out that at the time of review, the game was in early access with a huge caveat that many things may not be functional or work quite correctly.  Indeed there were many features that have no...
Arboria Review
Previews & Early Access

Arboria Review

Developed by Dreamplant and published by All in! Games, Arboria is a dark fantasy rogue-lite. Entering early access on Steam in May 2020, the game will release fully September 9th 2021. Gobbok And The Evil Hat We begin our journey as a Yotun warrior birthed from the father tree with a singular purpose - to hunt down Gobbok. Gobbok is another Yotun, who's been corrupted by a cursed hat and who's fled the village against the will of the elders, descending into the Durnar. After we too become corrupted by defeating Gobbok and equipping his hat, we find ourselves back at the troll village once again being birthed a Yotun from the father tree. What do you think about a character's death being permanent? Gameplay Arboria is best described as souls-like, with elements of the game bearing r...
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodhunt
PC Reviews, Previews & Early Access

Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodhunt

Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodhunt is the debut foray into AAA games for Swedish company Sharkmob. It is an online multiplayer third-person battle royale taking place in Prague, Czech Republic. Fighting through the city and the only rule is to keep your existence a secret, the titular masquerade. I didn't come across any plot for the game but it is faithful to the World of Darkness setting. Definitely inspired by games like Apex Legends and PUBG, Bloodhunt however is like their goth cousin. Going it alone or in a trio, fighting to be the last vampire standing, and maintaining the masquerade is all that matters. Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodhunt - Something to Sink Your Teeth Into I kept up on news and other player's thoughts and I found there was some disappointment. Many people were expe...