This game is a black hole. Once you start it up, time is erased. You will lose hours, days, months without realizing.

This game has loads of content to keep you busy, but its so relaxing. It blends everything together masterfully. Amazing game for all ages.

Slaying Zeds is so satisfying. It never gets old.

Relaxing and fun game that blows Fallout Shelter out of the water without the greedy micro-transaction mechanics we all have come to hate.

Such a fresh, atmospheric good time.

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Hero of the Kingdom 3 is the latest installment of Indie game developer Lonely Troops'[www.lonelytroops.com] flagship series and lives up to the legacy of its predecessors. If you're looking for a relaxing, yet enjoyable casual gaming experience then this is definitely a game you want to grab.


Hero of the Kingdom 3 (HoK3) is a casual Point & Click adventure that masterfully combines RPG, Hidden Object, and Puzzle components to deliver several hours of gaming fun suitable for gamers of all ages. Like the previous two games in the series, you will set out as a young hero seeking adventure and ultimately try to save the world. Along the way you will meet many interesting people as you explore new areas. Besides the variety of merchants encountered along your way, you will come across NPC's that will need your help and offer valuable rewards for completing their quests. Some will even teach you important new skills to make your journey easier, so be sure to speak with everyone you encounter.

There are many different resources and items scattered across each new area you explore. There will be animals to hunt, flowers and other resources to scavenge, crafting materials hidden across the various regions, a variety of tools and weapons to aid in your journey, and a new crafting system that expands on the gameplay of its pre-quels. That's a lot of content for a casual gaming experience. the combat system is basic though and learning the mechanics of this game is quite simple. As a casual indie adventure, HoK3 delivers hours of entertainment at an affordable price.

+ Beautiful artwork
+ Great storyline
+ Playable on almost any PC
+ Steam achievements & trading cards
+ No bugs or crashes
+ Multiple Languages
+ Affordably priced for almost any gaming budget
+ Combines several gaming genres to maximize appeal
+ Quality ambient background sounds and music

- Quests and goals feel repetitive which can lead to boredom
- Low replay value aside from Steam achievements
- Simplistic gameplay that fails to challenge the player
- While longer than the pre-quels its still a short game

One of my favorite things about this series is that its minimalistic approach allows virtually anyone to be able to play it due to its low system requirements and multi-language translations. Its suitable for players of all ages and virtually any toaster can run it. Games like this are great for those days when we want to scratch that gaming itch but don't have much time to invest into it and Hero of the Kingdom 3 is definitely a fast, fun way to do so. I would definitely recommend this game (and series) to all my friends.

Surviving Mars is a survival simulation made by Bulgarian video game developer Haemimont Games[www.haemimontgames.com] (known for the Tropico series, Victor Vran, Grand Ages: Rome) and published by strategy games juggernaut Paradox Interactive[www.paradoxplaza.com] (known for game series like Cities, Europa, Hearts of Iron, Crusader Kings), so before even launching it for the first endeavor one can expect hours of challenging gameplay. With a multitude of difficulty variables at your disposal and a thoughtful resource/production chain combined with a vast research tree and colonist specializations, this game enables strategic simulation fans from novice to hardcore enthusiast levels to satisfy their cravings at the helm of this space colonization escapade.

Man has had its sights set on exploring and settling Mars for decades. Thanks to Haemimont Games' latest installment, Surviving Mars, gamers can experience the challenges of this daunting task first-hand. Relax. There's not really an army of little green Martian men trying to blast you into oblivion with their photon plasma lasers. At least not in this game.

Surviving Mars is all about establishing a permanent habitat on the cold, barren, and hostile surface of Mars able to sustain human life. As you would imagine, this is no easy task. There's no access to fresh water on the surface of this dust bowl. The air is toxic and not suitable for humans. The temperature is deadly cold. These are just a few of the challenges you face the moment your first rocket arrives on the planet.

Much of the early game is focused on setting up a suitable infrastructure to conquer these challenges long before your first human colonist arrives. Using an army of robotic drones and RV's, players must gather resources, build the essential support systems, and explore the wasteland. It sounds simple. Depending on where you chose to land on the planet surface, it might be. Or maybe not. Some locations are flat and easily traversed with minimal efforst or risk. Others can be steep, rocky, and mountainous or be prone to environmental hazards like meteor showers or dust storms. These are some of the things that players must consider when selecting their difficulty levels.

Once a firm foothold is established, players will shift their focus to building domes for the colonists to inhabit. Besides requiring the basics like air and water, your colonists are also going to need a reliable food supply, a place to call home, and a way to un-wind after their long hours of hard work. Without these things, life on Mars becomes intolerable and leads to displeasure and a loss of sanity. Keeping your colonists happy and safe is the ultimate goal, after all. Doing this will lead to colonists having children of their own, thus making your colony a permanent and thriving installation. Congratulations.

Gamers familiar with city building simulations will feel right at home with Surviving Mars. There is a myriad of things that offer challenge and variety. There is a nice selection of buildings to choose from, allowing players create their colonies based on their own preferences. Maybe you want to build a massive solar farm to power the masses. Or perhaps you want to go green and set up a network of wind turbines. Perhaps you're a futurist and decide that fusion reactors are the way to bring power to the people. In this game, that choice is yours to make.

Building a successful colony requires a reliable supply of water, oxygen, power, and food. Players will have to work out the logistics of providing all of these essentials to the colonists. There's no network of roads on The Red Planet. Terrains are not always flat or on the same level. Using tools like a Shuttle Hub, a Drone Hub, or a Tunnel is paramount to success. Much of your focus will be on moving resources to where they are needed, one way or the other.

Colonists will live, work, and relax inside large bio-domes. The domes offer a lot of flexibility in how you want to set up your community. There are several types of housing to choose from, a good selection of leisure options, and a host of decorations you can use to give your habitats an aesthetic feel. And of course, they need to include the places where they work. Remember, keeping your inhabitants happy is the key to success.

Sounds simple. However, that is not necessarily true. Besides providing for their needs and desires, you also need to ensure their safety and well-being. After all, it is a hostile environment. Meteor storms can wreak havoc on a person's sanity. Having access to first aid is another important consideration. Then there's the colonists themselves. In Surviving Mars, colonists are not just some generic sim walking around to and fro. They have different specialization skills to consider for assigning them work. They have unique personalities and character traits (or flaws) as well. Not all sims are created equal. Managing the masses properly can be a deciding factor in whether your colony succeeds or not. Cloning the great ones should be a priority.

Knowledge is power. From the moment you first arrive on Mars, the quest for scientific advancement begins. The research tree is large and impressive. This is perhaps one of the best features in the game. All of the techs are useful, powerful, and relative. Players can sense that a lot of effort went into its creation. Best of all, there are super techs called Breakthroughs that players can randomly discover by exploring the map and scanning anomalies. Additionally, there are several "mysteries" that players can experience (sadly, only one per playthrough), but I won't spoil the fun.

There is a lot of content offered in this game and even more on the way. Even better, Surviving Mars fully supports the modding community, which opens up numerous opportunities. I would definitely suggest checking it out. Replayability is high as well, since tweaking the level of difficulty or using a different "build" can make the second playthrough entirely different.

Of course, no game is perfect and Surviving Mars does have some shortcomings. It requires a lot of micro-managing that
discourages some players. The user interface definitely needs re-worked. For example, not having a supply count visible on screen is a real head scratcher. Luckily, there are some amazing mods available to fix this issue. Also, the AI is still causing some issues even though they have been working on improvements to address the issue. Overall, this game plays smoothly and I didn't come across any glitches or game-breaking bugs.

+ Smooth gameplay with low system requirements
+ Building variety is extensive - numerous options to choose from
+ Aesthetically beautiful graphics (especially zoomed in)
+ Great soundtrack/ In-game radio feature
+ Full mod support built-in/ Steam Workshop
+ Challenging gameplay with several custom difficulty options
+ Active developers adding more content, changes, fixes
+ In-game camera allows free rotation/zoom
+ Strong replay value
+ Steam Trading Cards & Achievements
+ Full controller support (although its not needed for PC versions)

- User Interface needs a lot of love
- Heavy micro-management/ no streamlining options
- AI still has a few lingering issues

I would strongly discourage gamers who don't enjoy micro-management to avoid this title altogether. If you're reading this review though, odds are that you are into this sort of thing and looking for something to scratch that itch. Surviving Mars is an excellent choice.

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Spellforce 3 has had a bumpy release with mixed reviews, mostly due to the presence of bugs and a fairly high retail price. Given a chance, it will impress and succeed.


Spellforce 3 is the latest THQ Nordic game (previously Nordic Games) being developed by Grimlore Games[grimloregames.com] that combines the RPG and RTS genres in both a singleplayer campaign and a multiplayer skirmish platform. Like many other long-time gamers I am a fan of both types of games, but I was very skeptical about how well these two would mesh together for this go-round. Obviously its been attempted by other developers in the past and for the most part these attempts have been somewhat entertaining, yet disappointing at the same time. They generally feel forced and clunky, leaving us broken-hearted and full of despair. While the visually enchanting game trailer had me admittedly optimistic, I still had my reservations about this game and entered into this adventure with low expectations.

I can honestly say I was caught off guard and pleasantly surprised though. The graphics definitely did not disappoint. In fact, they are of superior quality for this type of game and with every new environment I entered across this vast map my admiration for this game grew. The graphics designers nurtured these environments with such gentle and loving hands. They are absolutely amazing and players will feel a genuine difference in atmosphere with each new area they explore. Coupled with a fantastic original soundtrack professionally made in-house specifically for this game, players who yearn for an escape from the daily grind we call life can find comfort and solace while enjoying hours of gameplay in Spellforce 3.

That's great and all but how about the actual gameplay itself? That's what truly matters, after all. Well... Wow! I honestly love this game. I am an extremely active gamer that plays and tests games across a very broad spectrum. I wholeheartedly enjoyed every hour I spent vigorously testing this title. I am very fond of both the RTS and RPG genres and I have suffered many let-downs or tired old re-treads along the way. So personally, I found this a refreshing experience in an otherwise dull category as of late. At its core, this is simply an RPG game, but the RTS components have been blended into the story masterfully and believably. Nothing about them feels forced as you swiftly move in and out of the two game modes, which is what impresses me the most about this game. They each rely on the other in order to bring this game to its full brilliance. Solely as an RPG this game would still be enjoyable, albeit middle of the pack. The RTS elements alone would be much less respectable. But with Spellforce 3 they are blended seamlessly into a beautiful hybrid endeavor.

For RPG fans, you can expect an interesting collection of assorted skills and magic abilities to choose from as you level up your collection of heroes any way you choose. I found it fun to experiment with various builds out of sheer curiosity since many games lack the opportunity. Ever wonder what it would be like to have a black magic wielding Ranger? Or perhaps a fireball slinging Paladin? Spellforce 3 gives you the chance! Experimenting with the skills and abilites alone is a lot of fun. And if you're not happy with the choices you have made along the way, rather than having to start over from scratch, the game offers you potions or rare necklaces and trinkets that allow you to re-structure your character's ability points and vitals. How cool is that? There is a nice variety of spells to play around with as well, although I would like to see even more. Naturally, players can expect to find a large variety of loot and gear along the way. Some of it is pretty interesting. How about a Helm of Goblin Summoning that spawns a goblin familiar to fight alongside your hero every time he takes damage for starters? Pretty neat.

As for the RTS elements of the game, players will get to build structures and defenses, gather resources, assign workers, and train armies like one would expect from any genuine RTS. However, due to this being a hybrid title and in order to not distract from the RPG nature of the game, these elements are generally automated so there is no need for micro-management. While you can control your army units in individual packs or combine them with other units or heroes to form squads, the workers are not individually controlled. Tasks can be assigned easily through building panels. While any true RTS fan will be left wanting more, its still enjoyable and a happy addition to any game whose focus is shared with another genre type.

As for the overall quality of this game, I find it above average and continuously improving. The reviews are genrally mixed, which is disappointing because Spellforce 3 is a true gem of a game. Why? Well, I have found that gamers have become more demanding of games and less trusting of game developers due to the overall trend of how games are released nowadays. Its fairly common for games to be released without having all of the issues, bugs and kinks worked out beforehand and while I don't necessarily agree with this type of behavior, I have become accustomed to it. Many times the end result is satisfying and games often rebound quickly as far as reviews and opinions are concerned. However, a lot of gamers have been left feeling cheated or robbed by studios that ignore issues and ultimately abandon their titles after a quick grab for cash. This practice has hurt the gaming industry's reputation in general. This game does still have a lot of minor bugs and glitches. The folks at Grimlore games are determined to make this game a success though and are extremely active in furthering the development of this title. There is a fast and consistent flow of updates that include bug fixes and balancing updates so gamers can feel at ease. They seem to be very attentive to feedback from the gaming community too, so if a bug is reported I have no concerns about whether it will be resolved.

And of course, there is the matter of price. Most PC gamers today have become spoiled by the flood of discount sales and the numerous gray market key selling sites that have made the PC gaming industry so competitive. The percentage of gamers who actually pre-order or pay full price for most any game is small. While I can't argue with anyone looking to save a few dollars, I will still say this game is worth the asking price - for those of you "on the fence" debating about whether to grab this game or not.


+ Amazing graphics and professionall soundtrack
+ Singleplayer campaign, multiplayer skirmish options
+ Various difficulty settings for increased Challenge
+ Numerous customization options and settings
+ Voice Overs/dialogue translated in multiple languages
+ Aesthetic and minimal user interface
+ Active Game Devs/Bug Fixes and Improvements
+ Simple controls and hotkeys available
+ Dialogue translated in multiple languages
+ Steam Achievements and Trading Cards


- Still some bugs and crashes being worked out
- Lack of formations for squads/troops
- RTS elements could have options allowing more control



Spellforce 3 is an enchanting RPG/RTS hybrid that shines brightly in a dull and uninteresting field of games. While the price may seem daunting at first look for many gamers, its a worthy investment that offers many hours of interesting gameplay. Given a fair chance, this title will not disappoint and will stand the test of time.

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For those of you out there who are in search of an exciting RTS I will get straight to the point...Buy Cossacks 3. This game is loaded with hours of fun and challenging gameplay, both in the single player campaigns or random maps versus AI opponents, as well as the multiplayer battlefields. To summarize this game simply: If the Age of Empires series and the Total War series were meshed together into a complete game, this would be Cossacks 3. (If you want more in-depth information then continue reading the full game review.)


Cossacks 3 is the latest sequel to the Cossacks series published and developed by GSC Game World, a Ukranian game developer whose name may not be well-known in the gaming community. However, their work should definitely be familiar (S.T.A.L.K.E.R., American Conquest, Cossacks, Heroes of Annihilated Empires). This game is a "return to their roots" release based upon the game that started it all, Cossacks: European Wars. In fact, gameplay is very similar to the original with extra features and enhanced graphics to bolster it. Many RTS fans have been starving for a really solid and entertaining game to fill the void in this genre for some time and Cossacks 3 is offering to do just that.

While there have been countless RTS games released in the last decade, most have come up short in recent years, failing to captivate an audience or offer a complete gaming experience to strategic simulation fans. Probably the last notable game was Starcraft 2 (love it or hate it) over 6 years ago. Gamers today desire more than just a rinse-repeat of the same old things without anything to keep them coming back for more. This is where Cossacks 3 stands out from the pack.

There are different types of RTS gamers. Some enjoy the base-building and resource management aspects. Others enjoy the strategic battlefield elements. And even more crave the bloodlust of the multiplayer arena to showcase their strategic prowess. Unlike most RTS games, Cossacks 3 doesn't just focus on one particular area. Instead, it covers all of these areas and does it exceedingly well. With streamlined research and simplified resource management, players are able to focus more on the base-building and militarization aspects.

Games can be played in the form of several unique and historical single player campaigns, completely customizable random maps, and multiplayer or multiplayer/co-op games. Each of the solo campaigns focus on specific nations during a historical point in their culture and can be played at different levels of difficulty. They offer challenging gameplay for the experienced RTS gamer even at "Normal" difficulty settings. With continued developer support for this game, its likely that more nations and campaigns will be added in the future as well. Random Maps can be played versus up to 6 AI opponents and offers various settings for map generation, starting resources, etc. Multiplayer games can be played as individual opponents fighting for total conquest versus up to 6 other opponents or in co-op battles consisting of 1,2, or 3 player teams working together to control the map. As the developers at GSC Game World promised, this game is fully supportive of the modding community and they have included a game editor in order to allow for personal modding and community developed scenarios to further expand playability and interest.

Unlike similar games, there is no true limit to army size and can easily number in the thousands as long as you provide the base support to accommodate it. This means massive battles are possible. Gameplay is based on 17th and 18th century European warfare. Currently, Cossacks 3 boasts twelve different nations with their own unique units and architectural style, along with numerous research technologies at your fingertips to gain the upper hand against your opponents. This game proudly boasts a realistic ballistics engine as well.

Another aspect that sets the Cossacks series apart is its method of combat resolution. While it still loosely employs the "rock, paper, scissors" resolution of combat, Cossacks 3 takes it much farther than other games of this type by awarding terrain and elevation bonuses, along with a true fog of war (line of sight only) to give a more realistic approach to combat. Battles are fast-paced and require quick and decisive actions so there is never a dull moment.


+ Solid graphics and original soundtrack
+ Single, multi, co-op options offer high replay value
+ Numerous customization options and settings
+ Huge variety of units and unique civilizations (more to come)
+ Numerous technologies able to be researched
+ More realistic combat than similar games
+ 6 different resource types with streamlined management
+ Massive battles with 1000's of troops possible
+ Familiar and minimal user interface
+ Challenging gameplay for even experienced RTS gamers
+ Mod community support and editing tools included
+ Low PC resource usage = runs smooth on old PC's
+ Simple controls and hotkeys available
+ Dialogue translated in multiple languages
+ Steam Achievements


- Still a few bugs and crashes being worked out
- Lack of a speed button in the user interface
- Building variety is limited & no rotating option
- Once conflict begins all focus on buildings is lost
- No voiceovers or narratives - requires a lot of reading
- Lack of heroes/notable figures keeps players detached
- Default camera is restrictive/free camera is still buggy


True to its name, Cossacks 3 is a game about military might and battlefield prowess. This throwback sequel pays homage to its roots, and while bringing RTS lovers a nostalgic feeling of days gone by, it still manages to deliver something fresh and new with modern graphics and realistic combat mechanics. The folks at GSC Game World are actively invested in this game and are already working on a ton of more content to be added such as additional nations (more unique units), another 6 complete campaigns, and historical multiplayer battles according to the Cossacks 3 Official Website[www.cossacks3.com].

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The Mims Beginning is a breath of fresh air in an increasingly stagnate gaming pool. At first glance, the game may look light and simple but very quickly you begin to see that this is a deep, well-designed strategy/god-mode game. The graphics are very detailed, the artwork is beautiful, the mechanics are flawless. If you think that because its a god-mode strategy game that it will be boring, then guess again. There is plenty of action/activities to keep you busy without having to micro-manage your units and economy. Research will increase the options and powers available during gameplay while continuing to upgrade and expand your alien colony. For any strategy gaming fan, I strongly recommend picking this game up. Most games are only moderately worth their sale prices, especially indie games. But this game is well worth the full price.

The big name gaming developers should take a few lessons from the Squatting Penguins Studio. This is how a game is supposed to be released. Out-of-the-box, ready to play. 100+ hours of gameplay and I have yet to experience a single bug. No glitches in gameplay, no graphics hiccups or units falling through maps, no game crashes. The game runs smooth and seamlessly like any released game should. Even more amazing is that this is still an early-access game so bugs and glitches are normally accepted and typically expected. A lot of care and effort went into this release and true gamers will notice and appreciate it right away.

Without going into a lengthy game description, The Mims Beginning will have the typical RTS simulation components, but with its own distinct approach. Expect a well-balanced economic system, a rich story to tie the campaign missions together nicely, an assortment of interesting buildings and units to build as you establish your camps, and a variety of research.

The one area that is lacking when compared to most games of this genre is the variety of units. In this game, you have only a couple of types to choose from. The basic, or generic Mim performs assorted tasks as you assign them rather than being specialized. Perhaps in the future more unit types will be added, but the game functions just fine with the current unit structure. The developer has stated that more features and game modes will be added as development progresses. As for the game's mechanics and features, here are some things that you should know:

+ Graphics are top-notch and run flawlessly even on the highest settings. Great detail and color
+ Absence of bugs/crashes (Makes a game much more enjoyable)
+ Gameplay is rich and deep with a clever resource economy and challenging goals
+ Learning curve is acceptable for beginners and an in-depth tutorial campaign is included
+ Camera controls are included and easy to use while navigating the maps
+ Although this is a God-mode game, autonomy option is able to be turned off when desired
+ Simple game controls / Window mode available if desired
+ Well-developed story for the campaign mode

- No save feature included in current release
- Limited options for adjusting graphics in the event your system has trouble running the game
- Window mode is restricted to specifically selected screen resolutions only.
- Currently not a lot of replay value (likely to change in the final version with Survival Mode)
- The AI for units is sometimes frustrating as they seem to wander aimlessly about rather than perform their assigned tasks (possibly by design?)

Keep in mind that at the time of this review, the game is still in Early Access beta and will likely improve and include more features. Considering that, this game is very impressive. At first glance it looks like its going to be some simple cartoon-ish indie that will fill an hour or two of free time. But nothing could be further from the truth. Hours of challenging and entertaining gameplay awaits and a good bit of light humor is mixed into the storyline as well. Rarely do I enjoy an early access game this much. I anxiously await the final release.


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