Recent reviews by Lily

So it is again time to review, yes a good game, yes a fun game, yes it needs more people, yes I recommend it. ok? You won't believe me, you won't play it, it's ok. I will.

Overall Impression
Strewth, I've clocked about 300 hours into *Morimens* since it dropped on Steam, and it's fair dinkum one of the most addictive roguelite deck-builders I've played in yonks. It's like *Slay the Spire* shacked up with Lovecraft in a dodgy uni dorm, and they birthed this madcap card game full of eldritch horrors and cheeky waifus. Engaging as all get-out, with runs that fly by quicker than a mozzie at a barbie, but it can get frustrating when the RNG gods decide to chuck a spanner in the works. Fun? You betcha - I've lost whole arvos to "just one more go" sessions. Not perfect, mind you; it's still early days, but crikey, it's got potential to be a ripper.

Gameplay Mechanics
Righto, let's yarn about the guts of it. You're the Keeper at this Mythag University joint, linking up with these "awakers" - think anthropomorphic weapons that are half-hot anime chick, half-tentacled nightmare straight out of a bad acid trip. You build your deck from over 185 cards (and counting, apparently), mixing summons, spells, and buffs to tackle misty maps full of random events, shops, and boss fights that'd make Cthulhu himself chuck a wobbly.

Combat's turn-based card battling: draw your hand, play what you can afford with energy, and watch the chaos unfold. It's lightweight roguelite, so runs are short and sweet - die, and you're back to the hub with some permanent unlocks to tweak your next build. Four main realms to explore, each with their own flavour of madness: foggy swamps, crumbling libraries, that sort of caper. Progression feels ace; you unlock new awakers, card upgrades, and even death-defying perks that let you cheat the reaper a bit.

What works? The deck-building is deep without being a headache - plenty of synergies to chase, like stacking madness effects for big payoffs or going full summon spam with your favourite eldritch gal. PvP mode's a hoot too; no grinding needed, just jump in for quick scraps with twisted card rules. Gripes? RNG can be a mongrel - I've had runs where I pull nothing but duds, and the map events sometimes feel samey after a while. Oh, and the tutorial's a bit skimpy; took me a few failed runs to wrap me head around the madness mechanic properly. Still, it's highly replayable, and the devs are chucking in updates like nobody's business.

Graphics and Sound
Visually, it's a treat for the eyes - unique art style with these stylised, almost chibi-like characters that nail the Cthulhu vibe without going full horror show. The awakers are diverse as a mixed grill: some cute and quirky, others proper creepy with tentacles and glowing eyes. Card art's top-notch, full of little details like swirling mists and ancient runes. The maps are misty and atmospheric, but could use a bit more variety; after 50 runs, the foggy backdrops start blending together like vegemite on toast.

Soundtrack's a belter - evocative tunes that build tension during battles, mixing eerie whispers with dramatic swells. Sound effects are spot-on: the *whoosh* of a card play, the guttural roars of bosses, even subtle madness whispers that make you question if your headphones are buggered. No voice acting that I've noticed, but the music carries the mood like a pro. Runs smooth on my rig, no crashes or anything, though it could do with some more polish on the UI - those tiny card texts are a bugger to read without squinting.

Story and Characters
The narrative's a slow-burn descent into madness, delivered in episodic chunks as you progress through runs. You're uncovering this covert calamity at the uni, linking with awakers who're all teetering on the edge of insanity. Each one's got a personality that shines through in flavour text and story beats: one's a sassy silver key wielder, another's a brooding tome guardian with a tragic backstory. Worldbuilding draws heavy from Cthulhu mythos - eldritch gods, forgotten secrets, the whole shebang - but it's wrapped in this university setting that's equal parts spooky and whimsical.

Character development happens outside battles too; you build bonds or something to unlock their full potential, which ties into the lore nicely. It's heart-rending at times, showing human (or half-human) struggles amid the apocalypse. Not gonna spoil it, but there's some ripper twists that had me going "stone the crows!" If you're into Lovecraft lite with a dash of anime flair, you'll lap it up. Just don't expect a linear epic - it's more piecemeal, revealed run by run.

Personal Experience
One standout moment: I was deep in a run with my go-to deck built around this awaker named... bugger, can't remember, the one with the tentacle whip. Anyway, facing off against a boss that kept summoning minions faster than I could swat 'em. I was down to my last health, madness meter maxed out, and pulled off a combo that flipped the script - turned the boss's own summons against it with a madness card. Felt like a legend, mate. Yelled "get in!" so loud the dog bolted.

Another time, I bombed a PvP match hard 'cause I didn't grok the new card effects - got absolutely rinsed by some bloke with a cheese strat. Laughed it off, queued up again, and turned the tables next round. Oh, and the first time I unlocked a new realm? The story drop hit like a ton of bricks; had me pondering the "burden of secrets" bollocks while sipping me cuppa. Game's got that pull, y'know? Even when it kicks ya in the guts with bad luck.

Recommendation
Reckon you'd love *Morimens* if you're into roguelite deck-builders like *Slay the Spire* or *Inscryption*, fancy a bit of Cthulhu flavour without the full-on terror, or just want something replayable with cute/creepy characters. It's low barrier to entry, so even if you're a newbie to the genre, you'll pick it up quick smart. PvP adds longevity, and the story's got enough meat to keep lore hounds happy.

Skip it if you hate RNG or need a super polished experience right out the gate - it's got that indie charm with a few rough edges. For the price? Cheaper than a flat white and twice as addictive. Grab it, give it a burl, and may the Silver Key guide ya through the madness. Just don't blame me if you end up pulling an all-nighter chasing that perfect run.