Posted in Channel News, Hobbies, Life, PC gaming, Video Games

Ms. Bella Games: Celebrating 2024 and Gearing Up for 2025

3–5 minutes

Well, Good Morning!

As we approach the end of the year, I’ve been reflecting on the growth of Ms. Bella Games over the past 12 months. Since this time last year, we’ve almost doubled in size—thank you so much for your incredible support! Whether you’ve subscribed, watched videos, or left a comment, I genuinely appreciate you being part of this journey.

While I’m still learning the ropes of livestreaming, I’m happy with the progress so far. It seems the most popular streams right now are LOTRO and Morrowind, so those will remain regular features. That said, I’d love to experiment with a couple of shorter streams each week to showcase other games I’m enjoying. No set schedule for this yet, but expect a mix of titles, including Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, which some of you have specifically requested. Fair warning: I’m sure I won’t be very good at it—but it’ll be fun to try!

I’m also toying with the idea of dedicating a weekly short stream to bullet heaven games. I own way too many of them, and some are absolute gems that deserve more attention.

As for the weekly schedule, not much is changing, but here’s a quick rundown of what’s in store:

Monday – Grim Dawn. I’m having a blast testing builds with the Cheater Crest mod. Currently, it’s a race between my Cabalist and Death Knight builds to see which one becomes my next permanent character. With an expansion on the horizon, there’s even more to look forward to.

Tuesday/Thursday – LOTRO, my all-time favorite MMO.t. Marcellene, Medrielle, and Thormurn remain steadfast companions in our adventures, and Harbareth will soon make her return to the livestream rotation. By popular demand, I’m also working on a short video series exploring the art of crafting in Middle Earth. Whether you’re new to LOTRO or a seasoned player, these videos will dive into everything from profession combos to crafting for fun. Stay tuned!

Wednesday – Guild Wars 2. This game has surprised me with how much I enjoy it, even as I adjust to its unique mechanics. Janthir Wilds has been a delight, and I’m especially excited about housing and decorating when I finally unlock it!

Friday – Enshrouded has temporarily taken over the Valheim slot, but Valheim fans, don’t worry—it’s not forgotten. Gus and I are brainstorming ideas for a fresh playthrough with stricter rules and limited mods.

Saturday – Skyrim. Admittedly, this game was a slow burn for me. After several failed attempts to get into it, something finally clicked, and now I’m loving the adventures (and chaos).

Sunday – Let’s Play day. Right now, I’m exploring Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning. It’s a fantastic mix of engaging quests, amusing NPCs, and a surprisingly massive world. Even as 2024 wraps up, I’ll personally continue playing it into next year.

Looking ahead to 2025, I’m thrilled about the potential lineup of games. Here are a few contenders for next year’s Let’s Play series:

Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria – A survival game set in Middle Earth, where you play as a dwarf reclaiming Moria from orcs and other nasties. I’ve been waiting to dive into this one!

Aloft – Releasing January 15, 2025, this Early Access survival game features floating islands around a giant hurricane. I loved the demo and can’t wait to explore more.

Eden Crafters – A blend of The Planet Crafter and automation games, this title has lots of potential. Updates are expected through 2025, so it might pop up in Q3 or Q4.

Dragon Age: Origins – A classic with a gritty, dark storyline. I’ll explore mods to enhance the experience if this makes the cut.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor – Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this hack-and-slash game could bring plenty of action (and likely a lot of deaths).

Necrophosis – A grim, atmospheric game that wowed me with its demo. It doesn’t have a release date yet, but I’m keeping an eye on it.

Skyblivion – The mod I’ve been eagerly anticipating since I heard of its existence is supposed to be releasing in 2025. It may very well be a serious contender for Saturday’s Skyrim slot too!

Of course, there are other exciting possibilities like Path of Exile 2, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Light No Fire. No matter what makes the final cut, 2025 is already shaping up to be a packed year of gaming adventures.

Thank you again for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just found the channel, your support truly means the world to me. I’m excited to see where 2025 takes us, and I hope you’ll join me for all the fun, challenges, and surprises along the way. Here’s to another fantastic year of gaming together!

Until next time, bye for now!

Posted in Cheap Games, Game Showcases, Hobbies, Indie Games, PC gaming, steam, Steam Cooking Fest, Video Games

Love Cooking Games? Check Out Steam Cooking Fest

2–3 minutes

Steam’s game showcases are always fun, and the Steam Cooking Fest (now until Nov. 18th) is no exception! Featuring a buffet of cooking-themed games, some with delicious discounts, there’s something here for every type of foodie-gamer.

Here’s a taste of a few games I thought looked especially appetizing:

Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator (Cyanide Studio, Feb 23, 2023)
In Chef Life, you create and run your dream restaurant, controlling everything from décor to the final dish. With an overall Very Positive rating, this one looks like it’s worth trying for any budding restaurateur—and it’s on sale for just $8.99, a tasty 70% off.

Chef RPG (World 2 Studio, Sept 12, 2024)
Want to blend your love of cooking with an RPG adventure? Chef RPG, currently in Early Access, might be your game. Its pixel-art style is charming, and the RPG elements give it a unique twist. Plus, it’s rated Very Positive and discounted at $17.99 (10% off).

Coffee Caravan (Broccoli Games, May 20, 2024)
If you’re craving a cute, coffee-fueled road trip, Coffee Caravan could be a treat. The game’s aesthetics are cozy, and I’ll likely be grabbing it myself before the sale ends. With Very Positive reviews, it’s $8.99, 25% off the regular price.

Coffee Shop Tycoon (Riff Studios, Dec 19, 2022)
Can’t get enough caffeine? Coffee Shop Tycoon lets you do it all—roast your beans, make custom recipes, and build a coffee empire. It’s got a Very Positive rating, and at just $3.99 (a steep 60% discount), this one’s hard to pass up.

Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator (Auroch Digital, Sept 29, 2022)
More of a craft beer fan? Brewmaster offers a realistic brewing simulation where you create custom ales, experiment with recipes, and even enter competitions. With Mostly Positive reviews, it’s a steal at $4.49 (75% off).

Kebob Chefs! – Restaurant Simulator (Biotech Gameworks, Jan 19, 2024)
Ready for some co-op cooking chaos? Kebob Chefs! lets you and up to three friends build the ultimate kebob restaurant together. This Early Access game is on sale for $10.79, a savory 40% off.

Venba (Visai Games, Jul 31, 2023)
Venba offers a unique, narrative-driven cooking experience. Play as an Indian mom in 1980s Canada, exploring South Indian recipes and family stories through charming graphics. This one’s at the top of my list, and with Very Positive reviews, it’s well worth the $7.49 price tag (a 50% discount).

If you’re in the mood for some culinary adventures, the Steam Cooking Fest has plenty to offer! From creating your dream restaurant to brewing craft beer or exploring coffee culture, these games showcase the diverse and delicious world of cooking simulators. With discounts on highly-rated titles, now’s a great time to expand your library and maybe even pick up a few new skills in the kitchen—virtually, at least!

Until next time, bye for now!