Video Games – Page 3 – Ms. Bella's World

6–9 minutes

The holiday season has begun and, as we march towards Christmas, it’s time to start thinking about the perfect gift for your loved ones. And if there’s a gamer on the list, it can feel like an epic quest to find something for them. So here’s a list of a few things that would be on my Christmas wishlist to give you some suggestions to take with you.

Note – None of these links provided are sponsored or affiliate links. I’m just sharing what I think would be some great gifts based off of things I would want myself.

Video games

The first, and most obvious gift, would be video games. And while AAA games are top of the list, there are some great indie games out there to please many different tastes.

For the gamer that wants a laidback game to relax with –

Tiny Glade – Sept 23rd, 2024, full release ($14.99 on Steam)
Tiny Glade is a relaxing little city builder gamer where you create medieval themed diorama scenes to your hearts content. Using the pieces the game provides, combine them, shrink them, or make them bigger. Build anything from a small hamlet of cosy cottages to a city with a castle as the shining beacon. Or build a beautiful but desolate set of ruins. The world is yours, what will you create?
Tiny House Simulator – Nov 5th, 2024, Early Access ($17.99 on Steam)
If your gamer likes their building a little more modern and their game more structured, then Tiny House Sim might be more suited to them. In this game, they’ll be creating custom tiny homes for their clients based on each client’s needs. And if they just want to build, there’s a sandbox mode as well.
Trash Goblin – Nov 6, 2024, Early Access ($14.99 on Steam)
Trash Goblin is a relaxing simulation game where the player plays as a goblin shopkeeper who needs to find & clean trinkets to sell to a cast of quirky characters. Make money, upgrade the shop, and customize it. I’ve personally tried the demo for this one and found it colorful but relaxing.

Perhaps your gamer prefers some high octane action in small doses for those bits of time when they can sit down and enjoy their hobby? Then a bulletheaven game may be right up their alley, and here are a couple I recommend –

Karate Survivor – Oct 30, 2024, full release ($4.99 on Steam)
Recently released, Karate Survivor is an action roguelike with a heavy nod to action movies of the ’80s. Kick and punch your way through waves of enemies. Use your environment to your advantage and against your foes. Master combos and enhance your skills. It’s a lot of fun, a retro throwback and well worth the small price.
TemTem Swarm – Nov 13, 2024, early access (Price not Listed)
This bulletheaven, based on the creature capturing game TemTem, is bright, colorful, and a lot of fun judging by the demo. Collect Tems, fight them, evolve them, and battle massive bosses, both solo or co-op with up to 3 players. It’s sure to be a great timewaster for your gamer. I know I’ve spent a few hours in the demo already!
Soulstone Survivors – Nov 7, 2022, early access ($9.99 on Steam)
While this one is a couple of years old, it deserves a recommendation. With a colorful style, lots of characters and weapons to unlock and upgrade, and customizable difficulties, the game will provide hours of fun for anyone that’s a fan of the genre. This game has to bonus of being regularly updated, adding new weapons and characters to the mix. This is my personal guilty pleasure bulletheaven.

You say your gamer likes the RPG genre? Well, here’s a couple of games coming up that might interest them too –

Mirthwood – Nov 6, 2024, Full release ($24.99 on Steam)
In Mirthwood, a single player RPG life sim, your gamer will find themselves in a medieval fantasy world where they can build a home and a simple life of farming and trading or grab a weapon and go out on epic adventures. The stylized graphics are charming with a muted color palette that won’t make the eyes bleed and it appears to have a lot to do and a lot of freedom.
Like a Dragon – Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – Feb 20 2025 (Pre-order $59.99)
Your gamer prefers a huge dose of action and humor with their RPG? Then the Like a Dragon franchise has them covered and the latest entry, set to release in February of 2025, looks to continue the fun and hijinks the game series is known for. This time, they’ll be going on a pirate adventure with an ex-yakuza and their crew. The pre-purchase price for the base game is $59.99 or you can splurge and get them the digital deluxe edition for $74.99 that will include bonuses like a legendary pirate crew pack, legendary outfits, and ship customization pack. Sail the high seas, yarr!

If you can’t decide exactly what game to get your gamer, a gift card is always a great choice. Whether they use Steam, GOG, Humble, Fanatical, or some other gaming service, you’re likely to find a way to give them the funds they need to purchase their next favorite game.

Extras

Don’t feel like the hassle of getting them a game because they’ve got so many that you’re not sure what to get them? Well, this list is for you, with some fun little ideas to suit different price ranges.

Under $25

Funny socks – The gamer that sits at their desk will appreciate some fun and comfortable socks to slip on while they’re playing their favorite game. For example, these “Do Not Disturb, I’m Gaming” socks from Amazon are $6.99!
LED Light Strip with Remote – Perhaps your gamer likes to dress up their gaming space. There are a wide range of LED light strips available, most with color changing functions and remotes. This set of lights on Amazon – Daybetter RGB Smart IC – costs $12.99 and provices 16.4′ of light strip, perfect for backlighting a monitor.
Cable Management Clips – For the more practical gamer, a kit of cable management clips may be the perfect little gift. I’m personally loving this 192 piece set on Amazon, with everything you could possibly need to tame the tangle of wires, all for $14.95.

Under $50

Heated Coffee Mug Warmer & Mug Set – If your gamer loves their coffee or hot tea, but is forever forgetting to drink it before it gets cold, then this will be a great gift. It comes with a corded warmer plate that can be programmed to between 77 – 158 degrees F (25 – 70 degrees C) and a stainless steel mug with lid. An attractive set, currently $30 at Amazon.
Mini Fridge (6 can) AC/DC – You say your gamer prefers cold drinks? Well a mini fridge may be just the thing for them. This one has room for 6 cans, runs on AC or DC current, and comes in white, black, or pink. The white one is $40.99, while black costs $41.99 and pink costs $42.99.
A Snack Box – Every gamer loves to have a little something on hand to munch on, so don’t forget the snacks. There are a huge variety of snack boxes available to suit a variety of tastes. Personally, I’m digging this 40 Japanese Candy & snack box for $27.97.

Under $100

LED Desk Lamp with RGB – If your gamer wants the function of a good desk lamp with the fun of RGB, then this one looks to be prime. The lamp features a bendable gooseneck that attaches to the desk via clamp, keeping it out of the way, 5 white/warm color temperatures, and 7 RGB modes, as well as a remote. I’m not huge on RGB but even I would love to get this lamp. On Amazon for $69.99.
Rechargeable Heated Gloves – For the gamer who complains that their hands are cold or cramped (I’m guilty of both!) these gloves are a perfect gift. They come in medium or large, have 2 heat settings, and a 3000mAh battery. They also can fully cover the fingers or be fingerless, making them a great indoor/outdoor pair of gloves. These onn Amazon are currently $49.00, with a 25% off coupon to boot!
Razer Base Station V2 Chroma Headset Stand – For the gamer that wants a sturdy stand to hang their headset on, this base station from Razer has the bells and whistles. Featuring a sturdy base with anti-slip ledge, Chroma USB lighting, and 2 USB charging ports, it will help to keep every neat, tidy, and stylish. It’s on Amazon for $69.99.

So, there you have it, some ideas for what to get a gamer for Christmas. Now this list is based on things I would personally love to get as a gamer and not at all exhaustive. Did I miss something you think would make a great gift? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Let the countdown to Christmas begin and, until next time, bye for now!

3–4 minutes

Every so often, a survival game comes along that sinks its hooks into me—and Enshrouded is one of them. Developed by Keen Games, it’s a mix of crafting, exploration, and mystery, all wrapped in a world teetering on the edge of collapse. If you enjoy games that challenge your resourcefulness while keeping you curious about what’s around the next corner, this one might be for you.

In Enshrouded, you find yourself in a land destroyed by a strange elixir—an alchemical creation that corrupted everything it touched. Now, the world lies abandoned, with the remnants of civilization being consumed by the shroud. Survival here isn’t just about building a cozy base—it’s about figuring out how to navigate a world that wants to destroy you.

As the Flameborn, you must explore the world, push back the Shroud and rescue the remnants of society, sleeping in Cinder vaults. Each survivor you rescue becomes an NPC at your base, expanding you ability to craft items to help you survive in a harsh world.

The Red Shroud: Death’s Kiss
The shroud is an active threat that can turn a peaceful outing into a desperate scramble. Gus and I learned this the hard way, getting ourselves killed via missteps into the wrong places. While the blue shroud is survivable for short periods of time, the red shroud forces you to make every venture into the wild intentional—you can’t just gather resources at your leisure. A step into its territory is deadly, so be cautious where you go.

Enemies in a Broken World
Exploring outside your base means running into creatures affected by both the elixir and the shroud. Some are feral beasts while others seem like they were once human—but now they wander aimlessly, mindless and aggressive. These mobs aren’t just obstacles; they tell the story of a civilization that tried to harness magic and failed.

The elixir doesn’t just destroy—it mutates. Some enemies are stronger the closer they get to areas consumed by the shroud, making combat feel tense and unpredictable. What might start as a simple skirmish with a lone mob can quickly escalate in the shroud, amplifying their strength and turning the tide against you. The elixir’s corruption also hints at a deeper mystery. Who created it? And can the world be saved—or is it already too far gone?

Building a Base That Feels Like Home
Despite the chaos outside, there’s peace in base building. Gus and I spent time gathering materials and repairing the ruins we found, turning them into something livable. Progress doesn’t come easy, but every log placed or wall repaired feels like a small win.

There’s also a deeper satisfaction in building a base with a friend. When the world outside is falling apart, having a place to return to, built with your own hands, makes all the difference. With each repair, you reclaim a little bit of safety—a reminder that even in a world consumed by the shroud, life can still flourish.

Why Enshrouded Deserves Your Attention
Though Enshrouded is still in development, it already offers a compelling experience. The interplay between exploration, combat, and survival feels fresh, especially with the added danger of the shroud and the way it influences the enemies you encounter. There’s a constant tension between curiosity and caution, pulling you deeper into the world while reminding you that every step could be your last.

If you enjoy survival games that reward creativity and teamwork, this one’s worth a try—especially if you have a friend to share the adventure with. And if you love a bit of mystery mixed with your crafting, you’ll find plenty to uncover in Enshrouded.

Until next time … hold firm Flameborn and bye for now!