The Cub Reviews
The Cub is a step sideways for Demagog Studio, with middling platforming stages, forgettable collectibles and underwhelming set pieces lifted up only by the signature Radio Nostalgia.
If The Cub were a TV show, I'd watch it but as a game, it's both very limiting and needlessly irritating. Its presentation really saves it.
The Cub is an eye candy. But it looks better than it tastes.
Review in Russian | Read full review
With lacklustre gameplay, and an uninteresting world, The Cub ends up feeling like a cheap knock-off of the games that clearly inspired it.
It makes for an experience maybe just half a step above average. You have played many games just like The Cub before, but you've never played one that looks or sounds like it.
An enjoyable narrative adventure, but unfortunately not much more.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Despite the good story, The Cub is just an average platform with movements and jumps that can feel stiff at times.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It is a discreet, humble game that takes another step in the direction Demagog took with Golf Club Nostalgia; another step for a very interesting studio that with The Cub continues to put before us the uncomfortable mirror of climate apathy, of the disconnection with the consequences of letting power accumulate until it is too late, of the danger of wallowing in "apocalypse porn" while we watch the world collapse around us.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Ultimately, The Cub is a fun, if not a bit safe, 2D platformer. The desolate world created by Demagog Studio is a joy to traverse again, and while the gameplay doesn't evolve meaningfully in its short run time, The Cub manages to pull you in with its excellent visuals, and catchy soundtrack.
Short but entertaining, there’s a lot to like with The Cub. Its post-apocalyptic world is fascinating, and getting to collect numerous artefacts gives good reason to poke around off the beaten path when you’re given the opportunity. The platforming here is fun and varied, mixing up fast-paced running-and-jumping with more measured stealth sections. Sure, there’s the odd frustration – but that comes with the territory of 2D platforming. This is a fun way to spend a few hours – particularly if you enjoyed the atmosphere of Golf Club Nostalgia.
The Cub is a solid cinematic action platformer that could have had tighter controls. Its audio and visuals are its biggest draw and while the story sticks to landing, the core themes of the narrative are utterly insulting. The misanthropic ideals it spews are shallow and the game would have been better off without it.
The Cub is a functional platformer, but not a flashy one. Movement can feel stiff at times, but the colorful landscapes and levels will still carry the experience. If you're a big fan of platformers, you'll certainly find some enjoyment within the approximately four hour experience, even if it can feel less than ambitious at times.
Despite The Cub's basic platforming, with clunky trial and error, its slightly bizarre world, cool and varied music, and great visual design make it worth playing.
It’s too bad that the platforming can’t also be described as near-perfect, since that would’ve made The Cub a must-play. As it stands, it’s a surprisingly appropriate sequel to a game that wouldn’t have seemed like it needed one, and if you want more of that apocalyptic Earth, you won’t regret revisiting it here.
It’s a short experience and while the content is satisfying, a longer gameplay experience could have allowed for a more in-depth exploration of the narrative and character development. That said, the game’s positive aspects contribute to a satisfying and thoughtful gaming experience and I look forward to seeing what the developer does next.
The Cub is a fascinating romp through post-apocalyptic Earth. Balancing dark themes with delightful levity, the game finds a way to showcase both the best and worst of humanity with biting wit, vivid visuals, and impeccably implemented audio. It's all let down somewhat by gameplay sequences that can't maintain the same quality as the game's other elements. However, even with that rather big caveat, The Cub still manages to present a lovely package worth opening.
The rich took off to Mars quite some time ago and now the toxic Earth is ruled by the orphans of the apocalypse. But one of these cubs is extra curious in the ways of humans compared to the others. Raised by the wolves, equipped with a dead astronaut's helmet with Nostalgia radio and well skilled for parkour traversal of this dead man's land. Are you brave enough to embark with him on this short yet dark adventure across the dangerous surfaces of our planet, overtaken by the forces of sci-fi nature and ready to face-off any unwanted intruders?
Review in Slovak | Read full review
The Cub might not be as responsive as it should be when jumping and climbing, it's still a fun game to play with fantastic audio throughout.
Though failing to break new ground in platforming adventure, the scenery and general feel work while it lasts
The Cub is a very exciting platforming romp that never slows down thanks to its rich variety of gameplay and manic set pieces. It looks gorgeous too, whilst the radio station that plays throughout your journey adds a dash of realism to the catastrophic plight that Earth faced prior to your adventure. It isn’t perfect, with a few little issues with the controls early on and the occasional frustration here and there, but I found myself completely hooked in from start to end. You’ll probably beat it in one sitting, but those few hours playing will be a hell of a lot of fun.