Cubed3's Reviews
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin features a deceptively complex combat system with nigh endless monster customisation options. Players can craft powerful monsters by acquiring genes through gameplay, and this system encourages players to continuously battle and collect monster eggs. The story is standard for a JRPG but is elevated by elements from the Monster Hunter universe and high-quality cutscenes. The voice acting and writing is well done, except for the character of Navirou who is a constant irritant. Overall, Monster Hunter Stories 2 offers deep gameplay for those that enjoy complex character building. The PlayStation 4 conversion is dazzling, and anyone who already played it on Nintendo Switch should consider this updated port for its improved fidelity.
It is hard to find reasons to recommend Dead Dragons when the game itself could not be finished due to an unusual issue. All the unfortunate trifling elements contribute to the sentiment that it is not the usual fun Kemco style of RPGs. There are not even enjoyable secret passages to explore to offset the numerous issues. Perhaps this is one title that should not have been ported to Nintendo Switch.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is lucky to have seen the light of day. The trade-off is one of the rockiest launches since Cyberpunk 2077. The game is already a very specific acquired taste, but compounded with the hopelessly unplayable state, it cannot be recommended...yet. Maybe one day after the developers' home is free from the global strife, they can take the time to salvage what could be a pretty cool game. Until then, stay safe, stalkers.
Deadcraft offers a stimulating farming and harvesting mechanic that keeps the gameplay engaging, despite the easier difficulty level. It targets those who prefer a darker, more punk-nihilistic aesthetic compared to the lighter, cuter style of series like Rune Factory. It runs very well on Nintendo Switch, and while the visuals may not be as polished as a AAA title, Deadcraft makes up for it with its unique style and creative gameplay.
The general quality of Read Only Memories: Neurodiver is surprisingly good. Between the facial animations, likeable protagonist, and general humour, the game hits a lot of key points that are rare nowadays. What really drags things down is that some segments become very hard to advance due to not clicking on the correct object or mixing items the right way. Further, while the day-to-day story is quite entertaining, the larger plot simply takes far too long to develop, which may leave players to check out before it takes off.
DreadOut distinguishes itself within the horror genre by drawing inspiration from Indonesian folklore, creating a unique and intriguing atmosphere. Regretfully, it is painful to play due to the harrowing roughness of the final product. Despite its current flaws, it possesses potential for improvement. A critical update is necessary to rectify game-breaking glitches, crashes, and graphical bugs. Given the prolonged period of unresolved issues on the PC platform, the likelihood of these fixes being applied to any console versions is remote.
Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit is a surprisingly effective and well-made entry in a franchise that is overblown and played out. The adventure gameplay crossed with survival horror is exactly what this series needed. Bolstered with impressive pixel art and animation, it stands out from average indie horror titles by setting the bar high with its craftsmanship. The plot and time travel rules won't always make sense and come at the expense of the writer trying to tell a story. Looking past these flaws is still an impressive and butt-clenching horror title that is dense with thrills and chills.
Max Mustard is a joyous platformer that wears its inspiration on its sleeve. It makes great use of the PS VR2 hardware by involving players in the action not just through direct control of Max, but through interactions with the environment. The popping colours, happy vibes and cool art style all help it feel really polished and exciting from start to end. With punchy boss fights and a great sense of scale, there really isn't anything this doesn't do really well. A thorough recommendation for PS VR2 owners!
Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion Remastered is far from a definitive remaster. It was always a subpar FPS on Nintendo 64, and try as it might, Nightdive Studios could only polish an average shooter so far. The developer's efforts were also questionable since the multiplayer mode was cut, and some of the new visuals look horribly out of place. At the very least, Turok 3 is (mostly) preserved along with its predecessors, and fans can rest easy knowing that they have the entire trilogy at their fingertips.
Madison VR is a real thrilling port of this horror title and is an example of just how immersive the genre can be when played in this medium. The original gameplay is expertly translated into the VR space and indeed arguably amplified by it. From a sound and atmosphere perspective, this is a premium experience – even if at times other games on the Meta Quest have offered a bit more of the tactile interactable objects. Some of those quality of life and accessibility features could use improvements and may put some people off. However, it’s so easy to get lost in this world and taken over by the creepy atmosphere that overlooking some of the missing features is relatively easy to do.
Amerzone: The Explorer's Legacy is a fantastic adventure game and a great remake. What Microids has created here is a great tribute to Sokal's original work, producing something far more lavish and accomplished that manages to carry the charm and emotion that the storytelling deserves. A real good 'un!
Lunar Remastered Collection is a meticulously curated compilation that preserves the integrity of the original PlayStation versions while introducing subtle enhancements. Gameplay remains largely unaltered, with the most significant quality-of-life addition being adjustable battle speed controls, so some modern players may need to curve their expectations. This feature streamlines combat, expediting minor encounters and grinding sessions. Lunar Remastered Collection showcases two exemplary JRPGs from the genre’s peak era and offers a compelling, accessible package at an attractive price, making it an essential experience for enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic yet refined presentation of these influential titles.
Star Wars Outlaws is a fantastic and thrilling entry in the series. It uproots a lot of the established Star Wars game tropes and benefits hugely from ditching the Jedi. Kay Vess' first outing is a worthy adventure that not only cements her character as a sarcastic rogue but as a contender for the top spot on the scum and villainy podium. Pair this with beautiful visuals and sound design and this is a Star Wars game fans need to pick up.
Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster offers a streamlined experience with an easier gameplay balance, improved controls and some regretful censored content. While some of these changes may disappoint series veterans, the core appeal remains intact. The overhauled visuals and simplified gameplay mechanics make it more accessible to a wider audience, including younger and casual players.
There is nothing overtly wrong with Farmagia, yet somehow it doesn't captivate interest as much as other Marvelous farming titles. It has an intriguing story, a lot of tasks to focus on for progression in terms of attaining skills and expanding the farm, and a variety of characters to lead the party. However, unlike other agriculture themed series, the repetitive nature of farming creatures and romping in dungeons grows old fast. It feels like it is missing a spark, but if there is a sequel, hopefully it will find the excitement that all the other Marvelous farming titles possess that is absent here.
Among metroidvania titles available, Rusty Rabbit holds its own, though it falls short of its contemporaries due to the disruptive flow of cutscenes and narration. Its controls could be more fluent and responsive, but the dense atmosphere and writing carry the weight of the experience, making it memorable and interesting enough to stand out from the crowd in a saturated genre.
Once the one that would show the industry how things should be done, Civilization VII is an unpolished, pale imitation of what a Civilization instalment should be. There are a myriad of problems with this, but the biggest one is that the wonderful feeling of freedom for which the series was always known for is now completely gone, as players are forced to go down very specific paths in every single match. Unless there’s a very, very big sale, it would be best to stay away from this bundle of disappointment.
Elrentaros Wanderings had so much potential. After one inevitable wall and annoyance too many, the flaws will be too great to ignore any longer and will result in most just abandoning the adventure. From the utterly simplistic town, complete with non-moving NPCs, to various soft locks based on the general lack of a progression system, to simple design choices like the lack of save slots, this feels more like an alpha version or a tech demo, not something that its peers are just far better than.
Nailing all the key aspects of what draws players into the genre, each hour or so run is fast and fun. Amazingly, the characters play wildly different, from zipping all over the board to blanketing it with bombs. While StarVaders is missing that rare chance of a single card or move that instantly becomes overpowered, the power curve is typically satisfying. The only thing holding things back are the frequent freezes and crashes, along with Steam Deck problems of buttons freezing. Thankfully, the save system is forgiving, so these are only minor annoyances.
It might be from a different decade, but the vibrant colours and toe-tapping soundtrack alongside unforgettable characters make Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana a perfect fit on PlayStation 5 in the 2020s. It feels like it has come a full circle from its PS Vita origins, providing new fans the opportunity to play the incredible tale of Adol and Dana's adventure and returning fans to once more enjoy the thrill of what is like the best Ys game to date.