Cubed3's Reviews
Pokémon Champions, at launch, is a solid start to the new Pokémon battling experience on Nintendo Switch. Robust, flexible mechanics for newcomers to enter the battle scene and customisation for more seasoned players. As a free-to-play game, there is a surprising amount on offer - full battle modes and rental Pokémon, with paid content primarily reserved for cosmetics/time savers and storage. Pokémon Champions isn't without its choppy performance in areas and missing content, but it is a strong start that's bound to... evolve over time.
Capcom has produced an absolute labour of love with Resident Evil Requiem and every ounce of the game is brimming with intricate detail that will both test and delight gamers at the same time. It's not often you get an experience where it leaves players truly hungry for more (brains?), but after scouring every nook and cranny, uncovering all the meticulously pieced together puzzles and hidden elements, before finally blasting through the final stages, after barely being able to get your breath back, there is a desire for more. The role switching and perspective shifting might sound daunting on paper, but has been expertly interweaved by the masterful hands of those at the helm. This is truly the pinnacle of the long-running survival horror series, and one that will be hard-pressed to match in the future, not merely for Capcom, but more so for its rivals in the genre. A true masterpiece of the current generation, without a doubt, taking the supreme legacy of the series and elevating it to new heights.
Tears Revolude is a frustrating title to play through. It has a lot of potential, but it is wasted due to a lack of polish. The combat system is solid, and there are some nice options to optimise characters; however, there are never any challenges that make good use of them. The skeletons of the characters’ personalities are neat with a lot of sweet backstory, but they are never fleshed out, and the laughable expressions further add to the feeling of soullessness. This is what happens when great people are given too little time to deliver a title on schedule, no matter the end result. For the first few hours, Tears Revolude promises a great JRPG experience, but it never delivers.
South of Midnight shines as an atmospheric platformer adventure game with puzzles. The combat needs improvement, as it is constrained to plain, open arenas for every battle with the same handful of enemy types and limited abilities. The story is adequate and has some admittedly impressive imagery and imagination, but Hazel's character is another dime-a-dozen smartass who blurts the obvious when it makes no sense. Most of its shortcomings are magnified due to the roughness of the port on Nintendo Switch 2. Maybe it’s better somewhere else, but there’s no escaping its foundation.
If you fancy revisiting Raccoon City - or being chased through it like you’ve nicked the titular villain’s wallet - this is easily one of the best ways to do it. Though its story and characters are weaker, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis delivers a fast, action-driven take on the classic survival horror formula that’s very enjoyable, with Nemesis himself providing a constant, terrifying threat. This modern PC re-release runs smoothly on current systems, preserving and slightly enhancing the original experience, making it a cool, faithful revival.
Resident Evil 2 on Steam is definitely worth the time for long-time fans or anyone willing to adapt to tank controls. It's still gripping and manages to be more cinematic than its remake counterpart, thanks to the stylish flair of the camera angles and enthralling music that ranges from forebodingly ominous to pulse-pounding excitement. It would have been great if the Steam version included new features or added more options, rather than relying on the modding community. However, as it is, this version still offers an excellent way to experience one of the best and most replayable horror games of all time.
It is very rare to see a video game that gets everything right from start to finish, but People of Note definitely falls into this category. It starts off by hooking with flashy musical numbers and never lets go. Whenever Groove is being farmed to buy that latest guitar or triangulation puzzles are being solved, it is always optional and engaging. People of Note is the RPG that players need it to be. Some want a title that constantly makes them think, others want to enjoy a great story, and some want it all. This is one of those gems that will please almost every RPG fan. To add to this, it also has some of the most positive and inclusive writing seen in a video game. Every single element combines into a beautiful harmony, and, just as with music, one can enjoy it either by letting it flow or by analysing its depths.
This new PC port of Resident Evil doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It merely ensures the wheel spins properly on modern machines without flying off and hitting one in the face, which, in the world of PC ports of old classics, is a resounding victory. It’s not the best version of Resident Evil, nor is it the most impressive game in the series, but this remains a respectful and functional re-release of a genre-defining classic.
A Rat’s Quest: The Way Back Home - Season 1 is the game players wished licensed titles bought back in the 90s-2000s were going to be. It feels like a full Pixar movie to play and participate in. The production value is through the roof across every single area, and no compromises were made to tell the best story in video games in a long time. A Rat’s Quest: The Way Back Home - Season 1 is definitely a must-buy for those who love 3D platformers and great narrative experiences.
Oh, joy. Legacy of Kain: Ascendance is the miraculous return no one asked for, adding a heroine nobody wanted, and turning a beloved, dark saga into an uninspired, rough-around-the-edges side-scrolling platformer that few if any will enjoy. As for the story and writing, if past titles were Shakespearean poetry in video game form, this resembles a confused school play project. Vae victis? More like vae playeris - woe to the player forced to endure this mess.
Despite initial reservations, Dragon Spira's innovative method of raising party members' stats through minigames became a favourite activity. Coupled with the expected humorous tale, the retro style soundtrack, and interesting outfit and job changes, it nestles comfortably as one of the most interesting KEMCO titles released later on in the Nintendo Switch's life, small niggles aside.
For long-time fans of the franchise, this is an easy recommendation. For newcomers, it’s perhaps best approached with measured expectations and a bit of patience. Either way, Mega Man Star Force: Legacy Collection stands as a worthwhile addition to the Nintendo Switch library and a fitting second life for a trilogy that never got the attention it deserved.
Pokémon LeafGreen is a showcase of what made and still makes Pokémon games so appealing thirty years later. Timeless critters in a colourful Game Boy Advance palette, the joy of catching and battling, plus a sense of adventure that’s woven throughout. It is a shame that the port lacks additional quality-of-life updates or online play, though. The Nintendo Switch re-release is ideal way for both newcomers and seasoned Poké-veterans to get the
Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park is an overall fun package for those who want additional challenges and multiplayer features. There's a surprising amount to see and do, alongside the existing campaign - especially the solo training stages. It is a shame, though, that the new minigame portion is strictly limited to multiplayer, with a lack of bots or public online lobbies. For newcomers and existing players, it might well be worth experiencing the standard Super Mario Bros. Wonder release first and consider upgrading only if you crave a second helping.
Tales of Berseria Remastered preserves a title that was never that great to begin with. The potential of its darker tone and strong character focus loses impact through tedium, and the gameplay portion feels dated with its uber-linear exploration and repetitive combat. A bad game? Certainly not. A worthy upgrade? Far from it. This rerelease improves performance and visuals slightly while adding minor conveniences and DLC, yet it falls short of a meaningful upgrade. Ultimately, it’s best suited for newcomers, and its price feels hard to justify for anyone else.
Aether & Iron is a very promising title that tells a highly compelling story of power and class, and is crowned with one of the most clever SRPG battle systems on the market. However, it is full of disruptive glitches and bugs that rear their heads far too frequently, which prevent the mind from fully engaging with the wonderful story. Signs indicate that the developers are quick to fix issues as they arise, so there is reason to believe they will get fixed over time. However, at the moment of writing, the flaws are too numerous to overlook. This makes it difficult to fully recommend the game to a wider audience than hardcore SRPG and aetherpunk dystopia fans. For those that love these aspects, though, there are few titles on the market that will scratch that itch as well as Aether & Iron.
A revival of a classic comes to Switch 2 looking slightly worse for wear, although the hit to visual quality is a sacrifice worth having to ensure a smooth docked and portable experience for Virtua Fighter 5 REVO World Stage. The new solo mode is on the grindy side and unfortunately doesn’t add any story scenes that would appeal to offline players, but it serves as a solid alternative to the arcade, and unlocking cosmetics along the way keeps reasons to persist with it high. The focus is on the online portion, which has great long-term potential with rollback and crossplay at the core.
The Nintendo Switch port of Wreckfest delivers chaotic and enjoyable demolition derby-style racing, capturing the spirit of classic crash-heavy racers, while missing the necessary corny aspect that usually accompanies this type of game. Despite some visual compromises, performance can be described as solid for a game where more than 10 vehicles drive around like crazy, slowly turning into big piles of scrap metal. Repetition is the main thing that holds the experience back, but if you don’t mind something fun and simple to squeeze between more “complete” racing experiences it’s a big recommendation - just be sure to wait for a discount.
Monster Hunter Stories 3 is a monstrously huge JRPG packed with epic scenes and powerful emotional moments. There's so much to explore and experience in a stunning world set to inspiring music. Missing multiplayer is definitely a blow, and for some, a potential dealbreaker, but what’s here is an outstanding, incredibly fun experience that feels like the start of a lasting legacy. Capcom should take note of what this team has pulled off; the future looks bright, and Twisted Reflection sends a clear message: this spin-off could potentially supplant the main series.
Apart from minimal issues during some puzzles, Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders is a straightforward point-and-click mystery title that is intriguing and fun to play. The art style, voice acting and curiousness of the story provide a good few hours of fun. This is a game that can be enjoyed by anyone who loves cosy crime and puzzle solving.