Cubed3's Reviews
Syberia Remastered is an uneven revival. Its redesigned environments successfully capture the spirit and atmosphere of the original, but a couple of issues (visual and otherwise) prevent it from becoming the definitive version. For the uninitiated it’s a mostly accessible entry point into a classic story; for long-time fans, it’s an…okay reinterpretation. It's sadly one more reminder that preserving magic is sometimes harder than creating it in the first place.
The Long Dark is a mostly functional survival title, with a relatively good atmosphere and a relatively clear vision…but it struggles to turn its ideas into an engaging experience. Its core gameplay loop quickly becomes a slow, repetitive ordeal, where survival feels more tedious than tense. Unintuitive systems undermine immersion, while the story mode fails to serve as a welcoming introduction, not to mention that it is an incomplete part. Final word of caution: if still willing to try this out, stay away from the Switch port.
Charon’s Staircase unfortunately feels like it is caught between strong ideas and weak execution. Its thematic ambition, atmospheric sound design, and willingness to explore uncomfortable subject matter make it stand out, and it feels pretty memorable even if it isn’t great. At the same time, a variety of technical shortcomings, repetitive gameplay, and puzzles that tend to vary between mindlessly boring and frustratingly esoteric hold the overall game back. Horror is a crowded genre and this feels like one most people can skip without missing out on much. For players drawn to slow, narrative-driven psychological horror, there is some value to be found. For most others, the only thing frightening about this is how much money they’ll waste.
Being cute isn’t enough to elevate saving primates and birds to greatness. The fundamental flaws including base design make it hard to recommend this for the PS4 library. It certainly can be entertaining, yet these moments are sidelined by the mounting quantity of niggles that on their own wouldn’t impact enjoyment, but together create a less than satisfactory experience.
There may be more than one way to skin a cat, but there is one and only one way to play Cat Quest II: slowly spiraling into madness after you’ve tackled the 46th identical dungeon in a row. This is a non-stop barrage of repetition that was designed by an evil scientist who got their PhD in “boredom and cats in new media”. On one hand it’s polished, cute, and moderately tolerable in short bursts — the sort of thing that might appeal to younger players or families. On the other, basically everything else. The game earns some minimal points for presentation and for doing exactly what it sets out to do. However, it loses all those points and more once it drops its hundredth unfunny cat pun. Going in expecting depth, genuine progression, or inventive combat encounters is a fool’s errand. This is a pretty easy one to skip and no one really needs to get their paws on it.
It is easy to want to like Simon the Sorcerer Origins at first glance. The artwork is beautiful, and the puzzles are clever and creative. However, Simon sadly comes off as a murder-hobo rather than a charming rogue. Also, while the game's comedy is quite fun in itself, it needs more palate cleansers. As is, this feels like a six-hour-long slapstick show, a genre best served in 30-minute portions.
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria is a fantastic multiplayer survival game. The mining is fun, the fighting is serviceable, and the progression feels really nice. The fact that it brought back Gimli and is set in the Fourth Age is really cool, especially since the player has a custom character in the story. Best experienced with friends, but totally fine to play alone. This title really deserves more attention than it got! Highly recommended to all fans of Middle-earth.
When Kaku: Ancient Seal is at its best, it shows the potential of a great sandbox adventure. Many of the design choices are spot on. Great examples are the choices to focus more on horizontal progression than vertical, and to fill the world with rewarding respawning items. However, at its worst, it is filled with some of the genre's worst design choices. The main offenders are cruel invisible walls and non-existent enemy progression. In between, Kaku: Ancient Seal is depressingly textbook good. Sure, the game works, but nothing stands out, and the polish to make it memorable is lacking. However, it does leave curiosity about what future titles Bingobell will deliver with more experience under its belt.
In the end, Schildmaid MX is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be—and a little more. It’s a tightly focused, mechanically sound shooter that caters to players who enjoy precision, repetition, and self-imposed challenges. At the same time, its limited presentation, uneven difficulty spikes, and lack of variety prevent it from standing out in an increasingly crowded indie scene. For those seeking a quick-hit arcade experience to play between larger titles, Schildmaid MX offers moments of genuine satisfaction. Just don’t expect it to linger in your memory long after the final stage is cleared.
System Shock is an amazing remake that irons out a lot of the original's more impenetrable qualities. The original isn’t exactly user-friendly, so the remake’s smoother, more responsive design makes it the go-to way to play. This is especially true for the Nintendo Switch 2 version, which may have occasional frame rate drops but still offers the definitive console experience for anyone looking to play, thanks to its intuitive Joy-Con 2 mouse mode.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Mega Dimension offers a challenge for experienced trainers wanting to push those battle skills to the limits. Beyond level 100 critters for the first time? Check. It's tough and requires a fair bit of grind to get through the new Mega Evolution battles. Returning faces from the Pokédex and new forms are a joy to catch, too. Mega Dimension is ideal for battle enthusiasts and competitionists, but can fast become repetitive with little payoff to really keep pushing through once the favourites have been caught.
A Game About Digging a Hole is exactly what it claims to be, and nothing more. On Nintendo Switch, it works best as a low-effort, high-satisfaction time waster—something to fill small gaps in your day with meaningless progress and quiet amusement. It won’t be for everyone, but for those willing to embrace its absurd simplicity, there’s something oddly compelling about staring into the void and deciding to dig a bit deeper.
The Bug Butcher is a fun, finely-polished, Pang-inspired shooter that modernises the classic formula with sharp controls, frantic pacing and charming presentation. Its short campaign and limited modes hold it back, making it a title that’s great for short bursts but not for extended play. Think of it as a small snack between the bigger meals. A snack made out of vibrantly colourful alien insects, that is. If the price is right, it’s a solid recommendation for arcade afficionados and not only.
Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania is a masterpiece of roguelike gaming. Impossible to put down, stellar soundtrack and visual design, as well as just being a load of fun. While some games have taken this formula and recontextualised it, the original does it best. Hop in and play as a vampire-killing badass. Highly recommended for Castlevania fans and anyone looking for a fun time. Perfect winter season gaming!
The title may not be that imaginative, but everything else about Cat Slide Tiles is high on the creative front. The 'just one more level' mentality makes it addictive, and the Switch's portability means it's simple to play a level while waiting for an appointment or as a form of relaxation before bed. The cat-themed puzzles are not always easy, but they are certainly enjoyable, and definitely deserve a sequel.
The cheerful design and well written humour of Alter Age make it a solid good versus evil RPG. The winning formula includes amusing team member personalities, a well-paced story and a melodious soundtrack, plus the Soul Alter age-switching skill, which remains centre stage - and for good reason. It is exciting to see what new features KEMCO will come up with next.
SNEG’s re-release of The Temple of Elemental Evil mostly succeeds as preservation rather than reinvention. Troika’s cult classic is in its best state ever - more stable and accessible - but it cannot escape its roots as a combat-heavy, story-light, and somewhat unwelcoming CRPG. For veterans, it’s a welcome return; for newcomers, a demanding curiosity. Worth experiencing, but hardly essential, and best approached with tempered expectations.
Whether it is to try to appeal to a broader audience or to bolster a game whose level design doesn’t match up to the original trilogy, the focus on elements that are unusual for the series leaves Metroid Prime 4: Beyond in the awkward position of being an enjoyable adventure that doesn’t stack up as a top Metroid game. There are the makings of a solid title featuring classic Prime traits, and for that reason alone Beyond can be worth experiencing, but longtime fans may need to brace themselves…and then wash away the taste by replaying Metroid Prime Remastered while praying for the same treatment for Prime 2 and 3.
The setting is amazing, and the execution, while a little unbalanced, is very satisfying. Does Metroid Prime 4: Beyond live up to 18 years of hype? Yeah, it feels like it does. With a bombastic story that has some firsts for the series, to the quieter exploratory segments, it's sure to have something any Metroid fan can get into and enjoy. This Switch title serves as a fitting sendoff for the console, boasting high production value and stellar visual performance. Samus has returned.
The level of detail means that Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator is an idealised portrayal of having a successful green thumb. The customisation for building style and colour may be limited, but since the focus is on planting and flower care rather than architecture, dozens of options aren't needed. There are styles of tools to suit all tastes, with a mode for those who don't care for the story and want to focus on only the gardening. Let's hope a sequel is in the works with bigger gardens and new features.