Cubed3's Reviews
Doctor Cat shows promise but ultimately fails at the execution. The puzzles themselves are fine, but unfortunately issues with controls ruin the experience completely. It is also unclear why a premise was set for Doctor Cat with what feels like little to no resolution.
Nekograms is absolutely adorable, with challenging puzzles, beautiful art and great sounds. However, it is a bit monotonous, in that it does not offer anything other than the base-type puzzle. Although puzzles are beautifully designed and offer a fun way to spend some time, some more content could really improve this title.
Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip almost feels like a proof of concept for a larger game pitch that's yet to be announced. But apart from suffering from some repetitive strain injury in the late game due to its small nature, it comes largely otherwise without fault.
Big Helmet Heroes offers a straightforward gameplay experience suitable for young players new to the genre. The game features a weapon system that allows players to experiment with different fighting styles and classes while maintaining their preferred character. The game's aesthetic is designed to appeal to children, and the visual gags offer mild amusement. Older gamers won't connect with this, but newcomers will welcome the presentation and simplicity, without getting bogged down in any grind.
Newcomers to the Neptunia series will be drawn in by the humorous tale which should lead them to explore other titles. Returning fans will eagerly lap up the already known personalities. The several issues of few levels, no multiplayer, and no actual outfits to change into outside the DLC partly impacts the enjoyment of Neptunia: Riders VS Dogoos, which is a shame because it is a cheerful, solid addition to the Neptunia universe.
Love Too Easily is a Korean romcom with its heart in the right place. Its various flaws, whether it is the low image quality at the beginning of scenes or the broken English, can somewhat be overlooked by the lighthearted story at play. A playful distraction for an hour or two if looking for a humorous FMV game, despite the lack of depth.
MySims: Cozy Bundle offers two solid titles for Nintendo Switch that promise relaxation and a tad of creativity. It is the ideal game for those that like to bundle up in a cosy blanket and enjoy non-threatening gameplay.
On one hand, BPM: Bullets Per Minute is a neat mix of FPS and rhythm gameplay. On the other one, it's a terribly unbalanced roguelike that is also in dire need of variety. Throw all these in a bowl, and the end result is a soup with a couple of ingredients that shouldn't be here… but, somehow the taste remains pretty darn good. After all, how can you go wrong with a game where you are in control of a Valkyrie that blasts monsters in Asgard with her shotgun, in sync with some fine heavy metal.
The good news is that the atmosphere isn't just good, but fantastic, and as a result the adventure is very immersive despite its lack of a coherent narrative. A solid recommendation whenever the price is low enough, and in the mood for something enjoyably unsettling and mysterious, yet without much meat on its bones.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins masterfully reinvigorates the musou genre by returning to its roots in some ways - and taking bold risks with established mechanics. It pays off at almost every juncture. While the large roster of playable characters is gone for now and it's certainly missed, by honing in on what truly matters for the genre Koei Tecmo has refreshed an experience that desperately needed it. The result is a more focused, more engaging and simply more fun action title that makes this reviewer very excited for the future of the genre.
Final Fantasy VII fans should already expect this to be a vastly different experience in more ways than one to the original classic game, and the sooner that is accepted, the better, because there is a huge, fun and memorable time to be had in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Despite the slower and drawn-out segments, the characters, combat, and doubling down on the optional content and lore means this is a role-playing game that will satisfy most genre enthusiasts.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered presents definitive editions of two critically acclaimed yet imperfect experiences. While both titles share a distinctive gothic aesthetic and compelling narrative, they offer contrasting gameplay experiences. Soul Reaver is celebrated for its innovative level design and haunting atmosphere, while Soul Reaver 2 is praised for its rich character development and intricate plot. Despite their individual shortcomings, these games collectively deliver a memorable and immersive gaming experience.
Fantasian: Neo Dimension is an exciting turn-based RPG that cements the stylings of Mistwalker and Sakaguchi-san's directorial vision. A marked uptick in quality from Fantasian on Apple Arcade, this revamped version hits the classic highs of JRPGs as well as offers an experience that feels polished, complete and exciting. For lovers of older Final Fantasy games, this will scratch the itch, doubly so with the involvement of Uematsu-san, yet another auditory love letter from the master. All in all, this is THE game for JRPG fans.
Purists may lament that this isn't a true update of the original Ninja Gaiden II, as Ninja Gaiden II Black uses the Sigma 2 port as its base, but what has been put together here is still an incredibly fulfilling hack and slash action game that absolutely is one of the best in the genre. In a time where more and more franchises are going down the open and freer route, this is a reminder that a more linear and confined approach works wonders for this type of game.
Some parts of the game are undeniably charming, such as the story, the character art and the bright colours. However, reusing a dated system really shows a lot of its age. Along with design choices that are simply confusing, it drags down the experience along with the 3D models. While there is certainly a level of 'too much' going on, this also applies to battles in a good way if a player is ready for it. The craziness is part of the charm and many of the battles are surprisingly hard, short of power leveling.
Overall, Picross S: Records of the Shield Hero is a solid Picross title that looks as polished as can be. The theming is fantastic and on point, and while more could have been done in terms of soundtrack or video clips, the title provides a solid few hours of entertainment that shouldn't be missed.
Despite its age, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD maintains exceptional quality, offering engaging platforming sequences, visually impressive set-pieces, dazzling vistas, and a high level of difficulty. While the majority of collectibles offer limited in-game value beyond unlocking mirror mode, their inherent appeal, driven by ingrained desire, compels players to seek them out. It's highly replayable and highly addictive, leaving gamers eager to keep playing. It is disappointing that this remaster doesn't include anything new for veterans, but when the foundation is so enjoyable, it's hard to be dissatisfied.
In an age when it seems like bigger is always seen as better, Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a lovely reminder of the fun in a restrained JRPG that simply focuses on telling an engaging story without all the added trimmings around it. While this remaster of the Windows and PSP games is not reinventing the wheel, with similar visuals and the same combat system, the core gameplay here is sure to win round a whole new set of fans who may not have played any of the original titles or even a previous Ys game. The characters are extremely likeable and the combat system - while definitely having its frustrating challenges - is hard not to get a ton of satisfaction from.
The biggest mistake in game design is making a player feel totally disinterested on what's going on in front of their eyes - twice as big of a mistake in the actionless genre of city-builders, because unless given a strong incentive to do what needs to be done, it all feels like tedious, boring work. In Aquatico no one will feel as if they are helping a group of people survive the end of the world. You are basically a project manager of the slowest, least demanding project, where almost everything is done without much input on your behalf.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure offers up some delightfully engrossing story beats and it's easy to get wrapped up in the mystery of the tale. There's a lot to like here with Max's character development feeling fulfilling and the potential for this arc to spawn an even wider tale if the twist at the end is anything to go by. Generally speaking, the performances of the cast are all of a high quality. Where Double Exposure somewhat loses its focus is during the final chapter or two, when the plot seems to fully lean into the supernatural beyond the interesting character development. Some general technical issues with dialogue and graphics also unfortunately result in a frustrating sense of being stripped out of the immersion. Overall, for fans of the series and those who just like a good adventure tale, Double Exposure is worth enjoying.