Cubed3's Reviews
Mario Tennis Fever continues the series' blend of fun, colourful and party-like tennis with a fresh entry on Nintendo Switch 2. Whilst there are glimpses of creativity and nods to past fan-favourites, the solo campaign feels over far too soon. There’s potential for Fever to have been a lengthy five setter, but the game doesn't quite reach those levels, unfortunately. DLC, if a future option, could well help. As a multiplayer romp, though, Mario Tennis Fever serves a good time overall for some hearty tennis action!
ACA Neo Geo: Puzzle Bobble 2 is a solid port and feels right at home on the Switch. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles players might find in a puzzle game made today, but people nostalgic for a simpler time, or for this specific iteration of the Puzzle Bobble series, aren’t going to be let down by this port.
The industry owes a lot to Space Invaders, and it may not be any small stretch to say it could be a very different place if it wasn't for its existence. For that reason alone it is worth investing in this huge piece of video game history, where an appreciation can be developed for what Tomohiro Nishikado's shoot 'em up has achieved. There is no avoiding the simplicity and likelihood that it won't hold the attention for too long given the choice on offer nowadays, but the brief time spent with it delivers tension and reward in equal measure, especially when factoring in online leaderboard competition.
Where certain narrative-heavy games strive to be “cinematic” – sometimes to their own detriment – Fort Solis aims lower: being a generic Netflix miniseries. To think of how Fallen Leaf and Black Drakkar Games were afforded a modest production budget, alongside big-name voice talents, and all they could mustre was a shallow walk-a-thon that’s as meandering and stale as its script.
The nicest thing that can be said about Steel Worker is that it is, in fact, a video game. Not a bad game by any means, but one that meets the broadest definition of a video game and delivers exactly what it promises. In a way, it brought some innovation to Lemmings-style gameplay, but could generously be described as a proof of concept.
The Plucky Squire is a great little adventure game. It has a fun, if slightly cliché, story but executes it in a very unique way. Gameplay is always chill, the writing and art style are charming, and it's a really solid package. It stumbles a little on the clarity and iffy stealth, but it's not enough to detract from the charming animation work and fun puzzles. A fun pickup for fans of older-style Legend of Zelda titles and crafty-looking games.
A slick, approachable blend of classic Puzzle Bobble/Bust-A-Move gameplay and rhythm mechanics, QQQbeats!!! is tons of fun, and said fun is elevated by a very good soundtrack and charming presentation. Its simplicity makes it a title that’s easy to pick up and play, yet it’s surprisingly hard to master, so be prepared to lose 10 (or more) consecutive matches against a teenager from abroad. The somewhat low mechanical variety and limited number of modes curb its long-term appeal, however, so approach cautiously.
Arcade Archives: Karate Blazers offers the retro-loving community a ‘90s beat ’em up that does the unthinkable: it’s even more generic and repetitive than the rest of its ilk. A charmless imitation of Final Fight, while functional and initially enjoyable, its overly long and repetitive levels quickly drain what little fun there is to be had here. Aside from the four-player co-op appeal, it remains an unoriginal, merely “okay” arcade relic mainly suited to devoted old-school collectors - and even they can find better pieces of software to spend their money on.
REANIMAL on Nintendo Switch 2 marks a striking reinvention for Tarsier Studios, taking the studio’s talent for intimate horror and expanding it into a richer, more confident adventure. Tight controls, a smartly reactive camera and impressive AI make every escape and puzzle feel fair, while the island’s layered design blends openness with subtle guidance to create a world that rewards curiosity without losing momentum. It’s a bold step beyond the Little Nightmares formula and a clear statement of what Tarsier can achieve on its own terms.
There are several high points of Code Vein II, ranging from graphics, different environments, and the character creator. The major complaints that detract from higher praise are bad pacing issues and a story that often takes a back seat. Combat is faster and more fun than the first game, and the much more open world is a needed change from the endless alleys of before. Despite a lot of positive points, though, there is a sense that the entire thing doesn't mesh together to make a better experience.
Like a sharp set of kitty claws, Mewgenics perfectly scratches the itch of ‘just one more round’ with an intriguing level of strategic depth, but one that never feels overwhelming. The randomised nature of things means it’s the kind of experience that always stays fresh, and yet at the same time is super easy to pick up and play, before realising several hours have passed. Add to that a killer art style that pays homage to McMillen’s previous entries, but has its own unique flavour thanks to the collection of cats, and a kick-ass soundtrack that makes those brutal boss battles worth playing again and again for the battle theme alone, and it is far from an outrageous bet to expect Mewgenics to sweep up a raft of awards and plaudits over the coming year and beyond.
Dead Second feels like a throwback despite being a new and unique experience. A homage to arcade-style shooters, it plays like a dream and is confident in executing its gameplay. With good music and sound effects to boot, it is immersive and - more crucially - a must-have experience for PS VR2.
The wild absurdity and sharp controls make every session a joy, especially in multiplayer, where the competition gets downright savage and sweaty. You can play it solo, but it’s kind of like singing karaoke by yourself. Mach Breakers is a cult gem that refuses to play it safe, leaning into over-the-top antics that few arcade games attempt.
Moonscars falls just short of greatness the same way Grey Irma occasionally falls just short of platforms she can definitely reach, but where it shines, it shines like a full moon. A rich, original story accompanies solid platforming and technical combat like that of the Souls games, all of it placed within a huge, sprawling map packed with traps, secrets, and goodies to find. Seemingly complex systems like customisable special attacks, blood moons that make enemies stronger, and having to trek back to a place Grey Irma fell to get precious bone dust back all work together smoothly, and while it can be unclear what the player is supposed to do or where they’re supposed to go, the developers have made sure they’re going to have fun figuring it out.
Much like the game itself, Two Point Museum stands as the culmination of years of perfecting systems from the initial entry in the Two Point universe. With an excellent progression system and a great tutorial from the outset, anybody can pick this up and run with it to create the museum of their dreams.
Heading Out is one of those games that will either grip you from the outset or show all of its hand in the first hour, never to be looked at again. If invested in the character and the story, a really interesting tale will be laid out with lots of opportunity to review and revise the outcomes. If it’s a fully realised driving experience that is being wished for however, this may get left on the side of the road.
In anime-styled puzzle horror adventure High School Dirty Secrets, a student wakes trapped in a dark school where a killer and plenty of girly panties can be found, and while said school has a very good, oppressive atmosphere, the almost goofy use of fanservice, the repetitive walking-simulator gameplay and the not-that-well-handled story make this fail both as a scary ride, as well as an engrossing quest filled with mystery and riddles.
Nioh 3 modifies the series formula, producing mixed results. The game features a more varied action combat system for fights and challenges. As far as action goes, it still features some of the best mechanics in the genre, even if it's on the easier side, and regular enemies are exploitable. Storytelling and worldbuilding lack depth, but the headliner has always been getting lost and fighting for survival in these types of games. At worst, this is just another decent soulslike action RPG that doesn't break the mould. The big open world is welcome, but it does not deliver on its full potential due to uninspired level design.
Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary Edition is not everything that fans could have hoped for. What should have been a wonderful celebration of a classic series turns out to be a middling package marred by a lack of control options and default controls that don’t offer the best experience. Getting rid of the classic game progression system and failing to include a proper leaderboard system really limit the potential of what could be otherwise one of the most comprehensive collection of caves for a decent introduction to the franchise for newcomers. Thankfully, the classic Boulder Dash formula remains as addictive as ever and is executed competently here.
While the audio and visual elements of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined are top-notch, those familiar with the depth of the original might not be entirely on board with the drastic changes. Although some are legitimate improvements, there is always a nagging feeling that there could have been a definitive Dragon Quest VII, and not just a "reimagined" iteration. Despite some misgivings from a long-time Dragon Warrior VII fan, this is still a righteous JRPG that delivers on most fronts. It’s easier than ever now, but thankfully not so easy that failure is impossible, and no one is likely to be stuck for long.