Cubed3's Reviews
Bzzzt is a solid bite-sized action platformer that is elevated thanks to its incredible pixel art and music. The generic story won't be the reason why anyone plays it and might make the game forgettable, but the gameplay and challenge leave a lingering impression. For its price, there is no going wrong with it, and fans of the genre will be engaged by its tight mechanics.
For a kid's game, Ufouria: The Saga 2 is certainly going to capture the imaginations of its target audience. Fans of the original Ufouria are likely in their late 30s to early 40s and will likely find this to be a very safe and by-the-numbers languid platformer. Anyone who enjoys the likes of Kirby will feel right at home with this surreal and charming Metroidvania, but those that have grown tired of the genre will be better off looking elsewhere for thrills.
Like the previous games, Haydee 3 is an old-school tough, highly atmospheric, enjoyably perplexing metroidvania-style action-adventure (yes, one with a super-curvy protagonist), but it doesn’t really feel like a new product that builds on previously laid foundations. In other words, it’s more like an expansion, than a continuation. Do keep an eye at it, but better wait for decent price. You can always (re)play the previous games while waiting for that to happen…
Die by the Blade falls short in delivering a truly engaging experience in the current state it is in. The developers have made a statement promising to put right its issues and include further single player modes to improve the package offering. It is an admirable position, but also a concerning trend in the industry today. Without a doubt, it is an interesting concept to bring back and modernise, but here it feels more like a missed opportunity than a modern successor to its classic inspiration. Perhaps one for the Cyberpunk 2077 or No Man's Sky treatment?
The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered is a solid JRPG, but its story leaves something to be desired. There is almost nothing to emotionally latch onto. However, it offers a satisfying gameplay loop for those who enjoy grinding out weapon skills and spells, and exploring vast regions. If you're looking for a more engaging narrative and deeper gameplay systems, however, Emerald SaGa might be a better choice. While both games share similar turn-based combat, Emerald SaGa boasts a richer story and more robust mechanics.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a reboot, and like all reboots, it will always leave behind some of those fans that so cherish the originals. That said, for all the fans it might annoy, this new title has released to a very positive response to what has, at times over the decades, been a harsh jury of critics in the gaming press, which says a lot. It's easy to see why.
The anticipated unexpected plot twists combined with highly appealing graphics make Battlefield Waltz a sturdy winner on the Switch. The ease of rewinding scenes and observing which game choices have been selected add to its charm, although enjoyment is marred by how hard it can be to get onto the six routes, as well as even getting a good ending in any of them. This is the sole part that didn't age so well, but hopefully RNG is kinder to the majority of players.
There's literally nothing special about S.Prysm Destroyer. It is average to a fault. A mediocre shooter where you simply move to the right and shoot at robotic things that want to hurt you. It's overly simple, repetitive, and in the case of the Switch port, annoying due to its user-unfriendly control scheme.
Some of the art, like the background scenery and the character portraits, is a sight to behold in Astral Ascent. Unfortunately, this is in stark contrast to how the actual characters look, which is distractingly bad. Anyone wanting a Hades-like experience will be happy. With the typical dopamine hits of new moves and upgrades, the complexities of the spell system distracts from some of the simple fun of its progenitor, so if you are looking for an anime-like platformer, this will fit the bill. Astral Ascent is worth checking out, but is not going to blow anyone away.
Graphically impressive and different from the norm, Lila's Sky Ark is a charming title to look at. The music balances with the presentation splendidly. When it comes to game mechanics, however, there tends to be a lot lacking. With only the ability to hurl stonework and other quirky items, major boss fights almost feel silly. The main story remains a mystery if not actively exploring and may cause some players to feel lost or question the purpose of gameplay. This may be a benefit for those seeking a more thought-provoking game, yet it takes too much time to get there.
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered is a dramatically improved iteration in almost all aspects. The only area where it disappoints is the sloppily applied AI filtering effect for the once-beautiful watercolour backgrounds. The wealth of new features, restored story content, and refined gameplay has finally made this classic PlayStation RPG all that it can be and more. The medieval German flavour and political intrigue with fantasy elements will make this a hit with fans of Game of Thrones, and gamers that felt disappointed by it when it came out will have renewed appreciation thanks to the gameplay enhancements.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a classic turn-based JRPG that has been reinvigorated with deeper gameplay and new ideas that will keep it relevant for years to come. It's faithful where it counts and improves upon the experience, justifying itself with innovations and rebalances that invite veterans and newcomers to see why this franchise keeps enduring.
Cold VR has done an interesting job in taking the Superhot DNA and twisting it into something different. It's fun, fast and frenetic, and is a good way to spend 30-minute bursts of action in VR, especially for those who really enjoy similar styles of game. For some, the change of pace from Superhot will be pleasing. However, a tacked-on story that never really gets off the ground and a less refined physics system with some inconsistencies in combat, makes it feel decidedly more like a budget version of its main inspiration, except with a price tag that doesn't quite match.
Aside from its main gimmick of confining and leaning on a main human with medium abilities, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a plain strategy RPG. It has no shortage of content and will keep gamers playing for well over 100 hours if they aim to defeat the optional superbosses or endlessly grind characters to god-like strength in hopes of surviving the hardest modes. It can be exhausting and sleep-inducing, but it is a well-made strategy RPG for anyone who has a tolerance for intense sweetness.
Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection is close to being enjoyable. There is a solid foundation to build from in these games, but the lack of variety makes them boring. Fans of the originals and of the movies will be unsatisfied since these versions are hopelessly broken, and the online play, which is supposed to be the main draw, is unplayable. If there is an update to address the technical failings, both Battlefront titles are still just a couple of average movie tie-ins from the 2000s.
Good graphics and solid mechanics are held back by the way the player is never given much of a reason to do anything but the current main objective, and the laid-back nature of the game conflicts with the main-character-is-dying dilemma presented as the driving force of the story. The developers at Vile Monarch have put together some great systems and laid the groundwork for a fun simulation game, but fall short of giving players much of a reason or opportunity to actually play in it. There are a lot of good things here, and with more direction and purpose, the team is clearly capable of making something great. Despite the flaws, The Last Alchemist is still a fun casual game that'll feel right at home for those who love a nice stroll through a whimsical landscape or laid-back puzzle solving.
The off-colour humour won't be for everyone. Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is an unapologetically crass and vulgar action-horror game from another time. It is no surprise as to why it became a cult classic. Its gameplay is still stimulating and the art direction is way ahead of what's available on the market today. The gory imagery and cool designs made it resonate with gamers, and while the remaster is rather plain, New Game Plus, motion controls, and costumes breathe a little more life into it.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist may not reinvent the Metroidvania genre, but it beautifully nails its thesis. Its tale of dystopian despair unfurls with elegance, carried by characters as striking as they are melancholic, and gameplay that borrows wisely from the genre's titans. Like Lilac herself, Ender Magnolia blooms amid the mist.
Yars Rising offers a unique interpretation of the classic Yars' Revenge. While the narrative may be unmemorable and the cutscenes intrusive, the gameplay remains engaging, thanks to its surprising remixes of the original game and how they fit in the structure of a Metroidvania. The stealth mechanics, though simplistic, contribute to the overall experience.
Nightdive Studios did the best they could with a mediocre game. The Thing was never a good game and the original developers often lamented over the final product. They had much grander ambitions that could have made it a genuine classic. While the remaster's technical execution is commendable, the source material's was questionable. Despite this, the remaster may serve as an impetus for future adaptations of John Carpenter's film. The film's core concept remains a compelling narrative foundation and has potential for more successful interpretations in the right hands.