Cubed3's Reviews
A consistent triple whammy of 3D collectathon platforming remade with extreme care and faithfulness to the original material. Spyro Reignited Trilogy plays well, looks fantastic, and is rarely an overwhelming or difficult set of adventures, with small worlds that are simple to conquer and ideal for a younger audience. By the time of the third game, things are a little more gimmicky, and there is a repetitive nature about the constant running around and collecting, but these colourful platformers still manage to deliver real delight if you try not to blast through each game one after the other.
Trailblazers successfully sets itself apart from others in the same genre, especially as the Nintendo Switch marketplace is full of crazy racing games. While it is evident that the soundtrack and art style are somewhat borrowed, they have been churned into a product that is new, refreshing and unique, blazing itself a trail all of its own.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 is solid enough in its footballing fundamentals, but it seems to have regressed in terms of its polish and immersion. Picking up nine more minor league licences is a consolation, but now that football games have reached a point of extreme high fidelity, with lifelike player models and animations, the fickle issues of its lack of aesthetic consistency is more jarring than ever. With the loss of the Champions League licence, it might have been expected that Konami would nurture the neglected elements of the series, such as the Master League, and the sloppy presentation and online connectivity issues. That doesn't seem to have happened, though. Consequently, it's difficult to sing the praises of the core gameplay as much as last year. That's especially the case as the AI isn't as sensible as it was previously, with too many reckless challenges and questionable keeper decisions. PES 2019 underperforms, despite its quality.
They don't all come out a perfect ten, but WWE 2K19 has improved on its predecessor. Even if the changes are somewhat small, they do make a difference. Unfortunately, to fully enjoy MyCareer and CAW, a lot of content has to be unlocked via randomised loot-boxes or sheer dedication to earning in-game currency. Aside from over gate-keeping the unlockables, WWE 2K19 has a lot of content under its hood, which should keep any wrestling fan entertained for quite some time.
It's hard not to have strong feelings about the laziness of Nickelodeon Kart Racers. The cynic might suggest that Bamtang Games and publisher Maximum Games were never all that bothered about producing something of quality to begin with, so long as the title could still cash in on the lucrative Nickelodeon licence. This is a crying shame, and not just because the PS4 and Xbox One currently lack a Triple-A kart racer. Since the title doesn't even attempt to hide its shortcomings, it feels like its creators are perhaps aware that parents might not read up on the title's shortcomings before purchasing it for their child, safe in the knowledge that it's a recognisable brand. That, if true, is something to really take issue with. Thankfully, the world is full of people with a conscience, who will deter folk from this monstrosity and tell them to go play Mario Kart instead.
Maxima provides a good reason for players to return to World of Final Fantasy, but only really because of its extra bosses and dungeon. The rest is really just minor nostalgia-driven content, which does fit in well given that's what the game is built around. The avatar change system is neat if only to use fan-favourite characters in battle now, and might provide some new set-ups for bosses, but don't expect much in the way of cut-scenes and major roles for the new champions. Taken as a whole, still one of the better Final Fantasy games in many years, but Maxima as an upgrade is only worth it for the title's biggest fans.
For a title with such a strong concept, Airheart does shockingly little with its premise.
A promising closer to the Syberia trilogy of games, Syberia 3 meets hardship in the way of spotty performance in both visual and sound design. Kate Walker's latest adventure is coercive to devotees of the series, but difficult to recommend over the numerous top quality eShop games in the same genre.
Like all the finest indie titles, Moonlighter has such a simple premise but is done so masterfully it becomes fantastically addictive - from the basic combat, to the Resident Evil style bag management, to upgrading the shop, to selling the goods; every aspect feels great. Combine this with the charming old-school art and you have got a clear winner on your hands. The only real negative is how short the game is and how the story feels a little lightweight. Moonlighter also feels like it would be even better on Switch, so keep an eye out for Cubed3's review of that version soon!
Shikhondo - Soul Eater is a visually unique and very enjoyable shmup. That's really all there needs to be said. It's not as if there's some riveting plot or a fantastic ending to look forward to. In fact, the story is basically non-existent. Perhaps, instead of filling the screen with words, the developer chose to cram in some more bullets. That's fine - wonderful even. There aren't any distractions to keep players from performing their best. If the idea of navigating a sometimes literal maze of death grabs you, then consider giving this a go.
Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD is a fun little accompaniment to the original and certainly a preferential option for those that want to re-experience the original without investing an ungodly amount of time. That being said, the flaws are rather glaring. It's all far too simplified, and the old-school aesthetic would have been greatly complemented by adding in a turn-based, classic Final Fantasy combat system.
Just Dance 2019 is exactly like Just Dance 2018, 2017, and so on. In other words, it's extremely fun… but it also feels like a cash-grab, since it doesn't try anything new. Also, the 400+ long song list, arguably the bulk of the experience, remains hidden behind a subscription… albeit, a reasonably priced one.
Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don't Dry is part tribute, part return to form, and, finally, probably the best attempt to bring the series to the new millennium so far. While this is certainly a breath of fresh air after the retched Box Office Bust, however, it could also be much better, first from a gameplay standpoint, but especially when it comes to its naughty humour.
It is great to finally see the Taiko series released in Europe, even if it is at the cost of having the drum kit available to play it with...which was kind of the whole big selling point of it all. Without having the drum to test out, it is difficult to tell if Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session! is an inferior game without it, but it is still most definitely a fun rhythm title in its own right with the regular controller. With only a few note types - and, therefore, buttons - to remember, this is simple to pick up, and the support options make it highly accessible to rhythm casuals. The higher difficulties and plentiful options to add handicaps allow experts to test themselves freely, too. For a very Japanese themed rhythm game that is chock-full of tracks, Drum Session! is well worth a beat.
Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle might have a simple concept and an even simpler look, but it manages to be a bloody (pun intended) good game, with many stages to complete, and with the puzzles getting progressively harder and more complex at the best possible pace. Apart from a very low replay value, fans of the genre are definitely advised to give it a shot.
Above all else, Fire Pro Wrestling World presents a level of freedom not often seen in videogames. Dedicated players have every opportunity to craft their own wrestling experience. Whether this experience adheres strictly to well-known promotions or something wholly unique is up to them. Anyone seeking a solidly crafted and entertaining experience won't be disappointed, either. The action is soundly compelling, and there's enough depth to stick around for the long term. It's also worth taking the time to explore both the Mission and Scenario modes, as they really add a lot of flavour to this excellent wrestling game.
Starlink: Battle for Atlas is a surprise hit for Nintendo Switch. Furthermore, embedding Star Fox in was a masterstroke. From a surprisingly good score and audio cues from characters, to stunning vistas and scenery, there are many positives to be had. There will be many who appreciate the large number of tasks to do, but others will be deterred by the repetitiveness of them, although these are largely optional. The main issue is essentially asking what point of sale is the best value for money as no option is cheap. In fact, to enjoy all of Starlink's content can be a costly affair but even jumping in with the Standard edition or Starter pack is still £20 more than other AAA titles. Unfortunately, these barriers to entry can ruin the enjoyment for those who opt for lesser packages.
Fast Striker is solid all round. It has four modes of ever-increasing challenge and complexity. Novices are able to get a feel for the game, while Maniacs can push their skills to the limit. The shields are an interesting idea. Under the right circumstances, they are a satisfying means of escape, yet they can also be a crutch. If they are always being exhausted, it's proof that the player needs more practice. Overcoming the impossible is what STGs are all about, and this title clearly understands that mantra.
Overall, GRIP Combat Racing is a fantastic spiritual successor to Rollcage racing that doesn't just pay tribute to the series, but also carves out its own nuances. It's a highly intense and visceral experience, which pulls no punches in terms of both its challenge and its depth. The visuals are amongst some of the best within the arcade racer genre, whilst the soundtrack is the perfect accompaniment for the action on track. Better still, the handling is surprisingly detailed and easy to appreciate in conjunction with the imaginative tracks, which are full of gravity-defying labyrinths and heart-stopping jumps. The lack of in-air weight-balance modification and performance enhancing upgrades is slightly disappointing but, overall, the fundamentals are so addictive that these minor drawbacks are neither here nor there. GRIP Combat Racing is a highly concentrated experience, with a wealth of single-player content that's only complemented by its multiplayer components. Brilliant.
Unfortunately, Swap This!, like most matching puzzle games, is exactly that: just a matching puzzle game. It looks good, it will satisfy your need for something fun and casual-friendly, and it carries a killer price... but don't expect something more out of it.