Cubed3's Reviews
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.
Tales of Graces f Remastered's most compelling feature is its combat system. It's a serviceable JRPG experience, potentially appealing to younger players disinclined towards turn-based systems. While its emphasis on "the power of friendship" may resonate with this demographic, older gamers will find the narrative lame and its character motivations underdeveloped. Although the writing occasionally exhibits weaknesses, the narrative does offer moments of genuine emotional impact.
The Coma 2B: Catacomb is a worthwhile horror game, but one that will test one's patience. The randomisation compounded with the cruel and unfair AI throwing outrageously long QTEs will undoubtedly frustrate the most dedicated horror fans. However, it is fun to see Youngho again and to find out what he has been up to, and the scares deliver the chills.
The opening of Xenoblade Chronicles X is really something. From the pure horror of watching Earth get wiped out, to the first exploration sequence in the dark and the rain, this game really takes players on a masterful rollercoaster of emotion. The only real knocks against it are the occasional oddly placed music track, and the generally boring city sections, with an additional comment that the systems are often so complicated that they get in the way of fighting and exploring. The story definitely comes in waves, so any player should be more interested in the exploration than purely a narrative experience.
Monster Hunter Wilds is a fantastic time through and through. It might not hit the right balance for all players due to the move to being more story-focused with pacing and things, but for those who like it, there is a ton of fun to be had here. A successful and innovative way to change up the typical Monster Hunter formula and a great stepping stone to finding the perfect balance. A heartily recommended action title where the monsters are the real stars of the show!
The charm of Asterigos: Curse of the Stars is its story, but there is still the potential for more growth in this area, as well as its gameplay. Those that take the time to explore and get to know the characters will find more enjoyment than others. For the casual gamer, one may find Asterigos short and repetitive, but this is still a respectable debut title from developer Acme Gamestudio.