Cubed3's Reviews
This is decidedly a very classic feeling Fire Emblem, with enough freshness to captivate even veterans of the franchise and comes with a welcome accessibility that makes it the easiest for newcomers to get into. This entry goes to show that there's room within the franchise to make different looking Fire Emblem entries that still feel true to the series but which also dare to not only tread new ground, but to do so in a great way. It's a well rounded package that is well balanced to please the majority of its audience, like the entire trilogy of Fire Emblem Fates before it, but while keeping it all confined to just one game with the complete epic story being accessible just from buying this one piece of software instead of it being spread out, and that's something to be thankful for. Overall, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, while feeling like an older entry, might very well be moving the series forward in certain aspects that could potentially return in future outings.
Akiba's Beat really only works every so often, but fans of the genre will likely appreciate it on some level. While the dialogue is difficult to get engrossed in, and the combat feels unresponsive at times, there's still a cult classic buried in this little title. Not every game can be perfect, and that definitely applies to Akiba's Beat. Still, it's clear it will be perfect for many people out there, and that's what matters.
Pinstripe is genuinely creepy, and takes some chances other games simply won't in terms of its story. Unfortunately, there are minor issues riddling this bizarre take on Hell that anyone venturing in should definitely know about. Definitely pick it up, but remember, you're venturing into Hell. Things are going to be rough, even if they weren't always supposed to be.
Charlie Murder is altogether a very solid beat 'em up. Brawlers with RPG elements very rarely hit the mark, but this one is quite enjoyable. It doesn't sacrifice the essential mechanics that make cracking skulls so satisfying. There's an understated layer of depth that skilful gamers can really appreciate. Admittedly, the punk aesthetic is lost on a prog-rock geek like this reviewer. Still, it's charming all the same. All in all, this is a title that's well worth looking into.
Quiet, Please is a cute, smaller game, that nails the humorous aspects of point and click titles. However, the controls can be a bit too wonky, making actually playing the game harder than it needs to be. For fans of bite sized games, this one is definitely still worth a look.
Candy, Please! might have a lacklustre main mission, but as a whole feels much more guided than its predecessor. While its main objectives tend to feel hopeless at times, it's still nice to explore them. This is clearly the most well rounded part of this series, and it holds up remarkably well for how little there actually is.
Dragon Sinker might be one of KEMCO's best titles to date. With some 50 games already in their catalogue, Dragon Sinker stands out because it doesn't just settle for being like its influences. It finds incredibly clever ways to enhance the experience it has, and while much of what the player is doing is the same old song and dance, those little off beats more than make up for it.
Short, easy, and not as good as it could be, but also engrossing, beautiful, and fun, this creepy, narrative-driven puzzle-platformer known as Little Nightmares might not be perfect, but it's also one of those titles that could very well be so with a little more care.
Syberia 3 had great promise, and still does have plenty to offer - if a lot of the flaws and bugs can be tweaked post-launch by the developer, that is. However, in its current state, the only mildly intriguing story, surprisingly weak puzzles, and the shockingly poor controls, plus the numerous bugs and glitches encountered, make it very difficult for even the biggest Syberia fans to persevere through this third Kate Walker adventure.
Creative and colourful are two words that perfectly sums up both the spirit and gameplay of de Blob. It is refreshing to enter a more open 3D platformer in which there are several ways to proceed through, rather than going on a preset route, or fail doing so. The challenges are neatly balanced with the rewards, and the way it is possible to instantly retry something without any requirements to do so means that even the more difficult challenges feels fair and rewarding rather than punishing. If looking for a game that plays with you rather than against you, this is a warm recommendation.
This DLC might be a bit meagre in terms of what it adds, but Monster Slayers itself has shown a lot of progress since its release. The DLC at this point offers only a little, especially as the base game needs issues worked out. Monster Slayers is a fun romp, but the DLC feels way too early. Even looking at the messages boards, the DLC has not been well received, as there are still issues, suggesting the original game is not yet complete.
River City Melee Battle Royal SP is not tough, but rather a big stinkin' BARF! Hopefully this misfire has not damaged the Kunio legacy and maybe one day it will get another chance at redemption. The presentation here was top notch and one of the best looking entries in the franchise. It is too bad it got wasted on such a boring and uninvolving brawling game.
Gnog is a basic clicking game with a great universe and some simple puzzles on the side. For a kid, this would be immensely rewarding. For puzzle fans, this won't even begin to feel rewarding. Perhaps with deeper puzzles, Gnog would feel a bit more enticing. Currently, though, it's just a lot of bells and whistles with little reward for the player's precious time.
There's something truly special about Slayaway Camp. What could have been a one-note gag instead manages to be a hilarious, charming, and ingenious puzzle game. Actually stopping to write this review was incredibly difficult; the game is just that addicting. There's something new around each corner, with numerous unlockables and dozens of levels. Plus, new content is still being added, with the developers demonstrating some true passion for the project. It may be one-way only, but a trip to Slayaway Camp should not be missed.
What irks about Flinthook is found in every roguelike; the sudden deaths, the lack of tangible progress and the inability to feel safe within your environment. However, some players will delight in this usual pattern and others whom usually fight against such road blocking will find enough within the walls to come back time and time again, gluttons for such delightful and gloriously designed punishment. Flinthook is a ballet upon spikes, far too risky to participate in, but get it right and the rewards are such a beautiful spectacle.
Despite its issues, which should be addressed in short order, Prey is a stunning gem. Not since the venerable System Shock 2 has there been an immersive simulator that succeeds in everything it sets out to do. Talos-1 is masterful in both its construction and design. Players are given limitless freedom to approach every possible situation, lending the game unparalleled levels of replay value. Also, it's rare to see a purely single-player experience retain its freshness in the face of a lengthy play-time. This is just as compelling in the 30th hour as it is in the first.
While the concept of a LEGO based sandbox is irresistibly charming and promising, LEGO Worlds unfortunately misses all the right marks. From a presentation lens, the LEGO premise is used well, but it never feels in tune with the level design, and the multiplayer, one of the biggest draws, is underutilized and underdeveloped. For a younger audience, the single-player might serve as a decent time killer, as the overall presentation is colourful and inviting, and the initial hour of figuring out what and how to build is exciting, but fans of either LEGO or the sandbox genre will be left wanting so much more than what LEGO Worlds can offer.
If the fun factor was high enough, Dragon Quest Heroes II's simplicity could easily be tolerated… but it isn't. This is one of the most repetitive hack 'n' slashers, it barely touches its Musou influences, and its storyline is way too lengthy and unexciting for what's on offer. Other than the cocktail of all things Dragon Quest it provides, this can safely be passed by for something much better.
Chambara is a very strong local multiplayer title that catches some of the appeal of the late 90's deathmatch experiences, added with some stealthy hide-and-seek elements. While it's fun while it lasts, the fact that at least two players are required to play, mixed with the feeling of being one of those "in between" games that are played for like 10 minutes, makes it difficult for it to last as well as some of the older classics, and makes it hard to build up a great gaming night on its own, but the time it gets in the spotlight will be remembered fondly by those present, and will be revisited again and again.
If this really is the end of BOXBOY!, then it's an excellent high to go out on. Qbby's puzzling adventures in BYE-BYE BOXBOY! make for just as much of an addictive, brain-tickling masterpiece as they did in 2015. The amount of new material in the game is laudable, and it's all employed successfully: this is a finale worth checking out, be it by newcomers or veterans, alike.