Cubed3's Reviews
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is everything an action RPG could and should be. Genre conventions and traditions are still in play, but they're handled with a delicacy that elevates what would otherwise be tired clichés into imaginative story beats. The narrative is as rich in thematic substance as it is in genuine human interaction, as every NPC is given ample time to grow, while solidarity is emphasized as humanity's best bet at surviving. Lacrimosa of Dana plays like an ideal marriage between Seven and Memories of Celceta, with an equal balance of character building, fast-paced combat, and exploration. NIS America's localization could have used another draft, but it's offset by the franchise's single best story and a host of content to uncover in the base game, along with New Game Plus. Innovative with just enough familiarity, Ys has never been better.
Knowing that Warriors All-Stars is only really going to appeal to Warriors fans, this is definitely a let-down when it comes to being a celebration of some of the best characters and franchises Koei Tecmo has to offer. There just aren't enough characters, the story is the only mode available, and it is pointlessly confusing in its explanation of reaching particular missions and endings. On the other end of the spectrum, though, the gameplay is some of the flashiest and fastest there is, with plenty of variety in move sets across the roster. There will be enough here when it comes to working through the endings for characters that appeal to the individual, but the lacking long term appeal and frustration involved in redoing missions to unlock the same allies and reach previous paths again hurts it.
When it comes to writing and storytelling, Pillars of Eternity is a class act. Obsidian had complete freedom to pursue their vision, and it shows in the impressively-constructed world and excellent characterization. Every side-quest, no matter how minor, has at least some significance in the development of the protagonist. Again, it takes time to adjust to the controls, but they work very well. Players can comfortably lean back, relax, and micromanage when necessary. However, the mediocre frame rate and long load times mar the experience. Still, fans of the genre will appreciate this fantastic game.
Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder is a satirical take on historical and mythological figures, and blends them into this weird and wacky tower defence game. Although the tutorial may do a poor job in explaining the mechanics of the game, this is still easy to pick up and understand. However, be prepared for some ruthless beginnings while messing about with the various obstacles to better understand what works. This game is not to be taken too seriously in terms of story and aesthetics, and it is great for a laugh or two, as they serve as a precursor to the amount of tears that come from some clunky boulder mechanics and some awfully hard AI opponents. Go off- or online with two players and have heaps of fun in what is sure to be a great way to pass the time in a not-so-serious environment of pure mayhem and carnage.
Xenia may have the heart, but it feels more like a student project than a fully fleshed out title. It lacks polish in every area, even to the point where it goes from feeling charming for it and moves right over into being annoying. It still manages to function as a game, though, and for that, it may be worth a bit of your time if this sort of game peaks your interest.
Masquerada: Songs and Shadows rides the line between too little and too much, and often swerves into the too little range. Between the difficult to manage combat, and the constant breaks from gameplay for story, this could have been a misfire. Fortunately, it's saved just enough by beautiful artwork, sublime voice acting, and a presentation to die for.
Iron Crypticle is one of the best newcomers to the dungeon crawler genre. While it doesn't come without its share of issues, it's one of the most exciting takes to come along in some time. So grab yourself a few buddies and get ready to die a lot. Just like any good dungeon crawler, Iron Crypticle is all about learning from mistakes, no matter how many times Game Over assaults the television screen.
Despite some continuity errors, episode two of Minecraft: Story Mode still shows that Telltale wants to make this season more than just an extra bid for money. The tension and character drama build to a point where the latter part of the episode flies by, leaving a void that can only be filled by the forthcoming episode three. When the only other complaint is that there's no option to start a romance with Lukas and/or Radar, it's clear that something special is being built here.
Despite a low count of levels and a difficult mechanic to grasp at first, Energy Balance is a decent puzzle game that you will like more if you're into math based titles. However, for those who find math repulsive, steer clear of it, as one's grasp of numbers is the primary decider on how well they will do. For those who do enjoy its charms, this is a great little puzzle game that should not be overlooked.
There's just something about these types of games that make them intrinsically addictive. After playing Graceful Explosion Machine for long enough, and getting into the flow, the experience is fast, manic, and fluid - the sort of gameplay that harkens back to the pure and simplistic joy that was the core of arcade shooters of the '90s. That being said, the real draw of the game is the replayable rankings and leaderboards, and attempting to get those perfect runs on each stage. Without that, the game is a little short for the cost, with just over 2-3 hours of playtime to finish it off.
Not only is Phantom Trigger agonising to play, but it is also really mind-numbingly boring. The game's cycle is just going through linear areas, being forced to fight, and then having to do a 'Simon Says' style memory game. There are some unremarkable boss battles, with no fun factor at all, all following a very similar formula. At about five hours, this kind of game doesn't seem long, but five hours for Phantom Trigger feels like real hard work. The only saving graces are some attempt at having some visual style and some interesting looking designs.
As far as local party games go, Jump Stars is not exactly bad, but it's certainly missing a lot of the components that make such titles shine. It's simple, it's boring, it lacks variety, and there's no point in buying it when there are far better alternatives out there - and, yes, that includes the world of PC gaming, also.
While there are some great moments, overall, this episode feels rather mediocre. Just as the previous episode succeeded thanks to the introduction of the new member, Nebula, the introduction of Mantis here is definitely the highpoint, but outside of this, the story fails to captivate its audience once again. Even the "big finale," which gives two options to destroy the Forge or empower it, fails to give enough of a stinger or cliffhanger to leave the audience excited for the next episode… Two to go and it seems that means the histories of Groot and Drax may be on display. These flashbacks into memory are one of the few saving graces, so they should be good at least.
Episode Three: More Than a Feeling furthers the intriguing story and takes it to new grounds, thanks in part to the carryovers from the previous episodes' decisions and the heart-breaking story centring on Gamora.
Lines is an enjoyable, if not an inconsistent, puzzle game. It's a great time killer, but thanks to the random placement of opposing nodes, levels often feel like winning is more luck and less skill. Still, it does have its merits, and is a good way to pass the time.
Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2 is a shining example of iteration done right. Instead of just slapping a new story onto the previous season's set of mechanics and calling it a day, it seems to be trying to deliver a far superior experience. It does suffer mildly from "setup tedium" when it comes to getting the plot going, but once it does, it becomes clear that there's a lot more going on here than in the first season. Assuming that the ride stays smooth throughout, this is shaping up to be one hell of a sophomore season for Minecraft: Story Mode.
Shantae: Pirate Queen's Quest is a fine add-on for fans of the series. Although an entirely new adventure would have been preferred, WayForward implemented a number of clever ideas to keep this one interesting. Exploring the levels in any order is a neat design decision, and it's nice to revisit Risky Boots' impressive skillset. This DLC also spares its players the meaningless questing, so they can focus squarely on the journey. Altogether, it's a fine way to spend a couple of hours.
The Escapists 2 is not going to appeal to a large audience, but for those that fit the niche, they will most definitely enjoy this. Simulator fans and anyone that favours heavy puzzle elements in their games will be more than happy with what it has to offer. It can be hard to figure out what needs to be done, or how next to proceed, but it will definitely scratch the itch for puzzle aficionados.
White Day: A Labyrinth Named School is a concept that has a breadth of brilliance to it that it just cannot reach due to budgetary limitations. It looks like a game from the early 2000s that was thrown in an HD up-rezzing machine, and plays like one, too - for better and for worse. The fact that this was actually a remake of a game from that period probably explains why it feels this way. The thing is, Resident Evil HD Remaster was also a port of a remake from the same era, and while it is understandable that they may not have had the budget that Capcom had to expand on this old game, that ultimately is not the case for Frictional Games' Amnesia. Maybe White Day's concept is just too ambitious for the team to fully really realise, and the best that anyone can tell them is a hearty "better luck next time." This K-horror game is only recommended to the most hardcore horror enthusiasts who might be curious to see another culture's take on the genre.
Sonic Mania doesn't just stand shoulder to shoulder with the classics of yesteryear; it surpasses them. The level design is absolutely incredible. Each zone features a wealth of obstacles and secrets, and they're all superbly implemented. Players are given ample opportunity to explore, though there's also incentive in speeding to the end.