Cubed3's Reviews
An often-forgotten gem of the Wii U library gets a new lease of life on its successor, and it marks a perfect stopgap between the majesty of Breath of the Wild and the carnage of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe later this month. Minor framerate issues and higher price tag aside, LEGO City Undercover ranks as one of the very best LEGO games and an ideal portable companion.
While there's plenty of light-hearted arcade fun to be had with this title, and despite the sizable helping of modes and content, somehow, the gameplay experience itself just seems a little bland and hollow. There's some real challenge in the latter parts of the single-player offerings, yet far before one reaches that point, there's a real chance players will be day-dreaming of more colourful variations of the theme, such as SSX Tricky or, more recently, Steep. Snow Moto Racing Freedom is a fairly decent package, but it's also not particularly polished or distinct. Future entries should address the dodgy central physics issues and general lack of personality.
Captain Kaon shows a lot of promise, but there are too many aspects that need to be tweaked or fixed. The graphics are passable, but the frame rate borders on horrendous. The difficulty balance is heavily stacked against the player early on, but then jumps between "too easy" and "too infuriating," depending on the objective. The soundtrack is just awful. There's one song that plays during every mission, and it must have been composed with just six or seven notes. It has a better chance of driving someone insane than being trapped miles underground, while surrounded by hostility.
FATED: The Silent Oath tells a short but compelling story steeped in Norse mythology, with some great set pieces that play to VR terrifically. It’s a pleasant change to find a set of characters that are as likable as this, and there are some clever design choices at work to make the VR experience viable for such a story-driven game. It's a shame there isn't more of it.
King's Quest isn't a graphical powerhouse, it's not a bastion of good gameplay, and it isn't even a particularly excellent puzzler. What it is is one of the best stories found in gaming; the amount of charm and love put into the game, and subsequently poured out of the game, makes it a unique experience just about anyone can get behind. Here is a story that would put most award-winning animated films to shame, and cleverly binding it to puzzles and gameplay segments helps invest players even more into this unforgettable, emotional journey.
The Utopia DLC, tied in with its major update, goes a long way to breathing life into a game that had grown stale on many fronts. The race actually feels a lot more alive, and the Unity/Ascension system gives something to work towards during the game. For more casual fans, the free update is likely enough, as it offers a surprising amount of content, whereas more hardcore fans will want to spring for additional features that especially change late game. The combat system that has been an issue in many people's eyes unfortunately sees no changes, but the rest of the game has been overhauled to a much better state. The singular problem is arguably the update gives more than the DLC, which has a steep cost.
The Nonary Games is a collection of two examples of some of the best visual novels available. Expect a riveting mystery full of interesting and layered characters, and even some diabolical puzzles. Whilst Nine Persons, Nine Hours, Nine Doors is clearly the game that got the most attention for this compilation, it doesn't mean that Virtue's Last Reward is the lesser of the two... 999 just needed it more and it pays off beautifully.
Has-Been Heroes is a funny and charming title that blends the age-old tale of heroes embarking on an adventure with the humour of them escorting the princesses to school.
While having an additional campaign is swell, the real stars of the Elite Class DLC are the hover vehicles. They offer an exciting spin on traditional racing. Taking the time to learn their intricacies is a very rewarding endeavour. The higher top speeds and looser handling make for very frenetic and sometimes chaotic races. All in all, a fine purchase for any fan of Mantis Burn Racing.
Snowbound is a fantastic add-on that's sure to please Mantis Burn Racing veterans. The four tracks not only look great, but they're also fairly designed and fun to race through. A lot of time could be spent just testing out how all of the vehicles behave on these treacherous ice-covered roads. Everything is seamlessly integrated, so both campaign and multiplayer gamers aren't going to run into any issues. Most importantly, this DLC is free. How can anyone complain about that?
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier - Episode 3: Above The Law continues its remarkable success with advancing the progression of main characters, their pasts, and their relationships, but what struggles as a result is a clearer picture of the season as a whole. Of course, like is seen in the first two episodes, things can change mighty quickly, and it's definitely possible that it ends up finishing with a bang. For now, though, Above the Law does its job ramping up excitement for the next instalment, but unfortunately not for the same reasons that the first two did.
Pinball Parlor is very clearly aimed at enthusiasts. Grasping the mechanics behind nudging can take several hours. Getting an impressive score? That'll take even longer. The high skill barrier is bound to annoy players accustomed to more modern renditions of pinball. Still, if they're willing to put in the effort, they'll find a game that's unique compellingly and rewarding. With every session, they get a better idea of how it all works. Eventually, their time will be appropriately rewarded.
Yooka-Laylee is the perfect collectathon game for veterans of the N64 and a true spiritual successor to the spectacular Banjo-Kazooie. It is exactly what people were hoping it would be, but there are a few critical flaws that are impossible to ignore. It feels like a title taken from the N64 and polished up to this generation, but games have changed a great deal since that era. Arguably, had this incorporated some of those changes, it could have been even better, but instead it has embraced its concept and stayed true to its roots. Regardless, the low price point, inviting gameplay and pure fun of the game means this is one that everyone should try.
Reflection upon Yooka-Laylee raises a genuine smile in a way that few video games ever do these days. Undoubtedly, this will sound like the stereotypical ramblings of a Banjo-Kazooie fan drunk on nostalgia; it's true that when Rare slipped into obscurity, setting to work on other types of projects, they left a massive void for this brand of quirky, humorous, collection-heavy platforming adventure. Playtonic has recognised and rectified this, reminding the gaming world that this sub-genre has fallen out of favour for far too long. While it leans on a unique contextual crux, considering the team's history and the Kickstarter origins of the project, the end result is something truly delightful in its own right. A brilliant successor that perfectly channels the creative energies of the N64 platforming era.
A stiff challenge, no handholding, and large, open levels is somewhat daunting at first, but spectacular level and character design, sarcastic, fourth wall-breaking humour, and oodles of collectables will quickly grip and immerse you in Yooka and Laylee's quirky world. This is a 3D platforming fan's dream title.
Tiles is one of the most mentally satisfying puzzle games to release in a while, at least in terms of the single-player. The multiplayer mimics all the levels from the single-player, to the point where they unlock at the same rate. This lack of variety means playing together will have one person, the one who plays the game more, at a clear advantage. There's a simple fix for that if it bothers you. Don't play the multiplayer. Enjoy the ingenious single-player mode, because it's a fantastic experience in every right.
Besides a neat level editor to share stages with friends, there is nothing to be seen here that hasn't been seen countless times before - and more polished. While fun for half an hour, Urban Trial Freestyle 2 has no lasting appeal on its own, but is truly reliant on the level editor and user generated content. Other than that, there are better options out there if looking for a game like this.
The Great Whale Road manages to balance its many moving parts just fine; it's just that one of those parts doesn't hold up its own weight very well. When it's about progressing the story, or keeping your village going, this game feels really good. Combat doesn't manage to hold itself up to that same standard, and fails to feel like anything other than an add-on.
Persona 5 is unrepentantly stylish, and absolutely seamless in keeping its players immersed in its world. Every moment is exciting, from traversing the masterfully crafted dungeons, to living it up with Joker's friends and acquaintances. There are some moments that don't mesh perfectly with the tone of the story, but even they help to paint a portrait of a group of teenagers dissatisfied with the world at large. Persona 5 is a joy from start to finish, and it never drops its fashionable facade - not even for a second.
The King of Fighters '98 looks, sounds and plays as great as ever, but there is no denying that its lack of modes that come as standard in just about every other fighter, including later versions of KOF '98, is a detriment to its broader appeal. That said, this is a faithful arcade port of one of the most prestigious fighting games and adds quality to the Switch's early selection of titles.