Cubed3's Reviews
Without a doubt this is one of the most enjoyable arcade experiences on Nintendo Switch right now. Sure, it may be a classic and shunned by some purely on that basis, but the core gameplay of ACA NeoGeo: Metal Slug 3 has held strong over time, and proves to be just as addictive and challenging as it ever was...plus, it still looks mighty fine indeed. With the added benefit of other versions of the game included right from the off, a selection of control options, special extra challenge modes, and online leaderboards, the only thing that could top this is an anthology collection, similar to the one found on Wii years ago.
Overall, Waku Waku 7 is an almost perfect port, which more than successfully transmits the spirit of the original arcade hit. While it does lack an extra layer of effort, which would elevate this piece of content amongst some of the best on the eShop today, this is still a captivating and unique experience that is well worth checking out regardless of experience with the genre.
As an expansive compendium of tractor porn, Farming Simulator 17 is unparalleled, and has enough content to keep even the most ardent machinery fetishist titillated until their corn buds are ready to sprout. However, those hankering for a grittier agricultural experience encompassing the many problems faced by the modern day farmer will likely balk at Giants Software's relatively sterile approach.
Angels of Death will click with those who hunt through it's rough gameplay segments and take in its interesting story. While the gameplay may be rough, the story and the atmosphere are enough to recommend this to any fan of the genre, and the puzzle qualities found within are interesting, even when they falter. This is a small game that manages to be creepy, even if it stumbles slightly along the way.
ACA NeoGeo: Shock Troopers is an ideal game to add to anyone's Nintendo Switch library for playing while commuting, dropping into tabletop mode for some local co-operative action at a friend's house, or even diving into at home on the big screen to try and top the online leaderboards for that strong feeling of satisfaction. It may have a short playtime, but it is extremely enjoyable to go back to it again and again - a truly excellent dose of arcade fun.
Minus a couple hiccoughs here and there, ACA NeoGeo: World Heroes Perfect is a flawless, and 100% faithful version of the original arcade effort. However, this cannot change the fact that World Heroes Perfect was, and still is, nothing more than a generic fighter that pales in comparison to the strong competition in the genre, and even compared to SNK's more famous The King of Fighters line. In other words: this is nothing more than a collector's item product.
Nothing has changed here - this is still the same fantastic World of Goo that was so loved back on WiiWare, and now comes with the handy feature of including not only motion controls from the Wii version, but touch input from the mobile edition, as well as a great two-player feature and instant access to the atmospheric soundtrack. The core puzzles are as dastardly as ever, and feel just as fresh as they ever did, with numerous ways to solve them…and numerous ways to epically fail! Highly challenging, highly addictive, and, more than ever, leaving a thirst for a true sequel, World of Goo is a must for any Nintendo Switch owner.
Berserk and the Band of the Hawk is great. The strong visuals and story are complemented well by the gameplay. It should be satisfying for both fans of the gameplay style and fans of the Berserk franchise, and still approachable enough for fans of neither to enjoy. The only downside is that Warriors games' signature gameplay can lead to fatigue in long play sessions. It's a solid and polished game that is definitely and easily recommended to all.
Various RPG elements add a layer of depth to an already interesting combat system. The card element becomes addictive in a fun way, and slowly building up the characters is a task that many players will quickly come to enjoy. Most of the game connects very well with itself, barring the large issue of randomness in difficulty.
In spite of all the odds against Yoko Taro's career, he has finally created a true masterpiece that delivers on all fronts that includes gameplay. Environmental detail aesthetics lacking aside, Nier: Automata is an unbelievable game and one that just might make even the most stone cold-hearted gamers well up into a weepy emotional mess. This is a landmark in storytelling in games that is one that embraces the fact it is a video game and does not try to imitate film in the way most story driven games do. Nier: Automata is bold and weird without being pretentious, but most importantly it knows how to be a fun video game thanks to masterclass action game design.
The Crow's Eye cleverly designs a spooky atmosphere that then plays on your expectations wonderfully. Furthermore, an intriguing story that's gradually revealed through well-voiced audio tapes and well-written letters helps build up expectations even more. It certainly lives up to its claim as a psychological horror, but one that'll only put you on edge the first time through.
FlatOut 4: Total Insanity does a surprisingly accurate impression of its aging predecessors, but it fails to expand upon Bugbear's original blueprint in any meaningful way, and as such, misses the opportunity to forge its own identity. While it doesn't quite deliver the heady thrills and spills of Ultimate Carnage, it does come pretty darn close, and given that there's precisely zero demolition derby titles on the PS4 at this moment in time, it fills a tank in the market that's been left unleaded for far too long.
Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight is, without a doubt, one of the finest action-platformers around. Given enough time, players might be able to come up with a couple of nit-picks, but what little there is to complain about simply pales in comparison. This is an adventure that one can't help but to play through several times over, long after they've gotten their money's worth. To sum it all up, this game is a required play.
Everything will no doubt be included in the "Is it or is it not a game?" debate, but it is an interesting space to explore. It's exactly as odd as it sounds, and many may walk away from it begrudgingly. If you stick it out, though, you may find something here that really scratches an itch you never knew you had. The problem is: how long can it be scratched before the itch goes away?
Toukiden 2 has a rough start, but manages to pick it up and be a solid member of the monster hunting community. It will manage to hook you in, with its engaging world and simple crafting system. Unfortunately, it might lose you to the weird and often dense AI, and the unimpressive story.
Despite "monster hunting" type games being a niche genre, Toukiden 2 has enough RPG elements that can break out with some cross-over appeal. Ultimately a button mash action game, there is a story and upgrade system that can keep players interested. With this game, what you see is what you get, and for those that are looking exactly for this, it will be a great romp. No major issues drag it down; rather, it is simply a refined Monster Hunter game in everything that entails.
Warhammer 40,000: Deathwatch is a typical tactical turn-based game seen many times before. While not delivering anything new in terms of gameplay, the squad-based teamwork that is required to power through the 40 stages is nothing short of grinding fun. At the beginning, it feels like a bonding experience for the space marines. However, the game quickly falls down the path of needing to grind in order to venture through the missions, as a tough mission could be waiting, spiking up the difficulty quite unexpectedly and sharply. Combined with the stage designs that really do not complement the turn-based style of the game due to the enclosed tunnels and rarity of large arenas to set up ambushes in, this port of the smartphone game leaves a lot to be desired.
This is a bold, distinct and very charming package.
Toy Odyssey: The Lost and Found is a special type of game that has a really wonderful and childlike atmosphere, with an overlying grim darkness that engulfs the house, and poor Felix's nightmares. Brand is a likeable toy who just seeks to rid his owner of his nightmares, and try to banish the darkness from the house. Memoirs and diary entries from the various family members further pry open the dark mysteries of the situation. While counterbalancing the base defence element of the game, it can become annoying due to the high cost of the defences, and considering that many runs don't produce a lot of cogs until later in the game when Brand is highly powered, it can be a frustrating beginning. Once the early stages have been passed, though, and Brand has started levelling up and completing quests, an amazing experience opens up in what is one of the better action-platformers available on the PS4 in recent times.
Milestone is capable of and has produced drastically better and more authentic racers in the past. As previously indicated, those gems also tend to be the games that received the most breathing space.