Cubed3's Reviews
Thanks to an excellently paced single-player campaign featuring little to no fluff, and a multiplayer that emphasises genuine strategy and smart play, Titanfall 2 manages to stand out as one of the better surprises of 2016. The campaign is a very enjoyable sci-fi character drama that is only elevated by its fun cast and equally fun story. A clear eye for level design keeps the single-player fresh, blending the FPS and platformer genres together to continually pump out memorable moments. Titanfall 2 fixes just about everything that went wrong with the original, featuring better map design that plays to the core mechanics, and greatly expands the once dull universe. There are still some issues with multiplayer mode variety, but Titanfall 2 is strong enough to overcome its shortcomings to be a great sequel, and an even greater game.
Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2 is the most ambitious and enjoyable Dragon Ball game to date, but it still has a way to go. The combat could be smoother and the loading screens leave a terrible impression. That being said, for hardcore Dragon Ball fans, this is a must-play filled with plenty of elements perfectly aimed at that sector. There's also an absolute ton to do here that will keep anyone busy for a long time to come and, as if that wasn't enough, Bandai Namco has already announced six months' worth of DLC, containing characters and stories from the recent (and superb) Dragon Ball Super. Look forward to getting hands-on with Goku Black and maybe even Super Saiyan Rose…
One Way Heroics is fun for a run or two, and the quick learning required is a major source of the enjoyment on the first playthrough. There are a lot of things holding it back, though, and bad graphics/UI are a major issue to begin with. Furthermore, the fun factor due to the novelty of "what happens next?" does not exist here. The fundamental depth of this title is not enough to encourage long term play - the price of entry is cheap, but don't come expecting something worthwhile.
If it can connect with the player, then this game is a profound experience. It takes the medium into different directions, while drawing upon its artistic qualities to find what lies within the viewer. Of course, there's no guarantee that it will garner the same response from everyone. Some people might even say it's pretentious, which wouldn't be an unfair assessment. In the end, this is just a point of view. However, inspiration can't be taken for granted, because it allows someone to look a little harder at the world around them, and a little deeper into themselves. This is reason enough to consider investing a couple of hours into Small Radios Big Televisions.
Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 is completely solid. The basics of platformers are left in place, whilst new aspects are brought in to keep it fresh. The story and characters are very well done for this type of game, and the aesthetics, level design and thought put into it shine through in many ways. Including the fact that it can be played twice with the two different characters, as well as challenges and equipment to farm, there is plenty to keep players around. As far as platformers go, this is great, and harkens back to when they were a major genre. Hopefully we will see more of this type of game.
Mark McMorris Infinite Air's spartan presentation and mediocre visuals aren't impressive on their own, but they serve their purpose. This is a snowboarding experience that puts functionality over style. The control scheme has its quirks, but there is a lot of depth to it, so consistently performing the most difficult stunts is very rewarding. The breadth of world-building options is truly remarkable. Gamers have all of the tools necessary to design a typical slope-style run, craft a challenging track to test reflexes and board control, or put together something completely unbelievable. This freedom to experiment can never be underappreciated, because it really helps to set this game apart from the pack. All in all, this is a fine addition to the genre.
It is still hoped that Lara is isolated a bit more in her next quest, as minimal interaction with other characters is where Tomb Raider has worked best, but it has been necessary to shape her personality in this storyline. The rebooting isn't quite there yet, but Rise of the Tomb Raider is sure-fire proof that Crystal Dynamics is on the right track, as the essence of Tomb Raider is alive and kicking here, with plenty of promise for the future. The gameplay mechanics and Lara's determination are more or less solidified, barring an overreliance on the Survival Instincts feature, so now it's just a case of carrying that through into her next adventure and expanding on the already-great atmosphere, freedom and tomb raiding that has been applied in this chapter of Lara's story. There is certainly plenty of bang for the buck in this edition, ensuring PlayStation 4 owners are getting the best deal if they have held out to purchase it.
Poncho is a short adventure with excellent storytelling and amusing aspects, but far from being a flawless game, because of its technical issues, lack of challenge and altogether limited gameplay potential. An unexceptional game, but with enough personality and redeeming features that prevent it from being immediately forgotten.
BioShock: The Collection is a pretty good compilation of some of the best first-person action—and sometimes horror—gaming around. It is unfortunate that it is not the greatest it could be, and that only the first game was given the best treatment, but these games have never looked or ran better on consoles before. Anyone who never played these titles should definitely give this a shot.
Like all the best party games, its strength lies in its simplicity, its clever design, and the fact that it's just so much darn fun to play. Overcooked is one of those rare gems that possesses the ability to endlessly generate comedy moments and is the perfect choice for those lengthy multiplayer sessions, though probably best avoided if Gordon Ramsay is due a visit.
It may seem indecisive to say that this game is not going to be for everyone, as that's pretty much a given with any title. Binaries is distinct in that it's one of the rare titles that is incredibly fun, but a little commitment will be needed to find it. To the unexposed eye, it's just another hard puzzle-platformer. Scoop that dirt away, dig deep enough, and Binaries is an absolutely brilliant title that manages to be both enticing and rewarding.
On the whole, saying something bad about The Reaper's Due is simply a dishonest stance outside of a few things. There isn't some glaring flaw or shortcoming, some aspect that feels like a punch to the gut, or something that feels super frustrating, just nothing that strikes to the level where playing without it feels like an entirely different experience. It's got all upsides, just not some major upside to make it stand out as more desirable even among its fellow Crusader Kings II expansion peers. Those that want deeper mechanics to the plagues and other things will want this, while others won't be crippling themselves by ignoring it.
Aenigma Os stands out as a really clever take on the modern puzzle genre. It offers great brain training and entertaining game modes that really change how players have to plan their moves. The biggest problems are that it is very similar to many other games and that it is on a home console. While the gameplay is enjoyable, it is one of those games that is best enjoyed in short bursts of between five to twenty minutes while traveling or waiting for something, and that isn't very home console friendly at all.
Weeping Doll is poorly acted, which clashes with the atmosphere, has 'baby's first puzzles' and is "completed" in less than 30 minutes. A working control scheme that won't cause motion sickness and below average visuals are the only saving graces. The story is told clumsily, mostly through narration, and there is no lose state, so there never is any real tension. No tears will be shed for Weeping Doll.
Hide and Shriek is a surprisingly fun little game. It couples a clever premise with charming ideas and an abundance of possibilities. Attempting to track an invisible opponent, who is just as capable at casting spells and setting traps, can also get really tense. Hearts are liable to race as the time ticks down, and one of the players is a shriek away from winning (or losing). There's a clear gap between professionals and amateurs, though, so it could get annoying for anyone new to the competition. The visibility curse could also stand to be nerfed, if not outright removed. It makes spotting and shrieking just a little too easy. Altogether, this is a game that's simply more enjoyable when played with a friend. Startling a random person halfway across the country is amusing, but scaring a best friend is just plain magical.
Earthlock is a beautiful and exciting RPG, being one of the best this decade. It combines aspects that make a game great, like a very well-written story, a beautifully composed soundtrack, and characters that stand out. However, the gameplay is sort of lacking, with most of it being battles. The game also loses its lustre fairly quickly after starting, as nothing really interesting happens until later.
There are few players out there that will fully appreciate this title, a crossover of two rather niche properties, with little to elevate it over the numerous other instalments in the series. The repetitive nature of the quests and the huge amounts of exposition are very off-putting. Hardcore Hyperdimension fans will already be picking this up, and long-time SEGA fans will find plenty of references to keep them entertained, but the core game leaves a lot to be desired.
Whilst lacking the open world from its predecessor, LEGO Batman 3 still offers plenty of content in the form of collectables and unlockable characters, although those who have little to no interest in the source material should probably steer clear of this and pick up one of the stronger LEGO titles.
Featherpunk Prime is a competently-made shooter, but its main issue is that it's too "safe." The level designs are functional, but bland. The unique and challenging guardian fights require dealing with a mundane collection of regular enemies. There are plenty of weapons, but there isn't much of a reason to use anything beyond the shotgun. The art direction is great, but it's part of a game that's entirely too traditional. In other words, there needed to be more forward thinking ideas and different approaches to basic concepts. It's a risky approach, but it's exactly what the game needed.
Some slack could surely be cut for Batman: The Telltale Series - Episode 3: New World Order if it wasn't the very middle of the whole journey - and, as one, it owed itself to be much better than that. The story is still good, the characters probably even better, and, generally, it's not a bad experience, but it pales in comparison to what most people expected from it. As for the cliffhanger ending, it surely ignites interest about how things will unfold, but that doesn't make this chapter any less mediocre.