Cubed3's Reviews
Headlander deftly delivers a smart story via a constant stream of varied, original ideas, to ensure a journey that feels remarkably vibrant and fresh from start to finish. Crammed full of Double Fine's trademark humour, and loaded to the brim with references to classic sci-fi, it pays loving homage to that corny, yet fun, era of film and television, that often gets overlooked in the age of the green screen and digital effect.
Fans of CiNG's previous works - such as the Another Code games and the duo of Hotel Dusk / Last Window - will be impressed by the tale told, as well as the audio and visuals found in Chase: Cold Case Investigations, even if only for the short time it lasts. The low price barrier for this Nintendo 3DS eShop release is high incentive for impulse purchasing, though, yet few outside of text adventure enthusiasts will find true value for money in this one.
Mario Party: Star Rush is a fresh take on the series, with new mechanics that keep things quick and unpredictable. The level designs are perhaps a little bland compared to the older titles, but the mini-games, boss battles and additional challenges bring together an enjoyable little package that can quite easily be played solo, with solid multiplayer and an eShop download option for those with a single copy of the game.
The world of Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor has a unique magic to it. Its alien world feels strangely familiar, and the mundane, everyday experiences of the cute, pixelated protagonist, will surely strike a chord with anyone who had suffered an even remotely similar fate. The problem? We get enough mundane in real life, and, unfortunately, this title has very little to offer besides that.
Mortal Kombat X remains a slightly inferior fighter compared to other titles, but mostly when it comes to depth, because, while very "old-school" and bare-bones, it's a very enjoyable experience, nevertheless. As for the XL upgrade it got, while not a game-changer, it fixes the many problems of the original, adds all downloadable content, and makes it a worthy purchase, even for those who were setting on the fence about it.
Tempest is enjoyable… for what it's worth. There are some issues that just feel like weird game design, but even though it's not perfect, it's still really exciting to manage every facet of your war vessel. It makes it feel like every victory was truly yours. It is clearly a war machine with some blemishes, but she's mighty fun to pilot.
The Bug Butcher does a fine job of paying homage to the arcade titles that inspired it. Rather than attempt to be an inept clone, this shoot 'em up goes for a faster, more frenetic take on the concept. The variety of bugs and traps makes each level feel fresh, and there's enough of a difficulty curve to keep everything interesting. When played for score, this game becomes even more enjoyable. It's not quite as polished as it could be, but all things considered, Awfully Nice Studios delivered a quality product for insect-blasting enthusiasts.
Yomawari: Night Alone on PlayStation Vita is a brilliantly refreshing return to the iconic Japanese horror game, and it's a real joy to see it get localised here in the UK. Horror aficionados need to pick this one up and when better than just in time for Halloween? Get some good headphones, a pitch black room, kick back, and let this special adventure take you on a journey, but don't forget to keep a torch nearby, just in case...
Without a doubt the best Rhythm Paradise game so far, Rhythm Paradise Megamix is the ultimate package - almost like Nintendo's own NOW That's What I Call Music compilation. Rather than some half-baked bundling of past releases together, the team has taken the most loved rhythm mini-games from the past, spruced them up, pieced them together nicely on 3DS, covered them with comical storylines, and then whipped up a fresh batch of mini-game goodness to add in, just for good measure. Rhythm Paradise Megamix is just what the doctor ordered, and the perfect early Christmas present for Nintendo 3DS owners of all ages.
Marvel's Women of Power pack sees Zen Studios dip into the well of licensed properties, and bringing to life some of the lesser-known female super heroes in the Marvel comics franchises. The audio serves a great purpose in giving these characters some personality that would be enjoyed by newcomers to this Marvel property. The A-Force table is the easier of the two due to its openness; however, both tables are ultimately great additions to the ever growing Zen Pinball family. The comic art style used further embellishes a pack that Zen Studios has put as much tender loving care into as any of their previous packs.
RIVE is a fantastic shoot 'em up game that will push the limits of patience and fortitude. Roughshot, the main character who traverses the stages in a spider tank, dies a lot. Because of this, certain battles may take up to or over thirty minutes of constant dying and trying again before the moment of victory comes. It is extremely satisfying when these moments occur, but it can be hard to be persistent when the game can feel like it is unfair at times.
Yo-kai Watch 2: Fleshy Souls isn't a game that's going to change any pre-existing opinions on the series. At its core, Yo-kai Watch as a series is more about the adventure than any specific goals, and that's evident in every part of the game. There are lots of good reasons to take time to thoroughly explore every inch of the game, but it's not really built for those looking for a more straightforward RPG experience. That said, for fans of the charming world of Yo-kai Watch, there's only more to love this time around.
While far better, Duke Nukem 3D is somewhat like the first Mortal Kombat; something that mostly managed to be relevant due to its risky style and attitude. It still looks and plays alright, but, besides being a good show-off, the Duke didn't have what it takes to keep up with the competition. Nevertheless, the 20th Anniversary World Tour edition is, without a single doubt, the definite one, even though it doesn't do much to improve the experience.
The atmosphere in Criminal Girls 2: Party Favors is really good, and the level of mystery built up keeps the story entertaining. For those who want it for the motivation scenes, there are many and varied, and very, very perverted. With a long playtime and plenty to discover, a fun battle system and interesting characters, this second entry into the series is well worth a look. Just don't get it if you consider underwear, lewd poses, noises, etc. offensive.
While River City: Tokyo Rumble is lacking in terms of challenge or complexity, it delivers on the basic concepts that have helped the Kunio Kun franchise last for decades. The character designs and animations evoke plenty of charm, and the fighting is simple and easy to enjoy. A handful of secrets and unlockable extras reward anyone who takes the time to explore. The dozens of methods for punishing everyone that threatens the safety of Tokyo is a treat, as well. All in all, this is a quality beat 'em up that's worth looking into.
Avoider is very much trying to hearken back to the Atari era of videogames with its simplicity, and that's a fine goal to have, but it also suffers from the exact same problems of that era without adding any modern design philosophies into the fray. Tedium rules Avoider's world. Playing through the same scenario over and over again for a high score can only be fun so many times. The lack of real skill or growth also hinders the dodging simulator from being anything other than an unpolished homage. At an incredibly low price tag, it might seem worth it, but it would just be throwing away money at a product with a shelf life of half an hour - if that.
Jotun feels like a pretty face with no personality. It's huge, but what is found within is too often the player fighting the game, instead of fighting the monsters within. The feeling of elation is clearly there when each behemoth is toppled, but it's just not fun getting to that point. It's hard to tell if that elation comes from overcoming the monster, or from finally getting to move onto the next one. It's obvious, though, that the depth is there; it's just missing the substance.
Dragon Quest Builders is a real pleasure to play. It understands exactly what players enjoy most about the genre and executes it expertly and confidently. It's an incredibly approachable game, with a control scheme and UI easy to get to grips with and suitably intuitive. Not only does Builders offer a package with the best elements of Animal Crossing and Minecraft but it structures it with a fun filled narrative, crucially giving players a real sense of purpose and satisfaction. Rather than building aimlessly and without reason, Square Enix has created something where the player's imagination really matters and is rewarded. The set of characters accompanying the protagonist are a real joy to have around and the world encapsulating them is one of real life and activity, with thrilling underlying dangers. In short, Dragon Quest Builders is really quite an exceptional game and the most fun you will have had on the PS4 in a long, long time.
Steamworld Heist is what many would consider a AAA indie title, with Image and Form pulling out all the stops to craft a near flawless experience that's both fresh and unique. The gameplay may differ largely from Steamworld Dig, but it's a ride that's just as good, if not better. There's plenty of content to delve into in the base game, with greater difficulties and randomly generated levels serving up a new challenge to players who have already beaten it. For those who enjoyed the previous instalment, go ahead and pick this up right now!
While Hunter's Legacy has some nice qualities, too much of it is spent on laborious boss battles. The other elements such as exploration and puzzle-solving are competently handled, and the dealings with minor foes are appropriately brief. Unfortunately, these feelings of goodwill are eroded and then all but erased by encounters that rely too much on randomness, and don't provide enough of a legitimate challenge. If someone is willing to look past that, then they'll find Hunter's Legacy to be pretty enjoyable. Although, that's a contradiction, isn't it? It's impossible to look past something that has to be done.