Cubed3's Reviews
Don't overlook The Witch and the Hundred Knight. For a break from the norm of what it means to be the main characters in a video game; for a dark, apathetic and unapologetic protagonist, and, indeed, script as a whole; for a decent loot-based, role-playing hack-and-slash adventure that is far more accessible and improved with the changes made in this Revival Edition; and for fans of Nippon Ichi Software's previous works, this is a game that shouldn't be dismissed based on mere looks and strong language alone. It's crude, but it's humorous, and there is a deeper and more emotional plot under Metallia's swamp than is given credit for.
The indie community has frequently favoured original and innovative concepts over standard formulae, but there's another side to this world; the side with the heavy hipster-esque, artsy attitude, which creates video games the same way a post-modern-anti-conformist-whatever "sculptor" puts a glass of water on an Ikea shelve, and calls it "high art." Like so, Bacteria tries a lot to be an innovative puzzler, but the only good thing about it is the fact that it will introduce the Game of Life to more people.
Hyperdevotion Noire is a great little side-game that was clearly put together with some skill, and the solid character writing more than holds it together. Those looking for a great strategy RPG may want to look elsewhere, but Neptune fans fond of the previous entries will be more than pleased to find Goddess Black Heart is a very well made game.
Starwhal is a fantastically fun multiplayer romp, which plays in such a way that those who pick it up for the first time, may have a chance at beating a seasoned veteran. It's definitely a game for people who have nearby friends to play with, as the single player content is almost non-existent. For its price and the fun factor alone, this is thoroughly recommendable.
It's easy to see why Insomniac is held in such high regard when it consistently delivers experiences as well polished and enjoyable as Ratchet & Clank. Everything, ranging from the gorgeous visuals to the excellent voice acting, the well-paced story, and the immaculate musical score, contribute to a timeless package well worth its surprisingly low entrance fee. Ratchet & Clank pays loving homage to its roots by enjoying the kind of lavish remix that only fourteen years of gaming evolution can bring to the table and, by doing so, has created a universe well worth saving.
Deadpool is an odd proposition. As an updated port of a last generation title, it fails to take any advantage of the available increase in horsepower, so, by default, fails to elevate itself above any of the other low-budget reissues currently cluttering up the marketplace. As a brawler, it doesn't compare favourably to the likes of Bayonetta or Devil May Cry, purely due to its inferior fight mechanics and lack of depth. As a cheap cash-in job to coincide with the release of a Hollywood blockbuster movie of the same name, it succeeds greatly as it's cheap…a cash in…and it coincides with the release of a Hollywood blockbuster movie of the same name. As a game, it's actually pretty good fun and tosses a few interesting ideas into the mix to ensure player engagement remains constant throughout the campaign. That said, it still doesn't feel like an essential purchase, so while those that specifically seek out a copy will likely enjoy what it has to offer, there's little incentive to return for those that have already played it on one of the previous generation consoles.
One Upon Light doesn't quite nail down the stealth-meets-puzzle concept it's aiming for, but it comes incredibly close.
It allows you to play as the Slavic nations. In other words: it offers exactly what it says on the tin. It might be one thing if this majorly changed the gameplay or tried something major but, as-is, there simply isn't anything to talk about. The Slavs do help with the Huns being OP problem, but, on the whole, it's just three new civilisations to play as.
Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- is a great fighter. It's fast and in-your-face, it has a wonderful depth, and, as a cherry on top of this cel-shaded anime cake, it looks beautiful and has a kick-ass metal OST… but, judging from the lack of new material, it can't really be counted as a "true" new entry into the main series. Let it be said once again: this is great. However, it would probably be better to wait for the upcoming Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- instead of spending any money on this one.
If this game were released in 2001, it would probably be hailed as one of the above-average games of the time period. By today's standards, it's a bit of a mess; no soundtrack, no physics, players are pigeonholed into playing a certain way, and things are just unpolished overall. That aside, it's clear the team at Nano Games has originality and some good ideas, and where the game does work, it works well; in particular, the management features and driving mechanics. It has a severe lack of polish and freedom, however, which, on the whole, makes it feel less like playing a game and more like doing work, but it'll be interesting to see what things this team can come up with and implement (hopefully better) in the future.
The Collider 2 is, undoubtedly, superior to its predecessor in all ways, yet those willing to get it should know what it is, and what it isn't. It's a super-fast, reflex-based endless runner that is as simple as it is enjoyable, as well as easy to learn, hard to master, and even harder to stop going back to the fray for "one more try," and yet, it's also disappointingly low in content (even for an indie title), something that severely hurts the replay value, no matter how fun playing this can be at times.
As much as there is to love in Star Fox Zero, sadly the awkward controls of various vehicles, and the horrendous forced second viewpoint and gyroscope targeting of regular Arwing and Landmaster stages almost ruin the entire experience. There are tremendous highs when the core Star Fox controls kick back in, but moments of frustration are present that simply wouldn't have been if feedback from early hands-on reports had been taken on-board.
Aesthetically, Chronicles of Teddy: Harmony of Exidus is a beautifully crafted undertaking. While the sprawling maps are gorgeous, the level design falls a bit short from a purely gameplay standpoint, and the combat, while well executed, doesn't really add much to the core exploration. It's missing a few seams, but overall it's a very well put together adventure. Even with its flaws, it's definitely one fantastical adventure, and one that's absolutely worth playing.
Star Fox Guard is a smart use of the GamePad controller, by using the touch-screen as a radar to add another layer of what's happening on the TV screen. A simple concept that has an arcade, frantic feel whilst slotting into the Star Fox universe with a handful of cheesy (though unfortunately voiceless) dialogue. The game perhaps could have done with more tower defence elements to extend the idea further, but as a standalone package it's a compelling little gem that does well in framing the GamePad's benefits and is worth a try.
Ultimately, Cutie Pets Pick Berries feels grossly unsuited for its platform, largely through an input method that doesn't suit its fast pace. While there is some fun to be had by creating perfectly constructed combos of fancy fruits, the lack of direction and explanation behind the mechanics make it hard to pick up. While it might (and that's a big might) be hard to put down after that initial stage, the eventual aggravation behind a lack of endgame and its painful controls make it an outing best left out in the woods.
Guilty Gear 2: Overture blends strategy and action in a way that ultimately diminishes both aspects. While the base mechanics of both systems are solid, neither really comes across as defining, making the entire experience feel a bit half-baked. A serious push to take the game in either direction might have yielded better results, but as it stands, it's hard to imagine an audience that would really enjoy the experience this title provides.
The Banner Saga 2 is an absolute joy, with its simple, yet deep, strategy, and its hard-hitting narrative. Not only is it a worthy successor to its predecessor, but it honestly can stand on its own as an introduction to the series. It is a lot to get into at first, and the barrier for entry might be a bit high for those unfamiliar with the genre, but it's absolutely one of the most compelling strategy titles out right now, for those willing to get their feet wet.
A good recommendation when starting Justice Chronicles is keeping your expectations to a cautious high, at most. While the systems at work here are fantastic, the dressing for them is very hit-and-miss; the pixel art is very nice, but the story is bogged down by off-putting cut-scenes and weak dialogue, and, finally, the menus are easy to navigate, even if the local area map is distressingly unattractive. Most will definitely feel a sense of pride upon completing every battle, but they'll have to fight through the odd story and art choices to get to the next one.
Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel is a competent, but fun, fighting game. The biggest strengths this title has are found in the varied selection of fighters and secondary characters to choose from, plus the polished fighting mechanics ensure that both casual and hardcore players can have a fun experience. Overlook the fairly cutesy and somewhat suggestive nature of the game and there is a good title that is worth a look.
Fallout 4: Automatron is a fun, yet brief, addition to the game. The story is enjoyable enough and has some great moments, while the extra features, such as the companion crafting and the new encampment buildables make for enjoyable additions to the existing world. Sadly, though, for what the DLC consists of, there just isn't enough of the content to really justify the cost.