Cubed3's Reviews
How to Survive: Storm Warning has its fair share of problems and doesn't really contain that much content, yet credit should be given to developer EKO Software. It has attempted something different to make its game stand out in a genre that is already extremely saturated. It controls well and is fairly enjoyable to play, but even after just a few hours, it feels like there is nothing left to do.
Bento Studio and Moving Players have come together to make the most infuriating experience on Wii U eShop, and a certain type of player will absolutely adore its challenge. Its difficulty and lack of content may turn away some, but Cosmophony remains a stylish, addictive game that is sure to satisfy the resilient.
CastleStorm: Definitive Edition on PlayStation 4 is quite the time sink, and Zen Studios is to be commended for re-working a few proven, familiar play mechanics and binding them together to create an original, polished experience that feels fresh and is, most importantly, fun to play.
TRI: Of Friendship and Madness' name is appropriate: It is easy to get pulled in by the gorgeous visuals, fall under the spell of the powerful soundtrack, experience the exhilarating elevation of solving a hard level, have bucketsful of fun with the creative freedom the game offers, and naturally want to pet the adorable foxes. On the flip side, the difficulty of later levels is likely to drive the genre newcomer up the triangles-covered wall.
A dimensional switch to 3D, but Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus hasn't evolved into what potential it has after following on from the 2D exploits of the Nintendo 3DS predecessor. At the right price, its rather repetitive formula, variety-starved stages, frequent loading and basic plot can be tolerated because what lies beneath is a solid beat 'em up with some amusing moments outside of the obvious fan service. For a heavy dosage of butts, boobs and brawling, this is the go-to game on PS Vita, but don't expect much more than that.
Aiming and the shooting experience is tight and enjoyable, there are mechanics built into the background that alleviate the stress. The sound and graphics can't be faulted for the genre it is in, either. All in all, Heavy Bullets comes highly recommended!
The nigh endless depth of the combat engine in this game is so full of possibilities and options, it is like staring into the graces of heaven itself. Bayonetta 2 is the nirvana of the character-action game genre and is one of the greatest sequels ever made. It is doubtful that there will be a better game this holiday season. Bayonetta 2 is a Game of the Year contender, which comes extremely recommended.
This game is not what was originally promised, but that's not a bad thing. While many were hoping for the next Silent Hill 2, it became the next Resident Evil 4, instead. With The Evil Within, Mikami has taken the highlights of a number of his other games and combined them into one terrifying amalgamation of gore, horror and action. The Evil Within is a great game. Survival horror fans will find it a great addition to their collection, and even for those with little experience of the genre it's well worth a play.
Daring, challenging and balls to the wall outrageous, Bayonetta on WiiU delivers the definitive action extravaganza. Despite a few obnoxious quick time events and one tedious level, Bayonetta still holds up today as it did years ago when it first debut. Even its contemporaries like Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge or DmC: Devil May Cry which came out years after and had the opportunity to improve on what Bayonetta had established, but failed. Bayonetta stands tall and casts a huge shadow on the competition as one of the greatest action games of all time. With such demanding action, it can almost be physically exhausting to keep up with the game and how the few fleeting moments of peace can feel so generous. It is almost unfair how competent and skilled Platinum Games are at developing action games like this. They have set the standard so high, that they ruin other seemingly good action games and make them look quaint.
First off, it should be noted that a 6 is not a bad score and puts Starpoint Gemini 2 above average. With that said, this game has a huge amount of potential, but if it is worth the work to reach said potential is of question. Even upon reaching such a level it is debatable if it may be of value, but the journey to get there will be long and interesting. Beyond its tedium the game does not falter anywhere and offers enough depth to be more than deserving of a good score.
While it may not satisfy those who are experts in this genre, The Legend of Korra is an excellent game for younger players and will be undoubtedly be a gateway game for fast paced character action. Hopefully Activision will hire Platinum Games for future titles and will fix their reputation for delivering licensed, assembly line produced, soulless cash grabs. Korra fans are very lucky.
Complex but certainly not mind-boggling, and challenging yet never irritating or unbalanced, Endless Legend manages to seamlessly blend stunning visuals, an original fantasy universe and the joy of a 4X title's gameplay that will deprive people of their precious sleep with that good ol' "Just one more turn" feeling. Those expecting to start it today and master it tomorrow will be disappointed, though, since it will require a bit of time to be learned - something that certainly isn't exactly most gamers' cup of tea. The rest, however, are in for a tasty treat.
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse might put off a lot of its target audience with its bright and cartoony graphics, but devoted Metroidvania/platformer fans will not want to miss this excellently animated sprite game. The controls are good, and there is a lot of interesting locations to explore as this has more of an 'adventure' feel to it than Castlevania does. The progression is slower than would be preferred, and the humour and style can be off-putting, but this is a game that is evident the people who made it actually tried, which is a rarity with games these days.
Gods Will Be Watching is one of those rare games that deserves a wholehearted recommendation even though it is definitely not for everyone. It's punishing, occasionally unfair, and relentlessly philosophical, but it's also supremely rewarding and absolutely gripping from start to finish, all for the same reasons. If nothing else, it's a fantastic exercise in how to translate traditionally unplayable scenes into systems of gameplay - and not just token button prompts, but complex, engaging gameplay.
First-person games are often dominated by a theme of shooting, but Cloudbuilt is one of the few games to place a low emphasis on combat. The game would work perfectly well without any confrontation and it is possible to complete the majority of it as a pacifist. Cloudbuilt's strengths lie in its amazing platforming elements, which are in abundance throughout the game. Whether it is running along walls, boost jumping between platforms or scaling high walls, the game creates a rush of adrenaline that makes it one of the most enjoyable experiences available.
If some of the technical issues could have been ironed out, such as the choppiness of the cut-scenes, clipping, or when the HAVOK physics engine goes berserk, this might have been a 10/10. As it is, Alien: Isolation is a very pure gem with some minor hairline fractures. This is a worthy game and comes highly recommended to anyone who enjoys excitement or is a fan of Ridley Scott's Alien, or for fans of survival horror in general.
Xenonauts strove to both sticking to the XCOM formula, as well as striking out in some new directions, however, it fails on multiple fronts. Being a devoted fan there might be something to check out here, but the repetition, lack of choices, and lack of progress will wear on a gamer quickly. Anyone not a fan would likely give the game up very rapidly due to an unfriendly difficulty and little impetus to continue onwards.
This is almost a director's cut of the game; it is just a shame that the voice acting and some of the dated elements let it down so much.
The stealth mechanics in Styx: Master of Shadows are bloody fantastic, but the game is completely overshadowed by its poor controls and repetitive scenery, turning what could have been a really enjoyable game into controller-breaking frustration, as an ungodly amount of time is spent repeating the same sequence over and over again, praying that Styx isn't a clumsy mess.
Alfred Banks is a very charismatic character but it is just a shame he is not a bigger player and always feels like the background man or errand boy. Additionally, the length is a bit of a shame. Still, this is a game that one needs to look at. Oh, and if indeed bought, keep an eye out for nice looking grandmothers…