Cubed3's Reviews
Color Guardians is the kind of game that feels like it needs to be liked. It almost feels like it was secretly released already. It took notes, amped up what the test group really liked, and then degraded the things they didn't. While the soundtrack is great, it's also very much what would be expected. Twitchy and very demanding (in some very unfair ways, more often than not), and dull and repetitive graphics remove any good work the soundtrack does. This leaves behind a game that, for all intents and purposes, falls short of all of its goals.
Besides some balancing issues that can be justified in teaching newcomers the ropes, Zen Pinball 2: Portal is a wonderful table and should be a natural starting point for any new pinball player's career towards the more challenging tables out there.
In the end, the real question is not 'Is Ys VI a quality title?' but 'Is it worth its asking price?' Solid action, well-utilised visuals, and a great soundtrack make The Ark of Napishtim a more than solid title on the whole for someone who is walking in knowing what to expect it is. For those looking for a longer adventure, despite its charm, they would be better off looking elsewhere for their jollies.
Games with outstanding aesthetics always run the risk of falling victim to the old "style over substance" criticism, but Ori and the Blind Forest supports its style with a constant stream of timeless, captivating substance.
For a free game, Magicka: Wizard Wars isn't bad, although it requires a great deal of time to rise to the middle tiers of players, and rising to the top is impossible without a substantial investment of both time and money. There is little reason to play Magicka: Wizard Wars over other games in the genre, and the dominating nature of the in-game store severely hinders the experience, rendering this as being "free" only on a technicality. Whether Arrowhead Games Studios is aware that Wizard Wars isn't really much fun when nothing is bought from the store, is a matter up for debate.
As a co-op game, this is a treat that should be on any co-op gamer's shelf. The multiplayer brings up the fun at any gaming weekend, and is likely going to become a favourite in most gaming circles. However, without people to play with, Magicka 2 turns very boring very fast, and its sometimes unfair difficulty and even unwinnable extra missions do not help against that. If into co-op, Magicka 2 is a must-buy. If not, it is a game that should be passed on.
Heroes of the Storm is a well-made game all around. While it has its downsides, the upsides most certainly outweigh them, and make it a stunning game regardless. Its faults lie mainly in how it can often be a bit too fluid, making it hard to form set strategies, as things can be shaken up a bit too much. However, it does manage to remain true to the basic MOBA formula, while finding its own very distinct, new ways of approaching it.
Those who don't mind its simplicity, though, will certainly enjoy what is probably the best independently developed endless runner for the PC so far.
The small line-up of vehicles and non-existent unlockables really hurt the lasting appeal, though, and although newcomers can certainly get into it, there is the feeling that more could have been done to offer extra help for novices that aren't quite sure how to approach the game or what certain functions mean.
In a game where the action mechanics are roughly 65% of the game's core gameplay, it is important to get these basic parts right and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt tragically fumbles. Good controls are the foundation of a quality game and anyone expecting good action here would be best to just put this white wolf out of his misery and bury him.
Deathtrap is still not a bad game, but it is a neutered tower defence game with its main gameplay gimped by being too heavily focused on action RPG elements that contribute too little.
Game of Thrones: Episode Four - Sons of Winter again meets the high quality set by previous episodes. The superbly written characters continue to keep people truly invested in their stories and the choices are really beginning to show just how much player choice can influence the tale. This and Tales from the Borderlands are fantastic examples of just why Telltale's games are so well loved.
This is another superb example of how DLC should be done, again investigating other methods of play and other stories within an established world. Sadly, in comparison to the previous DLC, this just doesn't stand out. Regardless of the issues shown, though, for the low asking price, the enjoyable arcade action and enough unlockables to create incentive for a few playthroughs, this is still well worth picking up for The Evil Within fans.
Overall, the game is still highly recommended, either for people that love unique platformers or well told stories.
There's a lot of risk in making an episodic, story-centric game, but Dontnod and Square Enix have pulled out all the stops, as shown in Episode 3 - Chaos Theory. Even if the next two episodes bomb, the first three have already crossed the threshold from "videogame" into "interactive experience," and whatever the future holds, Life is Strange is a title people will remember for a long time.
Invisible, Inc. is a tense squad-based strategy game, simultaneously honouring and reinventing the genre with neat twists and smart design. While the main campaign is short, it's rich enough to want to play again straight way, focusing on different types of missions, going after different upgrades, or trying to free new people to join the team. The only thing lacking, perhaps, is a multiplayer mode, which could have been a fun inclusion. Overall, this is a must-play game for TBS fans, or those that feel like they might enjoy a smartly made game of hacking and heists.
House of Wolves doesn't reinvent Destiny and might not appeal to people who aren't fans, but those who haven't picked the game up in a while will find a lot of new activities here, and those who play daily will have a lot more options for their continuous grind toward higher levels and coveted loot. The story is finally coming together, and House of Wolves sets the game up for bigger, better things to come.
BOXBOY! is a real winner for the eShop. Its simple design and perfectly-balanced difficulty level mean that it's sure to resonate with players of all skill levels, and whether it's being chipped away at during morning commutes or digested in its entirety over a weekend, Qbby's tale shows that a minimalistic game can be just as satisfying as a triple-A title.
WWE 2K15 easily feels, looks, and sounds like an episode of its real-life counterpart thanks to the excellent production value. The game excels in its 2K Showcase mode, which engages players as it takes them on a journey through historic storylines. Sadly, other aspects, like the MyCareer mode, quickly grow tiresome and there is an obvious lack of customisation options and match types. Ultimately, this is a flawed but very enjoyable package and fans of the WWE are likely to find some entertainment from reliving certain parts of wrestling history.
The lack of true variety from floor to floor makes it suffer, and the true randomness found in all the best roguelikes feels a bit weakened as fire is the only foe to be tackled throughout. It is an enjoyable distraction, but is nowhere near as insanely addictive as The Binding of Isaac or Spelunky. Flame Over is a fairly enjoyable distraction, but fails to bring the necessary heat to make this a must play.