Cubed3's Reviews
While some of these issues are understandable for the last gen platforms to have, there is no excuse for the developer to waste the new hardware's horsepower and release the game running only at 30fps. All the new graphical effects won't mean much in the end if the core gameplay suffers. As far as sandbox crime games go, Grand Theft Auto V is an incredible achievement in world building, and comes recommended, but just don't expect the best action.
Approach Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal with an open mind and there's a good portion of fun to be had here. As easy as it is to dwell on flaws, it's also worth calling out the good points and Boom has them aplenty. It's short, uninspired and plays it a bit too safe, yet Sanzaru Games has recognised what makes Sonic tick and played to his strengths, with a new twist on a classic formula. It is fun whilst it lasts and is definitely deserving of a play through. This is Sonic, just not quite as he was previously known.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker may be a humble little game that may not aim very high, but it succeeds as a quality and polished title for those who want a relaxing and easy going adventure-puzzle game. An excellent game for the kids, and any Nintendo enthusiast will enjoy this mellow title as an alternative to the frantic battles of Bayonetta 2, the wacky races of Mario Kart 8 or the beat downs of Super Smash Bros. Sometimes a fun guy just wants to chill and go on an adventure.
Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed is not anything other than a decent game that offers nothing special beside otaku jokes and a fast visit to the Mecca of Japanese pop culture. The game could have performed so much better if the fighting system was more fun and the story did not rush through important parts. As it does do that, though, a higher score cannot be given. For any otaku out there, this is a title worth getting for its comical value and the great spot on jokes. For anyone else, however, this is a title to avoid.
There's a lot to love in Shadow Warrior, but some of its problems, such as poor pacing and underwhelming boss fights, hold it back from being more than just a fun throwback to classic first-person shooters. It's still a good game with great combat that's well worth checking out, though, as there aren't many games that offer a similar experience.
Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon is a 40,000 fan's dream come true for the attention to detail given with the variety of units. Lore-nuts will enjoy the telling of the Armageddon War, and armchair Generals will find their mettle tested on a regular basis here against the utterly relentless green horde of Orks. Where it fails to attain a higher score is in its lack of accessibility, documentation, polish, and, particularly, the ambitious price point. Most would want a manual book that is appropriately accurate on release day for any price, let alone a game costing £30.
Trine: Enchanted Edition offers a traditional platforming action-adventure game with a unique and incredibly entertaining twist. The physics make playing through each level even more fun, as players can experiment with the objects and enemies to their hearts' content. The whole game is presented beautifully, with an amazing accompanying soundtrack that fits perfectly within each of the levels. Whether it is exploring the hallways of the Astral Academy or navigating the Crystal Caverns, Trine delivers a truly memorable experience thanks to its entertaining gameplay, luscious visuals and truly legendary soundtrack. The smooth and enjoyable co-op mode is very much the delectable cherry on top of an already irresistible cake.
Lots of fun and challenging gameplay await those that will embark on a journey that pays tribute to the Souls series, adding some new, subtle twists into the mix. However, the most appropriate description one could give to this otherwise great action-RPG would be "close, but no cigar… very close that is." The gameplay is entertaining, but lacks that extra something that would make it truly remarkable.
Shadow of Mordor shows that the Tolkien licence still has a lot of life in it yet. It falls short a little in that some of the aspects feel like they don't quite live up to what they promised, but this is a great first step for a brand new IP. Hopefully this won't be the last we see of Talion.
Tales of Hearts R is a wonderful and well crafted J-RPG, and is the perfect pick up for those that love the Tales franchise that has been out of reach for Western audiences for far too long. It delivers a deep and meaningful story, wrapped up in a great package. The only issue is that the story at the beginning is too slow paced for newcomers to the series, which sadly may turn them off before the core of the story kicks in. Overall, though, this is a very high quality game that cannot be recommended enough to those looking for a strong J-RPG to sink their teeth into.
There's little more that can be said; Bioware seems to have taken every negative thing said about Dragon Age 2 on board and improved upon each and every one of them. This is a real love letter to its fans and one of the best games to hit in a long time. Now about that next Mass Effect game… and the ending of number three...
The Marvellous Miss Take on PC turns out to be a game that is a lot better than might first be expected. With its varied characters and a great level design that does a good job of supporting the random element of the guards' movement, and use of three widely different characters, it shines brightly, and is a refreshing release in the genre. Well worth a go for fans of stealth games.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is an exceptional product of Nintendo's devotion to getting things right - an enjoyable, addictive format for the veteran player, and one with plenty of bite for the newcomer. It's a bright, bustling multiplayer fest that deserves a place in any Wii U library. The fight is on; it's time to settle it in Smash!
Falling Skies: The Game on Nintendo Wii U eShop is so lacking in every regard, and overall terribly bland, that it is easy to get distracted from actually playing it. Not from any sort of disorder but, rather, a desire to do something else just to relieve the boredom. Everything is simply incompetently put together to a degree that seems nigh-legendary. This is the sort of game that, several generations ago, could only be known as a rumour told by a friend of a friend whose brother once heard about the game existing. To be fair, Little Orbit's title isn't actually 'terrible' so much as it is just… boring. The only thing saving this from the lowest rating is that the game that was ripped off was somewhat decent but, otherwise, it's just one that will lie forgotten in the back corners of the net. That kitty with the butterfly filing taxes is more deserving of attention than this.
If players are seeking a big and deep adventure that is truly theirs and that they can share with their friends, then Terraria is the game for them. Terraria offers hours upon hours of content for gamers of any taste. Casual and hardcore, competitive and social; everyone will find something to enjoy. Few will, however, enjoy the whole package, but that is fine. This is a game where players themselves decide how it should be played. After the initial barrier of learning the game, a big world opens up and an unending adventure starts.
For fans of games in The Legend of Zelda series, Ittle Dew offers plenty of puzzles and replayability to scratch that Zelda itch. The combat system may be sub-par, but that shouldn't put people off as it's only a minor gameplay element, with puzzles being the stronger focus here. At the asking price of £8.99, there's a decently sized adventure, with multiple paths, and an in-game timer that is perfect for speed runs.
This may look like a harsh score, but it is hard to justify Never Alone's price tag when it is plagued with buggy gameplay and the story is shorter than Halo 4. The game is commendable for its goal and what it achieves in terms of raising awareness on the Iñupiaq culture and stories. In conclusion, Never Alone is a wonderful story and concept that is unfortunately wrapped in a slightly off, but still fun, gameplay experience.
There have been many effortless cash grabs, but none as blatant as this, which is a $60 commercial. Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 is no longer the worst Sonic game, and it is tragic to see the fandom of Sonic be danced upon by such a cynical cash grab that was quickly slapped together by focus testing and lacks any soul at all. 'Buggy' and 'glitchy' are truly the best words to describe this debacle. Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric is the mark of the vulgar and should not be touched.
Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault makes some big moves in the RTS genre, and most are steps in the right direction. The battles have the potential to be fun, chaotic, and it is fulfilling to watch a rampaging tank be stopped and then to push back the onslaught. However, many times the 'rock, paper, scissors' element, compounded by the difficulty in telling units apart, makes the game an exercise in frustration as a player's well-crafted plans are ruined by an ultimately randomly-chosen hard counter that puts the player too far back to recover.
It's hard to find something to complain about in Shovel Knight because it does everything it sets out to do perfectly - to an impeccable standard. It just proves how community input in the form of both ideas and funding can go a long way to help make such a fantastic experience. Thanks for scratching that Mega Man itch, and for also pushing to get the game available in both Europe and Australia, Yacht Club Games! Now, for those who are still on the fence about this one: Get on the eShop and buy it!