Cubed3's Reviews
Thymesia is a nice diversion - something that can keep you occupied until the next great soulsborne game gets released. That is its curse. It's a good game, with fast and enjoyable action, but lacks the immersive story and atmosphere, as well as the quality of level design and combat finesse that is expected from such titles.
This is a triumphant return to Oddworld. Soulstorm does fantastic things with Abe's story and shows some real advances with the developer's designs. Utterly excellent look, and a world that oozes with consumerist evils make this the definitive new Oddworld experience. There are absolutely no obstacles to heartily recommending this game to all players new and old. Can't wait to see what comes next!
18 Floors definitely has some great elements such as the level designs and overall atmosphere. It looks amazing and being allowed to freely explore the environment is great. Unfortunately, the nature of the puzzles can become so bizarre and unsolvable that they tend to ruin the overall experience.
Finally, being able to play Persona 5 Royal on the go is truly a dream come true. There are some downgrades due to the limitations of the Nintendo Switch, but the balance between downgrades and retaining enjoyability has been perfected. It is, at last, time to steal some hearts while out and about!
There is a lot to enjoy with the new challenges brought on by Shovel Knight Dig. Gameplay is fast paced, the music is just as catchy as its predecessor, and the quirky dialogue between the NPCs brings back the nostalgia from the original. Although the environments are repetitive, losing a run never feels like a typical game over; it is just a quick regroup and back into adventure. The only major drawback of Shovel Knight Dig is that it is relatively short. Unless trying to get the perfect run, it ends just as quickly as it begins. Still, Yacht Club Games has managed to make a fun new genre and chapter for its fans and new players alike.
Which one did it better? The Operative: No One Lives Forever, or No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way? Well, it's hard to tell, really. The game mechanics are more polished, and in terms of pacing it doesn't overstay its welcome like the original. On the other hand, it lacks the variety of its progenitor, it's much stronger, groovy style and "Spy Film from the '60s" vibe, plus its better writing. Both are flawed gems, both are cult classics, but maybe the first installment is a bit more… "cult."
Trifox is an impressive start for new developer Glowfish Interactive, with creative enemies, challenging hidden collectables, and colourful worlds. The gameplay is varied thanks to the fully customisable combat options and levels also pose their own challenging puzzles and obstacles. The adventure is somewhat brief, but for as long as it lasts it well worth the time and effort. Those looking for a mascot-centric platformer adventure shouldn’t overlook Trifox.
The Operative: No One Lives Forever is a stealth game were stealth doesn't work that well, has plenty of neat gadgets that won't really get many chances to shine, and the adventure as a whole takes about five or so hours more than it should. And yet, it's still hard not to fall in love with its strong '60s spy film vibe, clever and funny writing, cool and sexy protagonist, and fast-paced and varied gameplay. Strictly viewed as a game this is flawed, yet as an experience it has a strange charm that almost makes up for its issues.
If this was a fan game you were showing to your friends (like it originally was) it would be much easier to recommend. Given that this is a full release and at almost full price it simply does not stack up to the plethora of other better titles. The music is weak, the difficulty annoying, and the platforming so badly controlled there is little to talk up - even to fans of Touhou.
The Delicious Last Course lives up to its name by bringing Cuphead to a truly magnificent conclusion. The DLC is packed with a generous amount of content that'll keep players coming back for more. Ms. Chalice's play style is enough to add hours of replay value on its own, but the fact she's rounded out by over half a dozen new bosses, unique parry challenges, new weapons to play around with, and a lengthy side quest dedicated to upgrading a charm makes it even better. Inkwell Isle Four is small, but the DLC makes the most of its space and doesn't restrict new content to the one setting. Every weapon, charm, and even Ms. Chalice herself can be used in the three main Isles once they're unlocked. With so much quality content on tap, Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course sets a new standard for DLC.
Narrative-driven adventure game done right, The Excavation of Hob's Barrow goes from suspenseful to downright ghastly, with the in-between being filled with excellent writing, awesome presentation, and flawless atmosphere. Lovecraft meets Edgar Alan Poe, meets Pagan folk horror, in a point-and-click that won't challenge your puzzle-solving skills, but it will masterfully play with your mind, and force you follow to the main heroine's journey towards her inevitable demise. The actual game requires five or so hours. The experience will stay with you far longer.
Many of the few souls that played this attempt at a western JRPG back in the day will speak about a flawless, but unknown gem. That's nostalgia speaking, however. Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator is undoubtedly deeply flawed. It's not buggy or anything, just an unbalanced, repetitive, somewhat empty, and most of all, 50+ hour-long experience that's aggravatingly slow, and which doesn't ever realise its massive potential. In a weird way, this also has a very strong atmosphere, an intriguing world, and is strangely immersive. Thankfully it's dirt cheap nowadays, so if interested you can check it out with just a handful of coins.
Magic, animal-themed idol girls. Three visual novel "fetishes" combine into one, with the result being a mildly funny slice-of-life experience that gets boring really fast. Animal Trail * Girlish Square is just too generic a read to recommend to anyone but genre super-fans.
Samurai Warriors 5 is a game of reductions. In its move to reboot the series it seemingly has gone back to providing as much content as the first entry. A cynic may say they'll likely slowly start to reintroduce these established features like they're new innovations. Innovation… It's insane that while Omega Force continues to do just that. To innovate. To deliver. But only with titles it produced for other people's franchises. When it comes to its own franchises, frankly, the developer is going backwards. Following the disappointment of what Dynasty Warriors became, Samurai Warriors has now joined the club as a shadow of its former self.
A bizarre adventure through and through, Made in Abyss is an excellent adaptation of a very popular and interesting anime! The gameplay loop, story and design make this a great little adventure game with plenty of unique challenges and gameplay elements. For fans of the anime this is a no-brainer, absolutely buy it and enjoy! For non-fans, if this genre appeals, then this game is one to watch. It's absolutely worth the time it takes to learn how to play it correctly, even if the goal is just to see what gruesome event takes place next!
Although inconsistent in game quality, if you are looking for the ultimate TMNT package, it's here. Excellent games with a host of enhancements to improve the experience as well as a well thought out, well researched slice of pizza in it's extras section. Online only adds to the brilliance allowing that arcade experience from the comfort of your own sewer. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection has all the T.U.R.T.L.E Power that is ever needed. Cowabunga!
Train Valley: Console Edition is going to appeal exactly to its target audience. If you like a tough puzzler and love the railroad as much, it's perfect. The historical element was also something that appealed, it's an interesting choice that sets it apart from others on the market. Add to this the touch screen controls allowing quick and fluid choices to be made, this one is certainly on the right track.
The pick up and play nature of the Nintendo Switch makes a perfect home for the entertaining nature and short levels within My Brother Ate My Pudding!. The whimsical nature of the puzzles will be endearing to some, while others will dislike the rather simplistic game play, but it provides well over an hour of fun. There are no bonus items or levels for replaying the game on completion, but given how much of a smile the varied antics of the family and inventiveness of the hiding places provide, it will be played more than once when a smile is needed.
A great little 3D platformer that does it's best to give players a solid and exciting experience featuring a much more refined and redesigned Kao core experience and story. Kao the Kangaroo should impress with its solid controls and strong visual design - if players can accept the drops in visual quality on Switch then this is a hearty recommendation to all players of such titles.
As usual, Picross S7 shows the amount of dedication and quality work developer Jupiter put into its Picross S titles. The new touch control function is much appreciated, but this could generally do with a few more features to spice it up a little. However, for anyone enjoying a relaxing day of puzzles, this title comes highly recommended.