Cubed3's Reviews
Haunting, evocative, introspective, atmospheric and memorable, Shady Part of Me feels like a journey - and, a very personal one at that. It's the kind of journey that many in the audience will be able to identify with. It may only take a few hours, but it's one worth experiencing more than once. Just eight people made this title, and it's exciting to see what that little team will be able to do next.
Though both One and Three of the trilogy have been widely available for a considerable time, Columns II is likely the most unique of the trio, and now upon a western release offers not only the original in all its splendour but a fun puzzler sequel to its own merit. Enjoyable for curious puzzler newcomers and genre veterans alike, even if a little simplistic for the latter crowd.
No pun intended, but Part Time UFO is the very definition of a pick-up-and-play effort. You know… pick up… with a claw… Ahem! Anyway, it's rewarding for short bursts and designed very well for this kind of play, with a level of polish not found in some other 'short burst' titles. It also saves some of its best surprises for the endgame. With an included co-op mode too it's a design sensibility, and a deceptive amount of content, that shows off HAL Laboratory's years of expertise of structuring reward in that respect. It may frustrate players on longer sessions, though, or after multiple fails on a repeated 'job,' but this is always offset by the charming and colourful style, which by the way also includes some well-placed cameos in the stage background to look out for. Along with that rock-solid reply value, this is definitely easy to keep coming back to.
MotoGP 20 is a fine title to play on the Nintendo Switch for those who are itching to jump into a digital bike racer. However, MotoGP 20 suffers from the same old troubles that this may only appeal to the hardcore fans who watch the sport religiously as it is. However for those who haven't dabbled in MotoGP 20 up until this point, it's unlikely that this year's iteration is going to move the dial or sway opinions. But for those who do decide to jump into this title, there is a steep learning curve - but once it's overcome, this title can provide plenty of hours of fun, despite some of the visual hurdles and lack of local competitive racing or online modes.
FitXR's new subscription and membership model isn't going to appeal to everyone, in the same way that fitness games in general are not going to appeal to everyone. For those who are invested in complimenting their real life workout with something a bit more lighthearted and fun in their spare time, this is a very compelling offer, even if the UI and usability experience can be a little rough around the edges compared to the more polished VR titles on the market. However, the meat of the title - a regular schedule of new classes, a good variety of workout types, and, most importantly, multiplayer - all combine to make FitXR an enticing offer.
Ultimately, Poison Control is a let-down of how good it could have been. Utterly lacking in the cohesive element, some parts absolutely stand out, where so many others fall far short. The shooting is serviceable, the 'cleaning' gets old fast, and the story doesn't really go anywhere. Poisonette and the main character have a great dynamic, which serves to only show how short other aspects really fell short.
As addictive as Kill It With Fire is, the game is unfortunately quite short. The side quests and unlockables add to the game's length, but it can be completed in an evening. This however doesn't denounce the fact that Kill It With Fire is a good time. Though some hit detection issues can get in the way, when combining organic humour, tense stand offs, and ridiculous moments, the game serves as an excellent distraction that could be picked up and played by anyone.
The price of admission might be somewhat high, as the games on offer are good, but not really that good, yet these remain classics in one way or another, even if there were far better alternatives, even at the time of their development. Having said that, they are definitely enjoyable; a bunch of titles that have stood the test of time. More importantly, the quality of this collection couldn't be any higher. It's basically a fantastic bundle of nostalgia, with lots of different versions of each game, plus plenty of behind-the-scenes material, excellent for those who are into the historical preservation side of the industry.
The Vagrant is by no means a perfect 2D hack 'n' slashing action-adventure/RPG-lite. There are far better alternatives out there - alternatives that are much more challenging than this walk in the park, by the way. It's still a very solid game, however. One that, while repetitive, and definitely not brimming with content, still manages to remain enjoyable for the eight hours it will last, with a pretty interesting plot keeping you company, even if the writing, pacing, and presentation is rough around the edges. In the end, The Vagrant's biggest strength is that it's a Vanillaware-esque game on a budget, so fans of Kamitani's work should play this super-cheap indie right away.
It is fantastic to see the medium of video games 'do' and 'be' things like Arrog. Sure, it's a tricky one to review and recommend 'as a videogame' because it's not strictly one per se. It can have the descriptive, but it is also a bit more artsy, more personal, more meditative. It almost seems like it'd be perfect for a rainy Sunday morning with nothing else going on to just soak in. Definitely there is room for a lot more for this kind of thing to be incorporated into the medium. It'd be nice to see it become more of a norm to see rather than an exception, but it stands out for that reason. Admittedly, it will likely appeal to a certain kind of person, one that is more contemplative, but it is also worth the price of admission to find out if thee is that certain kind of person. This is also an easy platinum to achieve. Simple, the key word here is simple. Perhaps the desire might have been to get something a little more substantial or, as Jamiroquai would say, to go a little deeper underground. But actually it's completely okay not to go deeper underground. It's easy to overeat. Perhaps it is the simplicity that makes this work, and exist as a true alternative. Affecting and very worthwhile.
It's the absolute perfect time for this game. Not only because Pokémon is just settling into a new renaissance and resurgence of interest not seen since the 90s, but also because of the state of the world. Games that encapsulate escapism and the ability to just chill are desperately needed. It's part of the reason Animal Crossing exploded like it did. New Pokémon Snap is enjoyable in the exact same way. A game to lose yourself in. A game to play on rainy Sundays. To play late at night. To unwind and to decompress. Best of all, it's the perfect way to reconnect with the franchise in honour of the 25th anniversary. So, settle in, sleeve those new Shining Fates, throw on season two of Pokémon Journeys and get snapping.
Gears of War meets Destiny… and the end result is mediocre. Take away the "coolness" of playing a gun totting superhero, and all you are left with is basically one more generic looter shooter, that doesn't manage to impress, neither with its repetitive gameplay, nor with its boring story and world building. Add to that a couple of technical and network issues, and you are in for a - pricey - treat.
NieR Replicant 1.22 is an outstanding remake and an excellent action RPG in its own right. Combat is fast paced, focused, and well varied between three distinct weapon types and eight magic spells. Dungeons appear simple but their design is deceptively clever, and they carry a Legend of Zelda-esque charm to them. The visuals are greatly improved from the original, from character models to background details. Bosses are downright bombastic, masterfully juggling tense battles with visceral set pieces. The story is simply beautiful, making brilliant use of music to amplify already deeply emotional storytelling. Above all else, Replicant plays into concepts only possible in a video game - leading to a genuinely unforgettable experience. If you only play one game this year, make it NieR Replicant 1.22.
World splitter feels like the developers had a vision and managed to nail it. A punchy and challenging puzzle game with a unique mechanic that feels intuitive and simple but adds a great amount of complexity. The couch co-op and numerous levels will keep this interesting for a good long time. For anyone who is a sucker for a challenge or just an avid indie game payer, this game will be perfect.
Fans of online shooters aren't missing much by not playing Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville - Complete Edition, but, truth be told, this is far from a bad game, as long as your expectations aren't very high. Plus, this Complete Edition, is exactly that - very complete, with lots of things to do, whether that's different modes, missions, or character classes.
Power Fantasy gets a whole new meaning with Say No! More, even if said fantasy won't stay with you for long. Funny, charming, and even touching, this adventure is undoubtedly an enjoyable one, but the game wrapped around it isn't really a game. The comedic writing is more than decent, but in this case, just not enough to turn this into a big recommendation. This is quirky-indie-game-fans material only.
There is much to love about the Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack: it provides excellent value for money with the original games ported over along with new content. There is easily over one hundred hours of gaming to be had, exploring the world with Sophie, Firis, plus Lydie and Suelle is an ideal package for returning and new fans of the Atelier series. Sophie's initial lack of outstanding personality, frame rate drops in more crowded areas of the games plus the obvious improvement of graphics that comes with time and better technology in the second and third game is no reason to be hesitant in buying what is a piece of Atelier paradise.
Monster Hunter Rise is a triumph. It may not have the shiny 4k HDR visuals of its predecessor but the more modest, design-driven visuals are a delight to behold. Gameplay is as solid as ever and features much more freeform with the new traversal tools putting it above many of the other games in the series. The new setting and characters create a much more involved scenario full of charm and fun Japanese influences. For fans of monster hunter this is an absolute no-brainer but for new players, this is a fantastic place to start. Not only will Rise teach everything there is to know about its systems, but it is one of the purest fun experiences currently available on Nintendo Switch.
A great addition to anyone's Switch catalogue, Battle Axe provides some neat pick-up-and-play value with an Infinite mode accompanying the standard story fare. In tandem, these modes are perfect for coping with the daily commute with some bashing and slashing and are backed by a fantastic soundtrack and gorgeous retro art style. Although it has a savagely brutal difficulty curve for the young'uns (as well as older folk who don't have the reaction times they once did), Battle Axe is a decent conversion full of nostalgic fun.
Maybe it's the throwback design influences that are slightly too far outside of this reviewer's reach to appreciate and retro fans that remember playing the ZX spectrum will find a lot more to get out in this title. The desire is strong to get on with Horace, it really is, and he might even make you laugh at times, but just like the guy wearing socks and sandals, there are too many things holding it back.