Cubed3's Reviews
Only the most die-hard of retro game enthusiasts will get something out of SEGA AGES Shinobi. Everyone else would find a much more enjoyable experience with the other Shinobi instalments found in the SEGA Mega Drive Classics compilation
This truly requires historical understanding of the limitations of the time it was made, and that many RPG developers were just barely coming to grips with 3D engines. Everyone else would be better off replaying Skyrim.
Katana Kami: A Way of the Samurai Story is likely going to still be a cult classic like its predecessors. This experiment has proven to be a huge success. Even gamers who are turned off by the words 'procedurally-generated' and 'roguelike,' might actually enjoy this new take on ronin simulation. It is mostly elevated thanks to the combat, and the attention to detail of choices that can be made to tip the scales in one's favour. Don't expect something like Ninja Gaiden 2, since the combat here is more methodical and gritty.
Hell Warders won't even be remembered as the sloppy low-budget experiment that it is. It won't be remembered at all. It is much too rough to meet the standards of average gamers, and not weird enough to be interesting. It certainly is a huge hassle to play for more than four hours, but those first few moments before the balancing gets out of hand are actually enjoyable.
One Piece fans rejoice, there's a ton here to enjoy.
It is a huge package of value that seemingly never stops giving.
Shenmue 3 is a tough recommendation for general audiences.
Although nothing revolutionary, Duck Souls+ is a game that successfully manages to create a small and fun puzzle-platforming experience.
Bow to Blood: Last Captain Standing is a great concept that could've used with a bit more time in the oven to knuckle down the controls a little better. The slow and cumbersome movements don't make for an excitingly adventure. However, the idea of playing a futuristic version of Survivor, by competing against opponents, forming alliances, and then double-crossing other captains to vote them out of the game, makes for an enthralling few hours. For those who are in need of a bit of time to kill with a different type of a video game, then Bow to Blood: Last Captain Standing may be worth checking out.
Team Maniax has delivered on creating a cute, but frenzied party title that simplifies the act of dodging bullets, and making it look cool while doing so. With easy controls to learn, and only having one focus, the barrier for entry in Retimed is low. Whether engaging in team battle with some friends, or taking part in a 'free for all,' there's a ton of energy and excitement to be had.
For the quality included in Double Dragon & Kunio-kun: Retro Brawler Bundle, it feels as if Arc System Works isn't onto a winner here. In fact, when giving it a little thought, it's hard to understand why this collection is needed at all.
There's no point in playing this because there's nothing here to enjoy.
Paradox Soul is a fine experience that retells a typical story centred around an empty facility, with dead scientists and killer robots. There's nothing original here, however the controls are tight and Dr. Rose plays well. For those looking to kill a few hours on a short metroidvania title, then Paradox Soul is one title worth checking out. While it's not as engaging as others in the genre, nor does it offer any new interesting innovations, it's still one worth adding to the list for short-lived titles to smash out over a weekend, or to knock out another easy platinum to add to the digital trophy cabinet.
Take away all the disturbing and horrific imagery, and Tamashii becomes a run-of-the-mill, trial-by-error indie platformer. It will test one's patience and frustrate to no end, thanks to its design and structure. It is much too rigid to allow anyone to get immersed in, and the tedium of having to memorize a new level only fills the soul with regret. The horror flourishes are what save this otherwise subpar title.
It's pretty obvious that this wasn't created by the confident, and steady hand that designed Resident Evil 2. Nevertheless, while nowhere near the quality of its predecessor, it remains a great survival horror game, worthy of the franchise it belongs to, with the only two flaws that are hard to stomach being how, the undisputed heart of the original, the pursuer known as Nemesis, is a bit of a major disappointment, and how you have to pay full price for something that feels more like an expansion.
The Complex is a decent story that feels bigger than it could be. While some choices feel very weighty, they are few and far between, leaving a lot of inconsequential decisions in between. Honestly, it may have worked if the experience was a bit shorter - sure, a common complaint has been it is too short, but maybe it would actually benefit from being trimmed a bit. As it stands, it feels like whatever ending you got the first time through, everything else is just "what if" scenarios that don't really matter.
Football Manager is still the ultimate football simulation series, and this latest addition makes enough positive changes to keep the gameplay fresh, and improve on some of the minor frustrations of previous entries. With a better UI, enhanced match engine, and some high-quality decisions around player motivations, it is easier than ever to get sucked into hundreds of hours of addictive gameplay. Football Manager 2020 is the perfect game for spending long days in quarantine, as the time will fly by.
The best word to describe this? Lacking.
Invisigun succeeds in providing a good party, as well as single player experience. The gimmick of being invisible is not as important or prevalent as it might seem and given the nature of this, leads to a potential huge skill difference that takes away from a casual game it might otherwise provide. Graphically a little weak, it also does not have the same simple magic a game like Mario Party or Bomberman would have in drawing in casual players. With a group dedicated to learning its intricacies, it could be great fun, but it's a little too... out there for some plain fun.
Jackbox Party 6 has some great mini-games, and some decent ones. Far more adult oriented, its major downside is the higher degree of involvement and lesser payoff for some of the games. That being said, every single one in here is good, and some of them get some serious group laughs. Not as beginner friendly as some others, even a moderately committed group of people will find great fun somewhere in the five different games here.