Cubed3's Reviews
A shoot ‘em up by genre veterans for genre veterans, the trip back to the past by the name of Lilac 0 will put your skills to the test, and make you feel good for every small victory you will achieve, and every cyber-foe the cyber-hero of this cool little indie shmup will slice in half with its dash ‘n’ slash ability. While a bit low on the variety front, there's lots of replay value hidden under the handful of available stages.
KEMCO and Articnet deliver a well-balanced sport-RPG hybrid in RPGolf Legends. Having only two difficulties may bother more veteran players, and the need to grind late-game for some bosses and dungeons may cause a few to give up before the actual end, but for most it is a solid story with engaging quests and an ear-pleasing soundtrack, making it an enchanting tale on Nintendo Switch with high replayability due to its charm and story.
Withering Rooms boasts a surprising amount of content, rivalling some AAA titles. Players will encounter a variety of outfits, weapons, enemies, and challenging boss battles, offering a high value proposition. For fans of Bloodborne seeking a 2D action RPG with a focus on witchcraft, Withering Rooms provides a compelling experience despite its uneven rogue-lite mechanics.
Schim isn't without its merits. For players looking for a more casual, low stakes experience, it can be a relaxing time to shut off the mind to, and the art style alone is worth admiring. It's built on a strong conceptual foundation, even if it struggles to make the most of its intriguing premise. Although it doesn't quite hit the mark fully, Schim should be applauded for trying to do something different and unique. There is a certain satisfaction to leaping from shadow to shadow, much like one might imagine as a child looking out from the window and also imagine during a long car journey. Much like those car-imagining journeys, though, the novelty can fade quickly, but at least it doesn't make one feel queasy, like reading a Beano would.
In the end, Ellison/AM won. He got his game that slaps the player in the face, and yet it's hard to not stand back and be impressed by the sheer audacity of his creation. This is a monumentally messed up story wrapped up in a very hostile experience that has no interest in the player's enjoyment. Whether it's the playability, or the confusing puzzles, or the sadistic traps laid by the developers, I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream is not meant for average gamers. This is one for people with true grit in their hearts...and a little patience.
It's hard to recommend Breath of Death VII: The Beginning: Reanimated to anyone but fans of the 2010 original and maybe to a few of those diehard aficionados of super old-school JRPGS. Bad? No. It's actually a pretty good game, but it leans too much on comedy to be immersive, and its short length makes it feel more like a taste of something more epic in scale and scope.
Doctor Cat shows promise but ultimately fails at the execution. The puzzles themselves are fine, but unfortunately issues with controls ruin the experience completely. It is also unclear why a premise was set for Doctor Cat with what feels like little to no resolution.
Nekograms is absolutely adorable, with challenging puzzles, beautiful art and great sounds. However, it is a bit monotonous, in that it does not offer anything other than the base-type puzzle. Although puzzles are beautifully designed and offer a fun way to spend some time, some more content could really improve this title.
Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip almost feels like a proof of concept for a larger game pitch that's yet to be announced. But apart from suffering from some repetitive strain injury in the late game due to its small nature, it comes largely otherwise without fault.
Big Helmet Heroes offers a straightforward gameplay experience suitable for young players new to the genre. The game features a weapon system that allows players to experiment with different fighting styles and classes while maintaining their preferred character. The game's aesthetic is designed to appeal to children, and the visual gags offer mild amusement. Older gamers won't connect with this, but newcomers will welcome the presentation and simplicity, without getting bogged down in any grind.
Newcomers to the Neptunia series will be drawn in by the humorous tale which should lead them to explore other titles. Returning fans will eagerly lap up the already known personalities. The several issues of few levels, no multiplayer, and no actual outfits to change into outside the DLC partly impacts the enjoyment of Neptunia: Riders VS Dogoos, which is a shame because it is a cheerful, solid addition to the Neptunia universe.
Love Too Easily is a Korean romcom with its heart in the right place. Its various flaws, whether it is the low image quality at the beginning of scenes or the broken English, can somewhat be overlooked by the lighthearted story at play. A playful distraction for an hour or two if looking for a humorous FMV game, despite the lack of depth.
MySims: Cozy Bundle offers two solid titles for Nintendo Switch that promise relaxation and a tad of creativity. It is the ideal game for those that like to bundle up in a cosy blanket and enjoy non-threatening gameplay.
On one hand, BPM: Bullets Per Minute is a neat mix of FPS and rhythm gameplay. On the other one, it's a terribly unbalanced roguelike that is also in dire need of variety. Throw all these in a bowl, and the end result is a soup with a couple of ingredients that shouldn't be here… but, somehow the taste remains pretty darn good. After all, how can you go wrong with a game where you are in control of a Valkyrie that blasts monsters in Asgard with her shotgun, in sync with some fine heavy metal.
The good news is that the atmosphere isn't just good, but fantastic, and as a result the adventure is very immersive despite its lack of a coherent narrative. A solid recommendation whenever the price is low enough, and in the mood for something enjoyably unsettling and mysterious, yet without much meat on its bones.
It's hard to imagine anyone buying Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered because they like the games themselves, as no amount of visual polishing can save this trio of decent to mediocre, and mediocre to awful action-adventures. That been said, if you are into the collecting side of the hobby, and especially if a fan of all things Lara Croft, Aspyr's creation definitely has a place on your shelve.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 aims to please Call of Duty fans of every kind, with three stacked modes - campaign, multiplayer and Zombies - that all have enough going for them to satisfy all Call of Duty fans. Omni-movement is a fantastic addition to the routine gameplay that feels like a natural evolution not just for CoD titles but FPS games in general. However, each mode isn't without its frustrations: the campaign stalls the action a little too often, the Zombies mode can get a tad repetitive and the multiplayer maps vary a little too drastically in quality. Still, this is Call of Duty as it's known and loved. Franchise enthusiasts will likely be satisfied.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins masterfully reinvigorates the musou genre by returning to its roots in some ways — and taking bold risks with established mechanics. It pays off at almost every juncture. While the large roster of playable characters is gone for now and it's certainly missed, by honing in on what truly matters for the genre Koei Tecmo has refreshed an experience that desperately needed it. The result is a more focused, more engaging and simply more fun action title that makes this reviewer very excited for the future of the genre.
Final Fantasy VII fans should already expect this to be a vastly different experience in more ways than one to the original classic game, and the sooner that is accepted, the better, because there is a huge, fun and memorable time to be had in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Despite the slower and drawn-out segments, the characters, combat, and doubling down on the optional content and lore means this is a role-playing game that will satisfy most genre enthusiasts.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered presents definitive editions of two critically acclaimed yet imperfect experiences. While both titles share a distinctive gothic aesthetic and compelling narrative, they offer contrasting gameplay experiences. Soul Reaver is celebrated for its innovative level design and haunting atmosphere, while Soul Reaver 2 is praised for its rich character development and intricate plot. Despite their individual shortcomings, these games collectively deliver a memorable and immersive gaming experience.