Cubed3's Reviews
Ultimately, Dark Souls II adds a lot of new features to the formula, but can't quite manage to match the brilliance of the original Dark Souls. What it does provide, though, is still a challenging and highly entertaining journey through the desolate world of Drangleic, one that is most definitely worth experiencing for fans of the genre. With this likely being the last game in the series to also appear on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, it's certainly exciting to think about the future of the franchise and what From Software could achieve on newer hardware, along with all the lessons learned from this game.
The genius of Her Story is right in its title: every detail and feature of its existence, from the presentation, to the script, to the symbolism of the built-in Reversi mini-game, is included in service to its female lead's story. The end result is probably the most holistic narrative-driven game since The Stanley Parable. If the FMV genre is destined for a renaissance, this game would be a fantastic example for developers to follow.
This is a title for anyone who has ever looked at the ocean or the night sky and been stunned by the unfathomable vastness of the universe and the mystery of the human condition. Hopefully, that's everyone.
The Journey Down: Chapter Two offers more and better story content than Chapter One did, exactly like was hoped. Things bode well for the finale and this chapter elevates the overall feel of the trilogy so far from a status of good point-and-click adventure to something more special than the first chapter taken on its own merits may have led some to expect.
There are not enough adjectives to describe what a pleasure it is to experience Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure. From the smart acting and intriguing story, to the clever puzzles included and great locations to explore, everything in Big Finish Games' project is a resounding success. Adventure fans have been waiting a long time for this, and it is pleasing to see that the wait was indeed more than worth it. Tex Murphy is back, and hopefully there is much more to come, especially with the officially-supported fan remake of Overseer, The Poisoned Pawn well underway.
Worth. Every. Penny. The most fun and original Sniper Elite game to date, with much improved level designs and ever more visceral, violent imagery. Sniper Elite III: Ultimate Edition is a must for anyone who thinks they might enjoy a bit of sniping action or even just likes stealth action games. The modest price tag (in comparison to many PS4 games) and the lovingly crafted game really do make this genuinely recommendable!
A delightful knitted theme makes Yoshi's Woolly Worlda true joy to play, as everything from Yoshi and his various abilities, to the landscapes and elemental hazards, is beautifully rendered. The accessible gameplay ensures that such a visually delightful title can be experienced by as many people as possible, while the hidden collectibles and special stages more than make up for it and will test the reflexes of many gamers. It's easy to recommend this game to anyone who is endeared by its presentation and enjoys 2D platformers, as everyone has the autonomy to tailor the experience to his or her own skill set.
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.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars is very reminiscent of Lemmings, as the goal is to guide Mario and friends through levels by manipulating objects around them, instead of directly controlling them. Creating inventive ways to avoid hazards and collect coins make each level a challenging, but endearing, experience. The ranking system is well crafted to make the game appealing to both casual and competitive gamers. Creating new levels in the workshop mode and then sharing them online adds further replay value to a game that is already rich in content. The whole package is presented with beautiful visuals and an incredible soundtrack to create something that should not be missed.
Not since Super Mario 3D World has the Wii U, or any platform, seen such a cheerful and enchanting platformer. Guiding Kirby around each world in Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush is a true delight thanks to fluid controls, innovative gameplay and magnificent audio and visual presentation. The challenge of finding every hidden collectible means that there is something for practically everyone, as a range of skill sets have been accommodated by the developers. It's hard to finish the game without being hungry for more, but this is due to the high quality on offer, not a lack of content, while the budget pricing makes it exceptional value for money.
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!
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is an absolute joy to behold, from its cute visual styling and delicious soundtrack and audio utterances from the main characters, to the expertly crafted self-contained stages, jam-packed with smart puzzles to solve and a plethora of goodies to uncover. This was one of those Wii U gems that thoroughly deserved another shot at the limelight, and with its excellent new additions now, it is indeed time to shine bright.
Hyrule Warriors is an outstanding crossover of The Legend of Zelda and Dynasty Warriors with addictive gameplay, a slick presentation, and a lot of content. In fact, the mix of the two series works so well that it has to be wondered why it took this long to materialise. Few franchises boast a legacy that matches The Legend of Zelda and it's a joy to play as characters other than Link after all this time, giving them a well-deserved spot in the limelight. Those familiar with Warriors games (like Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper, also on Wii U) will know what to expect, while Zelda fans should definitely consider giving this game a try, as long as they don't go in expecting it to be like a regular Zelda instalment. What Hyrule Warriors is, though, is a highly enjoyable spin-off that's filled with all sorts of fan service, which might just be the best way to ease the wait for the next mainline The Legend of Zelda game coming to the Nintendo Wii U next year.
Daring, challenging and balls to the wall outrageous, Bayonetta on WiiU delivers the definitive action extravaganza. Despite a few obnoxious quick time events and one tedious level, Bayonetta still holds up today as it did years ago when it first debut. Even its contemporaries like Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge or DmC: Devil May Cry which came out years after and had the opportunity to improve on what Bayonetta had established, but failed. Bayonetta stands tall and casts a huge shadow on the competition as one of the greatest action games of all time. With such demanding action, it can almost be physically exhausting to keep up with the game and how the few fleeting moments of peace can feel so generous. It is almost unfair how competent and skilled Platinum Games are at developing action games like this. They have set the standard so high, that they ruin other seemingly good action games and make them look quaint.
Treasure-like in its level of sheer ingenuity, Dakko Dakko's Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails is the sort of addictive shooter that is a must-own for Wii U owners and belies its initially brief appearance in the length stakes. Not exactly short to start with - thanks to the difficulty stakes - it is the draw of coming back to better times in the Challenge mode or uncovering every hidden kitty on each stage that brings considerable added value to what is already a bargain at just £8.99 / €9.99.
An expansive masterpiece, with amazing controls, stunningly atmospheric music, an intriguing graphical approach and oddball story that keeps players on their toes. Tight controls and intriguing morphing abilities mean that every challenge is extremely enjoyable, and the entire world is open to exploration - no boundaries! Part of the fun is merely trying to fill every tiny part of the world map.
Games with outstanding aesthetics always run the risk of falling victim to the old "style over substance" criticism, but Ori and the Blind Forest supports its style with a constant stream of timeless, captivating substance.
Inside My Radio is an excellent example of taking the basic ideas of a genre, distilling them down to their most enjoyable elements, and executing it almost perfectly. While there are some hiccups, the game is still an instant piece of indie game mythology that anyone would be truly remised to skip over. What Seaven Studio comes up with next is sure to be a treat, because if Inside My Radio is any indication of their skills, they will be a juggernaut among their peers.
TRI: Of Friendship and Madness' name is appropriate: It is easy to get pulled in by the gorgeous visuals, fall under the spell of the powerful soundtrack, experience the exhilarating elevation of solving a hard level, have bucketsful of fun with the creative freedom the game offers, and naturally want to pet the adorable foxes. On the flip side, the difficulty of later levels is likely to drive the genre newcomer up the triangles-covered wall.
Fenix Rage is the game that people dream about when they say games today need to be more difficult. This is a title that offers everything that was great about classic '80s games, filtering out a lot of the bad, and is one that Cubed3 can recommend to any gamer looking for a modern Nintendo Hard experience.