Cubed3's Reviews
It is perhaps (and this isn’t meant harshly) not essential gaming in 2026. There is a stipulation on this comment, however, that rests somewhere on a sliding scale of whether or not someone has played the original back in the day or not. For a fan of the original, it’s a pleasure to revisit its characters and world and it will be surprising to them just how much variety of content there was that is now carried over into a much shinier remake. It doesn’t dare to push toward any new ground. The question it asks, though, is does it have to? What Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced does do, and what Ubisoft has generally been good at creating over the years, is the perfect casual experience, and it is hitherto priced as such.
Romeo Is a Dead Man is Suda51's most polished and chaotic game he's produced. It's absolutely explosive with style, and while it takes a little bit for the gameplay to open up, once it does, it becomes very hard to put down. It's packed with content like the optional randomised dungeons, and it takes a long time to max out Romeo's weapons and Bastards, which makes it rewarding to go back and get revenge on those Rotters that were such a hassle the first time around.
Liminal Logistics is fun but monotonous. It does not move the needle in any way, which is fine. Its loophole-based progression is fun to engage with, which is more than can be said about many games. Although it is fairly short, perhaps that is for the best, as there was probably no point in stretching it any further.
Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth's story, while light, ties beautifully into Deedlit’s personal arc of grief and acceptance, giving emotional weight to the exploration. It respects the source material while delivering a focused, replayable experience with New Game+ and boss rush modes. The gameplay mechanics and presentation are exceptional; some of the best seen in the genre. While it may be too lean for its own good and leave some gamers wanting more after it wraps up, it might be a blessing in disguise, as most games like this tend to breach the 20-hour range.
While Isekai Villain manages to be an interesting take on the isekai genre by contradicting all of its most annoying power fantasy tropes, it instead stumbles on its F2P roots. It is easy to see that there exists a competent JRPG behind the battle passes and gacha systems. However, more so than in other KEMCO JRPGs, this heavily skews the experience towards something completely unenjoyable. The main game becomes too easy, and the post-game requires some of the most tedious grinding seen in any JRPG. It is a shame, as both the story and the core gameplay are enjoyable in their own right for a JRPG that capitalises on 16-bit-era nostalgia.
How much enjoyment one can get from House of Necrosis solely depends on their endurance and pain tolerance. Sometimes RNG can leave players walking crooked for a week after an unbelievably sour turn of events. The sting is indescribable and will make anyone thrust their fists to the sky to curse the developer, while seething and foaming at the mouth. Nonetheless, House of Necrosis is one of the most rewarding and thrilling experiences a horror maniac can have, so long as they have the guts to brave its floors.
As both an upgrade to the problematic Switch version and a celebratory rerelease for Sonic’s 35th anniversary, Sonic Frontiers: Definitive Edition is thoroughly disappointing. Though the game underneath is far from exceptional, its unsatisfying visuals, unaided by the new improvements, ruin the potential it does have and make for a release that leaves a lasting bitter aftertaste.
Star Fox is a visual spectacle, a space opera on the Nintendo Switch 2, with Nintendo once again using the 1997 game as a base to showcase technical prowess. The Switch 2 release is a fitting tribute to the original, expanding on character lore and personality - bar a few watered down vocal lines. It is still a short campaign to the credits roll, but extra challenges, surpassingly enjoyable co-op, and fun multiplayer do add a hefty bit of replay value. The Lylat Region is in safe hands once more!
It is very easy to write off Catto's Post Office as a 30-minute fetch quest with a five-dollar price tag and awkward controls. However, beneath the surface, it is a game that reveals much about life and how to make normal days more meaningful. Spending time in a nursing home watching jumping pineapples feels meaningful, not because of the content, but because it gives time for reflection and an opportunity to spend time with one's elderly relatives. It might be difficult to take the time to reflect on these moments and give them meaning in personal day-to-day lives; however, Catto's Post Office is a reminder of the reward of doing so!
Stray is a curious, futuristic tale that's full of striking set pieces and the neon glow of a post-human world. Bar an odd decision to remove shadows, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a striking upgrade in texture and consistent framerates. Free for those who own the original Nintendo Switch edition, too. Is it good fun taking on the paws of a curious cat? A resounding yes. Is it fun evading a constant army of unrelenting bugs? No. That said, Stray is a compact, charming tale that is worth a go for feline lovers and cyberpunk aficionados.
To say that The Rumble Fish 2 is a hard sell for the uninitiated is an understatement, but there is fun to be had for seasoned players who are looking to test the limits of what is possible gameplaywise. Those looking for an entry point into the genre, however, should look elsewhere.
As a longtime series fan that is desperate for Dead or Alive to get back on the right track again, it brings no joy to be criticising this disappointing re-release. Dead or Alive 6: Last Round is a game that struggles to justify its existence by including barely any of the previously released DLC by default, missing features from the original title, adding very little in the way of appealing new content, and lacking in crossplay and rollback netcode. DOA is a brilliant fighting series that deserves way better than this. DOA6LR is still a solid entry, but it is impossible to ignore the missteps taken with this edition.
WWE 2K26 is the third mainline WWE game on a Nintendo platform in nine years. 2K has been building on a foundation of the core game for many years, now, and the year-by-year refinements are paying off. Handheld gamers will be eating well knowing that they can continue their Universe progress on the go. For those who haven’t played a WWE game for a while, this will feel amazing given the plethora of modes, which can feel intimidating and overwhelming at times, but having that many content options is not a weakness but a strength to the longevity of WWE 2K26. Those who buy WWE annually may not feel enough of a big leap from year to year, but given Nintendo Switch owners have been largely starved of the franchise, then this shouldn’t be the case at all.
With flawless pacing and poignant voice acting, paired with a captivating story full of intrigue, The Drifter goes above and beyond all expectations. The novel twin-stick control scheme makes playing with a controller surprisingly comfortable, a first for a point-and-click adventure game, while purists can still enjoy mouse mode using the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con. The art is beautiful and stylish, the music appropriately brooding; The Drifter might be the most polished and expertly crafted adventure game of all time.
While Devil Hunter Edition may not match the suite of technical features and bonus modes from the Special Edition, players will still find that this is an exceptional port of a great game that is unbelievably hard to put down. Vergil is here, and he is still the most important addition. Devil May Cry 5 is widely regarded as one of the best games Capcom released during its redemption arc, which kicked off with Resident Evil 7, and for good reason. It's jam-packed with polished action, thrills, and some of the most refined and ridiculous 3D combat ever designed.
Repetition of enemy design and dungeon levels at a certain plot point make Crystar tough to endure. However, the way tears are used in terms of story and equipment is highly inventive. The macabre narration is sensitively handled, with the depiction of depression expressed exceptionally well. Desiring the sisters to be reunited is a constant theme, but even that has several twists, and finishing Rei's journey causes its own bittersweet feelings. Post-game content includes fighting previous bosses again, but replay value is high as the tale is so engaging.
Make no mistake, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a beautiful game top to bottom. Combat is phenomenally varied, fluid and rewarding, alongside customisable perks and buffs for Elliot’s extensive arsenal of weapons. The world map is impressive to an extent, but there is a bit too much repetition across the various time periods, including having the same enemies. Nonetheless, puzzles, exploration and the wealth of combat options make this a must play for action RPG fans, and should certainly scratch the itch for those looking for a combination of HD-2D and old-school top-down Zelda games.
Toll Booth Simulator starts with an…interesting premise and every now and then hints at the sort of addictive routine that makes such games so enjoyable - but it quickly loses focus, burying its most promising ideas beneath a mountain of puddle-deep mechanics that aren’t even particularly entertaining. It’s a repetitive grind wrapped in an experience that feels unfinished and unpolished. Some players may appreciate the sheer variety on offer and enjoy the process of paying a large debt dollar by dollar. Just like in real life. Gee, thanks game.
If the good old days of PS2-era JRPGs are still being pined for, Xenoblade Chronicles will satisfy that craving and then some. There aren’t many games of this substance still being produced today, and there is no excuse to not give it a chance with Definitive Edition’s Switch 2 update. While it is disappointing that the 60fps target slips up in heavier situations, the vast majority of the time it delivers a smooth performance that greatly enhances the experience, and the 4K resolution upgrade brings out the best of this beautiful world. The addition of the Ether Jet positively serves to streamline slower parts of exploration and comes especially welcome for handheld questing.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 doesn't get everything right, but, much like the Spider-Men themselves, it puts its best foot forward and tries to be what the world wants it to be. Its enhancements to gameplay distinguish it from what came before it, and even if its story stumbles around, seeing characters like Miles Morales and Venom fully integrated into its universe has an undeniable allure that makes up for some of its faults. Insomniac Games has done it again, and with some further fine tuning, their next game is sure to be another crowd pleaser.