Cubed3's Reviews
System Shock is an amazing remake that irons out a lot of the original's more impenetrable qualities. The original isn’t exactly user-friendly, so the remake’s smoother, more responsive design makes it the go-to way to play. This is especially true for the Nintendo Switch 2 version, which may have occasional frame rate drops but still offers the definitive console experience for anyone looking to play, thanks to its intuitive Joy-Con 2 mouse mode.
A Game About Digging a Hole is exactly what it claims to be, and nothing more. On Nintendo Switch, it works best as a low-effort, high-satisfaction time waster—something to fill small gaps in your day with meaningless progress and quiet amusement. It won’t be for everyone, but for those willing to embrace its absurd simplicity, there’s something oddly compelling about staring into the void and deciding to dig a bit deeper.
The Bug Butcher is a fun, finely-polished, Pang-inspired shooter that modernises the classic formula with sharp controls, frantic pacing and charming presentation. Its short campaign and limited modes hold it back, making it a title that’s great for short bursts but not for extended play. Think of it as a small snack between the bigger meals. A snack made out of vibrantly colourful alien insects, that is. If the price is right, it’s a solid recommendation for arcade afficionados and not only.
Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania is a masterpiece of roguelike gaming. Impossible to put down, stellar soundtrack and visual design, as well as just being a load of fun. While some games have taken this formula and recontextualised it, the original does it best. Hop in and play as a vampire-killing badass. Highly recommended for Castlevania fans and anyone looking for a fun time. Perfect winter season gaming!
The title may not be that imaginative, but everything else about Cat Slide Tiles is high on the creative front. The 'just one more level' mentality makes it addictive, and the Switch's portability means it's simple to play a level while waiting for an appointment or as a form of relaxation before bed. The cat-themed puzzles are not always easy, but they are certainly enjoyable, and definitely deserve a sequel.
The cheerful design and well written humour of Alter Age make it a solid good versus evil RPG. The winning formula includes amusing team member personalities, a well-paced story and a melodious soundtrack, plus the Soul Alter age-switching skill, which remains centre stage - and for good reason. It is exciting to see what new features KEMCO will come up with next.
SNEG’s re-release of The Temple of Elemental Evil mostly succeeds as preservation rather than reinvention. Troika’s cult classic is in its best state ever - more stable and accessible - but it cannot escape its roots as a combat-heavy, story-light, and somewhat unwelcoming CRPG. For veterans, it’s a welcome return; for newcomers, a demanding curiosity. Worth experiencing, but hardly essential, and best approached with tempered expectations.
Whether it is to try to appeal to a broader audience or to bolster a game whose level design doesn’t match up to the original trilogy, the focus on elements that are unusual for the series leaves Metroid Prime 4: Beyond in the awkward position of being an enjoyable adventure that doesn’t stack up as a top Metroid game. There are the makings of a solid title featuring classic Prime traits, and for that reason alone Beyond can be worth experiencing, but longtime fans may need to brace themselves…and then wash away the taste by replaying Metroid Prime Remastered while praying for the same treatment for Prime 2 and 3.
The setting is amazing, and the execution, while a little unbalanced, is very satisfying. Does Metroid Prime 4: Beyond live up to 18 years of hype? Yeah, it feels like it does. With a bombastic story that has some firsts for the series, to the quieter exploratory segments, it's sure to have something any Metroid fan can get into and enjoy. This Switch title serves as a fitting sendoff for the console, boasting high production value and stellar visual performance. Samus has returned.
The level of detail means that Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator is an idealised portrayal of having a successful green thumb. The customisation for building style and colour may be limited, but since the focus is on planting and flower care rather than architecture, dozens of options aren't needed. There are styles of tools to suit all tastes, with a mode for those who don't care for the story and want to focus on only the gardening. Let's hope a sequel is in the works with bigger gardens and new features.
Lemon Cake displays the best of indie gaming, using a surprisingly detailed interface that manages to remain easy to grasp from the start. It has the highest level of charm and fits perfectly in the Nintendo Switch library.
As far as remakes go, Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2 is the absolute best case scenario. It's faithful where it counts, yet introduces plenty of new tricks and ideas that justify itself. The expanded content, replay value, and additional endings make it the ultimate way to reexperience a classic story. The visuals are stunning, and perhaps even a bit too ambitious, as the Xbox Series X|S version had to make a few minor compromises to hit its performance goals. The classic Silent Hill 2 is one of the best survival horror games of its time, and this remake carries on its legacy and serves as a worthy alternative for anyone who can't play the original.
A marked improvement on the first Falconeer game, Bulwark Evolution: Falconeer Chronicles is a creative and slick "city" builder, giving players all of the tools needed for complex relationships and resource management while succeeding in the goal of making a very simple control scheme. It's possible the game won't win over everyone with its basic systems, and it may not be played for a particularly long time, but for those it clicks with, it is an addictive experience. With its unique atmosphere and setting, this is the Falconeer game to get.
The premature conclusion to Lapin is disappointing, as the combination of an appealing art style, fluid gameplay, and rabbits with unique skills who solve puzzles made it a near excellent title for PlayStation 5. One can only hope the game-freezing error gets fixed in later updates, allowing discovery of what happens in the end rather than the lettuce lovers remaining in limbo for eternity.
RPG maniacs who missed out on Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered due to the language barrier can finally check it out. International is the same remaster with identical QOL features, but now with additional language options to make it easier than ever for any Western gamer to enjoy this grossly overlooked, open-ended PlayStation 2 RPG.
Let it Die: Inferno is a gorgeous and highly stylised game that can’t stop tripping over itself. Combat is frustrating and unfair instead of challenging, exploration and item collection are made negligible by timers and resets, and certain characters and music are weakened by AI “enhancements” that don’t enhance the game in any way. Inferno itself is solid, and there aren’t many bugs or glitches, but the game on offer is one that is trying to appeal to a niche of players who certainly can find a lot of fun in its gameplay loop, but working through the design flaws and constant resets will prove as much of a challenge as the combat and exploration of a soulslike are meant to be.
Octopath Traveler 0 is a massive game, with an abundance of content and exploration available. It relies heavily on a more strategic style of turn-based combat than previous entries, with interesting stories and characters in a nostalgic graphical style. However, there are times where the story becomes a touch too cliché and predictable. It certainly doesn't lack in polish, though, with a fantastic soundtrack and delightful HD-2D visuals and, apart from a few hiccups, it runs without issue. This is the perfect title to get lost in for hours and hours.
Log Away aims for calm cabin-building bliss and reaches it…only to lose it minutes later. While its cosy vibes have some charm, with no pressure to do anything besides crafting the tiny retreat of your dreams, the experience is dragged down by poor optimisation, a lack of settings, and shallow, highly limited building options. With nothing to do after quick completion and no world to explore, relaxation soon turns into boredom.
Picross S: Capcom Classics Edition delivers what is promised: puzzles full of classic Capcom games and characters, with beautiful artwork and a soundtrack to set the scene. Thanks to the different modes, hours of gameplay await both experienced and new players. Train your brain and relive the classic Capcom era!
Baseless' main mechanic takes getting used to. There is no way around that. Anyone who plays it on its own terms and learns to harness the physics will find it rewarding. Most of the time, using a high-powered space gun to control movement feels like trying to tame a wild beast. It's understandably unwieldy, yet mastering it under one's dominion is a euphoric rush.