The Cube's Reviews
Coming from someone who followed it for so long, Adr1ft is massively dis-encouraging. However, I feel it might be worth it to a couple of folks who are looking for a more minimal and ambitious gameplay experience. Just keep in mind that it's far from perfect, and that most would be suited elsewhere.
Promising and frustrating in equal measure, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice ultimately disappoints with rote puzzling, unexciting combat, and storytelling that fails to connect emotionally with its audience.
Looking back on the Leon campaign there were a lot of action button sequences that I felt were a little uncharacteristic for a Resident Evil game, but most of these took place during long boss battles. I’ve been hesitant on divulging information about Resident Evil 6’s story line. I feel many die hard fans will be disappointed with the interweaving of so many characters into one game. Usually a Resident Evil game has you controlling the same duo of characters for most the game, giving plenty of time to establish a well thought out story and connection between characters. However cool the idea of having our heroes together in one game seems, it isn’t well executed.
There are some really cool things about Rainbow Moon that continue to draw me back. The world map seems huge, and dungeons are designed so amazingly they loop back onto themselves (sometimes causing me to wander in circles). Plus game started me off with a few simple tutorials, and has continued to supply me with quick new tutorials as new mechanics come about. You may say "Yeah that is normal for most games", but I've been playing this game for over 12 hours and have only unlocked 28/37 tutorials. With that in mind Rainbow Moon is an adventure I wont put down any time soon.
Things like these, along with easter eggs, and voice acting that makes Randal's Monday a uniquely hilarious play. I do feel the game targets an older 20s and above audience for they would understand the references. I am not too sure how much more of the game I have left, but I look forward to each new monday it throws at me.
A well-crafted yet predictable experience that invokes its inspiration with poise, Prey ultimately fails to carve out a meaningful identify of its own.
In terms of retro re-releases, you can do a lot worse than Assault Suit Leynos. I would recommend it to any gamers wanting a change of pace from their normal library, and especially if they’ve been getting a little bit nostalgic lately. It’s not perfectly suited, but it’s hard to think that a better homage wouldn’t come straight off the source.
Hawken is a competent mech shooter, and not much else. If you put enough downtime on it, there will be room to grow. However, with more engaging mech titles already entering the market, I’m worried that not much will last. The lack at something truly new at the heart of Hawken is it’s biggest downside.
Resident Evil 5 is an acceptable, compelling, but not immediately outstanding addition to the franchise. The remaster certainly doesn’t give it that underrated feel, but if you happen to come across it in a sale or packed with another RE game, it’s definitely worth a shot. And if you’re bored during the summer, why not give zombie-killing another shot?
Mech Land Assault is an acceptable, but not substantial addition to Just Cause 3’s DLC vault. It goes nicely with the previous chunks, but time will have to tell if it completely changes the landscape compared to what else the game will provide in the future. Otherwise, the mechs are the true and only standout.
Anima: Gate of Memories is a somewhat memorable, competent action platformer. It’s best strengths are pulled down by some noticeable flaws, but it’s nothing to criminal to bring the whole game toppling down. So as it stands, when you got some money in your digital wallet and have bustled through every AAA role player with general fatigue, you can do a lot worse than Anima to alleviate these feelings.
Raiden V is packed to the brim with content, but I couldn’t imagine finishing all of it, unless I was a true fan of the series. It’s still fun to play with an appreciative birds eye view, but the high asking price lessens the experience to something only a professional would ask for. In that scenario, it’s the head of it’s game.
In the words of Tegan and Sara, “Everything is Awesome”. This might be the case for the music catalog in Loud on Planet X, but it becomes pretty noticeable that the gameplay is on a far different tune. If you’re a casual indie music fan, I’d say wait for a major sale, but any junkies should definitely dive right in. (Just be wary of the flaws) You might find a new favorite song, just like I did. (PS4) LOUD on Planet X’s PC port is one of the stronger precedents I’ve seen this year of console games improving in a more hardcore setting. The game now manages to feel complex without leading to clumsiness, and it’s a great feeling. With a new sale, it would be hard not to pick this up. (PC)
Obliteracers is a top notch game, if you happen to be playing with the right amount of people. Too many, and the game suffers some deeper technical issues, and too little and you're set to gaze at it's hidden but unstable flaws. Thankfully, it's got some personality, so I would recommend it if you are looking for this type of game. In any other case, it should be considered in a cheaper perspective.
Hyperdimension Neptunia VII is an acceptable RPG, but may be a disappointment for series diehards looking for true change, or newcomers to the franchise. Any other way, the game fully realizes it's ambitions on top of it's other minute flaws, and cements a rich and non-exasperating formula for players who know what to expect.
Prison Architect is a game I would definitely recommend to any simulation diehards, but some looking for a more accessible pathway into the genre may want to take it easy. However, most of the major flaws have been ironed out from the Early Access experience, which is a sign of improvement others aren't as worthy of.
Sword Coast Legends is a worthwhile top down RPG, but is let down by some aspects that would disappoint those it's appealing too. The rest is the confines of your typical RPG, but I think experienced players of the genre will have quite a good time with this. It's not the refreshing kick everybody needs, but it's good enough.
Mafia 3 is an unfortunate reminder that a game can truly excel in one area and still wind up disappointing. With confident storytelling and consistently fantastic performances, Mafia 3 effortlessly establishes a narrative that has you engaged from the get-go. Sadly, it's the ho-hum mission design and various technical oddities that will drag you out of the world time and time again.
Regardless of length, No Time to Explain was a treat to play, and I'm not talking about a chocolate chip cookie here, but rather a pop-rock covered chocolate habanero.
I would recommend getting There Came An Echo if you're looking for a different strategy game, with some light flaws. While it may not be as commending to other players unfamiliar with the genre, it's still a great title where it fits, and I'd like to see more potential from where it came from, in the form of a sequel, spin-off, or new IP.