The Cube's Reviews
Forza Horizon 3 offers many ways to customize its experience, catering to a number of play-styles and giving players the freedom to tweak systems until they’re left with something that they personally find satisfying. On the technical and mechanical level, Horizon 3 never fails to impress. It’s on the periphery of the game’s design where some questionable decisions threaten to get in the way of the fun. Nevertheless, with incredible production values and an emphasis on letting players find their own way, Playground Games has built what is comfortably one of the best open-world racing games since Burnout Paradise.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XII is a great way to get back into strategy games from a different perspective, if any players have been burned out after the disappointments of Civilization: Beyond Earth and Total War: Rome II. It may lack the grand production values, but it makes up for this with some exquisitely rich ideas and a tight gameplay structure that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome.
Human Fall Flat has some issues, but it’s one of the few games I’ve played recently where it weaves into the gameplay in rather enjoyable ways. This works even better with other people, making me realize why the game has gotten so much online publicity. It doesn’t thrive off of one gimmick, and is successful and captivating because of that.
Tumblestone is the corner stone of what an eighth generation Match 3 game should be, even with one or two glaring flaws. It’s central ideas feel so invigorating in a more and more mobile generation, and Tumblestone takes the outsider path, to devastating effect for it’s competition.
Daydreamer: Awakened Edition is a thrilling, albeit compressed sidescrolling venture. It’s good ideas don’t screw around and make a game that could have been written off as creepy and clumsy, so much more. It’s not perfect, but it’s a game we need in this otherwise disappointing summer lineup.
Quadrilateral Cowboy is an extremely unique game that is only hampered by it’s later innovations and simple story. However, the way the game presents these aspects make up for their shortcomings. The sense of awe with every task is wonderful, and it’s mind-blowing how inserting commands over and over doesn’t feel repetitious, thanks to strong design. It might be a bit unaccesible for those who haven’t played a puzzle game in a long while, but it will definitely cater to the fanatics.
Bethesda genuinely surprised me with Vault Tec Workshop. While it doesn’t leave a good impression at first the massive amount of tools you can require is anything but constricting. In fact, it’s so good, that it might change the minds of those who originally wrote settlements off.
Shiren the Wanderer may have a long subtitle, but it’s the smallest nitpick I could provide of this otherwise fantastic rogue-like. It’s the proper way to reintroduce the lesser classics to a new audience, and in a way that everybody’s familiar with. There’s no hardcore pandering here, just good plain fun.
I won’t go as far to say Dungeon Punks will likely be the best brawler released this generation, but it’s certainly up there. It’s blend of great mechanics, enemies, and a funny story show that the developers knew how to make a brawler great. There is some tedium here and there, but it was nothing that stalled me from playing, because everything else was so strong.
Overall solid game, but could use improvement.
What I love most about UnEpic is the variety of gameplay styles I can try. I can spend an entire playthrough focused on wielding magic, another on shooting at enemies from afar with a bow, a third only using scrolls, or I could just laying waste to everything after purchasing some over-powered UN gear. There are still many secrets for me to discover and different endings to conquer. Maybe once I've solved every mystery my fingers will become unglued to the controller, but as for now I continue to shed light on the desolate halls of Harnakon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.