The Cube's Reviews
Instead of naming this current installment Doom 4, id Software decided to rebrand. The all caps'ed DOOM makes sense to me; this game is very much so the original rebuilt with modern technology. We were once given a glimpse of Hell on Mars through a view of 8-bit, now the pain and all its glory shines at 60fps. Changes have been made: the story has been spiced up, Glory kills now fly in your face, the double-jump now creates a ton more platforming, and upgrades of all kinds are everywhere! These changes put DOOM at odds with any current first person shooter out there.
Grand Kingdom is the best non-traditional role playing game I've played this year, and may even take a place on my end of the year list once I fully take in how outstanding it is. But right now, I'm doing things I couldn't have dreamed of being fun yet are, a common trademark of Grand Kingdom's incredible design.
Guilty Gear Xrd Revelator is the best fighter of 2016, and with Injustice 2 being released not even in the next six months, I'm pretty certain it will keep that title. It's attention to detail is refreshing, it's models inventive, and it's gameplay hooking and enormous in depth. It's hard to think that fighters can get any better than this, but Guilty Gear continuously sets the bar.
As a fan of the original game, Day of the Tentacle Remastered is everything I want in a remastered game. Gameplay and originality have been preserved and showcased, never forgetting what put Day of the Tentacle on the map. Double Fine Productions also added TONS and TONS of hidden trophies, each with its own chuckle-inducing title that amused me along the way. The options provided to tweak with in-game graphics, sound, and control allowed me to play the game the way I wanted to, and never left me in sorrow wishing instead to play the original. It is my hope that these practices become mainstream and expected of all remastered games. Too often do new versions of old games forget what they once were. Whether you prefer the original art, or the new look that eliminates pixel bite, the game is bright and colorful, filled to the brim with quirky characters, and jam-packed with laughs, making it a MUST PLAY for point and click adventure fans.
INSIDE is an odyssey I recommend everyone, gamer or not, to undertake. When it’s all said and done, the game did feel a bit short, but every second is worth it. I haven’t felt so strongly towards an indie game story since Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, and that’s saying a lot. After experiencing a monotonous world of where specs of dust in pale moonlight beauty in comparison to flakes of flesh wafting in the sunlight, the credits made me sit in the sun, reflect on myself and the progress of our world. It’s hard to discover any true answers in our world, much like the mysteries still left unsolved in INSIDE’s world of scientific genocide, but it’s easy to understand the massive effort it took Playdead to splice together this masterpiece.
Furi is an explosive type of game, but never once does it get in it’s way. From a company that hadn’t done much before, it’s insane that this game came out so innovative and fun. While it may not appeal to everybody looking for a casual experience, there’s no excuse to pick it up if you’ve got Playstation Plus. You might dive into a new comfort zone you were never aware of until now.
On the surface, ABZÛ is a simple game, but there's an incredible amount of polish, detail, and artistic integrity at hand. The game is beautiful without sacrificing any of its main components, which makes the whole experience better as a whole. There are a couple technical stumbles, but the overall product is nevertheless exceeding.
Overwatch released with swords honed, ready to slash the multiplayer opposition. Future releases offer continued enjoyment and possibly the growth I desire, while current models are filled stunning movement and gameplay mechanics. For the first time the lack of currently released story elements excites me; it adds a tantalizing mystery to the plot. I've already spent more time speculating on the Overwatch universe than any other game. This could be a side effect of playing too much Dark Souls 3, but unlike Dark Souls 3, who doesn't provide concise answers to questions of lore, Overwatch will periodically release new videos to fill in gaps in story. Overwatch breaths and bleeds battle contention to the point we know this game was made for and by FPS fans. For this and everything above, I will stand a hero by Overwatch's side till it disappears into video game history.
I've played a lot of platformers this year, but Ninja Pizza Girl is part of the 10% that truly excels beyond the genre's typical conventions. It's story is enthralling, funny, and amiable, and the same goes for the gameplay and even replay value. Even after completing the game, there's still a whole lot to love and go through again.
Alienation does top down shooters justice, making every mission more exciting and innovative than the last. As well all the characters are very well balanced as a whole. And for the $20 purchase, it is a great price for the amount of content that is given. Alienation can be played very casually, yet it can also be incredibly competitive and intense, I would recommend this to anyone a fan of this genre.
Upon returning from grabbing lunch, I walked into my room to find it full of laughter. Apparently my wife and roommates had returned from work to find Action Henk still running on my TV, and decided to tackle multiplayer. It was obvious right off the bat that there were different skill levels between them, but great features in multiplayer kept the fun rolling, instead of leaving other players in losing ruts. Action Henk is clearly a game meant for fun, while still providing a challenge for the most seasoned runner gamer.
Moon Hunters is not only a wonderfully creative game, but it manages to be innovative without getting weighed down by other issues. And, with it’s pick-up-and-play like style, the significance has been added to it’s short rate of completion. The technical prowess isn’t the greatest, but everything else is supremely top-notch.
Steredenn is my contender for the best twinstick shooter of 2016, and I hope it stays this way. While it doesn’t necessarily carve it’s own niche, it does so many things right that it’s rightfully hard to complain. Instead, I’m just having too much fun to worry about specific nitpicks, and let the great gameplay seep back in.
Score Rush Extended is less of a great SHMUP and more of a lesson to others influenced by the genre on how to do it justice. It’s also a great example of how lackluster visuals doesn’t necessarily mean bad gameplay, a fact that still isn’t spread too often nowadays. By accomplishing both of these goals and being a great game overall, Score Rush Extended is a definite keeper.
Chambara is a multiplayer titan and courageously reinvents the wheel without fail. I could complain about the game’s lack of modes, but that goes against the entertainment you really are receiving. After all, nothing I’ve played this year matches this kinetic, effortless, and overall enticing concept.
Drawful 2 is an excellent, although mechanically unsubstantial sequel to a hit party game. A small portion of gamers might be disappointed at the lack of true changes, but the hilarity outweighs the innovation, and for good reason. Drawful 2 is a comedic masterpiece.
Super Mutant Alien Assault may not have an excellent title, but it makes up for this with it’s fantastic and furiously frantic gameplay. I can’t wait to go back and experiment with the weapon library, which I hope gets expanded in the future. At the end of the day, this alien killing masterpiece is not a lesson in anger, just good passionate fun.
Broken Bots is the next essential Playstation 4 competitive indie game, and I hope it finds an audience. It’s design elements are smart and rival what’s traditionally seen in it’s genre, and just enough content is there that replayability should last a good while. Overall, it’s a pleasant and greatly enjoyable experience.
Art of Balance is probably the best puzzle primary game I’ve played all year. Although the premise seems like it would fit better during the tediousness of a Sunday night train ride, it’s a game I can now see myself playing in nearly any occasion. Other puzzle games fall short, and Art of Balance simply shows them how it’s done.
The Dying Light: The Following expansion is by far one of the best DLC's that I have experienced in current gen gaming. It adds plenty to a game that was already great. Especially since it is $30 which is already a better price per quantity of gameplay than any of the Destiny DLC's. Of course it is not without its as it fails to create a compelling story and solid frame rate. This is a must buy for fans of Dying Light and really anybody who likes bashing zombies brains in.