Cubed3's Reviews
Sea of Stars may not be a legitimate Chrono Trigger 2, but it does feel like it a lot of the time. This is largely due to the music, visuals and the break-neck pace that keeps the story from ever getting dull. The protagonists will not endear gamers, but the setting, side characters, and atmosphere will. It seamlessly weaves in homages while showcasing greater originality than initially apparent. It stands as an artistic triumph, excelling in both visuals and audio, with its engrossing turn-based combat embodying impeccable design.
Armored Core 6 manages to refresh a dated gameplay loop and make it feel like something entirely new. It excels in both its high-octane gameplay and dizzying variety of customisation options. Whether opting for speed or brute force - or something that notches its own point on the spectrum - AC6 offers personalised action gameplay the likes of which has seldom been seen before. Don't go in expecting a Souls-like, and it will surely be a satisfying time.
This far outstrips the first game in content amount, and the approach to telling a new story that can encapsulate the wider scope is genius. We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie is a fantastic portable game and fits Switch like a glove. This is a hearty recommendation to all gamers and any lovers of the King's tight purple tights.
This new iteration of Quake II is the definitive approach to remastering a classic. The past melds seamlessly with the present, as not only are the two original expansions resurrected, but the very campaign from Quake II 64 is transposed. The new campaign crafted by the hands of MachineGames is a testament to the fusion of innovation and nostalgia. This revitalization becomes a symphony of rejuvenation, as the past is reborn in the crucible of the present, leaving players to navigate a world that is both familiar and novel, both retro and modern. This is not just a remaster; it's a journey through time, a testament to the power of transformation.
Few games in the realm of naughty/lewd/ecchi/hentai can really be considered classics, but that doesn't mean that there aren't some that are a bit more entertaining than expected, offering fun gameplay along with some titillation. Slime Girl Smoothies sadly isn't that. It's a boring and repetitive experience that lacks the addicting, and most of all, the casual-friendly, pick-up-and-play nature of many puzzlers. Unless with a fetish for sexy slime girls, stay away.
Pikmin 4 is one of the best video game releases of 2023.
Brok the InvestiGator sets you up with frustrating questions and then leaves them hanging. It even throws in sequel bait just to tease. There are multiple endings, but it feels like they got dropped in without much thought, leaving a feeling of wanting more. The blend of genres is a beauty, hitting those noir thriller tropes while revelling in chaotic fun. Truth be told, it falls short of tying it all together in a way that satisfies.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective was always a hidden gem that deserves recognition for its innovative gameplay, engaging storyline, and charming presentation. It successfully blends puzzle-solving elements with an intriguing narrative, making it a must-play for fans of the adventure and mystery genres. A unique and memorable gaming experience, this captivating journey as a ghostly detective is definitely worth embarking upon.
Rain Code falters in too many areas for it to be seen as a true or great successor to Danganronpa. There are sparks of light, such as its setting and the twists featured in the final chapters, but the ridiculously linear Mystery Labyrinths, poorly written characters, long load times and graphical issues set things back. Danganronpa and whodunnit fans will still find something worthwhile here, but wait for a discount.
When it comes down to brass tacks, what you put in here is what you get out. Going in with a pessimistic attitude is most likely going to breed hatred for the bright bold presentation and what Nintendo perceives to be fun activities. Take everything with a pinch of salt and plan a night around making a fool out of yourself and others, however, and you might find yourself discussing 'the night we played Everybody 1-2-Switch!' for years to come. Unfortunately, with limited replay appeal, a night may just be all you get before the diminishing returns.
While it would be easy to look at Final Fantasy XVI from certain angles and proclaim something looks rough when looked at as a single package and a sum of its whole, this is a fantastic game. The cinematic flair, crazy action combat and extremely involved story with a nice side dish of world building make this a game worth playing. This is likely to appeal to fans of most character action games but also to those who just want another cool Final Fantasy to get lost in. Absolutely get this game.
The Lara Croft Collection is not to be overlooked. This bundle encompasses one great and one decent arcade action adventure, of which twin-stick shooter and score attack fans will find plenty of enjoyment. Although both games are worth experiencing in multiplayer if possible, Guardian of Light, at the very least, deserves playing even solo, and is a reminder of what Tomb Raider is all about, captured expertly in a style that is positively different, yet respectfully reminiscent of the classic series. Technical issues remain, but it's just a joy to have these ported to a modern platform. Now, with things quiet on the Lara Croft front, surely, it's time for that long overdue third game in this mini-series.
Cute Monster Girls Photographer simulator Boo Party is one of the safest… NSFW titles out there, and that combined with its overall feel-good vibe, quirky sense of humour, and casual-friendly approach to gameplay makes it a rather fun experience. Just be prepared for something that's also repetitive, and way too open-ended, which can be frustrating at times.
The Pikmin series is top notch and these HD ports are a great reminder of that for anyone who has played them before, and a wonderful primer to the series for anyone that hasn't. It's startling how well a lot of the artistic decisions that were made in the GameCube era still translate to now, like a soundtrack that is absolutely bang on, and character designs and animations that are infinitely charming. Whether or not the time limit in Pikmin or, conversely, the unlimited time, gauntlet-like puzzle caves and score chasing from Pikmin 2 is the preferred way to go, they're both excellent titles that play just as well now as they ever did.
The Pikmin series is top notch and these HD ports are a great reminder of that for anyone who has played them before, and a wonderful primer to the series for anyone that hasn't. It's startling how well a lot of the artistic decisions that were made in the GameCube era still translate to now, like a soundtrack that is absolutely bang on, and character designs and animations that are infinitely charming. Whether or not the time limit in Pikmin or, conversely, the unlimited time, gauntlet-like puzzle caves and score chasing from Pikmin 2 is the preferred way to go, they're both excellent titles that play just as well now as they ever did.
SENSEs: Midnight feels like a quick cash grab, rather than a complete product. It lacks the heart of its - otherwise very flawed - predecessor, resulting in a bland, buggy, and unattractive experience. Rather than taking what made SENSE work, and removing what didn't, this is actually a step down… and that's if you want to be polite.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a wonderful repackaging of three of the best RPGs on the Nintendo DS, maintaining nearly all the benefits of dual screens while offering players respectable quality-of-life features. What Etrian Odyssey lacks in conventional narrative, the series makes up for with its emphasis on player-driven pacing and highly customisable party building. Although the price point is certainly steep, there's no getting around the fact that these are the definitive versions of the first three Etrian Odysseys. Visually crisp with great audio and some of the best dungeon-crawling the genre has seen, all three titles offer RPG fans hundreds of hours of dense dungeon-crawling all on their own. Together, the collection offers audiences a high-class trilogy that'll realistically last them the rest of 2023 - if not even longer. Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is frankly a steal at $80.
D-Life accomplishes something totally unique. Hidden behind its simplicity is a system of complexities, just enough to make for a strangely compelling time. The sound and visuals combine to make something otherworldly and entertaining. It would be a travesty to not recommend this cool and relaxing experience and so this comes highly recommended to all who have a Steam account, and even more so to those who own the Nano KONTROL2!
While an enjoyable and relaxing title, Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom needs some major improvements when it comes to translation and some graphical and gameplay elements. Nevertheless, it is not unplayable, and those who enjoyed the first game will also have a good time with it.
A fantastic conversion and localisation of a game horror fans have been waiting for for years. Project Zero: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is an amazing horror title with an intriguing story, great visuals and a penchant for being terrifying. It works well on Switch, and, outside of a couple of small control issues, is a worthwhile and recommendable experience for horror game enthusiasts.