Cubed3's Scores

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For 4,058 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 39% higher than the average critic
  • 10% same as the average critic
  • 51% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 7.2 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 68
Highest review score: 100 Guacamelee! 2
Lowest review score: 0 The Letter
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,560 out of 4058
  2. Mixed: 2,053 out of 4058
  3. Negative: 445 out of 4058
4058 game reviews
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    StarBlox Inc.
    StarBlox Inc. is a perfectly enjoyable action puzzler that manages to balance reflex-based gameplay with on-the-fly puzzle solving. The core gameplay loop doesn't have much in the way of depth, but it's easy to pick up, and fun to play, especially in groups of four. Unfortunately, no online means that StarBlox has no real shelf life in spite of a surprisingly decent single player campaign. If nothing else, this makes for a decent couch multiplayer alternative to Puyo Puyo and Tetris.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    LEGO Party!
    It is easy to fall in love at first glance with Lego Party. It is a game that many have unknowingly been waiting for, and its presentation and first impression are on a whole different level. It feels like a perfect match for anyone seeking an exceptional digital party game. However, once the honeymoon phase is over, all the flaws start to appear, and they become too much. Poor controls, extremely small boards, and a mix of mini-games that feel disjointed make this a challenging title to recommend. It has some wonderful ideas and a solid foundation to build upon, but it falls short in executing the details.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ninjin: Clash of Carrots
    Stylish presentation and quirky fun are Ninjin: Clash of Carrots's standout selling points. Retro graphics and an eccentric storyline are the heart and soul of the experience, even if the script is at times frustratingly over-the-top. Ultimately, Ninjin holds up as a mostly fun experience, but its co-op modes, amusing story, and enemy variety fail to overpower an over-simplicity that lets it down.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Jewel Time Deluxe
    Jewel Time Deluxe has made a successful transition from PC to Nintendo DS, yet its general lack of extra polish it fades in comparison to other releases in the genre. With six modes to play through, Gusto Games' Match-3 puzzle effort is definitely one that will give fans of this style enough to sink their teeth into.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Arcade Archives 2: Steel Worker
    The nicest thing that can be said about Steel Worker is that it is, in fact, a video game. Not a bad game by any means, but one that meets the broadest definition of a video game and delivers exactly what it promises. In a way, it brought some innovation to Lemmings-style gameplay, but could generously be described as a proof of concept.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Rigid Force Alpha
    Despite being functionally solid and enjoyable, Rigid Force Alpha's lack of identity is very apparent.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Encased: a sci-fi post-apocalyptic RPG
    "A very decent clone of Fallout." That's at the same time the biggest compliment, as well as the strongest criticism for Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG. It is a labour of love that is almost as fun as the one it passionately pays homage to, and is thus easy to forgive its lack of fine-tuning. Unfortunately, it also lacks what made Interplay's gem the legend it is, which is, of course, the writing. You see, the key word in the phrase "a very decent clone of Fallout," is the word 'decent.' This otherwise entertaining piece of software is definitely that, but decent just won't do for most people.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Planet Explorers
    Although a somewhat generic survival sandbox, Planet Explorers certainly had the potential to be a fun game... if only it was a complete one. Those who were here since the days of Early Access will definitely see the improvements, but this still has a long way to go.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training for Nintendo Switch
    Dr Kawashima's Brain Training for Nintendo Switch is a missed opportunity to throw together a comprehensive package of mini-games from past entries on a hugely successful console. There are appealing factors such as the fact that sudoku and a number of puzzles can now be done on the Nintendo Switch, along with its budget price point. However, with the janky accessibility issues for Switch Lite users, and clumsy handwriting recognition skills for the maths calculations, it is hard to say it improves upon its predecessors.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Clan O'Conall and the Crown of the Stag
    Clan O'Conall and the Crown of the Stag is a very solid, Celtic-flavoured, action-plaform/puzzler that could be so much more with a little more effort. Everything, from the platforming, puzzle-solving, and fighting, to the three unique heroes that players will have to constantly swap between are very good, but the experience leans a bit too much towards casual-friendly territory. Not a piece of cake, but solutions to each and every problem are way too obvious, and as a result the whole adventure soon loses its immersion factor. A good game, sure, just not a strong recommendation.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Mario Party: Island Tour
    Fun is there to be found, in small pockets of good mini-games (although not consistent or regular), but - as a big fan of Mario Party in general - this isn't the greatest of games.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ravenswatch
    The atmosphere, characters and general style are all high points, but Ravenswatch's major issue comes from how repetitious the gameplay loop is and that rarely anything new or cool pops up. The base structure is there to have been a really cool roguelite, but as it's far more strict in its roguelike nature, it's tough to recommend in any large capacity, lacking in too many things to encourage frequent plays.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Wakedas
    Wakedas is another alternative to the numerous puzzle games out there on the Nintendo 3DS today, offering a decent option for those that like Rubik's Cube-type games or grid-based puzzle solving.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Haunted House
    Haunted House's task-based exploration and emphasis on stealth offer promising foundations for a compelling gameplay loop. However, challenges with enemy interactions, inconsistent stealth cues, and the occasional lack of reliable hiding options detracts from the overall experience. Refining these aspects could elevate gameplay to its full potential. Its premise may not faithfully represent the Atari 2600 Haunted House apart from the scenes of eyes in the darkness, but overall Haunted House does manage to be a compelling experience on its own.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Zombie Driver: Immortal Edition
    Zombie Driver: Immortal Edition is an amusing distraction that is elevated thanks to the generous amounts of unlockable content. The main campaign will never get anyone emotionally invested, but then why would anyone hope to care about characters in something titled Zombie Driver? The developers knew exactly who their audience is. This is pure zombie schlock for people who are fans of the Splatterhouse games. An unapologetically gory, arcade-like experience.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 aims to please Call of Duty fans of every kind, with three stacked modes — campaign, multiplayer and Zombies — that all have enough going for them to satisfy all Call of Duty fans. Omni-movement is a fantastic addition to the routine gameplay that feels like a natural evolution not just for CoD titles but FPS games in general. However, each mode isn't without its frustrations: the campaign stalls the action a little too often, the Zombies mode can get a tad repetitive and the multiplayer maps vary a little too drastically in quality. Still, this is Call of Duty as it's known and loved. Franchise enthusiasts will likely be satisfied.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Council - Episode 2: Hide and Seek
    Not only will Episode 2: Hide and Seek not turn the heads of those who didn't like the first part of The Council, but it will probably disappoint the ones that did, as it takes a couple of steps backward. The journey through the realm of mystery thrillers it offers remains a somewhat engrossing one, but it surely needs to think a lot about its next step if it is to succeed.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tangram Style
    Tangram Style does what it sets out to do quite well and offers a lot of content, but the lack of variety makes it hard to recommend over other puzzle offerings on the 3DS eShop, even at the now lowered price of £2.69. Dedicated fans of tangram should find plenty to dig into, however.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    WILL: A Wonderful World
    Instead of the traditional crossroads of visual novels, WILL: A Wonderful World lets you play with a bunch of separate stories by altering specific parts within them... and then doing so again to follow an alternative path. This intriguing mechanic isn't as good as it sounds, though, and the game is in some dire need for some additional artwork. At least the various plot threads are good enough to make this a pleasant recommendation for genre fans.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Heroes of Ruin
    Heroes of Ruin is an average game, with much better alternatives out there. The daily challenges are nothing compared to the daily and weekly puzzles found in the Professor Layton games and they do not work as planned. For 3DS owners looking for a game with a lengthy campaign with some form of online play included, there are games that are worthier of the money.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Drug Dealer Simulator
    Drug Dealer Simulator successfully simulates the dealing of drugs and taps into some of the excitement and fun that particular criminal activity can provide, but its flaws dampen the experience considerably enough to hurt it overall. It’s not a bad first shot at making drug dealing compelling and fun, but it feels like a sequel could potentially fix all the issues and make the experience something great… In fact, there is a sequel that's been out a year already on PC. With that in mind, it’s even harder to wholly recommend Drug Dealer Simulator. It doesn’t lose points for already having a better-looking sequel, but it does mean waiting for a console port of the sequel or playing it now on PC might be a better bet.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Interstellar Space: Genesis
    There is actually a lot of hope for this. At this stage it feels like it still should be in a final beta stage as there are things that still lack polish, such as text spill-overs and unclear mechanics. While it is clearly a Master of Orion 2 clone, it has some ideas that actually are pretty cool and can really be expanded on. Notably the exploration system does a good job of keeping it relevant, unlike many games in the genre. Between the industry system, the terraforming, and the exploration, there are some neat ideas here - this just lacks some of that magic, and desperately cries out for a more coherent experience.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Arcade Archives: Space Invaders Part II
    The industry owes a lot to Space Invaders, and it may not be any small stretch to say it could be a very different place if it wasn't for its existence. For that reason alone it is worth investing in this huge piece of video game history, where an appreciation can be developed for what Tomohiro Nishikado's shoot 'em up has achieved. There is no avoiding the simplicity and likelihood that it won't hold the attention for too long given the choice on offer nowadays, but the brief time spent with it delivers tension and reward in equal measure, especially when factoring in online leaderboard competition.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fae Farm
    Adding a magical twist to agriculture certainly helps Fae Farm stand out from competitors, but unfortunately so does the myriad of glitches. These may yet be fixed in future updates, just like the latest one mended some bugs. For some, the cute vibe makes up for the aforementioned issues. It is still essentially an extremely fun life-sim, with a considerable number of quests to fulfil while sporting wings (after a set story point) and quirky characters to befriend, providing dozens of hours of gameplay for those with the patience to forgive the sometimes poorly executed parts that sorely need polishing.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Batman: Arkham Origins
    The Batman: Arkham series has been of a consistent quality since it began with Asylum, but with not too many changes to the formula, it has started to become a tad too stale.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    BOULDER DASH 40th Anniversary
    Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary Edition is not everything that fans could have hoped for. What should have been a wonderful celebration of a classic series turns out to be a middling package marred by a lack of control options and default controls that don’t offer the best experience. Getting rid of the classic game progression system and failing to include a proper leaderboard system really limit the potential of what could be otherwise one of the most comprehensive collection of caves for a decent introduction to the franchise for newcomers. Thankfully, the classic Boulder Dash formula remains as addictive as ever and is executed competently here.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tears Revolude
    Tears Revolude is a frustrating title to play through. It has a lot of potential, but it is wasted due to a lack of polish. The combat system is solid, and there are some nice options to optimise characters; however, there are never any challenges that make good use of them. The skeletons of the characters’ personalities are neat with a lot of sweet backstory, but they are never fleshed out, and the laughable expressions further add to the feeling of soullessness. This is what happens when great people are given too little time to deliver a title on schedule, no matter the end result. For the first few hours, Tears Revolude promises a great JRPG experience, but it never delivers.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Valkyrie Elysium
    Odd design choices lead to a not so stellar action game with an unfortunately generic, asset-y world design. Valkyrie Elysium has great moments but is stuck in a mediocre shell that is missing the unique draws of the previous entries in the series. Once the story gets moving it's a good Valkyrie story, but a lack of polish leaves this game floundering instead of standing tall.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Dark Auction
    Dark Auction falls into a rare spot that the plot and writing is actually pretty interesting but the story is still tough to recommend. The characters feel real, and the tension and mystery is very good, but it goes nowhere fast. There are certainly some other problems such as the auction puzzle parts being a big letdown, and the main mystery not being as big as it first seems, but mostly it is just that more needs to happen. The overall plot meanders, and it really grinds down what should have been a brisk and interesting story that could have been told in half the time or less.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Asterigos: Curse of the Stars
    The charm of Asterigos: Curse of the Stars is its story, but there is still the potential for more growth in this area, as well as its gameplay. Those that take the time to explore and get to know the characters will find more enjoyment than others. For the casual gamer, one may find Asterigos short and repetitive, but this is still a respectable debut title from developer Acme Gamestudio.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    MXGP Pro
    While MXGP Pro is mostly an attractive, enjoyable experience, that represents the sport quite well, even avid fans should ponder long and hard over its longstanding flaws before indulging.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Weakless
    Other than the common camera issues, Weakless is an interesting experience that does a great job of expressing two characters and how they view the world. Sight and sound are senses that are often taken for granted in other titles, so having an adventure that allows both, but not at the same time, makes for an interesting puzzler. Puzzles aren't too extreme and are easy to figure out and solve. Rather than treating this as a 'game,' think of it more as an experience instead, as it does away with the typical game-y aspects, to focus on exploring a world with the sensory disadvantages.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate - Deluxe Edition
    A good Batman experience that is overshadowed by its bigger brothers in almost every way.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    EA SPORTS UFC 4
    This year's iteration of UFC from EA Sports looks good, and feels good in parts - though the submission system just doesn't appear to be as much fun to play. The best parts of this game are the boxing and kickboxing elements, and the offline career mode is a fun mode to build and forge careers in. With really no other fighting titles to purchase this year, EA Sports UFC 4 will be unrivalled for those looking for another sports-like fighting game - and while UFC 4 is not a bad game, it doesn't do much to appeal to those who don't already have a love and appreciation for the sport or the brand.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Super Street: Racer
    Super Street: Racer for the Nintendo Switch caters towards that diehard audience who prefers to build up a car taken from the dump yard and turn it into a road-machine. Scrounge up the money by winning events to purchase new pieces to improve a vehicle is the aim, and despite that sounding challenging, it's an easy and quick thing to do. The fun is building the car and racing it on the track, but without an online component to it, it does lack in that final part of showing off a creation to others.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    RED COLONY 2
    Red Colony 2 offers even more fun and titillating campiness than the original, and slightly improves its gameplay formula. The "upgrade" isn't that substantial, to be honest, so the game is better described as 'more of the same,' but it's hard being hard towards this indie, super-low-budget tribute to Resident Evil and Dino Crisis, and how it manages to offer a tale that can take some pretty dark turns, and at the same time look and feel so utterly ridiculous, but in a good way. It's a '70s sci-fi pulp magazine with monsters and busty girls in video game form, and that's never a bad thing.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Alina of the Arena
    Alina of the Arena offers a neat blend of the typical deck-building fun, with the more complex battlefield of a grid-based strategy title. That said, it's a little underwhelming in terms of content, and even presentation (although the arena feel it provides is quite good). Plus it is in need of some rebalancing. Oh, and more cards that enable movement. Ah, yes, and the console-unfriendly control scheme leaves a lot to be desired on the Switch.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    OUTBUDDIES
    There are some really great ideas here, but weighed down by simple problems. As it is, it freezes, the menu hangs, and the absolute precision needed for nearly every move (and an oddly complex control scheme) makes the game get in the way of itself far more than it ever should. Far too often a string of precise moves is screwed up because of a wrong button or missing a ledge by minuscule amounts. There is clear heart and effort in here, and those with a high tolerance for difficulty will enjoy it immensely, but the average player will be put off by what is required of them. A revamp on the control system and some a bit more focus on the plot could easily launch OUTBUDDIES' points higher.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Muddledash
    Muddledash is a fun title that suits parties, or can be used to entertain the kids for a couple of hours. Slampunks has provided a light-hearted party game that doesn't offer a single-player experience. While it's refreshing to see couch co-op titles aren't forgotten, Muddledash is only a fun experience depending on the group that's playing. Don't take this too seriously, and just have fun with a laugh to get the most out of it.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Cathedral
    Cathedral is basically 10 to 15 hours of decent exploration, with some decent upgrades to find, which will help you fight some decent boss fights, while enjoying the decent retro audio-visuals. Sadly, that's the best thing this has to offer: a decent time. In a sea of similar games, there's little reason to spend any time in here, unless a collector of all things metroidvania.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind Cloud Version
    The cloud version of Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind on Nintendo Switch cripples its combat mechanics with input lag, unstable framerates, server disconnects, and visual compression, turning a kinetic, spectacle-driven system into a sluggish, frustrating experience. The issues are compounded by the inability to play offline, which clashes with the Nintendo Switch’s portability and the game’s reliance on precise, fast-paced inputs. While the core game remains engaging when it works, the cloud infrastructure’s unreliability makes it near-unplayable for many, especially in combat-heavy scenarios. For the best experience, Kingdom Hearts III is better played on anything else where native versions deliver the intended fluidity without these technical barriers. When it works, it almost works, but lag, stuttering, and connectivity issues make fighting Heartless feel like battling the servers instead.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    WarioWare: Snapped!
    Therefore, whilst admittedly still lots of fun on the whole, the overall experience is somewhat lacking and ends up feeling quite shallow.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    BAKERU
    This is a lengthy action platformer geared towards kids that will get mileage out of those that previously enjoyed Goemon titles back in the day. There are many similarities between Konami's sidelined franchise and BAKERU, but Good-Feel's latest release suffers from repetitive gameplay and a poor frame rate that hinders enjoyment. There is a strong appeal to the Japanese themes and setting, along with a cartoon style, child-friendly story and low difficulty that means all age groups can appreciate it. Just don't expect something quite reaching the qualities of Nintendo's top platformers.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Project CARS 2
    Whereas Project CARS felt like a finished and polished product, Project CARS 2 maybe needed another couple of months in development to iron out the wrinkles. There is undoubtedly a good game in there as the handling and visuals are exceptional, but it is capable of so much more.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Eco Shooter: Plant 530
    Nintendo's attempt at a non-violent shooter in 530 Eco Shooter is successful, with core gameplay proving just as fun as many arcade shooters that focus on gore. However, the price point is too high for such little content.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition
    Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition takes a beloved classic of the past that hasn't necessarily aged very well and brings to players who are hungry for monuments of gaming history just the version they needed to finally take a dive if they hadn't already.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Voxel Shot VR
    Voxel Shot VR provides some splendid scenarios in this wave-based VR zombie shooter. Meanwhile, the bright colour palette and voxel visuals are charming, the frantic shooting, discarding of weapons, and environmental storytelling is immersive, and it culminates in a fun and exciting experience. However, it's all over with far too quickly.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Sonic and the Black Knight
    On the one hand it looks and sounds fantastic, features plenty of nods to previous Sonic games, and is even fun on occasion. On the other hand, however, it's hindered by flaky controls, level design that is excruciatingly irritating at worst and insipid at best, and a sword mechanic that simply doesn't meld well with the rest of the action.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
    Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus takes The New Order and multiplies everything tenfold (especially the silliness and the amount of cut-scenes) when it should just take the original and carefully build upon its foundation, smoothing its rough edges and offering the very best Wolfenstein game ever. The result is a FPS that's fun, but also one that doesn't really know what it wants to be.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R
    The online module of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R is effectively broken and useless. Everything feels way too slow and unresponsive. Matches will also end randomly or never happen at all. However, the local play works exactly as intended and the story mode is as entertaining as the goofy and boisterous manga that it is based on. At the end of the day, Araki's style and the strong JoJo flavour is what elevates this Tekken-like fighting game from being completely average.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Black The Fall
    Black the Fall is... okay. Not the worst atmospheric puzzle-adventure out there, but also very far from the top steps of the podium. A strong, oppressive atmosphere can get you places, but a game of this kind still needs a good plot, and some gameplay mechanics that are more than decent.
    • 46 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chains
    Some of its shortcomings are due to limitations placed by the story or the system hardware, but although the Attack on Titan formula isn't exactly designed for gaming, Humanity in Chains is a solid attempt at it.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Sol Cresta
    Sol Cresta can be a little annoying with its mechanics for anyone who is willing to take the time to get good at it. There are way better scrolling shooters already on Nintendo Switch and the one thing that makes this one notable is the pedigree behind it. At the very least, the music is pure fire and energy - some of Koshiro's best work to date.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Old Man's Journey
    Old Man's Journey is such a gorgeous looking title, complete with a beautiful soundtrack. Those aspects are then draped over a moderately engaging puzzle idea, and comes with a story that aims to be touching, but will leave many feeling either apathetic to the theme, or actually frustrated by the progression of the old man's life and foolish choices.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Call of Duty: Ghosts
    Call of Duty: Ghosts is everything that Call of Duty titles have been in the past: fast-paced action and the usual competitive multiplayer with a few twists thrown in.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Quantum: Recharged
    Quantum: Recharged feels like a singular entry within a larger anthology or collection of retro arcade games harkening back to the early 80s. The game is highly responsive, and its polished, dazzling appearance indicates meticulous attention was paid to pay homage to the original Quantum. While it's commendable that the classic Atari game is receiving due respect, the extent of its acclaim appears to be overstated, primarily due to its excessively simplistic nature.
    • 46 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Space Cats Tactics
    The somewhat random nature of the AI in combat, along with the linear story and the short gameplay might sound like turn-offs. However, the feline-heavy adventure is oddly fun despite these issues. Seeking upgrades and winning levels makes this low price sci-fi release more enjoyable than some longer AAA titles, proving how strong the indie scene can be. You don't have to be infected with toxoplasmosis to enjoy Space Cats Tactics.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD
    Is Pocket Edition HD worth it? Yes, it is since it tells the exact same story with greater efficiency. It is missing a lot of the finer qualities, like the fishing and the attention to detail, in exchange for a more focused story experience that lasts about 10 hours. The lack of scope, however, really does underline how weak Noctis' quest really is when all the car riding and fetch quests are cut. The meat of the story involves running a few errands and a few climaxes later on, with only a smidgen of character development.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ultimate Mortal Kombat
    Lack of depth and silly expectations from the AI are what drag it down. Still, at least with the commands on the top screen you'll be able to execute fatalities and make the offenders feel your vengeful wrath more easily than before.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
    An all-around solid good title that would be a fantastic gift for young children. Unfortunately, the story mode is very hit-and-miss.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Gravity Ghost: Deluxe Edition
    Gravity Ghost Deluxe Edition is an art piece that is enjoyable for what it is. Playing it is honestly the weakest part of the whole thing, though it does manage to be fun from time to time. The creative display on work here is a clear winner, even if not every idea feels like it works in the end product. As a whole, this isn't a must-play, but for fans of something a little different, it is a decent jaunt around the universe.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    SNK Gals' Fighters
    Few retro handheld fighting games hold up today, but SNK had already done a good job getting the gameplay of The King of Fighters functioning well on the Neo Geo Pocket Color, and SNK Gals' Fighters still proves fun for some casual bouts in this Nintendo Switch port. A lack of gameplay depth, inability to convert some moves to unused buttons, and confusion in how to unlock characters is a shame, but the additional options introduced, including the excellent multiplayer setup to allow for instant local fights on the go, really make this more enticing, and much more tempting given the price.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Call of Duty: WWII - United Front
    As for Call of Duty: WWII - United Front: DLC Pack 3, it's hardly going to set the gaming world alight, but it does exactly what it sets out to do, with both Operation Supercharge and Monte Cassino being particularly strong highlights.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Spatials: Galactology
    The system is likely not deep enough for hardcore strategy fans to want it solely based on this reason, though, yet for those more from the simulation genre fan club, they will find it all to be pretty fun overall. Those craving a sandbox simulator in space will feel right at home here, and the amount of crafting/decorating will be what some are definitely looking for.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition
    The transition from single-screen pre-rendered backgrounds to fully realized 3D environments has breathed new life into level design of Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition. Stages wrap around each other, utilizing added depth creatively. The expansive vistas of Oddworld's alien landscape look incredibly realistic, showcasing the capabilities of the Unity engine, which has evolved from a budget choice for hobbyists to a platform capable of rendering imagery on par with AAA Unreal Engine 4 titles. The clashing tones with the storytelling and gameplay are regrettable. The developers should have leaned more into the silliness of the premise instead of take itself so seriously. Being able to fart on command was a crucial pillar of Oddworld and seeing it gutted is utterly depressing.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Arcade Archives 2: Air Combat 22
    Air Combat 22's biggest claim to fame is its fluidity and timeless visuals. The core mechanics are serviceable, but there isn't enough to keep it engaging past one playthrough. Without the cockpit cabinet and the booming chaos of a '90s arcade screaming in the background, there is less novelty and charm. Playing Arcade Archives: Air Combat 22 on a Nintendo Switch 2 is not the same as it would be on an original unit, but even if it were, the core experience is spread thinly, emphasising that the game was a shallow, cheap thrill.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream
    While the overall package is lots of fun, it's not without a few issues. The lack of a truly driving story is by far Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream's weakest point. Furthermore, progression is in general just slow throughout, with endless backtracking. The simplified alchemy system is a mixed bag. It does little to stray from the formula and will be picked up by players exactly for that. It would be nice to see Gust take some risks and really step out with some new ideas rather than re-hashes of the same thing over and over.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Smurfs: Dance Party
    It's very easy for a critic to say "fans of X will enjoy X", but the phrase absolutely applies here. If you've no interest in Les Stroumpfs then there's nothing for you here, but if you enjoyed the movie and would like a dancing game based upon it, then you could do far worse than Ubisoft's latest money maker.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Olympia Soiree
    There are some routes and plotlines in Olympia Soiree that stand amongst the best Idea Factory! has put out, but the price for entry is just too high. There's some beautiful art showcased here, and some memorable moments, and each person in the audience will find a bachelor that fits them… but it's hard going. The deluge of exposition, and dragging slow start makes it a slog to get to these points. This combined with the overly edgy "bad endings" tarnishes the experience as a whole.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    UnderMine
    As it is UnderMine is a slightly addictive, but also quite grindy roguelike which can get boring a bit too soon. With just a few changes, especially in the way boosting items such as artifacts work, as well as a few additional tools like weapons or skills (and maybe a more striking art style), it could be one of the genre's classics.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tenta Shooter
    With its tight controls, solid mechanics, and fun scoring system, Tenta Shooter is an altogether pleasing addition to any shmup fan's library. Each game mode is worth spending some time with, and dedicated individuals will enjoy seeking out all of the secret bonuses. The fairy types, particularly Type-C, are a little unbalanced. Perhaps there should have been separate high score tables for each of them. The lack of online leaderboards is also unfortunate. Then, of course, there's the explicit content. It's entirely optional, but curiosity gets the better of everyone. Now, this critic is left wondering about all of the life decisions he made that led to this point.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Big Helmet Heroes
    Big Helmet Heroes offers a straightforward gameplay experience suitable for young players new to the genre. The game features a weapon system that allows players to experiment with different fighting styles and classes while maintaining their preferred character. The game's aesthetic is designed to appeal to children, and the visual gags offer mild amusement. Older gamers won't connect with this, but newcomers will welcome the presentation and simplicity, without getting bogged down in any grind.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    One Night Stand
    One Night Stand is almost as short as the real thing, but not as pleasant… or unpleasant. Despite the intriguing concept behind this nice-looking visual novel, which is to find out what the heck happened last night, this plays its cards a bit too safe, and never dares offering something more emotive, or to include interesting plot twists. It is a simple create-your-own-adventure kind of deal that's… well, fun, just not as much as it could be with a little heavier emphasis in character development and/or plot. If a fan of the genre, and don't mind super-short indies, check it out. The rest can safely pass this by.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Warriorb
    There is a solid game in WarriOrb, which has some well-designed elements and curious story moments. Unfortunately the experience is marred by flawed implementation or design in the core gameplay that makes this feel more frustrating than challenging. It is definitely something that will appeal to the few rather than the many, but that may mean that it's playing to strengths that this reviewer clashed with. It would certainly be very interesting to see Not Yet develop more titles in the future.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Pawarumi
    Ultimately, Pawarumi is an inventive and engaging STG that's held back by a low frame-rate. Considering the genre, a lesser game would completely fall apart if it ran at 30 FPS. At least with this one, its admirable qualities still shine through. The art-direction is quite interesting and the Trinity Mechanics are really well-executed. That said; dealing with the handicap of having less reaction time is liable to be too much for some players. It's advisable to wait for a possible 60 FPS patch, or check out the version that's available on Steam. Otherwise, expect at least some frustration and anger in your future.
    • 52 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Rygar: The Battle of Argus
    Whilst it's good to see a decent forgotten game given a second chance in the modern day market, it is a shame that the original flaws weren't ironed out for this revision.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Far Cry 5: Lost on Mars
    From a pure mechanical point of view Lost on Mars is decent. It generally retains the fun of Far Cry 5 action in a different setting and story. The problem comes in the execution, with the previous originality and variety of missions and situations replaced by bland tower climbing and frustratingly repetitive boss fights. There is humour in Hurk and his tale and the AI 'ANNE' displays all the traits of a typically psychopathic computer system well. However, this humour only goes so far and can't assist in battling through the hours and hours of looped gameplay with weapon upgrades being the only meaningful reward for doing so.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Delusions of Von Sottendorff and His Squared Mind
    This is a competent puzzle game that gets the job done, with an original and interesting presentation and personality. Nonetheless, at the end of the day, The Delusions of Von Sottendorff and his Square Mind is just a nice anecdote in the vast 3DS indie library.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
    ENDER LILLIES: Quietus of the Knights is the definition of sky-high potential gone to waste. At first it will seem like this is a flawless diamond. It is beautiful, it controls like a charm, and the story behind it all is mysterious and dark. The more you play, however, the more you realise that, under the wallpaper-worthy vistas lies something that leans more towards generic than awesome, with combat in particular slowly turning into a repetitive slog. Sadly, this is nothing more an 'okay' metroidvania.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Far Cry 5: Hours of Darkness
    Hours of Darkness is a solid DLC entry for an already great title. It certainly presents a diverse style of stealth oriented gameplay, alongside a different setting to the main story. Seeing the background context of a previously acknowledged Far Cry 5 NPC is also a neat bonus. However, there are issues with the lack of content and having just one main objective in a relatively straight and linear path means that the realistic timeframe of a play-through is going to be somewhere in the region of one to three hours depending on how incentivised the player is to complete side objectives and collect items.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Gears 5
    The developer has done an admirable job of maintaining the core of Epic Games' legacy, yet they have been unable to truly improve upon it. It is still the same cover-shooting action it has always been. Still satisfying and very crunchy.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    PUZZLEBOX setup
    The problem is the precise touches combined with the time attack aspects that only make for an annoying experience.
    • 49 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Spore Hero Arena
    The Spore concept is a difficult one to transfer well to weaker hardware, but thankfully EA have not tried to shoehorn in anything unnecessary to a good gaming experience.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    If My Heart Had Wings
    If My Heart Had Wings is an entertaining, slice-of-life, light romance/comedy tale, which, strangely enough, also delves with the creation and flying of a glider plane, and even succeeds in making that part entertaining. That being said, this will probably only appeal to fans of the genre and no one else, as it's a somewhat generic choice for a visual novel. Even fans, however, should expect something that takes a bit too long for anything to get going. Prepare yourself for lots and lots of reading, which can eventually put you to sleep.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Disney Universe
    When it differentiates itself Disney Universe comes across well, but the problem is that it just doesn't happen enough. The gameplay is clearly derived from the LEGO titles, while costume presentation comes from LittleBigPlanet, all given a Disney coat of paint.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Thin Silence
    The Thin Silence hits all the right notes when it comes to the puzzling situations faced, with extremely smart ways of working through the various stages faced, continuously crafting new objects to aid with progress. Sadly, it does hold itself back too much with a painfully slow walking pace for the lead character, and some weighty prose that misses the mark, too often proving to actually be boring and/or confusing.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter
    2D games are enjoying a resurgence on Nintendo's home console this generation, and with its unique premise, Drawn to Life could have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them. It's unfortunate, then, that the series' transition to disc has brought about new problems that have, if anything, made the basic platforming ever more apparent, and made it rely even more on the editing tools, which cannot hold the rest of the game up.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fire Emblem Warriors
    Fire Emblem Warriors falls a little short of what it could be, or rather what it should be. The dull slog of the story, along with some awful writing, leaves a terrible taste throughout the course of the campaign. The post-game history mode is where the game does its best, but it's not enough, especially when it's lacking so many key characters and events from the series' history. For the New Nintendo 3DS port, it is impressive how well it runs, but the visuals look, frankly, ugly, something that hugely impacts the fan-service element. Those with the choice between 3DS and Switch would be wise to go for the latter.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Downward Spiral: Horus Station
    PSVR has expanded its catalogue year on year, going a long way in proving that the technology is here to stay, and not the gimmick many had thought. While Downward Spiral Horus Station isn't a groundbreaking VR title, thanks to the combat and lack of variety in the "puzzles" letting it down. It still delivers on crafting an immersive and atmospheric experience. Letting its audience step into the void of space. It's another to add to the catalogue of games to introduce non-VR gamers and non-gamers in general into the wonders of virtual reality.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Arx Fatalis
    There's plenty of deeply flawed RPGs from the late '90s/early '00s that actually people love despite their problems, to the point that it's almost a tradition of sorts. Arx Fatalis is one of those flawed pieces of software, which, like Morrowind, Gothic, and Fallout, has plenty of issues, but manages to be entertaining in its own special way. Having said that, it's probably one of the most problematic of the bunch. Try it out if a fan of the genre, if only to get a taste of its sweet, sweet atmosphere and strong immersion. Just be prepared to get a bit of bitter disappointment as well.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Outer Worlds
    The Outer Worlds's appearance on the Nintendo Switch is welcome due to the fact that it was one of 2019's best titles. However, while still fun to play, it doesn't leverage the Switch's hardware effectively and is subsequently unpleasant to look at. This has a big impact given that the game's charm on other home consoles and PC is due in large part to its visuals. For this reason it's difficult to celebrate it until it receives a substantial performance patch.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Q.U.B.E. Director's Cut
    It's easily recommendable to puzzle obsessives and fans of Portal's atmospheric storytelling, but it fails to stand out in its own market.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    SG/ZH: School Girl Zombie Hunter
    To put it bluntly, School Girl/Zombie Hunter is exploitative and perverted schlock. It's also a pleasant surprise. Despite its miniscule budget and plethora of issues, this game successfully manages to have solid shoot 'em up action, as well as an inkling of clever level and encounter design. Deciding on the right arsenal for the next stage actually matters, and the moment to moment decisions can seriously impact one's chances of success. Of course, the subject matter won't appeal to everybody, though it's hardly surprising. This is a Tamsoft title, after all, and they know their audience.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Dangerous Driving
    It's difficult to recommend Dangerous Driving in its current state, even though there aren't many crash-focused arcade racers on the market. Fans of the original series will certainly appreciate a few evenings with this, but it is no way near as repayable as anything from the actual Burnout series.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tomb Towers
    Tomb Towers is a fun puzzle-platformer; one that's well made, easy to learn, and perfect to kill a couple of hours with, especially since its challenge is as high enough as it needs to be in order to make you feel good about yourself, but never really create any major problems - and it's retro vibes it gives are great too. Sadly, this is one of those titles that won't last for long, and the relatively low level of difficulty makes it a tough recommendation for those who want something that will put their skills to the test.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion
    Turok 3: Shadow of Oblivion Remastered is far from a definitive remaster. It was always a subpar FPS on Nintendo 64, and try as it might, Nightdive Studios could only polish an average shooter so far. The developer's efforts were also questionable since the multiplayer mode was cut, and some of the new visuals look horribly out of place. At the very least, Turok 3 is (mostly) preserved along with its predecessors, and fans can rest easy knowing that they have the entire trilogy at their fingertips.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two - Episode 1: Hero in Residence
    Episode 1: Hero in Residence is a slow start to the new season of Minecraft: Story Mode, as Jesse tries to ready Beacontown for the Founding Day celebrations. Fortunately, this early section of the game is quite fun to interact with, and the various characters create various types of "mini-games" to accomplish. Unfortunately, once Jesse and Petra jump into the mines to start their adventure, the story takes a bit of a downward turn, becoming a little bit cumbersome to complete due to the dullness of Jack's character. Audio cues sometimes miss their mark and the scenes have rough cuts between them that disrupt the experience. While these may seem like minor issues, for a game that doesn't revolve a lot around "game mechanics" and focuses more on story-driven episodic adventures, the story and the sound need to be the best they possibly can be to make it a worthwhile experience.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Wonder Boy Returns Remix
    In short, Wonder Boy Returns Remix accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. This is a remarkable update to the '80s classic. The controls might take a minute to adjust to. Thankfully, the level-design clearly accommodates for them. Each of the 32 stages is filled with secrets and scoring opportunities, so there's plenty of replay-value. If you're a fan of old-school platformers, or just insatiably curious, considering giving it a shot.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Chase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories
    The low price barrier for this Nintendo 3DS eShop release is high incentive for impulse purchasing, though, yet few outside of text adventure enthusiasts will find true value for money in this one.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Gear.Club Unlimited
    Gear.Club Unlimited is a fun but flawed experience. It's disappointing that races come in such a short-burst form, lasting for only one or two laps, and around two minutes at most. While this does make it an excellent candidate to fire up whilst on the bus or on-the-go, when playing in TV mode, this structure means that the fun can be altogether too fleeting. Graphically, it's quite pleasing in handheld mode, but it doesn't exactly look fantastic when docked, where the textures look much muddier and less impressive. The career mode certainly offers a lot of variety and depth - even including an online league - and there is also a four-player multiplayer, which provides plenty of entertainment and performs admirably. However, the actual driving experience, in too many ways, seems quite wide of the mark. As a mobile experience, it's okay, but this is not the Switch's answer to Forza and Gran Turismo.
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