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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    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    forma.8
    It is very difficult to complain about such an affordable and aesthetically-rich package. For its price point, Forma.8 is a surprisingly long and thoughtful Metroidvania-style experience. While the overall balance is a little off, largely due to the lack of precision handling and awkward combat, this is more than made up for through the game's rich atmosphere, depth of progression, and the attention to detail paid to elements of gameplay and aesthetic contrast. The Nintendo Switch also seems an ideal home for this indie adventure, with no discernible issues with this version, granting it another opportunity to shine. While it hardly reinvents the genre, it's certainly worth adding to the library, considering the price, particularly for fans of Metroidvanias. In addition, with the tablet and mobile version suffering from touch screen controls, this version undoubtedly reigns supreme as the penultimate portable version, too.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Shenmue I & II
    If looking for a simple port, as well as a bundle of the Shenmue duology, you are in for a treat, despite the fact that the enhancements of this version are underwhelming. Those expecting an action-adventure that is as good as it is popular, though, get ready for a rude awakening, because, nostalgia, and pioneering innovations aside, this just isn't fun anymore.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster
    There's nuance to every aspect of gameplay, from the Press Turn battle system to Demon fusion and recruitment. As true in 2021 as it was in 2003, Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is nothing short of a must-play RPG.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania
    Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is a surefire sign that the series was and still is great to play. The change in game engine adds a vibrant coat of paint while tweaking the physics to a slightly faster alternative. However, this does not change the fact that some levels are too stuck in the past. Topped off with some very welcome accessibility options, this package is well worth playing even if the mini games and customization have some notable downsides.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Smelter
    This game has the makings of something really great. The art and sprite work is outstanding. Wildly inconsistent difficulty jumps, frustratingly long bosses, fights, check point lengths and cheap deaths all ruin what absolutely would have been a title much higher rated. The majority of the experience is fun, with a good difficulty level, but inevitably there will be these randomly, absolutely killer, difficulty walls, which ruin how good it was going up to that point.
    • 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.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Mary Skelter 2
    With Mary Skelter 2, Compile Heart has shown that they can deliver a phenomenal DRPG. Every aspect of this entry has been refined to a near-flawless level. The labyrinths are fun to explore, and their gimmicks, while plentiful, never reach the point of overbearing. Instead, they lend the adventure a unique identity, one that's rarely seen in dungeon crawlers. As far as battle-systems go, the developer has done a lot to keep this from being one-dimensional. You can attempt a full-on attack, but the mental state of your allies might suffer, leaving you at risk for the devastating Blood Skelter. Plus it's impossible to say no to an enhanced edition of the first game. All in all, this is a must-have for any fan of the genre.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sam & Max Save the World Remastered
    Sam & Max Save the World is notable for starting Telltale's reign over episodic games that lasted for nearly a decade. Upon a revisit, it's easy to understand why. The writing oozes in charm and wit, and solving some of the trickier puzzles requires quite a bit of detective-work. While a few quality-of-life upgrades introduced in later Telltale Games would have been appreciated, the visual enhancements are still welcome. Hopefully, Skunkape Games remasters the other two seasons of Sam & Max, as well, because this is a case that deserves to be revisited for years to come.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
    A somewhat droll campaign will greet players of Modern Warfare II. It's a short bombastic romp with some fun gunplay moments and fantastic graphics. The multiplayer, however, is a miss as it is no longer a properly combined entity and the lack of replayability is disappointing. A recommendation for CoD fans but for anyone even slightly on the fence perhaps keep shopping or waiting for a sale.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    The Escapists 2
    The Escapists 2 makes a valiant effort at being a challenging, realistic take on prison life, but is a let-down in some crucial areas. The inadequate tutorials fail to capture what the rest of the experience demands, and even when this code is cracked it all becomes tedious quickly. It's a game behind the times, from the way it plays to its awkward design choices, and its weak performance and optimisation on consoles is further cause for frustration. For those willing to put themselves through an unbalanced learning curve there is some enjoyment to be had on the far side, but beyond the fleeting charm of some of the levels, the rest of the experience falls flat.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    SteamWorld Dig: A Fistful of Dirt
    SteamWorld Dig holds up tremendously well considering it originated on 3DS back in 2013. All these years later, despite its sequel surpassing it, this original has so much to offer that it should not be overlooked. If having never tried it before, Nintendo Switch fans owe it themselves to dig deep, unearth their hard-earned coin, explore Image & Form's treasure, and definitely make this gem of a game their own.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Katanaut
    Katanaut delivers a stylish cosmic horror atmosphere and hints at an intriguing story inside a space station full of mutated horrors, but those elements never get enough room to grow thanks to the game’s relentless, fast-paced combat. While swordplay and gunfights are satisfying, the speed and constant action kill any sense of tension or dread that the setting tries to build. Players looking for scares or deeper lore may wish the game was slowed down to explore its world, but fans of quick, action-heavy roguelikes will find the mechanics solid and replayable. It’s a technically impressive indie with promise, though its horror gets overshadowed by non-stop adrenaline, making it a slightly above average experience in general.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Shadow of the Tomb Raider
    Shadow of the Tomb Raider takes Lara Croft to the most beautiful locations of the Peruvian jungles, rewarding players that search around with well-made and challenging tombs. For a change, it actually feels like you are a treasure hunter grappling and platforming through ancient ruins. Unfortunately, this is all offset by a forgettably weak and over-dramatic story, and simple combat sequences that do little to push creativity, underutilising what is otherwise a cool stealth and camouflage mechanic. In many respects, it is the best in the trilogy - but it is also so severely lacking in other areas that it just doesn't reach its full potential.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2
    Arriving nearly a year later, but losing none of the charm and gaining some new tricks, Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2 is ultimately a very solid version of the game on Switch, performance downgrades aside. An enjoyable and versatile battle system, coupled with a plethora of content that fans will appreciate, and an engaging story both new and old makes for a viable purchase option for both arena fighter and franchise devotees alike.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Surge 2
    The Surge 2 rises above both its technical limitations and its predecessor to set itself apart in the action RPG genre. It could even be debated that it makes a case for being lumped in with its genre cohorts - a case that is strong indeed thanks to its innovation and willingness to change and improve upon the foundations set in the first game. While it flits in and out of being a smooth-sailing and sleekly presented package, it nevertheless provides a walloping good time and can't be faulted for its enjoyable combat and exploration, navigation issues aside.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
    Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is immersive, addictive and refreshingly fun - a fresh way to interact with the living space; blending a traditional toy with that intense Mario Kart action! Throw in those familiar items, themes and chirpy music and Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a recipe for an afternoon of Augmented Reality racing. Home Circuit does certainly have room to grow and questions around replay value - whether through more affordable additional RC cars, extra accessories, and additional extras in the game.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Battalion Wars 2
    The sheer variety of playable units combined with a lightweight, paper-rock-scissors-esque strategy component allows for simple fun without the intense learning-curve of a more sophisticated strategy title.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Sparklite
    Sparklite is a colourful rogue-like that yearns for the pixel-based games on the original NES. By removing most of the challenges generally found in rogue-likes, this puts itself at the top of the list for newcomers who want to dip their toes into the water. Aged fans of the genre won't find any surprises or challenges here, and the lack of a real contest or a risk-versus-reward system can be a turn off. Ada's journey can be a short one, as it can be completed in less than five hours, and it provides enjoyment due to an addictive gameplay loop, catchy music, and the ability to relive the pixelated days of old.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pokemon Sword / Shield: The Crown Tundra
    As an expansion to the main game, The Crown Tundra offers perhaps even less varied distractions than its predecessor, The Isle of Armor, and fewer rewards or strategic advantages to unlock. However, it also potentially offers more playtime, since Dynamax Adventures are sure to keep players invested in search of a sought-after rare or legendary shiny Pokémon with good IVs. Since both expansions can't be bought separately and come bundled no matter what, both ultimately complement one another rather well. It is therefore hard to scoff at what's on offer in the Expansion Pass, although it should only be considered indispensable by the most eager Pokémon fans, who are more likely to get the most value out of it.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Mario Tennis Aces
    From the initial outset, Mario Tennis Aces looks and sounds like it should, with vibrant colours and familiar sounds. Camelot has gone far enough to refine the controls and gameplay to feel ostensibly different from other tennis games. However, the back to basics approach has left behind the legacy, rendering this as a title that has a severe lack of content when compared to the past greats.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tales of the Abyss
    Tales of the Abyss is a great addition to the series with a good story and excellent additions to gameplay. Fans of RPGs and especially fans of the Tales series will love the game, but so will newcomers; it's a great start to what may be a long line of excellent 3DS RPGs.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Paper Mario: Sticker Star
    For all its beauty in the presentation stakes, Paper Mario: Sticker Star is certainly not the RPG than many fans of the series in general were expecting. It does prove to be a satisfying enough adventure after becoming accustomed to the mix and match of gameplay styles included, but the back-tracking and frustrating limitations of the sticker battling system fail to impress. The whole package feels a bit 'lost and confused.'
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Blade of Darkness (2001)
    It's definitely a good thing that Blade of Darkness exists, therefore its 2021 update is more than welcome, despite the fact that it is an extremely conservative remaster that hasn't really "fixed" the game. Flaws put aside, though, this is not one of those titles that belong in the past and are best left there to collect dust. It's not a title to recommend to just anyone, especially to those with an aversion to its heavy "retro" sensibilities, but those who can get past the clunky and slightly unreliable controls, and stomach the occasionally repetitive gameplay, will immediately get immersed to the strong atmosphere of this Conan the Barbarian-meets-Dark Souls fantasy land of sword and sorcery. And death. Plenty, and plenty of bloody death.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Unruly Heroes
    Using Journey to the West more as a clever backdrop rather than outright adapting it, Unruly Heroes makes for a charming action-platformer that pokes fun at one of China's most important novels, while also crafting together a wildly fun experience. With four distinct characters to choose from across 29 visually stunning levels, and the journey to restore balance to Heaven and Earth results in rarely a dull moment. Toss in a surprisingly engaging combo system, on the fly character switching, and plenty of secrets to uncover to tie the package together, and Unruly Heroes winds up quite the formidable platformer.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
    Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance is the culmination of several trial ideas tested across various formats over the years since the release of Kingdom Hearts II and succeeds in being the strongest of the side-stories so far.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    FIFA Soccer 10
    It may seem to lack a few features found in other formats' versions, but FIFA 10 on Wii still manages to claim the trophy for best Wii football game so far.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Samurai Shodown
    Despite the DLC gripes and the heavy downgrade in visuals for this Switch port, Samurai Shodown really stands out from the crowd, and it's great to see the revival of a popular series return in such a good way on the gameplay front. It takes weapons-based combat and creates a smart system out of it, putting players on edge, and provides moments of pure bliss when bare knuckle comebacks are made. The strong Japanese style only adds to the appeal. It really could have done with a more fleshed out story mode, though.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder
    Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder is an ingenious mixture of madness that is punctuated with highly entertaining animated sequences. The striking visual style that ACE Team is known for is distinct with just an acceptable amount of amateurishness keep it hilarious and memorable. Whether it's going up against another human or the AI, everyone should always throw rock.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Bit.Trip Saga
    The mixture of varying styles throughout the entire Bit.Trip Saga package is enough to keep fans of rhythm games content thanks to it proving to be far more than a run-of-the-mill music-based product, instead being a wonderful combination of great tunes and intriguing genre-splicing.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Observer
    Observer could have been more. It has style and exceptional art direction, a creative premise but flaccid and unimaginative gameplay. Maybe this comes with the territory when it comes to walking-sims or first-person adventure games, but there really is no excuse for the lack of imagination because much older games have found ways to keep things fresh while adventuring. There is very little attention to detail when it comes to interaction and player-choice. Observer should have been like playing a pacifist run on the original Deus Ex.
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