Reviews:
-
Even after 10 years, the original Q.U.B.E. remains a compelling and well-built first-person puzzler
While I’d say that typically the Portal series is the first that comes to mind when reflecting on great first-person puzzlers Q.U.B.E. is certainly another that stands on its own in both its design and overall execution. While visually it has a bit in common with the aforementioned classic, going for more of a sterile lab environment in terms of aesthetics it thankfully has an entirely different way of throwing challenges at you that I really like. Specifically-colored blocks in each area are your key to making your way out of your current room, with the trick being figuring out how to make use of them in the correct manner and sequence to find success. What’s great is the very intuitive way the game lets you build your skills through experimentation that typically demonstrates precisely how each block can be used before then asking you to apply that knowledge in more complex combinations. The result is consistently challenging, and often inventive, but rarely jumps too far forward at once, minimizing frustration… and that’s not something that often holds true in these sorts of titles. Despite its age the quality of play hasn’t decreased one bit, and if you opt for the Director’s Cut even people who played the original will find new story elements and content to add even more to what was already a solid experience. If you’re a puzzle fan and either have never played this classic, or simply wish to revisit it once more, you owe it to yourself to give this a look.
Justin Nation, Score:Nindie Choice! [8.2]