Powered by the Unreal Engine, Qube for PlayStation 4 is a physics-based, puzzle game that sees the player amnesia-stricken and trapped inside an extraterrestrial ‘cube’ that is headed toward Earth. Your only communication is from commander Nowak, a female astronaut that is stationed inside the International Space Station (ISS). According to Nowak, you are the only one that can prevent an asteroid from striking Earth. But before this can happen, you must find a way off the sterile-looking Cube that has imprisoned you.
Part platformer, part puzzle game – Qube’s gameplay lays out a variety of puzzle-based challenges for the player to overcome, and they become increasingly difficult the further you progress. A typical puzzle – especially during the first couple rooms in Sector 1 – involve raising three yellow blocks from the floor and using them as stairs to reach the room’s exit. While the game doesn’t really explain why, your avatar is equipped with a pair of hi-tech gloves that can manipulate these coded blocks inside the cube.
It’s worth mentioning that every block you encounter has its own specific function. For example: red and yellow blocks are used as platforms, while blue blocks can be used as springboards to reach inaccessible parts of a level. It goes without saying that Qube’s cerebral-based puzzles are some of the best ever seen in a first-person puzzle game. Whether you’re using blocks to redirect a ball to open a door or pressing buttons to rotate the environment like a giant Rubik’s Cube, the game is constantly challenging your ability to problem solve. In fact, the gameplay resembles Valve’s Portal series in many ways.
Qube benefits from having a revamped story line; it now contains interactions with characters – replete with voice acting – to enhance the once sterile, silent environment of the original game. Qube never really explains who or what the alien menace is, but the alien entity (of sorts) speaks to your avatar at certain intervals to cause unfounded confusion during the story.
Qube: Director’s Cut is an entertaining puzzle game that maintains a steady pace during the six hours it takes to complete the game. It can be argued that Qube’s concept isn’t very original (think Valve’s Portal series), but what it does offer for content is different enough to warrant a purchase, especially if you want to experience the new story line or test your reflexes in the all-new ‘Speed Run’ Time Trial Mode.
Mike Pittaro
Platform: PlayStation 4 (Available on PSN)
Developer: Toxic Games
Publisher: Toxic Games
ESRB: T (Teen)
Price: $9.99
Qube Director’s Cute Website: http://qube-game.com/
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |   |
| There really isn't much to look at it, but that's the beauty of Qube -- it's not about the graphics. | |
| Sound | |
| While limited, the sound effects add to the game's claustrophobic atmosphere. | |
| Gameplay | |
| Qube's gameplay is challenging, fun, and frustrating all at the same time. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Gamers looking for the ultimate puzzle game will not be disappointed. | |
