The Cub Review | TheXboxHub

A Lovely Journey By The Finish Of The World

There’s a sure consolation to video games which are set on the finish of the world. I believe it’s by some means reassuring to be the one survivor wandering the wastelands, making an attempt to remain alive. It’s turn out to be such a typical setting that I virtually really feel I’d stand an opportunity if every little thing goes pear-shaped, due to all of the issues I’ve learnt from video games over time.

The Cub is a sport that seems like a cross between The Jungle Ebook and The Final of Us. Right here, Earth has turn out to be uninhabitable, and the final people have left for Mars. However did they actually take everybody?

The Cub – a story of forgotten Earth

Earlier than we begin this evaluation correctly, remember, you have to be conscious – you’ll die quite a bit on this sport. At its coronary heart, that is an old-school 2D platformer, and it’s very a lot a one-hit, one-fall-and-you’re-dead form of expertise. It can frustrate you at instances, and it could even make you need to throw your controller throughout the room. However then again, there’s a lot to like right here So let’s begin with the story.

A Story Informed By A Forgotten Earth

The sport is about within the close to future, the place the world has gone terribly unsuitable. Earth has turn out to be fully uninhabitable, and hundreds of thousands have died. The final of humanity escaped aboard spaceships certain for Mars. However one baby – or maybe extra – was left behind within the chaos. The hero you play is a type of youngsters, raised by wolves and now surviving among the many wastelands and deserted cities. After discovering a helmet belonging to one of many off-worlders, our hero quickly finds himself being hunted by a gaggle of people from Mars who’ve returned to seize him. It’s as much as you to ensure they don’t.

The story is advised by a collection of cutscenes originally of every chapter, with The Cub’s narration guiding us by the occasions. There may be additionally some glorious environmental storytelling as you journey throughout Earth whereas escaping your pursuers. Newspaper articles, emails, and movies scattered all through the world slowly reveal the story of humanity’s closing days on the planet. Certainly one of my favorite touches is the radio station that begins enjoying by the helmet The Cub discovers, providing you with common glimpses into life on Mars. It’s a beautiful piece of storytelling, filled with wit, humour, and an underlying sense of melancholy.

The Cub floating — There’s some powerful platforming right here

Powerful Platforming Retains You On Your Toes

Gameplay revolves round platforming, with all of the outdated favourites making an look, together with leaping and double leaping. It takes a short while to get used to the sport’s physics and simply how exact every little thing is, however finally you discover your rhythm. There may be additionally a stronger soar that it’s essential to grasp for sure sections. Alongside the platforming are stealth sequences and loads of chase scenes.

There are a number of creature enemies, however the largest menace comes from the explorers despatched from Mars. They pursue you throughout the barren landscapes. Some fireplace tranquillisers on sight, others attempt to entice you in nets, whereas one other sort launches bombs that may also convey your escape to an abrupt finish. Attempting to outrun or sneak previous these enemies whereas navigating troublesome platforming sections creates some tense moments.

You’ll additionally encounter different risks alongside the best way, together with missile-firing drones that demand fast reflexes and good timing. As I mentioned earlier, count on to die quite a bit, and there will certainly be moments the place some deaths really feel slightly unfair. Fortunately, the checkpoint system is beneficiant sufficient that you just not often lose a lot progress.

Attractive Presentation Brings The Wasteland To Life

Visually, The Cub is fantastic, with a singular animation model that feels each creative and exquisite. Watching nature reclaim the decaying stays of civilisation creates some gorgeous imagery. The animated cutscenes earlier than every chapter are equally spectacular.

The audio is great too, significantly the radio station from Mars, which performs an eclectic mixture of authentic music that may be a real pleasure to take heed to. The voice performing is equally robust, from The Cub’s narration to the splendidly dry efficiency of the radio DJ.

A Brief However Memorable Journey

I had a good time with this sport; a type of experiences that stored me questioning what could be across the nook. My solely actual criticisms are that the platforming can often turn out to be irritating, and that The Cub merely doesn’t final lengthy sufficient.

I wished extra. However for now, I’m joyful to have skilled this good journey by a decaying world.