Planet Cube: Edge
- February 23, 2023
- Sunna Entertainment
A fun 2D platformer that drags on a bit longer than it should.
"Planet Cube: Edge" is a single-player Science Fiction Shooter game with great mechanics and stunning visuals. As the lab technician Edge, you must save your world from a mysterious aggressor by navigating through an underwater science complex, battling enemies, and dodging hazards. With 8 hand-crafted pixel art levels, a stunning soundtrack, and the ability to collect experimental weapons, this high-speed, high-skill platformer offers a challenging and immersive experience.
Reviews
- The game features tight controls and engaging level design, making it a fun and addictive platformer.
- It successfully combines retro aesthetics with modern gameplay mechanics, providing a nostalgic yet fresh experience.
- The checkpoint system is generous, allowing players to quickly retry sections without excessive frustration.
- Some players may find the difficulty level infuriating, leading to repeated deaths in challenging sections.
- There are minor bugs and design issues, such as unskippable cutscenes and unclear collectible tracking, which can detract from the experience.
- Certain levels, particularly underwater stages, are considered overly difficult and may frustrate players.
- gameplay57 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by tight controls, a clever blend of mechanics, and a retro aesthetic that keeps it engaging and fresh throughout the campaign. Players appreciate the intuitive learning curve and generous checkpointing, which allows for precision platforming without the frustration of starting over. While some minor polishing is needed, the overall experience is described as addictive and reminiscent of classic titles like Super Meat Boy and Celeste.
“You'll come across a clever precision platformer that boasts a beautiful retro aesthetic and addictive gameplay.”
“The gameplay does indeed require a lot of precision, but the checkpointing is so generous that failing never feels like a chore and you're always making forward progress, whilst still letting you enjoy those moments where you string things together perfectly.”
“It's a very ambitious game that feels fresh from start to finish thanks to the introduction of new mechanics throughout the whole campaign.”
“About the gameplay, the game wants you to solve each level in a specific manner; most of the time you will know what to do.”
“I thought the gameplay gif was sped up, but it can be that fast. Though I think it'll require a lot of practice to move that fast precisely, as you die from a single hit.”
“Needs some polishing on gameplay mechanics, but that's just me being picky.”
- graphics55 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beautiful retro aesthetic, characterized by charming pixel art and a vibrant color scheme. Reviewers highlight the impressive artwork and design, which effectively captures the game's world, alongside a well-complemented soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some minor issues with visual clarity were noted, the overall consensus is that the visuals contribute significantly to the game's addictive and enjoyable gameplay.
“Absolutely fantastic game, excellent graphic design and an outstanding soundtrack.”
“There's a wealth of gorgeous retro audio and visuals to accompany the well-designed levels and set-pieces in the game.”
“The retro art style is fantastic, nice chunky feel to it, and a great soundtrack.”
“If I were to be super picky, I'd say that a little more contrast between the background and foreground visuals on some levels would help make it clearer what I was trying to do at first glance or in a panic, but that's no biggie - I'd still be likely to die a couple of times before I figured it out anyway!”
“Although it features cute characters and welcoming visuals, the game is really challenging.”
“There's clearly a lot more effort and care placed into aspects such as artwork, gameplay, and quality of life features that makes it stand out.”
- music47 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its outstanding soundtrack that complements the retro pixel art style and enhances the overall gameplay experience. The soundtrack is described as nostalgic, energetic, and well-composed, effectively driving the action and evoking memories of classic platformers. While some noted that the music can be a bit busy at times, it generally adds to the game's charm and intensity.
“Absolutely fantastic game, excellent graphic design and an outstanding soundtrack.”
“The music slaps and the characters and animations are charming.”
“Great platformer, from the retro nostalgic visual style all the way to the layered and well-composed soundtrack, the game does a fantastic job of creating a unique gameplay experience.”
“Con: music a little busy, hard to determine key moments in the game, but it gives the game a feel of a side scroller shoot 'em up and helps promote a fast gameplay and gives the player an impulse to rush, beat enemies, and maneuver the levels as fast as possible.”
“The sound effects and music match the retro style and are not overpowering or annoying to listen to.”
“Personally, I like the art style and it suits the game well, but the music keeps pushing the action.”
- story24 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, with players appreciating its enjoyable characters, humor, and engaging narrative that complements the gameplay. While some find the storytelling to be light, it effectively maintains interest and enhances the overall experience, particularly in the context of a modern 2D platformer. Overall, the story adds a rewarding layer to the game without overwhelming the player.
“And the story and characters really fit the game and are really enjoyable.”
“Good story, good tight gameplay, challenging but yet never to the point where it is frustrating and I want to turn it off.”
“Planet Cube: Edge is anything you'd be expecting from a modern 2D platformer: great controls, great looks, fun story that doesn't take too much space, rewarding boss fights, and additional challenges for the experienced player.”
“☐ no story”
“The storytelling seems pretty light so far, but there's enough of it to keep me interested in playing more, and it looks and sounds great.”
“Game gives you some backstory at the beginning; you learn some more as you encounter other characters through the game.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Reviews on grinding in the game are mixed; some players find the early stages tedious and frustrating, leading to frequent deaths while trying to collect items. However, others note that the game lacks a traditional grinding component, as items unlock naturally through progression, which may alleviate some of the grind-related concerns.
“Game has no grinding component as items unlock as you progress.”
“So many early moments will just end up resulting in deaths because it is too tedious to do what the game wants you to do for its collectibles.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You could consider that aspect as grinding.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is impacted by frustrating mechanics, such as the player's unexpected death when colliding with walls while on moving platforms, which can lead to feelings of annoyance and helplessness. Players suggest that clearer collision detection and more forgiving mechanics could enhance the emotional experience by reducing frustration.
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is highlighted through its funny cinematics and engaging story, complemented by dorky yet amusing dialogue. Overall, players appreciate the lightheartedness and comedic elements woven throughout the experience.
“Cinematics are funny.”
“Good story and nice bits of humor!”
“The dialogue is a little dorky, but funny.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly without any reported issues, indicating a well-crafted experience for players.
“Wow, the game was well crafted, runs smoothly, and has had no issues so far.”
Critic Reviews
Planet Cube: Edge Review
There’s not much below the surface of Planet Cube: Edge should you find its difficulty infuriating. The intense difficulty feels like a shallow way to extend your playtime but if you’re like me, you’ll find yourself reluctant to keep trying once you’ve died in the same spot for the twentieth time.
50%Planet Cube: Edge Review
Planet Cube: Edge is a great-looking 2D precision platformer that is incredibly challenging and rewarding at the same time. Due to its difficulty, a lot of players may be frustrated and defeated when they die almost 200 times in an hour to complete only one stage.
70%Planet Cube: Edge (Nintendo Switch)
Planet Cube: Edge isn’t just another platformer; it’s pure delight for genre fans. The simple graphics belie an addictive romp through a challenging world. And don’t be fooled by the cute cuboid hero; this is a tough title that will appeal to anyone looking to keep busy for some time.
90%