Cubixx

If you were to ask me a decade ago what young developer I was most excited to keep tabs on, I suspect Laughing Jackal would be high on the list. They had just released Cubixx on PSP and seemed like they had a bright future ahead of them. But in the past ten years, the UK-based company has only put out a handful of games, with the last new release being the so-so Flame Over in 2016. What we've seen since then has been a long string of HD ports for modern consoles, including the just-released Switch version of Cubixx. And while it's a good port that I am going to have no trouble recommending, this is ultimately going to be the third time I've reviewed the same game. I hope this one sells, because we desperately need a new game from Laughing Jackal.

For being a decade old, Cubixx has aged well. And it's easy to see why, since this is a 21st century upgrade of the timeless Taito classic Qix. Much like that 1981 arcade hit, the goal in Cubixx is to uncover the background by drawing lines from wall to wall, all while avoiding sparks, black holes and weird flying creatures. It's a simple yet addictive concept that will likely never go out of style, no matter how advanced technology gets.

Cubixx takes the familiar concept and wraps it around a six-sided cube. Instead of erasing parts of a simple 2D wall, you're suddenly forced to deal with a fully 3D object. While the game may be the same, this twist makes a huge difference when it comes to how you tackle the job. It's now possible to create score multipliers by continuing a line from one side of the cube to the next, opening up huge opportunities for massive point chains.

The rules remain the same -- if a flying creature hits your line before you erase the section, then you die. You'll also discover that there are sparks that travel the sides of the walls, clouds of smoke that will slow our hero down and other simple baddies. It's easy when there are just a few enemies flying around, but the action gets ratcheted up the further into the campaign you get.

The traditional arcade mode offers fifty stages to conquer, with checkpoints set up after every five levels. This is just one of the several modes packed into this Switch version. There are an additional 50 challenge stages to complete, each with their own objectives. There's also a lengthy time trial mode, score attack and even a multiplayer death match. Not all of these are as compelling as the traditional arcade mode, but it's nice to see the developers bring a lot of variety to such a simple concept.

Click For the Full Picture Archive

Not unlike the PC version from a few years ago, the visuals in this Switch version are striking. There's a very clean look to the action and the laser cutting through the sides is surprisingly satisfying. That said, there's no denying that the game is starting to show its age. While the backgrounds use different shapes and change color, they aren't much to look at. The cube itself looks fine, but it doesn't change much over the course of the game. Cubixx could really benefit from adding different shapes or backgrounds.

And that's how I feel about most of the game. Yes, it's still a lot of fun and the price is right, but I'm finding that I have less enthusiasm for the game with each new port. The simple truth is that Cubixx needs a sequel. From new cube shapes to different backgrounds to explosive power-ups, there's so much room for additional content. And they've had a decade to think about this. What's the hold up, Laughing Jackal? Before you even think about porting this game to the next batch of consoles coming out next year, I implore you to focus on a sequel instead. Or just add something new to the port. I miss being excited about Laughing Jackal games.