Latest Reviews of PQube Games
Review Grim Guardians: Demon Purge (Switch) - A Creative, Character-Swapping Ode To Castlevania
Double Switch
From Inti Creates, developers of the critically acclaimed Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon duo and the Mega Man Zero/ZX series, comes a new Metroidvania rendered in a 16-bit graphical style, utilising modern hardware for various special effects, animation, and sprite creation. And it’s a fine-looking game, overall. While some areas...
Review Potion Permit (Switch) - A Great-Looking Life Sim That Eschews Both Farmwork And Challenge
Double, double, toil and trouble
Coming from developer MassHive Media, Potion Permit is a sweet little social sim-meets-adventure RPG. However, unlike the majority of life simulators currently dominating the eShop, Potion Permit presents no crops to cultivate and no farm animals to tend to, and instead relies on medicinal foraging to help those...
Review Metal Max Xeno: Reborn (Switch) - A Welcome Rebirth Despite Its Flaws
Don't get mad, Max
Editor's note: This review, originally published on Saturday 14th May 2022, was based on the imported Japanese version of the game. However, you can find updated comments relating specifically to the English language release at the bottom of the page. Metal Max fans in the West are not what you’d call spoiled for choice,...
Mini Review Tormented Souls (Switch) - A Survival Horror Homage For Genre Nuts Only
A return to horror's roots
"This game contains scenes of explicit violence and gore." It's a phrase so familiar to fans of classic survival horror games that its appearance at the start of Tormented Souls almost feels comforting. Since the mid '00s, the genre has been bent and twisted to keep up with the changing times and the growing fatigue...
Review Gal*Gun: Double Peace (Switch) - One To Avoid Playing On Public Transport
Pervert party
Look, there’s nothing wrong with a little anatomical allure, generally speaking. Hell, many an impressionable teenager hit pause to glimpse Chun-Li’s undies back in the day, and Capcom knew it. Sex sells, and, like all commercial media, video game developers aren’t immune to slapping some greasy smut on-disc in the hope of...
Review Maglam Lord (Switch) - Great Characters And Writing, But Grindy, Repetitive Combat
Raising a little hell in search of love
It is a long tradition in JRPGs to have the main character attempt to kill the gods that rule over them, but very rarely does this happen in the opening moments of the game. This is the case for Maglam Lord, which has now landed in the West. In Maglam Lord, players take control of a demon lord with the...
Review Kitaria Fables (Switch) - A Delightfully Cute, Fantasy Life-Style RPG Adventure
One for the grinders
It's been seven years since Level-5's toylike RPG masterpiece Fantasy Life came to the 3DS in the West, and like addicts seeking our next hit we've been searching for something that replicates that feeling ever since. Between games like Ni No Kuni (also Level-5) and cutesy Rune Factory-likes such as Littlewood, we've come...
Review Root Film (Switch) - A Surprisingly Grown-Up Visual Novel
A murder mystery through a different lens
Like any good story, it starts with a death. We don’t know why someone is laying on the street or why people are taking pictures of them with their phones, but the world is dark and getting darker until it all fades to black. Root Film starts out grim and a little bit frightening, but the shock soon fades...
Review Gal*Gun Returns (Switch) - A Mechanically Basic Yawn-Fest
Absolute pants
Inti Creates' 2011 on-rails ecchi shooter Gal*Gun, a bishōjo game that has only ever seen the light of day in Japan, finally makes its way onto western consoles in this remastered edition that comes complete with dolled-up visuals, full voice-acting and all previously released DLC. But does it improve on the decidedly-average Gal*Gun...
Review Inertial Drift (Switch) - A '90s-Style Racer With A Unique Drift Mechanic
Born Slippy
There are so many racing games out there nowadays that it takes something really out of the ordinary to stand out. Inertial Drift absolutely ticks this box, and while it isn’t an overwhelming success in every regard, its unique control system could result in a cult following nevertheless. Its main hook, as the name suggests, is its...
Latest PQube Articles
News Skies Of Arcadia-Inspired JRPG 'Sky Oceans' Bags A Release Date
Launching this October
PQube & Octeto Studios have revealed the release date for Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire, an intriguing Skies of Arcadia-inspired RPG in which players partake in aerial combat controlled via classic turn-based gameplay. Launching for the Nintendo Switch on 10th October 2024, there's a demo available via Steam right now if you...
News Skies Of Arcadia-Inspired JRPG 'Sky Oceans: Wings For Hire' Lands New Gameplay Trailer
Soaring onto Switch this year
Last year, we caught our first glimpse of Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire, an upcoming JRPG from PQube and Octeto Studios which wears its Skies of Arcadia inspiration proudly on its sleeve. Well, it popped up again at yesterday's Guerilla Collective. This time with a brand-new gameplay trailer. The fresh footage giv
News Cyberpunk Roguelite Shooter 'ArcRunner' Fires Onto Switch This April
Dude, that is so punk rock
Publisher PQube and developer TrickJump Games have today announced that the futuristic robot shooter ArcRunner will be bringing some roguelite action to Switch on 18th April. This one will see you making your way through the neon cyberpunk streets of 'The Arc' as a robot warrior tasked with taking down an evil AI —...
News Shoot Aliens And Save Earth In 'Die After Sunset', An Action Roguelite Dawning On Switch Today
Fight in the light
Publisher PQube and developer Playstark have today brought the action-packed roguelite shooter Die After Sunset to Switch, with the game available to pick up on the eShop right now. This one will see you choose between three different characters — April, Rido and Hune — and drop into Earth to help fight off hoards of an alien...
News 2D Retro-Inspired Fighter Pocket Bravery "Coming Soon" To Switch
Drawing inspiration from the classics
At EVO last year, Statera Studio lifted the lid on its new 2D pixel-themed fighter Pocket Bravery - drawing inspiration from series such as Street Fighter and King of Fighters, as well as the Neo Geo Pocket Color generation. While there's still no concrete release date, publisher PQube has now confirmed it's...
News Resistor Is A Racing RPG That's An Explosive Mix Of Burnout And Mad Max
Seatbelts on
If you've heard of Squaresoft's Racing Lagoon, then park up and listen. Revealed during the Future Games Show Summer showcase, RESISTOR is a "CaR-PG" that sounds utterly bonkers in concept — but looks absolutely brilliant. Developed by Long Way Home, Resistor's beautifully explosive racing pairs up with a colourful world and story...
News 'Sky Oceans: Wings For Hire' Is A Skies Of Arcadia-Inspired JRPG Coming To Switch
The sky's the limit
PQube and Octeto Studios have today revealed a brand new JRPG set in the open skies, as we got our first look at Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire which will be "coming soon" for Nintendo Switch. This one wears its Skies of Arcadia inspirations proudly on its wing (still waiting for that Switch remake, by the way). You take on the role...
News Metroidvania 'Curse Of The Sea Rats' Drops Anchor For April Release Date
Ratten down the hatches!
Petoons' beautiful hand-drawn Metroidvania Curse of the Sea Rats, which combines piracy, rodents, and platforming, will be pulling into the docks of the Switch on 6th April 2023! The upcoming game takes place in a world set along the Irish coast in the 18th century. After being shipwrecked, you'll have to explore up to 16...
News AeternoBlade II Dev Accuses Publisher PQube Of Withholding Payments
Update #2: Corecell replies to PQube, highlighting 'contradictions'
Update #2 [Tue 6th Sep, 2022 18:30 BST]: Corecell has now responded to PQube with an "additional announcement", highlighting what it calls 'contradictions' in PQube's account of events and saying "There is consistency in the truth and confusion in lies." Here's the statement in...
News Dev Delays 'A Space For The Unbound' After Feeling 'Exploited' By Publisher
Update: PQube responds
Update [Wed 24th Aug, 2022 16:35 BST]: PQube Games has provided us with the following statement responding to Toge Productions' Twitter post: “We have honoured all obligations of our publishing agreement and have supported Toge Productions at every stage of product development throughout their delays and difficulties. This...
News Nexomon + Nexomon: Extinction: Complete Collection Arrives On Switch This Month
Two in one
Publisher PQube has finally confirmed a release date for its double pack of Pokémon-inspired adventures, Nexomon and Nexomon: Extinction. The Nexomon + Nexomon: Extinction: Complete Collection will be coming to the Switch on 26th August, Gematsu reports. We already know the package comes with both games bundled tog
News Adventure Academia: The Fractured Continent Locks In A Western Release
"Coming soon" to Switch
Japanese video game developer Acquire - known for series like Akiba's Trip and assisting on projects such as Octopath Traveler, has announced its cute Class of Heroes-themed strategy RPG Adventure Academia: The Fractured Continent will be receiving a local release. It's coming to Switch "soon" thanks to the assistance of...
Exclusive Dogs, Death, And Fantasy Life - An Interview With The Creators Of Potion Permit
(Yes, you can pet the dog. No, the dog doesn't die)
There's a slew of charming life sim-type games on the slate for the Nintendo Switch in 2022 and 2023, and Potion Permit is one of the ones we're most intrigued about. Published by PQube, with a release date of September 22nd, 2022, Potion Permit is all about tending to the ailments to the people...
News Alchemy RPG 'Potion Permit' Brews Up 2022 Release Date
Sick
How hard can it be to be a doctor? We've watched ER and Casualty and Grey's Anatomy, so we know that at least 60% of a doctor's time is spent pining and kissing, and the other 40% mostly seems to be about looking really serious while sad music plays. We could hack it. In Potion Permit, an upcoming Sim RPG for Nintendo Switch, we'll get the...
News Cosy Stardew-Meets-Alchemy Game 'Potion Permit' To Get A Physical Release
Fire burn, and cartridge bubble
We still don't have a concrete release date for upcoming wholesome game, Potion Permit, but now that you can pre-order the physical version of the game, we're tempted to say that it'll be sooner rather than later. In Potion Permit, you'll play the role of a small-town chemist whose job it is to heal, treat, and win...
News Anime-Inspired Deckbuilding Roguelite 'Super Bullet Break' Hits Switch This Year
"Get The Girls, Save The World"
PQube has just announced that it is bringing BeXide's Super Bullet Break to the Switch later this year. Described as an "anime-inspired deckbuilding roguelite", the game sees you collecting cute anime girls – known as "Bullets" – to build your perfect team and "save the online game world from total destruction"...
Featuring "a unique local co-op mode"
A new fantasy adventure title from developers Underscore and Joy Brick Inc. has been dated for Switch, and it's a Switch-exclusive, no less. PQube will be bringing Aliisha: The Oblivion Of Twin Goddesses to Nintendo's console in physical and digital form in Spring next year. As shown in today's Indie World...
Guide Kitaria Fables - How To Make Money, Find Materials, And Complete Quests
Plus tips & tricks for beginners to late-game players
Kitaria Fables is here, and we loved it — but it can be quite tricky to learn the ropes, especially when every upgrade costs tons of cash, and your pockets are perpetually empty. Or, perhaps, you've got all the money you need, but no idea where to find some of the required materials. We can...
News Kitaria Fables Gets A Charming New Trailer And Updated Release Details
Feline fine
Kitaria Fables combines some very nice things - cute characters and lots of cats, farm-sim gameplay, combat and co-op. As you can see in the new gameplay trailer above, it looks like developer Twin Heart Games has been working hard on polishing the experience. Publisher PQube has also confirmed that the game is now coming one day...
News The Original Nexomon Game Is Coming Soon To Nintendo Switch
Evolve and collect over 300 unique creatures
If you're looking for something similar but different to the old-school Pokémon games, perhaps Nexomon might be of interest. Publisher PQube and VEWO Interactive have announced the original entry, currently available on Steam, iOS and Android devices, will be "coming soon" to all consoles including the...
News Kitaria Fables Gets Release Date And Physical Edition For Nintendo Switch
Purr-fect
As previously noted by Kate, this site's unofficial senior consultant on farm-sims, there are a lot of those sorts of games on Nintendo Switch. But there's always room for one more, especially when it features cats and customisation options. Publisher PQube has confirmed that Kitaria Fables will arrive on Nintendo Switch on 3rd Septe
News Farm-And-Fight Game, Kitaria Fables, Details Its Multi-Class Combat System
We really hope it takes some inspiration from CATS (2019)
Many of you have been eschewing the Harvest Moon and Story of Seasons offerings this month in favour of waiting for Rune Factory 5's release later this year - and we're not too surprised. Rune Factory offers all the farming and foraging of the former two games, but with the added bonus of a...
News Tormented Souls Still Coming To Switch Despite Cancellation Of PS4 And Xbox One Versions
Horror title is getting a physical release, too
We received news back in August that Tormented Souls would come to Switch. Bringing us a survival horror game reminiscent of Resident Evil and Silent Hill,
"Your parents continue to be disappointed in your life choices"
Believe it or not, but there are some other big releases out on the Switch this week. One is the lewd remaster, Gal*Gun Returns. Obviously, it's a bit out there compared to your average game - this rail shooter requires a young man to fend off prospective lovers with his 'Pheromone...
News PQube Reveals The Plane Effect For Nintendo Switch
Flying Solo
PQube is no stranger when it comes to Switch. Having published several games that range between Blazblue: Cross Tag Battle to Cat Quest II, it has just revealed that its next project, The Plane Effect, is next in line for Nintendo's handheld. Developed by Studio Kiku and Innovina Interactive, The Plane Effect is described as a...
News Skies Of Arcadia-Inspired JRPG 'Sky Oceans' Bags A Release Date
Launching this October
PQube & Octeto Studios have revealed the release date for Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire, an intriguing Skies of Arcadia-inspired RPG in which players partake in aerial combat controlled via classic turn-based gameplay. Launching for the Nintendo Switch on 10th October 2024, there's a demo available via Steam right now if you...
News Skies Of Arcadia-Inspired JRPG 'Sky Oceans: Wings For Hire' Lands New Gameplay Trailer
Soaring onto Switch this year
Last year, we caught our first glimpse of Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire, an upcoming JRPG from PQube and Octeto Studios which wears its Skies of Arcadia inspiration proudly on its sleeve. Well, it popped up again at yesterday's Guerilla Collective. This time with a brand-new gameplay trailer. The fresh footage giv
News Cyberpunk Roguelite Shooter 'ArcRunner' Fires Onto Switch This April
Dude, that is so punk rock
Publisher PQube and developer TrickJump Games have today announced that the futuristic robot shooter ArcRunner will be bringing some roguelite action to Switch on 18th April. This one will see you making your way through the neon cyberpunk streets of 'The Arc' as a robot warrior tasked with taking down an evil AI —...
News Shoot Aliens And Save Earth In 'Die After Sunset', An Action Roguelite Dawning On Switch Today
Fight in the light
Publisher PQube and developer Playstark have today brought the action-packed roguelite shooter Die After Sunset to Switch, with the game available to pick up on the eShop right now. This one will see you choose between three different characters — April, Rido and Hune — and drop into Earth to help fight off hoards of an alien...
News 2D Retro-Inspired Fighter Pocket Bravery "Coming Soon" To Switch
Drawing inspiration from the classics
At EVO last year, Statera Studio lifted the lid on its new 2D pixel-themed fighter Pocket Bravery - drawing inspiration from series such as Street Fighter and King of Fighters, as well as the Neo Geo Pocket Color generation. While there's still no concrete release date, publisher PQube has now confirmed it's...
News Resistor Is A Racing RPG That's An Explosive Mix Of Burnout And Mad Max
Seatbelts on
If you've heard of Squaresoft's Racing Lagoon, then park up and listen. Revealed during the Future Games Show Summer showcase, RESISTOR is a "CaR-PG" that sounds utterly bonkers in concept — but looks absolutely brilliant. Developed by Long Way Home, Resistor's beautifully explosive racing pairs up with a colourful world and story...
News 'Sky Oceans: Wings For Hire' Is A Skies Of Arcadia-Inspired JRPG Coming To Switch
The sky's the limit
PQube and Octeto Studios have today revealed a brand new JRPG set in the open skies, as we got our first look at Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire which will be "coming soon" for Nintendo Switch. This one wears its Skies of Arcadia inspirations proudly on its wing (still waiting for that Switch remake, by the way). You take on the role...
News Metroidvania 'Curse Of The Sea Rats' Drops Anchor For April Release Date
Ratten down the hatches!
Petoons' beautiful hand-drawn Metroidvania Curse of the Sea Rats, which combines piracy, rodents, and platforming, will be pulling into the docks of the Switch on 6th April 2023! The upcoming game takes place in a world set along the Irish coast in the 18th century. After being shipwrecked, you'll have to explore up to 16...
News AeternoBlade II Dev Accuses Publisher PQube Of Withholding Payments
Update #2: Corecell replies to PQube, highlighting 'contradictions'
Update #2 [Tue 6th Sep, 2022 18:30 BST]: Corecell has now responded to PQube with an "additional announcement", highlighting what it calls 'contradictions' in PQube's account of events and saying "There is consistency in the truth and confusion in lies." Here's the statement in...
News Dev Delays 'A Space For The Unbound' After Feeling 'Exploited' By Publisher
Update: PQube responds
Update [Wed 24th Aug, 2022 16:35 BST]: PQube Games has provided us with the following statement responding to Toge Productions' Twitter post: “We have honoured all obligations of our publishing agreement and have supported Toge Productions at every stage of product development throughout their delays and difficulties. This...
News Nexomon + Nexomon: Extinction: Complete Collection Arrives On Switch This Month
Two in one
Publisher PQube has finally confirmed a release date for its double pack of Pokémon-inspired adventures, Nexomon and Nexomon: Extinction. The Nexomon + Nexomon: Extinction: Complete Collection will be coming to the Switch on 26th August, Gematsu reports. We already know the package comes with both games bundled tog
News Adventure Academia: The Fractured Continent Locks In A Western Release
"Coming soon" to Switch
Japanese video game developer Acquire - known for series like Akiba's Trip and assisting on projects such as Octopath Traveler, has announced its cute Class of Heroes-themed strategy RPG Adventure Academia: The Fractured Continent will be receiving a local release. It's coming to Switch "soon" thanks to the assistance of...
Exclusive Dogs, Death, And Fantasy Life - An Interview With The Creators Of Potion Permit
(Yes, you can pet the dog. No, the dog doesn't die)
There's a slew of charming life sim-type games on the slate for the Nintendo Switch in 2022 and 2023, and Potion Permit is one of the ones we're most intrigued about. Published by PQube, with a release date of September 22nd, 2022, Potion Permit is all about tending to the ailments to the people...
News Alchemy RPG 'Potion Permit' Brews Up 2022 Release Date
Sick
How hard can it be to be a doctor? We've watched ER and Casualty and Grey's Anatomy, so we know that at least 60% of a doctor's time is spent pining and kissing, and the other 40% mostly seems to be about looking really serious while sad music plays. We could hack it. In Potion Permit, an upcoming Sim RPG for Nintendo Switch, we'll get the...
News Cosy Stardew-Meets-Alchemy Game 'Potion Permit' To Get A Physical Release
Fire burn, and cartridge bubble
We still don't have a concrete release date for upcoming wholesome game, Potion Permit, but now that you can pre-order the physical version of the game, we're tempted to say that it'll be sooner rather than later. In Potion Permit, you'll play the role of a small-town chemist whose job it is to heal, treat, and win...
News Anime-Inspired Deckbuilding Roguelite 'Super Bullet Break' Hits Switch This Year
"Get The Girls, Save The World"
PQube has just announced that it is bringing BeXide's Super Bullet Break to the Switch later this year. Described as an "anime-inspired deckbuilding roguelite", the game sees you collecting cute anime girls – known as "Bullets" – to build your perfect team and "save the online game world from total destruction"...
Featuring "a unique local co-op mode"
A new fantasy adventure title from developers Underscore and Joy Brick Inc. has been dated for Switch, and it's a Switch-exclusive, no less. PQube will be bringing Aliisha: The Oblivion Of Twin Goddesses to Nintendo's console in physical and digital form in Spring next year. As shown in today's Indie World...
Guide Kitaria Fables - How To Make Money, Find Materials, And Complete Quests
Plus tips & tricks for beginners to late-game players
Kitaria Fables is here, and we loved it — but it can be quite tricky to learn the ropes, especially when every upgrade costs tons of cash, and your pockets are perpetually empty. Or, perhaps, you've got all the money you need, but no idea where to find some of the required materials. We can...
News Kitaria Fables Gets A Charming New Trailer And Updated Release Details
Feline fine
Kitaria Fables combines some very nice things - cute characters and lots of cats, farm-sim gameplay, combat and co-op. As you can see in the new gameplay trailer above, it looks like developer Twin Heart Games has been working hard on polishing the experience. Publisher PQube has also confirmed that the game is now coming one day...
News The Original Nexomon Game Is Coming Soon To Nintendo Switch
Evolve and collect over 300 unique creatures
If you're looking for something similar but different to the old-school Pokémon games, perhaps Nexomon might be of interest. Publisher PQube and VEWO Interactive have announced the original entry, currently available on Steam, iOS and Android devices, will be "coming soon" to all consoles including the...
News Kitaria Fables Gets Release Date And Physical Edition For Nintendo Switch
Purr-fect
As previously noted by Kate, this site's unofficial senior consultant on farm-sims, there are a lot of those sorts of games on Nintendo Switch. But there's always room for one more, especially when it features cats and customisation options. Publisher PQube has confirmed that Kitaria Fables will arrive on Nintendo Switch on 3rd Septe
News Farm-And-Fight Game, Kitaria Fables, Details Its Multi-Class Combat System
We really hope it takes some inspiration from CATS (2019)
Many of you have been eschewing the Harvest Moon and Story of Seasons offerings this month in favour of waiting for Rune Factory 5's release later this year - and we're not too surprised. Rune Factory offers all the farming and foraging of the former two games, but with the added bonus of a...
News Tormented Souls Still Coming To Switch Despite Cancellation Of PS4 And Xbox One Versions
Horror title is getting a physical release, too
We received news back in August that Tormented Souls would come to Switch. Bringing us a survival horror game reminiscent of Resident Evil and Silent Hill,
"Your parents continue to be disappointed in your life choices"
Believe it or not, but there are some other big releases out on the Switch this week. One is the lewd remaster, Gal*Gun Returns. Obviously, it's a bit out there compared to your average game - this rail shooter requires a young man to fend off prospective lovers with his 'Pheromone...
News PQube Reveals The Plane Effect For Nintendo Switch
Flying Solo
PQube is no stranger when it comes to Switch. Having published several games that range between Blazblue: Cross Tag Battle to Cat Quest II, it has just revealed that its next project, The Plane Effect, is next in line for Nintendo's handheld. Developed by Studio Kiku and Innovina Interactive, The Plane Effect is described as a...