Q.U.B.E. 2

60% of your time in this game is spent slowly walking, 20% is redoing ridiculous/buggy platforming that this game clearly wasn't designed to support, but insists you do anyways, and the last 20% is actually puzzle solving. The campaign is short, the mechanics are few, and the game is generally a step down from qube 1. They force complicated setups followed by stupid platforming, insuring you have to be there 3 times longer after you inevitably miss and have to retry. Gave up trying at the dlcs after restarting a setup 5 times and it bugged my game. The fact that you can do everything correctly and still miss, retry, and waste your time (remember you walk at 0.5 mph and there's no running or customization in settings) makes this a bad puzzle game.

Super fun. Puzzles aren't too hard but very satisfying.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) Q.U.B.E. 2 is a thoughtful and visually stunning first-person puzzle game developed by Toxic Games. A sequel to the original Q.U.B.E., this installment takes the block-manipulation mechanics of the first game and refines them with richer storytelling, deeper puzzles, and an atmospheric sci-fi world that feels both mysterious and grounded. 🧩 Gameplay You play as Amelia Cross, an archaeologist who awakens in the middle of a strange alien landscape with no memory of how she got there. Armed with a pair of high-tech gloves that manipulate color-coded cubes in the environment, your goal is to navigate through complex puzzle chambers to uncover the truth about your surroundings — and yourself. The three core cube types are: Blue: bouncy springboards Red: extendable/extrudable blocks Green: movable blocks you can spawn The game expertly layers these mechanics over time, introducing more complexity without overwhelming the player. It nails the sweet spot between challenging and fair, with solutions that feel clever rather than obscure. 🧠 Puzzle Design The puzzles in Q.U.B.E. 2 are more refined than its predecessor — larger in scale, more dynamic, and better integrated into the game’s world. There are over 80 puzzles spread across 11 chapters, with optional secrets and achievements for completionists. What really works here is the balance: the puzzles encourage experimentation, and when you solve one, it feels earned. They're never punishing, but they’ll definitely make you pause and think. 🎨 Visuals & World Design Visually, Q.U.B.E. 2 is a massive upgrade from the original. The sterile white-box look is gone, replaced by surreal, decaying alien architecture, overgrown temples, and shifting environments that feel alive and mysterious. The Unreal Engine 4 graphics look beautiful, with soft lighting and dynamic environments that evolve as you solve puzzles. Each area feels distinct and immersive, adding to the sense of progression and wonder. 🎧 Story & Sound This time around, there’s a much stronger focus on narrative. Through radio communication with another survivor (Emma Sutcliffe), you begin to piece together the story — one involving ancient technology, personal sacrifice, and cosmic consequences. The voice acting is solid, particularly from the two leads, and the ambient soundtrack provides a haunting, meditative backdrop that complements the game's tone beautifully. ✅ Pros ✔️ Deep, satisfying puzzle mechanics ✔️ Gorgeous visual presentation and atmospheric environments ✔️ Meaningful story with great pacing ✔️ Intuitive controls and accessible difficulty curve ✔️ Thought-provoking ending ❌ Cons ❌ No hint system (can frustrate some players) ❌ A few late-game puzzles can feel repetitive ❌ Limited replay value once puzzles are solved ❌ Story, while improved, may still feel vague for some 🎯 Final Verdict Q.U.B.E. 2 is a standout in the first-person puzzle genre. It combines smart, layered mechanics with stunning environments and a surprisingly reflective narrative. It’s perfect for fans of Portal, The Talos Principle, or The Turing Test — games that challenge your mind while immersing you in beautifully built worlds. 🔷 4/5 — A polished and satisfying evolution of a clever puzzle formula.