Cube & Star: An Arbitrary Love Review

Cube & Star: An Arbitrary Love really isn't like other games. It's hard to explain and it's not going to be for everyone. More a game about self-discovery and thoughtfulness, it's certainly an original title.

You play a cube. A cube living in a world that's gray and miserable. You have to restore the world to its previous splendour by bumping into objects, picking up fruit, then using that fruit to change the color of everything around you. You can explore the world freely which is convenient as it's a fairly large area to traverse. There's a set of objectives and achievements that provide some structure, but you don't have to follow them specifically to progress. Similarly, there are knowledge totems offering up Joy, Passion, and Logic, as well as the more destructive Fire. The real joy is in just wandering around though.

Some story telling is provided through the game's use of collectibles. Diary entries and tablets of ancient history can be picked up, offering some insight but much of Cube & Star: An Arbitrary Love is about figuring things out for yourself. There's the fairly overt metaphor of the importance of leaving the world more colorful through your presence than it was before, and it's a neat idea.

I found Cube & Star: An Arbitrary Love to be the kind of game to wander around in the evenings, while I relaxed for a while. With little threat but plenty to check out, it was satisfying to load up and just explore. At times, the controls are a little awkward and inaccurate but it's not like anything bad can happen because of it.

Cube & Star: An Arbitrary Love won't be for everyone. It's a little too strange for universal appeal but it feels important. Reminding us that games don't just have to be about running and jumping, it's a cool idea and one that's well worth checking out for those wanting a bit more depth to their games.