What’s up with that Space Harrier? Why is there a guy hanging onto a rocket that shoots lasers flying through the air? What does a “Space Harrier” even mean? Whatever the actual reason is, the obvious answer is because “it’s awesome”, reason enough to disregard the story every chance the game gets.
With the game that we now have, what should it matter that the hero of Space Harrier engages in such ballistic behaviour? Who cares where he’s going, or where he’s coming from, or that there must be an easier way to fly rather than to put a rocket in a schoolyard headlock? Space Harrier is an awesome game that used breakthrough graphics of its time to engage the player in an immersive, if outrageous, experience.
There’s only ever one first impression. And then there are occasions when trespassing any further than the first impression will ruin the promise of what first impression represents.
I don’t usually do this for the games I play, but this is how I’ve come to understand Cubix: Robots for Everyone: Race ‘N Robots, a title so awesome it requires two colons so that we are more able to sub-categorize its greatness.
In this videogame, children ride on the backs of hovering robots in a series of races against each other. While in flight, the robots don’t resemble a humanoid form like normal, but instead are curled up in a form that allows the child to perch on top.
With a premise like that, questions arise: Why robots? Why are the robots “transformed” into a non-humanoid form for flight? Why do children do this? Isn’t it dangerous to be hanging on to the back of a flying robot?
And then the title brings up even more questions: What’s a Cubix? Are robots really for everyone, even children? Must robots be used for racing when there are girders for bending that require their attention?
I won’t hide it: I love Cubix: Robots for Everyone: Race ‘N Robots because it makes no sense. With an entire backlog to choose from, it’s these kind of oddities that interest me. Why would any player be interested in simply jumping barrels or shooting at invading aliens from space when they can be challenged with premises that are exceptional in their scope and daring.
Stories ruin everything when a premise is perfect the way it is.
How far I got in 10 minutes: Did two races. Have just about lost all the good faith provided in the game introductory video.
The good: The game uses a new kind of control scheme where you fly exactly where to you aim the analog stick, just as robots are wont to be.
The bad: It’s looking like Cubix: Robots for Everyone: Race ‘N Robots is just a top-down kart racer.
Will I play this game once the year is up: No. But it will live on in my dreams.
Days so far in the Year of the Play-a-DayStation: 44
Play-a-Daystation 