Q.U.B.E. 2 is a physics puzzle adventure on Nintendo Switch that you should play right now. Find out why in our Q.U.B.E. 2 review!

 

In Q.U.B.E. 2 you take on the role of archeologist Amelia Cross who finds herself within an alien structure, with no idea of how she got there or what is going on. With the help of a power suit she’s wearing, and the abilities it provides, she will need to find a way to solve the puzzles she runs into to try and find a way to escape before it is too late. The main gameplay mechanic has you adding color to the many cubes around each (hence the stylized name of the game), with each color adding different properties to each cube.

Once you’ve selected your language from the nine available options you will get started. You start the game’s Prologue out in a dessert area with strong winds blowing around you, and no idea of what is going on. As you walk forward with what little energy you have left, you end up collapsing in front of a weird structure made up of cubes, with a raggedy flag waving around to the rhythm if the harsh winds. After this short introduction section, you will wake up inside of a building as you star Chapter 1: Forgotten Roots.

 

Amelia will be contacted by Commander Emma Sutcliffe, who will tell her that it seems she is suffering from amnesia due to waking up from cryogenic sleep. If you are to escape this area alive, you will need to follow the instructions of Commander Surcliffe, who says she’s the survivor of a successful mission who, unfortunately, been left stranded. If you could only reach the top of the structure she could pinpoint your location and extract you – and any other survivors you might find – so that you can all get out safely. The reason for this requirement is that the heavy storm that is going on outside is interfering with some of the transmissions which, well, sorta makes sense.

This is a first-person puzzle adventure, which means you’ll be moving around each area with the left analog stick, and can look around with the right analog stick. Jumping is set to the B button (a button you’ll be using a lot). You will access your inventory with the L and R buttons, changing between the colors that you will be adding to the special white cubes that you will run into. You can interact with objects with the ZR button, and you can place a cube with the ZL button. If you need to clear the cubes, that can be done with the Y button.

 

The first few chapters in the game will work as an extended tutorial to show you the basics of what Q.U.B.E. 2 has to offer. At first you will only have access to the blue energy in your suit to add that essence to the white cubes with outlines that you will find during your quest. This blue energy will add a bounce element to the square, so that Amelia can use that to bounce up to higher spots in each area, or to bounce some of the blocks you can conjure up from the green colored blocks. You will later find machines to add other colors to your repertoire, such as the red energy which will allow you to pull up large blocks from the white cubes imbued with the red energy.

The game will keep count of your stats as you play. You’ll be able to check out the total distance you’ve covered, the number of moves you’ve taken, your total in-game playing time, how many red, blue and green cubes you have placed, the total number of cubes you have swapped, and the total of blue cube bounces. This way you’ll get to see exactly how much you’ve really done in the game. It also includes accessibility options for gamers, with things such as a jump assist, as well as a color blind mode which is a great idea since colors are a big part of this game.

Q.U.B.E. 2 is a clever first-person physics puzzler adventure that will keep you busy for 6-7 hours or so depending on your puzzle skills. You’ll take on over 80 puzzles, and as new elements are introduced, such as pressure plates that must be pressed once or others that require a constant pressure on top to remain active, you will enter a Zen state of mind as you find the right solution for each challenge. Definitely get Q.U.B.E. 2 on Nintendo Switch.

Disclaimer
This Q.U.B.E. 2 review is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by Toxic Games.