Kickle Cubicle

"Don't let the looks fool you"

Intro
So it sat there with the cutesy cartoon characters on it. Kickle Cubicle. I never rented it based on its box. How stupid of me. It actually turned out to be quite a fun game. Ahh... An actual testament to the proverb, ''Never judge a book by its cover.''

He's Not Quite Lolo, but He'll Do
In Kickle Cubicle, another world called The Fantasy Kingdom (yep, cutesy name) has been taken over by the Wizard King, who as also kidnapped some of the princesses. As Kickle, you must fight your way through four worlds, each with about a few dozen levels.

Gameplay
The screen is formatted like a 2D overhead view. Pushing a directional button moves Kickle about one square. Notice the fairly good response. Yep, nice controls! You have two basic buttons: one that shoots ice breath and the other that creates a block of ice on regular ground. In each level, there are magic bags which you must collect. Collect them all and you end the level. Sometimes, you'll have to freeze and enemy then push them, using the same button you froze them with, into the water to create a new piece of land.

Bosses
At the end of each world, you fight a boss. Each boss has a different strategy and throws a different weapon which you must freeze and throw back at them.

Game Elements
The graphics aren't too bad. They show good coloration and okay design except some of the enemies. A few of them really look lame, in my opinion. The controls, as mentioned before, work wonderfully. The music and sound really isn't anything to lose sleep over. Nothing too special, but it fits with the theme of the game and that's the important part. The plot is... yep, another save-the-maiden. I will be a bit merciful on this one since it's a bit older than most games. The gameplay is rather fun, but a bit too easy. In one sitting, I actually went through half of the game. Yes, it was my first time playing it, too. It's rather easy to get normed once you've messed around with it for a while and the levels are just insanely easy through the first two worlds.

FINAL JUDGMENT
Graphics: Not bad, but not the best 7/10
Sounds: Fit with the game 8/10
Controls: Very nice 9/10
Plot/Storyline: I'll be a bit forgiving 4/10 (I said a bit)
Gameplay: Not bad, but too easy 7/10
All Together: 7/10

Recommendations
If you like action/puzzlers, especially stuff like Lolo, then I recommend you give this one a try. It's not too bad if you can get past the cutesy theme.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/22/01, Updated 06/22/01