The Last Cube is a deceptively simple looking puzzle game where you play as one of the most unassuming characters ever.  A cube.  Silly though it may feel to play as a basic geometrical shape, this game actually had some decent puzzles that made me think.  At the same time, the demo’s 4.5 levels could sometimes feel almost as frustrating as when I tried to solve a Rubik’s cube as a kid.

The story in The Last Cube doesn’t seem important.  Although there is apparently lore, none of which I read because I can’t exactly get all that excited for the backstory of the cube world.  Sorry.  That leaves the gameplay, which can be rather fun and thought-provoking at the best of times and aggravating at the worst.  Puzzles revolve around using these “stickers” (three of which are found in the demo), which are colorful shapes found on the ground that attach to whichever side of the cube lands on it.  Each sticker has a different ability, provided you can maneuver it to the cube’s top face.  The blue X, for example, allows you to rotate the cube (which is actually more useful than you’d think).  The yellow X allows you to dash forward.  The last one we are introduced to in the demo is the red circle, which allows you to create these steps that help you to cross gaps and reach ledges that are lower than you.

This all combines into some rather unique gameplay considering, once again, you’re playing as a simple cube.  My main complaint, however, reminds me of the aggravation my young duckling-self felt many years ago as I tried to solve that aforementioned Rubik’s cube.  The worst thing about this game’s puzzles is figuring out how to maneuver the cube in order to have the correct side facing up or down to either use my desired ability or activate the appropriate switch.   One time, I even had to start the level over again because there was no way I could possibly get the required shape on my top side.  My second attempt was more successful because I just put as many stickers all over my cube as I could, but it’s still silly I could get stuck like that.

With that said, I’ve played a lot of puzzle games lately with more interesting stories and characters and scenery, and yet I’d probably say the puzzles of The Last Cube stand out the most.  The most recent puzzle I can remember was one where you encounter these other blank cubes that are rolling around in a predefined path.  It took me a few moments to figure out their purpose, but when I did, it was rather satisfying using them to solve the puzzles and proceed.  The more of the demo I played, the more I started to enjoy the puzzles as I got used to how things worked, and I must admit…for all my complaining, I was just a bit disappointed when the demo ended mid-level.

The Last Cube is available on all modern consoles and Steam for $19.99, though I was unable to find out how long the game takes to complete.  I did hear there are 18 levels, though, not to mention bonus levels.