Judgment from above arrives March 18th, in the form of The Cube. In XLGAMES’ THE CUBE, SAVE US, the mysterious structure appears in the skies over a world already frayed to breaking point, and is the trigger for a nuclear apocalypse as nations scramble to defend themselves. Forward to the aftermath: humanity goes to ground to survive, and resurfaces after seven decades. The Cube is waiting. Those that survive its trials get all they need to live well, but survival is rare. XLGAMES’ Park Young-sung, producer of THE CUBE, SAVE US, gives Intel Gaming Access an insight into the judgment to come when Early Access begins on the 18th.
Worlds in Motion
Inside the Cube is a multi-location, PvPvE extraction trial by combat (that, gamers should note, is free to play). The Cube itself comprises 27 fragments that shift to create new environments (think of a malevolent Rubik’s Cube), and each location comes with its own challenges, and its own mutants and Raiders (former comrades of yours, now rivals). Every time you pass through a Cube gate, you access a new experience in survival, from a deserted medical facility, to an Egyptian pyramid, or a creepy fairground. To get the resources you need, you’ll have to submit to the Cube’s harsh “Judgement”. At its core is a profound mystery with earth-shaking implications; if you survive that far… “THE CUBE, SAVE US was inspired by the Tarkov genre,” Park Young-sung tells us, “but adopted close-quarters combat to enhance player immersion. Through close combat where timing, positioning, and risk assessment are crucial, we’ve created a tense gameplay experience where choices and actions directly impact outcomes.”
If the evolving environment and gameplay sounds like a level of complexity that’s out of the reach of novice gamers, then Park Young-sung has some words of reassurance. “The game targets players who enjoy playing in constantly changing environments, challenging them with different choices and strategies. Rather than demanding hardcore skill, we aim for an experience that naturally deepens with each playthrough.” There are three modes of play to select from, and losses are staggered across these. In PVE mode, when you die, you don’t lose any of your loot, though your haul will be of low value items. You get up to speed on mutant-mashing in a low-cost, low-risk mode. Normal mode raises the stakes a little higher, and in Competitive mode, items are high value and everything is on the line.
Make Your Choice
The different modes allow players to learn as they progress, but combat is also fluid and progressive—you’re not going through the same meat grinder over and over. “Players are constantly faced with choices in every battle,” Park Young-sung explains, “instantly adapting their combat style and strategy based on their equipment and skills. Each round will challenge players to consider, ‘What build will I use to survive this time?’ and offer a fresh combat experience that won’t bore you, even with repeated playthroughs. In particular, the exclusive gear obtained by defeating elite and boss mutants creates a fresh battle flow with each playthrough.”
For the performance challenges that presents, Park Young-sung draws on the history XLGAMES has with Intel. “PC performance is crucial in THE CUBE, SAVE US because players can encounter multiple enemies in an instant and the environment changes dramatically as they move through the cube map,” he explains. “Higher graphics quality allows players to discern enemy tracks on snow, and visual details even influence gameplay strategy. During the development of ArcheAge WAR, we implemented Intel XeSS 1.2, and during that process, we had a very positive collaborative experience in terms of technical support and communication. Building on this experience, we plan to collaborate even more closely this time to further enhance the game’s technical perfection and gameplay experience.”
Future Focus
Player feedback also has an important role to play; prior to Early Access, XLGAMES made changes based on player response. “The version we unveiled at Steam Next Fest lacked sufficient polish in the boss monster battles and presentations, leaving us with some regrets. At each milestone, we conducted external testing, not just in-house, and we continually refined the game based on feedback, moving towards our goals. As a result, we achieved positive results at the last Steam Next Fest.” This is an understatement. The refined form of THE CUBE, SAVE US ranked eighth out of more than 2,500 games at its latest outing.
With the boss monster battles up to scratch, XLGAMES put the focus on optimization, anti-cheat implementation, balance adjustments, and content enhancements prior to Early Access. The Cube is now ready to absorb players and set them loose in its labyrinth of loot—and remember, the game is free to play, which makes survival all the sweeter. As the countdown to March 18th begins, prepare to step into the Cube—and get out again if you can…
Wishlist THE CUBE, SAVE US on Steam