1995 · MARS Corporation · Role-playing

Linda Cube

Linda Cube is an esoteric JRPG that combines elements of psychological horror with monster collection. Neo Kenya is the name of a world that is in danger of being completely annihilated by an asteroid. The armies of Neo Kenya have searched for every conceivably way to prevent the coming catastrophe. When the inhabitants of the world turn to a dark god, their prayers and nightmares come true. Originally released for PC, Linda³'s shockingly violent scenes earned it one of the few “18+” ratings on the system.

Released: 13 October 1995
Platforms: PlayStation Sega Saturn TurboGrafx-16 Turbografx-16/PC Engine CD
Genres: Role-playing
Developers: MARS Corporation
Publishers: NEC Home Electronics
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric
Themes: Thriller

About

Linda Cube (alternatively Linda³) is a 1995 role-playing video game developed by Alfa System and MARS Corporation and published by NEC for the PC Engine CD. A port for the PlayStation was released in 1997 by Sony Computer Entertainment as Linda Cube Again. Another port for the Sega Saturn was released in 1998 as Linda Cube Kanzenban. An English fan translation of the PlayStation version was released in 2024. Still in 2024, Biglobe, owner of NEC Home Electronics IPs, sold the rights of Linda³ to Meteorise, which is Alfa System's parent company; though the franchise still is co-owned between Meteorise, MARS and Kadokawa Corporation.

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Story

The game is set on the planet Neo Kenya, where a meteor is set to impact in eight years wiping out all life. The protagonist Ken Challenger and his girlfriend Linda are tasked with catching 30, 50 and 100 animals of both genders, depending on the scenario, and thereafter boarding an Ark that was sent by God to preserve the planet's lifeforms.

Reception

Linda Cube has been noted as one of the most bizarre Japanese role-playing games. Joypad liked the characters and called the first hour of the game "quite exciting" but said the graphics are ugly and combat extremely boring. In a retrospective review, RPGamer praised the voice acting and atmosphere but criticized the lack of story.