BigPond GameArena's Scores

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For 334 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 49% higher than the average critic
  • 4% same as the average critic
  • 47% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 1.2 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 76
Highest review score: 100 Dragon Age: Origins
Lowest review score: 10 Postal III
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 231 out of 334
  2. Mixed: 72 out of 334
  3. Negative: 31 out of 334
334 game reviews
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    • 47 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Call of Juarez: The Cartel
    The most forgettable, bland, fractured game I've played this year which only gets points for some interesting concepts albeit extremely poorly executed. In a year boasting Duke Nukem Forever, that's really saying something.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    From Dust
    From Dust needs a mouse, at the very least. It's hard enough to draw with a mouse - but most people can manage it to some extent. Painting mountains on the world with an Xbox Controller is utterly horrible. Worse still, the game suffers from the same sort of problems many RTS games do - scrolling around the game world isn't as intuitive as it should be.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
    Those that have smashed through their first playthrough can unlock and jump in to Master mode, a significantly harder version with tougher enemies and a mirrored world to mix things up a bit the second time round.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Bastion
    Definitely a must-play game. It delivers some truly great music, a narrative built around your own actions and a huge bang for your buck.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Shadows of the Damned
    Suffice to say, if you can live with the juvenile humour and mental blank slate which makes up Garcia's education, Shadows of the Damned is an awesome game with great gameplay and graphics and it's a hell of a lot of fun.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    F.E.A.R. 3
    No, F.E.A.R. 3 isn't scary - but considering the length of the singleplayer and the strength of the multiplayer, I don't think it really matters.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dungeon Siege III
    The co-op and multiple story branches are a compelling reason to go back through the story at least one more time and while the sometimes terrible companion AI make single player incredibly frustrating at times, Dungeon Siege 3 does a great job of balancing action and role playing - making it feel like more than just a mindless clickfest.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Duke Nukem Forever
    They would have been better off just remaking Duke Nukem 3D, as it had some interesting level design at least. If you took Duke Nukem out of Duke Nukem Forever it would have been one of those games you see for sale at discount stores, the kind you didn't know existed and people only buy as a joke.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    inFamous 2
    The addition of UGC, the less angsty - but still serious - storyline and plethora of new abilities make inFAMOUS 2 a much better game than its predecessor.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Red Faction: Armageddon
    It's well paced, offers cool vehicle sections to break the routine and still has you wanting more at the end.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
    Some of the design choices are incredibly confusing and you might not want to play it again for a couple of months, but it does an excellent job of bringing Geralt's world to life.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    DiRT 3
    With slick graphics, a slew of racing modes, challenging courses and a crazy take on multiplayer, DiRT 3 is a remarkably playable title that successfully manages to juggle casual, hardcore and multiplayer modes and gives you a more than solid argument to take them for a test drive.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    L.A. Noire
    From the multi-threaded plot down to the variety of suits Cole wears, LA Noire has an unmistakable charisma about it - it's a fantastic game. A few anomalous missteps hold it back from being 'the next big thing', but if it was perfect to begin with they'd have nowhere to grow. As it is now, I really want to see what Team Bondi do next.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Brink
    The AI makes playing on your own a pain in the arse and the netcode ruins the multiplayer. The story is actually pretty interesting but at the end of the day you don't play these sorts of games for the plot, and Brink doesn't deliver where it should.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The 3rd Birthday
    The 3rd Birthday is one of the PSP's better games and it's just a shame they had to muck things up with its ridiculous plot and juvenile fan-service.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Operation Flashpoint: Red River
    If you do have friends with the same console who are willing to pick up a copy of the game, it's a no-brainer. In terms of execution, Operation Flashpoint: Red River demolishes all comers - and thanks to a heavy dose of replayability, I'd even recommend it over Portal 2's coop.
    • 95 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Portal 2
    The only other gripe - and this was true for Portal as well - is that Portal 2 has zero replayability...It's more Portal, not a better Portal. Regardless, if you're looking for a challenging puzzle game and a great coop experience, Portal 2 is a must buy.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Yakuza 4
    A guilty and brutal pleasure with a rare sense of honour, humour and is perhaps the most quintessential Japanese title you'll ever play.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Okamiden
    While Okamiden might not provide a significant challenge, it's still a fantastic game, with an outstanding atmosphere.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    WWE All Stars
    Any fan of wrestling - old or new - with friends should pick up All Stars (and a case of Stone Cold's favourite beverage) - though it doesn't have the same strength for those playing alone.
    • 45 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime
    If it's the genre you're after, grab Lara Croft instead, or maybe dig up a copy of Hunter: The Reckoning from last-gen. If you're a die-hard Ghostbusters fan, there's a passable fix to be had here – just don't expect too much.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Pokemon Black Version
    Game Freak wanted to reel people back in with Pokémon Black, and they have made an outstanding new addition to the series.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Crysis 2
    Crysis 2 might not be exactly the sequel most people expected after Crysis, but it's definitely an improvement. There's room for more, but the game delivers an absolutely stunning atmosphere - and even if the middle of the game bogs you down the ending will definitely pick you up.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Homefront
    The Multiplayer is fine how it is, the way I see it. As long as it maintains a healthy community of active players, it'll be around for a while.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Homefront
    The Multiplayer is fine how it is, the way I see it. As long as it maintains a healthy community of active players, it'll be around for a while.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Fight Night Champion
    One of the most complete sports simulations I've played and by far the best in the series. If you're after the quintessential boxing experience, you've found it.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Dragon Age II
    If you were like me and worried about Dragon Age II, you can relax. It's not quite the same game, but where it's different it is better.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    PixelJunk Shooter 2
    By and large, PixelJunk Shooter 2 is actually a better game than the first. There are more toys, more variety, online play (in theory) and arguably a better use of colour and sound as well. The drawbacks actually arise out of being a massive fan of the PixelJunk games and expecting more.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Kirby's Epic Yarn
    It goes beyond making you smile to that level of cuteness where your cheek muscles feel sore from the big smile which won't leave your face and you feel a rush of energy like you just had a shot of hard liquor. If you have any interest in platforming games at all, get Kirby's Epic Yarn.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Bulletstorm
    Bulletstorm's best gag is that it'd be light years better if it didn't attempt to have any story at all. The story it does have is so clichéd they could almost credit Home Brand, and a large portion of the humour is written for 14 year olds. The skillshot system, the leash and the core game though - it's a fresh and interesting take on the FPS genre. There's genuinely more fun to be had playing through the Echo mode than there is putting up with the half-baked story in singleplayer.
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