COGconnected's Scores

  • Games
For 4,976 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 62% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 32% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.3 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 75
Highest review score: 100 Final Fantasy XVI
Lowest review score: 10 Wander (2013)
Score distribution:
4982 game reviews
    • 86 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Zen Studios is our only hope and I like it that way. The passion they have for the Star Wars franchise AND virtual pinball is undeniable. With over 15 tables, a career mode, online tournaments and challenges, this game will keep you busy for quite some time. Star Wars Pinball is a fantastic pinball game and a fantastic Star Wars game, all wrapped up into one package. No one needs to use any Jedi Mind tricks to make you play it though as I cannot recommend Star Wars Pinball enough.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    I loved my time with Black Future ’88. It’s hard, it’s fun, it’s memorable. In a genre that I have felt has been stagnating a bit over the past year or so, SUPERSCARYSNAKES is here to slap us back into reality. While it doesn’t wholly redefine roguelikes, it does enough to make it stand in a class of its own. I’m going to be craving “one more run” for a long time, and I’m going to have that soundtrack stuck in my head for even longer. This is a great game. Don’t miss it.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    What is quite remarkable is that Skylanders Giants does indeed push the franchise forward. The new characters, including the imposing Giants, the enhanced visuals, larger voice cast, more collectibles, smoother gameplay, and a deeper overall experience makes for a game Skylander fans will absolutely want to pick up. It also brings those new into the franchise a chance to experience a more refined title then the first.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    All in all, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim’s Switch release is a strong success. This game is an incredible experience that doesn’t require you to be a brilliant RTS player–but will reward you for being one. If you enjoy complex storytelling and retro anime, you’ll have a great time. If you prefer games that don’t have required reading, maybe play something else.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Dragon’s Crown Pro is a straightforward and worthy remaster that new players will surely be enthralled by.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Do not be fooled by Showdown coming just a year after Dirt 3. This is an excellent game that easily stands on its own. If you are looking for an accessible title to play alone or with friends all the while having an absolute blast then Dirt Showdown is a no brainer purchase.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    In an era of remakes and remasters, bringing a new entry to a long dormant series is a bold and difficult thing to do. Streets of Rage 4 adds modern stylings to its classic aesthetic and gameplay to create a modern mash-up that is hard to put down. The story mode is a perfect length with a smooth difficulty curve. Controls are easy to learn and natural to master, with the inclusion of plenty of multiplayer options and a large variety of characters to make for some fantastic friendly brawling. While I would have preferred the inclusion of a dedicated grapple button or a dash ability, the experience we get perfectly encapsulates the arcade experience without compromising the integrity of the game or your own skills.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Graphically, Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy are showing their age just a bit. The new PC release pulls them from the past into something very close to present day standards, not that they ever looked bad. In terms of fun factor, writing and action, Uncharted 4 remains compelling. PC players, your long wait is over. The Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves collection is definitely worth your time and money. If you’ve already played it on PS5, the port isn’t going to be a revelation or substantially different.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Kirby Air Riders is a robust racing game for the Nintendo Switch 2 and the product of beloved game developer Masahiro Sakurai of Smash Bros. fame. While I do hope Nintendo has plans to add to the overall package with at least some new Air Ride and Top Ride tracks, there is still a wealth of content here for fans to enjoy. If you're a racing fan or looking for something fresh to play with friends, Kirby Air Riders should be a strong consideration for your Switch 2 library.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    If you’re looking for a complex city builder where you need to stress over sewage systems and power grids, Two Point Campus isn’t it. However, if you want to spend some happy hours creatively building the college that you wish you had attended, mission accomplished. Two Point Campus is first and foremost a lot of fun. It doesn’t thumb its nose at higher education so much as use it as a jumping-off point for silliness and a relatively deep building sim. Two Point Campus is a warm-hearted and good-natured take on college life, an engaging sim that’s accessible and entertaining.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Ubisoft Montreal has crafted a vibrant world and the strangely endearing Captain Kenway will also likely be your favourite assassin yet. Engage your inner swashbuckler and become the most feared pirate to ever sail the seven seas. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is an experience not to be missed.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    The three new multiplayer maps, new Guerrilla map, the new game mode, the new weapons, the level cap increase, and the new achievements make this bit of DLC a solid purchase, and if you are looking for a reason to get back into the game, the Arctic Strike DLC Pack should give you the justification you need to do so.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Walkabout Mini Golf is an essential game for PSVR 2 owners. Each world is full of character and creative courses that will keep you coming back for more. The crisp and simple visuals combine wonderfully with the relaxing music to create an atmosphere that you’ll fall in love with. With its stellar single-player and addictive multiplayer, this could very well be the best PSVR 2 game to date.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    In the end, if you’re a fan of Dying Light, you’re going to be a fan of The Following. It has everything you already love, gives you more of it and then throws in some vehicles as well to spice things up.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream delivers its vision with confidence. It’s clear that River End Games set out to create an immersive, story-driven adventure rooted in a rich, detailed world and they’ve succeeded. The engaging narrative, supported by strong voice acting, adds authenticity and emotional weight to the characters. Every element feels purposeful, from the thoughtful storytelling to the smart use of puzzles and stealth mechanics. Together, these pieces come together to create something truly special.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    While Age of Wonders 4 doesn’t shy away from depth and complexity, it rarely overwhelms the player. Starting with the faction creator, Age of Wonders 4 is dedicated to letting the player shape their experience as much as possible. No matter how you prefer to play, you’re in for hours of engaging strategy and tactics with an incredible array of mix-and-match fantasy elements.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Where the Heart Leads falls into a short, unique list of titles that lead you to ponder things long after the credits roll. The narrative holds a mirror to the player, cornering them against realistic in-game situations and forces them to investigate their values. It’s not preachy, by any means, but it uses realism in a way that made me want to get my own life in order. If such was the goal, Armature Games has succeeded through and through.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    OlliOlli World manages to stay true to its predecessors whilst making verts feel fresh. The multi-faceted levels are an absolute joy, adding experimentation and exploration to the solid foundation. With enough depth to please veterans, yet simple enough to attract newcomers, Roll7 has nailed the mechanics, making the trip to Radlandia essential.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    The slowness of the growth and the beauty of the end result, and the intervening moments, make Green Planet a wonderful game to unwind and relax. But the challenge means you’ll also be engaged. It would have been easy to add a few new projects to the research track and call it a day, but the terraforming is so integrated into the existing game, you’ll constantly find yourself marveling at the design. But the real selling point are the wonderfully applied graphics. It’s a testament to what a different the look of a game can make, and how it can enhance the gameplay.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    If you are a fan of JRPGs, then playing Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden is a no-brainer. The new monster-catching mechanic is very addictive. And the Yoko Taro story twists alone are worth the price of admission. Fans of the Voice of Cards series will find The Beasts of Burden to be darker, more episodic, and more streamlined. None of those are bad things, they just differentiate The Beasts of Burden from the other games in the series, and keep things fresh enough, without changing the core game mechanics too much. I loved this game, and if you’re a fan of old-school JRPGs, you probably will too.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    An excellent pack of tables.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    Some of the game mechanics and gimmicks may grow a bit tiresome after awhile, but the clever level design, bonus objectives and unique puzzles make this yet another fantastic title for Wii U owners to add to their collection.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    It’s hard to find the words to give justice to the radness that is Freedom Finger. In order to understand it you really need to crank it up to full volume and just go bananas on your own.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    NieR: Automata The End of YoRHa is an amazing package that has been wonderfully ported to the Switch. Those who haven’t played it previously have another opportunity to experience the remarkable epic, whereas the lure of a handheld version may also tempt aficionados back to this sensational hack and slash RPG.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    I went into What the Golf? expecting a fairly straightforward golf game with a few silly surprises, but it’s so much more than that. Even if its simplistic nature sometimes acts as a double-edged sword, What the Golf? is a devilishly charming experience full of good humor and imaginative gameplay wrapped up in a thoughtful and endearing package. It may be made by people who know nothing about golf, but they sure know how to make a fun video game.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    RIDE 6 represents a significant leap forward for the franchise, elevating both its technical performance and overall scope. Milestone has carefully balanced accessibility with authenticity, broadening the game’s appeal without compromising the realism longtime fans expect. It’s an impressive achievement. One further reinforced by the studio’s clear commitment to ongoing support and refinement.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    The best thing I can say about UFC 3, having not played much of the previous games and not being a fan of the sport, is that it has me constantly thinking about it – whether that’s how I need to improve my bob and weave game by using the right stick more often or planning out a Mayweather-like undefeated run on a new Career Mode save. UFC 3 is an EA Sports title that is made to attract more than just a niche, hardcore fan base of MMA enthusiasts and it’s all the better for it.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    Story Mode and Arcade Mode are fun enough, yes. It’s cool seeing the parade of classic stages and scenes, it’s cool fighting all the old enemies. And I love the music and visuals. It all comes together to make a delightful Turtles experience. But Survival Mode is the first time I’ve felt properly compelled to keep playing. It’s deeply frustrating at times, but not in a discouraging way. I want to get better! I want to improve my last run, I want to power up all the characters. If Shredder’s Revenge felt light, then Dimension Shellshock adds significant weight. I highly recommend picking up this DLC.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    Though combat could have gotten a second layer of paint, all-in-all, this is an unrivaled mobile experience. I’ve never seen such an in-depth RPG that’s not either a port from an old console or plagued with in-app purchases. If you’re looking for a timesink that’ll eat away at your free time and not your bank account, you’ve got to check out Egglia: Legend of the Redcap.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    The Warhammer 40,000 universe is a good match for a retro shooter and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is proof that the concept works. Not every Games Workshop licensed game is a winner, but Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun crosses the finish line in style. It’s not deep or complex. Most of its core mechanics are decades old. But I had more simple, addictive fun with Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun than with many, more sophisticated shooters of late.

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