COGconnected's Scores

  • Games
For 5,008 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 Super Mario Odyssey
Lowest review score: 10 Wander (2013)
Score distribution:
5013 game reviews
    • 78 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Despite some repetitive levels, and easy bosses, Yoshi’s Woolly World is highly recommended.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    If I had to compare it to any other title, I would say Dead Cells. Not just because of the similar 2D action platformer gameplay, but also because Dead Cell’s protagonist, the Prisoner, is available as one of the most fun and powerful skulls in the game. So if you’ve been sleeping on Skul: The Hero Slayer while waiting for the development to finish, then it’s high time to walk up and smell the Ents, because this game is one you’ll want to check out.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    OlliOlli World: VOID Riders is an excellent extension of the base game. It maintains key aspects of the title and adds new layers to create a fresh experience. Every level is a blast. The new tractor beam will challenge aficionados of the franchise as you will have to reconsider your approach to the run. Roll7’s focus on the course materializing before your very eyes is a joy to experience and creates some stunning set pieces. Even though the DLC is a little short, it’s the perfect catalyst for you to ollie back into Radlandia.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The motion control is impressively accurate and the various inputs involved are simple enough to provide wide accessibility for all players.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    College Football 26 is a triumphant, if imperfect, return to the gridiron. It successfully captures the spirit, passion, and strategic depth that make college football the beloved institution it is. The core gameplay is fantastic, and the immersive Dynasty Mode provides hundreds of hours of rewarding team-building. While marred by repetitive commentary and a smattering of intrusive bugs, the foundation here is rock-solid. For fans of college football, it’s an essential purchase. It’s still not a flawless champion just yet, but its potential to build a long-lasting dynasty is undeniable.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Death Howl is not a comfort game. It’s a quiet descent, a journey stitched together from grief. It demands patience, attention, and a willingness to inhabit sadness without rushing to cure it. But for those who embrace its darkness, it offers one of the most hauntingly poetic experiences in modern pixel-art gaming.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Despite The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’s hiccups, I’ve had a blast with it. As a diehard fan of the original film, Sumo Digital’s take on its disturbing universe is faithful, suspenseful, and a hell of a lot of fun. Bear in mind TCM will require a ton of support to maintain an interested player base. But if it gets even half of the love and care that Dead by Daylight receives, it will be a multiplayer staple for years to come. Ladies and gentlemen, start your chainsaws.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    After beating the story in Jagged Alliance 3, I still really wanted to play more. I want to try out every merc on the roster, and learn how to use each of their unique abilities. There are fights that I want to play again, this time with a new approach. Fans of turned based action will find Jagged Alliance 3 to be a genre-best game. But I’m probably going to play those gunfights with the volume turned way down. After all, I’m not in Grand Chien for the atmosphere and the company. I just want to find new ways to blow stuff up.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The Plucky Squire is an exceptional experience that I would recommend to most gamers. While the build-up is a bit slow and the story portions break up the gameplay a little too much, the title is still a worthwhile experience. As one might expect from a book though, the replay value feels a bit limited with this game. I don’t know that I would want to experience the early portions of the game again, but chapter selection does help to alleviate that issue. Overall, The Plucky Squire is one of the best indie titles of the year so far, and we would recommend giving it a shot.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    If you’ve never had the chance to climb the snowy mountains of Skyrim, face off against its fierce Frost Trolls, or absorb the souls of dead dragons you’ve bested then jumping into Skyrim Special Edition is a no brainer.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Everything from the concept to the way The Magic Circle tackles puzzle solving is unique. Question has pulled off quite the feat in making a game that is inspirational on several levels, one that rewards, and fosters, creativity. This is an adventure that needs to be played.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    This collection of games has a very niche audience. To that end, you already know whether Gradius Origins is for you or not. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into the early history of the Gradius games, than this is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s got tons of alternate versions, an extensive gallery to peruse, and the emulation is laser precise. But there aren’t any weird offshoots or later titles. Plus, these games are a specific brand of difficult that can be immediately offputting. If you don’t have the patience to persist, you simply won’t enjoy yourself. But for those of you in this title’s crosshairs, Gradius Origins will be an excellent time.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    If you’re looking for a game with some clever puzzles, an engaging story, beautiful visuals, and a touching soundtrack – you can’t go wrong with My Brother Rabbit. It’s the perfect type of game to waste away an afternoon. It’s also the type of game that I imagine you’ll probably be compelled to replay again sometime down the road. Even now, a few days after completing it, I think back on my time with it and consider giving it another playthrough. Well done, Artifex Mundi.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    This one is definitely for the heavy hitters.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    While not perfect by any means, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 is the Marvel game fans have been waiting years to play. Was it worth the wait? I’d say so. But the feeling I’m left with is that I want another. And another. We get two or three good Marvel movies a year; it’s made me greedy. This game will make you long to play a dozen more.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Being an ARPG on the shorter side, the different perspectives in Ys Origin offer excellent replayability and gives players a pleasant, rounded experience without bogging them down with too many details. Even though the repetitive grinding can be a mind-numbing task to gain experience points, at least the controls are fluid, making this an easy game to enjoy. As the prequel to an already successful franchise, Ys Origin is a highly recommended addition to the series that gamers new and old to the story should not ignore.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is a great addition to the franchise. Its personal story develops Aloy’s character and gives a glimpse into a different side of her. The new characters drive the narrative further to deliver a memorable tale. It’s easy to comment on the similarities with previous releases, however, the DLC offers more than this. While there are some uneven boss encounters, the jaw-dropping final segment and beautiful setting make this an unforgettable trip to LA.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    If more hard-hitting story is what you’re after, then surprisingly 3C3C1D119440927 might just be for you. It will come across as just another arena mode for many, but there are enough little details layered in to make this combat-centric content worthy of any fan’s time. It’s a little pricey being over ten dollars, but I assure you that this one is definitely worth it.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    A few drawbacks in the game won’t stop you from enjoying this in-depth strategy game and pouring an exorbitant amount of time into propelling your Lord to the top of the Feudal food chain.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    I had a great time allowing Diablo III to steal my life. With its action packed dungeon diving, very engaging loot system and allowing you the ability to sit down and play with friends on your couch as well as playing online, this game chewed up entire days of my life before I realized I hadn’t eaten in 27 hours (sadly, true story).
    • 87 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Sometimes a remaster feels insufficient because the original release is still so polished. The Mario Galaxy games are over a decade old, but they don’t feel like it by any means. The mechanics, the level design, and the crisp visuals all feel brand new. Even the controls are nearly (but not quite) perfect, a real testament to Mario’s persistent technical staying power. I’d love a little more from a collection like this, but what’s being presented is still quality stuff. If you’ve never played Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, this is a pretty good time to start.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    While Dynasty Warrior: Gundam Reborn is somewhat fun, the combat is a little lackluster with extremely basic and repetitive moves and constant hovering from one side of the map to the other to complete objectives and missions.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Overall, Last Train Home is a difficult, stressful, and wonderful experience. It is beautiful and brutal tale of perseverance and war that doubles as a strategy game. Aside from a few clunky feeling commands on the battlefield and the, easily circumvented, wait-time mechanic on the top-down map, there is really no issues with this gem. Despite the difficulty of the normal game mode, it would be a mistake to miss this train.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Outlaws is an excellent Star Wars game. It's also aggressively not for me. I felt tangible disappointment whenever a new mission required quietly infiltrating an enemy base. But I also recognize that the systems at work here are well-crafted ones. The enemy AI is fun to learn the limits of. You have multiple ways of quietly taking out guards. Most bases have alternate routes for infiltration. The grenade system is awful, but combat is otherwise tense and engaging. There's all sorts of little activities like speeder racing and gambling. If you're looking to live that scoundrel lifestyle in a galaxy far, far away then this game is made for you.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Surprisingly deep gameplay, plenty of game modes and unlockables to keep you coming back earn Pool Nation high marks.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The amazing foundation that Second Son laid down is still strong here and makes for an amazing piece of DLC.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    It’s a beautiful, well-crafted, and addicting 2D shooter that offers so many possible ship, weapon and upgrade combinations that you could have hours of fun just endeavoring to discover them all.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Its presentation is the icing on an already rich cake. If you’re a series veteran, you’ll find much to appreciate in this new setting, and if you’ve never tried a Total War game, but always been curious, you’d be hard pressed to find a better starting point than Three Kingdoms. Just remember, take it slow and always backstab.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    This seems like the perfect gateway expansion to snag those players who might be on the border about buying WoW.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    As a reboot to the series’ story, Soulcalibur VI is interesting and accessible to all players. As a fighting game, the title is just as accessible and is a quality addition to the genre as well. Though the game could use some more characters, Soulcalibur VI brings the series to contemporary gamers with its classic roster of characters, fun game modes, and robust gameplay under a fresh coat of paint and improvements. If you enjoy fast-paced, exciting combat that is easy to pick-up (and hard to master, as per usual), give Soulcalibur VI a look.

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