COGconnected's Scores

  • Games
Select another publication »
For 4,974 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:
  1. Positive: 3,078 out of 4974
  2. Mixed: 1,712 out of 4974
  3. Negative: 184 out of 4974
4980 game reviews
view
per page
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Xenoblade Chronicles 3
    This review might seem short, especially for such a gigantic game. There's just so much I can't disclose. Bits of the combat and the mechanics of course, but mainly the story. It's just much better if you experience these things yourself. I will say that this story manages to be both relatable and enormous. You want - almost desperately - to see how this thing shakes out. I wish the combat wasn't so sluggish at times. It almost obstructs the narrative, having to wade through these disconnected battles. But the quest system is engaging, and the battles do eventually make sense. The writing is great, and the voice acting is getting better with every game. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a gigantic, epic adventure. It's also bloated, hyperactive, and easily distracted. It's beautiful but flat, it's weird yet familiar. If you're looking for a massive new JRPG, the latest Xenoblade game is here for you.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
    These two titles offer distinct, yet familiar, Mario experiences. Especially if you're new to 3D World, this double feature is an absolute steal of a deal. A massive stage-based 3D platformer AND a blissful Odyssey-style toybox? Say no more! On the other hand, anyone who played this back in 2013 has a more nuanced decision to make. While 3D World is still amazing, it's exactly what you remember from the Wii U days. Whether or not Bowser's Fury is enough of a draw to pull you back in depends on what sort of Mario game you're hungry for. If it's more 3D World, you might be left wanting. Alternately, if you're open to something slightly unlike anything that's come before, maybe Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury will be a perfect fit.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Manifold Garden
    I don’t know if I would say I had a “blast” with Manifold Garden, but that’s only because I suck at puzzle games. What I do know is make no mistake; this one should not be missed if you consider yourself a riddle aficionado. Absolutely brilliant visuals make way for genuinely engaging levels that had me scratching my head and pumping my fist in victory. Sure, there are a few minor setbacks, the main one being problems with the pacing. But all-in-all, Manifold Garden is fantastic.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Tetris Effect
    For all its glorious visuals, endless modes, and virtual reality additions, the game of Tetris needs not more than a set of reliable input methods to snatch a dozen hours from right before your eyes. Tetris Effect is a confident, yet elegant, take on the simplest game in the world and a sheer masterclass of game design, at that.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    Dead Space
    Dead Space is a cult classic that is considered one of the greatest horror games in the medium. Some may argue that the game didn’t require a remake, however, Motive Studios are faithful in its approach and improves on the original. Although the visual update makes each step a disquieting nightmare, the enhancements made to the combat and narrative are what make the real difference. While the game carefully follows the path laid by the original, the number of refinements makes this the definitive version.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways
    If Resident Evil 4 struck the perfect balance between survival horror and AAA action, Separate Ways cranks the lever to full-on action, but in a way that compliments the base game and retains the spirit of Resident Evil.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Fire Emblem: Three Houses
    If you've had a Fire Emblem-shaped hole in your heart till now, Fire Emblem: Three Houses will leave you breathless, sleepless, and eager for more. I know I'll be lost in this new world for months to come.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    NieR: Automata - The End of YoRHa Edition
    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.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Destiny 2: The Final Shape
    What Bungie has accomplished with The Final Shape in the face of tremendous hurdles and unreasonable expectations is nothing short of remarkable. It’s a powerful and satisfying story, with the mechanics, art, design, and polish to back it up. This is Bungie’s best work in the Destiny era, and sets a lofty new bar for live service expansions. In a challenging market, Bungie have proven they’re still among the best in the business. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 89 Critic Score
    Okami HD
    If you haven’t played it, you should. Plain and simple. It’s worth your time, though you’ll be feeling how much time you’ve spent with it after it has consumed roughly 40 hours of your time once the credits finally roll.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
    Death Stranding 2 is a massive achievement for Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions. It elevates nearly everything that made the original such a unique experience. It streamlines the majority of its systems to make them more palatable. It's drop-dead gorgeous and introduces enough new mechanics to feel fresh while never alienating what makes the franchise so special. Death Stranding 2 is undoubtedly one of the best games of the year, and well worth the agonizing six-year wait. This is a game that will be in my rotation for hundreds of more hours. From start to finish, it blew me away. Keep on keeping on.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 94 Critic Score
    Horizon Forbidden West: Complete Edition
    This PC release is the definitive version of Horizon Forbidden West. It looks fantastic, runs brilliantly, and tells one of the more compelling action RPG stories I’ve yet played. Aloy and friends are great characters, and the Horizon world is enticing by design. It’s not smashing through genre barriers by any means, but the systems are expertly balanced and exciting to engage with. It stands toe to toe with the best open world games of all time, and Guerrilla’s trajectory suggests their next effort will be even better.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
    Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is Ryu Ga Gotoku’s best game. The expansive world is packed with content and will beckon you to explore every inch of the environment. Although mini-games and activities are a staple of the series, they have never been as diverse and addictive as this. With its touching yet hilarious story and intricate, deep combat system, we already have a game of the year contender.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Lone Echo
    It’s difficult to convey Lone Echo’s level of immersion in words. It’s something you have to try for yourself. The game gets so many things right, from the player’s relationship with Captain Rhodes to the interactivity with the environment, that I’m willing to overlook its disappointing finale. For the first time ever, I truly felt like I was in space, an experience only made possible with the power of virtual reality. And for that, I can’t recommend Lone Echo enough.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 96 Critic Score
    Resident Evil Requiem
    Resident Evil Requiem amalgamates its two entities into a cohesive, demonic monster, resulting in one of the series’ most complete entries to date. From its tense, immersive exploration that highlights vulnerability to its visceral combat that revels in brutality, it delivers a nightmare that feels both refined and feral. A masterpiece in horror, and an early Game of the Year contender.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    SQUIDS Wild West
    With all the content included in the game, the superb quality of the gameplay, and the fantastic soundtrack, SQUIDS Wild West is one game you should absolutely download for you iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Dispatch
    Dispatch Episodes 1 and 2 make for the perfect launch of this superhero workplace comedy. The sharp, well-written dialogue delivers plenty of hilarious moments that’ll keep you laughing throughout. While gameplay is limited, what’s here is thoughtful and engaging, seamlessly blending story and interactivity. Though elements of the classic Telltale formula remain, Adhoc has refined them into a well-paced adventure that leaves me genuinely excited for what’s next. With new episodes dropping in pairs each week, the road ahead looks bright.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Apex Legends
    If you’re a fan of the Battle Royale genre or first-person shooters in general, Apex Legends is at least worth giving a shot, and even if you’re not a fan of those things, try it out anyways and see if you fall in love with any of the game’s charismatic characters.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Fate/stay night REMASTERED
    All in all, Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a flawed masterpiece landmark title in gaming. If you’re a fan of visual novels, fantasy, or want to start the Fate franchise at the very beginning, this is your chance.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Split Fiction
    Split Fiction is an incredible game. I was surprised how much fun I had with it, especially playing it via local co-op with my son. The Nintendo Switch seemed to handle the game quite well, aside from a minor issue with the main characters’ hair. A word of warning though, the retail version of Split Fiction does not contain a game card, but rather a full game download code. And since it’s a beefy game – around 70 gigs – it’ll take up some valuable real estate on your new Nintendo Switch 2. It’s also worth reiterating once again that this is a co-op only game. You can play locally via split screen or with GameShare, or you can play online via cross-platform play. But if you do not have someone else to play with, you can not play. Despite these minor notes, Split Fiction is an absolute gem of a game that will most definitely be in the Game of the Year conversation.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Synth Riders
    Synth Riders makes a great complimentary music rhythm game to Beat Saber. Beat Saber is a great outlet for aggression and feeding your inner Jedi. Synth Riders lets you sync with the music and release your inner creativity. Both are excellent forms of physical exercise. I’ll give Synth Rider the nod, though, for more options and subjectively better music. Plus, the original Star Trek Photon Torpedo sound effect used for combo leveling up never gets old.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Red Matter 2
    This is a glorious VR game. It will take you about 5 to 6 hours to finish, but you can easily lose time just taking in everything you see. The only niggle with the game is a lack of replayability. There is nothing extra to entice one to play again. However, the journey and spectacle of a single run is totally worth it. If you are looking for a premium VR experience that fills you with a sense of awe and wonder, Red Matter 2 is the ticket. Developer, Vertical Robot is one to keep an eye on.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Dreams
    Dreams is incredible. It’s what I and so many others have wanted from the time we fell in love with video games. It’s a limitless playground for those that have ever dreamt of the perfect video game – but it’s okay if you haven’t! Because Dreams is also a limitless playground for those that just want to sit back and enjoy the ride.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 91 Critic Score
    The Walking Dead: Episode 5 - No Time Left
    It is by no means a flawless game, or series, but is a memorable one and one that raises the bar when it comes to storytelling in a video game franchise.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Dragon Age: Inquisition
    Overall, Dragon Age: Inquisition is a great game that everyone should have in their collection. It’s one of the best bangs for your buck out there in terms of how much time you will clock in on this one and also in quality.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Alan Wake II
    Alan Wake 2 is smartly written, visually arresting and thematically complex. It can be obtuse and perplexing, but that's a feature, not a bug. It brings together not only the worlds of several Remedy games, but demonstrates all the narrative and gameplay lessons the studio has learned over the last thirteen years. Alan Wake 2 rewards fans of the first game for their patience, and invites new players along for a wild, sometimes terrifying and mind-bending ride.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 89 Critic Score
    Destiny: The Taken King
    I have played Destiny since its launch last year, and I can confidently say that with the Year 2, and The Taken King DLC upon us, this is what Destiny pretty much should have been all along.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Horizon Zero Dawn
    Horizon Zero Dawn is a sweeping epic, magically dancing across the lines between sci-fi and fantasy, masterfully intertwining two genres that traditionally have held their own space in gaming. It is Guerrilla Games' crowning achievement in video game development. Words cannot do justice for what you need to see for yourself.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II aims to tell an epic story filled with engaging characters in a beautifully made world, and at the same time be a hardcore medieval life simulator. There were definitely times when these two ambitions felt at odds, especially when my impatient self just wanted to get to the next story beat or finish a quest. At the same time, I almost never stopped enjoying the detailed environments, engaging in combat or meeting new people. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is more ambitious, more polished and more narratively complex than the first game. It's an impressive achievement that moves the unique franchise significantly forward.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
    When it appeared on PS4 in 2020, Ghost of Tsushima was a bit overshadowed by some other heavy hitters like The Last of Us Part 2. Since then, and especially after the update on PS5, the game has only risen in respect and popularity. Ghost of Tsushima remains a fantastic action RPG with stellar performances, art direction, and gameplay. Nixxes’ PC version is a model for success: full-featured, stable, optimized, and a pleasure to play.
Page:

Top Trailers

See all »
See all trailers »