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
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ultros is a game with a very strong visual identity, trippy theme and a few unique mechanics, like its gardening system for upgrades and abilities. Strip away the psychedelic art and gauzy narrative, however, and you’re left with a somewhat familiar-playing 2D Metroidvania. That isn’t necessarily bad, but I wish the game’s combat and exploration matched the imagination of its art.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    I for one enjoyed what I played, and the added content of past DLC, plus all the bonus goodies that have been tacked on above that make the whole package a pretty good value. There is a lot of gameplay to be had here too and those who haven’t played the game before are in for hours upon hours of zombie mayhem.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    After many failed outings, the Super Monkey Ball franchise is back. Bubbling with content, there’s plenty to do whether you want to play solo or multiplayer. Whilst the nature of the game can cause frustration, the removal of the lives system has helped to improve the experience. The infectious presentation combined with the lovely gameplay makes this an absolute joy and an essential purchase for fans of the series.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In the end, Withering Rooms’ somewhat clunky and graceless combat is not enough to seriously detract from what it does well. Withering Rooms looks unlike any recent game in the genre. Its setting is haunting and haunted and its blend of roguelike, puzzle, and action mechanics guarantees variety. It’s a compelling choice for fans of action games with more than a dash of horror.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It has rough patches, but Days Gone is a good time. Ripping across the vast wilderness looking for hordes to wipe out is undoubtedly fun, and Deacon’s sort of comic book story is competent. Is it an excellent open world game? Not quite. Is it worth playing? Oh yeah. The gorgeous and well-built environment is a treat, and the mechanical twists on the Sony’s first party formula make Days Gone a nice spring surprise.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As long as the network issues can be sorted out, I have a lot of great expectations for Helldivers. This can easily be one of the most fun co-op experiences all year, for both indie and AAA titles.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Rally Adventure expansion is not a bad way to close the chapter on Forza Horizon 5. It’s definitely not as epic as the Hot Wheels expansion was. However, it brings with it a pretty significant new area, new vehicles, and a new variation on racing that the Forza Horizon 5 hasn’t fully explored before. The price of admission isn’t too pricey, so if you’re still engaged in Forza Horizon 5, or looking for a reason to jump back in, the Rally Adventure expansion isn’t a bad investment.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In the end I see Wonderbook: Book of Spells as being a a hit with the kids and it is a good start for the peripheral that makes it all come alive. Sure, there is certainly some room for improvement; however, the future is bright for future "books" that utilize this unique peripheral and I cannot wait to see what is next.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super Mario Party Jamboree marks a significant advancement for the series. With customizable gameplay options, you can tailor your experience by removing elements you don’t enjoy, making it more accessible for everyone. Nintendo has also integrated more online features, allowing you to engage with friends and other players even when they aren’t physically nearby. While some of the additional modes might feel a bit weaker than others, the overall variety provides plenty of ways to enjoy this party.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If this review hasn't spelled it out for you already, there is a lot of content and potential included in this package to make it more than worth your while and keep you coming back for more as Nintendo Land is a pretty darn good game.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The story moves at a comfortable pace and the characters are all easy to love. Despite the fact that none of them speak a single word and their backstories are nothing extravagant, there is a certain charm to each of them.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    My frustration never soured my enjoyment of Observation’s story and its wonderfully unnerving atmosphere.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Draugen is not a revolutionary game, but it is a smart one. The story teeters between being overly explanatory and too ambiguous but never manages to succumb to either. Additionally, the two lead characters feel deftly crafted and relatable. The short length and a lack of replay value may deter some, but Draugen is a mystery worth losing yourself in.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    KSP is an amazing space flight simulator, with some issues that keep it from being an amazing game as well.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The beauty of this arcade game is that you can play multiple games in a very short period of time. For a mere fiver you get a lot of fast and furious fun.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sackboy: A Big Adventure represents a nearly forgotten genre of game, and represents it in fine fashion. Competent if not revolutionary platforming propels Sackboy through a stunning world full of fun set pieces and clever writing, while an approachable challenge level opens the experience to all skill levels. It’s about having fun, and Sackboy’s first full adventure absolutely succeeds.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Driveclub Bikes works on a lot of levels; it’s a great expansion, it’s a great game and it’s made virtual bike racing fun again.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If the Switch is the only console you own or if you fancy the idea of having one of the best city-building games on the market at your portable convenience, I would definitely recommend the buy. It is as good as anyone can expect a game this busy to be on Nintendo’s travel-friendly console, and I can genuinely say I anticipate its company on many more plane rides and commutes to come.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 offers upgraded visuals, a bigger hanger full of aircraft types, and more detail all around. For some, the high system requirements and always-on need for a fast internet connection might be a deal breaker. Prior investment in a lot of third-party add-ons for the last edition might also warrant some caution. Caveats aside, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 offers a wide array of structured activities, plenty of guidance and, you know, the whole world to explore. It’s a great point of entry for armchair pilots and pretty satisfying for all but the most hardcore flight enthusiasts.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Persona 4 Golden is not a perfect game. Some of the choices made during social links come off as a little questionable for international audiences. And the graphics are nearly as dated as Persona 3 Portable’s. However, it’s still an iconic game that brought the JRPG formula firmly into the modern day. It’s not my favorite Persona game, but I can firmly recommend it to just about anyone. If you have a Switch, now’s your excuse to play Persona 4 Golden.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If DICE is telling the truth and Battlefield V develops into a long-term, always evolving online game, fans are in for a treat. The bones of BFV are robust. It looks outstanding, plays great, and the stories of World War 2 are a constant draw for history fans. There are rough patches for the time being, but if those get smoothed out and the content pipeline remains full, Battlefield V stands to have a very, very long shelf life with shooter fans.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you have been looking for a new game to carry around with you to play on while you wait for the bus, or your date, or a job interview, Star Trek Fleet Commander is a solid investment into mobile gaming. It will keep you engaged, busy, and entertained for weeks to come! For a free download, you certainly get a lot of game to consume and into one of my favorite universes to boot. That’s a one-two punch I can’t argue with.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Little Nightmares 3 is a worthy successor to the first two games. It may play things a little too safe, but it clearly respects the foundation upon which it’s built. The addition of co-op fits like a glove and should be standard for all future Little Nightmares games. The puzzles are clever and approachable. The audio design is stellar. Fans of the series will find a lot to love within this latest iteration. It’s a perfect game to kick off the spooky season. Don’t miss it.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With every new landscape and puzzle, you can feel the love that went into the development of this game. Available for both local and online play, you can enjoy this with your loved ones in the same room or from far away. Blanc is here for you to take this journey together.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a lost classic that has finally made its way to a global market. Fans of the franchise will be ecstatic to experience an Edo-period drama that features icons of the Yakuza series. Even though it is set in the 1860s, the foundation of the series is evident with each step. It’s a familiar experience that feels similar to its PS3 counterparts rather than the modern releases. The world lacks the hustle and bustle of Kamurocho and the mini-games are not as diverse. However, the card-based combat system and four fighting styles make battles a thrill. While the game may not do enough to alter the perception of those who don’t enjoy titles from the franchise, fans of the series are in for a treat with this samurai-focused epic.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fans of the Killer Instinct franchise need not worry, this is a great game to launch with the Xbox One.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Although they’re archetypes representing a clash of cultures, Jeanne and Maikan also represent a developer willing to dip into more substantive themes. Nature, spirituality, religion, and culture are the engine that drives the narrative that’s equally introspective, smart, and emotional. In its compact run time, Two Falls does a pretty good job of balancing between educational and entertaining, only occasionally becoming self-consciously earnest in its desire to say something important.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite being essentially a re-skin of the Yakuza games, Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise is still a comically fun video game once you get past the early portions of the game. Fans of the Yakuza series will feel right at home with the game, but so would fans of Fist of the North Star. While a bit more differentiation from the Yakuza series would have been nice, that does not prevent the game from being enjoyable overall.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The inclusion of interviews from actual Olympic athletes was a very nice touch. Some of the gameplay is frustrating due to some technical issues like bad hit-detection – but if you’ve played through Steep, you’re well aware of what to expect.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Connoisseurs of Metroidvanias have a dizzying array from which to choose on both PC and consoles. Add Venture to the Vile to the short list. Its distinctive story and setting, coupled with generally enjoyable combat, puzzles, and exploration make it a pretty strong choice for genre fans looking for their next game.

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