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
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Patapon 2 is a fun game of its time. It still feels like a relic of the PSP days with its big chunky menus and relatively straightforward gameplay, but if anything sets itself apart as much to warrant its own remaster, it’s the charm that comes through loud and clear. I enjoyed my time with my Patapons. It’s not a game I’d play forever, as my tastes have changed over the last decade, but if you need any reason to get back in, then look no further my god friends. Pata, pata, pata, pon!
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ys fans may have played better more memorable games in the Ys timeline, but Ys: Memories of Celceta on the PS Vita certainly deserves its time in the spotlight.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you’ve got every Jackbox Party Pack, then The Jackbox Naughty Pack really has only one new game for you. But if you’ve never played one, this offering has 3 games, one of which is the most perfect party game ever. The humor really connected with my group. And although there were some bugs, and frustration connecting our phones, they were never game breaking. For $20 The Jackbox Naughty Pack is a fantastic party game purchase.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It’s not all perfect — some of the dialogue is a little clunky and not all of the puzzles are super exciting — but it’s a solid game that explores some new ground.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sairento is a game that most PSVR owners should check out. It feels like the exact kind of title we’ve been waiting for. No other game on the system feels quite like this. Bullet time, sliding, triple jumping, and the gunplay all combine to give the player a rush like nothing else. The swordplay left much to be desired, but everything else more than made up for it. If you can battle through the first few awkward hours with the controls, and deal with the flimsiness of the world, you’ll have a great time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There’s not a lot of games like Vagrus period. Even in the world of indie RPGs, it’s rare to encounter writing so rich, or such an original world. Vagrus is exactly what I hope to get from my indie games, ideas so original that I can’t quite articulate what they could have done better. With immersive music, stylish art, creative combat, and a sometimes baffling interface, Vagrus: The Riven Realms is what you’re looking for if you are tired of versions of the same game, over and over again.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Road 96: Mile 0 is a wonderful snapshot of a world that many fell in love with. While the game steps away from its procedural roots, it does so to offer a fresh experience. The new gameplay aspects are a joy and the storytelling is stellar which makes DigixArt’s latest release a must for fans of narrative-driven games.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The most satisfying thing about this remaster is the charm of the original game is still present. This version of Shadow Man is the best of both worlds. This is an excellent marriage of old-time gaming with a fresh coat of technical polish. If you’ve never played this game before, you are in for a treat.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A great experience for mature FPS players and is sure to delight. Non-stop, high-octane combat, colorful characters, and slick graphics make it an experience that gore loving gamers can definitely get behind. It carries plenty of co-op multiplayer options, a highly replayable campaign, and some fantastically slick graphical improvements. Adding the Duke Nukem DLC is icing on the cake to what is already a stellar experience.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Circus Electrique has a unique vibe, inventive art, and a thoroughly detailed devotion to its steampunk setting. For patient gamers with a love for stats and carefully managed decisions, the engaging combat will be icing on the cake. For some players, Circus Electrique might feel overwhelming, with one or two (or more) mechanics too many. There can be a lot of information on screen, and even more behind the scenes. The presentation is generally fantastic, but players used to simpler games might be surprised at how much work goes into running a circus.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you are a pinball fan, Pinball M is a no-brainer. The tables, their campaigns, and the extra play modes make for a solid package. If you’ve never been a pinball fan but have fond feelings for any of the franchises mentioned, Pinball M may be the game to convert you.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Donut County is a wholly enjoyable romp that can be powered through in an afternoon, but it’s worth going back to try and find some of it’s hidden or not so hidden secrets, even if there are only a few of them to begin with.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name doesn’t reinvent the wheel by any means. For Yakuza/Like Dragon fans, it’ll be a familiar, albeit enjoyable experience. It has a few shortcomings – the most egregious being a painfully slow first few hours. But once it gets going, Gaiden packs a punch. One that’s sure to keep you satiated until Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth drops.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Between the pitched battles and the beautiful level layouts, I was always itching to get just a little further. If you’re a fan of CRPGs or just RPGs in general, you can’t go wrong with Tower of Time.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    CRPG fans heavily invested in Warhammer 40K will thoroughly enjoy Rogue Trader, but there’s enough backstory and written lore to bring newcomers up to speed and into the fold. Rogue Trader is generous to a fault with combat and sometimes the momentum stalls in the naval combat or over-lengthy tactical battles. Overall, Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader is an engaging turn-based RPG and another reminder of how rich the Warhammer universe can be.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Shio provides you with the tools for success but refrains from any hand-holding. It demands perfection and doesn’t allow for even minor mistakes. Needless to say, no matter how excellent the story and the atmosphere are, the degree of difficulty present ensures this is not a game for everyone. For fans of the genre though, Shio is an adventure that simply begs to be experienced.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Another cool feature is the track surface. It is fully deformable meaning that the dirt surface changes consistency when it gets wet. The physics dynamics of driving on a dry surface versus blasting and sliding through mud changes your approach to racing on a track.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Wraith: The Oblivion – Afterlife creates an incredibly compelling narrative with a world that compliments it fully. I’m a bit sensitive when it comes to VR games, but luckily this title has both a standing and sitting mode, so I could play a little bit longer without feeling nauseous. There are some quirks here and there, but none of the things I mentioned above ever really took me out of the immersion of the experience itself. Some horror fans may not like the consistently slow pace you have to keep up with for the entirety of the game, but for those who don’t mind taking things nice and slow while being scared out of your wits, Wraith: The Oblivion – Afterlife is certainly for you.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Orcs Must Die! Unchained is best consumed with friends, ideally with a lot of yelling and frantic arm-waving over impending victories and losses. The single-player game is good, but it lacks the high-paced frenzy that comes with challenging human opponents.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This War Machine DLC is arguably better than the first, with two out of three general multiplayer maps adding inspiration and excitement to the game, a new halfway decent War map, and a fun Nazi zombies experience, but only just.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Forager will never replace Minecraft or Stardew Valley, but it certainly has a good thing going for it. The gameplay is fast, the 2D art is very cute and welcoming. It’s incredibly easy to pick up and leave off. It’s a perfect game for someone who wants something quick and fast. I just hope that maybe we will see updates in the future for more islands, more NPCs and quests.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Signalis is an unforgettable and eerie experience. It makes retro survival horror feel new and unique again. Just be prepared for a story with lots of room for interpretation. And the art is still very anime.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sony’s MLB franchise has unquestionably made a successful leap to PlayStation 4. The franchise has never looked better and the game has made yet another jump into the realm of ‘true to life’. MLB: The Show retains its crown as the undisputed king of baseball games. This being said, it remains by in the large the same game we have played over the course of the past few years and the glitches do seem more prevalent.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    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.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Anyone who is a fan of this type of game will surely enjoy this, and the online play and DLC components it makes it even better.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a wonderful homage to the history of the franchise. Fans of Batman are in for a treat, as each moment references iconic elements from the movies, comics, video games, and television while piecing together its own story. While the difficulty is low, every aspect of the gameplay is delivered with care, making this an engaging adventure. Charming and confident, this tribute breathes new life into Gotham.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The weakness of the building and crafting was probably why I was so drawn in by the writing and characters, but I don’t regret it. The charm is real. Besides, I have to figure you didn’t pick up something called Bear & Breakfast because you wanted it to bend your mind. This shouldn’t be as hard as running a galactic empire. You’re just a dumb, kindhearted bear. Prospective players probably want to know things like if the bear walks real cute. And he does! He really has a cute little walk. If you’re looking for a cozy little game to take you away from harsh reality, you could do worse than spending your time in these woods.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With a game that employs multiple means of victory through strategy, great focus on Slavic mythology and a beautiful map peppered with resources, bodies of water and forests, Thea: The Awakening will really surprise you. For fans of simulation titles with a sweet mix of RPG elements, Thea is an easy recommendation as there is very little on the Switch that even compares in the genre.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The story is engaging enough and some of the dialogue between guards and citizens is filled with story tidbits and humour.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    I had a blast playing this game. The Dragon Quest series might evolve a bit slowly for some people, but I'm perfectly satisfied with this pace. Every nostalgic note resonates with gorgeous clarity, be it the monsters, the weapons or the aesthetics. While some attempts at growth fall flat, others expertly hit their mark. The character models and the graphics are the perfect expression of Akira Toriyama’s timeless art style. I wasn't in love with all the writing, but the characters were still flush with charm and personality. Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the series, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is an easy recommendation.

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