COGconnected's Scores

  • Games
For 4,966 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:
4972 game reviews
    • 91 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    So what’s Disco Elysium about? On the one hand, I don’t want to spoil a single second. But on the other hand, nothing I could say would have enough context to qualify as a spoiler. It takes place in Revachol, a fantasy city in a fictitious world. It’s like a cross between Portland and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, in what could be the steampunk 1890s, the funky 1970s, or modern day. The story is nakedly political, involving a dispute between a union, the company, and the scabs who want to get back to work. There are multiple factions of racists you’ll have to rhetorically contend with, and various hucksters trying to make a buck. The world is not our own, but the fantasy of it allows the game to dig really deep, and I considered political views I hadn’t had to confront in years.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 58 Critic Score
    Overall, Rain of Reflections is well-made from a graphical and gameplay standpoint, although neither elements excite me on their own. The story concept is interesting enough to give the game a look, and it might be worth buying if the second and third chapters, which do not follow Wilona, serve more satisfying conclusions to the story. Right now, I can’t fully recommend this game as it stands, unless you’re really into hacking mini-games.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Overall, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is an enjoyable experience that’s jammed-packed with Olympic-sized fun. With so many events and modes to choose from, all presented in Nintendo’s signature welcoming style, there’s something for everyone here. Just don’t expect a deep and engrossing experience; while there are nice extra touches like Story Mode and an added retro element, this is mostly a game meant for casual, bite-sized fun on the go.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    I honestly don’t think this game is getting the attention it deserves. The bad things (bugs, balance, optimization) in this game can be patched while the core of this game is phenomenal. If you are a fan of Lovecraft’s work, you are doing yourself a huge disservice by not checking this one out.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    A borderline unusable map and generally difficult combat combined with traps that kill you immediately could definitely turn people off, but those who choose to persevere will likely enjoy this game enough to see it through to its obtuse, confusing ending.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    The port over to the Nintendo Switch for Worse Than Death isn’t bad at all. The puzzles are hard but not mind breaking, and the overall atmosphere is rock solid. If there was a way to better fix the controls during those puzzles segments where you have to shuffle things around and more variety in terms of monsters, this would be a better two and half hour experience. This being said, I liked the fact this game takes place during a high school reunion with a protagonist who is logical and doesn’t make dumb mistakes which is usually the case in horror situations.
    • 43 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    I will be very interested to look at WWE 2K20 a year from now, after some massive updates, and featuring all modes. It’ll probably have the same ugly graphics, but let’s hope that this is a wake-up call to 2K games that they need to release a polished product. Some of us still like having our games on disc when we buy them.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 93 Critic Score
    What I found as I journeyed cross country with Sam Porter Bridges is a game unlike anything else I’ve played. Its central mechanic is a monotonous, everyday piece of modern life, and somehow Kojima has managed to make that a very satisfying thing to do. At times that distracted me heavily from the storyline, and I think the midgame would have been more compelling if the story beats popped up more frequently. Still, the quality of the narrative is undeniable. Death Stranding is an outstanding title that ended up blowing away the expectations I wasn’t even aware of. For an auteur like Hideo Kojima, that sounds like an unequivocal success.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 72 Critic Score
    Though Moons of Madness isn’t the first game to do so and it likely won’t be the last, it’s a survival horror experience that succeeding in giving a grown man nightmares, which is something a zombie game just can’t do.
    • 39 Metascore
    • 33 Critic Score
    The reason why Zombieland was popular was because it was quirky, the characters were charming, and it was hilariously meta (I’m looking at you, Bill Murray). The makers of Road Trip try to recapture that glory but they seemed to have missed the part about how the characters made that movie. Much like how the phrase ‘Nut up or shut up’ was already tired by the end of the first movie, Road Trip is tired even as it boots up. So much so that most of the dialogue given to Tallahassee is that phrase that has been worn out for a full decade. Luckily, Double Tap itself was much better than its game counterpart. Based on historical examples, this isn’t the first time nor will it be the last time we can make that statement.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    Two classic platformers and more extras than you can shake a stick at! Disney Classic Games: Aladdin And The Lion King is the new benchmark for how to release retro games in the modern world. If you’re at all curious, or are wondering if you should give these classics another look, the answer is yes! There has never been a more thorough release of retro games.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 86 Critic Score
    By committing to the wonderful setting, Six Ages has more to say than a dozen fantasy RPGs.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    In the end, Outer Wilds is all about exploring a mysterious solar system and finding out its secrets. I had a fun time flying around in space and it’s good for the gaming industry as a whole to have an adventure game like this that’s about exploring a world without having to shoot or fight enemies. However, Outer Wilds doesn’t do a great job at guiding players. Instead, you are left aimlessly exploring until you figure out what to do next.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite the steep difficulty curve and lack of any real new content, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz HD is a noted improvement over the original version of the game. It runs very well, and isn't a huge space-eater either, coming in at 1.4GB, allowing it to fit nicely alongside your other digital titles. This is also thankfully not a full-price title, so those looking to dust off their monkey ball skills can do so without breaking the bank. Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz HD does a lot well, but it's just not quite as ripe as the rest of the bunch.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 86 Critic Score
    Frostpunk is, without a doubt, not an easy game and requires extensive strategizing and multiple playthroughs to succeed. It takes a lot of effort and a fair amount of alertness to get the job done, but once your decisions prevail and your city is thriving, the sense of accomplishment is unlike no other. With its intense premise and the pressure of making tough choices, Frostpunk is undeniably one of the most challenging and addicting city-building strategy games I have ever played.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 71 Critic Score
    MediEvil is a straight forward hack n’ slash game, originally made for the PS1. It’s presentation and sense of humor set it apart from its contemporaries, and improved camera controls have modernized it. The graphics are now rendered in 4K, and the music is orchestral. If you’re a fan of PS1 classics like Crash Bandicoot, or Spyro, but would like a heavier emphasis on action, then MediEvil is just what you’re looking for, especially if you want an old school challenge with some new school tweaks. If you’re not into retro gaming, however, MediEvil won’t be the game to convert you.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 69 Critic Score
    Should you play The Witcher 3? Absolutely. It’s one of a handful of games from the past decade that you simply can’t miss. Should you play The Witcher 3 on the Switch? Honestly, probably not.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Nintendo has succeeded in creating a truly dreadful experience, a game that drills into your psyche and alters your brain. Heed my dire ramblings, and take this gorgeous, well-designed journey at your peril.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare does everything fans of the franchise could ever want. You get the triumphant return of the single-player campaign; crossplay that actually works; maps and weapons available to everyone; and a robust multiplayer experience packed with over 25 maps (including Spec Ops maps) out of the box. Modern Warfare isn’t the best Call of Duty game in the franchise as the single-player and Spec Ops modes fall a little short. Yet, at the very least it pushes the series back in the right direction and fans should be plenty satisfied with what Infinity Ward has brought to the table this year.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 48 Critic Score
    At its surface, Stranded Sails: Explorers of the Cursed Islands looks like an adorable and endearing addition to this genre, and though I so badly wanted to love it, I’d have difficulty recommending it to almost anyone other than young children. There is certainly a place in the gaming world for peaceful, low-pressure exploration and farming games, but unfortunately, I’m not convinced that Stranded Sails is one that belongs. The minute-to-minute gameplay is just not stimulating enough, the quests and actions are fairly mindless, and overall, there just isn’t enough reason to pick it up time and time again.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition is easily the best way to experience these games. While there isn’t a ton in the way of additional content, these are already some pretty hefty games that you could easily clock fifty or so hours in each. There are a few nice quality of life changes as well such as being able to use Digimon previously only found in Hacker’s Memory, but these were honestly such solid games to begin with that I don’t really think there was much you could do to improve on them. The price is just right too, and getting two excellent RPGs for the price is never a bad thing. If you’re even slightly interested in this type of game, you’ll likely enjoy it as much as I did, despite the few shortcomings it has.
    • 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.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 42 Critic Score
    Tangle Tower is a very excellent presentation of a very short game. It feels like a mobile game, and has a very short play time of 5 hours, with no incentive to replay. If this was a $5 game it would be a lot easier to recommend, but as it stands, Tangle Tower can’t justify it’s $20 price point.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 69 Critic Score
    Overwatch on Nintendo Switch is a prime example of a fantastic game marred by a sub-par port. The core experience remains compelling and the new portability and motion controls are nice additions, but the trade-offs are just too significant. The dramatic drop in frame rate and overall performance make it hard to recommend this port if you own the game on any other platform. However, if you travel often and need that Overwatch fix wherever you go, you’ll at least have a better experience there than on your TV at home.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 64 Critic Score
    While the Nintendo Switch version is lacking when compared to the other platforms, developer Behaviour Interactive has worked damn hard to fix some issues that may have occurred during the launch and it shows. But I can only recommend this version if you have no other means of playing it. If you have only a Nintendo Switch and this type of game interests you, I recommend it, maybe even with the lights out, headphones on, and volume up.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 91 Critic Score
    With full character development, a wonderful companion system, and a spirit all its own, The Outer Worlds is everything I had hoped it would be and more. From the excellent writing to the beautiful environments, each new world is vast enough to feel expansive without being desolate and wasted space. The gameplay and combat is fantastic and handles great, with the only downside being its occasional dip in frame rate or issues loading textures. The Outer Worlds fulfills the promise every other RPG makes of putting you in control and I can’t wait to try the game over and over again with different styles and tactics.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    With the many unique classes, the art style, humor and polish put forth by PopCap, Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville all culminates into a great time. You’ll lose hours blasting pesky plants or ridiculous zombies as your favorite characters. While it’s the third entry in the series, it still manages to stay fresh enough to welcome returning veterans and new players alike. If you’re into quirky shooters with a sense of humor, this is the best time to jump in and see what Crazy Dave is all about.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    You won’t mistake Deliver Us The Moon for a bleeding edge graphical powerhouse, but it looks very good. At least as good as other hit games in the genre. It’s amazing how good a relatively small dev team can get a 3D exploration game looking. It’s comparable with games on a similar scale, like Subnautica. But I appreciate when a game knows to show restraint in pushing my graphics card to the max, and instead it uses its resources to create a coherent and immersive experience. This is that.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Stela hopes you’ll look at it with the same reverence everyone had for Inside. The problem is that Stela needs to do a lot more than just copying Playdead’s formula. The major difference between both games is that Stela is unfocused. Skybox Labs has designed an interesting world with a handful of cool moments, but it could have been something more with a clearer objective and even a newer art style. I still think it’s worth devoting the 2-3 hours to finish, but if you’re hoping for the next Inside, you’re probably better off just playing more Inside.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 61 Critic Score
    It’s tough to recommend a ‘remaster’ of a game that’s only half remastered. If you’re a massive Ghostbusters fan and you missed the original, then there certainly is something here for you. The fights are fun, and of course, the original cast is still hilarious, but throughout the entirety of the experience, you’re constantly reminded that you’re playing a game that’s a decade old. I wanted to like this so much more than I did, but at the very least, there is some significant potential groundwork here for the ultimate Ghostbusters game.

Top Trailers