COGconnected's Scores
- Games
For 4,966 reviews, this publication has graded:
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62% higher than the average critic
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6% same as the average critic
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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: | Final Fantasy XVI | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest review score: | Wander (2013) |
Score distribution:
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Positive: 3,073 out of 4966
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Mixed: 1,709 out of 4966
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Negative: 184 out of 4966
4972
game
reviews
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- Critic Score
In sum, Telling Lies represents a niche genre that explores interactive storytelling in a very unique way. The game’s director, Sam Barlow, evolved the Her Story formula, but at a cost. After all, what makes the game so good also reveals its flaws. The ending, for example, can feel very anticlimactic depending on how you uncover specific videos. Still, as the saying goes, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” And Telling Lies is quite a journey — hopefully, one that will inspire many more story-driven games to come. Now go, awaken the sleuth inside you.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 23, 2019
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All in all, Siege of Centauri felt dull after only a few hours of play. The game isn’t bad in any way, it just doesn’t provide anything interesting to the people who’ve already poured hundreds of hours in the genre. The competition is also stacked with plenty of tower defence games available for free online or on your phone. Lacking a defining feature also makes it hard for me to recommend it to anyone specific, and there is also no online functionality outside of user-created maps and leaderboards. There was not a single risk taken and I didn’t feel a hint of passion in Siege of Centauri. If there ever was a game that felt phoned-in, this is it.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 23, 2019
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If games like The Forest were up your alley, I do recommend giving Green Hell a shot. However, if you’re easily frustrated by obscure deaths vs trial and error, I’d recommend starting out at the easier difficulty so you can enjoy what it has to offer without needing to wrestle in frustration.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 23, 2019
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At first glance, Realm of Magic can seem barren. However, it’s all a guise as the true game begins in its mystical new realm of Glimmerbrook. All in all, The Sims 4: Realm of Magic is a ton of fun. With a bunch of newly added features to take your Sims game to the next level and a ton of different new paths to experience, this game pack does not disappoint.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 23, 2019
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With new locations to visit, an intriguing plot, loathsome villains, and all of your favorite characters coming back to help save the day – even if many of them are only cameos – it only falters in its simplistic AI which we have grown to know too well. It’s not trying to rewrite gaming and be wildly innovative, it just wants to let you shoot stuff with an exploding burger launcher. Seriously. Borderlands 3 is sure to be a contender for GOTY and it can only get better with more content and bombastic badasses.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 23, 2019
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Overall, NBA 2K20 is a good game. The core gameplay and presentation excels, My Career is a simple but enjoyable experience, the WNBA’s included, and the additional modes function but fall short because of the progression stranglehold.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 23, 2019
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Putting aside the gorgeous graphics, the obtuse level design, and the various modern touches, Link's Awakening is still an exceptional Zelda game. I found myself sneaking in extra sessions instead of sleeping or working. I was frantically seeking out guides online, only to discover they were all obsolete. I put off challenging the final boss for hours, all to scoop up more shells, heart pieces, and collectibles. Whatever flaws I spotted, I had no desire to leave Koholint behind. I still don't. However long it takes, I'll keep plugging away until I've crafted a fully complete save file. If you're on the fence about this game, either as a remake or a new experience, don't be. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is a great game, and a clear high point in the franchise's history.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 19, 2019
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Too often, the gameplay and production values took away from the joy. I’m not sure if the developers were pressed for time or under budgetary restraints, but it just felt rushed and unpolished overall. Like I said before, it’s not so much that Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son is a totally bad game — it isn’t. It’s just really disappointing that it wasn’t a lot better.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 18, 2019
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Ni No Kuni is a timeless masterpiece of a JRPG. The only reason to not own it is if the JRPG genre is just not your cup of tea. But if it is, you’ve got up to 100 hours of engaging game ahead of you, and those hours will not be forgotten.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 18, 2019
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The Sinking City on Nintendo Switch is extremely rough around the edges. I understand the lack of hand-holding when examining clues and evidence, but the fact of the matter is the game is so terrible in nearly every other aspect, that I wanted my hand to be held to get through it quicker! The Sinking City is the type of game that will appeal only to the most hardcore of H.P. Lovecraft, or noir fiction fans. Everyone else will be left wondering how so much could go so wrong in what really is an excellent idea for a game. Like the visions haunting Charles Reed, I’ll be seeing this one in my nightmares for quite some time.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 18, 2019
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Overall the art of the game complements the gameplay really well. If the music wasn’t good and the visuals weren’t good, it would get extremely taxing as I die and respawn repeatedly in the early stages of figuring out the mechanics of the game. It’s clear that just like the original, Risk of Rain 2 is a labor of love and if you’re a gamer who likes supporting independent titles, this is a great one to pick up.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 18, 2019
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I’d still recommend this game if good world-building, easter-egg hunting and puzzles are what you are looking for in survival horror titles because those elements are fantastic. But beware, as clunky mechanics and repetitive design definitely drag things down, Still, Daymare 1998 is an ambitious first game from the young Invader Studios that showcases their immense potential, and I wish them nothing but the best for what’s to come.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 17, 2019
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Iceborne is an amazing DLC that is well worth the hefty price tag. It continues with amazing graphics and fun, challenging gameplay, while bringing a whole new level of grind to an extreme grind game by adding many more hours of content and many more items to collect for those who are looking to scratch that collector’s itch.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 17, 2019
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MXGP 2019 has the makings of a great motocross game but it comes up short in a few key areas. The racing is competent enough and this years’ game is probably the most accessible the series has ever been. Having said that, there’s definitely room for improvement when it comes to new modes and overall presentation. The track editor is a great addition for fans to experiment with but the new Playground mode needs a lot of work before the franchise goes full open-world. If you’re looking for some motocross action, MXGP 2019 should satisfy that itch, but expect to stumble a little in the dirt.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 17, 2019
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A game about the clashing forces of heaven and hell deserves to be far more interesting, if not in gameplay, then at least in story. Devil’s Hunt fails to deliver on both fronts. It does have a neat take on the afterlife — Lucifer is essentially a shady businessman who outsources his dirty work, and the angels wear suits and conduct their operations from a pristine office tower – but these ideas are lost in the banality of everything else surrounding them. This is not a hunt worth embarking on.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 17, 2019
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The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series really is just that, a truly definitive final edition of the entire series. I recommend this game to every single person who may play games, even those who may not be a fan of the play-style this game utilizes. In the end, this is a definitive game not only in the genre it exists in, but it is also one of the more definitive games in the history of gaming.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 16, 2019
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As it stands in its current form, I will say that if Blasphemous’ aesthetic interests you even a little, or if you’re a fan of metroidvania-style games, then it’s absolutely worth checking out in its current form. I will also say though that despite how good the performance is on the Switch version, there are bugs and animations/interactions that could use more tuning. Blasphemous in its current state is a strong entry in the genre, and definitely stands close to the top, but with further refinement, it could turn from an interesting title to a true must-play experience.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 16, 2019
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If you’re looking for a visual novel with a compelling plot, and are able to ignore lots of terrible dialogue, then AI: The Somnium Files is a no-brainer recommendation. But for anyone else, this is a tough recommendation because it almost feels like the game is doing everything it can to stall the player from experiencing said compelling plot. The gameplay is solid, but be prepared to play something more like a visual novel than an “adventure game”, which is how AI: The Somnium Files is being advertised.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 16, 2019
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The combat can leave a little something to be desired and these odd bugs for the NPCs break immersion more than a few times, but overall its an emotional investment I’m happy to make. This may not be exactly the RPG you are looking for, but if you are a fan of complex narrative it should definitely be on your radar.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 16, 2019
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Agent A – A Puzzle in Disguise, is a short and sweet escape room game that provides hours of good fun. With intuitive puzzles that are never impossible to solve, the game is all about finding answers and exploring an enemy’s lair with no consequences. A truly enjoyable experience that is easy to pick up from where you left off, Agent A offers creative puzzles with lovely visuals and seamless transitions. With practically no lag and a cohesive storyline, there is nothing to interrupt you from fully appreciating the high-quality puzzles that Yak & Co have created for us.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 16, 2019
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I wasn’t a huge fan of the weird boss rhythms, and the shopping sections fell a little flat, but this game still bursts with that timeless River City charm. If you’re on the fence, thinking this a mere gender-swap, think again! These girls have all the ferocity and heart of their elusive boyfriends. Much more so, even. Fans of brawlers and badass girls alike won’t wanna miss River City Girls.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 16, 2019
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With all of the improvements to the on-ice product, it doesn’t take long to realize where the shortcomings of the franchise bleed through.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 13, 2019
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I liked playing Knights and Bikes, but more for the look, the feel and the charming story than for the actual gameplay. It was hard not to like and begin to really care for Nessa and Demelza, who seemed to have all the many-faceted qualities of real kids. It had a nice soundtrack too. Knights and Bikes may not be an epic AAA game but it has some originality and fun to offer nonetheless. Strap on your helmet and take a relaxing ride with two quirky kids whose touching friendship will take you back to your own youthful innocence.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 12, 2019
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Fit for a King is a surprisingly deep game with a wide variety of interactions. The retro theme is well done and provides a nice charm to the game. While the gameplay takes a little getting used to it works well with the free form format. Aside from some sound choices, this is a great pickup for people looking to enjoy a larp as a medieval king. For such a simple interface they were able to provide a wealth of freedom.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 12, 2019
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Daemon X Machina goes beyond the expectations of a mech game with the Outer playing an integral part in tactics and combat. The other Outers you encounter are varied, unique, and have great personalities that shine through their voice acting. Combat is crisp, fast, and beautiful, accented by the stellar rock and metal soundtrack. The customization is phenomenal and the overall experience screams “just one more mission.” With the only downside being its lack of tutorials and occasionally bothersome menu, this is a game still easy to learn, fun to master, and an absolutely intense thrill to play. This is the mech game you’ve always wanted.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 11, 2019
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The Blair Witch Project fans and horror game fans alike will find lots to enjoy here. The roughly five-hour campaign can be completed in a few sittings, and with four different endings, there’s lots to come back for. It isn’t always great, but when it hits the mark its a ton of fun. A weak second act keeps it from being a home run, but it’s worth battling through just to play that final sequence. At times, Blair Witch genuinely had me feeling like I was playing through the movie, and as a fan, isn’t that all I can ask for?- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 9, 2019
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In summary, you’ll know if Ancestors is up your alley pretty quick. And kudos to you, I genuinely hope you enjoy it, so they can make more games that are this out there. It’s something the industry absolutely needs even if they’re not ready for me yet. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on it and who knows? I may come back later when it’s had time to sit with the general population only to really discover its wonders. But for now, my dear reader, I’d rather forget about my ancestors lost to time and play a game like Ape Out instead.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 9, 2019
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Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution covers all of the card updates and additions from the past 2 decades giving us over 9,000 cards to build our dream decks with. With some of our most loved monsters, spell or trap cards from the earliest (and most beloved, in my opinion) the first season of Yu-Gi-Oh! To some of the most recent expansion, Vrains. There’s a lot of customization to be had with your decks not to mention the thrill of playing online or in Sealed and Draft modes, this is definitely a title that any fan of TCGs or Yu-Gi-Oh will really enjoy.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 6, 2019
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Creature in the Well dances between minimalistic style and narrative juxtaposed against challenging puzzles and a creative new way to play. It’s an indie game that was lovingly crafted to put emphasis in all the right places and to give the player a new experience without bogging down in a heavy story. Instead, it leaves bread crumbs that players can choose to pick up or simply enjoy ricocheting orbs at high speed. The game is just as addictive as playing a real pinball machine, and the stages last just long enough to comfortably play in short bursts, but the challenge of “just one more run” is ever-present as you repair the giant construct to save the village and simply must know what happens next.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 5, 2019
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After playing this game, I really had a good “sit and think” moment about the state of games. I know a lot of gamers (including myself at times) get caught up with the newest and greatest blockbuster titles, which is fine, but sometimes we need to mix things up a bit. Games like Heave Ho are sometimes passed by without a second thought, but in all honesty, grabbing this title for the low price of $10 is an absolute steal. It will give you some solid, challenging play time on your own, and then when your buddy comes over you can have a ridiculous time flinging each other across the map. I would say El Cartel Studio has nailed this simplicity with this one, I would recommend checking it out.- COGconnected
- Posted Sep 4, 2019
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