DarkStation's Scores

  • Games
For 3,653 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 48% higher than the average critic
  • 7% same as the average critic
  • 45% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 2.8 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 72
Highest review score: 100 The Pedestrian
Lowest review score: 10 Another Dawn
Score distribution:
3656 game reviews
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    One that fans of dungeon crawlers and tower defense games will find has a ton of re-playability.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As a puzzle game, Slayaway Camp does the job, but isn't anything special – it's really saved by having such a fun look and idea to it. A puzzle game about being a Jason Voorhees type is just an awesome hook, and spotting more horror movie references has enough thrill to keep you going. The game may not have the meat to really get its hooks in you from a puzzle perspective, but this fun little love letter to slasher movies is definitely worth a look to gorehounds with a soft spot for the genre.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Knights and Bikes is an unique and genuine experience that was engaging from beginning to end. It’s a great example of a high quality co-op game. Thematically and mechanically, the game succeeds in highlighting cooperation. Foam Sword successfully delivers a great title that manages to be both fun and artistically inventive. Knights and Bikes is highly recommended for those looking for a captivating cooperative game to play with a friend.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    When A Way Out works, it’s one of the most magical video game experiences around. It’s not always perfect, but it’s such a breath of fresh air that even when it doesn’t quite gel, it’s still a joy to play. I loved A Way Out. I think it’s one of the more unique and interesting games released in recent memory.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A game like The Walking Dead ultimately lives and dies based on its characters and writing, though, which has always been something that Telltale's been good at. While it's a little weaker on average than usual, they've also never reached higher highs than they have here. The gameplay is much simpler, but they've shown the direction that the series is going, and with the promise shown here, I hope they can deliver the emotional heft that this series needs to survive.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    With only one episode left (well, two, if you’ve purchased the Deluxe Edition with an extra episode), the jury is still out about what I feel towards this mini-prequel. There are some really nice character moments in this episode which gives these young people a chance to be themselves and set aside the woes of the world for a minute or two. The episode also reveals a few hooks to hang Life Is Strange, which reaffirms my concerns with how deeply Before The Storm is entrenched in another game’s identity.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 – Road to Boruto is the most complete fighting game in the series thus far, with every DLC and over 100 characters that span generations. Arena fights featuring strategic ninja jutsu action are exciting to play out, although it does feel simple compared to other fighting games. The story mode, with its intense quick-time cinematic sequences, is a highlight, although it only covers the very end of the long series. Adventure modes are more of a dull grind, but a packed online mode makes up for it, especially with the plethora of playable ninja. Those not familiar with the series may not appreciate the strides taken to recreate the anime, but hardcore Naruto fans will enjoy what this game has to offer. Believe it!
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fans of futuristic action will appreciate what Capcom came up with on the 360, complete with a challenging gameplay and some pretty stunning visuals
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Criterion has proved themselves as the first developer to really figure out the Vita and what can be done with it. Need for Speed Most Wanted is a must have for any Vita owner or any fan of racing games.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    One of the best hack and slash games of the year.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Featur[es] a perfected kicking controls and updated visuals.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Splasher is a great platformer and deserves to be played by any fan of the genre. If you enjoyed games like Super Meat Boy or Rayman Origins you’ll enjoy the frenetic pace of Splasher and the demanding controls. You have everything you need at your fingertips, you just need the dexterity to finish what you started. I appreciate what Splasher does with the four buttons because it’s opening up the genre and experimenting with what’s possible. Another platformer where you jump through levels would probably be dust in the wind but Splasher stands out because it takes a chance with its unique, if sometimes frustrating, controls.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Stories Untold celebrates early adventure games with its narrative text format, telling a suspenseful story through limited visuals and thrilling narrative. It’s a compelling journey, and much of the excitement comes from one’s own imagination. It’s not a long game, but the tale kept me hooked. However, Stories Untold is not for everyone. Players not used to the text format may find the gameplay tedious or unintuitive, especially given how the Switch version handles command inputs. Players who enjoy the format may not appreciate the modernized escape game room sequences in later chapters, which stray away from the first episode’s traditional style. If this describes you, these stories are best left untold.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Gun
    Calling this shooter a GTA in a Wild West setting would not do it justice, as it serves up a thrilling experience with an engaging story and solid combat.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ultimately, I believe that The Fractured But Whole has a problem with quantity over quality. Ubisoft San Diego crammed the game with lots of things to see and do, most of it comes off as a result of someone repeatedly asking, “Hey, wouldn’t it be funny if we put this in?”
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There is a great cast of characters complete with an equally great voice cast (including some of the animated DC shows) and with the other DC heroes and it feels like the developers are using this to test the waters for all of them to get their own games so let us hope this will finally give us a great Superman game!
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Had the multiplayer been deeper, it would have easily been an editor's choice.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    All in all else Heart.Break () is a unique and challenging gaming experience that invites the player to take a turn on the other side of the program, all the while introducing us to an ambiguous world not so different than our own.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn is a well-crafted sidescroller that gamers of all ages can enjoy. The 3DS port patches in a new difficulty and a novel take on traditional Kirby power-ups. They’re not as seamlessly stitched as they could have been, but they reveal the developer’s efforts in threading an ideal experience that improves upon the source material. With utterly charming visuals, memorable levels, and lighthearted platforming, Kirby’s spin-off knits together a worthy farewell to one of Nintendo’s longest-lasting handhelds.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Its a simple expansion but brings with it several fun features and buildings, making an already great game even better.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It is a shame that Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on 3DS is let down so badly by the lack of online capability. However, if you have friends with the title or have prior experience with the series and can deal with the challenge of fighting alone, then 3 Ultimate is worth picking up. Just make sure you play with the Circle Pad Pro.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A solid strategy RPG experience that's only downsides are the graphics and the slow pace.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Project DIVA MegaMix feels very much in line with Project DIVA Future Tone. It’s all about the sheer amount of songs and costumes, while avoiding any semblance of a campaign. Players will have to make their own path and enjoy the songs on their own terms. The brand new Mix mode is delightful once you get past the initial learning curve and the tried and true Arcade mode is what we’ve come to love about these games. A solid rhythm game through and through, Project DIVA MegaMix returns the series back to its portable roots.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A creative arts-and-crafts artstyle synergizes with innovative mechanics to produce the game’s impressive interactive diorama courses. There’s a little something for everyone, from a mellow mode for casual gamers as well as completionist challenges for the hardcore. It’s style over substance, however, and a harder base difficulty would have vastly improved the adventure. Also, the heavily advertised flip side mode didn’t quite meet its potential. Regardless, the uniquely designed set pieces are engaging to uncover. Yoshi’s Crafted World may not make waves, but it’s a solid choice for younger players and fans of the lovable green dinosaur.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Jotun makes a strong impact early on and the hits keep rolling as the game lurches forward with each heavy axe swing.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The story and setting were interesting, but the scope of the gameplay was fairly narrow and the experience was not really repeatable.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    MLB 10: The Show really surprised me in the way that it featured a very solid baseball title for the PSP.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Oxenfree has a fabulous soundtrack, well written dialogue, and it takes some bold steps into territory that’s rarely tread in games. The island Alex and company find themselves trapped on holds many secrets, but none of them seem to warrant discovery.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The exciting thing about 8-bit Adventures Anthology: Volume One is that the games in it don’t only possess nostalgia values. Good adventures can stand the test of time better than many other genres because they’re held up by their stories and puzzles rather than a fancy presentation or tight controls. Of course, MacVentures are short by today’s standards, but they’re not linear. There’s a surprising amount of freedom given to do the needed tasks in each game, creating exciting prospects for the player. The gameplay can be slow as the controller can’t stand in for a mouse, but that’s nitpicking. Most of all, 8-bit Adventures Anthology: Volume One shows how little is needed to create immersing experiences. I had a blast going through these games again I had played almost 30 years ago on Commodore 64 and Amiga. For eight bucks, the anthology is a steal. Do yourself a favor and relax with crude pixels with cool stories.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Even though I have my issues with Until Dawn, I was strangely absorbed into this beautiful, yet awful world where I was able to experience a Hollywood horror movie in video game format.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    EA rejuvenates the genre with the brilliant execution of team play via voice recognition, and rounding it off with a solid Xbox Live support.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ghost Recon Future Soldier is not bad game; it's simply a bad Ghost Recon game.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee is not a total reboot of Pokémon, nor is it entirely the console experience that many fans have asked for, but it goes a long way to making a very familiar game feel at least momentarily fresh. Most of the mechanical changes are for the better and help make Pokémon a great casual RPG for just about anyone. Most critically, it allows longtime fans a not-too-jarring glimpse into what might be the future of their beloved franchise.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    RTS based on the LOTR franchise seems like a perfect fit, and the fact that it plays so good on a console makes this one a clear winner.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While long loading times and occasional situations where the game’s plethora of information goes as missing as Elizabert can be annoying, Bugsnax is ultimately a wonderful experience. With one of the more unexpectedly interesting narratives I’ve come across in recent years and deeply inventive puzzle gameplay, there’s a lot to like here in a package which isn’t too short but also manages to not overstay its welcome. I made some great friends on Snaktooth Island and I think you will too.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite some clunkiness of the control system, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a fun and challenging VR survival game that is also a case for not judging a book by its cover. Bored as I am with Robert Kirkman’s zombie series, there’s no reason to not add this to your PSVR collection.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    A Hat in Time is that rare Kickstarted game that had a lofty goal and succeeded. Not only does the game live up to the 64-bit collectathon nostalgia that so many of us have been craving, but it also revamps the standard formula. Every level feels completely different from the last, and a diverse mission structure keeps the adventure from growing stale. It’s a wholly charming experience that made me smile silly. Hat Kid controls like a dream and is also a ridiculously cute mascot whom I’d like to see more of, along with more adorable hats. Anyone who has fond memories of the 3D platforming genre would do well to check out A Hat in Time.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    EA's fighter has done well on the consoles, and really shines on the handheld with reworked controls, refined gameplay and slick visuals.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A huge step ahead of last year's version with a solid Story Mode, great graphics, and plenty of game modes to choose from.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    John St. John, pretty visuals, and a great story to get behind, Rochard is a sleeper hit. Learning how to long jump in low gravity or just launching grenades through five different force fields to destroy one small piece of metal for a trophy gets my fingers itchy. Another great game to play, but who am I to tell you. Figure it out for yourself. Alabama.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Alien: Isolation represents a strong return to form for an ailing franchise.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    For a company so well known for it’s console-spanning pinball franchise, Castlestorm is as beautiful and precise as any one of their fantastic tables.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Call of Juarez Gunslinger is Techland at their best and the most fun I have had with a western experience since Red Dead Redemption.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sony Interactive Entertainment and Sumo Digital’s Sackboy: A Big Adventure on the Playstation 5 is a charming, vibrant, graphically astounding platformer that serves as a great entry into the genre for newcomers. However, more seasoned veterans of the platforming genre, who were just given the marvel that is Astro’s Playroom, might feel that the narrative and mechanics are quite simple and annoyingly familiar due to Sackboy: A Big Adventure clearly borrowing mechanics and level progression from iconic genre mainstays such as The Super Mario Brothers franchise.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Trials Fusion isn’t a bad game at its core, but its design doesn’t take advantage of the best parts of the series well enough, and the technical issues surrounding it all are a bummer.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tiger continues to dominate the golf genre with the same fluid gameplay but with more modes, bigger selection of courses and a nice visual upgrade.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you skipped the original, now is a great time to drop in and see what you missed, and The Following adds dozens of hours of new missions and things to do outside the city.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Individually, the three tables on offer in the Bethesda Pinball Pack are all entertaining, with DOOM easily topping the pack with sheer attitude and atmosphere. Together as a pack, these tables represent the strongest outing of pinball that Zen has had since the Ball of Glory pack earlier this year, with this one coming in higher overall because there’s no American Dad table holding it back. Recommending this one is a complete no-brainer. Now excuse me, I have a Nightmare run to get back too, cause these demons aren’t going to kill themselves.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Although Blazing Chrome sticks fairly closely to the formula of games like Metal Slug and Contra, its great boss encounters, responsive gameplay, and 16-bit pixel art make it a faithful homage to an underrepresented subgenre.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The added functionality of a handheld option further the possible enjoyment more than ever before. Comparing the PS4 and Nintendo Switch version reveals that you don't lose out on much if played on either system. So, whether you have played these games before and want to again or missed out its release on other systems, I definitely recommend the Switch port as a valid option.
    • 79 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    The Longing is one of those video games that dares you to see it through. Guiding a barely mobile creature who can’t be bothered to pick up the pace a little seems so nonsensical and completely antithetical to fun but if you’re the kind of person that likes to find their own unique brand of fun in video games - like following the rules of the road in Grand Theft Auto - then The Longing is bound to trigger some sort of positive electrical charge. And because much of the game can be accomplished while you’re away, it’s the kind of game you can have going on in the background as you sit through the latest Zoom meeting. Given the uniqueness and special circumstances of reviewing The Longing, Darkstation does not give it a score.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    If you haven’t played Resident Evil 4, it’s still absolutely worth playing. It’s a definite classic that stands along with the likes of Half Life 2 as one of the best games of its generation.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Don't dismiss this is yet another generic pinball game as Nintendo masterfully integrates the Metroid universe into a wonderfully addictive party game.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Although the lack of clarity with the UI and interface takes my opinion down a notch, overall, I really enjoyed my time with Murder by Numbers. The combination of a detective game and picross really works. I hope that this is the start of a beautiful friendship.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rock of Ages 2 is still a fun and madcap adventure, giving you the ability to desecrate art and history, but the game has a habit of taking a little too long with each match. The humor and character carry it a long way and the battles can still come to very tense nail-biting finishes, but a better balance on the damage and more interesting map designs would do a lot to help give it more legs.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Despite it's poor pacing during the second act and its less than satisfying end, Final Fantasy XIII-2 can hold its head up high as a large improvement over its predecessor in the places where it counts.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Simple but effective, The Last Door offers a great, chilling narrative experience. A little on the short side, episodes do not run longer than thirty minutes or so, but its levity is no reason to ignore this well written and conceived story of the supernatural.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Although the game is lacking a deeper online game, the single player manages to make up for it with a very good story and good solid action.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    When I look at Outrun2 I see a game that may not be as spectacular as some games on the market, but it really does an amazing job of creating an impressive arcade style flair that really does wonders for the game.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    It’s not a bad game, it’s just not really anything.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    There is nothing about Shooty Fruity I don’t like. In fact, it’s damn good fun. The concept is awesome, the theme is a joy, and the controls work really well. I can’t recommend the game highly enough and it should be considered a must buy for PlayStation VR owners.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In some ways the game feels pigeonholed by its genre and its aesthetic qualities don't do it any favors, but Fight'N Rage elevates the hot-blooded action of old-school beat em' ups to new heights.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ultimately, the issue with Rage is that while it is not a bad game, it just doesn't live up to the hype.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hitman Episode 2: Sapienza builds on the first episode in just about every way. The dense multi-layered map, creative assassination opportunities, and an overall better performance makes this easily the best episode of the two so far.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    I was prepared that ECHO is perhaps agonizingly hard, given its unique gameplay mechanics. But it wasn’t, as I completed it somewhat effortlessly. Maybe it was due to my anticipatory play style. I confess, I watched several streams of PC version of ECHO a few weeks before the PS4 release. So I kind of knew what not to do in the game. Thank you, you all pioneering Ens on PC streams who clanged too much to their guns. ECHO is intelligent sci-fi without any artificial provocation or emotion manipulation. It’s cool and enigmatic to the end, and much like Kubrick’s movies I referred to earlier, it takes a certain state of mind to appreciate its fearful symmetry.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    In the end, Heavenly Sword is really the first major standout title for the PS3 since its console debut.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    I was a bit underwhelmed when I first got into Tiger Woods 08, I just didn't feel like there was enough new in the game to make it worthwhile. And then I kept playing, I got into the Gamer Net and was addicted, and then played more into the Career and once again was hooked.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Make no mistake, if you enjoyed what you have played so far of Pillars of Eternity, then it will be worthwhile for you to finish off the saga by playing this expansion pack. It is more of what you loved in your previous experience with this game. With that said, you might be surprised by how much that disappoints you, or how just plain tired you are of it.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    After playing countless of me-too Tower Defense off-shots, it's incredibly refreshing to see a game that effortlessly manages to spice up the formula with great mechanics, pin-point controls, exhilarating strategic depth, hectic action and a terrific audiovisual presentation. Toss in the lengthy campaign and enjoyable extras, and the kooky plot and lack of multiplayer are the only missteps in this otherwise incredibly solid and thoroughly entertaining strategy/action title.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Doom is, at core, a classic first person shooter with satisfying weapons and lots of ways to kill and dismember a legion of demonic enemies from another dimension. The game's great level design and near-perfect pacing shine through on the Switch, and moment-to-moment gameplay is still a blast to play, though the framerate drop and somewhat gauzy visuals may irk players used to other versions. In the end, Doom on the Switch is a welcome bit of mature content and a fine shooter that transcends whatever compromises had to be made to port it to the system.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Obviously, PS5 and XSX versions of the game will look better but that doesn’t change the shallow gameplay. The recent Project Cars 3 was too arcadey for its own good and DiRT 5 follows on the same easygoing tracks. The game is just too meh all around. Winning races is always fun but if you don’t need to put any effort to it, it just isn’t all that rewarding or exciting. If you want your racing games easy-peasy, then go for DiRT 5 but those who crave for some real challenge are better off sticking to other, better titles.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The time spent in Hyperion alone makes this entry worth playing. The characters are better (depending on your dialog choices, of course), the jokes are funny, and it features the longest and most epic fake gunfight in the history of video games.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There’s nothing inherently wrong but Madden NFL 20 was really missing the “X-Factor” that it needs to really breath some fresh life into the long, historic franchise. I’m sure I will still be playing Madden NFL 20 by the time I sit down to review Madden NFL 21, but in the back of my mind, all I’ll be hoping is that next year is the year they really revamp Franchise mode and take some bigger risks on the field. Until then, I’ll be taking my QB1 to his third straight Super Bowl.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The campaign has a few bothersome technical missteps but playing the game with friends online, watching them engage targets in the middle of an assault on a Star Destroyer has brought life to my inner child.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Once you get the unlocks, the game is pretty fun for a few hours a day, at most, but doesn’t really hold up to longer sessions. The leaderboards could use some work, and I hope that they continue to peck away at them, but Race the Sun is a fine runner with some decent hooks and unique modes that can give you some good fun if you stick with it.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While it would be nice if I Am Dead's characters were as layered as the town of Shelmertston, the game still mostly succeeds as a unique puzzle experience with some excellent environmental storytelling. It is rewarding to explore this space while magnifying and cross-cutting its details, a constant stream of small discoveries coming into view as you deduce the location of the next hidden memento. Every corner of this seaside village brims with picturesque detail, creating a small town that feels genuinely interconnected. And while the game's pleasant tone keeps things from ever getting truly heavy, it undeniably makes for a thoroughly charming time.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sandwiched between the big-sellers of the season, Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection might just be the game you have been looking for - without even knowing it. There are so much going for it. The hero and the heroine are simply adorable, the world around them enchanting and the revised screenplay carefully crafted. Not to mention the accessible gameplay which doesn’t harass the players with incomprehensible rules or snobby attitude. You don’t even need to devote your whole life to the game. It takes about 30 hours to complete the adventure, give or take a few hours depending on your willingness to do the optional content (like treasure hunting and battling in G-Coliseum). As it stands, it would require quite a cold heart for not to fall in love with Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite the general low budget feel and repetitive gameplay, I enjoyed my time with Fate/Extella Link. The game provides a solid, streamlined experience worth playing for fans of the series, but beyond that, it’s hard to recommend. Though the game provides a slew of playable characters, there was little substantial variation between them. The shallow gameplay and subpar story leave much to be desired, but in the end, the game is still an enjoyable and satisfying hack and slash experience.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    On the execution side, Pool Nation is all hit. I absolutely feel that there is no more accurate representation of the game of pool, and was really impressed with all the extra features Cherry Pop Games added to the overall product.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Halo Wars 2 is not without its flaws. It doesn't have the depth of other RTS's, but it does control surprisingly well and multiplayer options are abundant. There may not be much lasting appeal for hardcore players, but it is certainly fun in the moment, especially for console players that aren't too familiar with the genre.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    This L.A. Noire remaster is more than worth revisiting, even if it is lousy with issues that just start to seem more apparent with time. It's the definition of flawed ambition, shooting for the stars and never quite reaching it. It's rare to find a game like this that is willing to be so simple and down-to-earth, about a cop with a wife (who's never even threatened or fridged!) just doing the work. Hopefully Rockstar's remastering of it is a suggestion that they're on their way to starting the franchise back up – it may still be enjoyable, but there's a lot that could be improved.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Bleed 2 is like its heroine. Short, sweet and mad. The game can be an unadulterated bliss when you manage to get in the groove; glide across several smooth-scrolling screens, taking no hits as you go, dodging and blasting your way forward. I advise to play the game in a lit room with well-rested eyes. Otherwise its action can get dizzying, as I firsthand experienced after the first session with the game (a late evening after watching a movie). Bleed 2 achieves just that what it sets out do. It’s a short-lived but tight package of intense arcade action with no extra frills or cheap padding. Simply put, it’s fun as hell!
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 is yet another solid outing for the franchise.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    One of the more downsides to the gameplay is the noticeably long load times. But this does not frustrate players much, as the levels do lasts for quite a while and they offer instant restarts.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There’s an expectation for next-gen remasters to be cash-grabs, but Bloober Team went beyond resolution upgrades. Observer: System Redux shares a similar release history with Blade Runner: a newer version releasing with extra content and impressive visual polishes. It doesn’t avoid all the pitfalls endemic of walking sims nor of this studio, but it deserves augmented respect like its closest inspiration eventually earned.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    To be frank, there isn’t a whole lot more that can be said about Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus that hasn’t already been mentioned here or the dozens of reviews written when it first came out last year. As far as the Switch port is concerned, the game has been downgraded to make it run but not once did I ever feel I was missing out on anything or compelled to stop playing it on Switch and move to the PlayStation 4 or PC. The truth is, you’re going to have far too much fun slaughtering Nazi scum to even care about some fuzzy textures and the occasional broken particle effect.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is an excellent remaster of an underrated game. Though the playtime is short, it’s a worthy experience for anyone who enjoys nonlinear “Metroidvania” styled platformers. It’s great to see such a faithful adaptation, but it would have been nice to see new content other than the gender option. Either way, it’s clear that a lot of passion went into making the game look and sound as great as it does. Lizardcube has set a new standard for remaking an old game, and I’d look forward to seeing what’s next on their table. Perhaps we’re due for a proper new entry in the Wonder Boy series.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    EA's string of great sports releases is broken this time as the 2006 edition just goes through the motions and doesn't bring anything new for gamers.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It’s smartly designed, and while I wish there were more modes, what’s there is definitely worth experiencing.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    2K Sports improves upon last season's mediocre next-gen release, with enhanced gameplay mechanics and spruced up visuals.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland is light-hearted, enjoyable, and one of the better role-playing games on the PlayStation Vita.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    At its core, Redie is an entrancing menagerie of grief and triumph. There are things it could have done better, especially when it comes to new players, but it succeeds where it needs to. More than that, it boasts an astounding ability to embrace tedium and turn it into something fun. Redie will test how much you can tolerate a difficult game, but you'll walk away satisfied. And again, play it while you're young and snappy.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    World to the West is presented in stylized and clearly-defined visuals which goes a long way in perceiving the environmental puzzles. The same simple approach extends to the gameplay. Everything is straightforward and easy to grasp. I liked the old-school vibes of World to the West, harking back all the way to the 80's. When I played these kind of games as a kid with home computers, they were called arcade adventures and presented usually in an isometric view. At the same time, elsewhere in the world kids had their Nintendo Entertainment Systems and were immersed with the likes of The Legend of the Zelda. In my eyes World to the West manages to blend the best of both the western and eastern schools of action-adventuring. The result is fun, challenging and rewarding experience which is easy to play but hard to put down.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Puyo Puyo 2 was a big deal for fans of the puzzler when it first launched. The rules added to the base game offer more incentive to play fast and aggressively. The Sega Ages edition for the Nintendo Switch introduces some helpful features, like save states and an undo button. It’s a solid, upgraded port and would be a good purchase for fans, if the market weren’t already saturated with Puyo Puyo games.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The content addition felt solid, although I would have appreciated either of the two challenge paths to have been made a bit longer, since they are basically two rooms full of enemies leading into a boss, unless you decide to explore to pick up a few non-essential items; they didn’t feel as rewarding as the main path in my opinion.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The gameplay loop is kind of awful but piloting an airplane and shooting others out of the sky is really satisfying, especially as they fall to the earth trailing black smoke before they explode into dozen pieces. What Skies of Fury DX lacks in stuff to do, it almost makes up for it in playability.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    At the end of the day, EA Sports UFC 2 does an admirable job of trying to create the complex world of UFC in a video game while still making it fun for the player. It’s not a perfect game by any means but a good game all the same.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This is a fast paced, high adrenaline experience that manages to really impress.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you are a fan of Nintendo Sports titles of past years, then get to the present time and pick up a copy of this game, it's worth it.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There's no denying that in the moment, the single-player campaign, the multiplayer modes, and Zombies mode are satisfying and create a well-tuned shooter experiences defined by super-high production values and polish. Take a longer view, however, and you're likely to feel more than a little ennui over the setting and a bit let down by a game that feels like a corporate decision rather than a passion project. World War II defined the course of nations and the fate of millions. Call of Duty: WWII misses the opportunity to find its own, unique or emotionally compelling journey through the conflict. It is a mechanically solid, visually impressive shooter bolted to a story we've seen too many times.

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