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
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Ori and the Blind Forest is an aesthetically breathtaking adventure. Immaculately detailed environments coupled with engaging gameplay, all driven home by an emotionally driven plot makes this journey one for the ages.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    In the simplest terms, playing The Witcher 2 is a lot like attending an archaeological dig with nothing but your bare hands: you're sure to come up with something amazing, but you'll suffer a lot of unnecessary punishment and stress to attain it.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    For those who thought it can not be done, Rockstar has proven you wrong with this almost perfect port of a cleaned-up "GTA III" for the sweet PSP handheld.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Now that Telltale has captured my attention with this entry, they've got the difficult task of keeping it. This episode is so full of smart character moments and interactions it seems impossible for them to continue it any further, but we'll just have to see what they have in store for us next. Of course it's a lot of pressure to keep the momentum going, but the series is starting to look more cohesive and it feels like it's actually going somewhere, which I appreciate after the second episode felt so aimless and one-off. For the first time since it started, though, I'm looking forward to the next entry in this series, and can't wait to see what happens.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super Mario Maker 2 builds upon the original in very basic ways. The game adds an impressive array of new mechanics that allow creators more freedom to design. With the addition of the painfully tedious, gimmick-driven story mode, the developers teach players just how annoying the new features can be. Regardless, designing levels has never been more convenient and the vast sea of user-created content is bound to provide endless enjoyment. Overall, Super Mario Maker 2 is a solid release that is highly recommended and successfully manages to mostly satisfy both creators and players, despite the game’s various issues and shortcomings.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Combines a great storyline with superb gameplay, and slick graphics, to give you an experience that is just non-stop fun.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Devil May Cry 5 has its best moments when it lets its new and unheard voice roar free and wild but I think that too much time is spent on treading familiar ground of the series. Of course, the game looks more amazing than anything before it, but the tried-and-tested gameplay is only elevated by its pompous overdoses. However, the ending was a saving grace as it wasn’t entirely something I had expected. It left me in high spirits, all invigorated and happy that I saw the story through, although the journey to the conciliatory climax lacked excitement when it needed it most.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This can get tedious playing by yourself, but when playing in co-op this game really shines and is actually quite a bit of fun to play.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    So where does this leave us? Same great game, extra content, fan made costumes, all on the your personal computer through the magic of Steam.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you enjoyed the first game, you will most likely enjoy this game because it's very similar.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Although it does a great job of nudging the player along the way, Civilization VI is complex, deep, and endlessly replayable. Like every entry in the series, Civ VI will no doubt be followed by a number of rebalancing tweaks, small changes, and expansion packs but fresh out of the digital box, Civilization VI is simultaneously familiar, fresh and remarkably fun.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The bottom line is, if you want to play an action-RPG that is easy to get into, rewards skillful play in higher difficulty levels, and lets you easily play with your friends, Diablo III is a game that you absolutely cannot miss. But its narrow design makes it a game that I can't recommend without caveat for those who prefer single player experiences.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    An amazing confluence of level and monster design, combat and gameplay systems, Monster Hunter: World is undoubtedly best Monster Hunter game. After spending well over a hundred hours outside the campaign, I think my original review score was actually a little low. As a game, Monster Hunter: World is still incredible, but the PC release can only be considered definitive for a relatively small number of power users with top-shelf GPUs and zippy processors. While everyone with a recent PC and decent graphics card can make the game work, for many players the best experience may still be on console.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Diablo III: Eternal Collection is a fantastic addition to the Nintendo Switch lineup, and if the years of popularity isn't enough to go by, the vast amount of play styles and options offered by the game should suit the preferences of the many. I recommend the game to all types of gamers, as it's accessible in so many ways. The Nintendo Switch also upholds every aspect of the traditional Diablo experience, so long-term fans of the series need not worry about moving over to the handheld version. If anything, I recommend it for its versatility.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Yakuza Kiwami 2 is as abundant as it’s easily approachable. It has a lot to do and plenty of beautiful things to watch, all wrapped in smooth gameplay that can be adapted to the personal playstyle. On Xbox One, the game costs only 20 dollars for a stunning value for money (it’s also a part of Game Pass library). Admittedly, you have to appreciate Japanese culture and entertainment, and be content with the fact that you won’t be firing any guns. In the cruel but honorable world of the game, the hardness of your fists, the reach of your kicks, and the depth of your heart are what matter the most.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The series kicked off with all of the right design decisions, but the sequel doesn't prosper in this regard. Perhaps it's unfair to focus so much on the negative aspects of a game that is still very much worth playing, but it really is good in spite of what is new, and not because of it. It's for this reason that although I can still wholeheartedly recommend the game for fans of Pillars of Eternity, I have come away from it with feelings that are decidedly mixed.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Kentucky Route Zero is a rare video game that is able to find magic in the mundane, transforming a seemingly routine truck delivery into a fantastical odyssey through the heartland of Americana. There really isn't anything else quite like it.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    I’ve played a lot of the launch lineup for Playstation VR but nothing has come close to the amount of fun that I’ve had with Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes. It’s one of the few VR experiences that can be even more fun for people without the headset on.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    While I can try to find something negative to say about the game it would be absolute nitpicking and at this point, nothing comes to mind. I can certainly say that Night in the Woods’ relatable and lifelike story won’t be for everyone, and I can imagine some finding the characters too whiny or depressing. However, I think the people who enjoy these kinds of stories and characters will be in for one of the best examples of lifelike interactions and relatable storylines in a game to date. Night in the Woods blends beautiful art, a nuanced soundtrack, and expertly crafted, human writing into a single, cohesive experience.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In a gaming landscape where every game has bountiful side quests and unending DLC, it’s nice to play a game that knows what it is and sticks to that formula from beginning to end. While Nex Machina won’t be for everyone, it’s a game that absolutely excels at being what it set out to be: a challenging, beautiful arcade shooter that will constantly ask if you want to continue.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    There are dozens of "Souls-like" games but Nioh is by far the most ambitious, polished and successful because it has taken Dark Souls' digital DNA and genuinely evolved it into something both recognizable and different. Nioh owes much to the spirit and mechanics of From's games but there is a lot of Diablo and Ninja Gaiden in there as well. It doesn't matter whether Nioh is derivative or wholly original, it just matters that the game is incredibly well made, challenging, complex and fun.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    There’s always something new to see and do, and all the additions make it easier to hop in for a few hours each day and lose myself in the world. When things get to stressful for me in the real world, it’s nice to know that Animal Crossing: New Leaf is there in my 3DS, offering me a nice escape.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Having played through OMORI, I’m confident say that it’s an experience I won’t forget. This is a game I wholeheartedly recommend for those that appreciate a good story. With a strong emphasis on catharsis, it has a lot up its sleeves. The cutesy and colorful presentation hides a grim reality and it hits hard. Highly recommended, OMORI is a gem of a game that definitely deserves recognition.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Burnout Paradise is the first great game of 2008. It has all the makings of one of the best the Burnout series has seen, and if improved upon for next year could be the best Burnout yet.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While the total additions equal a killer product, I do think this version, even on new consoles, is slightly inferior to the Gold release.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It is hard not to be impressed by 343 Industries. This is their first full game, for a series as popular and well thought of as Halo and to improve upon Bungies' games in almost every way is nothing short of astounding. Let it be said, Halo 4 is another Halo game, it feels very familiar and tries very little new, but then again, there is a reason the series is as popular as it is and it isn't as though we see a new one every single year.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Just in case you’d forgotten that Bloodborne was one of the best games of the year, The Old Hunters should seal the deal and place it near the top of the list. Generously difficult, filled with hours of new story, and packed with interesting areas to explore and enemies to die to, The Old Hunters is a great addition to the game and should not be missed.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    The difficulty of explaining Year Walk without giving its secrets away is self-evident at this point. Anyone reading this who has already played it knows what I mean. For the laymen though, and those who are merely curious, I’ll just say that it’s one of the best adventure games I’ve ever played, and also one of the most terrifying horror experiences in recent and bygone memory.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    There are heretics for whom superhero culture holds no appeal or understanding, but I wager that Injustice 2 will captivate even these skeptics. With responsive fighting mechanics, an engaging and fast-moving campaign, a generous roster of characters and top-drawer presentation, Injustice 2 will make everyone at least a temporary fan of the genre.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With a meticulously designed world and the elaborate puzzles that reside within it, The Witness is a game you won’t want to miss.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    DOOM has been the biggest surprises of the year. I didn’t care much for the survival horror, Dead Space tone of Doom 3, so the brutal, nihilistic and metal tone of this game is better suited and more familiar to the source material.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Not only is the gameplay superb but also the graphics are just drop-dead gorgeous.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As much as Dead Cells tries - and largely succeeds - to make some concessions to wider accessibility, it is still a game for players with patience and tolerance. Death is frequent, replays inevitable and while the hack-and-slash is almost always engaging in the moment, there's a fair amount of visual repetition and, thanks to the procedural generation elements, fun is little bit dependent on the luck of the draw. Dead Cells may be a near masterpiece of the genre, but the genre's conventions are still a barrier to greatness.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    In the end, I enjoyed myself most when I stopped comparing Nioh to Souls games and appreciated it for what it is. Nioh has fast-paced, challenging combat with a deep loot and upgrade system. With well-designed levels and a ton of content, it's easy to sink a lot of time into this visit to Sengoku era Japan.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Although it doesn’t include all the PC game’s extra content, Civ VI comes to the PS4 and Xbox with both the Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm expansions and the latter in particular is a literal game changer. I can certainly imagine using Civ VI as an engaging educational tool to consider the many competing forces around climate change. That sounds dreary. Of course, Civilization VI on PS4 remains what it has always been: addictive, accessible and fun.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy VII Remake is an enigmatic thing, a product born out of nostalgia but reimagined and redesigned to take advantage of technology and hardware that could capture the grandeur of this particularly beloved adventure. If you’ve played the original before, don’t go in thinking you’ll know exactly what’s going to happen because the story takes a good number of unexpected left turns. These changes are mostly fine but I’m curious to see what sort of tweaks will be made to the larger story in light of some of the more dramatic changes--with special regards to a final boss that screams, “Well, we just couldn’t help ourselves!” Final Fantasy VII Remake is a fresh take on a familiar story, expanded with a larger scope that just wasn’t possible twenty-three years ago.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There’s a good game in Pokemon X, and fans looking for another game near-identical to the ones before it likely won’t find issue with a lot of the dusty trimmings and transparent battle system. If you want to get into into the new stat rebuilding features and grind out tons of easy battles to prep for high-level online multiplayer, it’s never been easier to do so. But for all else, the game’s excellent visuals belie the frustratingly old-fashioned design. RPG folk can find better times on their 3DS.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    There are really two categories of RPG's, the great ones, and the less than favorable ones. Jeanne d'Arc manages to get in the top category, which just shows that Sony really pushed this game to become great, and they succeed in doing that.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Guacamelee! is a surprising source for a number of in-depth questions regarding ethnic art and internet influence, but it’s also one of the finest games available for the PlayStation Vita.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Some unpleasant forays in the Astral Plane, an occasionally unhelpful dodge, and a dearth of combos hold the game back slightly, but despite these shortcomings, combat still feels robust and exploration is a welcome change of pace. Overall, Astral Chain is a wonderful synthesis of stylish character-action, RPG elements, and a novel central hook that manages to tread new ground despite its many points of influence.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    This combination makes Crypt of the NecroDancer a brilliant reimagining of nearly every fantasy RPG standard, from combat to status effects.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With a lengthy campaign and a multiplayer full of leveling and unlocking Max Payne 3 is a title that will hold your attention for a while and show you one hell of a ride in the process. With only a few minor hiccups keeping it from being a perfect game, Max Payne 3 is unquestionably a must have.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A much more upbeat entry chock full of streamlining that lets its new ideas really shine, Pokemon Sun and Moon are the most friendly and modern-feeling games the series has put forth in a long time. Though it shifts away from the exploratory aspects I've loved in past games to focus more on a main quest, S&M have some of the most memorable parts I've seen in the series in a while. It feels like Game Freak finally took cruise control off and are willing to try something new, and I just hope they expand on some of the more offbeat ideas in the future.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    In the day and age where every other game is a first person shooter, Heavy Rain comes to us with a fresh and original experience that is really unlike any other game on the market today. It is not perfect but its originality to me makes it a must have for any Playstation 3 owner.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Just an average stealth game on the PS2. It suffers from frame rate problems and just doesn't offer as much as we all would have hoped.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Guacamelee 2 is a fun, lighthearted game that incorporates intense platforming and fast-paced Luchador fights. The sequel doesn’t bring many new ideas to the table, and veterans of the original may want to hold off for a while unless they’re craving more of the Mexiverse. Otherwise, if you’re looking for a tight Metroidvania with vibrant colors and a great sense of humor, then it’s an easy recommendation to dip your chips into Guacamelee 2.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sony's other stealth-actioner favorite debuts on the PSP with an impressive story and gameplay mechanics, backed by a solid control scheme and plenty of game modes.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    If you’re coming for the puzzles then you’ll have a great time, if you want a story that makes you question your beliefs then you may find what you’re looking for and if you just want to sit in awe at the clay world then that’s fine too.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Everything about this game seems to flow perfectly together. It's light, yet heavy. It's fun, yet serious. It has the style and feel of Guilty Gear, the craziness and fluidity of Marvel vs. Capcom, and the familiarity of Dragon Ball. All of these things blend together very nicely in order to create a game that can truly be enjoyed by everyone. I can play FighterZ any time with anyone and have an absolute blast with it. Whether you're a hardcore fan of the genre or not, this really is the fighting game you've been looking for.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    While it isn’t technically a new game, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening looks and feels as fresh and inviting as any new game released on the Switch. It preserves all the strange, playful fun of the original while utterly transforming it visually and mechanically, and preserves everything that made Link’s Awakening a classic. Whether you’re playing it for the first time or revisiting a longtime favorite, you won’t be disappointed.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Unlike Arkham Origins, which felt like the Arkham story’s unwelcomed little brother, Arkham Knight earns its position as the end of this triolgy. It goes out hard and fast, carrying one of comics most iconic characters into an unknown twilight, and leaving us with Rocksteady’s undisputed triumph over the licensed game space.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The game plays much better then last year's game, and overall ha[s] a great look and feel to it that most people are just going to love.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Undead Nightmare is an amazing experience that when you factor in the low price truly raises the bar over anything I have seen in terms of DLC packs in the last couple of years. Keep the zombies coming!
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    While it has a few missteps and lacks the semi tongue in cheek humor of the original games, I found that the experience of Max's journey to be far more engrossing than I initially expected.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    There are not enough words to describe how beautiful the game looks, or how despite the huge number of alternate costumes you have access too, nothing feels as right as the new suit Insomniac created. I could spin webs about the excellent boss fights that liter the back half of the game, and how they manage to test your skills without resorting to just packing the screen full of enemies and story-wise. I could do all these things, but I won’t because you need to play this and experience it for yourself. Again, with no qualifiers, Marvel’s Spider-Man is the best game you will play this year. It most certainly has been the best one I have.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Not a single thing about Ōkami is outdated. The ambitious creative design gives it away, though. No one really makes games like this anymore, taking wild risks while at it. The gamble didn’t pay off with the original release. Dissatisfied with the poor sales, Capcom decided to stall Clover Studio and merge it with in-house teams. The key personnel escaped the merger and went on to form PlatinumGames. As they say, the rest is history. Now that 2017 saw Japanese games taking back the respect they deserve, I hope Ōkami HD too will find its audience. After all these years after the original game’s release, I have no qualms in awarding Ōkami HD a perfect score. If only I had given it a chance back then… Don’t make the same mistake!
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A much more upbeat entry chock full of streamlining that lets its new ideas really shine, Pokemon Sun and Moon are the most friendly and modern-feeling games the series has put forth in a long time. Though it shifts away from the exploratory aspects I've loved in past games to focus more on a main quest, S&M have some of the most memorable parts I've seen in the series in a while. It feels like Game Freak finally took cruise control off and are willing to try something new, and I just hope they expand on some of the more offbeat ideas in the future.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite stepping away from the tone and play style of its forbears, Tomb Raider is an entertaining adventure and a great jumping off point for the new direction Crystal Dynamics wants to take.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    For fans of the genre, Hollow Knight is a game you simply can’t miss. It takes what people expect in a metroidvania and polishes them up to shine radiantly. The art and animation in a game like this, no matter how beautiful, can only go so far if the backtracking and general metroidvania tropes aren’t handled well. While the backtracking can be tedious and the exploration can be maddening, Hollow Knight is still worth a look to anyone looking for a great action platformer. Hollow Knight wears its inspirations on its sleeve and reminds the world that sometimes you don’t need to create completely new mechanics, sometimes you just need to make those old mechanics shine again.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    For those that are hoping for just a massive and bloody brawl, you're not going to find it in Bully. It's a game that almost everyone can identify with, and getting your character through school is a complex yet simple experience, made fun by the pacing and the sheer amount of things that you can do.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Although Call of Duty: Black Ops may have a lot familiar to fans of the series, Treyarch has pushed a lot of the right buttons and has made the best Call of Duty game to date.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    This is a remarkable game, and there isn’t a Vita owner in the world that should pass it by. It’s a sublime experience and, especially at its budget retail price, is dense with gameplay mechanics that involve you as the player directly into Tearaway’s loveable little dimension.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Konami has been spot on, with an engaging storyline and revolutionary new gameplay features.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    MLB 13: The Show is admittedly a small step forward. It has cleaned up some of the rougher edges in both the Franchise and the Road to the Show mode while maintaining its near-perfect on the field action. What else can I say, MLB 13: The Show remains one of the pinnacle sports franchises in the business today.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    FIFA 14 exudes polish from every pore. It’s a great all-rounder, able to entertain players of all abilities. Until Battlefield fixes its problems, there isn’t a better multiplayer game on PS4 either. Sports fan or no, there aren’t many more complete games you can pick up this launch window.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Hitman 3 doesn’t bring any substantial changes to the tried and true mechanics of the trilogy, but instead offers the most complete, refined version of Agent 47 we’ve seen to date. Despite a lackluster story, IO Interactive has otherwise done an outstanding job over the years with this trilogy and Hitman 3 represents the culmination of all those efforts.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Each level in Hotline Miami begins with a choice – which rubber animal mask will you wear? Pixelated, haunting renditions of a variety of animals are represented. Dog, insects, donkeys. Which would you prefer? It’s a powerful and completely cosmetic decision that blends simple, fast action mechanics and surrealist narrative to an incredible accumulation.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Although its multiplayer is a little underpowered, Doom Eternal’s challenging campaign is a reminder — as was its 2016 sibling — that old school mayhem fueled by adrenaline and alien guts still packs a wallop of fun. The game’s story is a bit too convoluted and portentous and its platforming is over-exacting sometimes to the point of momentum-halting frustration, but it’s hard not to recommend Doom Eternal to fans of shooters from any era.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    This is the game that should have come out two years ago, and while it’s sad that we didn’t have it then, it’s great to enjoy right now.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Last year I said that MLB 11 wasn't a monumental step forward. I would say that MLB 12 is only a half-step forward for the series. Sure the competition within the genre is weak but that is still no excuse to leave much unchanged from last year's version. MLB 12: The Show is a fantastic game of baseball there just isn't enough new to make it an outright purchase recommendation.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The New Colossus is a sometimes absurd, over-the-top single player action game that revels in stupidity but is also whip-crack smart about its themes and is happily willing to silence its guns for an extended series of emotionally honest and beautifully acted moments. Some of the character models aren't great (though the voice work uniformly is), there are some graphical issues here and there, and the testosterone-injected guitar riffs that underscore the firefights seem at grating odds with the setting and story. Very minor quibbles aside, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus -- like a few of the fanciful animals in the game -- bolts the head of serious political and social satire onto the body of a shooter and it all works amazingly well.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Wipeout HD is a budget priced game that has more than enough content for a full price, and some of the best visuals out there to date.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    On each playthrough, though, I enjoyed the game as much as I did on my first go. It never gets old to see Eli’s weary wisdom, Mandana’s warm righteousness, Logan’s rugged intuition, KayKay’s mischievous behavior or Vicky’s no-nonsense street smarts. Rarely I see a game that endures such a ransacking through it. Like its subject matter, there must be something supernatural to Unavowed – or maybe I’m possessed by it!
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    The bright and fuzzy charm that captivated people fourteen years ago still feels fresh and original. The game may not have much replayability after it ends, apart from replaying levels to make bigger stars maris, but it’s worth keeping around whenever there’s need for a moment of two of calm and mindless fun.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    The controls are tight, the levels are fun to look at, and the music will have you sucked into the Runner world in no time.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The game is fantastic, and the art and music are beyond reproach, but the overall philosophy behind the games organization is just a little too off and it prevents it from being the landmark it could have been.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Spelunky is a great game. There are no technical issues to hold it back, the controls are solid, the art is awesome, the multiplayer is fun, and the challenge is superb. The game can be really rough when you can't make progress for hours on end, but overall I think people will find Spelunky to be a great experience. It really is a shame this game wasn't included in the Summer of Arcade, as it is extremely high quality.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Make no mistake about it, Iceborne is a full five-star expansion that adds dozens of hours’ worth of sizzling action to the brilliant base game but technical issues at the PC port’s launch reduce the score. After a few patches, the game is near the level the fans deserve but still it needs some more tender, love and care to make it perfect. When you get it to work, though, Iceborne is a beautiful and engaging playground for new, exciting hunts among magnificent and imposing monsters, a thrill ride like no other. It may be just pure entertainment without anything poignant to tell but in that context, its gameplay and the bounty are nigh perfect.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Resistance 2 improves on an already great title with a fun campaign and competitive multiplayer and fantastic cooperative play.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Although I would have liked to have seen a longer experience, if your in the market for new and unique experience look no further then Flower.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Once players overcome the initial learning curve, Europa Universalis IV will prove a memorable strategy experience that provides as much fun stories as it does sheer tactical complexity.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    I’ve played dozens of hours of the game on PC, and after playing this version, I don’t think I’m going back to the keyboard and mouse anytime soon.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Sporting a great cast of wonderful characters, a memorable soundtrack, and a deep story filled with humor, drama, and twists and turns, there is absolutely no sound reason to miss out on this wonderful and spirited video game.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    NBA 2K16 continues to be at the top of its game, even if the new career mode isn’t everything I wanted from a Spike Lee joint.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Although I will admit Fight Night Round 2 leaves plenty of room improvement, it still is an amazing game on its own merits.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    LittleBigPlanet for the PSP is one of the best games out there, and if you were a fan of the PS3 version, or wanted to see what all the talk was about, go out and buy it now.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Grid doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel but instead builds around it and attempts to improve it, and in the end succeeds in making one of the most enjoyable racing games I have played in years.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    If there's fault to be found in West of Loathing it can be in the RPG elements and mission structure -- which are fairly perfunctory -- and maybe a whiff of the belief that when it comes to comedy, quantity beats quality. That's ok. We probably need more games that don't rely on videocards being pushed to their limits or over-emoting mo-capped heroes, games that can tell a story or sell a joke with a straight line, a circle and some dots.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While I enjoyed the character interactions and reveals in Vault of the Traveler, I couldn’t get myself excited for the episode’s action packed finale.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Gone Home tells a story unlike any other game in recent memory, and yet it does so in a way that only a video game can. The masterfully executed environmental storytelling guarantees that each player will walk away from Gone Home with a different experience.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Those with any love for the genre should play Gemini Rue for the story and to delight in the nostalgia of a simpler time before eye-popping HD graphics, light bloom and the Unreal Engine.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    OOTP is a curiosity that reveals itself to be an addicting chess match, jostling for position against the 30 other teams while proving your worth as owner of the team. Interest in this game is almost entirely dictated by your interest in baseball, management simulations and strategy games.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    I am happy to report that Fight Night Round 4 is the complete package. If you are a fan of boxing, or of the series, you would be crazy not to go out and purchase this game.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    I must say that I am very impressed with how smooth the game runs, and how smooth the gameplay is.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    F1 2017 is a game that’s built for F1 fans. It does a really admirable job of bringing people like me along for the ride, but I think it rewards fans over and over again with an amazing F1 experience. Even though I’m not the biggest F1 fan I fell in love with F1 2017 and see it as a game that I’ll keep coming back to long after this review is published.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Studio MDHR’s Cuphead is going to be one of those game you’ll either totally love or hate with a fury hotter than the fires of hell. This is a really, really hard game. One of its oddities is the inclusion of a Simple mode for bosses that make the battles significant easier except you cannot advance to the next world unless you've taken out their Regular forms. And because the Simple variants aren’t particularly helpful, there’s no reason they should exist. The platformer minded Run ‘n Gun stages are nice diversions but at their worst, you can tell they were added for wider appeal. As someone who absolutely love what Cuphead is, I learned to take these issues in stride. This is a game that made such a huge splash on arrival and has more personality and charm than anything launched this year.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Developers Insomniac takes some lessons from their blockbuster platformers, and weaves their magic into this extremely fun and visually stunning shooter.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Boom Blox: Bash Party once again shows the potential of the Wii to innovate and come out with new unique experiences. If you are a fan of puzzle games, or just looking for a fun experience on your Wii you must check out Boom Blox: Bash Party.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Rise of the Tomb Raider is truly a phenomenal game from top to bottom and it has some of the best visuals around. But graphics alone do not make a game great and Rise does not rely on them.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    By building on a strong foundation, it allows its players the freedom of determining their own destiny, with little in the way of flaws holding it back. Sure, I may have some grudges that may never be removed from the great book, but in the end, this is the best experience I’ve had, bar none, when it comes to real time strategy games.

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