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
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sonic Mania is a wonderful celebration of what's made Sonic so great in the past while also striving to push it forward. This isn't to say it's perfect – it has some of the problems of the previous games as well – but it's such a perfect encapsulation of old Sonic games, it's impressive. If you've ever been curious about what makes these old games special, or if you're just interested in revisiting the series you loved as a kid, this is the best way to do it. It's the old and the new wrapped together in a way that makes both shine. I hope this team goes on to do more, and eventually break themselves away from needing to remix old levels and just make their own.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Doesn't make any ground breaking moves to the RPG genre but it does give Gamecube fans an RPG to be proud of.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    As the name suggest, Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is exactly that. RuptureFarms has never looked and felt so good. Revamped visuals, new mechanics, and an immensely fun adventure revives this classic title and reminds fans why we fell in love with Oddworld in the first place.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Skate is one of those games that managed to really surprise me this year, especially in a year where there haven't been any big surprises. Skate manages to really come out with all engines firing, and manages to make a great skateboarding game.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Resident Evil VII is a great pivot from the formula and also works as a fantastic re-imagining of the original game and a perfect jump in point for newcomers. There’s a warm feeling of familiarity but it never feels gratuitous or as a result of Capcom running out of ideas. Resident Evil VII successfully kickstarts an exciting new chapter in the long running franchise and is certainly worth your attention.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The steps forward for NHL 12 might not be as monumental as NHL 11 was, but at the same time they didn't have to be. NHL 12 is a must purchase for hockey fans or even those who have passing interest in the sport.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Rise of the Tomb Raider is all about its pacing. It’s a game that will throw you into a huge action sequence and then slowly ramp back up. You don’t have to worry about endless waves of enemies. Instead you will move from one area to the next, traversing the world, hunting so you can craft and upgrade, and scouring the world for treasure and tombs. Crystal Dynamics took what worked in Tomb Raider and made it even better. Rise of the Tomb Raider is one of the best games of the year. It’s absolutely beautiful and plays as good as any game on the market today.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The beautiful setting and sensational visuals are one thing, but when you mix it in with heart-pounding races, an extensive car list, intense competitive online play, and a vast explorable world, it all translates to Horizon 2 being the cream of the crop in the genre and the best in its class.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    As addictive as any card builder on the market, Monster Train absolutely nails the dopamine drip of fast-paced matches, the promise of increasing power, and enough variety in its gameplay that it will take dozens of hours before the game starts to feel repetitive. A well written story and crisper graphics would elevate the title to another level, but what is here is fantastic and endlessly entertaining.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Beat Saber comes at the end of a really important year for the PSVR, with games like Tetris Effect, Moss, and Astro Bot Rescue Mission giving renewed life to the two-year old device. These games — but especially Beat Saber — are the best evidence for VR being more than a promising but ultimately niche technology. It has mass appeal and gameplay that just about anyone can enjoy.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Steamworld Heist is a ton of fun, and developer Image and Form are doing a great job of trying new things following the surprise success of Steamworld Dig.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Players who enjoyed 2012′s XCOM: Enemy Unknown already know whether they will enjoy Enemy Within. For devotees still playing, or folks who want to pick XCOM back up after focusing on other things for a while, Enemy Within introduces compelling new ways to combat the alien invasion that are well worth the asking price.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Luigi's Mansion 3 is the perfect mix between spooky and fun gameplay, suitable for fans of any age. The mass amount of variation continuously keeps the game feeling fresh as you play. The option for co-operative play also adds another layer to the game, increasing the replayability further. From the gorgeous graphics to the fantastic music, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is nothing but an enjoyable experience. Going in as a new player to the series was also fantastic. I can definitely see why so many people love the series, and we would love to see Nintendo take it to new and refreshing places in the future, once again.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It all adds up to make this the most functional version of the game yet, itself one of the most exciting and polished MMOs around.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The moment-to-moment navigation and ghost-busting is so innately enjoyable that it often negated my complaints, though. Mostly, Dark Moon is an excellent adventure game that smartly builds upon one of Nintendo’s most unique and underutilized properties. It could have used a little more balancing and little less padding, but otherwise, this is a grand start to the Year of Luigi.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    DJ Hero 2 is a nice step forward for the series, but it's not a giant leap by any stretch.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It would be legitimate to complain that Dragon Quest XI and the franchise as a whole has not evolved much, and less patient players may balk at the game’s grind-heavy, deliberate pace and missing features like save-anywhere systems, tactical positioning or even character models that don’t reflect worn armor. It’s important to note that while these design decisions are debatable, their implementation in Dragon Quest XI is deliberate, and the game’s overall polish and presentation is excellent. Taken on its own terms, the good-natured characters, interesting story, colorful visuals and exciting combat add up to a very specific, but immensely enjoyable, experience.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    For the first time, Destiny feels like it’s complete. It’s not perfect, far from it in fact, and I still can’t entirely disagree when they speak of the package itself as bad. But I’ve also been unable to put it down for the past month I’ve played it.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Perhaps with time Heroes of the Storm can age into something great, for now it’s worth checking out if you want to experience a different take on a popular genre.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It gives you the tools and skills to be the sickest skateboarder you never were.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With over 30 tracks, hundreds of impressively rendered cars, and a robust and option-rich single player campaign (not to mention endless single, one-off races), Forza 7 has to represent the current apex of the racing sim. While it isn't a decisive leap forward from Forza 6, neither is it a step back. The cars just get better looking, the handling more precise, and the overall experience more comprehensive and immersive. I can't wait to try it on the Xbox One X.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    NHL 08 is one of those games that manages to put everything together in one complete package, and NHL 08 is really a complete hockey package.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Persona 4 Arena is an awesome game. There is a lot here for fans of both fighting games and Persona. Though it is difficult to recommend to gamers who are not fans of the genre or the franchise, especially as the story mode can seriously drag at times. Still, this is a great game that is definitely worth a purchase.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Games like this on the Wii didn’t sell anything compared what Nintendo was able to do with Mario, and the majority of 3DS owners don’t have access to the title since it’s a N3DS exclusive. Still, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D is worth buying a new system for, and this is a must-have for longtime jrpg fans.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With a flimsy price tag of $5, Heroes offers hours upon hours of enjoyment to help sate your appetite for more Resogun. The only negative thing I think I can say about the DLC is that if Resogun didn’t do anything for you before, the DLC likely won’t change your mind.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Much better than the first Injustice, Injustice 2 is both a top-tier fighting game and a real treat for fans of the DC universe, equally featuring iconic heroes and quirky second-stringers just as lovingly presented. As a brawler, the game is fun for players at any skill level. Between the campaign, Multiverse, and Multiplayer components, Injustice 2 serves up a lot of content. There are some technical hitches in the PC port that need to be addressed, but they barely diminish the overall fantastic experience.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Mini Metro is a really good game for unwinding, even with the more challenging modes and moments of high stress that pop when a poorly placed station suddenly appears. In a way, it’s a sim-without-the-sim, and a management game about managing very little. The UI is crisp and clean, the gameplay satisfying, and while the game doesn’t really do much to motivate you to keep playing aside from going “hey, beat your high score!”, it’s fun enough that you’re going to fire it up to try and make a longer lasting and more efficient metro line anyways.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Cadence of Hyrule is a miracle project, birthed from an indie developer given the keys to Hyrule Castle and surpassing everyone’s expectations. Brace Yourself Games has managed to compose its own worthy Zelda adventure, incorporating its own rhythmic roguelike gameplay with fantastic remixes. The end result is a unique musical experience that’s hard to put down. Needless to say, the game may not be as inviting to those unversed with The Legend of Zelda. But for big fans seeking a new tempo, Cadence of Hyrule hits all the right beats, and I look forward to an encore.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Although not a perfect package, Splinter Cell Conviction is a great game that offers a great single player experience as well as a solid cooperative game that all combines into another must have action game.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    It’s a game that constantly entices you to see what the next puzzle or story bit has to offer. In that regard, it rarely disappoints, and the experience stays with you long after you finish it.

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