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
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The cause-and-effect puzzle elements are clever but require too much trial-and-error to be truly intuitive.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    When I gave The World Ends With You Final Mix a perfect score, I did so because it reflected not a flawless game, but one that overcame its blemishes and left you feeling positive. That’s why I’m once again granting a perfect score. The end result of playing Atelier Arland trilogy is equivalent to finishing a strong book series. The individual pieces are engaging on their own, but together they craft an experience that is of S quality.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Stunningly beautiful as it can be, Manifold Garden can also be mentally exhausting after long stretches. As much as I never wanted to put the controller down, there were moments I had to take a break whenever I felt it difficult to concentrate on the growing complexity of what I needed to accomplish. Manifold Garden is complex, gorgeous, intelligent, and without any doubt, one of the best puzzle experiences you can have on the PlayStation 4.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    NHL 14 is a great game of hockey, and technically speaking its one of the best playing sports games on the market today. Sadly its foray into the new career mode, Live the Life, was extremely disappointing, and left me wanting more out of this year’s game. So if you’re looking for some great hockey this is a good choice, but there is still work to be done to improve the modes within it.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    To The Moon's charming sense of humor and unabashed ease with tossing around pop culture references (from Dr. Who and Animorphs down to Dragon Ball Z) kept the serious, and at times quite gloomy overtones from feeling too self-serious. And so, with John and River's tale being told, restructured and sent to the moon in a heartfelt and memorable way; I am able to walk away from To The Moon satisfied, and looking forward to the next installment in this world.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    This might be the best all-around Madden game in the last ten years.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It’s frustrating how close to a masterpiece Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is. It has the looks, the atmosphere, the swordplay and the heart. If only it had more focus on the storytelling and gameplay. First, it’s the burdensome narrative that almost drowns all the sensibility stored in Senua’s tale. It takes far too long to actually care for her. When the narrative finally starts to ease off towards the end of the game, it’s the repetitive gameplay that gets in the way. The game drags on for its own good, making it too often boring and laborious. All the same, Senua’s trembling journey is a one that needs to be seen to the close to get its true meaning. I realize I might have sounded quite harsh in my critique but my heart told me to rate the game better. After all, Senua's cry for help made me shed tears.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you are a huge fan of this series, then you will no doubt get some enjoyment out of this title. You should keep your expectations in check, however, because it probably isn’t the type of compelling, lasting experience that will top your favorites list when all is said and done.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It's the kind of game that ends with someone punching a woman in the face. The kind of game where good guys don't look at explosions. The kind of game that results in an absolute, amazing sense of chaos when it can get all 4 players in and, despite a few flaws, it's the kind of game that reminds you that games don't have to be high art, philosophical ideals, branching paths and morality systems.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a remarkable game. Even with the frustrating controls, Starbreeze Studios has managed to craft a superb puzzle-adventure game with mature themes, while still capturing those crucial moments that makes the relationship between two young brothers special.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sharing some similarities with the celebrated GTA franchise, THQ's actioner adds some original elements and some fluid controls to make this a winner on the 360.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    PSP gamers gets a royal treatment as the sequel to the highly acclaimed puzzler is improves in every aspect by this hugely enjoyable sequel.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    From a block of tofu to squid kids, Nintendo put their best foot forward in developing their new franchise.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super One More Jump is a simple single-button game with an excellent execution. What could have been a generic mobile port is a well-crafted autorun platformer instead, with sleek presentation options. The fast pace of the game may not appeal to all, but hardcore players who seek an adrenaline rushing 2D roller coaster ride may want to seek out this hidden gem. This is an addictive experience that leaves you wanting one more jump.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A downright solid game.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Teslagrad takes the single premise of magnetism and stretches it out through a good three to four hours of gameplay. The main character’s abilities to manipulate the environment pave the way for incredibly clever puzzles. Controlling the boy and moving objects aren’t always predictable or intuitive, making some challenges feel artificially difficult. Nevertheless, the title has made a positive jump over to the Nintendo Switch and is recommended for fans of 2D Metroidvania platformers.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    At this point in the lifespan of The Sims 4, there are so many expansions and add-ons that the amount of content is a bit overwhelming, and allows the player to craft a world that is grounded in reality, full of magic and fantasy or somewhere in between. The Sims 4: Discover University is definitely weighted towards the real-world experiences and lessons of college life and in addition to being highly entertaining, might just possibly have some educational value of its own.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    A mediocre story and weak protagonist may keep Tokyo Mirage Sessions from going down as an all-time classic, but phenomenal world building and addicting gameplay still make this a game I know I'll remember for years to come. If anything, it may stick with me more because the reasons I like it are so different from why I normally connect with its genre. If you have any interest in any of the franchises involved here and you missed the game the first time on the Wii U, don't make the same mistake again.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Saints Row 2 is not without its flaws, but the game is so deep, and has so much content that any fan of the previous game or GTA games will have a lot to look forward to in Saints Row 2.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Whether a big fan, or just someone who is interested to see what all the fuss is about, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 delivers a stellar experience.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Wolfenstein 3D changed how we looked at first person games in 1992 and The New Order, while not as big of a step, may be just as important of one for the future of the genre.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Although not everyone will love its visual style, players looking for a decent baseball experience -- especially on the Xbox One -- should definitely give Super Mega Baseball 2 a few innings. It isn't without some issues, but overall it manages to capture the rhythm and fun of the sport in a pretty addictive way.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I enjoyed my time with Paradise Killer quite a bit as I do love the mystery/visual novel genre of games quite a bit. The game has a fresh look and a killer soundtrack, as well as a fairly good story with plenty to look into. As good as that might sound, I would still recommend any of the Danganronpa or Phoenix Wright titles over Paradise Killer, as the unpopulated world gets tiring to explore and back-loading all of the trials makes for some poor game pacing overall. Still, if you love the genre and are looking for your next fix, Paradise is waiting for you with open arms.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Downwell‘s a very slight game based around a great, fast-paced mechanic.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The narrative that runs through that world isn’t always focused as it could be, but Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies is a largely excellent visual novel adventure.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    At the end of the day, Superflat Games have triumphed in creating an original title that both plays and looks as you expect. The way the story progresses is interesting, and there's enough gravity to player choices that it's worth a second play-through. If you've been longing for a survival horror experience that reminds you of the genre's glory days, you can't do any better for a budget price of $9.99. That is, if you're confident survival horror is just as immersive and fun to play as you remember it…
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It has done a great job of moving in the right direction in this game, but you still feel it could have been much more in the future. However if you're a fan of the series and need your college football fix for the year, this game is a great option for you.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Overall, The Lion’s Song presents a poignant narrative adventure that aims to invoke strong emotions. While not every tale was fun to play, they each told fascinating character pieces focused on passionate creativity that actually drove me to introspection. Even for a point-and-click game, it is light on interaction and more akin to reading a book with dialogue choices. The drab presentation and dry plot may bore some, but those who appreciate good historical fiction will find there’s more to this game than its cover.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There is truly no other game for twenty dollars that gives you this many great arcade classics in one package deal.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Kentucky Route Zero is a beautiful and artistic piece of of work and I haven’t felt so strongly about a game since Silent Hill 2. After The Walking Dead made a case for powerful episodic narratives I found myself wanting something similar. I’m incredibly excited to see what the next four episodes will do.

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