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
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In between charming art design, polished farming mechanics, and a huge array of quests and craftables, there's a lot to enjoy. There's no shortage of games available that involve chopping down trees and harvesting carrots, but Deiland is still one that fans of the genre will want to add to their collection.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fans who are starving for more Pillars of Eternity II will not be disappointed, either by the gameplay or by this mini story’s dive into some of the universe’s more interesting lore. On the other hand, if you have sunk 150 hours into the series through two full games and two previous DLCs, then you may be tiring of its formula, its routine, and its combat. It probably feels even more tiresome if you love the series for its open ended exploration, since the mostly linear DLC offers very little of this. How much you will enjoy Beast of Winter ultimately depends upon how important each of these elements are to you.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    From its price to its story to its demands on the intellect and reflexes, Swords & Souls: Neverseen is modest. Likewise, it’s modestly successful and moderately fun. Training, upgrading and short and fast-paced battles are great ways to spend a few minutes but in the long haul, the game’s limitations become a little more apparent and concerning. If I knew anything about sports, I might say that a good, solid stand-up base hit is better than swinging for the fences and whiffing it. Swords & Souls: Neverseen makes a good case for itself as a fully-formed PC game.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ichidant-R is a challenging taste of retro gameplay. If you have good reflexes and a sharp brain, it’s the game for you. Otherwise, grab a buddy and conquer it together.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While I wish Namco had rounded out this package more, there's a lot of value for a very fair price here. There's a great mix of titles that range from all-time greats to at least mildly interesting. Namco Museum Archives Volume 1 is well worth your time if you love the classics or are merely interested in them.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Sims 4: Journey To Batuu may just be another room in the virtual dollhouse that is The Sims but it absolutely nails everything that makes Galaxy’s Edge one of the most unique theme park attractions today.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It’s worth bearing in mind that the game is in no obvious way improved upon compared to the standard version, but is also no worse for wear. As I mentioned, however, there is the occasional slowdown in certain situations, but nothing that causes too much of a hassle, and could even possibly be patched out in the future. With all of that in mind, I absolutely recommend Saints Row The Third to anyone who is interested. Whether you have played it in the past, or if this will be your first time, it’s a solid experience that is a pleasure to have on the Switch.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As reboot, it does everything it needs to, to bring the core mechanics to 2014. As Eidos Montreal’s second game, it shows that the studio learned much in the process of making Human Revolution (especially in regards to boss battles). But as a game on its own, Thief a fantastic ride and great game in which to merely be a thief in. It’s just a shame that it exists in such an uninteresting and disjointed world.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The multiplayer is solid but the offline play just doesn't carry its fair end of the deal.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Magrunner: Dark Pulse is a great puzzle game that you might be tempted to dismiss as being unoriginal. If you make that mistake, you will be cheating yourself out of a memorable experience.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Overall, this series is worth starting if you have yet to jump in, and it was more than good enough to have me looking forward to what I hope will be Season Two.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    EA does the easy job and ported over the console version to the PSP. Nothing too fancy, but still feels like a dumbed down Potter adventure.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Look past its sexy veneer and Shinovi Versus is a solid, well made brawler with panache. Come for the boobs, stay for the empowering battles against ninja hordes.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As a drama about two people falling in and out of love, the script is an amalgam of every relationship ever presented on television and in film, so it is easily relatable if rather trite. If you like abstract puzzles framed around a grounded narrative, then Maquette does offer some value but I don’t see it leaving any long-lasting impressions.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Mother Russia Bleeds feels like the creators wanted to make a side scrolling beat ‘em up for adults, but it ends up feeling like what a middle schooler would come up with if you asked him what their idea of a mature game would be; one that’s full of blood, sex, and drugs. While the combat is challenging and often satisfying, the lack of variety between the characters and a graphically messy multiplayer keeps Mother Russia Bleeds from being an exceptional game.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Defenders, unlike the previous titles, doesn’t do much to innovate or recreate the genre. Instead 11 Bit Studios decided to play it safe and gave us a basic, traditional tower defense game that is fun but doesn’t really do anything to set itself apart from an already flooded market.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Darkestville Castle is imaginative and well-written, but the obscurity of the puzzle solutions, unfriendly design choices, and presence of a potentially game breaking bug make it difficult to recommend. If you love retro adventure games and have a high tolerance for difficult puzzles, you might want to check it out. Just back up your save as you go.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    This collection is better suited for newcomers who have no previous experience with (or attachment to) Konami's survival horror classic.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While the combination of frustratingly underdeveloped combat and a short length weigh the experience down, there’s definitely enough worth seeing here, at least from a visual and narrative standpoint.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Normally, a strategy RPG with solid gameplay, an interesting story, beautiful art and a strong soundtrack is one I'd be recommending without question and I really wish I could give Banner of the Maid that recommendation. The awful translation just manages to seep down and poison every aspect of the game though, at least a little bit. If you just want to focus on the battles and that's enough for you in this sort of title, you may find a lot to like. With the genre quickly becoming crowded on the Switch, though, there are simply better options for you to spend your time and money on.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It is the first game from this studio that I have enjoyed not just because I was intrigued by it, but because it executes its concepts well and puts forth an all-around solid package.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    While its 8-bit action RPG fusion fulfills a baseline addictive quality, frequent missteps and repetitiousness pushed me too far away to ever get hooked.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A mostly visual remake, Destroy All Humans brings a dubious cult classic onto modern consoles and PC with most of the same issues it had to begin with. It’s a clear example of lost potential as the original game was never all that well regarded. Thoroughly reworking the gameplay could have vastly improved the game that was only passable in its time. As it is now, the remake doesn’t do enough to lift the title from mediocrity. Aside from updated visuals, the one new mission, and slightly tweaked gameplay, it’s a game that still doesn’t have much going for it besides the comedy factor. Though the remake is definitely the definitive way to play Destroy All Humans!, I still find it difficult to really recommend it.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As a whole, Sine Mora EX excellently interweaves the age-old time travel trope into both its complex paradoxical plot and unique time manipulation mechanics. And all seven levels are a spectacle, hosting beautiful environments and impressive gigantic bosses. The ability to slow down bullet barrages, combined with a fair checkpoint system, makes it more approachable than others in the genre. Regardless, most won’t get mileage outside of the main campaign, which ultimately makes this a hard sell for anyone but enthusiasts. And although the Nintendo Switch edition has that trademark portability, it’s tough to justify that higher price compared to other systems’ versions. Nonetheless, it’s an exceptional experience that will offer hardcore shoot ‘em up fans a great time.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    It's very important to understand what Hydrophobia: Prophecy is; literally, the third version of the same game with major technical and creative modifications made based on user feedback. With this iteration of Hydrophobia being riddled with issues, I have to wonder about the quality of the initial release and am curious about whether or not Dark Energy Digital will continue to modify it in the future.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    iNK Stories’ effort to create both an enthralling story and a factual window into history is admirable, and while it doesn’t quite stick the landing, it’s still an interesting game with plenty of historical information to paw through after you’ve completed it. The price tag is a bit too steep for a three-hour game, but history buffs and Telltale fans alike should see value in 1979 Revolution: Black Friday.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With four episodes left, and this episode ending with one hell of a mystery left to solve with a villain hot on their tales, I am looking forward to picking up with the Guardians to see where adventure takes them. Consider my interest also peaked for finding out how they eventually work Thanos back into the mix. Until then, we’re left with a wonderfully solid first chapter that leaves me with the hope that Telltale’s best is still to come.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Capcom's quirky shooter might raise some eyebrows, but the stylish aesthetics and unpredictable gameplay will win you over, if you give it a chance.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In the world obsessed with Souls-likes, Warriors Orochi 4 Ultimate is a great reminder that action games can be fast, frantic and fun, too. Hyperactive J-rock paces the heated action that is presented in a steady frame-rate throughout despite all things happening on screen. Responsive and effortless controls keep up the flow beautifully and I, for one, didn’t get tired of the featured gameplay that is a whole lot more forthcoming and easier to grasp than in individual titles in Samurai and Dynasty Warriors series. As a separate and quite pricey upgrade, the Ultimate edition doesn’t feel all that essential if you own Warriors Orochi 4 already. However, as a bundle to the newcomers, it’s a great entry point to the extravagant and action-packed franchise.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Taiko no Tetsujin Rhymic Adventure Pack, while not outstanding, is a solid entry to the series. Fans of the franchise will enjoy the free play mode as usual. The newcomers can go for the RPG Adventure mode if hardcore drumming to get the perfect S rank for every song is just too daunting for them.

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