DarkZero's Scores

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For 1,718 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 38% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 56% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 4.4 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 70
Highest review score: 100 The Bug Butcher
Lowest review score: 10 101-in-1 Sports Party Megamix
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 743 out of 1718
  2. Mixed: 837 out of 1718
  3. Negative: 138 out of 1718
1718 game reviews
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    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions
    As a first timer to the Mario & Luigi RPGs, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions makes a great impression for the series. I couldn’t tell it was an old game, holding up well with today’s current handheld games, thanks to the enhancements stemming from its sequels. I found being constantly active in battles a change from a lot of mainstream RPGs I’ve played, and the ageless dialogue stands the test of time, due to how well written the adventure is – it truly delights with its humorous, friendly comedy that can generate some real laughter. Unlike Metroid: Samus Returns, I feel Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions is more for newcomers to the series rather than existing fans. I’m sure some fans will enjoy the new side content or replaying a better looking Superstar Saga that they haven’t touched for a few years, but for people who have never experienced Superstar Saga, then I whole heartily recommend grabbing your 3DS and picking up this delightfully charming, creative role-playing game.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Splatoon
    Splatoon isn’t perfect, but despite the faults it’s a wonderful game, both online and offline.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Oxenfree
    Like a top-notch episode of a great TV show Oxenfree presents a well told singular story in parallel with interesting mythology. Bar a few pacing issues I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the game – and was enthralled with the narrative for huge swaths of the runtime. Oxenfree is a superb addition to Switch’s growing catalog of indie games. It may not be a title well suited to gaming on the move, but I found that playing curled up on a couch, in a dimly lit room, was an excellent setting to experience the story. Maybe you will too?
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Trackmania Turbo
    Packed with content and hilarious multiplayer modes, Trackmania Turbo will entertain for many hours to come, and is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a clever solo or multiplayer arcade racer on consoles.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
    It will eat up your life; maybe even take it away with the insane amount of quests you have to take upon.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Saints Row 2
    Saints Row 2 is a huge improvement over its prequel in every manner, and has successfully carved its own niche in the sandbox crime genre. The co-operative play is almost certainly one of the best such experiences available on consoles, and the sheer variety of things to do in Stilwater is so deliciously satisfying that the technical hitches can be overlooked. It’s so fun, it’s almost criminal.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies
    Fans will be happy that Phoenix Wright was able to localize it – it really would have been a massive injustice if this game never saw the light of day outside of Japan, as Dual Destinies is up there with the best entries in the franchise.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rising Storm 2: Vietnam
    Rising Storm 2: Vietnam manages to carve itself a place in an already flourishing genre, all thanks to the semi-simulation war combat. The Vietnam War makes for a distinct battleground that has been smartly incorporated into the game’s mechanics, which bring slower paced matches with more emphasis on team work and survival combat than rushing out to be a solo war hero. Rising Storm 2: Vietnam is aimed at a specific group of first-person shooter fans who are lured by the prospect of an experience more closer to the realism spectrum, and by looking at the server browser, there seems to be enough players to give this game legs. If that sounds like something enjoyable, then I can see Rising Storm 2: Vietnam becoming the multiplayer shooter of 2017 for those people.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Life is Strange: Episode 3 - Chaos Theory
    Taken as a singular entity, Chaos Theory is not Dontnod’s best work, but there are still some interesting moments to be had should you choose to play.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ghostrunner
    Ghostrunner has focused itself on bringing a precisely sculpted, fast, action puzzler that wonderfully blends all its design and action with the beautiful visuals and a banging soundtrack. It is challenging, and yes, death will be a plenty, but the developers have done good job in making sure the live, die, repeat nature of the game is as frustratingly free as possible, leaving its well designed mechanics to shine. Ghostrunner is an absolute blast to play, and when everything flows, it flows in such a electrifying manner that there is a euphoric delight in overcoming its challenge. Ghostrunner is not the longest game, but the experience it leaves the player at the end of it is one of great satisfaction.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Ultimate Edition
    It may not be the Castlevania as fans know it, but MercurySteam has taken successful mechanics from combat-focused, character action games and blended it with Castlevania’s lore.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Darksiders II
    Darksiders II is in no way a groundbreaking game. It's not the kind of game that people see has potential and makes a million shameless copies of. It's a game that's realized an old formula and has recreated it well. By doing so, it has made a game legitimately worth playing.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key
    It will be interesting to see what will happen to the Atelier series going forward, now that Ryza’s chapter comes to an end after this entry. The increased presentation and improvements following the first two titles really demonstrated how the trilogy resonated with its audience. Hopefully more care can be put into better streamlining the mechanics and UI elements, as this series just needs a few more polished ingredients to produce a truly high grade experience. In the meantime, this flawed trilogy of games is still worth the appraisal for both old and new school fans of RPGs, or any enthusiast of watching the numbers go up.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Metro 2033
    Such frustrations aside, Metro 2033 is still a pleasant addition to an otherwise played-out genre and setting.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
    Treasure Tracker may not bring the near endless innovation seen from a brand new core Mario release, but I do not hold that as a criticism against it. Instead, it manages to be engaging enough to be both compelling and charming in its own unique way – that very much suits it’s titular character.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Life is Strange: Episode 5 - Polarized
    Even though Episode Five may be a continuous torrent of truly dire situations, it is an experience that demands attention. Intense monologues – both venomous and heartbreaking – are its standout moments. Its clever narrative offers a sense of finality that can fill you with terror, happiness, and heartbreak in equal parts. Thank you for the year that was Life is Strange – it’s been emotional.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ghostrunner 2
    There are not many intense and skill-based euphoria moments in video games that feature such great platforming and instant death moments with enemies as the dance that is performed between the player, enemy and the environment of Ghostrunner 2. This is why this game is a great follow-up to Ghostrunner, upholding what made the first a superb game with its wonderful controls and movement while keeping its artistic cyberpunk visuals, but it is a shame that it hiccups with one level that spoils the overall great package.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
    The end result is okay, but nothing more. Dream Team is not a terrible game.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
    Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is a fantastic achievement for Telltale Games, the Lego games having been yearly (even bi-yearly) released since 2005 have never really moved forward the franchise, until this iteration and it is a fantastical leap.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Life is Strange: Episode 4 - Dark Room
    As the episode came to a close, I felt I had taken part in a more surreal adventure than what came before. Where as others episodes tried to ground characters in a well realised world, Episode Four shifts to deal with issues very much outside everyone’s comfort zone.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Boomerang X
    The problem with Boomerang X is that I loved it but I can’t even point out even a single great moment as part of my recommendation. It’s a gorgeous outline of a title that doesn’t exist – an enchanting but ephemeral concept that is likely to simply fade out of people’s consciousness, even if they really enjoyed it. There’s currently nothing to anchor it in memory but there’s so much space to play with. I am begging to see more for this one, I just hope it’s not too little too late.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - A New Frontier Episode 1: Ties That Bind Part One
    These two short episodes (about three hours for both) did keep me invested and reminded me that Telltale can spin a good story. There were a few effective moments and a few tricky choices. However, the technical and narrative flaws are too glaring to ignore. And, perhaps saddest of all, I am just not as excited to play the next episode as I usually am with Telltale games.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    SSX
    There's nothing out there on the videogame market today featuring snowboards that comes close to the compelling and joyous fun that SSX provides.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    DG2: Defense Grid 2
    It might be thin on story and full of bizarre chatter, but solid mechanics and great game modes make this a jolly great time for anyone with an interest in towers, defence or raspberry lollipops.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Just Cause 2
    The original Just Cause was a little rough around the edges but the sequel is highly polished and looks great. I could easily see myself logging a hundred hours or more in to the game, it’s probably the most comprehensive sandbox game I’ve played.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    RAGE
    Rage may not represent the gigantic leap into the next era of games that's usually embodied by titles by id software, but it has reaffirmed their position as a premier developer when it comes to everything first person shooter-y.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Firewatch
    I wasn’t very fulfilled by Firewatch. It’s not that I’m not susceptible to a story told in this format – on the contrary, what kept my interest for the duration was how the story was delivered. But its shadow boxing with video gamey elements didn’t amount to anything substantial, and when everything else ends up hinging on the story on offer, the resulting experience sadly feels less than essential.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Personal Trainer: Cooking
    Of course, it won’t make cooking any more entertaining if you already find it a bit of a chore, but if you just want to be entertained you could also sit back a look at Gordon Ramsey curse his way through an episode of The F Word.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Waveform
    As it stands, Waveform has an excitement curve as bendy as its core gameplay conceit. A wholly unique experience with brilliant mechanics at the centre, its only misstep is its overreach preventing it from shining as bright as it could have.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Little Nightmares
    Little Nightmares is a thrilling game of horror built around its twisted and fascinating location. It drops the conventional cheap scare tactics and shines with psychological fear when it is delivering its unnerving, sinister frights through the eerie atmosphere, creepy visuals and stellar sound. If it wasn’t for some of the minor control issues, Little Nightmares would be a near perfect package in what it is trying to deliver, but even with the slight tarnish on the overall experience, there’s no denying that Little Nightmares is one of the more imaginative horror titles currently available.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Torchlight II
    Torchlight II was a great action RPG back in 2012 and it still remains it to this day. Everything I enjoyed about it still holds true now, and of course, that is also the same with the negatives, plus with the lack of local same Switch cooperative play is a bummer. Still, this is a superb port by Panic Button that the minor niggles should not put you off, because Torchlight II‘s addictive dungeon crawling action is a wonderful fit for the Nintendo Switch, even if you already own Diablo III: Eternal Collection.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice
    Another great entry for the lawyer, building on past titles and upping its arsenal of mechanics to keep players hooked.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Gran Turismo 6
    Gran Turismo 6 is a nice farewell for Sony’s ageing hardware, as the company begins to move to the new generation of console gaming.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile
    The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is an improvement over an already very good videogame, and for 800MSP this is an absolute no-brainer for anyone who loves games like Bayonetta, God Hand and Devil May Cry. Instead of re-working tried and tested features for the sake of a follow up, everything about the first game has simply been done better. James Silva and SKA Games are now big players in the indie scene, and it is certainly going to be interesting to see what they have to offer next.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth
    Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth might not be the best RPG on the Nintendo 3DS, but it is a fitting sayonara for what could be debatable as one of Nintendo’s best handheld systems.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    MadWorld
    Despite its shortcomings, MadWorld still deserves heaps of praise for the things it does right. Its mix of visceral but strategic combat with stunning visuals, memorable characters and some genuine laugh-out-loud moments easily earns its place on anybody’s shelf.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
    Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen to this day still remains a one of a kind game with some innovative ideas that you cannot find in any other RPG. With all the technical hiccups gone, packaged here is what marketing people would call the “Definitive Edition,” and for existing fans, all the improvements from running on PC hardware are alone worth a revisit to the world of Gransys.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!!: A Reckless Disregard for Gravity
    Quick fun.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    SUPERBEAT: XONiC
    For Vita owners and Rhythm players this game is a match made in a bass bumping heaven.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    EA Sports Active
    If you buy EA Sports Active expecting a FUN game, you’ll be disappointed despite the overuse of that word in all of the marketing, promotional and instructional material. If you buy it looking for a product that can actually help you get some exercise, lose some weight and even change your lifestyle then this is probably the best such product on the market right now.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Football Manager Handheld 2013
    The game is more of the same, with some slight refinements, which would be an issue if the game was not so fun and addicting as it is.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Terraria
    Apart from that issue and sometimes unresponsive building mechanics (which I only rarely encountered), Terraria is nearly perfect for what it is and unlike any other game you’ve played in a very long time. If you’re a fan of replayable, explorable and challenging games, you need to try Terraria. Most importantly, the game is incredibly fun, and that’s something I can dig.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Hatsune Miku: Project Diva f
    Slight presentation issues aside, Hatsune Miku: Project Diva f is a good entry for newcomers to get into the music rhythm genre.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Flynn: Son of Crimson
    Don’t get me wrong, it might have the odd ‘scourge’ attacks, which are revamped levels up to the teeth with powerful monsters and dangerous threats, and a few unlockable wave-based combat trials (a stretch goal that was reached), but it really doesn’t do anything we haven’t seen before. However, bringing it all together with a solid design, satisfying controls, and being the cherry-on-top nostalgia-fest that it is really seals the deal. A splendid example of the phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
    For fans of the series and newcomers alike, this remaster offers an improved version of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, surpassing it in all ways that are important, even if it doesn’t fully capture the essence of the original Ninja Gaiden 2. Whether you’re a seasoned shinobi or a novice ninja, Ryu Hayabusa’s global adventure remains as action-packed as ever, and this version proves that Ninja Gaiden’s action is still relevant in 2025, making me excited to see what Ninja Gaiden 4 has to offer.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    SoulCalibur V
    While I am disappointed with the removal of Weapon Master Mode and the terrible story, I simply can't deny that SoulCalibur V is a great fighting game. Adding in the critical metre makes for a deeper game, but it still feels like SoulCalibur. I regard SoulCalibur II as the best in the series, and while SoulCalibur V isn't quite up to that masterpiece, it's still has soul that's burning brightly.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Madden NFL 13
    Madden NFL 13 is a great game of football. It is also a shining example of a series that could really use a new console to help freshen up the franchise which is starting to feel in need of a pick me up. If you're a die hard Madden fan it probably doesn't matter what I say you have already bought your copy. However for those on the fence I would say this is a great version to jump back into as it has a ton of content, great commentary, and even better action on the field.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Shovel Knight Dig
    Yacht Club Games has once again hit paydirt, and Shovel Knight Dig is as deep a gameplay experience as fans could hope for, in addition to newcomers. Now stop reading all the digging puns in this review and get shoveling.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Planet Zoo
    Mistakes, creature deaths and restarts are likely to happen here to gain the most out of Planet Zoo, but like real life, no one really magically makes a fantastic zoo on their first go, and with the lessons learned from Jurassic Park Evolution, Frontier Developments has made Planet Zoo a better game than its dinosaur filled predecessor, and is by far the best zoo management/builder you can play today.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
    Once again, Nippon Ichi Software USA has released a great game for people interested in the visual novel genre or for anyone who wants a good read with some gameplay thrown in for extra fun, so if you do fall into that category, then you should seriously check out Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010
    If this year’s features are expanded on for the next game, brilliant, and all that, but in order to really take things to the next level, perhaps completely reworking the gameplay would be the best thing to add into next year’s release.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure
    It's an awesome game, the only caveat being that it has more hidden fees than most airlines.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ninja Gaiden II
    An acceptable update in terms of presentation, but regretfully somewhat lacking in the new gameplay features the move to a new generation should demand. Regretfully, it is far from the spectacular game many hoped it would be when it was first announced. It grasps on too tightly to what came before, refusing to give gamers the freedom other games in this generation have offered.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
    But unless you are serious about golf, or videogame golf at least, then you may find it frustrating.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy
    Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy‘s core elements come together to make for understanding and engaging friendly JRPG. It has the option to automate complex elements and the battle system can be grasped early on without hours of learning, helped with the solo focused action. Whoever you are, the game wants you to enjoy its charming story and over-joyous characters. While there are some points where the plot can be interrupted, due to all the bite size dialogue squeezed into the the adventure, and there are signs of budget restraints in its game design and enemy variety, Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy still makes for an entertaining time with a series that keeps adding additions to expand over its many game entries.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    World of Warships
    Once you get past the idea of being a ship collector with its limited storage space and World of Warships’ free-to-play expensive shenanigans, which shouldn’t be that much of a negative against the game’s great gameplay, World of Warships ends up a refreshing title.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Call of Duty: Black Ops III
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 is a game of two thirds that gives us a fantastic multiplayer experience and an ever addicting Zombies mode, coupled with a poor single player. Hopefully Treyarch’s next entry can finally give us a commendable campaign to boot.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Redout (2016)
    Futuristic racing fans finally have something exciting to play with this surprisingly well crafted racer.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    God of War III Remastered
    Even after ageing a good five years, God of War III still remains a fabulous action game jammed with memorable set pieces and locations.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Affordable Space Adventures
    Affordable Space Adventures is a unique experience that you can only find on the Wii U, and it utilizes the system in a thoughtful and creative way. It’s great to see what small developers are doing with the system, and I hope that more games like this come out in the future.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Prince of Persia
    Harking back to Elika for a second, I have to admit she is a fantastic addition to the series, and as gimmicks go she is significantly better than The Sands of Time.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Dungeon Defenders
    Like the playable heroes-in-training, Dungeon Defenders is rough around the edges, but has the makings of greatness. The gameplay is simple to pick-up and play, and there is a sizable amount of loot to obtain (even if, sadly, only the weapon changes reflect the character model) as well as WoW-like pets to collect and upgrade.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
    Without a doubt, Capcom has successfully re-marketed what should have been a series of downloadable content packs into a fully-fledged disc release.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes
    Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is a slow burner, but once everything comes together, it provides some of the better Musou madness, but now with a better story and much-improved character development, which shows how short the Fire Emblem element was in the original Fire Emblem Warriors. Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is a recommended title for Musou and Fire Emblem: Three Houses fans, which will keep you entertained until the next entry hits.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Madden NFL 25
    Still, despite some of the problems you will encounter, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more polished and enjoyable football game than Madden 25.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance
    In the end, Disgaea 5 may not have evolved much from its glory days, but the latest entry proves that the tried-and-true mechanics still hold up, even if the aesthetics and characters remain somewhat antiquated. There is no other RPG that features this many options, which will undoubtedly win over the hardcore RPG crowd with far too much time on their hands.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fire Emblem Engage
    Fire Emblem Engage is a great Fire Emblem title that focuses on its core roots, the tactical RPG elements; more so its combat. The story is fun, if straightforward, but by aiming for the battle mechanics of the game, Intelligent Systems has been able to make the series’ best combat to date. The addition of the Emblem Rings and what they bring to the characters and their customisation opens a better progression system for each hero while adding more elements to change how one should approach battle scenarios. Throw in some little quality-of-life improvements and new weapon behaviour and this is a Fire Emblem that enjoys celebrating its past heroes and games, but keeps the battles rejuvenated with these new mechanics to push it forward rather than leaving the gameplay stuck in the past where its heroes have come from.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
    While the puzzles are not challenging for most, and the combat is never as demanding as the mainline series, they are a refreshing redesign that brings its own puzzle elements into the combat for a genre that could easily have gone without any action to be successful.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sleeping Dogs
    Sleeping Dogs is now the example developers should strive to beat when they want to create a game in this genre, because Square Enix's title is now the new leader of the pack.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rocket Riot
    Rocket Riot is a great little game, one of the best I’ve played on Xbox Live Arcade in quite a while. There’s something about it that almost makes you feel like you’ve played it before, and several elements are reminiscent of other games.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
    Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes has brought its short, but sweet, experience to the PC in this brilliant port.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    The Bug Butcher
    It’s got that great arcade feel and frantic pace you look for in a title like this, and is so deftly executed it could delight the most stridently anti-nostalgia gamer.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    GRID 2
    Codemasters still brings that balance of simulation and arcade racing with great graphics, quality sound and solid gameplay, but what stops GRID 2 from being this generation’s swansong racing game is its sheer lack of any real new ideas that made the first GRID such a cutting-edge racer for its time.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Volume
    While the main story missions are a little easy, it still is really fun to play with, and there are already plenty of user-generated missions to play with. Volume’s purity of focus in creating simple stealth works well for the most part.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Evil Within 2
    The Evil Within 2 is a grand follow up from a studio who has set out to fix the pacing issues with the first game, while offering a bigger, more coherent title that looks better and plays better with the reworked stealth and upgrade mechanics, but without forgetting the parts that made most of the original a solid action horror title. The Evil Within 2 throws players into its disturbing, more personal world for Sebastian, offering some great horror scenarios and thrilling, tense action to back up its amazing monster and environment design. Even though this year has been amazing for games, it’s not been the most active for action horror fans, making The Evil Within 2 highly recommended for people who enjoy throwing themselves into disturbing adventures to get their thrills.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Banner Saga
    The Banner Saga offers a good look into the world Stoic has created for this three-part adventure. It’s a depressing, but beautiful tale of survival against all odds, one that creates a developed plot and theme without degrading the characters or world to appear mature.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010
    If this year’s features are expanded on for the next game, brilliant, and all that, but in order to really take things to the next level, perhaps completely reworking the gameplay would be the best thing to add into next year’s release.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    REANIMAL
    As the credits rolled after my four hour and 30-minute journey, I found myself a little lost trying to decipher exactly what had happened, but the experience getting there was the compelling next step of the gameplay seen in the previous Little Nightmares titles. Even if the puzzles remain simple and the controls occasionally stumble, these minor flaws hardly detract from the overall package, which includes striking visuals, tense encounters, and richly varied environments. Reanimal delivers a grim, beautiful, and unsettling time. Whether played solo or in co-op, this game proves Tarsier Studios are able to keep delivering little nightmares time and time again.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
    But unless you are serious about golf, or videogame golf at least, then you may find it frustrating.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Osmos
    For £6.99 you’re getting a worthwhile package and there’s a demo for you to see if it’s the right game for you. For most it will be an engaging and addicting, if somewhat rage-inducing later on.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Lili
    Lili is a simple game that focuses mainly on exploration and chatting to people other than combat. It's a breath of fresh air and a pleasure to experience.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Uncharted: Golden Abyss
    A refreshing thing about Golden Abyss is that it feels like you are playing Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. After the crazy set-pieces and over the top action in Uncharted 2 and 3, it is nice to go back to playing something that's slower-paced. This time it's more about exploring around the jungle, cliffs and ruins, climbing all over the place and solving puzzles.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Condemned 2: Bloodshot
    In truth, you’ll probably end up being more shocked by the gore and brutality you see on screen this time round instead of jumping from your seat at the shock of one of the game’s set pieces.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl
    In the end, Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl serves as a worthy introduction (or reintroduction for longtime fans) to the hardcore RPG series.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Wii Sports Resort
    Wii Sports Resort serves as more than just a tech demo for WiiMotionPlus, and more than just a collection of minigames. It does well as a proper sequel to Wii Sports, being easy to pick up and fun to play alone or with friends. There is far more below the surface than meets the eye in this title that is far more hit than miss.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dariusburst: Chronicle Saviours
    Dariusburst Chronicle Saviours is jam-packed with brilliant shoot-em-up action. It’s a game that can last you a long time, and hardly ever loses its touch over that period. Pricey compared to similar games, but what you get for that is absolutely stellar.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Outlast
    Anyone interest in the need to be scared should check out Outlast. It takes some ideas from Amnesia, but blends them with its own unique gameplay mechanics and setting.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Oxenfree
    Oxenfree is a curious and fairly short game. The wonderful voice acting and characters, the interesting themes and the beautiful backdrops are sometimes let down by poor design choices. Ultimately, for fans of story, of which I am one, it is worth playing. But if you have to get your kicks from involved gameplay, perhaps this is not the one for you.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Teardown
    Teardown is a demolition fan’s wet dream, a sandbox of beautiful carnage that also happens to be a great puzzle game.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    AI War: Fleet Command
    If you are one of those few who enjoy a hardcore experience you will dive into the game and never look back. I applaud the developers of AI War – Fleet Command for the complex system they have created and with a few more updates this game will be close to perfect.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Pure
    A perfectly polished and presented package. It offers extreme-tricking and adrenaline-fuelled racing and does it in a refreshing and challenging way.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    God of War: Ascension
    As a complete package, God of War Ascension has its fair shares of excitement and disappointment. There is no doubt this is a good game with fantastic-looking graphics, quality combat mechanics and a fun, if somewhat experimental, multiplayer; but the problem lies mostly with the single-player.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    FATAL FRAME II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE
    If you’ve never played a Fatal Frame game before, this remake is the perfect place to start. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a well-done rebuild of a classic that I feel does well walking the line between preserving its identity and modernising its gameplay. While some of the original’s raw tension is softened by updated controls and systems, the core feel remains mostly there. What matters is getting that horror feel right, and Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is an atmospheric, slow-burning horror that still manages to unsettle. It may not fully replace the original for purists, but for newcomers and some fans, it stands as a strong revival of one of the genre’s scariest games.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Darkstalkers Resurrection
    Iron Galaxy has done no wrong with this beautifully cared for port of the two Darkstalkers games. The only negative is that the use of the arcade version means that Darkstalkers 3 is missing a few characters that appeared in the console version, but apart from that, this is a port full of love and care for the franchise.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - A New Frontier Episode 2: Ties That Bind Part Two
    These two short episodes (about three hours for both) did keep me invested and reminded me that Telltale can spin a good story. There were a few effective moments and a few tricky choices. However, the technical and narrative flaws are too glaring to ignore. And, perhaps saddest of all, I am just not as excited to play the next episode as I usually am with Telltale games.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Angry Birds
    Title arguments aside, there's no doubt Rovio have created one of the best games in the App Store to date.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    2064: Read Only Memories
    Read Only Memories has patched itself through and into my brain unlike a lot of other games this year. There are a lot of thought provoking ideas about topics that have made me think differently about things that I interact with daily like technology, xenophobia, humanity and time.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Puppeteer
    Puppeteer is a superb demonstration of one team’s imagination let loose on the stage.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Trine
    While combining three different play styles doesn’t result in three times the game, it does equal into a polished 2D experience that’s well worth your time.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Remnant II
    In a nutshell, Remnant II is a great game but an underwhelming sequel.
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