Digital Spy's Scores

  • Games
For 1,199 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 35% higher than the average critic
  • 4% same as the average critic
  • 61% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 3.3 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 72
Highest review score: 100 Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Lowest review score: 20 Final Fantasy: All the Bravest
Score distribution:
1210 game reviews
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Pragmata is an incredibly fun experience that's full of satisfying combat, progression and unlocks, providing constant dopamine hits of sci-fi sounds and meaningful upgrades. This charming action-adventure deserves to be a massive hit and you should take a chance on one of this year's best games.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It's a shame that Reunion's fumbles, from its handling of Double Exposure's events to Max and Chloe's ending feeling unearned, drag down its brighter moments. Despite being underwhelmed by the conclusion to Max and Chloe's story, Life Is Strange as a whole still means a lot to me, and going forwards I see no reason why we can't have new stories in the series' universe.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    It's heavily inspired by the first game but doesn't understand what made the original enjoyable, and is further let down by imprecise movement and forgettable level design. Meat Boy's 3D adventure is little more than a generic platformer, and that's disappointing.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Crimson Desert's sandbox playground and beautifully crafted world do a lot of the heavy lifting to just about overshadow its confusing elements, generic story, and boring characters. What's here is an overwhelming amount of content and the bones of an amazing game that has to be respected for its ambitions.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The best way to sum up Resident Evil Requiem is to say it's a quintessential Resident Evil game. By the end of it, the apprehension around juggling survival horror and over-the-top action couldn't have been further from our minds. We couldn't care less about the semantics of genre labels when the game is this fun and seamlessly cohesive.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you have the time to spare though, Eufloria is a beautiful and entrancing addition to the iOS library.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a truly fantastic game, and between the four campaigns, training mode, and new unlocks hidden behind the thrilling Ultimate Warrior difficulty, 'Visions of Four Heroes' offers a solid chunk more of that experience. However, at just under half the price of the base game, it's easy to feel like there should've been a bit more that's actually new. Our recommendation: pick it up on sale once the sequel is announced as a nice way to tide you over, especially now the Dynasty Warriors 3 remaster has just been delayed indefinitely.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While there were a couple of things that didn't quite work for me, the stories that the machine holds, the strong writing, and the novelty of the game itself elevated TR-49 into something that really pulled me in. It's a fascinating puzzle game, and one that I hope doesn't go under the radar.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Those already addicted to Tiny Wings' charm will love the new levels, while those still on the fence couldn't have asked for a better invitation to join in.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Silksong won me over. As someone who didn't have strong feelings towards Hollow Knight, I'm glad I gave the sequel a chance. It's easy to label Silksong as brutal, but it's much more than that. Pharloom may be hostile, but fittingly so and makes for an incredibly rich and rewarding place to explore. Hornet is a delight to play as, and even though the game made me work hard, I never lost my motivation to progress.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ghost of Yōtei doesn't distance itself from Ghost of Tsushima too much, but the satisfyingly blood-soaked combat, rewarding exploration and intuitive ways of immersing the player make for a highly-addictive follow-up that we couldn't put down.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Consume Me offers an inventive take on narrative design in gaming. In how it blends mechanics and story, it uses the power of the medium to create something that's uniquely engaging and empathetic, and leaves a lasting impact that helps to cement it as one of the year's best indies.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cronos: The New Dawn feels like the first step into a universe we’d love to see expanded upon and is simply a must for any survival horror fan to try. It’s not perfect, but you’ll find plenty to challenge and keep you on edge from start to finish.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    If you adore Snake Eater, Delta is a chance to fall in love with it all over again, and if you've never experienced it, this is a modernised classic that is a must-play.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Bananza is a lot of fun, but it's also a game that I wish I could have appreciated more. If its particular brand of sandbox gameplay had clicked with me, I might have considered calling it a Nintendo classic. Despite this, I still found the main campaign to be a wonderfully imaginative ride. DK and young Pauline's team-up is bright, colourful, and full of charm, and is a worthy addition to the Switch 2's early line-up of games.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The overall package is underwhelming and I consider Enchanted by Nature to be one of the weakest expansion packs. If I was paying for expansions, I would only consider it if there was a really good sale price.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Death Stranding 2 is a unique piece of art in the medium. It deals with the universal feeling of loss, our reactions to it and humanity's need - now more than ever - to connect. Death Stranding 2 doubles down on its core ideas to deliver something that's bigger and better than before and there’s just nothing else quite like it.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Taking into account everything the game does right, not least the top-tier racing and the Knockout Tour mode, World is arguably the most fun Mario Kart entry in a long time.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Expedition 33's story is a touching and highly emotional ride that, even as the stakes increase, always feels personal in the way that it thoughtfully depicts its themes. It's a stunning game, and stands alongside the best in the genre.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Doom: The Dark Ages is a hybrid onslaught of the brutal combat we know and love and all-new intuitive parry mechanics. We're unsure if the game's additions are enough to compensate for what's been lost from Doom Eternal, but the foundation of slaying hordes of demons in visceral and bloody battles remains as fun as ever.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The remaster wants to remind you of what it was like to play Oblivion in 2006, but some changes make it lose sight of this and it feels just enough like a different experience to be jarring. At the same time, this version does not commit the other way and retains some of Oblivion's notable flaws – resulting in a game that's caught in the middle and does not quite work either as a remaster or as a remake.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Old Skies is an engaging point-and-click. It may not deviate heavily from the genre's formula, but the way the game bakes the time-travel aspects into some of the puzzle-solving provides a number of highs, and Fia's touching story and the twists along the way are worth experiencing.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Elevated by its stop-motion-inspired animation style, South of Midnight is an enthralling experience that avoids open-world bloat to tell a deeply touching tale.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Blue Prince is a special game full of mysteries, secrets and mind-blowing moments with an addictive gameplay loop. It's so good that labelling this as one of the best puzzle games of all time feels like a disservice. Instead, it's possibly the most memorable experience I've ever had playing a game and I can't stop thinking about it.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Atomfall is a distinctly British take on the sci-fi apocalypse, but it’s so much more than that. The different parts of the game work together to provide the player an open-ended experience that’s both thrilling and rewarding, in a harsh world that’s begging to be explored. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of Fallout or not – Rebellion has crafted something special. In fact, I’m already back exploring, cricket bat in hand.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Assassins Creed Shadows takes ideas from previous entries as well as some bold experimental swings to create a defining entry in the franchise – perhaps as series-defining as Black Flag. We personally think it’s the best the series has ever been, and despite some parts of the narrative not quite sticking the landing, we had an absolute blast with Ubisoft's latest.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Expelled! follows a similar blueprint to Overboard!, but ambition in its narrative design helps the game to feel rewarding in a different way. There's more to the story than trying to clear Verity's name. How Verity develops as a character across several playthroughs is the reason why Inkle's latest is able to stand out on its own.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The first half of Lost Records rewards you for your patience and delivers a pretty devastating cliffhanger ending. We can’t wait to see how Tape 2 plays out, and it’s hard not to urge anyone with an interest to give this one some time. You might just be surprised what you find.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Businesses & Hobbies' disjointed nature ultimately means it doesn't realise its full potential – though this can be somewhat mitigated if you have invested a fair bit into The Sims 4. Having a decent range of packs helps to take greater advantage of the customisable side of business gameplay and make up for some of the expansion's flaws.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While Split Fiction doesn't necessarily break new ground, it's an entertaining ride and delivers a polished co-operative experience with an infectious level of enthusiasm. As the end credits rolled, my colleague and I agreed that we wouldn't have minded at all if the game had been extended by several more hours. It's to the game's credit that it never threatened to outstay its welcome, and felt fresh throughout.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It brings together all of its systems to create narratives that unfold organically and that are easy to get lost in. You may encounter the same hitchhikers or the same quests across two different runs, but the stories won't be the same. It's about the journey, not the destination.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Avowed is full of consequential player choices, meaningful side content and rewarding exploration all backed up by slick movement and some of the best combat in a first-person action RPG. It might not reinvent the genre, but Obsidian has achieved everything they set out to by creating a super fun adventure worth your time.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rift is another great entry in the NecroDancer series. It may be a more 'traditional' lane-scrolling rhythm title, but how the game incorporates Crypt's elements to create its own spin on the formula is noteworthy.
    • 90 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Personally, I was left with mixed feelings – but I should also add that I don't have nostalgia for the original game like so many do, and Rebirth feels like a game specifically designed for fans of the original in the passionate way many of the moments, arcs and locations are depicted and fleshed out here. I enjoyed spending time with the core characters, the world-building is impressive and the soundtrack is truly superb. I had plenty of fun with the battle system as well. However, I found the narrative pacing poor and the open-world elements often tedious. The game is stuffed with minigames yet their quality is inconsistent, and there were late-game segments that I found to be a slog.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    UFO 50 may be inspired by an era that's several generations ago, but an incredible amount of imagination and work went into making this collection of games more than just about evoking nostalgia. The collection also manages to feel fresh and innovative, delivering thrills and the feeling of discovery at nearly every turn. It's unlike anything I've played, and represents a passion and love for the medium in such a special way.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Indiana Jones and the Great Circle isn’t just a masterful execution of a licensed game. It takes everything that MachineGames has learned from the Wolfenstein series and The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay to create a deeply fun cinematic experience that explores Indiana Jones as a character and will really have you hooked as you take up the call to adventure.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    All in all, this is an impressive expansion, and comfortably the best one in years. The cohesion between all of its ideas and features, as well as the strong execution of them, helps to metaphorically breathe new life into the game. There are things I could nitpick, but they're easy to forgive as this is the most engaged I've been playing the game in a long time.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Double Exposure may fall a little short when compared to some of the previous games in the series, but Max Caulfield's return is still a riveting (and wild) ride. Max is as caring and likeable as ever. We loved spending time with her again – from her adorably awkward attempts at flirting at the start through to the dramatic if slightly uneven climax – and would more than welcome further stories with her.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you've never played Until Dawn, the remake is a good time to experience this cult classic. It's as fun and thrilling as it was in 2015. However, while the remake improves upon the original in some ways, the overall improvement isn't vast enough to the point where this version is a must for those who've played through the game once before.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It's an evocative story that is beautifully told and has plenty of heart, and one that feels increasingly relevant in the context of the world that we live in.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Silent Hill 2's remake is proof once again that Team Silent didn't just create one of the best survival-horror experiences of all time, but also a story that stands the test of time. It needs to be experienced to understand why fans have hung onto the franchise for so long, looking for any crumb of life left in it.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Metaphor borrows defining features of Persona yet executes these ideas in a less meaningful way, and in taking much from the beloved series, it takes a long time for Atlus' latest to carve out its own identity.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Plucky Squire is bursting with so much joy and celebration of the medium that you can’t help but adore every minute you spend holding the controller.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Everything about Astro Bot has been painstakingly crafted to make it fun to experience, whether it's the fluid gameplay, unrivaled creativity or every interaction being a kaleidoscope of satisfying particle effects and sounds. Astro Bot is one of the best platformers in years and is a must-play title you shouldn't miss.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Space Marine 2 is a brutally fun action game that will be best experienced with friends in multiplayer, and while the gameplay and story itself are serviceable and don't do much to innovate the series or genre, fans of Warhammer or anyone looking for an old-school shooter will have a good time turning tyranid swarms into puddles of blood.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Outlaws is a Star Wars story worth experiencing. There's a fun story with some engrossing world-building and stealth exploration to be had if you give it a chance, and I really hope the team at Ubisoft Massive gets a chance at fleshing things out even more with a sequel.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's a cohesive (and pretty saucy by the game's standards) expansion that doesn't quite nail all of its ideas.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dungeons of Hinterberg is an absolute delight to experience. It's challenging enough to keep you on your toes, but never so frustrating that it drops the ball on its cosy core. We were hooked from start to finish and can't wait to jump back in for another holiday in Hinterberg.
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Overall, Road to Elysium is more of what makes The Talos Principle 2 great, giving players new fun and challenging puzzles, more lore to uncover and lots of Easter eggs to find, with plenty of creative innovations across its three chapters that make it a worthwhile expansion to the base game.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It isn't perfect and whether or not it surpasses its predecessor is up for debate – this is a story that is different in scope – but Hellblade 2 is one of the standout experiences of the year so far and has been worth the wait.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The struggle to portray a vivid world and a sense of place results in the game failing to make much of an emotive impact. Once the credits rolled, there was very little about the experience that stuck with us.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Crow Country is one of the best experiences of the year so far, and we think it will be talked about in the same tones as last year's Signalis for its sheer creativity and efforts to reignite passion for the survival-horror genre.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Stellar Blade is a hard game to pin down in the end. The combat really sings in its moments and the boss fights are some of the most memorable you’ll encounter in this genre, but it’s bogged down by a bland story, uninteresting characters and the need to make boobs wobble in every second of every cutscene. There’s some fun to be had in there if you can look past its issues, but in an age of games costing £70 or over, whether it’s worth that is entirely questionable.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a stunning, impactful and exciting first outing for Surgent Studios and, for us, a classic in the Metroidvania space that could go toe-to-toe with recent big hitters like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Blasphemous 2. Surgent Studios has delivered a beautiful story that resonated with us as we explored the world of Kenzera, and we couldn’t recommend it more highly.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Princess Peach: Showtime is a fun and extremely varied adventure that serves as not only a great spin-off from the Mario franchise, but finally giving Princess Peach another chance in the limelight to shine like the star she is. It may be a fairly simple and straightforward experience, but there’s so much to see and do, and it’s hard not to suggest this to Nintendo fans of all ages.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It walks a tightrope of intrigue that balances quirky systems, fun combat and obscure secrets with frustrating circumstances, weird world-building and curious design choices, and somehow manages to make it across, and if you embrace all it has to offer, you might too.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Alone in the Dark isn’t a perfect experience or a five-star return to form. However, the game really nails the tone, and it is just a joy to explore Derceto and drink in the spooky vibes of this Lovecraftian detective thriller. There’s enough twists and turns to have you hanging on until the end, even if the latter half of the game feels a little too reliant on action that isn’t quite up to snuff.
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    How everything comes together is a wonderful surprise. Crystal Creations manages to over-achieve and mix up the game in an interesting and engaging way, while also remaining comparatively affordable. Is it our favourite Stuff Pack to date? Very possibly. If it's not, it's close. Between this and Home Chef Hustle, the developers have more than delivered with its recent Stuff Packs, and it goes to show that it doesn't matter how big or small the idea is — as long as it's done well.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With some unexpected twists and turns along the way, plus some confident changes, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is utterly massive and really is the ultimate way to experience this much-loved story. It's a must for PS5 players.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It's easy to get a kick out of seeing how high the scores can get, but the game is as much about the gambles you take and the planning along the way. There's a deceptive simplicity to Balatro due to its roots in poker, and it uses that to its advantage to reel you in while regularly finding new ways to surprise you.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Lil' Guardsman is charming and novel enough that it's worth playing, but a flawed approach that skirts around aspects of the core idea holds the overall experience back.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Another Code: Recollection is a heartfelt experience that’s unique and fun, despite it not being the most challenging game around, and it's hard not to recommend. Now, let’s hope we see Hotel Dusk and its sequel Last Window released in a similar package soon!
    • 61 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The bottom line feels as disappointing as the game itself. Rocksteady has a game on their hands that’s 20% filled with flair, flourish and joyous moments, but is bogged down by the other 80%, with braindead live-service stuff that no one really asked for and that might have been influenced by the publisher. With the current state of the industry, hopefully Rocksteady can come back with their next title and deliver the quality sort of game that they're more than capable of making when they're left to their own devices.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    No matter how you play it, Persona 3 is a more than a worthwhile experience. Reload can be accused of being a little too faithful for its own good, with some of the inherited flaws slightly holding it back, but it is still an excellent way to enjoy this classic. It's dark at times, but has a hopeful message. Through all the devastation, the cast learn to be there for each other and try to make the most out of life.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is another rich entry in this long-running series, which clearly still has more to offer before it runs out of steam. There’s a great cast of characters, both new and old, that’ll have you feeling all the feels and learning to love them, as well as an engaging story right to the end. With so much to do and experiment with, it’s a vacation to remember and one we can’t wait to dive straight back into.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Taking somewhat of a gamble, The Lost Crown isn’t just a great Prince of Persia title that digs into and expands what the series can be, with interesting lore and fully leaning into the mythical elements — it’s a truly gorgeous and rewarding Metroidvania in its own right that arguably gives games like Hollow Knight and Metroid Dread a run for their money.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    There are glimpses in here where some of the potential shines through, but not enough. Held back by a lack of depth and polish, the big selling points of the expansion struggle to flourish, resulting in a pack that's underwhelming despite its initial promise.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    As you’d expect, the difficulty curve is fairly steep and you’ll be challenged from the start, but thankfully Lies of P never feels mean-spirited and offers a lot of chances to learn along the way. It’s a somewhat linear experience, so you won’t have the chance to explore elsewhere while you build yourself up to face a particularly sticky boss as you would in a title like Elden Ring, but if you explore all the nooks and crannies, you’ll always find yourself equipped with the tools you need to tackle the toughest of bosses. Lies of P is an addictive Soulslike with a unique take on the genre and is certainly one not to be missed (especially if you have Game Pass).
    • 56 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Overall, the Modern Warfare 3 campaign feels like it might have been rushed in terms of new gameplay developments, as well as narrative payoff, although there is a helluva shock in there for fans. It feels like it needed more time to evolve what's there, which is always going to be hard with a yearly franchise, and perhaps not allowing Modern Warfare the customary two years off for development made it harder. [Campaign Review Score = 60]
    • 90 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Alan Wake 2 is a bold and confident follow-up to its original, and worth the wait in every way. Remedy has crafted something timeless that will be talked about for a long time and has unexpectedly become the game to beat in the survival horror genre. Surreal, tense, funny, absurd and nerve-wracking all at once, Alan Wake 2 is a game all of its own and one you really should experience.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    The Talos Principle 2 builds on the genius puzzle design of the first game in innovative ways that makes it another masterpiece in the genre. Even with a more story-driven focus, there's nothing else quite like experiencing every mystery its sublime world has to offer...Even after completing every puzzle, collecting every star, and seeing numerous endings, I can't wait to go back and do it all again to uncover all of its secrets – and when I've seen them all, I'll still be trying to solve the puzzles again in creative and unintended ways.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Marvel's Spider-Man 2 touches on huge progressiveness on the outskirts of its story, but similar to the big-budget retellings of the wall-crawler, it could go so much further. We've seen Spidey do New York so much before, and it's a total undeniable classic. But with great power, comes great responsibility. A responsibility to push forward culture, representation, opinion, and acceptance. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has made a great start, but we have so much further to go.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    RoboCop: Rogue City is a blast to play for long-time fans of the franchise and goes above and beyond to respect its source material. It won't win any awards for being ground-breaking, but Peter Weller offering his voice to a story that's arguably the best use of the RoboCop name since the original film makes this a worthwhile treat for those who want to be transported back to their childhood.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Developer Deconstructeam's latest game is a bold experience in which all of the systems manage to beautifully fall into place. It successfully weaves its magic to create something that is rather special and mesmerising, elevated by a unique twist to deck-building and packed with emotion. Fortuna's journey undoubtedly ranks as one of my highlights of the year, and shouldn't be overlooked.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It is a game that tries to evoke a feeling of discovery at every possible turn, but in doing so loses the element of wonder fairly quickly. Instead, Wonder's strongest moments are when it takes a breather, taking the time to set the scene while letting the platforming do the talking.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In Starfield, this blend and culmination of ideas sometimes pays off in wonderful ways — but sometimes it falls short, because pushing too far in one direction would mean committing to an idea. Consequences.
    • 83 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    It's a game that, I think, is newcomer-friendly and a good starting point if you've ever wanted to give the series or the sim racing genre a go. There will obviously be more to like for car fans, but this also comes across as a polished title that's considerate towards newer players. I've enjoyed the hours I've spent with Forza Motorsport, and I can see myself going back and playing some more.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A satisfying blend of high-speed action, chaos, and strategy makes this glorious revival of the F-Zero franchise stand out. Let's hope it won't be another 19 years before we get another game in the series.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    At its best, Fang and their friends' journey is affecting and thought-provoking, and while their time threatens to be cruelly cut short, the time we spent at Volcano High was mostly well-spent.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is a modernised love letter to Jet Set Radio that combines fun and stylistic gameplay, with a kaleidoscope of updated Dreamcast-era visuals and sound to create a sequel in everything but name. We may never see Sega release another Jet Set Radio again, but this is the next best thing and an exciting foundation for the future.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    2023 has been a banner year for games, and it’s clear that Blasphemous 2 sits in the upper echelons of those releases, a beautifully grotesque Metroidvania that’s deserving of everyone's time. From the gloriously gruesome visuals to its ferociously paced combat and beautiful soundtrack, Blasphemous 2 is an instant classic in the genre.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Immortals of Aveum is the perfect example of a mid-tier experience. There’s some good ideas in there – and some things are executed well – but with so many others not feeling quite right, enjoyment will really vary person to person. We hope Ascendant Studios gets the chance to have a second shot at casting a spell on the genre. If given the space to jettison some tropes and really focus on their concept, there could be something really special here.
    • 96 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The first 60-70 hours were near-faultless, with Larian Studios providing an experience unmatched in the role-playing space. I could continue to nitpick over how I wished that ambition and quality could sustain right until the end credits, but then I think about the whole journey I went through with my Drow and I can't help but smile. Despite its late-game flaws, Baldur's Gate 3 is truly special.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There isn't really anything like Stray Gods out there right now, and while it falls short of hitting the highs of some of the musicals that served as inspiration for the game, its narrative design and the unique way in which player choice affects the story make for a refreshing and enjoyable ride.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    It feels like a missed opportunity, arriving a couple of years too late to take full advantage of Beth Harmon's popularity and the mass numbers of new players that came from that. But even if the release were more timely, as a learning tool it falls significantly short, lacking a clear enough vision in its puzzles and features to steer players in the right direction.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With a deep character-building system and the endless possibilities offered thanks to its procedurally generated levels, Remnant 2 is an absolute must experience and one we think we’ll be world-hopping in for a long, long time.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The horses here are an absolute delight and steal the show, and a large part of that is due to how much attention was given to them. Rather than spreading their resources a little thin, the developer was able to deliver on the main selling point of the expansion. And while it may not be as game-changing as some of the most highly-regarded packs, Horse Ranch shows that sometimes less is more and that having a more focused approach with the right theme can pay off.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The final two cases are undoubtedly a huge cut above the others that take place in Kanai Ward, and it's a shame that the game takes so long before hitting its highs. But stick through to the end, and Rain Code eventually delivers a satisfyingly twisty adventure in spite of its shortcomings – helping to somewhat fill that Danganronpa void.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While Viewfinder will leave you wanting more, it is one of the best and most unique in the genre to come out in some time, with gameplay that never gets old as it repeatedly finds ways to surprise and impress. Whether you're a casual puzzle player or have experience, Viewfinder deserves a spot in the photo album of must-play titles of the year.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is as unique as its predecessor and once again shows that Night School Studio is onto something with their 'walk and talk' mechanic. We can't wait to go back and dive in once more, and can't recommend the game enough.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's clear that a lot of love has been put into making AEW: Fight Forever fun and feel good to play. It's just a shame it falls short in certain areas related to story, features and creation. Despite this, there's a lot for AEW fans to like here and we definitely recommend it, because much like All Elite Wrestling is an alternative to WWE, it's nice to have an alternative in the wrestling game space too.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Diablo IV is the culmination of everything Blizzard has set up before to make one ultimate experience. The world is stunning, drowned in a beautiful soundtrack that makes even the smallest moments feel epic. With a deep character system, satisfying combat and an endgame that feels like only the start of your adventure, it's hard not to recommend. Dig in, experiment with classes, fight some demons and loot some dungeons. You won’t regret it.
    • 96 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Pushing the limits of interaction allows Hyrule to move beyond just being an incredibly beautiful puzzle box setting into something entirely grander. A truly living, breathing world.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The cast of Midnight Suns is split between members of the Avengers (Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, etc) and the Midnight Suns themselves – a crack squad of younger heroes assembled to tackle demonic issues. All sorts of fun tensions arise from these groups interacting, all supported by some really strong writing. The only thing that lets it down is the sometimes janky production values, and we often felt like particular lines or moments would have been better delivered in a single comic panel with a distinct facial expression, rather than Midnight Suns’ middling character models. If you can look past this, though, then you get some really funny moments with a cast of characters that genuinely feels like it’s been assembled with care – a feeling which extends throughout the entire game and which is a welcome surprise for this big-budget IP-driven title.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Redfall isn't as unplayable as some of the most intense reaction might lead you to believe. That said, we found it to be a rather mindless experience, often finding ourselves going through the motions. And when considering how it falls short in ways we wouldn't have expected from an Arkane title, the game is sadly a disappointment.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Aside from the audiovisual presentation, the Advance Wars remake plays it considerably safe. That isn't a bad thing in itself, particularly since the foundations of the game mostly hold up. There is still plenty of fun to be had here. But it also means that this package is less interesting than it could have been.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Strayed Lights is both a cosy, relaxing experience and an extremely well-crafted Souls-lite adventure game – and honestly, it’s a combination we didn’t even know we wanted. With a lavish world, beautiful soundtrack and addictive combat loop, this is a unique title that's easy to recommend.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Star Wars Jedi: Survivor surpasses the first game in every way, taking its strengths and flaws and improving every aspect of them to create a force to be reckoned with.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dead Island 2 is a concentrated dose of zombie-slaying fun. It’s a marvel to see it released at all after its tumultuous development, but Dambuster Studios has managed to more than deliver on its promise of a slasher that takes everything the original Dead Island set out as a blueprint and expand on it in an interesting way. It’s not perfect and won’t change the gaming landscape, but you’ll certainly have a blast ripping and tearing your way through sun-drenched Hell-A with more than a few surprises along the way.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Bayonetta Origins is a charming spin-off adventure with unique mechanics, beautiful visuals and an engrossing soundtrack that always suits the mood. It's a triumph on its own merits. While the gameplay develops at a satisfying pace, some fans of the mainline series might find it lacking in some complexity. But with a chance to delve deeper into the Bayonetta world and follow along this coming-of-age tale, it’s hard not to recommend this game to fans of the series and newcomers alike.

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