GameCritics' Scores

  • Games
For 4,098 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 37% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 57% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 6.8 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 68
Highest review score: 100 Citizen Sleeper
Lowest review score: 0 Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station
Score distribution:
4104 game reviews
    • 72 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Potential frustration aside, I enjoyed my time with Forced, and there’s nothing else quite like it on the market. Slightly tighter mechanics and a more solid feel to the combat would have been nice, but as a whole it definitely comes recommended —just be ready for the air to turn blue from time to time when it comes to multiplayer.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Despite thoroughly grasping rules of Tharsis and even being able to offer advice on how to be more successful to others, my winning runs were entirely due to luck. Chance might be a solid basis for gambling or having a good time with friends, but when it comes to single player games, I should have a bit more say in whether my crew survives or not.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The co-op gameplay is what makes this game special, and while there are enough bugs and hitches in the co-op mechanic to ensure players will be annoyed a little on their way to the fun, it's still a worthwhile experience.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Embracelet is a brief experience, but the journey is a satisfying one and this charming idyll is absolutely worth visiting.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    As an historical RTS, Praetorians does an admirable job of integrating its subject matter with solid gameplay, as opposed to simply using the historical period as a backdrop for a slew of war scenarios.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The Surge is mechanically compelling. Battles are challenging and brutal. Traversing the environment is tense, and, ultimately, rewarding when a shortcut or a new area is unlocked. The fact that the core of the experience is frequently exhilarating, so often makes the faulty links in the chain all the more confusing and frustrating. A Walk in the Park is a rollercoaster ride of an experience. It’s just unfortunate that big chunks of the track are missing.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Darksiders III is shameless. It copies Souls level design right down to some of that series’ most famous tropes, such as hiding enemies around corners in long hallways with an archer. Fury’s Havoc form is strikingly similar to Devil May Cry’s devil trigger. However, in limiting the number of influences this time around, Gunfire Games has been able to focus on making those influences work together rather than fitting in as many popular game influences as possible. Instead of the tasteless sludge of the past, Darksiders III is closer to being a pleasant smoothie.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Is HOMMV a good game? Absolutely. Is it essentially the exact same game as HOMMIV was? Oh yes.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Expeditions: A MudRunner Game is the sort of daunting, technical adventure that can be humbling at times, but for those who can pick up on its rhythm and learn its brand of skillful driving, this might just become the best podcast game of all time.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Yes, it feels thin compared to fifty-hour role-playing games and branching platformers that let players choose their own paths. But it's fast and furious; we even get to fly our own spaceships and yell "Ka-pow!" at no one in particular. What more could a ten-year-old boy want?
    • 86 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    I wonder if we haven't reached the point where games like this can start leaving out the plot entirely. It's a game about giving the player a gun and telling them to go nuts.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The music is often phenomenal, the translation and dialogue are exquisite, and the world is one that's worth spending time in. However, it's all based on grind-heavy gameplay, and it's still subscription based. My advice is to buy it, burn through the new content, and then put it aside until the next substantial expansion is released.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    While the graphics are on the simple side and getting someone excited about the petroleum industry is a hard sell when we’re concerned with global warming and the future of the planet, I still found a great deal to like about Turmoil: the Heat is On. I appreciated its approachability, it led to a few good conversations about economics with my son, and it also helped that the oil I was drilling was just pretend — with no ecological damage being done, I could just relax and enjoy the systems.
    • 96 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Players who can look past the lack of drive, annoying decisions, and a general stripped-down, dumbed-down feeling can (thankfully) still look forward to some truly spectacular moments and unforgettable action before credits roll.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    My head says to play it safe and recommend people wait until next year. However I value playing Axis Football 2021. I enjoy the on-field action, and I genuinely care about my rag-tag team of misfits, so my heart says to go for it this year.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The game is good and it's worthy of being called one of the better games the GameCube has to offer. The problem is it really doesn't stand out in any way, shape or fashion.
    • 93 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Given that the game already has too much content in its vanilla release, it's more refinement that I'd like to see now—and to be fair, few developers offer post release support like CD Projekt Red do. In this massive adventure the good largely outweighs the bad, but it's a shame that they're so closely intertwined from start to finish.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    With A New Frontier, Telltale is stumbling over the age and limitations of its dated engine and game mechanics while also running into the problem of franchise fatigue. There are only so many zombie hordes, self-interested road warriors, and family disputes they can explore before it all starts to feel rote. Javi’s story isn’t a total loss thanks to the development of the core characters, but the studio will have to think of ways to keep this world fresh and interesting if it hopes to continue producing the further adventures of Clementine and other assorted survivors.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Overall, Scene Investigators is a perfect game for CSI and The Mentalist fans. It offers lovers of the genre the challenge of analyzing crime scenes with a realistic approach in a way that remains loyal to its concept while also being fairly educational. A rare trick!
    • 71 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    This episode is stronger than the previous two, but it can’t support the trilogy by itself.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The word "original" may not apply, but the level of production and care taken in crafting Crimson Gem Saga is certainly noteworthy, especially in conjunction with the pure, reductive nature of its game design.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Unfortunately, there’s a void where the story and character should go, and this absence is a significant mark against the work overall. However, everything else is so strong that I can’t be too mad. If the developers were to create a sequel following in these same footsteps but with more story and character, it would be an absolute knockout. Let’s hope they get there.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    If an editor had taken a serious red pen and streamlined the narrative, Tokyo Xanadu EX+ would be fantastic. As it is, this is a game with stellar JRPG action and a story that will try the patience of all but the most dedicated players.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It's light, accessible, and almost hysterically funny at times.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Its reach exceeds its grasp, but at least Disney Epic Mickey is reaching. Occasionally it brushes its fingertips up against something amazing that might have been.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The gameplay, while child-friendly, is still challenging enough to keep veteran players interested.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    At its core Sniper Ghost Warrior: Contracts is a challenging, but fundamentally well-balanced sniping FPS, but the mask was supposed to be the thing that empowered the character and made them more than a match for the armies they’re up against — I just can’t understand why the developers didn’t let me choose how to use it, rather than forcing annoying limits upon me.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Sure, the game has flaws. But they're transcended by its ability to put us in awe of our own lives. We see our daily tedium through fresh eyes, feel it through newly excited thumbs.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Despite the issues I’ve highlighted, Dying Light 2: Stay Human is an improvement over the original in nearly every way. While there’s plenty to complain about, the world is more interesting, the parkour is fantastic, and the story has more weight — of the two, it’s absolutely the superior game, and the thrill of rocketing through a crumbling city with monsters in hot pursuit is unparalleled in the genre. It’s not perfect, but it’s as good as parkour action gets.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy is a welcome addition to the series. While it doesn’t add or change much when it comes to gameplay mechanics, it’s still enjoyable and challenging enough to be worth a look from anyone who likes an old-fashioned fairytale adventure with a twist.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Fans of the series will find lots to love, but fighting fans who don’t know anything about One Piece shouldn’t shy away from checking out the wonderfully balanced action. By the time players reach upper tiers the opposition is formidable, but smart play is rewarded and it always feels fair no matter how weird the pirate plotline gets.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The problem with workout mode is that there is no continuous play option, and the player will have to pause after each song to manipulate the menus and choose another song. Each song burns around fifteen calories.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    iO
    Io‘s camera zooms out as the ball enlarges, and zooms in as it shrinks. Players look at an overview of the level, plan out their move, and start rolling. Then, at a key moment, they shrink the ball down and the camera pulls in tight. Suddenly the whole world is zipping past and all situational awareness disappears, with players forced to hold their breath and hope that they’ve timed their transformation correctly. Io is a faster, more nimble puzzle game than I’m used to, and when it works, there’s nothing else quite like it. Luckily, it works more often than not.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    At the end of the day, Fae Farm is just like any other farming sim. Its conceptual design incorporating fairy elements is innovative in theory, but its inability to make good on its whimsical promises is where it falls short. While I did enjoy exploring Azoria’s world, I doubt that the prospect of fairy wings at some point in the future will be enough to keep me coming back for more.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    For me, personally, too much of Generations is repeat content and it breaks my heart to see another installment on hardware that doesn’t do it justice. I still love the series and I’m looking forward to an all-new Monster Hunter on a better system in the future. In the meantime? I’m cutting this hunt short.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    All in all, I loved my time with Born of Bread. It’s cute and has a heart, and that kept me playing despite combat that didn’t hit the mark and party members that were a bit hollow. However, it’s a shorter RPG with speedy progression, and the main quest was one I enjoyed seeing through to the end. Sometimes a cozy fairy tale with simple mechanics and good humor is enough to satisfy, and that’s certainly what was delivered here.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    As an appetizer preceding the larger experience to come, The Whisperer checks all the right boxes and is perfect for anyone looking for a tasty horror morsel, and that goes double for players eager to explore a territory and setting that isn’t often seen in gaming.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    OOTP 13 does exactly what it sets out to do-it provides the hardcore fan with the most detailed front office sim experience possible. Once I got into the ebb and flow of managing my team, it was sheer baseball nerd nirvana, and there's a lot of value in that.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The few design decisions that take de Blob 2 towards skillful play don't produce a robust experience of this kind, and undermine the game's better qualities.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Rejects spectacle in favour of the sort of satisfaction that results from a slow culmination of small triumphs—a video unlocked here, a trickbook completed there. In the end, though, it's because of this very process that Amped 2 fails to evoke the butterflies-in-the-stomach level of excitement that I get from playing the very best video games.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Although it seems like I’ve got more complaints than praise for Invisible, Inc., I ended up enjoying my time with it a great deal. The character designs and futuristic premise are great, and pulling off a win after agonizing over every single action in every single turn feels amazing. It’s a stiff challenge with much patience required on the player’s part, but Invisible, Inc. delivers a deliciously strategic dish—although one that’s probably not to everyone’s taste.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is still pretty great overall, but this was one case where the devs should have pulled out all the stops to offer something truly different and unique within the series, and it didn’t quite get there.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    If we assume that videogames are partly about realizing control-fantasies, Nintendogs is about the absolute opposite. Coping with the stubborn and playfully anarchic mindset of a puppy can teach gamers an important lesson: learn to let go.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    If one can stomach the questionable story choices, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 has some of the most engaging sniping action around. Whether a player wants to simply click a button and watch a slo-mo bullet explode a head, or whether they want to be forced to calculate exactly how far an enemy will walk in the one and a half seconds between the bullet leaving the barrel and closing the deadly distance, SGWC2 scales exactly to any level of interest and skill. It may be brutally violent, but it’s an intensely satisfying sniper experience.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    That being said, Tera is in surprisingly good shape for a game so early in its life cycle. The journey to level cap is mostly entertaining, endgame content is available, and the core gameplay elements are solid.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Norn9 offers pretty visuals, a nice cast of characters and some interesting dynamics, but little more. The romance content should be its main draw, but it suffers thanks to the quantity-over-quality attitude, and the overarching plot is somewhat tepid. On the other hand, the bite-sized routes provide an ideal introduction for newcomers to the genre, and more experienced otome players will enjoy the replayability. It's not the best in its genre, but still worth checking out.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    There was never any question that I was going to obtain and enjoy Rare Replay, but there's enough great content here to ensure that even those players who didn't grow up with these games will find a lot to love.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Even so, it's well worth checking out for players who would be interested in a different spin on the Angry Birds formula.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The story is phenomenal and the artwork is stylishly exquisite, but the mechanics and the hand holding make the experience drag on longer than it needs to. Perhaps that is partly the point, though — scrolling through nasty comments online is a certain kind of negative energy that the developers clearly want to make a statement about. Regardless of those downsides, Urban Myth Dissolution Center still gets my recommendation, especially for those looking for a spooky story or for players who love solving mysteries.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Frankly speaking, I find Just Cause 3 to be a bloated, boring game full of wrong decisions and wasted potential, but there's no denying that strapping a rocket to Rico and owning the skies is pretty fabulous. It's not good enough to recommend buying the game, but for people who already own it, Sky Fortress is an absolute must-have.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The sequel rights many of the first game's wrongs and is a nice, iterative step forward on the formula Monolith's been perfecting since 2005. For those who were lukewarm on the first PXZ, these improvements may make the difference.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    On paper, this should be the most boring, simplistic game ever: The player tosses a paper airplane, the end. However, the reality is surprisingly more engaging than it sounds.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Both of these tables are a joy to play and the Universal Monsters Pack is a solid addition to the Pinball FX3 library. It’s a slight shame the pack includes only two tables, but the price still beats buying a pair of working machines.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Despite this slightly middling RPG addition, there’s not much to knock Granblue Fantasy Versus for. Purists may scoff at the low barrier to entry, and there’s not many characters to choose from without dipping into the DLC offerings, but it’s still a beautifully-presented fighter that holds its own. It’s just a shame there’s not more of it.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Drawing from a pool of the classics – things like Rubik’s cubes, complementary rotation, circuit building – Iris.Fall has a puzzle for for everyone. Unfortunately, this has the corollary of ensuring that players with a weakness for a particular kind of puzzle will end up absolutely stuck at least once in the game. I personally found myself banging my head on a task involving building a bridge for the better part of a half hour, and it’s entirely possible that were I not reviewing the game, I might have quit there and then. I’m glad I didn’t, though, since the story deserves to be seen through to the end.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The monsters are creepy, the combat is great, and the setting is endlessly explorable – Achtung! Cthulhu Tactics has plenty going for it, and yet it still feels underdeveloped. The RPG elements are thin, and the story is little more than a skeletal justification for the next skirmish. There’s plenty of stellar design here, but it feels like a preview of a more robust experience. It’s a fantastic use of the Cthulhu Mythos and a solid game, but I’m guessing the franchise will have more to offer next time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    While not quite matching its previous heights, Axis Football 2026 has made marked improvements over the last incarnation and shows that it’s still a title worthy of taking the field. With the right bug fixes and continued improvement, it could once again become a solid contender in the increasingly-crowded football market. Axis Football 2026 is worth the time and the price of admission, but there’s definitely room for this franchise to tighten things up.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    However, anyone who loves games like Zelda and Alundra would be well advised to give Oath in Felghana a shot. Falcom isn't trying to reinvent the wheel with these games-they're more interested in refining it to the point where it rolls even more smoothly than before.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I enjoyed Grand Kingdom quite a bit. On paper this game is everything I want in an SRPG, but it did leave me feeling a little underwhelmed. With a stronger narrative stitching everything together, I think it really would be the total package.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The game's core mechanics are all still there, neatly created and presented stunningly. But underneath this evident beauty, Prince of Persia fails to deliver on any sort of a challenge, and instead of carrying on the proud tradition of the series, deviates to a considerable and damaging extent because of its simple gameplay and excessive accessibility.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Overall, the game presents simple but compelling word strategy with just the right mix of predictability and random chance. One’s enjoyment of Oh…Sir!! may come down to whether or not the style of humor clicks, but it’s hard to deny that it delivers great value for its tiny $2 asking price. Also, your face smells of a dead parrot’s farts.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    YIIK: A Postmodern RPG is a bizarre title that connected with me on several levels despite a number of issues, and it kept me coming back until credits rolled. While it did take a significant amount of time to get to the ending, the characters and the themes of coping with loss and Alex’s growth made the investment of time worth the effort. That said, I don’t know if I would recommend this game to anyone but myself, yet it’s so strange and offbeat that I think there’s something worthwhile here to check out for everyone who’s not me.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Issues aside, it's hard to discount the feeling of nostalgia that permeates Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time. Gamers like me, who experienced the golden age of the JRPG firsthand, will undoubtedly enjoy this title despite the occasional misstep.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Mulaka is a treat for the eyes that’s just fine as it is, but I can’t help but feel there were many opportunities where it could have, and should have, done more.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It may not have been a direct hit, but ­R-Type Command's mission was certainly accomplished.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite the lackluster mechanics and dull dungeon design, Soul Hackers 2 still has plenty of sheen in its presentation and characters. Ringo is an intriguing protagonist surrounded by a roster of dynamic characters who will keep the player invested as they struggle to save this colorful, neon world. If nothing else, it will serve as a welcome primer to Atlus newcomers, or a welcome draught for those looking to slake their thirst after going through more accomplished ATLUS titles.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It’s great that four years later Street Fighter V is still receiving updates and continues to have a decent online community. I can’t recommend that owners of the previous versions pay for the upgrade since the new characters can be earned for free within the game, but for anyone who hasn’t played Street Fighter V yet, there’s no better version to pick up than the Champion Edition.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Retro Machina is a game that diligently stays true to its title, putting on the table nothing more or less then what is implied with the opening menu. Unfortunately, the developers have kept too sharp a focus on the ‘retro’ aspect, and in failing to leverage the design improvements and innovations from recent years, the end result is an experience that feels far smaller and more limited than it should.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Bomber Crew is a fantastic first achievement, and flitting between micro and macro management is both stressful and rewarding in equal measure. That said, the game can’t decide if it wants to be a quirky management sim or a hardcore roguelike, so splitting the difference has weakened the whole.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Forgotten City is quite interesting as a new release that’s actually an enhanced and expanded mod that retains all of its key elements while being offered to players who might not be familiar with Skyrim. Despite the performance issues, it’s an adventure that will fascinate until the end, and the riddle surrounding The Golden Rule is one worth solving.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sporadic difficulty notwithstanding, it's certainly a credit to Mr. Cavanagh that a project with VVVVVV's basic graphics and simple controls can feel so completely energetic and entertaining. Much more than it initially appears, I was quite glad to have spent time with the title, and eagerly look forward to what Terry will be cooking up next.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It’s an intense experience easily played in a single (or very few) sittings that delivers with an engaging story via fascinating narrative progression. I do feel the overall quality of the game was compromised by the lackluster ending, but the thrill of the promise has enough momentum to carry a player to the end.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I can accept but no longer appreciate the conventions of the past that Soul Calibur III upholds and I look forward to a game that embodies the newer and more reality-based ideals of competitive fighting.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While the narrative falls utterly flat, Ereban: Shadow Legacy remains a good point of entry into the stealth genre, encouraging players to take things patiently and strategically while also giving them a unique adventure that lets them — quite literally — blend into the shadows. It’s worth a try for this, if nothing else!
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Any fans of hand-drawn animation should download it immediately.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    May get flack from the hardcore D&D crowd for simply being a "Diablo" clone set in the D&D universe, but it's still hard to deny the simple joy in teaming up with three friends to kick the crap out a Beholder.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    In a year when games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt have redefined what open-world RPGs are capable of, I suspect that a lot of Fallout fans will be forced to question whether the usual Bethesda shtick of providing vast amounts of unpolished content with no emotional investment is still enough. I had a pretty good time, but despite its many strong points, Fallout 4 feels like one of Bethesda's minor works.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Duffers who like to spend more time on the couch than on the greens will find much to enjoy here and they can do it without looking like a dork in a pair of knickers.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A little more challenge, depth, and length with the trimming of the lame on-rails levels would have made this one a near classic. As it is, though, it's an above-average shooter with just enough variety and charm to make the familiar trip worth your time.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Having put Poi down for a while to collect my thoughts for this review, I find myself looking back fondly on it, as I would with Banjo Kazooie or Gex, but I’m not sure it will make a lasting impression. Players who own a Switch and want something besides a a chubby Italian plumber on their screen can’t go wrong with Poi, but it’s hard to see it in that massive shadow.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I enjoyed my time with this blend of warring states Japan, three kingdoms China, and mythological fighters colliding with each other. The character roster and amount of magic flair is deep (even if the combat itself is simple) and Warriors Orochi 4 scratches a very specific itch with its over-the-top action — but not everyone has that same itch. But for those that do, it’s more of the same that fans love.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    An efficient (i.e. — boring) playthrough of Hitman 3 could probably be finished in a few hours for players who know what they’re doing, so the fact that I’ve spent more than 30 hours in six maps trying to master each one says everything about how much I love this series. However, despite how much I love Hitman as a whole, I can’t deny that the middling innovations and repeat rewards are starting to make 47’s adventures feel slightly stale.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While people pinching every penny might want to hold off since this DLC such a quick play, those in the mood for a little eggnog with the Saints would do well to ring in this holiday Third Street style.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Those who’ve read this far probably know better than to expect a fair or balanced gameplay. The philosophy underpinning this entire genre is that the player should share the misery that their avatar is suffering, and since they can’t trap players inside the game, they make things as difficult to engage with as possible. Cannibal Abduction is aimed at a very niche audience, but anyone with a passion for this kind of masochistic experience will find a great example of it here.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The replayable Outposts and Expeditions are a blast (even moreso in co-op) and the mild RPG mechanics of base building is a great start, even if it needs to be expanded upon. However, in a larger sense, the adventure is brought down by a comparatively small size and cookie-cutter bad guys. New Dawn isn’t a terrible experience, but it would have been better served by being delivered as DLC material, not passed off as a full game.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Iron Rain is a completely different animal than its predecessors, so it’s almost unfair to compare them. This one never aspires to offer epic action, so how can I criticize it for failing to deliver? Its goal is to offer a more grounded, focused take on the concept, and while I’ll admit that I missed seeing fleets of alien ships being blasted out of the sky by satellite weaponry, the new enemies can’t be ignored. Iron Rain won’t make it to the top of a best-of EDF list, but as a discrete experience, it’s pretty great.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    In the end, Windjammers is a mechanically interesting experience that still feels fresh 23 years after its release, but this PS4 edition doesn’t include much to enhance the original. As it stands, Windjammers is enjoyable for an afternoon with friends, but it doesn’t offer much to hook players for the long term.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Thumper isn’t going to revolutionize rhythm games, nor is it the best example of VR out there, but it’s still worth taking a look at — just be sure to listen to your body as you play. If you feel fatigued, battered down, or depressed, then take the headset off and get some air. The overall experience will be better for it. Trust me.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As a VR experience, however, Intruders is jarring and involving in equal measure. Most importantly, the developers understand how to create the experience of being a child in a high-pressure situation — everything is too big, too scary, and too fast. It’s only by resolve, wit, and bravery that the little boy can survive the night and save his family, and Intruders makes players work for it by putting them through some genuinely frightening situations. There are emotions that only VR can get players to feel, and Intruders is built to push those exact buttons.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It’s tough to say exactly who Colossal Cave is for. ‘Experienced’ fans who remember it might be overjoyed to explore its passages once again, now visualized, but the novelty will wear off once they’ve blazed through an adventure they likely know the answers to — it’s possible to speedrun the game in under an hour. Younger fans of adventure games may be curious to see a revamped version of how the genre started, but may become frustrated by the bizarre ‘logic’ behind the challenges. Ultimately, it’s a fascinating look back in time, but it doesn’t always translate to enjoyable play.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Players looking for a cheery Legend of Zelda-style title will find it in Oceanhorn 2, and with a much smaller pricetag. It may have a few issues, but it’s worth the price of admission to see what this talented team has put together.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Minigolf aside, Kinetic Edge offers a highly enjoyable package. The online races are a blast, and while the other modes don’t quite have the same lasting appeal, they’re still solid party game options. From any perspective, Kinetic Edge is a great multiplayer effort that is both stylish and rewarding to master.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite all of its faults, Yupitergrad skates by on how perfectly it nails the feeling of essentially being Spider-Man in VR. There’s room to improve the formula with stronger writing and more varied environments, and perhaps someday Yupitergrad will feel outdated. For now, though, it provides a very specific kind of fix, and one that I imagine nearly every owner of a VR headset is itching for.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Those already converted to the unique sport of monster breeding will find Monster Rancher Advance to be a fine continuation of the PlayStation series that translates very well to the Game Boy Advance.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While both the core campaign and this DLC would use a little tweaking, there’s no doubt that they remain exciting, engaging plays that come recommended. As Incommodus the Servo Skull says, PURGE THE HERETICS!
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The pitch-perfect sound and visuals, along with the twist on Rhythm Heaven‘s under-imitated style make for a unique and memorable, if brief, experience. Consider it a compliment when I say that my time with Melatonin passed by like a pleasant dream.
    • 51 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Rengoku is a tight, focused experience not aimed at the average gamer, but it carves out its own niche and fills it nicely. It's an acquired taste perhaps, but one that I definitely crave.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's a beautiful title with many nice moments, and I want to extend my congratulations to the team for such a noticeable step up. That said, neither the gameplay nor the plot and characters were strong enough to put it over the top.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Admittedly, it all leads to a well-foreshadowed resolution focusing on her troubled understanding of the verb “living”, yet thanks to the appropriately-intense focus on introspection, I can report that Minute of Islands manages a symbolic triumph at the end. It’s succinct in the exploration of its central themes, and impactful when arriving to its point.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Skipper certainly made me think outside the box. I usually feel confident in my puzzle-solving skills, but I was gnashing my teeth in frustration, not that the difficulty took anything away from my enjoyment. The learning curve is steep but rewarding, and while the devs don’t hand out medals for the effort, the relief of finally solving a situation is enough. It’s certainly a game that begs for one more minute, and I found myself going back often, especially as friends got involved over my shoulder. We’d collectively groan at each other’s mistakes, or share high fives when we’d snagged the answer. Playing together gave the game an extra layer of joy, but it kept my focus when playing solo as well. Skipper is a pleasant — if short lived — minimalistic puzzler.

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