Gameliner's Scores

  • Games
For 473 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 42% higher than the average critic
  • 5% same as the average critic
  • 53% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 1.6 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 73
Highest review score: 100 Halls of Torment
Lowest review score: 30 Extremely Powerful Capybaras
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 19 out of 473
484 game reviews
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A cozy exploration game that delivers exactly what it promises, blending relaxing camper travel with light base-building and rewarding exploration. While inventory limits and collectibles can feel a bit restrictive or grindy, they never take away from the overall chill experience. Outbound is a soothing road trip that lets you truly unwind behind the wheel.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Sims 4: Royal Legacy is one of the game’s most ambitious expansions in years. While the Royal career is still too easy to access and misses a chance to add real challenge, the dynasties, intrigue, and lore updates make up for it. The dynasty system in particular brings back much-needed depth and storytelling to family gameplay. The new world, Ondarion, is a highlight with its scale and detail, though missed opportunities remain, especially in Create-a-Sim, where everyday clothing and options for younger Sims feel limited.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Don't be fooled by the Superhot/Pistil Whip esthetics, Vendetta Forever strikes the VR player with a different kind of attack and does so with great vengeance and furious anger. During the course of sixty well-designed - and sometimes brutally challenging - levels, Meatspace Interactive puts players to the test to get the answer to the question burning on the lips of every action movie connoisseur: Do I have what it takes to be Tom Cruise? The short answer (no pun intended) is yes, although it might request a lot of trial and error or the occasional use of a cheat to accomplish some of the seemingly impossible missions.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With Mafia: The Old Country, Hangar 13 aims to please the crowd by returning to the much desired linear Italian drama form. While stunning graphics and a well written - though highly predictable - story raise The Old Country to a level where you can almost smell the lemons and oranges through your screen, performance issues and underwhelming combat stain this fine-threaded Italian shirt. Nevertheless, Mafia: The Old Country has been good to me and offered me an experience I couldn't refuse.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a great game on the Switch but offers little new for those who played the original. For newcomers and platforming fans, this is the ultimate version and definitely worth it.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest VII makes a triumphant return as a charming JRPG with improved pacing and a stronger episodic structure, even if not every story arc hits the mark. Refreshed combat and visuals stay true to the beloved original, though clunky menus can test your patience in an otherwise delightful adventure.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dispatch stands out as one of the year’s stronger games, with well-written dialogue, excellent voice acting, and a simple but well-executed story. While the narrative stays solid throughout its eight episodes, some romance elements and swearing feel unnecessarily forced. A second playthrough reveals that many events are fixed, making player choices less impactful than expected. Despite these drawbacks, the game remains a high-quality experience with impressive visuals and enjoyable gameplay.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Planet of Lana II delivers another contemplative, emotionally resonant, and visually stunning journey, choosing careful refinement over daring reinvention. While that restraint preserves the spirit of the original, it also carries over its sluggish pacing, occasionally convoluted puzzles, and moments of frustration, resulting in a gorgeous but overly safe sequel that echoes rather than elevates its predecessor.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Bloom & Rage – Tape 2 ramps up the emotion and showcases Don’t Nod’s strength in telling heartfelt, human stories. The bond between the friends feels genuine, especially through the sensitive handling of Kat’s illness and strong performances. While this final chapter feels a bit rushed and leaves some storylines underdeveloped, it remains a powerful and memorable conclusion that lingers after the credits roll.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It's nice to see that British satire doesn't flinch when it comes to dealing with current political developments and if you can stomach the obvious political tongue-in-cheek humor, Earth Must Die is a must play. Believe me when I say that being an incompetent, inconsiderate and oblivious asshole of a leader has never felt better. The WASD controls might be a bit finicky and the dynamic camera can occasionally be a pain in the sphincter, but apart from that, Earth Must Die has my vote of approval.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ritual of Raven is a story-driven life sim with rich character development and constant tasks through quests and rituals. While much of the gameplay is familiar, it introduces a unique card-based machine programming system and deeper plant care tied to moon phases. The game features a detailed 2D pixel art style that supports its immersive world. Though there are minor flaws, like a bothersome alien character and expansive decoration, the story is what truly stands out.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Siege of the Sandfox delivers a gorgeous pixel-art stealthvania with slick parkour and stellar sound design. The AI and bugs can be a pain, but if you're into metroidvanias, this one’s definitely worth a shot.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Days Gone Remastered might seem unnecessary at first glance, but packs solid upgrades and fun extras. A fresh ride through a polished, familiar apocalypse!
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Wander Stars mixes old-school anime humor, turn-based combat, and roguelite elements into an entertaining JRPG. The story isn’t groundbreaking, but the creative combat and tactical choices keep you engaged.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Morsels blends lighthearted humor with sharp roguelite action, keeping every run fresh thanks to its clever three-Morsels system. Despite some missing explanations and minor hiccups, it remains a charming, challenging, and highly enjoyable retro-style experience.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Escape Simulator 2 is a charming co-op puzzler packed with atmosphere, clever challenges, and endless community content. Some bugs and rough matchmaking hold it back, but for 17 bucks, it’s a surprisingly rich escape room experience, especially with friends you don’t mind yelling at.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Life is Strange: Reunion isn’t groundbreaking, but it delivers a respectful and complete send-off for fans of Max and Chloe. Choices still matter, even if their impact is limited, while the familiar gameplay plays it safe. A worthy farewell for longtime fans, but not an entry point for newcomers.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is a surprisingly strong addition to the franchise. The engaging story and town management mechanics add depth, even if it can feel a bit overwhelming at times. Despite some technical limitations, the game runs well and impresses with its visual and audio presentation. A solid pick for farming RPG fans looking for more depth and responsibility.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    2K hits almost a hole-in-one with PGA TOUR 2K25, the best golf sim out there. EvoSwing and diverse modes keep it fresh, but the audio falls short. Still, a must-play for golf fans.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment delivers a familiar dose of Zelda spectacle with powerful combat and improved performance. Yet the action slips into repetition and lacks real innovation. A solid musou, but mainly for diehard Zelda fans.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Patapon 1+2 Replay proves that rhythm and strategy still go hand in hand today. With smart improvements, this is the best way to (re)experience these unique cult classics.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    RAIDOU Remastered is a successful reintroduction of a forgotten SMT spin-off. Its unique mix of action and demon management still holds up, despite some dated elements. A solid entry point for new players.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    ROUTINE is a blisteringly intense horror game with stunning visuals, suffocating atmosphere, and some of the best audio design you’ll hear in 2025. Its C.A.T. system makes the world deeply immersive and opens the door to unique gameplay moments, even if the game’s intentional obscurity can sometimes frustrate. Still, for anyone craving a fiercely idiosyncratic title that blasts conventional game design straight to the moon, ROUTINE is an absolute treat.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Those who are thinking of embarking on the expedition that is The Alters, should first ask themselves what their prime objective is. If the answer is 'standard sci-fi management game', disembark ASAP, because The Alters is anything but standard. While management is a core aspect of The Alters, dealing with complex personalities becomes more prominent as your precious time ticks away. Just remember that failing is human and therefore inevitable, and it will suck, so ask all your alter ego's if you're up for all that trial & error.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Absolum mostly wins you over with its strong mix of variation, challenge, and aesthetics. The roguelite builds a mysterious world with intriguing characters, and the gameplay constantly pushes you to improve. You do start to notice some repetition after a few runs, especially in the early stages. Still, the drive to optimize and progress remains strong, overall, it’s a solid and very enjoyable experience.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    SHUTEN ORDER is an ambitious game that combines five distinct genres into a cohesive experience. Each section reveals more about the world and characters, with a story that deepens over time. However, frequent dialogue and gameplay interruptions can make the pacing feel slow and limit player engagement. Despite this, the gameplay is solid and the unique art style and Japanese voice acting reflect the developers' own style and cultural background.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Don’t Stop, Girlypop! is a shooter with a bold, unmistakable identity, blending lightning-fast movement, surprisingly deep combat, and an overwhelming Y2K aesthetic. The visual chaos and strong thematic focus won’t appeal to everyone, but those who embrace its style will find far more depth and confidence than expected.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Big Bad Wolf's Lovecraftian investigation horror experience pulls out all the stops to corrupt the brains of many a Cthulhu fan. From dazzling locations full of references to volumes of H.P. Lovecraft lore, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss spares no detail. The fact that you have to scan every square centimeter until you lose your mind, and still run the risk of missing vital information, might well be a low point for some. With a bit of bad luck, it drives you to mental corruption, but it is a sacrifice that an audience with The Great Old One requires.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    LEGO Voyagers offers a solid and relaxing experience with good controls and fun puzzles, but the lack of dialogue and direction may put some players off. For those who don't mind, it's a great game to enjoy at your own pace with a friend.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is sharp, stylish, and brutally satisfying. Simply a must for fans of tough 2D platformers. Some levels drag and backtracking can annoy, but the slick combat and gorgeous visuals more than make up for it. Retro vibes with a modern edge.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

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    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Towers of Aghasba offers an intriguing world where you have to create the ecosystems and balance them. This leads to fantastical creatures and new materials. As you have to recreate and build the old cities, it’s all about restoring the world. Sadly, the game is full of bugs and is missing a lot of Quality of Life features. However, with updates and refinement, the game has the potential to evolve into a solid RPG-survival experience. [Early Access Score = 40]
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Breachway effectively uses its sci-fi theme, with gameplay centered around strategic decisions based on ships, cards, and crew. However, you barely carry anything over to the next round. Which makes pre-run planning non-existing. While the resource-based card system works well, players are limited by a standard deck and RNG. The game looks polished with exciting visuals, but it currently lacks some depth and the desire to keep playing. [Early Access Score = 50]
    • 74 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Stormgate’s early access hints at potential, but it’s clear that it’s not yet the revolutionary RTS some might have hoped for. The game shows promise with its gameplay foundation, but there’s still a lot of work needed to refine it. As it stands, it’s a game worth watching, but not one to jump into just yet. [Early Access Score = 30]
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Space for Sale in early access sounds promising but falls short in execution. Despite its creative concept, the gameplay feels underwhelming and lacks the depth needed to keep players engaged. It’s an idea that works better on paper than in practice. [Early Access Score = 40]
    • 82 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Cataclismo's early access offers a nearly perfect blend of strategy and survival, with engaging gameplay and a strong atmosphere. While there’s room for improvement, it’s already a standout title for fans of the genre. [Early Access Score = 90]
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    9 Kings delivers a simple but engaging gameplay loop where selecting a king grants access to a set of cards used to place buildings and troops. Battles reward new cards, and strategic variety is encouraged through random blessings, perks, and different kings. The pixel art style and evolving buildings add visual clarity and satisfaction as you expand your kingdom. While more unique kings and game modes would enhance replayability, the Early Access launch is a promising start for developer Sad Socket. [Early Access Score = 80]
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    City 20 offers a fresh take on the post-apocalyptic survival genre with a city setting and dynamic interactions. While the survival mechanics can feel repetitive at times, it holds enough potential for replayability and experimentation. [Early Access Score = 70]
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    The difficulty level is definitely an issue. If you have no experience with the franchise, I therefore do not recommend Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era. However, if the game really appeals to you, I advise starting with the third installment so that you can learn the game's system without too much frustration. If you truly love a challenge, Olden Era is definitely for you, but it will certainly involve a lot of trial and error. Are you a long-time fan of the franchise? Then Olden Era is certainly worth the effort. The atmosphere does indeed resemble that of the old games, and the various modes and factions make the game pleasantly varied, allowing you to spend plenty of hours puzzling and exploring. It seems the developers have listened closely to the fans.
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    SULFUR presents itself as a distinctive boomer shooter, captivating players with its charming aesthetics and engaging gameplay. While it features a somewhat one-dimensional combat loop and the potential for progress loss, the roguelite elements ensure that each session remains thrilling. Perfect Random's debut title demonstrates ambition and merits serious consideration. [Early Access Score = 80]
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    New Arc Line shows potential but struggles with clear shortcomings like a clunky camera and weak dialogue. The impressive atmosphere and strong skill-check mechanics spark curiosity, but the game feels unfinished even for Early Access. [Early Access Score = 50]
    • 43 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Even if the last-minute delay of La Quimera raised the eyebrows of many, it probably was the best thing that Reburn could have done, and so was the choice of shifting it into Early Access. The extra time has given the Ukranian studio some breathing room to drag La Quimera out of its utterly unplayable state, delivering a sci-fi shooter which is at least playable now. But make no mistake, while gunplay has been improved massively and even offers some solid action left and right, other aspect like story building and voice acting are still so unbearable that is't difficult to not feel a sense of embarrasment when sitting through the over-the-top Latin-Americans soap opera drama. [Early Access Score = 50]

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