Gamer Escape's Scores

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For 475 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 40% higher than the average critic
  • 9% same as the average critic
  • 51% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 2.4 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 72
Highest review score: 100 Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
Lowest review score: 30 The VII Enigma
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 213 out of 475
  2. Mixed: 238 out of 475
  3. Negative: 24 out of 475
476 game reviews
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    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Metallic Child
    At the end of the day, quibbles about music or visuals or story are kind of secondary to this particular game. This is a title that is an amalgamation of two separate game types that both rely heavily on their gameplay to be pleasurable… and to its credit, Metallic Child really nails that part of the formula. It manages to be fun without feeling formulaic, and it even kept alive that sense of always struggling just a little further in the hopes of clearing a run even when things felt less than promising early on. That’s a sign that something is working right. Of course, none of that is to say that the game wouldn’t be better with a better story or better environments or any of that; just that what it needs to get right it does very right, so much that it elevates the game beyond what could have been a rather bare-bones presentation to be quite a good title. If you like the idea of flinging around robots and unlocking weapons from defeated bosses, you should definitely give this one a go.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Blue Reflection: Second Light
    I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a franchise take such a massive positive 180 as I’ve seen here in Second Light. What was easily one of the worst games I played in 2017 has received a follow-up that kept me coming back for more. It really feels like Gust took the criticism of the original to heart here. We’ve gone from a massive stumble of a game with some good ideas to an incredibly solid JRPG that does just about everything it sets out to do correctly. From the character writing to the speedy gameplay, the world design to the excellent soundtrack, this is a game worth taking a look at. If you are interested in jumping into this franchise, take my advise: just skip the first game completely. Start here with Second Light, it’s worth your time.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dying Light 2 Stay Human
    The story here pulled me in quickly, and is well worth paying attention to. Exploration with parkour is just plain fun. The game doesn't feel like it's forcing the player to explore and complete every marker on the map, but rather giving the player options for how they want to approach the game. The survival aspects aren't overwhelmingly hardcore, but feel tuned to provide the perfect amount of tension.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie
    Really, the minimum expectation for me when it comes to remakes is to make a good game better than it used to be. I feel confident in saying that We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie does enough to fulfill that requirement, and is priced in a way that makes it a no-brainer to pick up. It’s the best version of this game to date, and it gives me hope that seeing these being brought to modern platforms may be the spark that gives us brand-new titles. But for now, I’m fine with getting a well-crafted remake of a damned fine game with the kind of quality-of-life updates and additional content that help the low barrier of entry go down even easier than a straight port ever could. Go roll up some stars, man. You’ll enjoy it.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Nioh 3
    The game's sheer complexity and overwhelming mass of systems and stuff makes it a bit hard to recommend, and there were definitely times when I was pulling out my hair in frustration in the game or finding myself unclear on how I was supposed to proceed. I feel like a smaller and more balanced game would have likely been an overall better experience. But at the end of the day, Nioh 3 aims big. While I can't say if it's going to satisfy series fans perfectly, this one is definitely earning a thumbs up from me.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
    If you enjoyed the base game, it’s hard to see you being dissatisfied with this expansion. And even if you aren’t enticed by any of the new content on offer, Update 2.0 has brought net improvements to the overall gameplay that make it more than worth taking another trip through Night City.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Pepper Grinder
    I expected a bit more out of Pepper Grinder than I got, but none of that is really a mark against the game. There are definitely things about the game I dislike – boss fights primarily, or the general brevity and simplicity of the game – but that’s also judging a game I didn’t get rather than one I did, and the title isn’t priced like a big sprawling adventure. At a $15 price tag, it feels like a light weekend thing, something you can drill through in a few nights of idle play and then pick up again whenever you have a hankering for something similar...That’s… what it wants to be. And so I have to kind of give it up for that. There are frustration points, sure, but if you like this style of platformer it simultaneously doesn’t feel like something that’s been done a dozen times before and is fun to play start to finish. Not every game manages that.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream
    Atelier games continue to be the mark of a consistently good franchise, and Sophie 2 does little to deter me from that sentiment. It’s the kind of game that deserves to be experienced alongside your favorite creature comforts and maybe a hot beverage to boot. Sophie’s latest outing most definitely deserves to exist, and those looking for a relatively easygoing and chill experience can’t go wrong here. It’s a worthy sequel to a cherished game, and a wonderful way to celebrate the joy fans have experienced over the years.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen
    And hey, how many other games will give you a chance to command a tiny fluffy-eared girl riding a gigantic tiger that thinks it’s a housecat? Not enough, I tell you.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei
    All in all, playing Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei was a real treat. It has its moments where the story can feel like it’s dragging, as well as a few grammatical errors here and there, but if like me you have aged out of cutesy, under-developed romance games and prefer more mature themes and realistic (albeit still animeish) characters, I recommend you pick this up.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tales From Off-Peak City Vol. 1
    I’m a big advocate for saying that longer games are not necessarily better games. This game is exceptionally short, at about an hour for a playthrough, but it spends that hour well. You’re given enough time to get to know the cast, explore the city, and leave once the city’s secrets have been laid bare and the remaining answers lie beyond in a later volume.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mahokenshi
    While I wouldn’t use the word “perfect,” Mahokenshi offered a truly fun experience that far exceeded any expectations I could have had. It has restored my faith that there is room for innovation in its genre. This game is fun, not too easy or too hard (nor too long or too short), offers a compelling world for its gameplay, and overall is something I feel quite comfortable recommending to anyone and everyone who likes mixing cards with video games, but it also has potential for people outside of this genre as well. Check it out!
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Gal Guardians: Demon Purge
    In the end, Grim Guardians: Demon Purge is an absolutely solid action platformer. Annoyances at needing to go through a second time aside, I genuinely enjoyed the stages, the characters were amusing, and each new sub-weapon altered my approach to combat in ways that kept things fresh. There’s a lot of heart and soul poured into the details, it’s one of those retro titles that truly remembers what made those classics fun in the first place. There’s a few small issues here and there that keep it from being truly amazing, but it’s certainly worth your time.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rustler
    If Rustler suffers from anything, it’s just that it sometimes doesn’t quite know what it’s trying to be. Most of the time, it seems to be specifically trying to parody GTA, and it plays a just like the early top-down games from said series. The tone is a bit off-beat, though, with all the jokes, pop culture, and poking of fun. It might not be perfectly cohesive, but whether you’re here for the jokes or because you like games where you can be on the wrong side of the law, there is definitely something here for you. So if you aren’t easily offended by the copious amounts of cursing, blood, and violence, you should definitely give Rustler a go. Pull that guard off his horse, ride off, and don’t look back!
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Nightmare Reaper
    If you have any interest in the old days of FPS gameplay when you were expected to wade in, unleash firepower at top speed, and leave a mess in the process, you will want to play this game. And if you’ve tried to play those games but can’t get over the gap in technology, this is going to be a darn fun experience for you as well. Give this one a shot; it deserves everything it’s asking and then some.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Metal Slug Tactics
    For fans of the franchise who aren’t usually RPG fans, this one is going to be fun. Tactical RPG fans who don’t generally play run-and-gun platformers are going to have fun with it. And if you’re a fan of both? This is a must-buy. It’s a sign of how you can do interesting things in a familiar space with novel implementation.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Neva
    Neva is still an title that I believe most should dive in to. “Not being a revelation” is hardly a bad thing when what we have here is still a top-notch experience that was able to force feeling out of my dead heart.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Card Shark
    More than anything, Card Shark is an experience. It’s not an exceptionally long game, coming in at eight hours, but it very much suits its length. I wasn’t left unsatisfied, nor did it feel padded. The emphasis on the tricks themselves was oddly compelling as well. By the end of the game I had learned the theory behind a good number of techniques, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to practice some of these for real.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ys Origin
    What downsides it does have are either due to its age or just the fact that the designers prioritized a fun dungeon crawl over character building. That’s fine. The game you have here is a fine, crisp, energetic dungeon crawl that’s good to pick up and play and rewards you with bosses that are tough enough to matter but not so hard that you’ll want to throw the game in the garbage. So let’s hear it for Ys Origin. And if you’re in the mood for any of that? Give it a shot, why don’t you?
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes - Definitive Edition
    If you enjoy a bit of RPG and strategy in a game and enjoy yourself a match-three game, you will be well-served by Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes. I can’t tell you how well it stacks up compared to the DS version, maybe, but now it’s available on more modern devices and it’s still fun. What more could you ask for?
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Remnant II
    I would have preferred to be granted new gear at a quicker pace and have more direct control over my build options in a first playthrough, but the positives otherwise coalesce into a very addicting (and fairly challenging) co-op shooter that’s difficult to put down.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection
    Still sporting tough as nails gameplay and brimming with the fast-paced ninja action the series is known for, picking up the Ninja Gaiden Ultimate Collection is a safe recommendation based on the strength of the first two titles alone. Ninja Gaiden 3 may still be the low point in this trilogy, but that shouldn’t deter those new to the series to give Sigma and Sigma 2 a fair shake. Both of those games still withstand the test of time, and in the case of the Switch version is something fun to play portably as well. In the grand scheme of remakes and ports, you could do a lot worse than these three games. If Team Ninja finally decides to work on a fourth entry in the series, I’m hoping those who end up devouring this collection will be well rewarded.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Monster Train 2
    If you’re not really a fan of deckbuilders, this game is not going to change your mind. But if you like them but often find them kind of disappointing, I think Monster Train 2 is going to be a real winner. It doesn’t do anything I’ve never seen before, but all the things it does that I have seen before are things it does really well. And that’s worthy of praise.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Lost Judgment: The Kaito Files
    Taken as a complete package, Lost Judgment and The Kaito Files serves as one of the best story offerings I can think of in recent memory. With as fantastic as the former’s story was, I’m overjoyed that the story in the latter at least maintains (and often exceeds) the standard we’ve come to expect from Ryu Ga Gotoku. While the somewhat steep price tag might be a bit high for DLC, the densely packed narrative and trademark gameplay helps take the edge off. It proves that Kaito is more than capable of carrying a story, and I can’t wait to see what his future holds.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Jusant
    Jusant is not a game for everyone, but if you expect it to be one you’ll appreciate, it probably will be. Its noteworthy climbing mechanics are kept fresh throughout the adventure by asking you to utilize them in different ways, its ponderous atmosphere is top notch, and the environmental storytelling within its detailed world really gets your imagination going to a degree I hadn’t remotely expected. But it isn’t perfect. It’s more traditional storytelling elements are weaker, it doesn’t challenge the player very much, and it runs short at about six or so hours long. These detractions end up being minor disappointments in the face of a very successful adventure game, but they’re still there all the same, and it’s a shame Jusant doesn’t eschew them to become something even more special than it already is.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    No More Heroes
    No More Heroes is still a game worth playing in 2020. While it may sport mature content, the attitude throughout is anything but. It’s a game full of flash and fun, and seeing it and Desperate Struggle drop on the Switch before III‘s launch is the perfect excuse to get yourself acquainted with Travis Touchdown for the first time, or all over again. Years later, it’s still a bloody good romp worth a good slash with the added benefit of portable play. Head on down to Santa Destroy, you’ll leave happy.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Scott Pilgrim EX
    Scott Pilgrim EX is yet another fantastic effort from Tribute Games, and fans should breathe easy. It’s a worthy follow-up to a beloved brawler, retains the trappings fans loved about its predecessor, and suceeds at being an all around great game in its own right. This is an easy thumbs up for me, and those looking to fill their evening with a solid beat ’em up experience will surely find that here. Sometimes, it can be worth the wait.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    9 Monkeys of Shaolin
    Everything about 9 Monkeys of Shaolin is above board (except maybe the title). While it doesn’t bear the name of some famous franchise, everything about it possesses high quality and I definitely had a good time playing it. This game is a solid pick-up for beat-’em-up fans, particularly if you can find a friend to play with. Give it a play, and unleash your inner monk.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Death Stranding
    The idea of running back and forth across a large area may not be appealing to everyone. However, after setting aside the weirdly, and wonderfully confusing story and a few tense BT encounters, I found my time with Death Stranding to often be a more relaxing, chill, experience that I would recommend you check out.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Puddle Knights
    Everything about Puddle Knights is very polished and refined. No bugs or problems to speak of, just fun puzzles to solve. It was a really fun experience and makes you think in a good way. There’s nothing like staring at a stage for a while and then having the solution eventually jump out at you in a “Eureka!” moment. All told, the game offers a very satisfying experience that is pretty well worth the cost of entry.
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    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open
    From the bit I was able to play of it, I think that Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open has a bright future ahead. After all, titles that look to tackle interesting themes from a different perspective are the sort of freshness in storytelling that every reviewer lives for. Couple that with the fact that the game looks and sounds great just means that I will be one of the first people to pick it up when it officially releases.

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