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For 782 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 62% higher than the average critic
  • 3% same as the average critic
  • 35% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 5 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 80
Highest review score: 100 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Lowest review score: 13 Defenders of Ardania
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 588 out of 782
  2. Mixed: 171 out of 782
  3. Negative: 23 out of 782
807 game reviews
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    • 90 Metascore
    • 93 Critic Score
    Mark of the Ninja
    Even if you've never liked a stealth game, you shouldn't miss Mark of the Ninja. It redefines the silent assassin.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 93 Critic Score
    Shovel Knight
    Old school gamers will love Shovel Knight’s retro sensibilities, but they’ll also appreciate its modern touches.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 93 Critic Score
    LittleBigPlanet PS Vita
    Being able to use my fingers to manage items onscreen in both story and creation environments is a significant upgrade in the playability of the title.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 93 Critic Score
    Gravity Rush
    One of the best open-world games available, portable or otherwise. The atmospheric world, likable cast, and clever, entertaining mechanics make it a title that you can easily sink many joyous hours into, even if you spend a lot of them just flying around the city and hunting for gems.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 93 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
    Final Fantasy XII has aged well. The things that made it unique, especially the Gambit system, still feel fresh. And the Zodiac Job System and High Speed Mode are great improvements that make the game more convenient for newcomers and fresher for fans who have already played it.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
    Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age moved me in ways a Japanese RPG hasn’t done in years.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Antichamber
    Antichamber is the film "Cube" sans horror, the threat of death, and poor acting. It's insanely hard and painfully simple, just like any expertly crafted puzzle. Bruce has created one of the finest and most challenging puzzle games I have ever experienced.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Luigi's Mansion 3
    This is a huge step up for a franchise that has always been enjoyable but never felt special. Well, Luigi's Mansion 3 is special.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Fire Emblem: Three Houses
    Fire Emblem continues to be a franchise on the rise, and Three Houses just took the series to another peak.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
    It’s at its best when you’re in these conversations, making choices like you’re in a Choose Your Own Adventure novel, drinking in the results and reckoning with each decision you make.Even when you’re mocking the gods.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Kirby: Triple Deluxe
    If you ever enjoyed a Kirby game, you really should check this one out.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Call of Duty: Black Ops III
    Call of Duty: Black Ops III is a big step forward on multiplayer play, the quality of the single-player story, the imaginative story paths, and the outstanding quality of the wide-open landscapes, and the wide variety of enemies. I suspect that Activision has a very good chance of restoring the series to record levels in comparison to the last couple of years.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Game of Thrones: Episode Two - The Lost Lords
    I really like Game of Thrones on HBO, but I’m enamored with this game. Something about having ownership of character decisions in a fantasy story that lives up to the legend of George R.R. Martin is incredible.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Borderlands 2
    Borderlands 2 is everything fans of the original could have hoped for. No, it doesn't mess with a formula that already proved itself. Instead it supports the framework for a great role-playing game with a bigger world, while offering more customization options for its players. It's also one of the funnier games you're likely to play this year.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Prison Architect
    Prison Architect is arguably one of the most important and disturbing games I’ve ever played.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 91 Critic Score
    Assassin's Creed Unity
    I was not expecting to love Unity, but I do. Ubisoft nailed the big assassination missions and everything in between.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 91 Critic Score
    Octodad: Dadliest Catch
    Octodad is a great example of a game that conveys a message through gameplay. In conjunction with its story, characters, and setting, the controls offer an empathetic look into the life of an extreme outsider trying to fit in and trying to do right by his family...I love that. Gaming is growing up, and Octodad is some of the best evidence of that.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 91 Critic Score
    Hitman 2
    That’s the heart of Hitman: giving players the power to create their own stories. And that’s as big and powerful as ever in Hitman 2. So I don’t care if it’s not the newest thing in the world. It’s still one of the most solid and rewarding games you can get. And it’s an ideal antidote to games that are more obsessed with looking immersive than playing great.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 91 Critic Score
    Rise of the Tomb Raider
    Rise of the Tomb Raider is an epic adventure, and it’s a story well told and well played.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 91 Critic Score
    The Outer Worlds
    The characters can be intriguing, subtle, or over-the-top. But you remember them, and that’s saying much more than I can about other RPGs I’ve played this year.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Earthcore: Shattered Elements - Epic Card Battle Game (TCG)
    Card game enthusiasts, in particular, will probably find a lot to like here. Tequila Games has a great creation here, and if it continues to update Earthcore and add new cards and challenges, I only see it getting better.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Wolf Among Us: Episode 4 - In Sheep's Clothing
    In Sheep’s Clothing continues on the brutal and downright insane path that Smoke and Mirrors began. It’s a little on the short side, but Telltale uses the time to maximum effect through heightened drama and expansion of the game’s world and society. It’ll leave you excited for the final episode and angry that you can’t play it immediately after finishing this one.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Saints Row IV
    While this is a game about a gang of sociopaths killing thousands of enemies and collecting a bunch of stupid blue things that give them magical powers, it’s secretly about a gang of puckish rogues that care deeply for one another. It’s admirable that Volition even attempted something like that. It’s astounding that it succeeded.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Stray
    It delights in its subject matter, and what the protagonist lacks in dialogue, they make up for in puckish charm. Yes, the story is short, but it doesn’t waste any of its space or time. It’s a wonderful game to play, especially now before the really massive releases start later this year.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Bravely Second: End Layer
    Bravely Second is something of a rare JRPG sequel. It features the same battle system, world, and many familiar characters from the original. The new Jobs and even more convenient features for grinding make it a fun adventure for anyone who loved the original.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Escapists
    A dynamic, fun, and challenging experience in a unique setting. The simple presentation belies the complexity and variety of gameplay. Gamers looking for a cerebral puzzler with a high replay value would be well-advised to check it out. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable prison experience.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Total War: Rome II
    I’ve played many games in this series, including Shogun: Total War and Total War: Rome, and I have been amazed each time by the improvements in gameplay and graphics. This title is the most impressive yet, and I can easily see someone sinking in hundreds of hours — without running into constant reruns of gameplay or visuals.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Mega Man Zero / ZX Legacy Collection
    This is another fantastic collection of Mega Man games, this time highlighting two series that you may have missed if you didn’t have a Game Boy Advance or DS.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Trials Evolution
    The quintessential pick-up-and-play party game, especially now that multiplayer has been added. Anyone can "get it" within seconds of grabbing the controller, and the difficulty ramps up much more smoothly than in the original.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Mega Man 11
    If you're a fan of Mega Man but feel uneasy about how Mega Man 11 looks or adds to the formula, don't. This is a fantastic 2D action game worthy of the Blue Bomber's name.
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These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

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    • 67 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Gotham Knights
    In case I hadn’t made it clear already, I really didn’t like Gotham Knights. It lacks the speed, flow and character of previous Batman games, and its action-oriented gameplay is hamstrung by the 30 FPS lock. It became such an exercise in boredom that I couldn’t bring myself to continue playing — and because I didn’t finish, I’m leaving a score off the end of this review.
    • 80 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee!
    Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu is another good example of Nintendo doing what it both excels and fails at: pairing fun gameplay while introducing a new mechanic.
    • 79 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu!
    I bet longtime Pokémon fans appreciate, if not embrace, this first Switch outing. It adapts much of what makes the series shine while adding effective motion controls and a bridge to Pokémon Go, the mobile game tens of millions of fans still play. Much of my enjoyment came from taking my kids along on this journey, benefiting from their love and knowledge of Pokémon to enhance what I found here.
    • 72 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    GreedFall
    Two of its major aspects, character progression and narrative choice-making, will take some more time to get a full read on, but I will say I’ve run into some great scenarios so far that have made me feel like the choices I’m making in both of those areas will have real consequences. If that’s the case, Greedfall could be an RPG sleeper-hit.
    • 56 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
    I give this single-player campaign 3.5 stars out of five, which is the worst score I’ve ever given a Call of Duty Game. I’ll amend the score after I’ve played more multiplayer combat. [Campaign Review]
    • 88 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Horizon Forbidden West
    Anyone who digs these kinds of dense, map-based open world experiences is going to feel happy with what Guerrilla Games is offering here.
    • 91 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Crusader Kings III
    If I were to score it now, I’d give it a 5/5. But I’m not quite ready to do that. I need to try out a few more realms — especially one that sets my ruler up for an uphill challenge among fierce rivals. At this point, I do feel confident in saying this is the best Crusader Kings release yet. And I hope it just gets better over time.
    • 85 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Wasteland 3
    It doesn’t have that freight train momentum you sometimes feel from other RPGs, where the story gains so much steam you feel like you need to blitz through it, missing out the sidequests and other tidbits that gives games character. Wasteland 3 isn’t asking me to hurry up; it wants me to stay awhile, crack open a beer, and take it on at my pace. And that might be its greatest strength so far. And nothing can shrink that.
    • 75 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Watch Dogs 2
    Watch Dogs 2 doesn’t do much new. Just like it’s predecessor, underneath all that fancy hacking you’ll find a similar experience to other city-based open world games, including Grand Theft Auto. But at least this time, the adventure is a fun one. The new, light-hearted tone and its likable cast of characters are a good fit for this series.
    • 81 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Age of Empires IV
    I think this game is accessible and easy to learn, but it’s also got a lot of depth for real-time strategy veterans. I hope it does well because I want to see more RTS games hit the market. But this one could keep fans busy for a long time, as far as I can tell right now.
    • 68 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Star Wars Battlefront II
    Star Wars: Battlefront II tries to straddle the hardcore and casual audiences. It succeeds some of the time, and it also fails some of the time. So far, the cut scenes in the single-player campaign are excellent, but I’m waiting to get into some really fun gameplay.
    • 75 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Mario Tennis Aces
    I love Mario Tennis Aces so far -- even though I have some issues with its single-player content.
    • 74 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Far Cry 6
    I guess the best accolade I can give this game so far is that it’s another Far Cry game, and it’s a good one at that. It’s nice to see the return of the player character’s actual character. The villain is monstrous yet complex. Things explode. But it’s probably going to feel like a drag for far longer than it should, both in gameplay and in the story.
    • 78 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Pac-Man Championship Edition 2
    If someone like me (who reveres the Pac-Man Championship Edition franchise) is struggling to figure out where the leaderboards are and which mode I should compete in, then I don’t think this game has a chance of winning over new players. The numerous modes and levels are a fun distraction — but that’s part of the problem: they’re a distraction from what Bandai Namco should’ve made a much more rewarding asynchronous competitive mode.
    • 86 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
    Thankfully, the story is entertaining. It features a large cast of likable characters, including the eccentric-but-brilliant Herlock Sholmes. You play as Ryunosuke Naruhodo, a Japanese student who travels to Britain to become a lawyer, and it is fun watching him go from a meek, uncertain character to a determined, competent lawyer. I just wish it would get on with it sometimes. Dialogue drives these games, I know, but sometimes characters seem to chat forever before I’m allowed to do anything meaningful myself.
    • 81 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Kena: Bridge of Spirits
    You can tell you're going to like Kena's visuals just by watching a trailer, but its combat also stands out. [Review in Progress]
    • 67 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Sea of Thieves
    I hope Rare has a lot more to this game as I get further into it in terms of quests, but for now, I’m happy to let the visuals and social factor carry me like a wind across the sea.
    • 64 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Forspoken
    I’ll come back here and rate the game once I’ve finished the last chapter. However, I’m not convinced that it’s going to become any more magical and entertaining than it is now. It’s a shame, because the game starts from a good place: A new fantasy IP with a take-no-prisoners female protagonist. And I can tell that a lot of the people who worked on the game were sincerely trying. But I can also tell that several others very much were not.
    • 69 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Wolfenstein: Youngblood
    This is a worthy entry in the Wolfenstein series. I hope that we get a lot more from these characters because they are so dang cool. And I hope the upgrade path continues to feel rewarding. We’ll see. [Impressions]
    • 74 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Starlink: Battle for Atlas
    It’s not a starfigter game in the line of X-Wing or Colony Wars that I’ve longed for on modern consoles, but it’s fun, and it has potential. I just wish its controls were a bit more user-friendly.
    • 88 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
    I’m definitely having more fun with this than any From Software game up to this point. And I’m going to try to keep letting it win me over. Hopefully, I’ll return to this review a full convert...For now, however, I’m confident that people who like Soulsborne games are going to find a lot to love.
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Death From Above
    This game doesn’t take itself seriously enough at the end to capture the gravitas of something like Casablanca. But it’s reasonably good at being entertaining with all of the constraints it deals with like a small team and being timely. [Early Access Provisional Score = 60]
    • 83 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Assassin's Creed Odyssey
    Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey is dense, detailed, and varied. It is more dense, detailed, and varied than I considered possible for a video game before playing this. It is a stunning accomplishment, and the 500-to-1,000+ people who worked on it should feel proud. It has its problems. Combat is clunky, the menus are a slog, and leveling feels off. But those issues never made me want to stop playing. I want to keep playing right now.
    • 73 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    RAGE 2
    Artistically, it's uninspired. But mechanically, it's one of the best shooters I've played in years.
    • 83 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
    I’m now preparing to storm Drezen, a fortress-city full of demons. Along the way, I have plenty of quests to take care off to both defeat the Abyssal incursion and dive into the stories of my companions. This is what I want from an RPG, and Owlcat does an stellar job delivering this. The few bugs I encountered were either pathfinding errors (sometimes, one of my characters would just spin around as they tried to get to where they’re going) and one instance of freezing when I was casting a buff spell on my cavalier.

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