GameSpew's Scores

  • Games
For 3,618 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 51% higher than the average critic
  • 10% same as the average critic
  • 39% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 2.2 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 73
Highest review score: 100 Returnal
Lowest review score: 10 Planet 2000
Score distribution:
3629 game reviews
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    As wrestling games go, there’s little to fault about WWE 2K23. There’s still room for a touch of polish and tweaking of mechanics, and perhaps some actions and features remain a little convoluted. On the whole, though, a WWE 2K game has never looked or played better. And with all the usual modes making a return with some solid tweaks and additions, this is a must-have for any wrestling fan.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition brings one of the most underappreciated gems of the last generation up to date for a whole new legion of players to discover and enjoy.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Its gameplay may not be quite the evolution from previous LEGO games that you were expecting, but it's clear TT Games has put a lot of time and love into making LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. It's the biggest LEGO game yet by a mile, and the shift to making it more cinematic makes it perhaps the most engaging. It's certainly a huge improvement in terms of visuals; this really is a gorgeous-looking game on PS5. A few bugs may let it down somewhat, but they're easy to forgive and forget. Ultimately, whether you're a Star Wars fan or a LEGO fan – or even better, both – you're going to find a lot to love here.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Although definitely still a niche title, Severed takes one of the oldest and inaccessible genres in video games and reinvigorates it, giving it much wider appeal than its contemporaries such as Demon Gaze and Operation Abyss.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Short but poignant; that’s ultimately what Endling: Extinction is Forever is. It perfectly conveys the horrors that mankind is capable of, and how it affects the land and animals around us. And it doesn’t pull any punches. There’s no happy ending here, no matter how good you are at looking after your cubs. It’s a game that should be played though, as its message is important. Just be ready to have your soul destroyed by the time the credits roll.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Wreckfest isn’t overly pretty, but its damage engine is unparalleled; Bugbear just needs to find more ways to add to its ridiculous nature, because that’s where the game really excels.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It would be easy to write off Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores as more of the same, but thanks to some stand-out gameplay moments and Aloy’s new relationship with Seyka, it should be considered essential for fans of the series. Make no mistake, a third game in the series is coming, and this is its prelude. But more importantly, if the new features and other additions here are a taste of what’s to come, sign us up right now.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Victoria 3 does a brilliant job of bringing this era of global politics alive. Its brilliant law systems create a truly enigmatic power struggle that will keep us playing for many hours to come. While there is a lack of flavour for some of the smaller nations and a handful of other problems that stop Victoria 3 being as good as it could be, there’s a vast myriad of strategies available to players, and many ways to plot out a successful campaign. And ultimately, that’s all that we want from a strategy game: the freedom to make credible choices.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    As music rhythm games go, Cytus Alpha is up there with the best of them.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With its tight controls and simple gameplay that’s easy to pick up but hard to master, Mr. Run and Jump is yet another game from Atari that should thrill those seeking an old-fashioned challenge. Though it is attractive-looking with its neon visuals, this is a game that proves gameplay is king, with you becoming strangely invested in the exploits of its stick-man protagonist and his dog, Leap.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A music rhythm game with roguelite elements, there's genuinely nothing else out there quite like Fresh Tracks. Its intuitive controls and mechanics make it easy to pick up but hard to master. And while all of its songs are original, they're of very high quality. For fans of both genres, this is a genuine treat.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    If you’re a fighting game fan then, Tekken 7 is absolutely essential in my book. Sure, it doesn’t offer the same value for money as the recently released Injustice 2, but the combat feels better. It’s more technical and has a greater flow. If you’re a fan of the series, Tekken 7 will blow your bloody socks off. And if not, well, it’s still likely to impress if you give it the chance.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Although Episode INTERmission doesn’t build much on Final Fantasy VII Remake‘s story, instead being mostly its own diversion, it’s an excellent excuse to revisit Midgar. Not that we need an excuse when it looks as fantastic as this. Yuffie makes an excellent protagonist; her combat is fast-paced and dynamic, and her straight-faced sidekick Sonon is the ideal antidote to her loveable but in-your-face personality. It may only be short, but there are plenty of side activities to keep you busy. Essentially, if you have Final Fantasy VII Remake and a PS5, then this DLC is not to be missed.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    An intensely replayable game, but not just because of how fun it is. Hidden collectables, for instance, are scattered throughout each stage that help unlock even more content beyond the original 100 levels.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Despite its garish, over-the-top veneer, Danganropa V3: Killing Harmony is an emotional, involving, brilliant game that will yank out your heart and run it over with its brightly coloured tricycle.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fantasian Neo Dimension is a great JRPG that gracefully blends old-school sensibilities with some fresh new ideas and features. There are some issues here and there, such as awkward controls, but overall this is a gripping adventure and a must-play for those who fondly remember the Final Fantasy games of the 90s.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Kirby: Planet Robobot sets a new gold standard in a franchise already renowned for excellent platforming.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you played Strange Horticulture, you'll know exactly what to expect from Strange Antiquities, and you're in for quite the treat. Revisiting the macabre town of Undermere is a joy, and puzzling through as you help its residents find weird and wonderful antiques imbued with mysterious powers is almost (almost!) as fun as it was with plants.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you’re a fan of quirky JRPGs, consider Live A Live a must-have. Each and every one of the stories offered up here is distinctive and interesting, keeping your attention held like a vice. Along with a fantastic combat system, and numerous improvements to the presentation of the overall package, we’re overjoyed that this title is finally available in the west. Only the occasional frustration brings it down a little, but they’re very much worth pushing through.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Is Assassin's Creed Shadows the best Assassin's Creed game yet? Some might feel that way, for sure. It's certainly up there with the best the series has to offer, alongside the likes of Assassin's Creed 2 and Origins. In any case, most will be happy to hear that it successfully marries the extended freedom and scope of newer titles in the series with the stealth-focused gameplay of old, especially when playing as Naoe. And so, whether you're a fan of the series or simply like the idea of exploring feudal Japan, eradicating wrongdoers as either a samurai or a ninja, consider Assassin's Creed Shadows a must-play.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Your search for your missing crew member will take you to some intriguing places in Saltsea Chronicles. This narrative-focused adventure will hook you with its gorgeous art and its expertly-written prose. Action-heavy this is not, but with the choices you make having real weight and the mystery of the story keeping you on your toes, there’s a good chance you’ll find it impossible to tear yourself away. And when you’re done, you’ll probably want to jump straight back in to experience it all again, seeing what other paths you could have gone down.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Whether you’re a fan of WWE or wrestling in general, WWE 2K24 is pretty much a must-have. As ever, it’s a comprehensive package that has something for everybody, and with its enhanced gameplay and expanded creativity options, it’s a title that you’ll likely go back to again and again. It’s assuredly the best WWE game in a very long time — and might actually be a contender for the title of best wrestling game ever.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Lion’s Song is certainly a unique story from start to finish. Those that enjoy a relaxing point-and-click are sure find this one to their liking. It requires a bit of patience in those cumbersome moments in the middle, but it’s well worth it for the beautiful art style, harrowing soundtrack, and truly creative take on the point-and-click genre.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tails of Iron isn’t the biggest adventure in the world – while it has numerous maps to explore, they’re not particularly expansive – but it does have a lot of heart. It’s easy to warm to Redgi despite him not having a voice, which is quite an achievement in itself, and as you travel around his kingdom, fighting off bugs, frogs and other pesky creatures, you’ll come to care about his fate. It’s the combat that’s the real star of the show here though, encouraging you to keep an eye on the various quest boards even when the tasks they offer only send you to the same few locations.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Never would I have believed that in the year 2021 I’d be sat playing Diablo 2 on a console. And thanks to Diablo 2: Resurrected, with its wonderfully mapped controls and stunning visuals, it doesn’t have to be an eyesore or an ordeal. Some will instantly be put off by the lack of local co-op, but for those happy to play on their own or with others online, Diablo 2: Resurrected remains one of the best action RPGs of all time. It may be a bit clunkier than I remember it to be, but not offputtingly so, and once you’ve taken your first steps and started developing your character of choice, it’s hard to not be totally consumed by the game’s dark world and all that it offers. Diablo 2 is back, and until Diablo 4 emerges from the bowels of hell, it’ll do just nicely. Though I’ll probably be playing it beyond that, too.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Its blend of action and adventure works brilliantly for the most part, and once you've acquired all of the powers at your disposal, you do often truly feel like a Jedi; there's nothing quite like using Force Push to send an entire squadron of Stormtroopers off the edge of a cliff to their inevitable doom. Players are likely to encounter some frustrations throughout the adventure though. The Force is strong with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, but sometimes glimpses of the dark side seep through.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you can get your head around the concept that you are just a regular soldier… then you’ll find an incredibly unique experience in Rising Storm 2: Vietnam.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Undoubtedly one of the best family party games we've ever played, LEGO Party! is beautifully presented and an absolute riot to play. With game boards made entirely out of LEGO bricks and a suite of brilliant minigames, it gives Mario Party a good run for its money.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Despite its few niggles, Overcooked 2 delivers everything that made the first game so great, but in a bigger, better and more appetising package.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Overall though, Irony Curtain: From Matryoshka is a unique triumph, a game that offers a fresh take on a well-trodden genre that’s far funnier than a game about communist history has any right to be. It manages to feel incredibly polished without losing that distinctive indie touch; the feeling that you’re playing a distinctly authored experience that hasn’t been focus-grouped to oblivion. Be prepared to think outside the box, but make sure you check out this beautifully constructed and often hilarious adventure that’s sure to delight anyone who loves a good point and click game.

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