GameSpew's Scores

  • Games
For 3,619 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:
3630 game reviews
    • 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.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It seems Time Rift slipped under the radar when it first launched back in 2022. With this PS5 release, it deserves a second chance: this is a clever and challenging fast-paced puzzler, packed with excellent ideas that really make you think about your actions. The best part? It’s only £7.99. A bargain for numerous hours of thrilling puzzle action.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Its title may be a mouthful, but Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian is an excellent entry into the long-running Atelier series. Series fans will love the wealth of familiar faces that pop up, and JRPG fans will love its tight story, its fun combat and its varied gameplay.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The first brand new Katamari game in years, Once Upon a Katamari doesn't disappoint. While it suffers from the same issues the series always has, like wonky controls and camera, there's no denying that it's as fun as ever to play. There's nothing else like it, and we'll never grow tired of the utter weirdness of rolling up items with a special ball.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Taking inspiration from Elden Ring, Code Vein 2 is an ambitious sequel which presents players with a vast open world to explore. It can feel a bit lifeless at times, but it's rewarding to venture into its nooks and crannies nonetheless. And everything you do helps build your character, an endeavour which proves to be a highlight of the game, along with manipulating time to build bonds with your companions.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Making use of a 1930s cartoon aesthetic, Mouse: P.I. For Hire is absolutely brimming with character and personality. It looks incredible, and it plays well too: this is a fun (if casual) first-person shooter that will keep you entertained from start to finish.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    For any Samurai Warriors veteran, Samurai Warriors: Spirit of Sanada will feel like a pair of comfy old slippers – easy to slide into, and once you’re in their warm embrace you won’t want to part company with them until they’ve become a little too sweaty and overbearing.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The characters are silly and unique, as is the setting in which the game takes place. The switching between real-life and game isn’t necessarily seamless, but if you’re a patient person it isn’t likely to affect you. With only some other minor issues, Chook & Sosig: Walk the Plank is a fun bite-sized adventure that would work as a great entry point into the point-and-click genre.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you’re the type of person who gets a kick out of design and renovation, you’re likely going to love Hotel Renovator. It scratches that cosy simulator itch, providing you with repetitive but wholesome tasks to complete. Random events and the odd injection of humour aims to mix things up, but ultimately, Hotel Renovator is at its best when you’re knee-deep in redesigning a hotel room, making everything beautiful and just how you want it. Bliss.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    My Hero Academia: All's Justice truly is a treat for fans of the franchise, offering multiple substantial game modes and a huge roster of playable heroes and villains. It's not very welcoming to newcomers, however, and its Team Up Mission mode isn't always all that exciting to play through.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The only way you could be a little disappointed with Ray’Z Arcade Chronology is if you were expecting some kind of museum-like content, as there’s none of that here. Otherwise, this is a brilliant collection for shoot ’em up fans. All three games presented here are classics and they’ve never looked or played better. Add in all the new options and features, and you’re onto a winner.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you like a good challenge and value quality gameplay over length, which you should, Rise & Shine is a great little title and a great start to the gaming year.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It’s three hours of thrilling Metroidvania action for less than the cost of a cinema ticket; you can’t really grumble with that.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Inertial Drift: Twilight Rivals Edition has all the same issues we had with the original release, such as poor options for those who want to race online, but thanks to the addition of another campaign and a selection of cars and tracks, those who loved it before are likely to love it even more. It’s those who have not yet played Inertial Drift that will perhaps get the most out of this new PS5 edition, however. A host of improvements mean it has never looked or played better on console.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If racing online is your thing, Monster Truck Championship probably isn’t going to fulfil your needs. If you like a single-player career mode that allows you to develop your own vehicle over time, however, you’ll get quite a kick out of it. But what really sells Monster Truck Championship is its uniqueness. Never before has the act of competing in a monster truck been so authentically represented, from thunderous circuit races to flashy freestyle events. It’s not perfect, but racing fans will have probably never played anything quite like Monster Truck Championship before.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The tedium of the second half of the game, and the increasing frustration brought on by its level design, checkpoint system and challenging platforming somewhat sour the experience though.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    This is the best Monster Energy Supercross release yet. But for many there simply won’t be enough genuinely new here to impress. Casual fans that have already purchased least year’s release might just want to make do with that for another year. Ardent supercross fans, on the other hand, will no doubt appreciate the latest riders, bikes and tracks, as well as the other few new features an upgrades that are on offer here, but won’t be able to shake the overall feeling of familiarity.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    We wish there was a little more direction in The Repair House at times: we’d much prefer a clear path to follow to achieve repair shop success. But there’s still a lot to like, and bringing old items back to life is rewarding enough in itself. With a little more structure and polish, The Repair House could be a stand-out title in the simulation genre. As it is, it’s a pleasant enough way to spend a few hours if the idea of tinkering with curios sounds relaxing to you.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The goalpost may not have been particularly high, but Police Simulator: Patrol Officers is the best police sim game we’ve played. It’s far from perfect, but if you like the idea of dealing with petty crimes and road traffic accidents, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this. The detail-oriented approach will appeal to those who like to do things by the book, though others may find it laborious. But that’s the case with just about any simulation game, is it not?
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you’re drawn in by the art style, chances are you’ll have some fun with Wildcat Gun Machine. Fans of the twin-stick shooter genre might want to check it out, too. It makes a refreshing change for this type of game to not be a roguelike in the current market, and while it won’t be featuring on anyone’s GOTY lists, there’s still hours of entertainment to be had with it.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite its questionable likeness to Hidden Folks, there’s no denying that Hidden Through Time makes a nice addition to the genre. Its whimsical and colourful art style is a delight, and the level editor is a nice touch that adds some much-needed longevity.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Had the additional DLC package been included with the game as standard, we’d probably suggest Klonoa Phantasy Reveries Series as a must-have for fans hungry to spend time with its cool cat protagonist again. It would be easier to recommend to newcomers, too. But as it is, while some will get plenty of enjoyment out of it at full price, most might want to wait until it goes on sale. Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is an enjoyable blast from the past, but it’s by no means essential playing.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Moon Hunters is a short, engaging game, innovative in its approach to replay value, with each subsequent playthrough increasing in depth and pleasure.
    • 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.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Crazy Pixel Streaker offers a fair amount of variety and content for a simple, but surprisingly difficult co-operative brawling experience. There’s depth, but it’s shallow, and replayability suffers due to the deliberate difficulty; but ultimately, in short bursts there’s great fun to be had.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    With its charming papercraft-like visuals and enjoyable 70s themed soundtrack, Serial Cleaner can be a lot of fun if you have the patience for it.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It isn’t perfect, and frustration will rear its ugly head from time to time, but for all its quirks, The Escapists 2’s blend of excitement and tension will keep you hooked. Lock yourself away with The Escapists 2 and you won’t regret it.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It’s not perfect, it may be frustrating at times, but Stories of Bethem manages to capture the essence of games of the 90s: when having fun was the only thing that mattered.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Considering its budget price, there’s a lot to like about Labyrinth Legend. Its combat is a little simple, and inventory management can be a bit of a pain at times, but crawling its dungeons in search of powerful loot is engrossing nonetheless. The bite-sized nature of its action works in its favour, too, allowing you to delve in and out of it before it wears thin. So, if the idea of a cute-looking dungeon crawler that doesn’t over-complicate itself appeals to you, Labyrinth Legend is well worth checking out.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While it initially took me a while to get into, and the random nature of the encounters can sometimes be annoying, there’s a lot to enjoy with Here Be Dragons.

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