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
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It may be let down by its lack of original sountrack and the fact that four of the five games here are practically identical. But the museum content makes Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition a worthwhile purchase for fans – and there's no denying that Rayman still stands the test of time as one of the best platformers from the 90s.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Whilst Action Henk certainly won’t float everyone’s boat with its iffy visuals and reliance on score chasing to provide any long-lasting attraction, it is still an interesting and addictive combination of racing and platforming.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Tangled Up In Blue is without a doubt one of the best Telltale Games episodes I have ever played.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It’s the sort of game I can imagine myself playing in quiet downtime while waiting for something else.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite its issues, Simulacra still kept me hooked for the duration of my playthrough. I’m not sure I’ll want to jump back in any time soon, but I’m glad I snooped on Anna’s phone and found out what happened to her. However, if you have a PC, perhaps play it on there: not only is it easier to navigate than the console release, it’s also less than half the price on Steam.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Rise of Iron is nothing but a stop-gap between Destiny as it is and the inevitable sequel that will hopefully overhaul the whole thing.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Amazing Princess Sarah is a game that is hard to find fault with really, apart from the fact that it’s generally just quite derivative.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The dual reality premise makes Semispheres distinctly unique in its gameplay and is a clever mechanic that other puzzle game developers would do well to take note of.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ultimately, this Switch port of Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath is seriously worth considering if you’ve never played the game before. Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD remains original, engaging, fun, and humorous. It feels nearly as fresh now as it did 15 years ago – though I’m not sure if that’s a compliment to the game or an indictment of the games industry. Either way, Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD deserves to be loved, so give it a go. The Switch is as good a format as any to play it on. In fact, it might even be the best. Only its inflated price should make you think twice.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Everybody's Golf is back, and though this latest entry is by a new developer, it's everything you'd expect. The three-button shot system makes a return, keeping the action accessible, but Everybody's Golf Hot Shots still requires a fair amount of skill. The main negative here is that progression is slow, so it'll take a while to unlock things like additional characters.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ultimately, Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise feels like a more ridiculous entry into the Yakuza series, but with less content and a smaller budget. As a result, it’s a fun excursion, especially for fans of the Fist of the North Star franchise, but it never truly impresses.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It doesn’t contain every Pac-Man game ever made, but Pac-Man Museum+ is the most complete collection yet, for better or for worse. We love its arcade presentation – jarring sound effects and all – and even outside of the games, there’s fun to be had trying to collect everything and decorating your arcade as you see fit. There are some duff games here of course, but you’ll likely find a gem that you never even knew existed – for us it was block puzzle Pac-Attack. Either way, this is a very nice little trip through Pac-Man’s history, and one we’ll keep jumping back into time and again.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Steelrising is a commendable stab at the Soulslike genre by Spiders. It’s visually appealing, and Aegis’ unique abilities eventually make exploration feel more rewarding while also enhancing the combat. Those jumping in should be aware that combat isn’t quite as tight at that found in the likes of Dark Souls though, and Steelrising is a bit rough around the edges in general. Still, there’s a lot to like here for those seeking out a challenge within a new setting.
    • 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.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The clear desire to push the boundaries of both the technology and the genre has paid off, as Megaton Rainfall offers immersive, enjoyable and impressive gameplay with PSVR. If you own one of Sony’s headsets and are tired of on-rails experiences, I’d encourage you to dive straight in.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Rogue Aces can be an entertaining blast and is sufficiently different from the competition to be worth a look. But its repetitive nature does it no favours and means it’s best taken in small doses.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It’s got to be said that an immersive ‘light gun’ experience is perhaps the perfect use of VR, and Rush of Blood is a brilliant showcase of how well the technology works.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The average gamer might want to think twice before picking Tormented Souls up, as mechanically it feels outdated and often rather unwelcoming. The lousy voice acting and unconvincing character models will provide further reason for them to throw in the towel early, too. However, if you’re a fan of old-fashioned survival horrors and find yourself yearning for one that offers a modern lick of paint and a new setting, there’s a very high chance you’ll absolutely love it. It’s not as good as the classics of the genre, but developers Dual Effect and Abstract Digital have delivered something that is hot on their heels.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Earth Defense Force 5 stands in the face of pretty much every game released these days. It’s the game that doesn’t bother trying to keep up with the Jones’ because it’s happy doing its own thing and being just what it wants to be. And that’s brilliant. And you know what else is brilliant? Shooting hundreds of enemies while listening to humorous quips. That never gets old. Never.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ghost Blade HD is one hell of a lot of fun that does a great job of reminding you of the uncomplicated nature of the genre’s past without the fuzzy visuals.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It’s safe to say that The Fisherman – Fishing Planet is the best fishing game available on console. It packs in so much content that you could play it for tens of hours and still find enjoyment in going back for more. It’s mechanically sound, too, making the act of fishing engaging yet not overly complicated or gamey. If you’re a PC gamer who has already invested money into Fishing Planet, however, the new content on offer probably isn’t worth splashing the cash required for this complete edition.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It isn’t a bad game by any means, but Batora: Lost Haven doesn’t excel in any particular area, either. It’s a hodgepodge of tried-and-tested mechanics and ideas put together without any real flair, resulting in a game that can be enjoyable at times, but is often repetitive and dull.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Simple but beautifully presented, Quantum Recharged is another modern arcade hit, giving Atari’s forgotten classics a new lease of life. We’d have liked to see a little more variety in the Mission mode, but it’s hardly a dealbreaker: the basic gameplay loop is enjoyable enough that even the thrill of trying to beat our high score time and time again will keep us coming back.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Republique has some great ideas, but it’s just a shame they aren’t developed fully enough to offer the tight experience that the game could have been.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    If you want a quick blast of escapism with a bit of a challenge, then this what you’ll get. Nothing more, nothing less.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    [LOUD on Planet X] is predominantly a music game above anything else and a stellar selection of licensed music highlights that rather nicely.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    140
    Unlike other famous entries into the genre, with unique and conflicting level designs to offer a break from the monotony, 140 lives on that repetition.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    For all the 3DS owners out there who, like me, are sick of seeing the deluge of kiddie-focused games appearing in the Nintendo eShop, Steel Empire is a very welcome respite. Outside of the Sega 3D Classics, range this is the best thing to appear on the 3DS in recent memory and is a must-have purchase for any 3DS owner.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Absolutely, Planet Alpha puts style over substance, but that doesn’t mean what’s there isn’t worth experiencing. It doesn’t have the best platforming you’ve ever experienced. Nor does it have the best puzzles. But what’s perfectly adequate, when coupled with those visuals, ends up being something quite special.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    The gameplay is easy to learn, but it doesn’t do much to keep gameplay new and exciting. Its unpalatable themes, even though clearly put there on purpose, could do with being toned down a few notches.

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