GameSpew's Scores

  • Games
For 3,613 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 2.3 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 73
Highest review score: 100 Cyberpunk 2077
Lowest review score: 10 Planet 2000
Score distribution:
3624 game reviews
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There’s a lot to like about Remnant II – this is a very worthy sequel. It offers more of the same challenging, world-hopping, third-person shooter action, but this time with more choice, more polish, and a variety of gameplay improvements. Fans of Remnant: From the Ashes will lap this up, and newcomers are likely to get a lot of enjoyment from it too – as long as they’re brave and persistent.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If Resident Evil and Sesame Street had a baby, My Friendly Neighborhood would be it. It wears its classic Resi influences on its arm – such as its door-opening animations and its use of safe rooms – but it’s never derivative, instead managing to be something entirely original, not to mention a great deal of fun. One of the best indie horror games of recent years, My Friendly Neighborhood is well worth paying a visit to.
    • 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.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you’re a fan of fast-paced platforming and like a challenge, consider Garlic a must-have. Add to that its budget price and its excellent sense of humour, and you have an indie gem that really does deserves more attention than it’s had so far.
    • 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.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    With a new PvE match type set to be added to the game later this month, and more updates promised in the future, we’re intrigued to see what becomes of Exoprimal. While it’s not quite as compelling to play as we’d hoped it would be right now, it’s still very enjoyable in short bursts. We love its Exosuits, and we love its varied range of brilliantly realised dinosaurs, but we’re not so keen on the fact that there’s currently only one match type and that, whether you play PvP or PvE, it’s ultimately still a race that gives you little opportunity to take everything in.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    We’d be lying if we said we weren’t disappointed by Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission VR. Our expectations weren’t outlandish; we just wanted another Operation Wolf game where the guns were our Sense controllers. While Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission VR somewhat fulfills that wish, it adds in needless complications and needs a little more fine-tuning and polish to really shine. If you have some love for the series this will serve up some entertainment, but it won’t replace the feelings you have for the classics.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Sticky Business is a nice idea, and for a few hours, we’ve had a great time creating our own stickers and sending out orders. But if you’re the creative sort, you’ll feel much more fulfilled by doodling your own tangible designs, or opening up Photoshop to create something you can admire in the real world. As a game, there’s just not enough sense of meaningful progression to keep us engaged in the long term – but we did enjoy hearing our customers’ stories, at least.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you’re a fan of first-person puzzle games, Viewfinder should be considered essential. Sure, its story leaves something to be desired, and some of its puzzles don’t quite hit the mark. But even the worst of the bunch keep you engaged enough to see this clever little puzzle game through to the end. Never outstaying its welcome, Viewfinder has left a lasting impression on us.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you’re a fan of pop music, you’re going to get a big kick out of Invector: Rhythm Galaxy. Its uneven difficulty might prove to be an obstacle for some players, but if you’re willing to persevere – or don’t mind playing on its ultra-easy ‘Casual’ mode – there’s a lot of content here to enjoy. Being able to play more than 30 songs straight away is a real boon, and the chance to unlock more by playing Campaign mode is a very welcome incentive. Is it quite as good as Avicii: Invector? Inexplicably, perhaps not – but we welcome the new range of songs with open arms.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There’s a lot to love about Oxenfree II: Lost Signals. Its spooky, supernatural tale will get its hooks in you instantly, helped along by fantastic voice acting and characters that you can’t help but want to know more about. Night School Studios has once again proven itself to be a master of storytelling: it’s been a long wait for Oxenfree’s sequel, but now we’re even more excited to see what the team might do next.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg feels very basic in some regards, and some elements of it can be repetitive or irritating at times, it’s hard not to be won over by it. This offers a good old-fashioned Atelier experience, where the events that play out are based on your actions. And with that comes plenty of freedom and a multitude of endings to discover. Whether you’re a series fan keen to explore its origins, or newcomer looking for a good entry point, this remake is well worth sinking some time into.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Ultimately, Classic Racers Elite does indeed take us back to simpler times. It’s just a shame that there’s not a lot to it and that it’s lacking polish. If you can look past the serviceable physics and unstable visuals, there’s a good few hours of fun to be had here at least, but it’ll be a big ask for some. Those longing for the return of the great arcade racer, then, will be waiting a while longer.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There’s nothing remarkable about Shootvaders: The Beginning. Its presentation is rather bland and its deafening, uninspired sound effects will leave you reaching for the mute button. But with such a budget price tag, it’s certainly not a bad shoot ’em up game. As simple as it may be, it’s the sort of thing you can keep jumping back into to challenge your own high score. And the odd new ship upgrade as you play is certainly welcome, too.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While its gameplay can feel a little basic at times, we’re really glad that GYLT is now free of Stadia. This is a small but powerful horror title that tackles an important issue while also providing hours of engaging gameplay. And though there’s nothing truly original here, Tequila Works has obviously put this together with care. If nothing else, it deserves praise for simply being a horror game accessible to younger audiences while still being unsettling for all.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While its unique visual style – and even the action – can eventually become a little repetitive, it’s hard not to be impressed with what Synapse offers. It’s particularly fun in short bursts, and so it’s handy that you can leave the game during a run and resume where you left off at a later date. if you’re after a fun, action-packed PSVR 2 experience that truly puts supernatural power in your hands, then, it’s definitely worthy of your time and money.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    A triumph in just about every way, Dave the Diver is undoubtedly going to be one of 2023’s biggest success stories. This gorgeous adventure keeps you hooked no matter what you’re doing. Whether you’re serving up sushi, catching fish or exploring the depths of the oceans for long-lost secrets, you’ll struggle to pull yourself away. We just love it. Even if it does leave us craving sushi – but it’s a small price to pay.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It may only last you a few hours, but Kingdom Eighties: Summer of Greed is well worth spending some time with. Its simple gameplay is infectious, and you’ll rejoice as you expand your basecamp, pushing enemies back in the process. There’s limited guidance but you’ll soon get to grips with what you should be doing, soaking in the absolutely gorgeous visuals as you do.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ultimately, if you’re a fan of The Callisto Protocol and simply want more, Final Transmission will keep you entertained for a short while while embellishing on the game’s original ending. Do you need to play it? Not really. What’s added here isn’t all that refreshing, and the final boss fight is a bit of a bust. But picked up as part of the game’s season pass, it’s worth playing though just to discover Jacob’s fate.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If the idea of playing Breakout crossed with squash in VR appeals to you, it’s definitely worth checking C-Smash VRS out. Unless you have friends willing to buy and play it with you online, though, you might want to consider it a single-player only experience, and there’s not an abundance of content. But like the best arcade games, this is something you’ll likely return to many times just for a quick burst of fun.
    • 26 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    We were never expecting Greyhill Incident to be amazing, but it falls even short of simply being mediocre. Unfortunately, it’s one of the worst games we’ve played this year. While it manages to create a truly unsettling atmosphere and has some pretty hair-raising scenes, its gameplay is so tedious and frustrating that it kills your desire to progress. And so, those looking for alien-based horror thrills will have to do with the paltry options that are already available for now.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As far as party games go, Everybody 1-2-Switch is one of the best we’ve played in recent years. Whether you’re simply going head-to-head with a loved one or gathering the whole family together, the minigames here are bound to have you laughing and guffawing your way through them. The variety is excellent, and even the ‘worst’ games in the collection are so silly that you’ll be grinning from ear to ear. At just £25/$30, it’s an absolute steal, too.
    • 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.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    With the last couple of entries in the WWE 2K series being particularly strong, AEW: Fight Forever always had its work cut out to impress. What’s been delivered, however, falls below even our tempered expectations, with sloppy gameplay, dull visuals, and a serious lack of modes. Chances are you’ll get a little fun out of it if you’re an ardent AEW fan, but there are better wrestling games available whether you want to the action to be a more accessible or not.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A Little to the Left: Cupboards & Drawers DLC is a triumph indeed. Max Inferno has drawn on the strengths of the base game and the result is a series of puzzles that, for the most part, shine even brighter than the rest. Sure, once again, not every puzzle has been created equally, with some not hitting quite as hard as others. But there are more than enough fantastic puzzles here to make this a worthwhile purchase for anyone who enjoys sorting and organising.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    For fans of puzzle games and visual novels, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a bit of a treat. It’s a stylish and humorous affair that’s a pleasure to look at and has a fun soundtrack. Only the odd frustration is likely to sully your impression of it, as having to watch the same scenes play out multiple times until you strike it gold with the solution can get a bit tiresome. But overall, these moments are far outweighed by the many bouts of joy you feel as you overcome challenges and unfold the game’s engaging tale.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ask yourself: have you long wondered what a competitive multiplayer Crash Bandicoot game would be like? If the answer is yes, then you should probably give Crash Team Rumble a try, especially given its budget price. Crash Bandicoot fans with open minds might also want to dip their toes in – there’s fun to be had, after all. But to really draw players in, we can’t help but feel that this would have been better off as a free-to-play title.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dordogne’s unique selling point is undoubtedly its art style. It truly is beautiful – perhaps one of the most gorgeously animated games we’ve had the pleasure to play, even. And yes, the visuals alone are almost enough to carry the game. Despite the odd misstep, though, we did thoroughly enjoy the story and came to care for Mimi and her grandmother – as brief as our time with them was. It’s small, it’s quaint, but it’s touching – and it’s one of those special games that reminds you life is precious, fleeting and nothing should be taken for granted.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you’re a F.E.A.R. fan, Trepang2 is a game that you should definitely invest some money and time in. It’s also a game for those who simply love hardcore first-person shooters. Your considerable arsenal here is enhanced by your supernatural abilities, and with other moves up your sleeves – such as a slide that can send your foes flying and a powerful punch – you can have so much fun running rings around your enemies and dismembering them in gloriously gory fashion. This may not be F.E.A.R., but it sure as hell scratches the same itch.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you were thinking about buying Sonic Origins, picking up this expanded and enhanced edition instead is pretty much a no-brainer. Even though you might not get much fun out of the Game Gear games, the benefits provided by the other DLC packs plus being able to take control of new characters makes it worth it. For those who already own Sonic Origins, however, whether or not to upgrade is something that should be given some thought. Do you remember these Game Gear games fondly and want to revisit them? Consider it a must-have. If not, weigh up just how much you’d like to play as Amy, as well as Knuckles in Sonic CD. That’s your answer.

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