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
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you’ve got the patience for it, Relicta is undoubtedly a neat puzzle game. It’s quite lengthy for a game of its type, which is perhaps why it eventually begins to feel overly repetitive, but you are spurred on when you encounter an a-ha! moment and go on to solve a puzzle that’s been perplexing you for the last 15 minutes or so. If you’ve made your way through the likes of the The Talos Principle and QUBE 2 and are eager to get stuck into yet another brain-teasing adventure, you’ll get a lot out of Relicta, even if it won’t have quite the same impact on you.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fairy Tail is over-the-top, comical and captivating – and it’s one of the most enjoyable JRPGs I’ve sank my teeth into in some time.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Travelling through Stiles’ mind is a gripping journey. It’s at times emotional, other times horrifying.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The saving grace is that combat isn’t all that frequent in Paper Mario: The Origami King, so it doesn’t bring the experience down all that much. You’ll have so much fun exploring its papercraft world and devouring every line of its sumptuous dialogue that you’ll just grit your teeth and persist through the battles you encounter, knowing full well that in a minute or so you’ll be back at the good stuff. It isn’t perfect, but Paper Mario: The Origami King has a huge amount of charm, and those with a keen sense of humour and adventure will find themselves effortlessly falling in love with it.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Maid of Sker isn’t a terrible game, but it is a disappointing one. It has the groundwork of something that could be wonderfully scary: a foreboding environment and a chilling soundtrack make for a formidable atmosphere. There are also some freaky setpieces that further set the tone of this horrifying world. But that’s where it ends; the rest of the horror comes from the poor game design. Hiding from a blind enemy for the 50th time is nothing but frustrating, and the decision to rely on an archaic manual save system is one which only damages the game further. Maid of Sker’s premise had potential, but sadly it’s mostly lost amongst less than stellar mechanics.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Othercide has its moments but its core gameplay is so repetitive that, even with its turn-pushing twist, you’ll have to fight the grind to get any fun out of it. Its art style may be beautiful, but it doesn’t make playing the game any more enjoyable.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    If you’re a hardcore shoot ’em up fan and are desperate for something new to play, Sisters Royale: Five Sisters Under Fire might scratch that itch. For a little while, anyway. Its gameplay is fine, but it doesn’t attempt to further the genre or do anything new in any way. Sure, it packs in a story, but its groanworthy quality perhaps detracts from the overall experience somewhat. It’s fun enough while it lasts, but there are plenty of other shmups out there that offer a much better experience than Sisters Royale, so we recommend you go for one of those instead.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Destroy All Humans! isn’t going to wow you. It will make you chuckle, however, and frequently put a smile on your face. It’s not overly polished, nor is it complex, but it is fun. Crypto is back, and we hope he’s here to stay. This alien’s got an attitude, but he’s lovable all the same. If anything, this remake primarily proves that he deserves more time in the limelight, and we’d love to see a fully-fledged new entry into the series at some point.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Carrion is, for the most part, a bloody good game. It’s a real treat for horror fans and one of the most original games I’ve come across. There were so many moments that left me with a grin a mile wide, from pulling a string of victims up into the ceiling to turning a soldier against their former friends. But if you choose to wreak your own brand of horror upon Carrion‘s hapless humans, just be prepared to step away when there’s no-one left to torment.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    If you’re a huge Sword Art Online fan, or are simply after an expansive JRPG to sink your teeth into, you will get some enjoyment out of Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris. It requires some patience and persistence, however, and you’ll still be far from impressed by it. Poor performance hampers its gameplay, while long and frequent load times in conjunction with poor pacing often make it feel like a slog. So many times, especially during the first chapter of the game, you’ll be itching for some action only to be hit with an hour or more of story scenes. Eventually, you might be tempted to just drop it and play something that treats your time more respectfully.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With around a 10-hour runtime – although your mileage may differ depending how quickly you deal with the game’s tougher puzzles – Röki is a delight from start to finish. It’s hard to put down; its story and characters encapsulate you in their magical world right from the get-go. As you play, it’s hard to shake the feeling that you’ve uncovered something really special; and considering Röki is the first game from Polygon Treehouse, it leaves me very excited to see what comes next.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There’s no doubt in our minds that Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break is the best game in the series yet. A lengthy campaign laden with Monty Python-esque humour is bolstered by a powerful course creator that offers perhaps unlimited replayability. And the gameplay itself remains as enjoyable as ever; an eclectic mix of action and strategy that is accessible and fun for all. If you’ve ever found yourself enjoying rolling boulders through a gauntlet, this game is a must-have. Even more so if you also enjoy a spot of tower defence too.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If taking a trip back in time with an old-fashioned platforming game sounds like a good time to you, Panzer Paladin won’t disappoint. Its excellent visual direction and soundtrack definitely helps it stand out from the crowd, and once you get a handle around its core weapon system, it becomes clear that there aren’t many other games out there that play quite like it. Panzer Paladin sticks hard to its old school influences, even if sometimes to a fault, but it mostly pays off.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Necrobarista is what a good cup of coffee should be: warm, a little nutty and exactly what you crave. It leaves a lasting impression. Its characters are lovable and relatable; its story covers a deeply complicated topic with humour and charm; and the world is so well-crafted and intriguing that it could easily tell a thousand more stories. Add to that an excellent soundtrack and gorgeous art style, and it’s unlikely you’ll find another visual novel that compares to Necrobarista.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Towaga: Among Shadows admittedly looks fantastic, but it just isn’t enough to pull it out from the realms of mediocrity. Its gameplay doesn’t excite in the way that it should and it grows stale too quickly, so it’s a struggle to recommended it even at its modest price. Still, if you ever spot it with a decent discount it might be worth picking up just for its sumptuous art and initial rush of unique gameplay.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Superhot: Mind Control Delete is simply an amazing title. Back in 2016, SUPERHOT really was the most innovative shooter we’d played in years, and four years on, the series is still as exciting as ever. With new levels, cool weapons, more creative settings and excellent sound design and music, there’s nothing quite like it. Superhot: Mind Control Delete is what fans of the original have been waiting for – and it more than delivers. Pick it up now; play more, win more and uncover the secrets waiting for you.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With beautiful pixel art brought to life with bright neon colours and wonderfully absurd enemy designs, Neon Abyss is an absolute joy to play. Its bombastic soundtrack spurs you on through each dungeon and if you die – no, when you die – you’ll just shake it off, eager to jump back in.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Had Ghost of Tsushima released earlier into the PS4’s life, chances are it would be revered. But now, in a world in which the likes of Red Red Redemption 2 and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey exist, it feels a little underwhelming. Still, it is quite possibly the best samurai game ever made, and is well worth picking up if you’re after another epic open-world to get lost in. Just temper your expectations as much as your steel.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    With a short run time of only around two hours, it’s a shame much of that time is spent flapping about, trying to figure out what to do next. The puzzles are a real downer, taking away from the player’s ability to invest in the world and truly enjoy the atmosphere. Taking everything into consideration, Creepy Tale‘s full asking price on the Nintendo eShop is perhaps a bit steep. But if you can pick it up on sale, it’s probably worth a play through for its atmosphere alone.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you skipped last year’s NASCAR Heat 4 and are looking to pick up a new NASCAR game, NASCAR Heat 5 is the one to grab, no doubt. It is indeed the best NASCAR game to date. There’s such a small margin between them, however, that unless you’ve got a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket, there’s no real reason to pick this up if you do already own NASCAR Heat 4. Hopefully there’ll be some genuine new features and improvements in next year’s inevitable NASCAR Heat 6.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Beyond a Steel Sky still comes off as rushed and sometimes disjointed, with more than a few rough edges. Right up until the final ten minutes I could swear I was only halfway through the game. It’s still worth the trip if you’re a fan of the original, but Beyond a Steel Sky’s flawed journey doesn’t go far enough to truly recommend.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you’re looking for something to sink hours into and enjoy a slow, steady stroll rather than an action-packed sprint, Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town might just be for you.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    There’s simply no reason why a game should perform this badly. Try as you might, it’s hard to thoroughly enjoy something that’s such a technical mess. If you’re a glutton for punishment and want to spend more time with the most bizarre protagonist in video games, go right ahead. But don’t say that you haven’t been warned. It isn’t a blessing, it’s a disappointment.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As a concept, Night Call is fantastic; a narrative noir where you play as a cab driver on the dark streets of Paris is something that many people will want to pick up and give a try – and they definitely should. But I’m not sure how many people will be able to really stick with it and master it. As intriguing as its cases are, after you’ve played a few they all blend together, making it even harder to figure out what you’re meant to be doing. Give Night Call a try if you’re looking for a challenging narrative game about crime and investigation. But if you’re wanting an easy-going mystery, you won’t find it here.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    F1 2020 is the best F1 game ever made, of that I have no doubt. The mighty fine engine at the heart of Codemasters’ F1 series has been fine-tuned over these last few years and now it’s at peak performance. Even better, what surrounds it – the bodywork – has been substantially upgraded for this release, making it fuller, richer, and more desirable than ever. F1 2020 is racing perfection. The question is, where does it go from here?
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Catherine: Full Body is as much of a joy to play as it ever has been. If you’re wanting to play on a big TV, the PS4 version of the game is the clear way to go, but getting absorbed in the game’s excellent narrative or sinking your teeth into a puzzle is hugely rewarding in handheld mode. You’re not going to regret picking it up on Switch, put it that way.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Monster Prom was already one of the best dating simulators out there. And since this XXL version includes the Second Term DLC, which features bonus characters and tonnes of extra events, it’s better than ever. If you’re looking for some crude, ridiculous fun then look no further. While Monster Prom XXL might feel like it’s working against you sometimes, getting rejected and having to try again is just part of the fun.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    It definitely has its moments, but the fun is spread so thinly that Iron Man VR soon wears out its welcome. Being Iron Man is fun for a few minutes, but it doesn’t last. The hero who kick-started the Marvel Cinematic Universe definitely deserves better.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Namco Museum archives Vol 2 isn’t the all-out celebration of retro classics that it could have been, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worthy of your money or time. There are some genuinely great games here, with gameplay that stands the test of time. But of course, there are also a few howlers. With a price that’s very reasonable compared to many, however, you won’t mind. And then there’s Gaplus; perhaps the shining jewel in Namco Museum Archives Vol 2‘s crown. You may have played it in its original form elsewhere, but its demade form makes this collection just that bit more interesting.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ultimately, there’s nothing in Namco Museum Archives Vol 1 that’s going to win you over if you aren’t already a fan of retro games. But if you enjoyed any of these arcade classics in your youth, it’s perhaps the best and easiest way to replay them. The selection of games on offer is varied, and they’re pleasantly presented with enough features to make them accessible to a new generation of players. The inclusion of a new Pac-Man game is a nice bonus; and the fact that a couple of these games haven’t been available outside of Japan until now is a boon. It’s a shame the collection doesn’t try harder to live up to its ‘Museum’ title, but it’s hard to argue with its excellent value for money.

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