GameTap's Scores

  • Games
For 238 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 45% higher than the average critic
  • 5% same as the average critic
  • 50% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 2.1 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 73
Highest review score: 100 NHL 08
Lowest review score: 30 Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 16 out of 238
238 game reviews
    • 55 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There are many great ideas within Haze, they just happened to be trapped in an extraordinarily mediocre game.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The biggest problem with Prince Caspian, though, is something the developer had no control over, and that's the story. It's not that deep and doesn't feature a great variety of environments—it’s mostly roaming through the woods, collecting people, and gearing up for the real battle at the end.
    • 50 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're a Wii Sports fan who is hungry for new challenges, Deca Sports deserves a shot.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    As a casual game, We Ski works. Sometimes it takes the "casual" a little too literally, but its tight controls and impressive physics make you feel like you're mastering skiing techniques even if your heart rate barely fluctuates.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Speed Racer is a decent racing game, but it never gets your adrenaline pumping. Even the movie connection doesn't juice up the show. Also, unlike most racing for Nintendo systems, only two players can race in split screen mode, and there's no online mode at all.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There are some pretty good side trips, too. Multiplayer co-op mode lets three more people join you on safari, too. One drives a jeep while the others take pictures. Also, completing each assignment unlocks a minigame featuring the animal you've just investigated.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    NBA Ballers: Chosen One is a battle game. Think Street Fighter meets the NBA, and that's where the game is in its element.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    NBA Ballers: Chosen One is a battle game. Think Street Fighter meets the NBA, and that's where the game is in its element.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Battle of the Bands is pretty fun, and it’s definitely a cheaper option in the whole music game fad than the peripheral-laden titles out there, but there’s just not a lot of depth there.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The multiplayer mode is great, in theory, but when you’re driving against a pack of opponents that might as well be driving with a blindfold on (intentionally or not), it tends to lose its appeal rather quickly.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Dark Sector is bipolar rollercoaster ride that tops out at gorgeous, innovative, and striking (glaive, visuals, virus powers) and bottoms out at a bland, unoriginal, and buggy (gunplay, storyline, melee attacks). The extremes are both high and low, but at least Digital Extremes has a solid base moving forward to the inevitable sequel.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Dark Sector is bipolar rollercoaster ride that tops out at gorgeous, innovative, and striking (glaive, visuals, virus powers) and bottoms out at a bland, unoriginal, and buggy (gunplay, storyline, melee attacks). The extremes are both high and low, but at least Digital Extremes has a solid base moving forward to the inevitable sequel.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Though this RTS-interface-for-consoles is pretty good on its own, it's crippled by the poor framerate. Basically, anytime you have one or more Hierarchy walkers on-screen, plus any other units, everyone starts looking like they're moving underwater. Which isn't conducive to an RTS game with crazy units that sparkle and shine.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Continues crawling forward in the same vein as its predecessors, and it does very well for itself in the Wii.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sega Superstars Tennis isn’t the best tennis game out there, especially since the actual tennis isn’t even as close to being as smooth or challenging as something like the Virtua Tennis or Top Spin games, but it can be just as rewarding for Sega fans and those people looking for a simple and fun approach to the sport.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sega Superstars Tennis isn’t the best tennis game out there, especially since the actual tennis isn’t even as close to being as smooth or challenging as something like the Virtua Tennis or Top Spin games, but it can be just as rewarding for Sega fans and those people looking for a simple and fun approach to the sport.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sega Superstars Tennis isn’t the best tennis game out there, especially since the actual tennis isn’t even as close to being as smooth or challenging as something like the Virtua Tennis or Top Spin games, but it can be just as rewarding for Sega fans and those people looking for a simple and fun approach to the sport.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Chariots of the Dogs serves as a very serious necessary because it ties together nearly everything from previous episodes. So though it's whacked and nonfunctional in some respects, with its overabundance of portals, time travel quests, and flat jokes, it's particularly relevant to this season's overarching themes. For followers of season two, it's a must-play, even if it isn't the funniest episode.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    After an hour or two of playing Insecticide, all the decent storytelling in the world won't hold your attention.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fans of the originals or die-hard light-gun aficionados will enjoy the trip down memory lane, while the rest of us are better off with The Umbrella Chronicles or heading to the local arcade for some Lethal Enforcers II.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Army of Two is a co-op focused game, much more so than even "Gears of War." If you pick this up, you absolutely need to be playing with a friend. It's borderline broken when playing alone, but if you are taking down tangos with a buddy, it becomes a much better and unique, experience.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Army of Two is a co-op focused game, much more so than even "Gears of War." If you pick this up, you absolutely need to be playing with a friend. It's borderline broken when playing alone, but if you are taking down tangos with a buddy, it becomes a much better and unique, experience.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Even though it's not as good as previous installments, and is generally more of the same, the fundamental gameplay underneath is still quite amazing, even today (the gameplay excuses its 2004-era visuals).
    • 49 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Nobody expects a minigame collection to offer hundreds of hours of entertainment, but with only six short-lived games on offer, Ninja Reflex gives gamers the short shrift, even compared with its less-than-stellar brethren.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're able to look past the framerate, the pitching and franchise are worth checking out, but if you only have enough money for one baseball game this year, Sony's Show is definitely the one worth attending.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're able to look past the framerate, the pitching and franchise are worth checking out, but if you only have enough money for one baseball game this year, Sony's Show is definitely the one worth attending.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    At least, the action's fast, fluid, and fun. The AI's no world beater; so while veteran fighting gamers won't break a sweat, everyone else has a fighting chance.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It could have easily been another "definitive version" type of package for PS3 gamers, but as it stands, it's a "great content, lousy tech" consolation prize.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The game moves along at a decent clip, but there are no real high points--no really hard, gritty, challenging sections that burn into your memory cells.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    In the end it comes off as too uneven; any time I started enjoying myself too much, the game would smack me down with another boring mission or irritating control issue.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Sadly, The Club probably would’ve made a bigger splash had it been released in the early part of this decade, when games like this were all the rage.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Sadly, The Club probably would’ve made a bigger splash had it been released in the early part of this decade, when games like this were all the rage.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Sadly, The Club probably would’ve made a bigger splash had it been released in the early part of this decade, when games like this were all the rage.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Action-combat fans would do better to hold off for the upcoming "Ninja Gaiden 2," or spend 10 bucks on an older DW title.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Action-combat fans would do better to hold off for the upcoming "Ninja Gaiden 2," or spend 10 bucks on an older DW title.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    For whatever reason, FIFA Street 3 is about as deep as a book of poetry by Paris Hilton.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    For whatever reason, FIFA Street 3 is about as deep as a book of poetry by Paris Hilton.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Lost Odyssey is a pretty solid Japanese RPG, and distinctly fulfills the niche it aims for. It's not a true Final Fantasy clone, but at the moment, it's the best-looking late-90s FF knock-off on the market. But whatever "decent" vibe it has ends up being cut down by technical glitches to the point that it makes the epic adventure feel more like a dinky puppet show.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The gameplay itself represents a disciplined FPS effort that lifts it above recent mediocre titles such as Blacksite: Area 51, though it doesn't hold a candle to the big guns of The Orange Box, BioShock, or Call of Duty 4.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The gameplay itself represents a disciplined FPS effort that lifts it above recent mediocre titles such as Blacksite: Area 51, though it doesn't hold a candle to the big guns of The Orange Box, BioShock, or Call of Duty 4.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I could see the beauty that still lurked underneath her obvious heartlessness, but it was so much harder to spend time with her now. Eventually, our every assignation devolved into the bitterest of fights, and I’d storm off, vowing never to see her again.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The downside to Rez is that while designed to be played repeatedly to get different aural sensations, the levels play out exactly the same way--with enemies appearing in the same sequence--so truly getting a new experience each time isn't exactly accurate. That doesn't mean it isn't fun or unique, but replay value isn't as deep as it might initially seem.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    At best, it's a nice-looking distraction with some much-loved characters, and at worst, it's a sometimes dull and occasionally exasperating minigame collection on a platform full of better, cheaper minigame collections.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    If you’re looking for a game for the kids, or you’re really into marine life, then Endless Ocean is worth checking out, but adrenaline junkies and HD fanatics will likely find themselves disappointed.
    • 49 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I know I want more moves and I pretty much have given up playing against the computer, but when a friend comes over, this is one of the first games we throw in to play. There's just something about Tony Romo running up the side of a wall and leaping into the end zone for the game-winning score while Rodney Harrison whiffs himself into a face full of plexiglass that I can't get enough of, even if it's the only time the Patriots lose all year.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    You're doomed if you try to take this game seriously; it doesn't even take itself seriously. Moreover, you pay full price; and the game is short, so you'd better like Harvey Birdman. If you have doubts, catch the show on the Cartoon Network before you make the call.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    You're doomed if you try to take this game seriously; it doesn't even take itself seriously. Moreover, you pay full price; and the game is short, so you'd better like Harvey Birdman. If you have doubts, catch the show on the Cartoon Network before you make the call.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    My consoles are where I play the big, "important" games like BioShock, Uncharted, and Super Mario Galaxy. For the PSP, which I use while in transit on a flight or on a long, not-so-great vacation, this collection may have its fair share of flaws, but it fits my needs more or less to a tee.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Nights: Journey of Dreams draws much from Nights Into Dreams, and sometimes it reaches too far back. But even though it takes some concentration to build adequate flying skills, when you finally do ultimately Nights becomes a rewarding contest.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If anything, it's these human train wrecks that help separate Untamed from other racers out there. The only game that comes close in terms of pure racing mayhem is probably Flatout: Ultimate Carnage.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If anything, it's these human train wrecks that help separate Untamed from other racers out there. The only game that comes close in terms of pure racing mayhem is probably Flatout: Ultimate Carnage.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    It's almost like congratulating Adonal Foyle for working on a new move in the offseason while completely ignoring the fact that the rest of his game is downright awkward.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    It's almost like congratulating Adonal Foyle for working on a new move in the offseason while completely ignoring the fact that the rest of his game is downright awkward.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    BlackSite, which evolved from a light-gun coin-op game in the late 1990s, does its best to shadow "Halo 1"'s story in many respects, but regularly comes up short.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    After learning the full extent of each faction's abilities, it really is pretty neat to completely adjust strategies based on both who you're playing as and against.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    IO's next big thing is a mish-mash of a few phenomenally great moments hidden inside a clusterf--- of nearly unplayable controls, bad level progression, unpredictable AI, and some seriously broken gameplay scenarios.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    The uncomplicated, quick-hit arcade feel of the game is a nice fit for the Wii, even if the coin-op legacy sometimes makes the gameplay a little dusty.
    • 52 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Re-tuning Soulcalibur’s weapons combat for hack-and-slash duty is a great idea, but Legends just doesn’t have the chops to hold the attention of hardcore adventurers for long. Moreover, fighting gamers are just left out in the cold, although Soulcalibur fans may be driven to sate their curiosity.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The realistic physics and driving model works very well, but the setting and structure of the racing events ultimately brings it down.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    IO's next big thing is a mish-mash of a few phenomenally great moments hidden inside a clusterf--- of nearly unplayable controls, bad level progression, unpredictable AI, and some seriously broken gameplay scenarios.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The sequence where you play as Albert Wesker right after he gets infected and takes on Lisa Trevor will undoubtedly be part of any RE fan's highlight reel.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    IO's next big thing is a mish-mash of a few phenomenally great moments hidden inside a clusterf--- of nearly unplayable controls, bad level progression, unpredictable AI, and some seriously broken gameplay scenarios.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Smarty Pants does a decent job of continuing EA's agenda to make games that the whole family can play.
    • 51 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Beowulf: The Game had an opportunity to be a standout movie licensed game. Unfortunately the glitching just made it looks sloppy and in need of work. I enjoyed a lot of the fighting elements they introduced here, and the development team deserves a pat on the back for that.
    • 51 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Beowulf: The Game had an opportunity to be a standout movie licensed game. Unfortunately the glitching just made it looks sloppy and in need of work. I enjoyed a lot of the fighting elements they introduced here, and the development team deserves a pat on the back for that.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    BlackSite, which evolved from a light-gun coin-op game in the late 1990s, does its best to shadow "Halo 1"'s story in many respects, but regularly comes up short.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    But if you're already a fan who bought Supreme Commander, this is a big fat middle finger from Gas Powered Games and THQ.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Neves is a simple game, but it offers quick-hit gameplay that leaves you feeling a bit smarter at the end of your time with it.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The best part about Scene It is that you can get a bunch of achievement points! Sure, you may not know exactly why you're getting them every time, but if you can pad your GamerScore by 110 achievement points in under an hour, who cares if you understand how you get them!
    • 37 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Zombie Ninja Pro Am offers both bad graphics and gameplay, but it revels in its shoddy qualities as if to say, "Hell yes, we're bad. We're super bad!"
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Flagship, despite whatever mistakes it's made with Hellgate, still taps into that addicted-to-loot gland in my cranium, and I am willing to put up with its flaws. It's now a matter of whether you want to put up with its somewhat unpolished nature at the moment, or wait until Flagship possibly smoothes out the warts that its little demon is showing.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If Ultima Online was essentially "immerse yourself in an alternate universe and live," then Tabula Rasa is a much more focused "jump into an alien world and fight."
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The clunky puzzles and mechanics often overwhelm any sort of enjoyment you might get out of confronting large squads of enemies, especially when the overall formula for the game follows a typical solve-the-puzzle-and-fight-wave-of-enemies-and-repeat design.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Even with all these hiccups, there’s still a solid combination of adventuring and fighting to be found here. And the sense of progression--going from a lowly no-skilled friendless ninja to a super awesome friendless ninja--is handled well in terms of what powers you get and when you get them.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ultimately, it’s all pretty basic stuff. There’s nothing particularly fancy about the actual game mechanics and it’s somewhat odd that The Simpsons Game makes fun of various videogame clichés (such as not being able to swim, using levers or pads on the ground to open doors) and then turns around and uses them about a dozen or so times.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ultimately, it’s all pretty basic stuff. There’s nothing particularly fancy about the actual game mechanics and it’s somewhat odd that The Simpsons Game makes fun of various videogame clichés (such as not being able to swim, using levers or pads on the ground to open doors) and then turns around and uses them about a dozen or so times.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Manhunt has turned from a violent, yet solid stealth game into a mediocre stealth game with a clichéd story and toned-down ultraviolence.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    From the very first level, the God of War copying is all too apparent; in fact, the setup of the first scene mirrors the first scene in God of War II to a T!
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    From the very first level, the God of War copying is all too apparent; in fact, the setup of the first scene mirrors the first scene in God of War II to a T!
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    In the end, the wacky storyline is deflated by the difficult controls in Victorious Boxers Revolution. If Cavia could have nailed at least one of the control schemes, then this game would have had much more appeal.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    For those who didn't check out the PlayStation 2 and PSP games, it will feel fresh and fun. For the rest of us? It's still fun, as long as you're not looking for much in the way of change.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It drives me absolutely crazy when publishers slap the Saturday-morning-cartoon-like coat of paint over a game, thereby alienating most people over the age of eight.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tony Hawk brings a mixture of joy and frustration to this reviewer. On the one hand, I still find I always have room to improve. On the other hand, this really is the same game we've been playing for nine years.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tony Hawk brings a mixture of joy and frustration to this reviewer. On the one hand, I still find I always have room to improve. On the other hand, this really is the same game we've been playing for nine years.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    One thing NBA 08 does do that the competition can't, though, is run at 60 frames per second at 1080p. Then again, when the players on the court aren't always acting like their real selves, what does it matter how much they look like them?
    • 77 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Revo is moderately fun at best. The sense of speed is decent. The sense of control, power, and precision per car is hard to distinguish for the majority of vehicles, and there is nothing wacky, silly, or distinct about the game that provides that creative hook that other racing games such as Daytona USA, Colin McRae Racing, or Gran Turismo provide. In short, Sega Rally Revo is disappointing.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Revo is moderately fun at best. The sense of speed is decent. The sense of control, power, and precision per car is hard to distinguish for the majority of vehicles, and there is nothing wacky, silly, or distinct about the game that provides that creative hook that other racing games such as Daytona USA, Colin McRae Racing, or Gran Turismo provide. In short, Sega Rally Revo is disappointing.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Even with significant flaws, it's still easily the best D&D game I've played since the power-duo of Baldur's Gate II and Planescape: Torment.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Rally racing is all about control, and the PSP's controls leave a lot to be desired. Perhaps that's not Sega's fault (it's Sony's), but the rally games and the PSP D-pad or analog stick are a bad, frustrating mix.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Off the Rails is a solid collection of minigames and a decent coaster creator, a nice party experience for the family. It's a shame the management system wasn't beefed up a bit more--even the little kids could benefit from creating their own theme parks from scratch.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    If you keep your expectations low (really low), and if you liked games such as Lego Star Wars and TMNT, Friend or Foe won't be the bitter pill that Spider-Man 3 was.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    If you keep your expectations low (really low), and if you liked games such as Lego Star Wars and TMNT, Friend or Foe won't be the bitter pill that Spider-Man 3 was.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    A completely frustrating game for all the wrong reasons. The challenge here isn’t the good kind of challenge that can be overcome naturally over the course of time as you become more familiar with the game. It’s a cheap challenge where any single mistake almost takes you completely out of the race. It’s worth noting that online multiplayer counteracts, that since your opponents don’t magically catch up with you the second you make a mistake.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    In the end, 2K8 is a great distraction until the season starts, but if you want to put your time into a better game, EA's NHL 08 is the dynasty worth your dough.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    In the end, 2K8 is a great distraction until the season starts, but if you want to put your time into a better game, EA's NHL 08 is the dynasty worth your dough.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The game does look pretty at times, and music is moving. But the poor control scheme and overall cheese factor are too much for me to deal with. Unfortunately, simply looking and sounding good doesn’t add up to a well-rounded experience.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A decent game that has the parts of a great game. Add alcohol or any other mind altering substance to the mix, and some friends, and all of sudden the game could be insanely fun. But a game should be fun enough to be enjoying alone and not just with company.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Heroes of Mana could conceivably have the best RTS controls yet on a non-PC RTS game.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The reason why it’s not fun at times isn’t because it doesn’t replicate the sport well--I would go so far as to say that I wish soccer had as much checking and all-out craziness--but rather that the AI becomes so incredibly cheap in the later tournaments and that there really isn’t much to the overall game aside from just beating the crap out of everyone to make way for a shot on goal.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Unfairly hard.

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