Gaming Age's Scores

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For 7,148 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 51% higher than the average critic
  • 7% same as the average critic
  • 42% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 3.3 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 72
Highest review score: 100 Devil May Cry 4
Lowest review score: 0 NBA Unrivaled
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4,216 out of 7148
  2. Mixed: 1,918 out of 7148
  3. Negative: 1,014 out of 7148
7161 game reviews
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    • 94 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Astro Bot
    To me, the biggest perk Astro Bot has was being able to see my son play and love his time with it so much. He was engulfed in the world immediately and finished the story before I did. He also compared it to Mario Odyssey, which he shares the same love of it as I do. This was a game that continued the Father/Son bonding we have been building in gaming and even came to my rescue on one those difficult challenge levels I mentioned above. Despite the ease of picking the game up, mastering platforming is a whole other challenge and my son was up to the challenge. Seeing him finish the levels I spent 20 minutes trying to pass is one of the coolest nerd dad moments I have had. In short, I cannot boast about this game enough and plan to chat more about it on Pressed For Time in the near future, so stand by. Astro Bot is well worth the price of admission and will be a great gaming option for all ages with the Holidays coming up quickly.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II
    I absolutely loved my time with Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, and I look forward to jumping into more co-op and PVP after the game launches. The main campaign is a real rollercoaster ride of excitement and mayhem, and the sheer volume of enemies that the game tosses at you on a frequent basis make each encounter feel harrowing and epic. It’s a wild ride that I think any action fan will enjoy, whether you’re in love with the world of Warhamer 40,000 or just looking for a fun time that involves blowing lots of stuff up. Definitely check it out, you won’t be disappointed.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Madden NFL 25
    Madden 25 gameplay is very much in line with Madden 24 and is more so just a refinement than any brand new gameplay mechanics or engine implementations, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I found the gameplay smooth, seamless, and all around a good experience. Now is College Football 25 a better experience? In my opinion it is and that is coming from a diehard NFL fan who watches little to no college football. But if you want the NFL players and teams, Madden is really your only option for better or worse.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Star Wars Outlaws
    Star Wars Outlaws is a perfect example of a good game that could’ve been a great one if only its developers had played to its strengths. Hopefully we get an Outlaws II, because there are enough solid ideas here that you could strip out the annoying bits and wind up with a really incredible game.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn
    Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a perfect example of taking a classic title, expanding on it just enough to not ruin the legacy, and making a fantastic game. While it is a little short with only six stages, it will give you enough challenge and replay value to keep you coming back for a long while. NasumeAtari and ININ Games really knocked this one out of the park. I cannot recommend this title enough, download this one as soon as you are able to, you will not be disappointed.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Gundam Breaker 4
    Overall, Gundam Breaker 4 is a fantastic game for fans of Gundam as a whole, whether you are or are not acquainted with previous entries of the series or even the anime. If you’re just a fan of the mecha genre in general and customizing your own mech, I don’t think I could recommend Breaker 4 enough. It’s got excellent customization, fluid combat with enough depth to reward you for getting a feel for multiple attack possibilities, and plenty of reasons to continue to play. The developers have stated that there will be free and paid DLC released throughout the game’s life cycle, so be sure to stay tuned for new updates.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Visions of Mana
    The charm of Visions of Mana manages to shine through. It’s not the most visually impressive game on any platform, but the colorful art style feels Mana appropriate, the soundtrack is solid if not quite as memorable as prior series entries, and the explorable world is larger than you’d expect, with lots of little chests and other items to find scattered about. I definitely did not hate my time with Visions of Mana, but it’s also not a game that feels like it’ll garner much mass appeal either. If you’re like me, and have fond memories of Mana games prior, then it’s worth checking out. For everyone else, there are plenty of RPG’s on the market that are more worth your time.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Concord
    I’m still marking Concord fairly high, as it’s a fun shooter with solid online play that I’ve really enjoyed playing, and look forward to continuing with throughout the year. I hope that the ship can be righted so the game has a chance to really come to life, and I’d like to see what the devs have planned for future modes, characters and so on, but at the same time it’s hard to suggest anyone drop $40 on a game that feels like it may be destined for heavy discounts, or even go free-to-play, in the near future. If you’re absolutely itching for a new hero shooter to check out, I definitely think you can have some fun with Concord, but if you’re still on the fence, you might be better off waiting just a bit longer to see how or if Concord can overcome its rocky launch.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Love, Ghostie
    It’s every bit as shallow as the dating shows that inspired it, so if that’s the kind of game you’re after – and the continued popularity of the genre shows some people are – then this may be right up your alley.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Creatures of Ava
    Creatures of Ava is one of the rare wholesome games that adds enjoyable gameplay to its cozy atmosphere. It brings together ideas you’ve seen elsewhere, but does so in a way that makes them more or less its own.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 55 Critic Score
    Guayota
    Had it kept things simple – say, with lots of straightforward puzzles to solve with an overarching story that’s easy to follow – it probably would’ve been great. Instead we have needlessly hard puzzles accompanied by an overly complicated plot. Saying, “less is more” can come off as trite, but in this case it’s totally true.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Black Myth: Wukong
    Black Myth: Wukong pretty much delivers on what it always promised: a gorgeous world where you get to battle crazy monsters and demons. It would be nice if there was a little more to do between the craziest monsters and demons, but if you want a game that will test you while giving you some nice scenery to look at, you’ll find it here.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    CYGNI: All Guns Blazing
    CYGNI: All Guns Blazing is a very surprising release. These kind of games usually aren’t done well enough to garner attention from today’s gamers, but Konami really hit it out of the park with this one. It can be difficult and seem a little unfair at times, but that is what makes a great vertical shooter. The challenge is real here, and you feel accomplished when you finally make it through that difficult area. If you are a fan of these classic style, vertical scrolling shooters, or just looking for a solid challenge, then CYGNI: All Guns Blazing has you covered. Definitely check this one out anyway you can, you won’t be disappointed.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Aero the Acro-Bat
    This was my first time really sitting down and playing Aero the Acro-Bat. I never really had interest in the game when it was originally released, and after my playthrough now, I remain unimpressed. While not broken, the control is a bit too erratic, the overall gameplay can become stale and annoying and while it does throw some challenge your way from time to time, it’s a rather short game that leaves you feeling unfulfilled. Since this is a bare bones port with nothing of note added, I have a hard time recommending downloading this one. This game does has it’s fans, but it’s not going to grab too many new fans. If your curious, try it out, but don’t expect to be presented with a hidden gem from the past.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Cat Quest III
    All in all, Cat Quest III is simply fantastic. It’s got a vibrant world, fun action, a solid story, and, of course, pirate cats, all wrapped together in a package that should entice anyone.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
    I mean, I’m sure that if you loved Star Wars: Bounty Hunter back when it first came out 20+ years ago, you’ll probably still have a soft spot for it. And it’s certainly far from a bad game – as shooters go, it’s definitely competent. But that doesn’t make it some long-lost hidden gem. It was a so-so game back then, and it’s still a so-so game today.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Weko The Mask Gatherer
    In other words, if you’re just looking for a Zelda-like, you may find yourself a little disappointed by Weko The Mask Gatherer: it’s that, but it’s a lot more than that. It’ll challenge you far more than you might expect at first glance, but the end result is definitely worth it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Quintus and the Formidable Curse
    Quintus and the Formidable Curse’s one saving grace is that it an odd, off-kilter color scheme that gives the game some eerie vibes — always a good thing in a horror game — but ultimately, those aren’t enough to distract from the fact that the scariest thing about this game is that it was released in this state.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Earth Defense Force 6
    The main problem with EDF6, though, is that there’s simply too much of it. The base game includes 147 levels, each with five difficulty levels if you really want to be a completist. While it’s undeniably fun to blast away at aliens, bugs, and robots, at a certain point it all feels a little repetitive. The game starts to feel like a slog of explosions, no matter what the setting is. Still, that’s always been the ethos at the core of the Earth Defence Force series: blowing stuff up in the service of a story that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. It’s a mindset that, for better or for worse – largely for better – is alive and well in Earth Defense Force 6.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Kitsune Tails
    Obviously, the big draw in Kitsune Tails isn’t meant to be the gameplay – you don’t make the focus of your game a lesbian love triangle between two mythical creatures and a sorceress if you aren’t hoping to draw in fans who want a meaty narrative at the core of their games. But while that may be fine for a visual novel, if you’re trying to sell a 2D platformer you need good gameplay too. And even if Kitsune Tails borrows liberally from one of the best of those ever made, it doesn’t come anywhere close to living up to its inspiration.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Marvel's Iron Man VR
    Iron Man VR is a pinnacle of VR technology and a game that I would show to anyone who was interested in seeing what VR had to offer. It highlights just what makes VR special in a way that few other games have. It ranks up there with Half-Life: Alyx as one of the must-have titles for anyone with a VR headset.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    SteamWorld Heist II
    I really enjoyed this follow-up to SteamWorld Heist, and I’m glad to see Thunderful revisting this particular entry in the SteamWorld universe once again. Hopefully it doesn’t take another 9 years to see another SteamWorld Heist, as it’s a unique strategy series that certainly deserves more attention. Definitely check it out when the game launches on all modern platforms August 8th, you’ll be happy you did.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    EA Sports College Football 25
    EA Sports could have done the easiest thing and reskinned the Madden engine and this would have still sold millions, so for them to not take that route I think they should be commended. College Football 25 is a definite buy for the college and pro football fan alike.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu
    It brings its own style and its own unique demands to table, which means that if you’re a fan of the genre, you should probably check it out.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Pine Hearts
    Pine Hearts is one of those rare wholesome, cozy games that doesn’t try to use an emotional overlay to hide gameplay that’s not very fun when you get down to it – it’s got an emotional core underneath a game that’s fun to play. But it picked up some bad habits from the genre’s lesser lights, and that prevents Pine Hearts from being one of the genre’s true highlights.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition
    It has plenty of flaws that are very easy to see, and I’m sure those will frustrate lots of people. But at the same time, these games are classics for a reason, and even if the experience isn’t wholly perfect, the package is still enjoyable enough that it’s sure to please pretty much everyone who plays it.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
    I genuinely believe that Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail is a phenomenal start to a new story, and that I am very excited to see where the dev team takes us next in the post-expansion patch content. From adding in more EX trials for mounts, new dungeons, raids and more, Final Fantasy XIV fans are feasting with yet more great content from Yoshida-san and the rest of his team.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tobla - Divine Path
    To be sure, you probably shouldn’t pick it up at full price (though, at the same time, getting 90 minutes or so of solid entertainment for $8 isn’t exactly a terrible value proposition, and you’re supporting an indie developer). But if you’re a fan of Portal-style puzzlers, you should buy it all the same.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III
    Parasol Stars is a fantastic, single screen game that challenges while it charms. Easy to learn but hard to put down, this game is what classic gaming is all about. I only played this a small amount during its initial release, but only after a few playthroughs with this release and I have a new favorite classic. It’s even more fun when 2 players take on the challenges together! Definitely give this one a try if you can, you won’t regret it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Bureau of Contacts
    It’s a genuinely fun time, and I hope the developers stick with it and turn it into something even better. [Early Access Provisional Score = 80]
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Corsair's Madness
    Take all these things together, and you have the ingredients for a game that doesn’t add much new to its inspirations, but that’s nonetheless good at capturing the spirit of what made those games fun. Corsair’s Madness won’t make you forget about classics from the NES era, but it’s fun enough that you could easily imagine playing right alongside them.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    BattleCakes
    It’s a cozy game that realizes a sickly sweet veneer isn’t enough to draw people in, you also need to provide solid gameplay – and that’s something this game delivers. You’ll have to have a high tolerance for cutesiness, to be sure, but in the end, it’s worth it.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom
    To be sure, Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom isn’t the first game that tries so hard to be wacky, nor would I begrudge developers who want a game that’s popular among streamers. But I can’t say that the end result is all that fun – not when there are all kinds of genuinely good modern 3D platformers out there that don’t rely nearly as much on silly gimmicks.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    My Horse: Bonded Spirits
    While no one would confuse it for a GOTY contender or anything, it’s still a solid riding simulator with a decent amount of content. Given how bad it could’ve been, that seems like a win.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Frogun Encore
    It’s a perfectly serviceable retro-tinged 3D platformer, but we live at a time when there are lots and lots of those, and enough of them do it better that you’re probably better off playing them instead.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 55 Critic Score
    RIN: The Last Child
    As Metroidvanias go, it’s fine, but if you want anything more than just average, you’re not going to find it here.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Luigi's Mansion 2 HD
    Even if it was outshined by its successor, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is still worth your time. It may not be the GOTY contender that Luigi’s Mansion 3 was, but if you give it a chance, you’ll still find it worth your while.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Crow Country
    Crow Country is clearly influenced by some of the scariest games of the ‘90s, but it’s good enough that it can be enjoyed today even if you never played those games the first time around (or even if you’re generally too much of a scaredy cat to play them).
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The Glass Staircase
    Overall, I enjoyed Puppet Combo’s latest horror installment. It started slowly, then escalated to full nonstop combat. The characters were intriguing, as was the backstory that drove the narrative forward. I enjoyed learning about the downfall of Dr. Edward Sullivan through all the pages obtained in the house, as it gave it a very Alan Wake vibe. My only issue with the game was the aiming mechanism. In ’90s games, when they often utilized fixed camera angles, the auto-aim would automatically lock on. Unlike in this instance, it aimed straight ahead and then had to be manually maneuvered to where I wanted to shoot. If ’90s aesthetics are the goal, then I believe that only one aspect of retro gaming gameplay should be implemented to not overwhelm the player with all the non-intuitive controls that annoyed us when we played these games when we were younger.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    #BLUD
    I cannot overstate how much I dug the visuals in this game, it’s a refreshing change of pace from other indie dungeon crawlers that often rely on 8-bit or 16-bit aesthetics, and I hope we see a sequel to #BLUD sometime in the future.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Dread Delusion
    Dread Delusion has a very clear idea of what kind of game it wants to be, and who it appeals to – and if you’re in that target market, then this is a must-play game for you.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
    All-in-all, Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble is a great time, albeit held back by the same lackluster camera the series has always had and the framerate causing some issues, but otherwise it’s a very solid title.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Bang Average Football
    Bang Average Football is a game that deserves having people play game after game after game. Not only does it perfectly nail the feeling of playing sports games back in their infancy, it also adds a cozy, Stardew Valley-style frame around the whole thing that you’ll want to do even if you don’t usually like those kinds of sims. It’s an excellent game all-around that does a whole lot of things right.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
    Shadow of the Erdtree is another perfect culmination of everything that has come before it, which at this point seems to just be the norm for From Software. Some of the greatest moments in all of Souls are found within Shadow of the Erdtree, but it will make you work harder for them than ever before. Exploration and curiosity are the key, and you will be rewarded in ways that you cannot imagine as you delve into the Shadow Realm introduced here. I adored Shadow of the Erdtree, and cannot wait for more people to experience what has so thoroughly blown me away in my time with it.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Monster Hunter Stories Collection
    Overall I would highly recommend checking out both games in this collection, whether you’re picking it up as a bundle or as separate releases. Both games are great, and even if Monster Hunter Stories is a little dated compared to the sequel, it’s still a lot of fun. Even if you’ve never played a traditional Monster Hunter title before, Monster Hunter Stories Collection offers up such a different take on the series that you’ll have no trouble starting here. It is very much its own thing, and something that I hope we continue to see more of in the years to come.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Still Wakes the Deep
    It’s what The Chinese Room does best. Still Wakes the Deep is exactly the kind of game that made the studio well-known in the first place, and it shows that even after a few years away from the genre, they’re still the masters of it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Serum: Toxic Survival
    It’s a decent enough game now, and provided its developers see it through to a full release, it seems reasonable to believe that it’ll continue to improve. [Early Access Provisional Score = 70]
    • 81 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Kingdom Hearts HD I.5 + II.5 Remix
    I can’t in good faith recommend KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX- for a full price purchase given how they perform, even if you’re a fan. I played the Kingdom Hearts franchise on PS4, so I was ecstatic to be able to play them on my preferred platform, but other than the third entry and Fragmentary Passage, it just doesn’t seem to be easily done. I’d highly recommend a sale and having some patience if you want to dive into them, because they’re not for the faint of heart. It’s a damn shame, but I guess not every port’s gonna be a good one.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
    All in all, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a massive improvement over the original, boasting two full-length story modes with multiple endings for you to go through and explore. Combined with a new bunch of demons, new music, new mechanics, and much more, this is absolutely the definitive way to play this game. Other than some minor level scaling problems that still remain from the base game, it is a phenomenal RPG that encourages multiple playthroughs with plenty of unique build variety as vast as the player is willing to look. I genuinely cannot possibly recommend Vengeance enough to fans of turn-based RPGs, or even fans of Persona that may still not be versed in what SMT has to offer differently. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance releases for all major platforms on June 13th, and is well worth your money. Give it a shot, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Raccoo Venture
    The more you play, the more it feels like Raccoo Venture misses the mark just enough to make it feel like a bit of a letdown. It’s a solid game, but with a few tweaks it could’ve been a lot more.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Heading Out
    If you go into Heading Out expecting a driving game, you’re probably going to be sorely disappointed. It’s something entirely different from that – and, improbably (given the different genres being thrown together), it works incredibly well.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Capes
    It’s got a great idea but it doesn’t come close to living up to its promise, and you’re better off playing any number of other superhero games or XCOM-alikes.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
    I have no doubt that if you loved Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door the first time around there’s nothing here that will detract from your memories – and if you’re looking to check the game out for the first time, it’s probably aged better than most of its contemporaries, the occasionally slow pacing aside. But throughout my time with Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, I found my attention wandering and my interest waning far too much to be able to say I have the same amount of love for it as others do.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Braid Anniversary Edition
    Games like Braid are best experienced when playing with little knowledge of gameplay and/or story. While the levels are challenging, this was one of the first games I remember feeling a true sense of accomplishment once each level was completed. It’s an inexpensive title that is worth the price of admission, and if you have played it before and may not be interested in revisiting it, I would encourage you to recommend it to newcomers so it can grow a new fanbase.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story
    Even as a single-player adventure, Song of Nunu delivers. It may or may not be a faithful representation of the League of Legends characters, but it says a lot about the quality of this game that none of that really matters.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dicefolk
    Every run in Dicefolk brings new adventures, and it’s a sign of how well it’s put together that you’ll definitely want to go on run after run after run.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
    All in all, Ghost of Tsushima is an incredible package for $60 and well worth your time if you have even a moderate-strength PC. I have zero doubt about you finding some sort of combination of settings to make the game run as smoothly as you’d like. Incredible ups to Nixxes and Sony for this port.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Senua's Saga: Hellblade II
    Ninja Theory really knows how to end a game, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is no different. If you’re looking for a God Of War clone, this is not that game. With its unique presentation, cinematic narrative with amazing storytelling, game-changing visuals, beautiful sound design, and digestible length, Xbox Games Studios and Ninja Theory have a successful franchise on their hands. I want to continue to come back to Senua and go on these adventures. If you have Xbox Game Pass, go download this and Senua’s Sacrifice.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 5 Critic Score
    Metro Simulator 2
    Is Metro Simulator 2 the worst game on the Switch? It’s quite possible. There’s a lot of shovelware to be found in the eShop, and I’ve only played a fraction of it, but there’s a strong argument to be made that Metro Simulator 2 might be the worst of the bunch.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Alpha Protocol
    It’s a solid spy adventure that deserves to be rediscovered, and it’s a reminder that even the seventh generation’s second- or third-tier games were still pretty exceptional.
    • 51 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator
    Taxi Life wouldn’t be a very good job simulator if it tried to add in a bunch of glitz and glamor. But it’s still possible for a game to be a solid job simulator while also having fun elements (or at least being so terrible at representing its job that it becomes laughably good). Taxi Life doesn’t come anywhere close to either extreme: it shows how boring it can be to be a taxi driver, and it makes it so that you don’t have any real reason to play this game.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Biomutant
    There are an abundance of much worse games to play on the Switch, to be sure, but there are also plenty of games that are better, so unless you just want to kill time shooting things in an open world – which, to be fair, is sometimes a wholly understandable impulse – you’re better off avoiding this one entirely.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    V Rising
    V Rising is quite a fun package with great progression, but is held back by how extremely grindy it can be. The combat feels good (albeit can be stale with limited movesets) with the selection of skills and spells you unlock with each boss defeat, the world feels great to explore even while keeping to the shade during the day, and the building feels right at home with some modern city-builders. I think it’s definitely worth giving it a shot, especially with friends, because the solo experience can be quite boring after a while unless you’re really into a solo survival experience. Definitely keep your eyes on this title, and maybe wait for a sale to really sink your teeth into if you’re hesitant.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Little Kitty, Big City
    Little Kitty, Big City is an adorable, delightful gem of a game, in other words. And in that respect, the comparison to Untitled Goose Game is especially apt – both are an absolute blast, and just like UGG became a much-loved game, it’s easy to imagine Little Kitty, Big City following the same path.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Rainbow Cotton Remaster
    Rainbow Cotton is a very good HD re-release of a classic game that not many people got a chance to play. Not only was it on a system that wasn’t known for its shooters, it was also never given a world wide release, making this one a true hidden gem. If you’re a fan of other Cotton games, you will love what is presented here. If you are new to the Cotton series, I can easily recommend this as a good starting game to get into the world of Cotton. Overall, this is a bare bones remaster with not many extras included, outside of a couch co-op mode that wasn’t in the original. It’s a short, wacky shooter that can be enjoyed by almost anyone. I highly recommend picking this one up if you can. It’s fun, and It does not disappoint.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Endless Ocean Luminous
    While I did not run into any bugs amidst my time playing Endless Ocean: Luminous, and it did run at a very comfortable 30fps, it just adds up to an incredible disappointment and doesn’t really have much going for it. It’s a downgrade from the Wii titles in basically every conceivable manner, and I sincerely cannot recommend it, especially for a $50 price tag. If you have the option, please just go find a copy of the second game at a secondhand shop for $15. I promise you it’ll be a better experience.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Political Machine 2024
    There’s no reason why it has to be this dull. It’s a step up from The Political Machine 2020, but The Political Machine 2024 is still far from being the in-depth election sim it promises itself to be.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron HD Remaster
    Beautiful visuals and an inventive story can only take you so far; at some point the gameplay needs to be there too, and as you’ll see time and again, that’s not the case here.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Children of the Sun
    Like Hotline Miami a decade ago it stretches the limits of what a puzzler can be into some bloody places, and it pulls it off so well that you can’t help but enjoy every minute of it.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
    It’s hard to recommend Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 without acknowledging that big DLC-shaped elephant in the corner. It’s not as bad as, say, the NBA 2K series or any others like it that are effectively pay-to-win, but it’s enough that it could put a damper on your enjoyment of an otherwise fun game. That said, if you can ignore the DLC push and just want a flashy racer, this will deliver on that.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    SAND LAND
    The game is about 40 hours long if you want to fully complete the side quests. If you’re looking for a charming new action RPG to explore, I would recommend Sand Land — even with some of the game’s hollow aspects, there is much fun here. The Akira Toriyama story is worth the price of admission alone, and you won’t want to miss an opportunity to play in his sandbox.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Horizon Forbidden West: Complete Edition
    Not many games in recent years have come up with something as thrilling as taking on massive robot monsters like you find here, and it’s a mark of how well it’s done in Forbidden West that every time you see one of those familiar flashes, you’ll feel your adrenaline start pumping as you draw your bow and arrow and take aim. Obviously, it’ll be even more fun if you have a PC that runs the game without any compromises. But even if you just want something for your Steam Deck, Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition delivers.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Stellar Blade
    For a first console development effort, Shift Up knocked it out of the park with Stellar Blade. They crafted a fascinating world, combat system that felt so good to the point where I would seek it out encounters less I was running low on health items. As stated in the previous statement, players will be surprised by Eve’s characterization and she will probably find her footing amongst other female protagonists such Samus Aran, 2B and Bayonetta. Much like Round8’s Lies of P helped put a spotlight on the South Korean Games Development scene, Shift Up’s effort will just make that light brighter. Shift Up certainly stepped up!
    • 65 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Lunar Lander Beyond
    Lunar Lander Beyond is definitely beyond what it’s predecessor brought. Everything has been turned up and upside down with this reimagining. The insanity aspect and the ability to get new ships and upgrades is really cool, while the overall story is fun and lighthearted at times while being scary and intriguing at others. Its one of those games where you want to constantly do better and want to beat that tough mission you failed at 30 times. You just want to hop back in and keep trying, and it really makes for a good time. I can recommend this one for anyone looking for a unique challenge that will keep you busy for a long while, and for those that like reimagining of classic games. Another solid release for Atari!
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Nightingale
    For now, though, Nightingale isn’t quite there. I’m still interested in seeing where the game gets to by the time it leaves Early Access, because I’m still intrigued by its promise, but for now, it needs some work. [Early Access Provisional Score = 65]
    • 59 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
    I can’t say that Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a bad game. It’s a solid attempt at recreating that Suikoden experience, and I can appreciate that someone out there is still trying to keep its spirit alive in some manner. I think, and hope, that a sequel will ideally work out some of these issues and make for a better showing, but if you absolutely want to capture the feel of playing through a Suikoden title again, then Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes will likely be right up your alley.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Botany Manor
    It’s a relaxing puzzler that doesn’t allow being “cozy” to get in the way of challenging you just enough. If you’re tired of puzzlers that all feel like they’re chasing after a game that almost perfected the genre more than a decade ago, this will be a very pleasant change of pace.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Minishoot' Adventures
    Minishoot Adventures doesn’t break any new ground – even if all these genres aren’t usually together, they’ve all been around long enough that it all feels familiar. But that’s also Minishoot Adventures’ biggest strength: it all feels so familiar that you can’t help but feel like you’re playing an old classic. Time will tell, of course, whether the game has the anything close to the same kind of staying power as its influences, but based on what’s on offer here, I don’t know that I’d bet against it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Quilts and Cats of Calico
    Even as someone who likes cats and puzzles – in other words, the target audience – I wouldn’t say I’d recommend Quilts and Cats of Calico unless you’re already a fan of the board game. No matter how cute and cuddly it may present itself as, the reality is much more demanding.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    El Paso, Elsewhere
    It may be a little short on originality, but all in all, it’s fun enough that it’s pretty easy to overlook that.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    MLB The Show 24
    Even an occasionally stutter-y MLB The Show 24 is still a fairly solid baseball game, allowing you to dig as deeply into your franchise or Diamond Dynasty as you want. It’s undeniably a step backwards from last year’s version, but if you missed that edition or if you want updated rosters, then now is as good a time as any to check it out – as long as you’re okay with some less-than-stellar performance.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Chasing the Unseen
    It makes for an interesting experience that probably won’t appeal to everyone – but it’s such an intriguing mixture that it feels like it deserves to be recognized, and it’s very easy to imagine someone absolutely loving Chasing the Unseen.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Pepper Grinder
    Pepper Grinder is an innovative platformer that should be on your backlog of games to play and is the perfect snack-sized experience to hold you over until your next big title. The fluid gameplay, stunning pixel art visuals and slapping soundtrack will make you hungry for more.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Princess Peach: Showtime!
    Does Princess Peach: Showtime! reach the level of, say, Super Mario Bros. Wonder? Probably not. But it’s certainly on par with any of the solo Luigi or Yoshi outings we’ve had. Here’s hoping that we don’t have to wait another two decades for Peach to get another starring role, because this one is well worth your time.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    South Park: Snow Day!
    Overall, I believe that South Park: Snow Day is quite a great time. It offers good replay value with changes to the game once you complete the main campaign, encounters seem to change when you replay levels, and it just offers a lot of that fun roguelike/roguelite feel we’ve come to enjoy from other titles. I genuinely believe that for the price point, get your friends together and I think you’ll enjoy yourselves a ton. It’s a very well put together game, and I don’t believe we encountered any bugs in our playthrough other than maybe some collision issues in terrain. It’s just a very solid title, I don’t really have anything negative to say other than perhaps its length. Tyler and I managed to finish our first playthrough in roughly 4 to 5 hours, but again, it offers reasons to replay it, so I don’t particularly see that as an issue. Absolutely great release from the team at Question and from publisher THQ Nordic.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Neon Tail
    If you just focus on the fun and the joy of movement, there’s definitely something in Neon Tail worth experiencing. It may not be a GOTY contender, but as I said, if you like JSR and its ilk, you’ll want to check this out – just make sure you don’t get bogged down in its tutorial first.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    MLB The Show 24
    I wouldn’t call MLB The Show 24 a disappointment overall, though. However, I also wouldn’t call it an unqualified success. It’s certainly better this year than it has been the past few years thanks to a few fun tweaks, but the bottom line is more or less the same as it is every year: if you skipped a year or two it’s a good place to jump back in; if you played last year’s edition your mileage will vary depending on how important it is to you that you get a new season of storylines, plus the ability to create a female player. Nothing in MLB The Show 24 achieves the same comparative highs of the franchise during its glory years from a decade ago, but it’s undeniably a very outing.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dragon's Dogma 2
    I’d wholeheartedly recommend checking out Dragon’s Dogma 2, whether it’s a game you’ve been anticipating for the past 12 years, or you’re just curious as to what all the hype is about. It’s an extremely fun RPG in a year that’s already seen a number of excellent RPG’s, which is really saying something when you look back at what’s come out since January. Definitely give it a shot, you won’t be disappointed.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Rise of the Ronin
    Anyone wanting a semi-RPG, semi-hack and slash, semi-historical epic, semi-action adventure game will probably find something to enjoy here. I was just never able to find that spark within Rise of the Ronin, and am glad that I am finished with it now.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Outcast: A New Beginning
    The game’s star, Cutter Slade, is a wise-cracking jerk who’s trying to get back to his daughter while also apparently being the prophecied Chosen One. That doesn’t make any of it good, but if you’re a connoisseur of that very specific genre, there’s a reasonably good chance you’re going to love Outcast – A New Beginning. But again, appeals to a certain kind of nostalgia aside, it’s worth emphasizing that Outcast – A New Beginning is not a good game. Its predecessor may have been groundbreaking for 3D open-world games, but we’re definitely not getting that this time around.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Alone in the Dark
    It’s such a great time to be a horror game fan and I feel going into Alone in the Dark with an open mind will help for a much more enjoyable experience. I think Jodie Comer and David Harbour did a great job in their respective roles and would love to see more content in the future. We have an IP that inspired so many games into a genre all its own and now it’s time for the master to become the student as it’s learned so much from other staples in horror like Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and The Suffering for some examples. Alone in the Dark doesn’t try to mimic any of these games by inspiring them to pay respect to what fans love.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Highwater
    I would recommend that you buy Highwater for the soundtrack alone if anything else. The moments I got to sail around and just listen and take in what was happening around me were fabulous. If you can get past the very sobering fact that we are currently dealing with a climate crisis in real-time, I would give this one a try.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology
    If you don’t care about the various characters that make up The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology, you’re just left with a 3D platformer where you move at a crawl and you’re constantly getting stuck in frustrating stealth sections. That may be fine for fans, but for everyone else, I have to imagine it’ll be a non-starter.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Pocket Fishing
    The Switch has plenty of fishing games on offer, so there’s no need to waste your time with one as frustrating and dull as Pocket Fishing.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    qomp2
    Unfortunately, I did not enjoy my time with qomp2. I found it to be boring, frustrating and not very fun overall. Granted there is NOTHING wrong with the game itself, as everything is presented as intended by the developers. It’s just one of those games that will not appeal to everyone. Some people out there may like it while others, like me, will find it repetitive and boring. If you are looking for a puzzle game, based off of a classic game that is challenging to the mind while offering a feeling of slight accomplishment, then you should give this one a try. Everyone else, I suggest you skip this one. qomp2 is not broken or bad, but definitely not for everyone.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    The Thaumaturge
    You’ve got an interesting setting, a ton of material, all kinds of ideas, and a studio that clearly knows what it’s doing. That all of that got combined into something as forgettable as this is pretty disappointing, and it makes it awfully easy to skip past this game without a second thought.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island
    Overall this is an excellent sequel to the series and great addition for new players and experienced ones. After an 11 year wait since the previous title it feels good to say that Shiren is back.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pacific Drive
    As I said up top, the whole game is something you’re either going to love or hate. Pacific Drive isn’t going to leave many (or any) people saying, “Enh, it was okay.” You might think it’s a brilliant take on the survival genre, or you might think it’s endless amounts of busy work without enough of a payoff, but either way, it’s guaranteed to get a reaction out of you.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    WWE 2K24
    I know I really hammered on the Showcase mode, but I really did enjoy my time with WWE 2K24 as a whole, I just expected better from that mode especially based on its history. Regardless of that mode this is the definitive wrestling video game of this year or even the past five years! The enormous roster and multitude of match types will leave you with many hours of dream matches or fantasy bookings. This is an absolute buy, so grab a copy and FINALLY finish your story. Also let’s go McIntyre!
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Golfinite
    Of course, I’m sure I’ll regret complimenting Golfinite a few months from now, when there are half a dozen different versions of the game clogging up the New Releases section. But for now, before we get the rush of “Ultra Deluxe Summertime Fun Editions” that are surely in its future, I’ll say that golf fans could do a lot worse than checking Golfinite out.
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