GamingExcellence's Scores

  • Games
For 1,018 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 58% higher than the average critic
  • 4% same as the average critic
  • 38% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 1.5 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 73
Highest review score: 100 Grand Theft Auto IV
Lowest review score: 12 American McGee Presents Bad Day LA
Score distribution:
1018 game reviews
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Overall, From Dust is very vibrant and interesting game and concept, with many compelling aspects to the gameplay. The visuals are stunning, the gameplay is simple and it can easily be played for an hour or five. However, it can become very tedious and frustrating in later levels. And because of the great simplicity of the game itself, frustrated players can find themselves losing interest in the game itself. It's a compelling game for puzzle lovers, but I would suggest caution for others who find themselves getting easily frustrated by having to juggle multiple aspects at once.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As an adventure game, Secrets of the Ark is a very good one, assuming you can get over the hurdles and high degree of difficulty some of the puzzles require.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There are a lot of bland puzzle titles that fail on one level or another but Cradle of Rome manages to avoid that status just narrowly.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    You can easily have more fun with this game than some of the full priced titles on the market.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This latest game in the Etrian Odyssey is going to be a lot of fun for the fans of the series, or of the dungeon-crawling genre in general.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While it’s not perfect and does have a few detracting flaws, Combined Assault is still one of the best SOCOM titles to date.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Nancy Drew: Legend of the Crystal Skull is definitely worth adding to the growing Nancy Drew catalogue. It’s a decent game for adventure fans who just want a game to play.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Overall, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a pretty good game. If you are a Star Wars fan, you owe it to yourself to add this to your collection.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    I was surprised by how much fun I had with De Blob 2, considering I had never played the first. It's catchy, easy to pick up, and pleasing enough to the eyes and ears to continue playing for hours at a time. It's not without flaws, however, including some niggling camera complaints and the checkpoint system that gets worse the further you play. Still, while these do affect the end result, it's hard not to recommend the game to someone who enjoys a light, color-filled platformer to spend time on.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Aftermath is better suited to players who are new to the survival-horror series and want better odds of finishing the game with minimizing the feeling of helplessness and dread.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    I was surprised by how much fun I had with De Blob 2, considering I had never played the first. It's catchy, easy to pick up, and pleasing enough to the eyes and ears to continue playing for hours at a time. It's not without flaws, however, including some niggling camera complaints and the checkpoint system that gets worse the further you play. Still, while these do affect the end result, it's hard not to recommend the game to someone who enjoys a light, color-filled platformer to spend time on.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    I was surprised by how much fun I had with De Blob 2, considering I had never played the first. It's catchy, easy to pick up, and pleasing enough to the eyes and ears to continue playing for hours at a time. It's not without flaws, however, including some niggling camera complaints and the checkpoint system that gets worse the further you play. Still, while these do affect the end result, it's hard not to recommend the game to someone who enjoys a light, color-filled platformer to spend time on.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In the end UFC is definitely a worthy investment for those that have the patience, and time, to learn how to play the game as it’s intended to be played.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The constant strategic thinking and planning required to keep things moving forward are well balanced and will draw players in very quickly.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Race 07 certainly does appeal to the enthusiasts of the serious racing genre, but does a lot to make the game playable by those who aren’t quite familiar with the proper procedure to take a turn without spinning wildly out of control.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A fun city-building sandbox game, especially for those that like balancing a myriad of options like space, happiness, budget, resources, and political obligations.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In the end, Marvel Ultimate Alliance is really a better version of the X-Men Legends game with better graphics, a longer story, bigger levels, more powers, more unlockables, more characters and an even better co-op mode. Unfortunately, this is also a game that you may have already played twice before.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A lack of scares doesn't mean that this game isn't an incredibly fun and competent video game. It's got some great gun based violence on display, fun cooperative action and two unique characters to round out the mix. Really the only drawback that should stop you from buying this is if you really hate games with gimped split-screen gameplay or are expecting a tense, nail-biting horror video game.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A lack of scares doesn't mean that this game isn't an incredibly fun and competent video game. It's got some great gun based violence on display, fun cooperative action and two unique characters to round out the mix. Really the only drawback that should stop you from buying this is if you really hate games with gimped split-screen gameplay or are expecting a tense, nail-biting horror video game.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A lack of scares doesn't mean that this game isn't an incredibly fun and competent video game. It's got some great gun based violence on display, fun cooperative action and two unique characters to round out the mix. Really the only drawback that should stop you from buying this is if you really hate games with gimped split-screen gameplay or are expecting a tense, nail-biting horror video game.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Overall, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a pretty good game. If you are a Star Wars fan, you owe it to yourself to add this to your collection.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As it stands Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is a great game that does what it set out to do, make an engrossing squad based FPS.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Origins is a fun game with great story and visuals, perfect for fans of Wolverine, hack and slash gameplay or a shirtless Hugh Jackman.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Order Up! Is a perfect example of a budget title done right.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    When it comes to battling, the possibilities of engaging in combat provide an interesting dynamic.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In summary, TV Party is an Ubisoft Rabbid game. If you liked the first two, you'll love this one.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Overall, Tabula Rasa is a very fun MMORPG.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As a consumer who’s already purchased and played through two X-Men Legends game, I was expecting a bit more of a departure from the safe, established franchise.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    DarkStar One is the game you might have played before, but everything that you’ve seen before is done just as well here, if not better and still makes for an enjoyable experience.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While the story and some of the gameplay elements could use some work, the sheer variety of action is enough to set it apart from a lot of so called “run and shoot” FPS games out there.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Japanese culture and rich storyline do a lot to draw players in just like an RPG would. The fighting mechanics are extremely fun and breaking a bicycle on some Yakuza guy’s head never gets old.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There isn't too much to say about Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet; it's a very solid exploratory adventure title that's needs a bit more length to justify a full-priced purchase of. Excellent art and music really bring the world to life, and a multiplayer mode that can eat up an hour or so of time, if you're so inclined makes a pretty good game that I'd casually recommend.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fun and frustration have rarely come together in such a cohesive package as they do with Trials HD. Those looking for a physics puzzler that will push your gaming skills as far as they’ve ever been stretched have certainly found their new obsession. For the rest of us, Trials is still worth a look, but the recommendation is not quite as enthusiastic.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is a great game. While the combat is pretty repetitive, it is not boring thanks to the two suits and the seamless transition between them.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Although you may not lay down enough beats with Traxxpad to be considered the next MC Hammer, you'll definitely pump out enough for you and your friends to trade and enjoy.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Origins is a fun game with great story and visuals, perfect for fans of Wolverine, hack and slash gameplay or a shirtless Hugh Jackman.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Origins is a fun game with great story and visuals, perfect for fans of Wolverine, hack and slash gameplay or a shirtless Hugh Jackman.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In the end, Marvel Ultimate Alliance is really a better version of the X-Men Legends game with better graphics, a longer story, bigger levels, more powers, more unlockables, more characters and an even better co-op mode. Unfortunately, this is also a game that you may have already played twice before.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The game is as visually and acoustically appealing as Sudoku can be. The game is colourful, full of personality, and the grid is large and easy to read.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    TrackMania United is one of the best racing titles I've had the chance to come across in a long time.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Overall, the game is very enjoyable and a good attempt at bringing a new crowd onboard to the Xbox scene.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    In the end, Destroy All Humans! 2 removes all the annoying issues from the first game, but also feels a little too safe in certain instances.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Multiplayer is the tarnished jewel in the crown.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    You may love that it has some of the best physics out there and that it can blow GT or Forza out of the water in that department. But then again, you'll probably hate the bland graphics, steep learning curve, and shoddy multiplayer.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    DJ Hero 2 is fundamentally more fun than its predecessor, but the single-minded track list leaves something to be desired.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    If it wasn't for the not-for-everyone grind house aesthetic of the game and the short play length, Shadows of the Damned would be a slam dunk recommendation. If you want some grindhouse and road movie in your game, this is the experience just for you. Even if you're a horror fan who's looking for something a little less serious than Dead Space of the latest F.E.A.R. title, you may just find what you're looking for here as well.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    If it wasn't for the not-for-everyone grind house aesthetic of the game and the short play length, Shadows of the Damned would be a slam dunk recommendation. If you want some grindhouse and road movie in your game, this is the experience just for you. Even if you're a horror fan who's looking for something a little less serious than Dead Space of the latest F.E.A.R. title, you may just find what you're looking for here as well.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    DJ Hero 2 is fundamentally more fun than its predecessor, but the single-minded track list leaves something to be desired.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Much like Madden, NHL, or any other hardcore simulation of a sport, F1 2011 is really meant for fans of the sport, and little else. More casual racers won't find what they're looking for here. If you're a hardcore Formula One fan, this is your holy grail.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Much like Madden, NHL, or any other hardcore simulation of a sport, F1 2011 is really meant for fans of the sport, and little else. More casual racers won't find what they're looking for here. If you're a hardcore Formula One fan, this is your holy grail.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Crypto remains a supremely fun character and hopefully we'll get to see him again soon on next-gen hardware. A fun diversion.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    The visuals are very well done and the sound is simply incredible, especially with the score it has.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    If it weren’t for the bloated playtime and weak set of characters, JC2 would have reached its full potential and become a true franchise title.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    If you can get past some significant pacing issues and a storyline that squanders its potential, you'll have a blast playing around with the deep strategy and addictive mechanics of this little gem.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    It’s a solid eight hour shooter experience that likely won’t hold your attention for too long after you beat it.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    If it weren’t for the bloated playtime and weak set of characters, JC2 would have reached its full potential and become a true franchise title.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Truth be told, Kirby's Epic Yarn was the highlight of my Giftmas morning. It's not a marvel of motion control engineering, but it was fun, colourful and great to relax with on a Saturday morning.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    It’s a solid eight hour shooter experience that likely won’t hold your attention for too long after you beat it.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    The visuals are very well done and the sound is simply incredible, especially with the score it has.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    If you're expecting a good Rainbow Six game, you're just going to be disappointed.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    If it weren’t for the bloated playtime and weak set of characters, JC2 would have reached its full potential and become a true franchise title.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    At a lower price and a great deal of entertaining content, 3D Dot Heroes is worth your time, especially if you're a fan of old school games with a modern twist.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Anniversary is still a fantastic game, and well worth playing, that is, if you haven’t already.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Burnout Crash is an entertaining and exciting game, and if you're in the mood for some explosive fun, you will likely enjoy what Crash has to offer. Its large explosions and arcade like feel make it an accessible game to everyone. As warned though, don't let the Burnout title fool you, there isn't any racing in this game to be had. If you can get passed that one downside, Burnout Crash is an entertaining title that is enjoyable and accessible for gamers of any age.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    While there are gamers of all varieties seeking groundbreaking games in their appropriate niches, everyone and anyone is sure to enjoy an experience that is so innovative and downright fun.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Burnout Crash is an entertaining and exciting game, and if you're in the mood for some explosive fun, you will likely enjoy what Crash has to offer. Its large explosions and arcade like feel make it an accessible game to everyone. As warned though, don't let the Burnout title fool you, there isn't any racing in this game to be had. If you can get passed that one downside, Burnout Crash is an entertaining title that is enjoyable and accessible for gamers of any age.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Overall, Tropico 3 is enjoyable for those that thrive on simulator city management games.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    We have the original Prince driving the story and it is always good to hear his voice. However, the combat has seen better days, and graphics are kind of hit and miss at times. Still, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is enjoyable and fans of this series will enjoy it.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    We have the original Prince driving the story and it is always good to hear his voice. However, the combat has seen better days, and graphics are kind of hit and miss at times. Still, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is enjoyable and fans of this series will enjoy it.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    In many ways, Forged Alliance is probably the game to pick up. An improved interface, a new race, and improved mechanics mean that it’s the better of the two titles (although playing as the original three races in skirmish and multiplayer require the original game).
    • 68 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    An enjoyable adventure experience, with few technical flaws and shortfalls.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    In general, the game lacks a sense of autonomy, forcing you to do everything yourself. For certain things, that can be understandable, but for elements like being attacked in battle, you would really hope the characters would be able to shoot back sometimes.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    We have the original Prince driving the story and it is always good to hear his voice. However, the combat has seen better days, and graphics are kind of hit and miss at times. Still, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands is enjoyable and fans of this series will enjoy it.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    An excellent, fast paced shooter but because it launched so late in the life of the current-gen consoles, it is more likely that gamers will pick up a new 360 game or save for future PS3/Wii fare.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    An excellent, fast paced shooter but because it launched so late in the life of the current-gen consoles, it is more likely that gamers will pick up a new 360 game or save for future PS3/Wii fare.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Overall, however, it comes together as a good post-apocalyptic first-person shooter.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Still, there are those that may like the mix of genres and what can be done with the result, and so Black Plague finishes the tale began in Overture, and finishes it well.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Call of Pripyat manages to do a lot of things right, especially more than its predecessors. It’s form of gameplay probably isn’t well suited for everyone though.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    If you fancy yourself any kind of a wrestling fan, do not let the flaws present here dissuade you from playing what is easily the most enjoyable wrestling game in years. Let the hardcore fans have their intense simulation. At its core, the WWE has always been about entertainment value, and wrestling games do not come much more entertaining than this. Just bear in mind that there's definitely some room for expansion and improvement in the inevitable sequel.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    If you fancy yourself any kind of a wrestling fan, do not let the flaws present here dissuade you from playing what is easily the most enjoyable wrestling game in years. Let the hardcore fans have their intense simulation. At its core, the WWE has always been about entertainment value, and wrestling games do not come much more entertaining than this. Just bear in mind that there's definitely some room for expansion and improvement in the inevitable sequel.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    The only thing that is better than a good game, is a game that everyone expects will be bad, and turns out to be pretty good after all. Kung Fu Panda is such a game, which offers a fun, easy going experience coupled with some action, some platforming, and even a few role-playing elements.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    The only thing that is better than a good game, is a game that everyone expects will be bad, and turns out to be pretty good after all. Kung Fu Panda is such a game, which offers a fun, easy going experience coupled with some action, some platforming, and even a few role-playing elements.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    It’s definitely one of the best baseball games I’ve come across since my glory days of "The Majors Pro Baseball" on the GameGear.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    An excellent, fast paced shooter but because it launched so late in the life of the current-gen consoles, it is more likely that gamers will pick up a new 360 game or save for future PS3/Wii fare.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Like the protagonist Kane, it’s decent but has too many flaws for comfort.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is a fun game and enjoyable for anyone who is a fan of the comic book or game series.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is a fun game and enjoyable for anyone who is a fan of the comic book or game series.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Ninja Gaiden presents a decent package that will entertain you for brief periods of time if hack and slash button mashers are your type of game.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Griping over old issues aside this is a great package for any PS3 owners to pick up if you’ve never played Overlord in any form before.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Making History is a good addition to any turn-based strategy fan's library.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Take two doses of Clint Eastwood badassness, a great Old West story, a slight bit of cheese, and the occasional frustrating misstep in level design, add them all together and you have Call of Juarez in a nutshell.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    All in all, XIII Century: Death or Glory is a must for the real-time strategy enthusiast.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Despite these two solo modes, Wii Sports is really all about getting some friends together and playing a few matches of tennis or bowling. The game isn't designed to be a true authentic sports simulation, it's all about the sheer entertainment value, and this is where Wii Sports really shines.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Gamers and wrestling fans looking for something uncomplicated, fun, and action-packed should check this game out, even though it lacks some polish. Those of you who need strategy, depth, and precision in order to have fun should not try this at home.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is an engaging adventure title, accessible to everyone, but still offers a few challenges to even the most experienced adventure gamer.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Mount & Blade is fun to play. It’s not good to look at.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Sacred 2 improves upon its precursor in many ways. While some elements of it still need work, much of the game is a good example of the evolution of the hack-and-slash game.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    WSM2007 offers a staggering amount of gameplay which serves to be the game's biggest selling point and potential downfall, as the sheer volume of depth will not accommodative gamers who have little patience.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Ultimately, Smackdown VS RAW 2008 is a lot of fun to play.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    A very decent game to play. It brings a few new twists to a genre that is overpopulated with mediocrity.

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