GLHF on Sports Illustrated's Scores

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For 321 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 38% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 56% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.3 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 75
Highest review score: 100 Slay The Princess - The Pristine Cut
Lowest review score: 30 Peppa Pig: World Adventures
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 171 out of 321
  2. Mixed: 141 out of 321
  3. Negative: 9 out of 321
333 game reviews
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    • 89 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
    If you’ve never played a Like a Dragon game before, Infinite Wealth is not the place to start, but only because you will get the most out of the game if you know the history behind it. However, if you have been following Kiryu and Kasuga’s journey for all these years, then it is absolute perfection. It’s everything we’ve ever wanted and so much more.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Astro Bot
    Astro Bot has set a new benchmark that all 3D platformers now have to reach, and I’ll be waiting excitedly while they try.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Jack Jeanne
    Aside from all this romance games live and die on the cast, and there is an excellent cast of characters to choose from. No matter who you choose, you get to know everyone around you, and they bond together throughout the year independent of you. Each piece moves like fully formed people adding to that perfect feeling that what is happening is real. Jack Jeanne is the pinnacle, and evolution of the genre beyond simple dialogue trees. It’s a turning point for romance games, and we are unlikely to see a change so drastic for a long time.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
    Lorelei moves into your brain and gets comfortable. I found myself mentally rifling through my collection of documents with as-yet unsolved riddles in the middle of the day or thinking about a puzzle that stumped me while working on another project. I also expected a letdown in the end. With that level of absorption and hours of narrative setup, it’d be easy to fumble the finale and disappoint expectation, leaving you with little more than the sad feeling you get from seeing unfulfilled potential.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Expansion Pass Wave 4 - Future Redeemed
    It’s not clear what the future holds for the Xenoblade series, but the director, Tetsuya Takahashi has confirmed that the story that started in the first game is officially finished with this DLC. Whether it will go the route of starting a brand new story in the same universe – like what Kingdom Hearts 4 appears to be doing – remains to be seen, but if this did happen to be the final thing we ever got in the Xenoblade franchise, I would be thoroughly satisfied. Future Redeemed is the perfect end to a perfect story.
    • 96 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Baldur's Gate 3
    Once again, it’s a testament to the quality of Baldur’s Gate 3 that, through the bugs, difficulty level, and awkward UX, my friends keep coming back, and we all still can’t wait for the next lengthy, multi-hour session which will inevitably end with another dead merchant. It always does, and at this point, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Phantom Abyss
    I’ve been playing Phantom Abyss since it first entered early access and I will not be stopping anytime soon now it’s officially launched. The adrenaline-fuelled gameplay gives me so much joy every time I do a run, whether I’m playing it casually or seriously trying to challenge myself. It is a game that will join the likes of FTL and Spulunky as games that are forever in my regular rotation, and for a game like this, I can offer no higher praise.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Slay The Princess - The Pristine Cut
    The Pristine Cut has made one of the best “choices matter” games of all time even better. The new routes weave into the overall narrative perfectly and add more depth to an already excellent game. Black Tabby Games is going back to finish Scarlet Hollow before working on a new game, and I’ve never been so excited to see what’s in the kitchen.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
    Cyberpunk 2077 has always been good at pulling you into its world, but Phantom Liberty grabs you by the collar and pushes your face right into the grimy, piss-soaked alleyways.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Dragon's Dogma 2
    Dragon’s Dogma 2 starts out with the same level of mystique and overwhelming scope that Elden Ring hits you with, but once you understand how this world functions, you become a master of it. It’s daunting, sure, but after you overcome that initial hurdle, it’s incredible. I adored tearing through goblins, shooting ballistae at drakes, clinging to flying dragons, and changing the very fate of the world as the Arisen. Dragon’s Dogma 2 is easily the best action RPG of 2024 so far – and is very unlikely to be dethroned – and manages to go toe-to-toe with FromSoftware’s magnum opus in terms of how impactful and absorbing exploring the world feels. This is what Dragon’s Dogma was always meant to be, and it’s a masterpiece.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Against the Storm
    Against the Storm is a perfect storm: It’s a unique blend of genres that executes its ideas without any great flaws. Instead of motivating you to play ‘just one more turn,’ it tempts you into building ‘just one more city,’ condensing the thrilling allure of exploration and mechanical intricacy of a city-builder into runs that will fly by as fast as raindrops in a hurricane.
    • 93 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Resident Evil 4
    Resident Evil 4 Remake is the legendary game given more than just a new coat of paint. The visuals and sound design are brutally oppressive, the combat is sharper than a knife’s edge, and the world will make you want to uncover every corner. It’s as enticing as it is engaging, and intense as it is exciting. Resident Evil 4 is back, and it’s better than ever.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Metaphor: ReFantazio
    Taking the Persona formula and putting it in a different setting could’ve crashed and burned, but the team behind Metaphor: ReFantazio understood exactly what needed to change to make it work. The result is a game that has a sense of familiarity in its mechanics, yet innovates in ways that make it a distinct experience. On top of that, it pulls you into this brand-new world which is expertly crafted with larger-than-life personalities that pop off the screen and make for a thrilling adventure. I don’t know if Metaphor is planned to be a one-off or the start of a new series, but either way, it’s something special.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
    Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is the first true triple-A adventure game we’ve had in ages and one of the best games of 2024. People jumping in expecting it to be Wolfenstein in everything but name might be disappointed, but settle into its pace and you’ll be treated to a whirlwind world tour that only video games can deliver. Actually, cancel that. This is a fash-bashing experience only MachineGames could deliver – an unforgettable adventure that easily outdoes the most recent movies it’s based on.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
    Shadow of the Erdtree doesn’t do anything particularly surprising for Elden Ring players, but it’s worth the price of admission just to see FromSoftware flex its world design expertise in a more compact playspace. It also fits perfectly into the middle of the main game, which means you can step into the Land of Shadow and return to the main world armed to the teeth with an arsenal of fun and unique new weapons, from hulking katanas to reverse grip swords, beast claws, and poison bottles. Whether you’re here for the lore, the swords, or the vibes, Shadow of the Erdtree bolsters what’s already one of the best games ever made.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Street Fighter 6
    From the mechanics to the characters, and even the visual flourishes that adorn every attack, Street Fighter 6 is peak fighting games. This is a traditional, grounded fighter that feels entirely modern and fresh thanks to the Drive Gauge and everything that surrounds it. No mechanic or meter feels wasted, everything in Street Figher 6 has been honed to a fine point. This will be the best fighting game of 2023, and perhaps even of the generation.
    • 96 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Baldur's Gate 3
    Baldur’s Gate 3 is exactly what we’ve been missing and the best game of 2023 so far.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Oxenfree II: Lost Signals
    Lost Signals is pretty much more Oxenfree, but better. That might seem disappointing from the sequel to something that promised to revolutionize adventure games, but the refined storytelling, intimate character moments, and creative presentation are, in this case at least, just as good as – if not better than – a brand-new idea.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Shadows Over Loathing
    Shadows Over Loathing is the best possible answer to the question “What if wizards could summon cheese?” It’s a fantastic RPG that is as funny as it is engaging, and it leaves you wanting more every time you play it.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
    Dawntrail is a strong foundation for Square Enix to build on, one with more opportunities for different kinds of characters and narratives and a better balance between its two often-conflicting pillars of storytelling and action. Sure, a few rough edges could benefit from polish in the upcoming patches, and I hope more opportunities for interactive quests show up as well. If Dawntrail represents the future of FFXIV, then it’s a promising future.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
    Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is an intensely unwieldy name, but it’s a hearty collection of some of the best arcade games Capcom ever made. If you’re a fighting game fan or an arcade nostalgic, you owe it to yourself to play Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Ace Attorney Investigations Collection
    It comes with a lot of fun extras too. It’s nothing game-changing, but if you’re a long-time fan you’ll appreciate the galleries, character profiles, and music selection. Plus, there are a bunch of fun achievements involving little easter eggs of fan in-jokes that all made me smile when I found them.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    1000xRESIST
    1000xResist is different to anything else I’ve played and mostly because it’s a narrative-based game that tries as hard as possible to obscure the story from the player. But just like those fans who see the goodness in Iris despite what she shows us, interpreting what you are shown – and what you aren’t – is part of the gameplay. I can’t tell you what 1000xResist is. You’ll just have to see for yourself.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Immortality
    Immortality on PS5 is hampered by the console’s controls – the way you interact with Immortality is of paramount importance – but the game itself, the experience, the acting, the immersion: it’s best-in-class. Immortality is a truly unique game, and even if this isn’t necessarily the best way to play it, I’m glad that more people get to experience it. There’s nothing quite as glamorous and haunting as Immortality.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Marvel's Spider-Man 2
    Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 won’t do anything that blows you away, but it doesn’t matter when a game plays, looks, and sounds as good as this. It’s an improvement over the first game and proves how polished and slick a sequel can be when the developer is free to revisit and refine on top of solid foundations. Now we just cross our fingers and pray that Insomniac gets an 18-rating for its Wolverine game because it just might pull it off again.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
    The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a lovely way to return to Hyrule, and the echo system revitalizes the experience of exploring this world. From combat to exploration, your approaches will be wildly different from any Zelda game before, and that’s what makes Echoes of Wisdom worth playing. While it’s not quite a Zelda masterpiece, it’s definitely an essential Nintendo Switch game.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    House Flipper 2
    It’s already a greatly improved game than what came before it, and it won’t be long until the amount of content is there to match, so this is an easy upgrade for anyone who liked the original game.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Cobalt Core
    As with any good roguelite, there are new pilots and ships to unlock, as well as card sets and modifiers to change what you’re capable of. It’s also injected with some of that Hades magic, with your pilots dropping new hints to the story with each successful run. The story and characters aren’t quite as in-depth as Hades, but it makes up for that by being funny and charming in a way few games can manage.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sea of Stars
    It was the little things that prevented me from claiming Sea of Stars as perfection. Without spoilers, one character does something VERY naughty, that ends in some very bad things happening, and everyone seems just okie dokie with it after the fact. No one brings up it was their fault, just because they’re good in battle, I guess. However, it is hard to criticize Sea of Stars, as it does what it intends exceptionally well, and it delivers something we’re all familiar with, in a very refreshing way.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Cocoon
    Overall this is Carlson’s best game yet, taking what made Limbo and Inside so great, and taking those puzzle mechanics to completely new heights. In a year of amazing games, Cocoon still stands out, which we certainly weren’t expecting so late into the year.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Minishoot' Adventures
    It’s exactly what it says on the tin, a top-down Zelda-inspired twin stick shooter, and it’s polished to a mirror finish. It’s hard to imagine any game that could do this concept better.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Unicorn Overlord
    Not only does Unicorn Overlord have a deep story, but each member plays so differently that I was excited to learn just what they could do. Maybe I would have better understood all the strategy behind it if I sank an additional 60 hours into the game, but I left feeling satisfied and I’m more strategy game curious than I ever thought I would be.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
    Tales of Kenzera: Zau breaks a lot of conventions of the metroidvania genre, focusing more on story than exploration and outfitting you with most of your abilities from the get-go. It’s a short experience that tries, both subtly and more obtusely, to weave a tale of loss, grief, and acceptance. In both regards, the result is a resounding success, with only a few small nitpicks to be found throughout. In a crowded metroidvania landscape, Tales of Kenzera: Zau stands out as one of the best in recent years.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dungeons of Dreadrock 2 - The Dead King's Secret
    None of those issues take away from the fact that Dungeons of Dreadrock 2 is an incredible game. It’s packed with gorgeous pixel art, charming character design, great audio design, and some of the best puzzles in gaming. It’s a fantastic sequel, a wonderful standalone game, and everything I could have asked for.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Cassette Beasts
    While there is a lot of strategy there is also a lot of cheese that makes it slightly less enjoyable. Stalling strategies are incredibly powerful, but leaning on them means that fights are long and slow paced. In particular, the Elemental Walls can block even the most powerful attacks, and the AI doesn’t play around them. Despite some balancing issues, and the hundred elemental reactions you have to memorize, Cassette Beasts is a game you will want to try out, even if you’re not a Nintendo fan.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie
    Despite stumbling a few times in Lloyd’s route, Trails into Reverie is an impressive game that takes the series into emotionally and narratively deeper territory. The battle system might be familiar, but Reverie brings out its full potential – even if you aren’t patient enough to try and collect every character. The Trails series felt like it was stuck in a rut for a while, but Reverie imbues it with new energy and potential and promises a brighter future ahead.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Pikmin 1
    Your spaceship has had parts break off and spread across the alien world, so you have to work with the Pikmin to get them all back. Most of the experience is filled with breeding new Pikmin and preparing your army for big expeditions, which may see you traverse the land while carrying a part for your ship, or doing battle with a tough boss monster.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Animal Well
    Animal Well brings unique ideas to a genre that doesn’t often get them, with a firm grasp on how to design a world that constantly pushes you to explore deeper. All of its tools are things the genre hasn’t seen before, and that novelty makes you feel incredibly smart solving puzzles the likes of which you’ve never seen in any other game before.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life
    Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is one of the best farming games ever made, remade, with quality-of-life features that it desperately needed. It’s beautifully faithful to the original, sparking nostalgia in all the right places, while refining the experience. This is the most relaxing game since Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and is essential for fans of farming and life-sim RPGs.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred
    With its story, new class, and the permanent changes it brings, Vessel of Hatred improves on an already very good base game that has been refined over the last five seasons since launch. Striking a delicate balance, it succeeds at tweaking the systems and gameplay to please both casual and hardcore players.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Planet Coaster 2
    With management games, there’s always a worry that a sequel just feels like the same game again, but prettier (hello Cities Skylines 2), however, I can say with confidence that Planet Coaster 2 avoids falling into that trap. The changes made to the game’s core systems, the additions to the management side of the game, and the new attractions like pools and flumes – which I have no doubt will be expanded upon in DLC – make this game an ideal sequel that improves on the original in almost every area.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak
    Trails through Daybreak might not have the wow factor of modern, big-budget RPGs or the nostalgic pull of a retro Final Fantasy, but that works in its favor. Sure, there's room for more polish and meaningful evolution. But instead of chasing trends, Daybreak is just confidently itself, and it's much stronger for it.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
    Return to Castlevania is a triumphant return to form for the Castlevania series, and a near-flawless expansion for Dead Cells. More than just an homage, it carefully and lovingly channels everything you know and love about Castlevania into everything that’s good about Dead Cells. After ten long years, Castlevania is finally back, and it’s very much alive and well.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Company of Heroes 3
    Company of Heroes 3 evolves and innovates without losing any of the series’ heart and soul.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Like a Dragon: Ishin!
    After you finish the main story you will find yourself returning to Kyo. Even 65 hours in, it seems that I’m still discovering new things to do; new minigames to play, new missions to find, and more skills to unlock. Despite how long I’ve spent with Ishin! I don’t want to give up, and I’m sure I will continue finding more things to do long after I think I’ve finished. It may not have overhauled the Yakuza formula, but it’s the small things that make Ishin! one of the series’ best.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Octopath Traveler II
    If you loved the original game, then Octopath Traveler 2 is exactly the sequel you were hoping for, but at the same time, if you thought the original fell a bit short, this is the game you wanted the first time around...None of the greatness from the first game was lost in either the writing or the gameplay, and although the new additions aren’t mindblowing, they add up to make a much improved overall experience. This series’ unique approach to storytelling and masterful turn-based combat system shines brighter than ever, and it’s sure to cement itself in the memories of JRPG fans for a long time.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Balatro
    Despite all of the playable cards being the standard 52-card pack, the extra systems surrounding it create a gameplay loop just as – if not more – complex, addictive, and downright joyous as Slay the Spire, and I don’t say that lightly.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Hogwarts Legacy
    Aside from a few bugs and a bit of dodgy writing, Hogwarts Legacy is one of the most enjoyable open-world games I’ve played. Not quite Elden Ring, but it embarrasses the Assassin’s Creed games when it comes to mission variety and a sense of exploration.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island
    The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island doesn’t do anything particularly fresh or new for the series, but it looks good, plays well, and has refined the series’ signature gameplay to near perfection. It’s brutal, difficult, and likely tough to adapt to for total newcomers, but once you’ve got the hang of it, you’re hooked for good.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dead Space
    Of course, it looks gorgeous. I won’t spend too long banging on about graphics because there’s literally a video at the top of this page, but modern advancements in lighting really lend themselves to this setting, with the brushed metal of your suit and the ship reflecting light. The darkness is actually dark, too, adding to the tension when you’re guided only by torchlight. In a nice touch, the lighting occasionally comes into play in combat, with red emergency lights strobing, illuminating the creatures closing in on you, getting nearer and nearer with every blink.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Persona 3 Portable
    I still think Persona 3 is the best Persona game, and Portable is the best way to play it. It may not have all the shiny, flashy, high-end graphics and animations of Royal, but it offers a touching story, bombastic boss fights, and one of gaming’s best-ever soundtracks.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Starfield
    Starfield is a Bethesda game in every way. If you’re going into it expecting something like No Man’s Sky, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s Skyrim in space, which is exactly what I hoped it would be.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Alan Wake II
    Alan Wake 2 is the best Remedy Entertainment game, and is a strong contender for one of the best games of 2023.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Alan Wake II: Night Springs Expansion
    Just as the first Alan Wake DLCs were imperative to understanding the nature of the Dark Place, Alan Wake 2’s expansions are a must-play for anyone interested in the RCU. Don't forget to play Alan Wake 2, the base game, before diving into it. Before that though, another Alan Wake expansion, The Lake House, releases later this year and if that’s remotely as entertaining as this one, then we’re all in for a good time.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble
    I’ve always loved Super Monkey Ball, and for a while I thought Banana Mania was the best we were ever going to get. Banana Rumble is everything a new Super Monkey Ball should be, and if you’re able to discern which game is which, then you should pick this up for one of the best puzzle platformers money can buy.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader - Void Shadows
    Impressive writing, a wonderfully atmospheric soundtrack, and meaningful gameplay additions all come together to form what is possibly the strongest DLC offering Owlcat has ever published. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – Void Shadows should put this great CRPG onto your radar, in case you somehow held off on it so far.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Zenless Zone Zero
    Zenless Zone Zero is the best base game HoYoverse has released to date: It’s a step up from its predecessors in terms of presentation, tech, systems, and starting content – and since previous titles have all massively improved over the course of their strict and impressive update cycle, I feel confident that this is going to repeat for this one...Combining charm and spectacle, mechanical satisfaction and approachability, rapid intensity, and immaculate cool vibes, Zenless Zone Zero is HoYoverse’s hat-trick.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    DAVE THE DIVER
    Dave the Diver’s unusual genre blend creates an infinitely satisfying and addictive gameplay loop, which, thanks to the constant influx of new mechanics and game content, feels fresh and rewarding until the very end.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    My Time at Sandrock
    My Time at Sandrock is easily the best life-sim of 2023. While it’s not perfect, I haven’t been so immediately grabbed and long-term addicted to a game like this since I first played Stardew Valley, and it’ll be in my regular rota for the rest of the year. It puts its best foot forward with the production and building side of things, then keeps you coming back with seemingly endless side quests and well-developed characters.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
    In almost every way you can look at it, Rebirth is a huge improvement over Remake. It constantly surprises you with how far it’s willing to go to recreate the moments you love, and even a poor ending can’t undermine the incredible 100 hours it took me to get there. Some of the open-world stuff starts to drag toward the end – especially in regions where the topography is more complex and hoofing it around is like trying to find your way out of the backrooms – but most of that’s optional anyway. I did it because I felt rewarded with special character moments that expanded upon the original game’s relationships in meaningful ways. I don’t know where Square Enix will take things from here, but I’ll be ready to mosey.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Stacklands
    Stacklands is an excellent little survival card game that’s quite unlike anything else on the market. It’s cute, deeply addictive, and has the potential to take away hours of your life, although its implementation on Switch leaves a lot of room for improvement. Still, if I can spend 40 hours stacking chickens on top of each other to make eggs, then it can’t really be that bad, can it?
    • 75 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
    As a fan of Suikoden, I couldn’t be much happier with how this turned out. I’ve been waiting for something like Suikoden to come along again since childhood, but I never dreamed I’d have to wait for the original creator to come back to see it happen. I just wish Yoshitaka Murayama were here to read the praise he deserves for carving out such a unique, inimitable identity in the genre.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sonic Superstars
    Sonic Superstars is the modern 2D Sonic game I never thought we’d get. It updates the visual style in a way that feels true to the classics while bringing in top-tier level design that allows the core platforming mechanics to shine. In a week when both Sonic and Mario are launching new games, it’s a good time to be a 2D platforming fan.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Lamplighters League
    The Lamplighters League is intriguing from the first second, sucking you in with a great art style, fantastic voice acting, a jazzy score, and supernatural mystery. It manages to keep this going by offering compelling gameplay systems that give you lots of freedom and feel immensely satisfying to use. For me, this combination makes The Lamplighters League the best turn-based tactics game of 2023.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Slay the Princess
    It was one of the best games of 2023, and the new update has made it even better. It’s a game that everyone needs to play for themselves as each journey is unique, even though you will likely want to dive in for another unique journey straight afterwards.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Paper Trail
    Paper Trail quickly became my go-to puzzler after a stressful day, a charming and inventive way to stimulate my little mushy brain without ever being too taxing. Newfangled Games deserves praise for turning such a basic idea into something so clever and enjoyable, and I hope it’s not the last puzzle game we see from the studio.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Crow Country
    If Crow Country were just styled like an old Resident Evil game I probably would’ve dropped it, but it manages to get everything perfect. If Capcom had released this as a non-canon RE side-story, it would probably be getting a thunderous reception right now. I don’t like nostalgia bait, but Crow Country is so much more. Whether you’re a ‘90s kid or not, all Resident Evil and survival horror fans should absolutely play Crow Country.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Star Wars Outlaws
    I can’t help but love this game. Star Wars Outlaws looks, sounds, and feels like what a Star Wars game should be, without ever invoking the feeling of “Star Wars”, the multi-billion-dollar Disney-owned franchise. It forges its own path through the galaxy, determined never to step in somebody else’s footsteps, and it does so with magnificent confidence. It’s that confidence that pulls it all together, taking the best parts of Star Wars, combining them with the best parts of Ubisoft, and casting everything else aside.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    UFO 50
    This is one of the hardest games I’ve ever had to review, and not only because I spent 40 hours playing it and felt I had only just scratched the surface. It’s a game that’s meant to be discussed. The mystery of games like Mooncat, Divers and the curious Terminal continues to confound me, and I can’t wait to see people inevitably figure it all out hours after launch. However, the way that the collection spans so many genres while still feeling cohesively linked is impressive, and I cannot wait for launch to uncover all the parts I couldn’t possibly figure out for myself.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Thank Goodness You're Here!
    Thank Goodness You’re Here! is the most interesting and innovative game I’ve played this year, featuring ideas and absurdist humor I have never seen in the thousand-something games I’ve completed. It’s a true slice of British culture, and a great insight into the things we find funny. It doesn’t have the mass appeal of triple-A games, but it is exactly the type of game that makes me excited that indies exist. People need to buy this entertaining curio so more developers will take a chance on games like these in the future.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
    And after hours upon hours of playing Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door for the first time since the original GameCube release, that’s really the only flaw I could find. It’s brilliant, but a little slow-paced at times. The characters and areas are memorable, the combat is simple but satisfying, and this Nintendo Switch remake looks like a true papercraft world. This is the best Paper Mario game, and the best Mario RPG ever made.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways
    Separate Ways is the DLC we didn’t know RE4 remake needed, and it’s up there with the best DLC content we’ve ever had for a Resident Evil game. It’s a bit of a shame that this side-story of the original game was carved out to be paid DLC, but when the package is this good, it’s hard to moan. If you enjoyed Resident Evil 4 remake, then Separate Ways is an absolute essential.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Total War: WARHAMMER III - Elspeth: Thrones of Decay
    Total War: Warhammer 3 – Thrones of Decay is Creative Assembly’s most thematic, detailed, and passion-filled expansion yet, using years’ worth of knowhow to bring some of the coolest Warhammer characters from the page onto the screen in a faithful and fun way. Best of all, the ability to purchase each faction separately means that players will get exactly what they want without having to pay for something they don’t feel as passionate about. Thrones of Decay is exactly what Total War: Warhammer 3 needed – it makes you excited to be a fan again.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
    Ghost Trick’s surprisingly enticing story gradually pulls you in, and its unique approach to puzzle solving remains fresh throughout the roughly 10-hour run time. The script is brilliant, and the updated visuals and soundtrack are equally impressive. Even after 13 years and with minimal changes, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is one of the smartest, most enjoyable narrative puzzlers around.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    DNF Duel: Who's Next
    DNF Duel is a great fighting game, and works uniquely well on Nintendo Switch, even if the characters do appear to be a tad low-res at times. Well worth your time if you want either a casual fight on the go, or a way to practice away from your setup.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Age of Mythology: Retold
    Age of Mythology: Retold truly teleports the RTS classic into the modern era: It’s the definitive way for fans of old to relive childhood memories and dive deep into the nostalgia of it all, but it’s ready to welcome a new audience thanks to its gold-standard approachability measures – a good myth may undergo changes along the way, but it never dies.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Pikmin 4
    Even with the empty worlds and the uneven approach to difficulty and puzzles, Pikmin 4 won me over with its charm. Sure, I miss the stronger emphasis on strategy, but roaming the dense woodlands and distant shores of a familiar alien beach with Oatchi and a crew of stalwart root vegetables is rewarding in itself. I just hope Nintendo leans into that exploration element even more in the next Pikmin.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Flock
    While it needs some finessing, the base of Flock is extremely solid, and hits its aims of being fun, cozy, and relaxing. The rarity of some creatures and minor bugs might make you stressed, which is my only complaint in an otherwise compelling and unique gaming experience.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Void Crew
    Void Crew is some of the most fun I’ve had in co-op. The structure of a roguelite really lends itself to a Sea of Thieves-style co-op game. I wish there were more ship types, performance gets a bit choppy when you’re using the in-game computers, and I’m not a huge fan of how piloting works, but I’ve already put 40 hours into Void Crew and I reckon I have another 40 in me. Now give me some more ships to play with (please). And let me crash them (please, for non-scamp reasons).
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    WWE 2K24
    As far as wrestling games go, this series is still the best there is at capturing the spectacle of these larger-than-life personas and turning the crazy, dangerous, and sometimes downright silly action we see on TV into a playable format. It ticks all the boxes you’d want for an annual sports series and comes with those loving touches that wrestling fans will appreciate.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Honkai: Star Rail
    All we can say for now is that Honkai: Star Rail is off to a very promising start. We don’t know where the journey of the Astral Express eventually leads us. Genshin Impact’s quality has only gone up in the years since it first launched, and if HoYoverse puts the same love and attention into Honkai: Star Rail, this is an adventure fans of the genre shouldn’t miss.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tekken 8
    This is a game designed primarily to appease an existing audience, not court a new one. While that’s definitely good for die-hard Tekken players, it also means that Tekken 8 just feels like another one. Another Tekken game, without anything more to say. It’s Tekken, it’s great, but I wish it were more.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Total War: WARHAMMER III - Forge of the Chaos Dwarfs
    Looking at it by itself, the Forge of the Chaos Dwarfs DLC is another love letter to Warhammer Fantasy, doing justice to a highly-anticipated faction, and evolving the gameplay formula in a good direction on the campaign map with interesting mechanics. Glory to the military-industrial complex, glory to Hashut!
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dynasty Warriors: Origins
    Ultimately, diving into big battles over and over again still gets tiring, but Dynasty Warriors: Origins executes those battles so well that I don’t mind. Seeing hundreds of enemy soldiers fly back from my swings is still wonderfully satisfying, and Origins does it better than almost any other game in the series. The seven years spent developing a bunch of successful spin-offs has allowed Omega Force to experiment, and now Dynasty Warriors: Origins feels like a fantastic reboot and second wind for the mainline series. Dynasty Warriors is back.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
    I enjoyed my time with Ghost of Tsushima on PC and I’m excited to see where Sucker Punch takes the series next. If it goes to mainland Japan, increases the political intrigue (shows us that hidden heart), works on creating unique side activities, and improves on quest design, it could be one of the best games ever made. For now, though, Ghost of Tsushima is a beautiful but flawed distraction, sharper than it’s ever been.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    CONV/RGENCE: A League of Legends Story
    It’s clear from the outset that Double Stallion, the developer behind Convergence, has a lot of passion for Ekko and the League of Legends world at large. Every moment, story beat, and line of dialogue is carefully crafted, and with an art style as gorgeous as this, it makes for an experience that will please just about any League of Legends fan.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Silent Hill 2
    It might not have you sold in the first few hours, but stick it out until Brookhaven Hospital and you’re in for a white-knuckle ride straight into Hell.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A Highland Song
    You have your destination, but there are dozens of ways to arrive and plenty of secrets to find along the way. It’s a game that understands the journey is the entire point.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Total War: WARHAMMER III - Omens of Destruction
    Omens of Destruction puts three of the most destructive factions in Total War: Warhammer 3 in the best place they’ve ever been on top of offering two of the most unique campaign experiences available in the game – and that, I think, is the theme for this DLC, aside from the obvious angle of smashing armies and empires to pieces. Omens of Destruction is a mechanically innovative reminder of the beauty and wonder of Total War: Warhammer 3.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Helldivers 2
    Once the ongoing server issues are finally dealt with for good, Helldivers 2 will be one of the easiest multiplayer shooters to recommend. When it all works as intended, finding a game with friends or random players is simple, and the co-op-only nature of the game has fostered a broadly very positive and welcoming community. Helldivers 2 will – eventually – be an essential multiplayer game, and I can’t wait for it to just work.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Solium Infernum
    Though the visual style of Solium Infernum’s characters may not be to everyone’s liking, the title is chock-full of brilliant artwork that decorates the cards of events, items, and units. Overall, the graphics and the soundtrack create a good atmosphere and background for the backstabbing. Another strong point is the character writing – every Archfiend has a strong personality and the diplomatic dialog is quite witty at times.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Total War: PHARAOH
    Total War: Pharaoh delivers the series’ best campaign experience yet, becoming its new gold standard for customization options and mechanical depth, while improving on its predecessor’s battles. It manages to translate the fascinating and mysterious history of the Bronze Age Collapse into video game form in a great way, though budgetary constraints are sadly visible when it comes to scope: How beautiful would the addition of the Assyrians and Mycenaeans in the east and west or actual trade routes on the map have rounded out this game. If Total War: Pharaoh has proven one thing, then that Creative Assembly Sofia has earned the chance at working on something bigger next time – this kind of quality campaign deserves a grander stage.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    WrestleQuest
    It’s well worth a look for any wrestling or JRPG fan. With WWE and AEW mostly focusing on making simulation and sports-based titles, WrestleQuest has the kind of creativity and innovation that makes the wrestling world so special, and we desperately need more of it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    HoloCure - Save the Fans!
    HoloCure is made with genuine passion for both Hololive and game design as a whole, and it shines through with detailed combat, an in-joke around every corner, I just can’t stop playing it. With 38 playable characters from all three branches of Hololive and more on the way as the game develops, it’s a delicious rabbit hole that you’ll never want to leave.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    SpellForce: Conquest of Eo - Demon Scourge
    It may just be that the Demonologist’s playstyle is a great fit for me, but I’ve had a lot more fun with the DLC than just the base game, which itself has been polished and fleshed out since launch. Coming with a ton of exciting content, SpellForce: Conquest of Eo – Demon Scourge offers fantastic bang for your buck and should give anyone who bounced off the base game a reason to come by for a second look – you might accidentally team up with the Demonlord to conquer the world and get hooked to play another campaign. Devious!
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cantata
    This system neatly combines with the tactical turn-based combat to create a truly unique experience that has both the thrill of intense fights where every maneuver and shot counts as well as the power fantasy of being the maestro of a whole orchestra of war. Inspired by Dune, Cantata doesn’t only feature three unique factions to play as, but has the planet Shoal itself interfere with the battles on its surface. Thanks to a single-player campaign, full multiplayer support, and a map editor, there is more than enough content for players here to explore. A grandiose debut for the grand tactics genre.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Crew Motorfest
    I really wasn’t expecting Motorfest to be that big of a step forward for The Crew, but I’m pleased that I was wrong. All the major aspects of gameplay have been massively improved from its predecessor with the racing engine, events system, and reward loop each being better than before. While The Crew 2 only attracted a niche fanbase because of its unique gimmicks, Motorfest has a much broader appeal.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster
    Baten Kaitos 1 + II HD Remaster is a great way to play this pair of classic games, but there are a few caveats. A few of the new visual features might make the game lag, and the original English dub is missing aside from during the opening cinematic – very peculiar. But despite that, if you’ve ever wanted to play Baten Kaitos, I have no doubt that this is the best way to do it.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Little Goody Two Shoes
    I had no idea what to expect after my first 10 minutes or so with Little Goody Two Shoes. A slick, '90s-style anime opening leads into what seems like a cutesy adventure game about a snotty kid living in the forest. Then it turns into a deduction game, a management sim, and a social game, with bits of horror and some retro-style arcade games sprinkled in for good measure. It sounds like a lot on paper, but one of Little Goody Two Shoes’ most impressive achievements is how well it manages to balance its moving parts.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails
    Despite a bit of jank, and a bit of outdated game design, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with The Legend of Nayuta, and I would recommend it to anyone who’s even remotely interested.
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In Progress & Unscored

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    • 90 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Destiny 2: The Final Shape
    I might rag on Destiny 2’s level design (I’d probably do the same with Halo, honestly), but I can’t fault Bungie on its pedigree when it comes to making a shooter that feels great. It’s far easier said than done, and many shooters manage to be merely functional and serviceable rather than fun – looking at you, Starfield, Borderlands, Outer Worlds – but Destiny 2’s guns are genuinely great to shoot. It helps that smaller, weaker foes will usually get wiped out in a fraction of an Auto Rifle’s clip, instead of acting like perpetual bullet sponges. Having dozens of weaker foes to fight against is far more satisfying than one big bullet sponge, and Destiny 2 understands this, all the way up until you find a dungeon or raid boss. [Review in Progress]
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Palworld
    By focusing on survival crafting rather than traditional Pokémon-style gameplay, Palworld has made something unique out of two genres that have been stale for a long time. It’s still missing some big features like PvP, but given that it’s only at the beginning of its time in early access, it will only get bigger and better. [Early Access Score = 80]
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Age of Wonders 4: Eldritch Realms
    Age of Wonders 4: Eldritch Realms superbly serves the power fantasies of wielding evil, ancient knowledge and becoming something otherworldly as well as fighting against such abyssal horrors, finding a nice balance between fresh content and mechanical additions. [Recommended]
    • 60 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns
    A year on, and Mortal Kombat 1 is still plodding along. If you’ve felt a bit gore deprived recently, Khaos Reigns is a great way to refresh your sicko meter and have some fun with friends, but even with infinite combos and a variety of new characters, MK1 still feels stuck in the mud. Hopefully, the next MK game will take place in a timeline where the gameplay doesn’t feel stiff, though I’m not sure even the Kamidogu can help with that.
    • 75 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    MultiVersus
    This doesn’t feel like a game you can reasonably “get good” at anymore, it just feels like a mess. Win, lose, it doesn’t matter. Perhaps younger gamers can forgive the gameplay quirks in exchange for seeing characters they love duke it out, but that alone is not what made Super Smash Bros. a sensation. MultiVersus’ online net code is great, which should be a massive selling point, but why would you want to play this game? [Review in Progress]
    • 82 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Cataclismo
    Cataclismo is built on a fantastic foundation thanks to solid fortress construction mechanics that capture your imagination. Build your Helm’s Deep, build your Minas Tirith, and hold it against the tireless forces of evil – that’s the simple and yet so very seductive promise of Cataclismo, and its Early Access launch already executes the idea brilliantly. Once the developers have gotten around to adding more spice, this meal will delight any strategy fan. [Early Access Review - "Recommended"]
    • 90 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
    The best part of the new port is the potential for all the upcoming mods. All of my complaints can be fixed by the community through mods, although Square Enix should address them directly first. Overall, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth looks and runs better than its PS5 counterpart on PC. The amount of options and scalability is enough to satisfy most PC gamers with modern hardware, and certain quirks can be fixed with quick updates.
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Manor Lords
    Though not content-complete, Manor Lords feels like an incredibly fresh take on city-building, borrowing mechanics from other genres and fusing them authentically with history to create something unique and special. Its mechanical foundations could not be more solid, so all this game needs to fully unlock its immense potential is more time and meat on its bones...We aren’t scoring Early Access reviews, so all I’ll say is that I highly recommend this game even ahead of its full launch, if the developer’s vision speaks as much to you as it does to me. [Early Access Review - "Recommended"]
    • 86 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Diablo IV
    Diablo 4 treads familiar ground in its story and characters, but its combat and gameplay systems shine where prior games fell short. I wish its single-player experience was a little less hostile, and I worry for its longevity in its current state, but even at its lowest lows, it manages to match or outpace its predecessors in almost every conceivable way. [Review in Progress]
    • 87 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Crusader Kings III: Roads to Power
    For me, Roads to Power is an incredibly flavorful Crusader Kings 3 DLC – it’s a game changer in the literal meaning, because it introduces a way to truly play this title as a RPG as opposed to a strategy game, though I would recommend a healthy mix to get the best out of the experience, and it really spices up empire-level gameplay. Even if you’ve conquered the world, keeping your dynasty on the throne is now much more intense thanks to Administrative Realm politics. Now even more roads lead to Rome, and what could be better? [Recommended]
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Breachway
    Edgeflow Studio has managed to create an immersive deckbuilder that really knows how to make use of its setting and connect it to the gameplay. This quality greatly enhances the heart of the game, which is the thrilling and intricate turn-based space combat that’s already fantastic in Early Access. The same can’t be said for its roguelike layer, which requires more variety and incentives to become similarly engaging. Breachway is not quite Faster Than Light, yet.
    • 81 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Songs Of Silence
    If Songs of Silence wasn’t an auto-battler, but featured either turn-based combat in the style of Age of Wonders or real-time battles a la Total War, and just a little more empire management, this would probably land on my game of the year shortlist (heck, it may very well still do so) – as things are, its genre, its resulting drawbacks, and a few technical issues ever so slightly lessen my enthusiasm, so it has to settle for being the best auto-battler and most gorgeous strategy game I’ve ever played. [Early Access Review]

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