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 Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
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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    • 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.
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These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

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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