Hardcore Gamer's Scores

  • Games
For 4,329 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 50% higher than the average critic
  • 9% same as the average critic
  • 41% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 1.4 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 73
Highest review score: 100 Balatro
Lowest review score: 20 Final Fantasy: All the Bravest
Score distribution:
4332 game reviews
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With dozens of levels to try out and a lot of replay value thanks to the three-starred system, Furmins is an easy recommendation if you grew up loving Lemmings or the Incredible Machines (or if you just dig a good physics puzzler).
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite the fact that it is incredibly short, Form is one of those games that must be played by any aficionado of virtual reality. Through smart design and a superlative look, this it is one of those titles that can really show off how the medium can surpass gaming on a monitor. It’s immersive, engaging and beautiful, setting a new standard for virtual reality and visual design.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Date Everything! is a charming dating sim, but as the hours go by, it'll start to become monotonous, especially towards the end, as you talk to characters you're not particularly interested in to gain S.P.E.C.S points. For the most part, however, this is a wonderful game with immaculate character artwork, well-thought-out writing and surprisingly nuanced performances from the voice cast. It would be fun if we could get a sequel of some kind in a different house. You could have all new objects, themed to another person's life. Nevertheless, this game features tons of content that will keep you playing for days on end.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Devil in Me not only sticks the landing for The Dark Pictures Anthology, but it does so with a highly-improved game that shows off the potential of this series, feeling like a culmination of every lesson Supermassive has learned along the way. The story is a nicely -aptivating and tense thriller, new gameplay touches like the individual inventories are great additions, the setting is creepy with a lot of attention to detail, and overall, it just feels like a lot of fun. The real-life H.H. Holmes may not have been the grand killer we imagine him as, but the myth behind him has certainly made for one killer adventure game.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As such, anybody who has even one of the titles would be advised to avoid the collection and purchase the games individually instead. Still, those who missed the original releases, don’t have access to PSN or love holding as close to a physical version as these games will ever get will find a lot to love.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Papo & Yo's story is powerful and riveting. The puzzles aren't numerous, but are highly imaginative, proving a puzzle game should never have to recycle material.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Orborun is one of the finest examples of a mobile-to-PC game to date. It controls marvelously with either a keyboard/mouse setup or a controller, outside of the on-screen UI from the mobile version being retained.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Telltale’s premiere season for their take on the Guardians of the Galaxy proves to be an enjoyable one, as the stellar soundtrack and combat sequences prove to be the high points of the occasionally humorous adventure. A little fine tuning from the dialogue and engine could have gone a long way, but as it is, Telltale’s adaptation of the dysfunctional space family is one worth checking out for fans of the movies or comics, or those looking for a lighthearted sci-fi adventure.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It may not be the best 3DS roleplaying experience, but it’s a darn fine one all the same.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Although it doesn’t look like much, Conquest of Elysium 4 packs a ton of depth beneath its pixelated surface.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Gravity Rush Remastered is close to perfect. The original Vita game was very well received, and while this update doesn’t exactly push the PS4 to its limits, it still looks and plays extremely well.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ninja Gaiden 2 Black was intended to be the definitive version of the 2008 classic. With content missing from earlier versions, it's unlikely that many will consider it such, but that doesn't mean this still isn't a great iteration of Ninja Gaiden II. Even with the criticisms about removed content, platforming and the camera, the twelve hours spent playing through the story were extremely fun. Ninja Gaiden games have been successful because of their tough-but-fair difficulty and their intense frenetic battles, and these are the areas where Ninja Gaiden 2 Black excels. It may not be the definitive version, but this is still a great version of a great game and is highly recommended to any fan of ninjas or action games in general.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While it may only take an hour or so to complete the main mission that acts as the prologue to the next game, the PC port of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes not only lives up to expectations, but surpasses them in creating an overly satisfying sandbox to sneak through.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a triumphant return to the style of the original Assassin’s Creed games. It maintains some RPG elements such as upgrading equipment and learning abilities through skill points, but this is done on a smaller scale than the most recent predecessors. Mirage hits the sweet spot when it comes to game length, long enough to feel worthwhile but short enough where it never drags or feels bogged down by filler content.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Black Future ’88 is almost a quintessential throwback to ’80s arcade games, with rock-solid gameplay taken straight from the era and mixed in with several interesting and unique gameplay twists. You may only get eighteen minutes at a time to take everything in, but what you’ll be hit with is a heavy dose of fast-paced action, a killer soundtrack, and and a ton of weapons and gameplay features to work with that reward you for experimenting and exploring every bit of Skymelt. You may be trapped in the ’80s here, but at least you’re trapped alongside some of the best parts of it. Well, at least when it comes to video games. We can’t help if you get permanently trapped alongside Kajagoogoo or something similar, after all.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Even with the issues that arise from massive gaps between checkpoints and a few niggles here and there, Tower 57 is still a blast, accomplishing its goal of reminding us why these types of games from the Amiga era ended up being classics. The humor that comes from the oddities of the twisted world provides endless charm, the lush environments are eye-pleasing and the combat is fast-paced, challenging and just plain fun. It’s a terrific action game worth checking out for retro game enthusiasts (and everyone else, for that matter) and one you’ll be coming back to…even if it’s just because you stormed away for a moment after a mistimed rocket launcher blast killed you right before the boss and sent you back to square one.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The writing, world and systems elevates Disco Elysium into one of the most deep RPGs in existence. This is an evergreen title that will be talked about for years to come. The initial release earned a never-ending stream of accolades for good reason. The fact that more people can now play it, and everyone gets more content, is just awesome. It cannot be described as flawless as there are obvious growing pains. Still, with the sheer breadth of the game and the value to be found here, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut deserves its place in the pantheon of the greatest digital role-playing games ever made.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Islanders is a relaxing little builder more concerned with letting you get right to making the town than bogging you down with the details. There’s a learning curve, of course, but it’s a gentle one that lets you pick up the details at your own speed without feeling like it’s a failure when you can no longer advance.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    What originally comes off as something completely mindless ends up turning out to be an incredibly exhilarating action games that truly tests your skills…and also happens to have a lot of fun moments that are completely mindless.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded is just like the original, but bigger, longer, harder and the perfect vehicle for Larry’s second coming.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Overall, Tokyo Dark stands as yet another impressive and surprisingly gripping entry into Square Enix Collective’s portfolio of diverse titles, given its scale but more prominently its tone. One that executes the seemingly-impossible task of fusing the elegance of traditional point-and-click gameplay with the engaging story-telling of a visual novel. Doing so in a way that reaps the beneficial joy of both genres, yet still making sure to ask many a question to its player on what the next logical step should be. While it doesn’t re-imagine or reinvent the conventions, Cherrymochi’s take on the choice-driven style of play — fed notably through the lens of its uneasy Tokyo setting — makes this a must for either community. Be it those of the point-and-click sway, the visual novel variant or perhaps neither of the two. Because even if your decision in-game turns out to be the wrong one, there are plenty of twists and turns to discover in Tokyo Dark‘s hybrid of narrative and investigative gameplay to make the experience all that more focused, all that more perplexing, but ultimately, fittingly satisfying to resolve.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    From Other Suns is an example of how VR tech should be implemented in games. The ship management portion and procedurally-generated levels make this feel like an RPG, but the rogue-lite design makes it play much more like an action arcade game. One could argue that VR is a gimmick used for From Other Suns to take a shooter that might seen mundane on a traditional monitor and make it more interesting, and while that statement may not be entirely wrong, the VR implementation works perfectly for this title. The ease of VR controls, whether grabbing items from the streamlined inventory or strapping in weapons, feel completely intuitive and natural. VR games have progressed a lot in the past year, and while they may have a way to go before becoming a mainstream form of gaming, titles like From Other Suns show that VR is a viable format for games and not just a passing gimmick.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hakuoki: Memories of the Shinsengumi is an excellent example of how to pen a visual novel without a horrific female lead, and an intriguing tale to boot. This is a gripping read, with the mystery surrounding Chizuru’s father taking center stage rather than the romance plots.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    ModNation Racers is an enjoyable game that is packed to the brim with so much content that you won't know what to do with it all.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It might be a bit trite to say that being bad never felt so good, but indeed, the villainous escapades of Crow and company make for an incredibly fun platformer indeed. Led by a boastful and charming character and diving straight into a cute sense of humor with some gorgeous graphics, Nefarious then opens up further to reveal a terrific adventure that simultaneously features and pays ode to some classic ’90s action, while still throwing in its own twists and engaging story in order to craft a wicked little romp that makes being the megalomanic a delight.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Exactly what Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare needed.
    • Hardcore Gamer
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While it may leave you wanting more in certain areas, Crossing Souls is still an excellent action game with a terrific, gripping story you’ll want to see to the very end. This little chunk of the 1980s is filled with terrific, nicely-detailed visuals, fun character-switching gameplay, and a unique vision of the afterlife with several impressive touches.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There’s a lot in Steam Prison’s favor from the onset. It features a gorgeous, lush design and intriguing setting. The murderous intro hooks readers in immediately. Of course, all the pursuable men (and even those that aren’t) look darn handsome. The darker content may leave a bitter taste in the mouth of players looking for pure romantic fun. With that said, the world of Steam Prison comes across as more realistic due to showing the best and worst in people. Players are in for a sweeping journey through the Depths if they’re ready to dive in.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Skullgirls 2nd Encore is an easy recommendation to anyone who has even a passing interest in the fighting genre.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While the more randomized elements of The Crush House can make it frustrating at times, this "thirst-person shooter" still delivers quite the unique and fun experience. After all, how many games can claim that they provide a challenge in seeing if players can find a way to capture three butts on camera at once while also getting a glimpse of the Success Slide in order to please both the Conspiracy Theorists and Mega Fans? Throw in a good spoof of reality shows with a memorable cast and some bright '90s Malibu visuals, and you have something worth toasting over with a nice glass of Crush Juice...
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Although Shiren the Wanderer isn’t a long title, it’s hard to stop going back in and taking on the next challenge that’s offered. The story is short but offers tons of alternative challenges afterwards for those who want to put their skills to the test. Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate is a prime example of a fantastic roguelike that makes it both frustrating and satisfying every step of the way. Improving upon strategies and learning more about enemies helps scratch the surface until things begin to ramp up with the night time terrors that leave players with tough decisions on whether to run or fight. Anyone looking for a great challenge in a re-released mystery dungeon title should take on the challenge that awaits Shiren and his friends.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Saturday Morning RPG has a few issues, but none are glaring. The writing occasionally falls flat, and at several points a glitch caused my view to be obstructed while using a timed button-press attack in combat, but the game remains wholesomely charming and fun throughout.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There’s so much to Nioh 2 that many gamers will simply miss out on due to its ruthless difficulty, something that feels unearned in its own right. Those able to overcome the difficulty curve will find complex and highly-versatile combat, inspirational enemy designs and an imaginative world to explore. Team Ninja has crafted something worth investing your time into, just maybe not hours into a single boss.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sunless Sea is a little darker and less cheerful than its already morbid sister Fallen London, but it’s no less delightful.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Immortal Redneck is an absolutely fantastic FPS-roguelike. There’s a lot of care in its room design, the enemies all have their own distinct style making it easy to identify the most threatening one in any situation, the action is fast and powerful and the whole game looks fantastic. The difficulty is tuned high but there’s plenty of room for growth, both from learning the enemies’ patterns and from buying upgrades for permanent character progression. Choosing a patron deity at the start of the run makes each round play a little differently than the previous one, and when coupled with the powerups found along the way you’ll have a unique character by the time you either get killed off or somehow survive the traps and creatures of the pyramid. It’s a long way to the top and each floor is more concentrated than the last, but there’s plenty of great shooting on the way to the boss fight at the apex. Then there are still two more pyramids to fight through, because if there’s one thing an immortal redneck loves, it’s when the shooting gets completely out of hand.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Graphic quality downgrade aside, the additional content makes the 3DS version overall superior to its Wii U counterpart.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While the season two debut failed to capitalize on the suspenseful tactics Telltale Games was able to integrate in the first season, Episode 2 has fixed that. It’s still a bit shorter than what we’ve grown accustomed to and the zombies feel tacked on rather than an actual story driven threat, but the hour and a half long episode is able to convince us that the drama within the group of survivors is much deeper than first expected.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dark Souls Remastered is a good reminder how far we’ve come in the last seven years. This is almost all nostalgia, with the potential to grab newer players and show them where the series more or less started. It’s beginning to feel a little dated, with adjustments to combat and movement from newer games not being implemented, but there’s still the sense of overwhelming gratification when playing, not to mention intense strategy.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider conjures the spirit of the golden age of 16-bit gaming. Everything from the graphics to the soundtrack perfectly recreates the essence of early ’90s gaming, while the gameplay mechanics feel contemporary enough where it hits the sweet spot in blending modern with classic. The most important element that Moonrider recreated is making a modern 16-bit game that is just as fun and exciting as the titles that inspired it were back in their heyday. Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a retro-inspired title that shows just how fun a trip to a dystopian future can be.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Card Hunter folds the best of card games and video games into a single experience. The combat and aesthetics all gel together in a unique browser-based game. Try the game, even if you’re not into board games, as it a should scratch the itch of anyone who is missing a polished turn based experience.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    What makes Lightmatter work isn’t the puzzles or the story but how well the two fit together. Every new room is a different challenge and comes with its own chunk of story as well. It also helps that the game has a distinct art style, mostly blues and blacks but with everything clearly defined in bold solid colors. The player moves at a decent speed, and movement is nicely responsive so there’s never any impatience at enacting an attempt at a new possible solution. There’s an unanswered mystery as to the player’s identity, teased at but never revealed in any kind of believable way, but in the end it’s not important.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    When it comes to long-awaited sequels, New Pokémon Snap doesn’t disappoint in the least. There’s so much more to do for those looking for a wonderful adventure through the brand new Lental region with camera in hand. The amount of time any player will get out of New Pokémon Snap will vary of course, as it’s a title that relies on people enjoying pure atmosphere and seeing tons of adorable or tough Pokémon in brand new ways. All in all it’s a proper and fantastic sequel to the long-beloved original N64 title. While New Pokémon Snap borrows much from its predecessor, it has plenty of new to stand up on its own two legs that builds an endearing experience. Hopefully it won’t be another 22 years until the next entry, as New Pokémon Snap is so utterly charming that it’s hard to keep from wanting even more.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The game mechanics are on par with some of the better known stealth titles out there, and taking place in a massive and beautiful fantasy world only enhances the experience. The typical stealth elements such as hiding in the shadows and hanging off building ledges mix well with the more unique abilities such as invisibility and having a clone run amok to take the focus off of Styx.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This may not be a necessary purchase for somebody who still has their Sega Genesis collection from the last console generation, but this is a great assortment of Sega Genesis games and at least one of these collections should be in a every retro game fan’s library.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Reus is a game of giants walking the earth, and an epic contraption whose pleasantly rewarding output wrests a world teeming with life from a dead planet’s skin.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Res Publica gave me a reason to have a blast playing as the Dutch. It adds a fun, historically accurate story about the competition between two philosophies and political entities and asks you to harness their competition for the benefit of the empire.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mega Coin Squad is a fun, frantic and wholly unique action platformer with all sorts of crazy ideas and mechanics built around a clear and engaging objective of collecting and banking as many coins as possible.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones opens a lot of doors for the series. The Metroidvania overworld lets you learn and use the different gadgets in open-ended ways, offering ample opportunities to experiment.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Be sure to pick up F1 2014 if you’re a lapsed fan of the franchise. It does everything right and eliminates the clutter that has hurt past entries in the series.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With the revamp of war, naval combat, technological additions and managing territory, Stellaris: Apocalypse might even be a more ambitious addition than last year’s Stellaris: Utopia. Stellaris only seems to journey towards a brighter future and Stellaris: Apocalypse paves the way for it to shine.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    When it works, Demigod is a game with plenty of fun to be had and at times even rivals its source material.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The magical combination of two creative powerhouses in Disney and Harmonix has produced one of the best Kinect rhythm games to date. Like no other to come before it, Fantasia: Music Evolved combines the required accuracy of the best of the genre with wholly enjoyable remixing tools that allow players to create new compositions on the fly merely with their hands.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Killer Instinct Season Three offers up the best incarnation of the reboot to date.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Granblue Fantasy: Relink has a short and sweet story campaign with the potential for endless grinding after the main credits roll. The story is an enjoyable ride from start to finish that blends a captivating story filled with interesting crew members and exhilarating action-packed gameplay. Most of the characters' backstories are revealed through Fate Episodes in town and watching these stories adds a great deal to how invested the player can get in their individual stories. The content after the main story promises countless hours of completing increasingly more difficult missions to extend the life of the game. These missions after the main campaign deliver story content at a much slower pace, however, and after a certain point these activities amount to little more than grinding for better resources. Multiplayer helps with these missions, but most players will likely move on before completing all the content the post game has to offer. But up until that point, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is an incredibly fun adventure.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The new features, content and high-definition visuals aren’t quite enough to make it feel like a brand new game all over again, but they do go a long way towards enhancing what was already there. Its story is easy to get into for those who allow themselves to go along for the ride; the main characters are a likable bunch and its generally positive atmosphere and bright presentation is even infectious at times. The combat takes a bit to come into its own, but becomes a real spectacle once it does. Some might find that slowness and the large amount of dialogue to be annoying, but the game’s inherent positivity and silliness will likely still be enough to make it an overall fun experience.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Every day is a new challenge, and with a bit of practice with the ship’s handling and familiarization with the set pieces that make up the world, maybe you can give the sun a run for its money.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tales of Vesperia as a whole is a masterful game that deserves to be played by anyone who enjoys a good story. It’s not only one of the best Tales games, but it’s up there in the pantheon of impeccable RPGs. With so much new and enhanced content on an already impressive base, Tales of Vesperia Definitive Edition starts 2019 off with a bang.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Developer Red Barrels has offered an excellent step in this universe with Outlast 2. Choosing a different environment and adapting to those settings to help create a truly terrifying experience was successful. Adding some narrative to the game is a step in the right direction. The linearity of the game is detrimental, but does not kill the experience. This game has a little longer playtime than the original, but that will most likely be extended in the first playthrough due to the unfamiliarity with locations and enemies. Outlast 2 will punish and terrify at the same time; it’s a cruel game.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Enigma offers plenty of teases for the season ahead while also improving upon the combat and presentation for Telltale’s take on the powerless superhero. Those mere hints are all that separate this episode from feeling like a standalone story, though, albeit an intriguing one at that. Once the full season comes into play, this debut episode may feel a little less out of place, but for now, The Enigma represents a strong start for Bruce Wayne’s latest struggle to keep his city, and his relationships, intact.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Straightforward and occasionally frustrating the set-up may seem, Noita‘s hands-off approach to instruction and allowing player-made discovery to bloom is one sought-after trait in gaming that here pays off time and time again.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Overall, Cat Quest II is a fantastic adventure that’s easy to recommend for players of any age. It’s a big improvement over the first and greatly expands upon what worked before while fixing some of the issues that didn’t. Having two characters to play as simultaneously keeps things fresh, as does the addition of long-range attacks. The graphics aren’t a giant improvement over the first, but they’re still good overall and pleasing to the eye. The weakest point is its sound — which isn’t bad, but unspectacular. Anyone seeking an action-centric dungeon-crawler will love Cat Quest II — and if you didn’t like the first, the second may just fix that.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There are too many aspects of Tormented Souls to appreciate for any fan of original survival horror titles to pass up.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Everything in No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES is tailored to provide a new and unique experience in a world that's beloved by fans. Puzzles and trials are all new and fresh, making you think of new ways to solve the wild scenarios our characters have found themselves in. The writing isn’t perfect, but it remains in the same vein as the previous games, staying true to its roots by being serious when needed and lighthearted in between those more intense moments. While it isn’t recommended to play this as your first game in the series, it does avoid spoiling the games that take place before and after it, respecting players who may not have completed the first game yet. This won’t be the best starting point for the story, but it may be enough to get those new players interested in exploring the prior games as well.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sure, it has some flaws, namely its reliance on the same mechanics that never really change over the course of its 10 hour campaign. But even so, Strike Suit Zero: Director’s Cut still manages to pull off a fun experience that blends action-arcade and simulation just enough to please both crowds.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Death end re;Quest 2 follows the mold of its predecessor but is ultimately more enjoyable. There are times when the day portion of the game feels like it’s going on for too long but the story is at least interesting enough where it’s not too tedious. The battle sequences are simple but the enhanced knockback mechanics make them more enjoyable. It’s not the deepest RPG out there, both in terms of depth of a character development and combat mechanics but the gameplay is enjoyable and the story finds a way to be grisly and dark while still having an overall lighthearted feel to the game. It does have the certain feel to it that Compile Heart/Idea Factory games have, but Death end re;Quest 2 is arguably one of their strongest games overall.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite its downfalls and legacy design issues, I simply cannot put down PGA Tour 2K21. Much like the previous Golf Club title, this is a golf game with smidgen of the PGA Tour tacked on it. MyPLAYER is designed to be a individualistic experience, but a lack of depth on the branded items and the fact that there’s no leveling up the player leaves the long-term aspect in question. Couple that with a season that is mostly full of fantasy courses with some mid-tier PGA Tour courses thrown in and those expecting a full on PGA experience will be disappointed. What matters the most here, however, is the golf and the proper representation of a golf broadcast. The addiction of building confidence until you find that sweet spot and the ability to nail shots that you crafted in your mind makes it worth it. Just avoid higher difficulties until you get comfortable, but I also feel getting too serious about your play style may ruin the experience that’s otherwise extremely fun. In the end PGA Tour 2K21 is a great game of golf and a promising start to the new franchise, and with 2K onboard, we should continue to see more of the PGA positively implemented in the future.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    For a game so mechanically simple, it’s one of the better experiences out there — four-letter swear words and all.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hive Jump combines many sub-genres of action-platformers into one game, and does them all fairly well. Its shooting is fantastic, with strong sound design making each kill feel rewarding.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue may not satisfy those who desperately want Kingdom Hearts III, but it is the perfect collection to experience old and new adventures in the Kingdom Hearts universe while we wait.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Even if it’s brief and falters during the third act, there’s no denying that Backbone is a truly gorgeous and captivating adventure, with an engrossing world that you’ll want to see even more of. It’s a unique mystery with a cast of amazing anthropomorphic animals that ends up going places players won’t expect, and it’s also one that’s likely worth revisiting after you’ve finished. There’s just a lot in here that truly excels in creating a unique twist on noir classics, and EggNut should pat themselves on the back for giving us another detective game that proves why many of them prefer to take the offbeat routes these days.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super Stardust Ultra is an excellent update of a great twin-stick shooter, and worth the time for both long-term fans and those who somehow missed it the first time around.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It actually made me laugh out loud and manages to retain its charm even after the novelty of the weirdness wore off. Being a game that requires quick reflexes and a tolerance for sexually-charged humor sets it apart from the other titles that vie for gamer dollars.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    What the Golf is the ultimate parody of the titular sport by boiling it down to its fundamentals and constantly upending the player’s expectations to create a humorous and memorable game. With smart and infrequent references to other games, an appealing aesthetic and reliable mechanics, the relatively brief campaign works well as either a pick-up-and-play title or a fun undertaking to blaze through in an afternoon. Thanks to a core concept that should appeal to sports, puzzle or comedy fans, What the Golf is a promising debut from the small team at Triband that is sure to please gamers of all ages.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Don’t go into Gears of War 4 expecting a thought provoking story; go into it for its action packed scenarios, superb multiplayer experience and top tier shooting mechanics.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Smashbox Arena is a fantastic take on dodgeball, combining the classic playground activity with an arena FPS to make something fast enough for good competitive gaming while remaining appropriate for all ages.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A few bugs aside, Beat Cop is a highly engrossing and addictive adventure, a cross between classic ’80s action and routine cop duty that makes for some extremely interesting gameplay as you get sucked in and even get attached to everyone in your little part of Brooklyn. Proper management and investigation skills are rewarded with satisfying results and advancements in various intriguing narratives, and the gameplay is the kind that’s enjoyably simple to learn and fun to work with. Long story short, even if this is more of a tribute to the like of Harry Callahan, it’s Sonny Bonds who should feel proud that Pixel Crow made an enjoyable game about police work that does his legacy justice.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you’re sick of the run and gun nature of Call of Duty but find the simulation aspects of something like Arma a bit too daunting, Insurgency is the perfect middle ground, and a supremely enjoyable multiplayer experience.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With the heavy emphasis on story and a campaign where fifty hours is considered a fast completion, this is not a casual game, but it’s well worth a look for anyone who enjoys story-rich JRPGs they can sink close to a hundred hours into it.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sportsfriends is the most-fun party game I’ve played since the days of the original Mario Party.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While Afterparty arguably doesn’t quite hit the same overall heights as its older sibling, it still manages to deliver one amazing adventure of its own, largely thanks to a terrific sense of humor, a unique story, and some truly astounding writing and dialogue.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 delivers on a fun time in a world made of LEGOs and remains over the top in all the right ways.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The decision as to whether or not Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King should be checked out boils down to the answer of a single question: does the potential buyer desire a new Zelda of the old school style? If the answer is yes, then this game is a must buy. All of the pieces are present and put together in an entertaining fashion, adhering close to the original design while upping the challenge and adding in more of a quest system. It’s not the most creative experience, but one can’t help but feel that Castle Pixel made precisely the game that they wanted to play. This level of care shows through in the final product, making it a perfect title for anyone who wants to recapture the sense of discovery felt while playing through A Link to the Past for the first time.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Anarcute is a warm and fuzzy, utterly adorable game that plays with mob violence and social unrest.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cities: Skylines – PlayStation 4 Edition brings an excellent city-simulator to consoles offering an amazing interface and excellent visuals. Everything is straightforward in terms of gameplay and the game feels like a modern take on the older and excellent versions of Sim City. While the console version may lack some of the content the PC version does, there is more than enough here to keep anyone busy.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Wonder Blade is a good brawler with a surprising amount of depth given its primary genre. It’s easy to underestimate a new brawler since the genre can be divisive, but this is one of the better modern-day incarnations of it. It’s surprisingly diverse with its gameplay types and ensures that you’re never doing too much of one thing for too long — and doesn’t overstay its welcome as a result. It looks great, but could sound better as its soundtrack is lacking in memorable tunes. Still, it’s a must-buy for any brawler fans — especially if you want something that rewards you with stat boosts and upgrades throughout the adventure.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There is not much to be said about Green Day Rock Band that isn't covered by the simple fact that if you enjoy Green Day as a band, you will likely enjoy what the game has to offer.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Playing it after experiencing Forza Motorsport 5 makes it feel like, well, going back a console generation. The mechanics and features are as impressive as ever, but now that we’ve seen what cars can look like on the current generation of consoles, it’s hard going back. Still, it’s hard to fault the game for being released too late and it remains another thoughtful, expertly crafted racing experience. - See more at: http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2013/12/06/review-gran-turismo-6/64753/#sthash.bsOa86kF.dpuf
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions is a fantastic arcade-style boxing game that showcases a lot of fast action while still paying tribute to the long-running Rocky franchise. It’s lacking in terms of mode variety and it would be nice to have a more in-depth story mode that either recreated key parts of the lore or that allowed for alternate history versions of scenarios to play out. As it stands, the arcade ladder system offers up a tiny bit of story, but not enough to get invested into. Thankfully, the core gameplay is so fun that it keeps you hooked and having an unlocking system in place that rewards just playing the game instead of a pay-to-unlock setup is nice to see. It looks impressive as well, with crisp graphics and steady framerates allowing for the fast action to shine.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dust suffers from the typical redundancies of a hack-and-slash, but offers more than enough attractive environments to keep the gameplay fresh.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Packed with that familiar caliber of intriguing level design and emergent gameplay, Sniper Elite: Resistance may not be the most radical of changes, but it undoubtedly makes up for it in its retaining the series’ joyous curating of tactile shots and careful planning alike.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There’s so much going on here that it can be overwhelming at times – a problem not helped by the cumbersome UI – but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more accurate depiction of what it’s like to wage war.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    All in all, Virtua Tennis 3 is an easy to play and visually attractive title. [May 2007, p.56]
    • Hardcore Gamer
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Much like how Saints Row is a damn good GTA clone, Dante’s Inferno is the best God of War clone yet that should be enjoyed be all.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    While not a supremely inspired game, its limited premise is implemented so well from a technical and design standpoint that it's very easy to enjoy despite itself. [Mar 2007, p.56]
    • Hardcore Gamer
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    For the $29.99 price tag, The Dark Eye: Drakensang, offers you a full 40 hours of well-written story filled with missions and side quests to complete.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Despite some issues with the jumping, Prinny 2 winds up being a fantastic game overall. If you're a fan of platformers, or of NISA's off the wall humor, pick this up ASAP.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The low challenge means the title has a relatively low lifespan, but you can get a solid week or so out of chasing down all the treasures and playing the minigames.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    All in all, Virtua Tennis 3 is an easy to play and visually attractive title. [May 2007, p.56]
    • Hardcore Gamer
    • 85 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It's not perfect, but it is fun and addicting and really, who can ask for more than that? [June 2007, p.52]
    • Hardcore Gamer
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    This is 2D fighting bliss, the likes of which we haven't seen since the heady heydays of Capcom, SNK, and Midway dominance. [Oct 2007, p.54]
    • Hardcore Gamer

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