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
    • 75 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Its character customization system is surprisingly robust and the insertion of the players custom character into the story works much more smoothly than expected. Combine that with opportunity to befriend one’s favorite characters, side content that’s worth doing and decent online play, and the result is a surprisingly solid game that Omega Force should be proud of.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sonic Unleashed is a glorious return to true console form for Sonic.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Mossmouth did the impossible with Spelunky 2 in managing to create a sequel to an incredible game that did not disenfranchise existing fans or turn off newbies. Instead, they’ve crafted another hard-as-nails experience that’s devilishly fun to play. Almost every new feature is an improvement and the new visual and audio flourishes enhance it further. Those who never played the original game don’t have to. They can jump straight into Spelunky 2 and enjoy a masterful title that will likely never grow old.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    OneShot pulls players in with poise and wit in a way most games can only dream of, offering up the best an adventure game can offer. With a character that can easily be understood and cared for, OneShot creates an unforgettable adventure while hiding secrets that could very well be missed. What awaits in OneShot is well worth anyone’s time.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    This is arguably the definitive version of Trine 2, offering more content and the ability to draw and aim with a touchscreen. While some of those controls can be a bit finicky when in the heat of battle, it does offer a fun and interactive way to play this brilliantly crafted game. Trine 2: Director's Cut does the Wii U's eShop a favor in creating a platformer that's both luscious and well designed and could easily go as a standalone product in some capacity. Even if you own the original, this is definitely worth checking out to see the enhancements.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Perhaps the best compliment that one could pay Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition is that it is absolutely Divinity: Original Sin in every sense of the name.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Last of Us: Left Behind captures everything that is great about The Last of Us and distills it down into a tight two hour journey.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The one blemish are the abhorrent loading times, which is a shame as they’re simply an optimization issue rather than a design one. Expertly crafted on practically every level, Bloodborne is a deviously delicious experience that deserves to be experienced by anybody valiant enough to conquer it.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    To just put it bluntly: buy this game. Even if you’ve played both titles before, there’s enough here to warrant a purchase. Final Fantasy X, at least, should be played by anyone who considers themselves even the slightest fan of roleplaying games.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Minishoot Adventures is a fantastic little game that deserves all the love it can get, and a great fusion of two genres that don't get to play together anywhere near often enough.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    All in all though, I’d recommend giving this game a few days, playing through any initial frustration, and experimenting with this extremely well crafted sandbox.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Pokémon Pokopia is a huge new direction for Pokémon, much bigger than might be expected for a spin-off. It retains the heart of Pokémon with literally hundreds of different monsters to chat with, and it's always a lot of fun to see who's showing up next. The different areas are nicely designed, frequently with interesting secret areas, although it can feel overwhelming arriving at a new island and seeing just how much there is to do to bring it back from the edge of ruin. There's a long way to go to discover how the world got broken and then fixing it, but as the days roll by and the islands come back to life, the hope that maybe a Ditto and its trainer might eventually be reunited grows with the health and comfort of the reappearing Pokémon.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    There's a deeply satisfying flow to Modulus, whether it be solving the layout of a new shape or debugging the system for an older one that isn't delivering like it should, and the game pleasantly eats time with a series of stress-free challenges that you've always got the tools to solve. It's a peaceful world on the plateaus jutting into the sky, even when covered by an ever-more-tangled factory that only its creator can see the logic and beauty in.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is a fantastic metroidvania. It doesn’t do anything to revolutionize the genre, but it does excel at creating at creating a memorable experience that follows the familiar metroidvania template while still being unique. The visual style and amazing soundtrack complement each other well, creating a sense of tranquility in a desolate and horrific world. The challenge hits that sweet spot where the difficulty is high but victory is never out of reach, learning the enemy behaviors and getting an understanding of the collected abilities will allows players who persist to see the story to its end. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is a must play for fans of the genre as it’s simply one of the best metroidvanias ever developed.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Despite the new changes and how much they add to and improve the overall gameplay, it still feels like the same fun zombie killing game at its core.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It’s important not to let the mild criticisms get in the way, as Wanderstop is a beautiful title with something to say about overwork, determination and letting go. It explores these potentially depressing topics with a ton of humor and relaxing gameplay, resulting in a thoughtful, unique title that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Stepping away from the game, I have fond memories of the characters Alta meets, particularly Boro, Gerald and Monster. It’s a chill time that wants the player to spend as much or as little with it as they would like, while also being deep but unpretentious.
    • 93 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Not everything is perfect, though as many of the characters and their roles too closely resemble that of how Persona 4 is set up, and managing so many relationships at once can occasionally feel like busy work.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    If someone is looking for one of the most entrancing, addictive RPGs on the 3DS, then they should not hesitate to run as quickly as they can to their nearest game store to purchase Legends of the Titan; it’s certainly worth every penny of its price tag, and then some.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    If the gaming world doesn’t talk about Tales from the Borderlands as one of 2015’s best offerings, then something has gone horribly, horribly wrong.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Despite a few rough edges, Styx: Master of Shadows deserves a place alongside Metal Gear Solid 3, Hitman: Blood Money, and Mark of the Ninja as one of the best titles the genre has to offer.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It’s literally just Mortal Kombat X, which is already an excellent game and anyone interested in a few of the eight characters may just want to purchase them a-la-carte.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It’s one of the most — if not the most — hardcore action games to ever come from a major publisher. Players will die — a lot — as they come to realize that this is a punishing is a test of resilience. Those who can brave the challenge, however, will be richly rewarded with one of the most gratifying experiences in gaming and a true sense of accomplishment...A stunning accomplishment.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Not only is this the highest quality story NetherRealm has ever put together, it’s perhaps the best fighting game story ever. Character Variations aren’t the game-changer NetherRealm was hoping for, but do little to detract from how good the core gameplay mechanics already are.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It turns out that Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy shouldn’t have been written off. Eidos Montreal delivers a strong story filled with comedy and tragedy, great characters and a world that feels entirely unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They’ve compiled a lengthy adventure that’ll take players to new and familiar locations and built out a great gameplay system that utilizes all the Guardians’ best attributes.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Return to Monkey Island is pretty much as perfect a sequel to such a series of classic games as one can get. The puzzles are just as clever as they were decades ago, the visuals are the stunning, characters both new and old are a joy to interact with and provide great humor, and the story is not only well-crafted, but also has surprisingly profound moments. It’s easily a classic that can proudly stand alongside the other Monkey Island games, and one of the year’s best games in general. Take it from a now-behind-bars Stan: it’s one worth picking up.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    These two ports prove that HD re-releases still have the potential to feel like more than cheap money-grabs; the seamless God of War Collection seems like it was meant for a handheld all along.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Keep Driving is a charming, captivating and moving roguelike unlike any we've ever seen before, weaving an introspective and meaningful slice-of-life narrative while without sacrificing gameplay and interactivity. There's room to improve, sure, but that doesn't mean that the final product falls short by any means (and we all know by now that roguelike titles like this are ripe for updates and content expansions). At the risk of being overly sappy, it's a game that really does keep us wanting to keep driving.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It’s rare to see a game with stunning visuals and excellent gameplay, but Ori and the Blind Forest does exactly that. As long as you’re prepared for a serious challenge, then this is one game not to miss.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Splatoon 2 recaptures every moment of enjoyment of the original while finding room to add even more. Whether it's the challenging single player or the revitalized multiplayer, Splatoon 2 does a phenomenal job at making itself more than a minor upgrade.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    There’s a little something for everyone in the title — collectibles, intuitive gameplay and brilliant visuals. The use of the fairy tale narrative inspires a Brothers Grimm aesthetic that fits with the morals of Neversong‘s story. It’s also a title that has some good replay value as you receive permanent special items after beating the game at least once. While it’s a short game, length of time does not necessarily detract from the quality of the title. Instead, it takes the time needed to tell the story it wants to tell. Length of play-time is often associated with quality, but oftentimes developers take extra time just for the sake of it. And while there are some light gameplay missteps, the title recovers by being genuine in its storytelling. Neversong shows that even deep, emotional stories can come from small packages.

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