Hardcore Gamer's Scores

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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:
  1. Positive: 2,430 out of 4329
  2. Mixed: 1,657 out of 4329
  3. Negative: 242 out of 4329
4332 game reviews
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    • 65 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 shouldn't work. Coming a year after the controversial Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, six years of pent-up resentment towards an irksome matchmaking system and years of increasingly abhorrent monetization, Black Ops 7 had a massive hill to climb. Despite all this, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 not only works, but vastly outshines recent Call of Duty releases. Treyarch's focus on refining the mechanics of Black Ops 6, rolling back many of the franchise's controversial systems of years past and building fun spaces to play in has paid dividends. The campaign is a mixed bag thanks to a weak overarching plot and terrible Avalon missions that are offset thanks to strong character moments and the brilliant Endgame mode. Multiplayer launches in the best state it's been in years thanks to movement tweaks that put more emphasis on gunplay skill over sliding, open matchmaking and the best set of launch maps in years. Zombies also gets a glow-up thanks to the brilliant Ashes of the Damned and Dead Ops Arcade 4. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 doesn't break the mold or make meaningful changes to the formula, but it does refine the current formula into the best launch experience a Call of Duty has had in years. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is the win the franchise has been looking for.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Yakuza: Like a Dragon
    From its gripping story, tactically-grounded combat, vast ensemble of well-written characters not to mention the sheer amount of side content to conquer and smile at, and the most graphically-impressive game in the franchise to date thanks to the Xbox Series X, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is no less than a brilliant reinvention for the Yakuza series and one of 2020’s best, most complete experiences.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sleeping Dogs
    Sleeping Dogs isn't a groundbreaker so much as a hodgepodge of awesomeness. It is the satisfying culmination of years of open-world gaming. With hours of replay value, smooth combat and great voice acting, Sleeping Dogs illustrates the beginning of a successful franchise.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Pokemon Legends: Arceus
    Although some of the visuals leave a bit to be desired, the core of everything else is fantastic and gives players many ways to play while also offering arguably the biggest challenge in the series to date. That’s not to mention the meaty post-game that offers hours more enjoyable content to complete, which is something that the other Switch titles can hardly claim without the inclusion of paid DLC. Not only is Pokémon Legends: Arceus the biggest leap in innovation the series has ever had, but it’s deserving of praise for being a wonderful and charming adventure the entire way through. Hopefully we see more in this vein in the future, as it’s sure to leave anyone who plays it craving to see what else could be done moving forward.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2
    We cannot recommend Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 enough to those who played the first title and hope those who haven’t consider giving the series a much-deserved once over as it’s one of the most satisfying turn-based challenges to date.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Candleman
    Candleman is the first true surprise of 2017. An ambitious little platformer that seemingly came out of nowhere and ended up as an unforgettable, brilliant and gorgeous light in the gaming landscape, not unlike its protagonist.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    CastleStorm
    It might not be the most complex or most challenging title out there, but it is unique, clever, funny, and, most importantly, genuinely and remarkably fun.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Borderlands 3
    Borderlands 3 is a no-brainer for those who already own the game to experience what the PlayStation 5 is capable of. The Resolution Mode visually adds so much more and the Performance Mode gives players a chance to try out the 120hz mode on a compatible display. The story remains the same, but the DLC will add many more ways to play for users. The DualSense Controller with the PS5 is the true game changer here and it’s further bolstered by the 3D Audio. Gearbox no doubt took advantage of the new hardware to unleash the proper Borderlands 3.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
    Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is, plain and simple, one truly superb and expertly-crafted metroidvania game. The cast of colorful characters ends up leading to quests that feature impressive gameplay that encourages exploration as you eventually discover more of the world, the action is superb and challenging with a lot of fun movement, and it all looks dazzling as you take in all of the sights of Japanese mythology, depicted here in such a charming style. If you're a fan of the genre, you need to check it out. And if not, consider Bō a good place to start.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dyad
    As an experience, it's one of the most unforgettable of the generation, and overall one of the best games on PSN.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
    Metal Gear Solid Delta is as good, if not better, than the original, thanks to the myriad of quality-of-life improvements that make it more up to modern functional standards. There are pacing issues near the middle of the campaign, but otherwise, this is something the Metal Gear Solid veterans will remember fondly and new players will appreciate.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Stick it to the Man!
    It’s a unique, funny, occasionally brilliant experience full of colorful characters and creative puzzles.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Batman: The Enemy Within - Episode 5: Same Stitch
    Despite a slightly forgettable middle and a few characters being given a rushed ending, Same Stitch is a fantastic finale for Batman: The Enemy Within, as Bruce Wayne and John Doe’s uneasy alliance comes to an explosive and constantly surprising conclusion.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Operator
    The Operator is a thrilling and fast-paced debut into the indie simulation scene. While the game may initially appear to be a simple investigation simulator, its snappy pace and intriguing narrative quickly draws players in within the first thirty minutes. While the alien parts of the game feel disconnected from the rest of it, it's not enough to draw away from its better elements.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Rise of the Tomb Raider
    Rise of the Tomb Raider’s PC debut is nothing short of phenomenal, and provided you have the PC to back it up, it can look and run substantially better than its Xbox One counterpart.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Banner Saga
    If you’re getting tired of swords and sorcery, or just looking for meaty tactical battles, few RPGs will satisfy you better.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Bangai-O Spirits
    Overall, Bangai-O is a fantastic shooter, and the sheer customizability of it is amazing. Still, if you like shooters, or puzzles in general, it is worth your time—oh-so-worth it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Hashihime of the Old Book Town
    Hashihime of the Old Book Town provides an engaging story from beginning to end. Despite weaving in and out through different timelines, it never becomes overly complex as can occur with time travel fiction. The only let down might be the strange note that the writers chose to end the story on. Everything else, however, makes Hashihime of the Old Book Town a game that you’re not likely to forget anytime soon.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Ghost of Tsushima
    Ghost of Tsushima is one of the few games this generation that left a momentous impression on me. This is an original, impactful, beautiful and deep game, but most importantly, it’s just downright fun. Even with so few main story quests, Sucker Punch Productions focused on quality over quantity, ensuring every second is spent on something to savor.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Guitar Hero 5
    If you’re intoGuitar Hero, buy this game. It’s one of the most solid Guitar Hero titles yet and should keep you busy for a long time.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Astral Chain
    Aside from the lackluster co-op and slow start, Astral Chain is one of those rare games where it’s difficult to say anything bad about it. The story and world building may fall short of the masterpiece that was NieR: Automata, which also involved Astral Chain director Takahisa Taura, but I dare say this is the best combat action in a Platinum Games title to date. The dual control of one of the Howard twins and the Legion in an innovative twist in battle and makes combat as fun to watch as it is to play. The exploration and detective work make The Ark a world that I wanted to protect from the Chimeras. Astral Chain is one of the best games of 2019 so far and may even be remembered as one of the greatest Switch exclusives.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Darkness
    It's rare to play an FPS with gameplay this creative and exciting. [Vol 3, Issue 2, p.54]
    • Hardcore Gamer
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Guacamelee! Gold Edition
    Guacamelee! Gold Edition only helps to enhance the rich, fun, free-scrolling action platformer by strengthening the visual art style and adding a bevy of Steamworks features.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    RIDE 6
    For those looking for something akin to Gran Turismo or Forza but with motorcycles, RIDE 6 is the closest thing you're going to get. A plethora of bikes, tracks and a deep Career Mode will have players engaged in a single-player experience that doesn't force a grind. Bikes are fully upgradeable with licensed parts that provide different performance increases. The racing is fun with an AI that's uniquely unpredictable, but enjoyable at times. The Bridgestone Racing School will get you ready for the in-game and real-world riding. RIDE 6 suffers in the technical areas with inconsistent visuals and bike sounds, along with a good bit of random, yet quick loading times. With more content coming in the future, this is the game that squids and twisty riders have been waiting for.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Umineko When They Cry: Answer Arcs
    Grab a comfy chair, snacks and maybe even some tissues to prepare for playing Umineko When They Cry – Answer Arcs. You’ll be in for the long haul as the story twists and turns for at least fifty hours. While there were some slower story segments in the Question Arcs, there’s none of that here. Every event feels completely Earth-shattering and reveals prove utterly satisfying. Any visual novel fan out there who has not yet read Umineko When They Cry needs to rectify this immediately.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition
    Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition is simply a fantastic fighter. Street Fighter V featured outstanding fighting mechanics upon its original release, but felt like a bare bones husk of a game that was rushed out the door incomplete to capitalize on the eSports trend. Street Fighter V Arcade Edition fills in the negative space and delivers the fighting game experience it should have been in the first place.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Intake
    Intake is the arcade-shooter to defeat all arcade-shooters, both in play and style.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    F1 22
    What makes F1 22 great are the improvements to the core technical aspects. The new cars look and sound amazing as the game is buttery smooth across the board. The new physics with the new cars will challenge even the pros up front until they figure out their setups. The supercars on the Pirelli Hot Laps are fun to play around with, but I’m assuming that licensing issues prevented Codemasters from having a deeper implementation into the game. The point is a return is needed for classic cars and to add even more from different generations. Otherwise, the new additions are slight improvements, but underwhelming. The pit box integration is better than having nothing, but once that timing is down, it doesn’t amount to much. The limited gameplay mode selection and the reduction of major aspects does sting. I will give kudos to Codemasters for trying some new things and while nothing flopped, it was played safe. What matters most is what happens on the track and F1 22 offers the best racing the series has seen.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Animal Crossing: New Horizons
    Animal Crossing has always been a series where every little thing leads to something productive. Doing nothing and staring off into the sky is relaxing, decorating houses is fun and catching critters feels rewarding. There’s never been a real “point” to Animal Crossing but that’s what makes it enjoyable, as every person can enjoy and do what they like at their own pace. New Horizons nails this feeling more than ever, with so many options and lots of things to collect and enjoy. While it’s easy to play in short bursts, it’s often hard to stop playing when ideas keep coming and experimentation is so much fun when there’s little to no consequences. New Horizons is by far the best Animal Crossing and anyone looking for a way to relax or get creative should not miss out.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Huntdown
    Huntdown is awesome, plain and simple. The action is intense and extremely fun, with big, superb levels, tons of firepower to work with, and a cavalcade of amazing enemy encounters and even more amazing bosses. Huntdown is an extremely enjoyable romp that does its coin-op predecessors proud when it comes to satisfying gameplay and perfectly-executed graphics, earning its spot alongside the other retro indie greats…or just alongside other great action games, period. If you’re reading this, then just go and buy it. You will most assuredly not be disappointed.
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In Progress & Unscored

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    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    007 First Light
    What we played wasn't perfect. Bond's movements can feel weighty, the dash button magnetically putting you into cover can be annoying (and gets you killed), and the first level in Iceland is overly long with little to do, but these are all small nitpicks in what was an exciting romp through Kensington. Hopefully, the rest of the game can match that level of clever level design, pacing and action. [Hands-On Impressions]
    • 76 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Until Then
    Until Then, with its innovative gameplay, stunning pixel graphics and emotionally-charged narrative is a game that transcends the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Despite a single minor interface issue, the overall experience is immersive, offering players a chance to explore the complexities of adolescence in a visually-captivating world. Until Then promises to leave a lasting impression, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven indie games.
    • 86 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Vampire Survivors
    Vampire Survivors is a long slow burn that never stops getting hotter, maybe not quite the first of the genre it ignited, but certainly the best. [Early Access Provisional Score = 90]

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