Hardcore Gamer's Scores

  • Games
For 4,326 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:
4329 game reviews
    • 70 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Maybe there's a great game beyond level 8. Maybe it turns into peaches and honey. Maybe a magical unicorn bursts from the screen. Who knows? After playing a single level beyond any possibility of ever getting any enjoyment from it again, I turned the game off and walked away. Gameplay masochism only stays enjoyable so long before a feeling best described as "screw this!" sets in, and Fractured Soul blew past that point and never looked back.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Retro Pocket is hurt by some boring games being included, but remains a worthy purchase due to a handful of really fun ones.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Awesome Games Studios wanted to create a fun, casual, goofy game and that's what Oozi: Earth Adventure is. Despite issues with the controls and musical selection, there isn't much wrong with it.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Double Dragon: Neon is in an awkward position. It may be a bit too Double Dragon for today's generation to understand, yet not Double Dragon enough for hardcore fans to eat up. This is far from the long-awaited Double Dragon revival, but it's a great opportunity to revisit the Lee brothers (or to be introduced to them for the first time). Regardless, Double Dragon: Neon is a challenging, fun game definitely worth looking into.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Episode 3 is an emotional thrill ride that had my jaw glued to the floor with spectacular ground-shaking events. If you thought the last episode was disturbing, you haven't seen anything yet.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you're up for the challenge, They Bleed Pixels is a fast and fun action-platformer that will put all your reflexes to the test. It's utterly unapologetic about killing you, and because the controls are so smooth and precise every single failure feels exactly like it should- as something that could have been avoided if only you'd played better. It's not a game to play when you're looking to wind down at day's end, but bring all your skill and a load of patience, and They Bleed Pixels will make you feel like a magician with a gamepad.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition is a fantastic experience, and one of the best games I've played this generation. Even with some graphical hiccups, it remains superior to the console counterparts, offering more content, better graphical options and a frame rate that is steady throughout. Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition is an experience like no other that will invoke a multitude of emotions while keeping you planted on the edge of your seat.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Mutant Mudds is a well-executed that falls short in some crucial areas. Given the relatively low price, Mutant Mudds is worth owning if you're seeking a tough platformer with some twists to it. Unfortunately, some may find its high difficulty more frustrating than fun. The old-school graphics work well, with the bold outlines making the far-off gameplay easier to make out, but the music and depth issues often suck enjoyment out of an otherwise breezy experience.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There's a lot to explore and a huge amount of potential stat tweaking, but it would have been nice to get a proper explanation on how Legasista's systems fit together.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Rock Band Blitz is a conflicting experience for hardcore fans. The game has its moments, but the most entertaining part of Rock Band has been effectively stripped from the game.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    An involving, evolving story and effective customizability just aren't quite enough to save a game marred by annoying graphical issues and uninspiring gameplay.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A very good game on a technical level, but falls short of satisfying because it feels far too similar to other games in the series.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While the game invokes memories with those who grew up playing the Neversoft games, the content is a bit skimpy and the gameplay behind its time.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A great title for kids. Many of the plain jokes and goblin humor is not lost on the younger crowd.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The web swinging is better, and the combat system is much more effective (not to mention some awesome Signature Moves).
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    As an experience, it's one of the most unforgettable of the generation, and overall one of the best games on PSN.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Deadlight is a mix between storytelling, side-scrolling, puzzle solving, and good old fashion survival horror. It reinvents nothing, but it successfully integrates components from each genre.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    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.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It's a unique and fun shooter boasting a far more vibrant color palette and better default soundtrack than Beat Hazard. Vertical shooter fans will adore it, as will those with extensive music collections.
    • 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.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With an absolutely stellar presentation, some of the most memorable tracks picked from the last game, an arsenal of modes to play, and one of the lengthiest stories in a fighting game, Persona 4 Arena has everything a fighter should have, plus more.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With Darksiders II, the franchise has cemented itself as an essential property among the likes of Devil May Cry and God of War. Even with the scale increasing in practically every area, the game manages to be less intimidating than its predecessor.
    • 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.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The only real problem with the length is the pacing, with no indication given that you're on the last area and solving the final puzzle until, surprise!, end credits. It's analagous to reading a review that, while technically it's said everything it needs to, simply comes to a stop.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's hurt by having a bare-bones online setup, not including the PS1 version's story mode, and not improving upon the blah soundtrack of the original game. There are a lot of downloadable fighters on the market now available for less money that are better than this. JJBA HD is a top-shelf bizarre game, but not exactly a top-shelf game in its own right.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Even though not all the touted features may be immediately noticeable, they greatly contribute to improving the overall experience. Most importantly, though, Madden offers a fun game of football with or without friends.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Transformers: Dark of the Moon may not be a truly complete experience, but it's just that: a good time. At their core, I think that's what games should be all about.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Transformers: Dark of the Moon may not be a truly complete experience, but it's just that: a good time. At their core, I think that's what games should be all about.
    • 38 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Thor would have been a lot better with some more time and resources at hand. The problems of the game are plentiful and while some are forgivable considering what the game is, it still doesn't add up to a product worthy of Thor's prestige.
    • 39 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Thor would have been a lot better with some more time and resources at hand. The problems of the game are plentiful and while some are forgivable considering what the game is, it still doesn't add up to a product worthy of Thor's prestige.

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