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For 250 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 31% higher than the average critic
  • 4% same as the average critic
  • 65% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 2.9 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 72
Highest review score: 100 Donkey Kong Bananza
Lowest review score: 20 Pokemon Violet
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 138 out of 250
  2. Mixed: 81 out of 250
  3. Negative: 31 out of 250
252 game reviews
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    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Tetris Effect: Connected
    Tetris effect: Connected reaches its true potential in the extensive multiplayer modes. You can join games hosted all over the world, each with its own theme and according graphical and sound effects. Whether you want to unwind with a relaxing puzzle, or are looking for an intense and nerve-racking challenge, the choices are nearly infinite.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
    What really makes this game innovative is undoubtedly the graphical aspect. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart had to show what the PS5 is capable of and it succeeds wonderfully. The planets, the characters, the use of color, it all looks breathtaking. As if you've landed in an interactive animated film. If we have to mention one drawback, it's that the creators perhaps want to show a little too much of what's possible, which makes the game a bit chaotic at times.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Xenoblade Chronicles 3
    It's big, bigger, biggest for Xenoblade chronicles 3. It's all the more galling that the game manages to captivate from start to finish. An unadulterated epic adventure.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Astro Bot
    If we do have one point of criticism, it is that there is no option to play the game in pairs. Games with such a co-op option are scarce these days, but it could have completed the experience completely. Still, as far as we are concerned, this space adventure deserves all the stars. All in all, Astro Bot is a very fun, accessible game. In fact, we dare say more: in this game, Astro rivals Mario as a platform king. Sorry, Nintendo.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Satisfactory
    'Satisfactory' is a strange beast. The idea behind it is simple: you are dropped on an alien planet and must then build a factory from scratch. What's the fun in that? We didn't really understand that either, because it's surprisingly similar to work. The game is also not perfect: it has disturbing graphical glitches, the alien fauna and flora get boring quickly, and we also noticed that after a while our PC was toiling as hard as our factory. Still, we have to admit that these minus points cannot spoil the fun: Satisfactory turns out to be a wonderful game that we will be enjoying for a very long time.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Hollow Knight: Silksong
    Hollow Knight: Silksong is, just like its predecessor, relentless. It's not a gentle adventure for beginners. Although this can make it frustrating at times, the game is exactly what fans had hoped for. Exhausting, yes, but also incredibly atmospheric. The game exudes mystery. The creators took their time making this sequel and worked out every detail meticulously. And my god, their world is beautifully designed. Hollow Knight: Silksong is a big challenge for a small price. It was well worth the long wait. But let me say it one more time: this game is not for everyone.
    • 93 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Hades
    Console gamers had to wait quite a few months, but one of the most lauded games of 2020 is finally available for Playstation and Xbox. And 'Hades' has everything it needs to excel on the new platforms as well.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Deathloop
    Is Deathloop perfect? For that, the story is a bit too slow to start, at times you are led by the hand just a little too much, and there were still too many bugs in our review copy. But that can be solved with patches and updates, and the pace does not detract from this intelligent and well-crafted murder puzzle. Let's hope it's the first of its kind.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy
    Solving puzzles together. Learning new skills. A little bit of fighting. We were big fans of the first two "Trine" games. Until the creators missed the mark with the third game. But with "Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy," the mistakes of the past have been forgiven.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Forza Horizon 5
    The graphics, lighting and weather effects are some of the best we've seen in a racing game, but of course it's all about the cars. Although this is an arcade racer that does not focus on realism but rather on short and fast action, the cars behave truthfully and react differently whether you are driving on a track, on the street or off road. The controls have been kept simple, making the game accessible to just about anyone. Altogether, this makes Forza Horizon 5 the most fun racing game of the moment.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    TOHU
    You don’t have to be a hardcore gamer to enjoy the unexpected masterpiece that is Tohu. It delivers a simple story with an equally simple gameplay: just point and click to solve the challenging puzzles at your own pace, while admiring the breathtaking scenery.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
    The story is entertaining, and it features characters from the Marvel universe that haven't yet surfaced in the movies, such as Fin Fang Foom, Lady Hellbender and the Nova Corps. Add in the requisite humor and self-deprecation and an eclectic killer soundtrack, and you get one of the most enjoyable games of the year.
    • 96 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Elden Ring
    A series so influential it becomes its own genre. That alone is FromSoft’s crowning achievement. For Elden Ring, the most recent iteration of that series, all superlatives fall short. This game is a timeless masterpiece that will go down in history as a milestone, not only for the genre and developer From Software, but for gaming as a whole.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Hogwarts Legacy
    Warner Bros. announced this game with much fanfare a long time ago, but Hogwarts Legacy lives up to all expectations. You can lose yourself for hours in the world where years later Harry Potter will also have his adventures. If we could take two weeks off just for this game, we would do it in a heartbeat. Hogwarts Legacy has us spellbound and we never want to go back to the Muggle world.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Please, Touch The Artwork 2
    Every once in a while a game comes along that is so special that you can't help but admire it. And when it turns out to be a solo project, the appreciation only increases. In an hour this artful game is finished, but for something that is completely free, that is no shame at all.
    • 93 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Resident Evil 4
    Another box ticked on the list. After recent remakes of Resident evil 2 and 3, it was time for Capcom to give the fourth installment in their acclaimed game series a makeover. The bar was set high, as 2005's Resident Evil 4 is considered by many to be the best survival horror game ever. Contrary to what the crosses on the list suggested, they did not deliver a tire job but a new masterpiece.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Diablo IV
    Diablo IV stays mostly true to its roots. Think isometric perspective, bleak environments and wave after wave of hordes of demons. But at the same time, the game has received a much-needed update in the form of stunning graphics, fluent gameplay and an impressive opening scene that immediately takes the you to your macabre playing field for the next twenty to fifty hours - or more.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Ultros
    A psychedelic trip of about ten hours. Perfectly legal and without any mind-altering or narcotic drugs involved. Welcome to the delightfully bizarre world of ‘Ultros’, whose smooth and surprisingly layered gameplay, atmospheric soundtrack and eccentric graphics make it an instant cult classic.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    It Takes Two
    New gameplay elements are constantly being introduced in It Takes Two, each requiring you to develop your own skills. And although the story of impending divorce sounds quite sad - and for many undoubtedly recognizable - the 3D platform game uses a lot of humor. You end up in a very original and imaginative world, which continues to surprise even after hours.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Balatro
    The result is a surprisingly layered and extremely addictive game, with pixelated retro graphics. Cleverly designed too, as all the bleeps and effects constantly provide little shots of dopamine, much like a jackpot, slot machine or coin toss from the luna park. The addition of jokers and bonus cards made available seemingly at random make each game different, and replayability almost endless.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Tekken 8
    'Street Fighter,' 'Mortal Kombat' or just 'Tekken' after all: the battle for the title of best fighting game is as old as the genre itself, but with 'Tekken 8' it has been settled: 'The King of Iron Fist Tournament' knocks out the competition. Stop what you are doing and go play this game.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
    How do you handle the reworking of one of the greatest classical works in history? With great patience, skill and respect. With video games, it's no different than with other art forms. 'Final Fantasy VII' was not just restored, but completely remade. 'Rebirth' is not a sacrilege, but the finest tribute this classic could ever receive.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Humankind
    Humankind may not have invented hot water, but it is sufficiently different from Civilization. And that results in a rock-solid game, not least because of its scale. In the game, you lead your people through the different eras of our civilization. At six different times you are presented with ten cultures that you can take over from then on. In addition, the characteristics of your previous choices are preserved, resulting in a unique melting pot of influences from a million (!) possible combinations. Each game is different, and you will spend many hours exploring only a fraction of the possibilities. That replayability alone makes Humankind more than worth its money.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
    If you ask us, we would place Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in the same category as generational games such as Final Fantasy VII (1997) and Chrono Trigger (1995). It is in good company, as both games are classics and belong to the cream of the crop of role-playing games. Memorable games that still resonate with an entire generation of players years, even decades later. Fans of the genre, enjoy this. Because a debut game with these qualities, showered with superlatives, is a rare occurrence.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
    We love almost everything about ‘Final Fantasy VII remake Intergrade’, except for the name. Aside from expansion ‘Intermission’, the difference between ‘FFVII Remake’ on PS4 and ‘Intergrade’ on PS5 is small, but the graphical upgrade and utilization of the new console’s fast computing power is still big enough to make it the best possible version of this modern day classic.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    SAROS
    The developer didn’t turn a blind eye to the shortcomings of its predecessor, Returnal. Saros has kept the best parts—the controls are wonderfully responsive, your character runs and jumps at a brisk pace, and the atmosphere is delightfully dark—and made adjustments where necessary. Still, you’ll inevitably die while playing; that’s just part of the genre. But with every session, you get better and stronger, and you’re better equipped for your next run. The dopamine rush this creates makes the game—at least for us—incredibly addictive. Saros plays it safe and, while challenging, is perhaps less daring and revolutionary than Returnal, but that makes the game more accessible to a wider audience.
    • 96 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Baldur's Gate 3
    Skeptics who open up and allow themselves to be immersed will thus experience over time what a masterpiece Baldur's Gate 3 has become. The graphics are stunning, the dialogues just make sense and the decisions you make effectively have lasting consequences - no matter how painful they may be at times. It is these subtleties that bring the world of Baldur's Gate 3 to life. This is not just Belgian excellence, but simply world class.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
    Exploring the brand new Iki island is good for about ten hours of extra game time, taking beautiful and serene pictures with the built-in photo mode easily adds several hours more. Those who already own Ghost of Tsushima can upgrade to the director's cut for a low price. For those who want to take the step now, the director's cut is simply the best version you can get.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Donkey Kong Bananza
    Thanks to Donkey Kong Bananza the Switch 2 has landed its first five-star game. Adding new layers on top of the 3D platformer genre (only to tear them down again) this games proves to be a better selling point for the Switch 2 than launch title Mario Kart World.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Starfield
    The space epic, in which you could imagine yourself in Star Wars, Firefly or Dune, is one of the most hyped games of the year but it also lives up to the sky-high expectations. The scale, the freedom and the possibilities in the game are almost unprecedented. It's hard enough to excel at any of these components, let alone do it all well and combine it into one rock-solid game, the best Xbox game in years.
    • 96 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
    Thanks to the addition of the Ultrahand ability, Tears of the Kingdom becomes a kind of all-round friend to every kind of gamer. Those who want to can create, puzzle, cook, unwind and enjoy the scenery. But just as well experience adventures, fight and encounter pretty tough challenges that will take even the most seasoned gamer quite a while. It is highly exceptional for a single game to personify the desiderata of all these personas.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Metroid Prime Remastered
    Game makers: take note. Metroid Prime Remastered is a masterclass in how to modernize a masterpiece. Twenty years after the series made the transition to 3D, this remains a classic that has stood the test of time. The updated visuals prove that with some optimization and visual tricks, the Switch is really capable of delivering great games. In fact, this is one of prettier – if not the prettiest –Switch games to date.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Dead Cells: Fatal Falls
    Is it worth spending your hard-earned money on a DLC? In case of Dead Cells: Fatal Falls, the answer is a resounding yes. You get new levels, new weapons and new enemies in this more than decent expansion of an already great game.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Dead Space
    Why play this remake? Audio visually, the game is rock solid. The story remains largely true to the original, but in terms of gameplay, minor and major tweaks have been made. The game is more challenging due to new puzzles and there is an extra layer of unpredictability on top that keeps you constantly nervous and alert. If we may offer one tip: don't play this game too late at night if you still want a good night's sleep.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    F1 2021
    ‘F1 2021’ builds on the solid foundation of its predecessors and has retained their strengths. The sense of speed is phenomenal, and thanks to the many driving aids, both a beginner, a seasoned simulation racer and everyone in between will find plenty of challenge on the track. The game also takes advantage of the powerful hardware of the latest Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X, thereby also eliminating one of its biggest shortcomings: the miserably long loading times between races are a thing of the past.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Marvel's Spider-Man 2
    Don't expect meaningful choices that affect the rest of the game, dialogue options that push the story in a different direction, or the ultimate freedom to create a character and explore a vast universe. It's a blockbuster of the best kind. A popcorn movie where you follow an established storyline, but which is so addictive that you lose track of time. True to Marvel tradition, there is a scene in the middle and at the end of the (admittedly interminable) credits that paves the way for another sequel. Although it will be difficult for any sequel to top this game.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
    This DLC does not aim to win over new fans, because Shadow of the Erdtree is in essence - and we say this with the utmost respect - just more Elden Ring. Somehow that was the expectation, but no one saw an expansion on this scale coming. It is getting a bit ridiculous with these superlatives that keep falling short. It's simple: all those who enjoyed Elden Ring should play this right now.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Returnal
    Returnal masterfully makes use of the technical possibilities of the PS5 and succeeds in creating an immersive gaming experience that has rarely been seen before. The end result is a rock-solid game that is not for the faint-hearted, but has raised the bar just that little bit higher for all the games to come.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Split Fiction
    The expectations for Split Fiction were already high, and that has everything to do with the previous game developed by Hazelight Studios: It Takes Two (2021). The game - also playable exclusively in pairs - sold more than twenty million copies worldwide and at the time won the Game Award for game of the year. A juggernaut that received a perfect score from us. Split Fiction falls just short of that mark. The secret of It Takes Two was a unique combination of working together and challenging each other, of originality and humor. Split Fiction is also highly original and fun, but is just that little bit less surprising than its predecessor.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    LEGO Horizon Adventures
    It must have been from caramel and sea salt that two opposites went together so deliciously. This game combines the spectacle and beautiful setting of Horizon with the pure fun of Lego. If it is done with such love every time, may even more games get the Lego treatment.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Blue Prince
    Admittedly, ideally we wouldn't write this review. Blue prince is a game best experienced without any prior knowledge. Unfortunately, we don't get paid for blank pages, and honestly: this is a masterpiece we can't and won't shut up about. Underneath the seemingly simple concept lies one of the most intriguing, clever, surprising, frustrating but at the same time best games of recent months.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Pokemon Pokopia
    There are some games that make you think, “How come no one thought of this before?” Well, Pokémon Pokopia is one of those games. It’s a cozy game like Animal Crossing, with a touch of Minecraft—all mixed in with Pokémon. It’s cute, relaxing, and surprisingly deep. Pokémon Pokopia is a cozy game of rare quality. It almost evokes nostalgic feelings of a time when the world stood still and we all escaped en masse to a video game island for hundreds of hours.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Pikmin 4
    Pikmin has secretly belonged to the pantheon of Nintendo series for more than two decades. Secretly, because it never managed to reach the general public like Mario, Zelda and Pokémon. Volume four proves once again what a shame that is. The great level design, the colorful world, refined gameplay and the many innovations are the epitome of Dandori: the quickest and most efficient way to fun.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Metaphor: ReFantazio
    Metaphor: Refantazio is the latest addition from the stable of Atlus, the developer that previously brought us award-winning series such as Shin megami tensei and Persona. Atlus is pretty much considered the hallmark for Japanese RPGs and delivers perhaps its best work with this one. Japanese RPGs like this are not for everyone, but fans have a masterpiece with Metaphor: Refantazio.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Please, Touch The Artwork 2
    What if you combined the work of James Ensor with "Where's Wally?" The answer: one of the most entertaining puzzle games of recent years. Now the game—made in Belgium!—is also available for the Nintendo Switch.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
    The mini-games deserve a special mention. These are probably the most in-depth and complex we have encountered in our career. And it is precisely these that make the game so controversial. What is usually just an interlude becomes almost a craft that you have to learn and perfect. It is incredibly immersive and exemplary of the level of detail in the game. But the general public usually doesn't have the patience to immerse themselves endlessly in, say, medieval crafts. That excellent immersion slows down the pace of the outstanding game, making it seem reserved only for history buffs as passionate as the creators themselves.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Hades II
    After previous hits such as Bastion, Transistor, and of course Hades, Supergiant Games has perfected its tried-and-tested formula. Hades II is a triumph that is both funny and accessible, yet brutally difficult and complex. Honestly, we wouldn't want to be in the developers' shoes. How on earth do you top this?
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Borderlands 4
    Borderlands 4 is bigger and grander than its predecessors. But with the addition of new ways to move around, an extensive system to make your character stronger, and challenging boss fights that require more than just button mashing, it's also the best Borderlands game to date. Essentially, it remains the king of all looter-shooters: you blast enemies to get better equipment, which allows you to shoot enemies even more efficiently. A highly addictive and satisfying gameplay loop that you gradually get caught up in.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
    Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is not a so-called nextgen gaming experience that completely blows your socks off and adds plenty of innovative features. No, it's a tribute to Indiana Jones, brimming with details that ooze love for the original trilogy, in a medium that allows for so much more interaction and immersion. Once the adventure gets going, there is so much to do and experience that it's hard to put the controller down.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Psychonauts 2
    Sixteen years after the first game and no less than six years after the announcement that there would be a sequel, Psychonauts 2 is finally on the market. But is it worth the long wait? We're not going to beat about the bush. The answer is yes.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    DOOM: The Dark Ages
    Visually, everything looks top notch, the environments are stunning and the accompanying heavy metal adds another layer of hell. Although there is also sad news: you cannot play against others. Fortunately, this is not a huge loss, as the campaign lasts more than 20 hours and there is a lot of variety. You can even fly on dragons - though we think those are the weakest parts of the game. The game also feels different from the 2016 reboot and Doom Eternal: the environments are wider and you're a little less mobile. We can imagine that some fans might be turned off by that, but not us: Doom: The Dark Ages is a lovingly made game with a lot of new elements, and we can heartily recommend it for anyone who wants to fight demons from time to time.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mario Kart World
    Whereas in previous Mario Kart games - as befits the genre - you raced around tracks, in Mario Kart World you can drive so-called Knockout Tours. These are rallies through the open world with checkpoints where a few racers drop out each time. This game mode is not a reinvention of the wheel, but it is a welcome twist. It proves that in its genre - the arcade racer - Mario Kart remains in a league of its own. And this is the best Mario Kart Nintendo ever made.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
    A lot of thought has clearly gone into the tracks —after all, they are the most important part of a racing game. A casino, a ghost ship, or a valley full of dinosaurs, they make an impression. There are quite a few paths that you only discover after a few games. Sometimes there is so much going on that it is difficult to stay focused on driving. Apart from the classic coins, you can also search for five red coins. These small additions keep you playing longer. Designing your cars and ‘unlocking’ all the soundtracks will keep you entertained for hours.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    F1 25
    F1 25 is a fine racing game, worthy of the queen class of motorsports. But as you often see with sports games, not that much changes from year to year. So do you already have a version from, say, 2024 or 2023? Unless you really care about being able to race against newcomers like Kimi Antonelli, or necessarily want to see Lewis Hamilton shine for his new patron Ferrari, feel free to skip this one. Next year, quite a few rules of play are changing in Formula One, and hopefully it will also inspire Codemasters to innovate a bit more. Because just as an F1 team must constantly innovate to keep up, standing still here equals going backwards.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Stray
    It sounds ridiculous. And maybe it is. But the first ten minutes of Stray broke our heart. We’re a soft-boiled egg when it comes to animals, even when they're completely fictional. A cat who loses his friends and then gets hurt? Enough for an intense feeling of sadness and pity. It is not the challenge, but the experience that is key in this game. You really play Stray for the atmosphere. And that's exactly right.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Neon White
    Neon White immediately puts you in a flow from which it is difficult to escape, in the quest to be just a tenth of a second faster and thus achieve the highest medal. The attractive graphic style finishes it off, making Neon White one of the sleeper hits of this summer and perhaps all year.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    God of War: Ragnarok
    God of War Ragnarök is bigger and grander than its predecessor in every way. More destinations, more enemies, vaster environments, more difficult puzzles and bigger stakes. Predecessor ‘God of War’, however, set the bar so immeasurably high for itself. 'Ragnarök' is a rock-solid game and highly recommended, only we're quietly getting used to sequels like this from Sony.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ghost of Yotei
    Five years ago, Ghost of Tsushima pushed the PS4 to its limits and left a lasting impression with its historically inspired open-world epic. Visually, narratively, and in terms of gameplay, this interactive love letter to the work of director Akira Kurosawa, the grand master of the samurai genre, was so good that it rightly earned the status of “classic.” There were some flaws—perhaps inherent to the open-world genre—but the result was an open-world game that you'll happily lose yourself in for 100 hours. For Ghost of Yotei, all of the above still holds true, but you'll want to put 200 hours into it. It sounds disrespectful, but Ghost of Yotei is a sequel by the book and therefore, in essence, more Ghost of Tsushima, but ‘better’: with more weapons, more variety of enemies, and even more beautiful grass – because what an incredibly beautiful game this is.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    One Piece Odyssey
    Where Odyssey takes the top spot are the turn-based battles. The familiar skills of the Straw Hats are put to full use in a simple but highly effective system of rock, scissors, paper. Luffy's Gum Gum attacks, Nico Robin's many arms, Usopp's hilarious weapons and Franky's blinding nipples, they rarely looked so stunning and never get boring.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Overwatch
    Even if at first glance it doesn't seem like a new game, the new environments and small and larger adjustments immediately make Overwatch 2 one of the most fun shooters of the moment. The fact that the game is free - except for battle passes and cosmetic tweaks for the various characters that you can buy with real money - and that it doesn't matter what platform you play on, are only additional arguments to quickly get the download up and running.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    New Pokemon Snap
    And so I set out again. I see a Pidgeot grab a Magikarp from the air as it jumps out of the water. Unfortunately, I am just too late to get it right in the picture because I am a bit startled by my childish enthusiasm. Maybe it's because of the vacation spirit I missed. Or maybe because New Pokémon Snap is just really fun to play. I think mostly the latter.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    News Tower
    News Tower is an original addition to the management genre, full of atmosphere and surprisingly addictive. Dutch developer Sparrow Night has made a clever debut with this game. Be prepared for some red numbers in the beginning, because the entry threshold is quite high. Apparently, it's not as easy as we thought to create a high-quality, profitable newspaper. Respect for our bosses.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles
    They know their classics at Square Enix, that much is clear. Final Fantasy Tactics shines like never before. But whether this polished gem will reach a new audience beyond diehard RPG fans is something we dare to doubt.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest VII Reimagined
    A lot has changed under the beautiful hood, and the threshold has been significantly lowered. The original was an epic that you could easily spend a hundred hours on, but where you spent a large part of that time grinding: defeating the same enemies over and over again to slowly become stronger. That has been greatly reduced. Now you can defeat weak monsters with a single push of a button. Sacrilege? Perhaps, but the result is a streamlined game that respects your time and has a much faster pace.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Last of Us Part I
    Naughty Dog is by no means a one trick pony. With ‘The Last of Us’ and ‘Uncharted’, it is responsible for two of the best game series of recent years. It is also far from being the only developer to spread the same game at full price over three console generations. Consider, for example, Rockstar, which also wants to market ‘Grand Theft Auto V’ to as many gamers as it can in the same way. For a game of this exceptionally high level, that's not even a bad thing, although we'd rather see their focus shift to ‘GTA VI’ or, who knows, ‘The Last of Us: Part III’.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super Mario Party Jamboree
    Super Mario party jamboree is a very fun game, which is a little more extensive and varied than its predecessors. But you have to be able to stand your losses and your friends' teasing. So play at your own risk.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hot Wheels Unleashed
    Hot Wheels Unleashed has everything it takes to become a cult hit: a fine driving experience, a story mode, a track builder and you can unlock and collect rare cars. More than that, it's the racing game we didn't know we needed this year.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Loop Hero
    Loop Hero is essentially a constant game of risk versus reward that quickly takes hold of you. And once you're in that loop, it's hard to get out again.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Riders Republic
    In terms of gameplay, Riders Republic is an arcade-style racing game. Not necessarily realistic, but very fun, fast and over the top. It's perfect for fans of Tony Hawk, SSX and even (for those slightly older readers) Cool boarders. It's not overly technical, but it's not dulled either. It's also clever how Ubisoft has managed to make every discipline on point. Whether you're doing tricks on a snowboard or flying through a ravine in a wingsuit, all the disciplines are incredibly fun.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    EA Sports FC 24
    Whether it's called FIFA or not, EA Sports FC 24 is the traditional, annual soccer game that every fan looks forward to. It's not a revolution, but exactly what you can expect if you've played the previous years. Although it does seem that the break with the World Soccer Federation has been virtuous. The graphical interface is less garish and there is more hierarchy and structure in the menus so you can find your way around more easily. The players' movements have also become just that little bit more natural, making play seem more fluid and realistic than ever. Although the attackers are still favored over the defenders, making it easier to score than to stop goal attempts.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Football Manager 2022
    Besides the player group that you can put together yourself at one of the 127 clubs and the tactical instructions that you give to your team, there are now also meetings, pep talks and press conferences that require your input. Unfortunately, this is done in such a crooked Dutch that it is disturbing. This is also about the only reason why this niche game does not receive an absolute top score.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Back 4 Blood
    Along the way, many mutated creatures cross your path. These include not only the classic slow undead, but whole hordes of super-fast and agile, bloodthirsty zombies - called ridden in the game - to gigantic monstrosities that can send you to oblivion with a single punch. Those nine different types of opponents provide enough variety in the challenges to keep the game engaging for hours.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Last of Us Part II Remastered
    No, we were not waiting for a remaster of ‘The Last of Us Part II’, now less than four years old. But this new version adds so much to the original that it is by far the best possible way to experience this epic game.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Turnip Boy Robs a Bank
    Whether you escape or fail, you end up back at the beginning each time. The trick is to do your round again and again through the bank that changes layouts each time. It sounds simple, but is surprisingly challenging and great fun to play.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Eternal Threads
    "The best new game you've never heard of." That's how ‘Eternal threads’ was pitched by our bright local PR rep. Normally we put our defenses up even more than usual upon hearing a similar statement. But after only a few minutes of playing, it was already clear: he was simply right.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super Mario Bros. Wonder
    A Japanese game about an Italian plumber who eats mushrooms to get bigger. Mario games have always been trippy by design, but with "Super Mario Wonder," Nintendo puts the turbo on the psychedelics. Every time you pick up one of the new Wonder Flowers, the world is figuratively - sometimes literally - turned upside down. Time after time, it's a sweeping and engaging change to the laws of physics (of the game, admittedly) that make your inner child coo.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy XVI
    No, you don't have to have played the previous fifteen games to understand this story. And yes, FFXVI is an excellent entry point to get to know this long-running series of Japanese role-playing games. Purists denounce how "Final Fantasy" has become less and less "role-playing game" and more and more "action game," but they err. This is a winner.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Resident Evil Village
    Resident Evil: Village suffers from the same defect as many horror films: after a while we dare to open our eyes, the chips and coke are finished and we wait somewhat bored for the end of the film. So too in Village. As soon as the novelty wears off, the game deteriorates into a kind of slaughterfest that even reminded us a bit of Call of Duty. The tone of the game also changes. Moments of campy horror/humor are interspersed with scenes that are as much seriousness as blood. It seems a bit as if the creators didn't know which way they wanted to go and just took all sides at once. That's a shame for a game in a series that is already a quarter of a century old. These moments are not bad, but the contrast with Village's best bits is huge. Because when everything clicks together, it just crackles.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Age of Empires IV
    The controls are so smooth and intuitive that you can join the battle effortlessly. The multiplayer mode provides endless opportunities to play and keep playing, and the solo campaign is accompanied by well-made and interesting videos. If our teachers had made history lessons as engaging as Age of Empires IV, we’re sure we would have paid better attention.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mass Effect Legendary Edition
    The good news first: the games received a graphical update, making them look visually up to date. Oddly enough, this improvement also has a downside: the unique atmosphere that characterized the first part of the series is gone. The dark menace is completely gone, and gloomy surroundings suddenly look like sunny vacation resorts - if you think away the skewered inhabitants. So are we disappointed with this Remastered Edition? Not at all. The battles remain fantastic: is a sniper hiding behind a wall? Let one of your (computer-controlled) allies throw him into the air and then practice the better clay-pigeon shooting. All this action is embedded in an epic story that can compete with the better Star Trek movie, where the painful choices are made by you.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Black Desert Online: Land of the Morning Light Edition
    Land of the Morning Light is a gorgeous and engaging love song to ancient Korea. However, it suffers from the same problems as genre rivals. You don’t just catch up with almost nine years of previous history, and the amount of data to process is almost intimidating.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    F1 23
    The new American backers of motorsport's king class know damn well what they're doing. After the documentary series Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix brought a touch of drama to the paddock, winning heaps of new souls for the sport, F1 23 does it again nicely. With Braking point 2, the story mode in the new game, even gamers who previously had little with F1 have something to lick their thumbs and fingers at.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Far Cry 6
    How do you stop a cruel South American dictator who cares nothing for his people and only craves to become even richer and more powerful? With some good will, inventiveness and perseverance, if Far Cry 6 is to be believed. And with the help of a crazy rooster. ¡Viva la revolución!
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    FIFA 22
    The most important question of all is: how does FIFA 22 play? Well, for the most part just like FIFA 21 and 20. And that's a good thing, because its controls and gameplay were fine. Revolutionary changes you should not expect. The next-gen versions have received a graphical update and load super fast, but razor-sharp and lifelike movements during a full soccer match will not be available until next year at the earliest.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cuphead: Physical Edition
    This Limited edition is a physical edition with a lot of goodies, but it mainly bundles the excellent base game in which you play with Cuphead and little brother Mugman, and the expansion The delicious last course. In addition to a new play environment and new challenges, this one brings with Ms. Chalice - it stays after a cup, mug and now a chalice in the theme of china - also a new playable character. Together they are good for at least 15 hours of proverbial self-mutilation of the funniest kind.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
    In this brand-new adventure, you step into the shoes of Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael or Michelangelo, sensei Splinter or reporter April O'Neil and must save the world from the main villain Shredder. You do this entirely in the style of the beat 'em ups of yesteryear. It is a brawling game with wonderfully pixelated retro graphics and a pumping soundtrack, in which just about all the locations, characters and enemies of the past pass by in rapid succession.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Bayonetta 3
    Bayonetta 3 excels in over-the-top madness. In the best possible way. But the story with wacky characters across parallel universes, is just the canvas for the real highlight of Bayonetta 3: the action. The titular witch's lightning-fast attacks are complemented her own magical powers, but you can now also temporarily take control of several enormous creatures, the "Demon Slaves”.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Monster Hunter Rise
    Monster Hunter Rise is the latest Switch crown jewel. It is a great rendition of the longstanding JRPG-series even though the Switch’s screen is smaller, has a lower resolution and scarce computing power. As complex and hard to master as ever, it will take more than a few YouTube-tutorials to really get going. But once past that point of no return players gets sucked in the franchise’s signature gameplay-loop that is deliciously addictive.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Persona 5 Strikers
    Describing Persona 5 as brilliant is not even an exaggeration. The 2016 Japanese game won just about everything there was to win, and is considered one of the best role-playing games ever made. ‘Strikers’ is not simply an expansion that offers more of the same, but a standalone game that adds a new and distinct battle system where the focus is more on action than tactics.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Black Myth: Wukong
    In just three days, 10 million copies were sold, making it one of the fastest-selling games ever. A game about Chinese mythology may not be so accessible in Western countries, but Black myth: Wukong is simply a rock-solid action game. So flashy and simply beautiful that you'll happily forgive its minor shortcomings.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
    Despite the many bugs, we enjoyed our hours in 'the zone'. The beautiful landscapes, the constant threat, the balancing of factions and the challenging battles make Heart of Chornobyl one of the better shooters of 2024. Unfortunately, you have to take the bugs with it - unless you have the patience to delay your purchase for a few updates, but then you have a stronger character than we do.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Trombone Champ
    The world's first trombone game is a viral hit, and rightfully so. Trombone Champ is maddening, maddening and maddening fun. The worse you play, the more fun the game becomes. Clearly this humdinger simulator doesn't take itself or the instrument too seriously, but beyond all that hilarity, lurks a very solid and challenging music game.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Betrayal At Club Low
    The game looks like crap, is absurd at times and essentially shitty. And yet, we had a great time with indie game Betrayal at Club Low. Don't expect flashy action, but pointed dialogue and a whole lot of absurdity. Or how about characters who rise to the sky like a rocket with both middle fingers in the air when you've convinced them to give up their seats? After about two hours of this nonsense, you reach the end, but there are multiple possible outcomes that invite you to play again and again. With the funky beats of the soundtrack, this is by no means a punishment.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    MOUSE: P.I. For Hire
    The game’s style is somewhat reminiscent of Cuphead, but without the high difficulty level. The gameplay is simple, the soundtrack is atmospheric and jazzy, and it’s chock-full of puns and nods to old cartoons. The many secrets to discover by exploring every nook and cranny are reminiscent of classic video games, but fortunately, this entertaining indie game is above all its own unique and stylish, hand-drawn self.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
    Eighteen (!) years after its predecessor, Metroid Prime 3, and a console generation later, we can finally play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. This game is once again brimming with the sci-fi, spooky, space shooter action that gave this iconic series its status, but where the developers try to innovate, they fall short.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
    The action is not the only point in which Death Stranding 2 surpasses its predecessor. For one, the story is a lot easier to follow (thanks to the new Corpus feature where you can easily catch up on reading), and the world looks much more diverse. Last time you wandered for hours through a barren moonscape, but now you encounter forests, snowy mountain peaks, beaches and other environments. Originality and good stories seem quietly in danger of extinction in the gaming world, which seems to be more and more about profits and shareholders. But as long as the occasional game like Death Stranding 2 passes, stubbornly doing its own thing, there is hope.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As Dusk Falls
    Flashy graphics, familiar characters and innovative gameplay are great assets, but not always necessary to make a game a winner. As dusk falls proves that you can also score with just a great story.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hitman 3
    Agent 47 adds some more amazing hits in this fantastic ending of an incredible trilogy. Although there’s not much new mechanically in Hitman 3, you’ll come across some great new experiences along your travels from Dubai through the Carpathian mountains, that may rival the ones in Hitman 2016’s Sapienza.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Trifox
    Not too difficult, not too long, not too expensive. With ‘Trifox’, Belgian studio Glowfish Interactive has developed a first game that is very accessible – and fun - on several levels.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Elden Ring Nightreign
    Nightreign uses the same stone-good foundation, plays smoothly and puts its own twist on the modern classic. And yet it lacks a touch of the magic that makes Elden ring Elden ring. An overarching storyline is completely absent, the fantastically designed environments full of lighting and gold details have been replaced with murky fantasy environments of thirteen-in-a-dozen variety, and the sense of being able to explore at your own pace is completely gone due to the ever-shrinking game world. Beforehand, however, we never thought we would keep returning to Nightreign. Despite its many misgivings, the cyclical structure and fast-paced attempts to make your character stronger is still intriguing enough to make us want to start it over and over again. After Elden ring, expansion Shadow of the erdtree and now Nightreign, the conclusion is: more Elden ring is always good.
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In Progress & Unscored

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    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Palworld
    There is nothing wrong with being inspired, and many movies and games are variations on existing themes. But ‘Palworld’ adds nothing original and there is more than a hint of plagiarism about it. This chaotic bastard child in which creatures can not only be deployed as soldiers or slaves but also horribly tortured caused nothing but annoyance for yours truly. But look, tens of millions of players appear to like it after all, so there is indeed a market and an audience for it. Fascinating, but that still doesn't make it a good, original game. [Early Access Score = 20]
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Slay the Spire 2
    Slay the Spire II isn’t exactly a revolution: the framework of the original remains intact, but there are so many new cards and the new characters are so unique that we’re already completely hooked and frantically searching for ways to “break” the game by finding crazy card combos. The new feature we were most looking forward to was multiplayer: from now on, you can team up with other players to take down monsters. That requires a lot of coordination, especially when playing with three or four people, but wow: it adds a whole new dimension. In case it wasn’t clear: we would have rather played Slay the Spire II than written this piece. Though that’s not entirely true: we think this game is so good that we believe everyone should try it, and we’re happy to recommend it. Your wallet will barely feel it: you can get started for just 25 euros. [Early Access Score = 100]

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