Hey Poor Player's Scores

  • Games
For 1,715 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 49% higher than the average critic
  • 12% same as the average critic
  • 39% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.7 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 74
Highest review score: 100 The Rogue Prince of Persia
Lowest review score: 20 The Lord of the Rings - Gollum
Score distribution:
1715 game reviews
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    For better or worse, Digimon World: Next Order has all of Bandai’s best ideas mixed together in one complex title. As a game, this can be huge and intimidating, but it can also be someone’s comfort game to melt into at the end of a long day. As a port, Digimon World: Next Order should be praised for its continuous improvement as it jumps from one platform to the next, but its pricetag hasn’t improved in its 7 year run, which can put off some players who have become accustomed to purchasing ports at a lower pricepoint. Digimon World: Next Order was an overwhelming first foray into Digimon, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was blown away by the complexity, nuance, and depth the series has to offer. Perhaps Digimon truly are the champions after all!
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Alice Gear Aegis CS: Concerto of Simulatrix is welcome return to a genre long thought dead. And though this is still merely the first stepping stone, it’s going in the right direction, it just needs some room to grow and cultivate. The gameplay loop is quick but ever so fierce and memorable in design, and while not every one of the game’s playable Actresses is a star, there are more than enough for just about everyone to be able to sink their teeth into. So if you can forgive the game’s steep learning curve and are looking for the closest thing to Virtual ON to release in recent years, then look no further. Alice Gear Aegis CS will scratch that itch.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The PowerWash Simulator Midgar Special Pack is a brillant example of how different games can collaborate in a fun and cohesive manner. Fans of Final Fantasy VII Remake can further immerse themselves in the environments and lore of one of their favorite games, while PowerWash Simulatoraficionados receive even more levels to quickly gobble up. Although the somewhat confusing naming-system of certain parts in specific levels made for some moments of frustration, the fact that this is completely free DLC certainly softens the blow. If you’re ready for a brand new adventure in this mechanical metropolis, the PowerWash Simulator Midgar Special Pack invites you to get your hands dirty (and then clean again).
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There are times when I really did start to feel like I was getting Akka Arrh, that I was so close to slipping into that state of bliss the best arcade games can provide. Inevitably though, some new mechanic would show up and knock me right out of it. That’s not to say I didn’t have fun with Akka Arrh, it’s an incredibly interesting game worth a look from fans of classic arcade games and fans of Jeff Minter, but the same issues that kept that original prototype from the 80s from seeing the light of day are still present and stop it from being a must-play.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Little Witch Nobeta isn't a Souls-like in the traditional sense, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Like a cunning crone, developer Pupuya Games have skillfully combined seemingly disparate ingredients to create something magical. Still, genre veterans may find themselves put off by the lack of challenge to be found in the title's beginning hours, and the stark contrast between its whimsical protagonist and the grim world she inhabits can admittedly, at times, be a bit jarring. If these things don't bother you and you're a fan of Souls-likes who's looking for something more forgiving, or perhaps a bit cuter than what you'd usually expect from the genre, Little Witch Nobeta is sure to leave you under its spell.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    If you can poke past the horribly-paced and presented story, tedious and sometimes painful character dialogue, and bad design ideas for the open-world aspect, I can sincerely say that there is some legitimate Shock-like qualities in the better parts of the gameplay and in the awe-striking art style, to say nothing of the incredible music. If you enjoyed any of Bioshock‘s selections, or Arkane’s 2016 Prey, consider giving this communist dystopia a chance to show how close it got to nailing that Shock-like formula, even if you wind up coming out hating the phrase “Crispy Critters” as much as I did.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Playing through Twice Reborn: A Vampire Visual Novel was kind of like receiving a homemade baked good from a friend. Its wrapping might be a little crinkled and the presentation of the product itself isn’t exactly perfect, but after finally sinking your teeth into it, you realize that it’s not just good, but better than you expected. And, of course, you can tell that it was made with plenty of love.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Painting Werther is a gorgeous deep dive on a classic novel depicting the dangerously obsessive emotion that is limerence. It stays true to Goethe’s message while enhancing the immersion with beautiful paintings and stunning music. Although it may be on the shorter side, the experience should not be measured in hours, but impact — and Painting Werther makes a powerful impact. If you’ve ever wanted to feel well-read while still getting your gaming in, Painting Werther compells you to show it some love.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Intruders: Hide and Seek is a decent addition to the growing library of indie horror games available on Nintendo’s hybrid machine. Mechanically, the sluggishness of the movement does begin to wear thin, which is exacerbated further by the frustratingly implemented checkpoint system, but overall, the tension and tone set in those first couple of hours make it worth stepping into Ben’s shoes for a few hours and helping him save his family from a desperate situation. If you’re a horror fan itching for an Outlast-style experience, then Intruders: Hide and Seek is a nightmare worth experiencing.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    If you’re itching for some satisfying wrestling action that has never looked as good as it does here, then don’t hesitate to pick up WWE 2k23, as it truly is championship material.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With its novel card-battler mechanics, the snappy and accessible combat system, and the refreshingly straightforward take on character and party progression, Mato Anomalies is an easy recommendation for both fans of the genre who want something a little different, and those who are on the lookout for a more newcomer friendly entry point to the genre.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It doesn't take someone with spirit sense to see that Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is something special. A horror visual novel game that blurs the role between character and player, Paranormasight is unique in its ability to give horror fans a new brain-teasing experience while allowing those who normally chicken out over this genre the ability to finally play a scary game by themselves. Paranormasight manages to blend familiar elements from beloved genres into something innovative, inventive, and altogether new; it is my hope this becomes a continuing franchise for Square Enix, who is on the cusp of further greatness. Grab Paranormasight or be forever cursed to remain outside its sinister, alluring shadow.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite my issues with the game, I’m still delighted that everybody outside of Japan finally got a chance to check out Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse. It’s a gorgeous and horrifying remastered adventure with scares aplenty and an engrossing, dark story. While the old-school controls can occasionally be irritating, and the difficulty is often a bit overwhelming, it still does a fantastic job of telling a truly scary story. If you’re a fan of horror and need something scary before Halloween, I’d say this is your game. And even if you have a hard time with spooky stuff, this is still a worthwhile adventure—just one you’ll probably need to digest one small bite at a time.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Metroid Prime Remastered modernizes a classic, keeping everything good about it and fixing some of the few things that wouldn’t make sense to modern players. While a few late game design choices stop it from being near perfect, there are precious few better games you can play on a Nintendo Switch in 2023. New players should run to pick this one up, and those who haven’t touched it in twenty years won’t find a better way to revisit this classic.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure stands comfortably alongside some of the greatest RPGs I’ve ever played and is an early Game of the Year contender. Fans of the genre definitely shouldn’t miss it.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While clearly aimed at a much younger crowd, it’s so wholesome, so feel-good, that I think it’s got a very broad appeal, especially if you’re in the mood for something that’s just… cute, gentle, and sweet. With an adorable art style, cheerful music, and silly minigames, Cuddly Forest Friends is just a fun game all around. I honestly don’t think there’s an age limit on this game; give it a try if you just want something that makes you feel warm and fuzzy.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With engaging, unique mechanics, plenty of unlockables to encourage repeated playthroughs, various challenges, and plenty of character combinations to explore, there’s a lot to draw in fans and newcomers to the genre alike. While it’s not the easiest or most accessible of deckbuilders out there, I definitely found it to be one of the most unique and enjoyable I’ve encountered in a while.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fashion Police Squad is a boomer shooter with a fashion-infused twist, and that twist has resulted in one of the most innovative shooters on the market right now. Despite the latter stages of the campaign proving somewhat frustrating due to the sheer amount of split-second decisions that need to be made, Fashion Police Squad rises above any gripes I have by providing something genuinely new and, most importantly, incredibly fun.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Octopath Traveler II is a worthy successor to the first game, considering it improves upon many of the faults from the original whilst introducing refreshing new systems. The beautiful pixel art, engaging turn-based combat, gripping storytelling, and immaculate soundtrack make this game one of the must-plays of the year. The essence of nostalgia it manages to capture is simply unparalleled.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is another excellent expansion for the base game. It’s remarkable that nearly five years after its initial release, the development team continues to provide so much additional support, making one of my favorite games of 2018 even better. There’s a ton to like here for fans of both sides of this crossover, but you do have to appreciate both to get much out of it, as the difficulty of this new content will mean its best experienced after gaining some experience with the base game and upgrading your character.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    If you can look past the admittedly frustrating focus on randomized gear and a slightly incoherent story, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a masterpiece that deserves a place in the collection of any Souls-like fan.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Scars Above is a valiant attempt at providing a fresh spin on the Souls-like genre. Its elemental-based third-person shooting feels genuinely fresh, with its reliance on environmental debuffs and stacking combos representing a genuine innovation within a space that isn’t exactly known for innovating, so it’s just a shame that the progression system feels so at odds with the efforts gone to by the developers in order to make Scars Above stand out.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pharaoh is one of those dream remaster candidates for those who fondly remember ’80s and ’90s PC games, so it stands to reason that fans of the original would have high hopes for Pharaoh: A New Era. Although it doesn’t quite meet those expectations for a few reasons — both understandable and questionable — Pharaoh: A New Era is still a must-play for anyone who loves city-builders, Ancient Egypt, or just wants to try something nuanced and interesting. If you’re looking to unearth ancient gaming treasures to polish into something new, Pharaoh: A New Era is proof the gaming gods answer prayers in mysterious ways.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Honestly, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is pretty much a perfect game. It’s packed with content, has lots of fun stuff to unlock, features different ways to play, and encourages players to take a chance on higher difficulties. While I do think that Ultimate and Supreme almost go out of their way to be overly punishing, that doesn’t change how much I still enjoy this game. Even if you’ve never played one Final Fantasy game, you owe it to yourself to see what all the fuss is about in Theatrhythm Final Bar Line.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite some small nitpicks, I still very much recommend Grim Guardians: Demon Purge. It not only showcases Inti Creates’ skill at breathing new life into old series, but it does so with panache. The combat is varied and complex, and the challenge, though sometimes frustrating, nevertheless kept me invested during the entirety of my playthrough. Not to mention you’ll unlock a new mode and difficulty after beating the game once. Plus, if you have a friend close by, you can both play a sister in local co-op. If you enjoy platformers and are hankering for a new Castlevania-inspired adventure, look no further.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ten Dates features strong writing sold by actors that genuinely embodied their parts. There were quite a few surprises in the non-linear path to love — some that made me think twice about a candidate before veering off to another — which was embraced by the gameplay and encouraged multiple playthroughs. Although the weighting of the questions wasn’t entirely clear, that didn’t stop me from having a lovely time. If you’re tired of looking for love in all the wrong places, Ten Dates has plenty of singles ready to mingle.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I may not have been particularly invested in the printed goal of the quest. Still, I certainly enjoyed my time expanding the map, grapple swinging, and trouncing any would-be adversaries that stood in my way of reaching said printed goal. But, in an industry riddled with a plethora of similar experiences ranging from middling to exemplary, a game that manages to simply be solid, fun, and respectful of my time is certainly enough for me.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite my gripes with the difficulty in the early stages of the career mode, Pixel Cup Soccer: Ultimate Edition is an amazing attempt at capturing the simplistic and joyful appeal of retro soccer games. With its simple gameplay and deceptively deep career mode, it’s a title that is incredibly easy to pick up, all while being equally difficult to put down. If you feel overwhelmed by the complex beasts that modern-day sports games have become and long for a return to simpler times, Pixel Cup Soccer: Ultimate Edition is absolutely championship-winning material.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Even if you don’t like onions, Onion Assault is a well-crafted and polished little game that’s worthy of your time.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While not the best game in the series, Like a Dragon: Ishin! offers great fun to long-time fans while also delivering an excellent opportunity for those interested in these games to jump in and see what all the fuss is about. While it’s a different take on the classic formula, there’s enough here that still feels like a Like A Dragon game to provide an idea of whether this series is for you.

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