High-Def Digest's Scores

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For 200 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 43% higher than the average critic
  • 5% same as the average critic
  • 52% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 3.5 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 71
Highest review score: 100 Furi
Lowest review score: 20 Ace Banana
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 99 out of 200
  2. Mixed: 87 out of 200
  3. Negative: 14 out of 200
200 game reviews
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    • 77 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Cosmic Star Heroine
    Cosmic Star Heroine does for the 16-bit JRPG what Shovel Knight did for 8-bit platformers. It takes everything that worked about them to remind you of why those games are classics, but builds upon that foundation with a modern-day sensibility by eliminating filler. Everything you do serves a greater purpose, and the game never feels like it’s wasting your time. Combat is a dream, with a brisk pace to battles ensuring that you never have a dull moment. Cosmic Star Heroine is a must-own for anyone who loves or has ever loved JRPGs. Lapsed fans of the genre will be reminded of just how great things can be with that framework, and anyone who never had a chance to experience them will be able to see what made them work.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Let It Die
    Boasting some of the most compelling mechanics in a Grasshopper game to date and a terrific sense of style, Let it Die is often a great time, and easily one of my favorite F2P games on consoles. The game is held back somewhat by occasionally wonky difficulty that feels particularly punishing given the game's death system, and it often feels padded with systems that drag things down in the name of length, but overall, I've been having a wonderful time with Let it Die, and I look forward to diving into it for weeks to come.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Beholder
    Beholder is a somber, harsh experience in terms of both its theme and its gameplay. The naggy and sometimes baffling routines of the residents can get in the way of a good story at times, and it's too short overall. Still, it's an interesting addition to the growing "authoritarian state" genre, and well worth its small asking price.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    I Expect You To Die
    A must-have puzzle game for PlayStation VR owners. It's one of the most polished titles available for the headset, and really shows how the medium can open up new ideas for developers.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Batman: The Telltale Series - Episode 5: City of Light
    I can't quite go so far as to say City of Light is good enough on its own to make the entire series worth playing. For a devoted Batman or Telltale fan, you're probably way ahead of me. For others, there is a redemptive quality to this finale, enough to make me glad I played all the way through to the end.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Stardew Valley
    Stardew Valley takes its inspirations and runs away with them into not just an amazing game, but undoubtedly one of the best of the year. There is no shortage of engrossing gameplay, and it has an adorable personality. The Xbox One version has been ported over with very few issues and I see myself emerging only grudgingly from my farm work over the holiday season.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Last Guardian
    The Last Guardian is filled with bouts of frustration, but it's also proof that gaming is the most powerful medium for creators. I got to experience a genuine bond with Trico over the course of the game, and that can't be replicated elsewhere as it's dependent on actual interaction. Ueda's third title as a director is filled with flaws and some straight-up bad design in spots, but it manages to overcome its shortcomings to be something truly special.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Lara Croft GO
    The successor to Hitman GO manages to perfectly mesh what made that game a mobile hit and what players love about the 'Tomb Raider' series. It's due to this that Lara Croft GO has its own unique identity. There are a few issues, such as the puzzles becoming overly complex near the end and the lack of replayability, but it's still very much a game that's worth Tomb Raider fans' time and money.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy XV
    While it occasionally buckles under its own ambition and the game falters somewhat as the plot ramps up, overall Final Fantasy XV is a beautiful, exciting game that I dearly loved. It may not be the best game I've played this year, but it is almost certainly my favorite, and Square Enix has built an incredible, extremely unique open-world.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tom Clancy's The Division - Survival
    Survival is the sort of DLC that is increasingly rare in the big budget section of gaming. It is more of a total overhaul mod than downloadable content, fundamentally changing how the game is played from the ground up. If you happen to be a fan of both the survival genre and 'Tom Clancy's The Division', you're probably going to enjoy it. If you only like one or the other, it won't get you as far.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Planet Coaster
    Frontier has made an abundant and pretty simulation bound to captivate tycoon fans, although in essence it is much like 'RollerCoaster Tycoon 3'. I admit I would have liked just a little bit more hand-holding at the beginning of the game, but that didn't stop me from having a lot of fun with Planet Coaster.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dragon Ball: Fusions
    Dragon Ball Fusions delivers a fresh take on one of the most heavily adapted franchises. Not only is the role-playing game unique in that it tells an all-new story, it has a fantastic battle system that has plenty of depth hidden under an easy-to-learn exterior. This is a must-own 3DS title for fans of Dragon Ball, and a good RPG that doesn't have to rely upon nostalgia as a core selling point.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Watch Dogs 2
    Ubisoft has refined Watch Dogs 2 into not only a more polished continuation of the first game, but an admirable sandbox in its own right. I was pleasantly surprised by its conversion to a campier experience and dedication to solid gameplay mechanics, and will have no problem tracking down every little selfie and side mission in the Bay Area for many hours to come.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dishonored 2
    Dishonored 2 isn't just a great story. It's actually the same story, but hasn't lost any luster in the retelling. It has some of the best stealth we've seen this generation, buffeted by empowering, extraordinary powers, peerless level design, and intriguing characters. Arkane did the same thing this time around, only better.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
    Infinite Warfare's campaign is can't-miss for any sci-fi warrior, while 'Zombies in Spaceland' is a sweet surprise like late night cable from yesteryear.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    ClusterTruck
    Clustertruck does for jumping what 'SUPERHOT' does for shooting. It boils down the genre into a distilled form, with very few bells and whistles. It doesn't really need the bells and whistles, and manages to more or less avoid the tedium for a long time solely by virtue of its immaculate platforming.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hitman - Episode 6: Hokkaido
    This final episode of Hitman brings together all of the lessons IO has learned over the course of the season into a fun, elegant swan song. I will admit that I was skeptical of the episodic format before the intro was released, but they managed to come through and bring 47 into what is hopefully just the beginning of a glorious new career.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Titanfall 2
    Titanfall 2 has made good on its promise of a worthy single-player campaign. It is rather short, however, and this combined with the relative lack of variety and modular Titans in the multiplayer modes equals a low replay value.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hide and Shriek
    At such a low price and with such a capacity for emergent gameplay it is hard to not recommend Hide and Shriek. The fun is situational, though, and is best played with a friend, with comms, and with only a few matches at a time so as to not dilute its magic. Under these circumstances it's a riot.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2
    The best game based upon Akira Toryiama's legendary series in quite some time. The combat feels more fluid and responsive than its predecessor, and it's packed with enough content to keep players busy for dozens of hours. A fun, if cliché, story mode acts as the cherry on top of what is an enjoyable action game with legs.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Corpse Party
    While it's a shame it's lacking the exclusive bonus chapter from the recently released PC version, this is otherwise the most content rich edition of a great horror game.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Rez Infinite
    Rez Infinite is a brilliant combination of new and old. Despite originally being released in 2001, 'Rez' feels like it was always meant to be played with head tracking and in virtual reality. From the ease of aiming to the excitement of scrolling past its trippy dreamscapes, every part of it feels enhanced. Throw in the excellent 'Area X,' and players also get a look at the captivating future that is in store for the beloved title.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest Builders
    It's by no means perfect, and has ideas that could stand to be improved upon when the game eventually gets a sequel, but what could've ended up as a cynical cash in has instead wound up as one of 2016's most interesting games.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Thumper
    Thumper's unique brand of "rhythm violence" should be experienced by every fan of rhythm games. It's an audiovisual delight that has been paired with challenging gameplay, and it creates such a captivating experience. While I definitely think it's a better game when played on PlayStation VR, regular PS4 owners will still find a stellar game here. Just one that is slightly more difficult and not quite as engrossing.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Skylanders Imaginators
    The core game is a triumph of what can be done with a character creator that plays out in how the characters play as well as look and sound. I'd expect for anyone to want more Creation Crystals, but getting to share the game with the rest of the family is well worth the few rough spots.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour
    The best way to play the iconic first-person shooter. The new levels are some of the best in the entire game, and show that Nerve Software understands what makes Duke Nukem great.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration
    While I found myself a tad bit underwhelmed when playing through Rise of the Tomb Raider last year, I'm thoroughly impressed with how much has been added to the game since then. Each piece of DLC has added something unique to the package, be it online co-op or an excuse to battle hordes of zombies. Some of it definitely meshes with the Tomb Raider formula better than others, but the amount of variety is appreciated.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Deus Ex: Mankind Divided - System Rift
    System Rift made for a happy surprise and happy return to one of my favorite 2016 games. There is story and gameplay worth having here, but nothing radical like a full-powered Jensen or even new weapons or abilities. Somehow though, System Rift does deliver on content that links the main game with 'Breach.' I'd be happy if the other big DLC, 'A Criminal Past,' can deliver as effectively.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Gears of War 4
    Gears 4 gives me the same sense of wonder and excitement playing through the campaign as I first had with Marcus and Dom a decade ago. It is a 'Gears' for a new generation, and The Coalition has risen to the occasion to give a top notch package with heaps of production and replay value both. The Ultimate Edition specifically is not worth its hefty price tag, but Gears of War 4 itself should not be missed.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack
    Azure Striker Gunvolt and Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 feel like the next evolution of the 'Mega Man' series. While it definitely has room to grow, the 'Azure Striker Gunvolt: Striker Pack' contains two games that aren't afraid to take chances. It's a refreshing take on a structure that was showing its age in 1993. If you're looking to get the taste of 'Mighty No. 9' out of your mouth, be sure to pick this up.
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