Hooked Gamers' Scores

  • Games
For 1,622 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 58% higher than the average critic
  • 10% same as the average critic
  • 32% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 1.7 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 73
Highest review score: 100 Hades
Score distribution:
1630 game reviews
    • 62 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Dark Scrolls balances high-intensity platforming with a somewhat rewarding progression system. The boss battles are a highlight, utilizing tried-and-true pattern-recognition mechanics that often reward patience and muscle memory. Coupled with a map full of mysteries, branching paths, and new heroes to rescue, there is an amount of replay value here. The single-player mode is so-so, but if you are looking for a frantic, retro-fueled challenge to tackle with a friend on the couch, Dark Scrolls is an absolute must-play.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Tales of Seikyu is an immensely charming game that really runs with the fantastical elements in a wondrous manner. The transformation mechanics allow players to unlock new combat styles and manners of exploration, and it ties very well into your character's story thanks to the Transformations being inherent in the Fox Clan. Whether you stick to farming or embrace combat in whatever matter suits you best, Tales of Seikyu is a fantastic addition to the farming sim genre of games, and one that is sure to be a time sink for lovers of this type of game.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 72 Critic Score
    NBA The Run will live or die based on the adjustments it continues to make post-launch. Several improvements and bug fixes have already made an impact, but there's (always) more to do. The problems are fixable, but they detract from the experience right now. It doesn't feel good to waste time watching a measly 60 XP stack up after a first-round exit when the time is better spent loading into a new run. It doesn't feel good when the game tells you your max-handling player just fell down performing a dribble move with no one around and full stamina. But it feels good to play overall. No matter which player you like most, you're not pigeon-holed only into one playstyle. It simply feels good to learn the moves and counters to get better at the game. Basically, it feels great to play a game, and a little less great to play multiple in a row, especially when you're stacking losses. It's telling that one of my biggest issues with the game is the speed at which it lets me play the next tournament, after all.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a triumphant celebration of Gotham's protector. By wedding a massive, vertically-gifted open world with an incredibly dense progression system and an absolute treasure trove of DC nostalgia, TT Games has delivered an experience that caters beautifully to gamers of all generations. Minor combat repetition aside, the hilarious script, superb vehicle selection, and stellar couch co-op make this an absolute must-play. Put on the cowl—Gotham has never looked better in plastic.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    While it has its fair share of problems, and it is certainly not the masterpiece Bond fans were hoping for, 007 First Light did manage to entertain me throughout the majority of its runtime. The issues I mentioned with the game's design weren't necessarily gamebreaking, just really stupid. Having said that, I'm glad that we finally got an adventure with James Bond that felt as though it came from a place of passion. Let's just hope that passion is spent on a sequel that sparkles as bright as Diamonds Are Forever, because when it comes to James Bond, You Only Live Twice.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Point-and-Clicks are a niche genre, and it shouldn't be a surprise that this game is easy to recommend to those who already know they love it. If you don't? It's still worth checking out, but be prepared for tough puzzles that require backtracking, some confusion, and good old-fashioned trial and error. Does that get frustrating? Yeah, sometimes it does. But the whole thing is wrapped up in such an appealing package that you probably won't mind.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 57 Critic Score
    The game is not completely without merit, I enjoyed the atmosphere, and getting immersed in the wilderness of Alaska in the late 1800s. The game has potential in the later parts where you can purchase different mines and operate them by hiring employees, however you're not going to have enough money or resources to do this until a dozen hours in. ADHD-riddled gamers who want to experience everything that this game has to offer in the first couple of hours should steer clear from this title. While I can appreciate what the developers were trying to do, I really can't recommend Alaska Gold Fever over titles such as Minecraft, Animal Crossing, or any casual games with RPG elements that focus on travelling, exploration, and/or business management. Still, it's not too bad, if you just want to kill some time - or some bears.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    Schrodinger's Cat Burglar is a delightfully clever puzzle game that manages to make quantum physics accessible, hilarious, and genuinely fun. By pairing demanding dual-stick mechanics with a sharp sense of humor and authentic feline charm, it carves out a unique space in the genre. If you are looking for a well-paced, visually clean puzzle game with great mechanics, a fantastic spy-thriller parody tone, and plenty of knocking things off tables, Mittens' quantum heist is well worth your time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Overall, Dracamar is a lot of fun, but definitely has more to offer players that recall the early days of 3D platforming with fondness. With charming but simple visuals, somewhat stilted dialogue, and fun platforming across expansive levels, Dracamar feels like a moment caught in time in the best of ways, providing players with a taste of the way things used to be. For anyone that loved the heyday of 3D platformers, or is looking for an enjoyable jaunt through a colorful world, Dracamar is one to keep in mind!
    • 72 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Directive 8020 does most of the important stuff well. Player choice is at the forefront, and it's centered in an effective story that is light on jump scares and more focused on organic horror than something cheap. Inconsistencies in the voice acting and a lack of brevity in stealth gameplay are frustrations, but neither negatively affects the overall package too much. I'm more disappointed that co-op is limited to local, pass-the-controller style storytelling and curious about the curator and overall "Dark Pictures" nature of the game taking a backseat than I am concerned about the execution of the existing content. The "new season" of The Dark Pictures is off to a promising start.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Folks, there is so much to this game. There is a time limit given for each bus stop but it's not a problem to meet once you become a proficient bus driver and follow the speed limit. Every aspect of the game from the buses to the bus stops to the districts the stops are in need to be unlocked. You need to plan out your routes and then gain the experience necessary to continue unlocking everything. Each bus and stop needs to be levelled up in order to be able to unlock the perks and modifiers contained in each. The unlocked bus items can be both perks and additional customization possibilities such as colors and designs that can be applied to busses. After saying all of that, the city council will be so happy after each district is levelled up that they will provide you with a new bus to drive along with an opportunity to take a special drive through the newly enhanced district in the new bus. The beautiful and expansive city of Emberville loves the fact that you personally provided great bus service to the cities various districts that the city council beautifies each city district right after it is upgraded. Everything certainly is bound to look beautiful!
    • 80 Metascore
    • 94 Critic Score
    Mouse: P.I. For Hire is a rare breed of shooter that manages to be both a loving parody and a gripping detective story. For anyone who grew up fascinated by the golden age of animation or the gritty streets of noir cinema, this is a case well worth taking.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Strange things seem afoot below the surface in Town of Zoz, peculiarties surrounding Ito, their family, and the town itself that will need to be uncovered in order to truly become a shaman chef and provide aid to all those who need or ask of it. These deeper mysteries and secrets add a subtle flavour note of intrigue to the enticing, homemade recipe that makes up Town of Zoz, encouraging players to keep going, keep engaging with the world and its gameplay loop, in a wonderful way. Even with a slow simmer to begin, and some prepwork that takes some adaptation, Town of Zoz is sure to have players cleaning their plates and asking for seconds.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In many ways, The Weeping Swan is a much more polished game than its predecessor, and nowhere is this more evident than in the translation. The Hungry Lamb was littered with issues stemming from a rough, amateurish translation. Words were misspelled, sentences were confused, and occasionally the game became downright incomprehensible. There are still occasional flubs, but they are much more minor and less frequent than the issues with The Hungry Lamb, with most of the grammatical issues being related to using the wrong tense of a verb (a quirk of English that is notoriously difficult for Chinese speakers to get the hang of). However, the improved translation seems to have come at the cost of some technical issues. I ran into several instances where the game would repeat passages and seemingly get text out of order. Presumably, this isn't an issue if you're playing the game in Chinese, where there was greater editorial control, but for English speakers, this will prove to be an occasional issue.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite the occasional camera hiccup, I found myself completely glued to the screen. There is something immensely satisfying about cracking the code of a complex level and watching your fleet of cars roll perfectly into the exit. Rollick N' Roll is the definition of "easy to pick up, hard to put down". It is a delightful indie gem that captures the magic of childhood play and seasons it with a healthy dose of modern challenge and bite size levels that ensure that it is an ideal Steam Deck game for your morning commute.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 64 Critic Score
    Caromble! is a high-octane, polished evolution of a classic genre. While its insistence on mouse controls might alienate those looking for a casual couch experience on the Steam Deck, the precision it affords is necessary for the complex, puzzle-oriented levels found in the later game. If you're looking for a game that respects the history of Arkanoid while pushing the physics and level design into the modern era, Caromble! is an essential addition to your library. Just remember: avoid the red power-ups, and keep your mouse hand steady.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 55 Critic Score
    It's a horror game that isn't scary, an adventure game that isn't exciting, and a narrative-driven game that feels more like a glorified tech demo. There's nothing bad to be found here, but nothing worth writing home over either.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    In all Crimson Desert is a fun experience, with engaging combat, a gigantic world to explore, and a ton of side activities that can keep a player playing for hours and hours on end. There are some issues like long loading times, janky camera angles, and a story that struggles to get its footing. If a gamer enjoys Action RPGs, then Crimson Desert very well might be on the list of games to check out, ready to pour ages into exploring, fighting, and finding things to do.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Project Songbird gives up a must-see story, for anyone who wants to understand the negatives of the creative process, or who can relate, with or without Dakota's level of tangible fame. Just because the game initiates a dialogue about creating against expectations doesn't mean it needs to be given credit for doing so when the end result just simply doesn't work, though. Both the actual combat and the stealth options lack satisfaction, and look much worse in contrast to the rest. In hindsight, while the ambition was clearly there, the stripped back version would have been better, and still would have had enough for a complete experience.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 72 Critic Score
    Screamer is a compelling purchase for any racing fan looking to trade technical simulations for pure, stylish speed. Its unique twin-stick drifting mechanics offer a refreshing challenge for those tired of standard controls, while the sheer variety provided by the 32 tracks and character-specific abilities keeps the gameplay from feeling repetitive. With its vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic, a pulse-pounding electronic rock soundtrack, and a wealth of game modes that cater to both solo and social players, it delivers a high-value package that captures the best of the arcade racing spirit.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    I hate to say it because there is a good deal of potential in the The Saint, and its obvious that the solo developer has put a great deal of effort into it's spooky atmosphere, but it is not worth playing in its current state.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ready or Not: Boiling Point is a blast to experience. While there are a few minor gameplay complaints to be had, this newest paid expansion makes a strong comeback for the game compared to its predecessor. Priced at only $9.99, Boiling Point offers pretty good value for both new and existing players. Hopefully the next DLC meets, and hopefully even surpasses, the standard set here by Boiling Point.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Visually, the game opts for personality over photo-realism. It features a bright, colorful, almost cartoon-like aesthetic. The cars themselves have a distinct Micro Machines vibe—slightly stylized, chunky, and full of character. This art style complements the "arcade" feel perfectly, making the whole experience feel like a celebratory toy-box version of professional racing rather than a grey, clinical simulation. iRacing Arcade succeeds because it understands that you don't need to be a mechanic to love racing. It captures the thrill of the chase and the strategy of the pit lane while keeping the barrier to entry low. It is accessible, vibrant, and surprisingly deep where it counts. If you love the idea of the Grand Prix but find "sim-racers" too cold and complex, this is the driver's seat you’ve been looking for.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    While it may not win any awards in my book, Monster Hunter Stories 3 is a fun way to pass time, and a great game for newcomers to the JRPG genre. The turn based combat mechanics are solid, and there is a lot to unlock. The story and characters are fun to watch and exploring the environments is never boring. Here’s hoping that Capcom can refine this formula, and truly bring their A game with the next instalment.
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Despite its flaws, or perhaps in part because of them, Bladesong is a remarkably charming game. Having put in over a dozen hours, there's still more to discover, more to unlock. Bladesong is definitely not a game that will appeal to everyone, but for those that enjoy a bit of challenge in an otherwise cozy sim game, it definitely has its appeal. [Early Access Score = 80]
    • 92 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Overall, Resident Evil Requiem is one of the series’ best outings in recent years. Delivering on the action and scares, the game shows what makes the franchise so special. It can fall into the trap of fan service, but never falters much in what it sets out to do. Yes, it’s February and, yes, it is cliché, but Requiem is already one of 2026’s best and an experience that fans and newcomers won’t be able to get enough of.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Reigns: The Witcher is a perfect marriage of IP and indie mechanics. By evolving the objective system into the deeper Inspirations mechanic, Nerial has ensured that every "Game Over" feels like a step forward rather than a step back.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Kotama and Academy Citadel is a solid entry into a very crowded genre that struggles to distinguish itself from its numerous peers. It does have above-average combat and tons of sexy anime girls, but really if you have played a Metroidvania in the past few years, this will feel pretty familiar. It's an enjoyable enough way to pass 20 hours if you have an itch for the genre, but if you're expecting the next Hollow Knight or Super Metroid, you're going to come away disappointed.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Romeo is a Dead Man has so much to offer and introducing some of those genre-splicing mechanics had me grinning ear to ear. Unfortunately, I think the one area where Romeo is a Dead Man stumbles is in the core combat gameplay loop, which you'll be engaging with every mission. I feel if it forwent the hack and slash elements and took on a more strategic style it would've been a lot more enjoyable, and there were several boss fights that I found quite obnoxious and mechanically frustrating. However, do not let the combat dull this blade too much, I am still so impressed with this level of creativity and ingenuity, and I found everything else to be such a joy. The world would be a boring place without Suda51 and Grasshopper Manufacture.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 64 Critic Score
    While it's nice to have this story accessible for newcomers, the reality is that the original Yakuza 3 was never the series' high point. Kiwami 3 fails to elevate the source material, instead hampering the experience with unfinished-looking cutscenes and a bizarre "chrome" aesthetic. With the original Yakuza 3 delisted from many digital storefronts, your only alternative is the Yakuza Remastered Collection. Given the high price point of that bundle and the lacklustre quality of this remake, there is very little reason to recommend Kiwami 3 as a standalone purchase.

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