IGN Benelux's Scores

  • Games
For 169 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 52% higher than the average critic
  • 2% same as the average critic
  • 46% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 4.6 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 79
Highest review score: 100 Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Lowest review score: 40 Outbound
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 1 out of 169
170 game reviews
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest 1+2 HD-2D Remake has turned out to be an excellent game that takes modern audiences into full account. There are plenty of options to make your gameplay experience as easy or as challenging as you want, and both games were already true classics in their original form.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Tekken 8 is an improvement over Tekken 7 in many ways. Although the main story is not very long, it is told and portrayed much better than in the previous installment. The game is a feast for the eyes thanks to Unreal Engine 5. Tekken 8 also plays very smoothly and both a beginner and a veteran will have a great time due to the large amount of content. Everyone can improve and learn thanks to the Special Style and the Heat System provide new dynamics and ways to play Tekken 8.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest III HD-2D is a masterclass in how to give an old game a modern update. The stunning graphics, combined with the captivating music, create an impressive audiovisual experience. But it's mainly the gameplay improvements, the new story segments with Ortega, and the delightful feeling of exploring the world that make Dragon Quest III HD-2D capable of providing you with many dozens of hours of gameplay enjoyment. Bring on the remakes of parts one and two.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Nightwatchers adds a load of high-quality content to a game that’s already excellent. If there was ever a time to pick up Against the Storm, it’s now.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The beat ’em up foundation of Absolum is smooth and fluid, and the roguelike twist adds the necessary depth, making it almost endlessly replayable. In recent years, quite a few games have shown how cool beat ’em ups used to be. Absolum shows how brilliant the genre can truly be from now on.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Pokémon Pokopia has turned out to be an excellent game that, honestly, has given me a lot more enjoyment than Pokémon Legends Z-A and Animal Crossing. It’s one of the better cozy games, and you can easily sink dozens of hours into it. For me, the credits rolled after about thirty-five hours of play, but even after that I still have plenty to do to keep myself entertained.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The heavy subject matter full of big questions, the stressful gameplay loop, and the consequences of a failed mission make The Alters far from an easy game to get through. However, it’s also one of the most original and emotionally impactful games I’ve played in a long time. On paper, a game where you survive by working together with your own clones sounds incredibly ambitious—especially for a relatively small studio in Poland. But with The Alters, 11 Bit Studios has once again delivered a fantastic, grim, and deeply engaging survival title.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    LEGO Voyagers may look like a simple kids’ game, but it turns out to be a short, heartfelt journey full of detail and charm.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars finally gives players access to two of the most beloved RPGs of all time once again. It’s definitely a shame that more hasn’t been done to enhance both titles, but there’s a reason why fans still regularly revisit the original games. Both games continue to impress, and every JRPG fan should have played them at least once. Fortunately, that’s now easier than ever. I can only hope that the renewed attention for the series will finally lead to a new game (and no, a mobile gacha title doesn’t count).
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    PEAK starts off simple but evolves into a hilarious and strategic co-op game packed with clever mechanics, dynamic biomes, and surprisingly deep gameplay. A charming, fresh must-play at a ridiculously low price.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Indiana Jones and the Great Circle does full justice to the franchise. The game is truly packed to the brim with humor, mysteries to solve, fistfights fitting for the series, and fantastic locations to explore while unraveling the mystery of the Great Circle. For me, 2024 started with a bang with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Microsoft, Bethesda, and MachineGames are closing the year with another great game.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Pragmata is a game you have to experience to understand why it works so well. The story sometimes lacks depth, but the gameplay more than makes up for it. Everything comes together in a rhythm that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Obsidian Entertainment has once again crafted a stunning RPG with Avowed, featuring a dynamic world that feels incredibly alive and combat that flows smoothly. Meaningful decisions are at the heart of the game, with everything reacting to your choices – whether it’s NPCs or the way the world evolves. Every aspect of the game feels carefully thought out. While the story wasn’t always equally compelling, it remained engaging enough thanks to exciting twists and tough moral choices. As a result, Avowed is a fantastic example of how a great modern open-world RPG should be designed.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Don’t Nod has once again managed to deliver a captivating story, subtly and realistically portraying the struggles and highlights of teenage life. The switch between the two timelines adds dynamic gameplay, where your choices truly impact both the present and the past. While there are occasional awkward moments in the game, the atmosphere and experiences create a beautiful game that truly tugs at your emotions. I’m curious to see what the second part has in store for us and whether it can surpass the first.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    FC 26 is without a doubt one of the best football games in years – perhaps even the best since FIFA 17. This time, the developers have genuinely listened to the fans, rather than just making empty promises. The game – including its servers – feels fast and smooth, making it simply enjoyable to play again. You don’t boot up FC 26 because you feel you have to, but because you want to. In terms of new modes, FC 26 isn’t revolutionary, and graphically we would have liked to see a bit more progress. Still, that hardly takes away from the overall package, which once again guarantees hundreds of hours of fun.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Donkey Kong Bananza is the second must-play title of 2025 for Nintendo Switch 2 owners. From start to finish, the game puts a smile on your face—one that won’t fade even after the credits roll. Bananza offers a great deal of freedom, features a fantastic soundtrack, and looks stunning 99% of the time. Add to that the excellent platforming elements and the unique twist of the transformations, and I can’t help but wholeheartedly recommend this game.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Dragon's Dogma 2 is, in one word: unique. Bold choices offer both pleasure and frustration, which are balanced by excellent combat.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest VII Reimagined seems to combine the best elements of the earlier versions in many ways. The overall playtime may have been trimmed down a bit and some minor bits of content have been removed here and there, but it’s all been done in service of the story, resulting in a much smoother and more enjoyable experience.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    With how skeptical and disappointed I was at the announcement, I never expected to be so impressed by Arkham Shadow. It flawlessly translates the atmosphere and gameplay of the ‘flat screen’ games to the standalone VR headset. If you own a Meta Quest 3 or 3S, this is truly a must-play.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    A game that completely absorbed me with my own created world and characters, but ultimately also made me realize that I mainly had to make it fun myself.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Yakuza Kiwami 3 has turned out to be a very solid remake. RGG Studios has significantly cut back on side quests, but simultaneously introduced new elements and storylines that provide more depth. While the game might be slightly shorter than before due to the trimmed substories, the quality of the overall experience hasn't suffered. Unfortunately, Dark Ties doesn't offer a whole lot of content, clocking in at just a quarter of Yakuza Kiwami 3’s playtime. Nevertheless, the complete package is definitely worth picking up.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Once Upon a Katamari is a worthy successor to the series. All the cheerful whimsy of the original games has been preserved. The abundance of levels and collectibles, the challenging yet excellent controls, the infectious music, colorful visuals, and humorous little stories can’t help but put a smile on your face.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Gears of War: Reloaded hasn’t aged evenly across the board. The movement system and NPC AI in the campaign definitely show their age. Even so, it remains a game with a rock-solid foundation that’s still worth playing today. PlayStation players in particular—who never had the chance to experience this amazing franchise before—are in for a treat. Xbox players, don’t worry, there’s plenty for you too, with a bonus chapter and the ultimate way to play the game in 4K at 120 FPS.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    If you're into surreal games, Romeo Is a Deadman is an absolute must-play. The story is bonkers, and even if you appreciate the idea of a digital art exhibition in a game, it can still be hard to follow at times. The combat could have felt a bit more modern and refined in places, but this is largely made up for by the strong gameplay loop and the sheer amount of playful minigames that keep everything fresh.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Purists may feel let down by Dynasty Warriors Origins. Admittedly, the focus on a single character, the limited number of weapon types, and the lack of multiplayer are significant drawbacks. However, the final result more than justifies these sacrifices. With Origins, the series is finally taking steps back in the right direction (and into modernity). It boasts the most competently told story in the franchise, significantly improved gameplay, and an unprecedented sense of scale. If this is the new direction for the series as a whole, it could easily thrive for another 25 years.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The foundation of Monster Hunter Wilds is rock solid. The game is smoother and more streamlined than ever. It’s also more beautiful and spectacular than any of its predecessors. On top of that, it’s incredibly accessible for new players. However, at least in its current state, it offers little resistance, meaning you’ll breeze through it – especially as a Monster Hunter veteran.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Silent Hill F delivers with a fantastically atmospheric Japanese setting that feels nothing like the town we know so well. Hiniko is a strong character whose journey drew me in and at times left me shocked. Her village is increasingly overrun, and Hiniko herself undergoes a transformative journey. The monstrous forms that terrorize her are grotesque and at times – thanks to their movements and striking presentation – truly terrifying. Fighting them certainly leaves much to be desired and often proved frustrating. Still, that doesn’t take away from the fact that Silent Hill F is a bold step forward that succeeds wonderfully in what it sets out to achieve as a horror game.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The hub connecting the main locations does more harm than good, but it can’t stop the triumphant return of Samus Aran. Beyond that, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a game that only honors its predecessors.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Crimson Desert is an excellent game with an engaging open world, highly challenging boss fights, and mind-bending puzzles. The game is certainly not perfect, but Pearl Abyss' willingness to listen to feedback gives me hope that Crimson Desert will only continue to improve in the future on what is already a strong foundation.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment continues in the same style that Age of Calamity used to captivate me five years ago. The combat feels great and becomes increasingly engaging as you play, while sending enemies flying through the air as you dominate the battlefield has an almost therapeutic effect. There’s so much to discover and unlock on the map that I constantly felt like I was making progress – even if much of it is repetitive. It also presents a story through extensive cutscenes that are fully voice-acted – and, above all, remarkably serious. The new Switch 2 hardware has solved Age of Calamity’s biggest issue: there are no more frame drops, and it looks fantastic in higher resolution. When all is said and done, Age of Imprisonment completely drew me in, and it was a joy to watch the hours fly by on TV or in handheld mode just as quickly as the Bokoblins launched from my sword.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

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    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Although Dragonwilds isn’t a major innovator in the genre just yet, it has enough charm and potential to keep an eye on. It’s an interesting spin-off that doesn’t betray the RuneScape DNA, but rather places it in a new context. If this is the first step in a new direction for Jagex, it’s certainly a bold one. The game is still in Early Access, so the potential to develop it into something unique is definitely there. [Early Access Score = 65]

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