IGN Japan's Scores

  • Games
For 438 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 53% higher than the average critic
  • 8% same as the average critic
  • 39% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 3.9 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 79
Highest review score: 100 Pokemon Pokopia
Lowest review score: 25 The Quiet Man
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 5 out of 438
438 game reviews
    • 85 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The concept of an infinite loop has been masterfully visualized in this first-person puzzle game, creating a visually mesmerizing experience. It’s definitely worth playing, but keep in mind that the puzzles are of a high difficulty level, and some players might get motion sickness, too.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    Mistover’s characters may look cute, but this is one harsh game. Influenced by Darkest Dungeon, this is a game only for players who are looking for a serious challenge.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    What makes The Sinking City unique is that it really feels like you’re investigating while struggling with hallucinations and madness as you step foot inside the world of Cthulhu mythos. If that sounds like your cup of tea, definitely give it a chance. However, after you get used to the gameplay you will notice that as a game, The Sinking City feels like too much of the same. An open-world design was not the ideal direction to take for this developer specialized in a specific genre.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 93 Critic Score
    The Outer Worlds is an RPG with an incredible amount of choices to make, to the extent that it can sometimes feel more like an adventure game. While it becomes more linear near the end, there are few games that give the player this much freedom of choice.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    While keeping the series’ essence intact, the newly introduced Wild Area makes Pokémon Sword/Shield feel significantly different, switching up how battles and party formation work. Pokémon Sword/Shield is an enjoyable game, and even if it doesn’t include every single Pokémon ever made, its changes could very well mark a new start for the series.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    While keeping the series’ essence intact, the newly introduced Wild Area makes Pokémon Sword/Shield feel significantly different, switching up how battles and party formation work. Pokémon Sword/Shield is an enjoyable game, and even if it doesn’t include every single Pokémon ever made, its changes could very well mark a new start for the series.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    While keeping the series’ essence intact, the newly introduced Wild Area makes Pokémon Sword/Shield feel significantly different, switching up how battles and party formation work. Pokémon Sword/Shield is an enjoyable game, and even if it doesn’t include every single Pokémon ever made, its changes could very well mark a new start for the series.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    As the first single-player Star Wars action game to be released in a number of years, Jedi: Fallen Order provides a novel opportunity to visit a variety of planets and explore them in depth. However, it fails to build upon innovations from earlier Star Wars action games such as implementation of Force abilities and ease of navigation, with the result that part of its design feels stuck in a previous era.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    While the story's climax left us disappointed, Shenmue III is a precious game nonetheless. Feeling the lingering presence of your deceased father in a country far from home, sharing a roof with someone you love, and overcoming the teachings of a stubborn kung fu master are only a few examples of how this game portrays deep human relationships. Shenmue III also has a very addictive gameplay loop that makes great use of the attention to detail the series is known for.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    A fresh new gameplay experience with breathtaking photorealistic yet surreal visuals, Death Stranding provides an experience that goes beyond the usual boundaries of videogames. Future developers may draw influence from the game’s redefined concept of terrain and its traversal.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    While action elements feel forced in, and the game’s system often feels like it doesn’t match the characters, Concrete Genie’s heartfelt story and dreamy visuals still make for a short but unforgettable experience.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest XI on Switch is a richer and more convenient experience than the original Japanese PS4 version. That being said, the additional scenarios have a slightly negative effect on the story as a whole, and it can not be denied that the Switch version is visually less impressive. While that makes it hard to call this the definitive version of Dragon Quest XI, it's still an amazing experience.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Etherborn is a surrealistic puzzle platformer that combines gravity mechanics with fantastical art direction. The responsive platforming action comes with camerawork that enhances the experience, making Etherborn a game that is both fun to play and aesthetically pleasing. It is too bad that the number of environments is limited, and the clichéd narration makes these mesmerizing locations feel more common than they actually are.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It’s no surprise that brand new visuals and sound make the alluring world and ephemeral story of Link’s Awakening all the more endearing, but I did not expect to fall in love with its 26-year-old game design all over again.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 89 Critic Score
    Borderlands 3 does not only have an amazing story, it’s also close to being the definitive looter-shooter... So close.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    Everywhere in the world, people have fallen in love with this adorable goose and the friendly villagers who never punish it for its pranks. However, the village the game takes place in is way too small, and the harsh challenges that are thrown at you after beating the main game don’t match the cutesy atmosphere.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 68 Critic Score
    Code Vein is the kind of game that makes you think it could have benefited a lot from another delay. Animations, sound effects and more are heavily inspired by Souls-like games and definitely feel cheap. The game is not well balanced either, and the level design is especially lacking. Still, it brings interesting ideas to the table, such as a buddy system and the freedom to switch between a wide variety of builds. While there’s certainly a lot of bugs and other issues, if you keep playing, it does actually become fun.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    While exciting new monsters and more freedom in equipment are definitely welcome additions, the Guiding Lands endgame content’s poorly balanced level design will make players feel uncomfortable.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    AI: The Somnium Files has a lot of dirty jokes, and its story is not very surprising. But still, it can not be denied that Kotaro Uchikoshi has created yet another work of outstanding artistry.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    While the more story-driven experience of the new Volta mode definitely makes for an ambitious soccer game, it’s too bad that the story itself is so monotonous.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Before setting on an adventure in the woods together with my dog, I didn’t really understand the link between this game and Blair Witch, the movie it is based on. However, it didn’t take long for me to understand that this inspiration source is exactly what makes this a unique horror game. Overcoming this bewitched forest together with your partner results in a stellar gameplay experience. However, the horror tropes are used a bit too often.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    With eFootball in its title, this year’s PES comes with visual enhancements that make it even more realistic, while keeping the exhilarating soccer gameplay intact. The new finesse dribble mechanic allows the player to make slight adjustments with the right analog stick, which feels like you are directly in control. With legendary coaches and derby match scenarios, Master League is now more addictive than ever before.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As a combination between the River City and Downtown areas, River City Girls’ town warmly welcomes all fans of the long-running River City Ransom series. For new players, the cute, poppy characters and the over-the-top battles should feel entertaining enough. However, the story is not tightly plotted, and generally not interesting enough for someone not familiar with the genre.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Oninaki has an unbalanced battle system and lacks any guidance through its appealing story. Yet the unique setting and world should be interesting enough for most players to want to see it through.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Developed by Bombservice, Minoria not only implements many mechanics from the studio’s previous titles, but also delivers a tense experience packed with smooth action gameplay. More aggressive gameplay is a great new direction for the developer, and has us excited for what comes next.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    While the user-friendly controls and loose collision make for a comfortable experience, Beats Fever VR lacks in uniqueness, and the visuals can make it difficult to understand what’s going on. Still, if you already have a PS VR and PS Move controllers and you like rhythm games, you might want to give it a try.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    As a successor of Her Story, Telling Lies succeeds in delivering a deep and varied story with what is essentially the same system. However, whether that story is full of surprises or not, depends hugely on the player’s reasoning powers.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With low-texture pixel art and an FM synth-rock soundtrack, Blazing Chrome is best described as a spiritual successor to Contra games from the 16-bit era. A 16:9 aspect ratio, devastating enemy attacks and upgradable weapons give Blazing Chrome a unique sense of thrill and exhilaration. Heavily inspired by older games yet original at the same time, Blazing Chrome’s refined level design will have you learn each time you die. Fighting your way through this classic run-and-gun game is like reliving an experience that never gets old.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a masterful game that maintains the story and drama of previous entries, but allows you to train and grow your characters on a much larger scale than before. While the graphics, UI and level design are far from perfect, the addictive gameplay loop and dynamic story are of very high quality.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    While using a similar format as 2012’s Journey, developer Thatgamecompany manages to deliver an experience that feels genuinely new by implementing more communication mechanics and adding more diversity in its gameplay. At launch, the more complex package does make Sky feel less refined and not as pure as Journey, but we are excited to see how this online experience evolves from here.

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